New-York tribune., 1919-03-21
Smith Asks
Finds to Aid
Unemployed
Governor Sends to Legisla-
ture First Report of Re-
construction Commission
Tells of Social Unrest
Requests 100000 for State
to Cooperate With Other
Agencies Seeking Jobs
STAFF Correspondence

STAFF Correspondence
Albany, March 20.-Governor Smith
transmitted to the Legislature to-day
the first report of his reconstruction
commission, in which attention of the
lawmakers was called to "the prevail
ing atmosphere of social unrest"
The COMMISSIONS report finds that
the failure of the Democratic Congress
TO provide an appropriation for the
Federal employment service will close
fifty Of the bureaus in this state, re-
taining but four, two in New York
City, one in Buffalo and one in SYRIA
cuse. He recommends that the state
appropriate 900 for public employ
ment bureaus.
The report, signed by Abraham 1.
Elkus, reads in part:
New York City and New York State
have only just approached the real
crisis in their employment conditions,
The return of the local men who have
been in service has but recently begun.
The city and the state have until now
been struggling with the problem of re-
turned men from other parts of the
country who have attempted to secure
positions in the attractive city of New
York.
"The 9th Division is here, and the
T7th Division is expected in a few
weeks, so that the replacement problem
is acute for the first time in our state
and in its municipalities, and the men
Of these divisions have rightfully
raised the demand Of local jobs for
local men,.
Employment, owing to complicated
causes, is not plentiful. The figures
obtamable show that, while the re-
placement OF soldiers in positions is
proceeding with very excellent results
the displacement of civilians is as
suming serious proportions.
Atmosphere of Social Unrest
Nor is there any need for the COM
mission to call attention to the nre-
yalllng atmosphere of social unrest
which gives to the current unemplov-
ment problem a significance even more
serious than it would ordinarily nos.
sess. The state would indeed be re-
miss In its duty if at this time. bv
standing Idle while the great emplov.
ment system built up by the Govern
melt :aa ourlhG the war is threatened
WIN sudden extinction, it gave color
20 the speclous exhortations of those
who attack our form of rovernraone
and assert its failure to protect the IN
'erests rest OF the common people.
The federal service having been
olsreputed by the failure of tho
sohgfesslonal appropriation, the New
tolA STATE service, never adequate at
pssI having needed the request of the
federal service to merge its ident;tv
aau now suffering by the sudden dis,
slsahization consequent upon the loss
support from the Federal system
anu Deihg therefore unable as at nres-
Wv. sas n.ahced TO meet the needs Of the
s,.aaloh' and the volunteer agencies
.squtlhg and welcoming immediate
.ppolainatlon as never before. we
Msrelore beg to advise you that il
- necessary to proceed energeticallv
provide for an adjustment of +he
ing lines: '"e 1o'1o"-
,,,iol' isils'' we recommend that the
fullest cooperative RELATIONSHIPS he
maintained with the Federal serv;ca
as 1t will be constituted under +ba
new management.
Second-that the state nroceaa
immediately to strengthen and on
'aige the state system of emnlov-
mens agencies.
To Call Upon Mayors
Ihird-That you Immediately cal,
rron mayors of cities to ENCOURAGE
.s%anicipailtles sra to support existing
ooa,, enlpioyment agencies and to
~; "here needed additional mu-
;,pat q; pa. agencles for the placement
str;st I'm soidiers and civilians, but in
e. sad - coordination with the state
ana Federal service, so that tbera
snaai be standardized method of
saaoing aaa the problem of employment
d.; nr distribution of labor and no
duplication of efforts. nv
aout'n That you call upon all
e,aa.a ssahsser agencies, both upon those
saseo ns.1s Ior war purposes and those
;aanehtly esn;lay functioning social or
ssa.a: srn,ztalons which have facilities for
wss'.anihg employment agencies. or
;,nnsd rn,eh nave operated them hitherto.
t;aieu,a'ely t;aae to resume these func,
an CHS put again in the strictegt co.
spslaeion ss with the state and Federal
,,~fth Fifth: That organized labor
tn t,yogaout the state be called upon
ey,an smo lts cooperation to the fullest
IN IN .. 70 the coordinated plan here
;n.a suggested and that it be called
so IT, conference and consultation
,rra me report suggests that the Gov.
rsnpa na summon a conference of mayora
saydIsssehtatiyes AK Of labor, agriculture
G tas;ua commercial interests and represen.
mrn;a es OF all agencies, Federal. state
p'c,pai pass and volunteer, for the pur.
brino;oi VI stimulating cooperation and
ws,ss ws,ss.lg about complete coordinatior