Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-04-25

Dur state and Nation call upon the
farmers. merchants, bankers, law
yrrS. prcacherS--thc citizens OF this
great country regardless OF Occupa-
ton or calling--to rally to the stand
ards OF home and country. increasing
productvcncss Of the soil. in,I Icasing
acreage in food and feed supplies, CO.
operating in every way to meet the
great demands that arc sure soon to
come to our vast country to feed our
selves and TO help feed the peoples
OF the world. We believe that we as
Il people are beginning to realize
something OF the situation as it is
c-day, but many Of us do not fully
comprehend what is in store for us if
we do not bend every energy to i'll
creased efforts along all industrial
lines. The country is awake to the
necessity Of crcating and storing vast
quantities Of war materials. the
training Of vast armies Of men to
serve, IL necessary. in the first line Of
dcfcnsc--m the navy. and in the
trenches, possibly and this work is
going steadily aud rapidly on. But
what Of the second line OF defense?
the furnishing OF food for the mil
lions OF people, working civilians and
struggling soldiers, who must eat
even though their duties call them
from the ranks Of the active Droduc-
ers Of food supplies?
We might call to the attention Of
our people thousand reasons for
sober thought aud earnest patriotic
labor, but we believe that the call is
sued by David II. Coker---South Car
Olina's great farmer-patriot, now
serving his country as leader
among The producers Of this State
presents the situation more iorce-
fully than anything we might say
Hear him-and let us heed what he,
as the chairman OF the Preparedness
Commission, says:
"A Proclamation to the People of
South Carolina:
Whereas, the National Govern
ment and our State Government real
lHe that an ample supply of food
stuffs. both for this country and for
those other countries who are like
wise at war with the imperial Ger
man government, is necessary for the
successful prosecution of military OPP
cratiOnS; and realizing also that the
available food supplies Of the world
are entirely inadequate, and that the
successful prosecution OF this war
is menaced by said food shortage:
htN NAVE, lutItlOIc, cdlICu upon
the people Of South Carolina 10 dis
continue, rs far as possible. their
drafts upon the already heavily de-
plctcd national FOOD reserves. and
also to add to the national food re-
serves by the production at home OF
every possible pound Of rood for man
and beast.
I'm order that the people OF South
Carolina may be advised OF the ma
tOnal peril caused by food shortage,
and that effective steps may be taken
i'll this state for food production and
conservation. Ills Honor. the Cover
nor OF South Carolina. has constitute
cd n commission known as the Com
mission for Civic Preparedness for
War. He has charged this commits
sion with awaking our people to the
necessity OF united and patriotic ac-
tion in the face or national peril.
that the people may be properly
informed and induced to take the
necessary cooperative action. the
ioliowing facts arc rccitcd:
"Fhc available supplies OF food
stntfS are the lowest in all food-pro-
dncinG countries that they have been
FOR over 30 years.
'FricoS Of most food stuffs have
about doubled during the past two or
thrcC years
Ihc government crop report fore
casts a wheat crop which will be
snort OF American consumption.
fhc reserve supplies OF meats are
far below normal
"A nation at war requires more
food than a nation at peace.
"Francc. England. Belgium and
Italy are short Of food and are lars,c
ly dependent on American imports,
and, unless some means IS found Of
supplying them, they cannot continue
to fight effectively.
''Thc South is importing from tho
West and North 5000, 100000 to
$500, C0c,36o worth Of food stuffs an
nually, and IS thus tremendous
drain on che nations food resources,
and, cor sequently. is now a menace
to the nations safety.
"a pound OF cotton at 90 cents will
actually buy less food stuffs now
tban normally.