The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1930-07-25
7heCherry
" Where with our
roe Little Hatchet
we tell the truth
about many things. sometimes pro-
foundly, sometimes fippantly,
sometimes recklessly. :.

Calamity brings bowling. Thus
came the phrase, Calamity bowling, .
1t having turned out that some howl
in prohecy, magnifying danger.
Just now we have calamity of un-
employment Nobody knows just how
much unemployment we have, but
there are good figures on which to
form estimates.
But if there are Calamity howlers'
about present conditions, so there are
pollyannas, or gladness howlers, seek
ing to paint roses where there are no
roses.
Of these Secretary of Commerce
Lamont is one of the best examples.
No sooner do partial census figures
make their appearance than he shouts.
"Aha, it isn't as bad as it was re-
ported to be-"
This is drivel, inasmuch as the fig
ures show nothing at all, unless and
until they are related to other figures
which at present can be done only
roughly and with nothing more than
estimates resulting.
Secretary Lamont ought to keep
quiet.
The trouble with rushing out with
dcg matte assertions such as Mr.. La
mont has made is that most folks
feel they have to defend a position
once taken. This is particularly true
Of politicians.
All census officials are subordinate
to Mr.. Lamont. 1t will not be un-
natural if they take their cue from
him and seek to help him substantiate
his glad words.
Thus far those actually engaged
with the figures have played fair
game.
It's tough job, this unemployment
census, complicated by politics which
had lot to do with formation of the
questions These, be it noted, lend
themselves to combustion, as has been
discovered.
We needn't expect any really valu
able figures for months. Figures now
being given out as representing un-
employment show only one phase of
it-perhaps not the most important
phase.
This palpable fact is stated every
time figures are given out, but the
fact is usually forgotten, largely by
virtue of the original too-happy state
ment made by Mr.. Lamont.
1t will be months before really val
liable figures are known-too late for
any worthwhile results as far as this
present depression is concerned. The
most marvellous calculating and tabu-
lating machinery in the world is at
work on the immense job, but even
for use inside of several months.
AS a help in this crisis this unem-
ployment census is worth just about
zero. Too bad, but too true.
Much confusion is due to those who
answer questions; much is due to
those who did the enumerating. Some
of this is the result of an enumera-
tion blank that is not fool proof. Per-
haps no fool proof blank could have
been devised. That remains to be
seen.
This was our first census of unem-
ployment. 1t was a starting point
In the end we shall know what was
the condition in early April of this
year-if that is worth anything. And
that is about all we shall know.
Only after a long time, when it be-
comes possible to make comparisons
and to analyze conditions along the
line, so that comparisons can be made
and trends established will this CEN
sus be really worth anything. Right
now its greatest value is that It
marks beginning and affords some
basis for making estimates.
But let there be no more hokum
from political gentlemen who want to
make the figures mean what they
want them to mean.