Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-04-22
the course Of action as summarized

involved. The Importance to the ma
tion OF an adequate food supply, es-
ptcially for the present year. can not
be over-emphasized. The worlds food
! reserve Is very low Therefore, the
man who tills the soil and supports
the soldier In the field and the family
at home, is rendering as noble and
patriotic services as Is the man who
bears the brunt OF battle.
Within the next sixty days the final
measure OF crop acreage and food pro-
duction for this year will have been
established. We urge the Importance
of the immediate mobilization OF all
available service In performing the
patriotic duty OF providing and CON
serving food.
Because OF the world shortage OF
food, 1t is scarcely possible that the
production Of staple crops by the
farmer of the United States can be
too great this year There is every
reason TO believe that a generous price
will be paid for the harvest of their
fields.
$25 100000 Emergency Appropriation.
To meet the extraordinary needs of
agriculture in this emergency we
recommend that an appropriation OF
S25 600. 900, or so much thereof as
may be needed, to be available i'm
mediately for the use of the secretary
OF agriculture In such manner as he
may deem best.
The situation which now confronts
our country Is a great emergency
the greatest perhaps in its history. 1t
is strongly urged that congress and
state legislatures in passing laws or in
making appropriations intended to
carry out these or other plans for as
suring an adequate food and clothing
supply should, so far as possible, be
governed by the principle that when
the emergency ceases much perma-
nent reconstruction in agricultural
policies and plans may be necessary.
The recommendation in the main
call for federal action, but state gov
ernments can and should cooperate
to the fullest degree in considering
and executing plans of cooperation
and Of supplemental legislation and
appropriation for the great common
purpose herein enunciated
The council of national defense is
charged with the duty of mobili2ing
the resources of the nation. having as
one of its members the secretary of
agriculture We recommend addition
al machinery as follows:
A relatively small central agricul-
tural body, whose services and pres
enCe might be required in Washing
ton constantly, to be composed of men
who have wide knowledge Of agricul-
tural matters and executive eXpe
rience. In selecting these men atten
tion should be paid to geographical
distribution.
A large national advisory body
composed of representatives Of the
leading agricultural agencies and as
sociations concerned not only in pro-
duction but I'm distributing and hand
ling commodities.
A small central agricultural body in
eac hstate, representing various agri
cultural interests. including agricul-
tLral officials. represo ntatives of ag-
ricultural colleges, bankers, business
farmers and womCns organizations,
etc, concerned in the production, dis
tribution and utilization of food sup
plies and agricultural raw materials.
This body should be designated by
the governor, and, if the state has a
central council of safety or defense,
should be co-ordinated with it.
Such county, urban and other local
bodies as the state authorities, includ-
ing this state central agency, may see
| fit to suggest.
The national central body and the
state central bodies will be expected
to keep in intimate contact and to
work in close cooperation.
Increasing the Food Supply.
Increase the acreage in spring
wheat in the northern states.
Increase the corn area east of the
Tooth meridian.
In districts where wheat has been
winter-killed, replant with oats, corn
or sorghum as climatic conditions may
determine
Plant barley and oats, wherever
they are proved and relia BILE crops, to
the maximum that can be handled.
Buckwheat acreage in the northern
and eastern states, where the season
is too short for the great staple crops,
may well be increased.
The area planted to navy beans in
the north ani west and to Mexican
and Tepary beans in the southwest
should be enlarged
The planting of potatoes. especially
for local use should be stimulated in
every reasonable way.
Sweet potatoes in the south should
be produced in larger quantity than
usual for use in their fresh state, and
| for storing, canning or desiccating for
winter use.
Production of peanuts should be
enlarged.
Care should be taken to avoid un-
| due encroachment on areas used for
| pasturage and hay required for live
stock production.
Author rity should be granted to the
secretary of agriculture to advance to
| farmers under proper safeguards seed
required to insure the production of
crops necessary for the welfare of the
| nation.
An early increase in the animal pro-
| ducts of the country should be mads
as live stock holdings already are too
low and should not be diminished
further. Increase must come thru en-
larging the supply of feed, by more
efficient methods Of feeding, and thru
more complete control of contagious
diseases. These diseases take toll
| of more than s250,000,00 annually,
! more than half OF which is due to
controllable diseases such as hog
cholera, black leg and tick fever. The
federal government, cooperating with
the states. could profiftably expand its
intensive regulatory services so as to
embrace every important live stock
district.
| Pork production could be increased
substantially thru the more extensive
use of fall litters. better care and feed
| ing