The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-06
ONE SOLUTION.

Changing business conditions con-
troll and regulate the employment prob
lem. We are still wrestling with the
effect Of readjustment upon general
industry, although industry in general
is supposed to have passed through
the period Of greatest stress Con-
spicuous evidences of unemployment
still exists and indications are that
the coming winter win be a critical
period with labor.
Escambia county, in its construction
program, has gone long way towards
solving the problem of unemployment
In this county next winter provided
the work is pushed forward without
delay.
In this connection. attention might
be called to the following editorial ex-
pHession from the Concrete Highway
Magazine, published in Chicago:
fStudents of economies are in ac-
cord that construction is q reliable
barometer of our industrial life. Pub
lie construction, such as streets, sew
ers. schools, hospitals, fire and police
stations and similar building is at a
lstandstill or at best has proceeded at
an Indifferent fashion for various reas-
ons. The fact is with US. Numerous
causes for it have been discussed sbut
have gotten US nowhere.
The so-called construction season,
which, from force of habit is now draw
ing to an end, has been encouraging
In the sum total OF activity represent
ed by volume OF business in dollars
However, construction in its inactivity
has been public work-construction OF
the kind briefly referred to above
and though banks and treasures hold
millions of dollars Of public money.
voted by the taxpayers for schools.
park improvements. sewer projects.
recreation structures and other mu-
nicipal improvements. this money, be-
cause Of its non-use is comforting no
benefit on those most interested
In most Of our cities. there are too
few houses to comfortably shelter the
people. not nearly enough public
schools to take care of thousands OF
children. The same is true of hospit-
ais and similar public or semi public
institutions. The whole country needs
the prosperity which is certain to fol-
low the circulation of the millions OF
dollars involved and above all, labor
needs the work-and the public al
ways pays the bin whether for work
or charity. But no redblooded Amer
lean wants charity.
It IS desirable that better under
standing Of the construction Industry
and the far reaching effect it has upon
general conditions prevail Such an |
understanding must If possible be
reached BY everyone at once. 1t is
the surest groundwork upon which
nationwide industrial conditions may
be stabilized Unfortunately and IN
necessarily, habit at some time marks
each one Of us for its victim. Build |
ing is not a seasonal occupation. az
even the casual observer has noted
for building Of considerable magnitude
may go on without interruption re-
Kardless of the season.
1t is a question OF erecting ! nublfe
building or inaugurating a campaign
Of public work. now is the very best
time. Private enterprise Is releasing
and It win continue TO release lahor |
as the grip OF habit tightens its hold |
when the first few gusts Of winter
wind suggests shutting down work. |
Therefore the municipality having
-
ton Of private enterprise and need NOT
look Tor labor nor bargain for price.
Many communities have been planning I
and deferring public work for several I
years, and in not a few cases the tax I
payer has managed TO scrape up his
assessed contribution to the public I
treasury; but the work for which this 4
money was voted has not been under
taken. Where funds are not now
available they can readily be raised /
and final payment charged against
the good times they win help inaugu-
rate.
Times are as good as we make them.
There are no hard times worse than
q frame of mind" Many of the 600
600 or 10000 600 men now out OF en-
pIoyment represent the only source of
for stiil greater millions
81 women and children These men
can solve all their problems If they