The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-10
100000 MEN CAN
Be EMPLOYED IN
MUNICIPAL WORKS
BY {. {. RODGERS.

Washington, Feb. 3.-"Every Amer
lean city ought to engage upon extern
slve construction projects during the
coming MONTHS
That's the advice to American NUM-
clpalities from Prof Harold G. Moul-
ton, renowned economist, student Of
business and labor conditions
1t is possible" he said, that one.
or all Of these results may come dur
ing the next two or three years:
There may be a substantial reduc-
ton In the total output of industry
at a time when there Is greater need
than ever before for increased pro-
duction.
There may be a serious reduction
in the rate Of wages before there is a
corresponding fall in the cost OF liv-
ing.
There may be a large volume Of
unemployment, serious privation for
millions of people and an unparalleled
burden placed upon our charitable in
stitutions
There may be an outbreak Of in
dustrial warfare such as this country
has not known in decades.
There may bes rapid increase of
revolutionary Observation-Disclosures Of
the principles of American life
And this is how AIoulton would
guard against hunger. want, unem-
ployment and Bolsheism IN America
Buffer employment may be provid-
ed by quasi-public enterprise, by the
federal government, state governments
and municipalities. by each of them
separately or by all of them under a
CO. ordinated policy
Mou1ton sees little Immediate hope
In the railroads, believing that they
will do little construction work until
they have been unscrambled, which
may take year and more.
He has little hope of the federal
government doing much. other than
Lanes farms-for- soldiers project.
States. he asserted, may do some. |
but not much, as many of them are up |
TO their bond limits, and. III most of |
them, 1t would take years to amend |
The constitution permitting a larger |
bond issue for public works.
THE American cities afford the best |
for expensive construction
projects" he said. Many building
projects Were postponed during the
var. in consequence % the shortage of
abor and building materials. and |!
many OF the cities now have funds in 4
land and are prepared to begin al
,nce the delayed construction opera
ions
Data | have gathered from 8 typi-
al western cities show expenditures
4 $4,000. 600 which Will be made in
he near future. II is estimated that
s per cent OF this will go for labor. It
las been reliably estimated that the
otal Of public money annually spent
n the United States on permanent i'm
is about $6oo,ooo.o0o, about
wo- thirds OF which is spent by the
governments OF cities.
During the years 191T-1S about
500, 900 600 of such work was postpon-
d. mainly in the cities and states If
n this year. we should spend this
$500, 900 900. plus the 100000. 900 Il
normally devoted 10 new construct on.
nd add to that another $500 100000 a.
in insurance for the emergency, We II
would be able to employ on public
works. during 1919. about 400. 600 men H
The carrying through a this time n
" a program OF public works would i
esult not merely in giving direct en-
,loyment 70 400 600 wor5men: II would
10 much to start the hesitant wheels
Il industry everywhere The materials ~
equired would create a strong demand
or the production of iron. steel coal. .
lumber. cement. The wages paid TO the
employees engag ed in these public
works would. AT the same time. place
n their hands purchasing power. with
which they would so into the markets
nd demand the commodities which
inter- into ordinary consumption. th3s
giving employment 10 others