Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-18
LABOR MOB|L|zERS
5. WATT ON CONGRESS
Bills Repose in Committee,
Hating Steps to Adjust
Wartime Needs.
APPREHENSION IS FELT

Representatives both of capital and
labor in Washington are becoming ap-
prehensive over the lack of any definite
steps toward working out policies which
would serve to. mobilize and ADJUST
labor. to war time needs.
More than two months have passed
since Secretary of Labor Wilson was ap-
pointed administrator of labor, it was
pointed out today, yet the legislation
and appropriations necessary to render
his administration effective have not
been Forthcoming.
The $50 900, 900 bill for housing muni-
tions workers has been reported favor
ably to the House. a measure to expend
about S1.O0O,000 for employment agen-
cies awaits action in the House and
estimates for carrying out the proposed
wartime reorganization of the Labor
Department so far as wartime activities
are concerned are reposing in commit
tee.
Program in Blue Print Stage.
The advisory commission headed by
John Lind worked out a complete pro-
gram for the labor administration for
war time, to be superimposed upon the
peace time program of the Labor De-
partment, but that program has scarcely
gone beyond the blue print stage. Pro-
vision was made for seven sections, in
cluding an adjustment service, section
on housing and transportation, a condi-
of 1uE a
and education division and sections on
women in industry. training and dilution
of labor. and the United States employ
ment service.
The last named agency exists. but
needs more funds to make its work ef-
fective in the present labor emergency.
Otto NJ. Eidlitz was named head OF the
section on housing and transportation.
and has been working on plans to ex-
pend the S50,00o,000 appropriation for
housing and transportation when it is
made But even a skeleton of an or
ganization of the rest of these agen-
cies, as planned by the advisory COM
mission. has not yet been created
that they have gone as far as possible
until Congress appropriates funds to
embark upon the Program. Some off,
cials are inclined to criticise the de-
"punch" into its demands upon Con-
gress to convince legislators that pas
sage of enabling legislation-is impera-
tive But wherever the blame, it is
likely that steps will be taken shortly
to hasten action on the program in
Congress, and when money is made
avaflable the Labor Department will
turn every effort toward creating the
organizations to meet the wartime
needs.
Shipping Board Plans Housing.
ton for housing and transportation Of
munition workers. a part of which
may vet be made available for Wash
ington's civilian employees in wartime
work. should not be confused with the
fifty y-miIlion-dollar measure already
pa ssed for housing of workers in ship
yards and allied industries. The ship
ping board already is at work on a
comprehensive housing program. and is
taking steps to meet other labor prob
lens.
But conditions are getting worse in
manufacturing and industrial centers,
so far as housing is concerned, experts
say.
Big questions like the proper distribu-
ton of labor to help fill government
contracts, the introduction of women
into some industries if needed, the. train
ing Of workers for highly specialized
tasks in connection with munitions
making, expansion of the employment
agency systeH' anu "oThlnS out OF
broad principles for adjustments OF
labor disputes are scarcely being
touched, 1t is held.
The labor planning board, on which
William Howard Taft and Frank P.
Walsh represent the public and on
which are representatives Of capital
and labor. has formulated principles
in general terms, but these have not
yet been reduced to specific terms
which can be accepted by both sides
as a waf work. agreement.