The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-24
FIGURES IN FOODS
Allies Need so of 100 Units of
Wheat in America.
r.. s. and Canada Need 20 Units
But Must Reduce.
NO PANGS OF. HUNGER HERE
But Wen Have to- Stint Our
selves, J. F. FARRELL Writes.
Drift Is Not Toward Ration
System in the Nation.
NO PANGS OF. HUNGER HERE
BY J. f. FARRELL

worId-wheat-M Hoovers infor-
nation bureau is getting away from
billions and other big figures which
only bankers and statisticians under
stand. and puts it this way:
The United States and Canada to-
gether, have 100 units of wheat. The
two countries need 10 units for them
selves, and so, under ordinary condi-
tons. could spare 80 units. But our
allies need so units. The problem is
to meet the need, and here is the So
luton, in d sentence which all can
understand:
Every citizen of the United States
and Canada to eat three and one half
he has been accustomed to, thus
making up the additional 80 units
for the allies.
That can be done without injury to
anybody, and the deficiency made up
with corn pone. or something of that
sort, perhaps not so palatable to many
as bread, but it will answer the pur-
pose in war time.
The question often is asked, why we
don't send cornmeal to Europe, in
stead of flour. The answer is that
we know how to use corn bread, and
the Europeans don't. There is an
emergency, and we haven't time to
teach Europe to eat new dishes. We
must supply our allies with the food
with which they are acquainted.
1t is not likely that any consider
abe number of American citizens Will
feel hunger pangs on account of the
necessity of feeding the English,
French, Italians and what are left of
the Belgians; but if the conflict lasts
another year we will have to stint
ourselves. That is the Washington
notion, which 1 absorbed in the course
of a week at food administration head
! quarters.
The drift is not toward the ration
system, as has been reported, The
prompt action of the people in fol-
J lowing Mr.. Hoover's suggestions
doubtless will prevent drastic meas
ures. However, if the people should
| decide to live as they have lived
since the Civil war, by eating every
| thing they want within limit of purse
or credit, the government might be
forced to put the country on ration.
Food Drive Successful.
Lately 1 have done some work for
| the food administration in a dozen
western states, and everywhere found
that the food drive has been wonder
fully successful. However, the drive
save food BY not throwing it into the
| garbage can; we have learned to do
without meat one day a week, and to
| have one wheatless day in seven; the
/
| have reduced portions to the needs of
| patrons. That is all very fine, but
we will be called upon to do more
| as the war goes on.
| We have just begun to realize that
countless thousands of our allies are
in a state of starvation. They have
| given everything they possess to keep
the soldiers in good fighting trim, and
now are willing to die for the cause,
without a word of complaint; and they
will die by the thousand if we fail in
| our duty to them. But we will not
fail We will stint ourselves when
the time comes. The allies will re-
quire great quantities of flour, meat
and sugar-the three big needs. We
can furnish these articles only by re-
ducing our consumption, and using in
their stead food which cannot be sent
abroad. The food administration will
present the subject thru Doctor Wa
ters's organization, the newspapers,
the chambers of commerce, and in
other ways, in such a manner that
every home will be able to conserve
food sensibly and scientifically, and at
the same time be sufficiently nour-
ished.
As to sugar, enough of that COM
modify is used every month in the
manufacture of candy to meet the re-
quirements CT Italy, and to more than
meet the requirements of France
The body must have sugar. Many
folks didn't know that till war broke
out. We will have to reduce our
candy bill. Mothers should talk to
their daughters about this 1t would
be much better to do with less CANDY
than to have our homes raided by Hur
soldiers. If we do not win the war in
Europe. we will have to fight the
Huns on American soil. The time ha.
come to uncover the facts and cal
things by their right names. The Huns
would be delighted with the oppor.
ton of the United States. The sit,1a.
ton is such that a slight reduction o,
the candy bill in every home might
win the war. Wars have been won or