Evening star., 1943-01-05
Manpower Control
Law Plan Expected
To Be Abandoned
McNutt Indicates
Each Locality Will
Handle Own Problem
BY JESSE O. IRWIN.

BY JESSE o. IRWIN.
The administration apparently
plans to steer clear of the treach-
erous shoals of national war service
legislation during the coming session
of Congress. This was indicated to-
day by ManpoWer Chairman Paul v.
McNutt in announcing he intends to
delegate authority to act, after con-
sultation with labor and manage
ment, to the regional and area
directors of the War Manpower
Commission" and that the United
States Employment Service would
not function as a single hiring
agency" for all war plant employ
ment.
Mr. McNutt conferred with Presi-
dent Roosevelt last week after the
White House had sent him a draft of
national service bill prepared by
Grenville Clark, New York attorney.
He has refused to discuss what oc-
CURED at the White House, but 1t is
understood the Clark proposal was
discussed.
In his first statement after his
conference with Mr.. Roosevelt, the
manpoWer chieftain said the COM
mission was preparing policy
statement which would give it's field
representatives free hand In work.
ing out labor problems.
Hopes for Local Planning.
Overall policies can be set in
Washington, Mr.. McNutt explained
but plans must be worked out in
the areas where they are to be put
into effect"
He added the policy would also
provide for utilization in critical
areas Of the employment facilities of
private industry, union hiring halls
and governmental civil service
commissions in the recruiting of per-
sonnel, provided standards set by the
War Manpower Commission are
met"
The Nationwide network of public
employment Offices, now reported to
be IN an unstable condition because
OF congressional appropriations re-
strlctlons, will act as clearing houses.
he explained, in handling matters in
connection with employment stabili-
zatlon in critical areas, but this
service will not assume the total
operating load in the placement
field
Appearing before the Senate Mill
tary Affairs Committee three months
ago, Mr.. McNutt asserted compul-
sorry legislation was "imperatiye"
and one Of the essential powers of a
National Service Act should re
quire employers in any area to hire
all workers through central
agency and workers -. should
be able to get jobs only through such
a central agency"
Preferred Voluntary Plan.
However, a month later his man.
agement and labor advisers, in a re-
port released by the White House.
said they doubt that conversion OF
the moral obligation to serve in the
war effort, into legal obligation to
serve, will itself solve the manpoWer
They declared further they had
confidence that the voluntary and
cooperative efforts of the people.
under strong leadership on the part
OF Government, management and
labor, will provide the answer to this
all important war manpower prob
lem"
Mr.. McNutt today indicated he
was needing this advice, "as mem
bers Of his Management-Labor Pol
icy Committee are in the process of
considering an overall statement
OF policy on this problem" He
added the statement would be COM
pleted within two weeks.
Abandonment Of an attempt at
compulsory legislation will be in line
with reported recommendations to
be made by the chairmen of five
committees investi-
eating the war effort. 1t is reported
they plan to recommend that VOL
untary efforts be given a thorough
trial.
The commission today has been
operating for one month under the
Presidents new executive order. In
prepared statement Mr.. McNutt
took recognition of this fact and
declared that labor turnover is the
most important single problem con-
fronting the Nation in this field at
the present time
1T is responsible for very def
mite waste of our human resources" :"
he asserted.
He explained the cessation of VOL
untary Army enlistments has al
ready had a marked effect on turn
over rates
Nevertheless, the problem con-
tinues to be serious one," he de-
clared.
Turnover Slowed Down.
The evidence already indicates
that although the employment sta
bilization agreements, developed by
War ManpoWer Commission region
al and area committees, after con-
sultation with representatives of
labor and management, are not
working out perfectly. they are hav-
ing definite effect on the turnover
rate" he added.
He admitted that indirect sane
tions" would be applied to bring
non-co-operative employers into
line.
The chairman refused to confirm
a report that he would seek addi-
tional appropriations to improve
housing conditions around war
plants. Inadequate housing heads
the list of turnover causes.
In his progress report, he said a
committee, under the craftsmanship
of Owen D. Young, had recommend
ed rules and regulations which
should govern selection of colleges
and universities that are to partici-
pate in the Army and Navy training
program. He explained these rules
and regulations would be made pub
Ii a