The Washington herald., 1918-08-27
DC. WAR WORK
REQUIRES MEN
IN Big NUMBER
Conditions Demand Consid.
Grafton from Employees,
Department Says.

Great war work operations In the
District Of Columbia have caused the
suggestion that all unskilled labor
ers possible be released from other
work In the District, according to
Nathan A Smyth. assistant director
general OF the United states En-
ployment Service.
The statement was called forth
yesterday by the declaration several
days ago that unskilled labor in a
certain group Of industries in the
District was nonessentiaL
The question immediately came
i. up as to the power of the committee
to enforce such a ruling. Mr.. Smyth
answers IL thus: The United States
Employment Service Is not purpos-
ing to use any form OF compulsion in
such recruiting, other than an ap-
peal TO the patriotism of the worker
and the employer"
In other words the action of the
District Community Labor Board in
marking out nonessential employ
ment was merely a suggestion to
employers to release all the labor
ers possible for war service.
Labor Department Statement.
In this respect the Department Of
Labor made the following statement
last night:
The Community Labor Board OF
the District of Columbia, as well as
those in other communities. is charg-
ed with the responsibility of de-
termining the methods which shall
govern the United States Employ
ment Service in its community, IN
attempting 20 recruit for war work
T..
directly connected with the prosscu-
ton OF the war.
The United SIs ties Employ net.
Service is not purposinS to use any
form Of compslsicl in such recruit
ing. other than an appeal to the
patriotism OF the worker AMI of the
employer.
The power to determine oei5rity
among industries, end to close up
nonessential industries by shutting
on supplies. re5GS with the War In
dIstries BoariL.
The United States Employment
Service will follow the priorit es de-
termined by the Priorities Board of
the War Industries Board. The EN-
ployp1ent Service. through all its
agencies, will keep III systematic ana
constant cooperation with the other
divisions of the government concern
ed with the man power and material
program Of the government.
1t Is within the province OF each
Community Labor Board to list those
nonwar industries in its community
which will first be called IpCn to
e116rioute men to war WORK.
Plea to Release Men.
This does not mean that such in
dustries will be compelled to close up
or to discharge their male employees
at once, but that with as much fair
ness as Is possible, and with as much
speed as may be necessary to meet
the national emergency, they will re-
lease male workers.
''In the District of Columbia, as
else Icre. We may well face the facts
The work on the great army and navy
buildings at Potomac Park. the con-!
-sfructIOn of housing facilities opposite
FniOn Station. the extension of Camp
) sfSumphreys to meet new army re-
fluirements. and much other work es-
ssential to our war program, are be-
Ing seriously retarded by lack of un-
skilled labor. In this situation IL Is
obviously wrong to have able-bodied
men continuing to sell candy, cigars
and like articles, to be doing work
N shops and stores which might. with
reasonable effort on the part OF the
employers. be entrusted to women,
and to be attendants in clubs. barber
shops, soft-drink establishments,
bowling alleys, dancing academies and
elsewhere.
sOur war industries are suffering
beyerely for lack of skilled mechanics.
Z therefore becomes a burden upon
he conscience of every person who
lrnploys a chauffeur to determine
whether such employment is neces-
tary or merely for the qualification
" personal pleasure.
moreover: every owner Of an auto
mobile should realize that every time
ie spends s. fo- automobile access
pories, supplies or repairs he Is in
sffect determining whether working
.nergies of the country equivalent to
bout a days labor of one man shall
De devoted to winning the war or to
iis own personal uses.
4 sThe time has come when from the
Ttandpoint of conservation Of labor
We must all Of US limit our expenses
% those things which are essential"
Authority Lacking.
Charles J. Columbus. secretary of
he Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, yesterday announced that
Ifter a careful investigation he had
discovered there was no authority for
he closing up Of any business as nom
ssential
THE Community Labor Board of the
District Of Columbia has no authority
70 issue such an order or ruling as
vas published" said Mr.. Columbus
7 went to the highest authorities on
he subject but all denied that such
Dower rested with the committee.
'washington business interests have
bothing to fear. and the matter should
be dismissed