Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Supplement to THE PRESS AND STANDARD, Walterboro, S. April 25, 1917. .TO THF PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA T- HEREAS, the National Go\ ernment and our State Government realize that an ample supply of foodstuffs, both for this country and for those other countries who are likewise at war with the Imperial German Government, is necessary for the successful prosecu tion of military operations. They also realize that the available food supplies of the world are entirely inadequate, and that the successful prosecution of this war is menaced by said food shortage. They have, therefore, called upon the people of South Carolina to discontinue, as far as possible, their drafts upon the already heavily depleted national food reserves, and also to add to the national food reserves by the production at home of every possible pound of food for man and beast. In order that the people of South Carolina may be advised of the national peril caused by food shortage, and that effectiv e steps may be taken in this State for food production and conser vation's Excellency, the Governor of South Carolina, has constituted a commission known as the Commission for Civic Preparedness for War. He has charged this Commission with awaking our people to the necessity of united and patriotic action in the face of national peril. 1 hat the people may be properly informed and induced to take the necessary co-operative action, the following facts are recited: The available supplies of foodstuffs are the lowest in all food-producing countries that they hav e been for over fifty years. Prices of most foodstuffs have about doubled during the past two or three years. The gov ernment crop report forecasts a wheat crop which will he short of American con sumption. *■. The reserv e supplies of meats are far below normal. A nation at war requires more food than a nation at peace. France, England, Belgium and Italy are short of food and are largely dependent on Amer ican imports, and, unless some means is found of supplying them, they cannot continue to fight effectively. The South is importing from the West and North $600,000,000 to $700,000,000 worth of foodstuffs annually and is thus a tremendous drain on the nation’s food resources and, conse quently, is now a menace to the .nation’s safety. A pound of cotton at 20c. will actually buy less foodstuffs now than normally. If the world shortage of foodstuffs becomes acute and the people actually suffer, they will stop buying clothing. They must buy food as long as it is available. I nder such conditions, the price of cotton will fall, but the price of foodstuffs will adv ance still further (unless regulated by law.) 1 he raising of foodstuffs in the South is accompanied by an improv ement of the soil, as legumes are universally used in a food crop rotation. This enables cotton and other crops to be more cheaply raised the following year. The program for increased foodstuffs is identical with the program for preparation for the boll weevil, and an increase of the acreage to foodstuffs and of the production of live stock would be necessary if the world were at peace. Farm laborers are leav ing the State in great numbers. Cotton requires more labor than any other crop. Foodstuffs and live stock can be produced with much less labor. If the State and nation do their dutv in the produrtion of foodstuffs (as we confidently believe thev will), the next cotton crop will probably bring a fair price, and we do not wish the impression to go abroad that this Commission advocates a wholesale abandonment of the cotton acreage planned. We do, however, most strenu ously urge every farmer in South Carolina to produce ample provisions for his family and laborersand a surplus for sale. We urge upon the town people the planting of waste lands and backyards to garden truck. We urge every man, woman and child in the State not to waste food. Food waste* under present conditions is criminal. A campaign for food production and conservation will be waged in every county in tlie State. Practical plans for effectively meeting the situation will be presented. We call upon the people of South Carolina—black and white, old and young—to enlist as one man in order that this great State may stand forth conspicuous in national service, solidly supporting our great and good President in this hour of national peril. DAVID R COKER, Approved: Chairman South Carolina Commission for RICHARD I. MANNING, Governor. Civic Preparedness for War. , / v ,v