The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-13
90 PREvENT UNENPLoYMENT.

TO PREVENT UNEMPLOYMENT.
Repatriation Of industry, estabaish-
ment OF public employment exchanges.
systematic distribution OF public work.
prevention or absorption of surplus Ia
Dor. unemployment insurance. and con-
structive care Of the unemployable. are
the six steps proposed in q practical
program for the prevention Of unem-
Payment just issued in a twenty page
report by DIR. John B. Andrews, SEC
rotary Of the. American Association on
unemployment, from the associations
headquarters in New York city.
The time is past" says DR.. Andrews.
when the problem Of unemployment
could be disposed Of either by ignoring
1t. as was the practice until recent
years in America, or by attributinR 1t
to mere laxiness and inemciency. We
arc beginning to recognise that the
causes Of unemployment are not 80
much individual and due to the shift
lessness Of won't works as social and
inherent in our present method Of in
dustrial organization"
Employers. employees and the pub
lie as consumers, 1t il pointed out. all
have duty in helping to regularize in
dustry. BY establishing employment
departments in their plants. planning
output ahead. offering Inducements for
slack season trade and mother ways
employers are advised to do what they
can to make every job a steady job. At
the same time employees are advised
to encourage adjustment through short
time and overtime agreements rather
than by discharge of part of the force.
while discouraging excessive overtime
by a demand for double pay for such
work. THE slogan Of the consumer
should become shop regularity" says
the program, in deprecating irregular
and capricious purchasing.
Public employment exchanges are adj
vanced as a matter of business or
ganization and not of philanthropy.
Both municipal and state exchanges are
advocated. supplemented by federal
bureau Of employment to secure sim
ilarity of operation and Of information
throughout the country. Neutrality OF
labor disputes is made a cardinal prin-
ciple for all exchanges.
Public work. says the program,
SHOULD be made to act as 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. through
industrial training, a revival of agr1-
culture and country life. and con-
structive policy Of regulating and dis
tributing immigration. are coupled with
the regulation of working hours of
adults as possible steps in preventing or
absorbing the surplus of labor which
intensifies the unemployment problem
in large industrial centers.
For those who nevertheless are unem-
played 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. Out-of-work benefits by
trade unions. either assisted or not as
sisted by public contributions. and a
national system Of public unemploy-
ment insurance, are suggested as POS
sible methods. All have found success
full application in various countries.
When all these steps have been TAX
en-, it is pointed out, there still remains
the problem of the unemployable. in
Guiding those who are sick, aged. in
efficient, feeble-minded, or semi-crim-
inal, as we'll as those who refuse to
work. To these different groups it is
proposed to give varied constructive
care, aiming wherever possible at their
early restoration to normal working
life and independence.
The general scheme of economic re-
construction and organization outlined
will, its hackers believe. lead to con-
spicuous and permanent improvement
The plan is being widely circulated for
criticism and SUGGESTIONS.