Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-04-19
a PROCLAMATlON

with the central powers of Europe, the possible magni
tude of which must not underestimate feel II my
duty TO call the attention of the people OF the state OF
Wisconsin to the sacrifices that must make and the
responsibilities that must assume in order that we
may fully cooperate with the national government IN
uphoding the of our nation Whatever disagree
ment there may have been about the necessity adyis
ability Of engaging in war is now a thing OF the past
War upon and call upon every citizen OF the State
of Wisconsin aid the preparations that must be made
every emergency and to enable our state 10 90
its full share in the support OF our government
Military preparations must of necessity be controlled
hv the United States government. We shall be called
upon to provide quota of troops and feel confident
that Wisconsins will respond to the call OF the
President of the United States willingly and promptly
and with the same spirit of patriotism thai has charac
terzed our soldiers in the wars Of former years
Soldiers alone cannot carry on war successfully.
Battles cannot be with empty commssares. Troops
must be equipped Armies must be fed. No soldier
can endure the hardshps OF campaign unless he IS prop
ery nourished. 1t is with view Of awakening civ
an population a full realization Of their duty in the
present situation therefore, that address this message
to the people of Wisconsin
The most important problem that confronts
and which must be met in uncertain way, is to pro-
vide supply of food. The high of living has been
Of complaint in industrial centerS for more
than two years The available stocks of food have been
gradually depleted until find ourselves practically
without any surplus in country and an absolute
shortage to exist all over Europe. The price OF
high to place them out OF reach OF the masses OF the
people.
70 add to the seriousness of the fact that the South
American grain crop is partial failure and that vast
acreage of wheat in own country has been winter
killed in the Canadian northwest there exists shortage
of labor which will materially reduce the acreage of
wheat in that section. The fact that shall enlist
large army of abebodied young and take them out
of production coupled with the further fact that large
numbers of aborng will be required in the factories
that Nvino he and
our army may produce similar shortage OF labor IN
agricultural districts.
regard this as a serious situation particularly in
view of the fact that must feed army in addition
industrial population, and also provide food sup
plies the people of Europe with whom we are on
friendly terms.
In view of the foregoing, it is perfectly apparent that
the who works with hoe will be patriot in the
service of his country, and urge all who able to
tribute their part in the production of food the end at
least that shall contribute less than required for
their own support What the country will need moStare
these plain articles of food meat, potatoes and ceras
for food.
urge every farmer in the State of Wisconsin who has
suitable land plant enough wheat to produce the flour
necessary tor his own use and surplus II possible
urge that he plant sufficient acreage of corn and if pos
sble increase his herd Of swine to produce pork for the
market particularly urge that the acreage OF potatoes
be increased Every farmer should plant enough OF this
vegetable for his and wherever the soil IS suit
able he should make his potato field as large as he is
able to cultivate.
| urge farmers, matter of patriotic duty, to
cultivate every foot of their SOIL of it is too poor TO
raise something White navy beans and buckwheat may
be in demand in fact, anything that is food for
beast will be contribution to the pressing needs of
country.
Our farmers should require greater nducement than
the present high prices of all farm produce to encourage
them in the cultivation of every foot Of llable soil The
fact that large stocks of food will be carried over in
itself that the price Of farm produce will be
high for another year, if peace were immediately
declared
Ii reported that in some sections there exists short
age of seed particularly potatoes The Department of
Agriculture Of the State Of Wisconsin stands ready
clearing house in the matter of seed supply, and all
who have a surplus OF seed of any kind should advise
Mr. G. p. Norgord Commissioner OF Agriculture AIad
SON Wisconsin and all who short Of seed of any
kind should address the same official who stands ready
with his department to cooperate with the farmers of
the state TO the fullest extent in the matter of securing
suitable seeds to plant
In order thar we may conserve labor for agriculture