Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1918-07-08

"The introduction of rationing into
this country would have resulted in
an inevitable reaction. 1t would also
mean tremendous expenditure. On
the basis of the rationing system
adopted by European countries for
certain staple foods, it would require
$4,SO0,0O0 a year for the printing Of
the necessary ration cards; ii would
demand one official for every 1000
families to take care of distribution
under this system; in fact on the
European basis, about $45,0OO,000 a
year would be required to administer
the rationing system in this country.
Control of consumption by high
prices was obvioI2ly too unfair to
merit consideration in such a country
as ours, meaning as it must, conserva,
tion for the rich at the expense of the
poor
"The voluntary system, based upon
education and publicity (the third al
ternative), was selected because Of
the moderate expense Involved, and
because of the opportunity it afforded
to use the great desire of loyal Amer.
leans to serve their country.
Results Enormous.
"The results of the voluntary control
of food have been enormous. The sur
plus of the 1918 wheat crop based
on normal consumption, would have
been 20,0000O0 bushels. If the present
rate of saving by the American people
continues, we shall be able to deliver
to our Allies from this crop possibly
170000,O00 bushels of wheat, of which
150,000000 will represent the volun-
tary savings of the American people.
This delivery of wheat has enabled the
Allies to meet the more immediate
and pressing bread needs Of their peo.
pie, and to keep up the bread ration
Of their soldiers.
'As to our exports of meat, the re-
suits Of conservation are even more
remarkable. The analysis Of figures
in regard to hogs indicates that we
were 100000 to 100000 hogs short
when the conservation campaign was
started. Before the war, the average
monthly export of hog products was
about 50,000,000 pounds. In March,
1918. we exported 3O0,OO0,OOO pounds
and can see our way clear, with the
present saving and production to go
forward at this rate for an indefinite
period. Before 1914 we were export
ing from 100000 to 100000 pounds
of beef per month. After the Euro
pean war began, there was an in
crease to about 100000 per month.
Now, we are exporting at the rate Of
130, 100000 pounds of beef per month
and, with the continuation of conser-
walton and production, there is no
reason to anticipate material reduc
ton in these figures.
Great Offensive Needed.
1.-THE winning of the war depends
upon the development Of great often
sive strength on the part of the United |
States. This offensive must include |
ships men, supplies and food. With
the increase in the size OF our Army,
there is necessary decrease in cur
productive capacity. Harvests are
bound to vary with seasonal condi-
tions.
THE only safe procedure for us and
for the Allies is to provide enormous
reserve stocks of staple foods, both |
here and in Europe, to meet any emer-
gency which may arise. In a later |
period of the war, to have to stop in |
q critical phase of it in order to put |
unusual emphasis upon agricultural
production, might be fatal to our final
success.
There must be no letdown in the |
program of conservation until the new |
harvest. Heartened by our success |
and by the spirit of devotion and self
sacrifice shown by the American peo-
pie, we must go ahead more than ever |
convinced of our responsibility to |
those who fight with us and to those
unfortunate peoples who look to us !
as the one source of the food supply |
necessary to keep them from destruc-
tion.
In France and England.
"The American Labor Mission just |
home from London, was appointed by /
President Wilson to make a study OF |
conditions in England and France. or |
It's nineteen members, nine are from
the American Federation of Labor,
two of whom are women. The others |
represer. every social element of the |
American people. This mission made
comprehensive study of conditions
in the Allied countries, and before !
leaving London for America, issued |
the following statement regarding
food conditions:
"'Since landing in England, all mem
bers of the committee have visited a
number of cities and interviewed a
large number of people regarding the |