The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1938-02-03
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS EM-

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA rs EN-
barking upon strange and unknown sea,
in what is believed by many non-political
authorities will be the greatest political pork
barrel that has ever disgraced it's govern
ment.
Down in the Golfers at the capitol are
more than ten million dollars that have been
exacted from employers during the year
which closed recently, which is to be doled
out as unemployment insurance. And to
whom?
The writer of this column is not OPP
posed to the principles of unemployment in
surance. 1t may be sound economically, I'M
der proper safeguards. But the Minnesota
law provides no sound safeguards.
For under this law the employee can
separate himself from his job in any of a
score of different ways, take fortnight's
vacation and then come around and claim
he is unemployed. He doesn't even need to
get himself kicked out, he can even strike
and after a while get himself on the roll of
the public dole.
Then he can draw from Sc to SIS per
week for more than three months, all tax
money exacted from employers, many of
whom have to scratch day and night to make
enough to keep the bills paid.
A maximum of $50 a month and doing
nothing! Not so much, but not so bad for
the job of doing nothing And remember,
thousands of men are working on WPA and
other government agencies, for S44 per
month.
Meanwhile thousands of other men have
behaved themselves and kept right on work
ing, and paying into the fund for the other
fellow who kicks over the traces.
The looseness of the Minnesota law
opens the way for political discrimination
hat nj
have just witnessed and are witnessing the
wholesale discharge of tried and experienced
state employees who did their work well,
without their knowing wherein they failed.
How many of the discharged wear the brand
of the party in power? How many of the
newly appointed do not wear that brand?
Probably about the same number. And yet
they call this form of civil service.
If a state worker can be ousted because
he does not belong to the party in power,
why can not the same discrimination be ex-
ercised in determining who shall share in the
benefits of unemployment insurance?
What a mess we're in for! The only
hope is that the system will be so putrid it
will suffocate and die of it's own smells and
relieve an outraged public.-Deer River
News.
A STRANGER IN OUR COUNTRY,
reading current political attacks on Ameri-
can industry, could not be blamed for COM
ing to the conclusion that the executive man.
agement of our industries has been not only
a dismal failure, but menace to the nation.
Management of private enterprise in the
y United States, from hot dog stands to rail
roads and utilities, has been largely taken
over by politicians, who without blush pro-
fess to know more about such industries
! hon 6n tho bn hove mt heir MOI
and their lives into the building up of pro-
ductive properties.
A great argument has been going on
nationally about why the investment market
is drying up Is the question so complex as
many claim? Do your own analyzing.
: For example, you elected John Jones to
, congress. The chances are ten to one that
you know John Jones isn't particularly
! good business man in his home community,
even though he was good enough politician
to get your vote. Would you employ Con-
gresham Jones to invest your personal saw
ings? Would you hire him, because of his
outstanding business record, to manage your
business? Chances are ten to one you would
not. And yet, thousands of John Joneses in
high political offices, are today, in effect,
usurping practically every phase of opera
ton and management of American industry,
even though they have had no experience
with the industries they presume to man.
7 age, and do not assume any financial or tax
: responsibility.
Is it possible that such political man.
agement" Of industry has anything to do
) with the reticence of Mr.. Joe Citizen to in
) vest his money?
Possibly the American investor has be-
) come fearful of political tinkering with
( business. Possibly this simple reasoning
! has something to do with ''the general feel
ing" of fear which blocks investments for
expansion of industry under trend which
takes management away from those who
: put up the money and hold the sack.-ex
4 H. L. MENCKEN SPEAKING: WHAT
: the republican party needs, if it is to take
: any actual part in the election of 1910, is a
;. candidate bursting with the very talents
o the Hoover and Landon lack. The talents
e speak of are those Of an adept and not toe
polished rabble-rouser. The hero fore-or.