The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-28
latter part Of 1914 manufacturers

hcit Dtkdh W ett war olutIs lEom
the belligerents, and the labor situa-
ton was soon relieved. Labor was
IN great demand at high wages, and
the demand has continued ever since.
On the entry of the United States
into the war an acute shortage of
labor was caused by the raising Of the
army, the expansion Of the naval
forces, and the creation of war indus
tries. There began then another sea.
son Of higher pay, in which wages
reached levels never before known,
and which, in spite OF the high prices
Of the necessaries of life, gave every
worker an Unprecedented chance to
save or to spend for Injuries. The
savings effected have been large, as
Is shown by the sale Of Government
bonds, War Savings Stamps, and the
reports Of the savings banks. The
spending has been free handed too,
as is proved by the extraordinary
retail business done everywhere.
The problems now are how long
wages can remain at their present
levels, and whether there will be in
the United States when demoblliza.
ton Is completed sufficient amount
Of labor to meet the needs of the coun-
try and to provide goods for export.
The available man power of labor will
be reduced by the number Of men killed
and disabled in the war, the number
remaining In the enlarged army and
navy, and the serious losses caused
by the epidemic of influenza ana pneu-
monia which has swept over the coun-
try and is still taking its toll Of lives
from the ranks of the strongest and
most vigorous. 1t is plain that i'm
migration on great scale will be
necessary to bring the proportion Of
workers to jobs up to what It was
IN 1912.
But immigration is opposed by or
ganized labor in this country, which
wants to bar it absolutely for ten
years, and emigration Is opposed in
the countries from which we have
been accustomed to obtain transient
workers in the past. In Italy 2O0.OOO
men already released from the army
want to come here. and 100000 still
with the colors are anxious to follow
them as soon IS they are discharged
But Italian sentiment Is strong against
permitting these useful men to leave
their own country. 1t is demanded
that the Government retain them -
help in the work of reconstructing
Italy. and 1t Is likely that some move
will be made TO accomplish this. Sim
liar moves are likely in other Euro
pean countries.
The presence Of an unusually large
number Of women in industry is not
to be ignored. In many callings they
have won high commentator. The
effect OF this is still to be made mani
fest, and may result in considerable
occupational establishments.
Meanwhile, 100000 Americans
accustomed to consume extravaganza
the best kinds of goods. with their
habit of free spending little changed
by war conditions, must be suppl ell
with all the products of art and H..
dustry they require. Their wants viii
not grow less but greater. They are
demanding new and tremendous pub
lie works, they will want more fool
stuffs than ever before they will gen
orally give higher preference To
American made goods than has been
the case in the past. This factor must
not be overlooked. The education uf
the American people in natloEalSm
Is going to affect the market i'm
Toensely for years to come
Under these circumstances It IS dig
ficult to see why there should he any
unemployment. except that incident
to the confusion of demN'illzatlon.
which Will soon he overcome If the
Government nets promptly In assist
ing the resumption of norma. Crudi-
tons by taking its hands nff business
and Congress enacts intelligently CON
ceiyed tariff and taxation laws. The
United States is ready to go ahead ;
its people must be fed and clothed {:
1t has the resources needed to give
work for all; and when Tho Govern
ment lets business flow In It's natural
channels we shall hear nothing about
lack of employment, but are likely to
hear great deal about shortage Of
labor.