davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
Situation Here Ideal for Studies Of
Consumer Preferences-Government
Testers Conduct Experiments With
Loose and Packaged Foods to
Aid Consumers In Determin-
ing Quality-Fixing the
Turkey Standard.

trade requirements and fixed standards
are issued. The use of these standards
is not compulsory. but they have been
adopted by shippers and cooperative
organizations in producing areas and by
the produce trade generally in consum-
Ing markets. The standards also are
the basis for the departments extensive
shipping point inspection and market
news system.
SURVEYS having shown that color
of foods is an important factor in
consumer buying habits, harvesting
schedules and methods have been de-
veloped which are designed to place
products on the market in their most
attractive dress. The Importance of
this color factor is such that some food
handlers use artificial means of preserv-
ing color, as in the case of cured cooked
meats.
Fresh meat when cooked loses its red
color through the effect of heat upon
hemoglobin, the red coloring matter of
meat and blood. In the commercial
preparation of cooked, cured meats.
however, color fiXativeS are used to re-
tain the color artificially. Many citrus
organizations now harvest their product
green and color them artificially with
out deleterious effect.
The preservation of the natural color
Of foods during the cooking process is
also one object of the Government re-
search, in the view that many con-
sumner prejudices against certain prod
ucts, especially the green vegetables, are
due to improper cooking methods that
bleach out and give colorless appear
ance to the, cooked products Some
dietitiaps declare that an unbalanced
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
The Old Sea-Clock

CLOCKS came into use in Europe
during the thirteenth century.
There is evidence to show that they
were employed at much earlier period
than that, although it is probable that
for the most part they were regarded as
mere curioSities. The first form was
that of the balance clock" the con-
Struction of which rendered it imprac-
ticable for use at sea. It's movements
were irregular and its utility was nulli-
fed by the rocking motion of vessels.
Huygens had used pendulums for the
regulation of clocks on shore as early
as 1856, and in 1875 his application of
spiral springs as regulators of watches
made them in measure available for
use at sea; but the fact remains that
the real introduction of time-keepers,
whereby standard time could be carried
to any part of the world, and longi-
tude as we'll be determined, came at so
late a period as the eighteenth century,
with the inventions of John Harrison.
The rise Of modern navigation may be
dated from the improvement of the
sextant in 1871 and the invention of the
chronometer in 1875.
With the chronometer of today and
the ingenious instruments on board
every ship, there is now no difficulty in
ascertaining the time and, consequently,
the longitude. But such was not always
the case. On the vessels of the old
days. before the inventions referred to
were known and before the coming of
improved seXtants, seamen frequently
had recourse to curiously clumsy de-
vices. These nevertheless. saved the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

carcasses at slaughtering houses and
place a stamp on the meat, so that each
subsequent retail cut bears the depart
ment's certificate Of quality.
These quality standards are not to- be
confused with the inspection of foods
for WhQlesomeneSS which has been in
effect more than 20 years. A food may
be. mt for human consumption, declare
the food testers, but not necessarily of
high quality. The aim Is to see that
consumers get full value for their
money, the highest-priced goods being
the highest quality goods. which is not
now always the case. Thus butter is
being inspected for quality, and the
packer permitted to paste Government
label on each one-pound package which
declares that the product is from a
churning of butter inspected on such
and-Such date. of the quality indi-
Gated, on the certificate. Egg shippers
on the Pacific Coast likewise now are
using the system of quality standards
and labels in connection with one-dozen
packages.
The various standards are developed
as the result of extensive Investigation
OF production and marketing conditions
and scientific research by food experts
The work was started during the World
War to protect the Government in its
large food purchases, but the general
popularity of the standards forced their
continued use in the produce trade.
Starting with standards for a few COM
moditieS, the system now covers viz
tually the entire range of food crops.
Tentative quality standards are drawn
UP first and these are submitted to the
produce industry for consideration and
approval. Minor changes In the stand
ards are made subsequently to meet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
Wireless Map.Making.

