The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-04-29
(By Associated Press.)

Of1ICAGOs April Z9-Generd1 I'M
provement in the industrial situation,
described in several instances as slow
but steady, particularly over conditions
as they existed In the winter months,
was indicated in reports gathered by
the Associated Press from federal,
state, labor and industrial leaders in
many states of the union.
Labor commissioners and other on
Gals in virtually every state from
which reports were received, not only
declared that unemployment had ma
terially been lessened in the last few
months, but nearly all were optimistic
concerning the future, holding that the
opening of seasonable lines Of work,
such as agriculture and road building
construction would help greatly in abb
sorbing the surplus of workers.
While no definite figure on the pres
ent number Of unemployed was avail
able, approximately 100000 persons
were reported idle in sixteen states
from which estimates were received.
Large industrial states such as New
York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts
contributed more than 1,000,000 to this
total. New York leading with an esti-
mated 100000 out of work. The total
population of the sixteen states was in
excess of $4,000, 900.
100000 Unemployed
Samuel Gompers, president OF the
American Federation of Labor, esti-
mated the unemployed at 10000
Miners and other workers on strike
were not included in the state esti-
mated. The miners strike, which
nnion officials estimated as involving
nearly 100000 men, was the largest in
dustrial controversy in progress as
May Day approached, with a consid-
cradle number of workers affected by
textile and stone cutting strikes in
Ehutdowns in New England and in
minor walkouts in other parts of the
country.
In some cities there was declared to
be a demand for skilled workers, al
though the supply Of common labor,
generally was declared to be larger
than the demand. Some state labor
department officials definitely stated
that the unemployment crisis had been
passed in their states and that move
toward normal conditions was in prog
ress. Some localities reported that
conditions already virtually were nor
NAL. but from most of the states re-
porting there was declared to be un-
IAftlly IlICb O1IJ AZ q
few isolated instances, however, was
it declared to be acute, and the gen
eral tenor of the statements was one OF
optimism, particularly with reference
to the future.
Building Activity.
A program of intense building activ.
fly and city and state improvement
work was outlined in reports from
virtually every state, and 1t was eX
pected that many idle workers would
find employment in gigantic con
struction boom which was indicated
from many sources.
Monthly records of building activity
kept by the American contractor since
1914 were broken by the total valua
ton of building permits at leading
cities for March, and the aggregate oil
$262,2S3,254 for 100 cities was believed
by that publication to be the largest
for all time. The number of permits
Issued last month In those cities was
62,444
AS compared with March, 1921, wher
the permits numbered 53,315 and the
valuation amounted to s131, 905, 317
the gain in value was SO percent. New
York established an unprecedented
record of $104,598,548. Chicago's per
mits were the largest in nine years
according to the Illinois Department
of Labor, despite the handicap Of un
settled labor conditions in some build
ing trades. They amounted to $40
$4,000, an increase of $12, 033, 800 owe
March of last year.
Auto Trade Better.
Statements from some of the larg
industrial centers were encouraging
Detroit reported that employment i
the automobile industry was 20 pei
cent of normal. while the general pei
centage of employment was 65 percen
of normal, as compared with 80 PEI
cent year ago.
Reports from Indiana and Ohio 70
low:
Indiana: OF the Is largest cities {
Indiana. more reports conditions Q
unimproved; two report employmer
equal to that of pre-war times, and
only two are conditions giving seriou
concern, according to Evans Woolle
of Indianapolis, regional director fC
Indiana of President Hardings' col
ference on unemployment.
Ohio: Conditions improved 40 pc
cent in last year; placements by en-
ployment offices during first quartz
of 1922 46 percent more than durin
same period last year, according
w J. Biebesheimer, federal directC
of labor.
Mr.. Biebesheimer said a quarter