The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-03-26
INDUSTRY SLOW
COMING BACK
Employment Conditions In
creasing Very Slowly
In Wisconsin.
NOT ANY TOO GOOD


slightly from month to month, but
"the unexpected business recovery has
not yet materialized to any great ex-
tent,"the state industrial commission
reported. Conditions still are not so
good as they were a year ago." said the
commission in summarizing reports
from more than 600 employers.
Factory workers increased 1.8 per
cent in number during February, as
compared with January, the report
stated. The largest factory increases
were three per cent in the metal trades
and 2.7 per cent in woodworking. In
other industries, logging and mining,
with 6.S and 12.1 per cent more work
ers respectively, showed the largest
gains.
Workers engaged in building con-
struction declined 1917 per cent from
January to February and those in
highway construction were 37.3 per
cent fewer. Wholesale and retail trade
showed decreases of 1.9 and Ito per
cent, respectively.
GAS compared with year ago there
are 27 per cent fewer factory employ
es and in logging the number of en-
ployes is 26.4 per cent less" said the
report. Son the other hand, lead and
zinc mining shows an increase of Ill
per cent, although iron mining shows
decline of 1858 per cent. Wholesale
trade shows an increase of 1.9 per
cent and retail trade an increase Of
1.3 per cent"
Conditions in cities where public en-
ployment Offices are operated were
summarized as follows:
Green Bay There is still sur
plus of both skilled and unskilled la
Dor in all trades. Railroad shops and
freight houses are running with re-
duced employment forces. Building
operations are limited to repair jobs
and small buildings. At this time or
ders for farm labor are beginning to
come in and a number of applicants
are placed in permanent positions. In
De Pere, Wis, city within the terri
tory covered by this Office, new pa
per and pulp mill has started opera
ton and new steel foundry is being
contemplated.
La Crosse. There is surplus OF
workers for all industries; two indus
trial plants are operating at from 40 to
SO per cent capacity; the call for farm
hands is low, and conditions generally
are awaiting better conditions expect
ed during April and May.
To date approximately $176,OOO in
paving, water and sewer contracts have
been let while building contracts in the
value of approximately 100000 are in
prospect for spring work, in addition
to road work in IN amount still unde-
termined.
Madison - Factory employment is
steady, several concerns having laid
off a number of workers. Activity in
building lines has not opened to any
extent although indications point to a
very busy season. A surplus of build
ing trades mechanics, machine hands,
handy men and clerical workers exists.
There is already an increased call for
farm hands.
Surplus in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee. The labor situation IS
characterized by large surplus Of
common labor for construction and
building work. A slight shortage for
skilled mechanics for metal working
plants exists. The call is chiefly for
pattern makers and moulders. Con-
struction work on number of large
projects is being started and as new
projects get under way greater en-
ployment opportunities will be offered.
Racine. - There is a surplus of la
Dor for practically all lines of indus
IL. - Ia RI
ing labor, wood workers, rubber work
ers, etc. There is practically nothing
new in construction work at this time.
Superior. A number of workers
are being released from logging camps
and there is a general surplus Of work
eys for practically all local industries.
Wausau. - There exists surplus of
labor of all classifcations, most not
ably of common labor, building trades
mechanics and female factory workers.
While industrial establishments are
operating, many are operating at part
capacity or part time schedules. APP
proximately 500 men are affected by
reduced factory operations.
Men are now returning from lumber
camps and at present there is practi-
cally no employment available for
them. The logging harvest of the past
year is comparatively small and since
there is little snow logging camps are
disseminating operations much earlier
than in former years, lumber jacks re-
turning to the city approximately a
month ahead of the opening of spring
work
There is a surplus of farm labor at
this time but as soon as farmers will
begin to cali for help, construction
work will start in cities and on high
ways and the surplus for farm work
will be taken up by other industries.
Kenosha is not listed among the
cities mentioned above by reason of
the fact that no employment bureau is
the fact that no state employment bu-
reau is located here. A survey made by
the local employment bureau indicates
that Kenosha is much better than the
majority of the state and that indus
try here has kept well to normal dur
ing the month
WATCH FOR OLD CARS.
The Smithsonian Institution, Wash
;.-+n. Il - Fho Iookout for antiouat-