The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-08-31

huOpL SUCH HedSuFeS as VIII amelO |
rate, so far as may be, the price condi-
tons of our less fortunate. We might |
so drain the supplies from the country
to Europe as by the high prices that
would follow to force our people to
shorten their consumption. This oper-
alton of normal economic forces-
would starve that element of the com
lection. We must try to impose the
burden equally upon all.
Action Must Be Voluntary.
There is no royal road to food con-
servation. We can only accomplish
this Dy the voluntary action of our
whole people, each element in proper
ton to its means. 1t is a matter of
equality of burden; matter of min
ute saving and substitution at every
point in the 20,000.000 kitchens, on the
2O0O0000 dinner tables and in the
100000 manufacturing, wholesale and
retail establishments of the country,
The task Is thus in its essence the daifs
Individual service of all the people.
Every group can substitute and even
the great majority of thrifty people
can save a little-and the more luxuri-
Gus elements of the population can by
reduction to simple living save much.
The final result of substituting other
products and saving one pound of
| wheat flour, two ounces OF fats, seven
| ounces Of sugar and seven ounces of
meat weekly, by each person, will,
/ ha ua
hundred million, have increased our
exports to the amounts absolutely re-
| quired by our allies. This means no
more than that we should eat plenty,
but eat wisely and without waste.
Food conservation has other aspects
! or utmost Importance. Wars must be
paid for by savings. We must save
in the consumption in commodities and
the consumption of unproductive la
Dor In order that we may divert our
manhood to the army and to the shops.
The whole of Europe has been en-
gagged ever since the war began in the
elimination of waste, the simplification
of life, and the increase of its indus
trial capacity. When the war is over
the consuming power of the world will
be reduced by the loss of prosperity
and man power, and we shall enter
period of competition without parallel
in ferocity. After the war, we must
maintain our foreign markets if our
working people are to be employed.
We shall be in no position to compete
II we continue to live on the same
basis of waste and extravaganza on
which we have lived hitherto Simple
temperate living is moral issue of the
first order at any time, and any Other
basis of conduct during the war be
comes a wrong against the interest O.
the country and the Interest O
democracy.
The impact of the food shortage o
Europe has knocked at every door o
the United States during the past thre
years. The prices of foodstuffs hav
nearly doubled, and the reverbe.ation
of Europe's increasing shortage woult
have Numbered twice as loudly dur
ing the coming year even had we no
entered the war.
We are today in an era of higf
prices. We must maintain prices al
such level as will stimulate produc
ton, for we are faced by a starving
world and the value of commodity to
! the hungry is greater than it's price.
! AS result of the world shortage OF
supplies, our consumers have suffered
from speculation and extortion. While
wages for some kinds of labor have
increased with the rise in food prices
! In others, 1t has been difficult to main.
tain our high standard of nutrition.
BY the elimination of waste in all
classes, by the reduction in the con
sumption OF foodstuffs by the more for.
tunate, we shall increase our supplies
not only for export but for home, and
! by increased supplies we can help in
the amelioration of prices.
For Better Distribution.
Beyond this the duty has been laid
upon the food administration to coop.
: crate with the patriotic men in trades
and commerce. that we may eliminate
the evils which have grown into our
, system of distribution, that the bur.
den may fall equitably upon all by res
: toration, so far as may be, of the nor
maj course Oh IFdue. IL IL lle PURPOSE
Of the food administration to use its
: utmost power and the utmost ability
that patriotism can assemble to ameli
} crate this situation to such a degree as
may be possible.
! The food administration is assem-
bling the best expert advice in the
country on home economics, on fooC
$ utilization, on trade practices anC
, trade wastes, and on the conduct q
: public eating places, and we shall out
f line from time to time detailed sugges
l tons, which if honestly carried out b.
j such individuals in the country, we be
Y lieve will effect the result which W,
e must attain. We are asking ever,
:. home, every public eating place ant
$ many trades, to sign a pledge care
s to accept these directions. so far a
s their circumstances permit, and we ar
4 organizing various instrumentalities t
ap,oIiora+a cnanulnfion Wa GRO aSt-