The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-24

In his first annual report to the Uni ted States employment service, States Director George B. Tarrant, reviews the work done by his office since its establishment last May and the aid given manufacturers and farmers in securing help to carry on their busi- ness The first local office in the state was established in Birmingham in April and following soon after his in- duction into office MT. Tarrant opened loca! offices In Gadsden, Jasper, De- catur. Bessemer. Troy. Andalusia, Ope- lka. Tuscaloosa. Mobile and other employees from six to 45.
 The organization of loyalty leagues'' in 54 of the 67 counties of the state, with executive committees consisting of six employers, six em- ployes. six farmers and six colored men to assist in the mobilization of the man power of the state and their close cooperation with employers and employees. Is discussed and notation is made of increased supplies and food stuffs production.
 LABOR SHORTAGE
 Due to the numerous manufactur- ing plants in the states of Alabama and Birmingham being the largest in- dustrial center in the south,'' the re- port states. Tt was found impossible to secure sufficient labor to supply. all industries to their capacity. and it be- camo necessary to provide some medium by which all industries would be furnished their pro rata share of available labor. For this purpose a community labor board was estab- lished in each county in this state. whose membership was composed of one representative of employers. one senting the United States employment service.
 "Realizing that sufficient labor was not available for the operation of all essential plants to their capacity, tho community labor boards In their re- spective counties advised employers engaged in nonessential industries that 1t would be necessary to release la borers employed by them, in order that this labor might be used in the manufacture of war essentials. With but few exceptions, that step was im- mediately taken by all employers en- gagged in nonessential work.
 "On account of the stupendous task undertaken by the various depart ments of the government, especially the war and navy departments, in the construction of camps and canton- ments and in the construction Of houses for shipyard workers, and be- ing unable to secure a sufficient sup ply of labor in the United States, the war department imported thousands of Porto Ricans for construction work. Numbers of these workmen were se- cured for this state and were placei in industrial plants in and near Bir- mingham and in the Mobile shipyards
 MUSCLE SHOALS WORK
 "The construction of the govern. ment nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, Alabama, required the services of thousands of laborers, and permission was given to recruit labor for this plant in the states of Mississippi, Geor- gia, Florida. Louisiana, Kansas Ten- nessee. Texas. Utah and Kentucky, Through the efforts and cooperation of the representatives of the United States employment service, sufficient labor was secured to complete thiS plant 60 days ahead of schedule time
 Due to the enormous wages being paid for construction work and by manufacturing plants. the farmers of this state were drawn upon heavily, and, in order to protect them as much as possible. instructions were issued to all recruiting agents not to modest farm labor. Like instFuctions were given as to recruiting labor from lurn- Der industries where government com tracts were being filled. The farm CTS of this state were unable to com pete with the hsg.. wages being paid,