The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-13

CONTINUED From Page one.)
Upon the farmer rests in large
measure the final responsibility of
| winning the war. The Importance of
an adequate food supply especially
for the present year. cannot 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 SER
vice as is the man who bears the
brunt Of battle.
Because of the world shortage of
food, it is scarcely possible that the
production of staple crops by the
farmers Of the United States can be
too great this year. There is every
reason to believe that a generous
price will be paid for their harvest"
- Ask State Corporation.
TO meet the extraordinary needs of
agriculture in this emergency, we rec
ommend that an appropriation Of $685.
100000, or so much thereof as is need
ed, to be available Immediately for
the use of the secretary of agriculture
in such manner as he may deem best.
State governments can and should
cooperate to the fullest degree"
1t is urged that there be created
under the council of national defense
relatively small central agricultural
body. to remain in Washington and
supervise agricultural matters;
large national advisory board: a small
central agricultural BODY in each
local bodies. Detailed recommenda-
tons are made for increasing the
acreage in spring wheat in the north
ern states. the corn area and the pro-
duction of oats, sorghum, barley, buck
wheat, navy beans, potatoes. sweet po-
tatoes, peanuts and animal products.
Labor Question uppermost.
"One of the principal limiting ele-
ments of food production" it is de-
clared, lis the labor supply on the
farm. The plan for public defense
should include as definite a provision
for enlistment for food supply as for
service at the front.
"More than 100000 boys between
ages of Is and 10 years in the cities
and towns not engaged in productive
work vital to the nation constitute the
most important labor resources. hith-
erto unorganized and unutilized, but
available for this emergency. The
plan for military enlistment should be
broadened to include in the national
service those who, by reason of their
age or physical condition, are perma-
nently or temporarily incapacitated
for active military duty, but who are
able to render the government equal
ly indispensable service in the produc-
ton OF food, supplies and munitions.
This enlistment should include
three classes of men-men beyond
military age, men of military age but
not accepted for active military duty,
and boys under age for enlistment"
The resolutions declare the secre-
tary of agriculture should be given au-
thority to establish market grades and
class of farm products including seeds
and standards for receptacles for such
products; and to license warehouses,
produce exchanges, shipping associs-'
tions and others engaged in marketing
and distributing farm products.
To Fix Maximum Prices.
when directed by the president"
is added, ''the secretary should have
power, after advising with the council
of national defense as to the necessity
of such step, to take over and ope-
rate such of these businesses as may
be warranted in a manner similar to
receivership.
1.-THE fixing of maximum or mini
mum prices need not be undertaken at
this time, but the fact that such a
course may become necessary in the
future makes advisable the creation
of agencies which will facilitate gov
eminent action when the necessity
may arise.
''We appeal also to the youth Of the
nation to put forth every effort to
produce foodstuffs in gardens and
fields. There COULD be no better ex-
preston of true patriotic devotion to
the country.