The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-05-23
MEETING Of MARION
COUNTY MERCHANTS
All Were Enthusiastic and Willing to
do All Possible to Help the
Food Administration

This morning at 10 O'Clock at the
Temple, the monthly meeting OF the
Marion County Merchants Associa-
ton was held with an attendance of
forTy-eight,-
The association being called TO
order the roll was called by Mr..
Camp, food administrator. Mr.. Jake
Brown took the chair and made a
short talk. Mr.. Brown said the first
thing he wanted make clear was that
this organization was called together
at the lnsugatiOn Of the government
IN order that the merchants may be.
come familiar with the needs of the
administration, and so they can en-
tighten the people OF their communi-
ties as to what the government
wants them TO do in helping to carry
out these rules. Mr. Brown read the
resolution passed at the April meet
ing OF the association and the amend
ed rule as passed at the mass meet
ing held the week following, both of
which have appeared IN the papers.
Mr.. Brown said he thought the re-
tail merchants the best medium thru
which 70 reach the public and he
urged on behalf of the Marion county
food administration that they do ev-
erything possible to urge their pa
irons TO use less -four, sugar and
meats and TO use more substitutes
thruout the war. To do with lust as
little wheat as possible in order to be
able TO give more to the Allies.
This matter was discussed by a
number present and all were willing
and glad to comply.
At the request OF the food admin
istrator the merchants agreed to keep
a record of -four and substitutes they
have on hand beginning June 1 and
a record of all subsequent purchases
In order that it may be ascertained
just what Marion county is doing, so
that a report of same can be made to
the government. This resolution, Of
fered by Mr.. E. L. Wartmann Of
Citra, was unanimously carried.
Each town IN the county is going
to try 70 make the best record In the
sale of substitutes and the saving of
flour and a friendly rivalry will be
kept up TO see which will ego over
the top" first.
It was also agreed that the merch-
ants of each town meet once a week
for the discussion Of the food rules
and the best manner of keeping the
same
1t was suggested by a lady present
that if at the end Of each month the
report of the amount of -four and
substitutes sold be posted where they
could see it it would aid very mater
ially in securing their cooperation In
the conservation Of -four, for as she
said, "You know the ladies like TO
feel that they are helping in every
patriotic thing that is being DONE"
Her suggestion met with hearty ap-
plause and it viii be carried out.
At the conclusion of the various
discussions Mr.. Brown made another
talk Mr.. Brown said, IN substance:
Those who are not with Us are
against us" but he felt sure that at
least 90 per cent of the merchants are
with Us and that it would not be long
before all would be, and that the
whole nation viii be knitted together
to do everything to help the admins
tration in every measure. He said
that the women Of the country are
back Of US and that means success.
As yet we are doing nothing although
many think they are, but none as yet
know the real meaning of the word
sacrifice" That we must make up
and get together and help those boys
fighting at the front. His speech was
greeted with great applause.
Mr.. Hunter, hotel representative Of
the administration, said that it is the
duty Of every merchant TO form him
self into what might be called a home
guard and to report all violations Of
the food laws to the food admins
traitor. The time is serioT2s and these
reports are not to be regarded as
"squealing" or as "peaching," but as
ones patriotic and loyal duty to his
country. The merchants must not be
slackers in this matter any more
than IN any other war measure. The
fellows who are boarding and the feI-
lows who are not attending these
meetings are IN his opinion "slaek-
/ ers."
It was decided to hold the next
meeting on the morning Of Wednes-
day, June 26th, after which the meet
ing adjourned.
/