Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-08-01
TlEUP ON ATLANTIC SEA0OARO
MAKES SUGAR SCARCE IN
THIS CITY.
PRICE ADVANCED; DEALERS
PUT LIMIT ON PURCHASES
Price Increased to Consumer From II
TO ven Cents = Pound and Purchases
Limited to 81 Northumberland Con-
sumption Another Cause Of Shortage
Situation Soon Msy Be Relieved.

That the strike, instituted some time
ago by the marine unions along the
Atlantic seaboard. should have seri-
ous effect for Marshalltown house,
wives, in spite of the fact that the
strike was settled last week. seems I'M
possible. But such Is the fact as was
learned thru local grocers when they
were questioned regarding the sugar
situation. This strike, which lasted
three weeks, tied up such a large
| amount OF sugar carrying tonnage that
there is only q limited supply In the
United States at present.
The direct result Of this il felt by the
housewife because. the jobber Is limit.
| ing the amount he sells to the grocer
and in turn the grocer has had to limit
the amount he retails. In addition to
| the strike, the fact that there has been
such an excessive demand for sugar
this year is another cause for the sug-
| ar shortage.
According to the figures compiled by
| the sugar equalization board, the per
capita sugar consumption in the Uni
ted States for the first half of the
year shows q gain Of four pounds per
person over the corresponding period
Of 1918.
The shortage has pushed up the price
Is cents pound as you have prob
ably noticed IL you have bought sugar
recently. 1t retailed today at 1875 cents
and the highest 1t has been for some
time was II cents. In addition you
probably noticed that your grocer
would sell you only 81 worth at a time
and that he gave as the reason that his
supply was very low.
Housewives Should Not Hoard.
Housewives who have attempted to
learn the cause for the limiting Of the
sugar supply have, in most cases. re-
ceivcd an evasive answer AZ the gro
GERS have feared true statement Of
facts might cause a scramble for
sugar. Therefore an explanation Of
present conditions seems advisable. The
amount Of sugar available now is SUI
ficient to meet full normal require
ments but a scarcity Of sugar could be
created by fll-considered and precipi-
tate buying and boarding Of sugar by
consumers. That is the chief reason
for limiting the retail supply to the
housewife, who IL also urged to limit
her purchases to her actual week to
week requirements.
There Is no cause for alarm for, now
that the strikers have returned to
work, the vessels tied mp in port will
discharge their cargoes and start i'm
mediately for more sugar. It u GER
tain that It will take only . short time
to bring about resumption Of q week
ly volume Of imports equal to that
moved prior to the outbreak OF the
trouble.
Sugar Control Of Value.
Housewives should be interested to
know Of what great value the sugar
control has been to them. At no time
since the period Of control began has
It's value in protecting tho consumer
been more evident than under, exist
ing conditions. The action Of the sugar
equalization board in suspending ex-.
ports and tho control exercised over
Cuban, as well as over domestic sup
plies, makes it certain that none Of
this supply will be diverted to other
markets and VIII therefore relieve the
present shortage much quicker.
Without such regulation OF prices
and supplies as now exists the Amer
lean consumer would be bidding
against the world for sugar. He would
be forced to limit his consumption and
would be compelled 70 pay . much
higher price for that which he was
able to obtain.