The courier-index., 1921-01-07
-o-O-O-O-O-o-O-O-
 LITTLE ROCK LETTER

Little Rock, Jan. 3.-Labor con ditions in Arkansas are not nearly so favorable as they should be, due to the cessation of industry in many lines. particularly in the lumber ln- dustrv and the great slump m the price of cotton, our staple crop. From reports just compiled py me Tahor Bureau covering S42 indus trial plants, 1t appears that tnere were 35,4SS men employed on oc- tober 15, 1920. During the ensuing month a total of 10,935 men were discharged and only industries re ported an increase in the number employed, this being only 556. The total number of men employed on November 13 was 25,109. During +be month 119 establishments reduc- ed the wages of their employees af- fecting a total of 9,258. During the same time 1O7 reduced the hours of labor affecting 5,261 employees.
 T. A. Wilson, State Labor Com missioner, concluded that much bet business conditions are to be ex- nected after January 1. He believes that prices will reach lower level, possibly a pre-war basis and this will bring about resumption of indus trial activity.
 Indicative of the general condition of labor in Arkansas, the commls- sioner makes the following state ments in his report:
 "While there have been number of small strikes, the number a1- fected. as compared with the whole, is negligible. Industry has not been seriously affected nor retarded. There has been plenty of work and with feW exceptions sufficient labor to meet the demand of employers. Wages have been good and, While the cost of living has been high, the condition of the average wage earn CT in this state will compare favor ably with any other section of the country. The people are livlng pet ter. demanding better living condl- lions, and are paying for it.
 sThe construction of improved highways in this state has damaged a large amount of labor; the lum- Der mills have been operating greater part of the time; railroad construction work, in the way of i'm movements, have taken large num- Der.
 "In the skilled trades, the de- mand for labor has absorbed the available supply. A shortage in the skilled trades has prevailed but de- mand and supply have become more evenly balanced.
 "Efficiency of labor is increasing and production per man power IS result has been greater. As whole employer and employe are comlng to a better understanding and rela- tions are more harmonious.
 'sWhile it is to be expected that there will be slackening up in in- dustry, and as a result many men thrown out of employment, no ser ious consequences are to be antiei- pated.
 "As r whole, the condition of the laborer in this state is good, with prospects for continued improve ment.
 "The department found it impos- sible with the means at its disposal, to collect any reliable statistics orr data with reference to farm or ag- riculture labor. In the absence of a better method, the commission was compelled to rely for information touching this subject on the news paper and whatever knowledge could be acquired and absorbed in brief trips and travels about the state and by correspondence.
 During the planting and harv- esting periods, particularly in the cotton and rice sections, there ap- pears to be a scarcity of available farm help in the agricultural dis tricts Although many sections re- ported a sufficiently of labor to meet all requirements. This is found to be the prevailing condition with each recurring season, with perhaps a strone pronounced tendency dur the sI : year.
 "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 difficult to secure. This condition is partially due to the long hours and hard work required on the farms and the poor accommoda- tions provided in almost all cases. There is a lack of companionship and amusement which is keenly felt particularly by the young men. As a result the laborer seeks other em ployment where hours are shorter and where companions and variety of entertainment can be obtained.
 ''Wages by the day average from $1.5O to S350, depending upon the season, the locality and scarcity of help. Monthly farm wages in all localities of the state have ad vanced considerably during the past few years. From $50 to $40 is the prevailing monthly farm wage, in- cluding board"
 The legislature will have the op- portunity of submitting only one amendment to the constitution. By the time the session opens January 10, two others, initiated by the peo- pie, will have been certified to the