INITIAL CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ARE EASING FOR THE TEXTILE BELT OF NORTHWEST GEORGIA. ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE DALTON AREA HAD THE SMALLEST INCREASE IN NEW CLAIMS. COMMISSIONER MICHAEL THURMOND SAID "FORTUNATELY, LAYOFFS IN THE HARD-HIT DALTON AREA APPEAR TO BE MODERATING."  IN THE LATEST FIGURES FOR JUNE THE LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTS 88,756 WORKERS FILED FIRST-TIME CLAIMS FOR UMEPLOYMENT IN GEORGIA. MOST WERE WORKERS LAID-OFF IN MANUFACTURING, TRADES AND CONSTRUCTION. WQCH