The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-03-04
CiTY'S PART In SOLVING
FARM-LABOR PROBLE M
Responsibility OF Town People in
Production OF Enough Staple Food
david f. Houston, Secretary Jag
riculture.)

(David f. Houston, Secretary o Jag
riculture.)
Some time ago | issued a state
ment 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
centers, the difficulties will be acute.
The lines of effort were indicated
along which the Departments of Ag
rlculture and Labor, through repre-
SentatiVeS in various States coop
Grating with the agricultural col
leges and other agencies, are work
ing to furnish assistance. Briefly
reStated, these agencies are doing the
following things: (a) Making d sur
yey of the farm-labor situation in
each community with a view to dis
cover possible SurpluseS of labor in
order to be ready to assist in furn-
lShing labor wherever it is needed,
(b) assisting again in shifting labor
from community to community and
from State to State, as in past years;
(c) promoting fuller cooperation
among farmers in the same commun-
ity; (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 employed in farm
ing operations; (e) making every eff
fort to see that there is no obstacle
in the way of the production of
larger supply of farm machinery
and its fuller use as a supplement to
hand labor.
Last year, in spite of all the diff
culties, the farmers planted the larg
est acreageS in the history of the Ma
ton, 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 Civ
en- deferred classification and the Sec
retary OF War has asked for power
to furlough 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 effec-
tive organization and cooperation,
with such assistance as can be furn-
ished. again overcome labor difficult
ties and produce large quantities of
foods, feedstufis and live stock.
There is an opportunity now for
urban people sympathetically and
constructively to study the farm-la-
bor situation and to render assis-
tance. In many towns and cities
there are men who have had farm
ing experience, who arc dblebodied,
and who would doubtless be willing
to serve the Nation in the field of ag-
riculture at this time. Especially for
the seasonal strains of planting, cul-
tivating. and harvesting, it will not
be too much to ask such men to aid
the farmers in the necessary under
taking of maintaining and, if possi-
BILE, supplementing, the food supply
in order to feed the armits and to
sustain the civilian population be-
bind the9as-e Ifvsotdiers are will ling to.
serve in the trenches, to Dig bitches,
build railroads and risk their lives,
many civilians can well 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
community or region are not able to
secure the necessary labor by the US
ual methods, then the leaders in the
town or city Immediately dependent
upon that region should organize, es-
tabliSh touch with representative
farm leaders, and see if they cannot
assist in solving the problem. In so
doing they will not only aid the far
mers of the Nation, but they will
vitally contribute to their own well
being and to that of their communi-
ty.
The farmers are willing to do all
that they humanity can, but, where
their labor supply cannot be furn-
ished from the ordinary sources, it
must be recruited from those whose
very sustenance depends upon the
farmers. The soldier and the farm
er are eager to do their full share;
the soldier is taking the chances of
losing his life and the farmer is risk
ing 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 agriculture.