10/27/2009:
Professor E. F. Ladd of the North Dakota Agriculture College made a proclamation on this date in 1917 that was surprisingly well-received among North Dakotans. The proclamation called on every citizen of the state to participate in the war effort by conserving certain food staples, such as bacon, beef, lard, mutton, pork, sugar, and wheat. In this effort, every Tuesday thereafter was to be designated "Wheatless Day," every Wednesday was to be "Corn Day," and every Friday, "Meatless Day." Ladd, not only known from his presidency at the Agriculture College, but also as the state food director, sent out a Food Pledge, and asked that those willing to participate in the program sign their name in support, and urge their employees to do the same. By signing the pledge, employers could receive a membership card to display in their places of business.
It was hoped that people would conserve meat and wheat, and instead fill up on such items as homegrown fruits and vegetables. These efforts were in addition to those calling for "Liberty Gardens" and the conservation of metals and rubber.
In response to Dr. Ladd's announcement, North Dakota hotels and restaurants assured their cooperation. C. A. Klaus, president of the state's Hotel Men's Association, issued a response to Ladd's proclamation, urging all North Dakota hotel proprietors to begin the provisions immediately. From his office in Jamestown, Klaus wrote that his Gladstone hotel in that city would begin that Tuesday by serving a meatless meal. He urged members of the association to call upon friends, family, and acquaintances to do the same. He reiterated the importance of conserving the nation's food supply in this time of need, and praised those that had already sacrificed to the cause. The Jamestown Weekly Alert reported that visitors to the Gladstone hotel that Tuesday enjoyed a hearty ‘meatless' meal, with plenty of "...appetizing substitutes" available to make up for the lack of meat.
Although support for ‘meatless' days ended with the war, they were reinstated during World War II, and revived once again in 2003 by the Meatless Monday Campaign, a coalition of 28 schools of public health in America. Although motivated by public health issues rather than wartime conservation, the group based their agenda on original wartime efforts.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Source:
Jamestown Weekly Alert, Thursday, Nov. 1, 1917: p.2.
Jamestown Weekly Alert, Thursday, Nov. 1, 1917: p.1.