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The Commoner
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
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VOL 17, NO. 5
The Food Question
Secretary Houston is leading the fight for
more food, and the leadership could not be in
bettor hands. He is urging, first, increased
production; second, greater economy in use of
food produced, and third, better organization
of tho forces engaged in production and distri
bution. Every soldier drawn from the ranks of the
producers lessens to the extent of his product
the total food supply of tho nation, and this
loss must bo made up by increased activity on
the part of tho -remaining producers or by call
ing into the ranks of the producers those jwho
have not heretofore contributed. Whenever it
Is possible to give preference to food crops it
should be done. Boys and girls should be en
listed In "Produce Something" clubs. Of tho
25 millions of school children, fully half are old
endugh to aid.- - If during tlie summer vacation
each one of the one?half-r-twelve and a halt
million raise or produces an average of -ten,,
dollars worth of food stuff, they will add a total
of one hundred and twenty-five million dollars
worth of food.
The closing of tho breweries and distilleries
would save one hundred and forty-five million
dollars worth of grain now converted into al
cohol. Here is 'a possible increase from two
sources of nearly three hundred millions.
It Is estimated that wo annually waste $700,
000,000 worth of food. If, as a war measure,
the wives can save -one-naff of this waste, it will
be equivalent to an increase of that amount.
Here are three sources of increase from which,
taken together, some six hundred million dol
lars worth of food can be drawn, and the coun
try will be the better if this addition continues
after war is over.. W. J. BRYAN.
RAISE SOMETHING
Let every man, and every child old enough
to do any kind of work, raise something. No
matter how little raise something. If every
man and boy raised one hill of potatoes, it
would make more than a million bushels. If
every housewife raised one chicken, it would
add measurably to the meat product. "Despise
not the day of small things" "every little
helps." Millions of individual efforts, added
together, make a. national achievement. Raise
something.
THE RULE OF THE PEOPLE
n The peoplq have a right to have what they
"want in government this is the most funda
mental principle in popular government. It
ought to be taught to the youngest children in
the public schools so that all, no matter how
limited their education, would understand that
it is treason to our institutions to try to sub
stitute the interests or wishes of a minority for
the will of tho majority.
Lincoln, Nebraska, May, 1917
Whole Number 697
CONSCRIPTION
Following the rule to which he has adhered
since the United States entered the war, Mr.
Bryan refused to discuss tho merits of tho se
lective conscription bill while it was before con
gress. It has now become a law by joint ac
tion of congress and the President, Honest and
patriotic men differed as to tho wisdom of re
sorting to conscription before trying tho volun
tcer system, and they presented their views
as they had a right to do. After full and free
discussion, final action was taken by thoso
who are vested with authority to act, and tho
dispute is ended. No matter what individual
opinion may have been, tho GOVERNMENT
SPEAKS FOR ALL, and conscription It Is. The
authorities -at "Washington will carry out tho
details. The men of America will bo enrolled,
and so many as may be needed will bo sum
moned to put on uniform and perform military
duty. Our country is at war) and In war all
effort- and energy are dlre'cd" toward success
by armed force. STAND BY THE GOVERN-
MENT. ' ... ..
'?
SCIENCE OF GOVERNMENT IN SCHOOLS
Of the children who enter the graded schools
of the United States less than 10 per cent enter
the high school and less than 2' per cent con
tinue their studies in college or university.
Unless, therefore, the principles of popular gov
ernment are taught in the GRADED schools
nine-tenths of tho youth of the land will never
learn in school tho science of tho government
under which they live.
THE INVISIBLE MADE VISD3LE
Patriotism is written on the American heart;
the ink may bo invisible In ordinary times, but
an emergency makes tho letters legible.
Constant Reader: Np, the Jingo editors have
"not yet enlisted. They aro too modest to crowd
the volunteers.
CONTENTS
THE FOOD QUESTION ' - 4 ."'.
CONSCKllJTJ.UJN
TWO YEARS' PROGRESS
MR. BRYAN'S PROFFER OF SERVICE
CONSCRIPTED WEALTH
NATIONAL BULLETIN NEEDED
FOOD PRODUCTION REPORT TO
SENATE
PROGRAM OF FOOD PRODUCTION AND
CONSERVATION
WHY RAILROADS DEMAND FEDERAL
CORPORATION
SECRETARY BALFOUR'S SPEECH
LABOR'S POSITION IN PEACE OR WAR
Two Years' Progress
Somo two years ago Tho Commoner appoalod
to tho young in on of tho country to take up
two coming reforms woman's suffrago and
prohibition. Both havo mado great progress
sinco that tlmo. 1st, all the parties In the
United States declared for tho principle in the
campaign of 1916. 2nd, statutory suffrage has
been conferred upon women by several states.
3rd, Great Britain has announced that suffrage
is to be granted to womom 4th, Russia is
framing a government based on universal suf
frage including woman's suffrage. Tho back
ward states will havo to hurry up or Great
Britain and Russia will beat thorn to woman's
suffrago.
Prohibition, too, is gaining. More than half
the states aro now dry. Congress has put the
federal government on tho side of law enforce
ment (it used to be on the side of the boot
legger) and the saloons in the District ot Co
lumbia will close Aon Novombor 1st.
And now national prohibition becomes neces
sary as a war measure Wc can not afford to
have food stuffs converted into alcohol, or the
efficiency of our soldiers impaired by tho sa
loons. Now is the tlmo to got to work victory fs
near. W. J. BRYAN.
WHY NOT ALL THE TIME?
The following press dispatch will be of inter
est to readers: .
"Washington, May 9. Beginning tomorrow,
tho government will issue a dally newspaper
giving news and announcements of all depart
ments relating to war preparations. The pub
lication, known as the Official Bulletin, will be
Issued under the direction of the committee on
public information, and will be mailed to all
newspapers, commercial organizations or others
requesting It. Postmasters have been Instruct
ed to post it daily in their offices.
"A weekly bulletin also is planned for issu
ance to weekly newspapers, which will be asked
to copy as many items as possible."
The Commoner has been urging the publica
tion of a National Bulletin permanently, -for
reasons set forth in a speech reproduced on an
other page. Possibly the publication of such a
bulletin during tho war will lead to Its continu
ance after peace is restored another by-prod-uct
of the war.
There is a large amount of unimproved land
along tho railroads the right of way that
might be mado productive during the war. Why
not put St to work? It is more convenient than
the golf-links. They will come later;
Secretary Lansing's announcement Is jnt
what might have been expected. Reserving the
right to act independently In all things con
nected with the war we shall be In position t
make our Influence felt,
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