New Britain herald., 1915-03-30
BUSINESS IN GERMANY
 FAIRLY SATISFACTORY Scarcity Of Skilled WorkInen Seri- Cu5iy EnbaaSScS Industries.
MACHINERY MANUFACTURE BOOMING


 wards Evidently Are Working on
 Big Government Orders-FarmerS
 Among Busiest People in Empire.
 Berlin, March 30, via London, 11:21 a. m.-The business situation in Ger many is regarded as fairly satisfac- tory and considerably better than might have been expected in view of the war. All industrials. of course, are running on a restricted s2ale, chiefly because of the virtual cessa- ton of overseas experts, but as a large proportion of the skilled work men went into the army the sharp curtailment in production was not attended by a corresponding increase in unemployment.
 More women and girls are seeking work in some branches of industry than can find employment but this is far from being the case with the men. On the contrary, the leading indus tries of the country are seriously en- barrassed by the scarity of skilled workmen. This is true of the coal and iron trade, shipbuilding and cer- tain branches of the chemical indus try.
 Scarcity of Workmcn.
 A pronounced scarcity of workmen is reported from the great industrial district a ,a1 coal is greater than the mines can meet, although export has been pro- hibited. Last month conditions in the iron trade were reflected by an ad- vance in prices. The production of pig iron, running about 55 per cent of last year, would be still larger if the necessary labor could be obtained Many branches of machinery manu- fracture, an important department of German industrial activity, are work ing full time or ever time; but here also scarcity of worl1men is felt.
 Locomotive works are busy while shipyards evidently are working on big government orders. Two com companies have stated in their annual reports that they have work on hand to last until 1915 and complain of a lack of help.
 Export of Potash Forbidden.
 The export of potash was forbid den two months ago because of the belief that exports to neutral conn tries were being used to manufacture explosives for France and England. The prohibition resulted in a snarp contraction in this trade, especially with the United States Mine own CTS arc seeking government perm :s- sion to increase the price to com pensate them for their loss
 Textile factories turning out the cheaper line of goods are hampered by shortage of raw material.
 Import of Wool Ceases.
 The import of wool has virtually ceased and wooden rags are in great demand for the making of shoddy. Some mills have taken to spinning Shoddy yarns. Inadequate receipts of American cotton have raised the prices of cotton yarns and cloths. Weavers are trying to place long contracts for yarns, believing prices will go higher.
 The silk trade is doing fairly we'll good sized American orders result K. l linen trade is llampered by d lack Of flax, which comes from Russia. Bavarian peasants are planning to de- vote considerable land to this hitherto neglected crop.
 LuXIIries Dispenscd With.
 The retail trade is active only in articles of necessity, as luxuries have been very largely dispensed with. Dressmakers are less pressed with spring orders than usual Cigars and chocolates are in good demand, as they are extensively used for gifts to soldiers at the front. Some book music publishers report that their sales are good.
 Farmers are among the busiest peo- pie in the empire. for the task of re- the food supply devolves upon them and they will have a &C., it with 8 diminished num- Der of laborers. Conditions have been alleviated by the transfer | of city Industrial workers to the coun- ! try. It is' reported that the usual | acreage of grain will be planted and |