ONE of the unique uses to which
~ wireless telegraphy Is put Is in
the making of maps. This utilization
Of the wireless already has become
most important one in newly developed
regions wherein survey work Is difficult.
Some time ago the fact was ascer-
tanned, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
and at the Naval Observatory in this
country, that exact differences in
longitude may be found by sending time
signals by wireless For instance, II
1t Is 2 O'Clock in Paris, and the time
at second station at this moment is
3 o'clock, it follows that there is one
hours difference between these points,
and, as the difference in latitude COR
responds exactly with this. 1t is figured
at once, and there is ascertained the
latitude of the second place with ref
erence to Paris. This is due to the
fact that the two time values are
instantaneous since the wireless waves
consume no appreciable time IN trans
mission
The Belgian government some time
ago took steps to apply the method
in the KOngo region of Africa. It is
held that by this means map can
be laid out within a short period, where,
by ordinary means Of survey. a period
Of about 10 years would be required
to do the work A commission also
Is engaged In applying the wireless for
the exact delimitation of the boundary
line between the French and the former
German possessions In the Kongo
region
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
Making meteorological
studies of canned products.
@ under1cod Undervooa


BY C. MORAN.
w WASHINGTON has become
NJ Uncle Sans proving ground
wv In food matters Here, with
a representative population
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

+" "A FEW years ago." declares
Charlotte Chatfield OF the de-
partment's home economics stan, "doc-
tors, dletitians, and experts of one sort
or another were the only ones who cared
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

mariner from chaos and destruction,
and, even though he could not name
the hour with any degree of certainty
and was often mixed as to his longitude,
he, at least, knew the day of the week
no small comfort on the high seas
Eclipses of the moon and the positions
OF the stars afforded some assistance
to the old-time skipper. He was, how
ever, greatly handicapped by his lack of
astronomical knowledge and the inferior
quality of his "spy-glasS." Moreover,
eclipses could not be arranged for every
night in the week, and there were dark
nights when the stars could not be seen.
A popular form of Sea-clock in the
old days was the sand-glass Many Of
these glasses were timed to run "a
hours and prior to the departure from
port the ships glass was set at noon.
If it were carefully watched and turned
as soon as the sand ran down, the skip
per could reckon the days with fair
degree of accuracy
Side by side with the large glass were
placed half-hour and minute glasses.
The man at the helm carefully watched
this Sea-clock and announced the time
at regular intervals by striking a bell
It was customary to estimate the dura-
ton of any incident by so many glasses
To fog the glass" was an operation
very congenial to lazy Seamen. It con-
sisted in turning the glass before all the
sand had run down, so that the watch
was appreciably shortened
The 24-hour glass was even employed,
aside from keeping rough account Of
time, for the purpose Of estimating
longitude. !.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

farm products are made to Washing
ton from practically every State and
from many foreign countries thereby
enabling the food experts to experiment
conveniently with every known food
from the staple necessaries to the So
called luxury products.
In keeping also with the vast growth
OF cities in recent years the Districts
increase in population Is affording op-
portunity to study the changes which
have developed in modern food distri-
button methods, which find expression
In the increased use of motor trucks
to haul supplies direct from farm to
market, the need for new terminal ia
cilities to handle the greatly increased
supply, and the development of the
chain-store system Of buying and SELL
ing.
5*m#@* r.
A RECENT survey by the department
= shows that Washington now is re-
ceiving approximately 1000 carloads
annually Of 10 leading fresh fruits and
vegetables, and in addition large GUAM
titles trucked in from nearby farms in
Maryland and Virginia. Comparable
figures for 10 years ago are not avail
able on all commodities, but it is known
that whereas Washington received 1918
carloads of potatoes In 1918, the receipts
now are close to 1,700 cars; tomatoes.
lis cars 10 years ago, compared with
400 cars now; peaches, 1873 cars In 1918,
compared with 800 cars at present:
celery, 152 cars, compared with $50
cars; cantaloupeS, 1875 cars, compared
with $50 cars, and SO on down through
the list of commodities.
FInYido the fiOilroc chOyy ~.nxxr cI1i,~e
more supplies of fresh fruits and vege-
tables to Washington than does any
other one State-Some 1900 carloads
annually of cabbage, celery, grapefruit,
lettuce, oranges, potatoes, strawberries,
tomatoes and watermelonS coming from
that State. The second largest rail
contributor Is California, followed by
New York, Virginia, Maine, Michigan
and South Carolina. More than 80
carloads of imported fresh fruits and
vegetables are received annually.
Federal standards of quality for 40
fresh fruits and Vegetables, canned tonna-
toes, corn and peas; fresh meats, but
ter, eggs and poultry have been estab-
lished by the Department Of Agricul-
ture, and are in wide use by shippers,
chain stores, Government hospitals, the
Shipping Board and the United States
Navy. The departments system of
grading meats for quality has been in
use the last two years. Under this sys-
fem Governments food specialists grade
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

