Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-01-11
PREVENT UNEMPLOYMENT.

Repatriation OF industry. estab-
Iishment Of public employment ex-
changes. systematic distribution OF
public work. prevention or absorption
of surplus labor. unemployment insur-
ance. and constructive care OF the I'M
employable. are the six steps proposed
in a practical program for the proven
ton OF unemployment just issued in a
20 page report by DR.. John y. An
drews. secretary Of the American As
ISOLATION OF Unemployment. from the
associations headquarters at 13f East
23rd street. New York.
This time Is past" says DR.. An
drews. when the problem OF unem-
ployment could be disposed of either
by ignoring IL. as was the practice un-
I'll recent years in America. or by at
tributing il TO mere laziness and In
efficiency We are beginning TO rec
ognize that the causes OF unemploy-
ment are not so much individual and
due TO the shiftlessness OF won't
works as social and inherent in our
present IN ,thOd OF industrial: Orgrhiza-
ton
Employers. employees and the pub
lie as consumers. II is pointed out, all
have a duty in helping TO Tegularize
industry. BY establishing employ
ment departments in their plants. plan
ming output ahead. offering induce
msnts for slack season trade and in
other ways employees are urged TO do
what they can 10 make every job a
steady job. At the same time en-
ployes are advised 10 encourage ad-
tustments through short-time and ov-
ertime agreements rather than by dis
charge OF part OF the force. while dis
excessive overtime by de-
mand for double pay for such work
The slogan OF the consumer should
become shop regularly says the pro
gram. in deprecating irregular and ca
PRECIOUS purchasing.
Public employment exchanges are
advanced as a matter OF business or
EauizatiOn and not OF philanthropy.
Both municipal and stale exchanges
are advocated. supplemented by fed
eral bureau OF employment TO secure
similarity OF operation and OF infor
nation throughout tine country. Neu-
irality In labor disputes l. made a
Public work" says the program.
should be made 10 act as a sponge
absorbing the reserves OF labor in bad
years and slack seasons and setting
hem free again when the demand for .
hem increases again in private bust /
ness Successful operation OF pub 4
lie works In several countries IS cited. I
Limitations on child labor. through .
training. a revival of agri-
culture and country life. and a con-
Itructive policy OF regulating and dis
immigration. are coupled
With the regulation of working hours
n adults as possible steps in prevent
ng or absorbing the surplus of labor
which intensifies the unemployment
problem in large Industrial centers.
For those who nevertheless are I'm
although able and willing to
york. II Is proposed that unemploy-
nent Insurance such as Is in operation
n England since 1913 be established
n America also Out-of-work benefits
y trade unions. either assisted or not
ssisted by public contributions. and
national system of public 1nemploy-
lent insurance. are suggested as pos
ible methods All have found sue
essful application in various coun- !
RES
When all these steps have been TAX |
n. II IL pointed out. there still re- {
iains the problem OF the unemploy
bic. including those who are sick.
ged. inefficient. feeble-minded. or
as well as those who !
sfuse TO work. To these different 5
roups IL is proposed to give varied
care. aiming wherever
ossibIe at their early restoration to I
primal working life and independence. !
The general scheme OF economic re- 5
and organization out s
ned viii. its hackers believe. lead 10
'nspicuous and permanent improve
emit The plan IL being widely cir E
lated for criticism and suggestions. b