Greenbelt cooperator. (Greenbelt, Md.) 1937-1954, 1940-04-11
Unemployment Here

Several lines of attack will be required to solve
the growing unemployment problem In Greenbelt. In
the first place, although it is the direct result of
election year "econony drive" in Congress,
not forget that lack of work here is the prob
lem as it is elsewhere, with the same basic causes
and the same disastr ous, effects.
AS community are most fortunate in having
less than five per cent of families without jobs.
Many towns today still have 20 per cent of their
population without of self-support. with more
active support Of the Citizens Association Welfare
Committee by reporting available work and by the i'm
mediate registration of persons who have lost their
Jobs we can cone close to solving our own Geenbelt
unemployment, unless Congress makes further inroads
in government salary budgets. At least have the
machinery avail liable.
That, of course, fails to consider the future Of
high school graduates who leave school with
possible chance Of finding private employment IN
this vicinity. Whether this particular problem
be partially solved by the Bata shoe plant at
Be1camp, Maryland will be investigated this month
by the Cooperator. Two members of the staff Will
accompany the Better Buyers delegation April le on
their visit to the plant and will write their find
ings for publ cation. NYA funds available for
Prince Georges County Will help In sending of
our young people on to college so that they will be
more adequately prepared to meet job competition
leaving school.
As further solution it has been repeatedly urged
that production enterprise be located in Green
belt. Preferably producers cooperative, but
failing that, any small plant should find this an
ideal location. preparatory study for Industrial
area on the Greenbelt tract inaugurated by the
Town Council more than a year ago. This project
merits resurrection from the moth balls. A town of
Greenoelt's size and location could the en-
tire production of poultry dairy farm,a bakery,
or some other enterprise with product not too
specialized.
Another attack which be pursued wi tn more i'm
mediate results is protest to your Congressman a.
ga1nst anticipated s1ashes In the WPA appropriations
Lack of quorum at the last meeting of the Citi-
Gems Association prevented that body entertain
ing any resolution from the community viii CHI
directed to Maryland representatives on
nthe hill", but a memorandum asking adequate funds
for WPA continuation coming from our Town Council
would be dgnified, carry weight, and place us on
record as believing that the government must tax and
spend for the public good long private indus
try demonstrates dsinc1inatton to meet the uner-
ployment problem. And while leave this sugges-
t1on for Town Council consideration can urge that
each one Of you take the time to write to your
own Congressman, pointing out of the excellent
work done by means of the WPA the necessity of
avoiding curtat1Hent at this time.
This still does not solve the problem, nor can we
offer guaranteed plans which would effective in
strai htening out the kinks of economic system.
About all can do is point out some of the worst
features, put our strength behind certain general
movements which seen corrective, and fight for the
right to live in the interim.