The Washington times., 1917-06-16
YOUTHS Modified
TO WORK ON FARMS
Ten Thousand Capital Boys
Listed for Service.
BUREAUS THROUGHOUT CITY
Lads Of l6 to Fl viii Help In.
crease Wartime Production.

Mobilization OF 10000 boys Of the
National Capital. between the ages OF
sixteen and twenty-one years. was
begun today for service on truck gar
dens and farms.
Following the example OF the Gov
eminent in taking a military census
OF the young men of the United states.
agents of the United States Boys
Working Reserve canvassed the Dis
trict today to procure the names OF
all boys available for help to farmers
during the cultivation and harvest
seasons
The registration OF all boys in the
District, while conducted on the volun-
teer plan, will be pushed enthusias-
tically by the Y. NJ. c, A., the puolle
schools and civic agencies. 1t has the
Endorsement OF the District Commits
sioners, and officials OF the District
government have pledged their CO
operation.
l.. W. DeGast. secretary OF the boys
department OF the Young Mems Chris
tian Association. yesterday was named
as head of the enrolment bureau. The
bureau today began the task OF pre-
pairing registration cards and blanks
for boys to sign.
Branch Bureaus Throughout City.
Preparations also were got under
way to establish a number OF branch
bureaus throughout the city, one near
the Capitol. one on Pennsylvania ave-
nue., and others in widely separated
sections.
The United States Boys Working
Reserve has branches in all big cities.
The Washington branch has been
placed in charge of Prof. Frank {.
Daniel, principal OF Mckinley Man
ual Training School. From this school
alone 1t is planned to enroll a large
number OF boys for farm service.
The main bureau OF enrolment VIII
be maintained in the Y. NJ c. A.
building on G street, where a sec
rotary will be in charge at all hours
OF the day and evening to enroll any
boys who may apply.
Heading the movement in the Dis
trIct to mobilize boys to help the
farmers prepare and harvest their
crops are a number of prominent
citizens and civic workers. Henry c,
Davis is chairman OF the executive
committee. Henry p. Blair Is vice
chairman, and the other members OF
the committee are William Knowles
Cooper, Robert c. Howard, DIR. Noble
p. Barnes, Prof. Frank c. Daniel and
L. W. DeGast Prof. Daniel was
chosen director OF the District boy
reserves at the meeting yesterday.
Number Placed Mt 10000.
Preliminary plans for conducting
the registration are being made at a
meeting at the Y. NJ. c. A. this after
noon.
Estimates today by members OF the
executive committee and District offi-
cfals placed the number OF boys in
the District between sixteen and
twenty-one years at 10000.
Charles J.. Nesbit, District Insur-
ance Commissioner, who has conduct
ed an exhaustive investigation into
the food situation in Washington. re-
garded the movement today as abso-
Iutely essential, IL the standard OF
production is raised to meet the ex-
trs demands OF war time.
Sixty farmers have come to him
within the last week, he declared. TO
discuss the crop and food situation.
The majority of these farmers asked
him to assist them in finding labor to
care for and harvest their crops.
Practical Program Outlined.
In statements today members OF the
committee declared the work should
begin on District truck gardens and
nearby farms. II boys are willing
to leave the city for service in the
West when the fall harvest time
comes. arrangements will be made to
send them in groups, under the lead
ership OF Y. NJ. c. A. secretary.
According to a practical program