Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1918-06-28
RESULTS OF ONE YEARS CON.
SERVATioN AND NECESSITY
OF CONTINUING OUR
PROGRAM.

When the United States Food Ad.
minlstration undertook the work OF
conserving and mobilizing America 3
food resources, three methods Of ar
proach to the problem were possible.
The methods of control were: Ration
ing, high prices and voluntary effort.
The Introduction of rationing into this
country would have resulted In an IN
evitable reaction. On the basis OF
the rationing system adopted by Du-
ropean countries for certain staple
foods, It would demand $500, 900 a
year for the printing Of the necessary
ration cards; 1t would take one off,
cial for every 1000 families 10 take
care of distribution under this system;
in fact, on the European basis, about
$45,000,000 a year would be required
to administer the rationing system in
this country. Control of consumption
by high prices was too unfair to merit
consideration in such a country as
ours, meaning, as 1t would, conserve
tion for the rich at the expense Of
the poor. The voluntary system based
upon education and publicity was Sc
lected because of the moderate sx-
pense involved and the opportunity it
offered to use the great desire of loyal
Americans to serve their country.
The results of the voluntary control
Of food have been enormous. The
surplus Of the 1917-1s wheat crop
based on normal consumption would
hav ebeen 100000 bushels. II the
present rate of saving by the Amer
lean people continues, we shall be
able to deliver to our Allies from this
crop possibly 170,0o0,oo0 bushels of
wheat, $50, 100000 bushels of which
will represent the voluntary saving of
the American people. This delivery
of wheat has enabled the Allies to
meet the more immediate and press
ing bread needs of their people and
TO keep UP the bread ration Of their
soldiers.
As to our exports Of meat, the re-
suits Of conservation are even more
remarkable. The analysis Of figures
In regard TO hogs indicates that we
were 100000 to 100000 hogs short
when the conservation campaign was
started Before the war, the average
monthly export Of hog products was
about 100000 pounds. In March,
1918, We exported sO0,Oo0,0oo pounds
and can see our way clear. with the
present saving and production, to 60
forward at this rate for an indefinite
period. Before 1914, we were export
ing from 100000 to 100000 pounds
Of beef per month. After the Eu-
ropean war began. there was an in
crease to about 23.000.o0e pounds per
month. Now, we are exporting at the
rate Of 100000 pounds Of beet per
month and, with the continuation of
conservation of production, there IL
NO reason to anticipate material
reduction in these figures.
The winning OF the war depends
upon the development of great Of
fensive strength on the part Of the
United States This offensive must
include ships. men, supplies and food.
With the increase in the size of our
Army, there Ia necessary decrease
In our productive capacity. Harvests
are bound to vary with seasonal con-
ditioAs. The only safe procedure for
US and for the Allies is to provide
enormous reserve stocks of staple
foods, both here and in Europe, to
meet any emergency which may arise.
In a later period Of the war, to have
to stop in a critical phase Of it in
order to put unusual emphasis upon
agricultural production, might be fatal
to our final success. There must be
no let-down in the program Of con-
servation until the new harvest.