Norwich bulletin., 1919-11-26

A more optimistic tone in the gem eral business situation is observable throughout New Englaflds brought about no doubt chiefly by the i'm provement in the labor situation. due partly to the noticeable stifEening in the attitude of the public authorities in dealing with the more radical of the disturbing clements. partly to the reaction of the elections especially in Massachusetts--w have been interpreted not merely as q reflection of the purpose of the general public to uphold the principles of law and order. but as indicative of weariness with the epidemic of strikes and threatened strikes carrying in their train decreasing production and iIl- creasing commodity prices, and part ly to prudence on the part of wage earners in the face of oncon1ing win ter. Great activity continues in all | lines of trade, writes Frederic H. Cur tiss, chairman and federal reserve lagent of the Federal Reservis bank of Boston, with no appreciable diminu- ton in the volume of purchases ob- servable on the part of. any class of the population unless 1t be those whose earnings are limited by more AAkAC@NAASAO among whom as a consequence. in creasing restlesspess is observable. . The money situation has bene one of increasing firnness. Payment of local taxes. final payment of Victory Notes, with withdrawal of govern ment deposits, and thes demand for carrying cotton, together with the in- direct influence of the high call rates in New York, have brought a heavy demand for money, especially on the Boston banks. and the month ends with the f1ruiest money market of the year. Although money has been f1rmer, legitimate industrial, commer- cial and agricultural needs have been well taken care of.
 Labor.
 Returns to the State Bureau of Statistics show a marked decrease in the number of strikes occurring in Massachusetts since October 1, and there are no labor troubles of serious | consequence in any of the leading in dustries of New England at the pres ent time; it is not without significance | that the strike of 1,500 employees of the Naurnkeag Cotton mills of Salem which had been on since September 27 for a 25 per cent, increase in wages has worn itself out with nothing ac- complished except six weeks loss oi wages and production. the operatives having returned to work without any immediate concessions being granted though the company will doubtless agree to such readjustment. of any, a. may be made throughout the cottor industry next month. The textile workers of New Bedford and Fa1 River. numbering about 10000 opera
 lives, have made a demand similar t.
 that put forward by the Naumkea;
 workers, upon the termination of tn
 present agreement. December 3, Wlficl
 would mean an increase in the cost Q Iweaving a cut of cloth from 4l-9S f
 56.23 cents, the highest ever paid in tn
 textile industry, although increases f
 wages since 1912 have already amount
 ed to 12S.S per cent, and operative
 would under the proposed now srale !
 earning approximately S26 a week a
 against $l0 in 1915. The Boston Publi
 Employment Office. retiectify cendi
 tions in the metropolitan district, re
 ports the demand for help from em l'ployers about IS per cent. heavier tha !at this t'fDe last year The demand fl skilled mechanics. especially in th Ih-Idins trades. has, however. droppe
 materially and applicants fer this kin
 of work corres3ondingly increased
 There has been strong demapd fo iahle-hodied lisoorers and for youn
 girls for factory work at wages rang
 ing from So to S11, but there is no sur
 ply. In the Worcester district indus !, trial conditions are reported as show
 ing continued improvement with healthy demand for maehinists in u tool-making industry and workers al bearing to be in more settled state
 mind
 Money.
 The Boston money market has bee , influenced especially in call rates I the New York market. On Novemb, , | 10, call rates advanced to per cen