Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-09-11

Increase in Jobs
Is Expected Soon
As Result Of War
Chamber Says Shortage
Of Labor Exists Now,
Which Unions Deny

Sharp increase in the demand for
all types of labor early in the new
World War was predicted today by
officials of industry and labor with
headquarters here.
None Of these organization execu-
tives, however, had yet received
definite reports on what effect the
conflict has had on employment to
date, nor had the Labor Depart
ment any figures.
1t was too early. officials said, to
forecast the extent of the war boom
likely to hit America in the next
few months. Judging from 1914,
they pointed out, this country is apt
to see a wave of prosperity, though
whether 1t will parallel that era of
JOBS Tor every one and high wages
depends on several factors. Among
these are the duration of the war
and whether Congress amends the
neutrality law to allow sale of arma-
ments to any nation on cash-and-
carry basis.
While there were reports that in
duStrlal expansion already was be-
ing felt in such centers as Chicago,
Detroit, Cleveland. Baltimore and
Pittsburgh, Labor Department
spokesman said there was no in
formation there on the extent of
Unemployment planned by indus
trlallsts at this time. He pointed
out that the departments Division
OF Labor Statistics merely compiled
reports OF what had happened and
did not issue forecasts. The next
report issued will be for August, be-
fore the war started.
No Sharp Jump This Month.
Some officers of organizations
representing industry termed fan
tastlc" reports that from half a
million to million men would
march back to work during Sep
TENDER. Labor officials also were
inclined to await developments be-
fore forecasting what may happen.
Their attitude was, nobody knows"
But they were confident that new
jobs will multiply as the war goes
on.
AL The United States Chamber of
Commerce it was said that there al
ready was a marked scarcity of
skilled labor all over the country,
especially in the construction in
dustry and also among the mechan-
ical trades.
An official of the chamber attrib-
uted this largely to the system. dat
ing back to the early days of the
depression. of restricting sharply the
number Of apprentices allowed to
enter skilled trades A great many
OF the skilled workers, he said, are
growing old and there are not
enough requirements.
Unemployed at present is confined
largely to common labor and white
collar workers, according to reports
which the business organization has
received.
A. F. L. Challenges Claim.
This statement was challenged at
the American Federation of Labor.
1t was said that in some skilled
trades unemployment was as high
as 40 per cent.
Let any one who wants carpenters
come over here" said an A. F. L.
spokesman, land We'll supply him all
he wants-if he's willing to pay
union wages"
A similar assertion was made at
national headquarters of the Con-
gress OF Industrial Organizations.
Far from a shortage of skilled labor.
there is tremendous surplus" of
these craftsmen, an official said.
This is particularly true in the air
craft industry, he added.
No reports of extensive employ
ment had been received by either of
the national labor organizations.
In Washington the situation was
described as unaffected by the war
so far. Officials of both the Central
Labor Union and the Washington
Council Of the c. I. o. said they had
received no increased demands for
workers, nor did they anticipate
much change in the local industrial
picture any time SOON
Sidney Katz. secretary of the c. I.
O. Council. said there was no local
industry he could think of that
would be much affected by the war
except the Government itself. in
which there undoubtedly will be ex-
pansion in certain departments.