The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-09-25
Would Have Agricultural Work
ers Compelled to Remain on
f. "-,. IQe = arm
MANY. NOT DEMANDING
>.ss.s EXEMPTIONS NEEDED
Patriotism Calls Them Into Ser.
vicss When They Are Worth
More at Home

organized farmers met President Will
son at the white house Monday at 5
o'clock and discussed with him the
methods OF determining exemption of
farm labor in connection With the
draft The farmers were accompan-
led by a large acsemblage of senators,
congressman ard prominent persons
from various states who gathered
here to present their case to the pres
ident The farmers presented a men,
,orial drawn by the federal board of
farm organizations, a federation of
national farm associations, which was
formed, shortly after the outbreak Of
our war with Germany as a means
of giving the farmer voice in ma
tional affairs. The board proposes
to do for farmers what the American
Federation of LABOR does for work.
ers and the Chamber of Commerce of
the United States does for organized
business interests. Joining with the
board were the legislative committee
of the, National Grange. The memoir
ial follows:
Shortage of La:or.
Mr.. President:
There is an unprecedented short
age of agricultural labor. because of
it farmers of the United States fear
they may not be able to do, as they
desire to do, their full share in, the
great common task of winning the
war. For this reason the federal
board of farm organizations, speak
ing for the farmers of America, has
asked permission to lay certain facts
before you.
Agriculture is tho only great indus
! try now undermined as compared
with the standards existing before
the war. Many industries want ad-
ditional help. Agriculture actually
has less.
The shortage of farm labor is cut
ting down the productive power of
American farms. Transportation COM
panies, contractors, and Industrial
nlants offer for labor prices highe"
by far than any farmer can pay and
still produce food for the consumer
We do not approve Of class ex-
emptions from the draft, but we I'M
derstand that it is the chief purpose
Of se]ective draft to keep those
industries which are most essential
to tic winning of the war manned to
|'tho point Of highest efficiency, at least
until such time as the need Of men
at the front shall compel a shortage
in every line of work. In our judg-
ment the present method of execut-
ing the law will result in greatly re.
ducing the productive power. Of our
farms just at the time when an in
crease in that power is the one most
essential condition OF victory. AS
you yourself have said:
Upon the farmers of this
country, therefore, in large meas
use, rests the fate of the war and
the fate of the nations"
Should Be Exempted.
If the selectiye service act is based
upon the desire of the government to
put each man where he may serve
his country best, then the admins
tratiOn of the act should not limit ex-
cmption to those who apply for it, as
if does now. Many farmers who
should, be exempt refuse to apply.
Many young mel voluntarily enlist
in the army WHO can serve most use
fully elsewhere. We ourselves know
of many, young farmers who have
left the farm for the army to the loss
of the nation as a whole.
Mere exemption or discharge Of
skilled farmers from the draft would
not meet the case. They should be
required to remain in productive la
Dor on the farm during the period for
which their exemption may be neces-
sary., -
Eecause the world is short of food,
the government has asked the farm
ers as patriotic service to increase
their. product. In answer to the call,
the farmers have done land will do
their best. But already large pro-
portion of the farms are under
manned land the process of depletion
proceeds unchecked. America is MAX,
ing the same mistake that England
made, instead of learning from her ex-.
perience We believe that it is
against the national interest and safe.
W, DIS we'll dis dt5dllIoC lHc pun pOoc VI
the law and the government, to let
this drain go on. "~a.s
What we seek is more perfect ad.
ministration Of the purposerof the act
to protect the essential occupations.
We ask you to see to it that farm.
laborers and farm owners may be
kept, or placed where they may serve
the nation best. ~
The situation demands prompt and
effective action on the part of the,
government There is growing I'M,
rest and dissatisfaction on the, FARMS,
based in great part upon the wellS
founded belief that the purpose Of
the government is not carried out.
The organized farmers of America
look to you to. set this matter right.
They await anxiously the news, and
they will consider carefully 'the ma
ture OF your action for their relief.
Respectfully submitted.
w. T.. Greasy, Chairman,
Catawissa, Pa. -- I
Charles S. Barrett,
Union City, Ga.
J. W. Shorthill, York, NeO.
Clifford Pinchot. Milford, Pa.
rLo,1o.