The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-05-05
List Of Unemployed
Continued From Page One)

ployment dropped by 10000 were par
ticularly striking since these two in
dustries last year added 100000 to
their payrolls in the month of March.
Retail trade which took on $4,000
workers in March last year added only
81 900 this year.
Comparing employment in March
this year with the number at work in
March 1887 we find that there are g.
055, 900 fewer persons at work in in
dustry and agriculture.
"Since the number of persons seek
ing jobs has increased by more than
100000 since last year, unemployment
is higher by 2,500,000 today than it
was in March last year.
"Relief rolls and WPA jobs are pro-
viding for, only small part of this
army of new unemployed. At the end
Of March 1883, 2,950,000 persons were
employed on the Works Program
which compares with 2,56O,000 for the
last week of March 1887. Thus less
than 100000 of the new unemployed
have found work on WPA. Relief rolls
in March 1888 are estimated at 2,0C0,-
900 cases, $4,000 above last year
when the figure stood at 1,683,O00.
Manufacturing Workers Are Largest
Job Losers
"Analyzing the 2,055,O00 whose jobs
have been lost since last year (com-
pairing March 1888 with March 1880
we find that, the 1888 unemployment
ccnterss in the manufacturing indus-
tries, and chiefly in the so-called
heavy industries.
"Over half the present unemploy-
ment is in those industries manufac.
turing durable goods, such as iron anc
steel machinery, transportation equip
ment and building materials.
"Another quarter of these unem
ployed are recruited from other manu-
featuring industries, those producing
non-durable goods such as food an6
clothing.
"The Labor Department reports l.,
O36 600 fewer at work in durable goods
factories, 5S6,600 fewer in non-durablt
goods factories.
"In comparison with these drastic
declines in producing industries, lay
offs in distributing industries have
been very much smaller: Railroads
$4,000; Retail Trade, 1S1 900; Whole
sale Trade, 10000; Federal Govern
ment, 10000. Service industries ant
farms are employing more this yeal
|
spectively Another basic production
industry, building is employing 154,
600 less than last year.
Caused by Cuts in Production
"These figures show that drastic
cuts in production are responsible fol
our present unemployment. Distribu
ton is still at relatively high level:
and workers buying power still pre-
sents the chief bright spot in thi!
gloomy picture.
Although industrial production il
March was 33 per cent below las
year, workers buying power was only
15 per cent lower. The decline il
workers, income was due chiefly tt
unemployment since weekly wages
even with the shorter schedules now
being worked, were only per CEN
below last year.
"Unquestionably the wage levels es
tablished last year are helping tt
maintain business. When the latt
Easter season this year is accounted
for, retail sales in March were onl!
rs per cent below last year. The fac
that retail sales are within rs PEI
cent of last year, although production
is down 33 per cent, shows a stronger
foundation of consumer buying thai
has been realized.
"Unless this buying power is Gu
away by further unemployment o.
wage reduction it is bound in the ent
to restore productive activity"