Statistics

In the U. S., babies are not gainfully employed. Neither, statistically, are most gunmen, convicts, home girls, degenerates, street sheiks, housewives. These and all other gainlessly employed total 72,470,000--or just short of two-thirds of the U. S. population. They live either on coupon-clipped income or on their relatives or on the State.

Cause for alarm or proof of prosperity was found by the National Industrial Conference Board in the fact that the working percentage in the U. S. is declining. Thus:

In 1910, 41.5% worked.

In 1920, 39.4% worked.

In 1925, 37.2% worked.

If were computed the steady decline in number of hours worked by each individual, and the steady increase in the luxury to be had for an hour's work, it might be found that it took nearly 50% more work to support a family (on the same scale) under President Taft than under President Coolidge.

Of the 42,910,000 people who were paid for work in 1925, the classification was estimated as follows:

Manufacturing and mechanical industries 29.9%

Agriculture 24.5%

Trade 10.7%

Transportation 7.6%

Clerical, 8.9%

Professional 5.5%

Domestic and personnel.. 8.4% Clerical workers show the biggest increase during the last 15 years, farmers the biggest decrease.