Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-13
APPEALS To RICHMOND
TO HELP OUT FARMERS
Chamber OF Commerce Asked to
Put in Few Licks in Interest
OF Big Crops.
LABOR MUST GO TO FARMS
Cities Can Spare Many Men Who
Are Badly Needed in Rural Re-
gions-Raiiroads Appealed To.
Concert OF Action Asked.

Clarence Ousiey. assistant Secretary
OF Agriculture, has sent an . S, and
the Richmond Chamber Of Commerce.
ing heed Mr. Ouslcy says:
Each town. under tho leadership OF
its most active spirits. such as It's
Chamber of Commerce or County Coun-
Gil OF Defense. should Immediately
mako 4 survey OF all able-bodied men
who have han farm experience and OBJ
tain pledges to spend day or two
out OF each week week, IL need
be, out OF the month at the periods Of
greatest demand, in order to help the
farmers. There are many men work.
ing in the towns whose places can be
taken by the women. l have in mind
particularly men walters. elevator boys
and clerks whose work can be we'll
substituted. If the business sentiment
Of the town will act resolutely and
persuade employers TO use women tenn
porarily in order that the men may
be released for farm labor as the &C.
casion may reuGire."
The farm labor situation Is becom-
ing more and more acute every day,
and protests against the recruiting of
labor from farms and other essential
Industries by private contractors work
ing for the War Department arc go
ing UP to the Department OF Labor at
Washington every day. The majority
of these protests are going up from
Southern States. and they are quite
numerous from Virginia. SO democrat
lied has the labor situation in tho
South become, as result of this labor
scratching" that the Labor Depart
mcnt, with the Department of Agricul-
ture and the Shipping Board. have
asked the War Department 10 take
some action that will stop It.
On behalf of Virginia farmers Sem
ator Martin has made complaint to the
Department OF Labor that too many
men are being taken from the farms
Of all Virginia. especially the Tide
contractors who arc building for the
government at Newport News. Norfolk
and elsewhere. but the Senator got but
little encouragement, and II seems that
the War department has no Idea Of
curbing tho agents OF the contractors
who are sweeping the country bare OF
farm labor.
In view of all OF these facts the De-
partmcnt OF Labor is making special
efforts. with the aid of trade organiza-
lions and the railroads. TO remedy the
trouble by getting more city and town
folks to do at beast temporary work
on the farms this summer. After con-
sultat!on with the Department of
Agriculture, the Department of Labor
has made formal application TO the
b!rector-General of Railroads to grant
half fares TO agricultural; workers
modified for distribution by the
United States Employment Service.
with tho cooperation of no latter de-
partm field force. Only through
cheaper transportation. 1t Is believed.
can the farmers OF the country be sup
piled with the maximum labor avail
able for agriculture.
The department thinks there are
thousands Of former farm hands in the
cities who are ready to return to their
former calling. having been attracted
by the increased wages offered by
farmers With the supply OF regular
farm hands depleted. these men are
urgently needed. The greater part of
them. however. It Is believed. cannot
be returned through tho United States
Employment Service unless they are
given cheaper transportation. They
cannot afford, in most instances. to pay
fun fare, while reduced rates would
prove an additional inducement to those
who might be able to do so. Farmers
VIII not, usually because they cannot,
pay or advance the transportation
charges for these potential workers.
The appeal TO the Richmond Cham
Der of Commerce to help In this good
work is receiving. and will continue
TO receive, Its hest attention.