The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1915-06-25
B \ ! I | ] SORE
NEED. 0FLABoR;;>
WANTS YANKEES
Toll Troubles and War Recruit.
ing Make the Problem a,
Serious One.

eminent, mas issued statement snow
ing that the percentage of unemployed
among trades union members is only
IL per cent, which is lower than at any
time within the last twenty-five years.
In some of the trades, particularly in
those furnishing munitions Of war, the
percentage of unemployed is so small
as to be negligible.
British authorities are now scour-
ing the shops of the United States,
Canada and the British possessions for
skilled mechanics. Wherever they are
found they are offered higher wages
than they are receiving, with free pas
sage both to England and back, upon
the completion of their agreements.
Already there are numbers of Ameri-
can workingmen aiding in speeding
up" the British arms and munitions
forces.
Considered More Dependable.
American workmen are welcomed in
the English shops. They are regarded
as more thorough and more dependable
and turn out far greater quantities OF
work than their British brothers.
Another and a most important con-
sideration to manufacturers just now
is that the American workman is not
"frequenter Of public houses, nor
does he require one, two or three days
a week to devote to drinking" He is
{ on time, and the superintendent have
learned that he does not quit work at
all hours Of the day. i
Dependence upon his workmen is
vital to the manufacturer just now. II
he is working on war munitions con- ]
tracts, his specifications call for GER |
tain deliveries which have to be made
on time to avoid penalization. /
Two million men of military age are
now employed in the making of NUM-
tons of war, according to David
Lloyd George, the new minister of mu- |
nitions, and this, with the 5000, 200 ;
who have enlisted, has taken 5000, 900
men out of their accustomed trades. !
Take Up Rifle.
1t is recruiting that has caused the
scarcity of labor in England. The best
workmen in the shops and factories
have laid down their tools to take up
the rifle, with the result that skilled /
men in every trade are urgently need
ed. So general has been the enlist
ment from the skilled trades that even
now the government is considering
whether it is better to let them remain
at the front or to return them to the
work benches.
The situation is so serious and has
threatened the output of war num-
tons to such an extent that it is re-
garded as almost certain that the new
cabinet will take up the question.
It can be remedied by CONSUMPTION,
but just now democratic England
balks at the word Transcription" and
thinks Registration" is better. reg
istration" means CONSUMPTION, but is
fine distinction of words.
Under the registration" or con-
scription method the men who are of
more value to the country in the shops
and foundries will be sent there, while
the unskilled workmen will be sent to
the front. In the "registration" or
conception system the workman will
be serving the colors just as we'll one
way as the other-it is simply ques-
ton as to where he will give the best
service.
Labor Unions Strong.
The labor unions are particularly
trong in England and strikes are not
infrequent The unions already have
demonstrated their ability not only to
tie up individual factories, but public
utilities and even government work
itself. The unions have taken the
stand in some sections, particularly on
the Clyde, that unskilled labor shall
not be engaged in the munitions fac
tories, even though there may be
shortage of labor and government
falling off in carrying out government
contracts.
William Weir of G. and J. Weir Of
Cathcart, has addressed Lord Provost
Dunlop, president of the Glasgow and
West of Scotland ornaments commit
tee, which was organized for the pur-
pose of expediting the furnishing. OF
munitions of war, declaring that exist
ing conditions cannot be continued.
"The skilled workmen have already
indicated their inability to resist the
temptations offered to them in every
direction by the condition created by
the shortage of men," he says. 1.-The
proof of this is shown by excessive
wage claims, by the enforcement Of
restriction on production, on condi-
n tons of working, by bad timekeeplng
and by drink.
Position of Employer.
= Every possible opportunity is selz-
n ed to put forward claims for higher
wages: advantage is taken of every
u innovation on an employers part to
!. improve production to make it basis
for further orders, until the position
e has become so difficult that an en-
q ployer really has to consider whether
he should or should not take the gov
eminent work of new nature, such,
e for example, as shells, in case he in
f wolves himself in labor trouble, which
). will affect his entire business, which
= may also be the furnishing Of govern
y ment supplies of different character.
There no longer can remain any
d doubt that the actual output of mum
4 itions of war is defnately restricted
by labor difficulties, apart altogether
. from shortness of labor. Free the
J. great munitions firms from labor
e troubles and the output will 60 up"
Working Night and Day.
}, In the iron and steel. engineering
!. and shipbuilding trades there is a
I great shortage of labor, an dit is felt
!. to a greater extent here than else
q where, as practically all these indus
: tries are interested in government con-
h tracts for munitions of war.
With 100000 additional volunteers
. to be recruited for the army the ques-
). ton of the gathering of the harvests
: is causing considerable alarm.
o Despite the urgent need for NUM-
- ~ j.