The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-11-25
MONDAY, NOVEMBER "a, 1871
THE FARM REVERSE

THE FARM REVERSE
II IL a decided reversal Of con-
ditions from the plowing under OF
wheat and the killing OF pigs to
the plea of the Secretary OF Az
riculture for more food. He asks
American farmers to help England
and at the same time meet expand
ing food demands In the United
States.
The need for increased farm pro
duction. says the secretary. Is so
great that farm workers should
seek deferment in the draft.
Which brings to mind the ardent
manner in which some Of the boys
about town set about Identifying
themselves as farmers during the
first world war. Not only in Ypsi-
lanti. but in practically every city
there were young men willing.
even anxious to devote their en-
tire time to the business Of farm
ing. with the encouragement OF
such men as the Secretary OF Az
riculture there will be boys fol-
lowing similar course in this war.
To fulfill the promises of our
government more than . billion
dollars In food will be required for
Great Britain before next June.
Heavy production Of food will be
needed as long as the war contin-
ues. It will mean the largest pro-
duction goal ever set for Amer
lean farmers-an exceedingly sharp
reversal of the food-destroying
program OF the past.
As you consider this change OF
conditions do you recall any OF
the remarks that were current
when the government started
ordering pigs killed and wheat
plowed under? Do you remember
the man who declared that such
procedure was contrary to the
plans OF the universe. that we had
been given the means OF providing
food in abundance and that we
would pay dearly for the sin Of
destroying II? There we're speech
es and sermons and fireside ora
lions on the subject.
Now we have a right to wonder
whether prediction Of these pro-
testing people might not now be
coming true. We wonder whether
this war is retribution, the effect
of causes wrong, and avoidabls u
the political follow-up Of the war
had been as consistent as the work
OF the army. We wonder II II Is
punishment for the selfishness and
indifference which prevailed In
one part OF the world while an
other part prepared for a second
fight to regain what had been lost?
Remember how Col. Lindbergh
several years ago warned against
the armament policy of Germany
and how his warning was ignored?
England, France, United States all
sat calmly by and allowed the
armament to go on as the ambi-
tious Herr Hitler wished.
How easily a business like policy
of arms control and a plan OF
sympathetic financial aid for the
countries that were down could
have averted this war. A small
part Of the huge sums being thrown
into this war could have helped
these countries In their rehabilita-
ton problems, removing the con-
ditions upon which present war
propaganda is based. A fair plan
OF world policing on the basis Of
common good, rather than COM
mercial advantages for a compar-
alive few, would have provided
adequate control for world peace.
But such procedure was too
practical. there was no glamour In
such a course for politicians and
power-mad dictators. Mob psychol-
ogy prevailed. Death and suffer
ing follows in It's wake. We pay
foi lack OF foresight, lack OF in
terest and understanding. lack OF
good judgment. lack of brotherly
love, lack Of the Christianity which
we profess and Of which We boast.
We fight to regain what we have
squanderei. what we want when
we don't have and what we don't
appreciate when we do have.
The philosophy Of 'live for the
present" deprives us OF the nee
essary preparedness for the future,
50 we produce only to destroy.
Life has been that way as long as
there have been leaders to set one
nation at the throats OF another.
1t will continue that way so long
as one group or nation seeks adj
vantage over another-each war
more farreaching and more de.
structive than the one before. Not
a particularly cheering outlook, is
II? Does your imagination bring
you a more pleasant view?
--O
Norfolk Va, Is DISTINGUISHED by