The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-03-01
Washington Letter.

Washington, Feb. 26.-(SpeciaI
Correspondence)-Much talk is being
/ indulged in by the party in control in
Congress as to the great shortage of
labor that will be met in the agri-
cultural regions next summer, but
nothing is being done to meet the sit
uation. A prominent Democrat from
Texas has called the attention of his
party colleagues to the real facts.
eve recognize the necessity of speed
ing up agriculture" says he, "and yet
not one comprehensive thing is done
tending to that result" Republican
measures, introduced weeks ago, ,antic-
ipating the situation and prpyiding re-
lief, are now lying in the pigeon holes
of Democratic committees Enacted OH.
The chairmen and majority member,
of those committees seem to be 1ulled
into false sense of security by the
assurances from their party leaders
in the Executive branch of the Gov
ernment that all is well. But, to quote
again from member of that party,
"This is no time for an optimism
which rests upon egotism and disre-
gard of facts"
There is probably no member of the
Senate who has more expert knowl-
edge of the growing and milling OF
wheat than Senator AISLE j. Gronna of
North Dakota. He is working con-
stantly for the welfare of the wheat
farmers Of the West, and to insure
proper grading and fair price for
their product. Just now Senator
Gronna is devoting his energies to-
ward securing the erection in the city
of Washington of flour mill wher,
various grades of wheat may be
ground and made into bread. He
claims that the Department will be
able to get information from the oper-
alton of the mill that will be great
aid in the Standardization of tn.
grain. An appropriation of only $780,
600 is required by the Agricultural
Department to carry out the project,
which is small indeed when compared
with the benefits which are anticipated
from it's operation. Senator Gronna
states that North Dakota produces ali.
nually from 100,000,000 to 100000
900 bushels Of wheat. His constitu-
ents are vitally interested in every
thing pertaining to that crop. Sena-
tor Gronna has a son in the army.
4 Congressman Edward E. Denison Of
Illinois holds to the view that young
men whose services are necessary to
cultivate the crops are, in no sense of
the word, slackers in claiming exemp-
tion when drafted into the military
service. Mr.. Denison is man who
is thoroughly alive to the critical labor
situation on our farms. 81 think it iss
the duty of men," says he, "to claim
exemption when drafted if their ser
vices are necessary on the farm" Mr..
Denison deplores the fact that Provost
Marshal Generals. office was not more
liberal in granting industrial exemp-
tions in conscripting the first incre.
ment of the National Army, and is
glad to see an improvement in that re-
gard as applied to the next draft. But
he insists that more attention should
be paid to the needs of the agricultur-
al sections of the country than is evil
dent at the present time. 49,
A unique way Of bringing pressue to
bear on the Germans to end the war
is furnished in a bill introduced by
Congressman Patrick H. Kelley of
Michigan. For every month that the
war continues after the passage of his
measure Mr.. Kelley would prohibit for
one year the importation Of all goods
and materials, of whatever nature,
produced in the German Empire ana
its possessions. Any violation of the
act would be punishable by fine up