PART XIII Surplus Shipments THE ESSENCE OF PATRIOTISM The essence of patriotism lies in the willingness to sacrifice for one's ocuntry, just as true greatness finds expression, not in blessings enjoyed, but in good bestowed. Read the words inscribed on the monuments reared by loving hands to the heroes of the past; they do not speak of wealth inherited, or honors bought, or of hours in leisure spent, but of service done. Twenty years, forty years, a life or a life's most precious blood he yielded up for the welfare of his fellows-this is the simple story which proves that it is now, and ever has been more blessed to give than to receive. The officer was a patriot when he gave his ability to his country and risked his name and fame upon the fortunes of war; the private soldier was a patriot when he took his place in the ranks and offered his body as a bulwark to protect the flag; the wife was a patriot when she bade her husband farewell and gathered about her the little brood over which she must exercise both a mother's and a father's care; and if there can be degrees of patriotism, the mother stood first among the patriots when she gave to the nation her sons, the divinely appointed support of her declining years, and as she brushed the tears away, thanked God that He had given her the strength to rear strong and courageous sons for the battlefield. W. J. BRYAN. SURPLUS SHIPMENTS The following tables, giving the surplus shipments of the state for the years 1916 and 1917, contain items of information which are most interesting. These shipments represent production over and above the amount required for local use. The data for these tables are secured from the railroads and express companies at. their various stations. They have co-operated in every way with the Department of Labor in its efforts to apprise the people of the state of the productive capacity of the state and the individual counties. There are, however, some elements entering into the compilation of these figures which cause inaccuracies to creep in. It is impossible, for example, to get an accurate account of reshipments, which should not be taken into consideration. For the most part these figures represent a fair estimate of production. It is indeed interesting to speculate upon the increase or decrease of the output of some of the staple commodities of foods. The year 1916 was the year before the United States became involved in the great world war, and it is to be noted that in some commodities we find a great falling off in 1917 and in others a great increase. It would still be more enlightening if we had the figures for 1918 to compare, but this is impossible, as the report must be in to the printer two or three months before the close of the year. Sheep fell off Reverting to the main topic again, we will call attention to some specific instances to illustrate. In 1916 we find there was a surplus shipment of 19,427,254 dozen eggs; in 1917 the surplus was almost doubled, amounting to 36,934,098 dozen. In 1916 there were 3,074,116 hogs shipped and in 1917 the number increased to 4,061,078. from 1,807,076 in 1916 to 1,774,748 in 1917. It will be recalled that in 1917 the government made an active campaign to plant every available space, and to increase every needful commodity of food for ourselves and our Allies. Nebraska has done her share as will be seen from the fact that the output of barley increased from 695,269 bushels in 1916 to 3,140,587 bushels in 1917. In 1916 there was a surplus of 17,973,518 bushels of oats; in 1917, 48,204,961 bushels. There are, however, some things which show a decided falling off. The wheat shipments were reduced from 124,609,799 bushels in 1916 to 49,017,175 in 1917; milk from 2,119,340 gallons to 612,981 gallons; dressed meats from 341,872,641 pounds to 246,940,216 pounds; dressed poultry from 10,512,421 pounds to 7,987,882 pounds; flour from 260,532,950 pounds to 256,897,067; live poultry from 18,021,249 pounds to 13,358,210 pounds, and sugar from 43,241,225 pounds to 42,422,378 pounds. There may be numerous reasons assigned for the notable increase in some articles, and decrease in others. In 1917 there was a good crop raised and an undoubted increase in acreage over previous years. The returns show this clearly in some instances, but in other things there is a large decline. We will not seek to assign any reasons, but simply state the facts and leave the interpretation to the reader. States are always eloquent in facts if one takes the time to read them. When you begin to ask yourself the reason for things you find, statistical tables assume a new importance and are then shorn of the “dryness" usually accredited to them. These tables are not given to fill space in the report; they carry a most interesting and significant story. Products Cattle SURPLUS SHIPMENTS-TOTAL 1916 Apples 408,723 |