Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-24
Secretary Houston ].
Submits a Plan for
More Food Supplies

| elusive reliance on the two-crop system.
the labor of man and animals is utilized
only 80 or 60 per cent. Of the time. If
Investigation were more generally prac-
ticed, this labor would be more effective
ly and economically applied. 1t is stated
that there are more than 100000 boys be-
| tween the ages of Is and 10 years in cities
and towns not now engaged In productive
work vital to the Nation in the present
emergency. Many of these boys have had
contact with rural life and know some
thing about farming operations. This
constitutes the most important morgan
ICED and unutilized labor resource avail
able. The Department and the State
agricultural colleges have, in the boys
and girls clubs, more than 100000 men,
bers. Large additional numbers could be
enrolled in these clubs. and their services
could be utilized in additional directions.
It has been suggested also that high
schools and colleges in rural communities
might suspend operations before the end
of the regular terms and might resume
their activities later in the fall This
VOL be a poss:,l, means Of addition.
Releasing Labor.
Other suggestions worthy of serious
! consideration are that Industrial plants
should, SO far as possible. arrange to do
| their repairing during the harvest season
and that certain kinds of public and pri-
vate undertakings Of relatively lesser i'm
portance should be suspended temporari-
ly thereby making possible some addi-
! tional liberation of labor. The moblizing
In particular districts of groups of labor
for emergency assistance is by no means
beyond the range of possibility. State
and local organizations especially should
give this problem their most earnest con-
sideration, and on doubt they will find
means in their various Communities of
furnishing assurances that farming oper-
ations will not only be continued on their
normal scale. but will even be extended
The Department, through the office of
farm management, will undertake to
place a competent man in each state to
keep in touch with the states central
board of food production and conserva-
ton to assist it in devising the best means
of furnishing relief to communities that
need additional labor. Through the
state boards, this representative will keep
intimately in touch with the local organi-
cations. A special effort will be made to
ascertain the labor needs of the different
communities and the available supplies of
labor not fully utilized in the region, and
also to ascertain these facts over large
areas. The stress comes at different
times in different states and communities
Information will be conveyed to the
boards in states where there is a lack of
labor regarding surplus labor supplies in
surrounding states or districts. The pro-
blem of securing favorable transport ton
facilities and rates will be taken up with
the various transportation COMPANIES.
This Department will cooperate also with
I the Department of Labor and keep in
/ touch with its field agencies
1t is especially important that empha-
sis be laid on the increased production of
the staple crops, particularly in the re-
glons where they are usually grown
There is yet time to increase the acreage
| not only of corn, oats, barley, rice, and
! the sorghun1s. but also of spring whea
in certain areas as we'll as to extend the
acreage CT peas, beans, cowpeas. and SOY
beans. The live stock and poultry re-
sources of the country need to be care
fully considered and encouragement given
1 TO permit recovery from the unusual
, drafts upon them during the past wear,
with particular reference to the produc-
ton Of meat, dairy products, and eggs.
The marked activity in home gardening
VIII result In considerable additional
production Of perishable crops for local
use. The Department md State agricul-
I tural agencies are lending their assistance
to local bodies which are organizing sys
/ tematic home garden work
To Stimulate Production.
Further to stimulate production. to
improve distribution, and to promote
conservation, the following recon-
mendations are offered
i) Prompt enlargement of the CO.
operative demonstration forces of the
department and the states through the
States Relations Service, to insure the
most effective instruction with refer
ence to crop and animal production
and the economic and effective use of
| food in the home
! 90 Immediate enlargement of the
existing force of experts in home
economics in order that widespread in
struction may be given in urban and
rural communities regarding the prop
er preparation and economic utiliza-
t1on or foodstuffs. Some of the great
est preventable wastes are in the home.
The women, and particularly the
housekeepers, of the nation can be of
great assistance not only in increasing
the production of foodstuffs along GER
tain lines. but especially in the con-
servation of food the elimination of
wastes, and, particularly in the case of
the well-to-do. in practicing rigid
economy. The women of the nation
| have control Of the larger part of it's
| consumption expenditure. and one of
their first tasks should be to see that
this Is directed in the most efficient
and economical manner.
90 Prompt enlargement of the de-
partment's forces and facilities for
aiding farmers to combat destructive
insects and diseases Of both animals
and plants, through instruction and
assistance to the general extension
workers of the department and the
states. The losses through ,animal dis
eases and insects run into the millions.
With effective and efficient organiza-
ton the forces in the department al
| ready enpaped in work of this Lipd