much about the composition Of foods.
The average person was satisfied If the
food that appeared on his table three
times a day tasted good and kept him
from being hungry between meals. But
times have changed. Galleries, protein,
| carbohydrates. iron and calcium now
are household words applied to foods
Everybody Is trying to eat the proper
number of calorteS and to be sure that
he is getting enough iron to make red
blood and enough calcium to build bones
and teeth.
Foods vary a great deal more in
what they contain than even the Scien-
fists used to think. Milk is not Just
milk. Every dairy farmer knows what
a difference even per cent of butter
fat will make in his creamery check at
the end of the month. So it Is with
apples, onions, pork, beef, poultry and
all the other foods. They may differ
widely in the food elements they con-
tain
The various food elements are being
studied by the department to aid houses
wives in their food purchases. House
wives will be told the food values Of the
various cuts and kinds of meats, fruits
and vegetables, so as to permit the
wiSest budgeting of the family funds.
housewives could save as much as 25
per cent of their food dollars through
better selection and combination OF
foods, without loss of food requirements
to sustain family health.
The departments aim Is so to pop
ularize the results of this research that
recommendations based upon scientific
analysis may be fully understood by
persons unSchooied in terms such as
Carbohydrates" "proteins," Galleries
and the like With this end in view.
special menus are prepared by the Fed
eral dietitians, and broadcast daily
from upward of one hundred radio sta
tons over the country. Aunt Sammy"
the radio character who broadcastS the
food talks, is now known, by voice"
to millions of housewives, many OF whom
correspond regularly with Aunt Sam
my" in securing home economics advice.
Yes, there is really an Aunt Sammy
in the Department of Agriculture. We
found her in an Office near B street
southwest. almost submerged beneath n
litter of correspondence from her radio
listeners. She doesn't wear fuzzy hat
nor striped skirts; she's young. has bob
bed hair, a pleasant smile, and, we'll
she knows her cabbages.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

