The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-05-08
HENRY CLEWS
 WEEKLY LETTER

The Liberty loan proved a hand some success. It was heavily oversub- I-5Ribed and the number of subscrib- -R reached nearly 13, ,00O,0 ,000, or con s1uerably more than one-tenth of our total population. The best feature of the loan was not the oversubscrip- ton, but it's extraordinary wide dis tribution among the public. Earlier loans depended much more largely upon large individual subscribers and financial institutions. Too great a proportion of the earlier issues was taken by wealthy interests, and by the banks whose functions are best performed when their resources are kept fluid and not tied up in large blocks of securities, howsoever sound they may be. From every stand point it is desirable that the Liberty loan be widely distributed, such a policy being sound financially and wise politically. Recognition of this fact by the banks and big lending in stitutions partly explained the tenn porary tardiness of subscriptions, which however came in with a rush during the last two days. The whole result is decidedly stimulating. It proves that our people are aroused to the gravity of the war, that they are ready to freely give it their nor al and financial support, and that the country has unbouuded financial re- sources for pushing the struggle to successful conclusion. It is also stimulating to the men who go to the
 
 must be dull indeed if they fail to rec ognize that America has come into the war with the determination of preserving freedom and destroying mflitarism. What will Germany's s present leaders think of President Wilson's request that he be given power to draft an unlimited army, and to raise an appropriation of $16,- O,000,0 900?
 The week just ended has been an encouraging one for the Allies, the great German drive having, like its predecessors, ended in exhaustion and failure of it's supreme object. The enemy gained ground at ruinous loss of men which will count for nothing in the end; while the Allies saved men tremendously, and that in the final results will mean victory. It is now quite evident that the Allies will be able to hold the line until the Americans come up in force, and it is a foregone conclusion that the ene- my will not be able to force a decis- ion until this takes place The ene- my must soon realize that his defeat is inevitable, that his victories are empty and that his tragic sacrifice of life is useless. To continue the war may defer the collapse; but the longer the delay, the greater the penalty for Germany.
 The month of May begins with a satisfactory business outlook. At this season crop problems come to the front and this year they are of far and greater importance than usual. Fortunately there is no pros pect Of a food shortage in this coun- try. For this statement we have the assurance of our able Food Adminis- trator. MT. Hoover himself, than whom there could be no more refia- ble authority. He copfrns the opinion already expressed that the outlook is for big wheat crop, pos Sibly 9OO,OVU'UOV 'UuShSIS. AAG out look for an abundance of food is for tunately not confined to wheat. 9th CT grains are doing well, and the same is true of fruits and vegetables for which the conditions have thus far been favorable. Our animal pro- ducts next year are also likely to show material increase. Good peicss are fDsuring large production unc tn many cases distributors are carrying over liberal supplies from last year; this factor being largely attributable to the home garden cam paign a year ago, also to the grow, ing habit of economy and thrift cul- tivated by government propaganda, Our cotton outlook is encouraging the acreage being estimated at about 5 per cent. more than last year, whicf under existing conditions suggests 2