Evening star., 1947-10-03
Politics Seen PUSHING
Partisan Needle Into
Food-Saving Program
'Eut Less and Waste Less
Slogans Might Well Be
Combined, Writer Says
By David Laurence e

1O1AtlCo AldS Oil CdQS Oll1 uSt lto PAL :
tisan needle into the food -conserva-
ton program
When Senator Taft, Republican,
speaking in the West, suggested
that Americans may find it neces-
sary to "eat less" If the conserva-
ton drive were to be successful, he
was promptly assailed by Demo-
cratic spokesmen, particularly Sen
ator Pepper, Democrat, of Florida,
who Immediately suggested that the
people always "eat less" when the
Republicans are in power.
President Truman, shying away
from the "eat less" slogan, came
forward with one of his own: Waste
less"
The truth is that waste less" i'm
plies that it is all right to waste
food but that the people must prac-
tice moderation. Actually, there is
lot of food wasted every day by
people who eat only part of what
they order or of what is set before
them at home. But it Is not always
possible to measure in advance what
the individual appetite will be.
Should Combine Slogans.
While it is desirable to avoid every
bit Of waste that can be foreseen,
the whole conservation program de-
pends on eating less. The two slo-
gans should be combined: Eat less
and waste less" Maybe that's good
bipartisan reasoning and would
help prevent politically minded folks
from seeking to take partisan ad-
vantage.
There is another justification for
"eat less" 1t is going to be neces-
sary for many people in America
who have an abundance of food to
cut down on their eating. Many
such persons ought to do it, anyway,
in the interest of good health, for
some physicians say that overeating
Is the main cause of dietary dis
orders.
To save the amount of food need
ed to help Europe will require a
much more drastic curtailment of
food consumption than can be &C
complished merely by trying to
waste less. 1t is not possible to
feed Europe out of the garbage cans
of America. 1t will be necessary to
cut down on food use in the first
instance.
Food conservation is directly re-
lated to food prices If the American
Government is going to buy vast
quantities of food, prices may be bid
up and the lower income groups
may be deprived of food because
they may not be able to afford to
pay the high prices. This is a prob
lem of major Importance, for, unless
the food conservation program has
the effect of bringing prices down,
1t cannot accomplish one of its main
purposes.
Already there is serious talk in
official quarters about a revival of
food rationing. The difficulties are
numerous. 1t would take a long
time to set up the rationing system
and to print and distribute ration
cards once more. It may be that
the talk is primarily to impress on
the American people that unless
voluntary conservation is effective
it will be necessary to adopt war
time rationing.
Success in World War I.
1t should be possible to do enough
by voluntary rationing or self denial
to conserve the quantities of grain
needed for Europe. Voluntary cur
tailment was a success in World
War I. When supported by an
alert and crusading spirit, such as
is developed in war-loan drives,
there is every chance to make it
work.
1t will require organization, of
course. This means national, State
and city committees with the back
ing of the radio and the press Once
the facts are clearly stated to the
people and they are convinced of
the real need, they usually CO.
operate. Such a campaign will
have collateral effects. 1t will help
to make clear the purposes of the
whole Marshall plan and will give
to the Congress an idea of how
concerned the people are over what
Is happening or is likely to happen
In Europe.
There is, on the other hand, no
more certain way to kill a program
Of food conservation or any policy
requiring bipartisan support than
for petty politicians to begin
sabotaging 1t for their own purposes.
Instead OF being assailed for his
suggested slogan, eat less" Senator
Taft should have been commended,
especially since he did not attack
the administration for such pro-
gram but did indicate his support.
Mr. Truman, incidentally, might
better have abandoned his timidity
toward an "eat less program and
struck forward boldly to ask the
American people not only to end
all waste Of food but also to eat
less If they have been In the habit
of eating more than is necessary
for good health.
(Reprodliction Rights Reserved