Evening star., 1947-10-05
Broadcast Here
ayRise1Cent
Increase Held Certain
Unless Grain Prices
Stort Going Down

While no immediate increase IN
the price of bread is planned by
Washington bakers. check indi-
Gated last night that District shop
pers probably will have to pay cent
more loaf within few weeks un-
less there is drop in grain prices.
The Associated Press reported
yesterday that a one-cent rise IS
becoming general throughout vari-
GUS American cities, due chiefly to
higher flour prices
The Holmes Bakery. one of the
larger concerns here, said the price
rise is inevitable if grain costs
continue their upward spiral of
recent weeks. The supply of flour
on hand throughout the industry
here is not large and prices soon
will rise if costs continue upward,
according to Paul K. Corcoran,
general manager.
Cheapest and Best" Here.
Mr.. Corcoran said he feels that
Washington housewives now are
getting the cheapest and best
loaf of bread in America. the one
pound loaf generally selling for
about II. In New York, he said,
the same loaf retails for Is cents.
Mr.. Corcoran said he favors a
return to the smaller wartime loaf
as grain saving measure. About
10 per cent of the grain used was
saved by this measure, known to be
under consideration by the Citizens
Food Committee, headed by Charles
Luckman.
The Continental Baking Co., one
of the major chain bakers operat-
ing in the Washington area, has no
plans for price increase here, ac-
cording to James B. Luttes, head Of
the Washington Office.
Mr.. Luttes said his company
merely cut its total baking schedule
10 per cent during the wartime con-
servation drive rather than reduce
ing the size of the individual loaf.
His concern probably would do the
same. thing if similar plan is put
into effect.
No Authority to Curb Use.
The Government has no legal au-
thority at this time, however, to
curtail use of grain by bakers as 1t
did during the war. Congressional
action would be necessary unless q
purely voluntary campaign is under
taken.
Meanwhile, Washington dairies
have cut retail butter prices from
to cents pound in the last few
days, as did the chain stores last
week
Representatives of the Washing
ton Restaurant Association will call
on the District Commissioners at
10 am, Tuesday, to discuss Is
point food conservation program
worked out by the association but
it will not include two meatless days
a week, proclaimed some time ago
by the city fathers.
Silent on Details.
Robert j. Wilson, executive secre-
tary of the association, would not
discuss details but said the program
was in line with the Citizens Food
Committees objectives of wasting
less. It was learned, however, that
bread and butter will disappear
from restaurant tables-where it
hasn't already-and will not be
served unless requested by the GUS
| toner.
| The association owners will seek
to save food and combat high
prices by making points for con-
servation in the home as we'll as in
public eating places, Mr.. Wilson
said.
Tuesdays meeting will be attend
| ed. in addition to Mr.. Wilson, by
Watson B. Rulon, president of the
association and of Hogates restau-
rant; Herbert K. Keller. president
of the Tally-Ho Restaurant; John
S. Daniels. Hot Shoppes vice presi-
dent, and Laughlin S. Wesley. presl-
dent of the Wesley Hall Restaurant.
Press Club Cancels Dinner.
In another move aimed as saving
food, the National Press Club has
cancelled it's annual winter dinner
generally attended by the President
and other high officials. President
Warren B. Francis said in a state
ment last night that while other
considerations played part in the
decision, the critical food shortage
was one of the prime reasons for
giving up the dinner.
The clubs Board of Governors
expects to arrange a less elaborate
party next spring to mark the 40th
anniversary of the club.
Grain prices on those exchange,
open on Saturday were off slightly
due in part to the proposal to cut
grain consumption for distilling pur.
poses.
Wheat futures at Chicago were of
from 21a to 31a cents and corn wa.
off 3s4 to Az cents while oats were
unchanged to down 12s cents. But.
/ ter and eggs are not traded or
Saturdays.