Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-01

in the employed ranks. The en-
ployment offices distinguish between
strikers and those who are unable 10
assist in finding work where a strike
exists"
ILLINOIS: Concerning Illinois
conditions, President John H. Walker
of the Illinois Federation of Labor
said: There is some slight improve
ment in employment conditions, par
ticularly in the building trades. There
is very little Improvement IN the
basic industries, although some
things indicate the beginning OF
change for the better.
"One thing that complexities the
whole situation and that probably
retards a reduction in the amount OF
unemployment is the continued hos
tility on the part of those organiza-
tions Of employers that are opposed
to organized labor. There is no let
I'D in the so-called open shop cam
paiGn and no indication of let up.
| believe initial interests are DELHI
erately holding money out of produce
tive industry as a means of assist
ing the open shop campaign and
active. l believe in that way the
open shop campaign is directly re-
sponsible for the continuance of a
good deal of unemployment"
George B. Arnold, director of the
Illinois department of labor, said:
employers in all lines are reporting
an increasing demand for labor. The
steady gain in industry, while not
sensational, is marked"
Charles j. Boyd, of Chicago Free
Employment Office, said, The in
crease of February over March was
mostly in miscellaneous industries,
although steel and allied industries
have benefited"
WISCONSIN,: There has been little
labor trouble in Wisconsin except for
paper mill strikes in the northeastern
part of the state. where a wage cut
was refused. The coal strike has not
affected the labor circle of this state,
according to labor officials.
IOWA: Twelve thousand mine
workers in Iowa are on strike, ac-
cording to A. L. Trick, Iowa state
labor commissioner. The coal strike
is the only walkout of consequence.
MINNESOTA: May Day was ex-
pccted to pass quietly with proba-
| bly, parade in Minneapolis, accord
ing to J. ID. Williams, member of the
state industrial commission.
/ NEBRASKA: There has been lit
tie friction this spring between en-
ployers and employees in the build
ing trades, according to J. NJ. Gillian.
manager of the industrial bureau of
| the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
| The wage SCALE" he said, has been
adjusted by the Willingness of skilled
mechanics TO take some reduction in
wages, and contractors have been in
| cllncd to pay wages that would cna-
| bic the mechanics to live comforta-
F! bly,.
The packers have taken back
/ large number of the strikers as rapid
| ~ as positions could be found, though
| certain persons probably never will
be "oinstatcd. The total number Of
| unemployed around the packing
! houses, as revealed by the crowds at
| the gates each morning, does not ex-
! coed $50"
Colorado: The only labor trou-
! bic of consequence in Colorado this
year has been the coal strike, ac
CordinE to Carl de Lochte, deputy
labor commissioner. Reports as to
| the success of the strike differed
widely among interested parties. Of
ficials of the United Mine Workers
| asserted that approximately 1000
union and non-union miners had
quit work April |. and that their
ranks were steadily gaining. Coal
operators disputed this statement.
| The Colorado Fuel &, Iron Company.
| largest producers of the state, de-
| clarcd that production in the two
! largest districts of the company was
restored to normal few DAYS after
the Walkout. Mr.. de Lochte said his
reports showed only about $500 min
CTS idle in the first few weeks of the
strike
WYOMlNG: Seven thousand coal
miners are unemployed in Wyoming
by reason of the strike.
NEW MENICO: Outside Of the
Gallup coal mine field May | was
expected to find peace in all lines OF
labor in New Mexico. In the Colfax
county coal mines, where miners
have been employed only part time.
there has been no attempt to organ
ize the men. Wages in both GalIup
and ColfaX county fields were re-
duccd about one third the first of the
year. Copper miners in the south
western part of the state we're do
scrihcd as anxious to return to work
at wages one third less than formerly
when the mines opened. In Albur-
querque. building contractors were
considering an attempt to reduce
wages on Jan. /, but this plan was
abandoned and there has been no
further discussion of wages.
In Roswell contractors reduced
wages of the carpenters shortly be-
fore the first Of the year. The men
refused to accept work at the re-
duccd figures and many tradesmcn
left the city. Contractors say their
places have been rcfllcd and that
conditions now are normal.
UTAH: The coal strike has had
little effect in Utah, as most of the
miners arc unorganized
NEVADA: Farm wages have been
reduced fifty per cent from their
peak of the last several years. Min
ors' wages arc ten to fifteen per cent
lower; railway wages ten to twenty
per cent lower; wages in general
highway and building work, ton to
thirty per cent lower.
More gallons Of tea per person is
consumed weekly in London hy /