Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-03

results of the investigation were laid
before Secretary of Labor Davis and
the immigration authorities at
meeting held recently at the office OF
Secretary Davis at Washington.
! "The meeting was attended by GOV.
Brewster, the members of the Name
Congressional delegation, represent
alive body of Maine and New lamp
shire woods operators, and the com
missioners of labor of Maine ana new
Hampshire.
Importation of Canadian Woodsmen
.'The matter of the importation OF
Canadian woodsmen under permits
was taken up, and after thorough
discussion, all agreed that owing 10
change in the immigration laws, which
had become effective in July. 1872
which change would very materially
lessen the number of Canadian woods
men entering Maine under the head
tax, it will be necessary that permits
be granted to such companies as ma
II impossible to secure a sufficient
number of competent woodsmen on
this side Of the border. These permits
are issued by waiver of the contract
labor law under Rule Eight.
"It was tentatively agreed that fur-
Their applications for waiver or the
contract labor law under Rule Eight
would be considered by the bureau ana
the department with the following
understanding: The employers are to
make application for the actual num-
Der of men needed in each instance, 1t
being understood that the number
asked for previously as rule con-
siderably exceeded the number actual
ly employed at any one time. 1t was
further tentatively agreed that nav
Ing determined the number actually
needed for constant employment, II
permits are granted for such numbers
for specific period every effort would
be made to secure as many laborers
as possible from native and resident
sources, and that the number to be
permitted to come from Canada under
contract would be reduced by the num-
Der who could be employed locally.
Should Consider Local Supply
"It was further understood that In
each instance before importations
from Canada are made the labor de-
partments of the states of Maine and
New Hampshire shall be consulted as
to the available local supply. For ex-
ample, If an employer makes applica-
ton for the privilege of importing,
say, 400 woodsmen from Canada, such
application will be considered and If
granted will be granted with the I'M
dersta nding that the specified number
will be reduced by the number of
workers found to be available in the
local labor markets, that fact to be
determined by the immigration Ser
vice after consultation with the labor
commissioners of the two states.
while this plan was not definitely
decided upon, it was thought by all
concerned that it would tend to re-
move the existing belief that native
labor had been Disseminated against
i and at the same time afford the lum-
Der and woodpulp industries of the
two states an opportunity to secure
the number of skilled laborers neces-
sary to carry on their operations.
Under this plan it is believed that
| employment will he furnished all COM
| petent woodsmen In the State seeking
| employment during the seasons when
such labor Is in demand. The Maine
! Department of Labor and Industry
! does not function as a labor agency,
| but will be pleased to assist in any
way possible in carrying out the spirit
! Of the above agreement, and will be
| glad to direct any one inquiring for
| woods work to such operators as are
! in need of men,"