El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-04-26
Get Behind 1t

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The governor of-New Mexico has set in
motion a preparedness propaganda in New
Mexico. 1t is well organized. Able men are
in charge of it. They are working systa.
matically to enlist all the people of New
Mexico in a campaign to Increase produc-
ton, to make the state self supporting, to
recruit a defense force, to get ready a de-.
finite specific program for the extra session
of the legislature which the governor will
call.
New Mexico is the fourth largest state
in the union. She has a population of some
100000. She has tremendous meneral, agri-
cultural and grazing resources. Her geogra-
phical location in this war makes it imper-
alive sthat she should be among the fore
most states iii Preparedness measures. The
relative sparseness of her population com
pared with her resources should make it an
easy matter for her to get on a self support
ing basis. We import hundreds of thous.
ands Of dollars worth of the necessities of
life that we can produce at home. We let
ourselves be dependent on the east and mid
die vest for things we can raise and make
at home. We let ourselves be dependent on
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when we can be Independent of such trans
portation. We send raw materials away
and pay fancy prices for the manufactured
products when they come back.
Here is a chance for an economical reform
in New Mexico that will effect a profound
change in conditions. The war committee
and the council of state defense is going to
show every man what he can do and give
him a chance to do it. Seed is going to be
furnished; we have the chance to raise
grain, potatoes, beans, and livestock in
greatly increased quantities; we lave the
land and the men and the opportunity and
the matter is going to be one of individual
response and initiative Every citizen,
every man and woman will have a chance.
to help. And it must be done NOW. If you
can't think of anything else to do, get some
need and plant 1t in your backyard, or rent
the vacant lot next door; figure out how
TO can vegetables to last you through the
winter; watch your household management,
stop the leaks and cut out the waste; make
it an individual, personal propositien; don't
get panicky and help push up prices by al
run on the grocery store; don't hoard, pro-
ducei
This movement is going to open up big
possibilities for New Mexico. We can raise
enough stuff to, feed ourselves; we can do
our own canning; we can raise our own
wheat, grind our own flour, dry our own
fruit, make our own woollen fabrics, tan our
W hides, make our wi wagons and farm
ing implements, pumps and engines, our
W tin cans, our own carpets, cur own
boots and shoes and leather-if we make
up our minds to it. And under stress OF
emergency we can make guns and ammu-
milton.
The first, immediate, vital step is To plant
our food. Potatoes, beans and corn are OF
first Importance. Let the. citizens of Santa
Fe put through the scheme to raise pota-
toes on mountain lands on a cooperative
basis with the assistance of the forest serv-
ice. Let's get our vacant lots planted here
in the city. Let every citizen make a point
Of doing his best to produce enough to sup
port himself. If you can't getNthe seed you
want see the war committee. Remember
that all the leadership and organization in
the world will get no results without the in
dividuals aid and cooperation.
Let's get New Mexico in the headlines as
one Of the leaders in agricultural prepared
ness. Let's show the nation that we don't
want to be a parasite or a burden or a re-
sponsibility to the government. Let's trans.
our fiag-waving and our patriotic
speeches into industry, drudgery If need be.
1t il well to remember, also, that we are
70 work not for this years results alone
but for following years. There is d lot OF
work to be dono to improve and drain our
irrigated lands; to educate our farmers into
more efficient methods; to get lands into
for future service; to stop inan-
cial waste in the administration of lands
under ditch and In drainage administration.
to learn to centrallze on the most profitable
Santa Fe county in particular should
get her county agent at once and lay the
foundation for results next year and fol
This campaign Is merely the natural
development Of our agricultural and indus
trial possibilities speeded up on the higher
gear under the pressure OF national emel-
gency. h 4g aas4sss
Get in behind the governor and the pre-
paredness organization and do your share.