Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1908 — INDUSTRIES ARE REVIVING. [ARTICLE]

INDUSTRIES ARE REVIVING.

Workers of All Kinds Are Reported in Great Demand. Business throughout the United States, both commercial and industrial, Is reviving, according to Terence V. Powderly, chief of the division of information, bureau of immigration. The division of information was created by Congress as an agency to divert immigration from the larger cities, and find places for the unemplnvp«l nllpn. The functions of the division have been enlarged, Inasmuch as Chief Powderly is endeavoring to provide work for Americans as well as aliens.

From July 1 Inst until early in October 200,000 requests were made upon Chief Powderly to supply various -forms of labor for factory, railroad, farm and industrial enterprises of all descriptions. About the middle of October, when the financial disturbances became achte, many of these applications were canceled, correspondents stating that instead of needing labor they were putting off men, and that everything pointed to a prolonged period of depression. Recently there has been a renewal of the demand for labor. Chief Powderly says that this demand comes from every section of the country; that It calls lor mechanics. ..mill operatives, factory hands, railroad bnillers. and farm laborers. From the agricultural States have come notice that in the spring hundreds of thousands of farm hands will he needed, and that every effort should he made by the government at tills time to see to it that an adequate supply of labor is provided iu the regions where it will be urgently required. “An Investigation .inis developed." said Mr. Powderly. “that, while the unusually large exodus of foreigners during the past few months was the direct result of disturbed financial conditions. it was not due to the closing of mills or factories or cessation iu the progress of public works. The great majority of those who returned to Europe were not turned out of employment They were alarmed by the outlook and decided to go back. Tbe tide will begin to turn enrly in the spring, ami I have no doubt that the increasing demand for labor that our reports Indicate Is at hand will be fully met. by the supply in this country amplified by an enlarged immigration."