Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-27
FARM HANDS UNITE.
STRONG uNl~,is ARE FORMED
THROUGHOUT THE WEST.
Organization Will Boost the Rate of
Wages and Lead TO Greater Cost in
Farming Army Of 100000 Men
Who Harvest Orr Grain.

II is expected that the farmers Of the
United States will have to pay at least
20 per cent more this season than last
for the gathering Of their grain. The
organization of the harvest hands into
national unions IS tile cause of this
threatened increase Notice has already
been served on thousands of the grain
growers of the middle West Of the
union demands, and the farmers in
soD4 sections of Illinois. Missouri and
Kansas are taking steps 10 oppose the
organized labor.
About 100000 men 20 into the fields
every year and harvest the grain. The
farms Of tie United States number al
most G.0o0,000 and cover an area Of
Sal 100000 acres The products Of the
farms Sold last year for S5.200000,000,
the largest total ever recorded.
National organizations have been pei
fected in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri. Kan
sas. Oklahoma and several other States.
In the great wheat belt Of Kansas union
labor is practically IN control. The free
employment agencies have beea boycott
ted. and ouly the labor agencies con
dncted by the unions are recognized. ID.
w. Blaine of Pratt County. who pHt into
effect the famous harvest hand bureau
several years ago. and who has in the
past furnished 1000 workmel annually.
is in favor and aiding the labor unioqs,
He says it VIII result heneticiaily to the
farmer as vel rs 10 the laborer.
Crowding Into the Onion.
As the summer season approaches
thousands Of men leave the city and 20
into the country To work in The fields.
One finds them IN an sections If the coun-
try, and before The end Of the harvest
the number Of strangers seeking work on
farms exceeds the million mark II is
indeed a vast army thar is called to the
aid of the 100000 farm owners Of the
United States
There are 100000 Of day lsborers in
the United States, Of whom 1250,000
belong to the national trade unions. An
other million belong to trade unions Of
purely local interest. while the remain
der comprise the element of unorsanized
labor. Within tie past two years several
hundced thoHsanl Of the latter class have
joined the farm labor unions.
The farm hand as well rs other
classes Of workmen, is looking 70 the
future. The hours Of work upon the
farm are from sun-up until dask. and
often then the farmer puts his men
through an hour after dark. especially if
the grain be in danger of falling. Here
tofore the custom has been not to pay
the men fer this overtime. In some ill.,
stances small sums were offered. but the
farmeF usually held ii as a right that his
workers should aid him unremuuerated.
Hence the farm hand has been easily
guided into the union. and everywhere
the organizers Of the American Fedora
ton of Labor have been they have
brought a majority Of the workers into
the ranks. Cooperation Of the harvest
ers. where it has already been practiced,
has proved highly beneficial.
To Raise Scale of Wages.
The present scale Of wages paid to
farm hands runs from $50 to So per
day The work differs in the task
Binder drivers. for instance, are not over
worked, and are classed as light work
men, hence they are only paid S1.50
The union scale for binder drivers is set
at 81, and the ruling is made that ileith-
er women nor Logs shall be allowed to
fill this place in the harvest time. Often
in a rush the farmer brings his wife or
uduEutcEE INTO tue hetu 10 uEiNc the
binder, while he puts the men into the
harder places. Wheat shockers are paid
not over 81 per day. Under the new rul-
ing they are to receive $3.50. Other
classes of wofkmen are to receive higher
prices in proportion, the raise being on
an average Of 70 per ceat. In the grain
belts of the Southwest some of the big
ranch owners are organizing to fight the
union. but there is doubt whether they
will succeed. In central Kansas last
year there were numerous strikes. where
the nnion vas in partial control and
were seeking to rule out the non-union
men. This year win probably see a great
many strikes and so will the following
season. until The farmers are willing to
accept the unon. which. with It's present
growth. is certain TO gain a SOLID footing
in the ranks Of the harycsteTs.
While the income Of the farmers last
year was over $1,000. 000.00n, the
amount raid ont to workers, b extra
and regular amounted to less than $3.50
100000 The average expense of each
farm, average size 40 acres, was Sfi4 in
1899. and $40 last year. and this year il
will be at least $50 and perhaps $50.