The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-05
Back Yard Garden is Urged
as Lowu's Bit During War

| legislature to this worldwide oppor-
! tunity to render a service TO human
| fly and call upon our people 20 DC
/ vigilant in the duty they owe 10 =
/; neighbor who suffers. ] think IL Is
/ conceded by all that our state, rich
as she is, is not producing anywhere
near the amount OF food stun pos
| sibie at this time, and that a con-
+. certed movement all along the line
/ by all our folks will be rewarded by
/ a great increase in yield.
/ The season is late for the most
I effective work. but even row there
/ Is opportunity to do much that is
helpful il ne can only have the con.
/ centrated thought and action of all.
| The food stufs grown in this state
{! are well known and easily group
! themselves into four classes: grains.
meats, vegetables and fruits.
This legislature can be of assist
ance in this work of increasing the
supply by encouraging various asso-
Citations and our agricultural college,
by a. 1ropriation if necessary, to ex-
tend aid to those who are already
or may be In the producing field.
/ suggest that you call to your
advice on this matter the leading
farmers of the state and others who
are interested and am sure ways
OF being OF assistance will be found
that win greatly hedp in this tenn
porary crisis and be of lasting benefit
AS suggestion for activity ask
you to consider the adFisability OF
taking some action for preventing
the slaughtering of young she stuff"
This might well be called to the
attention vi the federal authorities
with request for action. | am sure
that merely calling this to the atten-
ton of our people at time like this
will be helpful, but if put into legis-
lative enactment would have mark
ed effect Other phases of activity
and ways of rendering assistance viii
suggest themselves to you and the
people of the state.
l will not go further into detailed
suggestion at this time as 10 ways
and means. but call your attention to
this food shortage and its great ex-
tent, knowing that az legislators you
eel as l do that your duty Is only
limited by your opportunity and that
you will make use of your great
office to direct action along these
lines as well as along lines that will
directly increase the production OF
food supplies.
If it is not out of keeping on this
occasion | desire to call your atten-
ton and the attention of the people
Of Iowa to the part they can have
in increasing materially the food
supplies for the use of the world
The public of our state should be
awake to the great responsibility
and opportunity that is at their door
Newspapers, l know, will be glad to
give space for the publication OF
facts and information and commun1-
ties and organizations to all who
may desire it and thus materially in
crease these supplies.
Iowa has never had greater oppor-
tunity to render real service to the
world than is offered in this world
food shortage. We pride ourselves
on our form of government and its
adaptability to meet all needs and
requirements. 1t ought to respond
now to this world hunger call. Every
hearthstone in Iowa ought to be an
altar and every man and woman an
evangelist in this Christ-like work of
feeding the hungry.
I call upon this legislature to use
the power and influence you have as
a body and as individuals to take up
this work. ! am confident that your
endeavor will meet cordial response
at every fireside in this great state
and that the good that will come
from encouraging our people will not
only be of service to humanity today
but for many years to come.
I bespeak your careful considera
ton and hearty cooperation.
W. l.. HARDING.