Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-10-08
EVENTS OF A WEEK.

EVENTS OF A WEEK.
One Of the interesting developments of the week
las been the publication of relating to
the employment situation, this information having
been collected chiefly through the effort Of commit
tees of the Washington employment conference
which has been in recess to permit this and other
work to be done. The committees charged with
this work have accomplished two important things.
They have reduced to a basis of greater accuracy the
statistics on unemployment, and have ascertained
and made known the fact that enforced unernploy-
ment is being very materially reduced.
The figures on unemployment have shrunk de-
cidedly as the light Of investigation was thrown on
them. A few weeks ago it was frequently stated
that there were in the United States 100000 0 un-
employed men, and this alleged fact was treated in
such a manner as to make it appear that the men
in this vast army, ncariyidouble the member enrolled
IN the armies of the nation during the great war,
were walking the streets and highways in the un-
availing search for work, and that, for lack of work,
they were destitute and suffering. It was a short
step from the statement of.even million of men out
of work to treat each of these men as the head of a
family of FIVE, and to conclude that one third Of the
population of the country vas starving, a truly APP
palling condition, had anything Of the sort existed.
But not only has the actual number Of the I'M
employed shrunk under closer investigation until
it is now placed at considerably less than 5000, 000,
but IT. appears that a large proportion of these un-
employed are not persons upon whom the maintc-
nance of families, or even of themselves, depends.
Included in the list are great numbers of women and
children who took wage-earning positions during
and Immediately after the war, but who have re-
summed their normal positions in the households and
schools, while the positions which they occupy are
flied by the men of their families who are now
available for that work. v
While there are fewer persons in actual need of
employment who cannot find It than has been rep
resented, it appears that this number is shrinking in
a most gratifying manner. From almost every cor
ner OF the country comes the cheering news that,
while there is no industrial boom IN sight, there is
more demand for labor, and more labor is actually
being employed. A part of this may be ascribed TO
the o~perahon-ef ordinary causes, part to the efforts
winch have been put forth in various communities
to provide work for those in need of it, and a very
large part to the stimulation of the nations morale
BY the evident determination of persons in ali walks
Of lite to do their part toward bringing about the
return Of prosperity.
Congress is likely to remain in session until the
opening Of the regular session in December. Pros
poets tor an adjournment carly in November are be-
4evcd to have been shattered by the opposition Of
the president to the plan. Only a small part of the
legislative program for which the session was called
has been accomplished, and the president is said to
have urged on members that the entire time between
row and December be devoted to energetic work in
disposing OF the important bills now pending.
4I --z--4- -. 49, i
Progress has been made in the matter of tax
legislation. The house bill which ii is now before the
senate has been subjected to all sorts of criticism.
and there has been decided lack of agreement as to
its terms. A tentative agreement has been reached
which It is believed will facilitate its passage BY the
senate, and which It is hoped may be accepted in
Substance by the house. Among the changes pro-
posed are the increase of the limit of surtaxes from
- to 90 per cent, repeal of transportation taxes, re-
peal 81 $1,000 exemption for corporations. and re-
peal5of nuisance taxes.
5.sin me debate Senator Lenroot made strenuous
o0Jection 70 the manufacturers sales tar proposed
~ Senator Smoot. The Smoot proposal was for a
tax OF 9 per cent on goods which were not to be sub-
Jected to further manufacture or treatment Mr.
GIenroot maintained that it would be impossible for
ainyone 70 ascertain on just what commodities this
TT should be collected, inasmuch as the manufac-
tuEer could not know TO what use his product might
r. pnt. In the matter of textiles, for instance fhe
wisconsin senator pointed out that some Of the
cloth from : factory might be sold At retail over the
lecunter and another part might be used in the man
ufacturc Of suits and other garments. The mann-
fscturer. d~isposing Of his product in large lots to the
Wbbd,sc0uld not tell where any of It ponld On and
ScosId3 not re expected to follow it.
Ihe foreign treaties have been the subject Of
dehatc, the general tendency being for
Rspubhcanst 70 support and for Democrats to oopose
Them Senator Borah remains firm in his onnoe;-
tion On the ground that the effect Of the treat;es
l. Ii ~ tcFSbfing the United States into tie Leaeue
a. Nstiions by The back door, and the Democrats who
snppcFted the League Of Nations program opposel
nSw trezties because they are the product st Re
r~smbiican negctiation
Ihe League % Nations assembly Has sdoptedY
seyxSzt sn1eudnnents otis constitation. one chang
Sk1nnimons yote, aud makes ! thrse-fourths yote III
EEn mceffSin instances. IN the nnatfer IL M htScL.