The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1923-04-20
TREND OF WAGE SCALE UPWARD
INCREASES IN WAGES BEING ANNOUNCED BY MANY OF LAR
GER INDUSTRIES THROUGHOUT COUNTRY SECRETARY
OF LABOR SEES PERIOD OF PROSPERITY
Workers Are Sharing In EMPLOYMENT
and Purchasing Power Reports Industries Show
Awakening Activity

Widespread reports of additional
wage increases in a score of industries
seem to give strength to the predic-
tion of James j. Davis, secretary of
/ labor, that a period of substantial
prosperity is in store for 1923 if ordi-
nary caution is used by business.
"The trend of the wage scale is up
ward" asserted Mr. Davis in a public
statement. "In the last four months
wage increases have been reported in
virtually all of the 43 industries cover
ed by the bureau of labor statistics.
The outlook seems to justify optimism
SO far as the immediate future is con-
cerned."
With renewed activities in the btu
minous mines, textile and allied indus
tries, Secretary Davis declares, labor
is sharing in the growing prosperity
through increased employment and
purchasing power.
Following on the heels of this opti-
mistic review of industrial conditions,
come reports from many sections of
the country of newly granted wage in
creases to meet the high cost of living
and the prediction in industrial CEN
ters that the tendency toward higher
schedules of pay has not yet run its
course. Many of the wage advances
do not become effective until April
30 yet the buying on the basis of the
increase has swelled sales totals of
retail stores to figures hitherto unpre-
cedented.
From the great textile centers in
New England and the south come re-
ports of wage increases ranging from
10 to 1917 per cent, affecting thou
sands of employees. Fall River and
New Bedford were left virtually alone
as New England centers that have
not joined the movement AS a re-
suit it was indicated that Fall River
manufacturers probably will offer an
increase of 1912 per cent to $4,000
operatives in the III cotton mills
there and any settlement in Fall River
is expected to apply to the $4,000 cot
ton workers in New Bedford
Between $4,000 and $4,000 cotton
mill operatives in Rhode Island al
ready have been granted 121a per
cent increase effective April 80, while
similar results are to be seen among
10000 workers in Norwich, Conn. The
Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
of Manchester, N. H., announces a
12R per cent wage increase to 13, 500
workers, while the Pacific mills at
Lawrence, Mass, have granted SIM
liar scale to 5000 workers effective
April 80. 1t is expected that the
wage increases in New England cot
ton mills will spread until practically
250,000 operatives are benefited
thereby.
Approximately 10000 operatives in
five Passaic, N. j., woolen mills have
been allowed a 10 per cent increase
and other woolen mills in the state are
expected to make announcements
shortly Seven cotton mills in Rock
Hill, S. c., have fallen in line with
10 per cent increases while from the
great North Carolina centers of Fay
etteville and Charlotte are reported
the same increases in wages.
The general upward trend of the
wage scale is not stopping at the tex
tile industries but is penetrating
gradually to others throughout the
country. An increase Of 10 per cent