The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1918-01-16

ClCe OIL Sucn aCClOIl.' IL Is unlikely CnaC
any responsible body of opinion would
sanction the proposal.
If we put our minds to the task and
attempt to deal with it in a construc-
tive way, there are many things which
can be done to furnish relief. The De-
partment of Agriculture, of course,
will continue to do everything in its
power to aid in the solution of the
difficult problem. The most promis-
ing lines of effort seem to me to en-
brace the following:
First. A systematic survey of the
farm-labor situation in order to as
certain the possible needs of farmers
and to determine ways of meeting
them. The department., before the
next crop season, through it's agents
stationed in the various states and in
cooperation with the Department of
Labor and the State councils of de-
Tense, will make such a survey
: Second. The promotion of fuller CO.
operation in the utilization of labor
among farmers in the same commun-
ity.
= Third. The further development of
machinery for assisting in the trans.
fer of labor from sections where the
seasonal pressure has passed to re-
gions where additional help is urgent
ly needed.
Fourth. Making available labor
which heretofore has not been fully or
regularly utilized in farming opera
tions, inc luding boys Of high school
age who have had experience on the
farm.
The farm labor representatives Of
the department will continue to de-
vote all their time and energies to
these tasks and they will keep in
close touch with appropriate State
and other agencies.
Fifth. The releasing of men for ap-
rlcultural purposes, SO far as posi-
Bile, by replacing them with women
and by divcrting labor from relatively
nonessential enterprises are matters
which demand serious consideration.
Consumption Of labor for industrial
present many difficulties. Powerful
influences are operating, however, to
bring about the release of labor and
capital from less essential enterprises
and their diversion into more urgent
undertakings. These will become in
creasingly compelling as the situation
develops. They will be aided by the
growing realization on the part of the
people generally of curtailng cxpen-
dltures on non-cssentialS and Of rcdi-
recting labor and capital into vital in
dustries.
Sixth. Steps to see that any able
boiled men who are not now doing a
full and useful days work shall be
fully and regularly employed. This of
course, is matter primarily for con-
sideration by State and municipal au-
thorities.
: Seventh. The largest possible pro-
duction and fullest use Of farm labor
saving machinery. The department
has 1ptivalI init oil
curing priority for raw materials used
III the manufacture of farm implc.
ments, and also in securing favorable
consideration at the hands of trans
p0rtatlon committees to provide fa-
clllties for moving the materials to
the manufacturers ana the completed
products from the manufacturers to
the distributors and also to the farm
ers. Both those dealing with prori-
ties of materials and those dealing
with priOrities of transportation have
evinced complete willingness to as
slst. This is indicated by the fact that
the priorities committee Of the War
Industries Board gave raw materials
needed for farm implements posi-
tlon of preference over all articles cX-
cept those urgently required for mill
tary and naval purposes, and that the
transportation committee took steps
to secure the prompt movement of the
raw materials and Of the manufacture
ed articles. The matter is still rcceiv-
ing the earnest attention of the de-
partment with a view to see what fur
ther action can be taken to make GER
tain that an adequate supply will be
available at reasonable prices.
IT there are any other fruitful and
practicable lines of effort which will
aid in the solution of the problem,
they should, Of course, be followed
The department has been in constant
touch not only with representative
farmers and farmers organizations,
but also has had frequent contact
with the State commissioners Of agri-
culture and the experts Of the land :.
grant colleges. 1t receives many hun
dreds of letters daily containing all
sorts Of suggestions from many parts
of the country. AS has been indicat-
ed, it has special machinery through
out the Union for the purpose of re-
celving suggestions and furnishing as
sistance.
Many plans are proposed which arc
utterly impracticablc, but any con-
structive suggestion always has re =.
ceived and will continue to receive the
most careful consideration The whole
subject, involving industry as well as
agriculture, is being given serious at
tentlon by the Council of National De.
Tense through it's various agencies
which are actively at work along
many lines to formulate constructive
plans.
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