The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1919-09-05
FARMERS ASKED
TO COOPERATE In
REDUCING COSTS
Appeal Made to Farmers Of America
Through War Savings Societies to
Help Reduce Living Costs.

Washington, September 3.-Active
cooperation with the food administra-
tons of the various states to reduce
cost of the necessities of life and curb
profiteers has been urged upon the
farmers of America who are members
of War Savings Societies by William
Mather Lewis, director of the Savings
Division of the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Lewis pointed out that none is
in better position to know real facts
as to production and fair prices than
the farm members of the 100000 War
Savings Societies in America. He de-
clared each member owed plain duty
to cooperate with the food administra-
tors to the utmost to establish and
publish fair prices and to discover
and prosecute cases of profiteering.
Checking of waste and increase OF
production are peremptorily necessary
measures to be taken to reduce living
COSTS" said Mr.. Lewis. A veritable
orgy of extravaganza is going on.
every sound analysis Of the pres
emit price situation lends confirmation
to the decision of Governor w. P. C
Harding, of the Federal Reserve
Board, that no solution Of high living
costs can be reached until the country
shakes off its present spending intox-
ication and settles down to demanding
the receipt of dollars worth of food
or material, measured ably the labor Oh
effort required to obtain that dollar.
zone great trouble is that Million
of persons are not spending from their
earnings, but from their savings of the
past two years.
Liberty Bonds and other securities
accumulated by the most worthy pa
triotic sacrifice during the war, are
being cashed at loss to purchase lux
uries at prieeh exhorbitant even for
luxuries. The people have themselves
to blame if prices of necessities have
followed the prices Of luxuries up,
when merchants observed the abso-
Lutte carelessness with which people
parted with their money. The farm
ers of the country are not exempt from
this extravaganza. We read without
particular surprise, because Of num-
erous similar instances, of a farmer
buying out the entire stock of expen-
sive haberdashery in the store where
he was previously accustomed to drive
hard bargains for necessities.
at is absolutely necessary, as Gov
ernor Harding has pointed out, TO
work regularly and efficiently in order
to produce and distribute the largest
possible volume of commodities and
to exercise reasonable economies In
order that money, goods and services
may be devoted primarily to the liqui
dation of debt and to the satisfaction
of the demand for necessities, rather
than indulgence of desires for luxur-
les.
Enrolled in the Savings societies
are more than six million people, close
to the very heart of American indus
trial life. 1t is in their power to in
crease the flow of production through
the arteries Of industry. 1t is in their
to check waste not only amongst
themselves and those dependent on
them but amongst all in the commun-
tiles in which they live.
"They can do this by wise buying
and by treating what they BUY with
respect due to the hours of labor its
purchase cost them. 1t dies in their
power through regular and consistent
saving and safe and conservative in
vestment In such securities as War
Savings Stamps and Savings Certif-
Gates, to add to the capital necessary
for industrial expansion and increased
production.
"The chief complaint of the nation
on the high cost of living is directed
at the cost of food to the consumer.
middle men who are accused of pro-
fteering can be made to lower prices
most effectively II great quantities Of
food are produced. 1t is the duty of
every farmer to make his farm pro-
duce all 1t can-and to exercise mod
Grafton in buying luxuries, and above
all II can-and to exercise moderation
In buying Injuries. and above all to
save consistently and invest his saw
ings wisely"
"The Savings Division of the Treas
ury Department appeals to the Saw
ings Societies and their members to
re-enlist in this campaign They can
show the people of America where.