New-York tribune., 1919-08-05
Army Supplies To Be Dis
played as in Retail Stores
in New Plan; Distribution
Is Expected to Start Soon
Stores Offer Cooperation
Dealers Differ on Likely Ef-
feet of Release of U. S.
T. o m III o dities Here

| finally chosen for the sale of almost
100000 pounds of surplus army food
stuffs, it was learned yesterday AL
though Deputy Markets Commissioners
Edwin A. O'Malley, in charge of the
distribution of the army supplies in
New York City, did not officially desig-
nate the schoolhouses as sales depots
1t is understood that he will make an
announcement to this effec. after 4
conference with Mayor Hylan to-day.
No progress has been made in the
transfer of the goods from the army
warehouses to within reach of the
city's consumers. Details of the con-
signment of the supplies by the gov
ernment to the city must first be de-
termined upon at meeting between
Captain A. A. Stewart, Zone Supply
Property Officer. and Mr. OMalley.
Up to late hour yesterday Captain
Stewart had not been advised by the
sales governing board at Washington
of the reported decision of the boa I'd
that cities may receive goods on a
thirty day consignment plan Until the
official notice is filed with Captain
Stewart, it was said yesterday, it is
impossible for him to enter into nego-
tlatlons for disposal of the stores on
any but cash sale basis.
Stores in Schoolhouses
Schoolhouses will be converted into
retail stores, according to the plans
now under consideration. Army sup
plies, twice inspected, will be stored in
the easements to prevent spoilage. Dis
trlouton Will be made in quantities
proportlonate to the density and char
acter of the surrounding population.
housewives will be able to make pur-
chases as they do at any retail store at
present, it is understood. Samples of
the toodstuffs will be displayed on I'M
provlsed counters, while the goods will
be stored in the containers in which
they stood in the warehouses;
bonded cashier will handle the
money at each station, Mr.. OMalley
said. He announced that he is arrang-
ing with surety company for a blanket
bond to cover the cashiers.
Most OF the transportation will be
done by city-owned vehicles, further
reducing the overhead costs. The num-
Der and type of the statesmen and sales
women have not been decided.
Plenty of Cooperation
People are responding magnifcently
to our plea for cooperation" Mr. O.'Mal-
ley said. 81 feel that if we asked for
sales workers we would be swamped
with offers.
Eve want the public to understand
,nat our efforts are concentrated on
distributing this army food without a
hitch and at 20 per cent or more be
low the prevailing market prices. l am
hourly expecting a revised price list
rom the government, which | think
Will enable US to sell even more cheap
ly than at first supposed"
The purchases made at the stations
appointed by Mr.. O'Malley will be en-
trely on cash and carry" basis.
A desire to cooperate in the placing
Of lower priced goods before the pub
lie was expressed yesterday by large
number of retail dealers and depart
ment store officials.
Anton Zerlech, meat dealer of 581
West 181st Street, offered half of his
store. store operated by Davis &
Davis, at 73 West 131st Street, has
also been offered.
Brooklyn Firms Offer Space
The Reliance Market and Straus
Brothers in Brooklyn are among those
who have offered distribution machin-
cry. Prices at these stores will be
the same or 81 ghtly higher than those
obtaining at schoolhouses. Mr.. O'Mal-
ley announced that H. Batterman's and
A. |. Namm's, two large Brooklyn de-
partment stores, have also volunteer red
to aid.
To the ham, bacon and canned goods
there will be added about three mil
lion pounds of prunes, Lieutenant
Frank A. Dee, subsistence sales head
Of the surplus property Office an
nounced. Prunes Of the quality to be
released by the government to the
cities are retailing at 80 and 40 cents
pound. The governments price will
be 25 cents.
Lieutenant Dee also announced that
97,710 pounds of dehydrated onions
$4,000 pounds of hominy are now being
auctioned off to dealers through sealed
bids According to the practice of the
local zone surplus property officer, if
the highest Of these bids is corsidere d
inadequate, the goods will be offered
to the municipalities.
Differ on Effect of Sales
Mr.. O'Malley and number of typicaI
differed on the effect of the prospective
release of government supplies on re-
tall prices. Mr.. O'Malley said that q
number of commodities are registering
m reduced price, the effect of the vol
ume of food in the offing.
New York City already has lower
prices than any other community ir
the country" he said.
Emil Joseph, veteran Washington
Market butcher, declared that as fa1
as he knew the present market is as
strong as ever. He said that dealers
generally believe that the amount of
supplies held by the government is not
large enough to figure in any perma-
nent price cutting.
GAS a matter of fact" he said, "the
price of ham has gone up a half cent
since Saturday. The prices of other
comm odities remain unchanged.
Believes Few Glasses Interested
A buyer for one of the city's largest
department stores declared that the
governments supplies will attract only
a few classes of people, while others
will continue to buy the standard COM
modties. He figured that the falling
off in sales of ordinary commodities
would be slight during the sale of the
army's foodstuffs. He pointed out that
his firm could safely handle the army's
1 food without loss.
A representative Of one Of the large
packing companies was asked if the
packers are worried.
"At this moment" he said, "there
is just about half a pound Of beet