Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 243, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1917 — Corn Huskers’ Wage. [ARTICLE]

Corn Huskers’ Wage.

From the Bloomington Bulletin we clip the following article and have had several requests to publish it: “Will you allow me a little space in your paper in support of the hired hand, as I see all so far is said by the employer, the hired hand having no voice (so-far) in setting the price of his labor. We have a great many good farm employers who take a reasonable view of all farm prices and are willing to make a reasonable division between what is produced and labor. As about two-thirds of the wealth is'dug out of the soil by hired help, they are certainly entitled to good pay and treatment for their services. Employers who are willing to pay fair wages always have plenty of contented help, the present stringency not excepted. Because of their fairness and liberality they get all the good hands want and everyone is satisfied. On the other land, we have the kicker and tightwad who opposes everything that doesn’t come his way. Now as to the price of corn husking, let me gay a word. When farmers were receiving 45 and 50 cents a bushel they willingly paid 3 to 3 % cents a bushel and board fer corn huskers. Now they will throw up their hands in holy horror if you ask them over five cents a bushel for husking. They forget that everything has raised to about treble what it was before the wan I for one contend that if the lired hand gets justice according to the rise in all prices he will get full nine or ten cents per bushel for husking and board. The farmer says the hand is making too much money. Well, Mr. Farmer, what are you making? Corn at $1.50 and $2.00 per bushel. “I am an old fawner. I know what the man who husks corn has to contend with. He gets up at four o’clock in the morning, cold or warm, wet or dry, faces all kinds of blizzards and yet is not entitled to a rise in wages in proportion to the rise (n other things. As long as three times three makes nine it seems an easy problem to solve. AN OLD FARMER.”