The state herald., 1917-04-20
COLORADO FOOD SUPPLY
RAlsE CROP ON EVERY POSSIBLE
ACRE THIS YEAR.
Proclamation From the Committee on
Ways and Means Appointed by
Governor Gunter.
,w..t.rn Newspaper Union New. Service.


Colorado: Hon. Julius c. Gunter. Gov
ernor of the state Of Colorado, has ap-
pointed the undersigned Us commit
to meet the conditions regarding our
food supply. That = serious food situ-
alton exists no ono can question. The
situation. which would have been Sc
rious In any event. ha. been greatly
as 1t exists today threatens national
calamity unless every effort IL made
by all OF the people to avert 1t.
In many parts OF the grent whcat-
producing states of Kansas, Oklahoma
and Nebraska the winter wheat crop
Is almost u total failure. According
to present indications Kansas. which
will not produce above 10000, 900 BUSH
els from the coming harvest. The con-
dition of other staple food products
throughout the country Is hardly less
alarming. For instance. the potato
crop OF last year was close to 100000
900 bushels short of normal. The av-
erage for the past five years Is 3i4,-
100000 bushels and the indications are
that owing to the high cost of seed and
fertilizer the potato crop this year Will
be short from twenty to forty per cent.
of normal. Reserve stocks have been
almost depleted Seed of nll kinds Is
vigorous steps are taken. the United
States Will. In the course of year.
find itself unable to supply our sol
diery and sailors with food products
aside from the normal requirements OF
our population. We Will be unable to
assist those in the factories and on
the battlefields of Europe who are
looking to us for a large part of their
necessary food supply. Let our people
also heed the fact that many will be
withdrawn from all of our food pro-
ducing activities through the recruit
Ing of our army and navy.
The greatest contribution which
Colorado can make to the country at
at this time Is to put forth every ef-
fort to the end that the last acre cap
able of cultivation may be made to
produce some kind of a crop. The time
Is short; the situation 10 critical.
This committee has been appointed
by the Governor of Colorado and his
Advisory War Council and asked to as
sumo the duty Of securing n complete
organization In the state to bring
about the cultivation of every available
acre. We earnestly urge that the peo-
pie of every community and county In
the state be Immediately organized for
the purpose OF assisting In this crisis.
We ask the banks In every locality
to Immediately call a mass meeting OF
the people OF their communities and Mt
such meeting to appoint committee
on ways and means: that committee to
open headquarters. secure clerical as
sistance and appoint sub committees
for the following purposes:
First-A committee to Investigate
the condition as regards the seed sup
ply In that locality. whether or not
there is sufficient seed to plant full
acreage and whether there Is IA surplus
that can be spared for use In other
parts Of the state.
Second-A committee to Investigate
tho financial condition OF the farmers
In that locality and discover IL finan-
cial assistance Is needed by any
worthy individual In the purchase of
seed.
Third-A committee to organize the
women OF the locality for the purpose
OF devising plans for conserving tho
way, and putting an absolute end to
waste OF all kinds, as well as to assist
In increasing the food production.
the ehairman Of the local committee
report Immediately to the Ways and
Means Committee. Room 20. State Capi-
tol Building. Denver.
We urge upon the banks to extend
financial assistance to worthy farmers
who from n lack of funds are unable
to plant lands which they would other
wise cultivate. This committee Will
undertake to assist In this matter when
called upon.
The time Is short. In a few weeks
the planting season will be over. What
ls done must be done now. The I'm
perntivo need OF the moment Is local
banks. merchants. business men. com
norcial bodies, agricultural orgnnlza-
tions and bureaus. county commission-
ors and all patriotic citizens unite In
perfectinE local organizations at the
very earliest possible moment.
Conditions are such that high prices
are certain to prevail for some years
to come, and the pecuniary reward to
be derived from an increased acreage
will undoubtedly be great. but this In
wholly secondary to the consideration
that In this crisis Colorado owes the
country the patriotic duty of straining
her gffaFt nfillVlnn av
cry resource for the purpose of con-
tributing her last possible bunhei to
the nations food supply.
Other recommendations are under
confederation and will be submitted
later. Our food supply is tho supreme
question OF the hour, and we desire TO
Impress upon our people the Idea that
care and the elimination OF waste In
consumption IL equivalent to an In
crease In production.
This committee has opened hendquar-
ters In tho Capitol building at Denver
and will undertake to assist In every
state will be utilized to assist the 10.
cal committees In their WORK.
The State Agricultural College. the
cultural Extension Service and ali OF
the local bureaus Of the Department OF
Agriculture have rendered their serv-
Ices to assist and may ba called upon
by every local committee.
In counties where agricultural agents
are ma alntnincd the county agents are
instrur'"d to assist In every possible
way the work Of the local orRanisn-
tionr.
To sum up. we. citizens OF Colorado.
whose chief concern In TO bring home
70 our people tho imperativ. necessity
In this grave hour OF Increasing all
food products OF our stat. and thereby
nvertinH what In the course OF months
will be n dire calamity TO our people.
most earnestly call upon our citisan-
ship throughout tho state to bring 10
the attention OF all of our citizens the
condition Of our stntc: address our
seiveB to relieving this condition. and
In every public spirited way assist our
farmers In increasing their ngricuitu-
raj areas and the production therofrom.
We ask OF tho prosr and clergy Of
this state. aid In carrying this message
20 our people.
ny order OF the Governor
J. X. MULLEN. Chairman.
G. a, KENDRfCK.
cHAs A. LoHY.