The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-11-09
BY WILLIAM r. sANRoRN


1t left much more work for those
remaining at home to do. even in or
binary circumstances: but when the
government demanded an increased
acreage and more intensive cropping,
the burden on aged shoulders gained
additional weight.
And it was not merely the added
burden of work. There was the
weight of loneliness; the load of an
xiety; the wonder as to the end of 1t
all. and if Sammy were sick or we'll in
camp, and would he and all the rest
of the boys of the neighborhood, re-
turn as they went?
Think Of Their Sons.
And so, amid the pressing duties
of the day, the hours of evening Choir
es. and during the quiet minutes when
the lamps were alight and the family
could sit and talk and think, the well
fare of the soldier boy was ever in
mind and the vacant chair a constant
reminder of the absent son and broth
er.
Just so, too, in town and city homes.
where there was life and moving
crowds and something to see and to
interest and soothe the troubled mind.
But when the stars came out over
thousands of farm homes, during those
days of uncertainty and strife when
two millions of our boys were over
sea, who can sense the utter loneli-
ness and the forebodings of the moth
ers whose sons were in the trenches,
or on the ships, in ever-present dan
ger. or who indeed might have al
ready made the final sacrifice.
Farmers Assume the Load.
Owing to the demands caused by
the war for almost two years before
the American declaration, the farmer
had been increasing his crops and live
stock, so that when we finally acted
it seemed as if he had already reach
ed his limit of production.
But not so. Prices of grain and
live stock were advancing, our home
demand was growing. We had been
feeding the foreigners at the front and
were now to have millions of our own
soldiers to supply. Not only must the
farmer redouble his efforts but every
foot of ground possible must be cult
waited; thus came the war gardens,
measure of thrift which promises to
persist, and which was as much IN
evidence this year as when in 1878
we were stinting our own tables and
conserving food for our allies over
seas.
Call to Patriotic Duty.
How clearly we all recall those early
April days in 1917. Congress was de-
batting war measures on the fourth,
the date on which wheat at Chicago
crossed the So line for the first time
in many years. On April fifth the
International Institute of Agriculture
at Rome sent out its report OF a world
deficiency of all grains. On that same
evening Governor Goodrich OF Indiana
issued a proclamation setting lorth
the need for increased food produc-
ton and the urgent need for its con-
servation here at home.
The response to this message from
the governor was the calling of mass
meeting for Saturday evening, April
at the high school auditorium. More
than 400 farmers attended. Prof Gil
bert of Purdue was among the speak
ers. He talked OF increased acreage,
Of intensive cultivation, OF present ana.
prospective needs for foodstulfs. An
executive board to cooperate with the
farmers was selected, of which Harry
Macy of Hagerstown was chosen
president. Charles w. Jordan, Joseph
Helms. Walter McConaha and several
other we'll known farmers and local
citizens made up the membership. The
auditorium was packed to the doors
and the occasion was one OF feverlsh
held in every county of the state. and
later on throughout the entire cOun-
try.
Farmers Quickly Respond.
The meeting at Richmond was du-
plicated in all the towns in the coun-
ty. from time to time. Labor on the
farm was being curtailed daily me
country boys were enlistlng and IN
relatively as great numbers as IN town
and city. Wages were advancing eV-
erywhere. There were great encamp-
ments to be built; war vessels to be
construed; ammunition to be provld-
ed. food TO be grown and packed, mil
lians of uniforms to be made ana
shoes without end were contracted for.
Industry was booming, prices climb
ing and wages going higher from day
to day, while labOrerS grew Scarcer
as the thousands quit farm anu shop
and office to carry the coiors across
It was this condition OF affairs
which led the government to encour-
age and help the farmer to increase
production by the guarantee OF a MIN
imum price for wheat, and later also
of hogs. More food was needed and
there were fewer available men 10
grow it. Also the cost OF producing II
was advancing daily; not merely as
TO hired help but as to the machinery
of operation Every article of use
and wear was increasing in cost Fer
tilizer took a jump, farm machinery
had previously commenced to climb;
in fact it is a matter Of common eX-
perience that everything a farmer
6ould use or needed made an upward
swing. 1t cost so much more to pro
duce any and every crop. and there
was such pressing and Worldwide
demand that insisted on being satls-
fled. and with less men to furnish the
output. that the government acted 10
insure the greatest production posi-
BILE.
Rut remember that the farmer OBJ
tanned but two guarantees as to mini
mum price at central markets upon
which his price at home was based
Wheat and hogs alone were protect
ed. Cattle, sheep, corn, rye, oats
ia I &c oil sn