The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-08-22
Labor Waste. "


coming experts at the art yet very
frequently we are reminded OF other
phases of the subject and our attention
ia called to other ways wherein we may
practice this.
Just now we have drive to stop
labor waste. The national drive intend
ed to reduce labor turnover began a
few DAYS ago. 1t is estimated that
there is rs per cent. of loss IN eihclency
now The U. S. employment service
is on the job now and work is 20 be OBJ
tanned through them. lmean' oi course,
those that have connection with or re-
Iation to winning the war.
To get the right man in the right
place and to keep him there, 50 mat the
greatest amount of production can be
reached in ships, food. munitlon and all
other materials necessary for the win
ming of the war, the Department of
Labor has begun coast to coast cam
paign to explain the functions OF the U.
s. Employment Service and the mean
ing of the central war labor recruiting
program. We will probably not feel
it much here, indeed we may lot know
that such campaign is on, put IN
places like, Baltimore, which is one i'm
portant center of war industries and
one which has unusual labor problems,
he campaign here is expected to be ex-
sptionally vigorous and Of jvial i'm
,rt to employers and employee. Like
the great publicity and educational
drive of the Treasury Departmnt for
the Liberty Loans, the Red Cros cam
paign, and the propaganda in he in
terests of the Y. M. C. A. ami War
Savings Stamps. This campaignwill use
every available means of reaching the
public. Newspapers, advertisement
clubs, large advertisement firms, mo-
ton pictures and tour-minute men will
carry the message of the Employment
Service. What most concerns the
government now is the elimination of
the labor turnover which is believed to
be interfering, more than any other
factor, with the greatest efficiency in
war work. Estimates of the Govern
ment show that the unemployed. as a
result of the labor turnover, constitute
Is per cent. of the total number of
workers. If they can reduce 20 the
minimum the continual shifting Of men
from one job to another, the Depart
ment of Labor believes the production
of the U. S. can be increased is per
cent.
The idea is to keep men on the job.
That is when you get man on job,
who is qualified for the place. Keep him
at it. The trouble is that these men
are working. have good job and do
good work, but they hear of another
job. that may be will give them bit
hlt 7 money, so they are off ard on
az !. They are drifters.
The government is spending large
money to induce men to come into
Maryland and work on government jobs.
But they have no way of keeping the
men after it gets them here, if some la
Dor agent comes along and offers a
slight inducement for them to 90 some
where else.
This state of things has caused Presi-
dent Wilson to issue proclamation
putting the work of employing men in
government plants or private estab-
lishments working on government con-
tracts under control of the Employment
Service.
This plan went into effect the first
the month. After that no laborer,
whether he is skilled or unskilled, can
obtain employment in a war industry of
any kind except through the U. S. EN-
ployment Service. But the rule works
both ways, and no employer in war
industry can obtain labor Of any kind
save through the Employment Service.
This publicity campaign is expected to
reduce the labor turnover to the mini
mum. 1t will also stimulate the war
worker. through patriotic appeals to
increase production and to induce la
borers now engaged in idustries that
are not essential to forsake them and
I'LL in the gaps In the big industries that
are helping to win the war.
This gives US some idea of care of
the government in conserving all its
forces.
Strange inconsistency, the congress,
in part at least, seems to fear lest
war prohibition shall create unrest
among the masses and especially among
workmen. A tar greater reason TO
fear Is that the American people NAV
lose patience with the cry for wheatless
DAYS when there is no call for beerIess
DAYS by which vastly greater saving
could be made with no loss.
1t would give US Ga, 1000 900 moro
pounds of sugar for use. You court
the Jumps now. Food, labor and life
are the chief factors in winning tbe
war-but the liquor men are WASTING
all three" (Stetzh)
We are all practicing economv h,+