Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-17

vi AtNSNSSd ~
nation.
Keeping Up the Meat Supply.
An early increase in the animal prod
ucts of the country should be made as
live stock holdings already are too low
and should not be diminished further.
| Increase must come through charging
the supply of feed, by more efflclent
methods of feeding, and through more
| complete control of contagious diseases.
These diseases take a toll Of more h
IA billion dollars annually, more n
half Of which is due to comfortable dis
eases such as hog cholera, black leg and
tick fever. The Federal government,
cooperating with the State, could prof
itably expand its intensive regulatory
services so as to embrace every import
ant live stock district.
Pork production could be increased
substantially through the more extens-
I'VE use of fall filters, better care and
feeding.
Milk production could be increased
fully one-fourth by more liberal and in
telligent feeding.
The poultry products Of the United
States can and should be doubled with
in a year.
The Harvest Emergency.
The outstanding of a matured crop
promptly is often the most vital and
crucial point in production and is the
point OF the heaviest labor demand on
the farm. The Federal Department of
Agriculture, cooperating with the
State departments of agriculture and
other agencies, should take steps to
r,o1ili1a G., fSo;oo+ 70, ~, Ia hnr RI meet
all emergencies which may arise.
MobiIizing Those Unfit for Military
Service.
One of the principal limiting elements
of food production is the labor supply
on the farm. In6iscriminate enlistment
from the farms with no plan for labor
replacement will reduce food production
below the present low level.
The plan for public defense should in
clude as definite a provision for enlist
ment for food supply as for service at
the front.
More than two million boys between
the ages of Is and 10 ear in the cities
and towns not now engaged in product
i've work vital to the nation constitute
the most important labor resource,
hitherto ~unorganized II unutilized,
but available for this emergency.
The plan for military enlistment
should he ~broadened to include in the
national service those who, by reason
of their age or physical condition, are
permanently or temporarily incapaci-
tated for active military duty but who
are able to render the Government
equally indispensable service in the
production of food, supplies and NUM-
lions.
This enlistment should include three
classes of men-men beyond military
age. mon of military age but not ac-
cepted for active military duty, and
boys under age for enlistment.
The Government should make plans
at once for the mobilization of this i'm
portant resourcc for the production Of
food and other necessities. This pro-
posed enlistment in the national serv-
ice should he regarded as part Of the
public patriotic service in the present
war and be given proper official rec
ognition.
A Survey of the Food Supply
A thorough-going survey of the food,
labor, and other u of the
country and of the needs of local COM
IlullllleS Is leCOIlliIltilUGu lie COi-
ference advises that the Secretary of
Agriculture, in cooperation with the
Federal Trade Commission, be given
power, as far as practicable, to secure
full information regarding the food
supply Of the Nation and all business
enterprises related thereto. Authority
should be conferred upon the Secre-
tary Of Agriculture to establish mar
ket grades and classes of farm prod
ucts, including seeds, and standards
for receptacles for such products.
These measures are believed to be of
special Importance in connection with
perishable crops, but apply with al
most equal force to the staples.
The Secretary of Agriculture should
be authorized by law to license ware
houses, packing plants, mills, cold
s~torages, produce exchanges. cooper
ative and other shipping associations.
commission merchants. auctioneers,
brokers, jobbers, wholesale distribu-
tors, and other individuals. partner
ships, associations. and corporations
engaged in the business of marketing
and distributing from and food prod
ucts. When directed by the President,
the Secretary should have power. after
advising with the Council of National
Defense as to the necessity of such a
step. to tax over and operate such of
these businesses as may be warranted,
in a manner similar to receivership.
Government agencies should do
everything in their power to bring
about an adequate supply Of cars for
moving fOOd and other necessities.
Communities, counties. and cities
should be urged to take steps that will
lead toward a larger degree of local
and district ~self-support, especially in
perishable products.
Price Publicity.
To bring about a greater equality of
distribution with reference to the con-
sumptive demands of population cen
tiers, the T.. $. Department of Agricul-
ture and the several State depart
ments should extend and make as eff
fective as possible their facilities for
disseminating market information.
This extension should include the pub
fishing as widely as possible of aver
age prices of foods, feeds, and live
stock, particularly the prices paid by
the War Department where its pur-
chaSeS are made in the open market.