Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1918 — RELEASING TRANSPORTATION [ARTICLE]

RELEASING TRANSPORTATION

We have seen the question of freight transportation discussed in the. papers as a most important one. We know theoretically that Uncle Sam needs every • possible cubic foot of rajr space to carry to the seaboard wheat, sugar, meat, army clothing, artillery munitions, and an infinite number of other essentials. . When the railroads have 'brought these , to the; seaboard, every possible of (seagoing freighters is needed to carry them abr'oad for t'lie use of our army and the use of our allies. All this we realize, but without the feeling that it has any personal application, to ourselves. If we look into the matter more closely, however, we will find that we can do A good deal to help Uncle Sam out and forward his plans. | . '■

All freight ear space that we can save from- our own needs can he utilized directly for the purposes of the country. If we can .eat foods that are grown in our own locality a certain amount' of car space is released. This can be used in carrying commodities to the seaboard or in bringing fuel or material to factories which are doing work for the government. - If ’ in purchasing we can select goods made in a near locality in preference to a distant one we are allowing the railroads to substitute a short haul for a long one. If we can use products of our own country instead of imported products we are releasing* ship space. An instance recently given to the public will show this. Makers of candy and ice creajn have been required for some mdnths to lessen their consumption oil sugar 20 per cent.

Mr. Hoover tells us that this reduction lias released 50,000 tons of shipping for the use of the government. The shipping so freed has been used partly in carrying wheat to/Belgium and partly in carrying coal to New England factories which produce war gopds. Let it become one of your wartime principles to use home products arid local products toward your needs wherever possible. The transportation space saved by an individual or a family is necessarily small, hut as in all kinds of conservation it is the aggregate which counts. You will feel satisfaction in the knowledge that you are doing your best in your individual capacity toward helping out the government and meeting its needs.