Evening star., 1942-02-28
Employment in U. 5.
In Non-Farm Jobs
PUT at 39,S50,00O
January IS Figure
Represents 200, 900
More Thun Yeur AGO

There were 39,85o,00 persons en-
ployed in non-agricultural jobs in
the United States on January IS, q
drop Of 1926, 900 from the month
before, but an increase OF 2,700, 900
over the previous years total, Sec
retary of Labor Perkins announced
yesterday.
Though conversion of consumer
durable goods industries to war pro-
duction was factor in the employ
ment slump, seasonal declines in
trade, construction and manufac-
turing were mainly responsible for
the decrease, she said.
There were $4,000 persons en-
ployed in the District same as
in December, and 77000 more
than a year ago. Federal en-
ployment in the District increased
1880 between mid-December and
mid-January, according to esti-
mates Of the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics. This was Offset by declines
in trade, construction and other
lines.
Non-agricultural employment in
Maryland was 100000, a decrease
Of 21,000 during the month. Vir-
ginia reported non-agricultural en-
ployment Of $4,000 persons, a de-
crease Of 1000 over December.
100000 Estimated Jobless.
According to estimates of experts
OF the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
approximately 4.000,0o0 persons are
now jobleSs.
They estimate the reserve labor
supply of the country at 5000, 900 to
100000. This supply is made up of
employable women, students, aliens,
over-age and retired workers and
other similar classif1cations. About
10000, 900 additional workers are
thus available for the war effort.
At a press conference yesterday,
Secretary Perkins said there was no
labor shortage at present. "We do
foresee the possibility of stringency
in certain industries later, when war
production reaches its peak" she
said.
Secretary Perkins also said that
she saw no economic reason for
abolishing the 40-hour work week
and the statutory requirements for
the payment of overtime for hours
in excess of 40. Such a move, she
explained, would not result in more
production or working time.
According to survey made by the
Bureau Of Labor Statistics, more
than two-fifths of the plants In de-
fense industries are now operating
their equipment for 160 hours
week or more. Three-fourths of the
defense plants, the survey disclosed,
are carrying on part of their work
for 120 hours or more.
No Rigid" 40 Hour Week.
The only extensive use of the
40-hour week for individual workers
is in continuous process plants,
where 1853 hours of machine opera
ton is obtained by using four shifts
of workers." the bureau report said.
Outside of the continuous process
industries, the customary shifts in
defense plants are 48, so, 55 or go
hours. Seven out OF every 10 of the
workers in these plants are on
schedule of 48 hours or more and
average 46 hours or more of actual
working time, even after allowing
for absenteeism and labor turnover"
"A rigid 40-hour week does not
exist in the United States. Premium
payments for hours worked over
the 40 per week are generally re-
quired by law and union agreements,
but it is doubtful whether suspen-
sion of these requirements would
result in any increase in the actual
working time of defense industries.
Only two out of $50 employers re-
plying to the bureaus recent in
euiry stated that overtime pay after
40 hours stood in the way of more
complete plant operation. Lack of
delivery of required materials was
reported persistently as reason for
restricted total hours of work each
week.
Excessive hours of work now pre-
sent problem that is nearly as i'm
portant as the problem of incom-
plete use of working time Among
the 100000 defense workers sur
veyed, at least one-eighth are work.
ing on schedules of Sc hours, 60
hours or longer. Such schedules are
almost unanimously condemned by
because they are gener-
ally too long for the achievement
,xyi,,