The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1918-01-12
FOOD ADMINISTRATION ACTIVE.
Vigorous Conservation and Produc-
tion Measures Proposed for 1918.

john M. Parker, Louisiana F'Oo(
| Administrator, spent most of the weel
attending a conference at Washing
ton. The meeting was deemed i'm
portant because of congress being il
session and Mr.. Hoover shaping the
plans and petitions for the new year
There is wide demand for more
drastic food control, and stronger
measures may be adopted in a few di
rections, but as general condition
the Food Administration claims that
great deal has been accomplished
through voluntary cooperation and
is inclined to continue the policy of
education and the rule of reason and
democracy.
One of the main activities for i'm
mediate attention will be renewal of
the pledge card campaign, extending
it to hotels, restaurants and other
catering resorts as well as homes, and
impressing the imperative need for
even more thorough observance and
conservation. More wheat is demand
ed, and the request may be for the use
of a still larger percentage of sub
stitute flour. Porkless Saturday may
be insisted upon in addition to the
meatless and Wheatless days. 1t is ex-
pected that compliance will be much
reader, as the people have at last
realized the need for food saving and
are insisting that the places they pa
tronize do their full share in support
ing the government program. Re-
ports from travelling men and from
residents in various communities come
in daily, pointing out violations Of the
letter and spirit of the food regula
tions, and public sentiment is shown
determined by the speed with which
concerns notified return assurance
that there will be no further cause for
complaint.
Soon after Mr.. Parker's return he
will begin the regular weekly issuance
of prevailing average wholesale and
retail prices forHfood. The consumers
will then be able to judge for them
selves whether the dealers are going
beyond a reasonable profit. There
has not yet been any specific defini-
tion of rate of profit that is con-
sidered reasonable. The Food Ad-
ministration has not been given the
power to fix retail prices. If con-
gress bestows that authority there " u
be nothing left hut the enforcement
of the rule announced. Even without
such power it will not be long before
stabilization is established to an ef-
fectiye degree through the means
,ossessed and the always essential CO.
operation Of the people. The latter is
already doing much in the way OF con-
serWation, not only through direct
food saving but BY vitalizlng the ex-
uedience against boarding. There
are penalties attached to the anti.
shoardinq regul 81 ions, both as to buy.
ers and sellers. Urban consumers ~
may not hold more than from one.
eighth to one-f fourth Of 2 barrel of
-four, rural consumers from one.
fourth to one-half barrel. Sugar
should be sold in two to five-pound
lots in communities and in five to ten
mound quantities in rural localities.
The Food Administration also objects
to the advertising Of -four and sugar,
as advertising increases purchasing.
The exception is in favor of corn
meal, at the rate Of one pound OF 1 syT
par to two pounds Of corn meal. las
motive is to popularize corn meal,
which is the best substitute for Wneat
-four. Besides, the corn crop was so 20
large that there is a big surplus, ana
The next crop is sure to add to that
surplus. A Nebraska woman made q
practical suggestion which Will heip
corn to save sugar as well as wheat
hv pointing out that popcorn could pe
nopularized to take the place OF mucn
Of the candy Of which childhood IS the
main purchaser. L.
the i've stock industry will be one 81
the principal causes exploited by all
tbe food administrators this year. IN
T onisiana. effort will be concentrated
mon the complete eradication OF the
cattle tick. A federal dog tax ana
other measures are expected to stlmu-
late the sheep industry into . 1ae,or.
National notice has been attracted 20
the states adaptability as provlder
If a number Of perishable and staple
foods. Surveys now being made Wiil
reveal an astonishing advance IN I'VE
stuck production. With the tick gone,
- Forever. sheep or, every farm, ana
with sanitation permitting an amaz-
mo multiplication Of swine, LOUISIANA ,
;s 1;kelv to become known as the most
reliable source Of supply Tor all tile
food the nation needs.