The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-03-15


squad or 4.9nnute Men IN the county.
Purchasing DiyisSon-Thts division
consists Of four business men Of the
highest type IN the county. waose bnsl-
ness It IS to buy an printing. place All
adyertfsinS,Af fact, to buy everything
that Is to be bought In connection with
The work.
Soliciting Dfvision-There are six
teen sections Of this division. one for
the city OF Tiffin aad one each for the
fifteen townships Ia the county.
In the city are twelve companies.
each under the direction OF captain
and lieutenant These companies
have charge OF a specific territory Tor
which they are responsible.
In the county each township IS oil
vided according to school districts and
government work. and that the secre-
tarymanager of the Chamber Of Com
merce is hereby instructed to give pref
arence TO government work, and tnat
the Chamber of Commerce bear the
expense of such work where no govern
ment appropriation cam be secured
That put at the disposal OF the gov
ernnent an organization with QaIo
represeotctiTe on the Job at all times
TO do anything and everything the gov
eminent might require done
One important result OF THIS actfon
by the Chamber OF Commerce was that
it at once solved the problem OF e4-
pense IN organizing and uoou;ztns
Seneca eount' to do its bit in "sar VSofS!'
th.nS that has been the big impeoi-
uent in so many country communities
in getting Socd work done
The first task undertaken by the
~. =, OF0n1IC-
Ron. Through its Agricultural commit
tee, the chairman o. which is the coun-
tv supe-intenGent OF schools, the
Chamber Immediately began opera
lions and made farm TO farm can
vass OF the entire county. It checked
ND the number OF acres OF land not Pc
| ing cultivated that were available Tor
cuItiva ton; it ascertained the ability
of each farmer with his present equip
ment and labor supply TO cultivate
such unused land; and it found out
whether the farmer had sufficient
seed TO put this land out to crops. etc.
Every farmer was questioned: anc as
soon as John Smith. in debt for his lasS
years seed maybe, realized what It al
meant. reaction was decisive.
On the basis Of these 6sures, the
next thing needed was an active cam
paign for bringing in farm labor. Tnal
amounted to lot OF hard work; but II
bore fruit III the form OF -23o farm
hands FOR the county. At the same
| time the bankers were consulted: ana
they agreed to flnarce formers Sho"
! bv the survey 20 have insufficient cap
! ital. so that they might procure the
Necessary machinery, fertilizer and
seed.
Ina word. this first step in the cam
paign resulted in Increasing the acre
age ii the county. approximately, ~
! per cent; and Incidentally it was OF
/ great benefit to the county financtal!y-
TIE next move was the war Ger
! dens can paigr. The chamber emploS-
ed a brisk aaG very competent young
man, WHO put in all bis time on the
Job; and IL provided him with Ford
car to conserve his time. This man
kept not the tires OF his new car by
making a quick survey OF all the va
cant property in the towns throughout
the county. Then he got after theown-
ers an6 got permission to have their
property cultivated. Next he bargain
ed with a plow1nan to pIow by rne week
, and prepare this land for planting
Then he staked IL of in small sections
40x10O feet. He bought garden nipple
ments. such as wheel cultiyators and
special tools OF various kinds. Then
ne appealed to the high school students
Of the various towns in the county;
and he also made a house to house can
vass to interest the people Of the verf-
Gus communities in war gardening
The result was that IN Tiffin. alone
5234 acres of vacant property were put
under cultivation.
The organization vas also engaged