The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-12-13
Percentage of Increase
Ranges as High as 100 Per
Cent-Wage Scales Give
Advance in Year. a..
MAKE SUGGESTION
FOR MORE PROGRESS
Eight Factories Report En-
ploying 279 More Men
Than on January 1, 1916
Extensions Are Planned.

AS one Of the most prosperous years
IN the history Of Richmond draws to
close interesting data pertaining to the
accomplishments Of the city's numer.
Gus manufacturing concerns in 1916,
what the ensuing year holds in store
for them, and what has been the lot OF
the thousands Of men and women en-
ployed by these concerns, is being re-
ceived by The Palladium in reply to
list of questions recently submitted
to every manufacturing concern in
Richmond.
B, ess is Satisfactory.
lnforma Ion concerning several of
the largest manufacturing concerns Is
contained in several Of the numerous
replies received the past two days,
and. with one exception. the statistics
submitted show that business the past
year has been most satisfactory, in.
creases ranging between six and 100
percent being shown; that the wage
scales for clerical employees, mechanics
and laborers have been. in most in
stances, increased, that some concerns
are contemplating further wage in.
creases next year, that several COM
panies are planning plant extensions
for next year.
AS the information received is of
confidential nature detailed informa-
tion concerning the business affairs
Of each of the several manufacturing
concerns cannot be made public by
The Palladium. 1t is planned. how
ever to compile for publication all data
as soon as all replies have been re-
ceived for the purpose of showing
what industrial Richmond accomplish
ed in 1916 and what the outlook is
for 1917
Suggests Better Conditions.
In the replies so far received by
The Palladium valuable suggestions
are submitted for the betterment of
industrial conditions in this city.
"While conditions are now ideal and
all factors favorable" writes the man.
ager of one new but thriving factory,
there is pressing need for better
shipping conditions. The railroads
are unable to care for the large volume
of freight offered. Think Of taking
three weeks for shipment from Rock
ford. ILL.,, to Richmond; four weeks
from Providence, r. l., to Richmond.
Better service by the railroads in
switching cars" urges another manu-
facturer.
Needs lIve-Wire Promoters.
What Richmond needs more Of are
live wire promoters and men of means
who will put up their money to finance
active enterprises" writes another fac
tory manager.
Industrial Richmond needs the ac-
tive cooperation on the part of all
citizens" suggests the president of a
large concern.
More workmen are badly needed"
is the laconic statement of one sue
cessful manufacturer.
Statements received from eight man.
concerns show that in JAN
uary. 1916, there were 1900 workmen
on their payrolls, while on December
1, this year, a period when many fac
tories are closed for invoice, there
we're total of 1879 men employed by
these same concerns, an increase OF
279.
Forces Are Increased.
Six of the eight factories referred
to increased their working forces the
past eleven months. another made a
slight decrease in its force while ono
Of the larger concerns reduced Its
force approximately Is men.
Wage scales for mechanics the past
eleven months have ranged from $15
to $22 week. The general average
for unskilled workman has been a
wage of approximately % cents per
hour. The average wage of office
has ranged from SIS to $35
per week.
Will Announce Additions.
Here is the way eight factory man.
ayers view the outlook for business
next year:
Splendid"
Fairly Good"
Good"
very Good"
"All business we can handle.
Fair"
Good"
One manufacturer states that an ad-
dition will be made to his plant next
year but that plans for the improve
nent have not yet matured.
Another manufacturer announces
hat he will build foundry next year.
While a third in announcing plans for
liant extension in 1917 does not state