The Washington times., 1919-10-30

era1 Food Administrator, In answer to
many complaints which reached the
of Justice and local news
papers today over what Is termed by
many Washington housewives an un-
fair method to force the purchase of
this particular company's wares.
Result Of Siege.
The decision to use this means of
the company's supply of
sugar came as result of a continued
siege by consumers In the hopes of
obtaining sugar. So great has been
the demand that at times the stores
have been filled to overnowing with
customers whose sole object was to
a limited amount of the sugar was
sold to one member of a family,
others would return for more.
This has resulted, II Is said, in the
obtaining of large quantities of sugar
by some families and a very small
amount by others. Many consumers
also went from one store to another,
purchasing as much sugar as was
possible.
The rule adopted by the chain of
grocery stores will prevent IL Is
thought, the boarding of sugar by
consumers. But IL has met with a
storm OF protest Many declare a
doIlars's worth OF goods Is too much
dollars worth of goods il a necessity
of life, and two pounds-the quantity
allowed with each dollars purchase
will not last for any appreciable time.
The more unfortunate class of Gus
toners. it is stated, who buy a dol
lars worth OF food by visiting sew
eraf stores, are thus deprived OF the
sugar unless 1t can be obtained some
where else.
As Mr.. Wilson pointed out this
morning, however, no Federal stat
utes are broken by the grocery stores
system The grocery dealer con-
ducts his own business, and is not
forced to sell goods to consumers.
He can discriminate II he wishes. II
any one Zine" of goods. such as to-
matoes, coffee or tea, were forced on
the customer by this practice. the
dealer could be prosecuted by law.
But this chain of grocery stores does
not recommend or force the purchase
OF any particular class of groceries.
The only stipulation Is that the Gus
toner must buy 81 worth of groceries.
Although the two pounds of sugar
allowed with 81 purchase 10 a small
amount, the Federal Food Admins
traitor said this morning that con-
servation of sugar Is necessary. and
that consumers must learn to cut
down their needs.
Comnittee to BE Formed Seen.
The formation of the new Fair
Price Association. to include dealers
in wearing apparel and fuel, Ii now
under way. Several OF the delegates
representing dealers have yet to be
chosen. however. and IL is doubtful is
the committee will be complete in
membership before the middle part Of
next week.
The Department of Justice agents,
acting under advice from the office of
the Food Administrator. are now in
vestigating cases of suspected wrongs
on the part of dealers which have
been brought to the attention OF the
Federal Food Administrator by wash
ington housewives.
Herbert Hoover, former Food Ad-
ministrator for the United States,
yesterday told a House war investi-
eating committee that between six
teen million and twenty million tons
of food more than necessary for
American consumption will be the
yield of this years crops. He blamed
high prices on the Appalling psychol-
ogy of the public to buy expensive
things"
Mr.. Hoover appeared before the
committee in connection with the in
quiry into the sale of large amounts