Evening star., 1923-11-15
MANY FACTORIES
ARE Being MOVED
Eleven Leave One City Be-
cause of Wages and Labor.
Building Menaced.
BY J. C. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The star.
NEW YORK. November 15.-The ola
saying that sit is cheaper TO move
than pay rent" has been AMENDED W
manufacturers in several sections oi
the country.
tThey are following the slogan. II
fs cheaper to move than submit 10
high labor costs and irksome working
conditions" In the last few weeks
eleven shoe manufacturers have ieft
Lynn, Mass. for other cities. "heie
they declare less onerous lapor conoi-
tions prevail. This has left more
than one million feet Of factory moor
space vacant.
Unions Ask Inquiry.
The Lynn local unions of the Anal
Camated Shoe Workers of America
announced today that they had voted
to invite an nvestgiation of condi-
tions in the shoe industry In that CEN
ter by the Massachusetts board or ar,
bitration. This action, which mao
been rejected last week by margin
of one vote. provides that state off,
cials be asked to report on iapor
costs in Lynn as compared with oth-
er shoe centers and on working con-
ditions In general.
mated Shoe Workers has recommend
ed acceptance OF a reduction In wages
of 10 per cent by operatives In oroer
to prevent further migration or man
ufacturers. This has not yet oesn
voted upon but manufacturers point
out that from their viewpoint thefe
are several difficulties facing them In
Lynn more important than the "ase
reduction.
Factors Causing Removals.
In accounting for the removal OF
their plants. the employers assert that
n is impossible for them to compete
with western shoe manufacturers, not
only because of high wages, but on
account of unreasonable union regu-
lations For the last decade. they
say, production had been intermit-
tently checked by strikes called on
slight preteXts. irrespective OF exist
ing agreements between operatives
and employers. The only answer they
have been able to make. they con-
tinue, is to move their plants, JOCK,
stock and barrel. TO cities where a rea-
sonable opportunity exists to do busi-
ness on basis that Will sho"
legitimate profit.
The Lynn locals have been CONSIDER
ing concessions to induce the manu-
facturers to remain for some months
but the most important point yielded
SO far has been agreeuent to work
Saturday mornings. That time now
Is holiday. Lack of strong leader
ship in the unions, is asserted by
some investigators to be responsible
for many of the troubles. This is
supported by the fact that after the
joint meeting asking state investiga-
tion the stitchers met and voted TO
have nothing to do with the state
board. Similar action is expected
from the packers and lasters.
Pick Boston and st. Louis.
A considerable number of shoe
manufacturers who have left Lynn,
Maiden and Haverhill have moved
to Boston. while others have shifted
operations to st: Louis and other mid
west points. Conditions in Boston
are regarded as better because the
five-and-a a halliday week prevails
there and because larger per-
centage of workmen speak English.
manufacturer Of women's cloaks
and coats in Cleveland has announced
that his factory will be removed TO
another city before January l, be-
cause union requirements of the
International Ladies' Garment Work.
possible to compete with New York
manufacturers.
The executives of the firm assert
that under the regulations imposed
on Cleveland manufacturers, woman
workers receive between $50 and $50
n week, while man employees get from
$50 to $40. The most expert work
men. it is added, make as high as 500
weekly, while the lowest paid find $44
. week in their envelopes.
Deny Wages Are Cause.
Representatives of the union deny
vigorously that the wage scale pre-
vents Cleveland manufacturers from
competing on equal terms with east
ern garment makers. They declare
that lack of efficiency within the
Cleveland organizations is respon-
sible.
While prospective builders in this
section cannot well remove elsewhere,
many engaged in the building trades
made 1t plain today that they believed
the determination of the building
trades council here to demand 81
day more January ! would act as a
severe check on construction opera
tionS.
(Canyripht l493N