Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-02

/ food administration for the violation of any
of the conditions of sale and distribution.
Food Administrator Hoovers large organiza-
ftion has been reduced to a skeleton, and be-
cause of the lack of agents to see that the
regulations are lived up to- many dealers
have been able to do a little cheating.
When there was a scarcity of sugar re-
ported in certain parts of the country a few
months ago, the jobbers Immediately took
advantage of this situation to boost the price.
This was in direct violation of the terms
of their agreement. But it is certain that
the price of sugar would have been even
higher in this country if it had not been
under government control all through the
war.
While there is an obvious scarcity of sugar
in this country, the sweet tooth which endured
such great hardships and privations last
winter, being compelled to use one teaspoon
full of sugar in the morning cup of coffee in
stead of two, need not be unduly alarmed.
Government agents, who are in touch with
the sugar situation, are convinced that there
| is enough sugar to supply the demands until
the next crop is harvested.
Congressman Martin, of Louisiana, the
leading producing state in the Union, at
tributes the scarcity of sugar to three factors
The sudden demand made for. sugar by the
fruit canneries and confectionery factories,
the limited capacity of the twenty-five sugar
retiners in this country and the strike of the
marine union of New York City, which held
|
| lantic and gulf ports for three weeks.
| Almost every other nation is suffering from
| the scarcity of sugar much more than is the
United States. Aside from that which the
| United States and Great Britain control by
purchase of the entire Cuban crop, there is
| but small surplus of sugar i'll other foreign
countries And where surplus does exist,
exorbitant prices are being demanded.
| That sugar is higher in other countries
| than it is in America was indicated in a
recent report received from French food Of
ficials to the effect that France is now facing
a serious sugar shortage. The French are
seeking an American supply, but recent
embargo placed on the expectation of sugar
from this country will prevent France from
getting supply from us. Sugar is said 70
be available in Czecho-Slovakia, but the
Czechs are asking rs cents pound and get
ting it.
r According to Congressman Martin, there is
no question but that the world is now ort
of sugar, and has been short all of the
present year. 1t naturally follows that the
removal Of war restrictions on the cOnsump-
ton of sugar in this and other countries has
increased this shortage. He is of the opinion
that this shortage will continue for another
year, unless there is considerable increase
in production during the next year; but that
the United States will not be very seriously
| affected.
Fortunately for the entire world, the pros
poets are bright for greater production this
year. Germany before the war was large
producer and exporter of beet sugar, and
in fact, took care of most of the European
demands. While her sugar output during the
war was reduced to point where it only
took care of local consumption, yet her fields
and her refneries are still intact, and the
best available information is that she will
nave some sugar for export the coming season