The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-02-05
THE FARMER'S NEEDS.

THE FARMER NEEDS.
A memorial has been presented to President
Wilson by the federal board of farm organlza
tions, representing a membership OF more than
two million farmers, setting forth the farmers
side of food production. the demands that are
being made upon them and what they must
have to meet them.
eff food is to win the war, as we are as
sured on every side,' says this memorial, the
farmers of America must produce more food IN
1918 than they did in 1917. But unless present
conditions are radically changed, increased
crops this year are impossible. Under existing
conditions we cannot equal the production OF
1917 much less surpass it, and this tor reasons
over which the farmers have no control"
The causes which will inevitably bring about
"a smaller crop tbs year, unless promptly re-
moved by national action, are enumerated by
the farmers representatives as follows: The
shortage of farm labor, shortage of seed, prices
often below the cost of production, lack OF
reasonable credit, exclusion of the farmer
from his right and necessary share in the con-
duct of the war, and deep-seated doubt wheth-
er he can raise the increased crops demanded
of him and still support his family and pay his
debts
The taking of young men from the farms IN
to military service it is pointed out mas ma
terially reduced the farm labor supply, but
since the war began in 1914 and before the first
draft was made there IS every reason to be-
Ilieve that more farm workers had left the
farms than there is men of this occupation III
our army and navy together These men were
drawn away by the high wages paid in NUM-
ton plants and other war industries and their
places remained untitled The president Is
told that this shortage in farm labor cannot
/ be made up by inexperienced boys from high
schools or laborers from the towns. Trained
| farm hands must be had and for the lack OF
| these many thousands of acres were LETT I'M
| harvested last fall and will remain uncultl
waited this season.
/ The farmer does not realize large returns
/ and must get living prices for what he grows
| or abandon the farm. Another complaint o.
/ the organized farmers, which apparently is no
without good reason is that they have peer
| given little voice in deciding the great ques
Itions. even the food and farm questions, upo1
which the issue of the war depends. so ia
las we have learned" says their spokesman
there is not a single genuine farmer, repre-
sentative of the organized farmers OF Amerl
ca. in any position of authority In the food ad
ADMINISTRATION. the advisory council OF natlona
defense, or any of the other special board
tcharged with the conduct Of t>e war
/ The president is plainly told that I'VE ar
face to face with the calamity of a smaller crol
this wear. unless the impediments here Sc
forth can be removed. If that can be done am
done promptly, il is still possible to secure IN
creased production from the farms at the com
ing harvest.
The farmers have given President "llso
and the country candid, comprehensive state
EmeDt of their condition and needs IN thu
world war, and it is now for the authorities
meet these questions in a practical way. CIV
the farmers representation in the natlona
councils, and then supply the essential require
ments for maximum crop productions. In
farmer is naturally patriotic and country lo'
ing. He has always upheld the flag and dt
Tended the nations honor with the best tina
lis in him. But he cannot produce crops on GOV
! eminent advice and empty appeals to III
/ patriotism.
/ The Burlington railroad system gains an
! the government loses by the resignation OF Ha
Holden from the advisory committee OF RAJ
road mon assisting Director General McAdo