Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1917-10-26
TO create LIVE
STOCK INDUSTRY
Plan TO ReStock Farms With
Food Animals.
NO SHORTAGE OF RIFLES
Especial Correspondence

| Washington.-Crea Of live stock
industry commission Of 100 volun-
teer members to undertake a campaign
to increase the nations meat produc-
ton during the war was announced by
the department Of agriculture and the
food administration.
The committee has a plan for the
| transfer of thousands Of head Of cattle,
| sheep and hogs from the big western
producing districts to small farms in
central and southern states, where a
| great amount of feed goes to waste
An executive committee, including Gift
ford Pinchot of the food administra-
ton, G.. II. Rommcl Of the agricultural
department and Z. G. Lassater, Tex
| as stockman, will direct the work Of
the larger committee.
I Under the arrangement planned
small farmers may place orders for
live stock with county agents of the
agricultural department. Live stock
without charge to the purchasers
In a statement setting forth the plan
the food administration and the agrl-
cultural department call attention to
the heavy demand for meat abroad and
the continued diminution Of European
herds America will be called upon to
furnish the allies with increasingly
large amounts of meat as the war
progresses. This can be done, it is
pointed out. only by a reduction In
American consumption and an increas-
ed supply in this country.
A permanent improvement in cond1-
tons in this country with respect to
the cost OF living is what many off,
ciais and others who have been urging
intelligent attention to the foodstuffs
problem now believe is likely to result
from the activities which the war has
forced on the people.
In recent weeks it has become evil
dent that in spite of the slowness with
which the country responded to ap
peals for greater production and for
the conservation of foodstuffs and
their more intelligent distribution. the
movement ut last is gaining such mo-
mentum and proportions that much
will be accomplished by it.
Those who are skeptical as T" rcduc-
ton in cost of foodstuffs undoubtedly
have some good reasons for their skep-
ticism. On the other hand, there are
many reasons to be hopeful. ..,.
Should Be Better Next Year.. ~
The latter part Of this fall and the
,, coming winter should begin to see
definite lowering of costs Of fOOdstuhs
to the consumer along some lines, and
1918 should he an improvement over
1917. This is true in spite of the fact
that if the war goes on the demands
from abroad for American foodstuffs
will be increased.
It Is to be borne in mind that the
cry for increased production Of food In
the current season was started too late
, to be of full benefit this year. Partly
because the department of agriculture
and the rest Of officialdOm moved slow.
ly, partly because congress also took
its time about passing legislation Tor
stimulation of production. the spring
passed with little accomplished, save
through voluntary efforts by the public.
Some state and local authorities got
into action in time, but on the whole 1t
was a case of waiting too long.
The Hoover food administration Is
just starting work under the food con-
troll law. Such work as Hoover has
done until recently has been through
; voluntary agencies. Moreover, the de-
partment of agriculture is just going
to work under the new food survey law
to campaign. for the stimulation Of pro-
duction.
To Commander Ships.
| Estimates included in the request
the shipping board will make for a
billion dollar appropriation to complete
it's eighteen months building program
were gone over at a conference be-
tween Chairman Hurley of the board
and Secretary McAdoo.
The board needs $5OO,OOO,0OO for
construction of fabricated steel ships,
S25O,OOO,OOO to carry out commanders
ing Of vessels now building in private
yards and another $3.50 100000 for con-
| tracts for steel and wooden ships to be
| let soon. The communicating program
will cost in all about $500 100000, but
$2JO,OOO,O 900 of the original $75O,OOO,OOO
appropriation will be used for that pur-
pose.
Plans for taking a large amount OF
| tonnage out Of the great lakes for At
hntic service also will be completed
by the shipping beard soon. 1t Is e.