Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-13
SEC, WILSON WOULD
NOT DRAFT LABOR
CONSUMPTION of Industries Would
Have to Come First,
He Thinks.

Washington, Dec. n.-Conscription or
labor, Secretary Wilson told Congress in
his annual report to-day, is not likely to
be necessary for the winning of the war,
but he suggests that, should 1t become
necessary for the government to conscript
labor, 1t should at the same time conscript
the industries on which they are en-
gagged
I'm the view of this department" says
the secretary Of labor, public sentiment
cannot be expected to tolerate conscription
of labor for private profit. Should indus
trial CONSUMPTION become really necessary
in order effectively to prosecute the war,
a policy less likely to be considered one
sided would be desirable. 1t would SEEM
that is, IL workers were to be conscripted
for industrial purposos-that the working
opportunities to which they were assigned
ought to be Communicated, SO as to make
such workers not coerced servants Of en-
ployers. but employees Of the government
itself
There Is, however no reason for ap-
pretending n necessity for any kind Of
labor CONSUMPTION in order to settle or
prevent disputes between employers and
their employees which may interfere with
e vigorous prosecution of the war. In
every case in which responsible repre-
Ing to negotiate considerably with re-
sponsible representatives Of conservative
labor organizations which represent their
disputing employees in the spirit in which
they would negotiate with business COM
pctitorS' labor disputes can be settled
speedily, effectively. and without friction
through the mediation service OF the de-
partment Of labor. BY simple and fair
systems Of collective bargaining between
the government. labor organizations, and
business organizations all labor disputes
prejudicial to an effective prosecution of
the war can be promptly eliminated from
war problems. Not only can this be done,
but it can be done to the satisfaction Of
all concerned and In harmony with every
patriotic purpose.
The report makes an announcement on
the much discussed pay and privileges
being allowed to the informed German
civilians In the camps controlled by the
department of labor.
1T was agreed by the department"
says the secretary, Ito remunerate those
OF the informed aliens who should per-
form labor Of any kind in connection with
the construction or management of the
internment camps at the rate of $40 a
MONTH those who served in the capacity
or foremen. etc.. to receive $25 q month,
me informed of1cers. however, have been
allowed to receive from any source only
$40 month and the seamen $500 a month.
receipts in excess of these amounts being
placed in the postal savings bank to the
credit Of the interested parties, or other
wise disposed of as desired. Purchases
OF clothing. etc, can be made with the
funds of the informed aliens, under the
direction of the inspector in charge of
the internment station"
The departments work in mediating in
wage disputes. enormously increased by
war activities. have affected practically
million men and have been eminently
successful.
reports now at hand indicate an i'm
pending call for not less than 10000
skilled workers Of many classes, involving
over 30 mechanical trades to serve in the
various shipyards engaged in constructing
vessels for the shipping board. To secure
the workers necessary a centralized en-
ployment system is highly desirable, il
not absolutely essential. Consequently.
it has become necessary to establish sew
eral additional war emergency offices of
the United States employment service
and to employ travelling field workers
and agents to locate qualified workers
for the yards"