Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-17

wv TASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. 13.--Snce the war
w began there have been instances where the
w turnover of labor war plants has
scared to 90 per cent a week and maintained that
figure, meaning weekly change in the entire
working force of the plant for three four weeks
at time.
This turnover as Secretary of Labor Wilson
has pointed out, is in reality the individualistic
strike. 1t is the strike OF the individual dissatis-
fed with working and living conditions at the war
plant where he is engaged and unwilling or unable
to continue steadily at work while those unsatis-
factory conditions confront him.
For this reason the new working conditions
service of the department of labor is destined to
prove of the most powerful of federal agencies
for preserving peace and satisfaction among INDUS
trial war workers. 1t is new departure. Never
before the war had the federal government taken
this move into field generally considered of
state jurisdiction.
The laws of the several states provide certain
standards for working conditions, particularly with
regard to safety appliances, lighting and ventila-
ton facilities. The state laws by no means
uniform, however, and have in several instances
proved inadequate in view of the hurried develop
of war plants The institution of national
standards of working conditions adequate to in
sure comfort and happiness for workers is
one of the most important steps the department
of labor has taken to guard against discomfort
among the workers, causing large labor turnover
and consequent waste and delay in war production
Although the act creating the department of
labor provides that its purpose shall be- among
other things Ito improve the working conditions
of the wage earners of the United States" it is
doubtful whether this step could have been put
through under the pre-war conditions when in
dustry without any other interest than
private gain. But now, with the greater part of
industry concentrated on production, and all
war production being carried out on government
contracts, the department of labor and is es-
tablishing definite policies this subject, seeing
that uniform insertions made in all contracts
and thus securing the adoption of such national
standards investigation and experience prove
best The attitude of the administration is very
firm on the subject of decent working conditions
and should national legislation become necessary
enforce its aims, it is no secret that any plan
posed by the department of labor will the sup
port of the various production divisions of the
government. There is firm determination that the
greed of powerful individuals shall be permitted
to counter to the governemnt's policy of maxi
mum supplies produced by contented workers
Specifically the duties of the working conditions
service are follows:
To examine into the matter of working condi-
lions in the war industries, to determine the uni
form standards which should be maintained, to
adopt rules embodying such standards to deter
mine the best means for securing the adoption and
maintenance of such standards and to cooperate
with the state authorities for the above purposes
This work is mainly carried on through the agents
of the investigation and inspection service of the
department of labor, which will be described later
Lessons from English experience have been
thoroughly absorbed by the department of labor in
planning the working conditions service. In Eng
land in the early of the war no supervisory
work was undertaken to hours of labor or health
precautions Faced with crucial need for war
supplies, the British government permitted employ
ers to work men and women alike IL hours day.
seven days week But in the summer of 1915
1T became apparent that production suffered rather
than gained from such policy. Extensive investga-
tions were begun by the ministry of munitions fol-
lowed by the establishment of supervision which
has served as model for our government in
working out its similar problems.
The records of the department of labor show
that it is no mere sentimentalism which prompt
ed this farreaching step of government supervision
The numerous fatalities in the war plants needless
deaths from the unguarded of industrial
poisons in the manufacture of explosives and the
frequency of sweating" on government contracts