Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-02-28
Friday, February %, 1919.
Bureaucracy Entrsnehins Itself

An annual appropriation Of $4,000,
900, plus a deficiency appropriation OF
$4,000, 900, or s16,0oO.o00 in all. (thus
far) is the share the L. S. Employ
ment Service asks from the federal
trough for the coming fiscal year.
This bureau is like Paddy's pig. which
after consuming a 12-quart pail Of
milk, was not large enough by half to
fill the pail. In December. 1917. the
bureau asked for s750.000. increased
by supplemental estimate to sl,:5o.ooo,
increased by the House of Represen-
tatives to $500, 900. The item rea CHI
ing the Senate, the bureau made bold
TO increase the request 10 s.,600,000
because OF the very great expen0!-
lures and activities wh,c., were not
contemplated at the time the esti-
mates already submitted had been
bureau $500. 900. amending the pur-
pose Of the appropriation TO aid in
the Standardization Of all wages paid
b. the government Of the United
States and its agencies"
This bureau last year made pro-
vision for the employment Of host
Of agents. beginning with $50 direc-
tors and ending with 500 janitors and
SO messenger boys. AT that time the
Republican Publicity Association de-
clared: This is bureaucracy gone
amuck, and yet with method in its
madness If these travel-paid minions
should keep their fingers on the po-
litical pulse Of labor . - keeping
Washington informed by means Of a
political espionage without parallel
since the adoption Of the Bill Of
Rights" Since that was written infor-
nation has cen brought to the atten-
ton Of Republican legislators which
casts an interesting light on the very
great activities" to which the bureau
alluded in its request for an increase
from the Senate. This information
comes in the nature Of a reply to a
circular bearing the military title.
General Order No. 1e." subject, POL
icy Of Department in re Labor Trou-
bles." signed by ]. B. Densmore, d.
rector General, in which the bureau
announces a policy Of strict neutral
ity in cases Of labor dispute until
some authorized governmental agen-
cy has determined the questions at
ISSUE
Commenting on this circular. one Of
our large manufacturers declares:
This order reads very fine indeed
and the principle is in accordance
with broad and constructive views
were they carried out accordingly.
The fac, Of the matter is that the
United States Employment Bureau is
being used to force mechanics who
are no: members Of the union to be-
come members II they wish 10 receive
any aid from the bureau" He then
names Ave Offices Of the bureau in
different parts of the country where
ne has been able to verify that fact.
I know" he continues, that the oil
country strikes and the uniorizine OF
the oil well drillers was particularly
due to this attitude Of the Department
OF Labor. at least the organizer and
the men responsible for the disturb
ances in the Oil fields made these
statements. Instead OF conciliatine
and endeavoring to bring about har-
mony and better understanding.
which believe could be done at this
time. the Department is evidently
taking advantage OF the situation 20
organize the country. and their at.;-
tude Is such, whether intentional or
otherwise. that eventually :hey will
create serious disturbances through
out the United States"
With respect TO his attitude toward
labor this manufacturer bears an en-.
viAble reputation for liberality. II
concede," he says. the RICH, Of labor.
skilled or otherwise, to organize to
promote and improve its conditions.
and an not antaSonistic to labor
organizations. believe have gone
farther than most any one to meet
labor on common grounds. but I am
distinctly opposed to the L. S. gov
eminent or any department Of the
government using It's influence and its
poVorS to force men who are not de-
sfous OF becoming union members to
do. 90" In this attitude he has the
support Of all sane. patriotic men in
this country. a. he should likewise
have the support Of Congress, which
should have this bureau up on the
carpet to explain what it means BY
this business. Let it never be said
that the money Of the people Is being
wantonly expended to effect class
cleavaSes and macadamize in Amer
lea the highway to bolshevism. Ev-
cry man who works. with his head a,