The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-04-11

country to prepare themselves for a
conflict with Germany. There are
three things most essential in our
preparation; the soldier himself. the
weapons of war and food for strength
to fight with.
we realize that the farmers mus.
furnish the third great weapon of
war before we are prepared. No ma
tion is poor or can be made poor as
long as there is plenty of food in their
country In conclusion L will say, I
shall urge the colred farmers Of
Sumter county to raise all the food
crops necessary for their consumption,
and help to feed the warning nations
of the world.
My idea is very much like Mr..
O'Donnelrs; as to the quantity of food
stuff that we should raise. We should
raise not only enough for ourselves,
but enough to supply others"
|
perry was requested by the commit
tee to make a canvas Of the colored
people and colored farmers particul-
arly, to try to organize the negroes in
every township, to hold public meet
ings, and to otherwise impress his
race with the Importance Of cooper
ating with the white people in this
emergency confronting the nation.
DR.. Parler suggested that township
meetings of colored farmers and col
ored laborers be arranged for by
Westberry, the white members o. the
township committees cooperating with
Westberry in arranging these meet
,ngs, and that the chairman or other
members Of township committees at
tend these colored township meetings
to address the colored farmers with
Westberry.
Mr.. H. G.. Osteen suggested that
Westberry organize colored township
committees on public safety to work
among their own race, just as the
white farmers and business men are
doing to obtain quickest and best re-
Suits.
Mr.. I. c. Strauss suggested tha:
Westberry get some of his lieutenants
OF the colored race to assist him in
stirring up interest among the color.
cd farmers and laborers to plant gar.
dens.
Westberry agreed, as per sugges
ton of Mr.. O'Donnell. to begin his
campaign by. having the ministers oi
colored churches in Sumter to an
nounce that there will be a public
meeting held by Westberry on Sun.
day night to discuss cooperation as
outlined above. st
Rev. William Haynsworth urged
that township committees appeal to
employers Of colored labor to allow
and induce their employees to attend
these conferences.
PLANT Food Crops or 90 Hungry
was adopted as the slogan of the
Sumter county Committee on Public
Safety.
| Mr.. O'Donnell suggested that those
committeeman present ask their pas
tors throughout this county to direct
attention on Easter Sunday to the
importance of planting an ample crop
Of corn and other food crops for man
and beast
Mr.. A. G. Phelps for Hardy and
Company, Inc, and Mr. Neill O'Don-
nell for O'Donnell & Company said
that their firms will provide seed Of
any kind recommended by the COM
mittee to any farmers. white or col
ored, who were unable to buy seed,
provided that the parties receiving the
seed will enter into an agreement to
pay for seed when crops are harvest
ed.
Any farmer in Sumter county who
is in need of corn, peas, rice, bean,
amber cane or other food crop seed
for planting will be provided with
same by applying to the Committee of
Public Safety through his township
committee.
Any farmer who has on hand {
surplus Of Early Dent corn seed,
speckled peas, velvet bean seed is
requested to communicate with Man
aging Secretary L. I. Reardon, sum-
ter. s. c.. the committee having di-
rected the purchase oe seed for dis
tribution. and home grown seed are
preferred.
The Southern Cotton Oil Company.
Sumter, S. c., will advance soy bean
seed to farmers who are unable to
pay cash, if those receiving seed will