Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-02-10
GENERAL LABOR NEWS

The Reading Iron company, Catasau-
qua, Pa, announced wage cut of 20
per cent.
The number Of unemployed was re-
duced at Toledo, O., in one week from
about $1,000 to 5000, through many
young men from the farms having gone
back.
The number of unemployed persons
in Germany increased $4,000 during the
first two weeks of December. Records
show 365,000 were unable to obtain en-
ployment.
At New Bedford, Mass, the Wam-
sutta mills, among the largest in the
city, have resumed operations on a
fve-day schedule every other week.
The mills have been completely shut
down.
Representatives Of the United Shoe
Workers of America, which controls
about 5000 Of the 1000 workers in the
shoe industry in that city, say business
has been resumed in every shoe fac
tory In Rochester.
An interesting Industrial experiment
has been set on foot in England. A fac
tory stated and operated exclusively
by women is about to be opened. It is
hoped to develop the business on CO.
partnership strictly business basis.
The Tilt silk mill, Pottsville, Pa. one
Of the largest in the country, resumed
work after several weeks idleness. "A
proposition has been made for a re-
duction of wages to meet market ex-
igencies, but no final action has been
taken.
The Kalamazoo (Mich.) Brick and
Stone Masons' union has voluntarily
lowered the wage scale of it's men,
bers from $1.35 an hour to SIPS. The
action was taken as a move to stimu-
late building and thereby give employ
ment for idle workers.
More than 100000 unemployed are
registered with the British govern
ment, but according to an authentic
estimate the number actually exceeds
100000. The great army Of unem-
plOyed has been increased by 100000
Ii lnS last fortnight
Reopening of the Highland Park
cotton mills at Huntersville, N. c., and
Rockhill, S. O., gave jobs to approx
mately 5000 workers. The mills closed
last fall, but were reopened in Deem
Der, running until the holidays, when
they again were shut down.
The 1000 employees of the Public
Service Railway company, Newark, N.
j., agreed to work ten hours a day at
the same wages they now receive for
a nine-hour day. This action is ''their
contribution to an effort to get the
company out Of financial difficulties"
The agreement will stand for six
Wages Of sheet mill union workers
Will be reduced approximately Oh per
cent during the next two months as a
result of the bimonthly settlement be-
tween the National Association of |
Sheet and Tin Plate Manufacturers
and the Amalgamated Association. The |
wages Of tin mill workers will remain
Shop employees of the Minneapolis,
st. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie railroad |
have been placed on a fve-day week.
About 1,4OO men are affected. w. H.
Bremner, president Of the Minneapo-
lis & st. Louis railroad, said $50 en-
Dloyees have been laid off by that com
Dany over the entire system since Sep
-ember /.
elimination of strikes and labor dis
1utes In the building industry of Can
ida through the use of standardized
wage agreements and contracts is con-
emplated In a plan to be considered
~ the Association of Canadian Build
ng and Construction Industries at its
annual session in Winnipeg. Under the
1lan wages would be standardized by
ections throughout the Dominion and
standard contract form would be
lsed by all contractors and subcontrac-
ors.
Agreeing to accept a wage reduction
# 20 per cent and an increased labor
lay of one hour, $50 employees Of the
Alshular Manufacturing company, Ra-
inc, Wis. notified the management
hey would not permit an open shop.
md as a result a strike was declared.
Distribution of bonuses totaling in
xeess of $1,00O,O00 to employees of the
Dodge Brothers Motor Car company
vas made recently. The bonus is in
he form of Liberty bonds, amounting
o from 10 to 10 per cent of a years
alary and is similar to one paid year
go.