South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-17
SOCIAL SYSTEM
To BLAME FOR
UNEMPL OYMENT
Propositions Looking Toward
Abatement of Evil Recon-
mend EquaIizing Distribution
of Work.
BY ellison Gardner

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-That the
causes of unemployment are not SO
much individual and due to the shift
1essness Of won't works" as they are
social and inherent in our present
method of industrial organization. is
the statement of DR.. John b. Andrews.
secretary of the American Association
on Unemployment. in his program for
the prevention of unemployment is
sued from the associations headquar-
ters at IA +. 23rd St, New York.
The time is past" says DR.. An
dreWs, when the problem Of unemploy-
ment could be disposed of either by
ignoring il, as was the practice until
recent years IN America. or by attrib-
uting IT TO mere laziness and ineffic-
lency. We are beginning 10 recog-
nize,' he continues, that the causes
OF unemployment are not so much in
diVidual and due 10 the shiftlessness
of won't works. as social and inner
ent in our present method OF indus
trial organization"
Six Steps Proposed.
DR.. Andrews report proposes six
steps for the prevention of unemplOy-
ment. Repatriation of industry. es-
adjustment Of public employment ex-
changes, systematic distribution OF
X
of surplus labor, unemployment in
surance. and constructive care of the
unemployable are the six propositions.
Public work" says the program.
should be made TO act as a sponge
absorbing the reserves of labor in bad
years and slack seasons and setting
them free again when the demand for
them Increases again in private bus
mess The success of the plan for
providing public work in times OF
stress in other countries is cited in
the report.
The report recommends that bus
mess men establish employment de-
partments in their plants. take up the
planning OF output ahead Offer in
ducements for slack season trade ard
endeavor TO eliminate seasonal un-
employment At the same time en-
ployes are advised 20 encourage ad-
justments through shOrt-time and
overtime agreements rather than by
discharge OF part of the force and 10
demand pay for overtime work so as
To discourage it,
Limit Child Labor.
To prevent or absorb the surplus OF
labor, the program recommends the
limitation of child labor. thorough ir-
dustrial training. a constructive policy
Of regulating and distributing immi-
grafton, and the regulation OF working
Municipal, state and federal public
employment agencies are strongly
recommended in the report
For all those who still remain out
Of employment after these steps are
taken, although they are able and will
ing TO work the report proposes un-
employment insurance such as is in
operation in England since 1913. out
of-wOrk benefits by trade unions.
either assisted or not assisted By pub
lie contributions. and a national sys-
TEN Of public unemployment insur-
ance, are suggested as possible meth
DDS.
Should Aid Disabled.
The report points out in addition,
that when all these steps have been
taken, there still remains the problem
OF the unemployed including those
who are sick. aged, inefficient. feeble
minded. or semi-criminal, as well as
those who refuse 10 work. To these
/ different groups. il is proposed 90 give
varied constructive care, aiming
wherever possible at their early rest0r-
alton 10 normal working life and in
| dependence.
The plans recommended in this re-
/ port have been widely circulated for
criticism and suggestions. and copies
| OF IL may be obtained free from the
! Offices Of the association