Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1943-08-05
NEED HELP FOR
CANNING FOOD
Thos. Russell, Local Manager
of U. S. Employment Service
Appeals For Workers
NEED 5000 IN THIS AREA

AT least 5000 food processing
workers will be needed in canning
plants in this area during the peak
season beginning August 18th if
vegetable and fruit crops are to be
turned into cans of food for the
fighting forces, Americas allies,
and the needs of the civilian popu-
lation," Thomas Russell, local man.
ager for the United States Employ
ment Service, said today. Canning,
a major industry of the United
States, is essentially a seasonal,
hometown industry, manned by
local workers, Mr.. Russell explain
ed. "T his year." he said, ut is
even more important to depend on
the home folks-youths, housewiv-
es, mechanics, business men, law
yers, doctors, and others who have
regular jobs. They will enroll in
the U. S. Crop Corps, alongside
others who are helping to grow and
harvest food"
No Surplus Labor
1t is not possible to depend this
year on surplus labor or migrant
labor as in the past, either, he ex-
planned. Most of the surplus labor
has been absorbed in war plants
and last years migrants now are
making gun turrets, bomb sights,
or other weapons of war. But food
is an important weapon of war, too,
Mr.. Russell emphasized in his ap-
peal, and greater quantities of can
ned, frozen and dehydrated foods
will be needed during the next year
than at any time in American his
tory. 1.-THE farmers have grown
the crops" Mr.. Russell said, "but
the food won't serve its purpose
unless there are enough workers in
the food processing plants to can
it, freeze it or dry it."
Part-Time Help Wanted
1t is important, therefore, Mr..
Russell explained, for all who can
work for few weeks, or even
part-time, to sign up for jobs. Pre-
vailing wages will be paid. 1t is
expected that members of women's
clubs, mems luncheon clubs, and
others who can pledge definite
amounts of time, will join pools"
to man the canneries in this Sec
ton. The work is simple, and of
such nature that novices can per-
form useful and necessary jobs in
a very short time. Little training
and that is given on the job
will be necessary" the USES rep
resentative stated.
Need Local Labor
The recruitment drive which the
USES is launching in this area is
being repeated in agricultural
areas all over the country. The
War Manpower Commission, which
has specified food processing as an
essential industry" estimates that
at least 100000 workers through
out the country will be needed in
the peak season. Other commun-
tiles are relying to the same extent
on the help that local residents can
provide. Transportation, housing
and other facilities this year are al
ready taxed to such an extent that
it is more important than ever to
supply labor needs from the area
Immediately surrounding the can
ming plant" the USES manager
stated with labor SURPRISES al
ready absorbed, the only way in
which the needed number of work.
ers here can be supplied is through
the recruitment of people who have
never worked at this job before"
Mr.. Russell said. Those who sign
up for jobs, even for short period,
will be doing a war service, while
also earning extra pay, re explain
ed.
Women Can Help
The crisis is further intensified