Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-12
LABOR DEMAND
IN GREAT FALLS
REMAINS FIRM
Employment Here Shows Boom
Over Conditions in the
Year 1921.
{Tribune's Washinuton Bureau.l

Washington, Nov. Unemployment
in Great Falls is steady and general
ly improved over q year ago, according
to a department of labor survey Of
every industry in the state. This in
crease is general throughout the state
and country and - Of the IA major in
dustrial groups in the United States
report a decided turn for the better
in the number of men employed.
A summary of employment condition
in four Montana cities taken from the
departments report is as follows:
Great Falls-Employment steady
and greatly improved over d year ago.
Refineries, smelter and other indus
trial plants operating with practically
normal forces. Railroad shops have
increased their forces to a normal ba-
sis. Municipal paving continues under
way. Very little building at present.
Fall harvesting affords continued EN-
ployment for field labor.
Conditions Improve
Butte Unemployment negligible.
Industrial conditions vastly improved.
Copper mines have increased their
forces approximately 45O men within
last 30 days. Small but active build
ing program under way absorbing all
building trades workers.
Observation-Disclosures situation i'm
proved, although now there is a slight
shortage of carpenters, mechanics and
unskilled laborers. Smelter plant at
East Helena added about rs men dur
ing the past month. Municipal paving
and building construction afforded
continued employment for approx
mately 300 men. All plants operating.
Housing adequate.
MISUNDERSTANDING state of en-
ployment prevails, except voluntary
unemployment of railroad shopmen,
due to labor controversy. Employ
ment in railroad a shops improved;
forces about 20 per cent normal. APP
proximiately 1,400 workers employed
in lumber industry, which is operating
about s. per cent full capacity. 4
slight shortage of lumbermen exists.
University buildings under construc-
ton are keeping many craftsmen en-
ployed.
In Montana as a whole employment
conditions are generally better than
for several years. Copper mines in
the Butte district slightly increased
their forces, but two-fifths Of the
mines are still closed. Large mum
bers of metal miners have accepted
employment in the coal mines. Diff
ficulty is being experienced in the
securing of ranch hands. Sugar beet
harvesting under way in many sec
tions.
Considerable Paving
Considerable paving in many cities,
much building construction and mis-
%ceIlaneous projects will continue to at
ford employment to all available labor
as long as the weather permits. RAIL
road construction work in Big Horn
county is employing Il large number of
men. More building underway than
at any time since the war. Many in
stitutional buildings are under con-
struction in many parts of the state.
In a majority of the cities, many
buildings and small business blocks
are being erected, thereby causing a
scarcity of building craftsmen. Coal
mining progressing at top speed but
only q portion of the mines are work
ing. Indications are for an immediate
increase in the logging industry. Some
industrial plants are operating part
time due to a car shortage. Employ
ment in railroad shops is about 80 per
cent normal.
The department of labor has com
niled the figures from a survey of the
major industries u oD' PiiHstp"' ~
dustrial centers throughout the coun-
try. Employment increases were
found in railroad shops. iron and steel,
stone, clay and glass products, chem
zeal and allied products, vehicles for
land transportation, lumber n its
manufacture, metal and metal pro-
ducts, paper and printing, leather, tex,
tiles and foodstuffs. The tobacco and
beverage industries show general I'M
employment among their workers.