The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-08-29
N0N-ESSENT|AL MEN
MUST HELP UNCLE SAM
Instructions Effect Clerks, Chauffeurs
and Others Similarly Employed.
Wire to Kelley.

Executive Secretary c. r. Kelley,
OF the Virginia council of defense.
has just received from Washington
a telegram outlining the duties of
able bodied men under the employ
ment bureau plan. The telegram
says:
I'm view of uncertainty as to the
Jurisdiction of the community labor
boards of the employment service, Ma
than A. Smyth, assistant director gem
eral, issues the following: Community
labor boards are charged with the
responsibility of determining the
methods which shall govern the
United States employment service in
attempting to recruit for war work
men from Industries which are not
directly connected with the prosecu-
ton OF the war.
Power TO determine priority among
Industries and to close up non essen
tial industries by shutting Off supplies
rests with the war industries board
United States employment service VIII
follow the priorities determined by the
priurlties board OF the war industries
board and the employment service
through all it's agencies will keep In
systematic and constant cooperation
with the other divisions of the govern
ment concerned with the man power
and material program.
Tt is within the province of each
community labor board to list those
non-war industries in It's community
which Will first be called upon to con-
tribute men to war work This does
not m can that such industries will be
compelled TO close up or to discharge
their male employees at once, but with
as much speed as may be necessary 10
meet the national emergency they Will
release male workers.
I'VE may as well face the facts.
Much work essential to our program
is being perilously retarded by lack
Of unskilled labor In this situation II
Ia obviously wrong to have able bodied
men continuing to sell candy, cigars
and IKE articles, to be doing work IN
shops and stores which might, with
reasonable effort on the part Of the
employees, be entrusted to women ana
to be dancing attendance in cubs,
barber shops soft drink establish
ments, bowling alleys. dancing acade-
mics and elsewhere.
our war industries are suffering
severely for lack OF skilled mechanics.
II, therefore. becomes burden upon
the COINCIDENCE Of every person who
whether such employment Is necessary
or merely for the qualification Of per
sonal pleasure
Moreover. every owner OF an auto
mobile should realize that every time
he spends Eve dollars for automobile
accessories supplies or repairs ne u.s.
in effect determining whether work
ing energies Of the country snail ne
devoted TO winning the war or to his
own personal use. The time has come
when from the standpoint OF conser-
vatior Of labor we must all OF US
limit our expenses TO those Things
which are essential"
Commenting on this telegram, Ar,
Kelley said; This decision on the part
Of the United States labor depart
ment is extremely important The
movers Of the war Industries board
are enormous. and it's orders must be
obeyed The club that IL can WELD In
the shape Of priorities and pr@feren-
tial rulings liz a most powerful weapon
Any manufacturer. or merchant VINO
refuses 10 obey these mandates may
suffer the deprivation Of the essentials
for his business Through government
control he may also lose his light and
mower. his fuel and his telegraph ana
telephone service.