New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-07-27
FACTORIES SEEKING
DRAFT COOPERATION
n. & ]. and Machine Go. Would
Exempt Certain Workers

While none of the local factories.
whether engaged in the manufacture
OIL munitions or other war products or
not, intend to claim blanket exemp-
ton for employees, the officials are now
cons1red1ng plans for bringing to the
attention of the proper exemption au-
thorities certain facts which may show
That some of their employees, who are
eligible on the first draft, can best
serve their country by remaining at
their places of employment and turn
ing out products Of which the govern
ment is sorely in need
The North & Judd Mfg. Co. and the
New Britain Machine Co. are the two
local concerns doing the greatest
amount of governmental work at pres
ent The North & Judd Mfg. Co. has
large contracts for harness saddlery,
buckles and similar army accoutre-
ment, while the New Britain Machine
Co. has contracts running into the mill
lions for the manufacture of anti-air
craft gun mounts, as well as parts Of
hydraulic speed gears used in the tur-
rets of big battleships, in forts and
also as a part of the steering mechan-
ism of the big boats. The Union Mfg.
Co. has some sub contracts for ma
chine parts to be used in government
work, and certain branches of the
American Hardware Corporation are
understood to be more or less directly
interested in war work. It is also very
likely that the Stanley Works has
some war orders, especially in the ma
ture Of cold-rolled steel for the
sheathing of boats, ETC.
At the North & Judd Mfg. Co. Sec
oh
gated to care for the firms interests
relative to the draft and in a state
ment to the press he said: I'VE do not
intend to claim total exemption, but
it absolutely necessary that exemp-
ton be granted to many Of our men.
Selective exemption is, I think, what
we shall ask. In other words, we will
seek to have those men excused from
service without whom we feel we can
not proceed with our work.
Machine Co. Also.
A Buol, superintendent of the New
Britain Machine Co., when asked to-
day what action his firm proposes to
take toward securing exemption for
employees, said that it would do all
that it is possible to do to retain the
services of such men as are impera-
tive to the successful carrying on of
the work. Mr.. Buol stated, however.
that it is unlikely that the Machine
Co. will seek to have a blanket ex-
emption granted, but on the other
hand, will treat each case individually.
For instance, If there Is in the employ
of the company an eligible man who
is an expert at munition work and
whose loss would hinder the progress
the firm will ask exemption for him
under the terms of the selective con-
scription act. I'VE shall probably
treat each case individually" Superin-
tendent Buol stated. He also said
that representative Of the firm plans
to, communicate with the proper ex-
emption officials shortly to ascertain
just what steps must be taken to pro-
tect the factory against the loss Of
certain skilled men without whose
services it would be difficult to con-
tinue effective work.
At all of the other factories it is
understood the officials have decided
to treat cases individually, rather than
collectively, and to try and retain the
services of only those who are abso-
lutely necessary to the successful ops
Grafton of the plant.
For the information of those who
think otherwise, it was explained to-
day by members of the exemption
boards that the local boards will have
absolutely nothing to say about ex-
empting men for occupational reasons.
Connecticut has been divided into
three big districts and the special
board in each district will be the one
to pass on all claims for exemption
from service because of occupation.