Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1918 — OFFICIAL FOOD NEWS [ARTICLE]

OFFICIAL FOOD NEWS

By Dr. Harry E. Barnard, Federal

Food Administrator for Indiana.

Beginning July 1, Indiana goer on k strict sugar ration. In addition to statements of quantities of sugar on hand, dealers and manufacturers using or handling this commodity, will be required to give detailed information concerning their requirements, and subject themselves to still further radical restrictions in the consumption of sugar for the months of July, August and September. To expedite the distribution of sugar, all of which under the new regulations comes under the jurisdiction of the federal food administrator, J. E. Larger, head of the sugar division, in the office of Dr. Harry E. Barnard, federal food administrator for Indiana, has prepared a classification supplementing that effective heretofore, and will require all distribution hereafter (except that for household consumption) to be on a certificate basis. The classification is as follows: A. Candy makers, soft drinks, soda fountains, chewing gum, chocolate and cocoa manufacturers, tobacco manufacturers, flavoring extracts, invert sugar, syrups, sweet pickles, wines, etc. These must show the amount of sugar used during the months of July, August and September, 1917, and certificates issued to them, if the statements are found correct, will be based upon s<> per cent, of such average use. Ice cream makers will be entitled to 75 per cent. Certificates will be issued separately for each month's supply. B. Commercial canners. These will be given certificates for their necessary requirements, but any resale of sugar by them except under the express direction of the local food administrator, will constitute a violation of the regulations, and subject them to closing of business for the period of the war. Any sugar on hand at the end of the season must be placed at the disposal of the food administrator. A special appeal is made to this group to economize in every possible direction. C. Hotels, restaurants, public eating houses (serving twenty-five or more persons». These will receive certificates on the basis- of three pounds for each ninety meals served. D. Bakers.

These will receive certificates for 70 per cent, of the average amount used during July. August and September. 1917. or alternatively, 70 per cent, of that used during June, 1918. E. Retail Stores. These will receive for July purchases. certificates based upon the average of sugar sold during the combined three months of April, May and June. 1918. Retailers must not sell sugar to any of the other, groups; that is, to none except householders, with out taking up the certificates of such purchases. Sales to town customers are limited to 2 pounds, and country customers to 5 pounds. The retailer is admonished not to sell more than 3 pounds per person per month to householders, whose co-operation with the retailer is earnestly sought. Retailers mar. as at present, sell 25 pounds of sugar te any one household for home canning. upon the householder certifying. that he has not bought elsewhere, and his agreement to return any balance not used for canning purposes. Householders. on certificate. may obtain more than 25 pounds, for home canning where need is shown, but in no instance will a sale of more than 100 pounds for home canning purpose b* permitted without the approval of the local food administrator. No wholesaler or refiner will be permitted to sell any sugar whatsoever except on the certificate basis. Any persorJin any of the above five groups, who does not file his statement promptly, will not be permitted to buy sugar for the period of the war. arid action will at once be taken against any sugar he may have on hand in excess of SO days’ supply, and he will be charged with hoarding. No firm will be permitted a stock in excess of a 3 months’ supply on the basis outlined above. Any stock in excess of 30 days' supply; bnt less than 90 days’ supply must be held subject to the local food administrator, lor distribution if necessary, depending remoteness from the source of supply. The food administration will construe any attempts by dealers and manufacturers to lay up a supply, as hoarding, and upon conviction, this offense is punishable by fine and imprisonment. “While in law the same rule might be applied to householders, the food administration proposes to rest upon the honor and co-operation of the householder not to hold more than a 30 days’ supply, upon the basis of 3 pounds per person in the household." said Dr. Barnard.

In explanation of the more stringent regulations of the sugar supply and. its distribution. Dr. Barnard said: “A number of causes hare cumulated to make our sugar position more difficult than we could t-ave anticipated at the beginning of the year. .The increased shipping needed by our growing Army in France has necessitated the curtailment of sugar transportation. particularly from the longer voyage, and Las thus reduced supplies both to the allies and; ourselves from remote markets. Some of the accessible sugar producing areas have proved a less yield than was anticipated, such as certain West Indian Islands. The domestic beet and Louisiana crops have fallen below anticipation. There has been some destruction of beet sugar factories in the battle area of France and Italy. We have lost considerable sugar by submarines. ••As..:,cl.ose_.a.n, estimate as we can .make, indicates a reasonable expectation from all sources of about 1.600,000 tons, of sugar for I‘nited States consumption during the last half of the present year. This is based upon the maintenance of the present meager allied ration. An improvement in ■hipping conditions would, of course, relieve this situation, as quantities of sugar are in unavailable markets. We must, however. base the djinilni Ifflfof sugar during the next six months!’ upon the above footing. After that period, the new West Indian crop will be available. “This supply of 1,600.000 tons necessitates a considerable reduction in our consumption. 'To provide three pounds of sugar per month per person for household use, to take care of our army and jiavy, and to provide for the necessary preservation of fruit, milk. etc., will require a£>out 1.600.000 tons of suga*- for the six months. A household consump»’on of 3 pounds per month per person, together with the special allowance for home canning, means a reduction of some 25 per. cent, in these branches of consumption from normal, bat it is still nearly double the ration in the allied countries and is ample for every ■cnnomical use."