Evening journal., 1918-07-25
WAR WORK DEFINED
FOR LABOR PROGRAM
Organization Being Formed
10 Handle Situatio n in
Delaware
WOMEN'S DIVISION
HAS BEEN OPENED

In answer 20 requests for specific in
formation about the operation Of Presl-
dent Wilson's war labor program. A.
@. Benkhart, Federal Director OF En-
ployment for Delaware. yesterday is
sued a synopsis of the plan which Will
become effective throughout the coun-
try on August 1. While applying d.
rectly to unskilled labor, the new pro-
gram will indirectly exercise some i'm
mediate control over the recruiting Of
skilled labor for war industries and
also over labor for non-war industries.
Employers engaged In non-war work
may recruit their own workers under
supervision Of the u. s. Employment
Service, but are not 10 off~r superior
inducements or in any other way TO
compete with or to endeavor TO get
labor from the government or employees
engaged IN war work. War industries
are also prohibited from Offering su-
perlor inducements to skilled labor
and from recruiting IL except under
similar supervision.
The u. S. Employment Service has
built up a strong organization for re-
cruitlng and supervising the equitable
distribution Of labor. The service has
a particularly comprehensive organiza-
tion In this State.
Under the new program employers
will still be given the right Of choice I'M
hiring men. They are not arbitrarily
bound 10 accept all Of the men recruit
ed for them by the United States En-
ploylment Service, nor are workmen re-
quired 10 accept the positions rendered.
For the purposes OF the war labor
program, war work Is defined as fol-
lows: The manufacture Of products or
erection Of structures directly or In
directly supplied 10 some department
Of the government for use in connection
with the war including goods delivered
under sub-contracts TO government con-
tractors. Coal mining Is wholly war
work. Railroads and farms are engaged
in war work 10 the extent that they
are to be protected from all recruiting
by other industries and may recruit
labor private.
The making Of products which may
ultimately be used for war purposes,
but which are not to be delivered either
directly 10 the Government or TO some
contractor who uses them for produc-
ing, or as a part Of products TO be
delivered TO the Government, is not
considered war work.
employers prohibited from recruiting
unskilled labor are those engaged in
war work whose maximum force ex-
ceeds 100 men. exclusive OF clerical and
administrative force. War work en-
ployers whose forces are smaller than
this are under the same restrictions as
employers engaged in no war work.
Employers engaged only partially In
war work are prohibited from recruit
ing for their war work TO the same ex-
tent as II they were wholly engaged IN
war.
No attsmpt has been made to define
",inskIlled labor" but IN most OF their
Rpplications the meaning Of the words
iinskilled labor" and common labor
are clear. In doubtful cases decisions
will be made by the employment ser
vice. subject to the approval OF the
War Labor Policies Board. Workmen
are under no obligation to go into war
work exceptlng their own sense OF duty
IN their country, and may secure jobs
In war work individually. but is Is pre-
rsrred that they secure them through
HE IUllEu EAuANo LIN AIAA 7 A-tN--N
This service Will not send them 70
plsnts where there are strikes. nor VIII
II assist men on strike to get other en-
ployment.
Men will not be compelled to remain
q speclfc time in any jobs to which
thew have been transported, but chang
ing Of positions will be discouraged eX-
cepting for adequate reasons.
The Labor Board will be composed
NJ three men, representing the En-
'nIovment Service. local employers and
local employees. In distribution. the
local labor supply will be used so far
as Is adequate to meet local demands.
Mr.. Benkhsrt. who has headquarters
IN the old Federal Building, at sixth
and King streets, reports that the pro-
gram for extending the employment
service Offices throughout the state IS
now in splendid shape. In Wilmington
there will be at least one or more addi-
tionai mems Offices established. and a
woman;s division has already been
opened at No s3s Market street. A
new mems and womens division is to-
he opened at New Castle and soon other
branches may be established down the
State.