The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-17
CUMMINS ASKS
SURVEY MEN
Senator Offers Resolution to
List and Classify All
Workers.
HITS AT NON-ESSENTIALS
Five Millions Needed in Fight
ing Ranks in Next Two
Years.
HITS AT NON-ESSENTIALS


WASHINGTON. May is.-!ni;ial steps
for the complete industrial and military
mobilization Of the man power OF the
United States were taken to-day in the
presentation OF a resolution to the Sen
ate by Senator Cumn;ns Uowa) calling
for a survey and a report OF the number
OF men ava ailabie for either military duty
or industrial work incident 10 the war.
The resolution asks the heads OF Nari-
Gus departments Of the Government TO
supply Congress with information and
statistics in this matter. on which ade-
ouate legislation may be framed.
The resolution carries the implica ton
that idleness OF every sort must cease
and that the rule of the nation hence
forth must be that Of work or fight
livery business which Is not contributing
TO winning the war and whose activi-
ties or product are not considered essen
tial 20 war needs must do without men.
Fixes A0e Limit.
The Iowa Senator in urging adoption
OF the resolution suggested that the age
limits TO which II would apply he fixed
at IS to a. years. Not fewer than
100000 men in the fighting ranks and
trenches irrespective Of the number Of
men employed by the military authori-
ties in other capacities IN France will he
needed in the next two years. he said.
To supply these il was obvious that
many more men must be taken from in
dustry.
The resolution prov ides that a survey
Of the man power of the country be
made with view OF asceriaining '1,ow
many men can be withdrawn within the
ensuing two years from Industrial and
productive occupations for military SER
vice. leaving enough workers in the fields
Of necessary and essential production"
10 meet these needs.
Al, needs OF the military forces in
tho field.
All necessities OF the civilian popu-
laton in the United States.
All imperative needs OF the allied
countries fighting alongside the armies
OF this country.
The needs Of the essential commerce
OF neutral and friendly nations.
The resolution asks that the jnforma-
tion be furnished Jointly by the secre-
taries Of War, Navy, Agriculture. Com
merce. Labor and the Provost Marshal
General. II asks specifically that they
also what occupa tions in
volving man power can be abandoned
without serious detriment to the gem
eral welfare and how can those now
engaged in them be turned into neces-
sary and useful production"
They are asked further to ascertain
how many men are ,hsre At for mill
tarv service or for labor. not within draft
age. who are now employed in hurtfui
or non-useful occupat tions
and what these occupations are"
MY design Is to put before the coun-
try. and especially before Congress. the
to reach q fair and consid-
crate judgment with regard to the
future" said Senator Cummins.
1T will not be long until we shall be
compelled either to transfer the author
ity upon this subject to the President or
to some one man or to ourselves. II
simply desire to get before Congress the
information that will enable 1t to reach
a sound conclusion In regard to a ques.
tion which think u absolutely vital
at yhis time