they seek to work with, rather than
against, the Government in keeping
their products free from adulteration
and false labelling. It is hardly reason
able to suppose, however. that the day
will ever come when all adulterated and
misbranded foods will vanish from the
market"
Persons who purchase commodities
such as non-alcoholic cordialS NAV be
interested to know that Government
analysis Of these products shows that
they are merely thin sugar sirups with
suitable flavor and color. Some of them
contain caffeine and are, therefore, not
without a definite physiological action.
Non-alcoholic beverages-or soft
drinks" the term usually, applied to
them - vary widely in composition.
Some, such as sparkling bottled cider
and bottled grape juice, are the pure
juices OF fruit. Others, belonging to the
."ade" class, contain Is or 20 per cent
OF Fruit juice, the color, sweetness and
tartness Of these products being fire.
Quently enhanced by the addition of
small quantities of artificial color, sugar.
and citric, tartaric or other fruit acids,
The department estimates that more
than IL billion bottles of non-alcoholic
beverages are consumed in the United
States each year, of which Washington
consumes q fair share It is estimated
that into these beverages 60 csc, 900 tons
OF sugar, 5000 900 pounds. Of fruit acid,
$4,000 pounds OF artificial color, ], OOO.-
900 gallons of fiavoring extract, and
400. 000, 600 gallons of carbonated water.
Most non-alcoho1ic beverages are bottled
s0das, the most common of these being
ginger ale. root beer, sarsaparilla. and
pop
Although most soft drinks now on the
market are free from harmful sub
stances, some are occasionally found by
the Government Investigators which |
contain boric and Salicylic acids as pre- !
sentative agents, dyes containing arsenic |
OF. other harmful impurities, metallic |
salts. and saccharin, sweetening agent |
OF coal-tar origin having no food value. |
The use Of soap bark to produce foam
or bead on beverages is regarded as of |
doubtful propriety because Of its pos |
sible deleteriouS action. The use Of arti- |
hc1al color. however. contrary to a |
belief, is not harmful, pro- |
vided only certified coal-tar dyes or /
harmless vegetable colors are used.
~ Ks
&c A FEW years ago." declares
Charlotte Chatfield Of the de-
partmentis home economies stan, "doc-
tors, dletitians, and experts of one sort
Or another were the only ones who cared
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

w WASHINGTON has become
NAV Uncle Sans proving ground
wv In food matters. Here, with
a representative population
of more than half a mil
lion people, the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture Is conducting sci
entiflc Investigations which are the
forerunner of Nationwide practices in
food merchandising and consumer de-
marld. The research ranges from dis
covering the reasons for consumer pref
erences in foods to cooking tests design
ed to determine the palatability of
meats and other commodities.
Food testers in the department. pur-
chase large quantities of canned goods
in the retail stores here and subject
them to laboratory examination to de-
tern1ine the quality of the products in
an effort, in cooperation with Gamers
associations, to develop Simplified sys-
tenn whereby consumers may be told ON
the labels the quality of the foods, based
upon Government standards.
Under this system United States
grade 4 corresponds to what is now
yariously known as fancy; United
States grade B is the equivalent of
United States grade c compares with
what is known as standard"
Food palatability tests consist of
cooking literally hundreds of roasts of
beef and lamb, the histories of which
are traced back to the live stock ranges
to learn the best breeding and feeding
methods to produce tender and palata-
bic meats.
A corps OF food tasters samples the
cooked products and records the find
ingS on score cards Similar tests are
made Of ice cream and other commodi-
ties.
Color has been found to be an i'm
portant factor in consumer food pref
erences, as we'll as an indicator of the
quality of products, in these tests APP
paratus for determining the color tone
of farm products has been developed
by the department scientists, and color
standards have been established as part
OF the Federal grades for the quality of
products.
Last year the department undertook
to grade turkeys for the Washington
retail trade, so that each bird might
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02
let may frequently be traced to this

diet may frequently be traced to this
cause.
Cooking methods are being developed
by the Government investigators with
view to retaining the natural colors
of food, as achieved largely by the use
of a minimum quantity of water so that
the product may be cooked In their own
juices. The pronounced greens of peas,
spinach and string beans may be re-
tanned by this means
Food must be pleasing to the eye. de-
clare the investigators, II the CASTRO
nomic requirements Of the body are to
be satisfied.
Various research agencies the last ten
years have been making vitamin stud
les, chiefly with the idea of showing the
relation of vitamins to growth and
health. To apply this work In practical
terms of breakfast, dinner and supper
menus the department is making studies
among Washington housewives to de-
termine in what foods the different
vitaminS occur and how the vitamin
content varies in meals served in WASH
ington homes and institutions. SINH
larly, there is research with regard TO
the mineral content of foods In con-
nection with the digestibility OF prOducE.
The size of servings in homes, the
usual amount of food waste, and the
extent to which table waste may De
eliminated are now being investigated.
This line of research deals also with
the distribution of expenditures Tor
foods among the different food groups.
The nutritive value Of fruits and
vegetables and their place in the diet
are under investigation. Studies OF this
type are regarded as of especial I'M
portance in these days Of htgh-pressure
competition among industries for the
consumers dollar, If the public health
is to be conserved.
FL y -
GGTNHE food situation" declares Kath-
arine A. Smith, associated with
the departments food chemistry activi
ties, 'is quite different from that of 20
years ago. The rapid advances during
the last two decades in chemistry, bac-
teriology, and mechanic arts have made
it possible literally to revolutionize the
methods used in the manufacture of
foods. Gone are the days when. for
example, mixture of cane sirup and
caramel could safely be offered for sale
as maple strip. The housewife Of today
has every reasonable assurance that
bottle labeled maple sirup' contains the
product Of the maple tree, pure and un-
adulterated.
American food industries are now
Wen organized and, for the most part.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-02

