Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-10-02
EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT MEASURES

Unemployment in the United States is less ex-
tensive than have been led to believe, although
II is bad enough. Between 100000 and 900
people are out of a job. The public has been told
'la' the number approached 100000 people
ONE difference in these figures is very material
e. The ,tion whole, although 1t is no
comfort to the individual who has no employment.
- national conference on unemployment is
sstttns down to business with astonishing rapidly.
It has taken up first the question of emergency
relief. At its leisure it will go into the question
of fundamental causes and their remedy. With
winter approaching, it is important that superb
cial relief come at once, allowing basic remedies
to take q more deliberate course.
The committee is about to recommend rota-
tion OF labor, a shortened week and partial employ
ment. These three proposals mean approximately
the same thing in most cases, The intention Is
to provide part-tme work for as nearly every one
may be practicable. instead of full-time for
some and idleness for others
The reaction of both capital and labor to this
suggestion will be awaited with interest by the
public. Many of us have had a suspicion that the
present method being used by employers to
bring labor to time" In some employments
group has been laid off" for several weeks, then
allowed to return to work at reduced or
under modified working rules Then another
group has been discharged and similarly reem-
ployed later. In this way the hand of the men
has been forced to some extent-perhaps, in
tain employments, to a considerable extent. Men
preferred a reduction to facing hungry families.
On the other hand, the unions have seniority
rules The Junior must be the first to be laid
off Seniority has provided added guarantees of
steady work to the older employees. VIII these
accept a plan for three or four-day week In
order to allow their juniors to make living.
Public opinion should force both of these to
accept the opinion of the unemployment conference
and provide against restitution this winter.
TIL, ~ nd ri ahO MT
plants, in order to furnish employment. is also
TO be urged. Temporary employment and "odd
jobs" should be provided wherever men find such
course to be possible.
Producers, manufacturers, wholesalers and re-
tailers are urged to pass along price reductions as
will more rapidly restore our economic equili-
brium. than the following of this advice.
Acceleration of public work is urged. This is
largely local problem. All public officials should |
80 order public improvements to create little
suspension during the winter weather condi-
tons may make imperative.
without discussing the merits of paying the
railroads $500, 900 rental during govern
rnent control the fact remains that IL this has
been determined upon a governmental policy, !
II should be consummated quickly in order that
the railroads may have the money at once with
which to supply men with employment in making
needed improvements.
Machinery is to be set up in each city through
a local committee. whereby the home problem may
be handled intelligently and speedily possible.
The conference has already justified the course
pursued by President Harding and Secretary Hoov-
er in calling it together. permanent pro-
gram may be expected from 1t in due course.