Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-03-13
HORSE SHORTAGE NEEDS
LEGISLATIVE ACTION


That the shortage of horses through
out the country is serious and requires
the attention of Congress, is the as.
sertion recently made by O'Nen
Sewer, an authority on horses and
horse breeding,
Speaking of the need for army
horses OF the right type, Mr.. Sewer
calls attention TO the situation and
says thai unless something is done to
stimulate production we shall be Woe
fully short in horse power, though
prosperous otherwise and rich in agri-
cultural and mineral resources.
This deficiency in horses" he says,
demands the immediate and most Sc
rious consideration of the national leg
islature.
The accepted theory in Europe Of
the necessary ratio Of horse strength
to man strength in modern armies is
to 5. And, for The edifcation of I'M
informed writer's who flippantly as
sure us that the utility of the horse,
as an essential element in warfare,
has passed and that the airplane and
the motor truck have taken over his
Old-time work. it is not amiss to say
that 400 to 425 horses We're required
for the equipment of every infantry
regiment of from 1900 to 1000 men
the United States sent over to France.
"A properly outhtted American
Army" he continues, should have a
bigger proportion Of horses to men
than is necessary for the equipment
OF an army in Europe, for Germany,
France, Italy, Belgium and other Eu-
ropean countries are gridironed by
splendidly metaled railroads. Except
in the more densely populated parts
OF the East and North, VIGOROUSLY
poor roads preclude the use in the
United States OF the gasoline driven
vehicles to the extent that they were
employed BY the armies of Europe.
and it would be we'll to keep in
mind that the quartermaster's depart.
ment of the United States army doubts
it's ability to find right away enough
horses for an army of 100000 men!
The draughts made on the farms in
the last four years by the Allies have
well-nigh combed the country clean
Of serviceable animals"
The production of light harness horses
of all breeds has languished every
where these past 20 years. Obtaining
q a., ,ol>L ,,, tn1
lions essential to the production Of
the kind OF horses needed, he init.
mates, is going to be a very hard task
unless national action is taken.
He calls attention to the splendid
work being Gone by the horse lovers
who are maintaining the breeding bu-
reaus Of the different States, but says
that even their efforts will have to be
aided
Maryland has a breeding bureau
which Is Offering the free use of thor
oughbred stations to Maryland farm
ers who will give the horses the right
care and attention. Through this bu-
reau a great deal of good work is
expected to be done.
The Maryland Breeding Bureau,
through this paper, will be glad to
answer all inquiries concerning horse
breeding and the care and manage
ment of stations and of mares and
colts. Address all questions to the
editor of this paper who will forward
them. The answers will be printed in
an early number Of this paper.
OF course. were all In hurry, hut
"taps" sounds SWeetcr than "reveille.'
Autocracy is the political skunk. Al
ter while there will be only the
laugh.
A great secret of governmental sue :
cess is to Keep the people in good
humOr.
Children Cry