Montana labor news., 1936-07-16
UNEMPLOYED ARM Y
NUMBERS ll,259,OOO
More Than 100000 Supported
By Government Funds - En-
pioyers Extort IL Per Cent
Larger Output From Workers
But Increase Their Buying
Power Only 6 Per Cent.

(By A. F. Of L. News Service)
WASHINGTON, D. c. ~ Despite
the onward march Of industrial
recovery, there are still over 100000.
working men and women trapped in
the unemployed army with little hope
OF jobs and wages, according to the
monthly report on unemployment by
President William Green OF the Amer
lean Federation of Labor.
The depressing picture OF the sit
uation is emphasized by the fact that
over 100000 persons are compelled
to rely on government funds for sup
port.
In addition, employers generaly are
using various methods to squeeze a
larger mount Of production from the
workers without increasing their wages
proportionately.
With business activity only 81 per
cent below normal in May, by the An
nalist index, 11,259,OOO men and women
were still without normal work in in
dustry, trade or agriculture" Mr..
Green said.
1t is significant that, while employ
ment gains this spring have created at
least temporary jobs for l,585,0OO since
January, these gains fall far short Of
the employment necessary to create
jobs for all. At the present rate Of
unemployment, industrial activity will
require a higher level of workers buy
ing power than any previously achieved.
10000 0 Re-employed in Three Years.
Since the bottom OF depression,
March, 1888, up to May, 1886, nearly
100000 men and m have gone
back to work. The number seeking
gainful work has increased by 100000
in this period, SO that the net decrease
in unemployment has amounted to
100000.
at is significant that employment
increased at a more rapid rate and the
balance between workers buying
power and industrial production was
better kept during the early part OF
NRA than at any time since its end.
For in the first 10 months Of NRA,
2,350,0O0 went back to work, while in
the first 10 months since NRA, when
business was free from NRA regula-
tons only 100000 went back to work.
Also, under NRA in the year 1884, pro-
duction increased 4 per cent and work
ers' buying power 7 per cent over the
previous year, thus laying the founda-
ton for gains in production and en-
ployment. Since NRA, production has
increased II per cent and workers
buying power only o per cent. Unless
workers buying power increases more
than it has done since NRA we can
not expect to achieve the production
necessary to put the unemployed to
work.
100000 Depend on Government.
Because of the dire need in which
millions OF the unemployed have found
themselves this spring, more than
100000 persons are still dependent
on government funds for their liveli-
hood, Labor Department reports show
that 3,639,00O of the unemployed were
at work on WPA and PWA in May
and it is estimated that o than
100000 were on state and local relief
rolls. While a number of these latter
are not able to work, many thousands
are fully capable workers who want
work and not relief. We need to put
these millions on industry payrolls SO
that they may be taken off the govern
ment relief rolls.
"The month of May marked the peak
of the spring busy season. While trade
union members report that, for them
at least, employment gains have carried
over into the first part OF June, we
must look forward now to two months
Of summer dullness when many who
found work this spring will be laid off.
Trade union weighed figures show
1928 per cent of the membership unem-
ployed in June, 1877 per cent in May,
ISL per cent in April as against 1873
per cent in May, 1885.
More Jobs for Building Trades.
Employment gains in May and June
have been more striking in building
than any other industry. Figures for
building in the country as a whole
show hat employment increased by
10000 from April to May, making this
month the highest May since 1881.
Building employment in May, 1886, ex-
ceeds last year by 100000. Trade union
figures for June show continuing gains