the world waits on him. If he slackens or fails, armies and statesmen
are helpless. He also is enlisted in the great Service Army. The
manufacturer does not need to be told, I hope, that the nation looks
to him to speed and perfect every process; and I want only to remind
his employees that their service is absolutely indispensable and is
counted on by every man who loves the country and its liberties.

Let me suggest also that every one who creates or cultivates a garden
helps, and helps greatly, to solve the problem of the feeding of the
nations; and that every housewife who practises strict economy puts
herself in the ranks of those who serve the nation. This is the time
for America to correct her unpardonable fault of wastefulness and
extravagance. Let every man and every woman assume the duty of
careful, provident use and expenditure as a public duty, as a dictate
of patriotism which no one can now expect ever to be excused or
forgiven for ignoring.

THE SUPREME TEST

In the hope that this statement of the needs of the nation and of the
world in this hour of supreme crisis may stimulate those to whom it
comes and remind all who need reminder of the solemn duties of a time
such as the world has never seen before, I beg that all editors and
publishers everywhere will give as prominent publication and as wide
circulation as possible to this appeal. I venture to suggest also to
all advertising agencies that they would perhaps render a very
substantial and timely service to the country if they would give it
widespread repetition. And I hope that clergymen will not think the
theme of it an unworthy or inappropriate subject of comment and
homily from their pulpits.

The supreme test of the nation has come. We must all speak, act and
serve together.

V

THE CONSCRIPTION PROCLAMATION

(_May 18, 1917_)

Whereas, Congress has enacted and the President has on the 18th day
of May, 1917, approved a law which contains the following provisions:

Section 5. That all male persons between the ages of twenty-one and
thirty, both inclusive, shall be subject to registration in
accordance with regulations to be prescribed by the President, and
upon proclamation by the President or other public notice given by
him or by his direction, stating the time and place of such
registration, it shall be the duty of all persons of the designated
ages, except officers and enlisted men of the Regular Army, the Navy
and the Nati