The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-05-17
MONTANA FARMERS
PAY LABOR MORE
SURPLUS OF COMMON LABOR
NOW BUT SHORTAGE WILL
OCCUR IN 80 DAYS
Montana Needs Nearly 1000 Labor
ers on Farms and Ranches; Farm
Wages Averaging From $50 to $40
and Keep.

Farm wages have taken an up
ward trend during the last 80 days
in Montana, according to the re-
port of the division of labor of the
department Of agriculture at Hell
ena. With a surplus of common
labor now, the indications r that
this will become q shortage with
in the next 80 days. The primary
industries of the state, with the
exception of oil, upon which its
prosperity depends - agriculture,
mining and logging-are finding
it more difficult to obtain men than
are secondary industries. The re-
port reads:
There are needed in Montana at
the present time 947 additional farm
and livestock hands, 1904 miners,
240 woodsmen, zoe section laborers,
100 common laborers, 120 smelter-
men and 10 cooks, according to re-
ports received the first week of May
by the division of labor of the state
department of agriculture from pri-
vate and public employment offices,
from large employers of labor and
from county agents. In the next 80
days there will be needed, according
to the reports, in addition to the men
wanted at once, 210 common labor
ers, SO smeltermen, geo highway la
borers, 20 section laborers, 80 car
penters, so skinners, more miners
and farmers and some building
craftsmen and building laborers.
"The level of farm wages increas-
ed in April, counties that were Of
$35 to $40 in March, now
offering $40 to $50. Sixty dollars
a month and board, however, appar-
emily will be the top wage Montana
farmers are willing to pay this sea-
son. A repetition of the 1920 COM
petitive scramble at high wages for
farm help, with its disastrous cOnse-
quences to farmers, is unlikely this
season, judging by the reports. I
have advised many ranchmen to go
home and do what they can,' writes
one private employment agent. Those
that have help are paying more
money than the employee can earn.
Another agency says: "A large num-
Der of farmers are cutting down their
lcreage.'
Voluntary Idleness
"The reports show there are a COM
,%aratively large number of men in
'ome districts, chiefly the larger cit
es and towns, who either don't want
o work or are mighty particular
bout what they do and where. There
s work for all of them that want it.
his phase of the situation would be
improved If people would turn a deaf
ar to all appeals for handouts
Reports by cities are as follows:
Butte needs loco skilled miners,
Machine men, timbermen, etc., at
5.25 a day and $3.50 to 81 con-
ract rate; 500 railroad workers at
2.96 a day; 100 ranch hands at
SO, and 100 sheepherders up to $50.
4 the next 80 days 500 highway
'orkers at 81 to $3.50 a day. Sur
lus of common labor.
"Great Falls needs 25 farm hands.
urplus of common labor. Will need
the next 80 days so laborers and
0 section laborers at 81 cents an
our and some concrete laborers and
'rm carpenters.
Helena and East Helena need 20
at s4.20, Is ranch hands
$50, six to 10 sheepherders at SIS,
We lambers up to $50 and four
iners at $3.50. Demand expected
next 80 days for building labor
s and craftsmen, common laborers
81 and some miners at IS. One
port shows surplus Of common
Dor.
"Missoula needs 200 woodsmen at
30 TO SIS a month and board; $50
nch hands at $45 to $50 a month l