The Washington times., 1922-07-10
DEMAND
FOR LABOR DUE
IN WASHINGTON
Optimistic Note Sounded in
Report by u. S. Director
Of Employment.
BY FRANCIS p. DAILY.


Striding vigorously toward indus
trial prosperity, with employment in
creasing throughout the country. the
United States is forging ahead with
the possibility that the labor supply
will not equal the demand.
This Is the optimistic note in the
report Of Francis ]. Jones, director
general Of the United States Employ
ment Service Of the Department Of
Labor.
The increase in employment dur
ing the last month, according to the
Governments latest survey, IL con-
sidered remarkable for the reason
that II Ia made despite unsettled
conditions caused by the coal, cotton
textile and railroad controversies.
Shortage Of Labor.
Throughout the country building
activities are developing to such an
extent that a shortage of skilled
building craftsmen is becoming ap'
parent in many sections. AS con
trasted with the opinion Of six
months ago. a note OF optimism per
vades. practically every industry In
every section OF the land.
In the District OF Columbia, &C
cording to the latest figures avail
able, the unemployment situation
however, has increased somewhat
through the graduation OF high
school and college students who are
seeking work, while the release OF
more than 1000 clerical workers
from the Government service nt the
end OF the fiscal year added TO the
ranks OF the jobless In the Nation
Capital.
With the District Government ex'
pected TO begin It's municipal water
at a cost OF 81 500 ,0O0
within the next month. there will be
a demand for a large number OF
both skilled and unskilled work
men.
The housing shortage in the Dis
trict." says the Government re.
port" is being gradually relieved
through the construction OF dwell
ings and apartments and at unprec'
edented rate.
The situation generally in Mary
land is reported as improved In a
Majority OF industries, stone, clay
and glass products and miscellan'
eous trades, showing the heaviest
increases, while in the lumber
leather and metal products lines
other than iron and steel, there Is
a slight improvement.
HagerstOwn Thrives.
With the exception of the stone
clay and glass products trades
which show a slight increase, the
situation in Baltimore 10 reported
as showing little improvement over
last month. Building construction
in Baltimore Is engaging a large
amount Of skilled craftsmen, while
road building and public improve
ments are absorbing unskilled labor
Industrial conditions are reported
generally improved In Cumberland
with heavy increases In the number
Of workers in the lumber, leather
and misc cellaneous industries. Plant3
in Cumberland are absorbing a large
number OF those workers released
from other lines Of employment
while, of course there is surplus OF
miners on account OF the coal strike
in Western Maryland.
Employment conditions are re
ported almost normal" in FREDERICK
while building construction Is tax
ing care Of the supply OF skilled and
unskilled labor.
The most cheerful report from anJ
one section OF Maryland comes from
Hagerstown where employment is
better than SIS per cent and improv'
ing as fast as factories can be
equipped to handle orders. Large
concerns are working overtime and
two Of them cannot begin to Ill
their orders Diversified industries
have engaged most OF the unem
ployed except railroad shop and re
pair men who are idle through labor
trouble.
Housing conditions in Hagerstowr
are reported as barely adequate
while relief is promised by the build
ing OF many new homes which Is
providing sufficient employment :or
the building trades.
In Virginia Industrial conditions
throughout the State are generally
improved, workers in the textiles
and iron and steel trades showing
the large increases. With the ex
ception OF the leather and tobacco
trades, all other industries reveal
improvement.
Shortage OF Employees.
Building contractors in Richmond
are facing a shortage Of carpenters
bricklayers and common laborers
The plants, however, are takina
care of the surplus of workers ir
other lines, however.
As work advanced on the $4,000,
900 port terminal project ut Norfolk
employment OF skilled labor will HI
largely increased in the Virgins
seaport while several large struc
lures and big municipal pavinl
projects are already under way.
At Roanoke, Lynchburg anC
Petersburg. the industrial situation
is reported as practically normal
the cigarette plants working full
time in most instances"
In West Virginia employment /,
showing strong upward trend, :
the report states. with heavy in
creases made In the lumber, leather
coal mining and miscellaneous in
dY str riea