Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-24
(By Harry b. Hunt.)

Washington, Dec. 24.-"Because a
thing is difficult is no reason for not
doing it; instead, it is all the more
reason why it should be DONE" Presi-
dent Eliot off Harvard college tod
David Franklin Houston abme 20
years ago. &
This precept stuck in Houston's
mind, and he has attempted to guide
himself by 1t whenever he has struck
a difficult problem.
Az q result. Houston, now secretary
of agriculture, finds himself impelled,
as he never was before, to see that
the United States, in 1915, produces
the bumper crops Of history.
The crucial battle of the war will
be fought in America, not in France.
America has become. the vital supply
base for the allies civil populations,
as we'll as their armies. Unless the
world battle for food is won in this
country, no battles can be won "over
there
To the direction of this battle on
our farms, Houston and the great
Organization he heads are centering
their whole efforts. Htas T.
'"Shortage of labor, shortage Of
fertilizers. high prices for farm sup
! plies and machinery, are all handt-
caps in the hght," Houston says but
Ii am confident that the farmers Of
the nation, pulling together patriotic
ally as soldiers in the common cause,
can meet the situation, and that those
remaining on the farms can produce
even more than has heretofore been
available.
THAT is the aim before US, and it
must be attained. ~
New draft regulations will mean
that our farms will not be further
tdepleted Of skilled farm labor during
this next summer. Under these rules,
skilled farm workers fall under class
two, Estimates indicate that class
one will include from 1,25p,0e0 to
$4,000 men, as many a s will be
called for the next increment.
Last year there was great dislo-
cation of labor because Of industrial
demands. at high prices, and, in the
midst of the crop season the demand
for workers at the various canton-
ment sites created serious local short
ages. This latter cause. Of course,
will not exist this year, but the de-
mand for workers in all lines will re-
main such as to make the labor stu
alton most important, and wesare Civ
ing it most persistent attention.
W expect to organize forces OF
workers that can be moved to points
where the load is 'greatest during
periods of planting and harvesting,
t:'1f these efforts do not give suf-
Acient. men, we may call upon the
1900. 900 or more high school boys
fduripg the spring and harvest season
To lend a hand. even ~ksuspending
school temporarily It necessary 4
ALSO. our state and county work
|ers will seek to. meet local labor on
ditiaps by organizing the farmers
themselves, In each district, for more
perfect corporation.
.Steps have been taken to insure
an ample supply Of farm implements
and l~abor-saying machinery To ia
cilitate manufacture and ~transporta-
ton, materials for Agricultural ma
chinery were placed by the priority
committee az next only after the most
urgent ordnance needs. Shipments,
both Of the raw materials and the
finished products. have been expedited
by the railroads.
"Tha tractor industry, which par-
ticulaFly lenda i6self to relieving labor
conditions, has developed RAPIDLY.
every possible use should be made OF
al these hbor-qaving devices.
"It L. important that our faryaers,
In prepAfing to do their part inlssthe
tgAt fol; incr4sqed ;fopAsfuffs, should
realize that any outlay fors Improves
mepts AM kbor-savihgs devices H not
IA. meet. III temporary wartime need.
XsaArtca' Hlii he ,callsa UPON for more
tssasttt1tf9p. net nssssaty sfsE sahs period