The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-29
GOVERNMENT LABOR CONTROL

Following closely on the heels Of its
work or fight" order the government
has announced its intention of taking
under control and administering the
labor supply of the country. On Aug
ust 1. the supplying of war industries
with common labor will be centralized
in the United States employment serv-
ice of the department of labor, and all
Independent recruiting of common Ia
Dor by manufacturers having a payroll
of more than 100 men will be diverted
to the United States employment
service.
This action was found necessary. It
Is announced, to overcome a perilous
shortage of unskilled labor in war in
dustries. This shortage was aggra-
waited by an almost universal practice
Of labor stealing and poaching. AS
further reason for this drastic change
in the nations labor program is the
necessity of protecting the employer
and employed and conserving the la
Dor supply of the communities and
cutting down unnecessary and expen-
sive labor turnover, and to increasing
the production of essentials.
While the restrictions against the
private employment Of labor apply
only to common labor at present, these
restrictions will, as soon as possible. it
is announced, be extended to include
skilled labor. In the meantime, re-
cruiting of skilled, labor for war pro-
duction will be subject to federal reg
ulation now being prepared.
While non-essential industries will
be drawn upon to supply the necessary
labor for, war work, the withdrawal
will be conducted on an equitable ba-
sis, it is promised. in order to protect
the individual employer as much as
possible.
Rulings have been issued that no Ia
Dor shall be transported out of any
community by the United States en-
ployment service without the approx
al of the state director; nor shall any
labor be removed by the service rom
Eone state to another without the ap-
proval of the United States employ
ment service at Washington.
I It is designed that farm labor shall
! EAONSSNSAs
gram distinctly includes special ef-
forts to keep the farmer supplied
with labor.
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
assigned a quota, representing the
common labor to be drawn erom
among men engaged in non-essential
industries in that state. These state
quotas will in turn be distributed
among localities. Within each local
ity, employers in non-war work, in
Guiding those who are only partially in
war worn, will be- asked to distribute
the local quotas from time TO time
among themselves. Quotas by local.
tiles and individuals are to be accetted
as readily as they are for liberty loan
and Red Cross campaigns -
The object. it is said, is to keen anv
community from being drained of la
bor' and TO use local supply. as far as
possible, for loca; demand. The situa-
ton, however. is such that in certain
cases some men may have to be trans
ported over long distances.
This is probably the most drastic
action that the government has taken
since putting the national army draf,
into effect The absolute necessitv TO,
this program. it is declared. can h.
seen when it is realized that in Pitts.
burgh, for instance. there are adver.
: tsements calling for men to go tc
. Detroit; while in Detroit street car,
| there are posters asking men to go t.
! Pittsburgh. This same condition i.
apparent all over the United sta
and in the consequent shifting of la
: Dor a great part of our war effort il
dissipated