The Washington times., 1919-01-20
STATES TO ASSIST
SOLDIERS TO Jobs

NEW YORK, Jan. 2O.-Governors OF
many States today expressed their in
tention OF cooperating with Federal
authorities in securing employment
for returning soldiers.
Senator Kenyon in Washington re-
Gently urged a conference Of COVER
nors to discuss this problem.
Some States are planning extensive
public works to take care of the la
Dor surplus.
Following are some OF the state
ments.
North Dakota's farms will take
care OF unlimited employed in the
spring." said Governor Frazier.
Highway building and the erection
of State flour mills and elevators will
give work to thousands. There may
be unemployment in other States. bu:
there will be a big shortage of farm
labor here unless thousands OF sol :
dier-farmers return"
Governor Burnquist OF Minnesota,
in a special message to the State
Legislature, recommended that body
to put aside certain funds for the
immediate financial relief of the un-
employed, at least temporarily, until
permanent employment could be pro-
vided.
Missouri is utilizing every suitable
agency in an effort to handle the
labor problem" said Governor Gard
ner. 81 will be glad to Cooperate
in any attempt to devise further plans
or render the present program more
effective. Plans call for $500, 0,00O, 900
for road work"
Relative to Senator Kenyon's sug-
gestion that the governors Of various
States hold a conference, Governor
Allen of Kansas says he had no doubt
Allen of Kansas said he had no doubt
fetal in arriving at a solution of the
problem. For Kansas
he advocates an extensive road
building program and erection of
public buildings as the logical means
of furnishing work and stabilizing
conditions.
Texas Is Aiding.
Governor Hobby, of Texas, express
ed hearty sympathy with the Kenyon
idea 81 believe such conferences
achieve good results" he said. In
Texas every effort is being made to
care for returning so1diers. Particu-
lar attention is being given plans to
obtain Land for the soldiers"
Il shall attend the conference, if
called" said Governor Coolidge, of
Massachusetts,, "but my opinion is
that governors can accomplish more
by staying home and attending the
problems of their own
States. The problems seem to be
questions OF locality. The Senators
and Congressman can handle the na-
tional aspects of the problem"
Governor Coolidge also is urging
renewal of all public work and is try
ing to place men on farms.
Governor Cox. Of Ohio, said: At
am ready to cooperate with any plan
along these lines which may be sug-
gested by the Federal Government.
to protect the health
of returning soldiers are already. un-
der way" ~ r.
Miehigan Head Optimistic.
Governor Sleeper said he believed
all the Michigan plants would restore
returning soldiers to their former
jobs, and thus relieve any bad condi-
tion there
Gov. A. E. Smith. of New York;
said he is considering asking legfs-
lation for several million dollars for
public work. = - .---- -
Governor Harding of Iowa an
he would attend the confer
ences or send a representative. He
suggests that the War Department
discharge only men who have jobs
ready.
so far South Dakota is caring for
It's unemployed" said Governor Nor,
beck up to date, our greatest diff
fculty has been to secure the return
Of those needed-on OUT farms. Our
State will gladly join in conference
with sister States, and work toward
placing men here II possible"
Unemployment is the chief con-
sideration of the legislature now siS-
ting in Oklahoma, said Governor Rob
ertson. He believes the situation can
be handled by local agencies and in
ternal improvements there.
Plan Public Works.
In California it is intimated the
legislature may appropriate funds for
storage dams, hydro-ele:-
.ric development, and reclamation
v ork to afford employment for re,
turning service men.
Governor Lister. OF Washington,
said: There is sufficient employment
1ow in Washington to absorb the
abor surplus at present existing.
Plans for public work to provide addi-
ional employment cannot be worked
but now because the Federal Govern
nent has not decided on a policy for
State and Federal cooperation"