Gilpin observer., 1917-04-19
COLORADO FOOD SUPPLY
RAISE CROP ON EVERY POSSIBLE
ACRE THIS YEAR.
Proclamation From the Committee on
Ways and Means Appointed by
Governor Gunter.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

IL, ls17.-To The People of the State of
Colorado: Hon. julius c. Gunter. Gov
pointed the undersigned as a commit
tee on ways and means to devise plans
to meet the conditions regarding our
alton exists no one can question. The
situation. which would have been Sc
rious in any event. has been greatly
aggravated by reason of the war, and
as 1t exists today threatens a national
calamity unless every effort Is made
by all of the people to avert 1t.
producing states of Kansas, Oklahoma
and Nebraska the winter wheat crop
is almost total failure. According
produced 16o.OO0.O0O bushels in 1915.
will not produce above 30.000,000 bush
els from the coming harvest. The con
throughout the country is hardly less
alarming. For instance, the potato
crop, Of last year was close to 10000
era erSse fos for the SJ past five VEGA Years is s94.-
100000 bushels and the indications are
that owing to the high cost of seed and
fertilizer the potato crop this year viii
of normal. Reserve stocks have been
almost depleted. Seed of all kinds IL
scarce and high in price and unless unless
States will. in the course of year.
find itself unable to supply our sol
diery and sailors with food products
aside from the normal requirements OF
our population. We will be unable to
assist those in the factories and on
the battlefields of Europe who are
necessary food supply. Lot our people
also heed the fact that many will be
withdrawn from all of our food pro-
ducing activities through the recruit
Ing OF our army and navy.
The greatest contribution which
Colorado can make to the country at
n tc To nrfh of
fort to the end that the last acre cap
able of cultivation may be made to
produce some kind of crop. The time
ts short; the situation IL critical.
This committee has been appointed
by the Governor of Colorado and his
Advisory War Council and asked to as
organization in the state to bring
about the cultivation of every available
acre. We earnestly urge that the peo-
pie of every community and county in
the state be Immediately organized for
the purpose of assisting in this crisis.
We ask the banks in every locality
to Immediately call a mass meeting of
the people of their communities and at
such meeting to appoint a committee
on ways and means: that committee to
sistance and appoint subcommittee
for the following purposes:
First-A committee to investigate
ply in that locality; whether or not
acreage and whether there Is a surplus
that can be spared for use in other
Second-A committee to investigate
the financial condition of the farmers
In that locality and discover IL finan-
cial assistance is needed by any
worthy individual in the purchase of
| seed.
Third-A committee to organize the
women of the locality for the purpose
of devising plans for conserving the
present food supply in every possible
way. and putting an absolute end to
| waste of all kinds, as well as to assist
| In increasing the food production.
We ask that as soon organized.
the chairman OF the local committee
Means Committee, Room 20, State Capt.
tol Building, Denver.
We urge upon the banks to extend
financial assistance to worthy farmers
who from lack of funds are unable
| to plant lands which they would other
wise cultivate. This committee will
undertake to assist in this matter when
called upon.
The time is short. In few weeks
the planting season will be over. What
peratiWe % % need of the Une moment 1@ se is local @
organization, and we urge that the
banks. merchants, business men, COM
mercial bodies. agricultural organiza-
tions and bureaus. county commission
ers and all patriotic citizens unite in
perfecting local organizations at the
very earliest possible moment
Conditions are such that high prices
are certain to prevail for some years
to come, and the pecuniary reward to
be derived from an increased acreage
will undoubtedly be great; but this is
wholly secondary to the consideration
that in this crisis Colorado owes the
country the patriotic duty of straining
cry resource for the purpose of con-
tributing her last possible bushel to
the nations food supply.
Other recomme ndations are under
consideration and Will be submitted
later. Our food supply is the supreme
question of the hour. and we desire to
care and the elimination of waste in
consumption is equivalent to an in
crease in production.
This committee has opened headquar-
ters in the Capitol Building at Denver
and will undertake to assist In every
possible way. Every resource OF the
state will be utilized to assist the To-
cal committees in their work
The State Agricultural College. the
Experimental Station, the State Agri-
cultural Extension Service and ali of
Agriculture have rendered their serv-
Ices to assist and may be called upon
by every local committee.
In counties where agricultural agents
are maintained the county agents are
INSTRUCTED to assist in every possible
way the work of the local organiza-
tions
To sum up, we, citizens of Colorado,
whose chief concern is to bring home
to our people the imperative necessity
In this grave hour of Increasing all
food products OF our state and thereby
averting what in the course of months
will be dire calamity to our people,
most earnestly call upon our citizen
ship throughout the state to bring to
condition Of our AZ ,tot. our ddres sanens our une
selves to relieving this condition. and
In every public-spirited way assist our
farmers In increasing their agricultu-
raj areas and the production therefrom.
We ask of the press and clergy of
this state. aid in carrying this message
| to our people.
BY order of the Governors:
J. *. MULLEN. Chairman.
C. A. KENDRICK.
CHAS