The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-06

ment, does not obscure that fact as established nv
other federal statistics and surveys.
On the same day that Hoover issued the unenn
poyment service statement the Presidents
committee for employment issued a report showing
unemployment unchanged or increasing in MANY To-
calities
The industrial employment index of the United
States bureau of labor statstics-part of the same
labor department which operates the EMPLOYMENT
SerVlce-shows an increase in unemployment. The
same unemployment increase is shown by state Ia
Dor departments and by the American Federation of
LABOR AS pointed out by the latter, slight seasonal
improvement OF the spring and early summer has
been wiped out. which brings industrial unemploy-
ment back practically to the February level
Point number two in the Hoover propaganda. that
the administration has checked unemployment, is
thus disproved by official figures
Third is the Hoover demand that emergency re-
ne De left TO local agencies and private charity his
refusal TO permit the national Red Cross or the fed
eraI government to help next winter. Accord
ing TO the Hoover propaganda, federal aid is not
needed; and if it were needed, it should be with
held lest such so-called dole destroy the philan-
thropy and soul of the American people.
We don't like the idea of a dole anv better than
does Hoover. Americans who must accept doles or
SarVe like the idea even less. They prefer work to
doleS If the American industrial system had been
either Intelligent just industry itself would have in
sured its workers against periodic unemployment in
stead nj throwing them out on the nerces of private
public charity
Hoover propaganda says charity is beautiful 50
long as it comes from private purses or city and state
treasures but is vicious dole if supplied bv the
federal treasury. All of which is ridiculous
The only difference between private dole and a
public dole is that the latter is less degrading and
more just. Between city-state dole and federal
dole there is no difference in principle
Inc Hoover plan for private charity completely
failed last year. People were kept from starvation
only because the cities and states came to the rescue
with 70 per cent Of the total relief distributed in the
country
Unfortunately, city and state treasures can not
carry the burden next winter
The Scripps-H Howard newspapers Just have re-
ceved Geographic reports from thirty-three Cover
nors which show that states covering more than half
OF the national population have no further funds
available for direct unemployment relief and no way
OF obtaining funds next winter
Washington must act Adequate relief can be
financed only by federal tax on the rich This relief
can be distributed without red tape or politics
through existing local agencies; and wherever pos
sibe, the relief can be paid in exchange for emer-
gency work.
1t is too late now to talk of might-have Deems
Whatever the mistakes of the past, whatever the
plans for future reforms of our industrial system
there Is an emergency now which only the federal
government can meet Congress apparently is will
ing. When will Hoover face the facts?
Official alibis will not head off starvation and riots
next winter