South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-27

The wages Of farm labor con-
stitute problem which is giving
the farm owner much anxiety With
the prices OF foodstuffs declining.
the demand Of corn cutters for 81
and IS "A DAY seems like "A grotesque
Jyit Of humor "Thirty-eight years
ago" recalls one attorney, seven
out or ten farmers in the region
where j lived as a boy employed "a
farm hand the year round, while
today not a single farmer keeps per
manent help. Whereas in 1850 80
per cent OF the population was rural.
the percentage today has dwindled
90 35 or so per cent Farm labor
has gone 10 the cities where IL draws
wages with which the farmers can
not compete.
The wages Of farm labor have
declined since the armistice, says
one report. but recent evidence puts
his In doubt No very material de-
cline seems possible until wages in
other industries decline, Owing TO
the competition between farm and
factory. in which the latter fares
best. il is questionable whether farm
wGges viii even begin 20 approx
mate their former level. In this
connection II is interesting 10 note
that wages for Italian labor, which
before the war averaged only $50
per year with perquisites, such as
living accommodation. have in
creased to 1923 and perquisities,
with the eight hour day
Canada's Exports Increase
Despite unfavOrable rates Of eX-
change with many foreign count
ries. similar 10 those which confront
the United States, Canadian ex-
ports OF foodstuffs increased during
September and August They sug
zest the present and future impOr-
lance OF the Dominion as grower
and exporter OF agricultural pro-
ducts. The United States has long
been a great exporter Of raw materi-
ais. conspicuous among these food
stuffs with export OF manufactured
FSEOOds less marked, but steadily in
creasing. Economic conditions in
Canada. are very similar 10 those in
the United States and Canadian his
tory viii doubtless record a similar
development,
In logical extension OF the princi-
pie which now figures largely in all
discussions OF industrial unrest. pro-
fit-sharing has been suggested as
a means Of solving the farm labor
problem The average hired man
is "a nomad, apt TO fold up his tent
at any time and depart. Profit
sharing. by giving him an interest
in the enterprise, would tend to ov-
ercone his migratory propensities
and meet the inevitable demand of
increased wages, a truck grower
in Ohio is reported to have put his
help on A profit-sharing basis long
ago with good results. If a man
stayed his percentage of profit in
creased.
Whether the farmer holds his new
corn for higher prices later viii
determine the markets course dur
inS the next few weeks more than
any other factor. The farmers have
made money and are abundantly
able 70 Withhold a large portion OF
the crop n they see fit, A heavy
movement will certainly depres'
volues. AS 20 meat exports. the de-
partment OF agriculture declares
that American shipments abroad
may reach the pre-war level before
have IN the focks and herds of Eu
rope have increased 20 pre-war mum
bers. but that demand viii in al
probs biIity be considerable for some
time. Perhaps two years Will be re
quired for the establishment OF
European swine herds which suf-
fersd more than other livestock,