Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-09

Italy's present economic situation and
the measures that are being taken to
overcome the depression through which
the country is passing in common with
the rest Of the world are reviewed in q
report made public here today by the
American Section of the International
Chamber Of Commerce. The report was
representative at the Paris f1eadquar-
tiers of the international chamber, after
a tour of italian industrial centers.
The economic crisis, Mr.. MacLean OBJ
serves, has placed severe strain upon
the country, but there is no evidence
that the nations morale or the funda-
mental basis Of its economy have been
impaired.
INSTEAD of the atmosphere of nerv-
BUSINESS and depression that might rea-
sonably be expected" he says, lone is
struck with the orderliness of life and
the cheerful optimism that prevails
with regard to what the future has in
store"
All Branches Affected.
The report points out that "all
branches Of industry are affected by
the depression. In comparison with
does not appear unfavorable. For ex-
ample, pig iron and steel production in
1880 fell of by only 20 per cent, as
compared with the high record of the
previous year; and the latest figures
for the cotton industry showed only
about the same percentage of spmdles
idle. In some other lines, such as rayon
and shipbuilding, a considerably higher
degree Of activity prevails"
The effect Of the crisis, the report
shows, its very clearly reflected in the
fic11res of unemployment. "On Decem-
Der 81" according to the report, there
were 642,169 totally unemployed of1--
ciaIly reported, which is an increase OF
81 per cent over the f1gure at the emo
of 1929. However, more than half OF
the total relates to agriculture, building
construction and other outdoor trades,
where a sharp decline in activity dur
ing the Winter month and consequent
~ seasonal unemployment Is a normal
condition. Employment reaches It's
minimum in February, and with the
approach of Spring steady improve
rnent in the present situation should be
noted.
IF the available unemployment sta
tigtics are accurate they indicate that
the efforts of the Government have
been by no means ineffective. With
out the pressure exerted on employers
of labor to retain their personnel ana
the new jobs provided directly through
public works, ETC., the number OF I'M
employed would undoubtedly have been
considerably larger. In ADDITION, the
strict policy previously followed with
regard to emigration has recently been
relaxed in order that those fortunate
enough to find opportunities for work
outside the country may take adVan-
tage of them.
SGiven the conditions that have ex-
listed during the past year, 1t Is rather
surprising that more large failures nave
not taken place. Casualties there have
been, of course, and some OF tnem
have been important, but IN general
II has been small, weak concerns that
have succumbed, and their disappear
ar1ce from, the scene has strengthened
rather than weakened the business
structure. In the case of most OF the
biq concerns that have come TO grief
the dificulty may be traced TO otner
causes than the prevailing depression:
This speaks well for the soundness OF
Italy's industrial, commercial ana
financial organization"
+, Farmers Plight.
Mr., MacLean reports that agTicul-
ture, which plays such an tmportant
role in the life and wel-being OF
italy. was doing badly even before
general crisis developed. The collapse
Of prices during the past year., he
saws. has created a situation where
Houidation on a large scale seems IN
eyitable. The government is doing
what It can to tide this over by utlllz-