Evening star., 1924-07-15
LABOR BETTER OFF
THAN BEFORE WAR
us. Statistics Show Wages,
Working Hours and Con-
ditions improved.
UNEMPLOYMENT SCARCE
Building Industry Bears Brunt of
Pay Increases Throughout
.e>.--: Country.

The American workman today is
receiving far better wages than be-
fore the war. Working conditions
generally better than before 1914
nave been improved, and notvith
standing talk of much unemployment
In the United States, the workman
nnds more opportunity for steady
work at reasonable wages than dur
Ing 1922 and infinitely better condi-
tions than during 1913 and 1914.
These facts, based on statistics com
plled by the Department of Labor.
snow American labor generally to be
In far better condition, as regards
wages, working hours and continuity
OF unemployment, than in any recent
year except possibly the peak years
or 1918, 1919 and 1920, when the war
boom reached its crest
Wages in the building trades, in the
railroad industry and in mining show
generally higher level than in any prc
Vlous year. Employment in these tfref
great industries, employing millions of
men III the aggregate, is good, and there
rs no sign OF a falling off. particularly
IN tne building trades, where high wages
"olh prevail NOT since
l92o, when the peak of the war boom
was reached and high wages and higher
prices prevailed. has the present stability
OF industry been equaled
Some Lessened Demand.
There are, however, several sore Spots
IN industry, not with respect to labor
controversies, but with respect to a les-
sening demand for manufactured prod
ucts, which is reflected in decreased en-
pioyment. This condition obtains par
ticuiarly in the automobile field, where
unemployment is increasing and wages
are dropping. One great automobile
manufacturer is running his plant on :
part-tine basis The basic industries.
according TO reports to the Labor De-
partnent, show general tendency to-
ward decreased employment, not any
radical falling off, but a steady reduc-
ton IN force.
The building industry. continuing
steadily and with many new dwell
ings In demand, is bearing the brunt
or the wage increases generally,
about thirty of the total of fifty odd
increases recorded during May com
ing in that industry. With the ex-
ception of this industry the number
OF wage cuts during the past four
years has exceeded the number of
increases, there having been, how
ever. no serious wage reductions.
maintained by increases in railroad
ing and mining.
Employment in Industry.
Employment in manufacturing in
dustrieS decreased AZ per cent In
May, while pay roll totals droppec
81 per cent, the Labor Department
announced, while per capita earnings
fell OF 1 per cent
These figures are based on reports
from 1858 establishments in fifty-two
industries. covering more than 2,50e,-
u0O employees. Increases in employ
ment for May were shown in ten of
the. hfty-two Industries and increases
IN pay roll totals in nine industries
An average of go per cent of full tine
and an'average of a per cent of full
capacity were operated by manufac-
turing establishments reporting as to
thelr operating schedules in May The
situation with regard to employneut
| and operating time has not changed
materially in the last forty-fye days.
W age rate increases were reported
ny seFenty-seven establishments in
May and wage rate decreases by
| forty- eight esta blishments.
The Labor DeparLm has not vet
compiled for final use figures show
| ing the average wage in the union
trades for this year. These figures
are IN process of compilation and
| VIII be ready within about two
! a,o.S 20 Iio|i iOi H. ne depart
| ment, however. commenting on the
| ttend OF workmen's wages, declares
| the hourly union wage on Nav 15
OF last year was higher in the United
| states than in any preceding year
increases in wage rates in the buiid-
| ing trades and railroading will alb
sorb most of the small decreases that
| nave been reported since then. il is
believed. thereby maintaining the
generally high level. Union hourly
! wage rates We're per cent higher
IN May, l423, than on the same date
in 1929. "a per cent higher than in
| !SI7 and 1S5 per cent higher than ir
l90f. The American workman is get
tins to-day more than double his
| wages Of fourteen years ago.