The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
EMPLOYMENT
GREATEST IN
MANY MONTHS
Demand For Common Labor
In Many Industries Far More
Than Supply, Survey Of U. S.
Department Of Labor Says
WORK FOR EVERYBODY IN
ALABAMA, REPORT SHOWS
All Industries In Alabama Re-
port Increased Employment
Except Fertilizer Plants.
Scarcity Of Labor In South

WASHINGTON, June 14.-Unem
ployment during the month ended
May 81 dropped to the lowest point
during the last IL months and in
many of the major industries the de-
mand for common and skilled labor
was far greater than the supply, ac-
cording to survey issued today by
the United States department of
labor.
The survey, compiled from figures
furnished by 1,42s OF the larger con-
Germs in the country, reported gain
in employment for May of SO per cent
over the month of April.
A pronounced shortage of farm la
Dor, the report says, is resulting in
the curtailment of agricultural ac-
tivity. The unprecedented migration
of negro help from the south Is caus-
ing considerable worry and hardship
to the farmers.
Industrial employment conditions
are exceedingly bright despite de-
clines in leather manufacturing, lum-
Der manufacturing, tobacco manufac-
turing, railroad repair shops, food
and kindred products and textile
manufactures. Steel companies are
increasing the number of their en-
ployes as rapidly as possible. while
activities in metal mining continue
to expand with steadily increasing
employment.
seasonable curtailment were re-
sponsible for slight falling off in
coal mining employment.
Alabama Prosperous.
Conditions in southern states were
described as follows:
Alabama-A general increase in
employment throughout the state in
all Industries. with the of
fertilizing plants which have made
their usual seasonal reductions.
Every town and city in the state re-
ports an increase with the exception
of one. Iron and Steel coal Mines
lumber. textiles. miscellaneous indus
tries and food and kindred products
reveal substantial increases and
$4,000 of new contracts for high
way construction will call for addi-
Iohal labor. A steadily increasing
building program is employing all
building craftsmen. A shortage of
common labor in the lumber mills and
miners and leaders in coal mining
A scarcity of labor of all classes in
highway construction.
tennessee: A shortage of labor,
particularly farm labor, Is growing
throughout the state. Textiles. mis-
cellaneous industries, food and kin
dred products and paper and print
Ing reveal the heaviest increase in
employment, while poor market and
insufficient car supply has further
reduced employment In coal mining.
Reports indicate a heavy increase in
building construction, which will
further tax the building craftsmen.
A total of s1,00o,000 of highway con-
struction to be placed will very ma
terially increase needs for laborers.
Mississippi Labor Shortage.
mississippi: A shortage of labor on
farms and in lumber mills is felt and
believed to be growing more serious.
Lumber and textile mills report a
decrease in employment.
Kentucky: Unemployment contin-
ues to increase throughout the state.
western Kentucky coal fields re-
turnedd those workers reported out
in April; however, falling market
and inadequate car supply greatly
retarding coal mining. Textile and
lumber mills operating near normal
way construction as many projects
closed for the winter have been
opened. Heavy increased building
operations calling for more labor
than available in the building trades.
Seasonal slackening of the tobacco
industry has let out large numbers
Of workers which have been fully
absorbed in other industries. A
shortage of cabinet makers, skilled
and common labor and farm hands
throughout the state.
Northumberland employment
In this state very good at this time
Metal working concerns averaged
moderate reductions traceable to end
ing Of special work. Lumber mills
show slight temporary curtailments
due to high water. Railroad. shops
show limited gains, with common Ia
f1r II ,iv1ta "a
Large building constructions pro-
gram throughout the state. affording
employment to practically all those
tradesmen. Agricultural work and
public improvements have absorbed
surplus of common labor with a
slight shortage noted.
Coal Mining SLACK.
Administrations conditions
throughout the state are practically
normal with exception of slackness
noted in coal mining industry. Lum-
Der mills, hardly without exception
report full quotas employed on full
time basis. Oil field employment
somewhat declined. though no par
ticular surplus of labor is noted.
Building construction affords steady
employment to those trades with
good prospects for continuance.
Common labor is Increasingly in de-
inant for Agricultural work, railroad
maintenance and public improve
ments. While no r,arked shortage Is
apparent most sections of the state
report a close margin between avail
able supply and present needs.
Georgia = Industrial employment
and general business conditions in
this state are considered to be in
healthy and robust condition with
the outlook for the immediate
months considerably more optimistic
than 1t was year ago. The cotton
mills in this state are running on a
full time basis and reveal increased
employment during the month over
that of April. Shortage of farm la
Dor is beginning to be felt. though
not considered serious at this time.
Florida-Industrisl conditions IN
this state seem to be improving with