Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-06-07
To Enforce Work Law.

Governor Harrington has sent letter
calling for vigorous enforcement of the
Compulsory Work law to all of the State s
attorneys, sheriffs, justices of the peace
and members of the Council of Defense.
The Governor stated that the Maryland
law has been commended in all quarters,
and that he is determined ito use every
agency" Of the law in order that while
our boys are fighting, and many of them
dying for us, there shall be no idlers in
Maryland; and by idlers mean all those
who are not regularly and steadily at
work"
1t Is hoped by the Governor and the ex-
ecutive committee of the Council of De-
Tense that enough steam can be put behind
the enforcement of the law to get into the
farmers fields most of the idlers and part
time workers and thus relieve in measure
the dangerous shortage of farm labor.
Governor Harringtons letter to the local
officials regarding the work law follows:
Executive Mansion,
Annapolis, June 5, 1918.
My Dear Sir The Maryland Compulsory
Labor law, which was passed by the Spe-
cial Session of the Legislature of 1917, has
received the highest commentator at
home, from Government administrative
sources, and from all parts of the Union.
Other States are rapidly passing similar
legislation, following closely the Maryland
statute. The Maryland law gives ample
protection to labor. The Provost Marshall
General, by authority of the President, has
directed that no one shall be exempted
from military service or placed in defer
red classification on account of dependency
or any other cause, save physical disability
unless he is engaged In some occupation
that is essential or useful to the winning
of the war. The Provost Marshal has not
defined what are useful or essential en-
pigments, but he has named the occupa-
tons that are not useful or necessary tow
ards winning the war.
AS Governor of Maryland am deter
mined to use every agency Of the Maryland
law to see to it that while our boys are
fighting, and many Of them dying for us
there shall be no ldlers in Maryland; and
by idlers mean all those who are not regu.
larly and steadily at work. Food must be
raised sufficient for ourselves and oul
Allies. and anyone now, regardless Of his
color or social position, who does not de
his utmost, much less remain idle, does
not deserve anything but the strongest con
domination Of all patriotic citizens. an
determined there shall be no idlers II
Maryland and that WORK OR FIGHT
must be our motto.
Will you not help in these. our efforts
by reporting to Mr.. George A. Malone
Director Of the Compulsory Work Bureau
40l Union Trust Building, Baltimore. Md.
any and all who are able to work who are
not consistently and regularly doing so
and by helping otherwise to enforce thi:
lawH
Maryland is proud Of her position as {
patriotic State Help us to maintain ouI
prestige by assisting in putting her lover
the top" in the efficiency of our food pro-
duction during this war.
Our farmers have planted the crops
they must be harvested. The halfway
worker should be treated as an idler
WORK OR FIGHT" must be our motto
Your valuable assistance is earnestl!
requested.
Very truly yours,
EMERSON C. HARRINGTON,