Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-02
THE PEOPLES FORUM
"Plant An Acre"

Indianapolis Ind, March 80, 1917.
To the Editor of the Telegraph:
Dear Sir: In the emergency which
confronts the government under which
we live there is an earnest, heartfelt
desire on the part of all except few
to be helpful. Many are too old to
offer their services to the Army or
to the Navy. Many are not qualified
either as orators or as writers to ap-
peal to the patriotism of those who are
eligible for active service. Even if
all were so qualified, the problems
which confront the nation will not all
be solved through words-spoken or
printed. There must be action-and
results.
Those responsible for the admin
stration of the affairs of the Army and
the Navy will have plenty of sugges-
ttons from experts to guide them. Too
many cooks are apt to spoil the broth
inexperienced cooks, particularly, are
not wanted, and we may as we'll ad-
NIT that most of us are inexperienc-
ed. But we can be helpful. Let us
volunteer to find the way-without
waiting to be drafted.
From every large city there will
be drawn hundreds, and in some in
stances thousand of men for the army
and navy. Many of these men are the
breadwinners for families or depend
ents who will suffer in more ways
than one through their absence. No
doubt a patriotic fund will be estab-
ished, as in Canada, to assist these
fathers, mothers, wives and children
financially So far, so good. But the
home guard can do more.
Within reasonable distance of every
large city--apd frequently within it's
very borders-there are hundreds of
acres In n of
the owners of this property will cheer
fully and enthusiastically volunteer its
use for the PLANT An Acre for the
Wives and Riddles" suggestion which
the writer submits.
The land owners viii volunteer.
| am sure. Then organize the clubs, big
and little-men, women and children
in every community. Instead of
soliciting contributions to buy BUSH
ell of potatoes, ask for contributions
and volunteers to plant and cultivate
an acre of potatoes, beans, onions,
turnips, beets-any vegetables which
are not quickly perishable.
No doubt large tracts could be Sc
cured or rented cheaply in the vicin-
ity of the military camps which will
be established. Tractors are to be an
important part of our army equip
ment, and why not put them to prac-
teal use while our rockies are learning
Earth, and plant, plant, plant!
Let the regulars, the rockies. and
the boy scouts, work one or two hours
day in the garden-their garden
for the harvest shall find it's way into
the homes of those they have left be-
hind them.
No doubt thousands of men,-and
women, too-will volunteer for the
PLANT An Acre army. The seeds and
necessary implements will be mex
pensive, compared with the results
which will be obtained. The advice of
the experts in the National and State
agricultural departments is at our
command.
And when the crops are harvested,
there will be an abundant stock from
which to supply the families of our
soldiers and sailors free of charge all
through next winter and until the next
crops are gathered-if the war~lasts
that long. The problems of transpor-
tation and distribution will be easily
solved.
And If through the mercy of our
all-wise Providence these crops are
not needed in our own country we can
help to appease the hunger of millions
of old men, women and children in
Europe.
The greatest problem in Europe to-
day is the food problem. There is an
abundant supply of men, of ammuni-
ton and of guns. Uncle Sam can en-
list the men, and he can buy the am
munition and the guns. But Uncle Sam
can not manufacture potatoes, or
beans. or onions, or turnips. The
home guard can.
Organize the home guard in the
PLANT An Acre" army. Let each
daily newspaper plant dozen acres.
Let each fraternai lodge. each benevo-
lent society, each woman's club, each
trade union, plant an acre. Let there
be no central organization with high
saiaried executives to devour half the
crop. Let each club stand on it's own
bottom, and on guard against inn
posters and drones.
Plant an acre for the Wives and
Kiddies of Uncle Sans Soldiers and
Sailors! Do it nowi In a few weeks
it will be too late. Win you volun-
teer?
Yours sincerely
M, q, SCOTT,
President International Typographical
Unirr-