The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-30
HOUSE ORDERS ARMY
FOOD SURPLUS SOLD


unless placed on the markets in the
near future.
Took 40 Per Cent. of Nations Food
Mr.. Reavis, in making the main speech
on the resolution, claimed that the De-
partment had Communicated 40 per cent
Of the nations food supply.
prices scared as result OF the tax
ing of this 40 per cent. out Of the normal
supply" Mr.. Reavis continued. Prices
were bound to go up. Therefore, why
didn't they put back the 40 per cent.
when the army's need for II no longer
existed. even though II might disturb IN
dustriai conditioner Prices were sent up
by taking It out why shouldn't they be
sent down by putting 1t backY
but the Department finally did de-
clare a surplus Of meat and finally got
into a position where It could be sold.
1T then said that there was no do
mestic market for this meat; that II
was put UP In two pound cans. while
the American people had been educated
to use eight or ten ounce cans. Our
people wouldn't buy II, they said.
"a quantity Of this meat was put on
sale at Newport News recently and the
people broke down the doors trying to
buy It. The sale was started at o'clock
In the morning and by IL o'clock the
supply had been exhausted, And still
they said the people wouldn't buy It.
Until all these War Department
dealings were exposed by this committee,
It was the well defined policy of the Sec
rotary of War to keep this food from
the American people who bought and
paid for II, and to export It In order to
protect the interests OF big business.
And this charge is based on the swor n
testimony of the officials Of the War De-
partment themselves.
Notwithstanding the high cost Of liv-
ing and the spirit Of rebelling II is In
shilling into the hearts OF those bur-
dened with the high cost OF living he
has this policy of keeping this food of
trial conditions.
and yet Frank Gerber, president OF
the Gamers Association, said the year
in which the canned vegetables were sold
to the War Department was tho most
profitable year the Gamers had ever ex-
perienced. Still he does not want the
people to eat this food because It might
disturb industrial conditions.
'Tt Is an unequal fight between the
rich producers who are trying to keep
I'D prices and profits and the weak
little woman in calico who is trying to
get bread and food enough for her little
children.
$50 far as the Republican party Ia
concerned Il will be found fighting for
the weak little woman in calico"
Representative Flood (va.), chief OF
the spokesman for the Democrats, said
THE Democratic members Of this
committee are in favor OF marketing
army supplies as quickly as possible
and in the way most satisfactory to
enable people who need food to buy II
The Secretarv Of War Ia in favor of II
and I challenge any man. however mar
rowly partisan he may be, to put his
finger upon a word ever uttered by the
Secretary of War that does rot show
that that has been and Is his policy
ever since the armistice was signed.
THE policy proposed by the officials
Of Gamers has not been the ruling pol
icy Of the department On the contrary
their policy has been one calculated tc
serve the interests Of the Government
and the consumers of food. 1 and my
willing to have this Investigation made
believing that 1t might expose those
guilty of proflteering.
I'VE wanted to hunt down such per.
sons and punish them. but l protest
against our great Secretary of War
He has martialled the largest army ever
known. He has nobly performed the ar
duous duties of his position. He has
exercised a degree of patriotism, OF
ability, of integrity. of patience and
devotion to duty that rarely II ever has
been excelled by a public official in this
country.
His detractors cannot lower the high
estimate that the public has of him, and
Newton D. Baker stands to-day as one
OF the greatest war secretaries America
ever has SEEN"