Evening star., 1922-10-09
BY j. C. ROYLE.


| Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 9.-Expanding
production schedules today are being
balanced against the possible neces-
sity of further wage increases In tho
deliberations Of industrial executives
in every section of the country. Re-
ports from authentic sources show
plainly that there is q country wide
impetus toward expansion in nearly
every basic industry. With few ex-
ceptions. mines. mills and factories
are short of workers to maintain
present output.
The possibility of further advances
in some of the larger industrial plants
is fully recognized, but producers in
most instances have determined to
make some final effort looking toward
relief from labor shortage from the
committee on immigration of Con-
gress before taking definite action to
fill the gaps in their pay rolls by COM
petitive bidding.
Many manufacturers declared today
that wage advances would not solve
the problem, as the general shortage
still would exist. no matter If some
needs at the expense of others. Manu-
facturers are most unwilling to check
expansion of production and are ex-
ceedingly anxious to maintain full
the man who has no job is no buyer,
and that demand must expand, as
well as production, to insure real
prosperity.
All Ranks Of Labor.
The shortage of labor exists in the
ranks of the unskiiled as well as
skilled workers and applies to wom-
en- as we'll as men. Unframed and
unskilled labor at so cents an hour Is
in demand in practically every sec
ton. Women who go out by the
day" to clean, sweep, scrub and wash
readily command so cents an hour in
eastern cities. They are in continual
demand and in scant supply. In this
city Finnish women recently landed
form the main source of supply Tor
such work and many of these can
not speak English.
Manufacturers stated emphatically
today that removal of some of the
immigration restrictions offered the
only satisfactory solution.
Inquiries to manufacturers in wide
ly separated sections indicated today
their plans for the next three months
provide for increases in output and
working forces of from to 20 per
cent above present schedules. Auto
mobile production probably will be
maintained fairly close to the pres
ent pace until after January l.
Steel Mills Push Production.
The steel mills of Pennsylvania Illi-
nois. Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin
count upon showing production from
5 to Is per cent nearer capacity. The
textile plants of New England and
the south are prepared to increase
activities as high as 40 per cent in
some instances although the general
plans contemplate additions far
smaller than that figure.
The metal mines would put Is to 20
per cent larger crews at work II they
could get them. The paper industry
has 100 per cent capacity set as it's
goal this winter and this applies also
TO the makers of machinery, railroad
equipment and electrical supplies.
Shoe factories and hat factories are
booked up for a period that warrants
decided expansion. There are a few
Industries which will curtail and in
which there is no labor shortage
Several thousand cloak makers are
out Of work in this city.
No Idle Freight Cars.
The idle freight car has become nom
existant. At present the fuel situa-
tion is causing little concern. but the
test of transportation facilities will
come with the first snow.
The producers of building materials
are anything but anxious to advance
prices, however much they desire to
push production ahead. They face the
greatest year building construction
has ever known in 1923. They have
the orders on their books and mapy
of them have a fair quantity Of the
goods in their yards. Projects now
are ready for these materials. but II
their shipment is unduly delayed pro-
ducers feel that jam will result after
the turn of the building year which
may tend to shoot prices to unforeseen
levels and check construction dis
aStrOus1y