The sun., 1917-04-13
MAY CONSCRIPT
FARM WORKERS
Elaborate Measures Pro-
posed to Increase U. s.
Food Production.
PRICE FIXING POSSIBLE
Agriculture Experts Say Till
ers Of Soil Are Vital Neces-
sity of War.
PRICE FIXING POSSIBLE

sity Of War.
WASH iNGToN. April IA programme
OF food production and food conserva-
ton for the replenishment OF tho worlds
depleted stores, far reaching In Its
effects and so radical In its nature as to
propose the application of the principle
Of selectivs conscription to get workers
for the fields, was outlined tonight In
statement from the Department Of Agri-
culture reporting the conclusions reached
at the conference OF agriculture experts
held in St Louis yesterday and to-day.
1t Is doubtful IL any nation embark
ing In war ever took the elaborate
measures for the increase OF food pro-
duction that are proposed by Secretary
OF Agriculture Houston and his con-
ferees. Describing the situation CON-
fronting the country as perhaps the
greatest emergency in its history, the
conference strongly recommended the
following action:
Conscription Of the more than 2,000,-
900 boys between the ages Of Is and 1s
not now engaged in productive work. OF
men beyond military ago and Of men
active military duty. for work in the
fields and In other lines Of food produc-
ton as we'll as in ammunition plants
s26,OOO, 900 Sought.
Appropriation of S25, 100000 to be
made Immediately available for the use
Of the Secretary Of Agriculture to meet
the extraordinary needs OF agriculture
In the crisis.
Price publicity and. II necessary, price
fixing in order to protect the public
against speculators who seek TO make
capital out OF the country's condition.
Government control Of agencies for
the manufacture and handling OF foods.
complete survey Of the food situa-
ton.
A call by the Government to farmers
and all persons having a plot of land Of
any size available to plant as much as
possible this year and thus patriotically
assist the country in as great a degree
as the man who shoulders a rife.
Formation OF a relatively small CEN
tIal agricultural body in Washington. a
large national advisory body composed
Of leading agricultural organizations and
associations, q small central agricultural
body in each State to be designated by
the Governor. all the smaller organisa-
tions wording in coordination with tho
central national board. which in turn
will work in cooperation with the Coun-
Gil OF National Defence.
SuGgestions TO Farmers.
As the first step in the increase of
Americas food production the conference
urgently made these suggestions to the
IA ~ ho
Increase the acreage In spring wheat
in the Northern States.
Increase the corn area east Of the
Tooth meridian.
In districts where wheat has been
winter killed replant with oats. corn or
sorghum. as climatic conditions may de-
termine.
Plant barley and oats. wherever they
are proved and reliable crops, to the
maximum that can be handled.
Buckwheat acreage in the Northern
and Eastern States. where the season is
too short for the great staple crops, may
we'll be increased.
The area planted to navy beans in the
North and West and to Mexican and
tepary beans in the Southwest should be
enlarged.
The planting OF potatoes, especially
for local use. should be stimulated in
every ToaSONaUl6 way.
Sweet potatoes in the South should be
produced in larger quantity than usual
for use In their fresh state and for stor-
ing. canning or deslccating for winter
use.
Production Of peanuts should be en-
larged.
Care should he taken to avoid undue
encroachment on areas used for pas
turage and hay required for live stock
production.
Authority should be granted TO the
Secretary Of Agriculture to advance to
farmers under proper safeguards seed
required to insure the production OF
crops necessary for the welfare of the
nation.
More Live stock Needed.
An early increase IN tho animal prod
uct of the country should be made. as
live stock holdings already are too low
and should not be diminished further
Increase must como through enlarging
the supply of feed by more efficient
methods of feeding and through more
complete control of contagious diseases.
Pork production could be increased
substantially through the more extensive
use of full litters. better care and feed
ing.
Milk production could be increased
fully cna -fonrth nv mora lharal nd In