The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-17

the field of production 1t is impossi-
BILE of course to bring that under
perfect control AS agricultural
investigation and education are
carried forward and more scientific
and rational methods are practiced
the element Of uncertainty Is being
narrowed down. AS farmers become
more proficient the agriculture out
put for any agricultural district may
be reasonably computed for a period
| OF ten years, If not for a shorter
| periods
The fields in which organization
| can be made effective are in labor
supply, long and short time farm
| credits, buying supplies and the
| transportation and marketing Of farm
| products. In some countries much
has been accomplished along these
lines but here only a beginning has
been made.
Some economists hold that farmers
organizations have always arisen
through necessity, that only when
farmers are face to face with bank
ruptcy are steps taken to put them
selves on surer financial basis.
Because Of the advantage OF ample
areas of fertile and cheap lands the
American farmer has been enabled
to make some Roadway, his profits
Ay4LAB ClISAly III IhS IiSS "a 41AAN
values.
1t would seem that there should be
enough foresight and conference in
our body of farmers that they can
take control Of their own affairs to
their own advantage without being
forced to do so by actual want.
There will, OF course, have to be
some changes made in our laws and
in our governmental policy but a
possibility of food shortage will
overcome any opposition on that
point.
The farmers understand perfectly |
we'll that they cannot legislate them
selves into prosperity, (Only the |
favored few have arrived there by |
that route), but they do feel that a |
more equitable system than that |
under which they are laboring could |
be devised to the advantage Of them
selves and most of the other peo-
pie.
In the present crisis there Is no
indication that the farmers are con-
templating or attempting anything
that will make the nation less eff
cient, but on the other hand they
would like to see agriculture put up
on such a basis that it can safely
carry the burdens that are to be laid
upon it.
This will require not only the
highest effort of the farmers them
selves but the intelligent co-opera-
ton Of the whole people and the &C
tive support of those in authority.
The government has committed
itself to the principle of selective
service. 1t has gone into our homes
and communities and chosen those
whose physical and mental fitness
make them best suited to carry out
the arduous and perilous duties in
the camp or on the battlefield
through grueIling and agonizing
If this great sacrifice is
not to be made in vain the principle
of selective service must be extend !
ed till II includes all activities that
are necessary to the successful
of the war.
Since selective service is necessary {
in order TO develop a fighting force '
OF the greatest efficiency so should +
the principle be applied to all lines
Of service necessary for carrying on
the war, not the least Of which is I
II
In order to meet the demands thatF
are being laid upon it agriculture Y
must be carried on by trained and a
farmers. 1t is very v
thing for young farmers or I
even older ones to engage in other I
lines Of activity and to succeed as q
well as the average in that line, no I
matter what their previous training. I
We find that to be true in every g
profession and industry. On the 9TH !
err hand 1t is only in exceptional L
Instances that a man not brought up 8
on the farm makes a success of !,
farming. The instances are so rare q
that they only serve to prove the
rule.
This means that it will be extreme -
" dangerous in the present food &
crisis to withdraw any large proper -
ton of men from the farms for
service in the ranks. To win the
war men must be kept in those pur- q
suits and activities where their
training and experience will count :
for the most. h
This is not a plea to keep young Il
farmers out Of the army. AS a mat
ter Of fact there are many thou II
sands of them that can't be kept out =
and il 10 we'll that it is so, for there
ia need Of soldiers who by their
previous occupation have learned to :.
ia things TO meet practical Difficult !;
ties as they arise and dispose OF y
them.
It does mean that since the mat n
Ter of food production has reached 3
20 critical a stage that trained -
farmers should be selected by theI :
for agricultural rather
han military service. They should
lot be forced into the position of 8
military exemption but :
should be assigned at once to the q
service in which they can accom-
)lish the most. "
The contention that there will be II
10 labor shortage because the num- 4,
,er Of enlisted men about equals the q
lumber normally unemployed might
mean something If one man was as =
rood as another no matter where he ~
8 put to work. A shortage of train III
d agricultural labor is none the
ess serious because in general there %
aay be laborers enough. -.
1t is useless to encourage farmers ~
o speed UP production If they are to az
70 denied the means by which this =
an be done.
That the farmers can do more in q
his direction than they have in the OF
asst is conceded. That they will do
iore may be taken for granted. a.
hey realize more and more what ~ ~
would mean to them in many ways ID
D have this nation and her allies
all in the great work that they are
ngaged upon. They realize also the Ln
litigation that rests upon them and &C
lore than that the great privilege
hat Is theirs in helping free the nl
zorld from the Impending evil and 81
alamity, that would come were our
nenies victorious. -
As the chief factor in the great q
ask OF increased production, the
armers assume their obligation y
18th courage and determination. At ILS1
he same time the people Of all -
lo-eSs~S ~ AlS lt@4S1 = wAuhS N