factoring spreads quickly and widely to other segments of the economy, where increases in productivity may be small or even non-existent. Many manufacturing and most service industries make little or no technological progress. Yet the workers in these industries are sure to want the shorter work-week too if Reuther succeeds in getting it for his people. This means a higher general price level, more inflation and a lower standard of living. The nation as a whole can move ahead without inflation only if those companies which are increasing productivity pass a good part of the savings on in lower prices. In the long run, this would permit workers in those areas of the economy which are unable to show productivity gains to get wage increases too without forcing up the general level of prices.
The Shorter Work-Week
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