Evening journal., 1919-02-27
DEPARTMENTAL COERCION.

DEPARTMENTAL COERCION.
rs the United States Employment Service, a branch
of which we have here in Wilmington, forcing la
borers TO unonze?
An annual appropriation Of si40O0OO0, plus de-
ncency appropriation OF s2OOOOOO si6OO0O0O in all
thus far is the share Of the United States Employment
Service asks the Federal Treasury for the coming
fiscal year.
This bureau is like Paddy's pis which. after CON
suming a tweve-quart pail Of milk. was not large
enough by half TO III the pail.
In December 1917 the bureau asked for s75oOOo in
creased by supplemental estimate si25OOOO increased
by the House Of Representatives to si,5OOOO0
The item reaching the Senate the bureau made bold
TO increase the request 100000 OF the very
great expenditures and activities which not
tempated at the time the estimates already submitted
had been prepared"
The Senate granted the bureau s55O0OOO amending
the purpose the appropriation ITO aid in the standard
izaton Of all wages paid by the Government Of the United
States and its agencies"
This bureau last year made provision for the en-
poyment host OF agents. beginning with $50 directors
and ending with GOO isnltors and 80 messenger boys
At that time the Republican Publicity Association
declared:
This is bureaucracy gone smuck. and yet. with
method in Its madness II these travel-paid mlnions
should keep their fingers the political pulse Of labor
keeping Washington Informed by means Of
political espionage without parallel since the adoption
Of the Bill Of Rights"
Since that was written information has been brought
10 the attention Of Republican legislators which casts
an interesting light the very great activities" to
which the bureau alluded in It's request for increase
from the Senate.
This information comes in the nature Of reply to
circular bearing the military title General Order No
i6" subject Policy OF Department in Labor Troubles"
signed by j. B. Densmore, directorghera. in which the
Of ctr
Of labor dispute until authorized governmental
agency has determined the questions at ISSUE"
Commenting this circular, Of our large manu-
faoturers declares
"This order reads very fine indeed and the principle
in accordance with broad and constructive views
they carried accordingly The fact Of the matter is
that the United States Employment Bureau is being
used to force mechanics who not members Of the
union become members II they wish 70 receive any
aid from the bureau"
He then nye Offices of the bureau in different
parts Of the country where he has been able to verify
that fact
" know" he continues "that the oil country strikes
and the unlohlzng OF the oil well drillers particu
lary due to this attitude of the Department Of Labor
at least the oronzer and the responsible for the
disturbances in the oil fields made these statements
Instead of conciliating and endeavoring 10
bring about harmony and better understanding. which
believe could be done at this time, the department is
the country and their attitude such, whether inten
tonal otherwise. that eventually they viii create
serious disturbances throughout the United States.
with respect 10 hs attitude toward labor this manu-
facturer bears an enviabe reputation for llberaly.
II concede" he says. "the right Of labor skilled or
otherwise 10 organize to promote and improve its
dons and not antagonstic labor organizations.
believe have gone farther than most anyone to meet
labor on common grounds, but am distinctly opposed
o the United States Government any department Of
he Government using its influence and its powers to
Orce- men who are not desrous Of becoming unioh /
members to do So"
In this attitude he has the support Of all sane. pa
riotc men in this country as he should likewise have |
he support Of Congress- which should have this bureau
p on the carpet 10 explain what It by this busl
less.
Let it never be said that the money of the people is
,ehg wantony expended 10 effect class cleavages and
in America the highway to bolshevism
Every man who works. with his head his hands,
In union open shop. should depore such autocratc
and un-Ameroan proceedings these