The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-06
JObLESS IN US.
 STILL INCREASING,
 STATISTICS SHOW
Automobiles, Leather, Textiles and Liquors Only Four h. dustries Showing Recov-
 cries During April
By Associated Press

Washington. May 5.-Unemploymen throughout the country increased four tenths of 1 per cent during April, ac- cording to figures made public to- night by the department of labor.
 A decrease of 7,0S7 workers from the pay rolls of 1,424 firms in 65 princi- pal industrial eenters normally em- ploying 50i or more, or a total of 1600,- 900, was shown by the labor depart rent statistics. since Jannary these firms hsNe let oat almost 5o,oOo etn- ployes. or 2.9 per cent.
 of 5s industrial celters east of the -lississippi 2S showed decreases in em- ploymeuts during April against 2j showing improved conditions. The Pa cific coast the statement said almost tniversaliy lost ground. inactivity in shipbuildlng anu lumberng aceount- irs for much of the reduction
 In the iron and steel industries there was q decrease of employment of S0.- c55, or 7.s per cent, bat automobile manufacturing which showed the piggest gain in employment of all ia- tustries, added s1,9SG workers an in crease Of ea.S per cen for the month.
 Automobile leather textiles, and liquors. .ae foag ln'iustries showing ecover .es, topN on ig.63S workers
 Detroit, Ch.easo. Toledo and Passaic showed the greatest numerical gains in employnlent. but i; the percentage Of gains Denver, Detroit Toledo and l'assaic led in the order named, with Chicago far down in tho list.
 BIGGEST DECREASES
 Ten cities reporting lar5est uecreases in unemployment during April were Johnstown Pa, 2D.9 per cent; Youngs- town, O., lS.4 PittsbRrg, 16.9; Port iand, Ore, lG.I; Seattle. t6.s; St. Paul, l3.7; New Orleans l3.a; Omaha, 1l.S: san Francisco, 1o.s and Chatta- nooga, S.9.
 Cities reporting increases III -em- lioyment during the month of April were: Denver 44.9 per cent; Detroit, -5.s Toledo. 95.1: Passaic. x. J., 1T, Peoria, IL, f3.t: Grand Rapids, Mich, l2.9; Dayton, O., 103; Atlanta SIS: fonkers, \. Y., J.6; and Manchester. \. H., 4.4.
 In the New England district uncnl- pioyment and part time employment Vas reported as general in almost all lines, including steam and electrical transportation. Cotton textiles were said to be operating we'll, but the an rouncement was made that with the arrival Of summer wooden and worsteol mills now operating, l5 per cent of normal would show decreases
 SOME IMPROVEMENT
 Serious unemployment was said to exist in New York New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but gradual improve ment was noted in Ohio, Illinois, Indi- ana, Michigan and Wisconsin, In the last four states price cuts iri products used in construction were hailed as the initial step in building stimulation. Early agricultural activity was a fac tor in the improved conditions in Min nesota, Iowa Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas Better manufacturing business was noted in smaller Nebraskan cities and Jobbing interests were said to be inn proving in south Dakota
 Rel,orts from Delaware, Maryland. District of Columbia, West Virginia. worth Carolina, Georgia and Florida slcwed that damage to fruit crops by irost had seriously affected employ ment prospects of casual workers. snlpDu'Idins and rAlroading were given as slack in Delaware
 FARM WORK ADVANCED
 Unusually good spring eather ad- { valiced sfarm workstAin Virginia. Al ltichmond unemployment continued ir, almost all industrial lines, women workers being particularly hard hit Aeuslna continued acnte. and building htisterlals high priced. At Norfolk unemployment was most prevalent in clerical work and machinists' trades put showed some decrease during April Roanoke reported building as picking up. and employment in trans portation as looking better.
 cotton mills in North Carolina main tain their forces at about the March figures. but at reduced hours
 in south Carolina cotton mills added SSb employees during the month and suffered at most but a 1s per cent force reduction in the mills.
 In Kentucky, Tennessee and Arissis. slrpl the labor situation was showing no improvement, except in lower Mis- sissippi. 4 slight improvement was however, noted in Alabama.
 In Arkansas, Louisiana. Oklahomo 'snd Texas general improvement was sald 10 be everywhere apparent. Build Ing mad increased noticeably and May ican trade was said to be bringing good results.
 snsht improvement was noted far Montana' Idaho, Wyoming. Colorado New Mexico, Utah. Arizona and Ma vslNa, but sluggishness cllara eterized some industries in Washinrton OreI 2on and California.