New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-01
Neac ys-ls Tribune
LdbOr Burecn

Interviews with New York labol
leaders bring out the following angle
OF the unemployment problem raised b.
rehabilitation OF the army and wal
workers:
That unemployment is here. but
that it is. not vet grave in New York.
That, so fay as the country is con-
cerned, Congress and the legis-
latures of the various states should
appropriate money immc diately for
needed public work.
That prohibition is going to add
largely TO the seriousness Of the
problem.
That the perpetuation OF the arb
tration boards set up in war time
would be helpful.
That machinists, who were affected
first by the closing of munition
plants and factories engaged in
war work. are now better off than
the carpenters and structural work
ers. Of whom about SO 600 are out OF
work in New York CITY,
That a large army OF women work
ers who have been earning more pay
in war work than they had be ore are
now idle and unwilling to take up for-
mer lines, such as household employ
ment
That tho ruling OF Secretary Baker,
permitting discharged men to remain
in camp until they find employment
should ease the situation OF the dis
charged soldier
Strikes Cause Unrest
James Z. Roach director Of the New
7 ork district OF the American Fedora
tion of Labor, said yesterday:
There appears to be an abundance
of labor but this state Of affairs is tt
be expected under the changing condi
lions. A great deal of unrest seems t(
have been created within the last two
weeks by threatened and actual strikes
with their consequent interruption Of
related industries. Employers should
long ago have seen that speedy settle
ments rebound to their own advantage
as we'll as to that of the workers.
ct seems that the order permitting
service men to stay in camp until they
have secured employment is having {
salutary effect. The governments ac
ton would be still more effective if tn,
men we're permitted to go home ant
their pay and unkeep continued fol
three months. or until they have OBJ
tanned the Jobs they will best tit. | an
nalism on the part of the government
portunity to work, and in the recogni
ton of that fact we will have the solu
ton of the entire problem.
THE people at Washington claim
they have saved $4,000, 100000. The
government should Immediately begin
the series Of improvements ard wort.
contemplated. The state and city ad
ministrations also should start con
struct!on work and, with the earning
from these projects in circulation, othe
industries would benefit and the entir
situation be relieved until the arrival O
the period of activity in the spring.
IF this is done at once there need b
no fear Of depression or radicalisn,
The average American wants job an
decent living"
Holland Explains Views
James Holland. president Of the Ney
York State Federation of Labor sees
grave but by no means critical. situa
ton
"The labor situation" he said yes
terday dis not at all pleasant to con
template. Great numbers of our wa
workers have not yet secured jobs
soldiers are pilinc in hv the thousand
and other thousands are being throw
out OF work by the prohibition amend
ment. 1t is probable that Secretar
Bakers order permitting soldiers t.
stay in camp viii do much to help mat
tcrs, but my greatest concern a
the present time is for the mel
in the brewing industry. They cam
do anything else, and dom
know just what they are goin,
to do It is something that should b.
attended to at once by our reconstruc
ton boards. suppose the govern
ment is doing all it can, but | eXpec
much from the new commission ap
pointed by Governor Smith TO look int,
our labor problems.
II think, also, great deal OF goot
could be accomplished by perpetuatinl
the various boards Of arbitration w,
controversies. But the boards shoult
include practical men and women, wh'
have had experience in one industr,
or another, il they are to attain thei
greatest etficiency."s
Larger Is Optimistic
B. a. Larger. general secretary o,
THO United Garment Workers Of Amer
lea, is optimistic He said yesterday:
~ don't see anything to be alarmed
at. The strike situation, as | see it, i.
the only aspect of the labor problem
that is looming up to a serious degree
The employers should be reasonable
and | believe they Will be- The de
mands of the workers are not excessive
but it seems that the business men an,
afraid to give the worker greater re
turn for his labor because he may no
be able to get more for the manu-
featured product. There is genera