Evening star., 1923-05-05
BONUSES CAUSE
J.. MUCH GROWING
Workers Want Permanent
Pay Increases But Employ
ers Prefer Present Plan.
BY J. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK. May 5.-Bonuses are
the bone of contention over which
employees and employers. especially
those in the building trades are
growing today. Workers in nearly
every. instance are anxious for for
NAL agreements providing for in
creases in pay over the scale which
has been in effect. These agreements
are being vigorously opposed by en-
ployers who offer to meet the in
creased pay demanded by means of
bonuses.
This attitude on the part of en-
plioysrs and employees Is sisnificant
world. Today manufacturers are
rushing output. prices have ad-
Nanced somewhat. profits are piling
up although the margin of gain Is 3
not large. Men are needed and
producers are willing to pay higher
wages than have obtained, provided
the increase is in the form of a bonus
which can be discontinued II sales
fall off and profits begin to disap-
pear. On their part. workers are not
entirely certain how long present in
dustrial activity will continue and
trey are anxious to obtain a hard
aud fast agreement which will as
sure higher wages for at least an
other year and which cannot be dis
continued at the option of the EN-
ployerS.
South Fights Negro Exodus.
The whole southern cotton belt is up
in arms over fresh efforts of northern
employers to lure negro farm lahorers
TO northern industrial operations
With cotton chopping we'll under way
and at time when every available
worker is needed to help cultivate
the crop, the situation of the planters
so far as labor is concerned. has be-
come more acute than at any time
since the war. Dispatches from
Memphis. Chattanooga, Mobile. Macon
and on Mise haxs ef,
the north and west In the last week
Mass meetings have been called for
sessions in every county courthouse
plans to prevent workers from de-
serting the growing crops. and state
officials. chambers of commerce and
other civic organizations throuGhou1
the south are combating the prom
ises made by labor agents of higher
wages elsewhere.
Falling Prices Check Buying.
The falling off in prices for raw cot
ton and cotton goods have had a dis
tinct effect on general retail trade IN
the south and in New England. Silii
however. remains near its nhish point
for the year and finished products have
not begun to reflect the cost of raw ma
terials. The sales of wool, in Texas at
55 cents a pound, the high point of the
year so far have given engagement
TO those growers who are Still hodins
their clips for higher figures.
Furry I'm Sugar Curtnfls Canning.
The effect OF sporadic efforts in many
different sections of the country to force
down the price of sugar by refusal OF
housewives to buy still is uncertain, but
the failure of Gamers and confectionerS
TO enter the market is having decided
effect on the situation
The canned pack of berries in Wash
ington state will be curtailed 40 per
cent below the average because of the
high price of sugar according to a
statement today by D. L. Barnes. man
ager Of the North Pacific Cooperative
Berrygrowers.
While the association has protected
itself by purchasing some sugar at
prices below those now existing. the
canned pack of small berries VIII be
greatly restricted. The surplus viii
be taken care of in sugar packed cold
storage in Seattle. Fresh berries har-
vested this month will be rushed az
fast as possible in refrigerator cars TO
midwest and eastern markets.
Auto Production Nearing Peak.
Signs are not wanting that the
smaller automobile companies. which
have been subsiSting on the over
now business from the leaders in that
industry will have harder shedding
from now on. One or two of these
concerns are planning new designs in
an effort to hold the business which
has come to them. At least dozen
companies are taking up a proposal
to equip their cars with a wheel
brake, and one or two models having
this device Will be on the market
shortly. Even some of the old estab-
l,shsd companies are working out
schemes 10 give the impetus to sales
which they expect to need later in the
yca"
Copyright. 1921