Food Bill Controversy in New York Evokes Advertising

George W. Perkins Takes Large Space in Newspapers to Show Public Why Governor's Bill Should Be Passed By Legisla

ture.

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DVERTISING is playing an important part in the controversy between Governor Whitman and the New York legislature over the proposed State food bill. The advertiser is George W. Perkins, who is Mr. Whitman's choice for head of the commission of three provided for in the bill, and who is at the same time head of the Market Commission of New York City. On Saturday, August 18, half page advertisements appeared in the morning and evening newspapers of New York City, signed by Mr. Perkins. He states that he does not covet the job of food commissioner, but that he is convinced that it is of the utmost importance to the public that the bill be passed. He alleges that the bill is being fought by a ring of speculators, and states that he is therefore advertising to put the main features of the bill before the people.

This advertising was followed on Monday by full-page advertisements in all the up-State daily newspapers, addressed to farmers. It is said that more than 170 newspapers were used.

Mr. Perkins bases the copy on the fact that while $700,000,000 has been spent in New York City recently to improve personal transit facilities, little has been done to improve conditions of food transit.

"In the last seven years," continues the text, "there has been added to the population of this city as many people as to-day comprise the cities of Boston and San Francisco. The neglect to provide modern facilities for bringing food into New York and distributing it economically is largely responsible for the in

creased cost of our food. This cannot be corrected without broad constructive legislation at Albany, followed by the immediate intelligent expenditure of effort and money."

In enumerating the points of vantage in the bill at issue, he describes it as:

"First-A method by which the City of New York can buy food and fuel direct from the producer and sell it to the consumer through such channels as the City Market Department may determine.

"Second-A method by which the city can store food so as to prevent some of the enormous waste that now takes place, and by which food can be carried over by the city from a time of plenty to a time of scarcity, instead of being carried over, as it now largely is, by the gambler, the hoarder and the speculator.

"Third-A method by which additional terminal market facilities may be had so that a larger quantity of food can be brought more expeditiously and economically into this city.

"This would enable the city to have public markets that would be real and not a sham, for public markets in New York simply served by nearby farms are a joke. If all the land within trucking distance of this city were put under intensive cultivation, it would only produce a small fraction of the food consumed in this city. Our food comes from all parts of the United States and other countries. Quantities of chickens come from Texas, butter from California, eggs from China, etc.

"Fourth-A method of informing the consuming public, through bulletins and other channels, as to the supply of food and prices of same.

"Fifth-A method by which the State Commission can co-operate with and assist the Federal authorities.

"Sixth-A method by which railroads can be compelled to give preference to the transportation of food and fuel.

"Seventh-A method of preventing practices detrimental to the public in

terest.

"Eighth-A method by which the City of New York may issue special revenue bonds to provide better terminal facilities, storage facilities and the like."

In conclusion he features a roster of the assembly and senate members, and finishes off in caps with this injunction: "Watch how they vote."

Joins Chicago Advertising
Company

W. D. Shafer has been elected vicepresident of Stavrum, Thomson & Bennett, Inc., Chicago. He will have charge of the special service and research department.