The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-11-30
Men MORE
PLENTIFUL
Than JOBS
Unemployment Increases
in Mid West as Busi-
ness Declines.
BY J.L, OSULLIyAN.
UNITED Press staff Correspondent


Omitted Press staff Correspondent }
Chicago, Nov. 30.-Unemployment
has increased steadily in the mid
west during the last month, while
the volume of business has declined,
the seventh federal reserve bank Of
Chicago reported today in a sur
yey Of conditions in Illinois, In
diana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan.
Missouri and parts of Kansas and
Nebraska.
While men are more plentiful
than jobs, the report stated, the
amount of idleness is no greater at
present than at this period in the
winter of 1914.
Ten per cent of the men employ
ed in the steel plants have been
thrown into idleness, the report
found. THE labor scarcity in the
steel districts of a few months ago
has vanished" the report said, "and
men are at the gates seeking en-
plOyment every morning"
Those engaged in building lines
estimate that so per cent Of the
men are out Of work.
"Workmen who we're attracted
to the industrial centers in the al
location of labor are now returning
to their former homes" the report
stated, but so far the return flow
has not relieved the situation on
farms where wages approximating
war time figures are being paid
corn huskers. The survey finds
that in some basic industries little
complaint is heard of unemploy-
ment. The Chicago stockyards was
found operating with normal forces.
Speaking generally" the state
ment said, wages have not been
changed materially. Here and
there concessions have been made
in order that total unemployment
may be avoided"
Railroad shop forces were being
curtailed, the Investigation showed
but this is manifesting itself more
particularly among larger trunk
lines leading to the eastward"
The report emphasized that the
letdown in business activity in the
midwest appeared to be less than
is being experienced in the east.
! Uncertainty Dominates.
Discussing business conditions in
the seventh districts territory, TIE
survey declared uncertainty al
most completely dominates business
circulations. Distinctly uneven de
clines in individual prices are factor,
in retarding business activities"
The recession in prices whcl
has already manifested itself il
foodstuffs and textiles is reported
extending to other commoditie.
heretofore unaffected" said the sur
vey, but there are industries vhicl
have experienced little, if any, re
adjustments"
/ Other findings were:
4 Few people are buying automo
biles and with the exception O
some Of the larger manufacturers
automobile plans are either close.
or operating ON such a small seal,
that their production is less thai
20 per cent normal.
Railroads are buying little roll
ing stock, although the purchasin,
Of rails continues. The car load
ings have eased up since the mid
die of October and the car shortag,
is being rapidly reduced.
! In nearly every section staeoo ar,
attempting to liQuidate their stool
. through special sales, and the buy
ing is from hand to mouth"
Cancellation of orders has beey
large in all lines Of merchandise.
Manufacturers report liquidation
Of debts is very SLOW"
j Mail order houses busines
shows considerable decrease.
Farmers are Withholding thei
gains from the market due to tn
readjustment Of market values
, Forty per cent Of last years whea
crop is still in the farmers hands
i Cattle loan companies are facin
, the problem Of financing the win
ter's needs Of producers and tn
local banks are still carrying som
OF last winters advances, as shrink
ages in market values have wine
out q great manY Anuitiea