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Newspaper
Athens Weekly Banner
Location
Athens, Georgia, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1918
Page
5
The Athens Banner reports on WWI expansion and labor shortages in Georgia agriculture. It notes rising freight and passenger rates, calls for recruits for the peach harvest, and the need to secure labor from retirees, city workers, students, and women to sustain crop production amid war conditions.
Congress is expected to stay in session through the summer to push vital revenue and appropriation legislation. The president seeks immediate action to implement policy and speed up passage, with members urged to attend votes, especially on the House side where party balance is tight.
The State Normal School and its faculty and student body have devoted a full year to war service. Students helped by the faculty raised Liberty Bonds over 13000 dollars and war savings certificates. the Red Cross chapter grew to about 500 members and produced over 17000 garments and surgical items. Girls contributed to MCA and YWCA funds and numerous war causes while sacrificing social activities and repurposing sewing materials for Red Cross work. Daily acts show devoted patriotism as students prepare to preach loyalty in county schoolhouses.
The Banner argues for an army without limit, citing Secretary of War and General Crowder to shift older men into support roles while sending youths to trenches. It claims this would raise fighting power by at least thirty percent, save lives, and strengthen Allied efforts against Germany. The piece predicts rapid expansion of manpower to the front lines before year’s end.
The Banner urges the War Department to grant furloughs to farmer boys serving in the military to return to farms and harvest crops. It argues labor shortages threaten adequate production to feed the nation and stresses furloughs are to support farming, not privilege.
Governor Dorsey has sent letters to Secretary Baker Provost Marshal General Crowder and Hon W S Gif Ford urging furloughs for farmer boys to ease labor shortages. He notes scarce farm hands idle mules and plows and warns the state and nation will lose crops if action is delayed. Officials are expected to consider the appeal and act to grant furloughs for experienced farm laborers.
The state grapples with party splits as Senator Hardwick and Congressman Howard run. Howard's debt avoidance over a whiskey purchase in DeKalb County is cited to question his fitness, with Hardwick similarly challenged. The Banner argues voters will refuse to back either man, awaiting qualified leadership.
The city board of education held its monthly meeting electing an entire teaching force for 1918 19 excluding the superintendent. A telegram praised long serving secretary C D Flanigen, after his hospital stay, and a Thanksgiving Day holiday was declared for schools. Address by Bryant Harris of the Food Administration was announced.
Mollie Wagoner a 35 year old colored woman despondent from her husband’s death and other losses yesterday shot herself with a 32 caliber pistol in her Warsaw Street home. Bystanders broke down the door and found her dying. The coroner's jury ruled suicide.
Navy officials state there is nothing to indicate enemy submarines on this side of the Atlantic. Officials suggest the wreckage rumor was likely unfounded and mere speculation.
John W. Bale of Rome sends a card to Col H H Dean amid insinuations in a Athens Gainesville campaign speech. Bale demands a direct denial that the coal trust or any trust contributed to Harris and questions Dean’s loyalty and integrity. Bale cites Wilson era roles for Harris to question Dean’s judgment and hints at future Georgia politics.
The State Normal School boarding department operates economically with a large farm of 179 acres on the Oconee River near Michael’s Bridge. Bought five years ago and paid from savings, the land, stock, buildings, and equipment now values over $20,000 and will be used for the university’s Normal School.
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