Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-08
6. 0. P. Sees Proof
OF Business Upturn in
Job and Building Data


and a new record in private
spending for construction as
proof Of a business upswing
which may end Democratic CAM
paign talk about q depression.
In joint reports on the coun-
try's economic condition. the La
Dor and Commerce Departments
said employment increased near
~ / million from May to June
and that, contrary to the pattern
of the last IA years. there was
almost no increase in unemploy-
.ment.
Employment was 62,098, 900 in
June as compared with 61,119,-
900 in May. Unemployment in
creased only $4,000 from 1906
600 in May to 3,347, 900 in June.
Private Spending Up.
The departments also report
ed that while public spending
for construction from January
through June was about the
same as in the first half of 1853,
private spending increased
sharply in many lines. This
brought the combined total for
the first half of the year to $16.5
billion compared with 1852 bill
lion for the first six months of
1858.
Senator Williams. Republican,
in an interview with the Asso-
ciated Press, said the Democrats
will have to change their
slogan" In view of these figures.
They can't run on the fear
Of depression slogan they used
against the Republicans in 1882"
the Senator said. 1.-THE Republic
cans are in and there isn't any
depression, so they'll have to
change their tune
George Is Skeptical.
In a separate interview with
the Associated Press, Senator
George. Democrat, of Georgia
expressed doubts that the coun-
try is out of the economic woods.
The increase in jobs, he said,
may be largely a seasonal one
due to the addition of students
and recent graduates to the labor
force.
Manufacturing unemployment
is still alarmingly high" Senator
George said. Il don't think this
report indicates any more than
that unemployment is leveling
off,"
Seasonal Construction.
Most Of q per cent increase
in construction OUTLAWS in June
over May was accounted for by
seasonal increases in private
housing and highway construc-
ton.
During the first half of this
year, the Government report on
construction said, private out
lays for new construction to-
tailed approximately $11.4 billion,
which was about 8 per cent more
than the 1853 ,first-half total.
Private spending thus far this
year set new records for residen-
tial building, offices. stores. other
kinds of commercial building,
churches. schools, and electric
light and power facilities.
Private OUTLAWS were higher in
the first half of 1854 than year
before, the report said, for all
major types of construction ex-
cept building of industrial plants,
farm building, railroad and tele-
phone and telegraph construc-
ton.
Public OUTLAWS for new con-
in the first half of 1854
totaled $50 billion.
Federal Spending Drops.
The combined report said Fed
eral spending declined in OUTLAWS
for military facilities. and were
considerably less" in the first
half of this year than in the first
half of 1853 for construction of
aircraft and ordnance produc-
ton, testing and research build
lngs, conservation and develop
ment work, and hospitals.
State and local government
spending increased to all-time
highs In the first half Of this
year for schools. roads, and
sewer and water systems. State
and local governments spend less
in the first six months of this
year than year before for
public housing.
Reuther Comments.
Despite the optimistic Govern
ment report, CLIO President
Reuther, in a statement
last night. said the report fig
ures paint what is at best a
picture of economic stagnation."
He said the employment totals
show that the weak areas of
the economy remain weak and
there are. as yet. no signs of
prosperity rounding the corner"
Chairman Smith of the SEN
ate Labor Committee said, how
ever. he believes the employ
ment gain sustains the general
feeling that there will be bust
ness upturn in the second half
Of the year."
Ferguson Halls News.
Chairman Ferguson Of the
Senate Policy Committee. who is
for the Senate again,
said the report represents happy
and he added:
II think this points toward a
solid upswing. although there
still are many snags and local
situations that need correcting"
Senator Anderson of New
Mexico said he was one Demo-
crat who hadn't believed in the
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