Evening star., 1943-07-09
Vdcdtionist Jobs
Offer Farmers
Partial Solution
May Be Chief Hope
Of Labor Supply.
County Agents Report

The District United States EN-
ployment Services plan to re-
cruit vacationing Government Office
workers for harvesting operations
on nearby farms was viewed today
by Virginia and Maryland county
agents as at least a partial solu-
tion to the drastic farm labor
shortage.
County agents in nearby Virginia
and Maryland counties pointed out
that farmers, who were cool last
year toward the idea of recruiting
city residents for work on farms,
are generally of the opinion now
that these workers, although mex
perienced, are the farmers chief
hope.
Lawrence S. Green, Fairfax
County agent, said the USES plan
is an answer TO question that
was already being discussed by
county agricultural leaders on how
vacationing workers might be drawn
from Government agencies in the
District to Fairfax County farms.
Attitude Important.
1t was agreed by county agents
that the success or failure of the
USES campaign will depend upon
the esprit de corps" instilled in
volunteer workers during the re-
crulting drive, These men and
women who sign up for work on
farms during their vacations. it
was said, must be made to realize
that their efforts must not be taken
rs a lark. but as real patriotic
contribution toward winning the
war.
1t was pointed out that much
of the antagonism on the part OF
some farmers toward city volun-
teers last year was caused by groups
of workers who seemed to think a
days work on a farm was the oc-
casion for an outing. There is no
reason for a re-occurrence of this
il recruits are made to realize that
their work can be a real contribu-
tion to the war effort, it was pointed
out.
Mr.. Green said plans are now be-
ing studied in Fairfax County for
housing farm volunteers in tourist
camps at points throughout the
county where they will be accessible
20 farms where labor is needed.
This. he pointed out. would reduce
the transportation problem to
minimum.
Money Available.
o. w. Anderson, Montgomery
County agent said money already is
available in that county for estab-
lishment of labor camps in schools
provided personnel can be obtained
to operate the school cafeteFias.
Mr.. Anderson said two schools are
now in use as camps for about 40
high school students from the Dis
trict who are being used for work
on farms. He said the means OF
handling additional school camps
has been set up in the county agents
Office. ....
The county agent said high school
students are charged So a week tor
their quarters and two meals each
day. They receive IS cents an hour
for farm work and are furnished
the noon meal at their place OF
employment. Mr. Anderson SAID
the average prevailing farm wage
In the county for experienced work
ers is 40 cents an hour, and pre-
sumaply farm volunteers would re-
ceive this wage
MIR. Anderson said Montgomery
County farmers Will be under the
greatest harvesting strain from
about August 10 until late in No
vember when sugar corn will be
cut. silo corn harvested and silos
filed and fall seeding will begin.
Work Available Now.
P. E. Clark, Prince Georges
County agent. said volunteers can
be used right along now in harvest
ing vegetable crops IN the county.
He said the largest number, how
ever, Will be required from the
middle of August until October /
for harvesting corn and tobacco.
Mr.. Clark said he thought the
transportation problem would solve
itself if the workers are available.
IF I had farm he said. and
needed labor. l certainly would 60
after 1t if it were available close by"
Mr.. Clark said the average farm
wage in the county is Is cents an
hour.
In Fairfax County Mr. Green said
farmers will need assistance in har-
vestlng sllo corn from the last week
in August until about September 90
Much of the harvesting of small
grain crops and hay already has
lien done, he said