Evening star., 1936-03-18


ton can absorb large numbers Of
new employees. A vigorous effort on
national scale is necessary by
voluntary, concerted action Of
private industry.
Value Of Shorter Hours.
Under the National Recovery Ad-
ministration, the Nation learned
the value of shorter hours in their
application to q whole industry. In
almost every case, the shorter hours
were approved by the great majority
of individual operators within the
industry. To the Federal Govern
ment was given the task Of policing
against the minority who came to
be known as "chiselers" It was
clear that "chiseling" by a few
would undermine and eventually
destroy the large, honest majority.
But the public authority to require
the shorter hours agreed upon has
been seriously curtailed by limita-
tions recently imposed by the Su-
preme Court upon Federal as well
as State powers.
Nevertheless, while the provisions
OF the antitrust laws, intended to
prohibit restraint of trade, must and
shall be fully and vigorously en-
forced, there Is nothing in these or
any other laws which would pro-
hibit managers of private business
from working together to increase
production and employment. Such
efforts would indeed be the direct
opposite Of conspiracy in restraint
Of trade. Many private employers
believe that If left to themselves
they can accomplish the objective
We all seek.
We have learned the difficulties
OF attempting to reduce hours of
work in all trades and industries to
a common level or to increase all
wage payments at a uniform rate.
But in any single industry We have
found that 1t is possible by united
action to shorten hours, increase
employment. and. at the same time.
maintain weekly, monthly or yearly
earnings of the individual. It is
my belief that If the leaders In each
industry will organize a common
effort to increase employment with
in that industry, employment will
increase substantially.
In so far as their efforts are Sue
cessful, the cost to the Federal Gov
eminent of caring for the destitute
unemployed will be lessened. and II
the employment gains are SUBJ
stantial enough, no additional an.
preparation by the next Congress
for the fiscal year 1897 will be
necessary.
The ultimate cost of the Federal
works program will thus be de-
termined by private enterprise
Federal assistance which arose as
a result of industrial disemploy-
ment can be terminated IL industry
ltseH removes the underlying condi-
tions. Should industry co-opera.
lively achieve the goal of re.
employment, the appropriation of
sl.5O0,0 900 900, together with the un-
expended balances of previous ap-
preparations, will suffice to carry
the Federal works program through
the fiscal year 1887. Only if in
dustry fails to reduce substantially
the number of those now out of
work will another appropriation
and further plans and policies be
necessary.
1t is the task of industry to make
further efforts toward increased
output and employment: and I urge
INDUSTRY to accept this respon-
sloillty. 1 present this problem and
this opportunity definitely to the
managers Of private business: and
offer in aid of its solution the
cooperation of all the appropriate
departments and agencies of the
Federal Government.
Ny appeal is to the thinking men
VINO are assured of their daily bread.
However We may divide along the
lines of economic or political faith.
all right-minded Americans have a
common stake in extending produc-
ton. in increasing employment, and
In getting away from the burdens
Of relief.
Those who believe that Govern.
ment may be compelled to assume
greater responsibilities in the opera
ton Of our industrial system can
make no valid objection to a re-
newed effort on the part of private
enterprise to insure a livelihood to
all willing workers. Those. on the
other hand, who believe in complete
freedom of private control with
out any Government participation
should earnestly undertake to
demonstrate their effectiveness by
increasing employment.