ORDINANCE NO. 271

AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL ABLE-BODIED MALE PERSONS IN THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 55 YEARS TO ENGAGE IN SOME USEFUL EMPLOYMENT, OCCUPATION, BUSINESS, TRADE OR PROFESSION DURING THE CRISIS RESULTING FROM THE PRESENT WAR.

Be it Ordained by the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado:

Whereas, a large number of our citizens are engaging in the military service of the United States, and are giving their lives for those at home, and it is the sacred duty of those at home to aid and support those who are sacrificing their lives for their country and their fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, useful labor and the production and conservation of food supplies are now the prime necessities of the United States, and are imperatively necessary to the very existence and freedom of the national government and this municipality; and

WHEREAS, all able-bodied persons in this City should contribute their full quota of energy and service to the preservation and freedom of the nation and this municipality, and idlers and slackers are during such times a reproach upon, and menace to the safety of any people; and

WHEREAS, an emergency exists on account of the shortgage of labor, food and supplies; now, therefore:

Section 1. That during the period of the present war it shall be the duty of every male person in the City of Grand Junction, between the ages of 18 and 55 years, physically able to work, whether with or without means of supporting themselves, to engage in some useful imployment, occupation, business, trade or profession for at least thirty-six hours during each week.

Section 2. That the provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to students while attending educational institutions, or to persons temporarily here seeking rest or recreation, having the means of paying their own expenses, or to persons regularly employed taking customary vacations, or to persons temporarily unemployed by reason of differences with their employers, or to such seasonable or other regular employment, as required in the proper discharge of their duties, less than the minimum number of thirty-six hours mentioned in this ordinance, or to persons who have been regularly employed and who are out of employment for not exceeding seven days, seeking other employment.

Sec. 3. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this ordinance by the negligent failure, omission or refusal to comply with the same shall, upon conviction, be fined in the sum of not less than five ($5.00) dollars or more than three hundred ($300) dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and during the term of such imprisonment shall be required to work on the streets, highways and public places of the City of Grand Junction.

Sec. 4. In the opinion of the Council this ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health and public safety, and shall be in full force and effect immediately after its passage and publication.

Passed and adopted as an emergency ordinance this 18th day of June, A. D. 1918.

/s/ Chas E. Cherrington

Mayor.

Attest:

/s/ Charles K. Holmburg

City Clerk.

I HEREBY CERTIFY, that the foregoing ordinance, entitled "An Ordinance Requiring all Able-Bodied Male Persons in the City of Grand Junction, Colorado, between the Ages of 18 and 55 years to engage in some useful Employment, Occupation, Business, Trade or Profession during the Crisis Resulting from the Present War," was introduced, read, passed and adopted as an emergency ordinance, and ordered published, at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colorado, held on the 18th day of June, A. D. 1918.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said City, this 18th day of June, A. D. 1918.

/s/ Charles K. Holmburg

City Clerk.

(Seal)

Published June 1918