Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-01
HOOVER AND GREEN
GIVE RIVAL VIEWS
President Cites Big 1880 Ex-
penditureS and Labor Head
Work Slump.

Two views Of general business condi-
tons and prospects were available today
in a summary of public utility con-
struction estimates made public by
Presicnet Hoover and a statement on
unemployment by william Green. presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor.
The report made public by President
Hoover estimated that public utility
construction expenditures during 1880
would exceed 81 100000 and affect
every city and town in the country.
A summary Of conditions in "a cities
made public by William Green reported
2 per cent increase in unemploy-
ment in February over January. ''The
most serious conditions" he said, sis
the building trades where 40 per cent
were out of work in February, 1880, as
against 80 per cent in January and SO
per cent in February, 1929 This is
per cent more than in February,
1928, the worst month for building
tradesmen two years ago.
In metal trades, unemployment in
creased from Is per cent in January
to ID per cent in February. Only once
before has unemployment in metal
trades reached such a high level since
the federation has gathered figures and
this was in January, 1928"
Construction Speeded Up.
The report on public utility construc-
ton, made to Mr.. Hoover by Matthew
s. Sloan, chairman of his committee ON
expedition Of public utility construction
to aid employment said the program
now under way had been accelerated.
Sloan, who is president of the Brook
lyn Edison Co, said there had been
no great modification of the utilities
program outlined in November and that
recanvass had shown that those plans
probably would be somewhat expanded
Information completed yesterday in
dicates that the total expenditures for
new construction already made this
year or to be made by March 81, by
electric, gas and street railway COM
panies, will aggregate $305, 000, 00o,"
Sloan's report said.
This amount is IL per cent higher
IMAM corresponding expenditures during
the flrst quarter of 1929. Since the
totaI estimated expenditures for new
construction during the entire year
1880 are 8la per cent higher than for
1929, this indicates that the CONSTRUCT
tlon program now under way has been
accelerated"
Same High Levels.
Sloan reported that the committee
interpreted present electrical emergency
output as indicative that industrial
proouc!lon, considering the country as
proximately the same levels as the mn
usually high ones of last year. which
were considerably above those of any
SINCE the postwar collapse"
Inc committee was advised by the
uelnty companies that of the total
5000 100000 to be expended by them
LOT new construction, S465 900 600 will
De IN orders with manufacturers and
prooucers OF equipment and construc-
tlon materials, with corresponding ac-
ceieratlon OF factory employment
q. Furtnermore, the report continued
a very large proportion of the renaiY1-
ing $4OOOOO,O00 will be expended for
local labor. 1t is especially Significant
mat the expenditures are not concens
trated In few localities, but, on the
contrary are spread quite evenly
CnLoughout the Nation. 1t is safe to
say tnat every city and town in the
program W 'AiiS
Inc volume of new orders for euIin-
nent and materials already placed or h
De placed by March 81 will be sI8o 0oo :.
0OO, or SO per cent of the wears total
Inns likewise indicates positive and ac-
cceierated progress in the new construc-
ton program"
Reports From $4,000.
Mr.. Green's summary said that nrs-
urinary figures for February showed
mat % per cent of the members re-
porting were out of work as COMPARED
with 20 per cent for the preceding
month. The report covered $40 600
trade union members, he said
In other trade groups also" he
added. the situation has been serious
In clothing trades 20 per cent are stiIi
out OF work, although the busy season
usually starts about this time of wear
Ihere has been some decrease. however,
out"
Green noted increases in miscellane-
trades.
Reports from cities show especially
nlgh unemployment in New York. where
70 per cent are unemployed" he said.
and in Chicago and st. Louis building
tradeSmen are suffering especially. with
81 per cent and 40 per cent, respec-
lively, out OF work. Seven cities have a
general average of more than "a per
cent unemployed. six have over as per
cent out of work in building trades.