bear Government certificate. testify
ing to the quality of the turkey. The
system proved so popular among Wash
ington retailers and housewives that
a demand for the service came from
other large centers of population dur
ing the current holiday season. Pro-
ducers also negotiated with the depart
ment to grade turkeys at shipping
points as an assurance of quality to
consumers.
The Federal economists regard Wash
ington as almost an ideal place for con-
Quoting consumer food studies, because
OF the relatively high standard of living
in the District and the fact that the
population here combines practically
centers of distribution. Shipments of
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1928-05-19
SHEPHERD NOTES.

The Folds of Philadelphia and VI
cinity, under the supervision OF Dep
uty Mary e. Freeman are expectins
70 awaken Philadelphia tc the fact
that they are there on the fourtn
Sunday in May. On this day they
will hold their annual sermon. A
big street parade is in the making,
which will be led by the Female
Pand of Philadelphia and the meet
ing will be graced by the presence
of our Grand Presiding Shepherd,
Mrs. Ora Brown Stokes; Grand Sec
retary.Treasurer A. G.. Clark ana
others.
Do not lose sight Of the Shepherds
Annua, Excursion which will 60 To
BAY SBORE on the 18th OF July.
A number Of Folds have made known
their intention Of lining up behind
this Excursion this year and the In
dications are that we are going to
carry out of the city the largest Elk
cursion of the season. II. you are
looking for quiet, h0melike Ex.
cursicn, go with the SHEPHERDS
and DAUGHTERS OF BETHLEHEM
The new Fold at Enporia, Va. ID
planning TO have its annual sermon
on the third Sunday in June. They
are expecting a large delegation
from Richmond to be with them.
This Fold has a very promising fu-
ture.
The work recently started at Mid.
lothian by Daughter Lille E. Bias.
kerville 10 making very satisfactory
progress. We extend to her our con-
gratulations. !
The Welfare Department Is still
growing. We appeal to every true.
loyal Shepherd and Daughter Of
Bethlehem to see to it that fheir
names are counted among this spler
dill set of workers. Philadelphia zion
Travellers are holding down first
place, with st. Elizabeth and Clarks
Invincible in second and third places
Watch for big honor list next week
respectively
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1928-05-19
ROANOKE NEWS

A man fell dead on or near
Henry Street, Saturday. He resided
in East Roanoke with his brother.
A barber died on Fourth Street,
n. E., after a short illness.
Rev. George P. Miller delivered
a fine Mothers Day sermon Sunday
at II A. NJ, at Mt. Zion A. NJ. E.
Church. Rev. James S. Hatcher be-
ing away from the city attending
the General Conference Session in
Chicago, Ill. Brother L. B. Broad
max assisted Rev. Miller.
A grand Mothers Day program
was rendered at P. NJ. by some
of the best local talents of the
various churches in the city. There
were some very fine papers rem
dered. All really enjoyed the oc-
casion.
Mrs. Catherine Stanfeld will fur
nish you with your ready-to-wear APP
parel at lowest possible rates. Mil
hnery for ladies and misses, and
mems apparel may be found at her
place. Medicines may also be had
here, at No. 154 Madison Avenue,
n. w.
Call and see her before purchas-
ing elsewhere.
Rev. P. G. Graveley has charge