The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-04-11
Secretary Of Agriculture Points
Out City's Part in Food
Production.
CITIZENS MUST HELP OUT
II Soldiers Are Willing to Risk Their
Lives Civilians Can Well Afford to
Spare limo to Serve In Har-
vest Field.
BY DAVID r. HOUSTON,
Secretary Of Agriculture.

WashingtOn.-Some time ago l Is.
sued statement concerning the farm
labor problem. 1t was pointed out that
there will be farm labor difficulties to
| overcome this year as last and that In
certain sections, especially in the
neighborhood Of large industrial CEN
tiers, the difficulties will be acute. The
| lines Of effort were indicated along
which the departments of agriculture
and labor. through representatives In
various states cooperating with the
| agricultural colleges and other agen-
cies, are working to furnish assistance.
Briefly stated, these agencies are doing
the following things: (a) making a
survey of the farm-labor situation in
each community with view to discov-
er possible surpluses Of labor, in order
to be ready to assist In furnishing la
Dor wherever 1t is needed; (b) assist
ing again in shifting labor from COM
munity to community and from state to
state, as In past years; (c) 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 farming and who are
not normally regularly or fully en-
ployed in farming operations; (e) max
ing every effort to see that there is no
obstacle in the way of the production
of larger supply of farm machinery
and its fuller use as supplement to
hand labor.
National Army May Help.
Last year, in spite of all the difficult
ties, the farmers planted the largest
acreages in the history Of the nation,
harvested record crops Of most impor-
tant things except wheat, and sue
ceeded in greatly increasing the num-
skilled farm labor has been given de-
ferred classification and the secretary
of war has asked for power to furlough
soldiers Of the National army If their
training permits so that they may re-
turn to their farms and assist. 1t is
believed that the farmers of the ma
ton can, by effective organization and
cooperation, with such assistance as
can be furnished, again overcome la
Dor difficulties and produce large guam
titles Of foods, feedstuffs and live
stock.
There is an opportunity now for ur-
ban people sympathetically and COP
to study the farm-labOr
situation and to render assistance. In
many towns and cities there are men
who have had farming experience, who
are ablebodied, and who would doubt
less be willing to serve the nation in
the field Of agriculture at this time.
cultivating and harvesting, it
will not be too much to ask such men
20 aid the farmers in the necessary I'M
1ertaking Of maintaining and, If pos
,ible, supplementing, the food supply
IN order to feed the armies and to sus-
ain the civilian population behind
hem.
Civilians Should Help.
If soldiers are willing to serve in
he trenches, to dig bitches, build rail-
'oadS-<nd risk their lives. many civil
ans can well afford to spare a part |
II their time to serve in the burrows |
ind In the harvest fields. II 1t appears
hat the farmers Of q community or |
egion are not able to secure the nee
,ssary labor by the usual methods,
hen the leaders In the town or city |
dependent upon that re-
don should organize, establish touch
With representative farm leaders, and
ZEE II they cannot assist In solving the
problem. In so doing they will not
My aid the farmers of the nation, but.
hey will vitality contribute to their
wn well-being and to that of their
community.
The farmers are willing to do all
hat they humanity can, but where their
abor supply cannot be furnished from
he ordinary sources, 1t must be re-
ruited from those whose very sus-
enance depends upon the farmers.
he soldier and the farmer are eager
0 do their full share; the soldier is
aking the chances Of losing his life
nd the farmer is risking the labors
( year on the chance OF the seasons;
9th incur risks. Very many civilians
re equally eager to do their share, !
ut may not appreciate the opportunity
} serve In the field of agriculture.
The departments Of agriculture and
lbor will render every possible aid,
ut each community knows its own
and urban people, especially
lsiness men, could cooperate effec-
vely with the farmers and also rels-
sr much assistance.