The Washington herald., 1918-08-25
LABOR ORDER
FOR D. c. ONLY
A SUGGESTION
Patriotism of Employers to
Rule Transfers to Es-
sential Work.
MIGHT COMPEL LATER
Labor Board Appointing
Agents to Persuade
and Advise.
MIGHT COMPEL LATER

Inc announcement OF the local
Community Labor Board In regard
to non-essential labor in the Dis
trict was in the nature of q sug-
gestion rather than an order, ac-
cording to a statement made by Of
ficials of the United States Employ
ment Service last night.
The local boards. the oficials
stated. do not possess the power tG
designate what industries shall be
considered nonessential nor do they
have the authority to ordeS employ
ers of those engaged in )non-war
work to release their men for war
production.
These boards. however, do have
the right>to issue lists of nonessen-
tial industries in the form Of sug-
gestions to the citizens of the local
ity. As to the release Of those en-
ployed in such industries. this Is a
matter that must be left to the pa
triotism of the Individual employer.
Could shut on Supplies.
The only method by which these
suggestions of the various local
boards could be enforced upon the
employer lacking the patriotism to
comply without compulsion would be
by shutting cff his supplies or by ap-
pealing to popular sentiment
Another suggestion would be tSat
he might be deprived Of fuel through,
the local Fuel Administration, or that
he might be refused the use of the
government control railroads TO
transport his supplies. In either case
this would result in practically shut.
ting down mis- business. though thu
boorcs IN reality do not possess the
power to do so.
This list issued by the Washington
board may be regarded as indicative
CT the character OF the list now be
ing prepared by the War Industries
Board. This boerd has the right "a
declare what the industries shall be
considered as essential to tho con-
tinuation OF the war program. and
which shal. have first consideration
in the matter Of labor and ssppljes,
The list now Icing prepared. how
ever. will not consider the question
CT non essential labor or maize any
classification as TO the Industries that
might best be dispensed with durin,
the period of the war.
Local Board within Rights.
1ntimation that the announcement
of the local board will be revoked
was denied last night by officials of
the national organizations. i
1t was stated that the list had been
presented In the form of a suggestion
only, and not as an order, and that
the local board was acting within II 8
authority in making a suggestion of
this kind, but that the suggestion.
coming as IT did from the local organi-
zation instead of the national. was A
trifle premature. Officials declared
that the Department OF Labor was
doing everything in its power to re-
lieve the shortage of skilled and un-
skilled labor In industries engaged In
war production. Agents have been
appointed to confer with emplayers
OF labor and persuade them to yolun-
tarily. release men employ ed in their
works and to replace them with wo-
men in all cases where It was prac-
teal
Realizing hat the ACREAGE citizens
i must Iealizs the necessity of srced.
ing Ut the war work, 1t is believed
that the majority of employers win
be willing to comply with appeal
OF the government. In very few
cases will this mean that the indus
TRY must close its doors entireIy-the
majority Of them VIII be agIe to Use
women even IL they have never done
so previously.
Nine thousand agents have been an
pointed so far to consult with the
business men of the country in re-
gard to the matter. Their duty will
be to advise employers in repard 10
their status as determined by the War
Industries Board, and as to the sup
plementing Of the labor shortage in
the Industries affected.
Washington merchants have proven
themselves anxious to comply With the
appeal Of the local board.
George De Neale,, chairman of the
department store section of the Mer-
chants and MANUFACTURERS Associa.
tion. stated yesterday that tine mer-
chants Of the city were ready ana
willing to make any sacrifice required
OF them by the government. go
In an effort to ascertain j,,st. what
Is to be considered essential and mon
essential labor the association has
called meeting for . o'clock m. the
rooms OF the association to discuss
the matter.