Evening star., 1918-11-26
NOLACK OF TURKEY
THANKSGIVING DAY.
Outlook Good for Menu to
Suit 100 Per Cent Ameri-
cans, Dealers Say.
PRICES RATED, MODERATE

Indications this afternoon are that
turkey is going to play a most I'M
portant and conspicuous role IN the
observance of Thanksgiving day In
Washington this year. Unless there
is a decided change in conditions be-
tween now and Thursday 1t will be
possible for many families to anord
a real old-time Thanksgiving dinner
from turkey to nuts.
The Washington market today is
exceptionally we'll supplied with tur-
keys, and at late hour they were
still pouring in. The quality OF the
birds arriving was never finer, accord
ing to such judges as Steve Callahan,
District food inspector at the Center
Market. and other old-time market ex-
perts. In fact. never in the history
of the trade was there finer assort
ment. And, best of all. the price has
dropped, with little possibility OF any
decided rise between now and Thurs
day.
Sales Made at 40 Cents a Pound.
Numerous sales were made yester-
day afternoon and this morning at
~ cents a pound and in some in
stances the price was as low as 40
cents a pound However, the prevail
ing price, up to noon today, has been
As cents and it is considered very
doubtful if the prices reach or go
beyond so cents before the feast day.
Practically all turkeys this year will
be fresh killed. The cold storage
birds disappeared last summer when
Uncle Sam bought up supplies for his
soldiers and sailors. principally the
latter. the day of salt pork for tars
long since being past, but that is an
other story entirely.
The supply of turkeys is said to be
normal In fact some market men
think it will exceed the normal de-
mand before noon tomorrow. 1t ap-
pears that all the country folk within
a 150-mile radius of the capital have
been raising turkeys the past year.
There was one shipment yesterday
from Culpeper, Va. consisting of 1900
which averaged nine one-half pounds
each.
This shipment brought 3S cents a
pound wholesale when placed on the
market, which indicates that the re-
tail prices prevailing, although high
sounding to those existing in pre-war
times. is certainly moderate.
Strong Family Preference Shown.
With everybody anxious to have
real Thanksgiving in 1918, there is
strong demand in the family circle for
turkey. This demand loses nothing
from the fact that most household
economists figure that the price of tur-
key is not much. if any, higher than
most of the meats which could be used
as substitute.
Inspector Callahan. whose opinions
go long way among men in the
trade. said today that the turkey mar
ket in Washington is more favorable
than it has been in number of years.
He suggests that housewives place
their orders at the earliest possible
moment. Mr.. Callahan declares that
there will be no speculation with tur-
keys this year on the part of the
dealers. He explains that the latter
want to know just how many turkeys
they will need for their customers and
are buying just enough to go round,
and no more.
Shipments already are being re-
ceived from Virginia. Maryland. Penn
sylvania, New York state, New Eng
land and the west. Ducks and geese
are not as plentiful as usual and the
price is not as low as would be ex-
prices.
Outlook for Fruits and Vegetables.
Potatoes, onions, cranberries and ap-
Pies are plentiful and prices moderate.
Celery. however, is not plentiful to-
day. but the local dealers look for the
arrival of large shipment within the
next twenty-four hours.
The. food administration has planned
a universal Thanksgiving dinner
menu for the American home. which
has the simplicity of the first Thanks
giving meal of the Pilgrims.
Not fowl or fruit or vegetable is
mentioned on the menu that could
not be found on any American farm.
The fare, as planned. is not only
typical of our national feast and of
our first peace holiday, but also of the
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