Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1918-04-18

In the case Of
large families who have made no vol
untary contribution to the military
forces Of the Dominion. For the sake
of the moral effect some representa-
tives Of these families should be In the
army.
8. All available men should immedi-
ateIy be registered with view of plac-
ing them In positions where they may
render the most effective service to
the nation.
4. 4 maximum wage should be fixed
for competent men and a minimum
wage for boys and inexperienced men.
8. There should be an immediate
registration OF all those engaged in
the production of foodstuffs with a
view TO bringing together employed
and employees.
g. For the protection Of both en-
ployer and employee, their relation
should be under the supervision Of
some competent authority appointed
by the government.
This resolution embOdies three main
ideas,
l. The return of farmers and farm la
bOrers from military service to the
service of food production.
In the interests Of production, this
would undoubtedly be an effective
measure. Even if the relative claims
of the army and of food production be
considered, it may be justifiable. But
the moral effect Of such q move must
be taken into account, and the moral
effect of cXempting any class Of citi-
zens, or any occupation, would be eX-
tremely unSalutary. Under the COM
pulsory system what they have said is:
"Our government has urged us to pro-
duCe, more and more each year of the
war. We cannot do this if we or our
sons and our skilled help are taken
for military service. What does the
government consider the more impOr-
tant, at the present time, service in the
army or service on the farm? Ma
tfonal service was pulling the farmer
both WAYS. Left to their own choice,
the farmers would never suffer them
,tatiOn of choosing the Safe and profit
able course Of farming instead of the
dangerous and sacrificing course of
military service Both courses must
be placed in the category of national
service, and nationai, not private, In
tcrests should lee considered A skilled
Western farmer can produce rs much
wheat as eight or ten European farm
ers. but it is for the government to de-
eide whether he is, OF NOR" value to the
allied cause rs a producer or as sol
der. That is the point of view of the
Manitoba grain growers.
9. Taking men from occupations
that are nOnesScntial and drafting
them for farm work.
This sounds like good business in a
national emergency, and to limited
extent it would undoubtedly be good
business. Certain occupations, certain
lines Of so-called business that con.
tribute nothing at all to the national
wealth or welfare, in times of peace
and prosperity are allowed to grow VI
in q community. Usually men who fol
low such occupations are called para
sites by the economists. In times OF
peace they are tolerated, and even, il
they become wealthy, as many of them
manage to do, they are honOred by peO
pie with commercial standards of sue
cess. But the public intelligence and
the public conscience are SharpeneC
NON, nv tho apoOOmip emergency onf
mutterings by no means faint are
heard denouncing ''the unprOductive
occupatiOnS," ''luNurieS that consume
labor and food material that might be
used to better ends" "duplicates OF
economic machinery wherever two mer
are doing what one man under more
thrifty system could do The preach
ers are declaring with some truth
that there are too many banks and toG
many bank clerks too many retail
stores and too many store clerks, in
town. The bankers and the retailers
retort that there are too many preach
ers in q town. and in some of our Mani
toba towns there is some measure OF
truth in that charge too. Of course
some of this elimination of ill-Spen
energy is taking place automatically
Most of the real estate agents in West
ern Canada have suspended bushes.
since 1914, and in this era of fixins
prices and of Liberty bonds and o.
Victory bonds, stock brokers and foo(
spectators find little to do. Never
theless the attempt to decide what oc
cupations are essential and what occu
pations are nonessential would sool
lead government upon ground which
Is highly debatable. And any attemp
to close down industries that have no
been automatically eliminated by wa
conditions would likely lead to an in
furious dislocation of business an
would work much hardship. Near
while, whatever occupations may y