Evening star., 1932-03-01
FRESH CAMPAIGN
FOR Jobs OPENED
Representatives of Hundred
Groups Hold Mass Meet
ing in District.

Ways and means Of creating jobs for
Washington's unemployed were under
discussion by civic groups and indi-
vidual citizens today following a mass
meeting of representatives of more than
100 such bodies at the United States
Chamber of Commerce Building last
night.
AS outlined by Col E. G. Bliss, chair
man OF the Work-creation Committee,
the plan contemplates meeting the
deficit of S185,000 in the Community
Chests budget by creating work that
viii pay that amount, or more. in
wages to persons who otherwise would
be dependent on charity. Though no
actual figure was quoted as to the
amount Of work Washington is ex-
pected to provide, 1t was the an
nounced intention to carry the cam
paign forward until all the odd Jobs
that prospective employers have had
in mind for 1882 are done.
Reichelderfer Speaks.
Impetus was given the campaigns
inauguration in speeches by District
Commissioner L. H. Reichelderfer, E. C..
Graham, chairman of the District
Committee on Employment; Albert w.
Atwood, writer on economic subjects,
and Joseph P. Tumulty, attorney and
former secretary to President Wilson
Despite the fact that Washington
Is an oasis in a desert of unemploy-
ment," Mr.. Graham said, lit. neverthe-
less, is an oasis that Is showing signs
of drying up. Before the Committee
on Employment was organized there
were $4,000 persons registered in the
District as without employment. Last
Autumn this number had increased to
$4,000 and today it stands at 10000
This committee has been able to pro-
vide half-time work for 5000 men and
women, which enables them to earn
$3.50 every other week; there are now
between 1000 and 5000 men on the
and of these 1000 are practically desti-
tute. The money to pay for this work
will be exhausted by April l."
Funds Are Vanishing.
With funds to pay for work nearing
the vanishing point, Mr. Graham said,
the responsibility for the 10000 people
without work is one that belongs di-
rectly to the more fortunate residents
of the District.
Discussing the Nationwide economic
aspect of the depression, Albert w. At
wood sounded note of optimism as he
cited factors that might be interpreted
as meaning that the upturn in condi-
tions is in sight. He pointed to slow
ing up in the number of bank failures,
the fact that means have been found
OF preventing serious railroad troubles,
a slowing up in the rate of decline of
prices, the fact that people are slowly
working out Of debt, the healthy condi-
ton of retail trade and reduction Of
the rediscount rate as evidence that an
improvement may be just around the
corner.
A plea for faith and courage was
made by Joseph P. Tumulty, whose talk
was directed at the bankers of the
country.
II would encourage the bankers Of
the United States to have a little more
faith" Mr.. Tumulty said Il wonder
II these gentlemen aren't a little too
logical and If they don't feel their own
pulse-the pulse, perhaps, Of envy, Of
ambition, Of power-and think that
they are feeling the pulse of the Nation?
Antidote for Revolution.
The work in which you are engaged
Is more than Humanitarian; it Is the
thing which provides the antidote for
the unrest that produces revolution. A
man won't die for his country on an
empty stomach and he won't love
America if he is forgotten in a time of
need
Representatives of luncheon clubs,
citizens associations and other civic
groups who attended the mass meeting
will lay the plans for the job drive be-
fore their respective groups at once, ac-
cording to last nights arrangements,
and the campaign will be fully adver-
tised through every available medium.
1t Is planned to have employment ready
for maximum number of men on or
before April l, when the Employment
Committees funds will have been ex-
pended.