Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-22
The Farm Labor Shortage;
H07v Gan 1t Be RemedledS

T HAT churlsh weather is by no means
the only factor in the curtailment of
farm planting appears in the de-
crease Of some twelve million acres in win
ter wheat. Thus in the grain zone, no less
than in the cotton belt, scales of operation
have been drastically reduced, while in al
most every region and every branch of
agriculture there have been sharp rescissions
The prevalent reason for this state of at
fairs is an extraordinary shortage of farm
labor. Allured by wartime wages at CEN
ters OF industry and commerce, multitudes
of rural workers forsook furrow and field
and nave never returned. Unable to COM
pete with these puffed and padded rates
OF pay, the farmer, as a rule, can procure
only the meagerest help for seed time and
harvest and for the most urgent intervals
OF cultivation. Is it to be wondered that
he cuts his planting to the pattern of these
c1rcumscribed means? Or can it be doubted
that unless he is given some sort Of relief
the production and supply of agricultural
necessities, which Of all material necessi-
ties are most important, will be grievously
lean? '
In its ultimate aspects the problem sug-
gests sundry solutions; but it's imperative
present is what now must be considered.
There is a rural problem which only
good schools, good roads and domes-
tic conveniences will solve. But there is the
other and altogether crucial question of how
to get enough farm labor to make crops in
the season now upon us and how to prevent
empty barns next autumn. ''The only thing
that remains to be DONE" thinks the Manu-
facturers' Record, sis vigorous attempt on
the part of all authorities, of all industries
OF all individuals to turn back the tide of
migration from the farms to the cities and
towns" And the same observer remarks
tlat productive efficiency int tv
be raised to the point where cit will not
take two men to do what one man did in
the years before the war; in no other way
can so effective move be made to remedy
the evil OF depleted farm labor and inevitably
higher prices and greater scarcity Of food
products
Those who urge speedier help than such
readjustments are likely to afford, suggest
that it would be an excellent thing for high
school and college students to give their
vacation period to farm services, and for
city jewellers generally whose time is not
wholly absorbed in essential occupations to
end themselves as far as practicable to the
assistance of the adjacent countrys farmers
during emergency weeks. That such a plan
is not unfeasible, as it at first might appear
is evidenced in the thoroughgo going success
with which 1t was worked out in certain
western States in the war years. With
chambers of comemrce, market bureaus.
agricultural schools county demonstration
agents and farmer committees cooperating.
many and many a harvest which otherwise
would have failed for lack of labor was
brought beautifully to fulfillment
Such methods, it scarcely need be said, are
but makeshifts. Yet makeshifts are incOm-'
parably better than nothing when our fun
damental industry is imperilled for want of
hands to sustain it through it's critical stages
Would it not be we'll for Georgia communi-
ties to organize effort upon this line?