Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-05
DECREASE IS SHOWN.
IN UNEMP[ OYMENT.
LABOR OFFICER SAYS.
BY HARDEN COLFAX
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal)
Copyright, 1929

Copyright, 1927
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.--Labor
day this year is bright with promise
to the American wage Garner and
American industry alike, in the opin-
ion of Secretary of Labor Davis, who
has just completed a survey of the
work of his department during the
past II months. Mr.. Davis believes
that with the two of the years
three major strikes-those in the
coal and textile industries-settled,
the country is on the verge of an
era of great prosperity.
More than $4,000 men who were
idle on Labor day of last year have
been put to work. Unemployment,
according to an analysis of the de-
partment's figures, is hardly greater
at the present time than during
normal periods of prosperity. There
is always a floating population of
approximately 100000 wage earn
ers out of employment.
These figures do not include the
striking railway employees, but ap-
ply only to wage earners who have
been deprived, temporarily, through
no act of their own, of means of
livelihood
All returns to the department
point to a coming scarcity of labor,
both skilled and unskilled. How soon
the country will experience labor
shortage depends upon several fac
tors, labor department officials state,
chief of which is the unsettled rail
situation. When that is adjusted
good times. apparently, have clear
road ahead.
Labor Shortage Expected
A shortage of labor before winter
is expected, however, by many gov
eminent officials. These expecta-
tons are based on the belief that
the rail situation will be adjusted
within the next 80 days.
The year has been featured by
three of the greatest strikes ever ex-
perienced in the United States. Two
of them have been settled. The work
ers in these two strikes number
about 100000 men. In addition to
these strikes, the department has
acted as mediator in 173 minor
strikes since Jan. 1. The total num-
Der of men involved in those strikes
is about 10000.
The task of putting 100000 men
by American industries, the depart
ment figures disclose, with reduc.
ton of not more than per cent in
the rate of wages paid. In other
words, the wage cut has averaged
during the past II months less than
five cents on the dollar. There has
been no wage panic" such as was
feared a year ago.
On the contrary, wages are mount
ing. They have been increased not
ably in the steel industry and in the
non-union coal fields. The building
trades have increased wages general
ly, returns to the department show,
and increases have been recorded in
the automotive industries. Mechanics
in the building trades especially have
profited by the disregard, reported
in some sections, of wage scales
Contractors have bid against each
other for skilled men, of whom there
is a shortage at the present time In
the city of Washington instances
are reported of bricklayers earning
SIS day.
Climb in Wages
Based on these and other occur.
rences and on the general revival in
business, officials here believe that
wages have touched bottom and will
continue to climb for time with
prices. The extent of the upward
trend may be measured by the in
crease in commodity prices of such
articles as pig iron which has ad-
vanced nearly 80 per cent since jan
uary, steel billets which are up more
than rs per cent over January levels;
brick, cement and lumber; wool,
cotton, live stock and other 1asic
commodities.
The volume of trade has expanded
materially since last Labor day, &C.
cordlng to car loading figures of the
Association of Railway Executives.
Loadings continue at the rate of
about $4,000 cars a week, or $4,000
cars above last years level. The cur
rent figures do not include the great
coal movement which had not been
felt at the time the last figures were
made public. It is expected that
that movement will swell car load
ings to more than 100000 cars week
ly. The record loadings for week
are about 100000 cars.
Idle cars shows decided decrease,
standing at 100000 cars Aug. IS,
as compared with 900 a year ago
A month hence, it is freely pre-,
dicted, there will be no surplus of
cars whatever.
August generally is an off month
There has not been much of a de.
cline this year, however, notwlth
standing labor unrest; and Septem
Der is confidently expected to wit
ness a measurable increase in indus
trial activity and a resultant lessen
ing of labor troubles.
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