The Washington herald., 1922-03-06
Results of Presidents
Employment Conference
Beginning to Show.
SIGNS OF RECOVERY
EVERYWHERE SEEN
Public Cautioned Not to
Relax as Prosper
ity Nears.

in March which the Presidents un-
employment conference predicted
last October is definitely on the
way. officials declare,
But the time for the nation to
rest upon it's oars is still remote,
because the signs of this recovery
are rather tendencies than statis-
tics. they contend
in mind not only until the present
unemployment crisis is passed, but
forever, because future cycles of de-
preston are bound to recur, was
emphasized in exclusive interviews
with Col. Arthur Woods, chairman
OF the standing cSmmittee on emer-
gency measures, and Edwin Eyre
Hunt. secretary of the unemploy-
ment conference. and the newly
formed committee on business
cycles.
Evidence OF Recovery.
These two men have been carry
ing on the work of the conference
since its adjournment last October
Woods has concentrated on the
present emergency. and Hunt on
preparatory steps to mitigate fu-
ture crises.
The past three weeks have
brought visible evidence of recov-
cry" said Woods. individual cities
throughout the country have shown
marked Improvement. But this Is
no time to relax.
The distress growing out of un-
employment is not going to de.
crease in anywhere nearly the same
proportion as unemployment de-
creases.
Throughout the winter the emer-
gency work has gone one step back
Of mere rGief work in two ways:
"Ffrst-1t has tried to keep peo-
pie from becoming public depend
ents.
''Second-It has treated the prob
lem on a friendly. neighboriy, In
dustrial basis. leaving to each city
the working out of its local prob
lem with the assistance and CO.
operation of the government.
Unemployed Not Choosy.
Nor can it be charged that the
unemployed have been too choosy.
1t is an intolerable situation where
by freeborn men. through no fault
of their own, are suddenly deprived
of their means Of livelihood. Spe-
cialization in industry has increased
distress. no doubt. but one can
hardly blame a man for perfecting
himself in a certain line of work
and try to hold out when that line
is cut of. But the unemployed
have been willing to do anything
to tide them over the depression
period"
The recently appointed committee
to study the business cycle, of
which Hunt is secretary. will, IN
his opinion. LAY the constructive
basis for the next period of de-
preston"
Undoubtedly conditions are i'm
proving" he said. The wave has
passed from the industrial North
east and the Atlantic Coast farther
inland.
Depression Teaches Lesson.
depression-the greatest since the
civil war, and possibly greater be-
cause it was not anticipated-w:ll
next depression. The cycle is usu-
is to that end that the business
cycle committee, whose report will
be Forthcoming in the carly fail.
Is now functioning.
The unemployment conference
tended to advance a good deal OF
the work which would have other
wise been postponed until spring.
And. with that running start, the
job Is now 10 prepare for the next
emergency. 1t is necessary through
statistics and scientific surveys to
forewarn the people, that they may
be forearmed."
Jobs on Increase.
The percentage increase of Feb
ruary employment over January
the lowest level reached in the de-
pression-is 81 per cent, according
to Director General Jones, Of the
United States Employment Service
of the Department of Labor.
This is an extremely conserva-
tive increase" Jones declared. But
it symbolizes general tendencies
toward recovery. While the joints
of industry are still stiff. there Is
a resiliency to business that is en-
couraging and with every indica-
ton of permanency.'