Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-06
STATE INSTITUTIONS
MAY BUY ARMY FOOD
Governor Suggests Plan, Which
Will Be Adopted if Good
(
Economy
CITY TO DISPENSE BACON

AT the suggestion of Governor Sproul
the state is considering the purchase of
surplus army food. This city has al
ready decided to purchase several car
loads of the food. for sale to consum-
ers here at markets to be established in
police stations.
General Charles A. Snyder and Sec
retary of Agriculture Frederick Ras-
mussen have asked heads of state insti
tutions whether prices asked for surplus
army food would make it advantageous
for the commonwealth to buy it at
arhy depots by the carload for the use
of srate hospitals and similar institu-
tions.
In the event that it is found good
business for the state to buy in large lots
from the army, funds will be made avail
able from the State Welfare Commits
sion appropriation.
Decision to conduct sales here with
a view of reducing the cost of living was
determined upon at conference be-
tween members of the Municipal Mar
ket Commission and representatives of
the Emergency Aid, at the Office of
Director Joseph S. MacLaughlin. of
the Department, of Supplies. and chair
man OF the commission. It was at
tended by Clarence Sears Hates, George
II. Sales, \. G. Bigclow, John A.
Phillips, Anna l.. Lingclbach, Mrs.
Charles NJ. Lea and w. ii. Dodd,. an
expert investigator.
Mr.. Dodd made comparison Of
prices and in many instances founc
that they were away below market
charges. In some cases there was nc
difference. He discovered that many of
the stores in Baltimore dropped their
prices to the same figure the government
was offering the goods to the cities for
disposal. He also found that the resi-
dents of Baltimore prefer fish and oys
ters to meats, and as a consequence
some difficulty was being experienced in
selling hams and bacon. In comparing
Baltimore and New York where these
goods are in storage, it was found that
there was very little difference in tn,
freight rates, and those who took par
In the conference felt that it was prefer
able to deal with New York in securn.
an allotment for Philadelphia.
Will Ask Two Carloads
"It is decided that a rcquisition fo
two carloads of hams, bacon and came,
goods be filed with the government, bu
before this Is done Mr.. Dodd will pre-
face comparative list of the price
offered by the War Department ant
then at which the same goods ara bcin
sold in the local market. In ever
instance where the prices are the sam
that article will be stricken from tn
list. That list will be submitted today
Mr.. Sales and Mr.. Phillips, OF th
market commission, will make arrange
ments for selling the goods at the diff
fcrent police stations. Mrs. Lea vii
arrange with the heads of the big dc
partment stores to assign some Of thei
employees to act as cashiers, and Mr.
Hates will endeavOr to obtain the loal
of number Of cash registers for use a
the places where the goods will be sold
1t will take from week TO tel
days from the time the requiSition i
placed with the War Department befor
the goods are delivered, and it is no
likely that the city will offer them to til
public until some day the latter part O
next week.