The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-16
JOB SCARCITY
THREATENS BIC
LABOR CRISIS
Million Unemployed Now in
Great Britain.
Are 100000 Idle in Middle
West of United States.
THREE MEN TO ONE JOB
British Labor Unions Look to
Government for Aid.
American Plants Not Closing,
Are Cutting Wages.

London, Dec. 16. - Unemployment
in Great Britain which has been
steadily growing, has created serious
problem. which during the last few
days has become more urgent owing
to the advent of severe weather.
There IS a general anxiety over the
situation as nearly every trade in the
country Is affected. Unemployment
is common among clerks and middle
class occupations as well as among
manual laborers. .
Labor circles declare the actual
number Of men out of employment is
fully one million. Upon majority OF
these are dependents and the total
number of persons suffering from the
present conditions is placed az from
three TO four million, large proper
ton being former soldiers.
Want Government To Aid.
There Is a general tendency on the
part of trade unions and local au-
thorities TO rely upon the government
TO solve the problem, but in several
places. municipalities and other or
carnations have begun improvement
work. the cost of which will be paid
out of local taxes.
The national executive of the Labor
party yesterday passed a resolution
declaring the present scandal of in
nOcent starving persons cannot be al
lowed to continue" and calling upon
the government to maintain persons
for whom no work is available. The
government is asked to pay each man
forty shillings per week and each
woman % shillings with additional
allowances for dependents. This. 1t is
asserted could be done for ten weeks
for the modest sum of 100000
pounds"
Breaks Down Lines.
Meanwhile the government is giving
close attention to the problem and
Thomas J. MacNamara. minister OF
labor. announced yesterday a plan
expected to provide work for fifty
thousand men. They would be en-
ploycd in toe construction of building
and the scheme will be submitted to
the building trade union next Monday
for final action
This will be a elimination of a long,
standing trouble, the union having for
many months refused to allow un-
skilled workers and nOn-unionists to
cooperate with members of the or
Eanizsitions in much needed building
work. Newspapers are daily giving
more space to the problem which
threatens serious trouble unless quick
ly and satisfactorily solved.
Three Men TO One Job.
Chicago, Dec. IA surplus of
three men for every five jobs exists
in the middle west, according to en-
ploy ment agencies. railroads and re-
pcres received here today.
Railroads have laid off several thou
sand men in the last three weeks.
shopmen being principally affected.
In the Chicago and Northwestern
shops here more than 500 men have
been laid off within tlle last two weeks.
Wage Cuts Being Made.
With the job surplus employers have
also started to cut wages. Reports
from Ohio. Indiana and other middle
western states show that out of 1892
plants. 176 have reduced wages since
September 1, while 102 others are hir-
ing at lower wages. OF this same
number. 7S9 have laid off 200,O men.
Employment agencies which closed
their doors this summer because they
were unable to find applicants are now
being rushed with business. The
shortage Of domestic help and office
boys, they say. has collapsed. There
are more housemaids on hand now
than needed.
Charles J. Boyd. superintendent of
the state free employment bureau. said
there are $50 job seekers for every
100 Jobs at the bureaus disposal.
Painters Bid For Work.
Moberly. Mo. Dec. 16-In order to
attract work. union painters have re-
duced their wage scale from 81 Il cents
an hour to rs. They did this as their
contribution toward reducing con-
struction costs.
Employment Agency Stormcd.
Philadelphia, Dec. ia near riot
occurred here today when several hun
dred unemployed men storned an em-
ployment agency advertising for
twenty-five men. Police were called
to preserve order.
BURLINGTON CUTS FORCE.