Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-06
AGRICULTURAL EXPERT
URGES THE SOUTH To
GROW BIG FOOD CROP
Carl VrOoman, in Speech Be-
fore State Conference De-
CIareS Dixie Must Feed IT.
self or Go Hungry

Increased production OF food crops In
the southeast on a broader plane than
ever has been known in history was
the keynote of two big conferences in
Atlanta Thursday.
At IL O'Clock in the morning a state
conference. under the auspices of the
By members of the Southern Cattle
mems association. enthusiastically laid
foundations for a campaign in this di-
rection.
At $3.50 o'clock Thursday afternoon
the Southeastern conference. under au-
spices of the Atlanta chamber or COM
MERGE, neld an equally enthusiastic
meeting IN the assembly hall OF that
organization.
Carl Vrooman, first assistant secre-
tary of the United States department
of agriculture. and one of the most
prosperous farmers of the middle west,
was the principal speaker at botn con-
ferences.
AGRICULTURAL PREPAREDNESS
Both conferences have the same pur-
pose-that of placing the south in
state of agricultural preparedness to
meet conditions which the south must
face-the most acute since the Civil
war-because of the plunglng OF this
country into war with Germany.
About seven hundred business men,
farmers, bankers and live stock men of
the south attended the Georgia cham
ber's conference and gave their indorse-
ment 10 the plans as set out by the
spea ker.
Unless the south grows food crops
in abundance-in greater quantities
than this section has grown at any
time in its history. the south, like
Germany, faces starvation was the
startling assertion of Mr.. Vrooman.
This condition will arise not because
the United States will not have food
to supply this section.
But such a condition threatens be-
cause of a shortage of freight cars and
other transportation facilities and the
possible inability of the other sections
of the country to ship food here
PERILS SOUTH FACES.
..The south each year has been i'm
porting from $500, 100000 to s7OO,o00,000
worth of food from other sections of the
country.
The south would go hungrey without
this aid from other sections.
Mr. Eroon1an outlined the nature of
this countrys participation in the world
wide war and declared that in his opin-
ion this country, for the first year at
least. would not send any large amount
of troops to Europe to fight, but that
ii would devote its energies toward sup
pIying the armies of the allied powers
with food and giving them financial as
sistance-
"Of course. we might send 10000 or
%. 900 troops to Europe just for the.
moral effect it would have, so that the
Stars and Stripes could be flying over
there" said Mr.. Vrooman.
But that would be the extent of our
energies toward trying TO invade the
enemys territory. =
You can rely on the statement that
abe department of agriculture and the
department of the treasury will have as
much. il not more. on their HANDS for
the first year than the war department.
or the navy department.
IMPORTANCE OF FOOD.
Il don't know of any country that
ever went to war that took il less Sc
riousIy than some of our people. Some
of our people already have realized IL.
But it is high time that the great
masses realize 1t.
The most important question con-
fronting US is this: Feeding our civilian
population. our army and navy and the
armies OF our allied powers.
crops too much importance cannot be
attached The war will ue over in
wear. we hope. But we are not banking
on that We're a wonderfully powerful
country, a wonderfully wealthy country.
bun we haven't yet begun to think ma
tionalIy. We should profit from the ex-
periences of England. Their navy, high
IL efficient, was able TO cope with the
enemys navy. But in land forces Eng
land was sadly deficient What was
the result? England called at once for
volunteers There was an immediate
response from the universities, the col
Ieges. The very flower of England's
youth was sent to it's slaughter on the
battlefield-young men who should have
been reserved for Officers. This was
due TO unpreparedness.
NO nation can make war effective un-
less it's food supply is adequate.
The nation that holds out with food
the longest probably will be victor in
the war.
FARMING PATRIOTIC.
Mr. Nrooman stressed the Importance
OF agricultural preparedness, and said
IL was every bit as important as indus
trial and physical preparedness
So important is the question of raising
food. said Mr.. NrOoman. that any person
engaged in agricultural pursuits, in any
way. would make big mistake by aban-
doning that work TO enter the trenches.
Mr. Vrooman explained to his audi
ence that his appeal to the southeast to
raise more food crops was done on the
basis that il would be a good business
policy and would bring profitable re-
suits to the farmers. a well as be an
act of patriotism.
II advise YOU that Il will put dollars
in your pockets to raise food crops,
he said. The south can dispose of every
bit of food IL raises"
Don't permit yourself TO be unduly
encouraged over 2O-cent cotton. There
(Cortanued on Page 3, Col. a.