The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-29
Food Conservation Notes.

Fish are now coming to market in
quantity, relieving the marked short
age that followed subnormal produc-
ton last summer and through the
| winter. The food administration be-
| lieves that the supply will soon be
| sufficient to play an important part in
solving our food problem end that
| prices will be low enough to induce the
consumer to find in fish a valuable ad-
junct to the diet and a good substitute
for the staple foods needed abroad.
Snort production last year was
largely due to the draft of vessels and
recruiting of men for the navy.
Irawier production has now been ma
terially increased by free admission of
Canadian trawlers and by new con-
struction. In addition, certain State
restrictions on littOral fishing have
been lifted and rules and regulations
formulated by the food administra
ton to increase the efficiency of pro-
ducers and distributors.
Wholesale prices are now down to
comparatively low levels and should
remain on this basis for the rest of the
season, except that temporary fiuctu.
lions may follow storms and climatic
changes that would result in decreas-
ed production. Until next December
there should not be day that some
of the many varieties OF saltwater
fish will not be availavle in all mar
kets along the Atlantic coast At no
time should there fail to be at leasi
one variety of palatable fish that could
be sold at retail for 10 cents a
pound or less. The food administra-
tion has announced that dealers who
do not offer at least one variety OF
fish at this price are not particularly
cooperating with the food administra-
tion or with their customers. OF
course, the particular variety avail
able at that price will vary from day
to day.
With the approch of next winter
the food administration is confident.
deep-sea fishing and winter produc
ton of ground fish should be restored
to normal.
Ice manufacturers will not be al
lowed IN toka ~ xuoc on,
ditions to feather their nests at the
expense OF the public. The food ad
mnistratiOn has announced that any
unwarranted increases i'm prices will
be followed by local license regula-
tions. giving the food administration
control of profits and of distribution.
OF first consideration to the food ad-
ministratiOn i'm this phase of the food
problems is the protection of those
to protect themselves should prices bi
advanced.
1t is because increases would be
most dangerous in congested pOpula-
ton area that only local licensing is
at present considered. Where in
| creases are contemplated by the man
| ufacturer. the food administration
will take no action i'm the event that
the dealers will reach n mutually sat
| isfactory agreement with municipal
authorities or with the consumers
In
necessity in cOngested districts and
has become essential to the preserva-
ton of many perishab BILE foOdstuifs
The distribution of many foods which
have become staples i'm our diet would
be practically impossible without re
frigeratlon. Consumption would have
To be confined TO local products ana
to the season of production.
The food administration is watch
ing the ice situation carefully and any
attempt to reap undue profits will bo
followed by drastic action. Especial
ly is concerned with the price diff
ferential between ice sold to large
users and ice sold to the general pub
lie. Any wide discrepancy would in
dicate that excessive profits were be.
ng charged the sman consumer
whose interests the food administra
ton has promised to protect.