Evening star., 1934-10-18


country required.
Congress- Faces Job Problem.
One of the great questions which
will confront the coming Congress ana
to some extent may confront all fu-
ture CONGRESSES, Is the question OF un-
employment among the ranks OF labor
in the United States. AS q corallary
to this fundamental problem arises
also the question Of unemployment re-
lief during the existence OF unem-
ployment.
It is impossible to say with certainty
to what extent this country may in
the future be confronted with per-
manent unemployment.
We have glorified the machine, and
the machine age, phenomenon to
which America has made possibly the
greatest contribution. While we were
glorifying the machine and the age
of machinery, we were almost uncon-
scious of the havoc being wrought in
the ranks of human beings who must
work with their hands in support OF
themselves and their families. While
the depression multiplied the number
of unemployed beyond all normal pro-
portions, we cannot escape the con-
clusion that unless there is some
change in the economic relationship
between labor and industry and be-
tween both of them and the Govern
ment, there will be always with us the
problem of permanent unemployment
to some extent.
Dc Ia h,,ci ,n% ny,Ixy ~ ckafno-
manship but of industry to help solve
| this problem. Not only does this duty
confront us under temporary condi-
tionS Of great unemployment, but 1t
confronts us as possible permanent
condition Of our society.
Work Time Shortened.
In an effort to deal with II in q
practical way in this temporary emer-
gency, we have sought to shorten
| hours of labor by the day and week,
so that millions of unemployed men
and women might share in work that
] has been available. 1t is my belief
that whether the condition is tenn
i porary or permanent, if we have
reached point where we must choose
between having two-thirds Of our
| people employed all the time and one
third idle all the time, or having all
of them employed two-thirds of the
time, we must inevitably conclude
| that the latter is the more desirable
horn of the dilemma. From every
standpoint of sociology, Of patriotism,
Of economics and of morality, it is
| infinitely better that all of the people
| who are able and willing to work shall
share in such employment as Is avail
able than that q large proportion Of
them shall be denied the opportunity
| to earn an honest living according to
American standards.
That Congress must deal with this
problem in the immediate future
and by permanent legislation, am
thoroughly convinced. Whether the
solution shall take the form of legisla-
tion reducing or fixing the hours of
service in industry. or whether it shall
be in the form of unemployment in
surance, or shall combine the two,
1t is impossible at present to forecast.
In all likelihood both suggestions will
in the near future find their way to the
statute books.
Lincoln said that this Nation could
not endure half free and half slave.
! 1t Is equally true that it cannot endure
half employed and half unemployed.
1t cannot endure with from fourth
to third of the people denied the
right to share In the labor which Is
necessary to support the American
standard Of living, because Of economic
conditions for which they are not
responsible.
Sought to Preserve Home.
This problem reaches to the very
foundations Of our society. We have
sought to preserve the American home
by legislation affording to the home
owner in city and country the aid Of
the Government in preserving the
hearthstone and the family circle,
which are the fountains Of American
liberty and the corner stone of Amer
ican civilization. But we cannot close
our eyes to the condition of the
millions Of our people who are without
homes, but who are an essential part
| Of the economic and social life Of the
Nation, and who would like to be home
owners II given the opportunity.
In connection with this problem, the
coming Congress will have to deal with
| the extent and character Of future re-
| lief for the unemployed. It will have
to decide also whether additional ap-
propriations shall be made for public
works. The amount of money available
from past appropriations will not carry
us through the present fiscal year. The
peak Of employment under public
works program will probably be reached
during November or December. The
question also of civil works program
or some other general program of
| public works, IN the event private in
| dustry does not absorb three or four
! additional millions Of unemployed men,
must necessarily arise for discussion
and solution.
The Relief Administration has the
authority to inaugurate work programs
under the present appropriation and
without additional authority from Con-
gress. But If additional appropria-
| tions are to be made for relief pur-
poses, which seem to me inevitable In
some form. undoubtedly Congress and
the administration will be called on
to determine whether additional relief
shall take the form Of grants, or