New Britain herald., 1921-10-20
THIS CITY NEEDS
 HIGH TARIFF RATES
(Continued from First Page.)

as all eastern manufacturing places are at the present time, and that the city government realizing during the past winter the necessity of helping the unemployed took a census by the filling out of questionnaires classi fled and indexed the applicants and e1aa blished a city employment bureau Also 1t acted as a clearing house with the city charity department and diff ferent local organizations, such as the Red Cross, Charity Organization, Boy Scouts, soldiers service bureau and others, ascertaining what people were out of work and those who required aid tand investigated the applicant s circumstances as thoroughly as prac- tical; also solicited information from local factory offices, business houses and individuals regarding openings for those who were looking for em- ployment. This office was put into operation about the first of May It embraces in it's operation all city de- partments such as water, parks, streets. sewer and building depart ments for school, in securing places for people who are out of work as we'll as availing itself of all other chances.
 Tells of Service Bureau.
 "A service bureau was also estab- lished to aid ex-servicemen in securing national dues, state aid and local as- sistance for themselves and family, as we'll as employment when possible, thereby entai1ing thousands of dollars expense on the city.
 "On1xy small mart of those who solicited work could be employed at one time. so a weekly or semi mi-monthly shift was made so that there was a frequent change for nearly everyone except those whom it was found neces- sary from the experience of the fore- men to keep directing the rest. This system has been in operation now for nearly six months, and on the whole has proved as satisfactory as could be expected. It affords only temporary relief but it inspires confidence in the unemployed that the local authorities are doing everything possible to SUD- ply their wants and they have their welfare at heart.
 Employment Policy.
 "In furnishing work as above stat ed, care is taken to employ residents of the place in preference to aliens or residents of other localities and when those apply they are advised to return to their homes and be taken care of there. The city also has been put tc the expense of deporting quite num- Der of foreigners who came here with in the last few months with the ex. pectation of securing work but instead became public charges.
 Many of our merchants have beer assisted insofar as their taxes due the city were concerned by the city charity | department purchasing supplies from them under favorable conditions thereby aiding both the individual ane the city. We have made provision st | that this work can be continued throughout the winter.
 City's Plan Commended. We believe that this city has a. good, if not a better system for handl. ing the situation as any in the United States considering its means and size The unemployed have ranged from 2,5oO up to 7,5oo and 5000 and at the present time it is safely estimated tha there are $500 to 4,ooo persons ou of work. The situation has slowl, | | and we hope that it will continu along the same lines although it cal hardly be expected to be of perma nent character before spring.
 1'In my opinion the aid which tn | government should give us ought to b legislation to curb the importation o manufactured goods from foreig countries at such low prices as t bring them in competition with tn goods manufactured here. Loca1l the working men on part time at pre- war wages and the continued hfg prices of food clothing and rents. onl
 exist by running deeply into debt an
 are nearly as bad off as those wh
 have no work. The government, alst
 by it's advice to the business men an corporations throughout the countr ] to forego any appreciab1e profits increase the size of their plants C 7 add to their capacity and give othe
 men employment at the present tim , would be of great assistance if it [ acted upon.
 ] Praises Conference.
 "I feel that the recent unemploy : ment conference at Washington acte very judiciously and gave commends
 ble recommendations and am onl . sorry that it could not have been hel
 several months ago instead of on tI
 verge of winter.
 Very sincerely yours.
 Orson F. Curtis,
 Mayor of New Britain"