The Pulaskian., 1918-02-01

consumption. As We eat more meat than we need to preserve health. this will do no harm. Our production a.. erages roughly 650O00,000 pounds her month, and these demands represent q little over 10 per cent of our consunp. ] ton. Our own domestic beef eonsunp. tion mas increased from about 70 lbs. per person per annum to about SC lbs. during the past five years. The pub lie health has been no better during this last period. If we could get back to our pre=war meat consumption we should solve our present problem. The meatless day has made it possible for us to maintain these exports for the present.
 h pork products we exported to the Allies about 50,000,000 pounds month ly before the war. We have shipped them about 10O,000,O00 pounds per month during the past two years. Dur ing the next three months they are asking for over 150,000,00O pounds monthly. Our hogs have decreased since the war began. Our own con- sumption is far above our health ne eessities and We can easily save this amount. Our average monthly produe- ton of hog products is roughly 75O. 000,000 pounds. We need to export an increase over pre-war averages of 100,- 000,000 pounds, and, as our supplies are below normal, we need to save at least 20 per cent until such a time as our hog supply increases.
 If the Cuban sugar crop yields as estimated, we will need to save from 100000 to 100000 tons of sugar from our normal consumption if the Allies are to be supplied-about 10 per cent.
 Not only the increased demands. but also the sharp and distressing reduc- tion in rations amongst the Allies are evidence enough of the acute situation We must meet.
 The President has issued. pro gramme for food conservation. The programme in many particulars is of necessity largely voluntary, but in some particulars it can be enforced under the Food Bill In any event no measure that has not the loyal SUD- port of the majority of our people can ever succeed. The results of volun- tary conservation during the last six months abundantly prove the desire of the vast majority to make the saeri- ice necessary to feed the Allies and our own soldiers. There is, however, national risk that we fail to secure the necessary conservation through opposition of minority disheartening the majority. We should like to have the authority to make the minority bear it's share of the burden. The sit uatlon does not bear delay and we pro pose to do the best we can on vol untaTy basis, plus what authority we do possess.
 It would be easier for us to ask less than necessity demands. What we do ask are not large percentages-th is no privation in them. In any event we have no intention of exporting more than our savings, for we must and will protect the food supply of our own people. Therefore the fullnesS with which we can meet these de mands is determined simply by our monthly saving. We have abundant other foods which we can substitute for the exports wanted and if we could only eliminate all waste and all unnecessary consumption it would solve the problem. A large number or our people are not in position 10 reduce consumption. Their daily Ire is of necessity one of continuous econ omony and saving. The responsibility and the burden of these savings must' therefore, fall in a larger degree upon those more fortunately situated. Those who have most must save most.