Mrs. Grace and her husband, an aged couple, alleged that they had placed their savings in Chapin’s hands for investment, and that he had converted the money to his own use.
Governor West notified Chapin that if he would guarantee full restitution, a pardon would be forthcoming.
“It seems more important,” wrote the governor, “that these old people should be provided for than that Chapin should go to the penitentiary.”
Government Plan to Aid Unemployed.
The Federal department of labor has completed the preliminary work in connection with the Federal employment bureau, and necessary blanks are being sent employers throughout the country and to post offices for distribution to persons seeking employment.
It is the purpose of Secretary Wilson and his department to act as a clearing house for those who seek employment and those who have employment to offer. Both union and nonunion workers and proprietors of open or closed shops throughout the country are interested in these operations of the department.
It is Secretary Wilson’s intention, it is further stated, to try to induce municipalities which contemplate building projects and public improvements to begin their work as soon as possible. Mr. Wilson believes the greater part of this work should be done in times of industrial depression and less should be done during periods of great industrial activity.
Finally, the secretary of labor believes it will be necessary ultimately for the Federal government to actually put the unemployed on the land. He favors a plan much like the one provided for Ireland by the Gladstone bill. The government bought the land, cut it up into small farms, built houses and other improvements, placed a family on each farm, and received payment in amounts little larger than taxes.
War Costs Germans Trade in Chemicals.
The German exports of chemical products, in the manufacture of which that country undoubtedly led the world, have been virtually entirely cut off since the outbreak of hostilities. Last year they attained the enormous figure of about $250,000,000.