The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-25

Reports From the Centres.
THE Sun received yesterday tele-
graphic reports from the principal in
dusuial centres of America, in addi-
ton to exploring the New York situa-
ton. Correspondents had been asked
TO investigate and then answer these
questions:
What is the effect OF peace on the
factories in your district? Are any
factories shut down yet? Are any
ehutdowns in prospect? How many
factories and men have been doing
war work? Have any OF them yet
been shifted to peace work or are any
10 be shifted soon? Is there any or
gsnized plan to take care of dis
charged employees? Have any war
building projects been abandoned?"
Generally speaking, the replies are
Uniform. Manufacturers of war ma
ter1al either are speeding full ahead
tr, while slowing up on hints from
Washington, are keeping their labor
force together. Few that expect to
Ehange eventually to the production OF
peace materials have as yet made con-
tracts for doing so. as they don't know
yet when and how they can get ma
ierial, what 1t will cost and what
labor will cost.
The fear OF great labor troubles in
ths transition period, which was acute
'wo weeks ago, Is rapidly abating. On
this point the reports are Unexpectedly
optimistic. THE Sun is informed here
ard elsewhere that II the war work
ooes not stop too abruptly there will
re a ready and complete absorption
o' all skilled workers and that the
demand will still be greater than the
supply and that wages for many
months at least. will not be far, IL
anything, below the war level.
The outlook for unskilled workers Is
NOT so good. The high wages paid to
inenoient and unframed men and
women In war factories will not be
continued. Just now the labor mar
ket Is far from flooded. Peace has
thrown comparatively few persons out
0f Jobs,
There have not been many strikes
Snce the signing OF the armistice. The
rev that have been reported have
gained public attention because they
were deemed symptomatic OF what
was to come. Some labor unions have
resented the action OF the Govern
ment In eliminating overtime. night
ana Sunday work in war factories,
and although Il In effect cuts their
wages they have generally accepted
the order.
No Drive 90 Cut Wages.
Meanwhile most factories have
shifted their night forces to day work.
Cnion labor, like employers. is holding
US policies in abeyance until Wash
hston announces its peace time indus
pial programme. No concerted at
Tempt 10 force down wages is reported
ana no concerted attempt to keep
them up---aside from such construction
as one may place upon the assertion
o' samuel Gompers "that the ad
vantage which the workers OF America
una or the allied countries have gained
and which We hope to extend to the
people OF even the conquered countries
are not going to be taken away from
uAs
y is indicated that general resump-
uon ot Industry on a peace scale may
hot be expected before next spring OF
summer. This is especially true OF
puilding. Washington has lifted the
uuiIolng restrictions, but the coming
o. winter and uncertainty as to cos,
oi labor and materials and the sup
fy thereof are holding the builders
DacN except in emergency cases.
IN many States local agencies are Al
Work planning. and IN some case,
oc'uaily carrying ont, the distributor
"' both war factory workers and re
.hrned soldlers among normal occupa
IONS These agencies include Stat,
ranches Of the Federal Employment
serv'ce' Community War Boards. Stat,
Industrial Commissions. Councils O
Nauonal Defence, Chambers OF Com
Ike.
shipyHrds. steel mills. railroad equip
"eht and automobile factories an
-'nonT the plants that win continue b