Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-05
THE CITY ANDFARM LABOR.

. H&N1
Secretary OF Agriculture Houston issues tho follow
ing impressive appeal for the utilization Of surplus city
labor on the farms, an appeal which should bring forth
a ready response from all over the country:
Some time ago L issued y statement concerning tho
farm labor problem. 1t was pointed out that there win
be farm labor difficulties to overcome this year IA last
and that in certain sections. especially In the neishbor-
hood of large Industrial ccnters, the difficulties will be
acute. The lines OF effort were Indicated along which the
departments Of agriculture and labor, through represcn-
tativcs in various states cooperating with the agr,cu,tu-
raj colleges and other agencies, are working to furnish
assistance. Briefly re-statcd. these agencies are doing the
following things:
"(a) Making a survey of the farm labor situation In
each community with a view to discover possible sur
pluscs of labor in order to be ready to assist in furnish
ing labor wherever it is needed.
"(b) Assisting again in shifting labor from commu-
nifty to immunity and from state to state. as in past
years.
"tc> Promoting fuller cooperation among farmers
in the same community.
"(d) Making available so far as possible high school
boys in rural districts who have had experience in farm
ing and who are not normally regularly or fully employ.
cd in farming operations.
"tc) Making every effort to see that there is no OBJ
stacle in the way of a production Of a larger supply of
farm machinery and its fuller use as a supplement to
hand labor.
Last year, in spite of all the difficulties, the farmers
planted the largest acreases in the history of the nation
harvested record crops of most important things except
wheat. and succeeded in greatly increasing the number
of live stock. Since last year skilled farm labor has been
given deferred classification and the secretary Of war has
asked for power to furloush soldiers Of the National
Army If their training permits, so that they may return
to their farms and assist. 1t is believed that the farmers
of the nation can. by effective organization and cooper
alton. with such assistance as can be furnished. again
overcome labor difficulties and produce large quantities
Iof foods. feedstuffs and live stock.
There is an opportunity now for urban people sym.
pathetically and constructively to study the farm, labor
cities there are men who have had farming experience,
who are able-hodied. and who would doubtless be willing
to serve the nation in the field of agriculture at this time.
Especially for the seasonal strains of planting. cultiyat-
ing and harvesting, j: will not be too much to ask such
men to aid the farmers in the necessary undertaking of
maintaining and, il possible, experimenting, the food sup
ply in order to feed the armies and to sustain the civilian
population behind them. II soldiers are willing to serve
in the trenches. to dig bitches. build railroads and risk
their lives. many civilians can we'll afford to spare a part
Of their time to serve in the burrows and in the harvest
fields. If it appears that the farmers of a community or
region are not able to secure the necessary labor by the
usual methods, then the leaders in the town or city i'm
mediately dependent upon that region should organize,
establish touch with representative farm leaders, and see
if they cannot assist in solving the problem. In so doing
they will not only aid the farmers of the nation but they
will vitality contribute to their own we'll being and to that
of their community.
The farmers are willing to do all that they human
fly can but. where their labor supply cannot be furnished
from the ordinary sources, it must be recruited from
those whose very sustenance depends upon the farmers.
The soldier and the farmer are eager to do their full
share: the soldier is taking the chances of losing his life
and the farmer is risking the labors of a year on the
chance of the seasons: both incur risks. Very many
civilians are equally eager to do their share, but may not
appreciate the opportunity to serve in the field of asri-
culture.
THE departments of agriculture and labor will rem
der every possible aid. but each community knows it's
own problems. and urban people. especially business men,
could cooperate effectively with the farmers and also
render much assistance"