El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-02-12

RE work Of the federal employment bureau Of the de-
pzrtmeut Of labor has been expanded to make the
bureau recruiting agency for workers in essential
industries especially shipbuiding and munitions max
ing This Is very important development which has al
most escaped public attention and It is one Of the best
moves the government has made.
The federal employment bureau of the department Of
lzbor vas organized as government free emf oyment
agency to perform the functions any private employ
nent agency. It to find for the unemployed
and workers for employers needing help. The only differ
between the government agency and any private
agency that the former national in scope being
able to bring employer and employee together from
tie country and it made no charge for its services
In recent mouths with the great expansion of the
industries there has developed an acute shortage of labor
ID those industries Our shpbuding program is being
fzrded By lack Of craftsmen. We have plenty Of for
soldiers but lack ships and cannot build enough
ships unless the labor supply is adequate There short
ages labor also II the munitions factories Since these
Industries themselves unable to enough work
ers the government is undertaking the task Il is case
Of customer finding labor for the factory because he
wants to receive his goods on time
So accordance with recent decision Of the council
Of national defence approved By the president secretary
Of lsbor Wilson January IS assumed the admnistra-
ton Of comprehensive labor program and appointed
an advisory council Of SIX and one woman to assist
hin Former governor John Lind Of Minnesota, who VIII
b remembered as having been the presidents personal rep
rssentaye at Veraeruzs IS chairman Of the council Inc
organization is representative Of employers and laoorers
and Ct the public generally.
The department Of labor thus has full charge Of every
phase CT the labor supply problem including the dsrbu
on transportation, housing and training Of workers
name Of the federal employment BUREAU viii have charge
Of the assembly and distribution Of the workers 1t is
confronted with the task Of securing millions Of workers
en and Women boys and girls for essential industries
such as munitions making, agriculture and shpouild1ng.
John Densmore Of Montana, for the past five years
solicitor for the department Of labor has been appointed
director Of the employment service by secretary Wilson
Charles T. Clayton Of Maryland is assistant director for
l5 o and Quasi official bodies and Robert Watson, Of
Massachusetts, formerly chief clerk Of the department OF
zbor Is to be assistant director for administrative work
There VIII be eight divisions in the operation Of this
national labor distribution machinery. The service IS now
covering the country with network Of labor exchanges
FEDERAL state and municipal employment offices and the
facilities Of the various state councils Of defence being
utilized to enrol iaboreTs and send them where needed
mere are already about 200 such exchanges and about 500
more are being established
These viii be labor clearing houses Aiding them VIII
BE- tie state and municipal employment bureaus, the state
oouucs Of defence the United States Public Service Re
se7ve and the United States Boys Working Reserve. AL
ready about 10000 skilled workers have been enrolled IN
h public Service Reserve and about 10000 boys between
e and q in the Boys Working Reserve Both organza-
tiozs are now placing workers in industries through
The medium Of the United States Employment service
In order that large part Of the recruiting work may
not Be wasted corps Of travelling examiners IS beng
cresszd They viii cover the country and VIII examine
labor recruits for sipbuding and munitions making as
10 er fitness Thus few workers wiz be placed IN work
ie- which they untitled.
IRIS method Of securing labor for the war industries
vas worked ont By the government with the fun approval
Of the American Federation Of Labor and Ct the Chamber
d Commerce Of the United States the first representing