Evening star., 1932-09-16
EMPLOYMENT GAIN
REPORTED TO j. $.
First Jobs Increase in Two
Years Follows 6O-Day
Trade Revival.

An increase in industrial employment
throughout the country as a result OF
the reported trade revival during the
last so days Is expected to be shown in
the August figures of the Labor De-
partment's Bureau of Statistics, which
are to be made public next week.
The report Of an increase, the first In
the general industries in more than two
years, was confirmed today by authori-
tatives sources, but the department de-
clned to discuss it.
The departments August figures are
not expected to overcome the slump
taken by 16 mai jor groups in July of 3
per cent in employment and 81 in pay
roll earnings, but Government oficials
expressed the belief the figures will in
dicate unemployment has struck bot
tom and is now leveling of.
63,417 Reports Submitted.
The report. which Is regarded as the
only official index of employment in the
country will be based on statistics sub
mitted direct to the department by
approximately 63,4l7 establishments,
which in July employed 4,1o0,425 en-
ployes, whose pay roll earnings were
tabulated for one week at $79,141, ,4S1.
The department does not make an
estimate of the number of workers un-
employed, but the American Federation
Of Labor has estimated there are H.
100000 jobless. This estimate Is based
on the departments index and on re-
ports sent in from its 48 State fedora
tions.
Meantime, the Labor Department re-
leased q report today showing whole
during last week. The department S
weighted average of 7s4 commodities
recorded gain Of three-tenths Of per
cent over the preceding week. This
upturn has had but one interruption
since July 23, according to the report.
The index number, 65.7, was higher
than the average for any month since
February and carried forward the up
ward trend which has been noted in the
departments figures since the beginning
Of June The weeks figures are COM
pared with the average of 7l.2 for Sep
tember OF last year. with 844 for the
same month Of 1890, and 96.1 for Sep
tember of 1929.
The largest advance during the week
was in textile products. which regis
tered q gain Of per cent. Gains were
also reported in foods, hides and leather
products metals and building materials.
Farm prices remained unchanged.
Favorable Trade Balance.
The prevailing general confidence in
improved business conditions also re-
oil TOD IN,
merce Departments report on exports
and imports during the month Of Au-
gust. The month ended, due to heavy
cotton exports, with q favorable trade
balance Of s18,000.000.
An increase of $2,158.00 In the value
Of merchandise exported from the
United States during the month as
compared with July, was reported by
the department. Imports also showed
an increase of $11 $50. 900, which de-
partment ofiicials attributed to larger
purchases Of raw material by manu-
featuring concerns for production pur-
poses.
The merchandise exported during last
month was valued at $109 900 900. as
compared with $l06,842, 900 In July,
while the imports were valued at $9l. =
900 900. as compared with $79, ,420. 900
!! the previous month.
The increase in exports was due to
the greater exports of cotton during
August when the value of such ship
ments amounted to S18,ll2,608, as com.
pared with $l5,s53.S80 the previous
month.
The department statement showed
that during August imports Of gold had
exceeded exports by $6,l030 with ex-
ports Of $lS,067,000 and imports OF
| $24, ITO, 900. Silver exports were $443,-
900 900 and the imports were $1,554, 900.