The Washington herald., 1921-03-27
BRITAIN MEllAcED
BY IDLE MILLION;
NUMBER GROWING
Government Is Spending
Huge Sums, But Solu-
ton Is Will-o'-Wisp.

LONDON. March 2s.-According
to figures issued by the ministry of
labor. there are 1.14s.soo registered
unemployed in Britain - and they
are still climbing.
The unemployed barometer has
taken several big jumps during the
last few months. At the middle of
October the number of men and
women registered at the employ
ment exchanges was $50, 900; by
the middle of November it. was
47s.ooe; by the middle Of December
$4,000; by the middle Of January.
$4,000, and now they are we'll over
the million mark.
Many more Not Rexistered.
These figures do not take into ac-
count the thousands of unemployed
who have not registered at the gov
eminent bureau. II these were in
cluded. 1t Is estimated that the
number would be swelled to a mil
lion and quarter. Nor are they
inclusive of the people working on
systematic short time, estimated at
100000. The latter are chiefly made
made up of cotton operatives and
government employees at dockyards,
etc. ..
: Optimistic omcials Of the minis
try of labor believe the peak has
been reached. but the labor mem
bers OF Parliament lean to the be-
lief that the situation will be de-
cidedly worse before the turn is
reached. Realizing this the gov
eminent Is graphing with the prob
lem with the primary object of
stemming the tide.
Look After Vets First.
So far, the government has been
chiefly concerned in efforts to absorb
tens of thousands of former service
men into the Industrial fabric by
propaganda and appeals to employ
ers. The unexpected avalanche of
unemployment of all classes. how
ever. has made II imperative to Gre
ate state-aided schemes These
were explained by the minister of
labor, Dr. Mcnamara.
According to DR.. Mcnamara, at
least 10000 men have been found
employment on public works. The
expenditures authorized for these
schemes is practically 100000. 900.
Donate Immense Fund.
In addition to that, and in the di-
rection of mitigating hardship, an
amendment to the unemployment
insurance act has added 100000 to
the 100000 persons insured. A
further extension of the out-of-
work donation to former service
men has been granted, involving an
additional expenditure of SIS, ,000, 900,
making in all, since the armistice.
$500, 900. 900 to former service men,
and 100000. out-of-work dona-
tion for civilians during the first
year after the armistice.
One of the chief bones of conten-
tion between the government and
the trades unions Is the persistent
refusal of the builders to permit
dilution of skilled labor by employ
ment of unskilled former service
service men. There is not an un-
employed bricklayer in the country
and work could Immediately be
found for 100000 men, resulting in
employment being provided for
painters. plumbers, laborers. etc.
In the face of these facts the $4,000
former service men are forced to
remain idle.
Strikes Cause Huge Less.
The tendency here for some time
has been to regard every trade as
close preserve and in a restricted
market to force up wages by means
of strikes. Last year alone 27.oo0,-
900 days of work were lost owing to
strikes.
The Labor party so far has failed
to suggest a cure for unemployment.
Leader Clynes of the party declares
it is up to the government to devise
means for maintenance of work.
and that some steps should be taken
to restore international trade.
Whatever the causes the present
crisis is causing widespread misery
in the country. and the out-of-work
donations and other government
doles are generally looked upon as
being merely palliatives.