Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-08
NATIONAL FAST DAY
PROPOSED TO SAVE
NONEYFOR war WORK
Farm Labor Shortage and
CITY LOafer" Also Under
Discussion In Senate

Washington, Feb. S.-Recommenda.
tions for national fast day, draft in
to real work of the Getty loafer,' - and
a general discussion of the farm labor
shortage, occupied the senate today
while republicans and democrats tried
to determine their attitude toward
President Wilson s empowering bill
the question of food and how it is to
be obtained and conserved, developed
ON the floor. Senator Thouas, ColOra-
do, offered variety by praising the war
department accomplishments.
Senator Smoot came out for fast
day" on which the people should eat
but one meal. Figuring ON a basis of
each meal costing 25 cents general
laughter at the figures) he estimated
that the nation would save $4,000, 900
annually for war saving stamps and
ether war investments.
He warned of a general Tightening
of the belt if the war goes on two
years longer.
Smoot asserted that the American
people were consuming far more food
per capita than other nations and call
ed attention to his speech year ago
when he declared that "the American
garbage can was the fullest in the
world.'
Lack of proper distribution facili-
ties was the cause of food shortages
Senator Borah interrupted to say.
((TharA kuyc IN thn food
said Borah. Food is rot
ting in many places because it cannot
be moved to the points where it il
needed.
"Another factor in the situation is
the labor. If the next draft operates
to take labor from the farms such as
the first draft did, there will be COM
plete breakdown of our agricultural
system.
"We were assured that the select
i've draft law would make possible an
adequate supply of farm labor, but the
first draft did not work out that way'
A plea for legislation that would
compel "city loafers" to work, was
make by Senator Jones, Washington.
''The draft law took many farm
said Jones, "and high wag
es paid in other industries attracted a
great many more workmen from the
FARMS
"But in this city and in every other
sity there are thousands of corner loaf
ers. There ought to be some way to
compel these men to become produc-
ers. /"
Immediately afterward he introduce
ed a bill to register all unemployed
men in the nation and to place them
IN training camps for instruction in ag-
ricultural work.
The bill would empower the secre-
tary of agriculture to enroll all Gun
Employed men and men not liable to
military draft but capable of perform
ng labor and to assemble them in
camps.
One such camp would be located in
each state and the course of instruc-
Jon would cover six weeks with two
expert agriculturists in charge.
"Graduates of such camps would
De put to work on farms, as the seere-
5ary of agriculture directed.
The war department is $50 replete
With successful accomplishments as to
sstonish one,'' Senator Thomas declar-
ID in opening his speech, praising the
war department.
'The department is as nearly per-
,eet as it is possible to make it under
he circumstances.
He said critics of the department
lad not been fair.
s'Mistakes they have pointed out
nave not been mistakes at all, - he
aid
Thomas charged that lack Of vision
n the past on the part of congress in
for military establishment
vas responsible for whatever failures
nay be preberly charged against the
var department.
'eWe should not blame the executive
department. for our own failures,' he
declared.
The change in the apportioning sys-
EN- bases the quota on the number of
itizens eligible for military service,
ather than upon the total registratioS
aliens not subject to call
This measure is designed to prevent
eeurrenee of instances where, because
+ large alien registration, practically
il Americans were called to fill the
raft quotas.
The corps bill provides a scale of pay
rom $3.50 for the first three years up
o 5000 for the twelfth year of service |
nd thereafter.
With virtual assurance Of the pass
ge on the bill to register all males
eaehing 21 since June five, the pro-
ost marshal general already is COM
letting plans for their draft. By this
ystem it is believed by the war de-
that it will be unnecessary to
all into service any men classified be-
w class l under the QUESTIONABLE
rOgram.
FEB. 7, 1918