The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-10-11
THk THIRTY HOUR WEEK FALLAcY

vs., ....a IS. 800. - f. = :. 49,. :. O.,
. Yesterday The Times-News made refer
ence to the thirty hour work week CAM
pasSn of the American Federation OF La
Dor, and pointed out that one of two main
reasons advanced for the adoption of this
plan will not, stand close inspection-the
increasing Nf consumer purchasing pow
err benz Argumeht under discussion.
: Xks nd the contention that shortening
ESfk weeN wiIl increase employment,
form the 'baslS sof pthe campaign for the
shorter work s@eek with no reduction in
pay.
The Ne@seairected attention to
the fact that psfsS now employed would
not have their pufcAASing power increased
by having their ~Seking time reduced, be-
cause they would receive the same wages
for the shorter week that they are now
paid for working a larger number of hours.
Their purchasing power, as a matter of
fact, would be reduced; for it is a certain
ty that the proposed plan would increase
the prices of everything the working man
must buy, and not having more dollars to
spend, he would have to be satisfied with
fewer or smaller purchases So much for
the predicament under the proposed plan,
of%the worker who is now so fortunate ais
to have a Job.
The argument is advanced, of course,
that reducing the work week to Ave days
ssof,six hours will compel industry and bust
ness to employ more people, and this will
wipe out unemployment; and while the
purchasing power of those at present en-
'-p1oyed will not be increased, purchasing
power will be given to those now unenl-
pleyed, and thus the total purchasing pow
er of the country will be enlarged.
Is this true? Does experience in human
affairs confirm the statement? What about
the experiences of the country's industry
and business during the past two years?
The NRA was created for the purpose Of
swiping out unemployment and making the
country prosperous by creating larger pur-
chasing power. Has that end been at
taihed? /, . ..y.. ..
The most reliable general business in
dex of the country shows that business to-
day is around four per cent below the
point at which the index stood at this time
last year. The American Federation Of La
bon in convention assembled, solemnly as
sdres the country that there are now ten
million unemployed in the nation, inclld-
ing some who have part time employment
:NRA was designed to put everybody to
work and increase purchasing power. It's
program exactly parallels that now pro
= posed by the Federation, but is far less
! radical At0the pssk Of Unemployment the
, federation figures were thirteen anilliot
~ unemployed! If the number has been re.
duced by one-fourth by an hour-shorten.
ing program that undoubtedly has reduced
the working time of American wage earn,
/ etsiby orie-foGrth Or more, the only logyiicca
.. conclusion is that if everybody quit work
sAiihS, unemployment would BE eliminated
ggEo doubt the facts show that anenpioy
4rnent has Been somewhat reduced, BID
y When allowance is made for. the numbe
.sspiaced on government payrolls, the mum
bar employed uoh government foreed--a On,
financed projects, and the number Of JOB
provided by other artificial and expensive