160 UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
The CuairMAN. I believe those are all the persons opposing the
measure who desire to be heard of whom we have any knowledge. "1
understood, Senator, you wanted to say something in rebuttal.
Senator WaceNER, Congressman Mead is here. He wanted to say
something; just a few words.
The Crairman. I do not think we will take up any other person
until after recess. How long will you take?
Mr. Map. Just about five minutes, or less.
Mr. MicaENER. Does Senator Wagner want some time?
Senator WaeNER. Yes; I would like a few minutes.
Mr. MicaeNsr. How much?
Senator WagNER. Not very long. I did not propose to make a
speech.
Mr. MicaNER. Do you mean a speech like we make here, or one
like they make in the Senate?
Senator Wagner. No; I won’t make the kind I make in the Senate;
I have just a few observations, that is all; but I do not want to keep
you from lunch. I will come back after lunch.
The Cuairman. Very well, then; we will hear from Mr. Mead and
Senator Wagner, and that will close the hearings before this com-
mittee, and the committee will meet in executive session next Wednes-
day.
Mr. La Guarpia. Mr. Chairman, can not we meet before next
Wednesday?
Mr. Hammer. Won’t we be adjourning about then?
Mr. LA GuarpiA. Yes.
The Cuarrman. I can not say that we will, but there is one thing
to which I can not aceede, and that is that no matter how good the
legislation may be, no matter how desirable we may wish to have it,
I will not assent to a pressure, hysterical pressure, to pass the legicla~
tion without ceiving it due and fair consideration.
STATEMENT OF JAMES M. MEAD, OF NEW YORK
Mr. MEeap. Mr. Chairman and members of the Judiciary Com-
mittee. I desire to bring to the attention of the Committee as forcibly
as possible a matter which in my judgment is the most important
problem of government. No problem considered by Congress in this
session approaches in importance the problem presented by the vast
and ever increasing number of unemployed workers. The problems
of international peace, prohibition, naval disarmament, the tariff,
Muscle Shoals, and other matters are of far less value and importance
than the consideration and solution of this grave question. The
Nation’s progress, prosperity, security and success are dependent
upon the effectiveness and promptness with which we settle this
matter. No member of the House can give it the time and considera-
tion it merits but it is the duty of every member of Congress recog-
nizing the capital importance of this great question to put forth his
best effort to right the evil and unbalanced condition in which the
Nation finds itself to-day.
Individual business facing the keen competition of the day will not
solve the problem of unemployment. Industry in America is engaged
in a terrific drive with its competitors with increased productivity and
reduced cost as its goal. The task is therefore one for the Govern-
