The daily worker., 1924-02-15
JOBS FEWER IN
new YORK STATE
J REPORT SHOWS
Fall Continuous Over
Three-Month Period


ing to the statement issued today by
Industrial Commissioner Bernard L.
Shientag Of the State Department Of
Labor, employment went down about
one per cent in New York factories
in January. The three successive
decreases in November, December,
and January have now brought the
level Of employment somewhat lower
than it was in January Of last year."
The report noted drop in the
metals, especially the heating appa-
ratus, the railroad equipment facto-
ries, and the railway repair shops
upstate.
"The decline in the metal indus
tries in January was almost two. per
(cent. In addition to the railway
equipment plants, there were small
Ter decreases in some Of the steel
and architectural iron mills and in
cutlery.
"The textile mills went lower in
January. The silk and ribbon mills,
the cotton mills and the knitting mills
all reduced operations. The woolen
mills showed varying tendencies but
there were some large increases.
"a heavy seasonal decrease in the
food manufactures affected chiefly
the candy and cocoa plants. The
canneries and fruit-pressing plants
made further seasonal reductions.
The flour and feed mills and the
meat packing plants were somewhat
more active"
Decline In Capital District.
There were also noted decreases
in employment in paper box facto-
ries and in plants making soaps and
perfumes.
"The Capitol district (Albany,
Troy, Schenectady showed the larg-
est relative decline in employment
of any of the industrial districts Of
the State. 1t was severely affected
by the decrease in the railroad equip
ment factories and in the railway
repair shops. The reduced activity
in the shirt and collar factories also
had its effect, and some of the knit
ting mills went lower. The only
industries to show an upward ten
dency in the Capitol district were
the automobile industry and print
ing.
sin the Buffalo district, also, the
decreases in employment outweighed
the increases but there were some
important gains. The big decrease
came, here also, in the metals be-
cause of the sharp reductions in the
railway equipment factories and the
railway repair shops. The State
Employment Bureau reports many
skilled mechanics and helpers are un-
p employed, and there is a surplus of
unskilled labor.
Reductions in Rochester District.
''In the Rochester district the de-
crease in January was slight, but
employment has been reduced recent
ly in this section. The most inn
portant decrease was in shoes and
that was not general The wood
manufactures went down a little and
the usual seasonal decreases were
evident in the food products group"
Syracuse witnessed some reduc-
ductions in the steel mills, pottery
plants, and food industries. The lat
ter were also less active in the Yon-
kers district. There was little change
in the Utica district.
In New York City employment
reports indicated n sight improve
ment over the preceding month be-
cause of the marked advance in tho
mems and women's clothing indus
tries. There were also seasonal de-
creases in the jewelry, mems neck
wear, women's underwear, furs,
leather bags, and similar industries
in New York City.
"Binghampton was the only up
state district to show an increase in
January. Several Of the factories
making Photographic products and
instruments added more employees"
Decrease In Good Months.
The continued decrease in employ
ment in the last three months, which
are supposed to DO good business
months, is causing much concern TO
J many observers of industry in New
York State. The Empire State has
often been looked upon as an index
to the general trend of business ami
manufacturing thruout the country.
In this light, the three successive
decreases in employment coupled
with the fact that less are today EN-
ployed in New York than there were
in the corresponding period Of last
year before the height Of 1928 pros
pcrity was reached, are especially