The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-07-31
COMMENT ON WORLD
EVENTS
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used by democracies and relationships
in alloting labor forces for defense
and war production are brought out
in book just published by the Inter
national Labor Office under the title
Labor Supply and National De-
fense."
Today in every country the con-
stantly increasing labor requirements
of war and national defense lead to a
growing shortage of man power, the
book says. 1t points out that each
| country is faced with an aurgent need
to extend controls over it's entire
available labor force and allocate tc
essential employment great num-
bers of working men and women. lr
democratic nations, the workers are
given a voice in formulation of labor
supply policies and programs, where
as in totalitarian nations they take
orders and say nothing.
Labor Supply and National De-
fense" explains the way Great Britain
Canada and other British Dominions
the United States, France, Germany
and Japan have taken steps to dis
tribute their labor forces between in
dustrial and military needs. 1t fur
ther shows what these countries have
done to control employment, to train
and refrain workers, and to mobilize
labor reserves. Each country's expe-
rience is described, demonstrating
how labor supply policy is related di-
| rectly to defense economic programs
how employment controls have been
developed and how their timing has
been gagged
Originally prepared as memoran-
dunn for a series of tripartite meet
ings held under the auspices of the In
ternational Labor Office by Canadian
and United States officials, the pres
ent study has evolved from an outline
to full report on wartime labor
supply. 1t has utilized the discus
sions of Government, employers and
workers representatives of the two
nations and the experience of select
ed countries throughout the world.
Not only does it show the need fo1
full mobilization of all labor resources
for defense, it also brings into relief
the long-term factors which cannot be
pushed aside even during an emer-
gency. 1t suggests that re-employ-
ment of the unemployed, employment
transfers, also the training and re-
training required in wartime should
be carried out carefully to avoid un-
necessary disturbance in the national
labor market which would complicate
readjustments to peace time condi-
tions.
The efficiency of labor supply for
defense purposes, it is pointed out
depends on factors which are a per
manent part of democratic organi-
zation.
The essential difference in theory
and method between employment or
ganization in democratic countries
and that in totalitarian states is
clearly shown. In Germany labor
policy is marked by the leadership
principle and by complete absence OF
any participation of the parties direct
ly concerned-the employers anc
workers. The policy in democratic
countries, however, is developed with
the active assistance Of representa-
tives of both groups. The strength
which such cooperation gives to every
measure mobilizing human resources
is emphasized. In Great Britain, it is
pointed out, with ever deepening
emergency the principle Of responsi.
| bic labor-management cooperatio,
has strengthened the country's labo,
policy and made it possible to organ
ize employment for defense, at The
same time maintaining basic civil anC
industrial rights.
| Recognition is given to the fact thai
revolutionary change in the labor
policy of country to meet the needs
Of total war means modification O
the economic structure during th'
period of belligerency and a furthe
modification when peace finally comes