The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-02-20
GRADE CROSSING
 ELIMINATION TO
 AID UNEMPLOYED
Governor LaF toilette of Wis., consin Proposes an En- tirely New Plan and Calls Railroad Heads to COn- slider It
By WILLARD R. SMITH UD..1

(COpyright 1881 by the United Press)
 Madison, Wis, Feb .3.-(UP)- States should relieve the unemploy ment situation by public work on projects of permanent utility, Cover nor Phillip F. LaFollette told the United Press in an interview to-day.
 The 33-year-old executive of this state outlined his plan to absorb from 10 to 12 per cent of the states unemployed in a $6,000,000 grade crossing elimination program this year. And in order to help put over that program. he called in the presi- dents of railroads whom his father, Robert M. LaFollette fought years ago, to get their cooperation.
 That 10 or IF per cent doesn't sound like it was taking care of a very big percentage of the unem- ployed. but it is the largest project of it's kind in the country" he said. Tt is the biggest thing the state can offer."
 { The interview was in the executive offices, where 8 huge oil painting of the late Senator Robert M. LaFol- lette hangs above the desk of this son who is following in his fathers footsteps as governor of Wisconsin.
 At the outset, I4aFollette referred to his plan "as far as it has gone." Thus he recognized those ready to fight against raising the gasoline tax from two to four cents, the financial basis of his plan. The next move is up to the legislature, on which he has been waiting more than two weeks, the governor said.
 In answer to question regarding his views on employment insurance proposals introduced in the Wiscon- sin legislature. the governor quoted from his message delivered ct the opening of the session.
 . "A sound financial policy requires the establishment of reserves in time of prosperity for meeting capital changes in times of depression" he said.
 Sound labor policy requires re- serves to maintain the living stan dards and buying power of the work CT. These should be utilized in per- iods of depression to be applied in productive employment that adds to our permanent wealth. But first. however, we must deal with the inn mediate emergency on the basis of this principle
 I.aFollette revealed that before he entered office he had settled upon this plan to relieve the immediate emergency by packing normal three-year program of grade cross ing removal work into the current year. He estimated that so man could be employed on each job by working two shifts. and the enlarg ed program of removals includes some 90 crossings
 "The important thing was to give work to as many men as possible. he explained. Machine production as we know it to-day. must be rec ognized-and utilized-in these nec- essary projects. We must take ad- vantage of it. not work against 1t This project would utilize more men than any other the state can pro- vide."
 Presidents of railroads which were fought vigorously by the elder LaFoIlette as governor were sum- moned to the old LaFollette farm home by the son shortly before he entered office.
 Tt was necessary to sell them this plan" he explained. ''They never had received anything like 1t be- fore. Naturally. they were cautious But when they learned that we were not creating bunch of johs for poll tjcians. that their needs were beinR given consideration. rnd that the state would finance the work for. them, they entered into the plan < VhSienearteQIy Z