Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-06
Io,va Plays Important Part in War

from the western half of the state are
handled thru Des Moines. Those from
the eastern part so directly to Chicago
DR.. Kepford said that the Des
Moines shipping headquarters handled
$4,000 articles in November $4,000 IN
December, 100000 in January and
500 900 in February or total of '.f34'-
900 in four months. The eastern part
of the state, he said. undoubtedly has
equaled that amount.
The membership of the American
Red Cross in Iowa now totals 2t0,OoV'
DR.. kepford said. and 1t was aimed to
reach 100000 by September !, next.
Five hundred thousand members were
added in the big membership drive in
December The Junior Red Cross also
is playing it's part in the work. and in
this branch there is enrolled virtually
the entire school population Of the
state, or 400. 900 to 100000.
Patriotism Furthered.
In the furtherance of patriotism
thruout the state, one of the main
agencies has been the state council OF
national defense, with Lafayette
Young as its chairman.
The council. consisting Of twenty
two of the foremost business and pro-
fessional men of the state, was APP
pointed by Governor Harding a year
ago as an advisory body. and has no
legal power except as rendered thru
action by the governor. This power, it
is said. has always been found ade-
Quate.
Nearly 5000 men are engaged IN
furthering the work of the council
turnout the state. comprising members
of county and township boards and
other volunteer workers. This organi-
cation is being strengthened with
view to handling all war activities in
the state in future such as liberty
loan campaigns, etc.
Numerous activities Of the council
included seed corn and spring wheat
census, which had wonderful results.
members of the council say, in gaining
the corporation of the farmers in
increasing crop production. This will
be felt, it is said. this year especially.
The farm labor question has been
Investigated under the immediate
supervision of A. l.. Trick state labor
commissioner. with the defense coun-
til = anu
have been established in several i'm
portant centers. Despite the drain on
the young men Of the state thru the
call into military service, it rs said on
the authority Of the council that there
is no shortage Of farm: help.
Crops Increased.
There was increased production last
year in the most important crops
raised in this state.
Spring wheat acreage this year has
been increased tremendously. at the
urging Of the council of defense and
Iowa state college experts at Ames,
and the farmers, viewing the matter as
a patriotic duty. have put in a record
acreage of the. cereal. Estimates as to
the approximate amount are unava!l-
able. but thousands of acres have
been planted in some counties where
heretofore only hundreds of acres were
devoted to that crop.
Much of the work done in connec
ton with the council of defense has
been carried out with money approp-
rated especially for the purpose by
the last legislature, to be expended
under the jurisdiction Of the governor.
Recently the governor announced that
the balances remaining of these var
ious funds were as follows:
OF $4,000 appropriated for census
and survey. balance of sl0931.93 re-
manned: of $4,000 fund for law en-
forcement. balance s45. 1856 Of $3.50,
600 for military establishments, ball
ance s6S5935.10