Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-01-05
Report of Bureau Of Labor and
Industrial Statistics.
Commissioner Matthews Notes Effect
Of the Prevailing Business Depression
Iyuon Our State. with Attending Reductions in
Hours, Wages and Production.


tribution, contains great amount OF
valuable and interesting matter concern
ing the industries of our State, and es-
pecially upon the effect of the prevailing
business depression upon the same.
In July last list of questions was sent
throughout the State to employers, rel
atiye to the number Of employees, names
of establishments goods manufactured,
wages received and average hours of labor.
Later another letter was sent out to ascer-
tain what changes in the prevailing
conditions had taken place. The replies
to the later indicate 'an improved condi-
tion in some, slight changes in Others,
but, on the whole, the indications may
be considered as hopeful. Maine has un-
doubtedly felt the bad effects of the bust
ness depression, to much less degree
than other sections Of the country. The
number of our working classes who have
been thrown out of all employment has
been comparatively small, and actual
suffering of rare occurrence.
The returns show that up to July l,
two small cotton mills had shut down,
and two others had reduced their work
ing time to 80 hours per week. The
reduction in wages amounted to per
cent, rcckoncd on the basis of full
capacity, so that loss of time, reductions
in working force and cuts in wages would
reduce the pay roll over % per cent The
October returns in general indicated that
the condition of the business was unsatis-
factory.
Forty-two woolen mills, making 81
classes or combinations of goods, employ
ing, when running at full capacity, 1861
hands. made returns. Eight were idle,
July 1, and 13 more were running short
crews making about 3S per cent OF the
help idle. Thirteen mills were paying
the old rates and 21 made cuts of from
to 25 per cent, and averaging l2H per
cent cut There were many temporary
shut downs The report says; FROM
a careful study of the returns, demorallzed
condition would seem to describe the
woolen business In the State at the present
time" In October there was slight
picking up in business indicated by the re-
turns.
The boot and shoe business returns In
July showed a falling off of AZ per cent
in number Of help employed. In OCTOBER
there had been decided increase IN the
helm employed, and the general tone OF
the returns was moro encouraging, ana
indicated that business is improving.
The granite industry was affected, 30
per cent of the help being out of work in
.July. Ten companies made cuts, rang
inv from 8 to 10 per cent. The paving
block business was the least affected The
demand for building stone was lighter
than usual. In October the reports were
rather discouraging, due in part, doubt
less. to the usual falling off of business at
that season.
In the lime business the old wages
and hours prevail but the cut in help
amounts to about GA per cent.
In the ten slate quarrics making re-
turns, there was total reduction in help
Of 43 per cent.
In July, 90 mills turning out builder
finish including SASH doors, blinds, and
inside and outside finish, showed reduc
tion of a5 per cent in help, and about 81
ur cent in reduction. Some were DONG
n good business, while Others felt the
depression. In October the business
seemed in n more healthy state
Fourteen pulp mills reported. One
NOW opc started Two indefinitely shut
down. The cut in help was about 29 per
cent. The wage cut on full crew basis
was per cent The sulphite or chemical
mills seem In more prosperous condition
than the mechanical or ground pulp mills.
The paper making mills seem to hold
IN nearly to their limit, running day and
night, with full crews, and but one case
of a wage cut.
Tho returns indicate that the iron work
ing shops feel the depression the most
The "a shops making returns show
help reduction of 81 per cent from full
crews, with wage cuts from 10 to 20 pei
cent No branch of foundry or machine
work is exempt from the effect OF the
general depression.
The increase of lumber surveyed al
Bangor in 1894 over 1898, up to July l.
was 7,947, $50 feet, yet this was not up tt
the amount ordinarily surveyed. Prices
were unsatisfactory. Some mills shu'
down for lack of orders. On the Aroos
took river, only from 5000, 600 to 7,ooo'
900 was cut, where the usual amount ex
ceeds $4,000, 900, and throughout tht
State but little more than half the usua
amount was cut. The cut in wood wages
averaged about So per month, but in th'
mills the cut was slight AS but few 1or
eiyn laho,prs came into the State, tnl!