The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-30
NO Green HANDS.
Only Real Farmers Wanted in
Harvest Fields.
Too Many Weaklings Sent From
the East.
ARE ONLY A BURDEN
Can Be of No Service in Saving
the Grain.
Expected That Harvest VIII Be-
gin June 90.
ARE Only A BURDEN.

T. B. Gerow, the state free employ
ment agent, has received assurances
from the railroads that a rate of one
fare on all roads for parties of five to
the wheat fields will be put in as soon
as the wheat harvest opens.
Special rates will also be given from
New York, where the fasteners who
desire to assist in the Kansas wheat
harvest will be congregated.
Mr. Gerow is now trying to find out
as closely as possible the number of
men that will be needed at each Of the
wheat raising centers of the state. He
obtains his information largely from
the county clerks of the various wheat
counties. AS soon as he gets his sched-
ules completed he will be able to an
nOunce the number of men needed by
the state to harvest the wheat crop. It
is estimated that the number viii be
about $4,000.
John ]. Bealin, of 107 East Thirty First
street, New York, is the sInan in charge
of the free distribution Of employment
for that city, and he is the one who
ships men out TO Kansas from the east.
A b JamisOn of Kansas City sends
many men to the wheat fields from that
city Mr.. JamisOn- says that in his
opinion there are enough idle men IN
Kansas City to supply all that Kansas
will need this season
Il am making it an especial point in
all my CORES Ondence this year., said
Mr.. GeroW today, ito inform applicants
for work and agents who are receiving
applications that we do not want any
thing but farmers, or those who are IA
miliar with the needs of the farm. We
have had too many weakEngs sent out
here from the east for the purpose OF
saving the Kansas wheat. SUCH PEG
pie are a burden to US and to them
selves. They get out here and find
that they are up against such a hard
proposition that they can't handle II.
They are often without money, and are
left in bad shape here. There's no use
talking the work which a man is call
ed upon to do in a wheat field is hard
work, and only strong, able bodied and
experienced men should attempt 1t. II
anybody comes out here to Kansas for
the purpose of having a good time, it's
all right, but if they come out here to
harvest wheat and earn money, Ihey
ought to understand the conditions.
Z don't think that the big strike in
Chicago will have much if any effect on
the difficulty of getting men for the
/ harvest. Those men involved in that
strike are not likely to come TO Kansas.
They are city men, and they are can
nish They will not want to get away
from the big city if they can possibly
help it.
Mr.. Blaine, who has made some es-
Inmates in past years on the number. OF
/ men needed for the harvest, IS working
! in full harmony with me this year, ana
/ there will be no disagreement between
/ Us.
In the five years which this depart
I ment has been in existence, it has sent
/ 1OO.O 900 men into the wheat fields. This
is shown by our records. We have done
more to advertise this state, I believe,
! than any other agency. We have SyS-
tematized- the task of getting men to
take care of the wheat, and have
brought thousands of people here from
the east. many of whom have remain
sas. I know of great number of in
stances where New Workers are i'm
pressed with the country. and decided
to stay, and most of them are making
| money, either by farming or some other
It is expected that the wheat harvest
will begin about June 20 Mr.. Gerow
/ thinks that it may be somewhat earlier
| than this, but later reports will have to
be received before this can be deter
! mined.