Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1917-05-10
Our Duty Clear.

Our Duty Clear.
I'VE have been patient and long
suffering almost to a fault. II can NOT
be said that we act hastily or without
tive is not revenge, nor hate, nor i'll
will, but to defend The common rights
OF mankind and priceless principles
Of liberty.
1T is now a question of loyalty to
our country, and the duty of everyone
to stand Loyalty by the government in
this crisis, is clear. In standing by
the government selected and consti-
tuted by the people, our own govern
ment, we are but standing by our
selves. 1t is no time to indulge par
tisan feeling or seek political advan-
tage. 1t is a time for disinterested
service, for united action, for patri-
otto feeling and for subordinating
personal desires and purpose to the
common good.
Mobilize All Resources.
THE resources of the nation, the
well as the man power, should be
modified and made available for the
defense and welfare of all. Everyone
must be ready to respond to the coun-
try's call on the principle of universal
service, and each be ready to serve
where best he can.
"And we must remember that prop
erty is subject TO the call of the
government as well as men. Those
who have accumulated vast riches I'M
der the protection of this government,
and especially those who have made
huge fortunes out of the war, should
not object to giving freely of their
abundance in this time of need, and
the government must not hesitate to
freely take OF it.
while men are called upon to offer
their lives, the last full measure of
devotion property and wealth may
also freely be called; ~exhorbitant in
comes, SO large as to be beyond any
possible need or use of the recipient,
and to really be a menace to the
common welfare, should be required
to contribute generously to the ex-|
..pense of this war.
A Serious Situation.
I'VE can not overlook the fact that
,v,n fooo - cnnto,,, a.4,n ...--t
have before us a long and trying per-
Tod of war.
THE question of food supplies isl
of first Importance. The government
is asking the farmers of the country
to make extraordinary efforts to in
crease their production. Already the
response is noticeable. From every
quarter evidence of determin-
alton to meet the demand.
1.-THE farmers Of South Dakota, in
common with those of the rest of the
country, are not only capable and In.
dustrious but loyal and patriotic and
can be depended on to make special
effort and take increased risk. to
meet the needs OF the hour.
Market Protection Needed.
TN mourning the expense and extra
risk necessary to materially increase
their production, in this time of alb
normal cost of labor and supplies,
they should be protected from the un-
toward effect of speculative market
manipulation, and, particularly, from
a sudden collapse of present high
prices; the government should guar
antee a fair minimum price for theiri.
products in any e%ventuality.
Speculative control Of food prod.
ucts and manipulation of prices should
be prohibited even to the extent OF
the government, itself, taking direct
control Of marketing and ~transporta.
Iion, il necessary. The road from the
producer to- the consumer should be
shortened and the tribute lessened.
q Railroad Situation.
There are indications that the
railroads are seeking to take adyan. I
;tagesof this crisis and Of the patriotic /
Of the people to fasten on
them unwalTanted freight rate in.1
3creases.
This must be resolutely guarded 1
against Their own records ana re.s [
portssshow that their present earnings !
are very generous and there III nokoodI(