Evening star., 1946-04-28
Refuse Shows
Saving Of Food,
xanten Says
Gorrity Declares
Conservation Isn't
Endongerine Health

Washington residents are con-
serving food, William o, Xanten
head OF the District Refuse Divi-
sion, said last night, basing his
claim on the amount of garbage
now being collected from private
homes. and commercial establish
mentS.
The city official said total waste
now Is no more than it was when
Washington had a population of
100000. The last census figure listed
the population at 93S,458. }5
Mr. Xanten estimated there was
no waste Of fats and only 2 per
cent waste of bread out of a total
of $4,000 tons of garbage collected
annually. Before the war there
was a greater wastage of both bread
and meat, he said.
Won't Endanger Health.
The Washington Food Conserva-
tion Committee, meanwhile, gave
assurances l. no resident need
worry about b, health deteriorating
as a result of conserving wheat
products, fats and oils that are
needed in famine ridden countries.
I'VE have received some calls at
our office from a number of people
asking whether the general health
OF our community will not be en-
dangered by this program" Ray
mond F. Garrity, committee chair
man declared. Our answer has
been that there is no danger of this
in any way.
We have been informed by off,
cials of the Agriculture Department
that we have never eaten as well
as we are today. That is, we have
never consumed as many calories
In the past as we are doing now.
The calory total has increased over
that which prevailed during the
period before the war"
In Ample Supply.
The committee listed the follow
Ing foods as ample in quantity and
as requirements for the three basic
foods required for overseas ship
ment:
Fresh and frozen fsh-Storage
stock of frozen fish continue at an
all-time high. Landings of fresh
fish are termed satisfactory to
high" Distribution has not pre-
sented a problem; you will find fish
in almost every market that Gus
tomarily handles them.
Potatoes-Throughout the coun-
try potatoes are plentiful There
are good supplies of old potatoes
and the new crop promises to be
abundant. Early harvest is begin
ming now They are reasonable in
price and are acceptable alternate
for cereals and bread during
period of emergency. Only limited
quantities of potatoes can be sent
to starving countries because they
are too bulky and perishable to
ship except in dried form.
Fresh citrus fruits-Oranges.
grapefruits and lemons are plenti-
full for April and May, and the
quality is good this year.
Other vegetables - Fresh vege-
tables are abundant and will con-
tinue so. Many must be used locally
or be wasted. These vegetables add
much to the palatability, variety and
nutritive value of the diet.
Poultry Stocks Good.
Poultry-Storage stocks of chick
ems and turkeys are still at good
levels for the season and not diff
cult to get. With the feed situation
growing constantly tighter, heavier
culling operations are expected to
result in larger current supplies of
poultry, including turkey hens.
Eggs-Entering the season when
eggs are abundant. Use of these
plentiful proteins-especially in con-
nection with plentiful vegeta bles-
will do much to compensate for re-
duced consumption of cereals and
will help to relieve the demand for
other foods which are vitally needed
abroad
To conserve fats and oils, the COM
mittee made the following sugges-
tions:
Meats, poultry and fish should be
baked or broiled rather than fried,
in order to save fats and oils. Meat
drippings should be saved and used
for seasoning vegetables and other
foods. When the housewife can
not reuse fats again. they should
be turned in to her butcher for SAL
wage so they can replace edible fats
and oils in the manufacture of soaps
and other essential products.