The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-03-25
THE BASE OF THE WEDGE

Secretary Baker aptly described the po- sition of the American soldiers in France when he told them that they were 'the point of the wedge which the American people are driving into the ranks of the enemy" The point of the wedge is moulded and tempered to accomplish the task which is entrusted to it. That it will play the part assigned to it is not doubted for one instant
 It is rather the base of the wedge which needs looking after frequently. Upon the great mass of stay y-at-home Americans de- bends whether the point Is to be efficient
 As we prepare at home, as we support the government in its program as announced to us from time to time, so will the success of our forces ill France be measured. If we are slack and refuse to do the little simple things which come up in our everyday lives through negligence or indifference, the sol diers, the point of the wedge, loses its temper, and with no driving power behind it, fails to do that for which it is designed.
 The question of how we may support our soldiers is one that each and every indi- vidual must answer. The means for making proper answer are set before us by the gov ernment. There is work that every person can and should do.
 Above all things, be loyal, and see that the spirit of loyalty is kept alive in your town If you know of disloyalty, even if it be in your own home, or the home of your closest friend, make it your duty to inform the proper authorities
 Be saving. There is need for every cent you can spare for purchasing war bonds, thrift and war savings stamps. Become shareholder in your government.
 Conserve food. After several months of earnest effort upon the part of the local food administrator and the defense board, a sys- tematic campaign of education and appeal to patriotism, have we as loyal Americans car ried out the regulations of the food admins tration as far as is physically possible? The records which have been obtained make an swer in the negative. There is no disguising the fact that Fairbanks as whole has not and is not cooperating with the local food administration in the important matter of food conservation.
 Look at the records minute. Four hun dred and one food pledges have been signed and sent in to the food conservation commit tee. Four hundred and four households have promised to faithfully observe the regulations of the national food administration and to make weekly reports showing how this has been done. Out of this number, only two hundred and twenty-four reports have been received for last week. It is fair presump- tion to say that the ones who have failed to report have also failed to observe their other promise. Is 1t to be said that in our town there are almost two hundred households who have no regard for their word of honor anL no sense of obligation ot promise made il. writing: If the records of the food commit tee are to be depended upon-and they are undoubtedly correct-there is no other light in which to view the matter.
 Don't think. that your attitude on this question is not important. You are unit in a community organization. The millions of you, in the thousands of communities, form the base of the wedge of which the soldiers in France form the point If you fail, you weaken that point. Wake up Realize what you are doing before it is too late or you may have share in national calamity Is there a person in this town who places the qualification of appetite above the life of ar American soldier?