Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-28
GREAT IMPROVEMENT.
INDUSTRIAL CONDITION OF THE
STATE is EXCELLENT.
Report of the Labor Commissioners Shows
Careful Investigation In All Portions
of State and Reveals "a Very Encour-
aging Condition of Affairs.

The employees of the Labor Commits
sioner's office have, in the performance
of their duties around the State. taken
pains TO look into industrial conditions,
rs the present conditions may indicate.
They find very encouraging reports
from every section of the Common
wealth. There is Il growing improve
ment in the condition OF our wage
workers, average wages. per cent. en-
ployed, increased membership, etc,
very marked in nearly every section
of the State. There are now no COM
plants of willing help unemployed.
while in many quarters the supply of
help desired is very insufficient for the
demand. As natural result. wages
are increasing all the time. In fact,
The Labor Canvass
shows n decided Improvement in every
feature of the statistics gathered, in
Guiding number employed, wages,
homes and social conditions. This can
vass is about two-thirds completed.
Mortgages and Interest
The special canvass of the eighty
counties In the State is about COM
pleted. The tabulations of this work
shows that the number of mortgages
and the total amount of mortgages up
on farm property has been reduced
thousands in number and millions in
dollars as compared with 1896, while
the rate Of interest in great major
ity of cases has been materially re-
duced
state Factories Increasing.
Reports Of the State factory inspec-
tors show large increase in amounts
invested in manufacturing and in ev-
cry way represent n most flattering
condition Of affairs in our factories
a canvass OF wages shows Il very note
worthy Improvement in wages and
various conditions Of employment. and
that the child labor problem is being
rapidly solved in this State. Many
new manufacturing enterprises are
placed upon our State list for the first
time this year. while but very few
have suspended operations. Some have
closed through consultations, but not
so many as in former years.
City ana Village improvements.
The blanks from incorporated cities
and villages tell us that millions have
been invested in new and permanent
improvements of every character
much having been spent in sewerage
and paving. From these official
sources we have received no complaint
OF unemployed which is indeed differ
ent from the facts of one and two
years ago.
Money Easier.
Money has been very easy in all
quarters as compared with recent
ND vi
tors have been able To operate and Sc
cure favors that dared not think of
asking for n loan two years ago.
The Fnrmer's Interest.
The crops of Michigan for 1898 were
excellent in many counties and above
the average in a majority. Prices have
been fair for all products of the farm.
garden and orchard. and there has
been great activity in all kinds OF
stock, poultry and dairy raising. The
crops were all harvested early and Il
very large acreage of winter grain has
been sown. according to reports from
the agricultural department.
One of the most noteworthy in
creases has been in the fioclls of sheep
and pounds of wool, which have mar
keted good prices.
Natural Products.
There has been great increase in
the production of coal in Michigan
over former years. and it is claimed
that the best wages paid to miners in
the United States are paid to our own
coal miners.
a very favorable report has Just
been received from the upper peniH- /
Sula mining country, giving account of |
new discoveries of iron and copper and |
bright promises for the coming season.
In closing it says that they are ex-
periencing great difficulty in securing
the needed help in several commune |
ties, and that the numbering interests |
complain that they cannot find men 10 (
20 into the woods at from SO TO $50 /
per month and board.
Good and had Effects of War.
While the war scare in March and |
April brought matters to temporary /
standStill for few days i'm many quar-
ters. the declaration Of war and the ac-
tivities that soon followed. with the
hurried movement Of troops, started
mt a Lively pace and greatly
improved many lines of trade. The
sudden shifting Of men, both of trades
iiih lilOitSN4bltN. Idu IL HltSt UGSii1Dlp j.
effect upon the labor market. and
gave it an unexpected impetus that
worked out to the best interests Of all
wage workers.
In collecting army statistics. we
loticed that one particular feature Of
he Michigan volunteer regiments was
hat they were made up Of both rich
md poor. The professional man Of
nigh standing and good practice. the
Expert mechanic Of splendid wages.
he trades union man. the farmer and
he day laborer all stood. marched and
ought, suffered. died and bled to-
yether, for the cause Of humanity and
he honor OF the nation. 1t is IA fact
hat we can all feel proud Of, and
should never be forgotten.
Some interesting details will he de
7eloped in these military statistics of
Michigan.
No Serious Labor DinicuItic.
nave occurred i'm the State. and most
If the minor strikes and disputes that
nave taken place have resulted in