Evening star., 1933-01-01
Would It Cure the Evil?

Senator Couzens' proposal for taking
care OF the homeless, wandering boys
by establishing Army camps where they
would live under the direction OF
trained officers and be fed and housed
by the Federal Government has been
made after considerable thought on his
part. He has been studying this prcb-
lem for some time, and, obviously, must
have convinced himself that its ad-
vantages outweigh the many disaovan-
tages Immediately suggesting them
selves. His proposal should be thor
oughly considered, for this relatively
new manifestation of the depression,
which is receiving an increasing amount
of attention because of the serious pos
sibilities 1t suggests, cannot be per-
mi ed indefinitely to continue without
Attempts toward remedial action. Groups
OF interested citizens, in Washington
and elsewhere, are even now seeking
to find some practical plan of action.
Senator Couzens' proposal has been
discussed informally by Navy and
Marine Corps officers, who have pointed
out that immediately and without addi-
tional expense, except for food, the
Navy and Marine training stations
could accommodate several thousands
of the rowing boys. The Senator points
out that Army posts, already in pos
session of housing and equipment, could
do the same thing.
But the Senator himself has noted
one difficulty. Would the boys, if pre-
sented with the opportunity provided by
the plan, accept it? It is difficult to
conceive any lasting benefit, outside OF
those provided in soup kitchens and
mission houses, in Senator Couzens'
plan unless there is compulslon on
those who enlist" to serve out what
ever period of enlistment would be
established. The Federal Government
could not go to the expense of pro-
viding accommodations for transients.
If it established cantonments for boys,
the boys would, in turn, have to submit
themselves to rules and regulations and
supervised work periods and DO it with
the understanding that they were
rigidly bound to remain in this new
''army" until expiration of enlistment.
In return, they would be fed, clothed,
housed and possibly taught some use
full trade. That would mean surrender.
on their part, of the rowing and free
life they now lead, with attractions In
the form Of adventure and travel that
always beckon youth. But even If half
the boys accepted the offer 1t would be
something.
On the other hand, would there be
any lasting advantage in the scheme
beyond the temporary provision of food,
shelter and healthy, bodybuilding ex-
ercise? II the boys were taught
trades, what would happen to them
when the Federal Government turned
them loose? If there is an obligation
on the part Of the Federal Government
to teach these young men how 70 work,
does 1t not follow that there is an equal
obligation to provide them with work
when the lessons are done? Would this
be possible?
Like SO many other suggested ex-
pedients for dealing with this or that
phase of the depression, the funda-
mental question in connection with the
Federal Governments assumption of
new OBLIGATIONS and functions is
whether such assumption will eradi-
cate the evils thus to be dealt with.
If the dole would compensate for the
evils Of unemployment, there would be
no question about making the dole ef-
fective. If distribution of Federal mil
lions among the unemployed meant
real relief, such distribution long since
would have been made. If the Gov
eminent housed and fed wandering
boys. would the boys cease to wander?