Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-21
EVENTS OF A WEEK

EVENTS OF A WEEK
Another week has been filled by tho government
and people of the United States with the work of prep
araton for the struggle of war. The week was appro-
priately ushered in by an impressive address by Presi-
dent Wilson appealing to the people for unity of thought
speech and action in the nations crisis. The address
was noteworthy. among other things. for the emphasis
placed by the president on service Of other than a mill
tary nature. He pointed out the urgent need for the
conservation of oil the nations resources in food. in raw
material of every kind. and in the energy of the people.
He devoted special attention to the need which exists
for the adoption Of far-reaching plans for increasing and
protecting the food supply of the nation.
In a formal proclamation the president also directed
the attention of alien enemies residing within the Uni
ted states to the regulations prescribed for their con-
duct Those regulations are either statutory in them
selves or in accordance with statutes empowering the
president to make such necessary regulations in time Of
war. In the northwest there have been but few cases of
violation Of the rules of conduct prescribed by the gov
eminent and necessary for the public safety. In the east
and especially in the large centers, however. there have
been many cases of this kind, and the federal authorities
have been kept busy with the work of curbine lawless
tendencies.
The work of war preparation has included tho pas
sage by both house and senate, without a dissenting vote
in either chamber. of the seven billion dollar war loan,
the greatest appropriation for such a purpose ever made
in history at one time by any nation. Five billion dol
lars Of this sum is to be secured by the sale of bonds. and
the other two billion will be represented by some form
of treasury certificates. The treasury authorities are
now working out plans for the sale of the bonds, a large
portion Of which it is expected will be taken by the poo
pie in small amounts. 1t is not yet certain that the ad-
ditional two billions will be issued at this time.
Various agencies of the government are working out
plans for the direction of the energies Of the nation into
the channels where they will be most useful. The bill
for the creation Of a new army has not yet been, passed.
hence the subject Of recruiting has been subordinated
in the public mind to the need for activity in other d.
rections. Experts in every line of activity have rendered
their services to the government. and as fast as possible
these tenders are being accepted and men are being as
signed to work, which, for the present, is largely a
work of organization.
Special attention is being given the food problem.
The comparative shortage Of foods which exists would
present a perplexing problem even In a time of peace.
With the need of supplying a great nation at war. and
at the same time Of keeping supplied the nations which
are fighting with us, and whose equipment in every
way has now become a matter of special concern to us,
the problem is increased in its scope and its perplexity.
AS the food supplies of the country have their origin on
the farms, farm work is being given more general
thought, perhaps, than any other form of production.
Because Of the conditions surrounding his work
the farmer occupies a special place in the nations econ
omy. and in an emergency such as this his case requires
special treatment. Manufactured goods are produced
quite generally by large concerns. In most cases great
size is imperative, for many manufacturing operations
are Of such a character that they can be carried on eco
nomically only in large plants, where expensive machin-
cry Is installed, and the nature Of the business requires
at all times the command Of large sums of money in
order to purchase material lin great quantities and to
carry on hand completed stock. The farmer Is differ
emily situated. The business Of farming, instead of be-
ing conducted chiefly by a few score or a few hundred
corporations of considerable size, is carried on by several
million individuals. each handling at most but a few
hundred acres. each performing d considerable share of
the labor with his own hands, each having need for only
a relatively small working capital. and each producing
but a minute fraction of the total output. ~
1t Is evident that the methods which will be adequate
to increase the productivity Of the factories will not serve
to increase the output Of the farms. To provide for the
needs Of the farmer many agencies must cooperate,
and 1t Is in securing this cooperation that the central
authorities have been devoting their best thought. The
appeals which have been made have met an instant re-
Spouse. Local associations Of farmers, OF merchants, Of
bankers. of students Of economics, and Of others have
volunteered to join in tho work Of helphng to supply la
Dor. and seed. and money, in order to insure the planting
of tho largest possible acreage in the hest possible