Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-04-04
A Wage Scale
Of Farm Labor
Going Wages of This Season
Rule at $4,000 a Month
and Upwards

At meeting of the County Agents
held in Fargo last week, a whole day
was spent in discussion of the farm
labor problem and how it was to be
met this year. Mr.. John Brown, who
has been assigned to the state by the
federal gov vernment to establish labor
agencies and distribute as needed. He
outlined the proposed plan that is to
be used, this coming season brief
ly as follows.
A permanent labor office in Fargo
which is already established and
opened, five temporary offices at
principal points of labor entry such
as Grand Forks, Wahpeton and Oakes,
a so-called flying squadron of ten men
who will move with and ahead of the
harvest help. This squadron will be
constantly in touch with thousands o.
harvest hands which work north every
year, will keep posted on the demands
coming into the variols agencies and
will move the laborers as they finish
the harvest at southern points and di.
rect them to the localities to the
north where help is needed. The gov
ernment has asked the county agents
to serve as labor agents in their re
spective counties and the farmers are
asked to place their orders for help
with such agents. The idea being to
centralize orders that they may be
phoned in each evening and thus take
en- care of just as promptly as pos
sible and avoid duplication and confu
sion. 1t is of course understood that
help may become so scarce that the
various agencies in spite of every
effort, may find it impossible to fur
nish experienced help promptly
There is also a possibility that it NAV
become necessary in harvest to call
upon every able bodied citizen to
come to the rescue that the crop may
be saved without loss. There is now
bill before Congress calling for a
registration of every able bodied male
citizen, from which should emergency
arise such help as was needed could
be drafted for work in the harvest of
the 1918 crop.
Each agent at the meeting was
asked as to "going wages in his
county. Virtually all over the state
farmers are paying $50. 90 per month
for an eight months term. There is
also sprinkling in every county OF
farmers who are paying $500 anc
$50. 90, although $780, 90 is apparent.
]y top price wages anywhere in
North Dakota, and where $4,000 is
paid it is only for thoroughly reliable
and experienced men, who are we'll
known to the farmer. 1t is neccessary
for farmers who want help I $50. OC
per month to advance raj road fare,
Those who do not care to do this can
be furnished with help at $55. 90 per
month just at present | shall stand
ready to take care of orders for help
in such cases. The North Dakota
government seeds stocks committee
have purchased carload of Rhode Is
and flint seed corn which will arrive
in Fargo about April 18th. Rhode
Island Flint matured about half way
between Gehu. Flint and Northwes-
tern Dent. This corn will be sold
at about $500 per bushel in the car
(7Olbs f. o. b. Fargo Orders for
this corn should be sent in to me at
once The seed stocks committee
urges the farmers in the northern
part of the state particularly, te
make use of this seed.
j. W. Haw
County Agricultural Agent.
Langdon, N. D.. April 2, 1918.