New-York tribune., 1919-01-21
Massachusetts Is
Urged to Rush Work
On Public Projects
Gov. Coolidge Tells People
United Action Is Needed
TO Assure a Gradual
Peace Readjustment

BOSTON, Jan. 20.-Calvin Coolidge
Governor of Massachusetts, who. with
the Governors of the other states, re-
Gently received from Secretary of La
bor Wilson a request to stimulate in
tcrest IN public works and civil con-
structlon, has announced the appoint
ment OF a special committee composed
of representatives of labor and capital
to forward this purpose.
Governor Coolidge has, in addition,
issued statement to the people of
Massachusetts advising them that Mas
sachusetts does not intend to be the
sport of chance" but the master Of
her destiny"
The Governor argues that the return
20 normal business life viii not be ac-
onpllshed by worrying over what may
happen, but can be accomplished only
by doing the tasks at hand His state
ment is gospel of courage and opti-
mism not only for the people of Mas
sachusetts, but for the country.
Is Time for Action
The substance of his message fol-
lows:
Men intrusted with the grave re-
sponsibllity Of managing the business
affairs of Massachusetts are now
called on to decide whether they will
continue their activities as usual or
wait to see if there is a decline in
prices No doubt there will be d de-
cline in some directions.
"The public question now is how
best TO proceed for the general well
fare. 1t seems clear that gradual
decline would be preferable to a per
pendicular fall in prices. 1t should be
remembered that prices Of labor and
materials are all relative. When once
adjusted the amount is not of great
Importance
There are two things to do. One is
to wait; the other is to go on with
business activity. If everybody waits,
thHre no doubt viii be a perpendicular
tall, with attending want, distress and
calamity. If people will go ahead with
business, while there may be a grad
uai decline, it can be borne with the
least Inconvenience.
Il realize that business is and ought
to be conducted for profit. Still. there
is not only the duty hut the ex-
pediency Of keeping the working force,
the organization, in dull times. We
have all worked together to win the
war Let us all work together to en-
JOY the blessings of peace The work
ing people OF Massachusetts,. her most
valuable possession, must be consid
cred and they must be maintained.
instead of being the sport of chance
massachusetts, ought to be the master
Of her destiny. Instead of waiting
we should act. Government has re-
leased raw materials, labor and tra MS
rortatlon. There is plenty of money
which makes a demand for merchan-
dlse. There ought to be no lack of a
disposition to act, no lack of enterprise
Committee Is Named
"The question is where to begin. A
committee working with our board of
labor and industries suggests the re-
vival of building. This industry has
been at a standstill for the past two
years. 1T is in its nature basic A
contract for any kind of building at
once makes the oportunity for -othe,
contracts, for steel, for cement, bricks
lumber, plumbing, steam heating, elec.
t1lcal equipment and all other mate
rails required in construction. This
would mean the employment of large
numbers of people in various factories
manufacturing these materials.
In this the various agencies of gov
errment ought to take the lead. it is
therefore urged that all the depart
ments in the commonwealth, counties
cities and towns should start the foun-
datlons at least for school houses
hospitals, libraries, police and fire de-
partment Headquarters. bridges anc
other public buildings. There are
many of these operations partially com.
plcted, and many others for which
plans have been drawn and money ap.
propriated. Ii public cons truction be
gins, private construction will soon fol.
low, as the increase in population re
quires more housing facilities. There
is also much construction work on the
railroads of New England which the
roads themselves and the national gov
crnmcnt should be urged to begin al
once.
"The material resources of the com.
munity must be used for the benefit OF
the people of the community. Such
use is the only thing that gives then
value and is the only warrant for then
existence. Unless this is done by pri.
vate~ enterprise it will have to be done
through the taxing power and other
wise, for the purpose of relieving the