New-York tribune., 1919-03-05
It's Idle to WOrk
" Prices Soar,
HyIun AsScrfs
Nctc York Tribune
Washington furcnu

WASHINGTON. March Mayor
IIylan, of New York. forced to leave
Washington early. filed the following
statement with the secretary Of the
Governors and Mayors conference:
"The purpose Of to-day's session, AS
[ understand it, is for the Mayors Of
the various cities to report what their
particular cipalitics are doing to
stimulate business conditions and give
employment to the great number of
men who are released daily from Fed
eral service.
New York responded splenddly to
I the call made upon her during the
war, and she is now ready to do her
part in the reconstruction period by
aiding the business interests of the
city and in the securing of employ
ment for thousands of soldiers who
should and must be given employment
"The Mayors Committee of Wei
come to homecoming troops in the
City of New York has not only wei
coined the soldiers upon their return
by meeting and greeting them as
they entered the harbor, but has
also secured employment for thou
sands of them.
"The young men of our country re-
sponded hobly to the call to arms
Let the business men of our country,
the municipalities, the states and the
Federal government show them that
the services they have rendered we're
appreciated by starting and progress
ing great public and private improve
ments, which will give them employ
ment, and by the regulation by the
Federal authorities of the business of
the powerful meat packers who con-
troll the food necessities.
"The Senate investigation brought
out the fact that five packe1s-Ar-
mour, Swift, Cudahy, Wilson and Nor
ris-have monopoly on 400 of the
most vital and necessary articles of
food in the United States. In the
year 1917 their profit was over $685.
100000. The people must either pur-
chase these food necessities through
these channels of monopoly at their
price or starve. 1t Will avail returning
soldiers and others only an existence
by securing empl oyment. If their week
ly wage Is quickly eaten up by the
eXorbitant prices which they will have
to pay to the packers for the essentials
of life.
"Thc coal combination is extortinp
from the people of New York City a
[. -
from 50 to $27.
In New York City soldiers and their
families, as well as thousands of 9TH
ers. suffer seriously because of the
eXtortlonate price of coal and food
necessities. The Federal authorities
can help the people Of New York and
of the country if they prosecute vigor-
ously these war proliteers. Their prose
| cution Is the first and most vital stem
to be taken by the Federal government
TO help the returning soldier and thou
sands OF our people.
The municipal administration in
New York is progressing as rapidly as
possible all necessary public improve
mcnts and has authorized the expendi-
turo OF Sl000O,0O0 for the erection of
pubic schools and will authorize the
expenditure of an additional $10,O0O.-
oO0 as soon as required. 1t has also
authorized the expenditure of 5000
600 for dock and waterfront improve
mcnts. 1t will also authorize an addi-
tional $5,000,000 as soon as it can be
used. The city will authorize as rapid
ly as necessary n sum Of money amount
ing approximately to $4,000 900 to
complete the subways system. For
local improvements, such as sewers
new streets. repaving Of the present
streets, Sl4000,000 has been made avail
able. For miscellaneous improvements
provided for during the year 1919 an
amount close to s5,00O,O00 has been
authorized.
The great west side Improvement
will be taken up in the near future.
and 1t is estimated that the cost of this
Improvement to the city will be be
tween thirty-five and forty million dol
lars. contract has been let for the
extension Of the water system, amount
ing. to about $1300O,O00. This work
Will be started as soon as possible.
Every action necessary and pos-
sible will be taken to stimulate the
various lines Of industry and the bust
ness interests of the city to give en-
ployment to our deserving soldiers and
others seeking employment"