The Washington times., 1917-04-06
Facing Food Shortage,
Nation Plans Economy
Defense Council, By Cooperation, Increased
Planting and Elimination of Waste, Will
Prepare For War.
BY RALPH A. COLLINS.

South by generally unIaVordoIo Gun
lditions.
Truck crops OF the Gulf States
were considerably damaged by the
freeze of early March. In the more
northern sections OF the Southern
States truck crops were backward be-
cause, of wet weather. Frequent
| frosts did considerable damage in
California and vegetables were re-
ported scarce.
Stock losses in the Northwest were
heavy because OF shortage OF feed
and heavy snow cover on the ranges.
Reports by States show generally un-
favorable conditions and losses.
Assistant Secretary Of Agriculture
Carl vrooman, who Is touring the
South to stimulate food production,
told the Southeastern Food Crop Con-
ference, at Atlanta, yesterday. that
unless the South increased its fooo
crops in event Of war, the south
like Germany, faces starvation. he
explained that this would not be
due to the fact that the United states
could not raise food enough, but 70
the fact that the shortage in frelght
cars would practically stop fooo
shipments from the North.
Cauners VIII Cooperate.
Every possible effort Is being made
by the Department of Commerce 10
secure an abundant supply OF tin cans
to insure a heavy pack Of green fooos
to be available through the winter
months next year.
The can supply Is short TO the oe-
gree of famine, but can and tin plate
makers and others concerned IN the
manufacture Of cans are cooperating
to relieve the situation and to have
sufficient cans on hand to insure that
none OF the short food supply will be
lost through lack of canning facili-
ties. The Gamers are ready to in
crease their business as much as 100
per cent IL they can get the cans.
Through the Council OF National De
fense the railroads are cooperating to
meet the situation, and are expediting
food shipments wherever possible.
In view OF the gravity of the food
situation, II Is probable that Congress
will take steps looking to regulation,
and 1t Is possible that embargo legis-
lation will be seriously considered. to
insure sufficient food for the civilian
population OF the country IL crop
shortage brings an acute situation.
Whole World Lacks Wheat.
II the loss in the winter wheat crop
is heavier than expected the most
serious situation will be met in this
bread staple. All the world is short
of wheat. It is expected that the fig
ures will show that the American sur
plus has been wiped out and the coun-
try and its allies will be dependent
upon success OF the growing summer
crop. OF this crop, 100, ,000, 900 bushels
must be saved for seed. This means
that II is imperative to hold upward
OF 5000, 600, 900 worth OF the best grain
on the farms or in storage.
Government experts are fearful
that high prices due to the shortage
will lead the farmers of the coGln-
try to abandon caution, and sell out
their entire supply of grain. Such q
course would mean ultimate starva-
tion for the country, as by that time
there will be no seed available in old
world countries.
The Argentine crop was so short
this year that an embargo on ship
ments has been placed, keeping the
Argentine grain out OF the worlds
markets. Conditions generally have
been unfavorable in all of the big
wheat countries.
AeeE oCOpc IOr U1rucuIuBs
Experts OF the Department OF Agri-
culture are hard at work to nation
alize the home gardening campaign
so successfully launched in Washing
ton for the cultivation OF backyards
and vacant lots to exc out the supply
of foodstuffs.
Every detail of the situation is be-
ing placed before the defense council,
and IL the time comes for drastic ac-
tion the council will be ready to
move. 1t will have at hand informa.
tion on the source, quantity, and
quality OF all available food supplies,
the channels OF. distribution, and the
markets.
A national plea is being sent out to
the people to economize and limit
food consumption wherever neces-
sary.