Evening star., 1949-07-10
Congress Report
Sees No Alarm
In Job|essness
Trumon's Analysis
And Recommendations
Awaited Tomorrow
BY the Associoied Press

Reports of mounting unemploy-
ment were sized up without alarm
yesterday by House-Senate Eco
nomic Subcommittee while Presi-
dent Truman finished writing out
his prescription for a national
economic tonic.
The President will send his
recommendations to Congress to-
morrow in his midyear economic
report. 1t is being awaited with
more than usual interest because
Of business Slumps in some fields
and the rise in the number of per-
sons out of work.
Those conditions, the joint eco
nomic subcommittee conceded, are
shortening the average work-week,
forcing acceptance of more part
time jobs, and wiping out most
overtime pay.
Joblessness Not High.
Even so, the subcommittee said,
the best estimates of Government:
agencies show that while jobless-
ness is increasing, it is mot now
at unreasonably high levels for
the country as a whole"
In fact, the lawmakers added,
figures compiled by the same
agencies show that, despite the
climb of unemployment, more per-
sons are working than in any
previous year except 194S.
That national job picture was
presented in a preliminary report
by the Economic Subcommittee
which soon will start what it's
chairman, Representative Hart,
Democrat, of New Jersey calls an
intensive investigation of the
unemployment problem" Yester-
days report Simply summarized
data already available from Gov
ernment sources.
Meanwhile, the CIO United
Electrical Workers charged that
the administration is misrepre-
senting the seriousness of the un-
employment situation. The union
sharply disputed the accuracy of
Census Bureau figures estimating
unemployment last month at
100000. The union said at least
100000 were jobless at that time.
Farm Cash Less Plentiful.
Administration officials ignore
the fact that it is the more than
100000 unemployed who make
a recession, not the $4,000, 900 en-
ployed." the union said.
Another economic indicator be-
came available yesterday from the
agriculture Department. 1t re-
ported that American farmers had
10 per cent fewer dollars to spend
in the first half of 1949 than in
the corresponding period of 1948.
And it predicted a further decline
of farm prices if production con-
tinues large.
In his report to Congress. Mr..
Truman repeatedly will stress that
the econmy generally is sound and
healthy. but at the same time take
into serious account the increase
in unemployment. Those who
help shape administration policy
anticipate that the President will
outline a program designed to
boost production and put check
rein on jeblesSness.
They are predicting he will set
a goal for the output of some
$500, 900, 100000 of goods and serv-
ices a year-a level 18 per cent
above the present rate.
Economic Act Planned.
Eight Democratic Senators are
getting set to follow up Mr.. Tru-
mans message with a program
which they believe would help
achieve his objectives.
They plan to introduce a bill
a proposed Economic Expansion
Act of 1949"-providing for:
Federal loans and grants to en-
courage production. the planning
of a $4,000 900, 900 public works
program, and also for shifting
jobless persons and their families
to areas where work Is available.
The bill has no official admin
istration blessing at present, but
(See ECONOMIC, Page A-4)
AN