The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-04-26
Patriotic Polk
County People
Willing To Let
Flour Go When
Called For

L..
'folk county is equal to any test that
may be applied to it was evidenced al
Dig mass-meeting held at Barlow
yesterday, when, without one dissent
ing voice, a resolution was enthusi-
astlcally adopted pledging the release
Vi all hour or wheat in the county for
the use of the government. It was the
universal sentiment that the sacrifice
OF wheat bread by the people of the
county is a slight thing in COMPARE
son with the sacrifices that are being
made by those at the front, and there
was not one iota of opposition to the
proposition, or one whisper of pro-
test.
The following resolution expressed
the sentiment of those present, which
we believe is the sentiment of the
great mass of the people of the
county:
Whereas, the citizens of Polk
county in mass meeting, assembled
this 10Th day of April. 1918, at the
county seat in Barlow, being advised
OF the shortage of wheat and flour
for the use of the Allies and their
armies, and being advised of the ne
cessity of surrendering the visible
supply for the use of the government
Resolved, that Polk county, pa
triotically meeting the situation, here
by surrenders to the government so
soon as it shall be called for, the
present supply of wheat and flour in
the county, and pledges her citizens
TO use no more wheat or wheat flour
until the present shortage is relieved
by the new crop or other satisfactory
means"
1t will be observed that this action
is not operative at once, but when it
shall be called for by the government.
In telephone conversation with the
editor of the Evening Telegram this
morning, Food Administrator Brax-
ton Beacham stated that he is not
calling upon the people of Florida. or
any county in it, to give up their
flour at this time, though he appre-
cates the patriotic action which as
sures the government that the peo-
pie of this county are ready to re-
linquished this staple when called up
on to do so. He says sowever that un-
It'll the authorities at Washington
make such a demand upon Florida,
he will not promulgate a request or
order for this sacrifice, before Il
shall be deemed absolutely necessary.
OF course, he added, the people will
understand that the utmost economy
in the use of -four is urged upon ev-
erybody.
The meeting was held in the coun-
ty court house, the large court room
being crowded with representative
citizens from every section of the
county, among them being most of
the food dealers of the county. The
call to order was made by Hon. Ches-
ter Virgins, mayor of Barlow, who
turned the meeting over to the chair
man, DR.. j. H. Ross. In assuming
the chair, the doctor made most elo-
quent address, in his customary dig
nfied and impressive style. He then
introduced Judge John NJ Cheney, of
Orlando, representing the State Food
Commissioner office. Judge Cheney Is
one of the States most able men, a
speaker of much ability and magnet
ism and his remarks were forceful
and appropriate He dwelt on the ne
Cessity for-every- citizen putting forth
every ounce of effort possible to
bring the war to a permanent and
satisfactory close.
Mrs. c. Rucker Adams, of Lake
land,was then called upon, and gave
a most interesting and inspiring adj
dress. She has just returned from
Washington, where she had been
called, with number of other Chau-
tauqua workers to a conference with
Mr.. Hoover, and others identified ma
ticnally with the food conservation
and she presented some
vivid pictures of the things she had |
seen and heard during this great ex-
perience.
Hon. j. Walker Pope, County Food |
Administrator spoke briefly, but elo-
luently, of the need of conserving
our resources for the benefit OF those
who are fighting our battles, after
which the resolution printed above
vas presented by Mr.. A. J. Hol
worthy, who spoke in support Of #
With great force and eloquence Att
he conclusion Of his remarks, the
'esolution was put, a rising vote be-
ng called for. Only two persons in
he large audience remained seated,
nd no one seemed to know who they
we're. When those opposed to the res
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