The Washington herald., 1919-06-30
DISTRICT CITIZENS
PROMISE AID In SALE
OF ARMY FOOD HERE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
faxes imposed on nearly everything
bought this food.
IF a central community store
we're started in Washington and
his surplus disposed OF, in my
opinion, the cost of living would be
educed to a great extent, for a
hort time.
Funds should be put up for the
purchase of the goods and allow
fnce made for salaries to men who
will take charge of the selling. Ac-
uaf cost should be all that the Or
anization taking charge of such a
natter impose on the people.
Solution of Sales.
The solution of how to get rid
III the food after it is procured is
70 secure a place in the business dis
rict. mark the prices on the va
ious articles and let the people
ome and get it,"
Robert ". Harper. president of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce.
aid that although no definite ac-
ion is contemplated by the cham
fer. he believes any assistance asked
ill be given.
The matter OF selling this vast
mount of food, according to Mr..
arper, is putting the government
the position Of dealing directly
18th the consumer. consequently
I'd for the profits of local mer-
hants.
Paid for by People.
IT ihartu Rapds a.
nd many taxes that have been i'm
psed on many necessary commodi-
es." said John G. McGrath, paid
be bill for this surplus amount of
bod and in turn the people bought
be bonds and paid the taxes.
The question of whom the food be-
ngs to is foolish; it should go to
be people who paid for it in the
rst place.
II do not mean that the people
rould get the food free. But
b think they should be given the
Opportunity to buy food at a great
eduction instead of being held up
pr an exorbitant price by large
ealers.
Il will do all in my power to help
bis plan along and intend to take
much time as is necessary from
y place of employment to see the
ork well under way"
Sale Sites offered.
a suggestion was made yesterday by
veral District firemen that the fire.
buses be used as points of distribu-
pm, for the reason that now. under
e two-platooa system, many men
N he fra.a N he he fatr
bn of the foodstuffs in their home
cinity.
For the District to take over an
mount of the surplas food being held
the War Department" said Will
IN ]. Hendricks, of the Federal En-
oyes' Union, requires money. / do
II believe any one organization will
pply the amount needed. and in my
inion. II some oody of citizens would
I together and offer as security for
is food liberty bonds. with the un-
rstanding that actual payment
uld be made upon the sale of the
ID. the question that now confronts
would be solved.
As for letting the food go back to
large moneyed interests. the mat
should not even be considered.
The government Is looking around
ways to reduce the cost of living.
turn this large amount of food
ok to the cold storage plants OF
ge packers would only tend to ag-
Pyate an already aggravated con-
ion.
For once let the people get the
neft Of a reduction in a small
lount of food and partially relieve
present high cost of living. that.
my opinion. is due to a great deal
food being held for speculation.
Cold storage plants are called a
ssing. but in recent years have ap-
rently become a curse. They give
rkers an opportunity to buy in
ge quantities when prices are low,
Lreby creating a demand. and in
pes OF plenty get famine prices for
1ir commodity.
Now is the chance for the people
get a little ahead of the big deal
and secure food. for a time, at
price that is about reasonable"