Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1920-05-14
THE CAUSE OF LABOR SHORT
AGE.


The late census will show that
there has been an increase in pract-
ically every town and city in the
United States. Every where there is
demand for houses which cannot
be supplied.
The city OF Roanoke, the writer.
was told, will show an increase max
ing the present population around
10000. The same is true of other
cities. Where do all these people
come from? Not from natural in
crease in births entirely. Not from
immigration. In the year 1913, lib
100 more people came to America
from foreign countries than left for
other countries. Last year 1919, 49,
O23 more people left than came. A
large number Of men were lost and
disabled by the great war. And so,
the labor shortage can be accounted
Tor. There is shortage every where.
The public works are Offering at
tractivcs wages. From six to ten dol
lars day for ordinary lubor and
higher for skilled labor, is pulling
men to the cities and public works
The depletion is seen and felt most
keenly on the farms. A man, getting
from one dollar, land some less) to
two and half dollars n day, can get
$500 day ut common work ON the
railroad and other works. He PULLS
up, moves to the town or city. lurcd
ana deceived. too, in the end by the
promise of good money
The fact. that expenses of living in
the town or city will be increased
many fold, is not taken into con-
sideration. Instead of remaining n
producer he becomes consumer
must live on bread and meat pro-
duced by some one else And, so, the
cities grow in population ut the ex
pense Of the farmers all over tho
country. The men who are descrtinp
the farms, as stated above, are de-
ceiVed by the lure of high wages. One
man, typical example, who worked
on farm, went to the town. where
he drew 80 cents an hour ms an ordi-
nary carpenter, for 10 hours dav.
Ills wages were. therefore, over 5000
per month. AT the end of the month
ne had nothing left after paving his
bills. His family were not extravo-
giant, ne said, but living in large
town compelled expenditures he nevcr
thought of before. Take it all in nil
the man, and all men like him. were
better off in the country, ON the farm
But what about it? What must tho
farmers do in this crisis?
The only thing they can do. if
seems, unless there is n CHANCE soon
some way, is to increase the wopes
OF their help, and then get together
and put up the prices of their pro-
ducts up to living, reasonable prof
it.
''oihe one mas suggested that the
farmers curtail their products for n
year, growing only enough for their
own use and that of their immediate
communities and show the country
who's who.
1T usually takes yro.t
CRISIS to force the solution of q na0
tional problem. Right now the farma ma
is up against pretty stiff Commit
sion' not only for hired help but in
respect to the boys and the girls
Never was the lure of the CITY 90 nj.
luring. There is only one way to re-
SYST it. Make the lure of the country
equal to ii. VIC eouii'iy
FACTORY men will some day tire of
the noise and the weary, monotonons
grind Of city life. They will see moo.
ern homes in the country and tho
freedom that comes from being their
own boss calling them back to the
country. The imroved country school
VIII stop many farm family from
moving to the city ITO educate the
country. The improved country school
and homes will help hold the child
ren,s interest in country life. There
VIII be greater reward for pro-
duction when the nation as a whole
realizes the necessity of properly rec
ognnlzlng and supporting agriculture.
Successful Farming.