The Washington times., 1917-06-17
D. c. BOY WORKERS
TO Aid FACTORY
First Reserve Contingent
Leaves Next Week.
WILL GO TO SALEM, N. J.
Probably Will Be Recruited From
COlOred High Schools.

The first Washington contingent Of
boys OF the Boys Working Reserve
will leave the city for a large factory
where fruit jars are made. in Salem.
y. j., some time next week. l.. w. De
Cast, registration officer for the or
ganization. said today.
They probably will be recruited
from the colored high schools. About
twenty-five boys will be in the party.
The request for the boys came from
the factory owner, who cannot obtain
sufficient labor to continue his bust
ness. II the request for boy power
Is not acceded to, it is said, he will
have to close his factory.
The owner, it is said, besides paying
probably Sl.5O a day, will provide
sources of recreation and amusement
A large motor boat will be placed at
the disposal OF the boys for use after
work.
The recreation feature for the boys
Is one that has been met by this fac
tory owner in a satisfactory manner"
said Mr.. DeGast. That will be one
OF the problems the committee will
have to meet.
Recreation Planned.
For the average city boy. farm
life will, after the novelty wears of,
prove monotonous. Plans are being
considered whereby recreation can be
furnished"
Plans to put before the BOYS of
Washington between the ages Of six
teen and twenty-one and their parents
Of L.,
the Boys Working Reserve will be
discussed at a meeting OF the execu-
tive committee OF the Y. NJ. c. a. at
4:45 o'clock tomorrow.
Boy work will save the situation"
declared Mr.. DeGast ''The import
ance OF surplanting men with boys
is being realized more and more daily.
There is no attempt TO interfere with
already organized clubs or to upset
labor conditions.
The purpose OF the Boys Working
Reserve is to supplement the work OF
men engaged not only in farm indus.
80" Tut also in all other lines Of
work"
&c large number Of registration
cards base been distributed to boys
between the stipulated ages for the
consideration Of parents. since no boy
animation without the consent OF his
parents.
Fifty Boys Register.
There are now about fifty boys
registered, ready to answer the call
and aid in solving the labor problem,
Mr.. DeGast said.
With requests for aid from nearby
farmers already pouring in, every
boy who desires to aid the country
during harvesting time can be used.
il was said today. With $500 helpers
needed to assist in the Maryland can
ming industries, and the lack OF avail
able help over the country, the De
partment OF Agriculture is planning
to send many local boys to the can
ming districts.
THE opportunity offered boys who
would not be expected to bear arms
by enrolling in the Boys Working
Reserve is a great one" declared
Frank c. Daniel, principal Of McKin-
ley Manual Training School Be
sides the outdoor work, tending to
develop the boys physically. there is
the practical benefit the boys will be
doing for the country.
by thousands OF boys enrolling in
the organization. an army of men will
he released from the minor tasks OF
farm work. These men can either
take their place at the more strenu-
Gus labor in the fields or serve in
the army"
As soon as a boy Is admitted TO the
organization he is given a certificate,
and after three weeks. II he proves
capable. is given a Federal badge.
At the end Of A year a bar bearing
the words. Honorable Service, 1917"
is attached. This will be considered
mark Of the highest distinction, being
equivalent to wearing a uniform or
a Liberty bond button.