Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-25
PRODUCTS ARE VALUED
AT OVER S72O,OOO,OOO
Claims Secretary Baker Withholds
Edibles From Market to Pro-
tect Private Interests.
MUCH is REPORTED SPOILED
Release Of Meats and Canned Vcgc-
tables Expected TO Relieve Pres
cnt High Prices.
tRy Associated Presal

wASHINGToN, July 2i.-lmmed!ate
tale OF the sl2O000000 surplus stock
OF foodstuns held by the War Depart
ment under plan which will Insure
opportunity for the people OF the United
states to buy" was recommended to-
day By the ten Republican members
OF the House war Investigating com
m!ttee. The five Democratic commit
teemen withheld decision. pending
review OF evidence taken by a sub
committee.
The inactivity of the government in
the disposition o. these food supplies
was, and is. the result of wcll-de-
hHed policy of tho Secretary Of War
10 withhold them from tho domestic
ma'het and TO protect the interests
from which these products had been
purchased" said the subcommittee re-
port. drafted by Representatives. Rca-
Wis, OF Nebraska, and MacGrcgor. Of
New York. Republicans
Chairman Graham. Of the full com
mi,'ee. was instructed 10 ask FOR a
special rule on resolution calling
goods. Efforts wil! be made TO bring
the resolution before the House next
Monday. Mr. Graham announced
Department Criticized.
The report criticized what II declared
the Departments "non-actiyities in the
sale OF very large quantities of food
supplies now held in storage" and as
serted that six months elapsed before
in the meantime the food was dete-
riorat.nS anc becoming OF less value
ana tae nigh cost of l!v!rg Continued"
The report also expressed the sub
committees distavor Of a policy OF ca
port and recommended that .riais
be devised oy.. The. Secretary o, war
sn[fI snrNnsa h,s me ,,, war Department, for the
production on the domestic market
me report estimated that on July s
last. the value OF surplus food stored
In the United States over and above
Corn beef s2i'ooo..Gioo . bacon rs SSa. q
roaE, beef naSn SEQ SSF o6S frssh goe9
meats and poultry. S2o.6o6. 600. Ulgt, and
canned vegetables. s23,00c.OO0.
Much Meat Spoiled.
"IneNcusa Bile delay" the ronor, de-
c!ared' resulted IN the spelling o: mill
lions Of pounds OF hams and bacon.
IL being asserted that '.notwiths;and.
ing the. AUTHORIZATION of surplus by
the chief OF staff on Novc,nher 80. 1915.
no action was taken with reference
70 declaring a surplus until May. 1919.
authorized"
sales OF army foods,uns in the
United states aeEregates. 100000.
large quantity Of tina; sold vas spoil.d
ana unAt :or the genera! market. other
wise II would not have been placed
on sale"
Attack on present plans for sale of
the surplus stocks also Was contained
in the report. which outlined the pla n
as providing for sale only 10 nunjci
pal!ties. which would have ten days
10 make payment 10 the government,
ana pear the transportation cost from
the nearest army warehouse
Cities Cannot Buy Food.
This plan adopted by the pov.rn-
meni.' declared the report will nor
result In the sale OF these products 10
municipalities, under their charier
nave no legal authority TO purchase q
1000 products for sale. Many rnunici-
pa!ities which have indicated desire
TO purchase this food for the hsnnft
or their citizens have been met win
? me threat OF Injunction on the pari
or local dealers. which threat has bnnr
suiiG!eht 10 prevent purchase OF the