The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-25

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Copyright. 1920, bD THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau,
Paris, Oct. "a.
Deenite the fact that many branches
of French industry are suffering partial
idleness. the general condition of indus
trial France is better than at any time
since 1910 and the country's production
for export, which is the real basis OF
Frances economic and financial re-
habilitation. is showing tremendous
Improvement over the figures for last
year.
Official figures just issued show that
while imports remain at Level ex-
ports for the first nine months of TINS
year reached total of 10000 oo'ooV
francs. as against 6,700,00O,0OV francs
for the same period last year.
Fxports increased mainly in manu-
featured wares, which grew nearly zoO
per cent. and there was more than 100
per cent. rise in the expectation or raw
materials. while foodstuffs sent from
France Jumped In value from 700 ,00o,-
GOO francs to l.5o0 100000 francs.
France Doing Her Best.
These statistics are sufficient to con-
vince experts that France is doing her
best 10 reestablish world commence IN
her. but II is believed that IL the eX-
change difficulties were overcome tne
factories would have difficulty IN nnd-
ing hands enough 10 maintain the per-
centage OF average production OF norman
times.
Undoubtedly many owners OF rae
tories have been forced to dismiss Some
of their workmen, but so far tnese rae
tories are not shut down and proouc-
ton has been able TO keep pace with
the demand,
Labor leaders here contend that there
ia an unprecedented labor crisis II
France. with 40 per cent. of the clothins
trade and as much rs 70 per cent. OF the
leather trade not working, while th'
building trades, the miners and automo
bile and aviation construction report be
tween 10000 and $4,000 workers IDLE
In the metal industries, $4,000 workers
were said TO have lost their jobs sine
September 1 last, thus bringing the tota
number of unemployed up. to at leas
100000.
Calls for Aid Grow Less.
Paul Jourdain, Minister Of Labor, ad
mits that this may be true but says IN
| situation among the individuals thus on
| of work cannot De serious, ds ctlls ioi "a
| sistance from union funds or from III
public treasury are rarer than ever be
| fore.
This Is considered the best gauge o
the country's social and economic wei
fare, for 1t is apparent that these work
ers have found other employment !
trades which are less congested.
Only 1000 persons asked for financia
help last month. as compared with 100
900 Immediately after the signing of TN
| srmistice in November, 1918. Thes
latter figures were reduced to 10000 b
January / last. NJ. Jourdain Is takin
steps to coordinate the services in a
effort to transfer the unemployed to ir
dustrlal areas in which production
diminishing.
Another favorable symptom is seen !
the Labor Minister'S decision to clos
several prisons which have so few prit
oners in them that their maintenanc
means a loss to the State.
The Governments labor experts CO..
tend that II the labor crisis is as gray
as the union agitators complain s,
rious crime wave would be inevitabl
Instead. while some areas show a sligl
Increase In crime AS a general rule g.
rious crimes. the punishment of whic
ls n prison term, are not so frequent g
before the war.