Evening star., 1939-11-15
Problems of Older
Workers Discussed
Virginia Agency Believes
Those Over 40 Are Entitled
To Employment
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
There are certain groups of applicants
which present special problems to the
Virginia State Employment Service in its
endeavor to place them in suitable en-
ployment where they will be a credit to
themselves and an asset to their en-
ployers.
Typical Of such groups are young men
and women between the ages of 16 and
81. migratory farm workers, and those
in the over-40 age group.
I wish to discuss the latter group,
unemployed workers over 40 years of
age. The placement of these workers
in jobs with private industry is difi-
cult problem, especially in the semi
skilled and unskilled occupations This
situation has IN many cases assumed
such degree of severity that men in
this. age group are finding 1t next to i'm
possible to get job
Census experts tell us that due to the
decrease in birth rate during the last
generation, the average age of the peo-
pie Of this country is increasing-that
fewer young and more old are included
IN our population than was formerly the
case. If the percentage of those people
over 40 years of age is increasing it is
self-evident that the economic welfare
OF this group Is of prime concern not
only to these people themselves but to
the country as whole. Any such policy
as through at 49," if continued, would
mean disaster to all of US.
Unemployment mounts with age, yet
there are workers who, during the middle
years OF life, are Saddled with heavy re-
sponsibilities and their lack of employ
ment means both deprivation and added
burdens for the young
The Virginia State Employment Serv-
ice believes that one of the best means
OF attacking this problem is the dis
semination of data in support of the
theory that 1t is better economics to
employ older workers than to support
them with public funds In morale
shattering ldleness. We do not wish
to enlist sympathy for older workers,
but merely point out that they have
certain characteristics and qualifications
which are Of value to employers.
Many employers have found that older
employees offer seasoned experience,
Judgment. dependability, maturity and
loyalty. ThV exhibit a tendency to re-
celVe and execute orders willingly and in
many cases are more stable and reliable
than young men.
Investigations in the automobile in
dustry have revealed the fact that a
good proportion of openings in that field
are filled by older men. OF $4,000 men
employed in IA automobile plants during
the production years of l933-l934. men
40 years or more were given an average
OF nearly one-half again as MANY hours
OF employment during the year as those
under 80 years. They earned two thirds
more in yearly income than those in
their teens and twenties
Certainly when such a highly devel-
oped and highly specialized industry as
automobile manufacturing recognizes
the worth of the worker of 40 years or
more. others should have no fear in hir-
ing them.
4 The Virginia State Employment Sery-
ace does not wish to convey the impress
sion that the young man is to be con-
sidered poor risk. 1t realizes that in
dustry must have young men coming
along continually for replacements. How
ever, the employment service does feel
that the belief that men of 40 are not
to be considered as good risks, is unfair.
CARTER w. FRIEND.
Alexandria, Va.
November Ii.