Evening star., 1934-08-26

these communities had hhown their
tenacity, the Government began
granting assistance There was an
almost complete lack Of money.
Sometimes, there would b. q Few old
trucks and some out-of-repair ma
chinery. The Government began by
allowing enough money to buy gaSo-
line and to provide repairs and GER
tain tools which would increase the
productive ability of the members.
Such has been the development that
it is wholly possible that, upon return
OF prosperity, some of these COM
munitieS will elect to continue.
Not all of the INDECENT who gath
cred in these industrial enclaves were
helpless. Many skilled mechanic,
finding himself out of employment,
sought refuge In such a haven and he
could exercise native ingenuity in
1aShioning articles and-more impor-
tant-could teach others.
A good deal of furniture has been
made. In many of the finest Ameri-
can homes will be found articles OF
furniture, highly priced and for which
large prices were paid because OF two
reasons: Desire to possess genuine an
tiqueS and desire to obtain pieces Of
simple design and wide utility. Thus,
the bedsteads, the corner cupboards,
the rush-bottomed chairs, and the
tables which were made by individ-
ualS, not for factories, have been In
demand. Antiquity does add value
but articles of furniture become an
tiques by surviving the use Of years
and such survival Is only possible
when the original work is sturdy.
That Is the sort of furniture making
being done in several of these self
help groups. American Colonial de-
signs are being followed in large part
and the work is hand work.
Demand for Beauty.
These self-helpers have, in part.
made this furniture for their own use,
but they also have made many pieces
for sale and have been successful in
selling them. 1t is regarded as Of the
utmost importance that these COM
munities can learn these arts and
practice them, not in mass production
factories, but in their own homes. A
small workbench, a few tools, few
odds and ends of material, and a cer-
tain amount of skill and patience thus
are combining to create a cottage in
dustry which, in time, can add i'm
measurably to the real wealth and
self -suff1ciency Of the people.
An extremely interesting develop
ment has been discovered in the de.
mand for things Of beauty among the
destitute. Persons with no money but
with food products which they have
raised have bartered them for articles
made in these home industries because
Of the hunger for things Of little, If
any, utility but Of esthetic vahle Per-
haps one of the most interesting cases
was that Of a glass worker who did
well, so far as subsistence is con-
cerned, by bartering cut-glaSs work Of
his own making. In a Negro COM
munity it was found that the demand
for anti-kink, a preparation used In
Strengthening the Enthusiastically
curly hair Of members Of the race,
continued in demand amid dire des-
titution. Labor would be bartered for
homemade preparations.
These activities have meant con-
siderable savings in what otherwise
would have had to be expended In di-
rect relief by the Federal and local
Governments. More important, 1t Is
felt, is the revival Of economic self
suficiency. Once more, 1t Is possible,
the typical American may be a Jack
of all trades, emancipated to some ex-
tent from the terrsrs Of unsmploy-
ment,