The New York herald., 1921-09-16
100000 WORK;
100000 ARE IDLE
Labor Still Drawing More
Money Than Before War,
Secretary Reports.
COST Is STANDARDIZED
Wage Scales Debated and
Winter of Increased Pro-
duction Expected.
DEMAND FOR GOODS SEEN
Return of Business Prosperity
Predicted and End of
Unemployment.
DEMAND FOR GOODS SEEN
Special Despatch to THE Huw York Hpnaup
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, 10. O.. Sent. Is.

NeW N0Th Her3iQ Bureau.
Washington. -. O., Sept. Is.
In a further study OF unemploy,
nlent, relating chiefly to wages anc
work, the Labor Department to-da,
found that even with 100000 mer
idle 12.o00,o00 men still at work are
drawing more money than they re.
ceived before the war. Approximately
$1,000, 600, 900 is being expended month
ly by mills, shops and factories Of the
United States for labor, skilled and
unskilled it is shown in reports tc
the Department of Labor and other
Government agencies.
Wage scales of the war period now
have been almost entirely debated and
labor costs standardized, the reports
seem 20 indicate. The nations in
dustry, officials say, now is ready for a
winter of increased production that
should tend to reduce unemployment
and lower prices of many necessities.
Contrast With Year Ago.
A year ago, with wages at war time
standards. between 100000 and 49,
10000 industrial workers found be-
tween $1,000, 100000 and $4,000 200
each month In their pay envelopes,
Production was speeded up to an abb
normal rate: the pubic was spending
IN manner never before known, and
dealers were shouting for larger stocks.
Then came the slump with the result
hat q survey by the Labor Department
showed 100000 persons dropped from
he industrial payrols.
A picture just the reverse OF this
now is presented By the Labor Depart
nent in Secretary Davis's announce
nent that 12.o00.0o0 persons are en-
3loyed. Those having employment now
IRE earning at the rate of $4,000, 100000
year. The average pay OF the indus
rial worker Is approximately $1,000 a
Tcar. Furthermore, as those now out
II work are drawn back into employ
nent. the nations total payroll viii
mount to approximately $4,000. 100000
4 year.
Employers in every section Of the
United States. convinced that wage re-
adjustment now II approaching COM
pletion are negotiating working agree
nents with employees and preparing TO
resume larger operations.
Average Wage Lcas.
The average day wage of the indus
trial worker now Is approximately $780,
In the steel industry common labor is
EARNING slightly more than 50 day.
,ut in most lines the rate Is higher
Some skilled workers are earning from
Sc to So day where last year their
sate was from IS to $40. One dollar
IN hour has again become the maximum
ate an hour for skilled workers. a
vcar ago most skilled men earned SIPS
IN hour and were making plans 10 in
crease that rate TO Si50 an hour.
Wage scales have not been reduced
20 pre-war rates, but this is not 70 be
expected. according 10 Government Of
aciais. Economic history shows that
following wars wage scales always have
found levels higher than before the
conflict.
In those few industries in which wage
readjustment has not progressed to what
employers regarded as a more reason
able level part time operation still is
The rule. This is true of the automobile
industry. where machinists still are
generally receiving in excess OF 81 an
nour.
a slight increase in commodity prices
aoted in the index figures OF the Labor