Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-12
U. S. PUBLIC SERVICE BUREAU
its Nature and Importance Explained
by Hon. Charles S. Hichborn,' d.
rector for Maine

rector for Maine.
Hon. Charles S. Hichborn has Just re-
turned from Washington, where he has
been IN conference with the Department
concerning the Public Service Reserve,
OF which he has been appointed director
for this State. Asked to explain the ma
ture of this Fundamentally important
work Mr.. Hichborn said:
| find that the government at WASH
ington is taking comprehensive steps to
meet problem which it is anticipated
will become. if it is not already, one of
the most serious of the war. In order
10 supply our soldiers with arms and
equipment, and to furnish transportation
Tor men and supplies all the way to the
front line of lighting, vast amount of
labor will be necessary. The services of
all types of men. from the most highly
trained and skilled to the common Ia
borer. will have to be devoted TO this
work. The time has come when the needs
for labor cannot be filled from the ranks
of the unemployed. Men will have to be
induced to Shift from less essential in
dustries into those which are necessary
to conduct the war. If no concerted
steps are taken to meet this situation,
employers engaged III war industry will
have to secure labor through calls upon
neighboring industries with such con-
stantly increasing inducements. as to re-
suit in the dislocation of our entire in
dustrial system. To secure the men need
ed with the least possible drain on ex-
listing indIlSt RIGS iS he nroh1ap1 u,it
which the government is confronted
The machinery being organized is a
war emergency extension of the labor
supply section conducted by the L. s.
Department of Labor, known as the
United States Employment Service. In
each state it is expected to work with
the local committees Of Public Safety
and to have all activities co-ordinated un-
der the direction of the State director of
T. S. Public Service Reserve.
Offices VIII be opened in every large
community and IN many smaller ones.
Through carefully worked -out clear
ing system man not employed in one
locality. or State, can be put promptly
in touch with demands for labor in
other places The local offices will be
under the charge of carefully selected
men able to size up the applicant for
work so as to direct him TO job
which he can perform.
While it is intended to supply the
governments need for men to work
on war industries. first, from the un-
employed so as not to take men away
from their present pursuits. il is real
lied that this supply will not by any
means meet the need. But men will.
shift from less essential industries
from patriotic motives, working on
ships or munitions is just as necessary
and just as patriotic as working in the
army. The government is therefore or
SaniZing into this reserve all men who
are willing to respond to the country
need Anyone who is willing to trans
fer himself from his present position
and for the sake of the country go
where he is most needed in the emer-
GenCy is asked to become a member
of the L. S. Public Service Reserve.
He gives description Of his training
and of the work which he has done,
His registration card will show his
qualifications and he is indeXed ac-
cording to the war service which he
might best perform. Whenever a man
of his type is needed he will be notified
Of the need He is not under any agree
rent to accept, but is thus given an
opportunity 10 fit himself into the
great war machine which we are de-
,eloping and of course 1t is hoped that
he will Cheerfulv respond. The reserve
is enrolling all classes of men and has
thOusa nds of highly educated engineers
and professional men in it's ranks, as
we'll as all grades of skilled and I'M
skilled labor 1t has the approval Of
organized labor and expects TO enroll
a very large corps of men who are
willing to go where the country needs
them most.
From the point Of view of the en-
ployer the Public Service Reserve will
fulfl a very necessary function. A
great drain on existing industries in
order TO meet the needs of war is in
evitable. The theory of the Reserve is
that this burden should be apportioned
and made as nearly fair and equal as
possible. The officers of the Reserve
will not call on any considerable num-
be" Of the employees Of any employer
v no co-Cperates with it without first
consulting him as to what men lie can
spare, in view Of the emergency, and
using every effort to see that he does
not have to bear more than his fair
share Of the burden. Each State Di-
rector will use the advice Of a care
fully chosen representative advisory
board in making appointments of
such calls.
Through the agency of the Reserve,
il is hoped that the industries neces-
sary to war. conducted in the State Of
Maine. can secure help. not only from
within the State. but from neighbor-
ing states. Maine will also be re-
quested to supply its fair share of la
Dor, Of which it may have any excess
over what it absolutely needs. to war
industries in other states
\ consider that the securing of an
equable transfer of labor into wartime
pursuits, so that our country may be
able to meet the great task which con-
fronts us, is the vital problem before
US, today It is estimated that FIVE