The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-11
TO MOBILIZE
TO Save THE NATION
National Agricultural Society Urges
Immediate Appointment Of Fed
cral Food Commission.
WOULD HAVE MAXIMUM
AND MINIMUM PRICES FIXED
Governor Stuart Among Speakers Yes
terday-To Enlarge Areas to Be
Planted to Staple Food Crops-Pro-
mote Sheep Growing.

Washington, April i0.--President
Wilson's plea to American farmers to
rally to the flag with greater crops to
meet wars tremendous demands, met
with instant response tonight from the
National Agricultural ciety, In
special session to mobilize the nation
agricultural resources A definite pro-
gram was agreed upon TO increase tho
nations food supply and TO bring
about speedily an Improvement in the
farming industry in every state. Prac-
teal plans were formulated to meet a
possible food crisis.
The proposals made by the conven-
/ ton tonight in the shape of recon
mendations to the national council of
defense included the immediate ap-
pointment OF federal food commits
sion, with power TO supervise the
marketing and distribution OF food and
clothing and with authority 10 fix
maximum and minimum prices for all
staple crops of 1917. The convention
also recommended the graduation at
once of seniors at agricultural colleges
so they may enter farming pursuits,
For State Councils OF Defense.
Establishment of state councils of
idefense to cooperate with the national
council also was recommended. Other
recommendations urged the milling OF
wheat -four on the basis OF 81 per cent
-four. instead of 70 per cent as at pres
ent, the enlargement OF areas planted
n ilEa
passage of laws TO promote sheep
growing and the general encourage
ment of the home-garden movement.
Hearty support was given the sug-
gestion that potent factor in meet
ing the barrassments of the pres
ent years food shortage will be
| through individual farming by mil
| lions of.civilians who. until now, havs
allowed smallN plots of ground in
| towns. villages and hamlets to re-
main idle.
| Small Farmer Dominant.
| That the small but productive farm
and the small but prosperous farmer
soon are to be dominant in the ma
tons agriculture. and that an era Of
greatest prosperity ever known in the
United States will be shared by all
| it's citizens. was the prediction o..
Theodore n. Vail. president OF the
American Telephone and Telegraph
tCo., who spoke at tonight's session.
/ The strength of nation is its
! abundance of homes-homes though
OF small size. but with an abundance
of comforts and plenty OF all that is
| essential" said Mr.. Vail. I'VE are
on the threshold OF such an era. OPP
! portunities for moderate but sufficient
success are as great in rural pursuits
iva, hA 80 ~,
while the comforts and even Injuries
that are now available in the coun-
try put 1t on a par with urban life
IL not superior. The farmer will he
/ the power. the influence in the land.
| The day Of the small but productive
farm and small but prosperous farm
er is coming and with it will come a
country of such prosperity. all having
| a sufficiency as never was known"
| Herbert Quick. member OF the
federal farm loan board, predicted
that the present year would witness a
very serious shortage of wheat. but
| he believed the crisis would be pass
/ cd by greater utilization OF corn. The
government. through the farm board
| would exhaust every possible means to
| aid tho farmer to improve the situa-
ton. Mr.. Quick assured the conven-
ton. He declared that although the
prices of foodstuffs we're high. the
| farmers generally were in a critical
| situation. confronted rs they are with
labor shortage, high prices for ma
chinery and under necessity of dealing
with markets that are wasteful in
methods of distribution. Other speak
ers were: Senator James f. Phelan.
of California: Governor Henry G..
Stuart. Of Virginia: Senator James f.
- yvHA - ca,