Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-03

~- 9TH an increasing army OF the
N/ unemployed throughout the
industrial sections of Penn
sylvania and elsewhere the
municipal authorities are wisely CIV
ing their attention to more vigorous
prosecution of all public work with a
view to furnishing employment for
those who want it.
Here in Harrisburg there is much
unfinished work that might be pushed
along until late into the winter and so
long as weather conditions will en-
able men to work outdoors. City Com
missioner Taylor, for instance, the
head of the Department of Parks and
ployed in the rough grading of the
river slope, and, with the further ex-
Second street and the new union
freight station, there will be still
greater activity. Hundreds of men,
probably, can be given work for a
few weeks at least. The materials
from these excavations will run into
thousands of cubic yards, and mas
much as the grading of the river slope
from Paxton street northward will re-
quire many thousands of yards, it is
obvious that employment on this work
is the part of wisdom by the NUM-
cipal officials.
Similar activities can be and doubt
less will be employed in the work
along the Cameron Parkway, in the
completion of the work along Paxton
creek, and might even extend to the
removal of distractions along the
river wall This could be done by the
use of flats and derricks at the present
stage of the river.
There is also considerable street
grading to be done and we have no
doubt that private contractors and
corporations contemplating expansion
of any sort will cooperate with the
municipal officials in providing work
for those who need 1t. The same
policy is being pursued by other cities
of the country. We quote from the
New York Sun:
We take it for granted that the
formidable task to be accomplished
by humane and sensible men IN @ tne
fortunate this winter Is understood
by all The coincidence of distress
in Europe and ln9ustrlal ln9, uHPLess Hiti
of want and suffering that, II not
unprecedented, are unparalleled In
the experience of most of us. They
anneal not less to the reason than
to the conscience, and 1t is incon-
ceivable that any man not cursed
with a miser's heart has withheld
his decision to help, to the last eX-
tremity of his means, in their pal
liation. -, ,,,
tion TO help being firmly based on
a realization of the great need that
exists, every counsel OF WISDOM,
prudence and humanity urges that
those who can assist should as
sumo their privilege of obligation,
not at some future date, not at the
present hour, while the possibility
Of prevention still exists, and the
mere sustenance of demoralizatlon
is not the sole practicable end to
be attained Nor should 1t be over
looked that the earlier the habit OF
giving is established the larger the
gifts will be. Once the practice of
sharing a surplus with those who
have nothing is ind4hlged th no IN the
a matter of profound amazement
and sincere gratitude.
Temporary contraction OF the
fingers is withholding from the
channels of charity to-day a large
sum already designated for its pur-
noses Those fingers should be re-
Taxed, and the hands that IL is
designed eventually to open should
be distributing their succor now.
Chicago, Philadelphia and other
.ities throughout the country are pre-
pairing extensive programs of public
work for the winter. Instead of shut
hing down these operations, as is usual
Mt this time of the year. arrange
ments are now being made to con-
tinue the operations as long as the
weather will permit Harrisburg will
be well up front in pursuing this
wise policy. Public funds cannot be
better utilized than in providing
employment for honest workingmen
thrown into idleness at the opening
of winter.