Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1918-03-14
LEoNARDTowN. Md THURSDAY MORNING. MAR Il 1918

handicap to the agricultural industry, is eyldenc-
ed by the following statement in his proclama-
ton fixing the price Of wheat:
Those peculiar circumstances governing the
handling and consumption OF wheat put the
farmer at the very center OF war service. Next
to the soldier himself, he is serving the country
and the world and serving it in way which is
absolutely fundamental to his own future safety
and prosperity. He sees this and can be relied
upon as the soldiers.
The farmer is also contributing men to the
Army, and am keenly alive to the sacrifices
involved. Out Of 100000 men engaged
in farm industries, 205,000 have been drafted
or about .48 per cent Of the whole number
In addition to these they have volunteers and
the farmers have lost a considerable number of
laborers because the wages paid in industrial
pursuits drew them away. In order to relieve
the farming industry as lar as possible from fur
ther drains Of labor the new draft regulations
have been drawn with view TO taking from
the farms an even smaller proportion OF men,
and it is my hope that the local exemption
boards will make the new classihcations with
a view Of Tightening the load upon the farmers
!. to the utmost extent The Secretary 81 War
has asked for authority to furlough soldiers Of
the National Army if conditions permit it, so
that they may return to their farms when assist
ance is necessary in the planting and harvesting
Of the crops. National and local agencies are
actively at work besides IN organizing communi-
ty help for the more efficient distribution Of
available labor and in drawing upon new
sources Of labor. While there will be difficult
ties, and very serious ones, they will be difficult
ties which are among the stern necessities OF
wal"
Theabove statements authoritative and plain
ly offers remedy if the farmers will take adj
vantage Of it. Skilled farm laborers can receive
deferred classification under the Selective Draft
law if proper representation is made to the dis
tict board There is lack Of uniformity
among the district boards as to the classification
of skilled farm laborers, and this is caused pnn-
cipally by the difference In conditions in theI
respective districts, but il has been agreed that
a skilled farm laborer is man skilled In the or
binary work of the farm, not necessarily col
lege graduate or one possessing scientific knowl-
edge Of farming.
IONOSl lN1dISlldu NICIiClul NlOWQCl, lllC ca
ecutive head Of the department under which
the draft is operated, has made public state
ment in reply to an address by group Of or
gained farmers, advising direct presentation of
their grievances to the district boards, who alone
have jurisdiction in the matter and can so CLASH
fy farm laborers that the industry will not be
paralyzed.
Farmers clubs and organizations in the coun-
ty should take thematter up, and from each com
munity delegation OF at least petition should
be sent TO the district board at Annapolis call
ing their attention to the shortage Of labor and
to the danger that any further inroads on the
available supply will 50 cripple farming opera
lions that production cannot be maintained If
the facts are properly placed before the district
boards ii is believed that the labor problem will
Be solved as Far as the draft is concerned.