Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-09-05

Never DelOT0 HAS d AdDOl
many Americans detached frc
Farther west the harvesting
temporarily has allayed the unem'
ployment situation, but In these
agricultural districts there prom
ises to be some hardship when the
thousands OF workers, who have
flocked in to help harvest, are left
to shift for themselves.
In the western mining regions
the situation is far from normal
but not distressful, reports show
Perhaps the Pacific coast states
have less unemployment, proper
tionately, than any other section
Of the country, but these regions
are beginning to accumulate a
larger labor surplusage from the
thousands Of men who have flock
ed west for work.
In the South, from Texas 10
Georgia, come stories of men with
out work but the South apparent
ly has fewer without work to do
than the Industrial states OF the
North.
The majority of workers with
out Jobs are classed as unskilied
help, although in some cities large
numbers of skilled workers are
idle or forced to accept makeshift
employment.
Wage cuts accepted by the
workers run into the hundreds Oh
millions of dollars annually. The
railwaymen alone have been slash
ed some $400,000,000 a year in
pay. Samuel Gompers, head OF the
American Federation Of Labor, has
estimated that by reason OF re-
duced wages and unemployment
American workers are getting one
billion dollars a month less In pay
than year ago.
In but few cities or states has
there been any well Throughout
plan against wage reductions, even
though the cost of living may
not have declined appreciably in
the Industrial areas. Where the
men have gone on strike to fight
wage cuts they usually have been
forced by grim necessity to return
to work or change their class OF
employment. |
In but few cities or states has
there been any well thought out
plan or energetic effort put forth
to lessen unemployment. In but
few cities have municipal officials
taken steps to minimize the out
of-work menace. Most cities are
In no position, owing to lack OF
treasury funds or inability to mar
ket bond issues, to do anything
constructive, their officials are
quoted as saying. Some sections,
however. plan road building and
other public improvements to help
take up the slack until business
gets fully under way again, which
Is looked for soon.
Most workmen, reports show,
were able to save money during
the era of high war-wages, but
those out of work have been forced
to draw heavily on their savings.
In vast numbers OF cases savings
have been exhausted in keeping
The wolf from the door.
A countrywide survey just com
pleted indicates that unemploy-
ment is not as great to day as 1t
was few months ago. Seasonal
work has absorbed tens of thous-
lnds of hands. The Federal De-
,artment of Labor at Washington
estimated the number of II
at 5,5O0,OO0, but the
urvey completed by the Interna- II
ional News Service would indi-
ate that such figure is far too
ligh, possibly by a million or
more. Accurate compilations are
ifficult, inasmuch as in some
.reas men are working two or
hree days a week. Little build
ng is being done. Illinois has
90, 900 jobless; Massachusetts,
$4,000.
In the State Of New York there
re some 100000 men without
egular employment. statistics
how. In Pennsylvania $4,000
re In similar position; Illinois
as 100000 iobless; Massaehus-
It's 125.0O0. Hi
Connecticut, however reflects
improved condition. In the mid
Vest conditions are gradually
citing better. Ohio power COM
anies have reported an increased
Of electric current
nd auto-parts manufacturer
ave been able to resume on an
nproved basis. Illinois gradually
absorbing her unemployed.