South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-11
COMMISSION TO
FIX PRICES URGED
Best Way to Solve Food Prob
lem Opinion of National
Agricultural Body.

anu 70 supervise lldI htAAllB anu us
tribution OF food in the United states
during the war was proposed form
ally Tuesday by the National Agri-
cultural society.
At an agricultural mobiliza-
ton" convention held here. the So
ciety adopted resolutions recon-
mending this and other measures
20 meet a threatened food shortage.
including increased food crop
acreage, an amendment Of wheat
milling laws and "A liberal encour-
aSement Of sheep raising
The convention was called TO aid
the administration in solving one Of
the most serious problems with
which il is faced in the conduct Of
the war. The prospect OF short
crops Is giving great concern 70 Of
ficials not only charged with the re-
spondbility OF seeing that America
is fed, but keenly aware Of the fact
that this country in a large meas
ure must supply the other countries
fighting Germany.
Hear Wilson's Appeal.
Tn a letter read 20 the convention
Pres't Wilson appealed 20 the farm
er 10 swell his production as a pa
triOtic wartime duty and declared
the farmer, by planting and increas-
ing his production in every way pos
sible viii perform a labor for which
he will be recognized as a soldier
OF the cOmmissary.
The recommendation OF the agri-
cultural society comes close upon a
move by the council OF national de
Tense forecasting appointment Of a
national food commission, headed
by Herbert G. Hoover, who has had
charge Of American relief work in
Belgium. The defense council an
nounced Saturday j.. would ask Mr..
Hoover TO become chairman Of
commission which could advise as TO
the best methods Of stimulating food
production and OF preventing spec
ulative prices.
The conventions resolutions pro-
posed that food commission, il
named, handle also the production
and distribution of clOtning. They
also recommended that agricultural
colleges graduate their senior classes
y
may 20 Immediately TO the farms
and that state councils of defense be
named TO aid the national council,
step already planned in some states.
CrCcs soil Conservation
4 dozen speakers urged mObiliZa-
ton % the country's food resources
James Wilson, formerly secretary of
agriculture. and president of the
Agriculture society. spoke for soil
conservation. That he said is one
OF the most important things for
The American farmer 10 know.
Herbert Quick of the farm loan
board. said operation OF the farm
loan act would improve the agri-
cultural situation A wheat short
age. he said, would force the cOun-
try 10 turn TO corn as a substitute
The position OF the farmer, lie de-
clared. was critical despite high
prices. because Of labor shortage
and because of high prices charged
Tor machinery and seed.
Mrs G. w Mathis of Alabama
said the south was i'm a critical con-
dition and that Alabama has not
enough food on hand TO feel lis pop
Vlduon Tor 80 DAYS.
announcement OF the back to
the farm movement was advocated
by Theodore y. Vail 20 meet the sit
uation. The farm now offers. he de-
Clared. probably the greatest oppor-
tunity for individual success of all
the Country's perhaps
the greatest i'm its history and the
small but productive farm would
bring prosperity faster than any
thing else.
Suggests Food Gardens.
Millions OF food gardens as "A
means OF combating a food short
age was suggested by Charles l..
Pack. president OF the national
emergency food garden commission.
They will give millions of fami-
lies cheap food" he said, "aud will
relieve the railroads of transpOrta-
ton problems. which II is every
where admitted will be too much
for them ] have just come from
ohio, which enters the war with less
food than at the outbreak Of the
civil war when the population was
half what il is today. In other
states east OF the Mississippi the sit
uation is much the same.
The department OF agriculture
has lust announced that "a drop OF
more than 10000. OO0 pounds in the
stocks OF frozen and stored meats
I'm the United states, compared witt
last years store. is indicated. The
reserve supply OF all food necessities
is low. The yield OF grain and farm
products feU short OF the norma
This year. And now with the wal
upon Ms the yield 10 come from the
present crops viii ne needed for the
army and navy. Where then do the
civilian millions come in?
Individual Farming Solution
There Is but one solution and
that is individual farming Conver
every backyard garden and vacan
lot i'm every city. village and towr
into a thriving food producing gar
cen and the civilian population vii
be seIf-supporing The nation vii
rot face the problem OF feeding az
inactive army If this is done.
Sen. Phelan Of California said tn
highest war strategy appeared 20 h'
the control OF food supplies TIM
-.sF must rrrnrtlCa foo