Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-01-29
WARN MEAT MEN
THEY MUSTN'T ASK
EXCESSIVE PRICE
II Unscrupulous Dealers Take
Advantage of Shortage Then
Supply Will Be Cut Off
DUE TO RAIL TROUBLES

\ warning was issued today by the
Food Administration to all meat dealers
regarding anv effort that might be made
within the next few days TO advance the
price of meat, because of a scarcity that
Il is prusumef may result from con-
restion Of transportation facilities. In
speaking OF the condition Food Admins
traitor Mitchell referred 10 a telegram he
had received from Administrator Hoover
commenting on the situation.
There Is likely 10 be temporary
scarcity of meat, in this section, due to a
ack oi transportation, said Admins
traitor Mitchell Conditions Of this kind
very often prompt dealers TO raise prices.
This ml-st not bc done at this time.
The packers will not charge dealers
more than normal prices, and no dealer
should charge the consumer more than
the FORMAL price.
In case any dealer charges an abnormal
price under these conditions the packer
will be instructed to stop his supply. Thus
applies not only 20 meat. but TO all sub
stitutes
CHECK on UNSCRUrCLoCs DEALERS.
While this is plain language, IT is
deemed necessary IN order that II thcrc
are anN unscrupulous dealers who would
seek IA charge more for meats because
there is q scarcity, tho consumer can
realize that there Is a remedy, and that
the Food Administrator, supported by
President Wilson, Will not Condonc such
acts.
II Is stated that the scarcity of meats
that may como about is not due 10 any
shortage IN the supply, but entirely TO
failure oi railroads to move II forward to
the Last snd New England.
Reports have been received at tho Food
Administration headquarters that certain
-roocrs have been charging excessive
ariocs Tor sugar. Ii WAS stated this morn
lng that the Food Administration would
~ sorry "a take drastic action against
,uch dealers. but that this would surely
follow II thc practice was not stopped
proprletors of eating houses throughout
this CITY have aligned themselves whole
heartesilv behind the Food admins
'ration. The business men and women
met IN the rose room at the Hotel du Pont
YESTERDAY and. after an informal discus
aon IN which the dealers voiced their
sentiments regarding various details OF
conservation, agreed on wheatlcss and
neafless meals There were 50 persons
present. and so isr as any outward ex-
preston WIS concerned were all going to
supper, the food conservation plans.
On DAYS that Ne not meatless days,
vhen q meatless meal is to be observed
40 meat shall be served ST the morning
meal
Throughout the meeting there was the
hearuest cooperation manifested and
there was little arguing about the details
Every one was wiling at least from all
outward appearances, to do all IN their
x,rh.of md
tsts as the hood Administration desires
them TO do.
hood Administrator Mitchell viii send
To all abSentees at the meeting an account
Of what has been determined upon and
the date when the new decision insofar as
shat meals 10 observe as vheatiess and
u,cstleSs shall take effect
Nr Mitchell outlined 10 those present
the neccsSitV for conserving food, especially
xheat. tie read the cablegram from Baron
Rhondda OF England, stating that unless
he | nited states exported 5000 900
bushels Of wheat above the amount already
exported up 10 January !, that nc would
not be responsible for the war being won
because without wheat for food the sol
dlers could not hight
The hood Administrator also told the
business men and women that President
" ilson has so far refraIned from using the
Word must IN connection with iood con-
.ervatIon. That WAS because II was q
democratic form Of government.
But az the same time he referred 10
cases where the Food Administration has
closed UP eating houses because the pro-
prletors failed TO 1--we up 10 the request OF
the government TO conserve. There Is a
penalty OF 5000 or one years imprlson-
ment, that could be imposed, but no such
drastic action has been taken. Mr..
Mitchell said he believed that all OF the
business people were loyal and that they
would 40 ali ~ their power 70 AID the lood
crnservRtIon plans.
After presenting conditions TO the
business men present, he threw the meet
lng open 10 them.
There were various details debated and
an informal discussion followed. Nj.
Tate addressed the meeting and told OF
the fact that he Was the man TO whom
the Hotelmen's Association looked TO
see that the food conservation plans
tins State were lived up 70. He ap-
pealed 10 the meeting to respond promptly
70 the desires Of the government.
Manager TaIte Of the Hotel du Pont
~as named a. chairman Of committee
20 take charge ol affairs OF food conserva-
ION relating TO eating house proprietors
and be viii name his as ssistarts.