Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-05-30
Welfare Board To
Make New Survey
Of Unemployment
Movement Is Part OF State Pro-
gram; Building Industry
Shows Pickup

Miss Dorothy A. Everson, executive
secretary of the Montgomery County
Welfare Board, has announced that
the local board will made survey of
economic conditions in Montgomery
County as part Of State program to
secure a picture Of unemployment in
Maryland.
The Welfare Board has secured the
information for this survey through
enlisting the assistance of employers;
those in charge of governmental and
public units of work, and the County
Agriculture Extention Department.
The visitors of the Welfare Board
have consulted employers in their
districts for information. 1t is hoped
that permanent committee may be
set up which will be able to keep this
picture of the employment situation
up to date.
In the estimate for the month of
June, reports from 45 major employ
ers show that there would be about
1000 regular employees with an av-
erage of "a days work per month. The
prognosis for maintaining the number
of men reported was good in most
cases. 1t was estimated under the
classification of general farming,
workers would be needed for the hay,
wheat and barley harvest, and thin
ming and cultivating corn. Because
there are 1917 farms in the County,
and that $3.50 of the land is in farms,
naturally the farming figure is of real
significance in the economic picture of
the county. Under intensive and spec
ialized farming it was thought that
darymen would be needed and also
workers on fruit farms for thinning
peaches; pruning berry bushes and
grapevines. The probable wage rate
given ranges from $1.0O to $3.50 per
day with board to $500 to $3.50 per
day without board. 1t was the con-
sensus of opinion that many of the
farm laborers who have been unable
to secure work up until this date
should begin to have fairly regular
work in June.
In analysing the probable market
conditions for June, it was the con-
Tsensus of opinion that conditions
would be stable. Due to the wet
spring, it is felt that crops are little
late and this will affect the farming
situation somewhat.
Reports from banks and several
business concerns indicate that bust
ness is improving. The building con-
struction has picked up to such an ex-
tent that there has been a reflection on
the entire business situation in the
county. The building industry is prob
ably in better condition than it has
been in five years.
In regard to PWA projects, it is re-
ported that there are 5 in operation,
with probable employment of 355
men for June. On State Road work
there are 80 to 40 men employed with
probable small increase in employ
ment in June.
In the report which is being made,
the Welfare Board was asked to esti-
mate from the information given
above, the affect on the case load of
the probable economic conditions in
June. 1t was felt that there would be
nothing which would increase the
number of families receiving help in
June but that the following factors
would tend to decrease the number;
The opening up of work on the farms;
increased activities in building trade;
increased use Of recreational activities
such as golf, riding stables and swim
ming pools etc.; C. c. c. enlistment;
ord kha o~aus~. sc A. e.,