Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-01
BANKERS NOT
FEAR SHORTAGE
OFFARM LABOR
Withdrawal Of Drafted Men
Will Cause Little Dis
tuTbance Here.

FNtlfk& NgSgNA 49, 4NrtJ= tfEf
The departure Of the men drafted
for the United States army and navy
will have nc ~appreciable effect on the
existing business, industrial and farm
ing conditions OF Grand Forks city
and county. This is the gist Of a series
of interviews with bankers who are
in close touch with the situation.
Sam. Torgerson, cashier of the
Observation-Disclosures bank, said
this afternoon that he thought SO
comparatively few mel were going
away that the business situation would
not be seriously affected by the first
draft. When the second and third
draft come" Mr.. Torgerson said,
conditions will be vastly different. AS.
it Is now, I don't think we will suffer
much from the departure Of the fu-
ture soldiers. This also must be re-
membered that many Of them have
had nj steady work or permanent po-
sitions which might be difficult to fill.
Taking all things into consideration,
see no reason to worry over the fact
that we temporarily will have to dis
pense. with the services Of the drafted
men,"
Fred L. Goodman, president of the
Northwestern Trust company, said:
The effect of these mems going
away undoubtedly will be felt, but not
as seriously as II crops throughout
the state had been normal. The fact
that the crop is light in many parts
that sc far as the farm help is con
sidered. the situation will not be much
affected. The same thing practically
holds true with regard to the local
business situation. Most Of the houses
In this city have been able to make
such arrangements that the temper
airy lack Of q man or two will not
cause any disturbance Of the daily
work.
w. e. Fuller, vice president Of the
Northern State bank, emphasized the
point that the drafted men-are taken
from a variety of occupations. I'm
this way,""'M Fuller said, "the COM
munity does not suffer as much as If
the men had been taken from one
special class or group. They are
pretty evenly divided among all
branches Of business inc industrial
concerns and this fact will serve to
wise exist. I cannot say that I think
the drafted mems departure will mean
anything serious to us. This may
sound uncomplimentary to the
men, but I mean that our
methods nowadays are so efficient that
we are In a position to get along for
a time without the help Of those up
on whom we have hitherto relied. 1t
will hardly be necessary as yet to re-
sort to importation Of labor into this
state, and thing more should be
remembered, this, namely, that only a
minority Of drafted men have been IN
responsible positions. BY this I mean
that the economic and financial as
poets Of the situation cannot for such
a 81 be appreciably affected" /.
w. v. O'oCnnor, secretary Of the
First Savings bank, said this after
noon:
A far as I am able to see, only the
country districts will be affected b
the departure Of men drafted for mill
tary service. In the city we will be
able to get along, but it may very pos.
sfbly be that the farmer will feel the
pinch Of an unprecedented situation
OF course, 1t Is difficult tosforesee the
exact affects, but 1t looks to me as
though the only branch Of business
which may suffer, is the farmers. And
he will be able to obtain sufficient
help, anyhow, even though the situa.
ton nay put him to a little extra In.
convenience. AS 1t is, I have heard nc
complaints or fears uttered regarding
the immediate future effect Of the
draft on the life Of this city and coun.
try"