The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-07-05
l.. s. FOOD ADMINISTRATION

/ n iuthCl Shdh6C III thC
rules of sugar is announced by the
food administration on receipt of
telegram from Herber, Hoover. The
new rules provide that only 25
pounds of sugar may be purchased at
one time for canning and preserving
1t was previously allowable to pur-
chase 100 pounds at one time for this
purpose.
Cut was made in the allowance of
hotels, restaurants, boarding houses
and camps. They formerly were al
| lowed to purchase a 30-day supply,
but under the rule promulgated now
they may purchase a supply for 10
ing crews are to be considered in the
same class as camps or boarding
houses.
The purpose of this change is to
spread the purchases over a longer
period of time, and thus secure
more even distribution. These classes
which are changed by the new rule
may repurchase the % pounds or the
Today supply when the previous pur-
chase is exhausted.
Definite measures to limit retail
prices have been announced by Food
Administrator Hebberd, through the
medium of standardized fair price
lists" to be published in county seats
and in towns and cities of $500 popu-
lation or over. In such counties
Food Administration officials expect
to protect the consumer from unreas-
enable price advances. By bringing
prices to a medium level, the food
administration will not only protect
the average buyer, but will also pro-
tect the patriotic merchant who has
followed its suggestions from the un-
scrupulous dealer who has attempted
to take advantage of the situation.
In every county and in every town
or city Of more than $500 population
the food administration will establish
price interpreting committees COM
posed of representatives of the mer-
chants, consumers and the food ad-
ministration. This interpreting board
will ascertain fair retail prices on
the basic commodities that comprise
large part of the peoples diet.
Tradesmen on the boards will be
appointed by the trades and will
serve with representative of the
consuming interests, the local foodt
administrator acting as chairman.
Each board will have detailed re-
ports of actual wholesale prices, and
will ascertain fair margins of profit
thai should be made by the retailer.
The final fair price will be widely
published. Newspapers in every city
and county will be asked to cooper
ate, setting aside particular posi-
ton in prominent place on the same
day each week. running the lists with
conspicuous headlines and interest
ing foot notes on the food problem
and the use of substitutes for the
foods most needed abroad
Consumers will be asked to report
to their food administrators any
storest charging more than the an
nounced prices. Investigations of
these reports will give the food ad-
ministration a basis upon which to
work in separating the patriotic deal
er from the profiter. An indirect
control over the retail stores may be
exercised by cutting off supplies at
the source-instructing licensed
wholesale dealers to sever business
relations with the firm which exact
more than a reasonable charge.
Retail price reporters are being ap-
pointed in every county. They are
expected to keep close check upon
charges made at the stores and to
report to the local administrator all
dealers not keeping within the limits
prescribed in the fair price lists"
Wherever investigation shows that
any dealer has charged excessive
prices, the administrator will grant
a hearing. If he cannot show just
cause for his failure 70 keep within
the prices announced by the interpret
| ing boards, he will be punished
The food administration believes
that with the operation of this stand
ardized plan Throughout, the country
| it can assure the consumers that the
price they pay represents no more
than cost of production, plus reason
able costs and profits of necessary
handlers. 1t has already, through its
licensing system, pnt a close check
upon the various classes Of retailers
and has eliminated all classes not
performing a necessary function in
| moving in the shortest possible line
and with least expense from the farm
| to the table.