The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-04-20

cult Problem Confronting The
Nation Today, Is The Opinion OF
This Writer From The Sang Run
Community.
To the Editor of The Republican.
One of the most formidable and diff
ficult problems confronting our nation
today is idleness-idlenes that can be
segregated into three distinct groups.
There is, first, the enforced inactiv-
ity rendered inevitably through indi-
viduals being permanently or tenn
porarily incapacitated. This form of
idleness is unavoidable generally, and
is therefore eXcusable.
The second group is likewise excus-
able, for they comprise that class who,
with anxious zeal, pursue every clue
that may lead to employment-even
part time. Within this second type are
concealed talents and naturally ac-
quired traits whose tact and ability to
adjust themselves to new surround
ings, even under adverse conditions,
would amaze, if not abash, some of our
highly educated professional business
men. But their talents are held dor
mant. And through dormancy their
inherited abilities are seriously i'm
paired, for these invaluable gifts Of
nature are hampered and not allowed
to expand to their intended propor-
lions, therby making it impossible for
the public to realize the value of what
has baan lost because no opportunities
have ever arisen through which VIC
tins of this second group might have
exercised and developed their dreams
and ideals. So it must be freely admit
ted that these individuals who should
enjoy, and are entitled, to a career,
and who could efficiently handle re-
sponsible positions, are in no way to
blame for the idle life which they are
forced to adhere to.
Talent does not, however, always
exist in the idle person. There are
sess alacrity and eager hopes, but be-
cause they haven't adequate natural
ability they are-even when oppor-
tunity does knock-destined to accept
manual labor where proficient skill
is not required. They ar enot respon-
sible, of course, for their plight, for
everyone cannot inherit smooth bust
ness ability In view of this fact these
less fortunate, though willing ones,
must be placed in the same group with
their more tactful opponents in the
complicated race for consideration in
the world of employment.
The third and last group ofidlers are
to be compared neither with the first
nor the second type. 1t is not the first
or second class that threatens to be-
10
istic public. 1t is the third group who
have become ensnared in that morale
destroying net woven of despair, de-
spondency, pessimism and utter de-
lection. AS has been proven by vari-
Gus methods, including national unem-
ployment census, it is this element
that constitute that well-known type
of whom we have all heard, or been
personally acquainted with: the kind
"that won't work now and never will"
Some are "don't care" drifters. 9th
ers have completely abandoned the
instructive desire to "try again" They
possess no inclination to forge ahead.
They cannot refuse with obstinate,
resolute will to accept defeat and the
languid, idle life as their master. In
stead these listless, shiftless victims
of the clutches of despair are precipi-
tated to some level or living. Oft
times these morose "don't-cares" re
sort to petty hold-ups, picking the
pockets of some unsuspecting inno-
cent, etc Once this occurs the desire
to attempt larger and more profitable
"jobs" is usually the ultimate result.
In the wind-up these "big job" at
tempts almost invariably eliminate
in the facing of some stern judge and
the hearing of his austere voice met
ing out the inevitable justice for the
offenders crime. So this doesn't pay.
Those in the third class who are by
some miraculous feat juggling fate
and who exc out a mere subsistence
through some unknown method, would
undoubtedly resent the offer of steady
employment. Even though they are
physically perfect (both married and
single), they have no desire to work.
They are content to struggle along:
to hack from place to place and eX
tract from perhaps some illegal source
a bare existence. They do not realize
nor appreciate the fact that they have
been blessed with sound minds and
strong, able bodies. The sluggard life
appeals to them and it is to this wick
ed, inactive life that they cling. This