The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-07-28
cANNERlEs ARE HAMPEREO
Food Reserve Corps Organized tc
Prevent Wastage.

WaoteSNs
The organization with the approval
of Herbert c. Hoover and Secretary
of Labor w. b. Wilson of a food re-
serve corps is the measure being tax
en- TO prevent the wastings of hun
dreds Of ton of fruit and vegetables
by reason of the labor shortage in the
canning industry. Vigorous young
women without home ties who are
willing to take piece work in Gamer
les are sought for the crops, which
is being formed under the joint direc-
ton OF the federal employment ser
vice and the bureau of registration
and information of the National
League for Waman's Service.
Unless women volunteer in large
numbers for cannery work at once
the crop increases will be greatly
Offset by failure to make use of the
| produce, according to the following
statement issued from national head
quarters Of the league here:
"The demands which the war is
making upon industries have left the
canning business, always hampered
by its highly seasonable nature and
irregular hours, with a serious labor
| shortage. There are not enough
unemployed women wage-earners
to make up the deficit But there are
many vigorous young women without
home or family cares, who could do
their bit by coming forward to meet
the call for food conservators.
The output of the canning factor
les of the country will 30 in very
large part to the government to help
feed our soldiers and sailors; or to
our allies The necessity for letting
no part of the food products so to
waste is imperative, but much will be
wasted none the less If there is not
sufficient labor to take care of it,
THE work in the canneres is just
beginning 1t will all be paid work
and is nearly all piece work. Most
of the women will be wanted to skin
tomatoes, and the amounts earned
will vary with the individuals quick
ness and dexterity. While the work
is not difficult, the continued applica-
tion will be hard especially at first
for women unaccustomed to factory
work, and will be test of their will
ingness to serve the country. The
working season lasts about two
months.
Women and girls are now being
organized in groups of 10 or more.
with a woman leader for each group.
The leader provided by the bureau of
registration and information in con-
ference with State organizations,
will act as the representative of the
group in dealing with employers, and
will take the responsibility for the
general oversight OF the comfort OF
the workers. Special efforts are be,
ing made to provide suitable living
quarters near the canneries. a plain
service uniform with "F. X. c. on
the sleeve will be supplied at cost tc
those who desire it, or il anyone does
not care for the uniform a sleeve
band with IF. K. c." may be substi
tuted. College women, teachers
home-makers, and wage-earning wo
men have already offered TO serve In
the ranks and to lead groups Wo
men dependent on wages for Twins
are given the preference, in accord
ance with Secretary Wilson's ruling
but many more will be needed. Those
who wish to enlist under the direc
/, ton of a group leader should apply
at the office of the bureau in the
Southern Building, Washington. d. c
The first detachment of volunteers
! actually joining the corps is alread,
at work in q cannery near Baltimore
/, In Maryland. which packs about hal
1 of the countrys entire output o
< canned tomatoes, the situation is es
r pecially severe.