The Little River news., 1921-01-08
LABOR IS PLENTIFUL
 lN ARKANSAS NOW
Many Industries Close Down, Giving Vacations to Many Laborers;
 Farm Labor Plentiful. M
(By Clio Harper)


 (By Clio Harper)
 Little Rock, Jan. g. Special )-The labor conditions in Arkansas are not nearly so favorable as they should be-, due to the cessation of industry in. many lines, particularly in the lumber industry and the great slump in the price of cotton, our staple crop. From reports just compiled by the Labor Bureau covering SAP industrial plants, 1t appears that there were 35,488 men employed on October 15, 1920. 2 During the ensuing month total of 1O,935 men were discharged, and oily in dustries reported an increase in the number employed, this being only 556. The total number of men employed ,n November 13 was 26,1O9. DuringI ,he month 119 establishments reduced the wages of their employees affecting a total of 9,258. During the same time 107 reduced the hours of labor affecting 5,261 employees.
 ,, T.. Az Wilson, State Labor Commits sioner, concluded that much better business conditions are to be expected after January. He believes that prices will reach lower level, possible a pre- war basis and that this will bring about a resumption of industrial activity,
 Indicative of the general condition of labor in Arkansas, the Commission CT makes the following statements in his report:
 While there have been number of small strikes. the number affected, as compared with the whole, is negligible. Industry has not been seriously af- fected nor retarded. There has been plenty of work, and with few excep- tions sufficient labor to meet the de- mand of employers. Wages have been good and, while the cost of living has been high, the condition of the average wage earner in this state will compare with any other section, of the country.
 The people are living better, de- manding better living conditions, and are paying for it.
 .sThe construction of improved highx ways in this state has demanded a large amount of labor; the lumber mills, have. been operating greater part of the time; railroad construction work, in the way of improvements, have taken large number.
 Shortage in Skilled Trades.
 "In the skilled trades, the demand for labor has absorbed the available supply. A shortage in the skilled trades has prevailed but demand and supply have became more evenly bal anced.
 "Efficiency of labor is increasing and production per man power as result has been greater. As whole. en- ployer and lemploye are coming to g better harmonious. s.- yy~ While 1t is to be expected that there will be a aislackened up in industry. and as a result many men thrown out oi employment, no serious consequences is to be anticipated. ..ss, <
 "As a whole, the condition of tht laborer in this state is good, with pros poets for continued improvement. '.The department found 1t impossible with the means at it's disposal, to col Ilect any reliable statistics of date witt reference to farm or agricultural labor { In the absence of a better method, the commission was compelled to rely fol information touching this subject on the newspaper and whatever knowl. fedge could be acquired and absorbed in brief trips and travels about the stnte and by correspondence.
 During the planting and harvesting periods, particularly in the cotton and rice sections, there appeared to be a scarcity of available farm help in the agricultural districts, Although many sections reported sufficiency of la bor to meet all requirements. This IS found to be the prevailing condition with each recurring season. with per haps a strongly pronounced tendency during the past year.
 Farm Labor Plentiful.
 "As a rule. ordinary farm labor IS summed by the average laborer when other employment can be found. With .plenty of other work available, farm help, especially by the month, has been dificult to secure. This condl- tion is partially due to the long hours and hard work required on .the farms and,the poor accommodations provided in almost all cases. There is lack of conapanionship and amusement which is keenly felt, particularly by the, younger man. As result the laborer