Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-20
ASKS BOYS AND GIRLS TO HELP
IOWA PRODUCE MAXIMUM
FOOD CROP.
ISSUES PROCLAMATION;
FIRST OF ITS KIND
Appeal Read in Every School Room Of
State This Afternoon - Dssisnatss
April 20 AZ Day on Which Actual
Work Shall Start-Ssparate Letter
Addressed to All School Teachers.

Des Moines, April 20.--In a procla-
nation, which is believed to be the
first instrument of its sort ever ad-
dressed exclusively TO school children
by the governor of any state, William
l.. Harding, Governor Of Iowa. today
appealed to the boys and girls of the
state 20 help Iowa produce a maximum
yield of foodstuffs during the coming
season.
The proclamation, which follows,
will be read in every school room in
the state this afternoon:
To the boys and girls of Iowa: AS
governor of the state. on behalf of
humanity everywhere l call upon you
TO help in every way You can in re-
ducing the world food shortage.
You no doubt know that in our own
United States we are producing less
food stuff than is demanded to sup
ply our own people. This, coupled
with European conditions. makes the
situation very serious and commands
our earnest and patriotic attention.
Our own beloved America is at war
with foreign country. il is the duty
Of every boy and girl in stirring times
like these to volunteer his service to
the flag and to the country. Few. il
any OF YOU can join those who take
up arms. but you can do just as
valiant service for your country and
show Your patriotism just as much
by doing all in your power to assis.
in growing food stufrs TO help feed the
hungry millions and those who &C
Of modern warfare.
Our own Iowa is by nature equipped
10 produce more food than any other
state in the union. To do this, and
bring this production up TO the highest
possibility we need the help Of every
boy and girl IN the state. We need
your individual help. You can help,
and by doing so not only serve your
country but yourself as we'll The
way that naturally suggests itself TO
one with open mind Is for you to plant
a garden, give it good care. and then
make careful study OF harvesting,
so that the fruits OF your toll can be
available for food.
Parents. and teachers will help you
in this splendid task, and, in addition.
the state stands ready TO give thru
its various agencies, all the assistance
you may command The state can do
much for you by furnishing informa
ton of the latest and most improved
methods of food production and har-
vesting
Therefore. by virtue of the power in
me vested as governor of the state OF
Iowa, | call upon every boy and girl
in the state to enlist in this campaign
to increase the food supply and in
accordance Herewith set apart Friday,
the goth day Of April. 1917. as the day
when this work shall be actually
started"
In a letter addressed to all school
teachers, the governor said:
We are all interested in the great
need of increasing food production Of
our state and / feel sure that YOU will
Co operate with us in bringing to the
attention Of the boys and girls OF the
public schools the fact that they can
be Of material assistance to this i'm
portant work.
81 am sending you the proclamation
with the request that you make ii a
part of your program and that you do
all you can to enthuse the boys and
| girls to plant, cultivate and harvest
such garden and field vegetables as
will increase the food supply"