The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-18

the public generally throughout the United States, which has reflected itself in purchases of maay pro. ducts of our vast industrial enter prises.
 Efforts have been made to in. crease employment among oil classes without any preferences, except those regularly extended by law to veterans of our wars. During the forty-eight months of the present administration up to March, 19S7, approximately 2l,000 vetreans place. ments were made In Connecticut by combined services of Federal and State employment offices. This was approximately 10 per cent of the total placements made by both agencies to all persons,
 Aside from the great value Of tho Works program to the employed the benefits to communities have been far-reaching. Since 1883, more than S6s,000,000 was spent In Con- necticut in the Civil Works Pros gram, the Emergency Relief Admin istration program and the Works Progress Administration. Eighty five percent of oil federal expend- lures 90 Into the pay envelopes of the workers. Besides, private in- duStries, which furnish material for the relief projects, benefit indirectly and are able to take on more ems ployes.
 Relief Agencies
 The work undertaken by the relief agencies and the Works Progress Administration met with popular approval. Projects calling for more than S4,000,000 in expenditures in Connecticut, have already been ap- proved by the President for W.P.A. activities, contingent upon future allocation of funds and employment needs in the state. Thus, we are assured that the Federal Works Pros gram, as applied to useful works projects, will Do continued through the W.P.A.
 Now about increasing employment. What shall we do to give oil persons, able to work, needing work, c chance to find employment?
 There Is no simple answer to this question. It will Do necessary to approach the problem from many different angles. The best aid IS the improvement of business gener- ally. Anything which the Federal administration may do to increase business and industrial activity Tn Connecticut will increase employ" ment in the normal, natural way. But we all realize that we are living in 0 new economic age. l am sure that oil who read this article are possessed Of that undercurrent fool ing that we must readjuSt working conditions in many ways If employ ment ever is to Do stabilized. The Wages and Hours Bill, now pend- ing in Congress, is one approach to the problem, but 1t Is intended pri- narily to assist in improving ems ployment standards generally. Shorter hours in many industries will also aid materially. Wise ad- ministration of our banking and currency laws, and of our credit, will also keep open the flow of capi- tal necessary for those who want to go ahead in business or industry.
 Greatest Factor
 But the greatest single factor, in my opinion, Is public confidence. AS soon as confidence develops and re- covery is here to stay, individuals who have money will spend more for necessities and luxuries. Thousands of new homes are needed through" out the United States. Many people have already begun to use Q larger proportion of their income or sav- ings for the things they need. They have been holding back, during the depression, in fear of the future They wanted to keep themselves liquid. They would not attempt to even the simplest undertaking if 1t meant depletion of their capital, however small or large 1t might Dc.
 The great upward swing which we have noted under the above administration of President Roose"