Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-27
URGES CLOSING
OF SCHOOLS TO
HELP FARMERS
State Food Supply Depart
ment Asks County Super
intendents to Aid
NEED $4,000 WORKERS
Would Use All Pupils Over Six
teen Years of Age to In
crease Crops

Under a plan worked Gut by Ernest L.
Tustin. vice director of the food supply de-
partment OF tie Public Safety Committee
of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania all
county superintendents of public instruction
have been asked to close state high and
preparatory schools and colleges imme-
diately so the pupils can volunteer for
farming
According to figures compiled by the de-
partment the state is short some 32S,oo0
3 farmers The Federal Department Of AC-
riculture estimates the shortage at only
100000 men. out the Committee on Public
Safety is inclined to believe the state hg-
ures are authentic.
The volunteer farm workers from state
and city schools Of sixteen years Of age or
older will be listed and alportioued under
the supervision Of the committee. They VIII
be under observation Of inspectors charged
with the duty of supervising THEW treatment
by the farmer in regard to labor and as to
food
Badges will he supplied TO every boy who
enrolls as member Of this vast agricul-
tural army. The terms under which farm
workers will be supplied are TO be stated on
printed blanks and the rates Of pay stipu'
late that net more than eight hours work
shall be required during the first two weeks
of employment and no Sunday work eN-
cept necessary chores, and leave of absence
is to be assured for two Sundays and two
Saturday afternoons per month. The cr-
ployer in accepting the boys binds himself
to the inspection regulations of the food de-
partment.
BEGIN WORK TUESDAY
As the planting must be done between
May and 10. the department yesterday
sent out the notices to each school super
intendent the plans for the mobilization
of this agricultural force call for starting
work not later than next Tuesday. Every
/ seed planted after May 10 will be wasted
effort. and the department is ready to sup
ply the boys for the farms as soon as the
school authorities accept the proposal and
!. the students come forward and enroll.
The Mayors Committee on Home Defense
through its executive committee has also in
dorsed the project, all pupils of the Phila-
deiphia higher schools who desire TO enroll
for farm work may do so through the prin-
cipal of each institution.
Under the school code the superintendent
of each county. including Dr. John P. Gar
ber. Superintendent of the Philadelphia
Schools. has the authority to close the
schools and IL the plan of the Public
Safety Committee, which bears the indorse-
ment of Governor Brumbaugh is adopted,
the action is expected to be taken imme-
diately.
tui al labor there will be an industrial sur
,vey made of every manufacturing estab-
= lishment in Pennsylvania to get an ac-
count of their productive capacity.
'It is not enough to know the report
can be produced in this state. The ques-
ton is to what extent weapons can be
: made which are in accordance with war
s Department standards and how fast am
nuniton can be supplied which fits the
guns with which national army is
to be equipped. There has been a vast
amount of loose and misleading talk about
the ability to make ammunition. This
must not be confused with the accurate
and reliable statistics which alone can be
OF use in a real emergency"
Pending the final passage of the $1,000.
900 appropriation. T.. T. Stotesbury ad-
vanced to the Public Safety Committee $685.
600 upon which to begin work. Offices have
been obtained in the Finance Building ana
clerical staff and other employees neces-
sary for the task of the organization have
begun work
~ The Division of Administration is grouped
under four heads, Finance, Publicity and
Education, Legislation and allied bodies.
The Finance Committee will act a COM
mittee OF ways and means apportion the ex-
penditures and employ certified public ac-
countants to check on the spending of the
States money
OF the work of publicity and education,
the report explains 'it has been deemed ad-
visable to secure an expert to give his whole
time to the service" Ivy l.. Lee, of New
York. has been brought TO this city for the
purpose. 1t is announced that the Depart
ment of Legislation has several measures
under consideration which VIII be intro
QuCeQ later AT KARLSRUHE. Inc Allltu
Bodies Department intends TO relate the
activities of all organizations working in
the State to get cooperative contact.
WIDE RELIEF WORK
In the Division of Relief are two de-
partments. one sanitation and medi-
cine the other civic. The first department
will work with Federal State and Red
Cross societies for the preservation and pro-
lection of the public health and the equip
ment and maintenance of such hospital
bases as are required.
Under the Department of Civic Relief
Il activities connected with the relief Of de-
pendent families and all measures necessary
to be taken in connection with social and
moral problems that are incidents Of
state of war will be controlled. Social agen-
cies and workers are to be engaged 10 wipe
out and prevent the recurrence in this state
of the moral evils which elsewhere have
& characterized mobilization camps and other
places where large bodies of men have
gathered.
The division Of service is classified under
four departments, civilian service and
labor military service. naval service
guards. police and inspection. Pending the
settlement of the question Of Federal Sc
lective service, the division is awaiting an
announcement but Is ready to aid the Fed
" eral authorities in any capacity its activities
may be required.
NJ Under the transportation division, the
railroad problem is only matter regarded
as OF secondary importance. The question
Of using electric railways and motor We
hicIes is receiving careful study, as well as
the use of the highways and waterways OF
the State
To keep in touch with all the local com.
mittees, the service of Colonel Frederick T.
" Pusey have been retained who will work
among these organizations in their various
communities and establish effective commu-
y nicaton with them all.