ON THIS DAY IN 1947: Truman urges nation stop food waste to aid Europe
ON THIS DAY IN 1947, the Eagle reported, “Washington, Sept. 25 (U.P.) — President [Harry] Truman set in motion today a wasteless food campaign and said he will seek immediate stop-gap aid for hungry Europe without a special session of Congress, if possible. He revealed at a 27-minute press conference that his chief reason for summoning Congressional leaders to a White House conference Monday was to determine what immediate steps could be taken to provide prompt aid to Europe. As a starter, he set up a citizens food conservation program so more food will be available to hungry Europe without forcing prices up higher at home. ‘I am confident that the American people, realizing the extreme seriousness of the situation, will cooperate fully,’ the President said. Mr. Truman emphasized that he is not asking Americans to eat less — as Sen. Robert A. Taft (R-Ohio) proposed recently — but to waste less. As an example, he said the bread thrown away in this country is equivalent to about 70,000,000 bushels of grain a year.”
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ON THIS DAY IN 1850, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported, “The Cemetery of the Evergreens. — A party of gentlemen of this city and New York, numbering about 40, visited the grounds of this new cemetery, on Monday last, by invitation of the directors … The cemetery is about four miles from Brooklyn, and contains nearly 250 acres, about one half forest. The location is one of the most beautiful that could have been selected, and the improvements already made are many, and in good taste. A porter’s lodge, and chapel for funeral services, are completed. They are of the Norman style of architecture, and the latter is 80 feet in length by 40 in width. After an examination of the grounds, the company partook of refreshments. Addresses were made by ex-Mayor [Edward] Copland, Dr. Cox and others, and the highest satisfaction was expressed with the arrangements and plan of the cemetery. The cemetery is now open for burials, and the card of the directors will be found in another part of our paper.”