New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-16

town greatly benefited in health and no worse on
financially.
"Soon after became Secretary OF Labor Mr..
Wilson continued. "the thought occurred 70 me
that II a vacation Of this kind was 80 heIpfu ana
successful up at Clinton there was no reason why
II should not be taken Up advantageously by the
larger cities. In fact, my experience last year III
supplying labor for the wheat fields has almost
convinced me that it will provide a solution Tor
the problem Of supplying labor for short PERIODS
Last summer" the Secretary went on, we
sent 10000 out TO the wheat fields lhey
worked for two months and a half, and then there
was nothing for them to do. They had spent the'r
railroad fare to get to these places and the prob
lem was a serious one II had been able to
take the men from occupations in the cities, such
as glass blowing and foundry work, both OF
which are confirming, and send them out to the
wheat belt during the harvest season, how much
better would II have been, both for the men them
selves their employers and for the farmers. Dur
ing the summer months work at these occupations
is dull. and here would be opportunity to
spend two or three months working IN the
open air, which, because of its novelty, would
prove of much physical value. OF course, such
R plan can be put into operation only when en-
ployers and employees alike accept It and make
preparations in advance to put it into effect
THERE WILL BE NOVELTY. FRESH AIR AND
WAGES.
In this way the Secretary believes, the health
Of the men will be much benefited and at the
same time the needs Of the farmers will be sup
piled To the men who will do the work 1t VIII
be a novelty. In the first place, the work Will be
out In the open air all day. with plenty OF good'
substantial food and good place to sleep IL
will be a change, and, In addition, the men
EMPLOYED will receive compensation for their
work which will more than pay for their railroad
fare The department is trying to secure the low
est possible round trip fare for those who take
these vacations.
Should the plans Of the Secretary be successful
it is not improbable that before long pale-faced
clerks who spend all Of their time in badly ven
tjlated Offices bending over books will be found
in the apple orchards and peach orchards picking
the fruit and having bully good time in doing it.
Il is also not improbable that pale-faced factory
girls and shop girls will be found in the berry
fields and the hop fields engaged in work DIFF
ferent from that in the cities, and consequently
afrording pleasant diversion. While, of course,
the DAYS will be spent in work in the open air,
every provision will be made for the entertain
ment of the workers.
There could be various kinds Of entertainments
in the evening, so that the mechanic, the clerk
or the factory girl who gives up two, three or
four weeks in tn, summer to this new kind OF
work would be benefited in health and would
have all the pleasure they could get out OF an
ordinary vacation and, in addition, would receive
reasonably good compensation.
When President Wilson selected Mr.. Wilson TO
become the first Secretary of the Department Of
Labor he did not know at the time that the
man he had chosen perhaps had had as much, II