Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-01-12
COUNTY OFFICER
SEEKING RELIEF
FOR UNEMP[
MANY ODD JOBS THAT COULD
BE HANDLED NOW RATHER
THAN IN SPRING.
Unemployment Aid
in Causing Crime


known officials, who is in a position
that brings him into more or less
close touch with the unemployment
situation in the County, has written
a letter to the mayors and village
presidents throughout the county,
boards of trade, and newspapers, in
which he gives some valuable ideas
in caring for some Of the unemploy
ment.
He also points out that unemploy-
ment is cause of child delinquency,
liquor law violations, bad check Civ
ing, etc, which makes it still more
important that the more fortunate
people of the county take such steps
as they are able TO take in furnishing
work for those who are in need.
The letter in part follows and
should be read by every person in
the county because of the worth
while thoughts that it conveys:
That it (unemployment) is sought
as d shield by many cannot be dis
puted, but slight investigation dis
loses case after case of child delin-
quency, liquor law violation, bad
check giving, etc, traceably direct
ly only to past improvidence and
present unemployment.
Because of local conditions, the
City Of Alma, through its mayor,
has issued an order discontinuing all
card playing in pool rooms. This
alone cannot but conserve large
weekly expenditure, in many cases
by those unable to afford it.
you have read the findings Of the
Presidents conference on unemploy-
ment showing clearly that acute un-
employment can be promptly re-
lieved if the public will act, but how
few of US have thought that we owe
it to the man without a job to find
one for him, if we have any work to
be done.
every extra days work caused to
be done now takes men off the
streets. Why not have the present
accumulation of ashes removed, the
screens repaired?
"As stated in the sixth clause of
Mr.. Hoovers report; Private houses.
hotels, Offices, stores, etc, can con
tribute TO the situation by making
repairs and alterations and doing
cleaning during the winter instead of
waiting until spring, when employ
ment will be more plentiful. (And
wages higher.)
"The Paint, Varnish and allied in
terests, by advertisement, continuous
| ly urge that winter is as good time
as any for all kinds of indoor paint
ing and vanishing
Assuming that there are men out
Of ork-assuming there are num-
berless items of labor in your City
or Village to be performed for the
mutual benefit Of the employer and
| unemployed. there IS one big diff
'iculty which a little cooperative
.hought and planning-perhaps by
he aid of some of your women
may obviate.
Could you or your family step to
the phone and call for man or wo-
nan to do this or that item of work,
knowing your request would be full
filled, and the work performed at
reasonable price-knowing that you
would be required to pay a fair and
reasonable price and no more-there
are many things you would find To
have done this winter that under ex-
isting conditions you will not bother
with, since it takes valuable time
from your work, oft time so much
YOU do the job yourself rather than
hunt another, though you know you
cannot afford the time required.
"Why not an employment bureau
in your city or town? Free to EN-
ployer and employee; established by
proper publicity and advertisement to
create work to be done supervised
and directed by a few, sponsored by
a Board of Trade, every church,
lodge, Legion and other organiza-
tions. To the unemployed, an invi-
tation to register name, trade, if any,
address, work capable Of or wanted,
etc, not as a charity, but for the
benefit of ALL merchants and tax
payers, as well as those honestly in
need from lack of employment.
'To the people generally, once hav-
Continued on page two)