The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1917-05-10
NEXT SATURDAY
IS DEFENSE DAY.
Statistics viii BE Given Showing the
Food Shortage Of the World
Wide Campaign to be Carried
on In Attempt to Increase
Food Production.

The most serious food shortage OF
all history now confronts not only
the United States but the entire world
according to announcements recent
ly issued from government depart
ments In Washington. It Is hard to
convince people in general that such
a condition is fact, in view Of the
seemingly prevailing conditions. 1t
Is possible that the farmers OF Nor
row county, in spite of their big-crop,
big-price conditions, will be unable to
buy canned foods at any price.
The canneries Of the United States
at the present time are facing tin
famine that is without precedent. It
Is estimated that this industry at the
present time is 5.000,00O,O00 cans
short for the coming year. There is
absolutely no indication that this
shortage can be eliminated, therefore
people who have heretofore depend
ed on canned products for their win
ter supply Of vegetables and fruits
are In danger Of being deprived of
that source of supply.
All other lines Of foodstuffs show
a similar shortage. Countrywide
campaigns are being inaugurated to
increase food production. In this
state DR.. W. ]. Kerr OF the Oregon
Agricultural College has charge of
the work and under him is a small
army Of men, agricultural experts
who are carrying the campaign into
every section of the state, not coun-
ty has been ommitted.
In view Of these conditions, Gov
ernor Withycombe has designated
May IL as Agricultural Defense Day
in this state and ON that day every
farmer will be expected to add his
unit to a big concentrated effort
which will result in more thorough
organization toward increased food
production.
'The war in which the United
States is engaged with Germany will
be won or lost by the farmers of this
country" is the way the existing cri-
sis is summed up by one of the best
authorities in the country.
J. W. Brewer and X. q. Miller Of
The Dalles were in Heppner last
Thursday to get preliminary organi-
cation work under way. The men,
Mr.. Brewer representing the State
and Mr.. Miller representing the Wit
tnburg-King Co., Of The Dalles, are
visiting the principal cities in the
counties of Sherman, Wasco, Hood
River, Gillian and Morrow.
A campaign is now being carried
on to secure two classes of enlist
ments. First, all boys and young
men from the age Of sixteen to the
minimum age Of army conscription.
Second, all men above the age of con-
scription who would be available for
farm work. The municipal free en-
ployment bureau of Portland will act
as clearing house for labor. Every
farmer who desires help at the pres
ent time or will need help during the
harvest season will be furnished
blanks upon which to make such re-
quests. These blanks will be on file
at the Office Of the District Agent
and copy sent to the. Central Clearing
House in Portland. A minimum wage
scale for boys will be fixed but such
boys as are capable of doing mans
work will be allowed the going wage.
In addition to the above, women and
children will be enlisted who are will
ing to assist in berry picking, hand
ling of fruit and vegetables.