Laurel outlook., 1944-01-12
JOBS
AFTER WAR TAKE
CLUBS ATTENTION
Four ROtarians Review Local
Possibilities For Work In
Postwar Period

Laurel Rotarians further pursued
the subject of postwar employment
and took a brief look at local pos
sibilities when four of their men,
bers made six-minute talks at the
meeting Tuesday. The speakers
were B. NJ. Harris, Paul Wilson, F..
w. Graft and P. A. Johnston. Their
services had been secured by the
program committeeman, Paul Void
and C. w. Laird.
o. X. Chapman's display list of
Laurel, Park City and Silesia men
and women in the armed services
was arranged as a background for
the group of speakers. Chapman
said the list contains 408 names
and that there are about 100 more
to add.
Johnston led off with a discussion
of probable employment in the
building trade, and mentioned a
minimum of 25 new houses a year
for several years. Here and else
where there is a shortage of houses,
for there has been an unavoidable
lag in building the past 10 or more
years. Annual construction of 25
houses would employ so men the
year round.
AS to public work, he was of
the opinion the South Laurel sewer
should be completed when possible,
which would provide additional en-
ployment for plumbing and similar
installations. The city's sewage dis
posal plant was another item men,
though it will not take up
much of the slack. A sustained clean
up and paint-up program by prop
erty owners was another possibility.
P~re-fabricated houses are not much
Of a hazard to wide employment in
building.
Johnston, like others, seemed of
he opinion that most of the jobs
should come from private and in
lustrial sources and that public
work should be a slack absorber.
He recommended creation of new
businesses that will have large pay
oils and will use products produced
lere. Meat packing plants, flour
Mills, fabrication of metals and
encouragement of oil processing
among the recommendations.
Wilson, member of the city coun-
il, reviewed the city's position in
.%reation of employment. He toe
mentioned the sewer in South Lau-
ell, and the sewage disposal plant.
hey will provide only short en-
'loyment. Other public construc-
ions could include a swimming
Iool, street improvements, play
and other wanted improve
nents. Mentioned also were a fed
raj building, city hall, city-owned
emetery and a hospital. Wilson
aid the council welcomed construc-
i've ideas.
Graft said what the schools do
governed by the taxpayers and
heir economic recovery. He indi-
catd the teaching profession is at
resent suffering of a depleted per-
onnel, due primarily to the war =.
nd attending industries. In the I
some 100000 teachers have o
cen drawn away since Pearl Har- v
and enrolment at teachers col ]
,ges is down to 40 per cent. Mon Y
ma has been short about 600 G.
since 1910. About 500 4
ear are needed for replacement. .
.ttention was called to the marked y
end towards vocational instruc- =
and the probability that that L
,ature will be broadened and ex- g
.nded. a
Harris concluded the discussion
= delving into the finances. What B
done will depend on income. He "
ted a test spot, a town of 12,- n
10 in Minnesota, where a survey r
rs been made to find out the emf l.
oyment of that COM =
He compared figures in a L
tinted report with similar posi-
in Laurel, and said a like
Irvey could be made here.
TIL speakers made several refer
ICES to permanent employment in r.
bstantial industries as the basis y
r economic stability. vi