The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-03-08
SOMETHING FOR CITY
PEOPLE TO CONSIDER


the request of the department of ag-
riculture. 1t is something people in
the towns had better take into SER
ious consideration. We recommend
that it be noted at the meeting of the
board of trade this evening:
Just for the moment, suppose we
| strip the farm-labor problem of ev-
cry patriotic consideration and mere
iy to emphasize point look at it, in
dividually and as cities, from an alb
solutely selfish standpoint.
We know the world needs of food,
brought about by the war. 1t is I'M
necessary to recapitulate that situa-
ton. And the farmers are planting
and will plant the necessary acreage
increases of food crops. But these
crops must be cultivated and har,
vested, and many thousands of farm
laborers are required for that work.
There is a shortage of farm labor.
The factors causing that condition
are also understood; cessation for
three years of the European immi.
grafton which formerly gave US an
army of new labor each year, the at
] traction to thousands of farm work
ers of higher wages in munitions
plants and other war industries, and
the response of farm workers to the
call of the colors. But, notwithstand-
| ing the shortage of farm labor, the
nation contains an abundant supply
of man power of farm experience
and adaptability. 1t is question of
getting that potential farm labor APP
piled to the farm when and where the
need is greatest.
The farm-labor problem is difficult
one of the most difficult of our war
agricultural problems-and yet there
is ready remedy at hand, measure
possible in every section and one that
will solve the local problem in most
sections. It is simple enough if you
will just do it. You can solve it
you, member of half dozen boards of
directors or president of the civic
league or leading spirit in the cham
Der of commerce. You, who persisted
in the new union depot project until
| the dream was realized, or organized
the movement that cleaned up your
city politically, or put over a bond
issue for boulevard system, OF
headed the Red Cross or Liberty Loan
campaign, or worked to get a Fed
eral Reserve bank established in your
city or new railroad built there. You
are man who does things. You can
do much in solving the farm-labor
problem. You will do it for patriotic
reasons entirely, because you know
we can't win the war without food.
But, also, it is to your individual
personal interest to do it--for to the
extent your section doesn't produce
its food this year, to just that extent
your section may be short of food to
eat,
| In most American towns, one
fourth of the men have had some
farm experience-were raised on
farms and have worked more or less
on farms. Then they moved to town
and engaged in other activities. Ev-
gagged in work that contributed to
war winning should arrange to apply
his agricultural experience and abil-
ity in way that will help supply a
vital war need-food. In very few
communities will the local labor
shortage be in excess of the number
of town residents of farm training
who can go to work on the farms in
that section and save the crops if
necessary. And they will do it if
their employers--the business men Of
the towns and cities, the hustlers, the
live wires, the men who put their
! shoulders to the wheel in that town
and put things over, whether it was
building skyscraper or boosting the
baseball team-if these business men
will organize to that end.
1t may be necessary, as was done in
some places last year, to close bust
ness houses or allow most of the en-
ployees to lay off, during the harvest
rush. That would be temporary in
convenience to the business man, to
be sure-but it is much better than
having the Hun close his establish
ment-and loot it.
Poll your employees now, get your
chamber of commerce to take action,
see that all the employers of your
city get busy; arrange to give leaves
of absence to your employees who
have had farm experience, SO they
may help produce the food needed to
insure victory. Get in communica-
ton with the county demonstration
agent of your county, with the local
office of the United States depart
ment of labor If there is one in your
city, or write the United States de-
partment of agriculture or your state
agricultural college or the farm help
specialist of the department of agri-
culture in your state.
Just remember that every man of
farm experience, not now engaged in
war work, can help produce the food
that will win the war.
| So arrange it that your employees
will have that privilege.
| BUY WAR SAVINGS STAMPS