Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-02-08

NRNA khS Ndoh Va iuACiACihA WIN NliC AdOSt
of the farms as little as possible, and
under the new draft regulations believe
that the farmers Of the country will find
that their supply Of labor is very much
less seriously drawn upon than it was
under the first and initial draft. made be-
fore we had had our present full expert
ence in these perplexing matters.
The supply of labor in all industries is
a matter we must look to and are looking
to with dilieent care.
And let me say that the stimulation
of the agencies have enumerated has
been responded to by the farmers in splen-
did fashion. dare say that you are aware
that the farmers Of this country are as
efficient as any other farmers in the world.
They do not produce more per acre than
the farmers 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 or three or four
times more per man, per unit of labor and
capital, than the farmers Of any European
country. They are more alert and use
more labor-savins devices than any other
farmers in the world.
And their response to the demands OF
the present emergency has been in every
way remarkable. Last spring their plant
ing exceeded by 100000 acres the
largest planting Of any previous year, and
the yields from the crops were record.
breaking yields.
In the fall Of 1917 a wheat acreage OF
42.l70,000 was planted, which was 1000.
900 larger than for any preceding year,
100000 greater than the next LARGEST
and 100000 greater than the preceding
five-year average.
But ought to say to you that il is not
only necessary that these achievements
should be repeated. but that they should
be exceeded. know what this advice in.
wolves. 1t involves not only labor bu,
sacrifice. the painstakine application oil
every bit Of scientific knowledge and every
tested practice that is available.
1T means the utmost economy, even t.
the point where the pinch comes. 1t means
the kind Of concentration and self sacri.
flee which is involved in the field of battle
itself, where the object always loom.
greater than the individual. And yet the
government will help in every way that
is possible.
The Impression which prevails in some
quarters that while the government ha,
sought to fix the prices of foodstuffs, il has
not sought to fix other prices which deter.
mine the expenses of the farmer, is q
mistaken one.
las matter Of fact. the Royernmen,
has actively and successfully regulated
the prices OF many fundamental meterial.
underlying all the industries of the coun
try. and has regulated them not only fol
the purchases of the government but also
for the purchases of the public, and have
every reason to believe that the Coneres,
will extend the powers of the government
In this important, and even essential, mat
ter SO that the tendency TO profteerinI
which is showing itself in too many quar-.
tiers may be effectively checked.
In fixing the prices Of foodstuffs the gov
eminent has sincerely tried to keep the in
terests OF the farmer as much in mind as tn
interests of the communities which are I,
be served. but it is serving mankind a,
well as the farmer and everything in thes,
times oil war takes on the rigid aspect o
duty.
Il will not appeal to you to continue an
renew and increase your efforts. | do no
believe that it is necessary to do so. be
lieve that you will do it without any Wort
or appeal from me, because you under
stand as well as do the needs and on
portunities of this great hour when tn
fortunes of mankind everywhere seer
about to be determined and when Amer
lea has the greatest opportunity she ha
ever had to make good her own freedom
and in making it good to lend a helpin
hand to men struggling for their freedor
everywhere.
you remember that it was farmer
from whom came the first shots at Lex
ington, that set aflame the revolution tina
made America free. hope and believ
that the farmers of America will willinel
and conspicuously stand by to win thi
war also
THE toll, the intelligence. the energy, tn,
foresight, the self-sacrifice and devotion o
the farmers of America will, | believe
bring to triumphant conclusion this erea
last war for the emancipation of men fror
the control of arbitrary government an
the selfishness Of class legislation an,
control and then, when the end has come
we may look each other in the face anc
be glad that we are Americans and hav
had the privilege to play such part"