Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1917-05-10
4 CALL 70 PATRIOTIC SERVICE

q CALL TO PATRIOTIC SERVICE
1t is we'll for us to remember
that our country is at war with
the strongest military power of
the world. No one can foretell
when the war will end. No one
can foresee what sacrifices we
will be called upon to make. 1t
may be that the United States
will be obliged to make SUI
|preme effort before victory
comes.
We cannot afford to take
chances. We must not only raise
a large army and equip a large
navy. but we must also mobilize
our industries. If there is any
lone lesson that this war has
taught so far, it is that it is war
|of manufacturers and farmers as
we'll as a war of soldiers.
The greatest contribution that
Iowa can make TO this nation and
to our allies this year is to in
crease the food supply. II is our
solemn patriotic duty TO do this.
The burden of food production
rests heavily upon us. How shall
we meet it?
Production in Iowa is limited
by q shortage of labor. The
necessary labor, however, is
available in this state if it can be
trained and used. What is need
| ed is one of more farm labor hu-
reaus in every county. These la
Dor bureaus should list the farm
ers who need help and then set
labout Systematically to supply
that help.
City boys under military age
should be enlisted in this cam
lpaign to help during the vaca-
ton on some farm, or to take
care of a garden, or to do some
other productive labor.
City girls should be taught
how to save and can or dry all
surplus garden and fruit prod
ncts. This can easily be accom-
plished through demonstrations
in city schools. They should also
receive instruction in gardening
land be encouraged to help in this
work.
Arrangements should be made
with manufacturers, merchants,
commercial clubs and others to
release help to work on farms
during the rush periods. This
can be done by taking census
of the city labor and locating
those who have had farm expe-
|rience. Fortunately the rush Pc
riod on the farm comes at the
time of the slack period in the
city, and the transfer of help for
q short period can be made with
out serious sacrifice to anyone.
In many cases, in fact, it may be
advantageous to do so. In any
case, it will be a patriotic thing
to do in this year of labor short
|age.
Many people who are retired
will be glad to help so far as they
are physically able. In fact many
farmers who have retired have
fslgnified their intention to do all
the work possible this summer.
Doubtless all will be in the field
as much as they are able. Again
there are people who have retired
who should bs enlisted in this
food production campaign.
A sentiment against idleness
should be developed through the
papers, churches, schools, com
mericial clubs and all o,her or
CARNATIONS which will MAX. it a
distinctly unpopular thing Cor
anyone to be caught idling,
Drones are not wanted any time,
and they actually cucumber the
earth" in war time.
The immediate problem and
the one which will grow more and
more acute as the season adj
|vances is one of labor. 1t can be
met if we proceed sanely to mob
ilize our labor supply. In war
time no one is. too old or too
young to do their bit. II is the
duty of one and all tot.'buckle
down to this business of win
ming the war to the end that it
may be over as quickly las pos
|sible and thus many lives will be