The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-02-02

the new draft regulations ] believe
farmers of the country will find their
supply of labor is much less seriously
drawn upon than 1t was under the
first and initial draft, made before
We had our present full experience In
these perplexing matters.
Americans Best Producers.
And let me say that the stimulation
of the agencies have enumerated has
been responded to by the farmers in
splendid fashion. | dare say you know
tho farmers of the country are as eff
Client as any in the world. They do
not produce more per acr than the
farmers of Europe. IL is not neces-
sary. II would perhaps be bad econ.
omy. But they prodcce three or four
times more per man, per unit of labor
and capital, than the farmers OF any
European country. They are more
alert and use more labor saving sery-
ices. And their response to the de-
mands of the present emergency has
been remarkable. Last spring their
planting exceeded by 10000. 900 acres
the largest planting OF airy previous
year The crops were record break
tIE yfCiub. IdCt ldtl q w hCat tiC65G
or 1910, 900 was planted, which was
], 000, 900 larger than for any proceed
ING year, 1900, 900 greater than the
mex largest, and 1000, 900 greater
than the preceding five year average.
Must Guido 1917 Records.
But 1t Is not only necessary that
these achievements should be repeat
cd, but that they SHOULD be exceeded.
I know what Ii involves. Ii involves
not only labor but sacrifice, the pains
taking application of every bit OF
scientific knowledge and every tested
practice available. 1t means utmost
economy, ever where the pinch comes.
It means the kind OF concentration
and s~elf-sacrifice which Is involved In
the field OF battle itself, where the
object always looks greater than the
individual. And yet n government
will help, and help In every way pos
able.
Farmers Are Protected.
"The impression that while the gov
eminent has sought to fix prices OF
foodstuffs, II has not sought to nix
other prices which determine the ex'
penses OF the farmer is a mistaken
one. The government mas actively
and successfully regulated prices OF
many fundamental materials underly-
lng all the industries of the country
and has regulated them not only Tor
purchase OF the government but also
for the purchase or the general public.
and I have every reason to believe
the congress will extend the powers
Of the government in this even essen.
tial matter, so that p~rofteering wiiich
Ii showing itself In too many quarters
may be effectively checked. In fixing
prices or foodstuffs the government
has sincerely tried to keep the inter
ests of the farmer as much In mind
"a the interests OF the communities
which are to be served, but It Is serv
ing mankind as well as the farmer
and everything in these times OF war
lakes on the rigid aspect OF duty.
Farmers Are Not Siackers.
81 will not appeal to you to continue
and renew and increase yocr efforts.
do not believe that necessary. ! be-
iieye o will do 1t without appeal from
me. because you understand as well
As / the needs and opportunities OF
this great hour when the fortunes OF
mankind everywhere seem about to be
determined and when America has the
greatest opportunity she has ever had
to make good her own freedom n III
making It good to lend a helping nand
to men struggling for their freedom
everywhere. You remember that 1t wa
farmers from whom came the nrs'
| shots at Lexington, that set afame the
revolution that made America free.
Il hope and believe that the farmers
~ America Will willingly and con
sniculousiy stand by to win this wal
also. The toll, their intelligence, the
energy. the foresight. the s~elf-sacrince
and devotion OF the farmers OF Amer
lea will, / believe. bring to q trium
phant conclusion this great last wal
for the emancipation OF men tht
control of arbitrary government anc
the selishness OF class legislation ano
control. and then. when the end mas
come. we may look each other IN tne
ACE and be glad that we are Amer
cans. and have had the privilege u
play such . part"