Evening star., 1932-05-18
Less Time and More Leisure
Constant Growth Of Unemployment Is Held Sign
of Fundamental Unbalance in Forces
Directing Economic Trends.

Jobs created were not nearly enough to
supply work for those displaced A few
striking examples show how different
industries Jared. In textiles, the auto
matte loom made it possible for one
weaver to operate 36 or even 81 looms
where he had only handled eight be-
fore. In the 10 years from 1919 to
1929, $4,000 workers were permanently
laid off. In the cigar industry a ma
chine to roll cigars replaced the mar
velous skill of human hands, and the
product one worker could make in
creased from 300 to 5000 or 1000
cigars a day. Likewise, in cigarettes
new machines multiplied product; 34,-
900 workers were laid off in 10 years
in the tobacco industries. Through
out manufa cturing industry, ISL 900 lost
their Jobs in the decade from 1919 to
1929. although our factories increased
production by AZ per cent. Other in
dustrieS also increased their products
in these 10 years while they laid off
workers. BituminouS coal mines pro-
d1ced IS per cent more coal, but laid
off 10000 workers; railroads handled
ner cent more business. but laid off
36l 600 workers: over 300, 900 agricul
tural workers were displaced by new
farm machinery.
Buying Power Limited.
Thus we have the strange spectacle
of growing industrial capacity while
those who use and consume the product
are losing their incomes and cannot
buy. If we do not want this unbalance
to cripple our progress, something must
be done to adjust work hours and work
time A five-day 40-hour week. would
give Jobs to several million; a five-day
35-hour week. would employ practically
all those now out of work If we were
consuming at the 1929 rate.
This is not merely depression prob
lem. although it is vitality important
now when we see our unemployment
funds shrinking and no prospect of
caring for those without income except
bv dividing available work time. Even
after depression is over unemployment
vii haunt us. New machinery, and
especially new labor-saving methods,
have been introduced widely during the
depression: when good times return we
will find a greater permanent unem-
ployment problem than ever unless
work hours are shortened.
Already the movement for the five
day week is beginning to spread in
American industries An employers as
sociation. the National Industrial Confer
ence Board, finds that it is no longer an
experiment. it has been tried and found
practical. An employer considering the
five-day week for his own establishment
NAV approach the problem, they state,
as a working schedule that has been in
force for a number of years in various
establishments with generally satisfac-
tory results. The United States Depart
ment of Labor found 673 firms work
ing a permanent five-day week schedule
in 1890 Many firms find that shorter
hours save money. Workers are more
rested, in better physical condition;
this means a better quality of work,
fewer discards and spoiled work, bet
ter finished product. Quality counts in
these days of depression, for the public
is demanding good value and low price.
Business goes to the man whose product
will stand the test of wear and shows
good workmanship.
Company's Experience Cited.
Fourteen months ago the Kellogg Co.
changed from an eight-hour to a six
hour working day, running "a hours on
a four instead of a three shift plan.
The new schedule meant employing
from $50 to 400 more workers. After
more than a years trial they are fully
satisfied with the plan, finding that 1t
decreased overhead, produced more with
the same equipment, developed more
efficient organization of workers.
Shorter hours do not necessarily
mean higher labor cost In our manu-
featuring industries in 1899, average
work hours were SO week. BY 1929.
the work week had been reduced to SO
hours-that is, nine hours less per week.
But labor costs were actually lower. The
Census Of manufacturers, covering all
manufacturing industry in the United
States, shows that in 1899 labor cost
for wages of all workers was l7.6 per
cent of the total value of output pro-
duced. In 1929, when wage earners
worked nine hours less, labor cost was
only 165 per cent of value produced
Thus labor cost has decreased while
hours were shortened
A widespread movement for the FIVE
day week would put new heart into