Evening star., 1939-03-16
miss Perkins Notes
Increased Pay Rolls
A.: In Washington
Secretary Of Labor
. Speoks at Banquet Of
" Monday Evening Cub

Increased private and Govern
ment employment and pay rolls IN
Washington and the Districts ma
. tional leadership in home building
were part of the economic improve
ment during 1898 and point to fur
ther improvement during 1899, Sec
retary Of Labor Frances Perkins told
members of the Monday Evening
Club and their guests at the clubs
annual banquet last night at Hotel
Twenty-four Hundred.
( At the same time Miss Perkins ap-
pealed for national recognition Of
the capacity of labor" to cooperate
with business and the public as the
best means Of promoting produc-
ton and industrial expansion.
In her discussion of Washington
economic conditions, Miss Perkins
said: Private employers had near
1y per cent more workers In Janu-
ary, 1889, than in January, 1898, and
paid them nearly 10 per cent more
wages and salaries. Federal en-
ployment increased 6 per cent, with
pay rolls rising approximately 7h
per cent over the same period"
Cites Christmas Sales.
Pointing to 1898 Christmas sales
here as 31a per cent higher than
those OF 1887, Miss Perkins said
that this was the highest level
reached in many years.
Washington has been one Of the
Nations leaders In residential home
building during the past three years,
she declared.
approximately 10000 dwellings
have been built here during each Of
these years, . much higher level in
building activity than has prevailed
In the country as q whole during
this period. Non-reSidential con-
struction increased sharply last year
due largely to Federal projects" she
said.
In her plea for national recogni-
tion Of labor's ability to cooperate
with industry as the path to in
creased production and industrial
expansion, Miss Perkins said that
during the past Is years American
people gradually learned to think Of
labor mot as a commodity to be
showed around and sold at the lowest
price, but rather as human beings
having certain property"
1T is important to think Of labor
as property holders" she explained.
1--WE recognize those who work for
wages as men of property, selling
their skill or strength at q certain
enterprise. AS property owners they
should share in the benefits of civiI-
zation in accordance with the value
of their property"
Declaring that America is on the
"verge" of a plan of cooperation
between labor and capital. Miss Per-
kins said that this objective will not
be achieved until the great differ
ences in organized labor are recon-
ciled.
Miss Perkins said that ON the basis
Of past experience, the building in
dustry should provide employment
at the site of construction to more
than 100000 workers during the
year.
In her address, the cabinet men,
ber lauded the activities Of the Mon
day Evening Club, citing 1t as vital
force mot only for the improvement
In community life, but also for the
understanding Of problems confront
ing our national economy and for
the exercise of these democratic
processes which are our cherished
possessions
Says Clubs Fame Wide.
'"The fame Of the club has spread
to other cities" she declared. I'm
New York, Philadelphia, Boston and
Toronto one frequently hears the
name of the Monday Evening Club"
She stressed the importance Of the
clubs existence, especially as
means of exploration of social prob
lens from a detached point Of view,
and declared that such organizations
are pointing the way Of American
thought in relation to social prob
lens.
Also included on the program was
the selection Of q committee to
nominate q slate Of officers for the
coming year. Committee members
include DR.. Elizabeth Kittredge. Mrs.
Helen Hoffman, Mrs. r. Thomas
West, George Warren and Ray
Everett. -, ~.
Capt. Rhoda J. MilNkin Of the
Won1an's Bureau Of the Metropoh-
tan Police Department is president
Of the club.