Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-01-19
A BLESSING N DISGUISE.

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
The United stams is NOW feeling
tho pinch Of war, not only in the
scarcity Of fuel, but In nearly every
thing else which we use for comfort
or sustentation. Present conditions
are not conducive to prod;gality, and
when the war and its issues shall
have burned OUT and normal condi-
tons shall have been reproduced PEG
ple will realize that they have been
taught lifelong lessons in frugallty
and conservation.
The civilized world has long been
familiar with the saving and utli1z"-
ton instincts of the French. and this
is not the first time bread cards have
been used in France. Following tic
French revolution, and while Napo-
leon Bonaparte was comparatively
obscure. read in the lives OF Hor-
tense, his step-daughter, and Other
historic French people that guests
to dinners or other social gatherings
we're requested to bring with them
their white bread. This was in conse-
opooce Of the law which allowed eaca
, Individual his or her share OF TIE
staff Of life, and it was necessary
for the attendants to pool their allow
ances.
! We are told that French SOLDIER
after having received his discharge
from the army, was looking around
for something to do, when ne coz
co;vad the idea OF purchasing the crust
and castsway pieces OF bread from
PARIS cafes and converting them 1nEo
food for birds. After securing n"
scrans he toasted them and suose'
onontlv ground the particles to meal
He then filled small paper bags wlSh
the toasted crumbs and sold the pacN-
,gas TO bird fanciers. He built up a
large business and died leaving q
'arre estate. His fortune was maze
out of scraps which had previously
been thrown away.
Tho French, we are told, Utilize
everything in the way OF food; noun
ing is allowed to go to waste. Lett
over meats appear in soups or hasl'sS'
with potatoes and other vegetables
mot consumed at previous meals.
| The people Of the United STATES
NAV find themselves initiating she'E
allies in the near future. We nave
generally been blessed with too 'mush
in the way of eatablcs. A quarter o.
century ago corn was selling III
tho FAR west at ten cents a bushe''
and for want Of. transportation 9
market was being used for 7uei N
some sections. 80,
The philadelphia Ledger recehliy
contained the, following:
! IF peace came tomorrow, it won q
leave the American people with one
rood habit, at least-that OF saving
their money and investing it IN so"nd
securities.
Two Liberty loans aud the new s!s-
tenn OF government certificates nave
wrought great changes in the t'nan-
cia] habits Of the country: Fully W.
OOo. OCO people have learned how 70
ibuv bonds. The ''baby bond" problem
/ long pondcred by bankers and sellers
Of securities, has been solved III q
! few mouths. A great new public 1of
sound securities has been created, o.
ferinc. now facilities for Jhc fnanc-
+, ing Of Legitimate enterprises
The market for get-rich-qu!ck "a
vestmcnts has suffered setback
and the public is not only going 10
take a more practical interest in busi-
ness affairs. because it is learning %
put its money into corporate enter
prises. but it is also going TO h;sve
kcener interest in public affairs afto-
administration and taxes, because 9.
least one person out Of 10 now has
money invested in the Government,
and an incentive for watching its AZ
! fairs to sec how public money Is
| handled"