The Detroit times., 1917-04-12
SAYS FOOD
PROBLEM IS
GRAVE ONE
DIR. MI. w. Lau Wants
All Vacant Land
Utilized
OFFERS FARM
IN OAKLAND
Many Property Owners
Will Follow Suit,
Is Belier


Believing that one OF the greatest
problems America will have to face
within the next two years is that
OF producing suficient food for its
own needs. and those OF the Euro
pean countries II has pledged itself
TO help, DIT Martin w. Lau. No. 10s
Delaware-ave.. urges that Michigan
Immediately begin it's duty by Till
ing its vast acres OF unproduetive
land.
MOT to 90 any farther into the
state than Wayne and Oakland
counties. there IL lots OF good land
simply waiting TO be worked" said
Dr. LAu To The Times. have
sman farm in Oakland county that
I would be glad 10 turn over 10 any.
one who will work II, and pay for the
ploughing and seeding into the bar
gain. II IA good land and should be
made 10 Yield q goodly crop OF
Vegetables. There are many other
owners of small pieces OF land who
would be willing TO place II at the
aisposal of city, or county. or OF In
divtduals. for intensive farming.
Something OF this sort must be
done n we are TO live In the next
few years. We all know what the
high cost Of foodstuffs In the last
A~ ~.
pocketbooks. and II promises to be
Q greater problem than ever In the
nuture 20 make pay envelopes and
living expenses meet The last two
summers were DISASTROUS TO crops
In 1918 the extreme rainfall and in
1915 the extreme drought Potatoes.
beans and garden truck OF all kinds
was either washed out or dried out
In these two years. and the present
high cost OF living In a natural at
ermsth. Then. too, the farmers have
allowed much of their land 10 re
main unproductive thru lack Of help.
Means should be provided by the
cities whereby the rural com
munlties could be brought In touch
with the man seeking a Job.
The hondes OF idle men in cities
could fnd n comfortable home, good
food. high wages, and the best OF
health, in spending the summer
months on the arms 4,
scarcely a farmer Within q days
ride OF Detroit that would not be-
glad 10 procure help. Such places
as my oNn small farm only need the
hired tian' TO make them produc-
tive of focl In plenty.
Even after orr troops are mobil-
lzCd and orr sei0Dcs are filled
with worker, the, will be plenty
Of men LETT requiring employment
and these ar, The men who should
turn their steps and their hands to-
ward the soil Ny suggestion IL
that fund be created TO employ
meE a. direct this work OF sendfng
willing workers back 10 the farm.
and TO maintain an once in Detroit
and another. say In Pontiac, where
farmers needing help could make
application and the men Wiling to
do intensive farming could find EN-
ployment I believe the day will
come when the city and the state
WIN engage In the busfnsss OF farm
ins with corps Of men and imple-
msnts TO do the work OF filling the
soil. In the meantime. and that
means right now. this week, steps
should be taken By the people OF
Detroit and Michigan 10 start the
Sight on the high coat of living by
making the waste land OF the state
produce the food that before an
other six months passes, our people
viii be crying aloud for In bitter
anguish"
Many owners Of vacant city lots
have expressed 10 The Times their
willingness 10 turn over the lots TO
the city OF 20 responsible individ-
usis for the cultivation OF potates
and garden truck.