Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1932-05-05
Machine Age Brought on
the Unemployed Problem
Continued from Page ~

At the period of the World war IN
dustry had progressed or improved to
the point where more goods were pro-
duced than consumed. The same
holds true of agriculture. Deflation
of agriculture made for less buying
power on the part of the rural people.
said the speaker.
Production Greatly Increased.
In 1899 little over four and one
half million workers produced IA
billion dollars worth of goods and in
1929 eight and one-half million work
ers produced 6S1a billion dollars
worth of goods. Or in other words,
with the aid of labor-saving devices,
in 1929 twice as many men produced
six times the value of industrial goods
as was produced thirty years previ-
ously. The value of each mans pro-
duction trebled in thirty years.
Labor saving devices will go on,
said Mr.. Hurley. But something must
be done to provide employment for
decent provision for their old age so
they may remain self-respecting and
not become objects of charity.
AS things go today, at the age OF
40 a mans certainty of employment
is greatly reduced, whereas it is gen.
orally believed that with the exper-
fence gained and if in good health at
middle age he should be at his best
for himself and others. The machine
age makes it different and makes old
age pension necessary.
Prosperity is no idle expression"
was written by DR.. Prosser in his
newspaper article, said the speaker.
Prosperity is certain to return, but
how is it going to return?
A Job for Every Man.
President Hoover has said that
prosperity is when every man has a
job"
Unemployment means just the re-
verse. it destroys prosperity and safe
ty of business, said Mr. Hurley. To
the degree of unemployment is the
business. Employment gives added
buying power and added buying pow
er means more jObs-it is the eternal
cycle of prosperity. The unemployed
and those dependent upon them need
food and shelter. When they have
work. farm products are more in de-
mand. Prosperity depends mostly on
the buying power of the workers and
agriculture.
Provisions must be made for con-
slant tendency toward labor-saving
machinery in trying to solve the I'M
employment situation for factory own
ers naturally figure out and install
laborsaving machinery. Inducements
are held out to inventors right along.
Among the remedies suggested to
solve the problem may be mentioned
unemployment insurance, horte r
work day, shorter week, restricting
immigration, ETC., said Mr.. Hurley.
When labor is slack public improve
ments should be made In better
times, when the workers are private
ly employed, public works can be
reduced.
Should Provide for Rainy Day.
Former President Coolidge has said
that the public building program
theory probably is sound for depres-
sion times, but in good times the gov
eminent should build up a surplus
so it would not be necessary to bond
for the public works. Now that no
surplus was built up in the good
times, said the speaker, we should
do as has been done from time me-
mortal, float a bond issue to create
work, and it should be bond issue
by the federal government The only
sound way to meet the situation is to
launch big public building program.
When men are able, ready and will
ling to work and have dependents
they become desperate at last if they
do not get employment Many big
federal undertakings that are neces-
sary and have been approved are
only awaiting action by Congress. Too
much must not be expected of private
employers in the way of giving work
for they are not in the business for
their health. AS a government we
must all shoulder some responsible
tiles and the first move is to put as
many as possible back to work so
they have some buying power. The
national government must do some
thing. States and local governments
have done much along this line.
Boosts Income Tax.
The money to pay for bond issues
| comes through taxation. Revenue
collected by the federal government
is largely through the income tax
which is based upon the sound prin-
ciple of ability to pay The bulk of
state and local taxes collected in Min
nesota are the general property taxes
but state income tax is also pro-
posed here. The objection raised
said Mr.. Hurley, is that it carries nc
| replacement provision in the constitu-
| tional amendment. However the in
come tax has worked out as a replace
ment tax by the federal government