El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-07-27
NEED LAB0RER5?
ASK UNCLE SAM
Hereafter the Government
VIII Control All of the
Skilled Labor.
By FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
Washington. D. c., July 27.-By the
first Of the month the long familiar
help wanted" advertisement will
have disappeared from the pages OF
daily newspapers. so far as its rela-
ton TO labor in war industries is con-
cerned. This will be the result Of
president Wilson's recent order cen
tralizing the recruiting and dIstribu-
ton OF workers in the United states
employment service. Hereafter no
employer. engaged in war contracts,
may seek his own help. As much
help as he may have, without handi-
Gaping other war manufacturers.
will be procured and supplied TO him
by the government
This action has been made I'M
perative by "A critical situation.
The war Industries Of this cOun-
try are now short about 100000
unsziled laborers. Almost as
great n shortage exists in regard
to skilled WOrlzmen. In one plant
nIone-a plant working on the
manufacture OF heavy cuIlher
Euns-there Is n need for more
than 1000 mnchinists.
There are three large contributing
causes to this state Of affairs.
The working Of the selective draft
took large numbers Of workers,
skilled and unskilled. from the labor
market, and placed them IN the ranks
Of the national army.
No More Foreigners.
The almost complete cessation OF
immigration since the outbreak OF the
European war in 1914 also added ma
terlally TO the shortage, since perhaps
a third OF our unskilled labOrers have
been recruited from the foreign born
Following these losses and partly as
q result Of them. came competitive
for labor or labor poaching"
among the industries, resulting in the
constant shifting Of workmen from
plant 10 plant. This shifting has
robbed many OF the most essential
war industries OF men. and has pro-
duced in the workers. a restlessness
greatly detrimental 10 their eff
cheney.
The government believes. that with
the adoption Of the Capitalization pol
Icy, the distribution OF labor can be
controlled, and confusion and unrest
For the time being the policy in its
entirety viii apply only 10 the un-
skilled or common" laborers; but
sooner or later IL will be extended TO
embrace all skilled trades and crafts
How It Works.
The undertaking is a delicate as
Well as stupendous one, and each
new step by the government viii be
.aken with the greatest care. Both
employer and employee will be al
Owed 10 accept Internationally the
vorkmen sent TO him by the employ
nent service. nor viii he be re-
strained from hiring men who come ]
10 him OF their own accord The Ia
1orer, on his side, will not be urged I
10 accept work he does not desire He I
nay take or leave the Job offered him /
by the government In the second I
went the employment service viii 4
andesvor to find him Job more
suited to his tastes. No black lists I
nave been made, nor will laborers be I
sent to plants where strikes are under I
way. No other restraint than a sense Z
II duty viii be used TO keep the Ia
lorer IN his place.
Must Not Solicit Labor.
But prompt punishment is promised 4
or the employer who willfully vio- /
stes the edict OF government in re- I
gard TO soliciting labor.
All reported violations viii be
carefully investigated and. II the
facts OF the case warrant. the
supply Of materials to the offend
ing concern will be stopped or
curtailed, and by arrangement
with the fuel administrator. the
allowance Of coal viii be held up.
Publicity Of the most fpitileEs7
sort Will he given TO the corpora
lions or individuals convicted OF
disObeyinE the order.
Labor viii be supplied TO industries
ccordin- TO a priority list similar 10 .
he one used by the railroad admin
stratiou last winter.
AS far as possible, local labor de-
hands Wfll be met with the local
abor supply. Where the supply is
for all needs IL viii be dis
ributed among employers requiring
comparatively small numbers or
-orkmen. The larger requirements
viii be filled with workmen trans
orted from other states
How AppOrtiOned-
The spportionment viii be made by
uotas, determined by the United
tates employment service and ap-
roved by the war labor policies
GARD. so as TO insure a fair contribu-
ion 20 war work from all parts Of
he country, and 10 prevent any COM
lunity from being unduly drained
he total demand has been divided
mong the various states and each
tate will subdivide its quota among
S various committees.
The demand for labor is being de-
armined mostly through orders for
'Orkmeu and through estimates or
lture requirements A careful check
d the demands and estimates is be-
IL kept by the local boards. Firms
ave been known to call for 1000 men
week when they could not put more
ian 100 TO work. Then. too. the en-
oyer engaged in mon essential
ork viii be given a measure Of pro-
.ctiOn. though his needs must be
ibordinated those Of the war indus
les. He will be allowed TO recruit
Is own labor as before. though he
ust not make overtures TO workmen
war work. Should he advertise. it
ust be with the consent Of the en-
oyment service
What Is War Work.
Some uncertainty has existed as
Just what constitutes war work
any Industries not operating under
lvernment control or contract seem I
be essential TO the war program
rect car operation and coal mining o.
e examples To clarity this point.
e war industries board has decided
at war work consists IN the manu-
cture Of products or the erection of
ructures, directly or Indirectly sup
led TO some department Of the gov
nment for use in connection with
e war" Products supplied Indirect
include goods delivered under sub q
Iltract TO government contractors
} that street car operation Is not G
ar work and coal mining only partly g
3 However, both these industries 7
Re important to war work How rel Z
lively important any particular in :
lstry is viii be determined by the 3