The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-05-26
MONTANA LABOR
STATUS BETTER
I HAN IN 1914


/ Helene, Mont, May 26.-Ins several
phasss. there are startling contrasts
In labor, conditions and In the cost
OF living, Montana today, compared,
with the era preceding this country's
entrance into the great war.
While no authentic figures for the
past 60 days are available, It was stat.
ed in March, by COMMITTEES. of the
state asse mbly which investigated the
cast Of necessities in the state, that
prices had risen., on an average, about
80 per cent, In this state, since the
world struggle began.
Opportunities Greater.
AS far Is labor is concerned, ,soppor.
tunity is far greater in Montana than
in 1914, when the war broke out, and
even than in 1917 when America en-.
tered. 8's%% r. -*<. NJ
Despite the fact that, at present,
the mines of Butte are. not running
full blast, . labor shortage exists, In
Montana, according to both state and
federal official reports.
Farm labor shortage probably will
be acute In this state for sometime,
according to reports from workers In
Montana for the SdAIartment of agri.
culture. The Nh 5soula office Of the
department recently issued "a state:
ment to the same. effect and the week.
~ reports Of Chas. D.. Greenfield, state
commissioner. of agriculture, repeat,
edly reflect the same situation. i,5S !. !.
4, Mining Is sub1N ormaI.
! The smining industry is the only
basic industry In the state running on
a sub.normal basis. The latest fig.
ures available for the Anaconda Cop
per Mining company, the largest EN-
ployer in Butte, and in the state, il
for for March. 1t shows production
of about so per cent normal. 1t is a
rule that the production of other Butte
mines will, on average, hold on q
level with that of Anaconda. It is
hoped the mines, not later than July,
will return to 9 normal basis.
Montana's manufacturers, i employ
many men and are going full blast.
Coal mining is said to be normal, for
this time of the year. The prospects
for road building are increasing, the
new park-to-park project creating a
demand for fine highways over hun
drds OF miles, to be pushed. forward
this year. Some railway construction
Two or three slarge de-.
projects are coming up.
Oil drilling goes on with renewed
vig0r and the revival of silverhmining
will call. dmany men into, the hills.
is brisk and is expected to
increase. /5s.
1. ~. W.'s Busy.
Aside from spasmodic troubles, here
and there, attributed to I. w. W. agita-
tors, there Is no severe trouble tr
Montana. H.. 49,.
Complaint of the cost OF living is
It is being investigated by
the newly created state efficiency
commission. which Is to make report
TO special session Of the legislature,
next winter. The commission has
made no statement Of It's findings.
4 This body, was Joint committee
Df house and senate in the last assem-.
bly,. It submitted report made In
which It was, said increase averaged
as high as 80 per cent and were al.
most Invariably more than 60 per cent,
compared with pre-war costs.
Particular complaint Is made Of the
cost of dairy products, State Dairy
Commissioner w. H. Fluhr has taken
up the matter. He suggests as one
that the excess products OF
June and July, now shipped out Of the
state, be held in Montana for home
next winter. He is max
ing campaign among dairymen, for
this practice. The high cost Of feed
has been ascribed as the great factor
IN raising dairy prices.
Prices of coal have fallen slightly
since government supervision ceased.
y Complaint OF rents also is heard.
This condition, however, is not gen
oro1 q. r,.E- -'.. -.. ....