New-York tribune., 1918-02-01

arc aware that tho farmers Of this
country ale as efficient as any other
farmers in the world. They do not
produce more per acre than the farm
ers in Europe. 1t is not necessary that
they should do so. 1t would perhaps
be bad economy For them to attempt it
But they do produce by two to three or
tour times more per man, per unit of
labor and capital, than the farmers Of
any European country. They arc more
alert and use more labor-saving de-
vices than any other farmers in the
world
Response Has Been Remarkable
And their response to the demands
OF the present emergency has been in
every way remarkable Last spring
their planting exceeded by 12.OO0.O0o
acres the largest planting Of any pre-
vlous year. and the Yields from tho
crops were record breaking yields. In
the fall of 1917 a wheat acreage Of
a2.lIo.O00 was planted. which was one
million larger than for any preceding
year. three millions greater than the
next largest, and seven millions greater
But ought to say to YOU that it
is not only necessary that these
achievements should be repeated. but
that they should be exceeded. know
what this advice involves 1t involves
not only labor but sacrifice, the pains
taking application of every bit Of scicn-
tifc knowledge and every tested prac-
ticc tina. is available. 1t means the
utmost economy. even to the point
where the pinch comes. Ii means the
kind Of concentration and sclf-sacrifice
which is involved in the 1cFd Of bat
tie itself. where the object always
looms than tho CCiviJnoi ApI
yet the government will help and help
in every way that it is possible.
"The impression which prevails in
some quarters that while the govern
mcnt has sought to fix tho prices Of
| fooclstufs. it has not sought to fix
other prices which determine the OK
penses of the farmer, is mistaken
one. AS Il matter OF fact, the govern
ment has actively and successfully
mental materials underlying all the
ulated them not only for the purchases
O. the government. but also for the
purchases of the general public, and
I have every reason to believe that
the Congress will extend the powers
of the government in this important
and even essential matter. so that the
tendency to protiteering which is show
ing ltSCi1 IN TOO many quarters may
be effectively checked.
Farmers interests Kept in Mind
"In fixing the prices Of foodstuffs
the government has sincerely tried to
keep the interests Of the farmer
as much in mind as the inter
ests of the communities which are
to be served, but it is serving man
kind as well % the farmer. and
everything in these times Of war takes
on the rigid aspect of duty.
"I will not appeal TO you to continue
and renew and increase your efforts. L
do not believe that it is necessary to
do so: I believe that you will do it
without any word or appeal from me,
because YOU understand as we'll as | do
the needs and opportunities of this
great hour, when the fortunes of man
kind everywhere seem about to be de-
tcrmined and when America has the
greatest opportunity she has ever had
to make good her own freedom, and IN
making it good to lend a helping hand
to men struggling for their freedom
everywhere.
"You remember that it was farmers
from whom came the first shots at Lex
ington, that set aAame the revolution
that made America free. I hope and
believe that the farmers Oh America
will willingly and conspicuously stand
by to win this war also. The toll, the
Intelligence, the energy, the foresight
the self-sacritice and devotion OF the
farmers of America will, | believe,
bring to a triumphant conclusion this
great last war Cor the emancipation OF
men from the control of arbitrary
government and the sellishness of
class legislation and control, and then
when the end has come, We may look
each other in the face and be glad thai
we are Americans and have had the
nriyilcge to play such q part