Bellefonte, Pa., October 26, 1917.
22-Ounce Loaf for Ten Cents, Hoover
Aims to Establish.
Washington, D. C.—The whole
country has been asking what the
food administration has accomplish-
ed since its organization, why it is
that prices to the consumer have not
been reduced and what, therefore, has
been achieved in addition to smaller
portions on the hotel menus.
Prices still are steadily rising. The
householders are asked to waste less
and observe certain meatless and
wheatless days, but although the os-
tensible purpose of the food adminis-
tration is to conserve the resources of
the country and lower prices the pub-
lic has been given scarcely any infor-
mation about the accomplishment of
the first purpose, and has complained
about the failure of the second.
After a careful inquiry among the
officials of the food administration,
The Inquirer's Washington corres-
pondent is privileged to give the fol-
lowing statement of what has been
accomplished already, what the food
administrator expects to accomplish
and what probably cannot be accom-
plished. 2s
A gradual but complete elimina-
tion of speculation in foodstuffs, con-
trol by licenses of all the bakeries of
the country and a general stabilizing
of the prices of all food products are
the principal aims of the United
States Food Administration at pres-
ent.
Of greatest interest to the average
American family at this time is the
prospect of a 20 or 22-ounce loaf of
bread for ten cents. This is what Mr.
Hoover and his associates hope to
bring about as soon as the baking in-
dustry of the country is brought fair-
ly under the contro! of the food ad-
ministration.
There are about 30,000 bakeries in
the United States. About 30 per
cent., or approximately 9000, bake 70
per cent. of the bread sold. These
are the bakeries which operate more
than one oven. Already they are li-
censed and are required to make reg-
ular reports to the commission on the
cost of production. As soon as a suf-
ficient number of these reports have
been received to permit the commis-
sion to form an estimate of the cost
of production, a standard loaf of
bread will be determined upon and all
the large bakeries will put it on the
market.
By degrees the smaller bakeries,
operating but one oven and represent-
ing 70 per cent. of the trade, but only
30 per cent. of the production, will
also be licensed.
In looking into the bread question
the commission found it difficult to fix
prices for the smaller bakeries, but it
expects to do so after a while when
$he genoral wheat situation is stabil-
ized.
The standard loaf planned by the
commission after conference with the
big bakeries will be, as stated. a 20
or a 22-ounce loaf. The loaf will have
a crease down the middle so it can be
broken in half and the 10 or 12-ounce
half will be sold for five cents.
That food prices will go down is
not expected by the commission. In
fact, it is well established that prices
rarely go down in war time. On the
contrary they always show a steady
rise, seldom reaching the apex until
toward the end of var or a year or so
after its end. This not only of food
prices, but of all other prices.
During the Civil war prices rose
continually and the commission has
figures on that period which are intexr-
esting. For instance, the high water
mark in prices of beef, hogs or lard
was not reached until 1885, the year
the war ended. The following year
saw the top prices on bacon, ham,
flour, butter and cheese.
In 1867, two years after the war
ended, wheat and milk reached their
topmost prices. The year following
saw the highest prices on eggs, pota-
toes and beans.
The price raising of that day was
due almost entirely to speculation.
Corners in food commodities were al-
most impossible at that time. Now it
is totally different, and were specula-
tion allowed there is no limit to
which prices might not go. But the
food administration has not hesitat-
ed to be politely frank on that ques-
tion and an attempt at cornering now
might lead to years of quiet life in-
side penitentiary walls for he who at-
tempted a corner.
The food administration is well
pleased with the wheat situation. We
have made certain pledges to our Al-
lies on this score and they will be
kept. In fact the Allies are depend-
ing upon us to furnish them with
wheat and the food administration
sees no reason why the agreement
cannot be carried out.
So far as actual accomplishment is
concerned, the stopping of specula-
tion in wheat is the greatest thing the
food administration has done. In
May, when Herbert Hoover was ap-
pointed, flour sold for $17 a barrel.
