Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-31
Cause-Efect-Remedu
T is not our belief that all crime is the re-

TT is not our belief that all crime is the re-
suit Of unemployment, although we are
not blind to the well established fact
that idleness begets evil just as hunger and
want and poverty not infrequently encourage
theft. We are mindful that in Atlanta, In
Georgia and elsewhere in the United States
thousands Of men and women are out Of en-
ployment, but we are unwilling to believe
that the condition is as alarming as it is
pictured by some people. However, 1t has
reached proportions that fully justify the at
tention it is receiving from the government,
civic associations and charitable societies.
If we thought it would prove helpful in the
circumstances toward reaching a solution of
s the situation, we might dwell at considerable
length upon what we believe to be the under
lying reasons for unemployment in America.
We believe that the failure of the United
States senate to ratify the Versailles treaty is
largely responsible for world conditions as
they exist today. The failure Of the treaty
left the world out of gear, and until the re-
adjustments that would have followed the
speedy ratification of the treat. have been
effected there will be no permanent solution
of the economic difficulties
But the country is confronted with condi-
tons that require relief. Much is said and
written of the crime wave. 1t is general
throughout the country, and it seems a pop
uIar pastime of many editors and others to
attribute the cause to inefficient police de-
partments and to look for remedy through
improving the efficiency and charging the po-
lice forces. Such reasoning is plausible
enough, but it is not logical.
There may be cases here and there-many
of them, in fact-wherein ineHiciency and
carelessness of the police have contributed
nothing toward the suppression of crime, but
we venture the assertion that the largest and
best trained police force in the world would
be powerless to prevent crime. An arrest
now and then, or several arrests, and as many
convictions, while to be devoutedly desired,
will not suppress crime.
The SureSt way OF reducing crime IN the
United States or anywhere else on the face
of the earth, is to remove as far as possible,
the underlying cause, and this cause, we are
persuaded, is not so much spirit of 1aWlesS-
ness as it is dissatisfaction with the general
order of things,-dissatisfac action born, in part,
of idleness and want. The Devil is utilizing
his work shops-idle brains and idle hands.
That the Congress of the United States
recognizes the wisdom and Importance of
remedial measures to relieve the stress of
unemployment is attested by the recent action
of the Senate Committee on Labor in voting
unanimously to report favorably the Kenyon
bill, designed to help the unemployment sit
uation. We regard this action as impor-
tant step in the right direction, and it is our
hope that Congress speedily will enact the
legislation when it reconvenes after the holt
days.
The Kenyon bill commends itself as sound
and workable. 1t proposes to meet the I'M
employment situation, and solve it in part, by
providing for advance planning of public
works. In {. word, the United States govern
ment, in this period of Industrial stagnation,
is going to expend vast sums of money in
public improvements in advance of their act
ual need-improvements that will give en-
ployment to the unemployed, an occupation
for their minds and hands and an income
for their needs.
In this connection, we are reminded that
the government already is doing something
along this line under the Fedora Aid Roads
law. The secretary Of agriculture, in a re-
cent report to congress, remarked that more
improved roads were built under the law dur
ing the past year than during the entire pre-
ceding time since the act was passed.
During the fiscal year 1920, he pointed
out, total of 1,677 miles of improved road
was completed and during the fiscal year
1921, ending June 30, more than 1000 miles
were completed. The increase in road build
ing was stimulated in part by the abundant
labor supply and the lessened wage scale
that prevailed
Many States it is interesting to observe,
improved the opportunity for road construc-
ton. In Georgia, according to Mr.. w. R.
Neel, the State Highway Engineer, all records
were broken by the highway department dur
ing the year 1921. A total of 5000, 900
was expended, and, in all, Ito miles of i'm
proved roads were built.
1t is gratifying to remark that Mr.. Neel ex-
poets the Highway Department to enter upon
the New Year prepared to put forth "every
proper and legitimate effort with its power
in support OF the proposed $75,000,000 bond
issue for good roads, so that the State may
obtain it's maximum benefit of aid from the
United States government.
The new Federal Highway law, passed just
before Christmas, appropriated $75,000,OO0,
of which $25,000,000 is Immediately avail
able, and quota of this money will come to
Georgia.
It is pertinent, in the connection, with
road building, to remark upon the street i'm
provements that have been accomplished, in
whole or in part, and others that are in con-
temptation, in the City of Atlanta. Under
the "baby bond amendment to the City's
charter, it is probable that more permanent
paving has been done in the past year than in
any other similar period of time. Such work
provides employment and deserves to receive
every encouragement
Mr.. Edward G. Peters announcement OF
his purpose to proceed Immediately with the