Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1914-07-17
IMMIGRATION COMMISSIONER
GIVES OUT STATEMENT
SUPPLY IS TOO GREAT
FARMERS IN NUMEROUS LOCALITIES
NOW ENGAGED IN WORK OF HAR-
vRSTING SMALL GRAIN CROPS

Commissioner McCsffree gave out the
following statement as to the labor
conditions in this state and the efforts
to keep labor in the channels where
the supply will be at the proper place
for the demand.
The United States department. of Ia
Dor, Of which T. V. ~Powderly is chief,
has attempted this year during the
industrial depression in the east to
get laborers who are out of work to the
west, where labor is needed.
Mr. Powderly early in the season
asked the western states as to their
need for harvest help. AZ this was the
first part Of May, South Dakota's esti.
mate could not be given, and we told
him some help would be needed dur.
Ing the harvest and, as the acreage Of
corn and alfalfa had increased very
largely In our state, some help would
be needed for q much longer season
than grain harvest. This was posted
in all the postofflces In the United
States and come advertising placed by
Powderly in papers which circulated
among idle working men. This states
that harvest wages would be. at 81 to
50 30 per day and board, that help
would be wanted in the eastern part of
the state beginning July Is.
The early inquiries at the govern.
ment Office we're frst directed to
Oklahoma AMI Kansas. but they soon
reported plenty Of laborers, and then
those seeking jobs began working north
ward and came to South Dakota by the
middle Of June, and nearly every train
brought parties numbering all the way
from one to seventeen. This office
has been able to place all of them at
work. OF course lots have come to the
various parts Of the state and not re-
ported to this Office. In addition, We
had nearly 1000 letters and kilograms
during the last month, many of these
representing parties Of four to hun.
dred people. and all inquirers have
been told the towns which have asked
for laboring men. The labor commis-
stoners Of Oklahoma. Kansas, Nebras.
ka and Missouri estimate there have
been twenty or thirty Thousand tran
sients or temporary workers In their
harvest fields. OF course, great many
OF these expect to come to South
Dakota, following up the harvest as
the grain ripsns. We think there is
no doubt at ell but there may be some
trouble about distribution. Each town
should have committeeman to whom
farmers may send word and to whom
oil the laboreas would be directed, and
then II there 10 no work for men who
come the committeeman should direct
them to the next town or. in case the
commercial club or business interests
are not looking after this matter. the
farmers would do we'll to select some.
one and draft him for the purpose.
Hundreds of men have written that
they would like to come, but cannot
raise the money for transportation.
No means have been found for flnsnc.
ing this. II anyone would like to try
this. letters will be forwarded upon
requests and it may be taken up with
the applicants. Employment bureaus
and representatives Of labor organize
tions offer to send men BY the carload
iftt is made worth while. We have
not undertaken this, but will give the
opportunity to anyone interested. It
10 au injustice to our people and to the
iaborers to get more men here than can
hnd work. The matter is difficult to
handle becauss there is no assurance
that laborers will reach the place for
which they start. OF, on the other hand,
that the place to which they are direct.
cd may 30 supplied BY the time they
arrive from chance arrivals on the
sCene.
Present prospects indicate the best
crops South Dskote bss ever harvest.
ed. and Dearly all sections Of the stste
are IN like dne conditions.
WRITES FROM ROME