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Show AN APPEAL FOR PREPAREDNESS The committee selected at a mass meeting held Saturday evening, in response to requests made by the Utah Agricultural college and Governor Simon Bamberger, issues the following: r To the Public: The United States is facing 'the most critical period of its history. Driven by repeated insult and deliberate injury into the great world war, the natjm is compelled to fight, both on the offensive and defensive, for those things which its people value most the lives; the liberty and freedoif , the happiness, the very existence as sovereign nations, of not only the European Europ-ean countries now actively engaged in thewar and their peoples, peo-ples, but of the United States itself and its people. "With such issues at stake the war must be fought to its finish with every ounce of energy and every resource which this nation can command. The nation is not prepared now ; but preparedness pre-paredness is under way throughout the land as never before known in history. Vast fighting machines are being whipped into shape with all possible speed ; men are being trained for the army and navy, great fleets of fighting vessels are being made ready; craft for fighting in the air and under the sea are in course of preparation; munitions of war cannon, rifles, pistols, hand grenades, bombs, liquid fire,- "tanks," machine guns, and every other known dvice for offensive and defensive warfare are being manufactured in vast quantities. Soon they must be utilized util-ized the United States is in the war and must fight for its life. It will not be a war of days or weeks, but months, possibly of years. It is the most critical period in the nation's history. But the crisis must be met and successfully. All those preparations are being made by the government. But, important as is that portion of the preparation for the trying try-ing days that are to come, there is another even more important, infinitely more necessary. That is what might be called Agricultural Agri-cultural Preparedness; making ready to feed and clothe the soldiers sol-diers who go to fight for the United State's and all those great European nations', for three years engaged in this same aAvful struggle, and to feed and clothe the women and children of the great nations. Feeding them and clothing them the soldiers and the women and children and all others that is the big problem. pro-blem. That is the problem for the people of the states of this union, for the people of Utah, of Mt. Pleasant; for you man, for. you woman, you boy and you girl that is your problem, the biggest one you ever faced or ever shall face. You must do your bit or the Nation fails. What can you do 1 See that every foot of ground over which you have any control con-trol is used this year to the best possible' advantage. Plan that it may be used for the production of foodstuffs. Plan to raise wheat, potatoes, barley and hay, and hogs, sheep, cattle and chickens. Plan to use every means to increase the food supply. And then plan to conserve it. Save, economize, be not wasteful or extravagant; use judgment and reason in your homes, on your farms. There are dark days ahead. Prepare for them. You know how serious is the scarcity and prohibitive prices of foodstuffs now; you can imagine what it may become after a year or two of war, with millions of the land's workers away fighting. There are so many things you can clo ! See that your own land every nook and corner is properly prepared and planted plant-ed ; see if your neighbor does not need help a widow possibly, dependent upon a quarter-acre and give the help. See that those who have seed pass it around; you with teams, keep them busy. Work, plan, do something your bit. Don't stand on the street corners and shout for Old Glory and do nothing else; Work, save, prepare it must be done to win. Only a hint of famine, starvation, ought to put vigor into every person. Your country calls you. You are needed in the service, either on the battlefield, on the farm, or in the home. Will you ' do your duty. As hard a? it is, encourage the boys who think of joining the Army, Navy or National Guard. Somebody's boys must do that part -Remember that. Enlisting officers are doing their best to get their organizations up to the required strength. The i boys are willing to go. Loyalty to the Government, patriotism, ! self preservation call them. Parents will know their duty, j The committee issuing this appeal was.xhosen by a public ' mass meeting called by the Mayor. It will continue in existence indefinitely, doing all in its power to increase production of and ! conserve food supplies. The committee as a whole or any mem-1 mem-1 1) or is ready and anxious to give every assistance possible to 1 bring about that end. If you know where aid can be given, and you are unable to give it yourself, kindly report the case; if you i have any suggestions or advice, same will be gladly received. ! Wo are, or should ho. all equally interested. t |