Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-05
GENERAL NOTE Of
Optimism SOUNDED
THROUGHOUT U. S.
Officials Declare Labor Day
Finds Country Emerging
From Depression.
UNIONS AND EMPLOYEES
9. 9. TALKING BIC PROBLEM
viii Attempt to Settle Unem.
ploymcnt Situation So as to
Speed Up Industry.
by A. T.. Johnson.


United News STAFF CORRESPONDENT
: WASHINGTON. Sept. 4-Inhor
SDay, according 10 government, oni-
gals. finds the country emerging
from an almost unprecedented period
not industrial depression and getting
under way ION thc long uphill climb
TO normal conditions and better
times
: From half-dozcn different angles.
the Federal and State governments.
various municipalities. trade unions
and employers are tackling the un-
employment problem
Labor leaders. from President Sam
uel Gompers down, are campaiEninr
all over the nation 10 Increase tho
ranks of organized workers. bcliev-
ing that unionixation will best serve
TO relieve the great mass OF unem-
ployed.
Attempt tn Cut Rates.
Agricultural and manufacturing
interests are engaged in a determined
campaign to bring down freight rates
and stabilize prices. OF farm products.
RAILROADS are seeking adequate meas
urcs for increasing business and STAY
ing off bankruptcya Manufacturers
are equally intent upon cqualizinE
cost prices and accclcratinE better
marketing conditions.
Early in September the Secretary
OF Commerce will summon to WASH
inEton labor representatives. manu-
facturers, railroad managers and
. bankers. TO ascertain the causes OF
unemployment and to take palliative
measures.
A decided note of optimism Is
sounded by Francis I. Jones, direc-
tor-gcneral OF the United States En-
ployment Service OF the Labor De-
partment.
Statistics show" Jones says. that
the low point in the present severe
depression has been reached and
passed, and that the country has
,at last definitely set out on the long
uphill climb to normal conditions and
better times"
He declares that thirty-cight out
OF sixty-fve principal Industrial con-
!. ters OF the United States show n de-
crease in unemployment. Figures
in all from the reg
ords OF 1,4.S firms. employing total
> OF 100000 mon. On August 81.
these firms had 1929 more employees
on their pay roll than they had the
last day OF July.
Tho industrial classifications show
ing Increased activity include food
products; textiles and kindred pro-
ducts; leather, stone. clay. glass and
tobacco products; metal products
other than steel and iron and rail-
read repair shops" says Jones.
"a happy augury Is the very gen
eral increase in building operations
The survey shows that present activ-
tiles in building operations are
greater than at any time since the
nation entered the war"
Labor Day Will be celebrated all
over the nation by mass meetings.
parades and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
: the solidarity Of labor. union leaders
declare. President Samuel Gompers.
Secretary Frank Morrison and other
officers Of the American Federation
OF Labor will speak in Baltimore.
Louisville and other cities
To Hold Big Celebrations.
Boston. Kansas Oily. Philadelphia.
Cleveland, 81, Louis and Chicago Will
: Monday.
Labor has dedicated its annual cell
: cbration to opening q campaign FOR
new members.
The forces Of destruction and OF
reaction have mad, every possible
onslaught" says President Gompcrs
but the trade union movement has
stood firn. The time has now come
--for labor to assume the aggres-
: sive. We Will not step backward, nor
stand still We will move forward
= with a unity such as our movement
fas never excelled and with an un-
,-euualcd spirit OF determination
The forces OF labor everywhere
must be and Will be rallied for the
great forward movement. Everything
depends upon organization at this
Lime when the citizenship. the under
standing and the loyalty of all our
: people is being put 10 the great test
{ Through organization we will achieve
every good purpose and defeat every
Selhsh greedy and undcmocratic pur-
-pose or reaction
Labor Day brings the call 10 ad-
vancc-and 100000 new members
Will lie the goal attained"
Throughout the nation at labor
.. gatherings. statement by Gompers.
urging the beginning Of the great
new drive for members VIII be read.
Meantime Federal departments are
carefully compiling Unemployment
statistics for the coming Hoover In
dustrial conference.
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