The sun., 1918-10-07
COUNTRY CALLS FOR
MUNITION WORKERS
Loss Of Gillespie Buildings I'm
perils Supply Of War Ma
terials to Boys in France.
STRAIN ON OTHER PLANTS
Immediate Mobilization Of
Every Available Person
Urged in Messages.
specio, Despatch to THE suS.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6.-Destruction OF
the Gillespie shell loading plant has ere
ated grave emergency In removing the
biggest projectile plant in the country.
Oficials of the Government, in quick
recognition OF the situation, sent call
to-day to skilled and unslkilled laborers
in every State to volunteer for service In
existing munition and shell plants In or
der to increase their output and make
good the shrinkage the disaster would
cause in the flow of munitions to France
The shortage OF workers In these
plants is about $4,000 In unskilled la
borers alone Many additional thou
sands of skilled workers also are needed
urgently.
The only way in which serious effects
from the Gillespie explosion can be
avoided. II was declared, is to draw
upon the non-essential industries for the
required supply of workmen. Women
will be asked to volunteer as well. Fall
ure to meet the shortage of labor may
cause serious curtailment in the extent
of military operations of the American
forces in France.
Secretary Lane, chairman OF the field
, division of the Council of National De-
fence, and Nathan A Smyth OF the
Federal employment service, sent out
| appeals to State councils OF defence and
field agents OF the labor service to-day
asking for the immediate mobilization
of every available worker. including
drafts upon factories and mills not en-
gagged In turning out war materials and
products essential to the civilian popu-
lation.
Heavy Demand for Munitions.
,i,t A.,l
shells that have come from Gen. Per-
shing in recent weeks have far ex-
ceeded the expectations OF the War De-
rartment in the-sarler part of the year.
His demands are far ahead OF the war
programme. and although the produc-
ton Of munitions has been increased to
the highest possible point, the output
has not kept pace with the orders from
the other side.
"A stock OF high explosive shells inn
peratively needed in France has been
destroyed said Secretary Lane in his
| message to the State councils OF de-
fence. land the flow OF these supplies
has been retarded not only for the pres
| ent moment. but for months to come I'M
less immediate relief Is provided.
This loss must be made up at once
| by putting additional burdens on all
| other American muntion plants. Within
the next forty-cight hours the number
OF men to be supplied from your State
will be wired by the United States en-
ployment service to its Federal state
director. Please issue the necessary
notices to your state. county and COM
munity councils of defence to put their
| entire influence behind the employment
service in this emergency.
An Appeal to Patriotism.
This call for men must be met. but
there will he no difficulty in getting
| these men. The work is dangerous. but
that will not deter any one. for it is
: unthinkable that any man in this coun-
| try would hold back from doing work
| which the women of England and
| France long have been carrying on.
| When this problem is placed before the
| American people public opinion will be
| solidly behind the employment service
| and the community labor boards in this
| emergency"
Mr.. Smyth's telegram to tho repre-
| sentatives of tho Federal Employment
| Service, similar in tone, called for the
| exertion OF the utmost efforts in re-
| cruiting men for work in projectile and
| shell loading plants. The curtailment
caused by the Gillespie explosion. he
said. must be absorbed by the remain
| ing plants.
| "Ancrica's biggest shell loading plant
is gone" he said in his message. There