Although Friday the 13th is hardly a hopeful day for a good idea, Paul Krugman in that day's NY Times correctly extols one of Europe's best programs for confronting potential job losses in recession. Namely, our federal and state governments should investigate and possibly implement Germany's job-sharing in lieu of layoffs.

This, of course, would involve subsidies by government to private industries that participate (and larger public sector deficits) or losses of labor income by other workers sharing their work in return for (probably unwanted) leisure.

Nonetheless, Krugman is giving publicity to a proven unemployment reduction program that could be part of the United States Second Federal Stimulus Program as well as a model for what Oregon State University faculty and staff could consider.

Charles Vars

Corvallis