Evening star., 1924-01-26
%7,ODO,01D CROPS
IN GREAT DANGER
Japanese Land Laws in Cali
fornia Will Slash Fruit and
Vegetable Yields.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch 20 The Star.
NEW YORK, January 26.-Spring
planting of the ninety-five varieties of
agricultural products which have been
grown in large part by Japanese in
California in the past is far behind the
usual time in that state. Moreover, un-
less some adequate financial arrange
ments can be made by the white land
owners there to meet the situation
created by the anti -alien land law. the
amount planted promises to be far
smaller than normal.
These facts have distinct bearing on
producers and consumers in other sec
tions of the country, since 1t Is esu,
mated that 65 per cent of the fruits ana
vegetables produced through the agency
and middle western markets; Just what
this means may be judged from tns
fact that the Japanese Association OF
California in 1921 admitted Japanese
controlled 100000 acres of land IN nd ,nd
state through cropping contracts, s ana nr
another $1,000 acres through rentals or
leases. The association at that tiine,
when it desired to minimize the Iotais @
AS much as possible, admitted the Japa-
ncse- grown crops had an annual Vaiua-
ton of S45,000,000.
Crops Value: at $67 ,0O0.0oo.
At the same ..ue the California
state board of searrol declared that
4S5,0oO acres =. California land were
controlled by stranese, and that the
annual value of their crops was s67,-
100000. There are no official fig
ures since that time although state
employees who have kent close track
say the acreage controlled up 10 the
placing in effect of the alien lan6 law
had grown to $4,000 acres. anu ND ddo Lne
I,,rf re
Even with the production placed
at the lowest figures the California
landowners face a loss in revenue OF
a large part of s45. 100000 unless they
can induce white farmers to come to
California and take the land on
shares or can finance themselves so
as to be able to employ the Japanese
farmers as day laborers.
The Japanese farmers have haa
scores of urgent offers to transfer
y their activities to ther states Where
prohibition to the holding of land by
rp-n O. their race does not eXlSt.
However. Many Of them are content
to remain aid work as farm laborers
but at a very definite and sizeable
price.
Labo>Ass Get 10 a Day.
The Japanese are demanding a mini
mum of Sc a day for short-time jobs
and 500 month for STEADY work.
The difficulty faced by the land own
these wages, but in securing suff1clent
backing to fnarce the working OF the
acreage thrown back on his hahds'
BEFORE the antr-alien land law was
upheld by the United states Hupre,ae
Court. the Japanese who farmed iahds
on shares. financed his own agricul-
tural activities. All the white land
owner did was IN let the japanese
have his land for a stated perloo anu ia
when the crop was sold collect his
percertage Now the land owner mas
TO do all the financing and Is hhding
it extremely difficult to make the
necessary arrangements.
As a result of this situation, 1t is
proba that New York, Chicago and
other centers which absorb large
quantities of California products VIII
face scarcity this spring ana SUN IN
mer and that consumers VIII Ieei IN, .ie
effeets i'm prices. The similar produce
from other sections may ma a Wiuet
market, but a decided increase III pro
duction outside of California Is ma
iy probable in view OF the shortaSe
Of farm labor, which exists III iieaiiS
every state.
Seek Japanese Labor.
ca yreat ia this shortage that
,wenty states have made bids 10 IN
duce the Japanese farmers to migrate
to their communities. THESE oHers
in most cases have been on crop
share, rental or easy-paymene 1,aS 1asas
and the amount OF lana lhFoiNeu
exceeds 100000 acres.
Florida has offered $4,000 acres of
fruit and garden truck iands near
Tampa and Gainesville. Georgia mas
offered $4,000 acres, Mississippi 90
900. Alabama 1900 and Louisiana
over $4,000: A big estate in Dor
chester county. Md. has asked Japa-
nese to farm 2,400 acres and owners
near Corning, n. Y. desire tenants
for $40 acres. Virginia owners Will
consider proposals involving 10000
acres near Norfolk and 500 near
Chester.
Offers in Middle West.
The land offered in the midwest in
cludes 1000 acres in Michigan, 5000
in Indiana, 1000 in Ohio, 10000 in
Wisconsin and an equal amount in
Missouri Arkansas. Kansas and
Iowa would like to turn over 5000.
10000 and 1900 acres, respectively, to
Japanese. In the far west. Utah would
provide $4,000 acres, Colorado $4,000,
Nevada 11,120, Idaho 10000, Arizona
1900 and New Mexico 10000. The
latter offer. however, includes un-