The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-12-31
UNEMPLOYMENT
SUGGESTIONS BY
A. A. FOR [. L

New York, Dec. ga proposal
for emergency relief of unemployed
workers through properly organized
committees in every industrial COM
munity, together with four devices
for blotting out the ever-recurring
unemployment problem, which is de-
clared to be again approaching an
acute stage, are set forth by the
American Association for Labor Leg
islation in statement issued today
urging the adoption of a national
state system of employment eX
changes, intelligent planning of pub
lie work, regularization of industry,
and unemployment insurance, as a
means of "abolishing bread-lines
from among the miseries of the
world"
The statement summarizes the
findings of report prepared by the
Association showing results of the
unemployment crisis of 1914-15.
STANDARD recommendations" are pre-
scented, based on reports received
from more than 300 organizations
and individuals in 115 difference
communities.
"The machinery for the relief and
prevention Of unemployment, already
well tested in various parts of the
world" says the statement, Islands
rusting in America for lack of USE"
While avoiding "thes ostrich policy
of refusing to. face the facts on the
one hand and hysterical exaggeration
of facts on the other" every COM
munity should organize for emer-
gency relief well in advance of pos
sible need, according to the report.
"The appointment of an unemploy-
ment committee by the mayor, if i'm
proper political influence is guarded
against" it says, Ensures semi-offi-
cial standing and greater prestige.
Membership should include all classes
concerned, such as employers, work
ingmen, public officials, social work.
ers, civic leaders and representatives
of churches, lodges and women's
clubs. TO carry out preventative
measures, permanent organization
rather than temporary activity dur
ing the crisis is essential Educa-
tional work, based upon careful infor-
nation gathered from employment
offices, relief agencies and all other
available sources, should be under
taken in order to bring the facts of
the unemployment situation home to
every citizen, with emphasis upon
civic and industrial spOnsibility."
In planning emergency relief, it is
recommended that care be taken to
avoid duplicating the work of exist
ing organizations.
"Do not advertise the existence of
large relief funds or other provisions
for relief without work, or give in
discriminate relief to able-bodied
men," the Association warns. "Ex-
cept as a last resort, discourage the
starting of read-lines, bundle-days,
soup-kitchens, and similar measures.
AS far as possible supply aid by
means of employment, at standard
rates, but on part time to encourage
early return to regular occupations.
Open workshops, and secure odd jobs
from householders. Do not provide
work for housewives who are not or
dinarily wage-earners instead of for
their jobless husbands. For the
homeless, provide a municipal lodg-
ing house, with a work test, or a CO.
operative lodging house under intel
ligent supervision and leadership.
Abolish the passing on system, but
do not make provision for nOn-resi-
dents at the expense of resident I'M
employed family men,"
The report emphasizes the need of
careful separation of workers who
are unemployable from those who can
and will work but are without jobs.
specialized treatment based on the
continuous work of trained social in
vestigators for the inmates of the
municipal lodging house should be
developed. Provide adequate facili-
ties for the care and treatment of the
sick, the mentally defective and the
aged, Develop penal farm colonies
for shirks and Migrants, training col
onies and classes for the inefficient,
and special workshops for handicap
ped and sub-standard workers. I'm
employed workers may be helped if
industrial training classes are pro-
vided with free scholarships.
For permanent relief and preven-
ton Of unemployment, through a
four-fold program of public employ
ment service, such as that proposed
in the Nolan bill now pending in con-
gress, public work, regularizatiOn of
industry and unemployment insur-
ance, the report recommends:
''If one is not already in existence,
open an employment exchange to
centralize the community s labor
market, using private contributions
if necessary in the initial stages. Be-
ware Of poor location and insufficient
appropriations, of political appointees
and general inactivity. Do not start
temporary philanthropic exchanges
in times of depression if there is a
public bureau which can be made eff
ficient. Stimulate the cooperation
of citizens to improve the existing