The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1917-11-02
FLORIDA MUST DO HER BEST IN
CONSERVATION or FOOD IF
We ARE TO BE VICTORIOUS

We ARE TO Be VICTORIOUS
Messrs. Braxton Beacham and Lee
roy Hodges, engaged in the food con-
servation movement in this state,
were greeted with rather large au-
dience at the Temple theatre Thurs
day morning. Quite number of our
suburban towns were present in del
egations more or less large and rep
resentative.
Both gentlemen were pleased to see
so many men present and regarded it
as good omen and fine compliment.
They remarked that when men left
their business to attend meeting of
that sort it meant that they were alive
to the crisis which is now confront
ing our nation.
Hon. w. d. earn, chairman of the
conservation committee for this coun--
ty, presided at the meeting, explained
its object and introduced the distin-
guished visitors to the auience.
Mr.. Beacham said that his appoint
ment came to him unsolicited, was
purely honorary and carried no sal
airy with it. That he was called up by
wire, asked if he would accept it, that
he wired back an affirmative answer,
as he was glad to serve his govern
ment in any capacity he was fitted.
He said that Mr.. Hoover in asking
the people of this nation to save foods
and cut out all waste by no means
meant for them to be underfed, but
that they are simply asked to study
economics and to go slow on such
foods that are absolutely imperative
to be shipped to our allies across the
seas. He said that we of Florida could
easily do this and still diet on food
stuffs that would preserve our viril-
ity and natural strength and at the
same time crafty our appetites.
He said that it was recently his
pleasure to be present at seven or
eight course dinner at the Woman's
College at Tallahassee, which was as
magnificent an affair as he had ever
sat down to and every article on the
table was product of the state ex-
cept the sugar, and soon Florida
would be making sugar to supply
more than her own wants.
He said that Mr.. Hoover makes the
statement that food will win this
war" and if that be true it would be
a reflection on our patriotism il we
did not aid him in his efforts to col
lect food in every possible way Food
just now, he averred, is more than
money and that practicing economy
in food is a part we can all practice
without injury to ourselves, as it is
a well known fact that more Ameri-
can people suffer from over than un-
der eating.
Mr. Beacham said that the pledge
cards that were being sent broadcast
over the state to be signed was only
a moral obligation, but if rigidly and
religiously adhered to it would pre-
vent the government from enacting
drastic, unpleasant and compulsory
measures.
Mr.. Beacham touched on the pur-
chase of liberty bonds in very eff
fective and telling manner He said
that it was not only the part of pa.
triotism to purchase them but it was
the part of business sagacity to do so.
That they are now paying four per
cent-as much as any bank-and that
after the war, when money would be
more abundant than was ever before
known in the history of the world,
these liberty bonds would command
high premium, and if kept until ma
tured, would become valuable as a
relic of the great world-war."
Mr.. Leroy Hodges was next intro
duced. He is the special food ambas-
sador from Washington and is Mr..
Hoover's special representative for
Florida.
Mr. Hodges address was most in
teresting one and commanded very
close attention. During it's delivery
there was perfect stiffness and so in.
terested were those who heard it
that one could have heard pin drop
Mr.. Hodges is vlrginian but was
in France when Germany surprised
the world by her declaration of war.
Mr.. Hodges told in a beautiful wav
how happy and contented were the
people when the tocsin of war sound
ed; how they left their homes and oc
equations to help drive the invaders
from their soil He drew beautiful MIC