The Washington herald., 1918-07-24
ACHIEVEMENTS
OF U. S. GREAT
Var Shipbuilding and Food
Saving Noted by
Holland.


when he received. day or two ago
a report from the New England plant
OF the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Cor
, poration that a destroyer was launch
ed at that plant, having been made
ready for the water within three
months from the time her keel was
laid. When Mr.. Daniels took office as
Secretary Of the Navy he would have
been satisfied If he had been told
by shipbuilders that it would take
at least two years to build destroyer.
When the contract was signed for
the construction Of this new destroyer
IL was estimated that nine months
would be necessary from the time OF
the laying Of her keel to the time of
her commission. Instead of nine
months only three months were need
ed IN order to launch the vessel and
within weeks the destroyer will be In
commission. Three months hence an
other destroyer will be Launched AZ
this New England yard and after
that probably several others.
This, however, Is more remarkable
than other achievements OF American
shipbuilders since the Unitsj states
has entered the war. The Washington
authorities report that within year
our shipbuilders have made a new
world record
In addition to this achievement
the United States exported 10 our
allies in the twelve months enolns
June 80 foodstuffs which were OF
the aggregate money value OF si'-
100. 900, 900 This is triumph worthy
TO be compared with any or those
which will become traditional aiter
the war Is closed. II STANDS oy IL
self, since no other nation than the
United States has been able TO send
foodstuTs in any conslderaDle
amount 10 Great Britain, France and
Italy.
saerfaee without Complaint.
The wonder of 1t all is that the
American people by voluntary ac-
ton, not having been forced by any
drastic measures exerted by the
government, have been able to con-
tribute millions. even billions, OIL
pounds of various food products 90
ing this cheerfully. accepting WIN
out complaint whatever sacrlnces
may have been involved
There was a time shortly before
the European war began when mucn
concern was felt about our aolhty
TO supply ourselves with all the
meat products that we need. some
nf the packers in Chicago sent rep
resentatiyes to South America so
that there might be acquired IN Ar
zentina great ranches upon which
heef cattle could be fed; and hav-
ing been fattened. they would De
ready for export to the United
states. The apprehension was great
that from becoming a beef-producinS
nation in amounts sufficient to meet
domestic demands with large sur
plus for export, we should De com
PEELED to rely upon Argentina and
perhaps upon the Mexican ranches
for beef and pork products in or
der to make up a deficiency in our
own supply
some OF the leading railroad man
ayers Of the Northwest began cam
rsign with intent TO persuade the
FARMERS TO utilize the ranches and
[ he unoccupied lands so that there
,ould be an increase in our supply of
Il neat products. But farmers in other
rarts of the country were rapidly
king I'D ranch lands because these
farmers believed that the soil could
be Of greater profit utilized for the
production OF grain.
The record made in the past fiscal
year of our exports in meat and fats
shows that the apprehension which
was so great a few years ago was
not justified. We were able to send to
our allies across the sea food products
which in the aggregate weighed a
little more than 1900, 10000 pounds.
All Of these meat products represent
ed the cultivation OF cattle and hogs
in the United States. II We could do
this in time of war it IS believed We
can maintain this high production OF
meat products after the war is ended.
OF course our allies will not need so
much meat after peace comes, but
The experience for the past year
shows. it is believed. that we can
maintain and steadily increase our
output OF meats and fats as well as
dairy products, There should there
fore be no apprehension lest the Unit
ed States be called upon after the
war is ended to rely upon South
american prairies to supplement ouI
deficiency in rleat products.
We were able to send to Europe
according to Mr.. Hoover. 5000, 900
bushels OF cereals, some of il con-
verted into prepared food. and this
was an increase of nearly $1,000. 900
bushels in comparison to the ship
ments of the previous year. OF
this food or cereal products, wheat
constituted 81, 10000 bushels. The
American people have shown the
highest decree Of patriotism
for our alliance with England
France and Italy in the present
war represents patriotism in the
best meaning of the term-in being
willing to accept for food the SUBJ
stitutes for wheat, So that our
armies and our allies in Europe
may be abundantly supplied with
wheat. It Is for this reason that
Mr.. Hoover felt justified In saying
that the many millions of people
both those who live in the farming
districts and in the cities who have
contributed to this result. should
r1eel a very definite satisfaction
That in q year OF universal food
Lshortage in the northern hemis-
5phere, all of the people who are
Joined together against Germany
have come into sight of the coming
harvest not only with health and
nothing more than temporary peri
DDS of hardships."
New Year to suFpass Last.
What was done in the fiscal yeaI
which ended on June % will be con-
tfnued during the present fiscal year
so that very likely in July. 1913. should
the war continue until that time, Mr..
Hoover will report that an aggregate
Of food shipments sent to the allies
from the United States in the present
fiscal year win be of the money value
considerably in excess of a billion and