Montana labor news., 1932-06-02
UNEMPLOYMENT IN MONTANA
By STEPHEN ELY.

GENERAL-The employment situation remained practically unchanged
as compared with March. and a large surplus of all classes of labor pre-
vailed. A slight restriction in the volume of coal mining occurred, which
is usual at this season of the year, but the number of men employed re-
NAMED unchanged. A further curtanment of metaiferous mining resulted
in the laying off of additional me at the mines and smeters. Cmtailed
schedules also prevailed in many manufacturing plants. Construction of
teephonecable extensions in some parts of the state provided employment
for a few men. No large building programs were reported. The sheep in
dustry and the planting of spring wheat and sugar be&s gave employment
to a large number of men.
ANACONDAA further reduction occurred in the number of ZEN en-
ployed at the smelling plant while the men retained worked on part-time
soon provide employment for many craftsmen. A large number of skilled
and unskiIed laborers ws apparent.
BLLINGs-curtaIed schedules prevailed practically in all manufactur-
ing plants, including the oil refneries. Demolition of old buildings now
under way to provide ground for the erection of IN addition to the Federal
building gave employment to a few men. The planting of sugar beets
absorbed quite a number of farm workers. A surplus of all classes of
labor obtained.
Observation-Disclosures in the lumber industry remained far below nor
NAL The erection of a school provided employment to some of the building
craftsmen; however, no other large building projects were reported. The
seeding of sugar beets and other farm activities, employed quite a number
of men. A surplus of skilled and mskiled laborers prevailed.
BUTTEA further curtalment in copper production resulted in closing
of several mines and the release of a additional number of miners and
smetermen- A slight reduction in railroad employment also occurred. A
surplus of all classes of labor wa noted. The erection of an addition to
the Federal building gave employment to some of the local craftsmen.
HELENA-Whne some of the gold and silver mines remained closed,
others operated on a restricted basis. The smelling and reduction plants
at East Helena continued operating or a curaled schedule. The erection
o. a post office addition and the extension of telephone cables furnished en-
ployment to a number Of men. A surplus of skilled and unsklled labor
was apparent.
GREAT FALLs-A further reduction vas reported in the number of
employed at the smelling plant. Metal and coal mining activities re-
NAMED far below normal. Restricted schedules obtained in the railroad
shops the flour mills, and other manufacturing establishments. While the
oil refneres still operated On a restricted basis, additional men we're en-
gagged. A general surplus of labor as noted
estimated to be about sloooo.ooo, whereas a municipal plant representing
$2J500OOO investment could do the sam work. By paying the same power
rates as those paid now to the Utah Power and Light Company, Ogden
can pay for its own plant in two and a half years. We estimate that a
municipal plant could furnish Ogden power for $25O0Oo annually and
make money. Today that same power supplied by the Utah Power and
Light Company is costing Ogden s12500O0"
Cites Logan.
The example of Logan, Utah, as cited, where the power rate has been
cut from a maximum of 9 cents per klowatt hour, the rate charged by the
Utah Power and Light Company, to 5 cents, a reduction of 45 per cent.
He told of the example of a wealthy manufacturer in Tacoma, who, owning
$4,000 of power company bonds, fought bitterly the idea of a municipal
plant there, although later he saved $4,000 annually in power bills as
compared with the sam service supplied to his other factory in Spokane
by a privately owned plant.
MI. Todd told of the organization with which he is identified, the Munich
Continued on page four)