Evening journal., 1918-12-14
WOMAN'S PART IN
INDUSTRIAL life
Will They be Withdrawn to
Make Places for Men
Workers.
CHILDREN WILL
LOSE THEIR JOBS

With the cessation OF active military
operation The industrial problem in the
United States has changed It's aspect.
Before the armistlce was signed the
difilcult task was TO provide the enor-
mously increased production required
for the war while the numbers of men
workers was being steadily depleted
by withdrawal into military service.
Now that the armlstlce Is signed the
immediate task Is TO accomplish the
change from a war basis 10 a peace
basis with the least possible unemploy-
ment. Thus stated the task Is the same
for all workers, including women aud
men, says Miss Mary Van kleck, d.
rector, Woman In Industry Service, De
partment OF Labor. The Federal gov
ernment Is developing a policy with
reference to cancellation Of contracts
with due regard 20 relation TO the trans
fer OF labor from one occupation 20 an
other the convention Of plants manu-
featuring munitions TO The manufac-
ture Of products required in peace, the
stimulation Of the peace Industries,
plans for public works, and demOblll-
zation Of returning soldiers al a suf-
flclently slow rate TO insure their re-
lnstatcment In normal occupations With
The least possible loss OF time
Tho question peculiar 60 women rela-
tive 20 those who have taken mems
places. Many persons are asking the
women In industry service OF the United
States Department OF Labor whether
these women should not now withdraw
TO glve place 10 the men. II would seem
fair policy FOR business organization
10 reinstate a returning soldier in the
position which ne held before the war,
II he wishes 90 be reinstated. but In
justice 10 the woman who has taken
his place during the war sufficient no
tlce should be given TO enable her 10
be transferred 20 other work
The question most frequently raised
relates 10 women who, although not
previously employed, have been drawn
Into gainful employment for patriotic
reasons. No Information Is available
showing the extent OF the employment
Of women who have not hitherto been
wage earners.
Scattered evidence indicates that The
number is much smaller than is gen
orally supposed and that large num-
bors OF women employed In the wa
Industries have been transferred from
other occupations. In one plant in the
war industries g. per cent had com
from other factories, % per cent from
domestic service and restaurants, and
per cent from laundries. and only 8
per cent had not been employed previ-
ously. II these figures are typical. the
problem for the women In the war in
dustries Is 90 arrange for their trans
fer 10 normal employment unless the
plants in which they are at work are
converted TO production In peace time,
under conditions making - possible o.
retain the same personnel.
A report published by a large organ
lzation representing employers. points
out that in the last % years the en-
plOyment OF women in manufacturing
has increased moro rapidly than tha
OF men and adds. "The expansion Of
their activities at this time may be re-
garded not as a radical innovation but
rather as an accelerati0n OF a normal
development" With the need for pro-
ductlon 10 feed and clothe and shelter
other nations besides our own there Is
no reason 90 believe that the employ
ment Of women in industry viii not in
crease rather than decrease.
In view OF this need and the respon-
sibilitlcs Of women FOR their own sup
port and often for the support OF de-
pendents. il is inconceivable that any
agencies Of the Federal government
should urge upon them or upon any
other group OF workers that they with
draw entirely from gainful employment
II they wish 10 make this contribution
to the economic life Of the nation.
The problem Is not the Withdrawal
Of any group OF workers voluntarily but
rather the organization OF industry in
such O way as to utilize 70 the full all
OF the available working forces OF the
Who can doubt that the enor-
nous work Of reconstruction will de-
mand The activity OF every man and
woman capable OF taking part IN the
needed, not only for the