The Washington herald., 1920-01-13
FLOURSALE
EXCEEDS HOPES
About 10000 Barrels IN
Small Bags Disposed Of
Since December.
CUTS COST OF LIVING
Idea to Give Economical
Consumer Chance to Buy
4 Lower Priced Product.

New York, Jan. 12.-Enorts OF
Julius H. Barnes. United States
Wheat Director. to reduce the high
cost Of living by providing house,
keepers with wholesome -four at a
reasonable price is meeting an en-
thusiastie response, according to
reports on the United States Grain
Corporations resale of -four. which
has now been in progress for near
ly two weeks.
Approximately 10000 barrels of
the governments stock. which is
being offered to the consumer in
IL and 24h pound sacks. at prices
approximately rs cents for the
smaller size, have been disposed of
since the resale was opened during
the last week in December. So
popular has the -four proved in
localities where it has been placed
in the retail stores that the demand
Is for the larger, rather than the
smaller-siEed sacks.
Practically every wholesaler in all
England and the State of New York
now have a supply of this flour on
hand and are in a position to furnish
retailers In the smaller places one
car is broken up among several deal
ers. so that each one may have at
least a small stock to meet public de-
mand. One large distributor in Bos-
ton has ordered 1000 barrels, which
will be placed with grocers in that
district New York chain and depart
ment stores, which handled one or
more cars at the beginning of the
sale, have renewed their orders. In
many instances, merchants who have
been anxious to assist in this attempt
to cut prices have offered the flour at
prices as low as $1.39 for the 2414-
pound sacks.
Discusses Progress of Sale.
Mr.. Barnes. in discussing the prog
ress of the flour sale. said today: 1T
has been my idea in putting this -four
OF the market that the consumer, who
wishes to practice a measure OF
economy. should have a chance to
buy these lower-pTiced flours at his
retail store. Peculiar crop develop
ments and the extraordinary willing
ness of a part of our people to disre-
gard prices in their purchases have
forced a premium on certain qualities
entirely out Of line with the ordi-
nary relation. The extraordinary
condition is presented of the retail
trade handling standard fours, rang
ing in price from 81. 10 to s. on the
one eighth barrel package.
Il anticipate that the mills them
selves finding that there is a Sec
ton of the public approaching this
can be sold at lower prices, will
gradually take over the supplying
of the retail trade. but we are pre-.
pared to continue to supply that re.
tail trade until there is a demon
stration. either of the permanency
of a consumer market. or else a
clear indication that not enough OF
our people will practice thrift and
economy to warrant the distribut-
, Ing trade in carrying this flour in
stock"
Efforts Are Appreciated.
/ Letters from club women. house
wives, and others interested In re-
ducing the high cost of living in
many parts of the United States are
being received daily at the Offices
of the Wheat Director in New York
, Grain Corporation officials de-
clared that the -four appears to be
giving universal satisfaction wher.
ever IT has been tried, due I'M
doubtedly to a growing apprecia-
ton OF the fact that ii is a pure
wheat -four. moderately priced and
wholesome for family use.