The Alaska daily empire., 1919-02-28
THE WORLD OWES MEN THE RIGHT TO WORK

While the people have little sympathy as eve with the man who adheres to the theory that tn world owes him a living, the events of the las several years have brought about the conviction tha the world owes a opportunity to work for living More and more repudiating the doc Urine implied in Gains question, Am my brother keeper?" Men keepers of their brothers, an they have awakened to the responsibility of fighting poverty.
 Returning soldiers who looking for work hay servSd to ,crystaze consciousness of this sentiment The position of thinking men on this subject wa set forth by Gov Lister of Washington in his mes sage to the Legislature last month Gov, Listers ob servations are used by the United States Departmen of Labor in a circular recently sent out. He said
 'The problem of readjustment has been discussed by many persons solely on the basis of providing properly for and furnish ing employment to the returning soldier That portion of the problem involves our sense of honor. It is imperative and pri- mary and must have first attention. But the bringing about of such result is only partial solution of the whole problem of national welfare. In addition to approxi- mately 900 who entered the mill itary and naval establishments proper, there are many additional millions who became part of the great wartime industrial army engaged in the manufacture of arms am- funition clothing and in countless other lines of war activity. Many of the plants engaged in such production have already closed down. others have materially duced their working forces. For the fu- ture Well-De1ng Of our State and Nation it is absolutely essential that those who employed in industries and now will soon be without employment, be promptly provided for.
 Most of the men who put the uniform were promised the return of their positions, by their employers, upon their discharge from the army. These promises should not now be forgotten nor ought we to look the fact, in keeping them, that many persons who filled the positions during the absence of the soldiers, will presently find themselves out of employment
 Speaking from the standpoint of State, I believe it is duty and responsibility so to adjust conditions that there will be poyment available in the State for every able-bodied person willing to accept it.
 All of the responsibility for furnishing employment should not be showed over upon the Government agencies. It is true that the Nation, State, counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions assists greatly in handling the problem. But it is equally true that the investor who had contem- plated the erection of business building, the individual who has desired erect residence, the manufacturer who in- tended improvements in his factory, all of whose plans delayed by war condi- dions ought quickly to so arrange their affairs that they may proceed with these contemplated improvements and thus aid in providing employment for those who desire and need it. I sincerely hope our peo- pie will not overlook this individual re- sponsibility. They should not expect the en- lie improvements that may be undertaken, for if this be the the time will come when public work will and the labor problem will remain unsolved."