New-York tribune., 1920-04-15
Strikers Will
Suggest Way
To Supply Food
Leaders to Submit Plan
to Copeland To-day; Co.
operation of Railroad
Heads Will Be Sought
Situation Is Not Critical
Mayor Requests Police and
Firemen to Make Sur
vey of Supplies Here

A survey Of the food situation in
New York arising out Of the railroad
strike and other developments bearing
upon the city's supply of food yester-
day revealed that the sitdation Is
serious, but not critical.
Two important steps were taken by
city officials to meet the emergency.
Mayor Hylan ordered the police and
fire departments to make a survey and
report on ell food supplies in the city.
AT the same time the Mayor called
upon the people to report to him adj
cases Of fragrant profteering.
Health Commissioner Copeland ap-
peared at "a meeting at Grand View
Hall. Jersey City, and pleaded with
striking railroad men to devise ways
and means whereby New York might
declared that serious food shortage
would entail disastrous consequences.
especially to infants.
The strikers declared their willing
ness to suggest plan to meet Dr..
Copeland's appeal. This will be pre-
sented to-day.
DR.. Copeland said that Immediately
upon receipt of the strikers sugges-
tion he would call meeting Of rail
way executives and ask them to CO.
operate. In event Of their acceptance
roads to lift the embargo on New York.
so Tar as foodstuffs are concerned.
I'VE will get all the milk we need"
said Dr. Copeland, "and more, if neces-
sary, to make up for the shortage in
vegetables and other products"
In q letter to the Police and Fire de-
partments the Mayor dsc|rred that "the
cold-blooded profiteers are the offend,
ers we are after" The letter follows:
persons who use the railroad strike
as an excuse for charging exorbitant
prices for the necessities of life should
be brought to the bar Of justice as
! good Tor the profiteer who deliberately
speedily as possible. Jail is almost too
seizes upon tie-up of railroads as an
excuse for robbing the public. These
profteers have neither heart nor con-
| science.
81 am reliably informed that if milk
and perishable foodstuffs in reasonable
| quantities arrive here daily, there is
last for some time. In order to deter
mine just what. the amount is, pro-
pose that survey be made under your
direction.
"While the police and firemen are
! getting rough inventory they should
hlso make inquiries concerning prices.
With this information the average
househ older ought to be in position
to know whether tho corner grocer or
the delicatessen man is justified an
raising prices above those charged i'm
mediatcly before the railroad strike.
THE cold-blooded profteers are the
Offenders we are after. l wish any one
with information concerning them
would communicate the same to tho
police and the tirelnen while they are
making their investigations.'
| Survey of Situation
A survey of the situation made by
Or. Copeland revealed the following
facts:
The chief freight agent of the Penn
sylvania Railroad reported that 80 car
loads Of green vegetables were moved
on that line into the city yesterday
With the arrival of this Consignment,
the yards Of the Pennsylvania have
been cleared Of all vegetables, and
there are none on the way.
DR.. Copeland was informed that