Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-16

we shall by these powers free the great
majority from necessity to compete with
operators whose sole effort is to initiate
prices and bring into disrepute the ma
jority of honest traders. We propose
to proceed as rapidly as possible with
constructive regulation in various
commodities and to announce each pro-
gram as quickly as 1t is properly for
mulated. We hope within the next
few days to announce the method of
wheat and -four control.
''The deep obligation is upon us to
feed the armies and the peoples asso-
ciated with us in this struggle The
diversion of 100000 Of their men to
war or war work; the additional mil
lions of women drafted to the places of
their husbands and brothers.: the toll
of the submarine, have all conspired to
so reduce production that their har-
vests this autumn will fall 500, 900, 900
bushels of grain below their normal
production. Our western European al
lies are forced to a large degree upon
our markets, not only as the nearest
but as the only market capable of re-
lieving their bitter necessities.
MUCH WHEAT FOR ALLIES.
Therefore. whereas, we exported be-
fore the war but 5000. 900 bushels of wheat
per annum. this year. by one means or
another, we must find for them 225,000. 900
bushels, and this in the face of q short
CROP Our best will but partly meet their
needs for even then they must reduce
their bread consumption % per cent. and
it will be war bread they must eat-war
bread. Of which a large portion is other
cereals.
Already the greater call for meat and
mi oil ,prfc duo to he rtv nfx -
on the millions Of men on the fighting line
and the enhanced physical labor Of popu-
lations ordinarily subsistng on lighter
diets. coupled with the inadequate world
supply, have compelled our allies to kill
upwards Of 49, 900 head of their stock
animals. This is burning the candle at
both ends, for they are thus sitting their
annual production. Therefore, not only
must we increase their supplies of meat
and dairy products. but must prepare as
war goes on to meet an even greater de-
mand for these necessary commodities.
France and Italy formerly produced
their own sugar while England and Ire
land imported largely from Germany.
They all must come to the West Indies for
very large supplies and therefore deplete
| our own resources.
Because Of the shortage of shipping
only the most concentrated of foods,
| wheat grain, beef, pork and dairy prod
ucts and sugar can be sent across the
| seas. Fortunately, we have for our own
use a superabundance Of foodstuffs of
other kinds-the perishables. fish, corn
| and other cereals-and surely our first
manifest duty Is to substitute these for
| those other products which are of greater
use to our fellow fighters.
OUR DUTY IS TO STOP WASTE
"Our second duty is to eliminate wastes
| to the last degree. Seventy per cent. of
| our people are well known to be as thrifty
and careful as any in the world and
they consume but little or no more than
| is necessary to maintain their physical
| strength. They can. however, substi-
tute foods as above. 1t is not too much
to ask the other 80 per cent. by simpler
| living to reduce their consumption. The
| substitutions we ask impose no hardships
and the elimination of waste is to-day
| no more than patriotic service.
Every ounce Of waste is a contribution
toward starvation. Our allies have re-
duced consumption by the most drastic
measures. but II Is impossible to reduce
consumption to those in war who work
and engage In other physical labor.
This war is a struggle to assure the
dominance Of democracy. Every flag that
flies against the central powers is by
proxy the American flag. Every man in
the ranks of the allies, every woman and
child in Europe sacrificing in the mainte-
nance Of these men are lighting in our
defense.
ENOUGH FOR ALL NEXT WINTER.
1--WE have in our abundance, and in our
waste. an ample supply to carry them
and ourselves over the next winter with
out suffering. If we fail. it is because
| individual American citizens have failed
to see and do this loyal national duty.
This is a service in which every man.
woman and child In this country may
enter. We shall invite all classes and
| all trades to sign a volunteer pledge
to cooperate with us In the undertaking
and SO become as much members of the
| food administration as we ourselves are
| There Is no royal road to food conser-
walton. 1t can be accomplished only
through sincere and earnest daily coop.
| Grafton in the 20 million kitchens and al
the 20 million dinner tables of the United
States. II we can reduce our consump-
ton Of wheat -four by one pound, our
meat by seven ounces. our fat by seven
ounces, our sugar by seven ounces pei
person per week, these quantities, multi.
piled by one hundred million. will i'm.
measurably aid and encourage our allies
help our own growing armies and sc
effectively serve the great and noble
cause of humanity in which our nation
has embarked.
This cooperation and service I ask OF
all In full confidence that America will
render more for flag and freedom thar
King-ri peoples surrender at compul
sion.'