The Washington times., 1918-12-20
D.C.FOODHEAD.
AND FORCE Of.
INSPECTORS TO
REMAIN ON lob
BY BILL PRICE.

~ am going to see this work
through" today said Clarence X.
Wilson, local food administrator,
when he was told that there are
reports to the effect that he may re-
tire from his position owing to the
Generalization of the forces OF the
national and local administrations.
The law creating the food admin
istration provides for its continuance
until peace is formally declared. That
may be three or six months away,
and Congress may conclude to con-
ttnue the organization beyond that
period IL the relaxation of food rules
brings about food speculation and
profiteering while the country is try
ing to get back to normal.
To Retain Shell.
At the headquarters which Herbert
Hoover personally supervised so long,
but Is now controlling from overseas,
~ is said that while rehabilitation
and removal of restrictions are un-
der way, to be completed TO large
extent by January /, the shell OF the
organization in all parts OF the
country will be retained and into
this shell may be placed the old or
new machinery on short notice.
Restrictions are being removed
where the apparent tendency OF prices
is downward, but where the trend Is
upward they will be retained and due
watchfulness exercised. While there
is much talk of declining prices, there
are few facts supporting this theory.
All State and county food admins
traitors will stay on the JOB, with
such of their force as is necessary TO
enforce the law and rules and make
inspections.
To Retain Ten Inspectors.
In Washington, for example, Mr..
Wilson will continue to employ about
ten people out OF a force of twenty
five, and all of these belong to his
inspection and enforcement division.
He is not shutting off steam in the
slightest when it comes to maintain
ing what he believes to be fair prices
here. That is shown in the fact that
he is this afternoon engaged in lis
1euinE to explanations of about sixty
retail dealers who are alleged to
have been selling eggs and other
commodities above the margin OF
profit he has fixed as fair.
Mr.. Wilson today repeated his
firm determination to see that his
margins are followed and will con-
tInue on the trail of all dealers who
do not observe his rules.
PIaeards Prices.
Some time ago he inaugurated the
custom OF placing upon blackboards
in all meat shops and stands the
prices Al which various cuts of
meats. etc, should be sold. To this
he has now added large placards
containing the prices at which COM
moditfes should be sold by retail
dealers.
He requires that these placards
should be placed in every retail es-
tabIishment so that customers who
wish may see. He is again asking
reports by customers of violations Of
either meat or commodity prices.
No trustworthy information comes
from Europe as to what the allies
may finally agree upon in turning
over to Herbert Hoover the distribu-
tion OF food supplies among the
wrecked European nations. most OF
which will come from this country.
It is generally agreed by officials
who worked under Mr.. Hoover that
he faces an enormous and ticklish
problem IL he should undertake to
act as world food distributor and take
from this country quantities of food
that might cause prices to remain
I.igh or soar upward. His success ir
Hooverizing the United States was
due to constant appeal to the people
In his probable new job he will no:
lave the war spirit of the people bach
of him.
It is understood that in the talked
of new work he will keep with him
the splendid force of publicity men
headed by Ben Allen. His headqusr-
ters may be here instead of in Eu.
rope. Allen was in London as the
Associated Press representative when
Hoover was asked to take charge OF
the food situation in the United
states, and he lost no time in re-
questing Allen to become associated
with him. Allen has been a marvel
in shaping publicity that was really
useful
Facing Possible Nightmare.
Reports trickle into Washington
that Mr.. Hoover is facing a possible
nightmare in his guarantee of wheat
ut S2-2s per bushel in Chicago and
S229h in New York. Before the
armistice was declared England and
other allied countries, with all their
shipping engaged in the war, were
glad to pay the fixed prices in New
York or elsewhere. With the break.
iasAup of Germany's sea power. in
Guiding her submarines. England
inds that she can spare tonnage for
hauling wheat from Australia and
She is now getting and will con-
tinue to get wheat from those coun-
tries at practically half what she was
[ormalIy glad TO pay this country.
Is the United States going to be
eft with the bag TO hold in its big
subsidy to American farmers to pro-
Juce large crops? Will the Govern
-nent, through its purchase of all
wheat. be a heavy loser on this years
crop? Were England. France, and
italy under moral obligation to stand
ny the guaranteed wheat prices. fixed
that those countries might have bread
through subsidizing the American
farmer to do his best?