The Washington times., 1928-01-20

D0cdy dGIdCkS an Olu 1lluu
thrown out of their accustomt
Yet this adaptable nation Of
ours contrives somehow to keep
our enormous wage-earning p0pu-
lation astonishingly evenly en-
ployed
Employs 100000
Only 20 years ago the automo-
bile represented an extremely mi
nor industry. Today it gives direct
employment to almost 3,500,OOO
and indirect employment to 400.
$50, making a total not far short
of 100000. This Is a greater
number than employed in any
other industry in America, apart
from agriculture.
Think Of the amazing growth OF
the electric light and power in-
dustry. Only q few years ago it
was an infant. Today 1t has a
capital investment of nearly 3d.
O0O, 900, 200. It's gross revenue last
year appropriated 1,700, 000, 900,
1t added during 1927 no fewer than
j $50, 900 new customers and today
has 81 ,625, 900 customers, including
nearly 1S,O00.OOO households. Here
we have witnessed the creation Of
another large army Of workers
at least 100000 in addition to the
varying thousands employed on
construction work.
1S,5O0,O 900 Telephones
The telephone is not quite so
new as a sizeable industry, yet
the Bell system alone has in
creased its employees from 100000
in 1912 to $4,000 today, a gain
Of 175,0O0. Last year alone $780,
900 new telephones were installed,
bringing the total to 1S,50O,00O.
The New York Telephone Company
has invested more than $3.50, 0OO,-
900 since 1920 in additions.
The radio was little more than
a toy five years ago. Today it is
common through the length and
breadth Of the land. The inven-
ton, the making, the distribution,
the selling, the maintaining of
radios is bringing into being q
brand-new army of workers. The
furnishing OF daily programs for
radio listeners gives employment
to still others.
Although still wrestling with
the troubles incidental to child
hood, the aircraft industry is al
ready absorbing the work OF
considerable force one way or
another. And It Is certain that
within q few years the total
number Of persons deriving their
livelihood from this industry viii
be very greatly increased.
Raanareh Work
Another occupation which has
quietly drawn to its ranks thou
sands of brainy men during re-
cent years Is research. Our
leading industrial corporations to-
day each employ. as rule, any.
where from a modest number to
several thousands in purely re-
search work. General Electric,
General Motors. Eastman Kodak.
American Telephone, National
Cash Register, Westinghouse,
Burroughs Adding Machine, q. 8.
Steel and the Du Points have
been conspicuous In this field,
in which 100000, 600 or more
has been spent annually.
Think of the myriads of new
positions created by the motion
picture industry. There is scarce
ly a hamlet throughout the
length and breadth of the con-
tinent that does not now boast
Of at least one movie theater.
Each gives employment directly
to one or more persons. while
the largest motion picture pal
aceS-and they are veritable pal
aces-call for the services of
troops of musicians, a galaxy OF
ushers, vaudeville artists. ar
tisans, etc., and, of course, there
are the other thousands Of
artists. directors, producers, etc.,
engaged In making the pictures.
Employment Increase
The chief statistician of the
Western Electric Company, q. 8.
Gregg, has compiled the follow
ing estimates Of increases in en-
ployment in various fields in the
STAGE of four years:
Increases in employed July,
1928 to July, 1927:
Building excluding roads, sub
ways, etc), 100000.
Automobile, truck and bus OPP
Grafton and maintenance, 1000
Road and subway construction,
100 900.
Trade (chain store, etc., 100000.
Public service, 100000.
Operation and maintenance
apartments, hotels. 5000.
Operation and maintenance OF
flee buildings, $4,000.
Oil production, $4,000.
Total, 100000
Meanwhile, as we all know,
there are other lines Of work
which have either dwindled or
died--the number engaged in
agriculture alone has decreased
100000 since 1919.
Yet all Of the switching and
changing thus involved has been
conducted with a miraculously
small amount OF disastrous dislo.
cation.
Yes, we are an astoundingly
adaptable nation.