Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-11
WANAMAKER PLACES
BLAME ON HOARDERS
Merchant Tells Bible Class Food
Storage Makes Artificially
High Prices
GROWING COSTS NO MORE

John Wanamaker, ADDRESSING inc
New Era Bible Union, Of which he is
superintendent, at Bethany Presby-
terian Church. Twenty second and
Banbridge streets yesterday, blamed
the holding of food products In storage
houses for the abnormaly high cost OF
living.
THE cost OF growing vegetables and
fruits is not greater now than at the
time when ! was a boy" said Mr..
|, awanamaker. "Thc retail price is so
much higher now because they are
boarded by a few and made scarce
willfully to drive up the cost.
"When I was young cantaloupes. for
instance, sold for twenty five cents
basket. Now they cost S1.75 basket.
Why? Because it costs more to pro-
duce them? Certainly not. Because
the price is inflated artifcially.'
Women May Aid Probe
Mrs !. Willis Martin, vice president
Of the Emergency Aid. expressed sur
ties here thus far have not taken ac-
tion against any hoarders or profteers
The Emergency Aid is actively inter
ested in the high cost of living prob
lem, and members OF tie organization
have volunteered to assist the municipal
markets commission in the retail sale
at cost Of government surplus food
stocks which will be started In various
sections of the city a week from to-
day.
Mrs. Martin gave as her opinion that
her organization might extend It's anti
high living cost activities beyond the
assistance offered the markets commits
sion.
'"TLe sale at cost of government
sto,es," she said, lis an excellent thing
aud we are going to help all we can.
But it will not kill profitccring.
Win Propose Survey
Unless the federal agents here start
action. and vigorous action, immedi
ately I think the women of Philadel-
pria should take matters in their own
hands. I will propose to the other heads
, of the Emergency Aid that a survey OF
organizations. such as the Consumers
League. should do the same.
IF the authorities do not act the
housewives themselves, can do great
deal by various means to check, and, il
possible, wipe out the untenable price
conditions.
Additional operatives are expected to
join the forces Of the government carly
this week in locating food gougcrs in
this city.
Two experienced Investigators. who
came from Washington to gather cvi
dence against volators of wartime pro
hibition, were shifted to the food probe
but it is realized that the force still
is inadequate and more probers will be
added.
"A day Of investigation, Assistant
District Attorney Harvey said, has
shown that there is much work to be
done, and we are going TO have the
force to accomplish it. 1t is big jot
to find the food we want to reach, and
to collect the evidence that points to its
being boarded. AS | have said. the
government does not want to interfere
with legitimate business or Legitimate
storage"
Housewives Wait Eagerly
Meanwhile housewives of Philadel
phia are waiting with interest definite
announcement of the date for the sale
of the two carloads of surplus army
food supplies which Director Of Sup
plies Joseph S. MacLaughlin has or
dered The order was placed on Au,
gust 6, the requisition being in two
lots, one to come from Baltimore ant
the other from New York.
According to the statement of tn,
War Department, all orders would bt
filled for delivery in ten days, which
would bring the army foodstuffs heri
on next Saturday. Arrangements have
been made by Director MacLaughlin tc
have the cars diverted to the new
4 Cherry street municipal pier. wher,
they will be unloaGed, and the goods
distributed to the fourteen police sta
tions designated as market places.
The food is booked to be placed or
sale Monday, August is, if the Wal
Department fills the orders in schcdul,
time.
Other cities, including Camden, hav,
had their orders filled promptly, ant
it is believed that the tentative dat