Evening star., 1945-08-15

! Answers on j
forces. The number who will be laid
OF. during the next two months, is
estimated to be about 1000 600. 1t
lis expected that there will be $780,
900 or more unemployed in three
months. BY spring, unemployment
may reach about 100000.
What opportunities for employ
ment are now expected to increase
sharply?
A. Employment in the production
of consumer durable goods such as
automobiles, refrigerators and wash
ing machines, will increase promptly
and expand rapidly. A substantial
increase is also expected in employ
ment in trades and services, in which
II ,000, 900 persons already are work.
ing. There will be a gradual but
steady rise in the field of construc-
ton. Likewise, an increase in en-
ployment opportunities is expected
in lumber, mining. clothing and
leather, and at least temporarily, in
railroads.
Will many drop from the labor
market and not seek new jobs when
their war plants close down?
A. Yes; substantial Withdrawals
from the labor market are expected
within the next few months, thus
helping to ease the problem of find
ing jobs for those who need them.
There are now 3,500,000 women en-
ployed who, except for the war,
would not have been employed.
Many of these are housewives. Be-
sides these, there also are the over
age workers who would normally be
retired and youths of school age.
From these groups it is anticipated
there will be withdrawal of about
100000 by the end of the year.
What manpower controls will be
lifted?
A. All manpower controls are to
be lifted Immediately, including the
compulsory 46-hour week, and in
their place voluntary community
action to speed reconversion will be
substituted.
What assistance will be given dis
placed workers in finding new jobs?
A. Workers who lose their jobs
will be given every possible as
sistance by the United States En-
ployment Service. Increased en-
phasis will be given by USES in
communities throughout the country
to job counseling. Displaced war
workers, many of whom have mi
grated during the war, will be
guided to other communities where
civilian production has expanded.
Will unemployment compensation
be available to displaced war plant
workers?
A. Most war plant workers are
covered by State unemployment in
Surance. The Social Security Board
reports that 100000 workers will
be entitled to unemployment COM
pensation if they lose their jobs.
There are roughly 2,500,000 persons
employed in small Establishments
not covered under State unemploy-
ment insurance laws.
Transition and the Consumer
Will rationing have to be con-
tinued?
A. Some consumer rationing can
be dropped Immediately.
With many controls over materials
and manpower removed, it is ex-
pected that manufacture of many
items will be at high level within
three to six months This does not
mean there will no longer be short
ages. There will not be enough
automobiles and new housing for
much longer period of time. Manu-
facture must continue at high
level for at least year to two years
before there is sufficient supply
of such items to meet the demand.
Shortages of certain raw materials,
such as tin and crude rubber, will
limit some production.
Will supplies of clothing begin to
increase soon?
A. Yes. Supplies to consumers will
increase as military purchases are
reduced. Ir addition, some increase
in total production is expected in
the near future. The immediate re-
duction in Army buying of textiles
will be as much as IS per cent.
Their need for cotton textiles, for
instance, drops to 20 per cent of
what they had on order on VI day;
the need for woolens will drop to
% per cent and yarn requirements
to 30 per cent. Some lines of tex
tiles will continue scarce for months,
however.
Will there be more coal, heating
oil and kerosene?
A. Heating oil and kerosene may
still be somewhat short, although
supplies will increase gradually.
When will it be possible to get
better home services, laundry, de-
liveries, repairs, ETC.?
A. Do not expect a return to the
preWar standard of service immedi-
ately. Better home services, laun-
dry, deliveries, repairs, ETC., will
come, but they will depend on the
rapidity with which workers are
rehired into these fields, which have
been seriously understaffed through