The Detroit times., 1917-04-16
Commerce Board Sees
Danger of Worst
Food Famine
WHEAT SHORTAGE
is SERIOUS NOW
Record Breaking Yield
Required to Meet
Situation

alarming dangers OF an unprecedent.
ed shortage during the FIRST year OF
Americans entrance In the world
war. are strongly urged In a bulle-
tin issued by the Board OF Com
merce Monday morning and signed
BY President Allan A. Templeton.
Mr.. Templeton not only recog'
niEes the fact that shortage ex.
lists now, but he warns the people
that conditions next winter will be
much worse than they were during
the last one unless every effort is
put forth 70 cultivate ali available
ground and devote the soil to the
kind OF crops which will be needed
host.
He urges cooperation between
people OF all classes. and suggests
especially the necessity OF the farm
ers keeping in close touch with the
state and federal government agen-
cies which will advise the soil tillers
On public needs.
The prospects OF poorer 1917
supply OF grain and other farm prod
ucts than was harvested in 1915 Is
due. according TO the bulletin. not
only TO the inroads on supplies
made by destruction OF vessels by
submarines. but BY unfaForabIe con
ditions in great farm countries.
Not only is there a shortage Of
food supplies in the country at pres
ent that at this time Is very seri-
GUS" says the bulletin. but there
is also the prospect of q shortage
In 1917 that will be the worst that
has occurred In the history OF the
United States. II IL vital to the
best interests OF the country that
something be done. and immediate
ly. TO remedy these conditions. The
situation II so serious that II steps
are not taken at once the people
OF the United States WIN suffer in
1917 an they never have before"
The world wheat supply for 1915
was / 200 900 900 bushels short, II il
pointed out. The reduction OF Rus
sia's output IL one big factor in the
Etn7xgs The Argentine crops now
being harvested are so nearly fall
ure Il In said there will be very lit
tie for export trade. The Austral.
Ian crop II 20 per cent smaller than
last years. The Holland crop IL
unpromising; in England II is back
ward. and in France the yield will
be far below normal.
The bulletin continues;
There IL only one answer 20 th'
problem and "a Is that the farmer
OF the United states must be arouses
By every means possible 20 th'
urgency Of the situation. The amour
Of wheat planted tn the country mus
BE at least 30 per cent greater thar
has ever been planted before.
The same conditions mentioned
above regarding the wheat crop o
/ the world apply largely 10 the yege
table crops The time 20 deal will
next winters foot riots. proposals 70
embargo, and demands for highe
| aRes, o. now. There are certain
common vegetables which make up
large part OF the food supply. sue
| az potatoes beans. onions. etc. whtc1
are easily grown In all parts Of tn
| country without machinery. an
whose production this year in enor
nous quantities, should be assure
beyond chance OF doubt
The agricultural men of the coun
| try are as patriotic as anyone els'
once they realize the necessity 70
action. IL ~ therefore most essentis
that every effort be made 10 make n
farmer realize the seriousness OF IN
situation at present and the tsrribl
| conditions that will result n the
do not take steps 20 prevent them.
The bureau OF state relations r
the department OF agriculture
Warrington has been doing a gre'
deal OF work IN cooperation wit
the various state agricultural co
leges. Thru this cooperation trains
agents have been placed In man
counties in the Various Etates.
work with the farmers Of those as
tricts The department or agricu
ture has suggested that in all cOur
ties where there are these count
agents. a survey be taken under the
direction or fust what the possibii
ties are for the harvest OF warrior
crops grown in their territory.
| Every farmer should remem b,
that the demand for food supplies
all kinds is going 20 be snormousl
larger than ever before. lara
| production will not mean lower pric'
| TO the producer because OF the snoi
nous export demand, and because
the great demand Tor The miITt&i
forces Of our own country. Ever
assistance will be given the produce
BY the national. state and local go'
ernments and business men In ger
eraL
II IL true that there IL now a gre,
shortage Of labor. that the man
featuring Industries % the city has
drawn a large percentage 81 ~
young men from the country. II W
be necessary 10 mobilize the wom'
% the country 20 assist the farmel
as has been done In Europe HteI
will undoubtedly 90 taken 20 do th
Immediately II also has been sul
gested that men over military a.
be modified for this purpose. ~
this plan Will probably be work.
out before long.
Fer several years past the depar
ment % agriculture. thru the bures
% states relations. has been orEai
ling farm boys and girls clubs. q
the purpose Of Interesting these DO,
and girls Ia agricultural work az
teaching them modern scientific farm
tng nethodA
Dividends on the money and TIN
expended IN this work viii now
large. There are ass 900 boys ar
giris IN these clubs all over the coui
try, and " is In their ranks that n
Production champions o. the Unit
states are found.
In many ~ the large cities orEai
ixations have been formed the men
= bera OF which are pledged 20 raj
vegetables IN their back yards ~
on vacant lots
Reports from The heads 81 rover,
! nsnt employment buraus "a citi