Connecticut western news., 1918-09-05
FOOD ADMINISTRATOR SCOvILLE
REVIEWS FIRST YEARS WORK


duction of approximately 10 per cent
over the entire year, since for the first
six months period our consumption
has been at substantially the 1917 rate,
and we are obliged therefore to effect
practically all of this saving during
the second half Of the year. We have,
as you know, limited the domestic con-
sumption to two pounds per month per
capita, and manufacturers have been
reduced to so per cent. Of their normal
capacity, which represents the lowest
percentage at which it is possible for
them to exist. This is a very small
ration, and undoubtedly the patience
of the American public will be sorely
tried, but we are relying on their in
telligent cooperation to assist US
through this difficult situation.
Meat.
So far as the meat situation Is con-
cerned, we are at the present time
most deeply concerned over our abili-
ty to supply Europe with sufficient
quantity Of beef. Because Of the
heavy run of hogs during the spring
months we have been able to. obtain
and accumulate at European points
supply of pork that Is sufficient for
their immediate needs. We therefore
repeat the general caution that all
meat Is q valuable food and should be
used sparingly, but that for the pres
ent at least we have sufficient supplies
of pork, mutton and poultry for our
American public. We are asking only
for a moderate limitation on the con-
sumption of heavy beef.
North America.
One of the striking features Of the
international food situation is found
in the relative Importance which
| North America has assumed in meet
ing the food supply of the world.
Transportation difficulties have so
completely isolated the remote parts
that the exports from America have
increased to an extent not generally
realized. Compared with pre-war
times our export of condensed milk
has increased 10000 per cent; beef,
5000 per cent; sugar, 1000 per cent,
and, while In pre-war times we were
furnishing three allied nations sufff-
cient food to support 100000 persons,
during the year ending July LIST we
were able to send an amount sufficient
to support 100000.
Undoubtedly the greatest achieve
ment of the Food Administration Is
found in the way in which 1t has won
the confidence of both the industry
and the public. We must all feel
| nf hu 20 no
engaged in the business of supplying
us with food. Many other industries
have escaped with little or no inter-
ference, while these people have been
obliged to submit to drastic regulation
which in pre-war times would have
shocked any business man. These
people may be said to live in the war
zone of business, and 1t is at all times
our duty to see that the burden is
made as light as the circumstances
will permit.
In Connecticut we have about TO-,
600 concerns engaged in this business,
and we have received complaints
against about 300. This number in
cludes many complaints obviously
founded on malice or prejudice We
have been obliged to revoke two IL
censes and suspend or fine some
twelve or fifteen. From this it ap-
pears that compliance with the rules
and regulations is more general than
the public is inclined to believe. For
the sake of the effect on the trade we
arrange for the widest publicity in all
cases where punishment is admins
tered, and this has undoubtedly Gre
ated the impression in some quarters
that these violations are numerous
We must always feel the utmost
gratitude to the many members of this
great industry who have so Loyalty
met every requirement, placing in
many cases their entire organization
at the disposal of the people without
any thought of profit to themselves.
This Is no time to talk of money or
Of profits, for the world is using a
new medium of exchange today in or
der to obtain that liberty, freedom and
justice which it demands. That me-
dunn of exchange is the precious
blood Of men and boys, the best that
we have, and we are sending them by
the hundreds, yes, the hundreds of
J thousands. They go forth singing
"As He died to make men holy, let us
die to set men free" The man who
comes out of this war with one dollar
more than he had when it began has
taken it from the blood of the men
who died for him. May God forgive
: him. The American people never
} will.
, July 80, 1918.