The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-04-06
CCC at Crossroads on 9th Birthday;
Alternatives: MiIitarizatiOn or Death
Least Criticized of All
New Deal Units, Camps
Have Good Record
BY JOSEPH w. LaBINE

BY JOSEPH w. LaBINE
Franklin Roosevelt had been
President only five days before
he called a select group of
youth leaders into his office.
BY April 6, 1933-exactly six
years ago-the Civilian Conser-
walton Corps was created as
one of the first New Deal
agencies.
Today, as some 100000
youths in almost 800 camps
celebrate the sixth anniver-
sary of their benefaction, CCC
has hit rough waters. BY the
time congress adjourns this
least criticized of all Roose-
welt agencies may either be sem
fenced to death or changed into a
semi-military army of unemployed
youth.
CCC has done such a good job
that strong New Deal critics like
Henry Link, New York psychologist,
praises it in his Return to Reli-
gion" and "Rediscovery of Man."
In six years some 1000, 900 boys
have gone through its routine, one
fourth of them emerging to take
permanent private jobs. Some of
the rest re-enrolled.
Most Recruits Needy.
Here's how CCC works: Its mem
bership comes almost exclusively
from underprivileged homes-boys
who have left school, can't get jobs
and need both moral and physical
training. They enroll and leave
the group every three months, so
there is a constant turnover. Last
October, for example. SO, 900 new en-
rollees were accepted, averaging
1876 years of age. (They must be
between II and 23).
CCC places these boys in camps,
gives them $50 month of which
SO must be sent home to needy par
ents, and teaches them not only the
rudiments of hard work but lot of
"extra-curricular" activities as
well. Reveille sounds at 6 a. m.
Breakfast comes at $40 and inspec-
ton at Ills. By 1880 they are on
the job, remaining until p. m.
with the exception of an hour off
for lunch.
The lads get vocational training
during evening hours. They learn
crafts like photography, radio, cab
inetmaking, leather work, blue
printing and landscaping. But the
training apparently is not very eff
cient because American labor I'M
ions object to having craftsmen
turned out by CCC to the detriment
of their apprentice system. Mr..
Fechner is an old-time American
Federation of Labor official.
Educational Accomplishments.
But craft or no craft, CCC does
good work. Last year 8,817 Hitter
ates learned to read and write, 3,5I7
finished grammar grades, 634 fin
ished high school and Is got col
lege diplomas. Almost all the youths
take school work, either by CORE
spondence or from part-time resi-
dence instructors.
If CCC enrollees range from II to
% and come from underprivileged
homes, they rise from the very stra-
tum of youth responsible in 1887 for
Is per cent of our murders, % per
cent of our robberies, AZ per cent
of our burglaries, 81 per cent of our
auto thieves and Il per cent of our
sex criminals.
Youth camps are not New Deal
invention. In 1880 California tried
the scheme, doubtless getting the
idea from the English "hinksey dig
gers of whom Philosopher John
Ruskin said their two-mile road was
''the worst IN three kingdoms"
Set Enyiable Work Record.
What have they done constructive
ly? As sample of what CCC costs,
the current fiscal years appropria-
ton is $3.50, ZOO, 900, and the nation
should expect to get something tam
gible in return. It has. CCC has
planted some 1900, DOC, 900 trees and
built 1000 fire towers to protect
them. It has strung $1,000 miles of
telephone from lookout post to watch
tower. The country has 132, 600 miles
of new roadway and 5000, 600 dams
to check erosion. There are count
less new recreation centers and wild
Life habitat has been safeguarded
to protect these nnocents from the
ravages of civilization.
CCC has also provided an emer-
gency army. Its membership has
done yeoman service in fighting for
est fires, rescue work, flood relief
and rehabilitation after disasters.
The Red Cross recalls how, In the
Mississippi-Ohio floods of January
and February, 1887, more than o.
nm aproIIooC hr,rIrolc - -1-z-