Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-14
LABOR ENLLSTS FOR WAR WORK

TT WILL be interesting to follow the effect
L of the present method of enrolling work.
men and leading men in the Emergency
Fleet so as to save them from conscription
or save them from going until they SO de-
sire. 1t Is quite possible that this present
arrangement quietly carried on may solve
many of the labor problems and may eventu-
ally be the backbone Of safety in all labor
questions.
The original proposition, as far the
navy is concerned, was by far the best one,
but that was killed by labor. The PROPOSE
ton was to enroll as members OF the naval
reserve all important members of any plant
doing work for the navy. The presidents or
the companies were 70 have the rank of
lieutenant commander, the next officials that
of lieutenant and so on down through the
grades of petty officers until the great mass
of workmen would have the ranks OF the
enlisted men. 1t was not question Of pay.
but of being enrolled In the naval service
so that valuable men would not leave posts
where they were so valuable to be pawns
in the army, where their especial abilities
would not be used. The idea was promul-
gated and orders given to so enroll, but
before the practical details were worked out
the labor leaders Of the country killed the
proposition. The argument was that the
idea would prevent men from changing their
places of work as they chose and that the
place where more needed. Really there
should be no reason why the labor forces
should not be under control just as the other
kind of fighting forces are under control
but the moguls of labor thought Inherently
and the order was revoked.
1t would seem that the country is better
prepared now for such an idea and 1t GER
tainly will be still more prepared before
the war Is over and labor must come to
time eventually just as all the rest Of us are
in line.
TTOwEvER, the present scheme, that is ap-
III parently known to few. or that has caused
little stir, at least is along the same lines
and may be accomplishing the same re-
suit without upsetting the leaders who
NAV fear to lose control OF those under
them. The bare working of the Emergency
Fleet seems to imply only those who are
actually working on ships or In shpyards.
whereas the enrolling/of labor under that
heading is going into all manner of trades
and occupations. From the raw materials
of the mines and including all the various
steps along the line to the finished product.
ali workmen are able to get on the lists
Of the Emergency Fleet Some of those are
miners, foundry workers, sheet-steel work.
ers. puddlers. forgers. timers. galvanized
iron workers, electricians, asbestos workers,
linen and cotton-clotht makers, sewing ma
chine operators. This Is the merest begin
ming of the list which carries into all trades
supplying the various materials that go into
the building Of ship. 1t goes into virtu-
aIly every Industry where materialis ham
died. 1t Is further reaching, ten to one, than
anybody ever dreamed.
In these plants not all may be registered.
Those left out by the/Navy Department are
clerks, laborers and watchmen. All the rest
NAV be placed on the list, Including the off,
ciais of the companies under their ratings
| with the firms. the sales agents, the special
| men of all kinds The idea is to keep all
industries going to their best capacities
II is understood that those on these lists
| are those Of conscription age only.
| MANUFACTURERS are sending in these
| lyl lists rapidly In fact. all are virtually in
| now, and they are following up with great care
| the necessary notifications each month If a
| change is desired In the list the new names
| must be submitted to Washington and the
| authorization obtained. II man Is dis
| charged or leaves on his own account his
| name must be at once sent In so the lists
| may be correct II man leaves or is dis
4 charged and notice be not sent the manu-
| facturers may lose their right to the exemp.
| tion of their men. frs 1s.f
| The men on these lists are exempt from
| conscription, as long as they stay on the
same list. but the moment q man leaves his
| place OF enpioymentior In discharged thai
man Is liable 70 be called to the coiors His
| name Is at once sent to the local board
| another list within month he Il liable Il
| 20 to the front. This gives safety to tn
man who> feolp that he q Of more vaiue a
WORK n . e4pp md nlso y ,<he nan WIZ
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