HARVARD DONATES SHEPARD HALL FOR NEW E.R.A. PROJECT

Shepard Hall's three upper floors, vacant since the College ceased using the building as a dormitory, have been donated by Harvard for the headquarters of an ERA project to study unemployment conditions in Massachusetts. The census was begun several months ago by the CWA and later transferred to the ERA, but within the last few weeks lack of funds threatened an indefinite postponement of the project, until Harvard offered the free use of Shepard Hall to the Massachusetts Department of Labor.

This unemployment census is the second of its kind, but it represents a much more thorough study than the minor one undertaken in 1930. It is estimated that several hundred thousand persons in Massachusetts are unemployed, and the purpose of the census is to discover what classes of persons are out of work, what their previous earnings have been, and which industries have been most strongly affected. The first report will be ready on January 1, and a further analysis of the data will probably be carried on in order to study all sides of the problem.

Both the American Federation of Labor had the Federal Relief authorities under Harry L. Hopkins are giving support to this project and to a similar one being conducted in Pennsylvania.

Donation of the building has made possible the retention of over 25 workers, who have been engaged on the project. In adapting Shepard Hall to the needs of the ERA workers, the University has found it necessary to re-wire the building and to make other minor repairs.