The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-17
INFORMATION
IS REQUESTED
FOR PLANTERS
SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND
SETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION
WRITES THE CHAMBER OF CON-
MERGE.

The following letter, which is self
explanatory, has been received by the
Chamber of Commerce of this city:
Baltimore, Md, Aug. 10. 1914.
Chamber Of Commerce, Pensacola, Fla
NV Dear Sir:-A number Of COM
mercial clubs Of the Southern States
have inquired Of this organization how
they can cooperate with and be OF ef-
fective assistance to the farmers OF
their surrounding or back country
and especially to such new farmers or
planters as may locate in their coun-
ties. This organization would like to
make an intelligent and comprehen-
sive reply to these inquiries so that
we can assist the city man of the
South in establishing closer fraternity
and cooperation with the countryman-
II IL almost unnecessary here to lay
down the proposition that agriculture
10 the basis Of all wealth, substantial
ly speaking, and the agricultural future
Of this nation must depend largely on
the attitude of our businessmen. The
National Bankers Association has
recognized this and is doing effective
work, but businessmen cannot afford
to allow the bankers to do all the work.
We have our part to play for our self
Sish a. well as our national interests
In 1880. 20 per cent of our total popu-
lation resided in cities. This included
cities of all sizes. In 1910, 5O.3 per
cent Of our population resided in cities
excluding all cities Of $500 people and
less. To be fairly conservative 1t may
be said that 10 per cent of our people
have abandoned agricultural pursuits
and have gone into business or have
Joined the ranks Of industrtaltsm
That is why the food problem Is be-
coming serious in this country.
The dramatic suddenness of the Eu-
ropean war instantly disclosed the i'm
pressive significance Of the United
States as O dominant factor in the
problem OF the worlds food supply.
Figuratively and actually the eyes OF
the world are turned toward the Am
erican farmer-to the warning nations,
the getting Of his products makes for
victory or defeat; to the other nations
e means privation or normal living.
The first thoughts of the nations at
war were for the protection Of their
be brought from America. and Eng
lands initial demand Of her fleet was
that 1t make safe the ocean lanes be-
tween the United States and England
for her food carrying vessels. So world
important is this subject that the Pres
and means for the Strengthening Of
our merchant marine.
We are rejoicing in q bumper" GER
cal crop but the impersonal test of ap-
even our great farm yields Of the year
will not go far toward feeding the
armies and people Of Europe unless
we rob ourselves. The cereal food
crops Of the United States for 1914
are estimated as follows:
Wheat, 900, 900, 900 bushels.
Corn, 1850. 900, 900 bushels.
Oats, Ills, 000, 900 bushels.
In round numbers our population is
Zoe, 5000 The per capita consump-
ton Of wheat in this country is IL
bushels each year or $4,000 900 BUSH
els Of wheat are required for our own
people. Add to this 100000 bushels
for seed and there Is left for export
only 170.0oo.000 bushels unless we rob
our own people. The consumption of
meat per capita is 1872 pounds per year
and statistics show a decrease Of meat
producing animals Of almost Ia per
cent and unless we greatly reduce the
raising OF live stock We cannot help
feed the armies Of Europe with our
corn and oats.
II seems to be the consensus Of opin-
ion that the European war will be a
short one but its effects will be last
ing. Fifteen million producers can