The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-05-31

of meat and 100000 tins of
vegetables.
The final disposition of this enor-
nous quantity Ct foodstutts has not
been decided upon definitely by the
War Department, but proposals TO
sell them through retail channels to
the public and thus strike a blow at
the high prices will be discussed at
meeting called by the Bureau of
Markets of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture at the Hotel Nc
Alpin.
Dr.. Jonathan C. Day, Municipal
Commissioner OF Public Markets. Is
an enthusiastic supporter of the idea
of selling the meat to the public.
When the problem of the surplus
supplies first calie up it was under
stood that they were to be sold
abroad. DR.. Day Immediately wrote
to Secretary of War Baker:
IF the meat packers are the only
ones who would be disconnected by
the sale of this wholesome and for
merly cheap food product, it would
seem to us of New York that some
special effort ought to be made to
make all, Or large portion, at any
rate, available TO the consuming
public
Representative Fitzgerald, of Mas
sachusetts, has criticized in Congress
the proposal to sell the meat aboard.
Others asked if the packers were
afraid the sale of the meat here
would "break" the market.
Mr.. Baker replied to such .criti-
cisms by saying that there was no
agreement with the meat packers,
but that the latter had suggested
selling the canned meats abroad be-
cause they were already packed for
export. He also said:
Especially prepared army supplies.
seven-pound can sof roast beef and
| things of that sort, are not known to
the commercial public here and
would not be available for ordinary
commerce in this country"
The Secretary of War added, how
ever, that, so far as possible, food
supplies would be sold in the United
States.
DR.. Day, however, is of the opinion
| virtually all the supplies are COM
| mercially available here and is hope
full that the conference today will
| find some means to have them sold
through retail channels. Army Off
| GERS say that the roast beef in ques-
tion-it is really beef that has been
boiled and canned-is sold in Ordi-
| nary retail stores in many parts OF
the country.
Il am very hopeful that the meet
ing will arrange some practical
means of selling the surplus army
stores to the consuming public" DR..
Day said. wholesalers, retailers
and Federal officials will be there.
and 1 shall represent the city's De-
partment of Public Markets.
PERSONALLY ] feel that the Ameri-
can housewife will be glad Of the OPP
portunity to buy meats at lowe.
figure than she pays today. Even If
| the sale of the army meat would not
permanently lower the high cost of
living, it would at least result in get
ting some cheaper meat into the
market"
This same point of view was ex-
pressed by Jno. Mitchell, head of the
State Industrial Commission and
| chairman of the State Food Commits
sion, which recently went out OF
! existence.
Even if the forms are now to the
| American housewife, should think
she would be glad to get this meat
| if it is good and the prices are rea-
sonable," said Mr.. Mitchell yester-
day. II should say, of course, that
whatever meat is needed for the ar
my should be sent abroad, but that
the remainder should bbe sold here
and at reasonable prices
The varieties included in the
canned meat are roast beef, corned
beef and corned beef hash.