The Monmouth inquirer., 1918-05-09
Considerable Difference of 0pin-
ion Concerning Proposal of
Manufacturers Council.
OBJECT TO CARD SCHEME.
Requires That Employment Seekers Set
Forth Reason for Leaving Last Job.
This Is Regarded by Some as
"Black List" Proposition.

facturers' Council of New Jersey by
President Warren G. King of Bound
Brook becomes effective. Already a
denial has been made by Commissioner
of Labor Bryant that he has approved
it. The striking feature of the plan
is that every person seeking employ
ment in any New Jersey industry will
be required to present a card from the
Federal State Municipal Employment
Bureau showing the place of last en-
ployment and the reason his employ
ment there ceased. The last part of
the requirement is regarded in some
quarters as a sort of "black list"
In his outline of the scheme at the
council meeting here this week, Mr.
King conveyed the impression that it
had already met the approval of Colo
nel Bryant and the Labor Committee
of the Manufacturers Council Adj
vices received direct from Colonel Bry-
ant make it certain that not only is
such an impression erroneous, but that
he is not now and never has been in
favor of requiring that the proposed
cards go so far as to set forth the
reasons for the workers withdrawal
from previous positions.
Colonel Bryant said that his attitude
| to the Manufacturers Council, propo-
sails. as well as that of the state labor
| department, of which he Is the head,
| is a willingness to submit them to or
ganized labor with view to bringing
about a workable plan satisfactory to
all concerned.
Colonel Bryant insisted that he and
his department had all along particl-
pated in the tentative discussions as
neutrals, and would continue to do so.
He thought the issuing of statement
by the Manufacturers Council at this
time was premature.
Over the telephone, Mr.. King insist
ed that Colonel Bryant, at meeting
held week ago, did commit himself
to the plan.
May Solve Labor Shortage Problem.
Under the councils plan, Mr., iSine, - I
-xsssn
of the labor shortage brought about by
the war and to pave the way for SINH
lar action by other states. 1t is pro-
posed to install a card system which
all the manufacturers of the state viii
be asked to observe strictly, as
means, 1t is pointed out, of putting an
end to large number of floating
workers who, it is claimed, make
practice of working only day or
few days in one plant and then seeking
a Job elsewhere.
AS outlined by Mr.. King, not only
employers, but even union labor, he
declares, are anxious to put an end to
this practice, which Mr.. King explains
has proved a serious handicap to in
dustry and, he adds, has aided in plac-
ing upon labor a part of the blame for
falling to meet the demands of the
government during the war. 1t Is pro-
posed that the employment bureau
shall issue workers cards, and all en-
ployers of the state will be urged to
obtain help through the bureau.
The plan also contemplates the plac-
ing of representatives of the manufac-
turers in each branch of the Federal
State Employment Bureau. 1t will be
the duty of these representatives to
see that the needs of the factories
served by each branch are met Man.
ufacturers will notify the employment
bureau as to the number of employees
needed, and through the card system
the bureau will be constantly advised
respecting the workers in every section
who are unemployed and for what kind
of work they are available.
The council proposes to suggest to
the federal authorities that men need
ed for work in the shipyards and on
other important government contracts
be required to enlist voluntarily for
stated periods. This policy, Mr.. King
suggested, would obviate the necessity
for drafting labor and would insure
the stability of labor employed on con-
tracts forming the most important
work In the country. He said it would
also have the effect of placing the
worker upon a plane of patriotic serv-
ice similar to that of the man enlisting
In the army or navy.
To Employ More Women.
To meet the growing demands of the
nation during the existing emergency,
Mr.. King said, it will undoubtedly be
necessary to employ a greater number
of women than heretofore. 1t will be
necessary, he declared, to use women,
not for unskilled labor alone, but also
for the lighter and more delicate forms
of work required of skilled mechanics.
A. d. Way of the Motor Truck Club
of New Jersey informed the council of
what is being done to make effective
| the return load" movement inaugu-
rated by the Council of National De
| fense.
Commissioner of Labor Bryant
points out that the vocational training
committee of the Council of National
Defense has been working on plans to
bring about satisfactory co-ordira-
tion In the distribution of labor and