The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-06
IN. LABOR SURVEY KANSAS MUST ACT
First Complete Unemployment Protection Should Be Given
Report by Crawford Miners Says Huggins
Optimism Shown Over Kansas Says Industrial Law Failing
to Industrial Outlook in It's Original Purpose.
1O6OO NOW OUT OF WORK SLAP At ADMINISTRATION
Many Workers Return Legislature Formed
First Complete Unemployment
Report Issued by Crawford.
Optimism Shown Over Kansas
as to Industrial Outlook.
1O,6OO NOW OUT OF WORK
Many. Workers Return to Oil
Fields in State.
In Parsons District Coal Busi-
ness Suffers, Report Shows.

AOSS % 4SGROAS AAAO W
The first complete unemployment
survey in Kansas just completed
shows 10000 out of work, Judge John
H. Crawford of the industrial court,
director of the Kansas free employ
ment bureau, announced today.
The difference between this number
and the estimate of 5000 recentlv
made is largely represented by oil
field workers who are now returning
to work with the increase in price of
crude oil, Judge Crawford said. The
number of unemployed does not in
clude, of course, the coal miners in
Crawford Cherokee county field who
walked out when Howat and Dorchy
went to Jail.
$500 Idle in Parsons.
Divided by districts the number of
was reported as follows:
Parsons, $500; Wichita, LOO; Hutch
inson, 1900; Salina, 600; Topeka,
2,OOO $500 in Topeka); Kansas City.
Kan, 5000 (2,000 in Kansas City and
1 900 in Atchison); city of Emporia,
10000.
Optimism is mingled with pessimism
in the predictions of employment Of
flee managers as to the industrial
outlook. All agree that the amount
of construction work inaugurated and
weather conditions will have much to
do with the Unemployment in Kansas
this winter.
In a letter to Governor Allen this
week, w. E. Freeman, president of
the Kansas Federation Of Labor, urges
the governor to. use his influence in
having highway contracts let this fall
rather than next spring, so as to re-
lieve employment conditions. Presi-
dent Freeman calls attention to the
recent conference called by Secretary
Hoover of engineers, who decided
that this would be a practical plan.
By letting contracts now, it is pointed
out, considerable work will be created
in getting materials and equipment
ready this winter in anticipation of
beginning spring work
Reports by Districts.
The district reports as to probable
future conditions follow:
Wichita-The industrial outlook is
favorable. Large amount of municipal
construction is in sight, which will be
controlled by weather conditions.
Kansas City, Ken.-The outlook at
present is much better than it has
been. In Leavenworth they have
$500, 900 worth of construction at the
fort; $1,OOO,000 at the Old Soldiers
home. and s225,OOO in the city.
Parsons-The outlook is good for
resident laborers. If the price of oil
goes up, the drillers will all go back
to work. Factories in Pittsburg are
in good shape. The coal mines are
working half time October -.
Hutchinson-The general outlook
for the future is not encouraging. AT
this time we know of no new projects
in any line which might take care OF
unemploymen
SaIina-An increase in the number
of unemployed is confidently expected
A noticeable sprinkling of floaters has
appeared. The prospect for the i'm
mediate future is good as long as
operations. Several good projects are
under way
Topeka-Much corn husking is ap-
preaching. 1 look>for no great amount
of idle labor until cold weather stops
public works.
Emporia (sub office)-The genera
impression is that there will be mucf
! unemployment in Emporia this win
ter. All our civic and social organi
cations are discussing it and trying tC
find solution.
From rs to 90 per cent of all un'
| employed Kansas are common la
| borers, according to the reports.
In the Parsons district the coal and
! oil industries have suffered most. II
that district Coffeyville is reported t.
| have the most out of employment a
this time. The railroads are now bacl
almost to normal employment condi
| tions.
In the Wichita district the job1es
| have been workers in railroad shops
| factories and refineries, as well as ods
! job men.
Closing of the soda ash and sal
| plants at Hutchinson has added to tn
unemployed. Most of those out o
| work are common and farm laborers
with old men and boys in the ma
| jority.
At Topeka unemployment has beel
noticeable mostly in the automobil
business in all forms and meta
works. The Santa Fe shops are prac
/ ticaIly back to normal.
In Kansas City, the unemploye
have been workers in the iron foun
dries, machine shops. building trades
soap companies. harness makers, Ci
companies and commission men.
The Salina district reports the rail
roads. automobile business and mill
ing as the slack trades.