Evening star., 1944-06-16
CIosed-Book Policy
OF uses Files Held
Vital 10 War Effort
National VINO Declares
Treide's View Is Sound;
Young to Query McNutt

Disclosure of confidential infor'
nation in United States Employ
ment Service files might be highly
detrimental to the war program,
Regional War Manpower Director
Henry E. Treide declared last nigh,
in defending the USES position
against providing Washington police
with the information they seek ir
criminal cases.
National VINO, which earlier hae
planned a press conference to de.
fend the policy, Cancelled the con-
ference with the explanation that
Mr.. Treide spoke for the national
office.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Johr
Russell Young, after a conference
with Police Supt. Edward J
Kelly. announced he would write
to war Manpower Director McNutt
asking a re-interpretation of the
national policy to include loca,
police among the Federal investi-
eating agencies permitted to obtain
information from employment Office
files.
Employers View Considered.
Mr.. Treide declared that if en-
ployers and workers were not certain
that the confidential nature of the
information they give USES would
be preserved, they would be un-
willing to furnish this information
which is vital to the wartime opera
ton of the employment service"
He told reporters, however, that
In g. really important matter
police could come to him for in
formation and If it was within his
authority to give the information.
he would try to do so. He said he
would consider such requests for
information, but that the police
could not expect to get it from the
employees of the USES.
The regional director also declared
that he had never received COM
plants about lack of cooperation
from Maj. Kelly or any other local
official and that he was willing to
cooperate with the police to what
ever extent he could.
Seeks to Keep Public Faith.
On the other hand, Mr. Treide
said, VINO intended to retain the
public confidence "by continuing
the time-tested policies which rig
idly restrict the disclosure of in
formation concerning applicants
and employers alike"
ITO permit the public employ
ment Offices to become an unofficial
information bureau for investi-
eating agencies, whether police or
private organizations, in tracing
persons suspected of crimes or mis-
demeanors, or persons being sought
for other reasons, would break down
the public confidence which is
necessary for the effective war;
time operation of the employment
service" he added.
He said the USES does not and
cannot undertake to recommend
each individual referred by it and
does not pass judgment on the
moral character of individuals it
refers. Investigation of that kind,
he indicated, is up to the employer.
Mr.. Treide said that the workers
address, previous work history and
occupational qualifica-
tions were furnished to the employ
er. Questioned on that point, Act
ing Washington VINO Director Err
nest v. Connolly said all that in
formation wasn't on the workers
introduction card from USES but
that the employer could get it if he
wante dit.
Mr. Connolly added, however,
that If an employer complained of
thefts by worker referred by the
USES and then wanted to know his
address, the information would not
be furnished to him