Now it ranges between $10 and $11 a
barrel.
A survey of the slaughter houses of
the country by the administration
shows that the beef situation is good.
In normal times bull calves are a
drug with dairy farms and are usual-
ly killed at birth. Now the stock
yards are receiving a plentiful sup-
ply of bull calves for veal and the
killing at birth has been stopped.
The big corn crop means that the
supply of hogs, which is off this year,
will increase. Agents of the admin-
istration have been among the far-
mers and urged upon them the neces-
sity of saving their brood sows. Or-
dinarily when the price of hogs goes
high farmers prefer to sell a 300-
pound brood sow for fifty or sixty dol-
lars rather than breed her. This year,
however, they will pay more atten-
tion to breeding and as hog breeding
is rapid, next year’s supply of hogs
is expected to be large. It takes less
than a year to breed and raise hogs
for the market.
The sugar question bothered the
administration seriously several
weeks back, but that is now rapidly
improving. The check on speculation
and the stabilizing of prices served to
i prices,” said an official of the Food
bring out the sugar that the small
growers were hoarding.
In Cuba the administration arrang- |
ed with the Cuban government to lend '
the railroads money. In return this
government saw to it that certain
supplies needed by the Cubans were
| sent to them promptly from the Unit-
ed States. The result is that there
will be no delay this year in the
movement of the Cuban sugar crop.
“We are looking for stabilization
now more than the reduction in
Administration. “In war times it is
better to have stability than anything
else. As prices go up, wages climb
with them and when the consumers
know that everything is stable and
that a shortage is not likely, they are !
not apt to worry. It is the worry over
wild rumors of shortage that causes
panics and hoarding. This is what
we are aiming to prevent and we feel
that it is better to do it without dis-
turbing general business conditions
any more than is natural in the ab-
normal times that always go along
with war.”—Philadelphia Inquirer.
Day of Prayer for Success in Arms.
A Proclamation by the President of the
United States:
Whereas, the Congress of the Unit-
ed States by a concurrent resolution
adopted on the fourth day of the pres-
ent month of October, in view of the
entrance of our nation into the vast
and awful war which now afflicts the
greater part of the world, has re-
quested me to set apart by official
proclamation a day upon which our
people should be called upon to offer
concerted prayer to Almighty God
for His divine aid in the successes of
our arms; and
Whereas, It behooves a ; reat free
people, nurtured as we have been in
the eternal principles of justice and
of right, a nation which has sought
from the earliest days of its exis-
tence to be obedient to the Divine
teachings which have inspired it in
the exercise of its liberties, to turn
always to the supreme Master and
cast themselves in faith at His feet,
praying for His aid and succor in
every hour of trial, to the end that
the great aims to which our fathers
dedicated our power as a people may
not perish among men, but be always
asserted and defended, with fresh ar-
dor and devotion and, through the di-
vine blessing, set at last upon endur-
ing foundations for the benefit of all
the free peoples of the earth.
Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wil-
son, President of the United States,
gladly responding to the wish ex-
pressed by the Congress, do appoint
October 28th, being the last Sunday
of the present month, as a day of
supplication and prayer for all the
people of the nation, honestlv exhort-
ing all my countrymen to observe the
appointed day, according to their sev-
eral faiths, in solemn prayer that
God’s blessings may rest upon the
high task which is laid upon us, to
the end that the cause for which we
give our lives and treasure may tri-
umph and our efforts be blessed with
high achievement.
“Movie” Exhibitors are Patriotic.
The United States Civil Service |
Commission has received an expres-
sion of the patriotism of practically
all the exhibitors of motion pictures
in the United States. The govern-
ment is in need of thousands of type-
writer operators and stenographers
of both sexes for war work in Wash-
ington, and through its 3,000 local
boards of examiners in that many
cities, the Commission requested the
owners and managers of motion pic-
ture theatres to allow free of charge
an announcement on their screens of
this need of the government. The re-
fusals were so few as to be fegligi-
ble. Not more than a hundred of the
20,000 odd exhibitors who were ap-
proached declined to render to the
people the service asked. Even these
can not be charged with disloyalty;
most of them held decided views as to
their duty to their patrons who pay
for entertainment only. The only
criticism of the government came
from three exhibitors who declined on
the ground that it was proposed to
place a tax on motion picture tickets.
