Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-10-13
MIcHlcAN's INDUSTRIAL CONDITION
Not SO Bright in Years Before-Improve-
"ents In all Lines steadily Growing
Farm Mortgages Discharged.

,as '""O threatens 10 check the stead
for growing improvement that is bein,
re- enjoyed and appreciated by all. Th,
to hundreds of reports from the indus
- 'rlal centers OF the state and especiall,
ass those from the secretaries of the many
~ trades unions of Michigan. are indeed
ou nattering and must prove encouraging
ld- 10 all. Some most interesting labor
- statistics, showing growing improve
ment In the condition of our wage
us workers, average wages, per cent. en-
an pioyed, increased membership. etc.
"a "a Will appear in detail in reports soon to
k be given out.
II From no source are we receivino
r. complaints of unemployed, which is in
e s'rohg contrast with the blanks re-
: 'urheu one year ago, while from many
communities shortage of help is re.
i ported. There has been most decided
r improvement of the wages of the more
I common laborers, which, as strange as
IL may seem, are among the first To
reap the benefit of better times. In
some Instances the wages of skilled |
|
worKmen have been slightly advanced
out not so much as might be hoped for
ana expected; though many things
nave happened and been brought
around, to better the condition of en-
ployment and shorter hours. There
mas been great and growing demand
ior female domestic help that could
not be satisfied, and the need OF this
class oi labor has been felt in every
community in the state-the smaller
cltles complaining the most. Offers
OF from $3.50 to $3.50 per week. with
room and board, fails to secure good i
help OF this class, where one-third less b
wages would have secured them two b
years ago. +,
The labor canvass shows decided s
Improvement in every feature of the "
statistics statistics gathered, including numher h
aas. homes and soclai o
cohuttlohs. H. ---.....ss rs aDout two o
thirds completed. =,
Money has been very easy in all quar- cl
ters as compared with recent times, and n,
small dealers and speculators have hI
been able to operate and secure fayors CO
that dared not think of asking for a cl
loah Two years ago. The crops of n
Michigan for 1898 were excellent in wi
many counties and above the average n
IN a majority. Prices have been fair fo
Tor all products OF the farm, garden AN
and orchard, and there has been a ,n
great activity in all kinds OF stock. tb
poultry and dairy raising. The crops da
were all harvested early and very Gel
large increase of winter grain has been ier
'own, according to reports from the hi,
agricultural department.
One OF the most noteworthy increases
has been in the hocks of sheep and
pounds of wool, which have marketed ou'
yood prices. There has been a great Up
Increase in the production of coal in 10
,Iicbioan ova,. forr,o,. -. - he
claimed that ,be bos, - full
miners in the United States are paid
o our own coal miners. orll
a very favorable report has Just nou
,een roce,yod f,o,, tho ,,,,,o,. 'N1' and
mining country giving account of new eau
discoveries OF iron and copper and pre-
right promises for the coming season. asst
In closing it ays, that they are ex- arg
eriencing greet difficulty in securing eht'
he ncodod boi, in eovanol oas.' 'Dh this
les, and that the numbering interests W
pi"'n that neS cannot ma men to the
Q into the wods at from $25 to S35 rie,s
er month and ,oard. in Il
The special anvass of the 50 coun- onn
20 "a the st1e Is now about com shou
-lour nDre counties alone to the
ear from. Tie tabulations of this n for
ork shows that the number of mort five
ages upon farr property has been re- punc
''eu thousand' ln number and mil fore
,u9 ~ uollars compared with 1876, neig
".'o eue rate u iuteresC In great imal
aJority of case has been materially find
.1uoeu blam
' ni.e Tue wa sc"re III March and was
pril brought atters to a temporary
andstil for a fey DAYS in many omar. Ex
rs, the declaration OF war and the ac. eXpir
yities that 500 followed, with the apart
irried movemet Of troops, started wher
'erything at lvely pace and greatly Mr..
approved many hes OF trade Calvi
The sudden sh'ting of men, both OF inent
AIDES and profedon, had most de- had
rabe effect ma the labor market montl
ID gave il anunexpected impetus paral.
at worked Quito the best interests ablest
all wage workes. years
Ia collecting rmy statistics, we The
'''ceu that one Harticuiar feature of prove
: Mlchlgan vol1teer regiments was overh
at they were mie up OF both rich maxim
ID poor. The prcsssonal man of high woods