New-York tribune., 1918-03-30
Hotels Pledge
Abstinence
From Wheat
Hundreds of Managers Re-
spond at Once to
Hoover s Plea

WASHINGTON, March 29.-Wheat
and wheat products were wiped off the
menus of several hundred of the coun-
try's leading hotels to-day in response
to request of the food administration
that "every independent, every well-to-
do person in the United States" should
pledge complete abstinence from wheat
until the next harvest in order to sup
ply the imperative. needs osthe Allies.
The pledge of the hotel men was
cabled tonight to the British, French
and Italian Ministers of Food, Lord
Rhondda, Victor Boret and Sgnor
Crespi. The message follows:
"At a special meeting in Washington
500 leading hotel men from all parts
of the country pledged themselves
to abolish absolutely the use of wheat
products in their hotels until the
next harvest, in order that through
their savings and their example
shipment Of wheat to the Allies may
proceed without interruption"
Hotel managers, who had come from
every state in the Union to hear new
conservation regulations explained,
were told by Food administrator Hoover
that the need for wheat was even great
er now than when the new regulations
were promulgated, and that census of
been less than estimated and that ship
ping difficulties made it imperative to
feed all the Allies from here instead of
from the Argentine. It is impossible to
ship corn. owing to loss from germina
ton, so that wheat must be Americas
chief contribution to the rations of the
peoples abroad.
Begin at Top, Says Hoover
Mr.. Hoover said the remuneration of
luxurious foods must begin at the top
of the social scale, not only to set an
example. but because the industrial
population is dependent to a large ex-
tent on bakers bread. which must have
a considerable proportion of wheat to
be durable. Therefore. he asked the
hotels whici, have as patrons people
of wealth to set an example to their
clientele and to other public eating
places by refusing to serve any wheat
whatever until the new crop comes in,
using other cereals and potatoes in
stead.
1--WE stand at the most critical period
Of our national; history since the battle
of Gettysburg" Mr.. Hoover declared.
ave may have to cut our wheat con-
sumption more than one-half but the
sacrifice must come from those who
have the most, not from those who
have the least.
"Our wheat acreage this year will
be greater than ever before, and if
of weather our difficulties will be at
an end by September i; that is not
long period of sacrifice"
The reply was an outburst Of ap-
plause, which died away as John McE.
Bowman, OF New York, head of the
food admin stration's hotel division,
stood up.
Hotel Men Give Pledge
How many will rise with me to
sign if they will comply with the
chiefs request?" Mr.. Bowman asked.
1t seemed as if every one in the hall
rose sim muI LHIleOuSly, waving HdSS
taken from the luncheon tables, and
cheering with abandon.
1--WE have pledged ourselves to save
wheat for victory" Mr.. Bowman an
nounced when quiet was restored.
DR.. Alonzo Taylor, the food admin
istration's representative on the War
Trade Board, told the hotel men wheat
was not a necessary element of diet,
but luxury which people have grown
to prefer. because Of the superior ap-
pearance of the bread if produces and
the convenience with which. it can be
shipped and prepared. The latter rca-
son made it necessary to send wheat
instead of other grains to the Allies
"Wheat has no advantage in nutri
tion or taste over corn. barley, rice or
other cereals" DIR. Taylor declared.
land the patron who comes to you with
the demand that he must have wheat
C0nfinyed nm Tnsf pooo