Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-14
BEER LEGAL|zAT|ON
IS URGEDBYLABOR
TO HELP JOBLESS
Legion'S Unemployment Con-
ference Opens With Plea
for Dry Law Change.

Representatives Of labor today laid
before the American Legion Unemploy-
ment Conference at the Mayflower
Hotel suggestion that the legalization
of beer be urged as a means of provid-
ing employment for more than 1000, 900
men.
M. j. McDonough, president of the
building trades department of the
American Federation of Labor, urged
action by the next Congress to legalize
the brewing industry, characterized by
him as formerly the NTH largest in
dustry in the country.
He estimated that within six months
as many as 1,250,000 men would be en-
ployed, In addition to benefit being pre-
vided other industries.
Government Faces Menace.
Delegates to the conference, all of
them sitting coatless because of the in
tense heat, heard Ralph T. Mcneil ma
tional commander of the Legion, assert
the enforced idlenesS was constituting "a
menace to our Government" He said
racketeerS and gangsters were setting up
a government of their own and. looking
for recruits, were whispering into the
ears Of hungry men,"
Unrest and fear are abroad in the
land" he said, land the ranks OF the
unemployed are fertile fields for the
fallacies Of Communism. Lawlessness
and Communism are a more direct
threat at the integrity of the Govern
fnent which we are pledged to maintain
than was the threat OF autocracy
in 1917"
In a message to the conference Presi-
dent William Green of the organization
urged the calling of a conference by
President Hoover to find a means OF
providing assurance to those now at
work that their jobs would be safe dur
ing the coming Winter.
John A. Eden Of Cleveland, repre-
senting the Governor of Ohio and the
American Legion in that State, sub
mitted a detailed proposal under which
President Hoover would be urged to call
a conference in Washington OF the Gov
ernors of all 48 States, the president OF
each State Chamber Of Commerce. the
president Of each State Federation OF
Labor, the commander OF each depart
ment Of the American Legion, the may
ors of all cities over 100000 and 10
outstanding leaders in industry.
Suggests Five-Day Week.
Eden suggested there be laid before
this conference proposals for a five-day
week. the staggering Of present oppor-
tunities for employment In oroer 70
nrovide work for more people and a
consideration of some method whereby
"uresent frozen supplies OF foodstu1s,
clothing and materials" could be put
into the hands of the needy without the
use of money.
issue bonds to the limit Of $1,000, 0O0,-
600 to be used Immediately on perma-
nent public improvements.
Rev John O'Grady, secretary OF the
National Conference of Catholic Char
tiles. said it would be Impossible 10 nnd
iobs for 100000 unemployed on an
Economical basis next Winter, and
urged the conference to consider the
concrete problem of relieving distress:
He advocated the organization OF
local private and public relief re-
sources, and called upon the Govern
ors represented to formulate Statewide
relief programs.
conference with an appeal to Govern.
ors. Federal officials, representatives OF
labor and industry to aid the service
organization IN working out a plan to
prevent distress among the unemployed.
% States Represented.
Governors or their personal repre-
sentativeS from % States were preSenf
when the conference opened.
Howard P. Savage, chairman OF the
Iegion's National Employment Com
mission and a former national COM
mander, in introducing Comdr. O'Neil
estimated that there were now $780, 00
persons in the United States out OF
employment, of which 100000 were
service men.
Outlining the purpose Of the confer
ence, Comdr. O'Neil said:
"We want to be of assistance not only
in relieving the immediate distress Incl
dent to the present depression, but hope
to help find the cause and the. cure, II
there be one. and to inaugurate a
campaign that will help furnish some
permanent relief.
Those attending this conference
know the needs of the people, and un-
doubleday can tell us the best way In
which our organization can serve"
The national commander said the
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