The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-03
More Men Are Employed at This Time
at Better Wages than Ever Before
in the City's History.
PROSPERITY AT HIGH TIDE
MANUFACTURERS GIVE REASONS
FOR PRESENT CONDITIONS.
The Expressions of Local Captains Of
Industry Tell the story Of the
Good Times.

Industrial prosperity is the most con-
spicuous feature of indianapolis. 1t has
brought employment of such a high char
acter that men for the ordinary lines Of
labor are not sufficient in number to sup
ply the demand. 1t has brought prosperity
to the channels of commerce by making the
industrial classes able to buy in the retail
market and by making them able to save
money. The effect of the industrial pros
perity has been and now is direct on every
channel of trade. There are those, how
ever, who deny, for political purposes, that
the industrial activity exists and that
where it did exist it represented only an
element of prosperity to the capitalist.
With a view of ascertaining the truth in
quries were made of some Of the leading
industrial establishments of the city for
the purpose of ascertaining the conditions
of employment and the magnitude Of busi-
ness. These were not solicited political
expressions, and where such expressions
were given they came without solicitation.
A recent compilation Of local statistics
by the state department of labor showed
that, out of twenty-five large manufac-
tories In this city, representing different
lines. there had been an increase in the
number Of men employed Of SS.6 per cent.
The returns from those establishments
showed that in 1897 they employed 1917
men, while in 1901 they employed 6635.
Since these statistics were secured 1T is
probable the increased capacity OF the es-
adjustments named. and others not named.
has exhausted the local supply of skilled
labor and almost exhausted the supply of
Iod la Thot 1od 10 hnr fc
adequate to the needs of the city has been
demonstrated by the inability of the street
and sewer contractors to secure men and
also by the Indianapolis Street-railway
Cor pany, one Of the largest employers Of
unskilled labor, to get enough workmen to
do all the work the company was prepared
to do. Many city contracts have been de-
layed by the same cause, and the price of
unskilled labor has risen from $11O where
it was year ago. to $1.75.
The industries of Indianapolis have al
ways represented success either in a large
or small way. In adverse periods con-
servative management. has characterized
them, and their credit and the stability of
their manufactures has been of note
throughout the country. Six years ago
the expansion of Indianapolis industries be-
gan. The manufacturers were alive to the
possible achievements and have advanced
with the whole country. The export trade
from Indianapolis has gained tremen-
dously.
In buggies, ladders, milling machinery.
engines and boilers, furniture. steam
pumps, cereal products. saws and many
other things Indianapolis is seeking the
markets of the whole world and getting a
large share of the trade.
There are no statistics to show the in
crease in capacity of the Indianapolis in
dustries. The wholesale business has
gained enormously. but within it's usual
field practically. 1t is estimated that the
capacity of Indianapolis industries in the
last five years has doubled. This meant
employment for the artisans and con-
tinuous work for the mechanics. Every
business interest testifies to the general
prosperity. which gathers its greatest
source of strength from the activity and
prosperity of the industries.