Middletown transcript., 1921-12-03
BILLIONS LOST
BY MANY STRIKES
Government Shows Vast Sums
Diverted From Wage-Earners
YEAR 1921 HOLDS RECORDS
260, 100000 Days Missed-Unempioy.
ment From All Causes During
Two Years Has Cost Labor
Ten Billions. e:

WaSnlngtOn.-WaSe lnTOuSA-
out the United States are mourning
losses at the rate Of $4,000, 100000 a
year as a result of strikes and lockouts
and deliberate absenteeism from their
tasks, according to data collected by
officials Of several government depart
ments.
Despite widespread unemployment,
this year will establish a new record
for strikes, officials of the Labor De-
partment foresee. During the first six
months of 1921 the number Of workers
on strike was far in excess Of the num-
Der in the same period Of 1920, it was
shown in summary of industrial rela-
tions prepared for Secretary Of Labor
Davis.
More than 100000 workers will
have lost time through walkouts by
January /. This is in addition to a
greater number of workers temporarily
thrown out Of their job as result Of
the refusal of their companions to
work. The exact number of workers
thus Indirectly affected by strikes can
not be determined by the Labor De-
partment officials because of lack Of
suitable data. The average strike in
wolves more than 1000 men, the Labor
Department records show. Most strikes
continue in effect at least two weeks
before settlement can be effected, it
has been found.
In the strike of the New York gar
ment workers alone the loss to work
ers and employers is estimated at from
$750,000 to $1,OO0,000 a day.
A propaganda to convince workers
and employers that mediation should
be undertaken in every case before
work is stopped or the workers
locked out now is being carried on
in all sections Of the country by the
Bureau Of Mediation and Cancellation.
The bureau is working through its 30
mediators located in all big industrial
centers. In several big industrial
oenters this propaganda has resulted
in steady decrease in the number Of
strikes, Government officials say.
Illness, injury from accidents and
personal" reasons now cause the
average industrial, worker to lose 20
days a year from work, according to
study of industrial absenteeism on
file in the Labor Department. There
are approximately 100000 workers
now regularly employed in industrial
pursuits, Secretary Davis recently es-
timated. On this basis, loss of time
from illness and personal causes
means the loss to industry annually
Of 26O,0O0,O0O days of work. On the
basis Of an average wage of IS per
day, the financial loss to workers from
causes other than strikes is $1,3OO,OO0,-
900 year. The total may, however,
reach s2,000,0O0,000 a year, as many
workers still are earning So and more
a day.
Because of the economic depression
and part-time operation Of most mills
and factories, unemployment during
1921 and 1920 has cost workers nearly
$1O, ,000. .000,0 900, according to estimates
made for the National Conference on
Unemployment. With the gradual
economic revival now going on unem-
ployment is rapidly being cut down,
it is shown in reports to the Confer
ence. Unemployment now involve not
more than 100000 workers, it is
estimated, and the number may be as
.ow as 100000. In January 5000, 900
were idle and by midsummer the num-
Der had increased to 100000.