The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-12-27
AND sLACKERS
MUST Be FORCED WORK
PRESIDENT OF UTILITIES COM.
MISSION HAS PLAN TO GET
WORK OUT OF IDLE.

| 1t is not too early to begin to solve
the labor question for 1918, and in the
opinion of John w. Graham president
of the public utilities commission,
steps should be taken to reach the
loafers and slaekers in the various
communities who refuse to go to work
says the Capital News. A possible
solution to accomplish this is to have
municipal ordinances passed in the
various cities, towns and villages by
which they may be given some useful
occupation. He has addressed a COM
munication to Dr. e. A. Bryan, chair
man of the state council of defense
calling his attention to the matter.
AN illustration of what may be eX
pected from this loafing element is
given in this incident in Twin Falls
county" said Commissioner Graham
today. IL know that farmer was
forced to pay $14 per day to get men
to pick potatoes. Think of it, A num-
Der of men We're employed in the city
to work on this farm for $12 per day.
They worked till noon and then de-
manded higher wages. The grower
had to raise their wages 81 per day.
That is outrageous and should not be
permitted in Idaho. We should take
steps now to see that these unemploy-
ed work and that they work for reas-
enable wages"
The following is the letter addressed
by Commissioner Graham to the chair
man of the state council of defense;
Letter to Commissioner.
Hon. E. A. Bryan, Chairman, State
Council of Defense, Dear Sir: The la
Dor situation in Idaho during the past
year has been somewhat serious, re-
sulting in great damage to the farmers
in harvesting their crops. This ques-
ton will become more serious during
the planting and harvesting season of
1918. Great numbers of our young
men heretofore engaged in farming,
stock raising or some other industry
have been and will be called to the
colors, thereby leaving scarcity of
labor in those industries. If the sit
uation was acute during the busy sea-
son of 1917, it certainly will become
more serious during the season of
1918. Something must be done to bring
relief. In all the cities, towns and
villages of this state you find innum-
cradle loafers and slackers hanging
around pool halls and cigar stores who
should be at work. Every person who
can work must put his shoulder to the
wheel and help win the war Those
who do not assist voluntarily must be
made to do So
Should Call Conference.
This brings us squarely up to the |
subject: What shall be done to make |
this class of citizens do its duty which I
Is broad enough to reach them; the |
only way they can be reached as the /
law now stands is by each city, town /
and village passing an ordinance
broad enough in scope to take care of
such citizens. A uniform ordinance
should be passed by all the cities,
owns and villages A uniform law. Il
Ind particularly a uniform penalty
'hould be provided to overcome the
of some seeking the sunni
st cline to live in.
"A conference of all city attorneys
nd the attorney generals department
hould be called as soon as possible so
s to secure the best possible law that
an be obtained.
This should be attended to before
he busy season Of 1918 begins and
now OF no more suitable department
4 the state than yours to start the
iovement and carry the same to a
nccessful termination.
Yours very truly,
JOHN w. GRAHAM"