South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-21
AGRICULTURE and STOCK-RASLNG
SKILLED FARMERS
IN DEFERRED CLASS
County Agents to Supply Draft
Boards With Facts in
Each County.

4 plan has been agreed upon by
The war labor policies board. pro
sost marshal general. secretary OF
war. secretary of agriculture. and
secretary of labor To- put into de-
ferred classification such persons
in the new draft as are necessary
in agriculture. industry and other
occupations Three advisers are TO
be associated with each district
draft board e. present facts rela-
tive TO the supply or necessary
workers i'm these three occupational
groups The agriculture advisers
will be nominated by the secretary
Of agriculture. They Will gather ac-
curate facts regarding the require
ments of agriculture for the various
classes OF workers On their own dis
tricts They should have facts
also as 90 the requirements for such
classes I'M other districts in order
that workers not sufficiently ueces
sary in one district 90 entitle them
To- deferred classification may have
opportunity 20 go 10 other districts
BOO which they are needed.
The department OF agriculture has
sent "A QUESTIONABLE 10 each county
agent asking him TO furnish reliable
Information az once relative TO the
farm labor needs in his county.
The questionable is 10 be dupli-
Gated. one copy going 10 the state
farm-heIp specialist and one return
ed 10 the department The depart
ment Of agriculture viii undertake
both directly and through the state
farm-help specialist. to keep each
district adviser informed as to the
needs Of necessary farm workers in
various parts OF the country.
The purpose OF the information
called for is 10 assist the district
iraft boards in keeping in agricul-
.ure the ca necessary skilled farm
aborer in necessary agricultural
enterprise" deferred class ID; (b)
necessary sole managing. control
ing or directing head Of necessary
agricultural enterprise" deferred
lass w.
What the draft boards desire are
the facts as to necessary skilled
workers The unskilled workers ap-
larently are not 20 be considered
,or deferred CLASSIFICATION: they are
'egarded as more important for the
army than for agriculture and in
iustry Necessary skilled farm
aborers should not be confused
With inexperienced help that with q
title training. can do fairly well
tome kinds OF farm work.
A skilled farm laborer" has
)een defined By one authority as
one who has the strength. intelli-
renee and experience TO perform &C
.eptably the ordinary farm opera
ions OF the district, community or
arm concerned, whether in fields,
.anches. orchards or barns" This
definition is merely suggested as
Guide. The draft boards may have
Till other standards.
a further suggestion may be made
With reference to necessary" as APP
,lied 10 skilled laborers Presum-
,bly the amount OF skilled labor
hat may be regarded as "neces-
ary'' is to be determined by the re-
tuirements of the present agricul-
ural war program-sorlething more
han q normal production Of most
arm products Pertinent questions
this connection therefore are
UGH as. Are there sufficient skill
ii workers TO produce the live stock,
ereals fruits. etc. required by this
Program DO these workers toll
larder and longer hours? Do some
'hildren especially under "a years
II age work regularly eight hours
,r more Are the burdens Of farm
women increased In other words,
10 the farm people. responding TO
many patriotic appeals. make as
onpared 20 other occupational
roups very heavy draft upon
heir reserve strength and upon
heir children -"