One owner asked remuneration in the
sum of 25 cents a week, and another
stipulated that he was to be relieved
of any responsibility for damage to
the slides furnished by the govern-
ment. The slides cost less than ten
cents apiece. Almost without excep-
tion the “movie” men were not only
willing, but were even eager to serve
the government in the manner re-
quested. This hearty response from
20,000 business men representative of
every part of the country has a strik-
ing significance. It is interesting to
note in this connection that the esti-
mated daily attendance at motion pic-
ture shows in the United States is ten
million. This allows an average of
500 for each house.
Italy Wins World Honors in Aero-
plane Building.
While attention has been focused
upon the aeronautical progress made
by the British, French, and Germans,
Italy seems to have forged ahead un-
observed and captured the honors as
the builder of the world’s premier air
craft. Popular Mechanics Magazine
for November says information from
apparently reliable sources indicates
that the Italians now possess not
only the fastest, but also the largest
and best climbing aeroplanes in ex-
istence. Their success has been due
to the perfection of extraordinary en-
gines capable of producing from 500
to 700 hp. These motors are making
possible the construction of planes
that are larger than have heretofore
been feasible. There is now being
built in Italy a machine that will be
driven by motors producing 3,000 hp.
It is expected to carry 50 persons.
——Subseribe for the “Watchman”,
CASTORIA
Bears the signature of Chas, H.Fletcher.
In use for over thirty years, and
The Kind You Have Always Bought.
“Rout the Rat.”
“Rout the rat” is a new slogan pro-
posed by the Food Supply Depart-
ment of the Pennsylvania committee |
of Public Safety.
There is just as much—perhaps
more need for routing the rat than
for “swatting the fly.” Flies trans-
mit disease. Rats not only spread
disease but leave a costly trail of de-
struction.
Probably 200,000 men in the Unit-
ed States are devoting their energies
and time to feeding rats. Of this
number 150,000 are farmers who are
giving their farms, agricultural im-
plements and other equipment to sup-
ply the foodstuffs annually consumed
by rats. .
This striking illustration is given
by Edward W. Nelson, chief of the
United States Biological Survey to
point out the menace by rodents at a
time when every ounce of food is vi-
tal. Writing in the Geographic Mag-
azine, Prof. Nelson declares that the
actual money loss caused each year
by rats is $200,000,000.
Pennsylvania by pro rata as one of
forty-eight States would contribute
4000 men to this rat-feeding army.
But as Pennsylvania in productive en-
ergy contributes more than one forty-
eighth of the national total it follows
that the efforts of many more than
4000 Pennsylvania workers go to
waste by way of the rat-hole.
Statistics are at hand to illustrate
the damage done by rats.
In Iowa one farmer lost 500 bush-
els of corn out of a crib containing
2000 bushels. The Virginia Commis-
sioner of Health says that in parts of
his State rats have destroyed 75 per
cent. of the poultry and 10 per cent.
of growing crops. A large milling
company in Louisville, Ky., estimates
that rats cause a loss of $3000 a year
to sacks alone, not to speak of the
huge damage done to the contents.
Experts in Great Britain have fig-
ured that a single rat in one year
does damage to the extent of $1.80.
The average is $1.20 in Denmark and
$1 in France. In the United States
the loss is higher.
The rat population is enormous.
They have from three to twelve lit-
ters a year each containing from six
to twelve young. One reason why
rats have multiplied and have extend-
ed their ravages is because the aver-
age farmer or business man or house-
holder accepts them as a necessary
evil and refuses to fight them seri-
ously.
