KinSource - Tale of the Week - U. S. Shipyard Volunteer Army

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Franklin Tribune, February 14, 1918, p. 1

U. S. SHIPYARD VOLUNTEER ARMY

Minnesota Must Furnish 6,500 Mechanics in Shipbuilding Enrollment

The one immediate duty of all loyal citizens is to see that the 6,500 men asked of Minnesota for service in national shipbuilding are immediately furnished for enrollment. They are needed now in the construction of a great merchant marine, for the transportation of men, arms, ammunition and food to Europe. Every man and woman is urged by the Public Safety Commission to use friendly influence and persuasion in aiding young men to realize the course in which their duty lies.

Washington Urges Action

Telegrams couched in most urgent terms have come from Washington to Governor Burnquist and the Public Safety Commission to the end that every available agency in the state be commandered in this work.

In Deferred Classification

Trained riviters, boilermakers, punchers, machinists, blacksmiths, carpenters, caulkers, millwrights and other trained men can render no greater service to the government at present. While enrollment itself does not exempt from draft, the men who are now in the shipyards have been placed in the deferred classification and are receiving high wages.

Ships to Win War

It is pointed out by naval and military authorities that in order to win the war or bring a more speedy allied victory and thus reducing the number of American boys to be called into action it is absolutely necessary that the output of the shipyards be increased to the maximum [production].

The registration of men for the United States Public Service Reserve, by which it is hoped to enlist 250,000 volunteer skilled mechanics for shipbuilding, began on February 1st. In many places Four-Minute Men opened the campaign on January 28th.

While a special drive is being made at this time, Feb. 1st to 14th, to stimulate enrollment, registration will be received any time after this period. The local mechanics and artisans are urged to see the enrolling officer in this county immediately for further information, blanks, etc.