New-York tribune., 1921-09-10
Predicts Boom
Opening Jobs
To Thousands
Big Employer, Mail Order
Officer, Declares Trade
Will Have Good Increase
Until the January Slump
Sees End of Depression
Renewed Activity in Spring,
V. Ehrlicher Thinks, Will
Continue Indefinitely


yet sounded by big employer of men
and women, in connection with the un-
employment situation, was contained
yesterday in an interview given rep
rescntatvc of The Tribune by V. Ehr-
licher, vice president Of the Charles
Williams Stores, ono of the largest
mail order houses in the country.
Mr.. Ehrlichcr said there was every
indication that the fall season, soon to
open, should provide employment for
thousands of men and women at pres
ent out of work in New York This,
in his belief, win be followed in Jan
uary or thcrcabouts by slump in en-
ployment, to continue until the opening
of the spring season, when there Will
again be an increased demand for
labor.
But, contrary to what happened at
the close of the spring season this
year, Mr.. Ehricher does not look for
nearly so great an employment drop
at the corresponding time in 1922.
End of Slump in Sight
"Thcre is much reason to believe
that by that time the wave Of post
war business depression will be prac-
tically over and that economic condi-
tions will be restored to status of
very nearly normal he said. THAT
is the hope and aim of many cf The
biggest employers in the country.
But ] do not believe that the un-
cmploym ent situation now is so serious
as it is represented in some quarters.
Although the decrease in business nat
urally has brought about cut in labor,
and likewise in wages, there has been
no great influx in many big employ
ment ccnters, such as this company, of
mon and women asking for jobs. The
situation is better. it seems to me,
than during the summer and fall of
last year
with this concern labor was not
cut to any degree impairing the value
of it's organization. Practically every
man or woman in key position has
been retained, and nearly all our capa-
BILE and efficient workers arc still on
the payroll.
while look for a gradual improve
ment of conditions, even TO continue
throughout the winter it is most likely
that there will be an employment
slump at the close Of the fall season
Therefore, believe that The Tribune
is performing a public service in in
senting the facts to the public
Chance for Official Action
"Foreknowledgc Of what may happen
| should lead city and government Off
Gals to plan the beginning of contem-
plated improvements, or other enter
prises involving the employment OF big
numbers of men, for the periods when
Unemployment becomes most acute"
Enr1ChPr .1-bc
wage cuts placed in effect during the
last eight months permit tied the heads
of many families affected to support
their household properly
In good many cases they are not
having an easy time of it, was the re-
ply. MY advice to them-of course.
there are lots of people who resent
advice, but if it's of any value to any
one, here it would be that they ret
some extra work to do outside Of the
hours during which they are regularly
employed.
II know of one case where the wages
of man with a wife and six children
were $50 a week, obviously too small!
to support such family properly He
came to his employer several times
and asked for raise, but it was out
of the question to give it to him for
| the class of work he was capable of
performing.
"'Why don't you sec what you can
do in the way of getting little extra
work, even If it's only odd Jobs two or
three evenings a week?' the employer
advised.
The man accepted the suggestion
and spent some of his evenings there
after working in a garage. During his
first week he made $25 and he has aver
aged more than that ever since.
Many Lack Initiative
"The trouble with a great many men
in such situation is that they so lack
initiative and energy that, permitting
themselves to feel only discomfort and
dlscouragement, they confine their
working hours entirely TO the demands
OF the time clock on their regular Jobs.
Also, they feel too much of a white
collar pride to permit them to under
take little extra work, such as part
time employment in garage. 1t would
be much the better wisdom for them
| to change their views on such matters,
at least until TINS period of business
depression, which the employer is as
anxious to end as is the employee. has
been ended"
There are several good jobs for
American Legion members now out of
work. The Tribune was notified yester-
day by Miss Ray Sawyer, Of the Le-
Igion headquarters in the Hall of Rec
ords She asks that applicants see her
this morning concerning them.
The attention of this newspaper to
an unusually worthy case of unem-
ployment, that of former major in
the A. E. r.. who has three children to
support, was called in a letter from
lieutenant colonel familiar with the
details. The letter reads:
as there anybody among the read
ers of your splcpdidly loyal American
paper who can assist in securing a
temporary position for young ex-
officer who made a splendid record in
the A. E. +. as a major of infantry?
Although seriously wounded he is now
in most perfect physical condition. He
IS thirty-t two.
Educated and Reliable
"His prospects are good, but his i'm
mediate needs, to care for three Young
children, are lmpelling. He is edu.
Gated. gentlemanly, active and excev-
tionally capable in handling men, many
OF few. He speaks two languages and
is absolutely reliable.
"A group of his fellow officers de-
sire to place him somewhere in the
vicinity of this city"
DO you know where there is 'iob
for such a man? Is there some en-
ployer who has an opening for him or
can create one? If so, write to the
City Editor, The New York Tribune
Further information can be obtained
on request.