The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-11-02
need 100000
!. IN FACTORIES
Tremendous Mobilization Of In
duStria| Power IS NEEDED for
Nations Success in War.


camps where they will be trained for
army service, there must be another
mobilization quite as necessary to the
winning of the war. To supply the
new army it is estimated that 9,O00,-
600 workers must be added to the
millions already employed in shops
and factories. These 100000 work
ers must be trained just as the 3,000,-
600 fighters must be trained. For this
purpose the government has provided
the new Training and Dilution Serv-
Ice OF the Department of Labor, with
Charles 7. Clayton, man familiar
with the industrial situation in every
part Of the country, as director.
This service will assist all depart
ments of the government. In addi-
ton it will help industries engaged on
war production to obtain trained
workers. Mr.. Clayton has carefully
worked out plans from which imme-
date results are being realized. In
this period of national emergency
every day counts for so much that the
most practical methods of intensive
instruction of new workers have been
adopted.
According to Mr.. Clayton's plans,
the country is divided into districts
which vary in size according to the
number of plants concentrated in GER
tain areas. In each district a superin-
tendent of training has been appointed
and he is intrusted with the RESPONSE
bility of working out the helpful
methods devised by the Director of
the Training and Dilution Service.
In each district consideration is
given to the facilities for training
workmen and the best methods Of
dilution. A careful study is made of
the supply-and- problem in its
special application to the plants to be
aided. Wherever necessary, imrove-
ments in organization that will in
crease output through better working
conditions are suggested. The best
ideas that are the result of expert
ments which have been successful are
presented. Where training rooms have
not been established, courses of in
structiOn are prepared and even con-
Quoted, either Independently or in CO.
operation with the Federal Board for
Vocational Education.
AS chief of the training section of
the service, Mr.. Clayton has appointed
H. E. Miles. who has been chairman
of the Section on Industrial Training
of the Council of National Defense.
Mr.. Miles has been interested for
many years in what he calls the sane
education Of workers, and previous to
the war was pioneer in the field of
this branch Of Industrial reform. Since
his connection with the Council of
National Defense he has laid the foun-
datton of some work on which the
Training and Dilution Service can
build, for the Department of Labor
has taken over the activities of the
Industrial Training Section of the
council.
ALL arms Of the government are
supporting the new service vigorously,
and a close. connection has been
formed with all production depart
ments, including the Ordnance, the
Quartermaster's, and the Air Service
of the Army and Navy. Prompt &C.
ton is thus assured when war con-
tractors encounter any special diff
cult1es that may be relieved through
the training of workers.
The Importance of the Training and
Dilution Service has been appreciated
equally by manufacturers and work
ers. In all parts Of the United States
manufacturers are installing training
rooms with the best equipment ano
the most expert instructors. Every
where it has been found that volun-
teers were ready to enter the training
rooms when their services are needed
and under the direction of practical
men they have accomplished wonders
Each week hundreds of men-and
women, too-are being sent into the
factories from these training rooms.
The leaders Of organized labor have
aided most generously in this chang.
ing of unskilled labor into skilled la
Dor. They have waived the applica-
ton of many principles dear to them
but they are assured that, incidental
to the great stimulation of industry
necessary in wartime production
there will be general protection OIL
wage earners against exploitation
through unnecessary dilution of labor
as well as the guarding of established
trade customs and standards against
needless relaxation.