Evening star., 1949-02-23


| ployed this year than in Janu-
ary, 1948.
According to DR.. Edwin G.
Nourse, chairman of the Presi-
dents Council of Economic Ad-
visers, the figures did not mean a
showdown in the Nations economy
However, in Washington. where
wartime expansion poses some spe-
cial problems so far as unemploy-
ment is concerned, officials saw the
makings of a definite trend toward
increasing unemployment.
Job Openings Decline.
In contrast to the remainder of
the country, there were fewer peo-
pie working in January than at
the same time last year. Job
openings and placements, listed
with the local branch of the
United States Employ oyment Serv-
ice. showed similar declines.
In Washington. as in the rest of
the Nation, the seasonal factor, of
course, played it's part. The un-
employment figures for January,
contrasted with those for Decem-
ber, showed jump of $3.50
workers.
| with the coming of spring. ex-
pert$ predicted that the downward
employment trend would level of.
with the revival of the building in
dustry playing a major part.
The building industry is one OF
the biggest sources of employment
here. At the peak of last sum-
mer's activity it gave jobs to more
than 10000 persons. According
to figures of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. these workmen started
construction on $1,000 new dwell
ings in the Washington area dur
ing the year.
Danger Signals.
The building industry in Wash
ington and the rest of the country
is doing we'll, but some danger sig
nails are apparent. Nationally
there were more houses started
last year than in 1947, but there
was decided drop before the end
of the year.
A special statement prepared by
the Commerce and Labor Depart
ment concludes as follows:
THE slackening in activity dur
ing the last half Of 1948 -. . indi-
Gates that even the anticipated
lower production of 875,000 new
units in 1949 is attainable only by
a broadening of the market to pro-
vide more homes at lower cost and
more rental units within the
means of the majority OF Ameri-
can families"
Washington got going early on
it's building boom.
The peak was reached and the
decline started a year ahead OF
the rest Of the country. There
were 1910 houses started IN l947 !,
less last year. and Labor Depart
ment officials predict the figure
will be somewhat lower this year"
if the economy house program gets
going. If it doesn't, the number
of houses built will drop sharply
they say.
ImpaSse Reached.
The future of the industry, in
fact, is tied very firmly to the
success of the economy house pro-
gram to provide housing for the
lower income groups. According
to spokesman for the Washing
ton Building Trades Council. "the
limit has been reached for build
ing houses that the average citi-
zen can't possibly afford to buy.
The industry has reached an i'm
passe, where it must economic or
fold up"
Whether the economy program
can be ironed out in time for the
1949 building season is matter
of concern to many builders. 1t is
also the subject of hurried meet
ingS between builders and Gov
ernment officials all over the coun-
try.
Many are frankly skeptical of
the possibility of building ade-
quate homes for less than $4,000.
They have pointed out at meetings
here that building methods
haven't changed appreciably in
years. The price of labor has
nearly doubled, and the prices Of
some materials have more than
tripled since prewar years, they
say.
Those who think the program
can succeed say it must be done
through greater efficiency in build
ing techniques. streamlining of
production steps and better plan
ming. Building Trades Council
officials do not doubt that this
will mean a cut in the number of
employees.
"If they are going to economic. -
they predict, you can be sure
that men who have been working
in the industry in the past will
be out of work next summer"
Congress a Factor.
Since more than one-haIf of the
total labor force here is Federally
employed, the action of Congress
also could be a decisive factor in
the number of people looking for
jobs. Congress could do this
directly by authorizing reductions
in the number of employees in