The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-02-11

Hartford, Conn, Feb 1.-The national employment campaign of the American Legion to place one million persons in jobs in order to relieve distress and bring the pres ent depression to an end as quickly as possible, also embraces fight against communism that has be- come acute and demands imme- diate action.
 This statement was made by Henry l.. Stevens, Jr, national commander of the legion, In an address here last evening at q mass meeting held in the Bushnell Me- morial hall.
 "The entire organization of the Americanism commission of the legion is to cooperate 100 per cent in the task of aiding the employ ment campaign" he said. Pres ent conditions of unemployment throughout the country has created a most fertile field for communis- tic propaganda. All legion depart ment Americanism officers are be- ing directed to continue in the pro- motion of the three major objec- tives of the national America nism program, but likewise are being urged to place their Americanism set-up at the disposal of, and to work in closest cooperation with the legion department employment officers. The post Americanism officers and committees likewise are being urged to give their best ef- forts in assisting post employment officer and committees in promot- ing the legions employment cam paisn."
 The drive against unemployment. the national commander said. is the outstanding. major effort of the organization, and it has been made broad enough to reach into the roots of the present economic con- ditions.
 "Each American Legion post commander is to create at once committee of the most influential and outstanding leaders within his post. men who will agree to devote the necessary time and energy that will insure action," he said.
 This committee will determine upon ways and means. possibly by assigning certain districts of It's community to subcommittee upon which may be men representing FdTlOuS llncS Ol Dublucobt SoSIi banking, labor and industry, in or der that every employer. large or small, in every line, can be reached.
 These employers are to be per suadcd to increase their paid per sonncl ten per cent. For every ten persons now employed, one will be added.
 Full publicity must be given the names of employers who in crease their personnel. An honor list should be carried day by day in local newspapers National pub licity in the press and radio has been arranged. National head quarters of the legion will furnish n service star, similar to one used in war time, to every employer de- serving 1t.
 "The National Employment com mission is urging the six hour day, at six hour pay, thereby spreading employment to greater number of our people. There Is a limited amount of work to be done in this country at this time. If every per son is to have work, then those who are employed eight or ten hours n day must participate in th" division of such work.
 "The so-caIled Rochester pinh also Is recommended. This con templates the legion calling upon each and every home. tenement, factory and other property owner block by block. obtaining pledge for a definite amount of repair or provement work on their prop erty, emphasizing that such work be done immediately in order that 1t will necessitate the use or unem- ployed persons whenever possible, and not especially to pile up future work. In the first week in Roch- ester several hundred thousand dollars in work was pledged. This increased into several million dol lars by the third week. The public caught the spirit, house owners volunteered contracts. Every post can do the same thing.
 "The program is a concrete and a vital duty that calls for imme- diate action.
 several other important and Fundamental phases of the unem- ployment situation will be deter mined at meeting of the Ma tional Employment commission to be held in few weeks.
 "There Is q war which staMed about IS months ago and the le- zion is going to help put m end 10 1t. It Is the war against depres- sion, this unemployment situation, when, every man in America has the right to have q job in order to make A living for that wife and