The sun., 1918-11-25
PREFERENCE GIVEN
TO BUILDING TRADES
Federal Boards Will Push Con-
struction Work as Quick
Way to Adjust Labor.
REDISTRIBUTION BEGINS
Mills, Mines, Lumber, Quar-
ries, Brick and Tile Plants
on Priorities List.
speeto, DesposeA 10 THs sur.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-1ndustrial
enterprises which are turning to the
production Of materials that can be
used Immediately In building and con-
struction work and in public improve
ments will have preference in as large
a degree as possible in the redistriou-
ton and readjustment Of labor through
Government channels during the
armlstice period.
officials Of the War Labor Policies
Board and the Federal Employment
Service have decided upon this course
after agreeing that building activities
can be started egain more quickly
than any other line Of work that has
been held In allegiance during the war.
In the list OF factories and plants
that are named in this connection are
the steel mills, cement and crushed
stone industry, the lumber industry,
the brick and tile plants and quarry
enterprises. The asphalt concerns are
included in the list as well.
Every effort within reasonable limi-
tations will be put forth by the De-
partment of Labor officials during the
continuance Of the armistice to give
impetus to construction work. espe-
cially in cities and towns which have
been engaged in the production OF
munitions and large quantities OF
military and naval supplies. Projects
Of this kind are expected to provide
the medium through which idleness
and unemployment will be reduced to a
minimum during the season in which
the war production Industries Of the
country are reconverted to the manu-
facture of other materials.
The coal mines and railroads are in-
Cluded in the list OF enterprises pro-
duCing commodities Of Importance in
the rejuvenation nf building activities.
representatives. of the Federal EN-
ployment Service in the various States
in addition 10 sending as many men as
possible to plants of this kind are ask
ing the officials OF municipalities to
launch construction for which plans
have been completed. and at the same
similar steps in their own behalf.
About 100000 workers have been
replaced in industry since last jan
uary, it was stated to-day. A con-
siderable part of this number, it is ex-
pected. will be redistributed through
the employment service during the in
dustrial reconstruction era The mum.
Der of men sent TO industries during
October by the employment service
officials was 547.s62 men, while dur
ing the present month men are being
replaced at the rate OF 162,754 a week.
Bureau Expects to Keep Busy.
THE replacement of war workers
and soldiers in peace industries already
begun would indicate that the volume
Of work of the employment service
during the coming months will be as
great as it was up to the signing of
the armistice," it was stated.
Heretofore the service has had to
dig UP men from uon-war work and
assist in reducing the labor turn over.
These efforts will be reversed now 10
putting men in positions where they
can lend the greatest assistance to the
work OF readjustment and reconstruc-
ton in all lines OF activity in this
country"
With the exception OF munltion
plarts and factories that have been
exclusively in the manufacture Of war
supplies there is little indication that
a heavy labor turnover" will take
place for some time. Employers in all
but exceptional cases are making
strong efforts to retain each Individual
whose name was on their payrolls be-
fore the signing of the armistice. AL
ready some of the plants have ceased
war production altogether and are u.s.
Ing their employees TO readjust their
machinery and equipment for engag-
ing in normal production as soon as
possible.