The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-24

the exception of yours, Is 1t fair for you to serve wheat in a 'wheat,ess city?' I leave it to the Birmingham public,p said Frank l.. Spain, county food administrator in telegram 10 John R. Thompson, Chicago, proprie- tor of the Thompson restaurants throughout the country, after the To- cal restaurant had refused to volun- tarily declare ban on wheat until the new crop has been harvested.
 The telegram received from Thomp- son late yesterday by Administrator Spain, which evoked the above reply. reads as follows;
 Are we not complying with all regu- lations of the United States food ad- ministration? As administrator, can you ask more than this?
 JOHN R. THOMPSON"
 Every restaurant of any size in the city, with the exception of Thompsons s. has voluntarily entered Class 1. or agreed to serve no more wheat prod- ucts until the new crop has been har- vested.
 STRONG ARM COMMITTEE
 A strong arm committee" waited upon Manager Wood of the Thomp- son place yesterday about noon ana demanded to know the decision which had been reached in regard to the mat ter. Manager Wood stated that the request of the administration would not be needed, and that the restau- rant would continue to serve wheat as heretofore.
 That is all that we want to know for this time, said the spok of the committee. There may be oth- ent this is enough. We simply wanted to know how Thompsons was soing to stand on this matter, said mem Der of the committee.
 Manager Wood. in attempting to de- fend the stand taken by the restau- rant, stated that they had 'an enor- nous trade in pastries and sand wiches." and that If we discontinue all use of wheat we could not make these things. We had just as well shut our doors,n he protested.
 Tt has come to the point where wheat is a necessity for the winning of the war" responded the spokes- man. and under the circumstances it might be better to close your doors. If, to do your part in conveying the wheat you had to shut your doors it would be bad. but it would be proper"
 No further action was taken by the committee yesterday. The visit was made just before noon during the be- ginning of the rush hour, and large crowd congregated about the place in little knots engaged in the discussion. The conversation was carried on in quiet, dignified manner and TO threats or strong language was used.
 SPAIN THANKS PEOPLE
 In an interview last night, Mir. Spain said that he wished to thank the peo- pie in backing him up in patriotic movement while trying to protect those merchants of Birmingham who are sacrificing trade and profits that the overseas armies may be fed. He stated that, the matter was now up to the Birmingham public, which has al- ready established reputation for ex- pedient handling of war measures in other instances. The strong arm committed it seems, has tacitly agreed to see the matter, which may be beyond the pale of the law, through to the very end
 MT. Spain received telegram yester- day morning from John R. Thompson, Chicago, which reads as follows:
 We serve 20,o00.000 sandwiches an- nually These cannot be made with out the use of some wheat flour. We live up to all the requirements of the food administration and conserve more wheat without camouflage than any firm in our line Our res taurants are patronized by men and women of mod crate means and there is nothing we can serve which will take the place of the popular 5-cent sandwich. The elim- ination of wheat is q voluntary prop osition, to which the high priced hotels and high priced restaurants pledged themselves For bakery and sandwich restaurant such as we oper- ate tae elimination of wheat entirely would mean going out of business"
 In replying, 1Ir. Spain sent the fol- To wing telegram, after winch were re- ceived the two given in the first part of this stcr3.
 'Birn,;,gharn's first-class hotels and restaurants. including bakery and sandwich restaurants, have eliminated wheat products from menus. Washing ton Dairy Lunch. your nearest com petitor. has done so. Unless you come in voluntarily putlc opinion Is going
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