Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-18
SfARvAT|ONL|
PUTAT S|XTYDAYS
Famine Faces Large Part of
Europe, Mr.. Hoover Tells
Chairmen.

Inc world Is never more than
sixty days ahead of famine between
harvests. In consequence Of drain
ing men from their usual occupations
Of food producing large areas OF
Europe today are facing starvation.
In the coming winter deaths from
starvation probably will exceed deaths
at the front"
To drive homo to the regional
chairmen of the highways transport
committee of the Council of National
Defense the imperative need for
greater food production and the de-
velopment of the rural expresses by
using the highways of the country
for food distribution, Food Admin
istrator Hoover made the foregoing
statement yesterday afternoon at a
luncheon at the Willard.
Up to America, Mr.. Hoover Says.
Mr.. Hoover explained that it was
UP to the United states to make as
light as possible the coming winter
the sufferingS of the European coun-
tries lighting for democracy and to
be prepared to continue to extend a
helping hand in the same direction
for ten years following the war. He
pointed out to them in general the
part this country must play in her
own offensive at home while the men
at the front are meeting successes
against the boche on the field of bat
tie. He specifically showed regional
chairmen the objects for which they
must strive as defenders of the coun-
try and helpmates to sister countries
in arms.
"One of the first manifestations of
the approaching famine" said Mr..
Hoover" is the reduction in the num-
her of work animals and beef cattle.
1t took the south thirty-five years to
recover its herds after the civil war
Because of diminishing herds. Europe
will face serious food shortages for
years after peace is declared.
Must Save Perishable Food.
Mr.. Hoover then made appeal for
utilization Of every means to increase
production and distribute food eff
ficiently. He said that extended use
of highways and the increased en-
ployment of mechanical means in
transportation would cut down APP
probably the waste OF our perlsha bles.
Fifty per cent of the periShableS, he
said, never reach the consumer.
I'VE lose" said Mr.. Hoover, from
40 to GO per cent of our potatoes
yearly. Not only is the production
area of our perishables congested
but in general the producers are too
remote from the markets"
For Rural Express Development.
He declared that highly developed
rural express would not only stop
this terrific waste but lower prices.
Pointing to the success Europe has
had in her intimate system of rail-
way lines and canals to transport
products to nearby markets. he said
that the failure of public markets in
this country is due to the tremendous
loss of perishables, shipped from re-
mote distances.
"a network of rural deliveries" he
said, will provide the economic basis
for successful public market"
Big Problem In Traffic.
Speakers at last nights session
were Edward Chambers, director Of
traffic for the railroad administra-
ton, and Robert Wright, assistant
director of traffic. AIr. Chambers SAID
that the biggest problem the admin
istration is meeting is that of city
terminals, where the task of delivery
of goods is very difficult. He said
the trouble experienced in short haul
ing at these terminals could be great
ly decreased by motor truck trans
portation. He expressed the opinion
that Director General McAdoo would
finally work out successfully all rail
road problems.
Work being done in New York or
store-door delivery to clear terminals
was entered into by Mr.. Wright. He
also spoke of the rural express as
better than railroads for tapping
farming areas. =, MI