The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-21
Production Relief M. Ohio ProDes Big Boon
 To Thousands Jobless
Movement to Establish Production Units" Backed By the State, Is Spreading RapidIy-Many Other
 Sections Already Are Engaged in Relief

self-respect, because they will be largely supporting themselves.
 Third, 1t will enable the same federal relief funds to. provide far greater variety of food and clothing for the unemployed.
 SPREAD IS RAPID
 Extent of these projects in the future Is unguessable.. But the Ohio Relief Production Units, Inc, is already surveying the pos abilities of producing it's own paints and varnishes, medicines, soap, candles, bakery products, meats, printing, cutlery, tools, stoves, rugs, carpets, linoleum, ice, and even radios. Those arc all for the future, but they show the possibilities.
 Spread of such projects, no two of which are exactly alike in their manner of operation, is one of the phenomena of the year. At least 150 communities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Vir- gin Islands are experimenting with some such plans, all varying in detail.
 In Southern California about 1S,000 people in 113 communities have joined in the Unemployed Cooperative Distributing associa- tion, whose principal product is fruit and vegetables. In Sno- homish County, Wash, group of 250 families operates can nery. shoe factory, and shingle and saw mills. Wheeling, w. Va, is making pants and overalls.
 In Colorado, 10 communities are exchanging their products through the Colorado Co-opera- tives, Inc. RAISES LIVING STNADARD
 Richmond, Va, has it's Citi- zens' Service Exchange, where 554 families work for a share in their own products, and 2770 people have thus taken them selves off relief rolls except for staple food articles, which the exchange is not equipped to pro- duce. They work six hours a day for the exchange. It is esti- mated that this has raised the standard of living of members by the equivalent of $16 week in cash.
 Thus it is seen that the man. ner of distributing the goods made by otherwise unemployed workers varies.
 In general, there are two types -one in which the management of the plant is directly carried on by the work division of the re- lief organization and the other in which a pure cooperative is es- tablished by the members them selves. Of course, neither is pure socialism, because the gov ernment (the progt system, through taxes) pays the cost. But it's paying that now, and getting nothing but "bare living" relief.
 Canning plants have been the most commonly operated on this plan in the last few years. Texas last year operated 19 abandoned canning plants to put up beef from government-bought cattle. HEAVY DRAIN MUST END It is easy to see that, once es- exchange of products between thC oIoAtddio Ol AOAAOl Cui be boosted to almost any extent, and perhaps its cash cost can be cut. And students of the relief problem agree that the govern ment cannot forever stand the drain of direct cash relief at its present rate.
 Production relief throws the gate wide open to nationwide or ganiZation of what amounts to a cooperative economy inside the profit economy, with workmen moving from one to the other as opportunity offers.
 To the many relief dependents who are sick of passively accept ing aid, and who want to do something to earn it, those re- |opening factory doors are sign of hope.