Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-04-01
INDUSTRIAL SITUATION.
Commissioner Wright, of the Labor
Bureau, Reports One Million
Men Idle.
[Washington teleprnm.l

The first annual report of the Bureau of
Labor is completed. 1t will cover five hun
dred pages. Under the head "The Indus
trial Depression In the United States, I"
Commissioner Wright says:
From the observations of the agents OF the
bureau, and from other sources from which it
has been possible to form conclusions, IL is un-
doubtedly true that out OF the total number Of
establishments-sucha as factories, mines etc.
existing In the country about per cent. were
absolutely Idle during 1885, and that perhaps per
cent more were idle part of the time, or, for
just estimate, ~ per cent. of the whole number
Of such establishments were idle, or equivalent
centage arrived at az per centl we obtain q
total Of 996, ,639 as constituting the best state
ment Of the unemployed in the United States
during 18S5-meaning by the unemployed those
who, under prosperous times, would be employed,
and who in 1895 were seeking employment
that It has been possible for the bureau to make.
1t is probably true that this total, as represent
ing the unemployed at any one time in the
United States, is fairly representative, even IL
the laborers thrown out OF work through the
cessation Of railroad building be included.
million Of men out Of employment means a loss
to the consumptive power OF the country OF at
least $1,0OO,000 per day, or a crippling of the
trade ofthe country OF over 500 900 per year.
The earnings Of the people involved inthe classes
named above would not be far from 5000 each per
annum, representing total earnings Of 81 900 7l6-
600. The wage earnings Of the million that should
be employed are crippled to the extent OF
over $500, ,0OO, 900 per annum, sum sufficient to
cause q reaction in business and a general cur
tailment Of expenses, from which result appre-
hension and timidity among all classes. 1t Is
curious to observe, however, that while tho
severity of the depression causes a crippling TO
the extent Of several hundred millions Of dollars
per year Of the consuming power OF the people,
the volume OF business transacted is not Grip
pied comparatively to any such extent.
1t is shown that just previous to the finan-
cial panics of 1857, 1873, and 1882 there
was an immense increase in the mileage of
railroads constructed in the United States.
The results of this in throwing men out Of
employment have great bearing in produc-
ing depressions through the stoppage Of
consumptive powers. The Commissioner
says:
Tables are given indicating two things, viz
That while, as shown, the extent Of the existing
industrial depression involves a crippling of the
wage receivers Of the country and n consequent
crippling of the consuming power Of the peo-
pie, the volume Of business has been fairly
well preserved-at least not crippled TO any
such extent as indicated by the crippling of tho
consuming power-and the prices have constant
ly fallen. Along with these two features there
has been a constant diminishing Of profits until
many industries have been conducted with lit
tie or no margin to those engaged and q great
lowering Of wages In general.