20 UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
myself to these bills, because of the number of very distinguished
citizens who have come here from distant places and who are very
much interested in this subject; who have made a special study of it
and who are very much concerned with the future of our country if
some effort is not made to solve this very serious problem.
The CaarrMAN. Senator, may I suggest that the object sought to
be attained is a most excellent one. Every one will concur in the
advisability of doing anything that may relieve the unemployment
in our country. The question that the committee, I think, would
specially like to have you address yourselves to is with reference to the
form of the legislation; the relations it may have to the Constitution
of the country, and whether or not regulation of this kind belongs to
the States or can properly be mingled with Federal legislation. The
main purpose of the legislation I believe every member of the com-
mittee is sympathetic toward, but that is the side of it on which the
committee would like englightenment, I am sure.
Senator WaaNER. I think before we get through we will convince
any open-minded Congressman that the proposals are a step in the
direction of solving the question. I do not think there are any
practical or legal difficulties in the way of the carrying out of the
proposals. However, I think that will come up as we discuss the
question.
The CrarMAN. Yes.
Senator WaaNER. I should liké to present first Dr. Henry A. At-
kinson, president of the Church Peace Union, who desires to present
a petition on behalf of a group of very distinguished citizens in favor
of this legislation.
Mr. MiceENER. Before we start, Mr. Chairman, may I state this?
I am compelled to go to attend a meeting of the Rules Committee,
shortly. I do not want to appear to be discourteous. I shall read
with much interest all the evidence presented in this hearing.
Mr. LaGuarpia. We may need a friend on the Rules Committee
on these bills.
Mr. Tucker. Mr. Chairman, IT am obliged to leave at 12 o’clock.
Mr. Jonas, Mr. Chairman, so am I; I am sorry.
The CrarrMaN. Of course, if the gentlemen have other work, we
can not interfere. They say that duties never conflict, so the gentle-
men will determine which is their duty and govern themselves ac-
cordingly.
Senator Wagner. Will you hear Doctor Atkinson now?
The CHAIRMAN. Yes, sir.
STATEMENT OF DR. HENRY A. ATKINSON, GENERAL SECRETARY
CHURCH UNION AND WORLD ALLIANCE. NEW YORK CITY
Doctor Atkinson. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, while it is. true
that I do represent this church organization group, I come, not in the
official capacity of that organization, but because of our interest in
this wider question, which is truly a national issue and is rapidly
becoming a world issue.
A group of us in New York discussing this question formed a little
committee and asked a larger group to cooperate with us in preparing
a petition, to try out, to see what the attitude of a still larger number
of people would be upon this question. We prepared the petition
and sent it out to some 1.800 people, representatives of the churches,
