Milford chronicle., 1918-03-29
CLOoMYcRoPoUTLoOK

From almost every community In the
agricultural sections OF the country there
comes a not Of warning that unless for
ming shall be made profitable. there will
be a diminished production. with all the
disastrous consequences which must in
evitably follow TO the cause Of America
and her allies. This diminished produc-
tion. as stated by Senator Borah, OF
Idaho. will not be due to any desire for
revenge but to the inability Of the farmers
who lost on last years crops to carry on
their operations as extensively In the
future
While 1t Is common knowledge that
many farmers have made snug profits
since the war began in Europe. and
few made good returns in 1917, yet there
were many sections where the crops Of
last year were unrenumerative and where
diminished planting Is indicated for 1913.
The cotton growers have made fortunes.
and 1917 was their biggest year. Where
wheat crops were large. the growers OF
that grain made a fair showing last sea
son, but in many sections the grain was
thin and the quality poor, with the re-
suit that the growers sustained a loss.
Many producers Of live stock have com
plained that feed cost them so much that
there was no profit in the business, and
because feed grains pay better than
wheat. they are inclined to abandon
wheat production, Notwithstanding the
earnest pleas OF the Food Administration
that wheat planting be increased.
This whole subject was recently |
brought very forcefully to the attention |
OF Congress by the presentation Of COM
municatiOns received by Senators from |
their constituents. The complaints OF /
improbable operations and apprehension
as to the future were presented by mem
bers Of both political parties, so it is evil
dent that the petitions for relief have no
partisan coloring or purpose.
Senator Gore. Democrat, OF Oklahoma,
presented letters from grain and live
stock farmers in his state and in Kansas
saying that last years wheat crops were
Improbable. that az the present price
Of corn we lose just 40 cents on every
bushel we feed" and that wheat being
the cheapest feed on the market, farmers
are feeding il 10 stock.
Senator Borah OF Idaho, presented tel
egrams from a County Council OF Nation
al Defense in his state saying that thou
sands Of cars are needed at once to move
The potato and fruit crops or there will
be an immense loss. Senator BOrah voic-
I'd the warming that III these products
an not be cared for when they are pro-
iuced. the production will be reduced
accordingly In all the productive field"
Senators Smith Of Michigan and Kel-
ogg OF Minnesota declared that they get
similar reports from their states, and
Senator Poindexter OF Washington told
Il efforts he has made to have cars sup
llied for moving the potato and fruit
.rops OF the northwest. Said Senator
'oindexter:
1T is not only important as It Affects
he supply Of the people OF the country
nd Of our allies with necessary and
ealthful food products. but It is import
mt in its bearing upon the production
I food for the coming year and upon the
Ortunes and conditions Of the people who :
ave raised this food, whose entire means
re invested In farms and In the business
producing food. who will be ruined II
ley cannot market their crops and who,
their crops are lost. will be discouraged
'om going TO the labor and incurrIng
ne investment which is necessary to
rOduee a crop for the coming year.
Further discussion on the subject in
icated a tendency on the part Of gov
rnment officials 10 neglect these things
'hich will encourage Increased produc-
on, at the same time that they plead
18th the farmers TO produce more