South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-05
GAIN S648 IN
MOVE TO CUT
LIVING COST
Sale of Army Supply Nets Re-
turn Greater Than Allowed
to Retailers.

Profits 20 the city Of South Bend
on the sale OF army food conducted
here will amount to s64s when the
21s cases of tomatoes new remain
ing from the supply are sold. it was
conservatively estimated from the
citys own figures today. This rep
resents a return of slightly over 1916
per cent. on the investment in a 10
day turnover
Exactly s6.0SO.6O has so far been
received by the city. and according
TO city Sealer B. B. Miller. this rep
resents $50 profit after all expenses
incurred 20 date are paid. The 216
cases Of tomatoes were quoted dur
ing the sale at g per case. and
when sold at this figure will bring
in S64s Allowing h30 for the ex-
pense Of this sale, the total revenue
will be profit. since the tomatoes are
already paid for.
May Sell 10 Retailers.
II the tomatoes are not sold 70 the
public-that IS il the public de-
cIines 10 buy--they will be sold 70
retailers at the same figure It was
announced by administration Off
cials this morning. Retailers are
selling tomatoes at more than 50 per
case
Some weeks ago Col. c. A. Car
Isle. chairman OF the fair price COM
mittee in ST. Joseph county. order
ed grOcers to sell sugar which cost
them 10 cents a pound for Il cents
IA profit OF 10 per cent, with
credit. delivery, and an establish
ment having to be paid for out OF
that profit.
Mayor Carson. when asked this
morning what was 10 be done with
the surplus money at first said il
would be given 10 the Orphans
home. Then he decided II would be
kept intact. to cover any loss which
might result from the sale Of bacon.
which is expected 10 take ploce the
week after the fair.
Nushawaka Price Lower.
Mishawaka citizens are today
buying food from the army supply
az from 20 TO 80 cents case less
than was asked and obtained for the
same food I'm South Bend. Beans,
for example. which sold in South
Bend for s2.40 per case are selling
in Mishawaka today for $2.O5
Practically the same conditions
govern the two sales. The goods
were all shipped from Chicago. and
the haul 10 Mishawaka is even
greater than 20 South Bend Both
cities sent representatives 10 Chi
caEo 20 arrange for the shipment of
the consignments. and this cost was
fgured in the retail cost OF the
commodities in both cases.
one theory for the difference is
that the high schedule put in force
here might have been a result of a
conference which Mayor Carson
held with the retail grocers Of the
city in regard 10 the possibility of
the surplus army foods being han
died through the retail stores.
Might Hurt Retailers
The reason for giving the grocers
charge of the sale. as advanced by
friends OF the proposal. was that
public sale with a low schedule Of
prices would hurt the retailers bust
ness. II was suggested that the
goods be distributed 20 the grocery
stores. who would sell them at cost
plus handling expenses. without
profit.
This conference was held ar the
MAYORS invitation. 40 account of
the conference was given 10 The
News Times. bat II was given out
several DAYS later that the Erocers
would have no part in the sale OF
army food
Marked Differences
The differences in price are pro-
uounced. running from 6 20 Is per
cent The Mishawaka shipment was
much smaller than the South Bend
consignment. which would tend 10
Increase rather than decrease the
price Of articles. The cost OF han
ding IS a small item in either city.
as practically all OF the labor was
donated In South Bend several
stores sent corps Of sales people 20
lend the city hand in selling the
goods. city employees ana volun-
teers &c handling the Mishawaka