The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-10
.UNEMPL OYMENT
WIDESPREAD IN
CENTRAL N. Y.
Thousands Idle; Others
On Part Time
BY Il. M. WIcKs.

SCHENECTADY, N. Y, May 81
Unemployment is ravaging the entire
Capitol District Of New York. Thou
sands upon thousands of workers have
been forced from their homes to
tramp the highways of the country,
looking for an opportunity to sell their
labor power. But the wave of unem-
ployment that holds the country in its
grip is still rising, and labor power is
the most plentiful commodity on the
market.
This district comprising the central
part of New York state, owes its ex-
istence to miscellaneous industries.
There are a number of railroad CEN
tiers here, but aside from this the Cen
eral Electric Company of Schenectady
is the largest industry. Here work
ers are on part time, with reduced
force.
In Albany, the state capital, there
is a pronounced decline in building,
with the result that all building trades
workers are forced to seek other
fields. Being also a railroad center,
there are thousands of railroad work
ers idle as the result of the nation
wide unemployment on the transpor-
tation systems.
Small Localities Hard Hit.
It is the smaller localities that are
hardest hit thus far. In Amsterdam,
center of carpet manufacturing the
large Sanford carpet works has closed
down, throwing 5000 workers onto the
streets. Those few mills that are run
ming are on half time, affecting ap-
proximately 10000 more workers.
In Johnstown and Gloversville, cen
tiers of the glove industry, part time
work is the rule, with vicious wage
slashes reducing the workers stand
ard of living to an appalling degree.
The piece work scale has also been
cut in this district, so that workers
getting an average of S6 per day be-
fore Christmas now get an average
of 1898.
AS the glove industry in this sec
ton is one of the few survivals of the
handicraft period, and much of the
work is done in individual homes of
workers under sweatshop conditions,
survey Of the industry is next to
impossible. Turnout all the hills and
valleys within radius OF rs miles
women and children toll long hours at
glove making for pittance, just as
their ancestors for four generations
toiled before them. With the decline
in industry here the misery and pow
erty is past description.
May Have Political Effect.
The wave of industrial depression
| is still rising and will soon reach the
boiling point; that is, the point where
the economic chaos will register def
mite political upheavals.
It is fortunate that this district has
been chosen as the place to hold "a
state Labor Party convention, as the
vigorous launching Of state party at
this time would have a favorable ef-
feet upon the development of the
class consciousness of the unemployed
and underpaid masses of the Capitol
District.
Not so long ago this section was one
of the most favorable spots in the ma
ton for independent political action,
but the maladministration of the yell
low Socialist tribe that one time ruled
Schenectady destroyed the movement
until today there is not remnant
anywhere Of class action on the polit-
ical field.
While the task of reaching the in
dustrial workers in the larger centers
will be an ordinary one, the task of
reaching the handicraft workers in
the glove making industry will be diff
fcult and will require careful and in
tensive organization work.
The economic situation of the home
workers in this industry renders their
Organization into labor unions impos-
sible, and also makes difficult their
awakening to political consciousness.
Economically they belong to the slum
proletariat. They are so low in the
scale OF human existence that most
OF them haven't sufficient vitality to
defend their class interests in any
sort of struggle.
With the factory workers 1t is diff
ferent. Tho miserably underpaid.
they can be impelled into action by
intelligent organization in the larger
centers, which will aid its extension
to the smaller places.
The unemployment in the Capitol
District furnishes the basis for an Of
fective campaign this year.