Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-21
k n REPLY TO CRITICS
R-DEPARTMENT'S SALES
INJECTOR OUTLINES POLICY
q s Cd. experiments In Selling Army
4 S9,piuS supplies Leading to
otoreS EstabiiEhment.


NASHlSGToN. Dec 2o.--The War
artment authorizes publication OF
1oiiowine statement from the Of
sot the director of sales:
n answer to criticism directed
nst the War Department by the
cantilc trade. the director. OF sales
es this opportunity TO outline brief
nc policy which has controlled the
Departments efforts TO dispose OF
9hrplus stocks which are OF Il char
anu condition that Will permit OF
Ei sales TO the ultimate consumer;
VI puartermastcr retail stores, which
nov being operated. and to explain
Siit cthod by which the prices fixed
commodities offered for sale through
q a program which called for Il full
dnonths' future supply Of all com
mites and ma: erials required for
he world war. the War Department
pl itself. at the cessation OF hos.
res. with large surplus stocks Of
tire supplies issued to field armies
es OF thsse supplies. nartieularly;
ipagc. are consumed in the Amer
household
Wished Taxpayers TO Ren~ht.
incc the American people had
funds with which tho large surplus
FIX held by the War Department way
uircd. the Secretary Of War in par
lar. and the legislative and cxccu-
branches Of tho government, !,
eral. desired tina, tho surplus be dis.
hd or by that method best calculated
relieve the Taxpayers OF their uu-
al financial buricnS a. a a;rp 10
fd this end. the Secretary 40 Wa.
~ 4.
Congress. determined u offer ali
plus stock. The character and con
on o, which would permit OF sucn
rioution: for sale directly TO the
naae consume. This decision was
~ formulated BY the War Depart
| his policy was designed 70 assis,
American People in reducing tho
se surplus stocks as chcaply as nos
Ehen it inaugu-ated it's sales cam
en, however, the War Department
not eqmipped TO conduct a retail
TO accomplish distribution 10 The
mate consumer by Offering it's
fk OF subsistence fo- sale throush
{nicipaltties and municipal selling;
n na.s' ana iatcr rcsor,cd to the par
posi- service as medium for the
frroution Of liz stocks OF foodstuus
re neither Of these methods Of dis
u'!on had proven entirely satis.ac-
Z, me War Department on Scp.cm
10 having IN In. meantime Of
ed the organization necessary to
rate such = business opened tw.n-
gNe retail stores. Tho Guartermas-
genoa! OF the arrny divided IN.
tcd states into retail districts, and
PIED the stores in those cen;ors
en- would permit OF the mos, eco
l'ca! distribution possible
ne stocks had been purchased h,,
War Department FOR tho sol. mr..
g OF equirping the armies. No
fiSht VAS given AT the time OF their
|uis'tion 10 the sale or possible.
plus. The stocks were prepared in
form which would permit OF the
te convcri"nt Distribution TO The
@tinS forces. Consequently, many Or
commodities with which the army
|rte.-oaatrr r, tail stores are stocked
IN noncnmWercis' sizes: others lacl,
fis and trademarks.
stated ahoN". tho FIRST a,tempt
|ie By the War opartment TO reach
Ultimate consumer was the Offer
'l canned ana cured meats and
neI vegetables tor s7lc through
|licinaNties and municipal sailing
nc'e'. These toodsturs were offered