Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-08-24

odopr sucb measures as will ameliO-
rate. 50 far as may be, the price condl-
tions of our less fortunate. We might
so drain the supplies from the country
70 Europe as by the high prices thai
would follow to force u people TO
shorten their consumption. This Oper-
ation of normal economic forces
would starve that element of the com
munitv TO whom we owe the most pro-
lection. We must try to impose the
burden equally upon all.
Action Must Be Voluntary.
There is no royal road to food con-
s~ervation. We can only accomplish
this by the voluntary action of u
whole people, each element in proper
ton to its means. 1t is a matter OF
equality of burden; a matter OF min
ute saving and substitution at every
point in the 2O,OOO,OOO kitchens, on the
2O,OOO.O 900 dinner tables and in the
1000, 900 manufacturing, wholesale ana
retail establishments of the country.
The task Is thus in its essence the daily
individual service of all the people.
Every group can substitute and even
the great majority of thrifty people
can save a little-and the more luXurl-
Gus elements of the population can by
reduction to simple living save much
The final result of substituting 0thd +
products and saving n pound u
wheat flour, two ounces of fats, seveu
ounces Of sugar and seven ounces OF
meat weekly, by each person, WILL
when we have multiplied this by one
hundred million, have increased our
exports to the amounts absolutely re-
ouired by our allies. This means no
more than that we should eat plenty,
but eat wisely and without waste.
Food conservation has other aspects
Of utmost Importance. Wars must be
paid for by savings. We must save
in the consumption in commodities n
the consumption Of ~unproductive la
Dor in order that we may divert our
manhood to the army and to the shops.
The whole of Europe has been en-
gagged ever since the war began in the
elimination of waste, the simplifcation
of life, and the Increase of Its Indus
trial capacity. When the wal is over
the consuming power of the world Will
be reduced by the loss of prosperity
and man power, and we shall enter a
period of competition without parallel
in ferocity. After the war, we must
maintain our foreign markets II our
working people are to be employed.
We shall be in no position to compete
If we continue to live on the same
basis of waste and extravaganza on
which we have lived hitherto. Simple,
temperate living is a moral issue Of the
first order at any time, and any other
basis of conduct during the war be-
comes a wrong against the interest OF
the country and the interest of
democracy.
The impact of the food shortage Of
Europe has knocked at every door OF
the United States during the past three
years. The prices of foodstuffs have
nearly doubled, and the ~reverberatiOns
D., of Europe's increasing shortage would
have Numbered twice as loudly dur
ing the coming year ever had we not
entered the war.
W. are today in an era of high
prices. We must maintain prices at
such a level as will stimulate prOduc-
f ton, for we are faced by a starving
n -..~.Il o-I +hn x,a1,1a IF n nptnnondttu m
the hungry is greater than its price.
e As a result Of the world shortage Of
y supplies, our consumers have suffered
d from speculation and extOrtiOn. While
III wages for some kinds Of labor have
n increased with the rise in food prices
Is in others, it has been difficult to main
tain our high standard Of nutrition.
BY the elimination of waste in al
IN classes, by the reduction In the con
u sumption of foodstuffs by the more for
o. tunate, we shall increase our supple
y, not only for export but for home, an
oy by increased supplies we can help l
o. the amelioration of prices.
er For Better Distribution.
ey Beyond this the duty has been lal
er upon the food administration to cO-OI
crate with the patriotic men In trade
and commerce, that we may eliminat
at the evils which have grown into on
system of distribution, that the bul
of den may fall eQuitably upon all by re-
re- toration, so far as may be, of the no
Ice NAL course of trade. It Is the purpos
ng of the food administration to use Il
uf- utmost power and the utmost abilit
III that patriotism can assemble to amel
crate this situation to such a degree {
In may be possible.
viii The food administration is assen
OF bling the best expert advice in Il
country on home economics, on foe
is utilization, on trade practices al
trade wastes, and on the conduct
in public eating places, and we shall OF
Of line from time to time detailed sugge
ced tons, which If honestly carried out
and such individuals In the country, we b
lily lieve will effect the result which '
one must attain. We are asking eve
est. home, every public eating place a
DDS many trades, to sign a pledge ca
ices to accept these directions, so far
orts their circumstances permit, and we a
tied organizing various instrumentalities
aaf opeliorotp Spppula tion Wa GRO os