The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-05-14
GET THE HABIT

To stimulate the consumption Oh po-
tatoes, the food administration or
western State has hit upon mover
plan. The hotels and restaurants nave
been requested 10 furnish potatoes
with every meal free Of charge. Inc
American people certainly have no rea'
son to complain about the food sltua-
ton when such a valuable article OF
food as potatoes is to be had gratis.
They have nearly the nutritiTe value
Of wheat, when prepared with milk or
other substance containing fats Vast
stores OF potatoes were pilad up. part
" on account OF the eagerness OF farm
ers to hold them back for higher
prices. partly on account OF the lack OF
transportation facilities. When the
railroad embargo was lifted II was
hoped that they would find ready
sale, but this hope was not realized. as
the public did not erince an eager dis
position for an increased consumption
of the tuhers Every housewife serves
a four-fold purpose by buying a oushel
Of potatoes. She saves money on her
household expenses. helps to prevent
waste, saves wheat for the Allies and
ENCOURAGES the farmers 10 do more
planting, which means lower prices
for next year.
When a year ago potatoes SCARED TO
$3.50 a bushel the government sent out
hundreds Of field agents to the potato
producing states 70 encourage the
farmers to plant more potatoes than
ever before. and the result was a har-
vest more than sixty per cent. in eI-
cess Of the previous year Should we
lose the advantage Of this bumper crop
by letting the surplus go TO rot? The
farmers charge is that the potato
dealers last fall bought only so much
Of the crop as could be sold at war or
monopoly prices, and left the rest on
the farmers hands. The dealers con-
sidered that they could make more
money at very high prices. selling only
part Of the crop. than at lower prices
and disposing of the entire crop. But
little will be gained now by loading
the protiteering on the dealers or on
- Sc, IN ~ TNTn n a n
tpearances. the potato planting this
FEAR will be % or 10 per cent. less than
it was last year This would be un-
fortunate. because there is need Of all
the food we can raise.
Probably BY guaranteeing to the
farmers a fixed price for all the po-
tatoS they can raise. and for the gov
eminent to take and dispose OF the en-
. tire crop, would solve the problem.
Production and distribution have be-
come primary governmental functions.
It is absurd 10 depend upon ordinary
economic forces under the present sit
uation. But the problem demanding
immediate attention is 70 prevent the
perditIon OF so much valuable food.
1t would be serious and dead loss
that would make itself distinctly felt.
as, till the next harvest is In, most Of
the wheat will have 10 be shipped TO
our Allies, and every possible food
economy is imperative. This demand
Is all the more pressing. as the market
will soon be flooded with the new po-
tatoes. To let vast quantities of valu.
able food be spoiled while wheat is
scarce would be an objectionable
crime acains; our Allies. Therefore.
heed the repeated admon;ions OF our
food administrator ana consume more
potatoes. A good cook can make them
palatable three times a day.