Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-17
GEORGIA SENATORS
COMMEND WILSON'S
APPEAL TO PEOPLE
They Term 1t "Supreme Test
of Nation" and Urge Farm
erS to Raise Ample Surplus
of Food
BY RALPH SMITH.


WASHINGTON. April 16.-Senators
Smith and Hardwick issued statements
to the people of Georgia commencing
to their attention President Wilson :
splendid appeal to their patriotism in
1.-THE supreme test of the nation The
senator's are especially anxious that the
farmers of Georgia shall heed the APP
peal of the president and raise a sur
plus of foodstuffs and cattle to the end
that our own people and the people OF
our allies shall be abundantly supplied
during the war.
Both of the senators point out in their
statements that by diversifying their
crops the farmers of Georgia not only
will render patriotic service to their ma
ton, but will make themselves indie
pendent.
The statement of each senator is ad-
dressed to the people of Georgia. Sena-
tor Smiths follows:
SENATOR SMITHS STATEMENT.
| cannot too earnestly express my
admiration of the splendid appeal of
the president to the patriotism and
good sense of our people.
I especially appreciate that part
of his address which is made TO the
farming interests and the farmers
of the south.
Over 10000, 900 of meR are under
arms The threatened shortage of
food supplies is imminent.
Georgia can raise foodstuffs This
year they will certainly bring good
prices. 1t is an opportunity for our
farmers to diversity their crops,
raise hogs and general food supplies.
1t is the part of patriotism as well
as wisdom for them to do so.
in
and trust my immediate cOnstitu-
ents will heed it,
Following is Senator Hardwick's APP
peal:
SENATOR HARDWICK'S STATE
MENT.
To the People of Georgia:
L desire to invite your earnest at
tention to the address of the presi-
dent of the United States published
this morning. President Wilson
states with extraordinary clear
ness and strength the duties, OPP
portunities and obligations resting
upon our people in the great emer-
gency with which the nation is now
confronted, and L commend to your
careful and earnest consideration
his wise advice. 1t seems to me
that the attention of the farmers
of Georgia ought. above all others,
to be specially directed to the sug
gestions.
Even in the absence of war Geor-
gia can never attain the real great
ness and prosperity for which ma
ture has so munihcently fitted her
until the farmers shall diversity the
crops and raise enough foodstuffs of
Il .ar,Af -, ,,ly he
state self-sustaining. In doing this
the size of her cotton crop will be
necessarily curtailed and it's price
thereby increased. The farmer will
also be enabled to sell il when he
pleases and whenever the market
suits him, for since it will be q sur
plus crop he can make il practically
free from debt.
If such is the truth even i'm times
of peace how much more important
it is now that the country has en-
barked in the world war and food
supplies everywhere are the small
est in many years, for our farmers
to raise enough cattle of all kinds
and to make enough foodstuffs of all
sorts to make our own state self
supporting and self-sustaining and
then have as much surplus as possi-
BILE for the consumer elsewhere. 1t
seems to me that this is their i'm
perative and pressing duty and that
I'm the discharge of that duty every
farmer in Georgia should aid. I COM
mend of course, the presidents
word to all classes of our citizens.
but it seems to me that he has
pointed the way that our farmers
should take and that it is path
which their own interests and pros
perity, we'll as the national
curity and well being. unite in urg-
ing them to take. This years crops
are now being planted in Georgia
and the time to follow this advice is
now.