Evening star., 1919-03-05
j. s. EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE MUST co
Failure of Appropriations Also
Hits Other Labor Depart
ment Agencies.
REGARDED AS A TRAGEDY

Failure on the part of Congress to
pass the various necessary appropria-
tion bills before adjournment will
prove a severe blow to several of the
more important agencies of the De-
partment of Labor.
The United States employment serv-
ice. of this department will suffer the
greatest loss. According to officials
of the department this important
agency, which has practically just
and important reconstruction pro-
grams in the history of the govern
ment, will be unable to continue it's
activities twenty days longer.
Affects Over 5000 Employees.
Within that short period more than
$50 man and woman clerks engaged in
the work of this service in Washing
ton Will necessarily lose their posi-
tons
More than 5000 employees of the
service engaged n field work through
out the country will meet a similar
rate. Besides this, more than $50 es
tabIshed employment agencies in va
rlous parts of the country and forty
eight state headquarters will have to
close their doors for lack of available
money with which to continue opera
tions.
This is looked upon as extremely
tragic by officers of the department
because of the great need for assist
ance throughout the country, espe-
clally for the thousa nds of soldiers
returning daily from France, many of
whom must fLd immediate employ
ment.
The third de1cfency bill provided an
immediate appropriation of 81 100000
for the employment service. With all
prospects of receiving this money now
vanished, officers of this bureau today
stated that with the little amount of
money now at their disposal they can
not exist after the end of the month.
Already steps are being taken to
commence the disheartenIng work of
cutting off employees and eliminating
and canceling other expenses.
Labor Board Also Hit.
The War Labor Board of the Depart
ment of Labor also will be seriously
affected. 1t was to have received an
immediate appropriation of $366, 6,oe0,
but with the chances of receiving this
gone entirely its continuance is now
matter of much concern. This
agency has practically no available
funds, and unless assistance can be
had from some other source it's work
ing force will have to be dismissed
and its doors closed.
Officers of the department are hope
full. however, that financial aid may
be received from the special war fund
at the disposal of the President This
bureau operated last year upon money
advanced from this fund. and it is
hoped by those in charge that in view
of the present unfortunate situation
the Presidents war fund will rescue it
from its present straits.
If the War Labor Board is forced
to discontinue its activities almost one
hundred man and woman employees iiy-
ing in Washington will be without posi-
tions.
The immigration branch of the De-
partment of Labor VIII be only sight
ly affected, although a special appro-
priation intended for it's disposal was
lost in the wreck" The executive end
of the Department of Labor will not
be affected.
Commerce Slightly Affected.
Aside from special appropriations
ioI the CtHSuS bureau, the HShlnOuSe
service. the coast and geodetic sur
vey and the bureau of fisheries. the
Department of Commerce is only
slightly impaired. The sundry civil
biz provided $7.50o.0o0 for the light
house service, bat officials Of the de-
partment say this lack of money viii
not seriously affect the operations Of
this service for several months to
come.
The census bureau will be prevent
ed from getting an early start in its
important preliminary work in con-
ns-tion with the taking of the next
census because of the failure of the
deficiency measures.
The department also will be COM
PEELED to postpone the refitting and
repairing of ships just turned back
to it by TIE Navy and the extending
Of much important geodetic survey
work.
1t is not considered likely. though,
that any of the clerical force of the
Department of Commerce will lose
their positions.
Nrhin nAtJ " NrnlnIt@ a~ua~x