Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-04
LEADERS EXPECT
EMPLOYMENT GAIN
Gradual Resumption of Activ-
ity Expected to Begin
About April |.

Employment obviously is not as good
as labor leaders, employers and statis-
ticians would like to have it seem, but
they have ceased to view this with
alarm"
Labor leaders making headquarters
here anticipate a gradual increase dur
ing the next month, with real re-
sumption of activity beginning April /.
officials of the American Federation of
Labor say that % per cent of the organ
lied workers were out of work in Febru-
airy. That means % per cent of
approximately 12,000,0 900 workers.
These leaders say also that the build
ing trades, the highest paid labor in
the world, are the most seriously in
volved. But. the American Federation
of Labor notes also that March always
brings some improvement. while sea-
sonal recovery is due in April.
1t is asserted that appeals for aid
through charity are increasing. On
the other hand, it is acknowledged on
all sides that industrial recession has
been checked and confidence is gain
ing. This undoubtedly is due to the
activities of the steel and automobile
industries. The building trades are the
last to feel the increased activity. Is
Fix Blame on Banks.
Many labor leaders have no hesitancy
in fixing the blame for the labor stu
alton condition on the banks They
say that the banks are full of money,
but that the f1nanciers will not loan it
for construction purposes. They point
significantly to Westminster County.
N. Y, which probably contains in
habitants of more wealth than any
similar subdivision in the world, and
say that the banks will not loan more
than 40 per cent on mortgages cover
Ing 100 per cent valuation.
They point to this as substantiating
the fact that recovery is not yet general.
Federal Reserve and Treasury officials.
on the other hand, say this is simply
a guarding against ill-advised specula-
tive building.
no one knows the actual unemployment
situation. Senator Wagner, Democrat
OF New York, in speech just delivered
In the Senate, cited the figures by the
Department of Labor that at this time
In 1928 unemployment totaled / 1874. O5O.
This, OF course, includes the number
wilfully unemployed. Since 1928 there
nave been added some 1000 900 workers
to the total available in the country.
AAC ASuASS QO IlUG mean tnaL l,SUU,O GOO
workers were unemployed because they
could not find jobs.
Artisans Move About.
There are approximately 1000 900 out
OF work in this country throughout the
normal year, either from choice or be-
cause they are changing locations or
employment. This trend has grown
enormously in late years because nearly
every artisan has a car and can 90
wherever employment is more promis-
ing. He no longer sits down and waits
for job in his own town.
There Is pressure on Capitol Hill to
take some action to learn definitely
how the employment situation stands.
Various estimators look at the situation
from different viewpoints. But at least
all seem agreed that the situation is
showing betterment.
Most workers who are in lines sub
ject to seasonal dullness are accustomed
to being carried by their bankers and
their merchants and such are being
carried now. The time during which
they must continue to seek this aid,
Copyright, 1880. Consolidated Press
AsScciation.l