Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-14
EMPLOYMENT SEEN.
ON UPWARD TREND.
Normal Conditions Forecast
in so to go Days by Labor
Department.

Reports on labor conditions in all the
principal cities indicate that within the
next so to 90 days the country will be
on a normal employment basis. the u.
S. Department of Labor announced to-
day in its monthly bulletin on indus
trial employment.
All reports indicate that an upward
swing to employment is in notion" said
the bulletin, which is issued under the
direction of the Secretary of Labor.
James J. Davis.
Building operations, highway con-
struction and municipal improvements
were held in check by weather condi-
lions the first part of January, all being
contributing factors to what the report
described as the tremendous idleness
that was apparent"
While there is still considerable I'M
employment" the bulletin said, the
latter part of the month showed a vast
Improvement, which will continue with
greater momentum.
Many Recalled to Work.
- Iron and steel, the barometer OF
prosperity, showed an upward turn,
with increased employment. Many who
were temporarily released during the
latter part of 1929 we're recalled to
work. The outlook for iron and steel
is very encouraging, as large orders
have been placed for all classes of iron
and steel products.
Some of the automobile factories
and plants manufacturing automobile
accessories continued on part-time op-
erations, and yet an improvement is
noted in the industry. and many work.
erS who were released the latter part Of
1929 have been recalled and are now
employed. The prospects are encourage
ing for increased employment in this
industry.
1.-The plants manufacturing radios
and radio accessories have not shown
any employment gains" the report
said. While the coal industry is still
suffering from considerable unemploy-
ment. improvement was noted through
out the month.
"A fair demand was noted for skilled
mechanics, such as tool and die makers,
turret-lathe operators and machinists
for employment in Woodworking estab-
lishmentS
"A surplus of textile workers is APP
parent in all sections of the country"
A surplus of labor was noted in the
South Atlantic district, including the
District of Columbia, Maryland and
Virginia. but it was expected that more
favorable weather would do much to
unemployment. The bulletin COM
mented as follows on conditions in
Washington and the District:
Kept Normal Operations.
1.-THE majority of the industrial plants
maintained normal operations for this
season of the year. The surplus of labor
embraced skilled and unskilled workers.
clerical help. white and Negro domestic
help and sales persons. Several hotels
furloughed number of their employees
but expect to recall them soon. Sea-
sona1 activity prevailed in the public
utility establishments and in municipal
street maintenance. The recent snow
storm furnished temporary employment
to large number of men. Building
permits recently issued, on which work
is soon to start, involve an expenditure
of S4,540.170 The Federal building
program continued to employ a large
number of skilled and unskilled work.
ers."
There was sufficient farm help avail
able for the demand reported in prac-
tically all localities in Maryland, the
bulletin said, adding that in Baltimore
however, the surplus of labor embraced
practically all trades. While the ma
jority of industrial establishments were
in operation, many plants curtailed
their forces. No large volume of build
ing was reported, but the report said
that within 80 to 60 days work is ex-
pected to be started ION considerable
municipal improvement plans"
A general surplus of labor was re-
ported also for Virginia, but the bulle-
tin said that lat no place was the vol
ume considered alarming. Adequate
farm help was said to be available at all
localities, and while weather interfered
with outdoor work, the report said IAN
improvement in the industrial situation,
with corresponding increase in en-
ployment. is expected within the next 80
to so days"