The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-11
THE FARM
LABOR PROBLEM
(By David F. Houston, Secretary of
Agriculture

ASIlCui1uAS+l
The farm-labor problem has present
ed; and continues to present, many
difficulties. 1t is sufficiently difficult
without the added complications that
arise from the unrest and apprehen-
sion created by the utterances and
writings of misinformed, and in some
instances of mischievous persons. Not
a few statements are made which
not only are not conducive to salts
factory solution, but which, on the con-
trary, are responsible for additional
unrest and instruction of effort.
This is one of two or three subjects
TO which the department has given
more thought than any Others, not only
since this country entered the war
but fon many months prior to that
time. There has been before the far
mers the question of retaining suf-
ficient number of year-round skilled
laborers, and also of meeting the urg-
ent needs at the planting and harvest
ing periods In very many sections OF
the Union difficulties in both diree-
tions have been experienced. This has
been particularly true of communities
where there has been great industrial
activity incident to preparations for
the army and navy. Farmers in the
neighborhood of cities where there has
been great redirection of labor and
capital and also where the canton
ments and other special enterprises
have been under way, have been great
" embarrassed. Obviously, nation
cannot engage in a struggle such as
the one which this country is making
in defense Of its rights and for free
dom in the world without disturban-
ces of many kinds, especially of labor,
without inconvenience, and without
calling for sacrifices from every class
of society. Mere complaint will serve
no useful purpose. Constructive
thought and action alone will help.
In some respects the situation may
not be quite so acute another year.
Naturally, the disturbances are much
more violent Immediately after a great
shock has been given the industrial
system. This nation had been organ
lied on a peace basis. When it enter
ed the war, it was necessary not only
to create vast additional facilities and
machinery, but also to provide an enor-
nous scale for the operation of the
new establishments and of those pre-
viously existing. Many shipyards had
to be expanded and others had to be
created. Large environments had to be
built, and built quickly. In every di-
rection there was urgent demand for
great expansion. Furthermore, it was
necessary to have an army, and this
necessity caused additional labor
drains and dislocations. In the haste
of the first draft it was impossible to
work out a satisfactory classification
of labor with reference to the nation
al needs.
diffculfVa thai be satisfactory gs9is
ton will require the best thought OF
the nation and the fullest and most
complete cooperation of all agencies.
To this end all plans which give any
promise Of real results must be care
fully examined and put into effect SO
far as they are feasible,
That the department and other agen
cies Of the government fully appreci-
ate the seriousness Of the situation is
indicated by the action taken to at
tempt to furnish relief. Even under the
pressure Of the first draft, the war de-
partment had definitely in mind the
thought of tightening the burden so
far as possible by not calling to the
colors those essential for leadership
and direction. With the fuller time at
its disposal, that department, which
has recognized from the beginning the
necessity Of not unduly disturbing any
essential industry, has worked out
system Of classification of the men SUBJ
pect to the draft, which contemplates
the placing of skilled farm labor en-
gagged in necessary agricultural enter
prises in class 2, assistant or associate
managers of necessary agricultural en-
terprises in class 4. The operation
of the new arrangement should remove
many Of the difficulties previously en-
countered and, in reasonable measure, !
meet the demands of the situation.
Several months before we entered
the war, the government was giving
the farm labor situation definite atten- !
ton. In former years the department
Of agriculture, in cooperation with the .
department Of labor, sought to render,
and did render, assistance to farmers
III a number. Of states in securing sea- I
sonal labor. In conjunction with state !
agencies, these departments have eff I
fected The transfer Of considerable 7
numbers Of laborers from communi-
ties where the load had passed to 9th
ers where the need was urgent. This
was done especially in the years of /
large production and, in some cases,
from 10000 to 10000 laborers were
transferred to particular states.
After the entry Of the United States
into war, the thought of the depart
men of agriculture, in connection with