The Harrison times., 1917-05-05
PRODUCTION OR DESTRUCTION,

fiiAuoN tHt tANiNtiithN VI NhNoN N"' y
il will be well if we give attention to
the voice OF wisdom.
Patriotism is one OF the greatest
virtues. But patriotism is not always
armed with a rifle, neither is its pos
SCISSOR always a target for a bullet.
That this is peculiarly the case just
at this time is brought forcibly to our
minds when We begin TO soberly study
our condition.
When state of war was declared
by congress this country was already
facing exorbitant food prices, and on
top Of that comes the discouraging
prediction of a fifty million bushel
shortage in the 1917 wheat crop. We
are also threatened with a shortage in
the potato crop, due to the almost pro-
hibitive price of the seed.
Again, bear in mind that ii is the
purpose to lend every possible sup.
port to the allies, and if this policy is
followed there will be very little fall
ing Of in exports.
President Wilson has said that he
does not want to disturb the indus
tries of the country where it can pos,
sibly be avoided. Nevertheless, en-
listments are sure to disturb them to
considerable extent, especially the
agricultural interests, from which field
recruits are always largely drawn in
warfare
Hence the importance of the food
problem looms even greater than that
of fighting, and the man behind the
plOw is destined to be as great a pat
riot as the man behind the gun.
Thousands of farmers in this coun,
try have for years followed a policy
of limiting production. This has come
about gradually and from various
causes. The scarcity of help was one
cause, but the greatest has been the
low prices heretofore prevailing for
farm products. The latter, however,
is at an end, and the policy of curtail-
ment should be abandoned. in fact,
our plain duty now is to provide food
for the nation, as this is the founda-
ton of all preparedness. Men and
guns are powerless without it.
Spring planting is just opening up
over much of the country, and the
truth should be forcibly driven home
to every person who owns a portion
of the soil that it is his bounden duty
in this emergency to make that soil
produce to the limit of its capacity.
The Almighty has blessed us with
fair land and wonderfully product
i've one. We are facing a struggle
that may tax our resources and our
strength to the utmost. We will be
criminally negligent if we relax in the
least our efforts in food production.
And this applies to others besides
the farmer and the gardner. The
bankers and merchants, business men
of all lines by standing shoulder to
shoulder with the actual tillers of the
soil, lending their help in whatever
way it is needed can advarce the
cause wonderfully. Many farmers,
especially the smaller ones and the
renters, will need assistance. This
should be forthcoming-not primarily
fer the sake of the individual, but that
he may be a unit in swelling our ma.
tional production
Let us all bear in mind that in the
eyenttul year of 1917 PRODUCTION
vii be as truly patriotic as DE.
STRUCTION.
rhe man behind the pillow will he as
truly the savior Of his country as the
man behind the gun.
Our duty calls to us in clarion tones.
Let us face it without an instant of
hesitation.
Let EVERYBODY produce SOME,