McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-05-11
GOVERNOR RYE'S APPEAL
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SUGGESTS
WAYS TO BRING GREATER
FOOD PRODUCTION.
Points To the Necessity of Farm Labor
To Allow The Maximum Of Crop Pro-
duction--uraes Dlscouragement Of
Specialization.

Nashville.-Governor Rye issued an
appeal to the people of Tennessee to
theoretically respond to the call of the
nation in good preparedness and con-
servation, and also suggests ways to
bring about greater production. He
says:
To the People Of TENNESSEE have
just returned from trip in the state
ana appreciate the peoples interest In
the present food crisis. Organization Is
being perfected in various counties. but
stu some people fail to recognize the Sc
robustness OF the situation with reference
to the food situation and to the request
OF the president to the people Of the south
that an extra effort be made that we of
the south this year and during the pc
Rod of the war feed ourselves. This APP
peal is made peculiarly to the southern
people, and hope that every Tennessean
Will respond theoretically to this request.
Because of the food shortage in Europe
there has been during the last two or
three years very heavy draft upon the
FOOD products of this country and, with
out knowing 1t In many cases, there has
been serious inroad upon the seed need
Cd for the liberal planting Of our lands
l'this year. This is particularly true with
| referece to food crops such as beans of
all varieties and also true of sorghum,
both Of syrup and forage.
| Since the declaration of war indus
tries for the manufacture of war mate
rails have been falling seriously upon the
| rural population for labor and unless
great care Is exercised there will not
only be shortage of seed supply, but of
labor for the growing Of maximum crops.
Our government has emphasized and re-
emphasized to our young men on the
farm the necessity Of loyalty to the cause
| in remaining on the farm, since the food
supply in America Is going to be the most
important factor in obtaining victory
/ especially desire to enlist the in
terest In the food preparedness campaign
OF the absent land owner, particularly in
the cotton section of our state See to 1t
pay especial attention to the growing of
foodstuffs for the family and that that
may be necessary for his work stock,
breeding and meat animals.
Our business interests should give
hearty support to the movement and
make available money for the growing
OF larger crops, and that that may be
necessary for the preservation and Ju-
dicious marketing of the same.
In this crisis all unnecessary public
activities should be postponed 80 as to
liberate all available workmen and live
stock for the fled.
In cities and towns our officials should
pay particular attention to the vagrancy
| laws and see that idlers and loafers of
every kind are made to seek employment
and aid in producing something or else
/ deem it important that this year
every family maintain garden through
| the year, not so much for the sale OF
| products. but for family maintenance. in
order that food products which we nor
mally import may be made available for
| the army and the people Of our allied
armies and nations.
With. the high cost OF food products,
nonfood crops grown for money will not
| go as far in the purchase of other things
| as In former years.
Speculation in food products should be
discouraged. Loyalty to the poor in a
| crisis like this is loyalty to the nation.
Contracts for future deliveries of grains
and other seeds needed TO the planting
| of our acres next year and for food sup
| ply should also be discouraged.
Gut of this serious situation, / believe,
| should come a higher and more general
| appreciation of the dignity of labor and
| the Importance of agriculture in the de-
| velopment of our state and nation.
(Signed) TOM c. RYE, Governor.