Ka Hoku o Hawaii, Volume XXXVI, Number 15, 6 ʻAukake 1941 — Bigger Army Purchases In Hilo Assured [ARTICLE]

Bigger Army Purchases In Hilo Assured

Establishment of a federal food inspection system to enable the army to buy a greater part of its food needs right here on the Big Island was announced this week by Lt. Col. V. S. Burton, commander of the Hawaii district. Speaking before the regtJlar quarterly meeting of the Hilo Chamber of Commerce group at the Hilo hotel, the army officer said permission was received at the time of the return of the 298th Inpantry, Hawaii National guard, to purchase perishables on the open market until the quartermaster's department was able to set up an organization here. However, at present there is no one on Hawaii authorized to examone beef, butter, milk, and other food products for which army regsnations are strict as to quality. Col. Burton indicated that he has been informed by the department commander that a man is being trained now for food examination, which means that hereafter foods, certified by him can be contracted by the army. He said there is little difficulty obtaining fruits and vegetables, and these are plentiful on the local market. Col. Burton declared that he believed there has been a marked improvement of late in handling foods in the islands, and this be attributeted to encouragement received from the army food inspectors. He said it was his personal opinion that some forces would be stationed here permanently.