FoodNet

Food and freedom

1918

Page 7

Presented as published in 1918. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
It has been devised to correct the abnormalities and abuses that have crept into trade by reason of the world disturbance, and to restore business as far as may be to a reasonable basis. ^ When organized, the Food Administration Office was * ' specifically charged with the duties of carry- ing out the mandates of Congress in regulating supplies and managing a national campaign of food-saving." ^ Covering the three great activi- ties— Production, Control, and Conservation — its business includes four divisions: Control of ex- ports; trade regulations to the exclusion of both ^ From a statement to President Wilson made by Herbert Hoover, after his appointment on August lo, 1917. 2 "Ten Lessons on Food Conservation," Bulletin, United States Food Administration. 12 FOOD AND FREEDOM legitimate or illegitimate speculations ; the estab- lishment of state administration boards to co- operate with the central board; the mobilization of men and women all over the country to carry out the directions for food conservation.^ The Food Law authorizes a governmental con- trol over the supply, distribution, and movement of all food, feeds, and -fuel, and all machinery, implements, and equipment required for their actual production. Any agency necessary to carry out their control may be created; any existing department of the government may be used. All destruction of food and fuel for the purpose of enhancing prices is prohibited; all wilful waste, all hoarding, all monopolization, all discrimination and unfair practices, all un- just charges in handling and dealing in food and fuel, and all combining to restrict production supply, or distribution are made unlawful. 2 Although the Food Law authorizes very far- reaching powers, the Food Administration be- lieves that "co-operation is better than law in making the countless complex changes in industry and trade necessary for orderly food control." ^ Quoting from Mr. Hoover again, our food prob- lem is not considered from the viewpoint of force ^ " Ten Lessons on Food Conservation," Bulletin, United States Food Administration. 2 The Food Problem, Kellogg and Taylor, p. 21. 3 "The World on Rations," Special Paper, United States Food Administration. WHAT YOU CAN DO 13 — "always from the viewpoint of voluntary ef- fort." ^ Every one is asked to enter the fold as a volunteer worker, and the heart-and-soul an- swers that have come to this patriotic call, the enthusiasm and conscientiousness with which special appeals for food-sparing or food use have been met and kept, prove that we have ground for the greatest faith in our democracy and con- tinued and extended liberty.