Milford chronicle., 1918-03-15
ALL men MUST WORK IN JERSEY
Gov. Edge Signs Bill Compelling Men
Between is and so Years Not
Employed to ct Work

Governor Edge. of New Jersey, has
signed the so-called "anti-loafer" bill,
introduced by Speaker Wolverton,
which requires all able bodies male
persons between the ages of eighteen
and fifty to be regularly or continu-
ously engaged in some lawful, useful
and recognized business, profession or
other employment whenever, because
of state of war in the United States,
the Government determines such en-
ployment to be necessary and essential
for the protection and welfare OF both
the State and the nation.
1t is provided that the Governor shall
issue a proclamation whenever he
deems action under this law to be nee
essary, and from that time forward
until the termination Of the war any
able bodied resident of the State Of the
ages prescribed, who fails to be en-
ployed for at least thirty-six hours a
week, shall be guilty Of misdemean-
or and upon conviction shall pay a
fine of not less than 500 or may be
imprisoned not to exceed three months
or suffer both punishments.
The law becomes effective immed-
lately. and it declares that the poses
sion of money upon the part Of any
one refusing to obey its mandate shall
be no excuse, nor shall the excuse Of
inability to obtain employment be ac-
cepted as a defense to a prosecution
under the law for a violation OF this
statute, unless it shall be proved that
the excused promptly notified the State
Commissioner of Labor of his inability
to obtain employment.
Labor Commissioners Duty.
The State Commissioner of Labor is
charged with the responsibility Of OBJ
tanning employment for all persons af-
fected by the Act, such employment to
be carried on by the State or any
county or municipality within the
State, or by private employers engag-
ed in agricultural, industrial or other
occupations, and who will accept the
services of such persons. In the event
of the Commissioner or Labor being
unable to procure employment for such
persons, he shall certify to this fact in
writing to each.
uuSG AO4 WAoAn GAARAbg AACAN 10
found are to be paid at a rate not less
than the salary given others engaged
in the same nature of work. This shall
apply to assignments for State, muni-
cipal or county service, as well as to
employment under private auspices.
Section of the law provides that
after the issuance of the proclamation
it shall be the duty of the sheriffs Of
the respective counties and other Off
GERS charged with the enforcement Of
the law, to seek diligently the names
and residences of able bodied persons
between the ages mentioned, not reg
ularly or continuously employed. In
assigning anyone to work, the Com
missioner of Labor shall take into con-
sideration his age, physical condition
and other appropriate circumstances.
The Lew law does not apply to per-
sons temporarily unemployed by rea-
son of differences with their employers.
nor to bona fide students during the
school term, or to persons fitting them
selves to engage.An trade or industrial
pursuits.
Hits Temporary Resident
Section IL Of the new law provides
as follows:-
For the purposes of this Act, any
male person as aforesaid found in this |
State shall be deemed a resident, and |
in any prosecution hereunder proof |
that the accused habitually loiters in |
in streets, roads, depots, pool
rooms. saloons, hotels, stores or other
places shall be prima facie evidence
Of the failure or refusal Of such per-
sons to comply with the provisions OF
this Act"