Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-14
GUARANTEED Jobs
MOVE GAINS FAVOR
Five-Day Week Plan Also Has
Support of Business as
Employment Basis.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A movement for guaranteed employ
ment and possibly the five-day work
week has gained favor and considerable
momentum among some OF America S
largest industries.
Under the guaranteed employment
plan, industrial leaders would assure a
stipulated number of their workmen of
uninterrupted and profitable employ
ment for specified long period.
Reports to high Government officials
indicate many industries are inclined
toward adoption of the five-day week
with five days pay. Organized labor,
however, is demanding the shorter week
with six days pay.
The movement for guaranteed en-
ployment apparently originated with
public utility companies and organlza =
lions seeking to hold their workers in
the depression. 1t has been adopted
as part of the American Federation OF
Labor's permanent program.
Chamber Backs Plan.
The guaranteed employment idea has
spread to such an extent that the
United States Chamber of Commerce,
under the leadership of julius Barnes,
chairman of the board of directors, has
become its sponsor and is pressing for
adherence to it. Intensive study OF the
technical aspects of the problem is now
occupying the attention of experts in
the chamber.
President Hoover has been kept in
formed of and is deeply interested in
the progress of the movement, which he
regards of unusual Importance.
Industrial and labor leaders consider
the guaranteed employment idea as one
of the most significant developments
in the relationship between capital and
labor in recent years. The idea is not
regarded by them. or by President
Hoover as being mere emergency
measure for the relief of existing un-
employment, but is thought to be
primary step in elimination of uneX-
pected periods of widespread unemploy-
ment in the future.
Green Endorses Move.
Government officials have expressed
the opinion that its adoption by the
larger industries would lead gradually
to favorable action by smaller bust
nesseS throughout the country.
William Green, president CT the
American Federation of Labor, in in
dorsing the movement said in his report
on July labor conditions that the re-
moval of the fear of unemployment
would put money into circulation. which
is now being stored in savings deposits
and boarded in stockings and trunks.
Public utility members of the Ma
tional Electric Life Association at a re-
cent gathering appointed a committee
to study the subject. Optimistic re-
ports of that group are reaching Paul
Clapp, secretary Of the organization.
Clapp is expected to report TO the
Chamber of Commerce Committee
some time before September l.
In the experimental stage the time
set for assured employment may be one
year. In industries where longtime
planning is customary the period could
be extended, even after the expert
mental phase has passed.
Hoover Busy on Relief.
Industrial heads haW expressed the
hope to President Ho,Wcr that actual
operations of the plan tan be started
before next Winter.
Silas Strawn, president Of the United
States Chamber of Commerce discussed
business conditions, and particularly
unemployment, with President Hoover
last week. He later said the chamber
would present to the President a def
mite program for unemployment relief
before September /. The aspect of
guaranteed employment is expected to
be one of the most important subjects
in the chambers report.
Mr.. Hoover for several weeks has
been devoting his time almost eXclu-
siyely to studies of business conditions
and unemployment. He has held con-
ferences with industrial, labor and re-
lief agency leaders and members of
Congress, including Senator Fess of
Ohio, on both subjects, with view to
forming program designed to alleviate
conditions.