New-York tribune., 1921-05-01
csk Of Unemployment
Reached, According 10
Reports, Coupled With a
Back-to-Farn Movement
East TO Resist Any Cuts
More Strikes Threaten in
n. 4. and Massachusetts
as Result Iof Reductions

CHICAGO, April 80 (By The Asso-
ciated Press) "A general tendency to-
ward reduction in wages throughout
the country. combined with tendency
on the part of labor in the East to re-
sist the cut and general feeling that
the peak of unemployment has been
reached, are the outstanding indica-
yions1 contained in reports on the in
dustrial situation from almost every
state in the Union. A decided back-to-
the-farm movement also is noted in the
reports, and as rule there is no lack
OF farm help in any section.
The only labor troubles that have
shown up previous to this May Day ap-
pear in New York and Massachusetts,
where strikes of rather serious ma
ture have been in progress and where
more nre threatened. as the result of
the proposed reduction in wages in
several trades.
However, in the West, South and
Central states the reports show that in
number of industries the wage cuts
already have gone into effect.
Government, state and labor leaders
appear to be pinning hopes for return
to normal conditions in the opening up,
on large scale, of the building indus
stxys CVmlAks dS Jicy uUpes WIFI lHc lul1
operation of the agricultural work.
The troubles in the Eastern section
appear to be peculiar to their own To-
cality, the only nationwide contro-
versies. appearing in the printing in
dustry, where some printers are at
tempting to put forty-four-hour week
into effect, and in the railroad situa-
tion. It is believed, however, that
arbitration agreements in majority of
the newspaper establishments will pre-
vent walk-outs, while the National
Typothet@ of America has officially
gone on record as against the reduc-
ton Of the work week to forty-four
hours.
Situation in Massachusetts
An unusual situation has arisen in
the printing trade in Boston and vicin-
ity and with the Eastern Massachusetts,
Street Railway and its employees. For
the first time in this state, according to
information available from the State
Department of Labor. and Industries,
reductions in wages have been an
nounced in these instances simultane-
ously with reduction in rates. The
printers and allied workers have gone
out on strike as protest, and the
street railway workers threaten to
strike if the cut is enforced on May /,
as announced. The opposition by the
unions is said to be based on the con-
tention that cost of materials in many
lines can be substantially reduced as q
first measure Of economy, without
touching the purchasing power of the
laborer.
The building trades situation is al
most statewide. Strikes or lockouts,
as the case may be, have kept 10000
men in idleness at Boston since early in
January over q question of the rate of
wages and the conditions under which
agreements should be renewed. On
April l the movement spread to the
western part of the state. Other agree
ments expire May I in several cities,
and idleness impends over the an
nounsed intention Of the employers to
cut wages 20 per cent.
A break in relations between the
clothing manufacturers and the Anal
gamated Clothing Workers of America,
which came during slack spell in Jan
uary, has resulted in q condition that
contains elements of both strike and
lockout. Some 10000 workers were en-
ployed in the industry originally, but
many of those laid off before Christ
mas have never returned to the ma
chimes, shops having closed and moved
elsewhere, and members of the union
have refused to work under the reduced
wages. Shops are picketed daily by de-
creasing numbers of workless ones, who
are fast moving elsewhere or seeking
other occupations
Decided changes in rates of wages
and conditions of employment are be-
ing considered in several industries,
some involving a large number OF en-
ployees, most of them to take effect
upon the expiration Of the existing
agreements, according to recent re-
port by the State Department OF Labor
and Industries. The records indicated,
It was said, that there were existing in
MASSACHUSETTS, on April tweuty-six
labor disputes, strikes OK lockout, the
larrest Of which was that 3nvolving
the building trades Of Boston. "The
majority 81 disputes recorded are
directly traceable to attempts to reduce
wages. 20. establish open shops or TO
stated.
Great Strike In New York
In New York there il one exception
aliy large strike, that in the clothing
workers industry, whore $4,000 mem
hers are striking. Fifteen thousand
painters have just returned to work,
however, having signed new agree
ments.
The marine workers also are on
strike, at least in part, protesting re-
duction of wages amounting to $35 and
&QV
Thousand members of the international
Seamen's Union are taking a strike
vote on the proposed reduction in
wages.
Employees of traction companies
throughout the state will suffer a wage
cut. Whether strikes will result de-
pends upon negotiations now in prog
ress between the operating companies
and the car men. The first reduction,
from go to 45 cents an hour, was put
into effect in Albany January 20 and
was followed by strike of the 1900
car men. The strike remains in prog
ress, with no apparent prospect of set
tlement.
The principal labor controversy
looked for on May Day is in the print
ing trades, and the conditions in New
York State affecting this craft are the
same as in practically every other state
in the Union.
Wage cuts ranging from 10 to 20
per cent are in prospect in the build.
ing trades. Some strikes in the build
ing industry are looked for, but the
belief is widespread that in view of
the great curtailment of building oper-
ations during the last two or three
years the major portion Of the workers
would prefer to labor under q wage
reduction than to undergo added
periods of idleness.