The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-04-10
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WILL AVERT FAMINE
Economic Authority, Editor Edmunds of The
Manufacturers Record, Analyses
Food Situation.
Food Situation.

vancing, because many European
countries are even now so near s.ar-
Vatlon basis that a cessation of war
would Immediately create an unpre-
cendented demand for all foodstuffs.
IL Is entirely possible to raise more
cotton than the world would need
during the next crop year, supposing
the war continues IL months longer;
but 1t is not possible to raise too
much food. Indeed, it is not possible
TO raise enough. l look for a con-
tinued advance in grain, provisions
and other food supplies to such an
extent that year hence we shall
look back and think OF present prices
as being very low by comparison.
The outlook for the wheat crop is
not at all satisfactory and we are in
danger OF very small yield.
The supply Of live stock is
scarcely equal to what it was ten
years ago. In the meantime our
population has increased by 10000
600 and the great demand, at hign
wages, for mechanics and day labor
ers has resulted in larger consump.
tion of meats than ever before.
These facts are of vital interest
to the South. Unless this section
raises an abundant supply of food
for man and beast it will suffer dis.
astrously. 1t will be almost crime
for any farmer in the South not to
raise at least enough food supplies
for his own family. Every banker
merchant and manufacturer in the
South should cooperate with the far.
mer in bringing about more atten.
tion to the production of foodstuffs
this summer and fall. Every family
in town or village in the South, hav-
ing back yard, should raise as many
vegetables as possible. Even IL il
should cost them as much to raise
them as to buy them. This would
leave a larger supply for those who
have no back yards to cultivate.
I'm material way no greater ca.
lamfty can come on a country than a
lack OF foodstuffs and the consequent
exorbitant prices. Under such con-
ditions the drain on the individual
and the community lessons vitality.
virilty and business efficiency The
rich man who does not feel the cost
OF high priced food is therefore as d.
rectly interested because of his in
terest in the community's prosperity
as the poor man because Of the food
supply. These facts are of such su-
preme Importance that they should
be emphasized in every public gath
ering, through every newspaper and
through every governmental infu-
ence. Indeed, they are so important
that the minister OF the gospel would
not go amiss If he repeatedly empha-
sized these truths and their bearing
upon the welfare Of the country. The
poorer people and the men of fixed
income will have to face a very men
acing condition in this food short
age.
Looked at from the broad view
point OF the nations welfare. II also
becomes supremely important thai
we should increase our production OF
foodstuffs. We are entering upon
what will probably be long and des
perate war. / believe there never
was in human history a war more
justifable than that the country is
preparing to enter, not only to de-
fend its own citizens, but In defense
or civilization. But this war will
greatly lessen the supply OF labor. in.
crease the rate OF wages for farm
laborers as well as others and enor-
mously. increase the demand for
foodstuffs.
Every man, woman and child,
who can help increase the supply of
foodstuffs, will be doing an impor-
tant duty and serving his country.
The men who are Offering their lives
as volunteers to fight the nations
battles have the right to ask that tho
nation shall stand back of them to its
utmost ability in equipping them
with arms and munitions and in
supplying them with foodstuffs.
Thus the man. woman or child
who can not contribute in other ways
may considerably assist in patriotic
work by the raising of food. even II