The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-04-25
CALL
100000 MEN
Department Of Agriculture
Begins Nationwide Re-
cruiting Campaign.
CABINET DISCUSSES FOOD
Situation Of Some of Allies
Critical and Problem Be-
comes Uppermost.

"AshiNoIoN, April <f-r oou CoHoi-
tions in several Of the nations of the
Entente Allies Rave been reported to the
American Government as critical, and as
a result President Wilson and his ad
visers at to-day's Cabinet meeting con-
centrated their attention upon what Is
being done to increase the food supply
of the United States and provide addi-
tional ships to carry produce to Europe.
Several of the European belligerents
and neutrals have asked for the assist
ance of the American Government in OBJ
tanning supplies other than food. but the
details OF these requests are being kept
confidential so that the markets will not
be disturbed.
Secretary Wilson reported that plans
are well under way for increasing the
labor supply on the farms and on the
construction of merchant vessels. Or
sanized labor. he said, Is lending its
active cooperation.
The entire weight Of the Administra-
ton is to be thrown behind tho recon-
mendations of Secretary Houston to
Congress to strengthen the Government
machinery for controlling the food sit
uation. The Administration desires to
be in position to direct the flow of
surplus food to the friendly nations
where 1t Is most needed.
Colleges Will Aid.
Plans for an army OF 1000, 900 extra
farm laborers to assist In solving
Americas food supply problem we're an
nounced to-day at the Department of
Agriculture. The machinery OF the De-
partnent and the connections the De-
partment maintains with the land grant
colleges and farmers organizations
throughout the nation will be relied
upon to furnish the men the farmers
must have to help them cultivate and
harvest their crops
W. J. Spillman. chief Of the oslice Of
farm management, has sent to the land
grant colleges in every State a letter
outlining the method by which the De-
partment of Agriculture proposes vir-
tuaNy to guarantee 10 the farmer that
he will have adequate help at the time
he needs it. Here in brief is the plan:
The Department of Agriculture will
designate an agent to take charge of the
farm labor in each state. He will. II
tho land grant colleges agree. as several
already have done. work IN cooperation
with the state college and with the
county agents which represent the col
lege In the state. With this organiza-
,ion perfected Mr.. SpIllnan proposes TO
obtain a registration of all persons in
the United States who are willing TO en-
gage in farm work during the season
and for shorter periods The Depart.
ment will be able to reach the farmers
in every part OF the United States
using a. means of communication the
State representative. who in turn will
use the county agent.
Countrywide Appeal.
Posters will Re put UP in post Offices
and other Federal buildings In every
part OF the United States urging all who
are free and have had any experience in
farming to register with The agent OF
the county in which they reside The
services OF those who register will be
used near their homes If possible.
An effort will be made to obtain legis-
lation to permit railroads to transport
the men at greatly reduced rates. per
haps to carry them free in some in
stances. as the New York Central and
Lackawanna railroads have offered to do
in ntrastate transportation.
While there Is an actual shortage of
farm laborers estimated at 1000 900 De-
par,ment OF Agriculture officials believe
there is a reserve on hand which will
take care OF the shortage The shortage
there MAS heen no erfectiye rooncra,i"n
or tba f,ruers with tho Denartn,.p, NJ
Agriculture Help has been fairly plen-
tiful in some localities. while in others,
rnt,hIy in the vicinity ~ Largo mann
f,cturiny establishments and ammrri-
ton plants. II has been almost impossible
IN GOT men or boys 10 work ON rho farm
II Is the plan OF the Department TO shift
men about tho country as they are
needed.
The first efforts OF the Department
will he to supplv the labor shortage In
the East and in the North Central States
In the East the munition plants have
taken thousands of men from the farms
by the lure OF higher wages and shorter
hours In tho North Central States the
ordinary manufacturing concerns as well
as the rnunition works have drawn men
from the country into the city.
sPiIlmnn us Hopeful.
1000. 900 farm laborers right from the