Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-10-30
The American Hog in the War.
An IMPORTANT FACTOR IN DUB fIaHT
AGAINST AUTocRAcY. :.

Hoover. United States Food Administrasor) :
The pork problem is not only Of the
deepest concern, but 80 our hogs lend
themselves to rapid increase, It 10 a
matter for hope Of rapid solution. A
mere glance at the prices Of pork prod
uots to-day 10 proof that we are slaugh-
tering, consuming ct home, and export
ing more pork products than We are
producing. It is interesting to note
that We have increased our pork con-
sumption despite high prices.
TWO WAYS TO SOLVE HOG PROBLEM.
II We are to maintain our supplies to
the allies, We have only one OF two
courses, or Q combination OF both: First,
We must reduce our consumption of
pork products to the prewar normal or
better; and, second, We must increase
our production. II We discontinue ex-
ports; We will move the German line
from France to the Atlantic seabosrd.
Pork PRODUCTS have IN influence In
this present world situation wider than
one would ordinarily attribute to them.
The human body must have certain
amount of daily intake OF fat. Whether
this fat Is by means of dairy products,
by vegetable oil, or by pork products
becomes secondary question In time
of complete national stress. because
pork products to some degree will sub.
stitute for the other fats.
Increased production In pork fats can
be accomplished with great deal more
rapidity than increased production OF
dairy products and on much wider ex-
tended scale. An increase in pork fats
can also be made more rapidly than an
increase in vegetable fats. It appears to
me, therefore, that We must concentrate
on the increase in the production OF
hogs II We are to answer the worlds
craving for fats. Fortunately our situa.
tion during the coming year lends itself
to this end.
AMERICA HAS ENORMOUS FEED CROP IN
HAND.
Due to the blessings of the Almighty
and the energy of our farmers We have
secured one OF the largest corn crops In
our history. We also have abundant
crops of oats, barley, kafir corn, soy
beans. velvet beans, cottonseed and pea
nut meal, and we will have q larger
supply of mill feed than normal. Not
all of these are hog feed, but they will
enter the general feeding question by
adding to the general pool of feed.
II We aggregate all of the feeding
stoffs, and II We subtract the amount
of fodder grains which We expect to
export In view of the present shipping
outlook, we will find one astounding fact
which should give American farmers
pause: We have to-day somewhere
near the equivalent of l 900, 600, 900 BUSH
els of feeds more than last year. This is
an increase of nearly Is per cent-for
which we have no corresponding num-
Der of animals to feed unless We begin
to increase them at once. In other
words, as our animals have not kept
pace with our increase In concentrates,
we have much more feed this year than
we have animals to eat 1t. Therefore,
If farmers are to find markets for feed,
1t must be to q great extent through an
increase in animals.
The monetary Interpretation of this
situation must be that We will have q
low range of prices for feeding stuffs
and, In view of the European situation and
our own shortage in hogs, We will have
high average price for pork products.
Therefore, 1t must be to the vital sd-
vantage of every farmer to raise hogs.
START A ''KEEP.A-PIG" MOVEMENT.
This situation 10 one that can be
partly solved by our suburban popula'
tiop. II every suburbanite took to bis
care pig and fed 1t on the house
garbage, he would increase our fat
supply and do 80 without call upon our
general feeding stuffs. In Germany
4, ,OOO, 900 hogs are supported by these
means. We need "Keep-a-pig" move
ment in this country-and q properly
cared for pig Is no more insanitary than
dog. Such Q movement would neces-
sarily require some changes In village
and urban ordinances; but the national
welfare would be ample warrant for
such course of action.
FOOD ADMINISTRATION WILL AID HOG
MEN.
realize that under certain conditions
lack of confidence In the stability of
market prices may act AZ deterrent.
And further that this may sometimes
come from failure to glimpse an op-
portunity before one. therefore wish
to make this positive statement; that,
30 far a. the United States Food Ad-
ministration is able, through Its influence
on the purchase of pork and Its products
for expectation, 1t will d. all within its
power to see that prices OF pork are
maintained In q ratio to feed prices that
will cover not only costs OF production,
but proper remuneration to the producer.
By q system of license control OF
manufactures and distributors the Food
Administration will further help the
producers. This system will tend to-
ward the abolition of speculation. the
punishment of prOf1teering, and the
assurance that the consumer receives
the product at q fair ratio of the pro.
ducer's price, and that, vice versa,
the producer receives fair interpreta-
tion of the consumers payment. All
of these measures, believe, offer new
hope for agriculture.
While we give these important assur-
ances, do not believe that they are,
in fact necessary In the stimulation OF
our production to that point which is
now fundamentally necessary for our
national preservation. The American
farmer has too often demonstrated his
courage and resolution 10 national ser
vice to admit any charge thae democracy
breeds q materislism that requires
money guarantees to secure bis patriot
ism. He wants Nsqusre deal In giving
services, and, with every power we have,
we intend to see that he gets 1t.
HORRORS OF wAR AND RACKwAsH OF
BATTLE.
From two and half years Of contact
With the German Army have come out
of this horror with the complete CON.
yictiou that sut0cracy is . political
faith and system that directly en-.
dangers and jeopsrdizes the fnture OF
our race-that threatens our very inde-
pspdence. It has however, been able to
command Q complete inspiration OF
devotion and self.sscriflce In Ito people
to the interest of their nation. The
German farmer, In the nsme OF the
fatherland, supports nation two.thirds
az large a. ours and threatens to subject
the world from an area - large as
Texas.
I am convinced that We will f1nd this
same devotion Q direct reply to the
German farmer-by tho voluntary ser
Il. - A. A -. .o~jnon npoduNar Thia In