Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-22
Statistical Experts Addressed
by Secretary Davis on
Surveys Purpose.
SHORTER HOURS MAY BE
RECOMMENDED POLICY
Total Of Unemployed Now Placed
at 100000 Who Need
Assistance.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
While the Cabinet Committee on IN
employment today awaited the arrival
of Arthur Woods of New York to take
charge of President Hoover's relief or
ganization, group Of statistical experts
gathered at the Labor Department to
consider existing Government methods
Of collecting data on unemployment.
James j. Davis, Secretary Of Labor,
In an address to the gathering, said
confidence in the accuracy Of the de-
partment's figures on labor and wage
matters was justified, but probable
need of extending this type Of work
now exists. He cited particularly the
appearance of chronological" unem-
ployment because Of the displacement
Of manual labor by new machinery
processes.
"Just how far are these chronological
changes responsible for our present I'M
employment" Secretary Davis asked,
referring to displacement OF musicians
by talking moving picture films, I'M
loading of ships by conveyers, and the
construction of new railroads by track
laying devices as examples.
Should Be Made Study.
Can this question be answered. and
If so, how are we to answer" he con-
tinued This is the problem upon
which we wish your advice. This UNI
be made from a labor point Of view.
That is to say, it should be a study
rather than an enumeration"
The study should show why indt-
viduals were out Of work and whether
a machine displacement was response
BILE for an individual situation, he said.
A careful analysis Of research possible
ties would be helpful, he added.
Col Woods, former police commits
sioner of New York, yesterday was
named by Presidetn Hoover as direc-
tor of unemployment. He was expected
to arrive in the Capital some time to-
day.
Woods was in charge Of national un-
employment work once before, sewing
as special assistant to the Secretary OF
War IN 1919, TO find work for former
service men Besides this task and his
police activities, he has been q soldier,
schoolmaster, reporter and business
man. He was an expert attached to
the League of Nations opium commits
sion for some years. A native OF Bos-
ton, he Is so years old.
Consider Shorter Hours.
Pending information of the perma-
nent group under the New Yorker, in
timationS came from the Cabinet that
plan for employing more workers for
shorter hours--in effect, dividing the
work and wages of those now employed
to cover many of the idle-would be
among the proposals to be urged upon
the States and industry. It is in use
already, Secretary Hurley said, on en-
cheering projects under War Depart
ment supervision. Doubtless it would
be extended as much as possible to the
Federal building program, which is to
be rushed as an unemployment aid.
The administration Is inclined to view
the actual problem, one of aiding g.
10000 unemployed. The official esti-
mate sets the total out Of work now
at 100000, inclusive of q normal
unemployment of 100000 covering
f1oaters, disabled persons and other
classes which do not work. This would
indicate disposition to believe there
had been no increase in unemployment
since Spring, as the census set the
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