New-York tribune., 1919-09-26
Women Faint
In BargainHunt
At i. S. Store
Large Crowd Waiting When
Doors of Government
Retail Shop Open and
Police Fail to Stop Crush

The United States government opened
its first retail store for the sale of sur
plus army goods other than foodstufs
yesterday at 1:15 p. m. at - west
Nineteenth Street Two Thousands per-
sons gathered in front Of the place be-
fore opening time, and when the doors
were unlocked tHc five policemen sta
toned there to keep order were swept
aside and many women and children
were injured in the ensuing crush. SIX
women who tainted were attended by
passing physicians.
Captain Jalfray Peterson. in charge
Of the store, announced that the sale
of the first day, which ended at p M,
amounted to about 100000. Purchases.
he said, were made by approximately
10000 persons, the average buyer
spending between five and ten dollars.
The articles most in demand, he de
clarcd were blankets, towels and un-
dervcar.
IN addition, he said, about enc thou
sand mail orders came in from out of
town which could not be filled al once
because Of delay n the arrival OF
stocks Al present, he said, only two
floors Of the Cluett Building, where the
business is being conducted. arc being
utilized. but with the arrival OF more
goods five floors in the building viii be
used
VIII Employ $50 Ex~Soldicrs
When the store is in full swing, the
captniN asserted, it will employ $50
statesmen, all cx-soldiers, who will re
ccivc s. q day. it Is expected event
nally to dispose Of $2500,0o0 worth OF
surplus army property III the New
York district, which includes the lower
half of New York State, New Jersey
and Connecticut Colonel j. NJ. Carson,
zone supply officer. said he thought the
supply would be disposed of IN about
three months. The store will be open
from u. m. to 8 y. m. each day, except
Sundays and holidays.
Among tho articles on sale arc army
blankets, arctics, underwear, socks,
gloves, hats, overalls, shovels. helmets,
raincoats. towels and knives and forks.
All sales viii be limited TO one or two
Of each article, and special precautions
arc being taken to keep the stuff out
Of tho hands of dealers.
In connection with the discontinue
ancc Of the sale of foodstutfs to mu-
nicipalities. Colonel Carson said he be
lieved food also would be placed on
4 few days,
Dr. Day said he was we'll satisfied
With tho results Of the sales ~ the
schoolhouses, adding that they have
had Il good effect in reducing prices Of
foodstutfs in the stores. Housewives
who did their shopping in the school
distributing centres. he said, have ef-
facted q great saving. lie announced
that the order Of the government docs
not effect bacon, other meats and
poultry, the sale of which viii be con
tinUcd.
10000 Lggs Arc Sold
The "rolling stores' sold $50 .OOO ergs
yesterday, according to George II. Sal
mon. head of the firm that i, pcddling
the product under the authority Of The
commissioner Of Markets. The vehicles
vent through Eighth and Ninth Ave
Nuc in the vicinitye of Thirty y-third
street Yesterday, then up and down
Fourth Avenue. near Twenty third
Street. Mr.. Salmon said he is receiving
many letters from residents in The
3ronN and Harlem requesting that the
stores" come through those sections.
The eggs sell for 81 cents dozen and
arc said by Or. Day 10 be of the same
quality as sold by dealers for 81 cenYs
Or. Day saNs he has received q pro
test from the Associated Retail Gro
cerS against the "rolllng stores" in
which the groccrs contend Shat the
system puts the city in competition
with the groccrs and that the people
aro buying the eggs under tho impres-
sion that they are fresh eggs. DR..
Day commented that the complaints
were uniustiiicd. in view Of tho fact
that the city is not running the stores.
although IT has approved Of them. &c
sides, he said, all packages are plainly
marked storage eggs, and the stores
are getting cheap food TO the public,
which !. .nn cltN'a nriiNnru 1.1rnn-n