Winter is a good time to go after
the rats. Their holes and hiding
places can be located and their
sources of food supply ascertained.
Rats need shelter and they must eat
or they cannot exist. It is a great
sight better to starve out the rats
than to catch or poison them although
both these measures should be car-
ried on at the same time.
Cribs, bins; any place where food
is stored should be made rat-proof.
The work must be done thoroughly
to be effective and it should be organ-
ized by communities. The best re-
sults have been obtained when bodies
of men and women co-operated to
create public interest in anti-rat cam-
paigns.
As a general rule the measures for
extermination of rats should provide
for these things:
A campaign of trapping and poi-
soning; rat-proofing of old buildings
and those now under construction by
means of wire mesh and cement; re-
moval of harboring places such as old
sheds, piles of trash, old lumber,
wooden sidewalks and garbage
dumps; screening or enclosing of all
garbage and waste upon which rats
may feed; rat-proofing and frequent
inspection of market places and pub-
lic buildings.
Where Submarines Go Out.
There are two ways of getting into
the Atlantic ocean from German
ports. One is through the English
Channel, which has been blocked
since the beginning of the war; the
other is through the North Sea which
English naval strategy has thus far
failed to close.
The narrowest outlet of the north-
ern route is between the Orkney Is-
lands and the coast of Norway, a dis-
tance of 240 miles. But the depth of
water at this point is such that sub-
marines may easily dive below any
mine or net system that might be
stretched across the wide neck of the
bottle here.
South of this line the water becomes
shallower, and mine or net laying be-
comes effective from Flamborough
Head directly across to the coast of
Jutland, passing over the famous
Dogger bank, with from 60 to 120
feet of water, to the shallower depths
over the Jutland bank. Below that
point there is more shoal water, with
frequent banks and ridges and flats
which have to be carefully avoided
by mariners, and which make subma-
rine operation difficult.
The problem, then, lies in the east-
ern part of the North Sea, where par-
ticularly deep water—100 to 500 feet
—off the coast of Norway affords
passage for the submarines. German
U-boats easily pass from the Baltic
through the Cattegat—an interna-
tional waterway—into the deep water
found just off the Skaw at the tip of
Denmark, and thus into the North
Sea, hugging the shores of Norway
all the way.
A stopper in the Cattegat would
solve the problem, and the feat is not
impossible, although England would
be greatly aided by the neutrality of
Norway and Denmark.
Since under present conditions an
actual blockade is impossible, the evil
has been reduced by canalizing it. In
other words, the navy is forcing the
U-boats to take certain narrow and
difficult channels, and keeping as close
a watch as possible over these routes.
But they cannot stretch nets deep
enough to block the only exit remain-
ing to Germany. Perhaps the “new
device” which American inventors
hope will eliminate the U-boat as a
factor in the war has to do with an
effective stopper for this outlet.—
Syracuse Post Standard.
Even a Nod.
Even a nod from a person who is
esteemed is of more force than a
thousand arguments or studied sen-
tences from others.—Plutarch.
He is indeed a benefactor who
raises two pigs where only one pig
was raised before.
The
GENTLEMEN:
the fire.
long ways.
sults at less expense.
62-35
aloric Pipeles
is doing ‘the work.—Read the following testi-
monial from one who has tried it:
THE POTTER-HOY HARDWARE CO.,
Bellefonte, Penna.,
The Patented Carloric Pipeless Furnace which I had install-
ed in my home in December of last year, gave us excellent satisfac-
tion throughout the long cold winter.
that we heated, together with open halls, both down stairs and up.
The Caloric kept the whole house warm and comfortable at all times.
One of the surprising advantages of this Caloric Furnace is its
economy in operation. The total cost of the fuel which we used
through the winter amounted to only $21.50. It saved lots of labor
also because with this furnace it is only necessary to give it atten-
tion three times a day, morning, noon and night, when we banked
The Caloric is especially valuable during the fall and spring
months when a little fire is required at both morning and night.
