New-York tribune., 1921-05-01

ness IN tne great textile industry for
two reasons: one,E depression in busi-
ness and the other the refusal of en-
ployees in many cases to return to
work at lower wages.
Shipyard workers in the Philadel-
phla district are remaining at their
employment at a 10 per cent reduction
in wages. None of the plants how
ever, is working with full forces.
According to the Chamber of Com
merce OF Philadelphia, the lumber
business and associated branches
have cut wages 10 to 20 per cent;
metal trades, 1412 per cent; tinplate
and it's allied groups, 20 per cent;
cabinetmakers, 1S per cent, and in the
leather fit Is, 25 per cent. Employers
in the building trades have served
notice that the schedule after Nav |
will call for reduction of 1898 per
cent
The Philadelphia Chamber of Com
merce, through it's industrial relations
committee, is waging a vigorous cam
paign for the "open shop"
Few Strikes in Illinois
The M lstrial situation in the Chi
cago dist let and downstate is quiet
several nall strikes that have been
on for lumber of months being the
only active sign of labor dissatisfac-
tion. Labor leaders declare that there
are fewer strikes than usual and that
there are few evidences of new strikes
Tor May /. There is a general feeling
OF fear among the labor leaders, how
ever, that there may be. a number of
lockouts by the manufacturers.
There are no strikes on in West vir-
ginia, but the mining industry lacks
incentive through lack of orders. On
the question of wages, communica-
tion from the industrial bureau stated:
Reports from 40 firms show thirty
three have reduced wages in some
form, either by direct cuts in the hour
rate or by removing bonuses. Seventy
seven report no reduction, although
some state they will be compelled to
do SO, if business conditions do not
improve"
Ninety per cent of the foregoing
firms stated, that the business outlook
for the coming year was "good,' az
cording to the communication, and
predicted that business will begin to
improve within the next thirty to
ninety days.
New Jersey Outlook Bright
From present indications in New
Jersey it would appear that gradual
res unlption of industrial activities may
be anticipated, according to the De-
partment of Labor. Silk manufacture
ers are reemploying some of the opera
tives laid off during the slump. Rub
Der, woolen an handkerchief establish
ments' in the Passaic and Garfield dis
tricts are gradually increasing their
forces
Spring has brought large measure
of Improvement in the textile and shoe
industries in New Hampshire, although
some manufacturers find it necessary
to continue part of the cuftailment that
has kept the plants OH short time
through the winter.
In Manchester, the leading city of
the state, the cotton and worsted mills
have returned to full time schedules,
Under normal operating conditions
10000 are employed in the plants A
strike over a wage scale revision in a
shoe plant affects several hundred but
most Of the other factories of that
company and those of other firms are
working under a nearly normal
schedule.
Except on the part of railroads and
IN the clothing industry in Maryland
there has been no appreciable effort by
employers to bring about a reduction
al wages or hourS. fuOllc PIoJecuS IN
volving the expenditure of some $780,
,000,. for which the appropriation is
available, one expected soon to provide
labor for thousands Of unemployed in
Baltimore. In addition there are pro-
jects for this year Of q semi-pubNc
character, such as churches, schools,
etc, involving an outlay Of $3s, ,000, 900.
Plans are already drawn for good
part Of this work.
The general business situation In
North Carolina is considerably better
than in tho latter part Of last year, and
there are indications OF greater i'm
provement in the early spring.
Vermont Conditions Improve
With few exceptions industrial con-
ditions in Vermont show Improvement.
An exception is the marble industry,