Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-25
Manpower Shortage
Brings New Pressure
For Labor Draft
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

Shortage of manpower in essen.
tial industries has brought a re-
newed d emand from important
official sources for legislation au-
thorizing the drafting of citizens
for home-front jobs. it was learned
yesterday.
1t was predicted that the Austin
Wadsworth bill providing for ma
tional service legislation would be
revived, possibly under admins
trative pressure, when Congress re-
convenes in September Extensive
hearings on the measure were held
by the Senate and House Military
Affairs Committees but neither acted
on the bill.
officials of the War Manpower
Commission, while not committing
themselves on the issue, pointed out
Yesterday that it was becoming in
creasingly difficult to fill the needs
of certain war industries and of
essential civilian services.
Washington is Typical.
Washington. classed as critical"
manpower area, is typical of many
other cities Here. there is threat
ened breakdown of such necessary
services as restaurants. laundries,
hotels and ice plants. The region
al VINO, in a report made public
only a few days ago, said $4,000
workers would be needed. here in
the next eight months to replace
employees who had left and to fill
the added needs of city which.
had grown by hundreds of thou
sands in a few years.
VINO Chairman McNutt has pre-
pared a plan for national service,
though he is careful to explain that
it was drawn up as a precautionary
measure and not necessarily because
he is urging it. But Mr.. McNutt
previously testified before con-
gressional committee that he felt
such legislation would be required
If the war lasted much longer.
One plan discussed as a last eX-
pedient" to prevent labor draft leg
islation is proposal to allow work.
ers receiving sub standard" wages.
as classified by the War Labor Board
to take higher-paying jobs without
obtaining releases from their en-
ployers or from VINO. This scheme
will be discussed at a meeting of
regional directors of VINO early in
August. But it is not regarded gen.
orally as a panacea for industrial
ills.
Theory of Plan.
The theory of this plan is that
employers paving less than the pre-
vailing wage" would be allowed to
petition the WLB for an increased
scale and undoubtedly would receive
such permission, This, is it con-
tended, would have the effect Of
forcing higher pay in communities
which workers now are stunning
because they can get better wages
elsewhere.
Fred Hetzel, acting area director
of VINO. said in his report on Wash
ington that higher wages would have
to be paid in some occupations here
if they were to keep enough workers.
He also mentioned better housing
conditions as necessity.
1t is conceded generally that the
Job freeze order has not prevented
extensive unemployment in many
sections of the country. While
workers in essential jobs are sup
posed to get releases from their en-
ployers or from VINO, many quit
and go to other towns or to new
jobs n the same community Hars
assed employers do not inquire too,
closely into the previous records of
those they hire.
Some officials blame selective
service for the situation, contend
ing that too many key employees in
important industries have been
drafted.
The co-authors of the national
service bill-Senator Austin, Re
publican, of Vermont and Repre-
sentative Wadsworth. Republican, of
New York-plan to press for action
on their measure in the autumn.
Yet there still is wide and vigorous
opnositjon tn sIlch 1epiSla tion