The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-25
MECHANICS URGED
 ID RESPOND ID THE
 SH|PbU|LD|NGPLAN
Co-Operative and Educa- tiOnal Committee Ind0rses Work of Local C0un-
 cil of Defense

Hearty indorsement of the work of the local and state committee of the National Council of Defense was given by the citizenship and educational committee, composed of representatives of all the labor organizations of the county. The committee met yesterday and discussed the general work of the council, but more in particular to the insistent re- quest of the United States government for skilled mechanics for the shipouild- ing yards It was stated at the meet ing there were many mechanics idle in this district particularly among the building trades. and these men are urged to send their applications in to the gov ernment at once.
 The citizenship committee, through its president, Charles K. Hall and H. O. McClurg, secretary, issued the following statement:
 STATEMENT OF COMMITTEE
 During the past 10 days a great deal of educational work has been done by the local committee of the National Council of Defense. The object of the meetings and propaganda were for the purpose of educating the people and par , ticularly the skilled working men, of the absolute necessity of making a little sac- rifice now and lending every effort to the government in their shipbuilding plan to bridge the Atlantic with ships to carry men, munitions and supplies for our brothers overseas, to make the world safe for democracy
 "Thousands of cards have been dis tributed and are still being distributed among the skilled workingmen urging them to fill them out specifying the | trades that they are skilled in. or that they could adapt themselves to, thereby giving the United States public service reserve an army of skilled workmen to build ships and place in the intuition l factories, so that there will be an end ply of munitions and supplies going to our boys in France and to our allies. l This work will all have been in vain l if these cards are not properly filled out and turned in at one of the headquarters
 so that they may be sent promptly to
 the proper authorities in Washington.
 to be classified so that this labor can
 be distributed where 1t Is most needed.
 WAR MATERIALS
 | It is not the purpose of the government
 to cripple the companies who are now getting out war materials. but there is | a surplus of skilled workmen in this district who could be readily spared for this most important work of our gov ernment; there are many men here whc are skilled workmen, but, who are now ! working at another business that has nc 1 bearing whatever of the manufacture ol
 war materials: we hope that these work
 men can see that it Is clearly their duty now to do something for their country and make their families secure here fir the land of democracy and freedom. The
 government Is offering the best wages good working conditions. and there is no reason why we should not respond tt this call immediately.
 "If you already have a card. fill il out and hand it in at the headquarters lin the Jefferson County Bank building or at the city hall or at any of the va I rious lodge rooms of the labor organi I zations. %
 ] "We must send our boys over there and our allies millions of tons of foot and supplies; workmen, wake up! ge busy! Your bit is your best Your bes
 Is your utmost. Your utmost is your all "cO- OPERATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL l COMMITTEE"