The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-14
TALKS or WASHINGTON VISIT.
GOVERNOR DOESN'T THINK CO.
LCMBIA WILL GET A GOVERN
MENT NITRATE PLANT
SOON.
Discussed Food Conservation and
ether Phases of Preparedness for
War With Hoover

Columbia, July 11.-There is much
spy talk and general activity on the
part of the government i'm getting
ready for the war, according TO Gov.
Manning who returned today from
Washington, where he went in the in
terest of securing a nitrate plant for
Columbia. He also held a conference
with Herbert Hoover, national food
administrator.
Il found said Gov. Manning, from
talks with officials that the food bill is
in terrible muddle, and it is very
embarrassing to the administration
that these matters should be delayed
so long.
Il had an interview with Mr.. Her
bert Hoover and he stresses the i'm
portance of immediate action in the
conservation of food and the necessity
for the regulation of food products,
Especially wheat. BY adding large
items to the food bill they have COM
plicated the situation and delayed ac-
ton, but I hope that the bill will be
recommited to the committee on agri-
culture. / have no. doubt that every
influence will be brought to bear to
make congress realize the importance
Of prompt action with reference to the
food BILL
Gov. Manning also held a confer
ence with Gen. Mann, chief of the
Bureau of Military Affairs, and Secre-
tary Clifford, of the National Council
of Defense. Secretary Clifford inform
ed Gov. Manning that nothing more
important can be done in South Car
olina just now than to stress the mat
ter of econmy and of food conserva-
ton. I'm my opinion, said Gov. Man
ming, "the people of South Carolina
lead in this work, but the matter
should he stressed for the country at
large. Mr.. Clifford says that it is alb
solutely necessary that this be done
TO bring the war to a successful con-
clusion."
Concerning the establishment OF a
nitrate plant, Gov Manning said:
From the information 1 obtained it
is probable that small p6rtion a.
the appropriation will be Xsed for the
establishment of - { goy trnment nj
trate plant in soaf regions. prob
ably IN WeS}~Nrginia. to fully test out
the-habcr process and think it prob
able that this is all that will be done
at present After testing out the ha-
Der process the government will then
determine what will be doll with ref
ercnce to the nitrate plant"
i Gov Manning stressed the i'm.
portance of the meeting at Rock Hill
Thursday, which has been called by
Mrs. F. Louise Mayes for the heads of
the women's organizations of the
State, when the plan for the food
conservation campaign will be outlin-
cd The meeting will be held upon
request of the National Council of De-
fense and the organization will have
the cooperation of the State council.
Gov. Manning also made the fol-
lowing statement: after a conference
with the war department shall hold
in abeyance any action looking to the
organizations of reserve battalions
An effort is being made to combine
the reserves for the regular army.
National Guard and the national
army, instead of having three distinct
reserves"
Did you take up anything with the
war department about the exemption
boards in South Carolina?" Gov.
Manning was asked.
NO, L did not discuss or allude di-
rcctiy or indirectly to the question of
these appointments and nothing was
further from my thoughts" said Gov.
Manning.