The American Labour Outlook.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 6

The American Labour Outlook.

It is difficult to believe that tho American Director of Labour is correctly reported as having estimated tho number of unemployed in the United States at ten millions. That would be roughly ten per cent, of tho whole population and would, if it were accurate, fully justify his fears that there will bo a "serious period" during the process of trade-adjustinent. Tho United States must 110 doubt undergo industrial uneasiness similar in nature to that which obtains in other coun& tries, as a result of tho sudden cessation of the need for war supplies and tho demobilisation not only of the army but of the vast number of workers who liavo been occupied in supplying army requirements. It was pointed out by a recent writer in the "Sydney Morn- '' ing Herald," who had evidently a first-hand knowledge of American conditions ,that the country was in a state of nervous uncertainty, and that the restoration of industries to their normal basis would be just as difficult and complicated as in Great Britain. One section of the community was clamourj ing for immediate demobilisation of tho troops and the discontinuance of war industries, another demanded a gradual transition from war to peace, while a thfrd urged tho retention of all existing standards and rates of wages even after trade had returned to its normal channels. During the period in which America was a bolli- j gorent, enormous changes -took place in tho industrial situation. Wages, which had advanced while America was supplying tho Allies with munitions, rose still higher when the country entered the war, the Government took over tho control of enormous undertakings, including railways, shipping, and shipbuilding, and tho eight-hour day became almost universal. Phenomenal wages havo been, and were until lately, being earned, if they do not still obtain. Mechanics averaged 2Gs a day, and in tho case of highlyskilled men as much as £2 or £3 a day. Building trade mechanics have been making 30s, the minimum daily wage for unskilled labour is lGs Bd, wharf labourers receive 3s 4d per hour, and os per hour for overtime, while any girl clerk, just fresh from a business col lege can command £3 per week. Hie cost of living has of course increased greatly, though apparently not nioro in comparison with pre-war rates than in Australia and New Zealand. Iu some directions, the rate of production in war industries has already been diminished. The Secretary K>r "War made the astonishing statement 011 November 21st that the signing of the armistice, ten days before he had effected estimated savings of £265,000,000, by cancellations of contracts and of practically half a million sterling a day through the abrogation of Sunday work and overtime in war establishments, these figures not including the saving resulting from cancellations in aircraft production. Such an enormous "cut M must necessarily have affected the labour market, even though one commercial authoritv assorts that the cancellations "have been •• apportioned so judiciously as to cause ■•little hardship." Presumably, howover, they did not cease six weeks or two months agu. and as they continued, labour conditions must have become increasingly difficult. Mr G'om-

pers has given warning, we are toid, that "any genera] attempt to reduce "wages or lengthen hours after the "war will be fought," but as one of the most level-headed men in the whole Labour movement ho must know perfectly well that abnormal conditions in wages cannot continue for any long period after the return of normal conditions of trade. There is no indication of any attempt being made to lengthen xhc day's work over eight hours. The chief reason for hoping that matters will right themselves without undue friction lies in the fact, according to the writer to whom we have referred, that the revolutionary element in American labour is negligible. It exists here and there, "but "the lenders of unionism, with few " exceptions, are engaged in a steady "campaign against the doctrincs ol" "the and other revolutionary "groups. Xo accredited leader of "any standing talks about the One " Union. Labour is organised "on a craft basis, and each craft is j "satisfied to keep up its perpetual 1 ' figli t for economic progress by con- " stitutionn] means." Organised labour •is a whole, we aro assured, has 110 j wish to fight under the red flag, so that, although it is restless and dissatisfied, there is frround for hoping that it will seek, and find, a peaceful path through the difficulties of reconstruction.