The Washington times., 1917-04-13
STEPS TO CONSERVE
FOOD ARE PLANNED
Government Control and Mobii-
ization of Workers Urged by
Agricultural Department.

Government control OF the nations s
food supply, fixing of prices by the
Government, IL necessary, and the en-
listment of 100000 boys and men un-
fit for military duty in an agricul-
turaI unit to aid on the farm, are
urged by the Department of Agricul-
ture to meet the war situation.
These things were all recommended
by the agricultural conference at st.
Louis, and the recommendations are
being sent broadcast throughout the
nation.
An emergency appropriation OF
S25, ,00O,OOO to be made available I'm
mediateIy for the use or the Secretary
of Agriculture, to meet extraordinary
Aeeds is also recommended. The
farmers are called upon to increase
productions, and housewives to avoid
all food waste.
Appeal To Patriotism.
The st. Louis conference, after
dealing with the general problems OF
financing agriculture and organizing
the Federal and State agencies for
effective cooperation, made special
appeal to the patriotism OF farmers
and recommended a definite program
leading to increased production.
The report says:
'JJpon the farmer rests in large
measure the final responsibility OF
winning the war. The Importance 10
the nation of an adequate food sup
ply. especially for the present year,
cannot be overemphasized- the
worlds food reserve is very low.
"Within the next sixty days the
final measure OF crop acreage and
food production for this year will
have been established.
"The recommendations in the main
call for Federal action, but State gov
ernments can and should cooperate to
the fullest degree.
Further SuggestiOnS.
"The Council of National Defense is
charged with the duty of mobilizing |
the resources of the nation, having as !
one of its members the Secretary OF |
Agriculture. We recommend addi- |
tional machinery as follows:
"a relatively small central agricul-
tural body, whose services and pres
eNee might be required in Washington .
coh5tantly, to be composed OF men |
who. have wide knowledge of agricul-
tural matters and executive exper-
fence.
"A large advisory board composed
of representatives of the leading agri-
cultural agencies and associations
concerned not only in production but
in distributing and handling commod-
tiles"
A small central agricultural body
in each State, representing various \
agricultural interests, including agri-
cultural officials, representatives of
agricultural colleges, bankers, busi-
farDnarG and
tions, etc. concerned in the produc-
tion; distribution, and utilization OF
food supplies and agricultural raw
materials. This body should be desig-
mated by the governor, and, IL the
State has a central council Of safety
or defense, should be co-ordinated
with it.
Keeping Up Meat supply.
An early increase in the animal
products Of the country should be made
as live stock holdings already are toe
low and should not, be diminished fur
ther.
Milk production could be increased
fully one-fOurth by more liberal and in
telligent feeding.
The poultry products Of the United
States can and should be doubled within
a year,
AAHpoi IdHt saving may De eHected
by making the diet as largely yege-
tartan as possible, without lowering
food efficiency, by a partial substitu-
tion of such foods as beans. peas and
milk and its products. including skim
milk, for more expensive meats.
A larger use should be made of
corn and rice products as partial sub
stitutes for wheat products.
Homegrown and home-prepared
grain products should be substituted
for the more expensive refined COM
mercial foods, known as breakfast
foods.
Adequate gardens should provide
the home supply of vegetables.
THE serious food wastes that oc-
cur in many households through lack
Of culinary knowledge should be
ninimized through instruction in bet
ter methods"