The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-20
SAYS EVERYBODY
MUST co To WORK
To Win THE WAR
Bill Introduced by Delegate
Dodson Requires Men Not
Employed to Registers
Designed to Meet General
Labor Situation.

There IL strong probability that
Virginia wifi soon have compulsory
work law ON It's statute books as a
contribution Of the state toward help
ling win tho war.
To meet the general cry for help for
farmers. manufacturers and producers
generally. all either directly or tndi-
rectlv involved in the production OF
war necessities, Delegate Dodson, OF
Norfolk. has introduced a bill model
Cd along the lines OF the MARYLAND
relation 20 some objections made by
the attorney general Of that state.
The house committee on general
!lavss yesterday appointed *ubeom-
m,ttee to further consider the hill in
relations to some objections made by
organized labor representatives at the
Capitol
The bin provides that all able
lhoaiea males between the age Of elsh-
teen and fifty shall be regularly or
corttr uo4sly employed, II not en-
r,to,rsa ,hey must register Whereup-
on. they win be assigned TO "ork os
10 ht1reau. or director to be appointed
~. the governor. II in III" meantime
Ethsv obtain employment Of their own
yottrfor the state viii not interfere
with such employment The rules 70
he enforced under the direction OF the
e,overnor are made flexible to the END
that no individual hardshtps need fol-
low The moral end patriotic sense
~ the communities is depended upon
in large measure for a successful en-
forcement Of the law
Provides for Fine.
However. on failure of such unem-
moved to register. they shan upon
conviction he adiusad guilty Of a mis-
dernearor ana Aned M TO flftv dollars,
and Their names certified TO the gov
Icrnor. whereupon they shall he assign
ell 70 work.
iNiu on the part or organized labor,
i+hn sole desire % the legislative repre-
sontatives If the labor organizations
being u he sure that the bill is SO
framed that II shall not contain any
provisions that mf~h+ he worked 70
! TIE prejudice Of organized labor's in
terests. -
hAen q consistent friend OF labor. has
met these objections by provisions as
set forth below, designed 10 protect
4lahor's rights,
/ The bill provides that no person
shall be assigned TO private employer
ot fii vacancies caused by disputes
between employers and employees This
IL 10 prevent the law being used for
strike breaking purposes.
! To meet the objection ri possible
~ Ia ma ID
iof the state 10 another, the bill pro-
vides that persons shall be assigned
10 employment in the county or city In
which they reside.
Have Right to Appeal.
| ANY person so assigned shall have
1.-THE right to appeal 10 the circuit or
corporation court In their residential
Jurisdiction.
To meet the wage question, 1t is pro-
vided that the rate OF wage in the dis
trict Of employment shall he the pre-
vailing wage, and the number OF hours
| per day shall be governed by the Gus
torn in the localities.
| Unlike the West Virginia compul-
sorry law, which some critics have
designated as merely a glorified vag-
lrancy law, Delegate Dodson's bill pro-
,vices that persons not regularly en-
tployed shall be assigned to private
Employers, The West Virginia law
merely provides for assignment to
public works.
Mr.. Dodson has conferred with the
labor representatives In his oity and
fnds that these provisions meet all
the objections they have thus far
urged against tho measure, and stands
ready to further amend It II neces-
sary in the protection of lahor's inter-
este, IL that can be done without de-
fAa fAa y,trnnxa 81 fha hfIf