New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
British Workers Employed on
Full Time at Record WAGES
Shortage of Labor Is Accentuated by reinforcement o
Vital Industries Strikes Less Serious Than
in Former Years

Labor was in greater demand in the
British Isles last year than ever be-
tore. The average Of wages was the
highest ever paid to the workers of the
nation. Women and girls were more
extensively employed, dilution of
skilled labor was carried further and
the movement of workers from ono in
dustry to another continued. The need
of reinforcing vital industries accentu-
atcd the shortage Of man power due
to the increasing numbers Of men re-
qurcd for the army and navy.
Labor disputes resulting in stop
page of work were more numerous than
IN 1916, but, according to statistics
compiled by "The Board of Trade La
Dor Gazette" the number was less than
IN the years Immediately preceding the
war The total number of disputes re-
corded for the year was 6S8, involving
S20.727 work people directly and indi-
rcctly.
The aggregate duration of these dis
putcs amounted to 100000 working
days, or about one half the average for
the nine preceding years The indus
tries most seriously affected by the dis
putes were coal mining and engineer
ing. In these industries two disputes
accounted for more than half the total
number of workers involved. but apart
from these disputes the number still
showed an increase over the previous
year. One Of the two disputes men
toned, involving about 100000 workers
IN the engineering trades in various
parts of the country, occurred during
the ilrst three weeks c' May. Tho other
occurred in November, when 1900 eX-
amincrs at collieries in South Wales
and MonmoUthshirc ceased work, rem
dering about 1875 900 other workers idle.
Considerable increases both in the
number and aggregate duration of la
Dor disputes We're recorded in the ship
building and other metal trades.
Much Overtime Work
Apart from the time lost en- account
cf labor troubles, employment in The
coal mining industry was at full hours
throughout the year. IN quarryng the
only slackness was at the slate and
pulIulHS stone QuarrlcS.
Employment in the pig iron industry
was good. aud despite tho shortages of
labor and materials and difficulties Of
transport moro furnaces were in blast
than during the previous year. Iron
and steel works We're extremely busy
and the enginceing and shipbuildng
trades wcre also working at high
pressure, with much overtime. Most
OF the other metal trades were also
fully employed. One important excep-
ton was the tinplatc industry. which
suffered from the shortage of steel
oars throughout the year. with the re-
suit that the average number OF mills
working was considerably less than in
1916.
Though private building worl, was
ies'rlcted, Government requirements
kept the men still remaining in the
brick and building trades Well en-
ploycd, while overtime was worked in
the cement trade throughout the year.
me woodworking and Furnishing
trades were well employed. en- the
whole, and in the glass and pottery
trades employment continued good.
Soldiers Help With Crops
In the leather trades employment
was good, though saddle and harness
makers ana fancy leather workers cX-
penenced some slackness. In paper
making there was d shortage of raw
material, but employment in the trade.
rs also III printing and bookbinding, re-
mained good. Some of the food prep
aratlon trades were affected by the
sugar shortage. but overtime was
worked III The other sections. Unfavor-
able weather hindcred AGRICULTURAL on
crations during the first quarter of the
year, but toward the end of April prog
ress began TO be made, and with the
assistance of soldiers and women the
crops, though badly laid by the storms
CT August, were we'll secured and good
progress made with autumn cultivation.
Hlshlng operations were restricted, but
employment was fairly good for those