Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-13
Soldiers of the COmnliSSary.

The task of modifying the country's food pro-
ducng resources is of intense concern to the Gov
eminent and it must be of intense concern to each
State and every community if to meet ade
quately and we'll the severe tests which the is
to bring. This is fundamental problem. 1t
matters not how many merchant ships we build for
carrying provisions to allies if we have nothing
to put on them, nor how many troops muster
and train If we unable to ration them. No
matter how efficiently prepare for industrial
and military needs, If our people pinched with
hunger made the victims of extortionate prices
shall have proved unequal to the heroic mission
which is before us.
To assure a suficiency of foodstufs at fair
prices, two things must be done, and third may
become necessary. IL is obvious in the first place
that the acreage of food crops must be increased
and extraordinary efforts made to secure bountiful
yields. In addition especial must be taken TO
that there are ample and efficient means of dis
tributing the supplies thus Produced this, OF
course, calls for thorough invoicing of the
staple crops together with herds of beefcatt1e and
swine as the Government can procure, and it calls
also for close cooperation between the Government
and the railroads. Finally, If abundant production
and efficient distribution do not restore prices TO
reasonable level the Government will be construed
to take summary measures for the public's protec-
ton and fix maximum prices of food. There is
to hope, however that this last resort will not
be needful II due attention Is given to planting food
crops and to assuring an economical distribuu-
ton and marketing of them in the months ahead.
First OF all comes the planting. This is a mat
ter In which every state every county and town
and, far is feasible, every individual should
take part The bulk of the basic commodities like
wheat corn, oats, beef and pork must be produced
by established farmers. But immense aggregate
of table supplies can be grown back yards and
vacant lots. Millions of city people who heretofore
have been consumers merely can become producers
serving their own and the countrys needs. The
Government is emphasizing the necessity of mobil-
zing farmers together with agricultural experts and
students Soldiers of the COmmissary" to wage a
silent but mighty bread-and-butter war against
Prussian ruthlessness and despotism. Every Amer
lean who is not called to the coors or does not
otherwise the Government should do what he
in the ranks of the food producers. If he is a
farmer, he do much; he raise supplies
front. But however small his plot of ground, he
add something to the food store.
1t is to the Soldiers of the Commissary" that
the nation looks for those basic snews of with
out which armies and fleets sorely crippled If
not altogether impotent. To these sturdy regiments
of the soil allies and troops must look
largely for victory. Let every Georgia community
and every Southern community bear this important
truth constantly in mind. Let every available acre
for which hands be found be made to count its
utmost in contribution to the nations funda-
mental need.