The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-05
4 FEAST OR FAMINE
Harvest Hands Appear to Be Dis
tributed Most Unevenly.
G. M. & ST. P. TOWNS HAVE ENOUGH
Friendly Trainmen Are Supposed to
Have Something to Do With
! This Condition.

With more even dist ribution Of har-
vest hands the work of gathering north
western crops would be In better shape.
In various communities or districts the
present situation represents either a
feast or a famine. Some have men to
spare. Others are unable to get any, and
in many communities women are helping
in the fields.
Probably more harvest hands than usual
have been brought into the northwest
since this harvest began. There are not
yet enough, but If those already here
could be utilized better, the situation gen.
orally would improve. Many Of the later
arrivals persist in going on north into
North Dakota, where harvest has begun
in but portion of the state. Many are
ticketed for the northern counties in that
state, where harvest will not be general
for three weeks. -.
Where men are now needed Is in
southern and central Minnesota, South
Dakota and the southern counties at
North Dakota. Large numbers of harvest
hands have arrived in South Dakota in the
past ten days In the southern and west
ern sections they appear to have followed
the lines of the Milwaukee and Stunned
the North Westerns territory. The theory
is that the Milwaukee trainmen have been
given the tip to keep their eyes closed
when the harvest hands are taking free
rides on the freight trains. At. any rate
Milwaukee towns in southern and western
Sout h Dakota have had plenty OF harvest
help, while towns along the North-W West
ern have been short. Farmers on some or
| the North Western lines were last week
going through the trains Offering men 81
day and return railroad fare; but re-
| ceiyed no responses. While this was going
| on, word was received that 200 men had
| oil hro Of
kee, not far away.
| Help is scarce along the Hastings & Da-
kota line of the Milwaukee this week. The
farmers are doing their best to take care
| of the grain, but are handicapped. Wheat
stands dead ripe, waiting for the har-
| vester.
If the North Dakota and northern Min
nesota crop had ripened with the grain
further south, there would have been a
fierce shout for harvest help at this time.
But the crop in these sections is late,
and if the main body Of men, on their
way to that region, can be distributed
where they are really needed now, much
will be done to relieve the farmer OF
worry and lessen the element of chance in
harvesting the crop. So far the weather
has been favorab BILE and the farmer would
gladly hustle his crops to cover If he had
the help.
The Northern Pacific is adopting a sen
sible method In Its harvest hands Dulle-
tin, which tells where men are needed or
it's line and the wages paid. If other roads
would make careful study of conditions
along their lines and attempt more
systematic distribution of hands the re.
suits would repay them we'll.
There is, as usual, loafing element
among the men now arriving from thu
east and south. But farmers believe tha
this element is smaller this year thar
ever before. If frost does not interfere
with the crop prospect in North Dakots
and Northern Minnesota. the harvest will
be long and there will be good money II
it for the Industrious and we'll meaning
harvest hand - 49, .