The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-13
Do Ne Want Revolution?

posing list of practical scientists and eco
nonic experts as attended the progressive
conference in Washington. In Brains, in
practical experience, and in constructive pro-
gram, no other political group can approach
this one.
Since brains count in the long run, all
should hope that the progressives are going
to have more and more to say in governing
this nation. The sooner the better.
The round table Thursday on unemploy-
ment and sterilization Of business was typi-
cal of the superior intelligence and expert
ence of this group.
To name but few of the speakers:
There was the chairman, Senator La Fol
lette, who began working four years ago to
prevent this depression while most political
and business leaders prated Of permanent
prosperity, and who has led every recent
fight in congress for unemployment proven
ton and relief
Then there are DR.. Leo Volman, DR.. Stu
art Chase and DR.. George Soule, three
country; William Green of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor; D. B. Robertson
of the Railway Brotherhoods and Sidney
Hillman of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers, the three chiefs of virtually the
entire organized labor movement of the
country.
And Mayor Frank Murphy of Detroit,
whose daring and wisdom in meeting the I'M
employment crisis has put to shame the tim
orous conservatism of most metropolitan
executives.
These progressives, who speak with the
authority of facts and experience, are singu-
Iarly unanimous in their diagnosis of the
sickness of our industrial society and in
their prescription for cure.
They are agreed that there is no simple
quick panacea. But they are equally agreed
that there are definite practical measures
which can be and should be undertaken now
by industry and by government to cope with
the emergency and prevent it's recurrence.
They are agreed that the cure must be
drastic.
Their plan, in general, is as follows
L. The responsibility of capital to guar
antee steady and adequately paid work for
labor-a charge upon industry prior to the
dividend rights of stockholders.
Industry must set aside sufficient por-
ton of it's income to permit advance. PLAN
ming and staggering of production over
periods of depression, and for unemploy-
ment insurance. .G
To take up permanent unemployment
slack caused by increased machine produc-
ton and efficiency, and to permit labor to
share the increased profits therefrom, high
wage levels must be maintained and the
working week reduced to five days or less.
This is not only practicable, but neces-
sary, in the interest of capital. Only through
such a wider distribution of wealth among
producers can there be a sustained consum-
ers' market upon which capitalist profits de-
pend.
2. The direct responsibility OF govern
ment to protect the mass of its citizens when
capital violates the inalienable rights of the
common man to labor, to eat and to live
The federal government has failed COM
pletely in this duty. It should establish
permanent national economic council, repre-
sentative of capital and labor and public and
comparable to the war industries and labor
boards, as clearing house for facts and
plans.
The federal government should provide
adequate industrial and labor statistics as
an indispensable barometer, now lacking. 1t
should staggeF public construction over
periods of depression. 1t should coordinate
and administer a national employment sys-
tenn of city, state and federal agencies.
1t should encourage and aid the states in
providing the social insurance which industry
has failed to provide, insurance against in
dustrial accidents, old age and unemployment.
1t should abolish child labor, and thus re-
lease to unemployed adults 100000 jobs.
1t should set an example for private in
dustry by initiating the five-day week for
federal employees.
Pending sterilization of employment.
when private and municipal funds are in
adequate to meet emergencies such as the
present the federal government should pre-