The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1918-06-21
DOES MANY THINGS
TO HELP WIN WAR
ACTIVITIES OF AGRICULTURAL
DEPARTMENT IN THIS LINE
ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
FINDS ENOUGH FARM LABOR
lite Inspectors See That Soldiers Get
Wholesome Meat - Congressman
RaQsdale's View of His Duties
BluntIy Stated by Him.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

bunny STATED py him.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington.-It may not occur TO
the average person that the agricul-
tural department Of the United States
is doing a great deal to help win the
war, but the fact is that this depart
ment is very important and its war
work is especially useful. Among the
many things which the department has
done none is more helpful than mo-
bilizing farm labor. Agents of the de-
partment went into the cities, towns
and villages and procured men to work
on the farms. and the belief is now
expressed that enough farm labor VIII
be obtained to harvest the crops.
II is not generally known that 67
inspectors of the bureau of animal in
dustry. experts on meats of all kinds,
are now with the United States army
and see TO II that the soldiers get
wholesome meat. There are 30 in
spectors engaged in similar work with
the navy. Another activity Of the ag-
ricultural department is the demon
stratiOn for preserving eggs so that
they can be shipped abroad and used
for the army. Great success has at
tended the pig clubs" in which 1OO.-
600 boys and girls are now engaged In
increasing the output of pork. The
department has employed 1851 extern
sion workers who are aiding the food
nd tnT no
paign. 1t has also aided in searching
out timber needed in war supplies,
particularly that used in making air
planes. In fact, there are many enter
prises I'm which the agricultural de-
partment is engaged, all tending to
help win the war.
Here is something In the way Of ex-
pert testimony on congressional con-
ditions in the year of our Lord, 1918.
Congressman Ragsdale of South Caro-
lima was trying to get consent for the
consideration of q bill authorizing a
bridge over some little stream In his
district. Several members seemed I'M
duly concerned and inclined to ask
questions.
81 have stayed around here today a
good big part Of my time" said Rags
dale, because / want to get this bill
through"
SHOULD not the gentleman stay here
part Of his time, anyway" inquired
Congressman Dowell Of Iowa.
"No." retorted Ragsdale; 81 think
could spend my lime to much better
advantage almost anywhere else than
to stay here and listen TO the hot air
that Is turned loose on this floor
large part of the time. I am supposed
to take care Of my district and repre-
sent 1t down In the departments, be-
cause most members of congress are
little better than messenger boys
now"
Provost Marshal General Crowder
and his assistants intend to search all
the corners of the country for slackers
and for those who would escape doing
service for the country. There is n
strong public sentiment backing ND the
men who are enforcing the draft laws.
particularly since the reports have be-
gun to arrive showing that many
Americans are making the supreme
sacrifice for the honor of the country.
Commissioner Cato Sells Of the bu-
reau of Indian affairs is not waiting
for the adoption of the woman suf-
frage amendment before putting equal
suffrage principles into practice. He
recently appointed Miss Florence Eth
eridge TO probate attorneyshlp un-
der his bureau In Oklahoma. The
duties of the new attorney will consist
of sort of motherly supervision over
Indian children and incompetent In
dian grownups, to see that no one
buncos them out of their property.
Considerable responsibility attaches to
the work for there is probably no
weather. class Of people in the world
today than the Oklahoma Indians with
their valuable oil lands.
The power of the president over
congress was never better illus
trated than on the day when he
delivered his message to the two
houses saying that they should stay
In session and pass a revenue bill.
There was not man within the
sound of his voice, either senator or
representative. or any other employee
about the capitol, that was not in
tensely In favor of postpOniug revenue
legislation In order that congress
might adjourn and not be compelled
to stay here through the hot summer
months. In fact, delegations Of con-
gressmen, headed by what was at one
time called the Famous Southern
quintet" meaning Senators Simmons
Of North Carolina and Martin of vir-
ginia, and Representatives Kitchin Of
North Carolina, Sherley of Kentucky
and Garner of Texas, had labored ear
nestly with Secretary McAdoo and