Back in World War ll when business and industry were having man-power problems because of heavy military needs, a hardpressed employer inserted a tongue-in-cheek newspaper ad which read something like this: “Jobs available, Easy work. high wages and benefits. long coffee breaks and a 15-minute work period every hour.” Although a gross exaggeration of course, the story might be used to illustrate a present-day problem affecting the country’s productivity growth rate as cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Americans are working less these days but enjoying it less.” commented the Chamber in a news letter spotlighting ”workers’ benefits and productivity? The report said a study of employee benefits for 1979 showed that “almost half of the benefits were paid out in wages or salaries for time not worked – vacations, holidays, rest periods. jury duty, etc.” The Chamber study showed that time off cost employers about 13 percent of their payroll, or $162 billion in 1979. The figure keeps rising yearly. the letter noted. “In all, employers paid out $390 billion – or 31.8 percent of payroll – for employee benefits programs.” the study said, These expenses are universally supported because they enhance workers’ well-being. Yet, like other costs of doing business, they add to the price of goods and services which eventually must be borne by consumers. In normal times. the Chamber observed. the American economy has managed to absorb these costs through greater productivity. Between 1947 and 1967. productivity showed consistent growth. Goods and services per unit of labor grew at an annual rate of 3.2 percent. But a “decisive decline” started in 1967. lnflation and higher taxes have helped slow productivity. A Chamber comparison for 1970-78 showed U.S. manufacturing productivity growth at 2.6 percent per year compared with 6.2 percent for the Netherlands, 5,3 West Germany; 5.1, France; 4.8. Japan; 4.5. Italy; 3.8 Canada; and 2.2 percent. Great Britain. As evidence that Americans “are enjoying life less,” Dr. Richard Rahn, vice president-chief economist for the U,S, Chamber. cited a “continued loss in real spendable earnings” – or what is left after Social Security. income taxes and inflation have taken their toll. During October 1980. the average married worker with three dependents had real spendable eamings of $82.92 a week in 1967 dollars. During the past 12 months. real spendable eamings dropped by 6 percent – or to a level last experienced in 1960-61, he said. There is no single cause. for lagging productivity, of’ course. But significant in the picture is the rate of capital investment. which depends on how much money corporations and individuals have left after taxes. Capital investment is vital to creation of new jobs. Stagnant productivity is a problem that aflects everybody. The Chamber plans to offer legislative proposals to deal with it. I Congress should welcome the opportunity to evaluate these, as well as proposals from other competent sources, as it weighs steps to spark the economy.