Evening star., 1938-01-06
SENATORS WEIGH
MANY lob PLANS
Scores of Varying Ideas
Studied by Committee
on Unemployment.

Studied by Committee
on Unemployment.
Scores Of varying ideas on causes
and cures for unemployment and Of
reaction to present Government pol
icies on relief are being studied by the
special Senate Committee on Unem-
ployment, most of them submitted by
industrialists, labor leaders, news
paper executives and public officials on
invitation of the committee.
Included In this collection of opin-
Ions, submitted by mail, is suggestion
from Charles c. Glover, jr., vice chair
man Of the board Of the Riggs Ma
tional Bank, that the Civilian Con-
servation Corps be extended to take in
older transient men, and proposal
from Ewood Street, public welfare |
director for the District, that added |
provision be made for relief Of nom
residents.
Mr.. Glover cited the problem occa-
stoned by the transients who are now
ineligible for enlistment In the corps |
and roam around the country without |
private means of livelihood. In addi-
ton to proposing their enrolment in
the G. c. c., he suggests an alternative
Of concentrating them on Government |
farm projects where they could be
self-supporting.
Suggestion by Street.
Mr.. Street suggested that grants |
In aid should be extended on a $3.50
matching basis for general assistance
to those who are in need outside the
present limited categories, including
aid for non-residents, many Of whom
are without legal residence anywhere
and can find no jurisdiction which
will assume responsibility for them |
There is just As good reason for grant
In aid for relief Of the unemployable
and the unemployed who cannot find
work here as there is for the aged, the
blind and children who have been de-
prived Of the support OF parent"
The question of how much effect
labor saving machinery has on un-
employment was accorded varying re-
plies in communications to the Senate
committee.
Owen D. Young Of the General
Electric Corp. wrote that where
manufacturers lay one man OF, two
might 60 into distribution. That, I
think, Is the history Of labor-saving
devices. It is temporary dislocation,
rather than ultimate unemployment
which they bring"
Mayor Disagrees.
On the other hand, Mayor Fred
Manning of Lynn, Mass, said the
General Electric plant in his city was
equaling its 1929 production while en-
ploying $500 fewer workers than in
peak years.
President William Green of the
American Federation Of Labor wrote,
THE problem of chronological unem-
ployment has been increasingly press
ing"
A. Johnston. chief engineer of the
Brotherhood OF Locomotive Engineers,
commented that installation of me-
chanical devices and increased size
and hauling capacity of locomotives"
contributed heavily to railroad unem-
ployment.
Donald Richberg, one-time N. r. A.
head, told the committee he believed
chronological displacements in one
industry often produced as many or
more jobs in another.
Secretary of Commerce Roper,
treating the unemployment situation
as q part Of the whole business pic
ture, spoke encouragingly at his press
conference yesterday Of the reduction
of business inventories to the point |
that new orders may be expected to |
grow In volume
inventories in the hands Of most |
manufacturers, wholesale distributors
and retailers at the close Of 1897 were
not excessive" Secretary Roper said,
although they were somewhat above
normal and in few instances were
considerably IN excess Of current re-
Quircments."
He said the $40, ,3ss, ,000, 900 retail
sales in 1887 were 81 per cent over
the 1885 volume and constituted the
largest dollar volume since 1880.
1t was not until the fourth quarter
Of 1887, he added, that retail sales
showed the effect Of the industrial
recession.
From w. A. Hartman chairman of
the board Of the Union Pacific Rail-
road, came an Endorsement of the
Presidents suggestion for planned
production Is one which "paves the
way for the development Of sound CO.
operation between business and the |
administration for the attainment Of |
the objectives we all seek"
Statement Of Hartman.
Mr.. Hartman said he was confident |
other members Of the Commerce De-
partment's Business Advisory Council,
which he heads, also would pledge
assistance.
Senator Pope, Democrat, of Idaho
!, called the idea "a happy one that |
should bring excellent results" but |
Representative Fish, Republican, Of
New York charged 1t was a buck
passing" attempt.
THE present depression permits Of |
no further evasions, alibis or smoke
screens" Representative Fish said in
- radio speech.
senator Lewis, Democrat, OF Illinois
declared over the radio that the Pres
dent and Congress alike were eager to
8 assist business He asked:
will these men pass enactments
that must destroy themselves and all
< they have or hope for?"
Hospital to Become Roadhouse.
: Having never had a patient in its
16 years Of existence, the white