Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-16
INDUSTRIAL SKIES
BRIGHTER IN STATE:
REPORT indicates
Resumption Of Work in Plants
and Building Program
Demands Labor.

Helena, April 15-Improyemant il
general conditions in Montana is seer
In the reopening of some indrstria
plants after a years idleness. the re-
sumption of work at two additional
mines in Butte, the putting on of some
additional railroad crews and q broad
er demand for labor than has prevail
ed for six months, according 10 the
division Of labor and publicity Of the
state department Of agriculture, labor
and industry.
That the income of the average city
family is in better shape than 1t has
been for some months would appear to
be indicated by the increased calls upon
mU\!cIpal free employment offices in
the state during March for women for
day work and for housework. One EN-
ployment office had fifteen women ap-
plicants and placed them all. This
same office had calls for more men
chiefly ranch hands and sheep shearers
than it was able to supply. Figures
from four municipal offices for March
show there were 37S applicants regis
tered of whom Al were placed. There
were Is calls for male help. There
were 81 women registered in March
i y
81 calls for female help.
Cement Plant Reopens
After being closed year. the Three
Forks plant Of the Portland Cement
company resumed operations on 100
per cent basis the first week of April.
Three local freight crews were put on
in March by the Great Northern be-
tween Havre and Wiliiston. daily
freight service replacing a tri-weekly
service. Daily freight service has also
been restored between Butte and Great
Falls.
There will be considerable more
numbering this year than last, James
w. Girard. logging engineer Of the
forestry service states that 80 Of the
81 band mills in western Montana and
northern Idaho will operate this
season, giving employment to 1900
men.
The Northern Pacific has started
crew of 30 men building n power line
for the automatic block signal system
between Garrison and Missoula The
crew is working westward from Gar
rison.
Much Highway Building
When weather conditions permit
out-of-doors work to be prosecuted
lHeEe Will De IL UluTheu Increase OF
activity in all lines in the state. Ap-
proximately two million dollars worth
of building is to be done at state in
stitutions. The program of highway con-
struction includes n miles under old
contracts and 40 miles of new CON
struction under supervision of the
state highway commission. and an
additional 113 miles in forest reserves
under supervision of the forestry SER
vice. The approximate cost is $4,000 |
600 to S5,0Ol.OOO
The Burlington railroad. it is ex-
pected, will build 30 mile branch in /
Big Horn county to the Soap Creek !
oil field. when weather permits. Much |
material has been unloaded at Hardin. /
It is reported the Gilmore & Pitts !
burgh will build a ten mile spur from |
Grant to the coal mines on Medicine
Lodge creek in Beaverhead county.
Wages Reduced
Much miscellaneous building is plan
ned in Montana cities this season.
A wage reduction Of one dollar a day
for all building crafts has been ratified
by the building trades of Butte. Round
up carpenters have reduced their wage
scale from nine dollars to eight dol
lars. /
1t is estimated the coal strike that
began April !. involves $500 miners in
Montana