Within ten minutes after the fire is started, we can heat up two of
our largest rooms down stairs and a small quantity of fuel goes a
Our cellar is kept perfectly cool and we store our apples and pota-
toes in a bin within five feet of the furnace. There are no pipes
to radiate heat as is the case with other types of warm air furnaces.
We can recommend the Caloric Pipeless Furnace to any one who
expects to change their system of heating. We would not go back:
to the use of stoves because the Caloric accomplishes far better re-
Yours very truly,
The Potter-Hoy Hardware Co.,
Bellefonte, Pa.
s Furnace
There are five large rooms
E. E. SWARTZ.
ESTABLISHED IN 1853.
IF YOU NEED ANY
|MEDICINE
Perfumes,
Chocolates,
Tooth Brushes,
Toilet Articles,
»
Hair Brushes,
Rubber Goods,
or anything usually found in a
FIRST CLASS DRUG STORE
you will be sure to get them at
Green’s Pharmacy Co.,
63 1 he largest and oldest Drug Store in Centre County
HAS NOT GONE UP
IN PRICE
EVERYTHIN
All the goods we advertise here are selling at prices prevailing
this time last seascn.
MINCE MEAT.
We are now making our MINCE MEAT and keeping it fully up to our
usual high standard; nothing cut out or cut short and are selling it at our
former price of 15 Cents Per Pound.
Fine Celery, Oranges, Grape Fruit, Apricots, Peaches, Prunes, Spices,
Breakfast Foods, Extracts, Baking Powders, Soda, Cornstarch. The whole
line of Washing Powders, Starches, Blueing and many other articles are
selling at the usual prices.
COFFEES, TEAS AND RICE.
On our Fine Coffees at 25¢, 28c¢, 30c, 35¢ and 40c, there has been no change
in price on quality of goods and no change in the price of TEAS. Rice has
not advanced in price and can be used largely as a substitute for potatoes.
All of these goods are costing us more than formerly but we are doing our
best to Hold Down the Lid on high prices, hoping for a more favorable
market in the near future.
LET US HAVE YOUR ORDER
and we will give you FINE GROCERIES at reasonable prices and give
you good service.
SECHLER & COMPANY,
Bush House Block, - 57-1 - - - Bellefonte, Pa.
RE
Shoes. Shoes.
{EAGER SHOE STORE
$3.00
3.00
I HAVE A FULL LINE OF
| LADIES SHOES
to sell at $3.00. Made of Gun
Metal and Cabaretta leather
(Cabaretta meaning sheep skin).
The styles are lace and button,
high and low heels. Many of them
are on the English walking shoe
style.
These shoes are not of a quality
that I can conscientiously recom-
mend to wear, for honestly speak-
ing $5.00 will not purchase a pair
of Ladies Shoes made to-day, that
is absolutely solid.
I have these shoes for the people
that do not have the money to
purchase a good pair.
Yours for a square deal,
YEAGER'S,
The Shoe Store for the Poor Man.
Bush Arcade Bldg. BELLEFONTE, PA.
58-27
SCAR
Centre County Must
Not be a Laggard.
EET ER,
Centre County has a brilliant record for men sent to the
front in the cause of a World Democracy.
We must not permit this record to be denied because of our
failure to provide our share of the funds to maintain them
comfortably there.
THE SECOND LIBERTY LOAN
is now ready ror subscription. Centre county subscribed
$600,000.00 of the First Loan and our duty will be to sub-
scribe for approximately $800,000.00 of this Ioan.
Will You be One of the Subscribers ?
A Government Bond is the safest investment you can make.
We will receive your subscriptions now. Two per cent.
must be paid when application is made. 18 per cent. will
be due November 15th and 40 per cent. on December 15th
and 4o per cent. January 15th.
This Bank Offers Safety for your
Savings and every possible service.
CENTRE COUNTY BANKING CoO.
60-4 BELLEFONTE, PA.
won