Daily Kennebec journal., 1921-10-04
Presidential Appeal
Says Local Effort
Necessary for
Success.
Asks Organization of
Community Machin-
cry to Cooperate
with Work of Ma
tiOnal Body = Cen.
trail Agency to Be
Maintained in Wash
ingtOn

Washington, Oct. 3.-Governors and
mayors throughout the country were
asked by President Harding in a
public statement today 60 organize
in each community machinery for the
correction of economic condition.
along lines worked out by the unem-
ployment conference here. The con-
ference, the president declared. had
demonstrated that conditions could
not be made properly without such
local cooperation. He announced
that a central agency would be
maintained here under the auspices
of the conference to give national CO.
ordination to the rehabilitation ef-
fort.
The presidents statement follows;
THE conference which I recently
summoned to Washington to advise
as to the unemployment situation has
demonstrated that an usual volume
of unemployment exists and that
pending the recuperation of trade the
situation can not be met, in due re-
gard to our obligations and neceSsi-
ties without a much more than usual
organization throughout those states
and municipalities where employ
nlent has reached considerable pro-
portions.
40 "a rnn
a plan of orga anization which has had
the support of commercial manufac-
turing, professional. and labor repre-
sentatives of the country. 1t is
highly necessary that more accurate
knowledge should be had, through
such organization of the volume and
necessities of the unemployed. 1t is
essential that the cooperation of all
sections of each community should
be brought into action behind such
organization to provide work and as
sistance that we may pass through
the coming winter without great suf-
fering and distress. 1t is Of ma
tional Importance that every COM
munity should at once undertake
such orga niZation in order that the
nation may be protected as whole.
Moreover the thorough commitment
to such task is sure to start thou
sand activities which will add to our
common welfare.
Il, therefore, appeal to the COVER
nors and mayors Of the nation that
they should take the steps recon-
mended by the conference.
In order that there may be unity
of action by all the forces which may
be brought to bear, whether govern.
mental or private. the unemployment
conference is establishing an agency
in Washington through which ap.
propriate cooperation can be pro-
NOTED and through which reports on
progress and suggestions may be
given general circulation and Coop
Grafton. | trust this agency will be
supported in this endeavor"
Final plans for the central employ
ment agency are practically COM
pleted, conference officials said, and
Secretary Hoover is make an an
nouncement tomorrow outlining the
character of the organization. Col
Arthur Woods, former police COM
missioner of New York is understood
to be under consideration for ap-
pointment as head Of the agency.
Possibility of reducing the number
of the nations unemployed through
use of uskilled workmen in the con-
struction of new highways and in the
maintenance of roads already built
was discussed at a meeting today Of
the executive committee Of the ma
tional association of state highways
officials, To aid in this effort it was
proposed to seek from the war de-
partmcnt road building machinery, of
which the department has a surplus.
The meeting was the first Of a series
of conferences the executive commit
tee has arranged.