Evening star., 1949-09-08
JobIess Claims Here
Up 14O Pei, in August;
u. :. Situation Better

While sharp upSwing in en-
ployment during August probably
will be reported for the country
at large, new unemployment
compensation claims filed in the
District last month increased 140
per cent over those of August,
1948.
The Census Bureaus August
report on the labor forces, due to-
day, was expected to show an en-
ployment level of close to 60,000,-
900 for the first time this year,
according to the Associated Press.
Government officials predicted that
unemployment reported at 4,095,-
900 in July. probably will drop
under the 100000 mark during
August.
Meanwhile, c. A. Wharton, di-
rector of the District Unemploy-
ment Compensation Board, re-
vealed that non-residentS coming
to the District in search of jobs
represent one of the largest totals
in that category since depression
days. Mr.. Wharton said one ex-
planation was that "a lot of men
and women had rather work in
Washington than other cities"
Payments May Be Delayed. =
Mr.. Wharton said that in view
of an 18 per cent reduction this
year in the Compensation's
Boards staff due to a budget cut,
unemployment payments soon may
be delayed if the present high rate
of disbursements continues.
Exclusive of claims from service
men, District residents last month
filed 1880 new claims as compared
with 1928 in August year ago.
Continuing claims this year were
20,265 compared with 1925 in
August of 1948. Migrants claims
totaled 3212 in August as against
1879 for the same period last
year.
At the same time the National
picture appeared much more
favorable, with a reversal ex-
pected in the trend which started
last November and continued
through July. The July unem-
ploynent total was the highest
since 1912, it was said.
A further drop in unemploy-
ment is expected for September.
on which census figures will not
ha
Report Held Up.
The normal trend of both un-
employment and employment is
downward from August to Sep
tember, as large numbers of
younger workers and job seekers
drop out of the labor force to
return to school.
The August report was expected
on Tuesday but was delayed from
day to day. One Commerce De-
partment official said it is being
checked and rechecked" He would
not divulge the reason for the
unusual care.
The anticipated improvement
in the employment picture. even
though laid mainly to seasonal
factors such as harvest hiring,
would strengthen the already
considerable evidence of firm
ing of business conditions.
Late yesterday the Federal Re-
serve Board reported another op-
timistic sign. Business loans of
member banks increased for the
fourth successive week, after a
month slump.
Business Loans Rise.
The volume of business and in
dustrial loans in leading cities
rose $21, 100000, the board an
nounced, to a total Of $12,963,-
100000 this represents gain of
$4,000, 900 since August 3, when
the low point was reached.
In July. civilian employment
rose to 59.720,000. this was not
substantially greater than in May
or June, and was nearly 100000
below the peak attained in July
of last year when 61,615,000 per-
sons were gainfully employed.
A steady decline lasted through
the rest of 1948 and up to Febru-
ary when this years low point was
reached at 57,168,00O. The trend
since then has been generally up
ward but not to the record levels
l.