Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-04
LABOR IS HELPING
Recovery PROCESS
Wage Disputes Have Been
Few During Period of
Depression.
Special Dispatch to Tho Star.

special Dispatch to Tho Star.
CHICAGO. H., March Industry
faces the present recovery period with
a spirit of cooperation between work
ers and management which Is un-
eQualed In business history, according
to an analysis of industrial relations
just completed by the Standard Ameri-
can Corporation of Chicago.
The year 1880 marks the lowest ebb
In the past is years in number Of labor
disputes, says the survey, and there is
every reason to believe that this condi-
ton Will be powerful factor in favor
OF early sterilization of employment
conditions.
Strikes Are Fewer.
Unlike previous periods Of depres-
sion, when bitter strikes and lockouts
not only added to the severity of the
times, but also delayed recovery" the
survey continues, ''the past year is
notable Tor the establishment of new
low records In number of strikes, num-
per OF men involved, and in minimum
loss 20 both workers and employers.
The number of strikes declined 80
per cent from 9o3 In 1929 to 61s in 1880,
while the number of men involved
dropped from 230,463 TO l5S,125 in the
same period. The rate of decline was
between 1927 and 1880, the total in the
latter. year being only slightly more
than half that of the former.
:. Based on the average income during
the period between 1927 and 1880, the
actual savings brought about by indus
trial peace amount to more than Sl25.-
100000, for one years wages alone.
Added TO the great expense usually In
CURED by employers during strikes, the
savings are tremendous.
In contrast to loss of nearly ss.-
00o,0 900 man-days in 1927, the figures
last year show only 2,758,629 lost in
this manner, From the peak year of
1929, the number of lost days per man
also declined by approximately 5000, 900.
Arbitration.
probably no more favorable signs for
the return of prosperity are now avail
able than the apparent willingness on
the part or both workers and owners
TO arbitrate labor difficulties as quickly
as possible" the survey continues. I'm
contrast to conditions in previous de-
pressions, the disputes of the past year
h=ve been settled with a minimum loss
OF time and expense.
/, AS an example of this trend, there
was only one strike in progress at the
close OF the year which had continued
more than three monthS-and this In
volved only 1000 men. During the
last three months of 1880 there was
only one industrial claSsihcation-the
building trades-which reported Diff
flculties lasting more than a single
month. In this case, however, the
number Of men involved each month
was FAR below the average in previoaas
years.
Strikes involving considerable num-
bers OF men were reported in the mining
and freight handling classifications, but
In each case the troubles were ironeo
out In less than month.
Unity Of Purpose.
Compared with previous depression
years" says the survey, 1880 is re-
markable for the spirit of cooperation
which existed between the employer and
employee. In 1919 there were AGO. 4e
men involved in strikes nearly 25
times the number in 1890 With only
one exception, however, this total has
decreased each year. indicating that
the situation in 1880 is the result of
steadily improving industrial relations.
All OF these facts point to q unity
OF purpose between workers and man
agement which promises more rapid re-
adjustment at this time than the coun-
try has enjoyed after previous depres-
SionS.'