The sun., 1919-08-24
GREAT SHORTAGE OF
LABOR is IMMINENT
Experts Predict 1t Will Reach as High
as 100000 Before End of
Present Year

That there is no apparent prospect
that labor will be available in sufficiently
large supply to cause any hope of
reduction in wages and that II there
were any such hope It would be out of
the question by the present greatly ad-
yanced standards of living is the con-
viction of architects and builders" says
the weekly review of The America,
architect I'm the steady increase in
the cost Of labor, from which has de-
veloped a serious condition of unrest
throughout the country, there is but
little hope OF relief.
But one branch OF industry SO far
has shown a desire to go at the matter
In straightforward, common sense
way. In their appeal to President Will
son to act on the high cost OF living the
Locomotive Engineers have indicated
that they prefer a drop in commodity
prices to raise of pay. This sensible
attitude is to be commended, but 1t is
not easy to see results while methods
OF accomplishment are not apparent.
1.-THE scale OF high wages paid by the
Government in some of its branches
during the war is responsible for the
steady increase in the cost OF labor since
1914. This scale naturally soon spread
TO other industries not governmentally
controlled. The resulting rise in the
cost of production has been followed as
a matter of course by a rise In prices.
Then came the general demand for
higher wages. There is no lodging the
issue. The increased wage scale has
caused higher commodity prices. And
conditions cannot become stabilized I'M
til the laboring man realizes that he
must content himself with a share of
the economic output in proportion TO
what he contributes. At present every
one wants the big profits, with little
disposition to share losses and hard
ships.
Many Aliens Leave With Savings.
with regard to the labor shortage
which. 1t is predicted, will assume seri-
Gus proportions before the close of the
year, one authority places the total at
the tremendous figure OF five million. 1t
Is known that a very large number Of
aliens, principally Of the unsklled la
Dor class. have left this country at the
rate OF from one to two thousand a day.
Occasionally five thousand have departed
In twenty-four hours. Among them are
many going to Europe TO see relatives
with whom they have been unable to
communicate during the war. They are
taking with them savings OF good
wages earned In munition plants, shin
yards and other factories. 1t is doubt
ful II many will return. At any rate
the immigration laws will not allow the
loss to be replaced at the present.
I'm the building field the labor short
age is principally in the non-si<illed
class. Nevertheless the lack of skilled
workmen in other lines that may impair
rOadwork of railroads and transportation
companies will have a direct bearing on
construction. 1t Is certain, howe YER,
that there Will be shortage until the
condition of unrest is settled and orr
ports are open to immigrants. This nat
urally tends to maintain wages at a high
standard and even causes them to go
still higher than they are at present.
Secretary OF Commerce Redheld is
Of the opinion that there will be no price
recessions on building materials for
several years In statement Mr.. Red