Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-01
WORK IS PLENTY
URICK STATES
LABOR LEADER DENIES REPORT
THAT, THERE is A LACK OF
EMPLOYMENT IN IOWA.

Des Moines, April 30.--"The demand
for labor in Iowa this year is even
more encouraging to the workers than
was the case last spring." said A. l..
Urick. president of the Iowa State
Federation of Labor, yesterday. The
statement was made in answer to
question prompted by the news that
the state was infested with tramps
who declare that they cannot find
work.
Il do not know the conditions af-
fecting common labor" said Mr. Urick
''for the reason that our reports come
from the organizations Of skilled work
men which make up the federation.
However, it generally follows of nee
essity that when there is healthy de-
mand for skilled labor unskilled labor
is furnished with employment, too.
Building Indications Encouraging.
The conditions In regard to build
ing furnish the best criterion as to
the demand for labor. In Des Moines
this spring there Is splendid pros
pect for great activity in the building
trades. Indications are for bigger
year in this line than Des Moines
has seen for long time.
Last summer was big building
season in Des Moines and all over
Iowa. In this city there was demand
for carpenters that at times could not
be met. If the coming summer sees
no financial trouble, l think it will be
a buster one than last.
Il have just returned from Dubu-
que after weeks. visit with the
unions there. l find that there is a
good prospect for building there this
summer. There are not many large
buildings in prospect although one
manufacturing company is now erect
ing an addition to it's plant. A trip
through the residence district as
sured me, however that many dwell
ings will be erected in Dubuque this
summer.
THE reports from Cedar Rapids,
Waterloo and Sioux City are equally
encouraging and l expect to see a
good demand for labor Of all kinds In
Iowa this year.
Inquiry at local employment
agencies yesterday elected the infor.
nation that the demand for unskilled
labor is not great at present, because
this is the "off season" The building
has not commenced and the railroad
work is delayed until the warm wealth
er opens In earnest. In a few days,
however, employment agencies think
that the demand for labor Of the I'M
skilled and will be on the increase.
Fault Not Iowa's.
Men who have made the subject a
study and are acquainted with condi
lions in other states say that although
there are an unusual number of I'M
employed men in Iowa this spring who
cannot be classed with the profession
al tramps. this is not an indication
that labor conditions are bad in Iowa
There is not the least doubt that
in the eastern states and in the faf
western states, there is lamentable
| lack of employment as the lingering
result Of the panic of 1907. Through
out the east factories are running or
short time and with decreased forces
of men. In the northwest the lumber
| business is at a Standstill and build
| ing operations are greatly decreased
| as compared with two years ago. The
result, these men say, is that the un
employed workers who are unable tc
make living in the east and wes
come to the middle western states, O.
which Iowa Is the most prosperous
Iowa cannot furnish employment fol
all of them, although Iowa is probably
as little affected by the panic Of 1907
as is any state in the union.