Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-30
Government Control
of All LABOR Will
Be Effective Aug. I

peal to the mayors Of all cities:
We beg to direct your attention TO
the plans of the United States employ
ment service, and to the great effect
which this program will have upon the
industrial life Of the nation.
On Aug. 1. the supplying of war in
dustrles with common labor will be
centralized in the United States en-
ployment service of the department Of
labor. and all Independent recruiting OF
common labor by manufacturers hav-
Ing n payroll OF more than 100 men
will be diverted to the United States
employment service. This is In at
cordante with the decision OF the war
labor politicies boar and approved by
the president on June II.
The above action was found neces-
snry to overcome a perilous shortage
Of unskilled labor in war Industries.
This shortage was aggravated by an
almost universal practice of labor
stealing and poaching.
While the restrictions against the
private employment OF labor apply only
to common labor at the present time.
these restrictions will. as soon as pos
labor. In the meantime, recruiting Of
skilled labor for war production will
be subject to federal regulations now
being prepared.
This drastic change in the nations
labor program has been found neces-
sary In order to protect the employer
and the employed, to conserve the
labor supply Of the communities and to
cut down unnecessary and expensive
labor turn-ove (Which. in some cases.
Is as high as 100 per cent n weekly and
to increase the production OF essentials.
While non-essential industries will
be drawn upon to supply the necessary
labor for war work. the withdrawal
will be conducted on an equitable basis
in order to protect the Individual en-
ployer as much as possible.
Under the operating methods
adopted, the country has been divided
into thirteen federal districts, each dis
trtct In charge of superintendent Of
the United States employment service.
The states within each district are in
turn In charge Of state director. who
has full control OF the service within
his state
. In each community there Is being
formed a local community labor board,
consisting OF a representative OF the
United States employment service, a
representative Of employers and a re-
preventative Of the employed. This
board will have jurisdiction over re-
cruiting and distributing labor in its
locality.
A survey OF the labor requirements
Is being made. and In order that each
community may be fully protected.
rulings have been issued that no labor
shall be transported out OF any ocm-
munity by the United States employ
ment service without the approval OF
the state director: nor shall any labor
be removed by the service from one
state to another without the approval
OF the United States employment serv-
Ice at Washington. Every effort Will
be made to discourage any movements
from community to community or
state to state by any other service.
This labor program has the approval
Of all,,producing departments OF the
government, thru the war labor poll
cies board
1t must be understood that farm
labor will be protected. for the indus
tria! program distinctly includes spec
ial efforts to keep the farmer supplied
with labor. 20
The requirement that unskilled labor
must be recruited thru the sole agency
of the United States employment serv-
Ice does not at present apply in the
following five cases:
l. Labor which is not directly or in
directly solicited.
2. Labor for the railroads.
3. Farm labor-to be recruited in ac-
cocdance with existing arrangement
with department Of agriculture.
4. Labor for non war work.
5. Labor for establishments whose
maximum force does not exceed one
hundred.
When the survey Of labor require
ments has been made and the aggre-
gate demand for unskilled labor In war
work is found. each state will be as
signed quota, representing the COM
men engaged in non essential indus
tries in that state.
4 These state quotas will in turn be
distributed among localities. Within
each locality, employers in non war
work, including those who are only
partially in war work.. will be asked to
distribute the local quotas from time
to time among themselves. Quotas by
localities and individuals are to be ac-
cepted as readily as they are for
liberty loan and Red Crces campaigns.
This plan Of labor quotas Is a protec-
ton for all communities.
The object is to keep any community
from being drained Of labor. and to use
local supply. as far as possible, for
local demand. The situation, however,
is such that in certain cases some men
may have to be transported over Ions
distances
You will note from the above ouv-
limo that this is probably the most
drastic action that the government has
taken since putting the national army
draft into effect. The absolute neces-
sity for this program can be seen when
it is realized that in Pittsburgh, FOR
instance, there are advertisements
calling for men to go to Detroit: while
in Detroit street cars there are posters
asking men to go to Pittsburgh This
same condition is apparent all over the
United States and in the consequent
shifting Of labor a great part Of our
war effort is dissipated.
Because Of your official position, we
are taking the liberty of asking that
you, by proclamation or otherwise, as
may seem best. make this situation
plain to the people Of your community,
as we'll as to your various industrial
and labor organizations-this to the