50 UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
Mary van Kleeck; Lillian D. Wald; and Walter M. West, the secre-
tary of the Association of Social Workers.
In a very short time we sent out a letter to 700 persons well known
for their experience and knowledge and special interest in these
problems of employment, from the very nature of their work; and
some 300 odd telegrams and letters came back in the last few days
to me, with only one refusal, gentlemen, and two *collect’’ telegrams.
And I submit that to you, in view of the fact that of all the 700
letters sent out, to which we got over 300 replies, only two of those
reply telegrams were sent “collect.”
May I read briefly first, the letter which these several hundred
professors of economics and social workers and leaders of various
social agencies have signed? 1t was a letter prepared by this com-
mittee whose names I have read. It is as follows:
The following statement presents for your consideration the opinions of the
undersigned with regard to the three unemployment bills (S. 3059, 3060, 3061)
already passed by the Senate. The signatories are actively engaged as social
workers, statisticians, economists, sociologists, specialists in labor problems,
personnel management and business administration.
We believe that these bills, taken as a unit, lay the foundations for a permanent
national program for preventing or relieving widespread unemployment.
The evils resulting from wholesale unemployment or intermittent employment
are too well known to require further discussion. The situation has been properly
described as the greatest economic blot on our industrial system. Its effects on
industry and social welfare have been examined by many conferences and com-
missions. There has been general agreement that it is possible to anticipate long
periods of unemployment such as we have just experienced. As to the measures
to be taken, the two bills before your committee (for more efficient employment
offices and better planned public works) are practicable and widely approved.
The third bill (for better statistics) has already been reported favorably by the
Committee on Labor.
The principle of public works as a means of creating employment in times of
depression has been widely accepted. Apart from the fact that large numbers of
men will be kept at work on governmental projects planned in advance, the
example of the Federal Government will stimulate States, counties, and cities to
act similarly. In addition many industries supplying materials will be stimulated
so that the effect will be nation-wide and cumulative.
The need for a nation-wide system of public employment offices has become
more acute because of the large and rapid shifts, both industrially and geograph-
ically, in the demand for labor. Workmen in greater numbers than ever before
find it necessary to move to different cities, states, or to new industries in order
to keep at work. From every standpoint it is desirable to reduce the period
between jobs. This situation calls for a widespread, well-coordinated system
of employment offices manned by an adequate, trained staff and commanding the
confidence of both employers and employees. More effective cooperation between
the Federal employment service and the state and local services is necessary.
We earnestly hope that your committee will act favorably and promptly upon
these two bills, so that they, with the bill for accurate statistics, can be passed
bv the House before Congress adjourns.
That letter is signed by a very considerable number of men promi-
nent in this field, and I will leave a list of their names with you to be
incorporated in your report. .
(List of names attached to original transeript:)
F. W. Taussig, Harvard University.
H. A. Millis, University of Chicago.
Irving Fisher, Yale University.
George E. Barnett, Johns Hopkins University.
Sidney Hillman, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.
John R. Commons, University of Wisconsin.
John A. Ryan; Catholic University, Washington, D. C.
Otto T. Mallery, Philadelphia, Pa.
John Bates Clark. New York. N. Y.
