The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-09-21
People
Now At Work
In Montana
u i -
Number Greater by 1000
Than i'm February of
This Year.
HEAVY INCREASE IN
SECOND QUARTER

HELENA, Sept. lahore than
1000 Montana men and women now
are employed than were employed
in February, 1889, Barclay Craig
head, chairman of the Unemploy
ment Compensation Commission,
said yesterday
In April, May and June, 1899,
workers in industries subject to
the unemployment compensation
law earned SIS, 09l 100000, payroll
increase of S2,334,000.00 over the
first three months of 1889, and an
increase of over S1,264, 100000 for
the same three months of 1898.
Placements by the commissions
employment officers were 1924 in
the first eight months of 1899 as
compared to 1908 in the same
months of 1888, but placements
were in more permanent and bet
ter paying jobs. The active file of
people seeking positions through
the commission employment of
fees was tai less on August 81,
1899, than on the same date in 1888.
This indicates these people are now
employed
While the commissions first con-
Germ in releasing statistics on bus
mess and employment conditions in
Montana is that they be accurate
and based on facts, Mr. Craighead
said that the present European and
Asiatic wars must be considered
in estimating employment for the
next year in Montana
The employment picture for
Montana is bright he declared.
Copper and zinc rank next to steel
in the manufacture of war mate
rials. The price of copper has al
ready increased and stocks of the
red metal now held may melt quick
~ under a rush of war orders. de-
pending, Of course, on congressional
action on neutrality legislation.
Gold, petroleum, manganese and
coal production in Montana like
wise will be stimulated This sit
4uatlon means more jobs for Mon
tana miners.
1T is said that Montana can mar
ket 100000 cattle and calves without
depicting foundation stock. The
winter feed supply is plentiful and
cheap and will be turned into beef
Montana produced 50-million
bushels of wheat this year and has
l2-million bushel carry over
from 1888.
Fifty cent wheat on the farm
is like Sl00 wages in cities. The
wheat may be sold but at this price
the farmer has no surplus cash
TTln., u
mark the farmer makes purchases
in cities and helps employment
there, farmers working on public
projects return to farm work, leav-
ing Jobs available the railroads. in
place of just hauling wheat to mar
ket, have two way haul in bring
ing manufactured goods and sup
plies back to the state, this in
creases railroad employment and
4 revenue and the railroads spend
more on rolling stock and the main
Htenance Of trackage and equipment
All. these factors contribute toward
Il a bright outlook for employment
and business in Montana.
Mr. Craighead said that men in
formed on the wheat and metal sit
uation are optimistic He sale
though that many fear speculative
prices and do not want wheat tt
advance to the 1928 per bushel fig
ure reached in May, 1917, or cop
per to 60 to the 24.7 per poune
price reached in 1918.
Such high prices reduce con
sumption at home and in foreign
countries; result in fewer and small
er orders and cause piling up o
supplies. Declines in prices thel
may be sharp and cause depres
sions.
In the event of the re-employ
ment Of most Montana workers MI
Craighead said that the Unemploy
ment Compensation Trust Fun
would build up rapidly and woul
: be a real force in maintaining bust
ness through the worker purchas
J ing power in the event of futur
periods Of unemployment.