The Detroit times., 1917-04-17
Commerce Board Sees
Danger of Worst
Food Famine
WHEAT SHORTAGE
is SERIOUS NOW
Record Breaking Yield
Required to Meet
Situation

~ foodstuffs, as means OF meeting
Alarming dangers OF an unprecedent-
Cd shortage during the FIRST year OF
Americans entrance In the world
war. are strongly urged in bulle-
tin issued by the Board OF Com
merce Monday morning and signed
By President Allan A. Templeton.
Mr.. Templeton not only recog-
mixes the fact that shortage ex-
lists nov, but he warns the people
that conditions next winter will be
much worse than they were during
the last one unless every effort Is
puf forth TO cultivate all available
ground and devote the soil 10 the
kind Of crops which will be needed
most.
He urges cooperation between
people OF all classes. and suggests
especially the necessity OF the farm
ers keeping In close touch with the
atate and federal government agen-
<ies which viii advise the soil tillers
On public needs.
The prospects OF a poorer 1917
supply OF grain and other farm prod
nets than was harvested in 1916 Is
que. according to the bulletin. not
only to the inroads on supplies
made by destruction of vessels by
submarines. but by unfavorable con-
ditions In great farm countries.
sNot only Is there a shortage of
1ood supplies In the country at pres
eat that at this time is very seri-
ous." says the bulletin, but there
n also the prospect Of q shortage
IN 1917 that will be the worst that
Has occurred in the history Of the
United States. II is vital 10 the
best interests OF the country that
s0mething be done, and immediate
~. 10 remedy these conditions. The
Mutation Is SO serious that IL steps
are not taken at once the people
Of the United States viii suffer in
1917 as they never have before"
The world wheat supply for 1916
Wss 1000 900 900 bushels abort, IL is
pointed out. The reduction OF Rus
sta's output is one big factor in the
nhortxgs. The Argentine crops now
being harvested are 80 nearly a fail
nr~ II Ia said there will be very lit
We for export trade. The Austral-
I'm crop Ii 20 per cent smaller than
last years. The Holland crop Is
unpromising In England il is back
ward. and In France the yield will
BE FAR below normal.
The bulletin continues.
b There Ia only one answer to the
problem and II is that the farmers
Of the United states must be aroused
ny svery means possible TO the
nrxency OF the situation. The amount
OF wheat planted In the country must
be at least 30 per cent greater than
has ever been planted before.
The same conditions mentioned
above regarding the wheat crop Of
table crops The time 10 deal with
next winters foot riots. proposals for
embarEo. and demands for higher
Wn Kes. - now. There are certain
common vegetables which make up a
large part OF the food supply. such
- potatoes. beans. onions. etc. which
are easily grown In all parts OF the
country without machinery. and
whose production this year in enor-
NOUS quantities. should be assured
beyond chance Of doubt.
The agricultural men OF the eoun-
try are as patriotic as anyone else
once they realize the necessity for
action. IL ~ therefore most essential
that every EFFORT be made TO make the
farmer realise the seriousness OF the
a - A..
conditions that viii result IL they
DO not take steps 20 prevent them.
The bureau OF state relations of
the department. OF agriculture at
Washington has been doing a great
deal of work in cooperation with
the various state agricultural coll
1eges Thru this cooperation trained
agents have been placed In many
counties In the various states 20
work with the farmers Of those dis
uicta The department OF AgTicul-
ture has suggested that in all coun-
ties where there are these county
agents. survey be taken under their
direction OF Just what the possibiIi-
ties are for the harvest OF various
crops grown In their territory.
Every farmer should remember
that the demand for food supplies Of
all kinds 10 going TO be enormously
larger than ever before A large
production will not mean lower prices
&c the producer because OF the enor-
nous export demand. and because Of
tue great demand for the military
forces OF our own country. Every
assistance will be given The producer
by the national. state and local gov
ernments and business men in gen
eral
n - true that there IL now = great
shortage OF labor. that the manu-
facturing industries OF the city have
drawn q large percentage ~ the
young men from the country. Ii will
be necessary TO mobilize the women
OF the country 90 assist the farmers
ns has been done IN Europe Steps
viii undoubtedly 20 taken 10 do this
Immediately. ~ also has been suR-
Eested that men over military age
be mobilized for this purpose. and
this plan will probably be worked
cut before long.
For several years past the depart
rirnt Of agriculture, thru the bureau
81 states relations. has been organ
Nina farm boys and girls clubs for
tire purpose Of Interesting these boys
and girls In agricultural work. and
feaehing them modern sclentinc farm
fnH methods.
Divldends on the money and time
{ expended In this work will now be
large There are 3s5. eco boys and
Girls In these clubs ali over the coun-
Try. and 10 IL In their ranks that the
Production cha mpions Of the United
ktetes are found.
IN many % the large cities organ
f1Ationn have been formed, inc mem
here OF which are pledged 10 raise
vsgstabIss in their back yards and
90 vacant lots
R<poris from the heads % govern
Etnt employment burea ne IN cities