The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-06
BETTER
EVERYWHERE, SAYS
SECRETARY DAVIS
tBv Associated Press)


WASHINGTON, May employ
ment conditions in the United States
demonstrate that there is widespread
industrial awakening extending from
coast to coast" Secretary Of Labor
Davis declared today In commenting
upon investigations and reports made
by the federal employment service.
Although there are few dark spots
in which considerable unemployment
is yet reported. Mr.. Davis added, the
entire country can be said to have
come out of the depression.
1.-THE farm situation is encouraging"
Mr. Davis said "The demand for
farm help from all sections of the
country is indicative of the optimistic
attitude of the farmer. AS there are
6,448,000 farms in the country, they
will absorb a tremendous amount OF
labor.
More Jobs, Report
New York state reports great de-
crease in unemployment There is 4
revival of business in the New Eng
land states, notwithstanding the sus-
pension of textiles. l am pleased to
advise that reports coming from New
Jersey state that building and contract
operations are now in full swing. They
are encouraging outside workers to
come to their state, especially in the
building lines. Ohio reports increased
activity along all lines. Pennsylvania
is showing a decided improvement in
industry.
There is considerable improvement
in Indiana. The federal director of
Spokane, Wash, under date of April
%, reports labor conditions through
out the state as showing gradual i'm
provement. Farm help is in demand,
with a slight shortage. There is an
increase in building operations. I'm
der date of April 20 the federal direc-
| tor for Kansas reports that weather
conditions are unfavorable, retarding
| industrial upward movement, but that
| the prospects are very encouraging.
Building Activity
! There has been large absorption
of labor in Baltimore, Md. Great
| building activity is going on at that
| point Kentucky has not shown much
change in activity in the past month.
! The west north-central district, com
prising the states of Minnesota, Iowa,
! Missouri, North Dakota, South Dako-
! ia, Nebraska and Kansas, all are en-.
tering upon an era of considerable ac-
tuaI shortage of experienced farm
help"
NEW YORK, May 6.-April broke
all previous records for the amount
of construction started according to
the F. w. Dodge company. There was
an increase in every important class
of construction projects, even in in
dustrial plants which have been the
last group to pick up.
Building contracts in the middle-At
lantic states eastern Pennsylvania
southern New Jersey, Delaware, Mary
land, District of Columbia, Virginia and
the Carolinas) amounted to $48,663,00C
which was an increase of nine percent
lover the preceding month and of 7S
percent over April, 1921.
! Last months total included $20,299,
900 for residences; $9,59S,000 for pub
lice works and utilities; $6,980,000 fol
business buildings, and S6,409,000 fol
educational buildings.
In western Pennsylvania, West Vir
gilia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee
they were $46,478,000. This figure
was % percent greater than that O
the previous month and 10 percen
greater than the total for April l, 1921
; Contracts awarded in the centra
west comprising Illinois, Indiana
Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri
and portions of eastern Kansas ant
Nebraska) were s90.023,000 the larg
est monthly total for this district since
April, 1920 Last months total wa
six percent ahead of the previous
: month and 20 percent ahead of tn,
corresponding month of last year.
In Minnesota, the Dakotas ant
: northern Michigan, building contract
were S71 ,986,000. This total was 2
percent under the preceding montl
and four percent over that of April
1921.