The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-23

THAT S729 TICK
The war already IS costing the
United states approximately S729
every time the clock ucks off d
secoud-oue and one-third times
current British war expenditures.
The United states is discussing
approximately s58.QJ0ol0 a day in
the armament program, and ex.
penditures for the lighting forces
are being accelerated as fas, as in
dustry can Turn out arms.
The House OF Commons officially
is told that British war costs are
41L7500o0 day, approximately
s4Io0OQO0.
United states war expenditures
are expected 10 he doubled within
the next y years, which would
shove the cost per second to more
Than yl,4oo
For reference OF the msthema-
tilally minded We quote the follow
Ing 1eures on comparative costs:
United States British
Day S65.lp409J SlI,Hpoo90
Hour 900. 25-5,ooV l,95>,33S
Minute .... $3.50 3-.65S
Second .... 19a 5i4
The financial side is. Of course,
n nor cons Iteration as compared
with loss If lie, but it is ueyerthe-
less important. Mounting costs
must be met and to continue meet
ing them means severe readJust-
ment ahead
Another important consideration
IS food. Turning 10 that subject
We see in the near future, perhaps
next spring and summer, gegisIra-
ton or women Tor work on farms.
With the draft and high paying
industrial Jobs drawing heavily on
farm labor, an acute shortage OF
rural workers by next spring is
predicted, and the only untapped
source OF labor left to keep the
vital food production program roll
ing VIII be women
The Agriculture Department IS
giving serious thought 90 the
problem Of drafting git.s for field
work. while the ONCE Of Civilian
Defense considers 1t a virtual GER
tainty'.
Mrs. Roosevelt preached the idea
some three weeks aso. At that
time, it was not taken seriously in
the Depa tmeLt OF Agriculture or
other government circles, Bat when
war exploded q the Pacific, the
farm labor situation changed over
night, and Americas tairer sex
finds itself the object Of special
attention from labor experts N
the once VI Production manage
ment, civilian defense and ag.icul-
ture officials Selectlre service Of
metals are considering plans for
registration of women.
An late as Dec. : they notified
local draft boards 10 be- liberal "a
deferring farm workers. but low
they ind u advisable 70 tighten up
all determeut policies. sp4riug only
those men whose farm services are
most essential
At the same time, only a limited
supply OF laJor.say'ug "a. ma
ch!nery will be available 10 farm
efs, YET record production .s need
ed IN dairy. truck and poultry pro-
ducts-c5mm0dities which require
relatively large numbers Of work
ers compared with other crops.
During the last war, labor
shortage occurred and women land
armies aided by boys. called EARN
cadets were formed 10 help out
agriculturaliy. The situation viii
be worse this time, since a much
larger military force is being bg.lt.
and greater industrial product On
viii lay heavier drains on labor.
Though nothing so drastic as the
heavy colscupuon OF women in
England f-r farm work is as yet
contemplated. the Office ri Civil n
Deiense-as soon az i gets tbs air
RAID protection problem il hand
expects % begin wors on program
Tor women farm workers In CO.
operation with the Agriculture De
partment and OPM labor supply
division.
Meanwhile sturdy American
girls will ind farm and labor *
perts ey.ng them caleulaungIy. and
should any young lady ask what She
can do 70 serve her country. she
Is likely % be told the story ~
the milk maid and how a little
eultiyatiag tractor driving. or even
hay pitching Will help America win
the war.