The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-05-10
CONSERVATION OF FOOD
SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED
Note of Warning Sounded by
Men Who are Thoroughly Awake
to Gravity of Situation.


Defence Council of the United States
says. THE foremost duty of America
to the Allies in this war is to see that
they are supplied with food.
From the necessities of the case, we
can put but few soldiers in the field,
but every spadeful of earth turned by
our farmers, every seed we plant, ev-
cry ounce of waste we eliminate, is
just as much a contribution to the
joint cause as that of a man in the
trenches"
In recent interview, ]. Ogden Ar
mour, of Chicago said: ''If Immedi-
ate and radical steps are not taken to
increase and conserve the food supply
in the United States, this country will
find itself next fall and winter in as
bad state, so far as food is concerned,
as any of the warning nations Of
Europe. | should favor the
institution, if necessary, of meatless
days, such as they now have in Europe. -
The above statements of experts, and
their full force, can best be appreci-
ated by glance at the reports from
the possible sources Of supply, This
country's wheat reserve is now on 1,;
about 100, 100000 bushels, as against
the usual reserve at this season of
something over 25O,O00,000 bushels,
with heavy winter wheat shortage in
sight in the coming crop.
The present corn supply is under
800, 600, 600 bushels, as against the
usual reserve of 1000, 900, 900 bushels
with conditions very unfavorable in the
southern corn area. The supply of
oats is now less than 400, 900, 600 bushels
against the usual supply of 600, 900. 600
at this season. Potatoes have probably
never been as short as at present in
America, and in all the great potato
producing countries. The estimates
place the worlds 1916 crop at 81 PER
cent. of the average.
The French minister of agriculture
stated month ago that the Allies
would need in addition to what they
now have on hand 100000, 900 bushels
of wheat alone. Argentine and this
country should normally meet this &C.
mand, but Argentine finds it necessary
to decline to permit the export of any
more wheat. so that the needs Of our
own country, and those Of France and
England, must be supplied from Four
already short supply.
Bread, meat and potatoes are the
staples on which the armies nov fight
ing our battles must subsist, and are
essential for the maintenance of the
nations in this common cause. 1t is,
therefore, the clear duty of US all to
provide every possible way for an IN
crease in the food supply, and a de-
crease in its waste. Every man en-
ployed in work not essential to the de-
fence of the country, or the protection
of property, is direct or indirect re-
duction IN the most essential thing
today in this country for increased food
products; that Is, labor and intelligent
labor necessary to till the soil.
The food necessary to keep the world
from starving can not be produced I'M
less immediate steps are taken by the
general government and the States to
conserve and increase the supply of
efficient farm labor. This cannot be
put off for two weeks; it must be done
now to insure the proper preparation Of
the soil and the planting of the crops.
1t is the clear duty of all agricultural
authorities to state the true condition
of the food supply in such plain terms
that there can be no Understanding
of its seriousness; not only by the
Federal and State authorities, but also
by every citizen, no matter what his or
her occupation may be. The crop re-
ports of the United States government
fully warrant the prediction of bread
riots in this country within the next
Tour months.
We therefore make the following
recommendations, and earnestly urge
that they be put into effect at the
earliest possible date:
l. That legislation, National and
State, be enacted by which idleness be
penalized, and that in CONSUMPTION
when restored to, an exemption be
granted to men habitually employed in
agricultural pursuits and in production
of food products.
2. That all public and private work
not absolutely necessary for the pro-
lection of property, or for the defence
of the country, be postponed where the
labor thus made available can be en-
ployed in the production of food pro-
ducts.
3. The immediate employment of all
able-bodied inmates of jails, reforma-
tories, ETC., so far as possible on public
works. so as to release many able farm
laborers now so employed.
a. The adoption of the standards in
thu v,oitI,pr, &c