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The first period, 1931–33, measures the results actually obtaining in a deflated market but within the framework of definite wage, hour, and machinery-use controls. The second period, 1940–41, represents the conditions obtaining during the approach to war economy. In this period wage and hour conditions were at natural economic levels, the most efficient methods were employed, and the price trend is the logical result of the total volume of actvity. The third period, 1942–43 (including the first 6 months of the latter year), is shown to represent the peak of heavily inflated economy, during which the excessive war demand for construction and industrial production has greatly stimulated price levels, wages, and hours of work.

If it may be assumed that the post-war return from the wartime peak to more normal conditions of peace will reverse the trends of the period of entrance into the war, then the period, 1940–41, may be considered to represent conditions most nearly approximating those that will obtain in the post-war years. In that event, as indicated by table 28, it may be estimated that highway construction will furnish approximately 19,350 man-years of direct and 43,120 man-years of indirect employment for each $100,000,000 expended annually.

Under the same conditions highway maintenance, as shown in table 29, may be expected to provide approximately 54,500 man-years of direct and 26,550 man-years of indirect employment for each $100,000,000 expended annually.