New-York tribune., 1918-11-21

has been suppressed or curtailed on
account of the diversion of labor and
materials to war purposes. 1t is es-
timated that merely the resumption Of
authorized work will employ 100000
men for ninety days. This appeal Will
90 out this week to 1000 local govern
mental bodies.
The third part Of the programme
looks tot he union Of all Federal gov
ernmental agencies that are adaptable
to the work to the task of converting
war plants into peace plants and Of
reconstructing for peace purposes
plants that were diverted from them.
THIS will involve the cooperation Of
the War Finance Board, the Capital
Issues Committee. The Federal Reserve
Board and Congress on the taxation
side. One feature of this part of the
programme Is even bold enough to sug-
gess governmental cooperation with
manufacturers to the extent of guar
anteelng all or part of the risk in
volved in converting war plants into
peace plants. 1t is feared, however,
that this part Of the plan is too radi-
cal to meet with approval even in these
shines The ut Of profiteering would
be raised AZ. II, it is feared, though
its advocates say that If it is good to
take steps to keep labor employed at
high wages it Is also good to take
steps to help capital provide the en-
ployment and the full pay envelope.
The fourth part Of the programme
calls for assistance for the curtailed
and suppressed non-essential industries
to get back to normal at the earliest
possible moment.
The fifth part provides for diverting
to the farms large part of the re-
turning soldier labor and the labor
which will be displaced by it.
A sixth part of the programme deals
with the checking of the tide OF re-
turning soldiers by utilizing their labor
as much as possible for time In the
reconstruction Of Europe.
Hope to Avoid Friction
The War Labor Policies Board people
feel that if half the attention Federal
and local authorities, financiers, cap
tains of industry gave to the problem
of production for war purposes can be
concentrated on the problem of provd-
ing productive enterprise and employ
ment for labor in the next few months
we shall slide over to a peace basis
without any perceptible jolt and with
only the mechanical friction involved
in moving vast bodies Of men from
their present employment to other
employment.
The phase Of giving employment TO
the returning soldier Is considered
only minor part Of the task. The
great bulk Of the soldiers will 70 back
to their old places.
Patriotism, considerations OF fair
dealing and loyalty, it is argued, will
provide them with their former places.
But they will displace millions of men
and women who have taken their places.
These cannot in their turn 60 back to
their former places to any great ex-
tent. To a large extent they did not
have permanent employment before
the war. The great problem is 70 find
work for them.
In time they will gradually fis In
but in the meantime, it Is argued,
emergency employment must be pro-
vided.
In this connection &c is hoped 10 In
stltute permanent national and state
policy of laying out public improve
ment programmes and holding them in
reserve as buffers for all the recurring
periods Of business depressions. Penn
sylvania has already inaugurated such
a policy and as large q part of The
s5o,ooo,oOo highways expenditure in
that state will be pushed through ir
1919 as can be done consistently with
good work.