The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1920-05-11
Let the Nation Give Heed

Senators and Representatives at last have awak
aned realization that the country is facing cal
amity through decreased food production. Notwth
standing all that has been written spoken or othe-
wise urged through the press, from the rostrum, in
Congress- by many and various economic and trade
the alarming fact remains that thou
sands of of fertile land are uncuvated at this
time in one of most crucial years. One Senator
predicts the serious famine in the history of the
nation. He speaks from first hand knowledge con-
:ernng the idle lands in many states he has visited
other Senators from food-producing States making
SIMILAR predictions. 1t is asserted that while the
mount of farm labor last year was "a per cent. of
FORMAL this year it is only " per cent OF normal
hat only small per cent. of the farm boys who
uttered the war have returned to the farms. They
ire the cities and factories.
In this connection the Interracal Council sub
mits interesting figures. 1t contends that the indus
ries of the United States are short from 100000
o 100000 unskilled workers as result of the
winding immigration during the war With our
labor established in factories, mills and shops,
n view of the shortage of immigration, it is plain
be that the country is not in the way of ac-
,omplishing the only thing that by any possibility
,oud bring down the high prices demanded for the
necessities of life.
point here for consideration is that in many
industries larger working forces are required as a
result of the average reduction of the work day from
ten-hour to an eight hour period 1t is stated that
here approximately 100000 foreign born wage
,arners in manufacturing mining, transportation and
1ther industries, and that the more less general
acceptance of the eight-hour day by industry has
resulted in an approximate loss in production man
lours" which represents the labor of from 100000
0 100000 foregn-bOrn workers. The industries
report that it is almost impossible for them to get
men, hence the continuous drop in production. Ma
,uraly, with the exceptional wages demanded and
paid our own labor, skilled and unskilled rapidly
s absorbed by the industries, and the most import
mt of all industries suffers.
In view of this immense shortage of unsked
abor in the industries Senator Smiths suggested
only remedy does promise much hope for
relief, though it would help to some extent. He sug-
ests that all manufacturers of articles not classed
Is necessities suspend operations for time and thus
permit labor to the farms. But would la
Dor return to the farms? 1t is not likely Nor is
it likely that anything short of a war measure
could compel manufacturers to suspend their bust
ness for the good of the country
A real remedy would be the increased immigra-
ion of selected labor skilled and unskilled especial
~ unsked this class of labor more easily might
be diverted to the farms where it is needed.
During the II months succeeding the armistce
the official figures show that $3.50 immigrants
from the 20 white supplying unskilled labor
into this country and 166,925 went out That
Is ominous showing.
The government is eager to assist in this matter
The Department of Agriculture has II bureaus of
service whose business 1t is develop methods help
full to farmers and attract and assist immigrants to
the soil. Putting the immigrant into touch with the
department would to be valuable service this
time Through the work of this department alone
does there to be any real hope for helping the
serious labor shortage the farms AS for the in
dustrial shortage the immigration authorities work
ing in cooperation with the interests industry
should able accomplish much to relieve the sit
uation.
AS matters stand the warning and appeals of
members of Congress should set the nation only
to thinking, but acting along all lines that might
serve increase the production of the nations
farms.