Evening star., 1933-09-03
Labor and the New Deal

insure working conditions and wage
scales In codes that spell decency and
progress instead of bare existence and
family degradation.
Years ago textile mills were shifted
from New England to the South to Sc
cure cheaper labor. The labor was un-
organized-but when workers condi-
tionS became absolutely intolerable
there was strike after strike. Employers
resorted to the "stretch-out" system
that is. managers increased the number
Of machines tended by each worker. In
one Southern mill workers were
stretched OUT in 1928 from 80 to
40 looms. The next year weavers were
further stretched OUT from 40 to 48
looms. That was in a new mil In an
old mill weavers were stretched out
from 48 to 96 looms. In defense the
owner Of the mill said he knew of an
other where Weavers were responsible
for ia looms.
Average weekly wages in cotton goods
mills went down between 1924 and 1892
from sl9.72 to S142o. Reports of the
Labor Department for May. 1888,
showed that the average weekly wage
actually being received by the workers
weekly pay envelopes as low as 81 81 for
6234 hours. Cotton mill wages at the
May. 1888. level represent loss from
1929 OF S133 100000 a year in workers
purchasing power Thousands of chill
dren were working in the mills
Last year sawmills in Alabama Geor-
gia, Mississippi and the Carolinas were
paying from to II cents an hour to
labor
Yet in recent years. in practically all
industries the workers productivity has
6nn TNfY fY1ey Ia hnc ,yofy,
more and receiving less.
Survey of Conditions Made.
The Department of Labor made a
survey Of conditions in the shirt manu-
featuring industry. They found that to
get cheap labor many shirt factories
had been established in small towns in
New York. Pennsylvania and other
States. Half the women workers in
rural places earned less than $3.50
week. In one Pennsylvania factory
nearly one-third of the female workers
were under 16 years of age OF $4,000
women shirt workers in nine States, 25
per cent earned less than IS q week.
plants in four States were II cents an
hour.
There is no prosperity for any one
In such wages. And so. to increase pur-
chasing power. the President and the
recovery organization which he has set
up have asked the owners of industry
to establish codes to shorten working
days-to cut of hours, raise wages to
at least certain living minimums and
add workers to the pay roll to main
tain production.
Some of the codes submitted by in
dustr!es have been entirely contrary to
the cnirif nF tho They
have been full of ''jokers," permitting
the sitting of competition and increas-
ing of prices to consumers, while avoid
ing the benefits for labor contemplated
by the law. II is to meet and combat
such evasions that labor must be or
ganiZed To marshal and present the
facts pertaining to industrial condi-
tions, for the guidance of the national
recovery administration. is the duty OF
labor. The working men and women Of
America can help or hinder, by organ
izing and cooperating or by failing
to unite and depending on fate or
chance to aid them to better times.
The American Federation of Labor IS
issuing charters for unions at an un-
precedented rate. We are especially in
terested in the great numbers of work.
ers in the steel. rubber and automobile
industries, long unorganized and corre-
spondingly at a disadvantage in bar
gaining with employers. Workers in the
bituminous coal fields are again Or
ganiZing and being rewarded by their
employers in some instances with evlc-
ton from company-owned shacks that
serve as houses Yet the conflicts that
have arisen presage progress and even
tual cooperation between capital and
labor for the general welfare.
There are important elements Of hope
that hold promise of better era irnme-
diately ahead for all classes of society
throughout the Nation. Contrary to the
usual trend in Summer employment
has been increasing since March. The
Secretary of Labor recently estimated.
on the basis Of a careful. detailed sur
vey. that approximately 400 900 people
returned to jobs in factories in July.
Factory wages in July were many mil
lions in excess of those paid in March.
Latest reports show many more wage
increases than wage cuts-a reversal Of
the condition that existed for many
months.
100000 More Workers.
The Labor Departments tabulation in
August of 16 on-manufacturing in
dustries over the March to July period.
indicates approximately 100000 more
workers in July than in March. These
figures do not include railroad or agri-
cultural employment or workers in fac
tories.
The level of employment in July of
this year was practically % per cent
above the level Of July year ago. And
pay rolls had gone up even more. We
have long way still to go to reduce to
a negligible thing the amount of un-
employment-bu it can be said def
nitely and positively that progress has
been made toward conquering the most
severe depression in the history Of the
Nation. Whether We shall continue to
progress is dependent on the spirit and
sense OF the leaders of industry, the
ability OF the Recovery Administration
and the spirit and ability of labor to
organize and work together for the
common good. The new deal thus far
has accomplished much in a short time.
There is much more to accomplish. Or
ganlzed labor is working for the COM
mon good of the Nation. seeking no un-
fair advantage asking only justice for
all elements of industry. We have faith
and hope on Labor day, 1888.