Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

time Thousands Of families as secure dnan-
cially as ever. have long talked of improvements
that they planned TO make in their homes
some day. A play room for the children, paint~
ing and redecOrating, remodelng the kitchen.
The time for doing it has never been set. BY
q universal ordering Of this work 1t once
thousands Of men would be given immediate
employment.
Rural committees that have dreamed Of Q
hospital, q playground or park improvements
by beginning their work on such projects now
not only win have the advantage Of the low
costs unavailable IN periods of prosperity. bre
win be doing Q timely and definite act that
abates the depression.
TNHE soldier generation, schooled in disci-
pinned team work and realizing from th0
experience II the battlehelds the neces-
sity for individual courage and group CO.
operation can play its part in relieving tbs
current unemployment. The youth OF 1918
have grown older and taken their place IN
the social and political structure Of the Coun-
try. They have at their disposal fine service
organizations These units can be utilized 70
aid members IN securing employment. a
service officer Of each county unit can main
tain q wen defined employment agency by
keeping the registration OF unemployed menu
bers. Veterans contemplating the employment
Of men can hasten their plans of construction
or production to give jobs at q time they are
most needed and list their requirements with
the local service division. And there should
be q close cooperation between the Federal
Government IN its employment Of men and
Legion employment bureaus.
There are many types of work which can
be undertaken by municipal, State and Fed
eral governments that viii not only afford
jobs for the Idle but do q necessary and
permanent economic good. Many parts OF th0
country are afnicted by pes.s that threaten
agriculture. The japanese beetle and the
gypsy moth are two insects which have wroughe
much damage In recent seasons. They must
eventually be dealt with It Is easier to elimi-
nate them ut this stage of their distribution
than later. There ere many communities nee0~
ing such service. Appropriations at this tins
for such work not only would secure large areas
employment for many men at time when
jobs are essential 10 both the individual and
Nations prosperity.
The modern attitude toward the unemplcy-
ment problem opens the way for its compro-
hensive treatment. The necessity for completes
throughout the Nation Is recognized. The re-
cent Swarthmore study of unemplOyment
answers q definite need by pointing out tbs
infinite ramincaticns Of the problem and Eug~
costing measures for solving Il. The Governs
ment has collected extensive statistical data
The machinery for immediate and accurata
accumulation Of figures is not very complete
This should be made so. BY having its ange4
on the pulse OF the lapor market, the Governs
ment could quickly ascertain industrial trends.
Approaching depresSions might be anticipated
and measures taken to abort the full swing Of
the downward trend.
one means Of doing this would be far
sighted planning Of Governmental construction
so that work could be begun Immediately when
employment decreased, and thus take up the
slack This would maintain an even purchasing
power on the part of the workers and do much
to prevent industry from laying off further
workers. Industry also should look ahead
Competent forecasting of displsc sments Of labor
that are likely to occur where great technical
changes are pending would allow the issuing
of warning to workers employed in such indus
tries, so they might be induced to begin their
search for new work before their old jobs had
been taken by O machine. 1t would also re-
strain others from entering that field.
Mechanical changes could be introduced gradu-
ally so as to distribute the strain. Such changes
during periods Of prosperity would not affect
employment as tnjuriously as if done during
years of depression. A general knowledge and
concern on the part of employers both large
would make them capable of immediate, me
tellgent and decisive at eon a. crisis
threatened. e4 &
harness of common purpose and endeaYpr In
which we pulled together through the days
of the war, we can again accomplish our conn
mon aim. Immediate employment Of men for
jobs great or small that need to be done,
spending normally and thrifty without feaxs
and each individual doing his share, WIN effect
formidable barriers against further depression
and open the way TO another era Of prcspexify.