The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-18

waste ana OeSIfuCClOn O1 Q WQOle- some nutritious food product at any time is deplofab1e. When this occurs at time when this country is en- gagged ill a global war where en- phasis is placed on the production and conservation of any product which can be used for food, it be- comes almost criminal.
 Despite this fact, well known to everyone, during the past F months, fully 2,000,000 lbs of bananas pro- duced in Central and South America have gone to waste, providing food | for neither man nor beast.
 Conditions in the great banana producing countries are deplorable Tn many of those countries much of the laboring class depend upon the planting, production and shipping of the fruit for their living. The American government, with the CO., operation of the governments of those countries, is trying to alleviate conditions by campaign of road building. This only partially eases the situation. but is far from curing the unemployment problem.
 Imports Are Small
 What the war has done to the banana business in these countries. is shown by the serious falling off of imports since Pearl Harbor Imports from Central America South Amer ica and Cuba are not averaging much over 25OO0 to 3oOOO tons monthly, less than one fourth of a normal supply. The rest of the fruj {, has to rot.
 As a result, bananas, which have always been popular fruit, are re- tailing, whenever obtainable, at H. 15c h., compared with normal price of 6-7c. Even at prevailing prices, they are about the cheapest fruit on the market at present.
 Action is being taken which will undoubtedly have the effect of cas- ing this situation. The first step in this direction is the outstanding and fortnight action taken by the h. ternational Apple Association at its convention in Chicago when a reso- lution was unanimously passed di- recting the secretary to d~ every thing in his power to further the use of fruits specifically men, tioning bananas to alleviate the shortages caused by the light crops of nearly all fruits this season. Wheels Are Turning
 Suiting the action to the words, Secretary Sam Fraser is in Wash ington this week, strongly urging high Government officials to start the wheels turning so that the people of this country may have the benefit of a wholesome food product, much of which is now be- ing wasted.
 Banana importers are greatly pleased with this action of the apple men. They consider it a real pa triotic gesture, especially in view of the fact that bananas have all ways been considered more or less competitive with apples. This is one of the first, if not the first time in the history of the industry when growers and handlers of one class of fruit have gone on record pub licly as fighting for a competitor. It shows, the importers feel, fine spirit of Americanism and patriot ism an dindicates how liberal and broadminded are the men who make up the apple industry.
 Shipping Is Safer
 When the war first broke out, the Government communicated practi- cally all shipping, including the boats used in banana transporta- tion. The waters of the Atlantic Coast, the Caribbean and further south were made unsafe by the U boat menace When their ships were taken away from them, the banana companies made no com plaint. They realized that this