Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-21
FEEDING THE WORLD

During the war 1t was impressed on us that because
the United States was the one country Of considerable
size which had a surplus of food. it was the duty Of this
country to feed the world. and that task was undertaken
with great earnestness and performed with gratifying
success. OF course we did not literally feed the world,
habitants such amounts of food in addition to their own
supply as enabled them to bridge over the space between
a moderate sufficiency and starvation.
Except in certain cases this was not done gratu.
itously. 1t was not done at all by the producers and
handlers Of food as a body. Food in various forms was
produced by individuals and sold by them. and in most
cases the original producers did not know whether their
products were to be shipped abroad or consumed at
home, nor did they interest themselves in this feature
They were producing food as a business, and, most prop
erly, they demanded and received the current price for 1t.
Most Of the food that was shipped abroad was sold
to foreign individuals or foreign governments. Part OF
it was paid for in cash. A very large proportion was
sold on credit, and the loans made for the purpose of
enabling foreigners to buy our food products constituted
an important element in making this the largest holder
of credit in the world.
There were donations, amounting to many millions.
But. aside from the relatively small government appro-
priations, to which all taxpayers contribute on an equal
basis, these gifts were made through the voluntary gen.
crosby of individuals. In this way, through various
agencies, such as the Red Cross and the various relief
associations, freewil offerings made by individuals all
over the country were used for the purchase Of food for
the starving. as well as other things for the needy.
In part these contributions were made for the pur-
pose of aiding in the winning of the war. 1t was as
necessary for the success of our military operations that
our associates across the seas should be fed as that they
should be armed. But in addition to this there was the
humane desire to aid the distressed. without regard to
the military aspects Of the case.
The military aims have been accomplished, and it
is no longer necessary to provide food for others in order
that battles may be won. But there remain the objects
which persist in peace no less than in war, the CONNER
cial and the humanitarian. America is, and for some
time will remain, the chief storehouse of food for a con-
siderable part Of the worlds population. Several million
Of our people are engaged in the business of producing
and preparing food, and it is decidedly to the interest OF
Ihe entire country that their market should be as wide
and as easy of access as possible.
And as for those whose needs are to be supplied
regardless Of commercial considerations, where food is
insufficient their hunger is as acute as when armies were
devastating their homes, and the same humane consid.
erations which prompted much Of the relief work Of the
need is apparent
Regardless Of the fact that peace is practically ar
accomplished fact, and that it will soon be proclaimed
in due form. it will be our business, for some time te
out money and without price.