The daily monitor. (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1940-1942, 1941-09-22
Study (enters
on County
SpeeioI Hearings
Open Tomorrow

MdCOIIlO COutiSy ID W ACSSANC
a large share of the limelight
during the hearings of the spec
ial Congressional Committee on
National Defense Migration
which open tomorrow in Detroit.
The report of DR.. H. Allen
Meyer, State Health Commits
sioner, places in two categories
the problems created here by de-
tense migration. They are sani-
tation and communicable
diseases.
Stating that ''the defense mi
grafton as simply. overwhelmed
sanitary facilities in defense
areas, some of which were al
ready inadequate and has Great
ed new problems which none
existed before, DR.. Meyer
points out that the situation is
worse in "the Detroit area, par
ticularly in Southern Oakland
and Macomb counties"
TO CONSIDER REPORTS
The Congressional Commit
tee will also have for considera-
ton three well documented re-
ports of Macomb county well
fare conditions submitted by the
Macomb County Social Welfare
Commission.
Two of the reports were pub
lished some time ago: one, in
1893, the other in 1885. These
studies cover six years, from
1891 to 1896, years when the
county was experiencing its
gravest welfare problem.
The third report was prepared
by the Commission at the request
of Congressman John H. Tolan,
chairman of the investigating
group. Submitted by the Wei
fare Commission, whose mem
bers are Charles N. McNaughton,
chairman, Leo r. Jean, vice
chairman, and Isaac A. Hartung
secretary, this latest survey was
brought to its fina. form by
Frank j. Starkey, statistician in
the Commissions office.
CONSIDERS PROBLEM
The paper considers the prob.
lem of migration into Macomt
. county from four viewpoints
increase in school attendance
population figures by political
subdivisions, increase In plant
capacity in the county, and data
on employment and welfare
statistics.
Discussing the mushroom In
dustrial growth. in South Ma
comb, the report Joints out that
about IS per cent NJ the indus
trial development is due to the
national defense effort; second
ly, when production ceases for
national defense. Macomb county
will either be faced with an
exodus or an appalling unem-
ployment problem which In
either case will be serious.
COUNTY LIABLE
IF these men who are en-
rloyed on national defense move
away after establishing q legal
settlement in Macomb county
and cannot find employment
elsewhere, the county will b
liable for any aid given. II they
remain In Macomb county, anf
cannot be adjusted ir peace-timt
employment, . serious problem
Of public aid arises"
Following an analysis Of popu'
lation trends, the report con
cludes, IF the present growth
continues with the same tempe
for the next decade. Macomt
county will more than double
its 1910 census population"
Pointing out that the peak
year in welfare needs occurred
In 1898 when 6,144 families were
given direct relief assistance q
the cost of $624,077 90, the Com.
mission writes.
1T II the opinion of the sta
tistician that in 1898 when In.
dustry was practically at stand.
still. more than so per cent OF
the county's population was In
need Of public assistance. What
will happen when peace comes
and national defens. production
II not needed m; more. 10 left
with you. II II surmized that r.
lief needs will rise even higher. !"