New-York tribune., 1918-07-31
Plans to Recruit Unskilled
Labor Explained to
Employers Here
State Prepared to
Start Work To-day
Private Hiring Not Stopped,
but Fee Agencies
Must Close

New York employers. in conference
yesterday with government officials,
prepared to meet the Federal order of
nationwide labor conscription, which
becomes effective tomorrow.
War industries will have the first
call on the services of worL,snemen
Employers engaged in non css entail
work are required to hire men through
Federal agencies and under strict Fed
eral supervision. State and district
boards, similar in character to the
draft organizations, will have ,charge
of the distribution of labor.
At yesterdays conference. hcld in
the YoosAc OF the State Board. 230 Fifth
Avenue. n wus stated that the nat ion s
war industries already lack 100000 Of
the force of workmen needed to main
tain 100000 troops. When thes mill
itary establishment reaches the ex-
pected 100000 basis, a large army of
additional workmen will be Required.
May Conscript Skill
The necessity of conscripting On the
production of war material by the full
est cooperation between employer and
employe was urged at the conference
by Henry d. Sayer. State Director Of
Labor Employment He stated that
only unskilled labor is affected at. pres
ert by the new order. but later skilled
workmen also will probably be con
scripted.
The organization board for the State
of New York, appointed by the Depart
ment of Labor at Washington, was an
nounced as follows: Mr. Sayer, chair
man: Louis b. Schram. New York, and
j. f. Hutchings, Rochester, for en-
ployers; James r. Holland, president
of the State Federation, and Thomas
3. Gaffney, State Central Federated
Union, for labor
The general organization has been
divided into District Community
Boards. These consist each of
chairman, representing the govern
ment, and two members-one chosen
by aboring men. the other by employ
ors. Local boards are responsible for
the distribution Of men. Il is their
business to see that the various in
dustries arc supplied as equitably as
poss bic after the needs of war work
has been satisfied. The State Advisory
Board has certain judicial poWers but
final appeals must be carried up to
the Secretary of Labor.
Would Increase Board
On a motion of President DAILY, rep
resenting the Associated Manufacturers
and Merchants of New York, it was de-
cided to recommend the increase of the
advisory board TO seven members Mr..
DAILY stated that while his organiza-
tion was ready to give unqualified sup
port to the government, he thought it
far that the larger manufacturers
should have a man on the board AS
balancing force he suggested a second
labor member
Cali Of us must prepare to make
many sacrifices to win the war said
Chairman Sayer. "If the war is not
won, the nation may as well scrap all
labor and everything else There is no
thought of not winning. But we must
put into effect a full, cooperative plan
of labor such as other Allied nations
have proved highly satisfactory
'ln the future employers are forbid
den TO hire unskiled labor without con-
sulting their district boards. As en-
rloyers cannot recruit men privately,
the government viii direct workers to
plenty of places where they are needed.
Fee Agencies Doomed
The National Employment Service
does not insist that private hiring shall
absolutely cease on the date set. An
employer maintaining his own agency
may make use of it under certain re-
strictlons. Fce-t taking agencies. how
ever, must close up at once. Employers
private agencies may advertise, but
must not mention salaries, and as soon
as practicable even these agencies must
suspend operations. Men may not be
hired from one state to another with
out permit from the Labor Director"
J. r.. Hutchings warned employers
that they must comply in every way
with the government regulations.
"The man who blocks the winning of
the war Is going to get bumped" he
said There are three methods by
which the Stacker may be disciplined.
One is to cut off his fuel. A second is
10 stop his transportation. a third is
10 shut off his power 1t is up to the
employers to do their utmost at this
critical time.
Go back to your districts and sum
mon your fellow manufacturers. Sc
lect the best available men for your
local executive committees. Much will
be done to simplify the problem, and
the advisory board will give all the help
possible"
"The government needs 100000 more
laborors to carry on the work it is now
ready to have DONE" said Louis b.
Schram. Everybody must be ready to
contribute his share. Our splendid
young men fighting in France are doing
the big part; let those at home help too.
AS matter of fact every manufacturer
and merchant in New York stands
solidly, Loyalty, back of THE government.
Everybody knows that labor is stead
fastly loyal. Slackers are rare All
ere standing by to help wird the war"