Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-05-26
EVENTS OF THE WEEK

EVENTS OF THE WEEK
Congress is shaping the food bill for the purpose of
accomplishing two objects, increased production and
proper control and distribution. In the matter of produc-
t.tion further increase Of acreage for this year is prac-
itically out of the question. as the bulk of the crop is al
ready planted, and in southern sections harvest has nc
ftually begun. Increased production for this year. there
fore, can be attained only by increased yields on the
acreage already planted. and this means better cultiva-
(tion of those crops which can be cultivated while grow
ing, such as corn and potatoes, and the prevention, so far
as is possible, of waste during harvest.
Is Is =
Aside from the individual effort of the producer, two
things are necessary to secure this end, adequate labor
and adequate capital. The federal authorities are put
ting forth every effort so to organize the distribution of
labor and of funds, that there will be no shortage in
either of these directions. Heretofore the labor situation
has been unsatisfactory, as large numbers of men were
often lnassed where they We're not needed. while in other
sections none were to be had. This was true in a meas
ure of the supply of funds. Federal agencies are at work
on the problems involved, and they are being supported
by individual effort from many directions. 1t will not he
strange if we see. as a result, even under the war condi-
tions which surround us. more satisfactory supplies of
both labor and money for the culture and handling of
the crop than has been the case for several years past.
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In the matter of control work is being done along
the line of distribution and in regard to prices. The
practical consolidation of all the railroad systems of the
country into one will facilitate the work of distribution,
and the prospect appears to be that some steps will be
taken for the fixing of minimum prices for the great
staples, and for the supervision Of sales in such a manner
as to keep the gap between the price to the consumer
dlu lHdt pdlu ~ lIe IIouuSei d 5 6Hldn d ; VIII ylelu ldlI
returns for handling.
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AS. was expected, H. c. Hoover has been placed in
general charge of the work of food administration, and
he is organizing his forces for the handling of the vast
I amount of work which must pass through his hands
Ills record in charge of the distribution of food in Bel
GUM is & guarantee that the work here will be well per
formed.
Pursuant to the plans which have been in course
of preparation for some time to consolidate the business
affairs of all the democratic powers, it has heen definitely
decided that the purchasing that Is done on this side of
the ocean for all our allies shall be done by the United
States government. Most of this work in the past has been
done by j. p. Morgan & Co. While the United States
was a neutral power its government could not partici-
pate in any work of this kind. but private concerns were
at liberty to execute any contracts with which others saw
fit to entrust them. Now our government is as fully a
party to the wal as is any other, and it's at liberty to
take whatever steps seem likely to be most effective. The
purchasing work will therefore be taken over by the gov
eminent, and the banking agency which has thus far
performed this work on commission is cooperating with
the government to facilitate the transfer. The allied
powers will in the future be able to secure their supplies
at actual cost, without commission of any kind.
The governments tentative apportionnent Of Liberty
bonds has been made. and the work of securing subscrip-
tions is under way. 1t is the desire OF the government
that tba fund shall be largely over-subscrlbed, largely
for the moral effect that such a condition will have, and
it is expected that thts hope will be realized. The share
apportioned to North Dakota is $40, 100000, and in every
community the state work is being done to insure a
prompt response to the governments appeal for funds.
This coming week will be used in Grand Forks for the
rounding up of as many subscriptions as possible.
3 =
The navy department has announced that with the
exception of battleships and a few small craft, all the
scontracts for work authorized by congress have been let.
An immense number of vessels of almost all classes ex-
5cept the very largest. and a YER. few Of special types will
he under way very soon, and work on many of them has
already been started. BY this time next year many of
the new craft will have been launched, and all of this
work will he completed before the winter of 1918. When
the entire program is completed the navy Of the United
States will be the largest in the world with the exception
of that Of Great britain.
+
America is now playing her part in a small way in
the actual operations of the war. Our destroyerss have
fioined with the fleets of Great Britain and France'in pa
ftroling the waters of the North sea or the eastern Allan
It's, and according to the British reports they are doing
defective work. While we have no expedttionary force
Of soldiers at the front in France, there are a few Amer
lean soldiers in that field now operating under their own
command and under their own colors. These are men
swho went to perform special service with the French
armies, chiefly as ambulance men. When the United
states entered these men wished to serve under the colors
ON land and on water. therefore. our nation is represented
by fighting forces, small. it is true. but thoroughly eff.
cisnt.
The administration has announced that no passports
Il VIII be given to persons desiring to attend the Socialist
conference in Stockholm. The belief Of the state depart
n1snt is that this conference is inspired by Germany, and
that its purpose Is to embarrass the allied powers by In.
;jecting a note of discord into their affairs, and to slim.
t uiate in all of those countries, a sentiment for q peace
which will save Germanys face and as much more Of hel
81 ahatomy as possible. Not only has permission to attend
the conference been refused, but attention has been called
To- the fact that attendance without permission will be
8ctiminai onense, and VIII. be treated a. such.
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F0llowing the British commissions on their visit "a
- Dated States. the Itaiian cona lmiissio Of ike charac
Ntsf nd for : similar purpose. has arrived IN Washing