Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-25

our national preparation in the car
rylng on or tins war. So large I part
OF all that goes into the making ol
the lighting force of the Republic
comes from Us that efficiency OF pro
duction in Pennsylvania is absoiu-
tely vital TO American success il
the undertaking TO which we nave
set our souls. our people, IN ;heiI
mills ana furnaces, in their foun-
dries and factories, in their mines
ana their shipyards, and on theil
farms and railways, are the very
llie-blood OF the nations defense
Every ounce OF effort that is in Us
should be co-ordinated for the great
task before US. Don't let us stand
by and await the initiative OF the
Federal Government in all that per
tains to the war-it is, primarily, tht
business of the nation TO wage war
but the state has to do many things
and the Governor, the department.
of the state government, the LegIs-
lature and the Committee of Public
Safety, can all render aid in many
lines which have not yet been fully
developed here. We have a mighty
share of the burden of effort in
men, material and money in Penn
sylvania, and pledge myself to give
the very best of my mind and energy
in helping TO organize the state foE
its service to the nation in this
great emergency.
Care of Dependents
In this connection, much remains
to be done to tighten the load OF
responsibility and worry upon the
brave hearts of those of our sons
who have gone to the front, that
those who are left behind and are
dependent upon them are decently
cared for while our defenders are
absent. The state and its communi-
ties should see to II that not a de-
pendent wife or child, parent, or sis
ter, or other one dear to the heart
of any soldier or sailor from Penn
sylvania, lacks comfortable susten-
ance while this war is on.
The capacity of our mines, our
shipyards and the great mills and
factories where the essential nation
al supplies are produced, is mpatr-
ed by poor housing conditions, inn
perfect transportation, bad santa
ton and immoral surroundings. The
Federal Government is assisting in
rishting some of these situations
but the state can and should help.
l pledge myself TO give attention
quickly TO these most important
matters. The machinery for very
helpful work in these lines is al
ready at hand if it shall be intelli-
gently and devotedly put TO work.
Aid For Farmers
our farmers need encouragement:
to enable them TO help as they would
in the national crisis. y greater pro-
duction on Pennsylvania'S farms
would mean better food for our
workers, better living conditions IN
our cities, less congestion on our rail-
ways. more grain for. our allies and
more money for our grangers. The
price of the farmers staples has
been fixed, too low, hold, in COM
parison with the prices of other
commodities and out of proportion
with the increasing costs of pro-
duction. Our smaller farms are hard
set 10 compete with the great
ranches of the West in grain pro-
duction, but our wheat and corn is
fixed at the same price per bushel
In fixing prices on other commodi-
ties natural conditions and costs
have been considered, but the far.
mer with a ten-acre side-hill wheat
field in Pennsylvania gets no more
for his grain than the prairie ranch
er who harvests ten thousand acres
There is no fairness in that and
Pennsylvania interests should bt
vigorously represented in any fur.
ther discussion of grain prices
Much can be done by the state Il
assist the farmer in practical ways
Our agricultural organization is
cumbersome and loosely coupled-up
1t could be made efficient in a way
that would bring results quickly il
the enthusiasm of Pennsylvania far.
mers and the increase in their crop!
and capital.
Prohibitory Amendment
For more than a generation th'
question OF the prohibition of The
manufacture and sale of alcoholic
liquors has been an issue before tn
people of Pennsylvania. From ;
moral issue, steadfastly supported
by n comparatively few devoted TEN
perance workers, it has come to b.
a great social and economic issue
and the conditions growing out o
our entrance into the world wa
have made it a matter for imme
date political attention. feel thai
il is in line with the spirit of sacri
fee. self-denial and self-discipline to
which the American people have Sc
themselves. An amendment to tn
Federal Constitution has been pass
ed by Congress and is now before