UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES 69

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gets into motion. Public works should be constructed, with that
borne in mind, and under the direction of the Executive they would be,
for we need only to give work on public works to these men who are
joining the ranks of the unemploved in order to stimulate industrial
Processes enormously.
Now, through the activities of the Public Employment Bureau,
you would get first the knowledge of where the opportunities for
employment exist. I think it can not be too strongly said, that the
gentleman who raised the questions this morning of the possibility
of the employment service making jobs where there are no jobs is
answered by that. It is the duty of those in the public service to
analyze the industrial situation at all times of any community, so as
to know exactly the state industries are in; and if a machine throws
glass-blowers out of work, he will know other economical trades which
are requiring workmen similarly skilled and intelligent where there
1s an expansion program going on at the same time.
I think there should be a beginning, a trade beginning, so that men
and boys will have more than one line of industry in which they are
skilled, more than one skill, so that they can pass from one job to
another. More and more the employers are recognizing that they must
give their men two skills and keep them up. The Government will
be aware of and alert too to the opportunities which may come to the
man who had been a first-class mechanic and who was laid off because
the trade went into abeyance. A man who is a good mechanic in one
trade can be put into other trades where at any given time there is
expansion going on; and with the wage-earner market so enlarged
there will be developed the various services and the luxury trades to
give employment to these people.
Now as to the work of the Public Employment Service: We have
to-day a public employment service with Federal control; and I,
who administer one of these offices in the State of New York, under
Federal control, have never felt there was the least bit of inhibition,
or the least bit of interference with State rights on the part of the
Federal director. There has been harmony and unanimity and
~ooperation.
Mr. LaAGuarpia. Are you under the civil service law?
Miss Perkins. I was appointed industrial commissioner by the
Governor of the State of New York, and not by the civil service.
Mr. Francis I. Jones appointed me when I became director. He
appointed me Federal director for the State of New York. That is
what he does in every State—he appoints the local officer as the
Federal director. All of the subordinate positions are in the civil
service, except the head of the department.
vio LaGuARrDia. Are the subordinates paid by the State of New
ork?
Miss Perkins. Yes, sir; the subordinates are all paid by the State
of New York; two or three are paid by the Federal Government.
Mr. LaGuarpia. The subordinates are paid and are serving the
State of New York?
Miss Perkins. No; they are under the New York State civil
service law, and they take their examination and they are recognized
and given the designation by the Federal director, as special agent,
or superintendent or assistant superintendent; and in that way they
have the franking privilege which we get through the Federal director.