The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-10-06
Jobless Workers
Total ll,03l,0O0
A. F. L. Reports Employment
and Wages are Gdining.
But Problem Remuins

Washington, D. C.-Although 291,-
600 persons returned to work in
private industry during August, the
unemployed army in the United States
remains at the astounding total of
II ,031 ,0O0, according to the estimate
made public by the American Fedora
tion of Labor.
Striking the encouraging note that
employment and business are still
gaining, the Federation said:
GAS indicated month ago by early
trade union reports, employment in
the United States as a whole gained
more in August than in any other
tai unemployment declined from H.
274,O00 in July (revised figure) to
L ,O31 900 in August. Trade union re-
ports for early September show that
employment is still gaining, but that,
owing to the fear of war in Europe
and the consequent slackening of bust
ness gains, employment did not in
crease as much in September as had
been expected. Our weighted figures
show 14.2 per cent of the membership
unemployed in the first part of Sep
tember, which compares with 14.6 per
cent in August and 1877 per cent in
July.
employment gains in August are
particularly significant because of the
increased buying power they have
created. In all, our estimate shows
that POI COO persons went back to work
in August, in all industries. Figures
from the United States Department
of Agriculture show a $68,OOO,OOO in
crease in the monthly income of all
non-farm workers. About half this
gain in buying power is due to WPA
employment and other emergency
work, and half is due to increasing
production in industry. This new in
come will quickly be spent to fill ac-
cumulated needs; it will create a de-
mand for goods, increase production
and put more people to work. 1t
brightens the fall outlook greatly.
"In September, business indexes
have shown further gains, but at a
PdSC oidChSIicu Ny wal oSdICo. iiS
New York Times index rose 2 points
from August to September 3, but
only 6 tenths of one point from Sep
tember 3 to II. The outlook, however,
is for continuing gains in the next two
months. Standard Statistics expects a
Strong upward trend in the majority
of industries in October and Novem-
Der.
'Trade union reports for the first
part of September show employment
gaining in nearly all industries. Build
ing, railroads, manufacturing food in
dustries, street transportation are
among the important groups showing
gains; printing and metal trades are
conspicuous by their failure to join in
the employment rise. Our report for
"a cities shows employment rising in
l6, no change in one, and worse unem-
ployment in only 7.
Employment on WPA in the week
ending September II, was 1000
comparing with 3,067,CO0 at the end of
August and 2,967,O0O at the end of
July. Relief rolls have declined a lit
tie but in July, 1,644, 900 were still
/ dependent on state and local relief
comparing with l,GS5,O00 in June. The
August, 1888, unemployment of. H.
OBI 900 compares with 8,520,0O0 in
August, 1887"
Unemployed Union Members
With regard to trade union members
the A. f. of l.. said that in all trades
16 per cent were unemployed in Sep
tember and l9 per cent worked part
time.
In the building trades 33 per cent
were unemployed and % per cent on
part time work.
In the metal trades 26 per cent were
unemployed and "a per cent worked
part time.
In the printing trades l3 per cent
were unemployed and 81 per cent
worked part time.
In all other trades II per cent were
unemployed and Is per cent worked
part time.