Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-03
ENTIRE WORLD, NOT
ONLY u. S., SHORT OF
FOOD, EDMONDS SAYS

of the production Of the preceding year.
Indeed, the crops of last year were on
the whole smaller than we have had TO-
ten years, although during that time
population have increased by about co.
O0O. 900.
This crop shortage would have been
bad enough if it had been confined to
the United States alone. but in Canada,
in Argentine and in other surplus grain
growing couu ,ries crop shortage was al
most as serious as in the United States.
Thus the whole world is suffering as
IL has not in the last fifty years by
reason of worldwide shortage Under
these conditions it becomes Of supreme
importance to the welfare of the ma
ton in order to avoid the danger of an
actual food famine to increase the food
production of the country this year TO
Ihe utmost possible extent. 1t may rot
be entirely safe to make any predic-
tions as to the price Of cotton, should
we produce a large crop, but 1t is en-
tirelv safe to say that we cannot pos
sibIv produce enough foodstuff TO bring
about within the next few years any
material decrease from present prices,
and prices will continue to advance
much beyond present figures If we have
only a normal crop yield
SHOULD INCREASE FOOD CROPS.
Every farmer in the country should
be urged to do his utmost TO increase
his acreage i'm food crops and TO Guilt
vatc as thoroughly as possible, advanc-
ing cost of labor on the farm as in the
factory. must be recognized by the pub
lie. and the farmer must be encouraged
10 employ labor at the higher prices
which will prevail Throughout the
south especially, and to some extent
throughout the entire country, merchants
and bankers in the smaller towns are
in intimate touch with farming activ-
tiles. Many of them are Interested In
farming These men especially with
their broader viewpoint of the country's
needs-for foodstutfs ana the high prices
certain to prevail should put forth all
possible energy to stimulate the grow
ing Of grain, OF vegetables and OF all
other food crops, and at the same time
give equal attention to increasing pro-
Iuction Of live stock and poultry. The
situation is a very serious one. Its I'M
pOrtance cannot be overstressed- III
a long war is before us and the rest OF
the world, ii means steady accumulation
Of all these conditions. and when peace
comes all o. Europe will be so nearly
on the verge Of starvation that there
will be such a demand for food supplies
as has never been seen.
IN the time o. hOIAu-"ANc wal dNNAN
titles the man who increases the food
supply may perchance be doing as much
for the welfare of the nation as the man
who shoulders his gun to Go the actual
fighting. Millions of people-men, wom7
EN- and children, who are not available
for fighting purposes, must stand be-
hind the soldier and behind the nation
in helping TO create the conditions which
will make successful war a possibility.
Men cannot fight on empty stomachs,
nor can the people engaged in all the
varied business activities of the nation,
prosper unless the food supply is suf-
ficient for their needs. This thought
should be broadened out TO cover every
phase OF business life
While millions of people win be drawn
from their usual pursuits of business ac-
tivities, there must be no let-up in the
volume of trade and of manufacturing
activities The nations wealth must
be maintained by the activities of the
people OF the nation. AS every man wlro
helps to increase the food supply is do
ing a patriotic service so every man
who is helping to carry on the produc-
tive energies of the nation, and who is
creating employment for people will be
doing a patriotic work and helping to
sustain the government in the coming
war Though England has created an
army of about five million men, or more,
and has turned a million or more from
other pursuits to the making of NUM-
tions and kindred operations for making
war possible, the business men of Eng
land have so vigorously pressed their
business activities that England's ex-
port and import trade has been we'll
maintained and her manufactures are
still shipping their products all over
the world as they did prior to the war.
This country must follow England's
example. No man should be a "slicker''
| in the nations business life. Every man
Of honor should recognize his individual
responsibility to the country and to civ
| ilization TO produce the largest results
which his brain or physical powers make
possible Idleness Of the street corner
loafer or of the millionaire should be
made practically impossible. Social os-
tracism should be enforced upon any
idle rich who do not do their share in
| carrying the nations burden, and the
street corner loafer should be compelled
by law TO work. This should apply alike
to the white man and the negro. It is
entirely possible for the south to so
increase the efficiency of its labor in the
bank. in the counting room. in the farm
and in the factory as to double its pro-
ducing capacity for business
A war with Germany will BE a Sc
rious affair. No man can dare predict
what complications may arise before we
get through with Il, but when once we
have taken this step IL will become our
duty to ourselves and humanity to press
il with all possible power, regardless OF
the cost This war will interfere with
some business activities and greatly
stimulate others. 1t will require an
enormous expansion in ship building ac-
tivities, for ships Of commerce as well
as for ships of war. The eNorbitant
freight rates which now prevail and
which must prevail for years to come
will Justify ship building TO the utmost
limit Of the nations capacity. This will
open up the south an unlimited field
OF ship building activities, both for
wooden and steel vessels Every port on
the south Atlantic and gulf coast could
become actively interested in ship build
ing enterprises. Some progress In this
direction has been made but COMPARE