The Washington times., 1919-07-11
PROMPT SALE
Of ARMYFOOD
TOCUTPR|CES
Citizens May Organize to Re-
duCe Cost of Living If Plan
Proves a Success.

Washington citizens may organize
on an unprecedented scale to beat the
high cost Of living If the sale OF sur
plus army foodstuffs here next week
is a success Already advance orders
and inquiries indicate the lot of 81 900
pounds of army food will be disposed
of in 8 day.
This was the view expressed today
by John C. McGrath, president of the
Citizens Food Council, who has
opened an office in the District build
ing to supervise the sale Of foodstuffs,
The order for the army food was sent
TO the War Department this morning.
In the absence of red tape regulations,
1t should reach Baltimore some time
today. II prompt shipment follows, it
will be on sale here by Monday or
Tuesday.
Means Big Saving.
Quotations on fcodstuffs which Mr..
McGrath has received from wholesale
dealers indicate that the District can
effect a great saving in the cost of
food il a powerful organization is
formed and has substantial backing.
II wholesale dealers can be assured
plies purchased they will gladly sell
to the District government or any
body OF organized citizens foodstutfs
at prices even lower than the War
Department paid for its vast stores
OF food.
With this idea in view, Mr.. McGrath
will try to make a record sale OF the
army supplies expected here early
next week.
The citizens food council 1t be-
came known today, is not satisfied
with the price list Of available food
stuffs furnished by the War Depart
ment For instance, the list does not
include sugar. Of which the Govern
ment has 21,oOO.OOO surplus pounds,
nor does 1t include coffee, teas, cocoa,
or fruits, all Of which have taken
price jumps in the last few weeks.
Use Schools as Sales Centers.
The movement for municipal pur-
chase and sale of food received a boost
today with the receipt by Commits
sioner Brownlow Of a letter from Su-
perintendent OF Schools Thurston Of
fering the public schools as a distrib-
uting medium.
The Board of Education, at its last
meeting, decided that the action of
the District Commissioners in pur-
CHASING surplus army food was in the
nature OF an emergency. Inasmuch
as. schools are not in session now
with the exception of the summer
schools, which occupy the buildings
but a small part of each day, the
board ruled that school houses may be
used for this purpose.
The board had previously concluded
that school rooms could not be used
turther for community buying be-
cause OF the fact that this activity
might interfere with classes.
The letter Of Superintendent Thur
ston was in part as follows:
AT a recent conference the board
discussed the matter OF community
center work in the form Of commun-
ity buying and distribution from
school buildings. After a considera-
ton Of statutory limitations. how
ever, the opinion was unanimously
expressed that this distribution can
not properly be extended to the point
where the work interferes, by use of
space or otherwise, with the regular
educational activities. or takes on the
character Of a store. On this account
the board felt it necessary to restrict
these activities. II feels, however.
that the matter now being handled
by the Commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia partakes OF the nature
Of an emergency and is temporary in
character and comes during the va
cation period, and that consequently
the school authorities are justified in
cordially cooperating with you il CO.
operation will be helpful"
This offer puts at rest the fears
entertained by officials that there
will not be sufficient building space
TO take care OF wholesale food pur-
chases.
II Mr.. McGrath canfind public sup
port for his plans to heat the high
cost OF living in the District there il
no predicting 10 what limit the cam
paign for money-saving might go.
Should the Commissioners indorse his
new plan OF community buvipE.
Washington will see one of the great
est municipal attempts to beat the
high cost of living.