The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-02-21

Jacksonville, Feb. 20.-That there
has been inexcusable waste OF both
food and fuel in the United States for
MANY years past, gave E. P. Owen,
Jr., chairman of the local fuel COM
mittee, topic which aroused his pa.
triotism and by which aroused his
patriotism and by which he found OPP
portunity to discuss Florida's duty in
the proposed wood campaign where
by next winter is to find this state
saving every hour, tons of coal for
the needs of the government.
eve can hardly contemplate the
waste we are responsible for, and we
should be ashamed of our extrava-
gance when Uncle Sam" and his al
lies are SO badly in need Of fuel and
food, the two things most necessary
to win the war" said Mr.. Owen, I'VE
certainly should protect ourselves and
aid the nation by substitution OF wood
and save coal for the needs OF the
army and for the households in cold
er states which cannot obtain coal.
Talking about food waste, the
United States for years has been
throwing into garbage cans sufficient
food to feed a great army. This is
being largely remedied by the work
of the food administration. | am
frank to say that I believe had not
it been for Mr. Hoovers organization
there would today be seven wheatless
days every week for the poor people
of the United States.
A Surprising Loss
"Talking about food waste, there
are millions of dollars worth which
have not only found it's way to the
garbage cans but millions of dollars
worth of produce have been con-
sumed in cremators throughout the
country, which never reached house
holds. In Jacksonville alone in 1916
over $4,000 worth of fruit and vege
tables were burned at the local crem
atory. For that year 10000 pounds OF
meats were thus destroyed and at ar
average price of only 20 cents q
pound it would reach $4,000 They
tell me Jacksonville in this respec
is more fortunate than other cities
but even if this was taken as basis
this aggregate destruction Of fruits
vegetables and meats would be an
nually $2S,2Oo,oOo.
Goal waste and wood waste" cor
tinued Mr. Owen, comes in anothe
way. Millions of cords of the hes
fuel wood have been consumed o.
the fields when lands are cleared
Millions of cords of dead tree hav
been allowed to rot in the forests
Farmers have neglected to add fue
wood to the farm products. As +
the waste of coal, millions Of ton
have been valueless because Of tn
lack of skill OF firemen In coal-cor
Stunning industries, and millions 9
tons have been wasted in household
in the past because, coal being abun(
ant, little or no attention had bee
given to conservation.
Profitable Lessons
1.-THE fuel administration is teacl
ing the people a great lesson. 1t
not only adopting necessary mean
for providing coal for the army
this great war, but it is so impressin
the people with the folly of vast
that it will save in the future, war {
no war, millions OF dollars for thos
who must use it. Some Of the g
perts in Washington who were int
ested in the "TagYour- Shovel" car
paign figured it out that if every far
lily in the United States should sa'
a shoyelful every day enough co
would be saved to provide sufficie
coal to meet the demands of Il
army. Yet during the past winter t
oot;op ho5 n oopd;%;o,, thot uyo1 n