The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-17
FOOD PLEDGE Week.
POSTPONED AT REQUEST OF
PRESIDENT TO GIVE LIBERTY
LOAN THE RIGHT OF
WAY.
Writes Hoover Concerning Import.
ance OF Food Campaign and Prais-
es Workers.

Washington, Oct. 12.-Food pledge
week, set for October II to q, has
been postponed to the week Of Octo-
ber 2S to November A, by Food Ad-
ministrator Hoover at the request of
President Wilson so that it will not
conflict with the final work of the Sec
ond liberty loan drive.
The president, in his letter to the
food administrator, said that it seemed
to him undesirable in 1.-The interest
Of both these capital matters" that
they should be in motion at the same
time and he laid emphasis on the i'm
portance Of the work of enrolling the
people of the nation in food conserva-
ton.
Plans had been laid by the food ad-
ministration to have it's corps Of 5O0.-
600 workers in the food pledge cam
paign assist in the fiotation of the lib
erty loan while enrolling families un-
der the food administration, and these
will be carried out. The president in
his letter said he wished particularly
to express his great appreciation OF
the service which this additional tax
on their time will impose upon the
volunteer workers.
The presidents letter to Mr.. Hoover
follows:
"The exigencies Of the treasury have
required setting the final week Of the
liberty Oan campaign during the pc
riod Of October 21 to October %. This
I understand, brings it into the Same
week as the food conservation pledge
campaign. 1t seems to me undesirable
in the interest of both these capital
matters that this should occur. In all
the circumstances, therefore, 1 would
be glad if the pledge campaign could
be deferred one week. that is, until
Oct. % to Nov. 4.
I'm asking this alteration Of tho
plans Of yourself and your associates.
should like to take this occasion
to impress upon them in no way un-
derrate the importance Of their effort.
II we are to supply our allies with
the necessary food. and are to reduce
our own prices Of foodstuffs during
the coming winter. it can only be ac-
complished by the utmost elf-denial
and service on the part of all our pco
pie through the elimination of waste
and by rigid economy in the use Of
food. Therefore. / would be glad #
you would convey to all of your staff
throughout the country. my feelings
of the prime importance Of their plans
and their work.
II wish particularly to expresses ny
great appreciation Of the services
which this additional tax on their
time will impose upon the many thou
sand volunteers in this important
work l ask them not to allow this
alteration In program to dampen their
fine enthusiasm. but. rather to re-
double their energies in their very
great branch Of national service"
In replying Mr.. Hoover wrote:
II am obliged for your favor OF Oct.
10. We. of course. have taken the
necessary steps to comply with your
wish as to deferring the final week of
our food conservation pledge campaign
until the week Of October % to Nov. 4.
You will, Of course realize that we
may be unable to reach some of the
more remote districts. 1 have no
doubt that the 100000 workers who
have enlisted in this service will 10y.
ally respond to yOur request for a
greater and longer continued exertion
Your emphasis on the national impor-
tance of the conservation campaign
should simulate our large body of de-
voted workers to the utmost effort
during the new week."