Evening star., 1918-07-22
SIXTEEN GR0CERS
IN H|GH-PR|CE NET
Food Administration Makes
Roundup on Charges of
Profiteering.

Sixteen retail grocers charged
with profiteering. were caught in a
general roundup yesterday conducted
by inspectors of the District Food
Administration. These merchants
will be given q hearing by the food
administrator tomorrow.
While the price boosters were being
run down yesterday another inspec-
tor was placing a sign at the en-
trance of the Pure Food Store, zs10
18th street, notifying the public that
the grocery department would be
closed yesterday and today for vio-
lating the regulations of the food ad-
ministration. This store, according to
the administration. had been selling
various food articles at prices In ex-
cess of those quoted on the weekly
fair-price list. It conducts a cafe and
lunchroom in connection with the
was not closed.
A sign has been hung in a con-
spicuous place in front of the Florida
Fruit Company, In the Arcade market,
informing the public that this concern
has reduced its prices to comply with
eiAo Aoh pliSC hSl. 1nlS sigh VIII be
displayed for two days, but the opera
tton of the business will not be mo-
Tested.
Has Only Just Begun.
The food administrator intimates
that he has only just begun. He has
long since served notice on Washing
ton storekeepers that they were to
follow closely the. weekly fair-price
list. and future yiolators are to be
heavily penalized. 1t was stated That
there would be a big roundup Of
these offenders was exclusively fore
told in The Star early last week. The
majority OF those caught in the ad-
mintstratfon's net yesterday were Of
the small corner grocery" type.
Heretofore many Of Sic small srocery-
men have been before the District ad-
ministrator to answer various charges
OF violations and prontsering. but be-
cause of tears, profuse apologies, piaus-
ible and varied. excuses. such as sick
education. they have been allowed to 70
their way with warning. 1t was said
at the administration today that senti-
ment any sympathy will not figure in
passing judgment on offenders in the
future.
Falling in line with the suggestion
made In The Star that 1t would be a
good idea to keep In touch with prices
prevailing in other cities for Comparison
with the high prices here. the District
administration Is now being supplied
with printed data Of this nature COL
lected daily by a large press clipping
bureau.
Quotations From Buffalo.
Quotations printed in a Buffalo
newspaper show that sirloin steak,
round steak and roast beef were SELL
ing at 81 to 81 cents in that city;
stewing beef II to rs cents, stewing
lamb 20 to 27 cents. leg of lamb 2S
to IS cents, fresh ham 20 to 80 and
fresh chickens 81 to 43 cents a pound.
Butter of the best grade is quoted
on the weekly fair price list Of the
Chicago food administration at As to
80 cents pound, while in Washing
ton the fair price list allows a retail
price Of 81 to So cents q pound.
The inspector who placed the
placard in front Of the Pure Food
store yesterday notifying the pub
lic that the owner was being punish
ed for charging prices higher than
allowed by the food administration
said today that he was thoroughly
disgusted when party Of men and
women going on picnic complained
because they could not make some
purchases. He said these people
actually demonstrated with him and
that the significance of the sign
seemed to fail utterly to impress
them.