Evening journal., 1919-07-09
bLAMES MARCH FOR
FOOD SALE H0LDUP
c. W. Hare Tells Commit
tee Why Canned Goods
We're Not Sold
HOOVER REFUSED
10 BUY SUPPLIES

WASHINGTON, July 9-Blame for de-
lay in disposlng Of excess food stocks
originally purchased for the war time
army was placed at the door Of Gen
March. chief OF stan, yesterday By
c. Willing Hare, director OF sales OF the
War Department, in testimony before
the subcommittee OF the House war
Expenditure Committee investigating
quartermaster's supplies.
Mr.. Hare said 1t had been impossiDle
TO arrange for the disposal OF surplus
stocks for the reason that no decision
had been made by the chief OF stan as
TO the number OF men TO be retained In
the service. This, he said, would deter
mine the amount Of surplus stocks
Mr.. Hare's testimony was interrupted
by statement OF Representative
Reavis CNeb.), chairman OF the SUD-
committee, that the action OF the war
Department in Withholding surplus
food stocks from the market had sery-
ed as "a most important factor IN
maintaining the high cost OF living
since the signing OF the armistice.
Testimony OF Mr.. Hare with ques-
lions asked by the committee, devel-
oped several interesting points In con-
nection with the disposal OF surplus
food stocks by the War Department.
Mr.. Hare testified:
That Herbert Hoover had declined
TO purchase excess meat stocks
from the army in eXpending the
siOOOOOOOO assigned him by Con-
gress for European relief and had
purchased meats in this country,
belouying TO the Italian govern
ment in preference, although pay
Ing a higher price than that for
which the army surplus was offer
ed.
That when France was approach
ed on the subject OF purchasing the
si.5OOOOOO0O worth Of military
supplies OF all kinds belonging to
this government and now in France
that government had offered only
S3OO.OOO.OOO for the stock and this
offer was rejected.
That to protect the canning mar
ket and 20 prevent dumping OF
SiO0.OOOOOO worth OF canned fruits
and vegetables put up for govern
ment account the War Department
had agreed TO add canned peas, corn
and squash to the peacetime ration
Of the army. although ordinarily
these commodities are not a part
OF the compulsory ration. but may
be purchased by company messes
at current rates from the money ra-
tion allowance.
That while the condition % most
/ = OF the excess food stocks now is
good, much OF the food will spoil
/ II not quickly disposed OF.
Discussing the purchases by Mr.. Hoo
yer OF meats from the italian govern
ment account in this country. Mr.. Hare
said: "Mr. Hoover bought az higher
price than that at which we offered
the same commodities. about 100000
pounds Of meat for European relief, the
| Italian owned meats being OF R better
/ quality than that prepared for the
! American soldier"
The Chief OF STAFF. Mr.. Hare said
would not agree to declaring a surplus
Of food stocks until May 4. because OF
the uncertainty Of conditions abroad
/ despite the fact that much OF the food
was deteriOrating Part OF the bacon
/ he said, had been sold recently at 90
/ per cent. OF its original value, because
| Of this deterioration.
Surplus Now on Hand.
The surplus food stocks on hand now,
/ Mr.. Hare valued at about SiOO000,O0,
which. in addition to the meat stocks,
/ previously made public, include the fol-
| lowing items: