Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-18

A call to the boys of Maine, the lads
from IS to q, was issued by Governor
Carl e. Milliken. Saturday, when Ne
declared In an interview that the youth
of the State must step into the breach
broken In the labor supply. So serious
will be the shortage OF help on the
farms this coming summer, according
to the Chief Executive, that. unless
the young men volunteer their servic-
es, the crops Of the State not only will
not but cannot be harvested.
Last year." said Governor Milliken
in speaking Of the situation. IAN at
tempt was made in nearly all the
states to establish a boys working re-
serve. Because Of one reason or an
other the movement was not entirely
successful, except in Maine, where the
Junior Volunteers proved to be not
only capable, but filled need so we'll
that the results Of the work in Maine
are being used as a standard in many
Of the other states.
III the reed for farm help was
acute last year. what are we to say or
the situation this year. after the Unit
ed States has been IL months in the
war? About 700 Junior Volunteers did
their patriotic work on the farms OF
Maine last season. More could have
been used. This year the number
must be doubled and trebled.
Secretary Wilson of the Depart
ment Of Labor has wired me. in COM
mon with the governors Of other
states, to issue a call for boys to enroll
themselves in the United States Boys
Working Reserve. I know Of no other
duty the youth Of Maine can better
perform at this time than to prepare
Year.
As was the case last season. Jeffer-
son c. Smith of Waterville. for years
leader Of boys in the Y. NJ. c. A, will
have charge Of the Maine work in
1918. During the week beginning
March IS, enrollments in all parts OF
the State will be secured. This week
is to be enrolment week all over the
country and Maine should and will, l
feel cooperate with the rest of the
nation in preparing for the great task
ahead. DR.. A. o. Thomas, the State
SUPERINTENDENT of schools, will act with
MT. Snltn III ScCul iIl6 NIihOiiiAiSh 10.
Enrolment blanks will be sent to high
schools all over the State. In addition
to this, agricultural societies and
boys organizations are asked to heip
out in the movement and to assist in
the enrolment. Churches. also, are
requested TO give their aid.
Hundreds Of letters have been re-
ceiyed by Mr.. Smith from the boys
who were Junior Volunteers last year
and from the farmers who employed
the boys in which the success or the
work done in 1917 is emphasized. The
bows almost without exception. want
to go this year. The farmers. also al
most without exception, want the boys
again.
Mr. smith has made a canvass OF
the situation. He has been informed
by farmers of Aroostook county that
In the boys OF the State. those between
the ages Of l6 and 81, will be found
the only relief in the labor shortage
They declare that adult labor, because
or the war Is absolutely unobtaln-
able. Some Of the farmers. those who
used seven or eight boys last year
want twice the number this season
Further than that farmers who did
not have the boys, those who were
skeptcal. have heard so much good
about the work they did. that they
want the Junior Volunteers.
The farm labor shortage is real. IL
IL not imaginary. 1t is a situation that
must be solved by the boys OF the
state. / hope the youth of Maine VIII
realize thAir responsibility. and enroll
1000 strong. | would like to see them
better that figure. l confidently be-
lieve they will"