New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Curbi11gf Priiuate Agencies
Urged to Aid Unemployment
Morris L. Ernst Would Link State Bureaus and
Have Government Assist i'm Establishing Uni
form System of Finding Jobs for Men

Morris l.. Ernst. labor expert who
has criticised the present adminstra-
ton of the Federal Employment Ser
vice. yesterday outlined a policy for
dealing with the unemployment situa-
tlon in this country. He began by
advocating the abolition of private
agencies, Cr failing that, raising the
tax on their offices. He then skcyched
plan for interlocking the various
state employment services through the
Federal government, and showed how
The present system results in divided
esponsibility and in unrest and con-
fusion among employees Of the com
bincd stata-Fe ederal service.
81 am in favor of abolishing alto
gether private employment agencies,
as has been done in England" said
Mr.. Ernst, "and was voted in the State
Of Washington in 1875 on d refcren-
dunn by a large majority. The WASH
ington LEGISLATION was declared uncon-
stitutional by to vote of the
Supreme Court, but legislation mi ght
he submitted that could overcome the
obstacle that arose in that case.
'ln the event that private agencies
are not closed, there should be further
restriction by stricter licensing regu-
lation ard by raising their ices. The
duced bill at Albany raising the pri-
vatc employment office fees from $2a
to $3.50. and 81 nearing on this bill
is scheduled for next Tuesday. A SIM
llar bill passed the state Senate last
year, but failed oil passage in the AS
sembly in the closing hours Of the
session.
Ohio Began Agencies
Since 1880, when Ohio began the
first state employment office in this
country, many states Of the union have
conducted thcm, and until the war be
gan the Federal government had an
employment ae,vice only in the lmm-
grafton Bureau, limited in scope to
situations arising az to imm grants.
Appropriation Of sS5O,000 by Presi-
dent Wilson from his war emergency
fund in 1917 made possible the start
ing Of Federal employment service.
In addition to this sum. the employ
ment service obtained an appropriation
of $5,50o,0oO, and is now asking for a
deficiency appropri alton to bNing this
sum up 20 $2,000,000.
"ln the absence of Federal legisla-
tior, the employment 9clvice theory ri
least pronounced itself as being in ia
Hor Of a system under which 1t would
cooperate with the offices conducted bv
the states.
"This supposed system Of coopcra-
lion has resulted in divided responsi-
billty, the employees even not knowing
TO whom 20 make reports This con-
diticn exists in many statcs other than
New York.
Time for L. S. Action
"ln this connection wonder if it
IS not about time for the Federal
government to appoint permanent di
rector for tie State Of New York, as
| understand that DR.. liirchwcy. the
present acting director, is not inclined
10 accept the position
Until the service announces it's
state director and that state director
announces his state policy, the major
lty OF the employees in the Offices will
continue to be restless, uncertain as
TO the future Of their own positions.
In many instances to my Enowlcdgc
they are actively and cxcusably watch
ing for thei" own benefit good offers
mat may come into the Offices.
AT this time the Fcncral service ia
asking for large appropriation to
carry on this work, but consistently