Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-04

ing power that ultimately is turned
back. The past year also has marked
great advance in reducing the
hours of labor in industry as whole
and living conditions everywhere are
improving for the worker"
At the headquarters of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor officials con-
cede that the outlook for the re-
mainder of 1927 and the year follow
ing holds much good in store for the
ranks of organized labor
Day Is Guide.
Labor day is a guide by which
we measure increased understandings
of our purpose and methods" Secre-
tary Frank Morrison declared yes
terday Labor day, 1927, is no ex-
ception to the rule that year by year
the workers are better organized, edu-
Gated and elf-disciplined. We trade
unionists are aware of the reason for
opposition to our movement. we
know that intelligence and organiza-
ton are the only effective weapons
against privilege and rulership by the
few.
"This thought is being accepted by
workers in greater numbers" Secre-
tary Morrison declared" and on this
Labor day we will rededioate our
selves to the cause Of education and
organization of wage workers"
Except for the coal strike, whose
seriousness is not minimized at Amer
lean Federation of Labor headquar.
ters, unusual conditions of peace and
a tendency toward friendlier relations
prevail in the great industries that
feed, clothe and transport Americas
10 900 900 of population. Department
of Labor officials are not inclined to
consider seriously the strike that Is
closing motion picture theaters in Chi
cago and threatens to spread else
where. That is situation which af-
fects only the amusement por-
ton of the public, 1t was said, and
cuts no figure in the economic life OF
the Nation. Outside of the bituminous
coal strike, officials pointed out, no
other disturbance is pending or threat
ems at this time that can be regarded
as Of more than local interest.
Tendency Toward Arbitration.
The tendency toward peaceful settle
ment or arbitration of Industrial dis
putes il shown by the records com.
piled by the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Compared with 1901
strikes or lockouts In 1925, there were
/ OBS in 1925. Over a longer period.
the average number of strikes in the
past five years was $50, as compared
with an average of $500 from 1917 to
1921, inclusive. despite the fact that
the United States was engaged in the
World War during part of the latter
period.
While figures for 1927 were not
available, Department of Labor Off
Gals said the decrease in the number
of strikes or lockouts would be even
greater than during 1926. Conditions
are more unsettled in the building
trades, it was declared, than in any
other, and a decided Improvement has
been noted in such industries as the
| needle trades and textiles during the
past seven months.
Despite statistics showing q slight
| reduction in the number of employed
persons in the 81 selected industries,
| officials of the Department of Labor
| pointed out that statistics do not al
ways reveal the true condition. There
are no statistics to show, what has be-
come of the 81 per cent fewer work
ers in these industries, it was pointed
out. and with an absence of general
| unemployment throughout the coun-
| try. it is reasonable to presume that
! many of these have taken up other
occupations or trades during dull sea-
| sons.
Absence of Alarm
Certainly there is no reason to feel
alarmed about the unemployment
| situation" it was declared.
The New England. South Atlantic
ana mountain geographic divisions
each had a greater volume of employ
ment in July, 1927, than in July, 1926
the increase in the South Atlantic di-
vision being 2.9 per cent. The de-
creases in employment in the remain
ing six divisions ranged from l per
| in the West North Central division to
| 7.S per cent in the East South Cen
trail division.
| For the same month a comparison
shows that increases of per cent i'm
employment and of 90 per cent in
| pay roll totals are found in the tex
| tile group of Industries. and sub
stantial increases over the 12.month
| period appeared also in the food and
| tobacco groups and in the group Of
miscellaneous industries.
| The volume of employment was
lower. however, in the iron and steel
lumber, vehicle, nols-ferrous groups