Evening star., 1918-01-20

essding ON the part Of the United
States government was asked Of Mr..
Marshall.
You must remember" he replied.
that Uncle Sam IL going after this
food information in a business-like
and determined way. He fs not satisfied
with voluntary statements made by
merchants and food dealers. accepted
on faith as the truth. The power of the
law 10 behind request for data. and X
any Of the business concerns approach
cd are caught up in inaccuracies OF
statement they are exposed to heavy
penalty or q term of imprisonment. II
the food barons OF New York should be
temptedt report Incorrectly on Quanti-
ties of sugar or pickles stored IN ware
houses in Kentucky or Iowa. federal
agents would not be long in finding ie
out. Besides this close check upon the
reports from big concerns thrugh
multiplicity OF agencies working on
the food survey. statistics gathered by
personal canvass in representative
sent by mail.
However. there is pretty generally
real desire on the part Of business men
to help the nation in Its campaign for
more intelligent housekeeping on the
score of its foods. Reactionists have
been few and reports come in promptly
and in good form. In fact. It is some
what surprising to see how quickly the
great mass OF American business men
adapt themselves to a measure which a
few years ago would have been con-
sidered altogether out of the province
Of government and a patent encroach-
ment upon personal liberties"
when this survey is completed. with
all that 1t has meant in the expendi-
ture of time. effort and money. exactly
what will be the practical results?'>was
asked.
1--WE can plan out our crop production
for the ensuing year with degree of
intelligence which is impossible with
out this definite and comprehensive
survey Of food supplies. 1t would be
hard to find the owner of factory who
would plan out a producing program
without having moderately accurate
idea Of market demands and stocks AL
ready on hand. We have been running
our factory absolutely blind. without
regard to orders or probable sales. It
Is ridiculous to urge greatly Increased
production unless we can say-and say
with definiteness-thatt there is q short
age and that the producer will be as.
sured a moderate return for his labor.
I'VE are about to know for the first
time by consideration of actual figures
how we are situated with reference to
our right to export the various COM
modities. considering the needs Of our
own people. Again we shall know
what we should substitute in the way
of those things which are plentiful for
those which are not plentiful. Infor-
nation to the effect that there is a sur
plus of potatoes on the market will ex-
ert a leverage on the price fxer and
will encourage the increased use of this
specific food. AS increased consump-
tfon of potatoes means using less
bread. 1t Is a definite wheat conserva-
tfon measure. Throwing like facts on
the screen regarding other leading food
items would be equally valuable. We
should know where we can use heavily
and where lightly. Hoarding would be
impossible. It will enable us to check
up production with consumption. and to
eoualize distribution"
Both Mr.. Brand and Mr.. Marshall. the
two men at the head of the job. believe
that this emergency survey will dem.
onstrate how useful annual stocktak-
ing is While Congress has agreed to
foot the expense of only one food in
ventory. they believe that tho annual
survey. once before the crops are har-
vested and Just after they are in. IL an
good as established. Uncle Sam has en-
tered upon an era OF better housekesp.
ing.