The Washington herald., 1921-10-01

a surplus of every necessity of life, in
which members willing and anxious to work are de-
prved of these necessities 1t simply cannot be, if
moral and economic system is to survive"
When that statement made in opening the ses-
sions of the unemployment conference it at once
lifted the problems to be considered far above those
of localities or local conditions, and made them
tional 1t outlined condition not the mere con-
cert OF individual communities, but of all
munities bound together in national moral and
economic whole.
Every item OF the conference program, each
question outlined for consideration, each report
made by subcommittee has confirmed this This
scope OF the meetings in each particular, has been
broad inclusive and looking not alone to the imme
diatc but to permanent relief and permanent pol
icy There are thousands of small communities
where unemployment is not at all problem. They
know of it only they read of it. There
States in which it is not acute and not serious.
One-tenth OF all the unemployed are in the one
city of New York. The immediate need is to find
work for 100000 who want it, willing to
work that they may get for themselves the neces-
saries of life If this is not provided then it is
truth that moral and economic system proves
itself failure. To try to shunt responsibility; to
seek to blame the condition on strikes, refusal
of a low wage, capital wilful shutting down
of industry, gets nowhere prove the failure.
The bald fact is that there the 100000
idle. That to treat this as someone's fault,
problem for charity, local condition to be
met by localities individuals, is unworthy
Americanism and in direct contravention of gov
ernmental and social system, and of all that is dis
tinctly American. The fundamental American
right is to work, to be self-supporting to have
economic chance and equal industrial opportunity.
Political opportunity and economic opportunity are
tIo
other without leading to social upheaval. social
collapse. Where either is denied property rights
are in jeopardy.
Right here comes the impressive truth that
wealth is a trust 1t is trust which if full
filled, leads to its destruction For this
son any basic policy for meeting unemployment
and preventing it a national State problem
rightly rests in taxation. 1t be adequately met
in other way. Localities States and the nation
cooperating in a joint responsibility, must have
projects OF useful, beneficial and far possible,
productive Improvements. Funds must be provided
for carrying these as employing necessity arises
that if underway they can be expanded, that
they may be undertaken without delay.
That this is feasible has been and is being
proved in many communities Such undertakings
as road building, irrigation, drainage, harbor i'm
provements canazing and many others which fall
in the productive class, can be held in leash
panded 1t the interest of all property, for its
own safety and as its obligation that this be done
The Federal government, every State and all large
cities should have such projects and such funds for
just such emergencies the present to provide
work at a fair, living wage.
The recommendations already evident in this
conference show this national character OF its deb-
erations 1t will probably advise stagger-hours for
employment which is warranted only a last
sort and under such the present conditions. 1t
will probably urge the States push and expand
road building; that Congress shall unlock the rail-
road settlement that there shall be expansion of the
Federal employment bureau cooperating with State
and city free employment agencies; that every city
shall have such agency to register the unem-
royed, and that private citizens shall undertake i'm
provements about their homes other properties
With these will go industrial plant improvements
ct cetera.
1t is suggested also, that manufacturers, whole
salers and retailers reduce prices. Why should
prices have advanced in the last month? Certainly
raw materials and labor charges not be held re-
sponsble for this; and probably nothing would
bring a greater measure of relief than reduced
prices induce broader buying. Every item in all
this shows the national character of the situation
and that it be adequately met only by concerted
national cooperative action involving every element
of our economic life.
The Herald takes issue that Congress should
not be appealed to in the emergency. There is
much Congress can do and should do, not as a
bonus, but the opposite of dole. If ever there
was call for real craftsmanship in America, it is
now to bring a wise, constructive, economic pro-
gram. not hodgepodge of favor privilege but
policy which will put substance under equal eco
nomic opportunity and assure a mans right to be
able to support his own family in his own home.