Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-22
CERTAIN LABOR
BECOMING SCARCE
BABSON SEES IMPROVEMENT
IN THE INCREASE OF
EMPLOYMENT

Wellesley Hills, Mass. June 18th
With the news full of strikes threat
ened strikes and labor unrest
Roger w. Babson, statistician today
issued the following statement re-
garding general industrial situation
"Fore some time" said Mr.. Babson
business in the East has been reviv-
ing. Were it not for the textile and
other strikes in New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
business conditions in New England,
New York State, and Pennsylvania
would be very good today. During
the past year, the Central West has
been the weakest spot in the business
situation. The abrupt drop in the
price of grains, live stock, and other
farm products left the agricultural
sections of our country in a very
bad condition You will remember
the Farmers Conference at Washing
ton and various forms Of aid enacted
by Congress and different state legis-
latures
"The rise in agricultural products,
however, which occurred few
months ago, accompanied by the
weather conditions of the past few
weeks, has made the farmers feel
very much better. Reports which
am receiving from corresp ondents
in the west are truly encouraging.
This applies not only to the agricul-
tural districts but also TO the min
ing and lumber business. Even the
automobile industry, which is such
a factor turnout Ohio and Indiana,
is feeling much more encouraged OF
course, the union coal fields are quiet,
but the non-union fields are more
active each week. The cut in
freight rates should help the coal and
lumber business. The demand for
cotton continues strong and the
South is gradually feeling better.
This better feeling thruout the West
and South is reflected by the i'm
provement in the business of the
mail order houses. The customers of
the mail order houses are largely
in the rural districts. This shows
that the farmers have again begun to
buy. This is very gratifying and is
one Of the reasons for the continued
strong stock market.
lowing to the change in the for
eing trade situation and the sale Of
foreign bonds in this country, sterl-
ing exchange is much stronger. Altho
it may be only temporary move
ment, the whole foreign situation
looks better than it has looked for
some time. Private advices tell me
that a settlement is being approach
ed between Germany, England, and
France, regarding the German repa-
rations. If this is so, it should be
distinct impetus to business, both
by causing Europe to buy from this
country and giving this country con-
fidence to loan Europe. Altho no
change has taken place in the Rus
sian situation during the past week,
Yet signs even in Russia are favor
able at the moment. For the first
time in many years, things look en-
coursging in Europe.
"The strike situation in New Eng
land is gradually clearing up. The
strike in Providence is about over
and production in all the mill cities
is gradually increasing. II is be-
lieved that mills will have all the
men they desire after the Fourth of
July. Another factor helping the
mill situation is the fact that many
of the dissatisfied employees are get
ting positions elsewhere There is
considerable demand for common la
Dor today. Many Of the striking
employees from the textile and other
mills have been able to get salts
factory wage in connection with the
building and other trades. Thus
there is very little suffering or hard
ship in these mill cities. The strikes
NAV never be officially declared off
They NAV be ended by the mill owners
securing other employees from the
country districts, who have never be-
fore worked in the mills, and by the
old mill workers getting positions ir
other lines Of activity. The strike
is developing largely into a swapping
Of Jobs. So far as the general wei.
fare of the country is concerned, this
ia as satisfactory as to have the strik-
ers 90 back. The average business
man is primarily interested in having
people employed, and to business as 9
,,hola II makes little difference fol
whom individuals work.