Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-11
FOOD COMMISSION
TO SOLVE PROBLEM
Proposed to Give It Power to SUI
pervise Marketing and
Distribution.
COUNTRY FACES SHORTAGE
Agricultural Society Takes Up
Serious Questions of Coun-
try's Supply.
COUNTRY FACES SHORTAGE
rPy As,ociatcd Press

iPy Associated Prcssl
"HShlNGTON. Aprii 0.-Immcdiate
creation 0: a Federal food commission
with power TO fix prices and to super.
wise marketing and distribution OF
tood IN the United states during tho
war. was proposed formally to-day BY
the National Agricultural Society.
At an agricultural mobilization
convention held here the society adopt.
ed resolutions recommending this and
other measures to meet threatened
food shortage. including increased food
crop acreage. an amendment OF whoa,
milling laws and Il liberal encourage
ment of sheep raising
The convention vas called to aid tho
administration in solving one of the
most serious problems with which /,
is faced in the conduct Of the war
The prospect Of short crops is giving
great concern TO officials not only
charged with the rcsponsibiiity of sec
ing that America is fed. but kcenly
aware. too, Of the fact that this coun-
try In a large measure must supply the
other countries lighting Germany.
The recommendation of the .Agricul-
tural Society comes close upon a move
by the Council OF National Defense
forecasting appointment Of a national
food committee headed by Herbert c.
Hoover who has had charge Of Amer
lean relief work in Belgium.
TO HANDLE ALL DISTRIBUTION
AND PRODUCTION OF CLOTHING
The conventions resolutions pro.
posed that food commission handle
also the production and distribution OF
clothing. They also recommended that
agricultural colleges graduate the,r
senior classes earlier this year than
usual SO they may go Immediately to
the farms and that State councils OF
defense be named to aid the national
council.
a dozen speakers urged mobilization
OF the countrys food resources. James
Wilson. formerly Secretary of Agricul-
turc and president of the Agricultural
Society. spoke for soil conservation.
Herbert Quick, of the Narm Loan
Board. said operation of LII. arm loan
act would improve the agricultural
situation.
Mrs. G. w. Mathis, OF Alabama, said
the South was in critical condition,
and that Alabama has not enough food
thirty days.
Encouragement of the hack-to-the-
farm movement was advocated by
Theodore y. Vail to meet the situation.
The farm now offers. he declared. prob
ably the greatest opportunity FOR in
dividual success OF all the country's
industries.
Millions of food gardens as means
suggested by Charles L. PacM prcsi-
dent of the National Emergency Food
Garden Commission.
They will give millions of families
cheaper food" he said. "and Will relieve
the railroads of transportation prob
lens which il is everywhere agreed
will be too much for them. have just
come from Ohio. which enters tho war
with less food than at the outbreak Of
tho Civil War, when tn; population
was half what 1t is to-day. In other
states east of the Mississippi the situ-
alton is much the same.
Loss OF IOo.OOO.0OO POUNDS
IN FROZEN AND CURED MEATS
The Department OF Agriculture has
just announced that a drop of more
than 00.000,000 pounds in the stocks of
frozen and cured meats in the United
States. compared with last years store.
Is indicated. The reserve supply of all
food necessities is ;o~. The yield of
grain and farm products fell short of
the normal this year. and now with
:he war upon us the yield TO come from
the present crop will be needed for
the army and navy. Where then do the
civilian millions come n.c
There is but one solution. and that
is individual farming. Convert ever,
backyard garden and vacant lot in
thriving food producing garden and
the civilian population will be self
supporting. The nation will not face
the problem of feeding an inactive
army If this is done"
Senator Phelan. of California. said
the highest war strategy appeared to
be the control OF food supplies. This
country. he said. must practice food
economies as have the other belliger-
ents ii it expects TO emerge victorious.
Among the other speakers was Cover
nor Henry c. Stuart, Of Virginia.
Governor Stuart declared the war
with Germany lis not a war of NUM-
tion men or Wall Street. but II Is a
war for the protection of the agricul-
turists who sell their goods in the
markets OF the world
lie predicted that the farming popu-
lation of the country would be gem
erousy represented in the armies to be
raised
They always have. and l am sure
they always WILL" he said. 1T is not
much to ask OF a powerful country Of
108, 900. 900 people to defend the rights
of the sea that our forefathers have
fought for before us. ] hope this war
will do away with all differences
throughout the country"
Flight Goes to Committee.
fBy Associated Press.l
WASHINGTON. April 10-Senator