Middletown transcript., 1907-03-02
THE FARM LABOR PROBLEM
discussed by the New Castle County
Institute

:. Institute
Hon. E. J. Watson, of Columbia,
c., Commissioner of Agricultural Con
merce and Immigration for that Stat
addressed the meeting of the New Cast
County Farmers Institute in Irish-Amel
ican Hall on Saturday afternoon.
The speaker explained carefully ho-
South Carolina had solved the farm labo
problem.
| He said be was glad to come to Dela
ware and meet the representative people
Delaware and South Carolina were mucl
alike in their farming interests with tn
exception of the cotton crop. In speak
! ing Of the farm labor question he salt
that Delaware was a little better off il
this particular, having about $4,000 for
eign- born people, while South Carolina hs
5000 He said it was we'll known tha
States having the largest percentage o
/ foreign farm labor were the leading Ststei
in every human endeavor. He stated
that Delaware at present has about 1,00C
farms depending almost exclusively upon
negro labor and that negroes owned 35C
farms in the State. When the citizens
awoke to the condition and demand that
exists for more farm labor they would
then face the same situation as did South
Carolina. In graphing with this condi-
tion South Carolina decided that the
proper relief could be obtained by emil
grafton and selecting the men personally.
He said that it was found after looking
into the laws, that it was possible to go
over to Europe and select just as many
men as are desired.
Mr.. Watson said that under the direc-
tion Of the State Department of South
Carolina Offices were opened in Europe,
where laborers were carefully selected
and sent to this country. Each appli-
cant was compelled to furnish his police
record and be examined by reputable
physician as to his health.
He said that the courts have decided
that these desirable laborers can be
brought here by State. A simple act
establishing an emigration bureau was
not sufficient to relieve this situation. 1t
must contain clause permitting the
State commissioner to accept private con-
tributions from citizens and corporations.
He said that it would be much better if it
could be state appropriation.
Mr.. Watson said that persons who saw
the two ships cargoes of laborers said
they were by far the finest lot of emi-
grants that were ever landed in this
country.
As Delaware is classed among the South
Atlantic States, he said, he had been
working inst as hard in the interest of
Delaware as be had for any other State.
In closing he said that the Delaware Leg
islature should pass law to afford the
farmers relief.
When the speaker closed be offered to
answer any questions. Charles H. Meg
ginson asked il the farmers employed the
foreigners the year round.
Mr.. Watson replied that they did.
Mr.. Megglnson declared that all of the
farmers sons were leaving the farms,
some because their fathers were not treat
ing them right.
Mr.. Watson said that such also was the
condition in the South, but that they
were solving the problem by making the
farm attractive to the boy.
Upon the request Of DIR. A. Neale,
Commissioner Watson explained the de-
cision made to the effect that State,
acting in its sovereign power, could in.
duce and pay the passage of desirable
immigrants to this country. He advised
that no single mans passage be paid.
Several members of the Board of Agri-
culture being present, they asked for data
concerning the act under which the
scheme is being worked in South Caro-
lima.
Commissioner Watson promised to
leave copy Of the bill for the board.
The speaker explained that the scheme
cost South Carolina about 3O,OOO year
to maintain the Offices in foreign lands,
and said that the object of his visit was
to get the cooperation Of all OF the South
Atlantic States. In raising money to
start the business, he said, his State had
appropriated small sum of money, but
that he had received contributions from
the manufacturers amounting to $50, 600.
He advised against trying to get immi-
grants through New York or Ellis
Island.
In answer to questions, he said that SIS
a mouth with board and lodging was paid
for the year round in South Carolina. He
spoke well of all of the foreigners whom
he had been the cause of bringing to this
country.
Dr. Neale stated that the Delaware
farmers would be glad to get good white
help for $l5 month.
The proposed S5Oo,OOO loan bill for
good roads in this county was dismissed
at the meeting.
Thomas T. Weldin stated that the road
specified to be improved in Brandywine
hundred is from Carrcroft station to the
Philadelphia turnpike. Mr.. Weldin said
it was a stone road and in excellent con-
dition. No action was taken in regard TO
the bill. Richard T. Cam. Jr., mem.
Der of the House of Representatives, was
present and criticized the compulsory
education law. He said that in some
particulars the bill was drastic Itmade
it compulsory to send the child to school
by October 10Th, which, be said, was
mont b too early for the farmers. Other
points were read and commented upon
by him. This bill was discussed care
fully.
The meeting adjourned to reassemble