The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-06
FARM LABOR NEEDED.
The Situation and the Remedy Put
Squarcly up to Town DwcIIcrs.


selfish standpoint.
We know the world needs of food.
brought about by the war. 1t is un-
necessary to recapitulate that situ-
| alton. And the farmers are plant
ing and will plant the necessary ac-
reage increases of food crops. But
these crops must be cultivated and
harvested. and many thousands of
farm laborers are required for that
work. There is a shortage of farm
LABOR. The factors causing that con-
dltlon are also understood; cessation
Tor three years of the European i'm
migration which formerly gave us an
army of new labor each year, the
attraction to thousands of, farm
workers to the call of the colors.
but, Notwithstanding the shortage of
farm labor, the nation contains an
abundant supply of man power of
tarm experience and adaptability. 1t
is a question of getting that potential
farm labor applied to the farms
when and where the need is greatest.
The farm labor problem is difficult
one of the most difficult of our war
agricultural problems-and yet there
is ready remedy at hand, a meas
ure possible in every section and one
hat will solve the local problem in
most sections. 1t is simple enough if
you will just do it. You can solve it
you, member of half dozen boards
or directors or president of the Civic
League or leading spirit in the Cham
Der of Commerce, you, who persisted
in the new union depot project until
the dream was realized. or organized
me movement that cleaned up you;
city politically, or put over a bond is
sue for boulevard system, or head
ca the Red Cross or Liberty Loan
campaign, or worked to get O Fedora
Reserve Bank established in YOUR city
or new railroad built there. You
are man who does things. You can
do much in solving the farm labor
problem. You will do it for patriotic
reasons entirely, because you know
we can't win the war without food.
But. also, it is to your individual per-
sonal interest to do it--for the extent
your section doesn't produce it's food
this year, to just that extent your Sec
ton may be short of food to eat.
In most American towns, one-fourth
)i the men have had some farm ex-
)erience-were raised on farms and
have worked more or less on farms.
'hen they moved to town and engag-
cd in other activities. Every one OF
,hese men who is not engaged in a
work that contributed to war winning
-hould arrange to apply his agricul-
;ural experience and ability in a way
that will help supply vital war neeo
the local labor shortage he in excess
OF the number of town residents OF
iarm training who can so to work
IN the farms in that section and save
ne crops If necessary. Ard they will
dO 1T If their employers-the business
men OF the towns and cities, the
hustlers, the live wires, the men who
put their shoulders to the wheel in
that town and put things over.
whether it was building a skyscraper
or boosting the baseball team-if
these business men will organize to
that end.
1t may be necessary, as was done in
some places last year, to close busi-
ness houses or allow most of the en-
ployees to lay off, during the harvest
rush. That would be a temporary in
convenience to the business man, to
be sure-but it is much better than
having the Hun close his establish
ment-and loot it.
Poll your employees now, get your
Chamber of Commerce to take action
see that all the employers of your
city get busy; arrange to give leaves
OF absence to your employees who
have had farm experience, so they
may help produce the food needed to
insure victory. Get in communica-.
ton with the county demonstration
agent of your county, with the local
office of the United States Department
Of Labor if there is one in your city
or write the United States Department
Of Agriculture or your State agricul-
tural college or the farm help special
ist Of the department of agriculture in
your State.
Just remember that every man of
f1 rpo pSnpripnca nOt now pppapa1 -,