Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1917-04-19
BOARD TO MOB0L|zE
STATES RESOURCES
CHAIRMAN coKER ISSUES PROC
LAMATIoN EXPLAINING FOOD
SUPPLY OUTLOOK.
DISPATCHES FROM COLUMBIA
OoIngs and happenings That Mark the
Progress Of South Carolina People,
Gathered Around the State Capital.

Production and conservation of food
is urged in an address to the people
OF South Carolina by David r. Coker,
chairman OF the civic preparedness
commission.
The proclamation follows:
Whereas. the national government
and our state government realize
that an ample supply OF foodstuffs,
both for this country and for those
other countries who are likewise at
war with the imperial German govern
ment, is necessary for the successful
prosecution of military operations.
They also realize that the available
food supplies OF the world are entire
ly inadequate and that the successful
prosecution Of this war Is menaced by
said foo dshortage. They have. there
fore. called upon the people OF South
Carolina to discontinue as far as pos
sible. their drafts upon the already
heavily depleted national food reserves
by the production at home of every
possible poun dof food for man and
beast.
In order that the people OF South
Carolina may be advised OF the ma
tional peril caused by food shortage,
and that effective steps may be taken
in this state for food production and
conservation. the governor Of South
Carolina has constituted a commits
sion known as the commission for
civic preparedness for war. He has
charged this commission with awaken
,,,<r xh> 10 ,,,,;
ted and patriotic action in the face OF
national peril.
Some Food Facts.
That the people may be properly in
formed and induced to take the nee
essary cooperative action. the follow
ing facts are recited:
The available supplies Of foodstuffs
are at the lowest in all food-producing
countries that they have been for over
so years.
Prices of most foodstuffs have about
doubled during the past two or three
years.
The government crop report fore
casts a wheat crop which will be short
of American consumption.
The reserve supplies of meats arc
far below normal
than a nation at peace.
France. England, Belgium and Italy
are short of food and are largely de-
pendent on American imports. and.
unless some means Is found OF supply
ing them. they can not continue to
fight effectively.
The South Is importing from the
West and North $500. 900. 900 to $780,
100000 worth Of foodstuffs annually.
and is thus tremendous drain on the
nations food resources and. conse-
quently. is now a menace to the ma
tion's safety.
Under such conditions. the price OF
cotton will fall. but the price of food
stufrs will advance still further (un-
less regulated by law.
The raising OF foodstuffs in the
South Is accompanied by an improve
ment Of the soil. as legumes are uni
vorsaf1y used in a food crop rotation.
This enables cotton and other crops
to be more cheaply raised the follow
ing year.
The programme for increased food
stuffs Is identical with the programme
for preparation for the boil weevil. and
an increase OF the acreage to food,
stuffs and OF the production Of live
stock would be necessary II the
world were at peace.
Farm laborers are leaving the state
in great numbers. Cotton requires more
labor than any other crop. Foodstuffs
and live stock can be produced with
much less labor.
II the state and nation do their
duty In the production Of foodstuffs
tas we confidently believe they wilD.
the next cotton crop will probably
bring a fair price, and we do not wish
the impression to go abroad that this
commission advocates Wholesale
abandonment OF tho cotton acreage
planned. We do, however. most
strenuously urge every farmer in
South Carolina to produce ample pro-
visions for his family and laborers
and a surplus fuT sale. We urge upon
the town people the planting Of waste
lands and back yards to garden truck.
We urge every man. woman and child
in the state not to waste food. Food
waste under present conditions is
criminal
A pound OF cotton at 20 cents will
actually buy less foodstuffs now than
normally.
A campaign for food production and
conservation will be waged in every
county in the state. Practical plans
for effectively meeting the situation
will be presented.
We call upon the people OF South
Carolina-black and white. old and
young-to enlist as one man in order
that this great state may stand forth
conspicuous in national service. solid
ly supporting our great and good
president in this hour OF national
peril.
Richardson-Gibbes Case Goes Higher:
The office of chief game warden
for South Carolina was decided va
cant by Judge ]. w. DeVore in a de-
cree handed down last week. The
questions argued recently before his
honor in the Richland county court
room were whether A. A. Richardson