- Transcription
SMALL, MACLEAN, BRAGAW & RODMAN
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW
WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
PERSONAL
January 17, 1918.
Hon. Thomas W. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.
My dear Governor:-
This, as you know, is an agricultural community. The general shortage of labor has, for the past year or two, made farm development and operation difficult, but the situation is now becoming acute, and I appeal to you for some effective intervention, if possible.
There are in the lower part of this county a number of large farms principally engaged in growing corn and potatoes, and they do it on a large scale. Within the past several days labor agents, claiming to act by government authority, have taken away scores of negro laborers from these farms to engage in dock work or construction at Norfolk, and they are practically putting these farms out of business. Several large and influential farmers have asked me to help them about the situation, notably, Messrs. C. P. Aycock and P. H. Johnson of Pantego, Mr. J. E. Shepardson of Belhaven, Mr. Mark W. Potter of New York, Mr. W. M. Nissen of Winston Salem and others, but I have told them frankly that there was nothing I could do about the situation but to write this letter to you and ask your intervention.
If the drainage of labor from this section continues for many days at the present rate, it simply means that these farming operations will have to shut down and production materially decreased, in addition to which, Mr. Johnson, who is in the office as I write this letter, states that there are about 50,000 bushels of ungathered corn from last year’s crop, which will be lost if all the labor is taken away, as now appears likely.
Still another situation has developed, which is causing grave concern to the farmers. The local Board here, while faithful in the discharge of their duties, take the position that they will rate all farm laborers, who are not otherwise disqualified, as A I, and this has already happened in several instances. I am not inclined to assist any man to secure exemption, simply because he desires it, but you will see at once the result if all the farm laborers are drafted.
It seems to me that the welfare of the country, and certainly of this section, demands more liberal treatment in the matter of farm labor, and I believe that you will be rendering effective service not only to the State but to the entire country by intervening in this behalf.
I may add, regarding taking of labor out of the State, that the common negro labor is being offered from $2.65 to $3.80 per day, with quarters furnished free, and of course the farmers are unable to compete with such prices. I do not know just what the practical remedy is, but there are still loafers and vagrants, both white and black, in every community, and it seems to me that the government could take them in addition to the drafted negroes, for its necessary work.
I very much hope that you will take this situation to heart and endeavor to effect some remedy, as it is no exaggeration to say that it has already become serious.
Yours very truly,
ADM:ESH
Copy Hon. Jno. H. Small.
