Evening star., 1921-10-01
FRAMES PROGRAM FOR RELIEF
OF THE NAIION'S UNEMPLOYED
Emergency Recommendations by Presi-
dents Conference Calling for Public's ;.
Efforts at Improvement.

With an emergency program OF
thirteen recommendations adopted to
effect immediate relief of the nations
unemployed, variously estimated at
from 3,5OO,0O0 to 5,500,000. the Presi-
dents unemployment conference re-
cessed today. to note the psychologi-
cal effect of it's labors.
The conference will reconvene Octo-
ber 10 to consider measures for per-
manent abatement of excessive un-
employment, by which time, it is be.
lieved, the country will have reacted'
to the emergency program and moi
Gated the extent to which the puDilc
voluntary efforts will be a factob IN
improving conditions.
Recognizing the task of meeting the
marily a community one, the CONFER
ence, by unanimous vote, placed the
responsibility for leadership IN reiiei
work upon the mayors or cltles anu
towns. To this end it was suggested
that the mayors proceed al one ~ ~
organize emergency committees nien
shall deal with the local SITUATIONS
Other Recommendations Made
Important recommendations the re-
port adopted are:
That municipalities expand their
school, street, sewerage, repair work
and public buildings work to the fuli-
est volume compatible with existing
circumstances.
That governors unite all state
agencies in support Of the mayors
and expedite construction or ROADS,
state buildings, etc.
That federal authorities. including
the federal reserve banks. expedlf
the construction of public buildings
and works covered by existing ~
preparations.
Particular reference was made by
the conference to the relation be-
tween prices and the solution or the
countrys economic questions.
With the exception of change In
the estimate as to the number OF the
country's unemployed. the report SUD
| mitted to the conference. which was
presided over by Secretary Hoover.
was adopted without amendment and
by unanimous vote
1000, 600 in Jobless Ranks.
The report placed unemployment at
4, ,OOO, 900, and this estimate brought a
protest from Secretary of Labor
Davis, who insisted that the figures
| which his department submitted to
! the Senate recently to the erect that
there were 5.735.000 persons out Of
figure.
Effort was made by several mem
bers to reconcile this difference Of
| opinion in amendments proposing
that several" "many" and "a mum.
| Der of millions" and just millions"
estimate. Secretary Hoover thought
| many millions" would be fair COM
promise, and Samuel Gompers. presi-
dent of the American Federation OF
Labor. thought simply millions
would meet the situation. Finally all
these suggestions were thrown out
and a compromise reached to esu-
mate unemployment variously at be-
| tween 100000 and 5,5O0,00o.
Program for Relief.
The emergency Unemployment re-
| lief program in full is as follows:
81. The conference finds that there
are variously estimated from 3.500.000
| to 5,500.000 unemployed, and there is
a much greater number dependent
| upon them. There has been an i'm
provement, but pending general trade
revival this crisis in unemployment
cannot be met without definite and
positive organization Of the country.
"2. The problem of meeting the
emergency of unemployment is pri-
| marily a community problem. The
responsibility for leadership is with
the mayor ana Stloulu De iflIueuidteiy
assumed by him.
"3. The basis of organization
should be an emergency committee
representing the various elements in
the community. This committee
should develop and carry through a
community plan for meeting the
emergency, using existing agencies
and local groups as far as practicable.
One immediate step should be to CO.
ordinate and establish efficient public
employment agencies and to register
all those desiring work. 1t should
coordinate the work of the various
charitable institutions. Registration
for relief should be entirely separate
from that Tor employment.
Right Job for Right Man.
~. The personnel of the employ
consideration to fitness only, and
should be directed to find the right
job for the right man. and should ac-
lively canvass and organize the COM
munity for opportunities for employ
ment. The registry for employment
should be surrounded with safeguards
and should give priority in employ
give preference to the emergency en-
ployment agencies.
! "5 The Emergency committee
should regularly publish the numbers
dependent upon them for employment
and relief that the community may
ging and uncoordinated solicitation
!, Of funds should be prevented.
sc. Private houses. hotels, Offices,
ETC., can contribute to the situation
by doing their repairs, cleaning and
alterations during the winter instead
of waiting until spring, when employ
! ment will be more plentiful.
Advises Public Construction.
"7. Public construction is better
than relief. The municipalities should
expand their school, street, sewage,
repair work and public buildings to
the fullest possible volume compatible
with the existing circumstances. That
existing circumstances are favorable
is indicated by the fact that over
s700.0oo.o00 of municipal bonds. the
sold in 1921. OF these. 100000, 900
were sold by 333 municipalities in Au-
gust. Municipalities should give short
time employment the same as other en-
ployers.
state agencies for support of the
mayors and, as the superior officer,
should insist upon the responsibility
of city officials; should do everything
compatible with circumstances in ex-
pedition of construction of roads,
state buildings, etc.
SO. The federal authorities, includ-
ing the federal reserve banks, should
expedite the construction of public
buildings and public works covered
by existing appropriations. =.
Appropriations for Roads.
40. A congressional appropriation
for roads, together with state appro-
priations amounting to many tens of
millions of dollars already made in
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