The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-07-04
GREAT PROBLEM IN LABOR
Economic Distribution Of Labor a
Question of Greater Impor.
lance Than Realized.

ColuuDla.-Ono OF the greatest
problems Of the war, as the public un-
doubtedly understands, is the eco
nomic distribution Of labor. 1t Is a
question of much vaster Importance,
however, han is generally realized.
To meet the present emergency
caused by loss of man power and the
resultant efforts Of employers to re.
cruft labor for their indAstries( the
United States employment service Of
the department of labor has been
created.
n plan or organization provides
for a division of the country into 10
districts, each Of which is under the
dlrect supervision Of a district super
~1ntendent, whose duties, stated briefly
II concisely, are to see that all in
dustries in his district engaged i'm es-
sential wal work are supplied with a
working force Of sufficient size to
maintain an efficient standard Of pro.
duction, even to the extent OF with
drawing abor from non-essentials. If
a district has a surplus of labor, this
surplus may the be moved systemat-
ically to another district where q
known shortage exists. After all en-.
ployers will be required to apply to
the federal service for all labor need
ed. BY this systematized distribution
OF labor through a federal agency, the
turnover Of labor will be mintmized
to a marked degree.
Private employment and labor
n Ont,nino l,n,,o h>~, - ,
transporting labor promiscuously and
frantically without regard to the i'm,
mediate need for it at either the point
recruited or at the point to which it
was directed. The result has been
that a shipment Of labor from Ohio tc
Maryland has jumped the following
week to West Virginia and the week
after that to Alabama and very prob
ably the mex week back to Ohio.
The employers through this method
have been virtually committing mu
tual suicide.
The intention. therefore, Of the gov
eminent in placing the distribution OF
labor in the hands Of the United
States employment service, is not tc
enact a repressive measure affecting
the private industries Of the country
but to furnish the protection so vi
tally needed by every employer al
this time.
The district superintendent will be
advised Of conditions and require
ments by a State director in immedi
ate charge of the work in each state
A federal office has been opened a
Charleston and one at Columbia ant
II at Greenville will be opened dur
ing the week. These offices. as par
OF he state organization, will be un
der the direct control and supervision
of II. L.. Tilghman, state director O
South Carolina. which state, togethe
with North Carolina. Maryland ant
Virginia constitute the Fifth fedora
district.
Mr.. Tilghman, as state director, vii
have his headquarters in Columbia
where the purely local work Of the
Columbia office will be carried on by
an examiner in charge.
1t is desired that all persons seek
ing work Of any kind apply at the
local office for assistance and that al
employers make immediate use OF
this service for securing help.
One Of the principal Industries re.
ceiving the attention o fthe employ
mcnt service In this state Will be one
that is all important. namely, farming.
A separate and distinct division will
be maintained for women by the local
office.