New-York tribune., 1919-05-23
r;,v and County Officials
Meet Governor and Rc-
construction Commission
tn Make Necessary Plans
Will Help All Business
labor Situation Not Alarm
ing, Says Smith, and Col.
Woods Sees Shortage Soon
Snccicl CorrcSnorTenc.

>ptrtct Correspondence
, rBANY, May 99.-The speeding up
:, nublic works throughout the state,
,0r which there is now sl55,ooo,ooo
,vsable, viii be the start in the re-
s;ssl Of business and industrial pros
,.rity and the relief Of unemployment,
Governor Smith was told this after
moon by state, city and county officials
rho came to Albany to confer with him
and the Reconstruction Commission.
The purpose of the meeting was to
secure concerted action in setting in
nation every possible public work
The officials promised to lose no time,
and said they soon would be IN a posi-
ton to give jobs to thousands of
.olders and others The employ
nent Of these men, it was said would
mr other industries in motion.
when the industries get going we
will have a shortage of labor" said
Colonel Arthur Woods. now Assistant
10 Secretary of War Baker. He est-
mated that within the next few months
the labor shortage in the country
would total seven million men.
Added to Each Month
Governor Smith said tie unemploy-
ment situation would not be alarming
bu. for the fact that more than 100000
soldiers are being discharged from
military service every month.
"The Reconstruction Commission has
reported to me-" he said, that many
branches Of business are at a stand
still, and that business men hesitate
to start operations on large scale.
There seems to be conviction
among business men that there is to be
new price level. The employment
problem is not alarming. but figures
have been submitted which show a
steady increase in unemployment.
"The Reconstruction Commission has
reported to me that the only import
ant measure the state can undertake
is to urge extension of the public
works programme
Colonel Woods. explaining his esti-
mate Of seven million men labor
shortage before fall, said that since
the beginning of the war in 1914 there
has been an absence of Immigration.
The Missing Immigrants
"Since 1914" he said, I'VE normally
would have received 100000 to 5000,
900 workers. We also must consider
the fact that for some time about l..
100000 men will remain in the mill
tary or naval service, and probably
about 100000 men will be engaged in
ship construction. Many manufacture
srs are beginning to realize this sit
uston. They are stocking up with extra
men not needed now, but will be need
ed-later"
Colonel Woods said that about 900
M0 men are being mustered out every
month and that this number NAV be
Increased to 100000 within a near fu-
ture.
TO make more work is 10 make
more jobs" he said. "Steady work is
essential to the country's prosperity
We cannot be satisfied with our scheme
Of government as long as we have
periods of unemployment. The par
sltular thing which can be done in
New York is to start all available pub
lie projects
Colonel Woods paid a high tribute
10 the moral calibre of the returning
soldiers and declared them to be bet
ter men than when they entered the
army. He said that in most cases EN-
pioyers are glad to take back the sol
der who wants to return to his old
Job.
Many Don't Get Old Jobs
James P. Holland, president of the
oate Federation Of Labor, said many
soldiers were not getting back THEN
'ld Jobs, and this might lead to seri-
Gus dlscontent. He told of how Joseph
Ae1raw, veteran of the 69th Regi-
aeno with three wounds, had been re-
fused his job with Long Island City
concern because he had not asked per-
Mission when he left to go to war.
Inc federation,' said Mr.. Holland
mas done its utmost to stem Boil
saevism, and has succeeded. We have
.Aosed no radicals to disrupt the
structure we have built Such attempts
s ss'e made in Buffalo, Rochester anc
~" York, but the federation aidec
ms authorities in putting the radicals
down. ''' N - -
mere has been lot Of talk abou
.ssess'ye wages in shipyards and mu
.s'oh plants, but I'm in a position tc
1--WE tnas the workers didn't get them
-, .ss government report on shipyards
'"' open your eyes. Some people whc