The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-09-26
What Auto Is Doing to
Employ JobIess
BY HARRY /. DAVIS

conservatiyely 800. 600 people out Of work
/ in Ohio. In the nation, the figure has
been placed at several millions As a
/ large proportion OF the jobless have de-
pendents. the number affected is greatly
: multiplied.
The fact to be faced in the unemploy-
ment situation is that unless dealt with
intelligentY. thoroughly and promptly.
winter win bring with it severe Hardship
and privation or large numbers of our
men, women and children.
Clearly, there is but one healthy way
to deal with the problem--to provide work
and afford opportunity TO those In en-
| forced idleness to support themselves and
their families. But since resumption OF
normal activity by our Industries cannot
| be wrought overnight by some word Of
magic, solution Of the problem would
seem to lie in the following two direc-
lions:
FIRST: The carrying on Of public work
as extensively as possible.
SECOND: Making what work is avail
able go as far as possible in furnishing
employment to the greatest number
| These two purposes Ohio has set out to
accomplish.
| Public construction activities have been
greatly increased. Nearly three times as
many miles of highways will have been
| built in 1921 as in any previous year
Extensive grading work will be continued
| in winter for the first time so as tolhelp
provide employment.
Other Measures
Other large and necessary improve
ments are being undertaken and carried
for the same purpose.
All this will provide work, but not
enough. Of course. to furnish continuous
49,, - H.
only matter of fairness. but one of eco
be distributed over the largest possible
number so that nearly as may be. every
person win have work this winter
We have therefore ordered that all labor
| jobs. requiring no special skill, connected
with state work, be prorated among the
unemployed of the state on two-wesk
basis Of employment, so that at the end
! OF each such period new set Of jobless
may be given work.
We have also asked that municipalities,
counties and townships adopt the same
practice. and that private employers fol-
| low the policy so far as it will not jeopar-
disc the maintenance by them OF their
established organizations.
Jobs for Thousands
State activities alone win thus furnish
| jobs for thousands. On highway work,
| there are now 5000 directly and indi-
rectly. performing common labor tasks.
InClemenr weather win of necessity reduce
this number to around 5000.
With other state work and with local
communities and private employers join
ing in the plan. many thousands who
otherwise would have little opportunity OF
making a living this winter. will obtain
employment for two weeks and 1t win be
rFSbalTla hx-f lSY4c ole
| turn will be reached more than once dur
ing the winter.
Ohio already has the nucleous Of the
machinery necessary for putting into eff
feet this plan, in seven state-city free
employment bureaus located in large
cities in various sections Of the state
Through the state department OF indus
trial relations other agencies are being
set up in territories not reached by these
bureaus.
Chambers of commerce and other or
ganizatioAs are offering their staffs and
facilities to help IN the task of apportion-
ing the available jobs to the jobless
Lists Of Jobs open
The state will furnish TO these various
agencies from time to time lists OF JOBS
about TO be open in their localities. Local
authorities and private employers are be-
ing asked to furnish similar lists. so that
as nearly as possible jobs ia any district
can be. fairly pro-rated BY one central
! responsible body among the unemployed
Of that territory.
There is one main rule that will govern
operation of this plan: as between tho
unemployed, married fher with families
will be provided with jobs first as against
men who have no dependents. This IS
necessary in order that the greatest nlr.-
Der may be benefited.