The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-15
LABOR IS GOOD IN BIRMINGHAM, REPORT SHOWS Fabricating Plants Run- ming To Capacity In
 District
NEIGHBOR STATES
 HAVE DEPRESSION
All Alabama Reports Elm. ployment We'll Taken
 Care Of

Although a general surplus of labor over demand for 1t prevails throughout the southern states. according to the report of the United States department of labor for the month of May, just issued, the Birmingham district is re- ported to be in good condition, with only slight surplus of labor existing.
 Reductions have been made in the forces of the iron and steel mills, ac' ccrding to the report, but steady opera .tions continue and fabricating plants are rurN,ing about to capacity. Lumber mills reveal a satisfactory employment condition, and no reductions are re- ported from the forces of food and kin dred products.
 The stone, glass and clay products industry, according to the report, shows steady operations with full forces eni' ployed. The enormous building pro gram under way in the district is em- blowing many workmen. There is a steady demand for building craftsmen and road construction labor, the report adds. A large surplus of labor exists, however, in the clerical field, according to the statement.
 Alabama Condition Good
 Alabama as whole shows to adyan; taRe over other states in the south in point of labor conditions.
 Only a slight surplus of labor is seen throughout the entire state. No im- provement is indicated, however, in the textile mills, additional plants having shut down and part time operations curtailed productions prevailing. Forces have been increased on highway con struction, the report says, and large amount of this work Is under way, Farm labor is declared to be more plentiful than usual at this time of the year.
 Shipyards in Mobile continue on part time basis, affecting some 1,50O work CTS. The building tradesmen are fairly well employed in this city on a small construction program:
 Part time operations in some indus. tries in Montgomery and the closing of cotton mill affecting about 300 workers has created a surplus of labor there, according to the report. Build ing construction under way is fairly well employing the supply of building tradesmen and street paving is making some demands on the supply of common labor. A surplus of clerks and general office workers obtains in Montgom- cry.
 Surplus In Anniston
 Slight surplus of labor is revealed by the report in Anniston in the tex tile and cast iron pipe industries, which are on part time operations. Street paving and public improvements are taking care of large number of un- skilled workers.
 Large surpluses of labor are indi- cated for other southern states, 50 per cent of the coal mines of Tennessee being reported idle. Iron and steel operations in Kentucky continue to run at from 80 per cent to 90 per cent capacity.
 A general slackening of industries is reported in Mississippi in most all in- Hustries and slight surplus of labor exists. Textile mills have further re- duced their forces, part time operations are prevalent and some mills closed during the past month. Weather con ditions have been favorable for farm work in Mississippi, the report states, and despite the fact that the lumber mills and other industries have released 6 number of workers scarcity of farm help is reported from many sections.