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Story
February 6, 1918
Daily Capital Journal
Salem, Marion County, Oregon
What is this article about?
American farmers in Washington demand urgent government action, including a national emergency crop committee, to address wartime labor shortages threatening crop planting and harvesting, risking national food shortages and ally supplies.
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OCR Quality
95%
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Full Text
Fear That Shortage of Help
Will Prevent Planting and
Harvesting of Crop
Washington, Feb. 6.-American farmers, facing the danger of a short crop this year and the gruesome spectacle of a national food shortage, are demanding that the government take necessary steps to prevent the catastrophe.
Over two million farmers, represented at the gathering of the federal board of farm organizations here today, are demanding the creation of a national emergency crop committee, with sufficient power and financial appropriation to aid them in raising this year's crops.
Representatives of seven national farm organizations comprising the federal board of farm organization are planning to go before President Wilson to plead for the institution of a national farm program that will assure a supply of farm labor and grant financial aid to the farmers to meet the emergency.
With over two million mechanics and laborers taken from the farms, since America entered the war, and facing danger of a crop shortage this year, the farmers painted a gloomy picture today declaring immediate government action is imperative.
Not only will the food supply be short, should the necessary aid to the farmers be lacking, but shipments of food to the allies may be endangered farmers declared today.
"Unless sufficient government action is taken, the country will face the greatest food shortage ever," they said. "Labor has drifted to the industrial centers to obtain higher wages. Farm machinery is scarce. The seed supply is greatly diminished and farmers are overburdened financially."
They declared that even if the constitution must be ripped to pieces, the government must adopt a policy that will prevent the danger of a crop shortage by distributing money, labor and supplies to the farmer. The hands of the food administration and the department of agriculture are tied as power to aid the farmers materially has not been granted them by congress
Higher prices of food are threatened should there be a crop shortage this year, it was said. Price fixing is not favored. The farmer's only demand is that the government allow them a sufficient profit.
With the wheat production in France fifty per cent normal the necessity of shipping more wheat abroad is fully realized by the American farmers, who patriotically wish to raise more than a normal American crop.
Farm organizations will demand representation among various government bodies engaged in war work.
Will Prevent Planting and
Harvesting of Crop
Washington, Feb. 6.-American farmers, facing the danger of a short crop this year and the gruesome spectacle of a national food shortage, are demanding that the government take necessary steps to prevent the catastrophe.
Over two million farmers, represented at the gathering of the federal board of farm organizations here today, are demanding the creation of a national emergency crop committee, with sufficient power and financial appropriation to aid them in raising this year's crops.
Representatives of seven national farm organizations comprising the federal board of farm organization are planning to go before President Wilson to plead for the institution of a national farm program that will assure a supply of farm labor and grant financial aid to the farmers to meet the emergency.
With over two million mechanics and laborers taken from the farms, since America entered the war, and facing danger of a crop shortage this year, the farmers painted a gloomy picture today declaring immediate government action is imperative.
Not only will the food supply be short, should the necessary aid to the farmers be lacking, but shipments of food to the allies may be endangered farmers declared today.
"Unless sufficient government action is taken, the country will face the greatest food shortage ever," they said. "Labor has drifted to the industrial centers to obtain higher wages. Farm machinery is scarce. The seed supply is greatly diminished and farmers are overburdened financially."
They declared that even if the constitution must be ripped to pieces, the government must adopt a policy that will prevent the danger of a crop shortage by distributing money, labor and supplies to the farmer. The hands of the food administration and the department of agriculture are tied as power to aid the farmers materially has not been granted them by congress
Higher prices of food are threatened should there be a crop shortage this year, it was said. Price fixing is not favored. The farmer's only demand is that the government allow them a sufficient profit.
With the wheat production in France fifty per cent normal the necessity of shipping more wheat abroad is fully realized by the American farmers, who patriotically wish to raise more than a normal American crop.
Farm organizations will demand representation among various government bodies engaged in war work.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Catastrophe
What keywords are associated?
Farm Labor Shortage
Crop Crisis
Government Aid
Food Shortage
World War I
What entities or persons were involved?
President Wilson
Federal Board Of Farm Organizations
Where did it happen?
Washington
Story Details
Key Persons
President Wilson
Federal Board Of Farm Organizations
Location
Washington
Event Date
Feb. 6
Story Details
American farmers, facing labor shortages due to the war, demand government creation of a national emergency crop committee with power and funds to aid in raising crops, including securing labor and financial support, to prevent a national food shortage and ensure supplies for allies.