Payroll data on ice gives Wall Street newfound free time, but a big problem reading the economy

By Saqib Iqbal Ahmed and Suzanne McGee NEW YORK (Reuters) -The release of U.S. jobs data typically has traders and investors glued to their screens at 8:30 am waiting for the all-important numbers. This Friday, however, is giving some a sudden surplus of free time along with the problem of trying to piece together the economic jigsaw puzzle from other sources. With the U.S. government shutting down much of its operations on Wednesday as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, the U.S. Labor Department will suspend economic data releases, including the closely watched monthly employment report, due Friday. Cue an unusual quiet on trading floors and in investment firms. "Friday does have all the makings of a rather long lunch somewhere now