The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-25
SELF SATISFIED

farmers using their resources to thel"
ma ximum capacity in an endeayor TO
produce a maximum acreage OF 1000
crops. Perhaps it could be said truly
from information at hand that the peo-
pie of the state do not properly real
ize the seriousness of the situation and
that it is one with which we will likely
be confronted for three or four years
more The council should take cog
nizance of this fact and proceed at
once to appraise the people of KAN
sas of the true conditions and tremen-
dous responsibility that devolve upon
them collectively and individually
Potato Prospects.
Prospects for big potato crop are
far better than a year ago, according
to a statement by Edwin Taylor, Ed
wardsville potato king. Taylor de-
clared that the three-fourths normal
crop acreage in the Kaw valley prom
Used better yield than did the larger
acreage of 1915.
A new source of trouble in the war
crisis was pointed out by w. E. Gray.
a Wier oil operator. Gray told the
defense council that his inVeStiga atoms
showed that-mineS in the southeastern
Kansas district have operated from
one-third to one-half of the time
That means a short coal output, he
said. Added to this trouble. the oper-
ators are now confronted with de-
mands for increases of 20 to 30 per
cent in wages. And that means higher
prices next winter, Gray told the coun-
Gil.
Schools Take 1t Up.
Three big state schools have taken
up the campaign for food stuffs and
will plant land adjoining the campus
to potatoes and other crops. All of
the big state schools have placed their
entire organization and resources at
the command of the state council and
are in the food drive to the finish.
At the state agricultural college, the
state university and the Emporia state
normal. many acres are being plowed
and planted to crops. In addition to
the work of the state schools, every
state institution has been directed by
state boards to meet the food situation
by intensive farming of every acre of
available land
Urges Canning Factories.
Construction and operation of CO.
operative and community canning fac
tories in all sections of the state was
urged today by Dean f. c. johnson
of the State Agricultural college. Re-
ports sent to Topeka indicate that
hundreds of acres of back yards and
town lots have been planted to garden
| in an effort to meet the demand for
food. AS result of the condition. the
markets may be glutted with fresh
vegetables unless some organized eff
! fort is made to relieve the situation.
Garden Acreage Double.
Dean johnson estimated today that
| the garden acreage of the state this
year was double that of any former
season. In an effort to meet condi-
tions, Dean Johnson came to Topeka
with suggestions for employment of
municipal instructors in gardening and
the work of utilizing products of the
/ soil. Organization of boys and girls
| in every community TO meet the de-
mand for labor was urged by the col
! lege professor who also asked the
council to push the community can
I ming factory plan. In a number of
communities plans are now being
made for the construction of such
plants.
SOlons to Recruit.
| Members of the state legislature are
( to be placed in charge of army recruit
/ ing in every community under the plan
/ of the council, which is organized to
direct army enlistments as well as to
arouse interest in the food situation.
4 The plan was adopted by members of
/ the council following a suggestion by
( Prof. w. F.. BIackmar of the State uni
versity. In event congress defeats the
selective draft measure, it is probable
that each member of the house of rep
resentatives and each senator will be
placed in direct charge of recruiting in
their district.
Hundreds of letters and kilograms
were brought to Topeka by members
of the council or were presented for
inspection by Governor Capper. Dur
ing the last week the governor has re-
ceived nearly 500 letters a day con-
corning the food situation in Kansas
war with Germany