Evening star., 1932-03-09
Striking Paradox of the
Unemployment Situation

To the Editor OF The Star:
Considering the brief number OF years
since I have reached the age OF ma
turity. I have become one of the most
confirmed cynics imaginable. Please
bear with me while I explain myself.
year ago my husband lost very
splendid position in huge radio COM
pany due to the much ballyhcoed de
preston" We Immediately returned to
his home town, one OF the largest cities
in the world, feeling that home was the
safest place to be during that uncer-
tain period. There followed six months
of hopeless waiting, hours of wearing
out shoe leather or sitting at home and
staring at each other When our boy
became very Ill the father applied to
the authorities of the city where he had
been born and lived his entire life for
a few hours work to help pay doctor
bills and buy medicine. Since We had
had the misfortune to be out Of the
city for the two years just preceding
and in consequence unable to vote, they
refused any aid whatsoever.
Then in desperation, with the boy
contracting second illness due to
weakness from the first one went in
seach of anything woman can do To
nv dismay I discovered that Offices
were refusing to take married women
Though I am young on account
Of home responsibilities could
not hide the fact of my marriage.
Tearfully 1 watched single girls with
fae less education or experience take the
work I SO badly needed. asked for
needle work, housework, anything But
because could show no experience in
these aside from five years practice in
my own home no one cared to risk en-
ploying me.
Finally, after We had made every
penny stretch its last painful inch, and
had gone on into debt, my husband was
rewarded with a position in the District
of Columbus municipal architects Of
fee. In order to save the expense Of
living separately the baby and I spent
money to come along We we're amazed
to discover rents, for the same values.
and food in the same chain stores so
much higher in price than at home
But by cutting every obligation to the
bone, we managed to get along very
happily for 10 months
All Winter We have been reading the
huge advertisements everywhere ad-
monishing us to release our dollars
Only by putting our dollars to work
would We benefit in return by the gain
in general prosperity. We have been
watching hopefully for the day when
our debts would be paid off and we
would have free dollars to put out at
work and to use In buying baby
bonds
Now has come the encouraging news
that the work in the Office will last Just
so many weeks longer. and on a date
not far of the job will be shelved, the
door locked and over 20 men. many
married and supporting families. free
to go home and stay home One. who
has worked here flve years, has a s.
day-old son to worry about For this
stroke OF luck We are indebted TO the
Government, the same Government
that is setting aside millions for bank
ing relief. for farm relief. for relief
from the curse OF liquor"
1t has just been voted that a huge
sum be expended for road building 10
relieve unemployment: why should work
already we'll begun and of aeeidea civic
value, employing men from many out
side cities. be dropped and those men
put out of work SO that them salaries
may 60 to pay some one else who Is
working on the roade Putting men eut
OF work which they understand, only 70
force them to seek jobs III road build
ing, OF which they know nething Is
harming the men irreparabiy aaa surely
of no advantage to the depression.
After having failed TO receive aid
from the enormous relief agencies, after
having lost every stick of furniture,
every cent Of savings and aoefuing
burden OF debt which we have not had
time to pay of completely, Is II not
natural I should feel cynical? II the
very Government Is two faced, whom
can We trust? RUTH NJ. ROLF.