Evening star., 1932-09-21
EMPLOYMENT GAIN
HA[TS2-yEAR DROP
u. S. Statistics From is Ma
jor Industrial Groups Show
August Rise.

dustrial groups in this country was an
nounced today by the Federal Govern
inent.
The Labor Departments Bureau of
Statistics said data compiled from re-
ports received at end of August from
64,762 establishments showed employ
ment had increased during the month
five-tenths of l per cent. This gain
checked the per cent slump recorded
during the previous 30-day period as
well as the Is per cent cut for the year.
A significant feature is that the fig
ures reflect favorably on the reported
general revival in trade during the last
go days. In normal times department
officials said they would attribute the
gain to seasonal influence, but they
pointed out that, due to the chaotic
state in which industry finds itself to-
day, the seasonal element was elini-
mated from the report.
Although the slumping trend in en-
ployment shows signs Of leveling off.
there was still l per cent cut in
total pay roll earnings reported by the
64,762 establishments, resulting in A
decrease in the potential buying power
of wage earners of these plants to 7
per cent within the last 80 days and %
per cent for the last II months.
Increased Wage Payment.
However, the 1888 establishments in
the manufacturing group took the edge
of this reduction, reporting they paid
out in wages for one week $42 1892, ,33l,
a gain of three-tenths Of l per cent over
their July wages for a like period.
The total weekly pay roll earnings for
the Is major groups was S79,0O2,459 in
August in comparison with S79,l4l ,48l
for the previous month.
A study of the maze of statistical data
compiled by the department shows that
the very seasonal canning and preserv-
ing industry was responsible to a large
extent in checking the downward en-
ployment trend. Establishments in this
group in August, according to the report
took on 2! per cent more workers and
paid out in wages 38 per cent mere than
during the previous 80 days.
Besides canning and preserving. in
creased employment was reported in 5
others of the 16 groups and increased
pay roll totals were reported in other
groups.
The anthracite mining industry"
the department said reported an in
crease of l per cent in workers and in
creased pay rolls of 20 per cent. En-
ployment in the crude petroleum pro-
ducing groups increased, while earnings
in this group were per cent below
the level of the preceding month.
The Quarylng and non-metallic min
ing group reported gains of per cent
in employment and per cent in earn
lngS The bituminOus mining
group reported increases of per cent
in employment and 8 per cent in
earnings.
Greater Earnings Drop.
In the remaining 10 groups, de-
creaSes in both employment and earn
lneS were reported. the decrease in earn
ings in each group, with the exception
OF the metalIiferous mining and tele-
phone and telegraph groups. being
slightly greater than the decline in
employment"
The department said 80 of the prin-
clpal manufacturing industries in the
United States had in August 25O3348
employees. Of the IA groups in these
industries, 5, food, textile, leather, stone
clay-glass, and nonferrous metals re-
ported increased employment from July
tc August, the textile reporting the
largest, l3 per cent.
Two additional groups. lumber and
tobacco, reported no change in condi-
tions and the remaining seven groups
reported decreases in jobs.
The departments Statistical Bureau
released its report at the same time
the United States Employment Service
announced the results of its monthly
survey on industrial employment con-
ditions in the 48 States. This agency
of the same department noted an i'm
provement in July and in its report
today said this condition was well sus-
tanned throughout August.
Based or reports from 352 Identical
cities having populations of $4,000 or
over. the employment service said,
there was an increase of As per cent
in the estimated cost of all building
operations in August over July.
The report added:
The improvement in the industrial
employment situation revealed in the
July report, released by the United
States Employment Service, was well
sustained throughout August with fur
tner increases in activities reported in
certain sections of the country"
The service said building permits re-
ported by the 352 cities indicated an
aggregate cost of S37137073 for build
ing operations, while the number of
operations increased 1877 per cent over
July.
Comparison With July.
Comparing August with July, 1882"
1t said, there was an increase of 22.5
per cent in the number and an increase
of 2o6 per cent in the estimated cost
residential buildings increased 23.6 per
cent in number but decreased 81. per
cent in estimated cost.
Additions. alterations and repairs in
creased 1913 per cent in number and
10.1 per cent in estimated cost. :
Family dwelling units were provided
for 2.29O families This is an increase
of 18 per cent as compared with July"
Checking reports of 343 identical
cities. the service found building opera
tions in August were 25.l per cent less
in number and 709 per cent less in
estimated cost than in August 1881.
In its employment report is said:
Building continues to lag behind the
volume usually apparent at this period
of the year" The more favorable en-
ployment signs were found in harvest
ing. canning, cotton ginning, textiles,
boots and shoes and highway construc-
ton.
The service further said:
Various agencies of the United States
Government awarded contracts during
August for building to cost Sll 1886, ,074.
This is in increase of nearly $4,000 600
as compared with July, but considerably
less than one-half of the value of con-
tracts awarded during August, 1881"
FREIGHT LOADINGS INCREASE.
Several Railroads Report Improvement
Week Ending September :.
NEW YORK. September 81 P.-
Several railroads today reported larger
he