Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-02

many cases overtime. A few labor
disputes are in progress. Wooden and
cotton mills increased wages 12a per
cent beginning on May ]. this affect
ing about 100000 workers. Metal and
machinery workers also receive wage
advances.
Threatened interruption to an active
building program in Boston. averted
in April when a 2-year agreement was
signed by master builders and build
ling trade council. Request for wage
increases in the shoe industry in
Brocltton district being arbitrated. In
rest in shoe factories at Iiaverhill and
Lynn are chiefly contests between ri
val unions for control.
There is a possibility of trouble in
t he textile industry where officials of
United Textile Workers of America an
nounce their intention of working for
a further advance in wages and a As
hour week in all New England states
Massa chusetts provides for 4S-hour
Legislation in Maine and New. Hamp-
shire failed at recent Legislative scs-
sions and led to a fllibuster in the
Rhode Island legislature. Wage ad
vance granted in building trades in
many New England municipalities.
Boston Elevated railway employees
have announced their intention of
seeking more pay.
MARYLAND-From Merchants and
Manufacturers Association and federal
la Dor statistieian: A shortage in some
skilled lines of industry and in the
higher grades of unskiled labor. Up
ward climb in general employment is
,,,S I,
a year ago. when between 10000 and
$4,000 workers were seeking employ
ment. The increase in employment is
shown in food and kindred products.
textiles, iron and steel, lumber, paper
and printing, chemicals. stone. Clay
and glass. non-fcrrouS metal tobacco.
vehicles. railroad repair shops. ship
building and hats and caps. With eX-
ception of three. all of these report in
creascs in employment since August ].
1922. Two of the three exceptions are
somewhat off this month on account of
seasonal conditions.
MICHIGAN - From Carl Young.
Commissioner of Labor and Industry:
Normal situation. All unemployment
absorbed. particularly in automobile
trade. Total Michigan earners in 1914
was 41S.304. earning aggregate daily
wage Of $9SG.904. In 1922 Michigan
had 556.975 wage Gamers with aggre-
gate daily wage of S2,5l7,729. The
average individual daily wage in 1914
was $3.45 compared with $5.13 in 1922.
OF the total working in Michigan in
1922. 476.77l were working in factories.
Observation-Disclosures of report of
state employment bureau and farm bu
reau federation:
Increasing demand for unskillcd Ia
how, nd -; ;,-l~;
withstanding late, spring planting. de-
mand for farm la Dor out of proport ion
to supply and not more than one-third
of demand being met. Increased wages
OF $40 month over a year ago has no
effect. backward spring kept men in
lumber camps and when these are re-
ased they will lie available for farms
and somewhat relieve situation.
MISSlSSIPpI-From T. p. Garner.
Commissioner of Commences: Labor
shortage in large cities, particularly
among skilled workers. The farm sup
ply is barely meeting demand.
MISSOURI Reports from labor
leaders: Demands for all classes of
labor have increased but no actual
shortage.
No involuntary unemployment. The
skilled laborers are receiving S1.2o an
hour and plaStcrers $3.50. the highest
wage ever paid them in St. Louis.
Enough building construction is under
way and contracted for to keep build
ing laborers busy for more than year.
MONTANA-Reports from employ
ment agencies: Spring work absorbs
surplus of common labor and sends de-
mand for skilled workers far past point
of possible supply. Butte reports de-
naand for skilled quartz miners; Mis-
n,,Io "A yoJ; re
ging camps. Bricklayers and plaster
ers reported to be getting from 81 to
81 above their scale. Four counties
ask for 400 farm hands.
ADMINISTRATIONS of j. NJ. Gillian,
head of industrial bureau of Omaha
Chamber of Commerce, and N. II.
Stewart. president of the Omaha Build
ing trades council.
Skilled workers situation in Nebras-
ka normal. but a small actual shortage
in Omaha. Union painters. electric
ians and plumbers in Omaha are on
strike, though some are working at in
creased wages given by some contrac-
tors. Surplus of common labor, ex-
cept farm hands. In numerous sec
tions severe shortage of farm labor
noted. Increased building will equal
that of last year, but will probably not
surpass it owing to incTased cost of
building material.
NEVADA-From Frajlk Ingram,
state commissioner Of labor. There is
virtually no unemployment. and there
is sufficient labor 70 supply demand.
Indications. are. however. that there
will be shortage soon. Mr.. Ingram
Indications are. however, that there
will be a shortage soon. Mr.. Ingram
believes there will be a dearth of labor
in both mining and livestock indus
tries. The sheep industry in particu-
lar will be affected, he said, and plans
are now being considered for the i'm
portaticn Of Mexican sheep herders
from other states. Artisans in popu-
lous sections also will be scarce by
reason Of building and other industrial
activities.
NEW JERSEY-From officials of the
state labor department and members of
manufacturers organizations The in
dustrial situation in New Jersey is
constantly improving. Labor depart
ment officials say there is an acute
shortage of unskiiled labor in all in
dustries throughout the state, due
largely to the fact that such labor is Of
the floating type.
Recent pay increases granted the
workers in the textile industry have
tended to increase stability in this line.
The labor situation at present appears
to be steadier than at any time since
1917. Wages are generally tending up
ward, and no strikes or other labor
troubles are expected this year. Most
of the plans are working almost to ca
pacity and a general sense Of satisfac-
ton prevails.
NEW MEXICO-From employment
commission: There is decided inn
provement in general in unemployment
conditions as compared with a year ago.