Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-22
GEORGE CARLSON
. ENROLLING AGENT
Is Named to Get Men in Rock Island
County Needed BY the
Government,

George E. Carlson, member of the
Rock Island county executive commit
tee. state council Of defense, has Just
been named enrolling agent for Rock
Island county, charged with the task
OF recruiting as many men as pos
sible for United States war work.
These men must all be exempt from
draft, within the age of IS to 81, and
81 to 40 years. Skilled craftsmen are
especially desired. and hope is to re-
cruit 1000 of them in Illinois before
February /. Mr.. Carlson, in conse-
Quence, will launch the local drive for
men at once. Those he enlists he
will send to some nearby recruiting
station-probably the one at Dayen-
port.
The government right now wants
1882 auto and gas engine men; 800
ignition auto and gas engine men, 1874
auto and motor truck drivers; go
blacksmiths and forgers, 100 aero
plane canvas workers, 504 cabinet
worker carpenters, 200 cooks, 20 har-
ness makers, 400 general mechanic
machinists, 160 lathe machinists, $40
tool maker machinists, 100 milling and
planer machinists, 40 house painters.
40 sign painters, 460 sheet metal work
ers, so acetylene welders, 22O wheel
wrights.
Uncle Sam is now engaged in the
task OF recruiting a motor mechanics
regiment. On decision of the adjutant
generals office to try to get the men
required, not through the selective
draft, but by volunteering, the state
council of defense has been asked to
carry onNa recruiting campaign.
This is pursuant to a general under
standing between the war and labor
departments, the purpose Of which is
to recruit mechanics for volunteer
units in such a way that due con-
sideration will be given to the needs
OF essential industry. It is believed
that these men may be secured with
out taking any from jobs at home
which are of vital importance in con-
Quoting the war. If this wise policy
of cooperation is to be continued an
immediate success of this first CAM
paign must be made.
The need is urgent. General PERISH
ing wants these men for use in France.
The United States aviation program
| requires the services of many mechan-
les. Airplane service is foremost in
| the assistance that can be given In
this war. No need is more pressing;
no form of service more valuable.
The men selected will 60 at once
for training to Fort Hancock, at Au-
gusta, Ga. When trained they will re-
allied the desire of every man who has
red blood in his yeins-service abroad
in the capacity for which he is fitted
by training. They will work chiefly
in the airplane repair shops and
camps. closely connected, and In touch
with the most thrilling form of mod
ern warfare.
! More than so per cent Of the men
| found fit will rank as on-commission-
ed officers. 1t is great opportunity
for mechanics who are free to take
it. Rates of pay range from $50 for
privates up to 500 for men who are
specially qualified, plus family allow
ances for dependents running from S.
to $50 month, according to the num-
| Der of dependents.
owing to the urgency Of the de-
mand, speed being essential, Mr.. Carl
son will not stop to enroll in the re-
serve men who will enlist. Where
possible Mr.. Carlson will see that the
| recruit is enrolled in the motor me-
chanics' regiment. If the recruit Is
not accepted in that service he will
then he enrolled in the reserve, for
he may be valuable elsewhere later