128 UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
Of course, the state of unemployment is highly

Mr. Emzry.
unsatisfactory.
Mr. Cerier. In other words, the remedies that we have assumed
and have tried. heretofore have failed, have they not? There must
be some change?
Mr. Emery. I think the conditions for the control of the causes
which produce unemployment are more thoroughly understood and
that more intelligent and sympathetic effort is being made to control
them, so far as they are within human control, than ever before.
Mr. Crier. Is that not the trouble, we are getting sympathy all
the time and no action?
The Cratrman. Well, T hardly think that is pertinent.
Mr. Cerier. I will withdraw that statement. Since 1920 or 1921
we have had conferences, but have there been any concrete actions
taken with reference to remedying this condition of unemployment
since 1920?
Mr. Emery. Yes, sir; there have been great numbers of them.
Mr. CeLrer. Nothing but conferences?
Mr. Emery. On the contrary, that is a subject, as I said in the
beginning of these remarks, that individual manufacturing establishments
 and thousands of employers all over the country individually
and collectively are doing everything in their power to steady and
regularize the conditions of employment in their plants, and that after
all is the great remedy.
Mr. Cerier. I did not mean to disparage what the manufacturers
are doing. I know they are doing their level best, but I mean there
has been nothing done so far as the Government is concerned in the
nature of adopting any kind of legislation to help this problem. Has
there been any legislation of any character since 1920 on this subject?
Mr. Emery. Well, there has been. You have adopted a very large
building program for building construction, which you are regularizing
Mr. PE — I do not mean that. I mean any concrete expression
on the part of Congress as to the setting up of any agency to alleviate
these conditions.
Mr. Emery. Ido not know of any particular one, but of course you
proceed on the hypothesis that they can set up something that will
do it.
Mr. CeLLer. At least you agree to one set-up, S. 3059?
Mr. Emery. 1 agree that it will make & contribution; that anything
that improves our information, that is well organized and well managed,
 that enlarges our relevant and accurate information on the
subject, is a contribution that the Federal Government can well
make, and that is exactly what that conference report urged you to
do in 1921, and you did enlarge the appropriation for the United States
Employment Service in accordance with that recommendation, to
perform such function as it could in the matter.
The CuairMaN. Is there anything more at this time?
Mr. Curren of New York. Mr. Chairman, I realize the importance
of these bills and these hearings, and that there are many speakers
yet to come. There are several of my colleagues in the House who
would like to be heard, but after holding a conference with them we
have agreed not to interrupt the speakers who are to be heard, if we
could get permission to note in the record of your hearings that the
Democratic delegation from the State of New York is heartily in