The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-04-13
PROCLAMATION

y
citizen the patriotic duty of immedia-
tely helping to sustain the United
States in the action resulting from
interference with our established
rights and liberties.
Equally important with the need
for arms and equipment is an ade-
quate supply of food for our nation
and the countries whose people and
institutions have been attacked by an
autocratic government ignoring the
rights of humanity.
Proper preparedness means that
energetic attention must at once be
given to producing as much as pos
sible from the land, in both the
country and the city. The people of
this prosperous state have the OPP
portunity today of making a great
contribution to the resources that
will strengthen the nation-by each
man, woman and child undertaking
in an intelligent way to increase the
yield of food products.
The man on the farm can be
leader in this patriotic service, but
there is hardly person in any COM
munity without the chance to grow
something for family use or the mar
ket.
With the certain knowledge that
all citizens will be quick to act for
the good of the country, and because
organized effort is essential for full
service to the nation;
Now, therefore, I, Ernest Lister,
Governor of Washington, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by law,
do hereby call on the people of the
state to cooperate in great agri-
cultural preparedness campaign, and
direct immediate action to be taken
as follows:
That the County Auditor in each
county in the state forthwith call
to a meeting the county treasurer,
county clerk, county agriculturist,
county superintendent of schools, the
chairman or a representative of the
Board of County Commissioners, an
officer from each bank at the county
seat, and such other citizens as he
may deem advisable, to organize by
the election of chairman and sec
rotary, and the appointment of proper
committees, for the purpose of bring
ing about the fullest possible food
production in every part of that
county.
That the central committee at the
county seat appoint local committee
in each school district of the county,
whose duty it shall be to see that
full advantage is taken of every OPP
portunity to increase the yield of
food products.
That the local committee in each
school district of the state make
arrangements for a patriotic rally
to be held on Saturday, April 18th,
for the purpose of planning action
that will be of the most benefit to
the nation from encouraging agri
cultural preparedness.
That the State Oranges, Farmers
Unions, Commercial Clubs and all
other organizations qualified to act
and inspired with patriotic purpose,
be invited to join in this service.
That the State Department of
Agriculture, the State educational in
stitutions and schools, and especially
those that are serving the agricultur-
al needs of the state, actively sup
port this movement
That steps be taken by the active
committees throughout the state to
devise ways and means for helping
any one willing to cultivate land if
assisted in securing seed; a plan
suggested being for the person as
sisted in this way to pay at harvest
time the cost of the seed or to re-
turn from the crop at least twice
the amount of the seed. Or, any
other plan which may seem to better
suit local conditions may be adopted.
The state of Washington is rich
in resources and | appeal to all cit
liens of this commonwealth to take
an active part in this patriotic move
ment that will prepare US to meet
any demands that may come.
(Signed) ERNEST LISTER,
Governor of Washington