Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-14
BEER LEGAL|zAT|ON
is URGED BY LABOR
Legion's Unemployment Con-
. ference Opens With Plea
for Dry Law Change.
Continued From First Page)

NSOHIALluCo riOHl ftAoo = uoS(
recommendations would be presented to
the Legion Convention in Detroit next
week, with a view to mobilizing 10000
posts for carrying out the program
I'VE ell know that business condl-
tions have been vitality affected by the
depression and that millions are SUI
fering through no fault Of theirs" Mr..
O'Neil asserted. In our efforts mere
today there should be no place for
criticism. We believe this is an emer-
gency demanding that every one join.
in a lifted effort to hasten cor
rection of existing conditions. There
fore we have here today outstanding
and capable leaders of every group
vitality affected. including labor, indus
try, finance, transporta ton and execu-
tives Of States and municipalities, or
their representatives"
Among those present were the Gov
errors or their representatives from
Ohio, New York, South Carolina,
Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Ten
nesSee, New Hampshire, New Mexico,
North Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Vir-
ginia, Illinois, West Virginia. Indiana,
Louisiana, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Other Leaders Present.
Green and Silas H. Strawn, president
of the United States Chamber of Com
1nerce, headed the representatives OF
labor and industry. Fred G. CroXton,
assistant national relief director, was
President Hoover's unemployment or
ganization's representative.
= Comdr O'Neil informed the con-
ferees the power of the American Le-
Hion should be used in remedying the
present conditions. He explained the
Legion was recruited from the ranks Of
those who functioned in time of great
governmental emergency. He said the
Unemployment situation presents an
emergency comparable to that of 1917.
Mr.. Croxton, assistant director OF
the Presidents Emergency Employ
ment Committee, said the FIRST and
major problem was that of promoting
employment.
Has No Standard Plan.
Croxton said the Presidents Employ
fnent Committee had no standard
plan" but was seeking the cooperation
of every State and community in work.
ing out their problems locally.
Strawn said the experiences of Great
Britain and Germany should consti-
tute warning to the United States
never to get on the dole He added
systems of State insurance as a whole.
had not proved successful
Strawn warned that the Nation
should not burden itself with taxation
for unnecessary things. He said the
burden of taxation was becoming al
most confiscatory"
Called on to cite how the Legion OBJ
tanned its estimate of $3.50 900 men un-
employed. Chairman Savage explained
it was based on a survey made by
10000 posts. The reports from the
posts, he said, indicated 10000 of the
joblesS were veterans.
Discussing his proposal for confer
ence of employers and employees repre-
senting the industries of the Nation,
the Labor Federation head said:
In my opinion, it is the duty Of the
President to call such a conference.
The existing emergency calls for such
action. Those who control work oppor-
tunities, who possess the power to allo-
cate all work available, who through a
division of this work can prevent an
increase of unemployment, should tell
the world In a positive and definite way
that all workers now employed are Sc
cure in the position they occupy.
Sees Profound Effect.
such a statement made by a con-
ference called by the chief executive
OF a nation would have a most pro-
found economic effect. It would serve
to release the food Of buying power
now held in check because of fear, fear
in the hearts md minds OF working
people that they may soon become un-
employed.
Congress in special session could rot
produce this result. Those associated
with private industry can, and can do
UytipI, 11nh ~ H.
ued unemployment, frozen buying pow
er and perhaps anarchy. or work as
Surance through work ALLEGATION, public
relief proclaimed?
we are not only advocating a
5-day week, but We also urge a shorter
working day If necessary to give every
body employment. There are approx
mately 100000 enterprises in the
United States, some of them employ
ing thousands of men. It would not
be difiicult for them to shorten the
work week, in order for them to give
work to the unemployed.
Cites Pledge to Hoover.
THE American Federation Of Labor
has plan which it believes will meet
with success Nearly two years ago,
after the stock crash, President Hoover
called meeting Of employers of labor
and afterward of representatives of
labor to consult with him. He urged
that employers should not reduce wages
and he urged labor not to engage in
any wage controversies except those
already in process of negotiation.
President Hoover will tell you that
pledge was kept by labor until some
employers began recently to reduce
wages. The executive council of the
American Federation of Labor, which
represents 100000 members through
out the country and which also talks
Tor the unorganiZed, urged President
Hoover to hold a meeting of EMPLOYERS
and labor to consider how best to relieve
unemployment. There is no doubt that
IN conference of this kind between
employers and representatives of labor
an agreement can be reached which will
be OF incalculable benefit to our Nation"
Organization Completed.
Completion of the national relief Or
9a-lization was announced today bv
Walter S. Clifford, relief director, with
the naming of his fourth major COM
mittee to be headed by Eliot Wadsworth
OF Boston, former Assistant Secretary
OF the Treasury. He took over his as
signn1ent at headquarters here today.
One Wash1ngtonian was named to
serve on the commtttee-R. H. Ashton,
president OF the National Association of
Railway Executives.
John Barton Payne, chairman of the
Red Cross; Mr.. Green, Mr.. Strawn,
William Allen White of Emporia, Kans.:
Mrs. John F. Sippel, president of the
General Federation of Women's Clubs,
and Col Arthur Woods, former chair
man Of President Hoovers Unemploy-
ment Committee, were also selected to
serve with Wadsworth.
Others Named.