Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-01
Prosperity and Z Unemployment

hence sterilization OF retail purchasing.
Stability increases the possibility OF
maintaining business prosperity.
More Time for Leisure.
Outstanding increases in productivity
suggest at once that the worlds work
can be done in shorter work periods.
Reducing the work periodically and
Weekly-enableS wage earnerS to share
the opportunities for leisure which for
merly were the priviiegs OF only tEe
wealthy. Leisure is = dream of social
welfare. To direct the forces of tech
nical progress toward that end is to add
to them the honor Of distinguished
service.
We no longer regard leisure as chance
for idleneSS; it is opportunity for more
wholesome living, broader acquaintance
with the world, individual development
and progress. The six-hour day and
the five-day week represent advance
ment standards for industry. Not all
industry is sufficiently advanced to
have established these standards for all,
but the trend is rapidly in that direc-
ton. About half million workers
have the five-day week and millions
the eight-hour day. AS industry is
geared to higher production pace, not
only does the intensity require a shorter
work period and output make it pos
Sible, but. responsibility for maintaining
stable work group points to the en-
ployment of larger number of persons
working shorter periods of time. This
would do much to prevent "techno-
logical" unemployment and would con-
form to good management practices
which require that production changes
be accompanied by adjustments in
working conditions.
Another method of promoting stabil-
ity is advance planning of public work,
with deferred appropriations so that
with the first evidences of business de-
preston construction work may be
started. This would directly provide
work for some, and by stimulating the
industries that furnish the necessary
supplies give work to still greater
numbers.
Responsibility of Management.
Much unemployment can be averted
by better management and by making
it habit to consider the employment
implications of all changes. To para
phrase a current expression, we need
to get employment minded.
A current illustration of this need IS
in connection with the ship limitations
proposal. Judicious planning here will
avoid embarrassments. Thought should
be given TO men who have given a life
time to learning to build ships. Navy
yards as well as ships may be converted
to peace time services
The limitation of ornaments is the
necessary corollary of the Kellogg peace
pacts. The American Federation of
Labor is by tradition and by conviction
committed to policy of peace between
nations. Labor Is going to see to 1t
that the Kellogg pact is enforced. We
believe that the first step is an agree-
ment between the United States and
Great Britain as to naval parity and
will support an effort to bring this
about.
Progress in international customs as
well as progress in production involves
change. The problem is not to avoid
change, but to see to 1t that change
does not involve unnecessary hardships.
Wages Should Keep Ahead.
This problem Of unemployment has
SO long been the concern of wage earn
erS only that it is distinct progress to
have reached definite and general rec
ignition Of the fact that unemployment
is interrelated with the maintenance
of business prosperity. In addition to
emphasizing the need of stable employ
ment would like to urge an addi-
tional suggestion as to wages: We need
not only high wages, but wage advances
that anticipate production expansion in
order to assure adequate markets.
Wages should not lag behind and fol-
low, but should precede and stimulate
production.