Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-22
TREATMENT OF FARM HELP.

The Iowa Farmer.
The editor OF The Iowa Farmer ran
across an interesting condition while
on a trip 10 the Paciac coast We saw
scores of men travelling over the couu-
try with bundle strapped upon the
hack and made inquiry as to what II
meant. We were told that some OF
them were sheep herders. others COM
mon farm hands and still others just
ordinary iramps, but all OF them carry
their sleeping blankets with them In
quiry further developed the fact that
out in that country the sheep herder.
the farm hand orr tho threshing crew
and OF course the tramp also are not
permitted 10 occupy bed in the home
OF the man for ahon they are work.
ing. but IL is necessary for the lahorer
to sleep in hay. NOW. in an empty
stall in the barn. by the side of
straw stack or in any place that ply
sical comfort may dictate.
This moving rousta bout life only en-
coarages the wanderlust spirit and the
result is shiftless. floating popula-
ton that has no abiding place and that
seeks work htther and yon. but without
an anchorage that leads 10 stability
and per7nauency. The Industrial
from this rowing band Of dissatisfied
laborers and a very undesirable con-
dition IS being established because
Of It,
The other day we met a fellow IN
Ida county who resides in Minnea po-
lis He has drifted down into Iowa TO
get a job gathering corn. He said he
worked with a ;hreshing outfit in the
NuL SA at n nd
early fall He said that threshing
crews we're provided sleeping apart
ments in tents or covered wagons and
that farmers never thought of housing
these men. neither the harvest hands
when grain was ready for the sickle.
This fellow then proceeded to give his
opinion Of the system He said that
in the summer time hands could en-
dure such treatment but when the fall
weather came OF and later the cold
winter that the plan In vogue among
the farmers in the Dakotas was moth
ing short OF barearity- lie said such
treatment was making anarchists OF
men that otherwise would have re-
:ae.neH valuable citizens. Farmers
cen not hope TO get capable help under
such conditions. this man declared. He
says the farmer occupies comfortable
quarters. but he expects his farm help,
which has been given about the same
accommodations enjoyed by the horses,
| cattle or hogs. to be able to do full
days work. in fact. to follow the pace
set by the man who had the comforts
Of a good bed and table board. He
says 1t is wrong in principle ard u
sowing the seeds Of all kinds Of
trouble Under such conditions farm
help is dissatisfied and the seeds Of
discomfort are sown In fertile soil
How long do you suppose the self
respecting farm hands in good. old
Iowa would put up with such treat
| ment? These men are from good
homes and they are industrious and
! frugal as rule. Many OF them are
saving their earnings that tn-y may
soon be able to buy some land f5r
| themselves. II an Iowa farmer Were
/ to offer one Of these men sleeping
apartments similar to what the dumb
brutes on the farm enjoy he could not
get reliable help at any price.
The theory that q farm hand II not
| deserving a good, comfurtanis Ssa -
a good sanitary room after doing .
hard days work. II wrong. 1t 10 not IN
keeping with the dignity Of labor to
force men to sleep In barn or In .
straw stack. Such treatment leads to
unrest ana TO hatred. Anarchists arc
developed. Just al the men from Min
neapol.s states. The lows Farmer
hopes the time will never come in this
I state when the farm hand II denied the
1 comforts OF a good ped and sos1 seea
/ Farmers understand that II they are
to get the best returns from indus
| trious energy and intelligent appiica
ton they must contribute 20 the ply
steal comfort Of those who are TO rem
der adequate service. the ia !:
| not only worthy Of his hire. but ne u
1 s;,,o sss,.shy Of decent treatment.
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