The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-11-09
Shortage Of Skilled Labor On Army
and Navy Work Denied By Mochinis+s
Discrimination Agdinst the
Skilled Workers Charged
By Union
FORTY IS AGE LIMIT
Scheme To Compel Accept
once Of Employment At
Lower Rates

Lower nOIeS
Washington, D. C.-The Internati-
onal Association of Machinists, affili-
ated with the American Federation of
Labor, transmitted letter to the Sec
retary of War and the Secretary of
the Navy denying Increasing num-
bers of statements that war emer-
gency work is handicapped by lack of
skilled workmen." Claiming that any
difficulties in "bringing the man and
the job together" is due to failure of
the machinery" for this purpose, the
Association offers to place at the dis
posal Of the departments "every fa-
cility we possess in order that the
facts may be ascertained and speedy
efforts for the remedy Of the situa-
tion may be put into motion"
Evidence from our records indicate
that there is now no shortage of
trained mechanics" Emmett Dawson,
secretary-treasurer Of the Associa-
tion, said. AT the present time, there
are approximately 10000 machinists,
members Of this union, out of employ
ment."
1t is also stated that there are wait
ing lists at navy yards of qualified
mechanics but that these lists are
not being used. On the other hand,
men are "being hired through the hap
hazard method known as over-the-
counter" In some cases, at least, this
ic &o hn n oHD 10 80,
duce first class machinists to accept
employment at lower ratings"
The alleged lack of stool and die''
makers and similarly high-trained
specialists" arises in part from the
fact, MIR. Dawson says, that "large
numbers in the very prime of their
skill and efficiency have been refused
employment merely because they had
reached 40 years Of age.
In offering all the facilities Of the
Association to the task Of recruiting
the necessary trained mechanics, Mr..
Dawson declares that an opportunity
for great service is afforded and that
the unions ability to speedily reach
every member provides the best fa-
cilities through which contact may be
established" and that the union rec
ords will also provide facts as to the
individual training, experience and
availability"
Text of Davison's Letter
Following is the text Of Mr.. Davi-
sons letter to the Secretary Of the
Navy:
"Our attention has been called to
the increasing number Of statements
in the public press that war emer-
gency work is handicapped by lack Of
skilled workmen. These statements
have assumed such serious form as to
claim that firms are refusing orders
for National Defense equipment be-
cause Of inability to recruit necessary
skilled labor.
Zone of these statements was to
the effect that anti-aircraft defense is
deplorably inadequate, but that firing
devices for anti-aircraft guns cannot
be delivered for 18 months because Of
lack Of machines and mechanics Of
the requisite skill to make these ma
chimes and to operate them.
"The International Association Of
Machinists offers to your Department
it's full services and facilities for the
solution of this problem in so far as
it exists.
Plenty of Trained Machinists
"Our records indicate that there is
no shortage Of trained machinists,
tool makers, and others Of this type.
At the present time there are ap-
proximately twenty thousand machin-
lists, tool makers, and others Of this
type, members of the International
Association of Machinists, who are
out of employment, or have divided
time with others, and are working
on a short-time basis because Of lack
of employment.
"Our information is, that at the
various Navy Yards there are wait
ing lists of skilled workers who have
not been called for service and have
not been given an opportunity Of en-
ployment. That the men are not be-
ing called from these lists, but, at
least in some instances, are being
hired by haphazard method common
ly being referred to as "over the
counter"
"We are of the opinion that much
of this policy is due to systematic ef-
forts to induce first class machinists
and tool makers to accept employ
ment at second and third class and
below ratings. Investigation of the
situation at Navy Yards and with re-
spect to private establishments is in
vited.
Unemployment Of large numbers
of machinists, tool makers and ma
chine operators, coincidental with a
Continued on Page Two)