February 21, 1917
NEW YORK’S FOOD RIOTS CAUSE DEMAND FOR PROBE
HIGH COST OF LIVING A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR PEOPLE OF MODERATE MEANS, WHILE IT BRINGS GAUNT HUNGER TO POOR PEOPLE.
URGENT APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
An Acute Condition Prevails In New York Where the Marked Contrasts of Great Wealth and Abject Poverty Are Most Noticeable.
New York, Feb. 21.—Threatening a repetition of the Paris bread
riots of 1791, several hundred women began gathering about City hall at noon
today for the second food demonstration in two days. Not en masse, but in
little groups of four and five, they came straggling into the plaza and took
their stand before the city hall steps. There was little of 'the loud shrieking
and moaning which marked yesterday's demonstration, but there was more of the
low murmurings of threats of violence, spoken for the most part in foreign
tongues.
Mayor Mitchel sent out word that he would meet a delegation of
three of the women and Mrs. Ida Harris, president of the East Side Mothers'
Vigilance society, was chosen as chairman of the representatives. Mrs. Harris
said she would present an- ultimatum to the mayor, demanding that he at once
take steps for an appropriation of a million dollars for the purchase of food
to be sold at cost to the housewives. On Saturday. Mrs. Harris said, 750.000 women
will assemble at the city hall that city officials may hear their wails of
protest against food costs.
"We beg for mercy, not so much for ourselves as for our
children.'" sobbed Mrs. Harris when the delegation of women was finally
admitted to see the mayor. "With her companions she told him of the actual
sufferings which the prohibitive food costs had brought to the people of the
tenements.
"Sweet Marie'" Ganz made an ardent plea to “the
father of the city” as she called Mayor Mitchel; to do something to save the
people.
Mayor Mitchel told them he was powerless to act as a city official,
as the power lay with the state legislature. He promised, however, to use his
efforts to gain relief through that body.
Miss Ganz harangued the crowd after the mayor's conference. She
told them that the mayor had promised to send officers of the city charity
department to investigate.
"He's a liar."' yelled one woman high above the
din. "He'll send the dead wagon for us after we've starved, but he won't do
anything while we're alive."
"We don't want charity." yelled another, "we
want justice.''
At this point the police began compelling the crowd to move.
APPEAL IS MADE TO THE PRESIDENT
New York, Feb. 21.—Aroused by food riots and describing the
food situation as "chaotic" housewives of America appealed to
President Wilson today for relief.
In an urgent telegram forwarded to the chief executive today
Mrs. Julian Heath, president of the National Housewives' league, called upon
the president to use his "great influence to alleviate the
situation." It is the hope of the housewives thru the president may use
his influence to secure an appropriation from congress for a federal
investigation of food costs.
"Yesterday's food riots in City Hall plaza." said
the telegram "in our opinion demonstrates conclusively the vital
importance of this investigation not only to bring down prices, but to let the
people feel that the federal government is in charge of the situation. The
situation is not only serious but chaotic. The housewives of America appeal to
you, Mr. President, to use your great influence to alleviate the situation and
we urge congress to support you in this measure."
"At the present time congress has three patriotic
duties to perform," said Mrs. Heath today. "The first duty is to
provide adequate defense for our country, the second to provide production and
the third to provide distribution of food at normal prices to the people."
"Personally, I do not favor rioting." said Mrs.
Heath, "but what are these people to do, they are starving. The situation
has become acute. Women of wealth are flooding the housewives bureau with
inquiries as to how they shall cut down the high cost of living. If women with
plenty of money are perplexed with living cost's, can we blame the women who
have to run a home on eight dollars [2013 CPI = $145.60] a –week if they resort
to riots."
Congress and the federal government must do something. The farmers
have said they are going to produce only for their own needs this coming summer.
Then the federal I government must step in and enforce productions. Having
proper production proper means of distribution must, be provided. It seems to
me that the only hope of relief can come from the federal government. In the meantime
food riots will go on and even more serious uprising will occur while the
people starve because of abnormal prices."
The under-nourished mothers and children of the crowded
tenement districts were grim and determined today. Food prices must come down they
declared, or New York will be racked with a veritable reign of terror.
Many spectacular demonstrations were being put under way
including a demonstration of five hundred thousand women and children to parade
to the office of J. P. Morgan and Company at Broad and Wall Streets and demand
relief. Other parades to the city hall and up Fifth avenue were planned.
The thousands of women affected were torn between two
beliefs today. The dozens of professional agitators — I. W. W.'s and
Anarchists—who have jumped at the chance to aid them, counsel for force,
believing that the use of kerosene dumped on dealers' stocks will prove more
efficious [sic] than all the demonstrations possible. Another element,
comprising the trades unions and labor, frown on such methods and believe that
more can be accomplished by peaceable means.
The fervor with which the I. W. W. and agitators have taken
up the tenement women's cause is causing the police grave concern. It is feared
that under cover of demonstration scores of outrages may be launched by the
more hot headed adherents to the cause. Every precaution to guard against this
is being taken by the police.
"Sweet Marie" Ganz, leader of yesterday’s riot,
appeared in Rutgers square about noon and' began marshaling the east side
house wives for another drive on City Hall. “Let’s go to the city hall, and
stay there until the mayor gives us food at our own prices—and if he doesn't
let's take it," shrieked the fiery little I. W. W. leader. "We have
to do one of these two things or starve."
Housewives came flocking from tenements and within a few
minutes after the arrival of Miss Ganz, who had just been released on bail
after being held, for disorderly conduct hundreds were pouring into the square.
Dozens of police did their best to scatter the gathering throng. Husky foreign
women formed picket guards about the east side produce store. Many of the store
houses are in cellars and the women stood on the cellar doors so they could not
be opened.
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