United labor bulletin., 1915-01-23
ABSORB The IDLE
BY PUBLIC WORKS
Should Provide Employment
in Periods of Depression
United States Has Neglected to Cope
With Great Industrial Problems,
Says DR.. John B. Andrews

RegiIlarization of industry, establish
ment OF public employment exchanges,
systematic distribution OF public work,
prevention or absorption of surplus la
Dor, unemployment insurance and con
structive care of the unemployable are
the six steps proposed in a practical pro-
gram for the prevention OF unemploy-
mcnt just issued in a 20-page report by
Dr. John Il. Andrews, secretary of the
American Association on Unemployment,
from the associations headquarters at
1872 East Twenty third street, New
York.
The time is past" says DIR. Andrews,
when the problem OF unemployment
could be disposed OF either by ignoring
it, as was the practice until recent years
in America, or by attributing it to mere
laziness and inefficiency. We are begin
ming to recognize that the causes of
unemployment are not so much indi-
yidual, and due to the shiftlessness OF
won't works. as social and inherent in
our present method of industrial organ
ization.'
All Have a Responsibility.
Employers, employees and the publk
a. consumers. it is pointed out, all have
a duty in helping TO regularize industry.
BY establishing employment depart
ments in their plants, planning output
ahead, offering inducements for slack
season trade and in other ways employ
ers are urged to do what they can to
make every job a steady job. At the
same time employees are advised to en-
courage adjustments through short time
and overtime agreements, rather than
by discharge of part OF the force, while
discouraging excessive overtime by de
slogan OF the consumer should become
shop regularity says the program. in
depreeating irregular and capricious pur-
chasing.
Public employment exchanges are ad-
vaneed a. a matter of business organi-
zation and not OF philanthropy. Both
municipal and state exchanges are ad-
vocated, supplemented by a federal bu-
reau OF employment to secure similar
ity of operation and of information
throughout the country. Neutrality in
labor disputes Is made cardinal prin-
cipal for all exchanges.
Absorb Reserves of Labor.
Public work. says the program,
should be made to act as a sponge alb
sorbing the reserves of labor in bad
years and slack seasons, and setting
them free again when the demand for
them increases again in private bust
ness" Successful operation of public
works in several countries is cited.
Limitations on child labor. thorough
industrial training, a revival OF agri-
culture and country life, and con-
structive policy OF regulating and dis
tributing immigration, are coupled with
the regulation of working hours OF
adults possible steps in preventing or
absorbing the surplus of labor which in
tensifies the unemployment problem in
large industrial centers-
For those who nevertheless are unem-
ployed, although able and willing to
work. it is proposed that unemployment
insurance such as is in operation in
England since 1913 be established in
America also. Ont ut-of-work benefits by
trade unions, either assisted or not as
sisted by public contributions, and n
national system of public mempioy-
ment insurance, are suggested as posi-
BILE methods. All have found successful
application in various countries.
Scheme of Reconstruction.
When all these steps have been taken,
it is pointed out, there still remains the
problem of the unemployable, including
those who are sick. aged. inefficient,
feeble minded. or semi-criminai. as we'll
as those who refuse to work To these
different groups it is proposed to give
varied constructive care, aiming wher-
ever possible at their early restomtion
to normal working life and independ-
ence.
The general scheme of economic con-
struetlon and organization outlined will.
its hackers believe, lead to conspicuous
and permanent Improvement The plan
is being widely circulated for criticism
and suggestions.