The Washington times., 1915-12-17
half MILLION MEN
GET BIG INCREASES
Fourteen Per Cent More Opera
tiVes Employed Last Month
Than in November, 1914.

NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-waee increases
from 21 to Il per cent among the 100000
employees OF 1900 representative manu-
featuring plants In New York State in
dicate the rising prosperity Of the work
ingman here, according to the Novem-
Der report OF the bureau of statistics OF
the State industrial commission.
Every industry group In the State em-
ployed more operatives and paid more
wages IN November OF this year than IN
N91yemner No, IN G 1919. the total factory pay
cent more operatives and 25 per cent
more wages than did the pay roll OF the
same month last year. -
The most marked Improvement, both
IN comparison with the preceding month
and In comparison with the correspond
ing month of last year, was shown by
the metals, machinery, and conveyances
1914, 2s per cent more operatives were
emploXed and II per cent more paid In
wages. Within The group the most
marked increases were In the ship-build-
ing industry, the firearms industry. the
jewelry and silverware industry, the
steel industry, and the machinery indus
In comparison with November, 1914,
marked Improvement was shown by
the automobile industry and the brass,
copper and aluminium industry.
Improvement In Smaller Groups.
Increase in manufacturing activity
nearly as marked as that shown by
the metals, machinery, and conveyances
group was recorded by the smaller In
dustry group comprising furs, leather,
and rubber goods. This group in Mo-
vember employed Is per cent more
operatives and paid 81 per cent more
wages than a year ago. The industries
showing the greatest Improvement were
the fur the boot and shoe. and the rub
her Goods
The wood manufacturers group show
ed material increase in November, both
over the preceding months OF this year
aud over the corresponding month OF
last year. Greatest strength was shown
by the piano industry: the furniture
and cabinet working industry and the
lumber industry. although showing no
marked changes during the fall months,
compared most favorably with 1914,
when business was falling off during
this period.
The textile group. although showing
but slight Improvement from october
2l per cent in wages over 1914 The
important clothing, millinery and
| laundering group, although employing
no more operatives and paying por
previous month. showed greater actlv-
| ity than in November OF last year. due
primarily to the fact that in 1914 bust
ness fell off rapidly after September.
7 Clothing Industry Better.
Within this group substantial inn
provement was shown both in com.
parison with the preceding month ard
In comparison with last year by the
mems clothing industry and the wom-
| ems underwear and furnishings lie
| dustry and the miscellaneous sewed
| furnishings industry
| On the other hand. the women's
clothing industry and the millinery in
dustry. although doing more business in
November 1915, than in,,November, 1874,
recorded less activity in November than
| in October.
! Although a decrease in activity from
| October to November was recorded in
| the stone. clay, and glass group, TINS
| decrease was less marked than that re.
corded a year ago. The glass industry
| was more active in November of this
! year than in the preceding month oil
| the corresponding month of last year
| In the brick and tile industry and ir
the miscellaneous stone and mineral
! products industry business was more
active in November of this year thar
| year ago.
| The food. liquors. and tobacco bust
nesses, although somewhat less active
| in November than in October. showed
greater strength in November OF thil
year than in the corresponding montf
OF last year. The paper industry
showed a slight increase between Octo
Der and November, both in the numpel
of men employed and in wages paid
The printing and paper goods likewis'
recorded slight Improvement betweeI
October and November, now showing
substantially greater activity than tnt
| CORE SDondinG month of last year.