Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-27

ton OF DdQ peFlOO OIL uucLupiOS-
ment in both the skilled and un- |
skilled branches during the winter of |
1926 and a general depression in |
the cotton and wooden industries. |
Most Of the mills in the latter two
industries have run on short time
schedule at different periods that
has resulted In curtailed payrolls
which has reflected in all lines of
endeavor in the textile centers. This
is especially true in the smaller
towns in which the wooden industry
is the chief, and in some cases, the
only source of employment.
employment in the building
trades was satisfactory up to the
fall Of 1925 when decided slump
was felt which continued late in the
spring of 1926.
data is collected and chart kept
showing employment conditions and
wage changes in four of the larger
industries Of the State, namely, the
cotton, wooden, pulp and paper, and
shoe industries, and the information
thus secured is a very accurate
barometer of conditions in other
lines.
1.-THE following changes have been
noted in the four industries named
above:
THE average wage earned by cot
ton operatives has decreased APP
proximately II per cent. since June,
1928. and the average number of OPP
eratiyes has decreased 10 per cent.
during the same period.
"In the wooden industry a decrease
of 2 per cent. is noted in the aver
age weekly wage since June, 1923,
and decrease of per cent. in the
average number employed.
"The pulp and paper industry
shows 4 per cent. decrease in the
average number employed and de-
crease of &c per cent. in the aver
age weekly wage.
"In the shoe industry, there has
been little change in the basic wage
rate. The average per employe is
practically the same as in 1923.
There has been 4 per cent. in
crease in the average number en-
ployed in this industry.
There has been small increase
In the wage scale of some of the
skilled trades in certain localities
This is noted more especially in the
brick laying trade. A small de-
crease has taken place in the wages
paid common labor during this same
period.
Seasonal Occupations
"The question of seasonal occupa-
tons is one that affects a large
| number of workers in this State as
| there is time each Spring and Fall
whom, owing to the change in occu-
| patton, many men are thrown out
OF work. During these periods there
Is much unemployment and this de-
partment is working with the Fed
| eral Department of Labor in an en-
| deayor to work out some system
whereby this change can be made
| without undue loss Of time to the
worker. If a plan could be worked
out whereby the floating common
laborer could find employment in
road building, construction work and
like employment during the sum-
mer months, and could be moved
| north to the Aroostook county po-
tato fields during the harvest season
! when there Is demand for at least
5000 men, and from there into the
lumber camps for the winter cut
ting, the question of unemployment
in the larger centers during the win
ter months would be answered.
"One of the first steps in this di-
rection Is being taken by establish
ing a free public employment agency
4 In the city of Portland through the
| cooperation of the United States De-
| partment of Labor, the Maine De-
| partment Of Labor and the Maine
Associates. At this agency persons
seeking employment will be listed
and employers of labor can procure
SUI / help as they can use of those
/ registered. This Office Is seeking to
be Of benefit to both employers and
employees in these matters, and re-
| quests the cooperation of both
| groups in order that the service may
be effective and the best results OBJ
| tanned.
I Industrial Relations Satisfactory
! industrial relations between EN-
! ployer and employee have been very
satisfactory. only one strike of any
magnitude having taken place since
/ our last report. A steady improve
ment In sanitary conditions in our
mills and factories Is noted.
| Need State Boiler Code
| Attention is again called to the
matter of State boiler code, call
ing for adequate inspection, and
| governing the construction, instalIa-
ton and use Of steam pressure YES
sells, and it is earnestly hoped that
the incoming Legislature will give
this matter serious consideration.
Definite codes should also be adopt
ed governing the specifications and
installation of elevators and fire es-
capes. The work of this department
| would be made of more benefit to
the citizens of the State if such
codes were adopted"