Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-30
SENATE IS TOLD
| IDLENESS GROWS
Figures From Labor De-
partmcnt Show Increase
in Unemployment
REMARKS CHALLENGED
Kenyon Bill TO Spend $780,.
100000 on Public Works Is
Advocated

Washington. Jan. 30.--Prospect OF in
dustrial unemployment in tho country
was discussed briefly in the Sen
ate. Senator's Kenyon and Smoot were
Joined by Senator Thomas in expressing
apprehension, while Senator Lewis dep
rccated their statements and those o.
Secretary Morrison. OF tho American
Federation of Labor. and others regard
ing prob lbls depression.
Senator Kenyon. advocating his bill
10 expend 500, 100000 on public works
TO prevent unemployment. denied tha
any alarming" statements had beer
made and insisted that measures b,
Congress TO avert unemployment were
necessary. Senator Smoot said he feared
workingmen may soon be suffering. ant
Senator Thomas declared he held "ap'
prehensions' OF unemployment.
Senator Lewis said the statements re-
Garding labor conditions were start
ling. wrong and unjustifed." Challenges
by Senator Kenyon, Mr. Lewis conceded
that temporary distress may ensuc. but
declared the ultimate future Of Amcri
can industry was bright.
While urging legislation providing for
temporary relief Of the unemployment,
situation, Louis +. Post. Assistant Sec
rotary of Labor. before the Senate Edu.
cation and Labor Committee. predicted
that period of unequaled prosperity
with plenty of labor and remuncrativC
wages. would follow the readjustmen,
period.
1T seems to be a cheap investment
tor the government 10 IuIt up the build
ings 1t needs at high prices" Mr.. Post
said, rather than risk a situation that
viii arise when men reason from their
stomachs rather than from their heads
Jesse III. Evans. of the employment
service of tho Labor Department, told
the committee that unemployment
throughout the country was increasing
rapidly. Reports received by tho de
partment early in December from 123 in.
custrial centers showed 10000 men out
ot work. Last week reports showed this
number mad increased 10 o12.oOO. while
reports received today from only so pei
cent of these cCnters showed col 900 mer
without work.
Early action on legislation 10 adjus
War-contract controversies was urged
by the Department of Labor in a state
ment showing tho labor surplus in man,
Industrial cCntcrs had increased randi,
in the last ten -days.
Plants heretofore engaged in wa,
work were said not TO be changing bacL
10 peace activities rapidly enough tc
hold their proper proportion Of labor
Inc canceling of war contracts, with nc
provision for an early financial adjust.
ment of the manufacturers investment
IN war machinery, materials and par.
tially completed products, was blamed
Tor plunging some concerns into n state
bordering on stagnation. with no Ger.
talnty as TO their working capital.
Ihe Department of Labor invostic1.
tons of ways and means to stimulate
building and improvements and augment
the absorption Of labor in industry dis.
closed these two important ways Of got.
ting results" tho statement saws:
FIRST Legislation enabling tho huiId.
ing and loan associations of tho country
TO use their real estate MORTGAGES ro,
collateral in a system OF Federal home
loan banks.
Second. Legislation to authorizc i'm.
mediate adjustment and payment bv
lhe government Of reasonable claims
growing out Of tho summary resembling
of war contracts.
'Ih" former would permit home.
builders 10 avail themselves OF aImoz,
'2,O0o.o .oo",00o In loans; the latter would
provide much needed immediate capital
for manufacturing