Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-05
{, |, WARD RESIGNS
BUREAU OF LABOR
Harry Hook, Assistant, Recom-
mended as Chief of the
Department.

Christopher l.. Ward, director Of the
Compulsory Labor Bureau, has resigned,
to take effect NJ once. and recommended
as his successor Harry II Hoch. the
present assistant director.
In speaking Of his rcSignation. Mr.
Ward said Il have resigned the position
of director Of the Compulsory Labor
Bureau rs am unable 10 continue longer
10 devote my time to the work of the
bureau on account OF the pressure Of my
law practice and private affairs, which
have had TO neglect sincc became direct
or in June last
MIR Hoch has proved by hls work as
assistant director his ability 10 conduct
the bureau in thoroughly efficient man
ner. and will, trust hc appointed direct
or IN my place.
MIR. Hoch has been the assistant under
Mr.. Ward SINCE October ), and dunng
part of that time. while Mr. Ward was III,
he exercised the duties Of chief, and Mr..
Ward said today, the work was admirably
done
WORN 10 co on.
The work Is 10 60 on. il was learned
TODAY from MIR Hoch The State law
under which the department was estab-
lished. the purpose of which Is to compel
the physically able who otherwise would
be idle-to work, is still IN force and there
is no alternative but 10 enforce it, While
the department has difficult task, il Is
endeavoring, according 10 Mr. Hoch, to
enforce the aw,-not harshly, however,
but with Justice, and while IL is admitted
that errors are likely to be made and have
been made. this Is not surprising when It
is known that about 5000 names arc on
the records Oh this number only about
$50 have proved difficult cases. however,
and of that number upwards Of 90 Of the
men involved are now and have been for
some time working regularly, and give no
trouble The department has worked a
reclamation in these cases at least and
probably IN the cases OF many others
the facts of which have not como to light
The department endeavors, Mr.. Hoch
said today. 10 avoid imposing hardships
on Anybody and where II IS convinced
that q person involved IN a case Is physic
ally unfit for work he Is not required 20 do
so IF reputable physician certities To
the physical deficiency OF man, he said.
that Is all Of the proof that Is required
AZ times, however, be explained, evidence
In certain cases is so conflicting that It
is necessary to send them TO court, where,
occasionally, a surprise Is sprung IN the
had no previous knowledge. The legal
machinery insuch cases works automatical-
lv. and II the department is not fully In
formed of all points OF the defence 10 q
case in advance it has no altern tlv but
I get the matter IN Coourt. Some ap
narent hardships have resulted from IN
ability to readily come up with witnesses
who were held 10 be necessary. and also
u.he-, orders have not been strictly com
Dlied with. and IN such cases the depart
ment naturally regrets that thsS was so.
undetermined effort ls made, Mr.. Hoch
said. not only by the department heads
but also BY its o tlcers. TO learn all OF the
facts IN every case 50 as to avoid court
proceedings. # possible. but At tunes II
seems impossible to get ali OF the lntorma-
tion without invoking the and OF the court
There are other cases, of course, where
subjects manifest defiant or unconcerned
attitude, in which event there IS nothing
to do but bring action
MUCH COOP DONE
MANY letters have been received by tn,
apartment. IL was learned tod Y not only
fro ploy rs. who bene-tted by
the service rendered by this government
| agency, bat also by men involved and
by the wives OF mon involved. who arc
exceedingly grateful for the work that has
/ brought about reclamation Of dcreiictS
! This IS gratifying to all concerned and Is
one OF the results that will prove Of last
Ing benefit to tho community Many oi
the writers of these communications
1 express the hope th 1.-THE Legislature viii
not interfere with the Law insofar ~ it
| requires idlers to work, where there is
! work for them 10 do