Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1920 — FARMERS AND FACTORY MEN [ARTICLE]

FARMERS AND FACTORY MEN

John L. Moorman, former editor of tie Starke County Democrat, but now a gentleman farmer of Starke county and residing at Knox, writes an Indianapolis paper on the probleftne the farmer is having to contend with from the lure of high wages in the cities and short working hours of the laboring men in the manufacturing districts. He says: “Considerable interest has been awakened in political and labor circles over the statement- sent out from Washington recently that the farmers are about to go on strike. This is not the truth. Farmers are workers, not strikers. It is barely possible that these prophets of evil have been standing before a mirror, and that an awakened conscience has pricked them just a little. Farmers are not asking for an eight-hour day; they would not know what to do with it if they had it. They get the joy of living from the morning air and sunshine, producing the old adage, “early to bed and early to rise.” However, farmers are not entirely satisfied with present conditions. In this partnership of mankind, they do not think it is quite fair for their brothers who produce nonessentials to work only about half the hours the farmer does in producing essen-

tials. , If the factory man did not loaf on the job so farmer could buy his plows and binders cheaper. Statistics show that the average factory hand produces only about 60 per cent as much now as he did before the war, whereas the farmer has increased his output in quantity by 20 per cent in the same time That shows who is loafing on the job, and that’s why the farmer turns and takes a look at the factory hand every once in a while. But that isn’t all, nor the worst part of it. City jobs are so attractive that it is difficult to get men to work on the farms; even some small farmers have quit ana gone to the cities. As a result there will not be as much food produced this year as last. This is already forecast in tpe diminished acreage sown to wheat last fall. The farmers could not get help enough to put out the usual crop. Spring crops will show the same falling oft as last 'fall s । crops. As a result there .will be

fewer bushels of wheat and corn harvested this year than last. This may Interest organized labor and capital a little even now. Later they will sit straight up and .take considerable notice. The average farmer will work more hours this year than ever before to get out a crop. He has to. He is working alone; for all the boys have gone off to town. Some day the boys will get hungry and then they will come back to the farm. Until then, expect less food production. No, the farmer will not strike. He thinks he is going to make some money this year and many farmers will. But increased production is Impossible. The farmer is making his fight alone and after the chores are done he has not much tllme left for cropping. What is the solution? Search me. Congress will doubtless suggest an appropriation and a committee to spend it. While organized labor will bawl “Don’t you interefere with us! So here we are where we starred.