Evening star., 1946-03-31
Continued From Page CID

sugar beet crop alone, Will require
100000 Workers-a crop which has
always been harvested by Latin
Americans and MeXicanS.
There are some crops which the
Agriculture people don't have to
worry about so much. The potato
bean and tomato crops along the
Eastern Seaboard are an example
They are harvested by migratory
Negro families who specialize in just
these.
They work with no other vege-
tables or fruits. They leave Florida
in April and by the time they have
finished the crops in upper New
York State in late October it is
time to return to Florida again.
This group alone numbered about
10000 last year Because Of sons
returned from war and from Flor.
ida service camps, department Off
cials feel that the number may be
raised to as many as 10000 this
season.
To harvest the great wheat ane
grain crops in the Midwest, not 81
much emphasis is placed on guam
tity of workers. Working northwart
are not the overloaded jaloppies ant
buses but the combine machines
manned by only three men, which
do the harvest work
Outlook for Migrants Bright.
The outlook for the migratory
worker is far brighter this year thar
when the Grapes of Wrath" was
written. Government camps have
been built for them. some States
have built their own camps and
passed their own laws to provide
for the health and welfare of the
nomadic Americans.
This year the workers IN Texas
will be given a booklet containing
maps and information as to work
ers' facilities throughout the State
A sample camp description in it
asserts:
Toilets, showers and a large
shelter in the form of a tabernacle
The grounds cover one complete
block providing ample parking space
for your automobiles. There are
grocery stores on the square. There
are two theaters. one of which
shows Spanish-speaking pictures.
Migratory workers are welcome at
either show. The assembly of the
Mexican Baptist Church will well
come the migratory workers"
Through the country are infor-
nation centers where the worker
can get the latest facts on the crop
situation which lies ahead of him.
Thus he may be able to save hun
dreds of miles and many gallons
of gasoline if he finds out in South
Carolina, for example, that the
tomato crop in Delaware is going to
be several weeks late:
The State of New Jersey last year
passed Migrant Labor Act, pro-
vlding for the establishment of facil-
tiles for migratory workers and
specifying in great detail the sani-
tary conditions under which they
must be run. Regular inspection
by the States department of labor
is provided for.
Along the Eastern seaboard work
erS travel at their own expense or
that of their employers. More than
three-fourths of the migratory
workers travel in groups, each group
usually using one or more trucks.
Crew Leaders Set Up.
The person who furnishes trans
portation is recognized by the work.
erS and employers as a crew leader,
recruiting workers and making ar
rangements for employment. Some
times the arrangements are made
as far as a year ahead.
Under the Farm Labor Supply
Act of 1914, the ex-
tension service Is expected Ito assist
in providing an adequate supply of
agricultural labor for the produc-
ton, harvesting and preparation for
markets Of agricultural commodities
to the orderly transition
from war to peace"
10e, dSSoA SlAlS W NIL. JOY, Gll6
service must supplement, mot dis
place" the efforts of farmers to re-
cruit workers and of the workers
to find jobs.
There is often considerable ad-
verse talk concerning migratory la
bor," Mr.. Joy said, but it is a
natural thing that has just grown
of its own free will throughout the
years.
Nov that it is an officially recog-
nized thing by Government, living
conditions for the workers, including
education for their children, should
improve all the time.
I'm fact, if we are to maintain
the world leadership expected of us
in feeding starving people it is up
to all of us who come even remotely
in contact with these migratory
workers to welcome them and see
that the privileges accorded any cit
lzen OF the United States is not de-
MED them"