Evening star., 1934-03-11
Small Enterprises to
Provide Employment
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

The development OF small. inde-
pendent business enterprises to ab-
sorb unemployment and, at the same
time, to help promote a sound and
safe decentralization of industry in
this country is proceeding steadily un-
der the watchful aid of the Federal
Government.
The emergency relief organizations
under the C. w. A., the Indian Serv-
ice. and the subsistence homestead
division in the Department of Inter-
ior, the Bureau of Home Economics of
the Department of Agriculture and a
number of other organizations are do
ing much to foster handicraft and
small industries.
A committee on the decentralization
of industry-a subcommittee Of the
Business Advisory and Planning
Council for the Department Of Com
merce-has been studying the prob
lem for several months. Willard l..
Thorp, director of the Bureau Of For
eign and Domestic Commerce, has
just appointed Small Industries
Service Committee to aid in this
movement.
Mass production undoubtedly has
accomplished wonders in raising the
standard of living. but it has also sup
pressed handicraft in many indus
tries Many in Washington favor an
investigation of the possibility of COM
bining artistry, handicraft and mass
production. thereby creating merchan-
disc with the virtues Of both. 1t is
possible. they believe, that certain
mass production articles may be given
finishing touch, decoration or other
individual treatment. enhancing their
artistic value and utility.
The development of handicraft in
dustries may offer a means for the de-
Capitalization of industry. so much
discussed recently. During times of
depression, it is the employees of the
large industrial plants who suffer the
most The very character of such
plants implies mflexibility. The small
industries are much more flexible.
They can shut down and start again
on a moments notice.
The individual worker in the small
industry is given more responsibility.
In every country where small indus
tries have been established, experience
has shown that economic and labor
conditions have been remarkably
stable throughout periods Of depres-
sion. Small industries. moreover. may
be located in more logical" places
than a big industry, in closer proxim-
ity to raw material or closer to the
centers Of population.
The black -the-land movement"
is just now proceeding steadily, but it
is difficult for Industrial workers with
rural ambitions 20 take the factories
with them. Here is where the small
factory fits in. The subsistence home
stead division of the Interior Depart
ment has based its operation on this
new theory of factory and farm opera
ton. The workers are given small
parcels of land sufficient to fall back
OH for foodStuffs and a few other
necessities which may be produced at
home.
There are thousands Of artisans,
skilled workers. inventors and small
business men desiring to go into bus
mess for themselves, but lacking the
necessary information regarding raw
materials and marketing methods. The
Federal Government departments and
private agencies have developed a
mass of information in a widely di-
Versif1ed field with which many Of
these prospective small operators may
not be familiar. The Small Industries
Service Committee of the Department
Of Commerce will endeayor to direct
such inquiries into the proper chan
nels.
Axel H. Oxholm, chairman of the
Small Industries Service Committee,
believes that, under proper conditions
of development and organization,
there ought to be an opportunity for
the employment of 100000 workers in
the small industry field in the United
States speciAuKng IN handtcraft. 4