Labor Surplus

According to a statement put out by the U. S. Employment Service, which is a section of the Department of Labor, a surplus of both skilled and unskilled labor made its appearance last month throughout the country, particularly in the larger cities. Its cause was the curtailment in almost all branches of trade last Fall.

No extended period of unemployment, nor any serious labor surplus is anticipated by the Employment Service. While metal industries, machinery, foundries and repair shops are now marking time, and while the railroads laid off many men during December, many lines of business—such as the iron and steel industry, automobile manufacturing and some branches of the textile trade—now possess a better tone.

The current demand is greatest for bricklayers, carpenters, painters, electricians, ship repair men; employment is decreasing in the manufacture of foods, confectionery and sugar refineries. The tobacco and rubber indus-tries are, however, reported to be adding to their payrolls.