The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1914-12-08
To SUPPLY
LABOR WHEN
MOST NEEDED
LABOR COMMISSIONER ASHTON
GOES TO ATTEND COMMISSION
ERS' MEETING - SITUATION
DUE TO LACK OF DISTRIBUTION

Oklahoma City. Dec. w. G. Ash
ton. commissioner OF labor for Okla
| homa, has gone to Kansas City TO
attend the meeting of labor commits
sioners and free employment agents
which will discuss grain belt labor
problems Monday as they affect the
wheat harvest. Before going Mr.. Ash
ton explained that the object is TO
devise some method for distributing
labor to points where it is needed
and preventing over-supply elsewhere.
He explained his view of the matter
as follows:
For many years past, the wheat
harvest has brought forth its full
quota of grief, in that some locali-
ties lack sufficient help, which means
the loss of some of the crop in addi-
ton to eXorbitant prices for har
vesting. while. other localities, es-
pecially those points located near
railroad centers and divisions. have
"A great surplus of men, which means
a very low wage and an unnecessary
burden upon the citizens of the town
where they congregate by reason of
their having TO take care of these
men.
Last year was no exception to the
rule; in fact. if we are to Judge from
reports of the Investigations inaugu-
rated by the United States commits
sioner on industrial relations, the
condition was worse than ever be
fore.
Condition Embarrassing.
"The fact that there were so many
idle men in the country certainly
confirms this report, while on the
other hand, a prosperous industrial
season would mean that the grain
states might confront the question
of having great difficulty in securing
enough men. At any rate, conditions
are bound to prevail that may prove
embarrassing either way on account
of the unusual demand, and the fact
that the work must be done quickly
if effective, or in other words, if
done at all
The facilities for handling this
army of men consists of the labor
departments and the immigration bu-
voluntary assistance IS rendered by
the commercial club secretaries, bank
ers, newspaper men and other busi-
ness men
Most of these Offices have but "A !
limited appropriation and very
small working force when it comes to |
an unusual though annual
of this kind, and while the
United States department of labor
rendered some valuable service in the
1914 work, yet ii is evident that they
are not equipped either financially or
to relieve the situation
20 any great extent.
This condition has caused a lack
Of detail and system in handling the
work, in fact, there has been only
aint of cooperation between officials
md other interests in the state it
self and q total lack of cooperation
the states. In short, each
interest has done the best it could
n its own way. This can bring no
sood results. What we need first of
Ill is complete harmony within the
state and among the several states.
)ne department must control the
,ntire situation in each state, and
hese several departments must work
n unison to perfect the machinery
necessary to promote the best inter
,sts of all concerned.
Education Necessary.
First of all. we must educate the .
armer, laborer. press and others
o the point where they will be gov
rned by the wishes of the state de- I
'artment The farmer must under
tand the necessity of placing his or
er for men when called upon: he ,
must be prepared to take the help
1hen available, even though not
eeded for day or so, and finally ,