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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR
BULLETIN
OF THE
BUREAU OF LABOR
No. 81 -M A R C H , 1909
ISSUED EVERY OTHER MONTH
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
19 0 9
CON TEN TS.
Page.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1908:
Introduction................................................... ..........................................195,196
Prices of commodities, 1908 compared with 1907 .................................... 196-204
Prices of commodities, 1908 compared with previous years back to 1890 . 204-210
Prices of commodities, by months, January, 1904, to December, 1 9 0 8 ... 211-216
Influences affecting prices........................................................................ 216,217
Explanation of tables................................................................................ 217-248
Table I.—Wholesale prices of commodities in 1908.................................. 249-299
Table II.—Monthly actual and relative prices of commodities in 1908 and
base prices (average for 1890-1899)........................................................ 300-324
Table III.—Monthly relative prices of commodities in 1908.................... 325-337
Table IV.—Average yearly actual and relative prices of commodities, 1890
to 1908, and base prices (average for 1890-1899)................................... 338-364
Table Y.—Yearly relative prices of commodities, 1890 to 1908................ 365-382
Digest of recent reports of state bureaus of labor statistics:
Kansas—
Twenty-second Annual Report, 1906: Wage-earners—Labor organiza
tions—Strikes and labor difficulties—Manufactures....................... 383,384
Twenty-third Annual Report, 1907: Wage-earners—Labor organiza
tions—Strikes and labor difficulties—Manufactures....................... 384,385
Twenty-fourth Annual Report, 1908: Wage-earners—Labor organiza
tions—Strikes and labor difficulties—Manufactures....................... 385,386
Massachusetts—
Thirty-eighth Annual Report on the Statistics of Labor, 1907: Strikes
and lockouts for the year ending September 30,1906—Strikes and
lockouts for the year ending September 30,1907—Statistics of manu
factures, 1905 and 1906—Free employment offices—Rates of wages
and hours of labor............................................................................ 386-393
Twenty-second Annual Report on the Statistics of Manufactures, 1907. 393-395
Nebraska—Tenth Biennial Report, 1905 and 1906......................................
395
North Dakota—Eighth and Ninth Biennial Reports, 1906: Farm labor—
, Coal mines.............................................................................................. 395,396
Pennsylvania—Annual Report of the Secretary of Internal Affairs, Part
III, Industrial Statistics, 1907: Industrial accidents—General statistics
of manufactures and mining—Iron, steel, and tin-plate production—
Coal mining—Textile industries.......................................................... 396-400
Digest of recent foreign statistical publications:
Belgium: Monographs on the ceramic industries, the manufacture of glass,
the india rubber and asbestos industries, and the construction of machin
ery and electrical apparatus.................................................................. 401-403
France: Report on the material and social conditions surrounding home
work in the making of undergarments and household linen in the city of
Paris....................................................................................................... 403,404
h i
IV
CONTENTS.
Decisions of courts affecting labor:
page.
Decisions under statute law...................................................................... 405-424
Assignment of wages—future earnings—constitutionality of statute
(Mutual Loan Co. v. Martell)......................................................... 405,406
Conspiracy—common law—effect of statutes—elements of offense—
interference with employment—fines of employers—extortion—re
covery (State v. Dalton) .................................................................. 406-410
Employers* liability—railroad companies—acceptance of relief bene
fits—waiver—effect of statute (Goldenstein v. Baltimore and Ohio
R . R. Co.) ..........................................................................................410-415
Employers’ liability—“ railroad hazards”—construction of statute
415
(American Car and Foundry Co. v. Inzer) ..........................................
Employment of children—newspapers as merchandise—constitution
ality of statute (District o f Columbia v. Reider).............................. 436,417
Employment of labor—breach of contract by employee—recovery of
wages earned (Latham v. Barwick).....................................................
418
Mine regulations—sale of powder—commerce (E x parte W illiam s)... 418,419
Payment of wages—weighing coal before screening—freedom of con
tract—equal protection of laws—constitutionality of statute (McLean
v. State) ............................................................... , .........................419-424
Decisions under common law.................................................................... 424-449
Contracts for exclusive redemption of wage checks—restraint of trade—
monopoly—enforcement of contract (Stewart et al. v. Steams 6c Culver
Lumber C o.) ..................................................................................... 424-427
Employers’ liability—excessive damages—incompetence of employees
(Smith v. Chicago, Peoria and St, Louis Ry. C o.) ........................... 427-429
Employers’ liability—release—reliance on advice of company sur
geon—fraud—evidence (St. Louis , Iron Mountain and Southern Ry.
Co. v. Hambright)............................................................................ 429-432
Employers’ liability—safe place to work—sufficient discharge of em
ployer’s duty—acts of service (Broum v. People’s Gaslight C o .)... 432-434
Labor organizations—legality— monopolies—boycotts— conspiracy—
injunction (Lohse Patent Door Co. v. Fuelle e ta l.) ........................ 434-438
Labor organizations—membership—employers of labor—boycott—sec
ondary boycott—conspiracy—injunction—completed acts—inter
ference with employment (J. F . Parkinson Co. v. Building Trades
Council o f Santa Clara County et a l.) ............................................ 438-449
Laws of various States relating to labor, enacted since January 1, 1908......... 450-469
Cumulative index of labor laws and decisions relating thereto....................... 471,472
B U L L E T IN
OF THE
B U R E A U OF LABOR.
No. 81.
WASHINGTON.
March,
1909.
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
INTRODUCTION.
In 1901 the Bureau of Labor collected data relating to the whole
sale prices of the principal staple commodities sold in the United
States for the period from 1890 to 1901, inclusive. The actual prices
for the 12 years and the relative prices computed therefrom were pub
lished in Bulletin No. 39, issued in March, 1902. The purpose of the
investigation was to furnish a continuous record of wholesale prices
and to show the changes in the general price level from year to year.
The investigation thus begun has been continued each year and the
results published in the March issue of the Bulletin to show actual
prices for the year immediately preceding and relative prices for the
period since 1890. The present Bulletin contains actual prices for
1908 and relative prices for the 19 years from 1890 to 1908. In
these reports wholesale prices have been presented for a large number
of carefully selected representative staple articles secured in repre
sentative markets of the United States. That it would be impossible
to secure prices for all articles in all markets is so apparent that the
fact hardly need be stated. In the present report prices are given
for 258 articles.
With few exceptions these articles are of the same description as
those which have been covered in the preceding reports on this sub
ject, though several commodities shown in the data for 1908 were not
included in previous years.
This investigation shows that wholesale prices, considering the 258
commodities as a whole, receded from the high level of 1907, which
was the year of highest prices of the 19-year period covered. The
recession in 1908 carried prices back approximately to the level of
1906, but, with the exception of 1907 only, prices as shown by the 258
articles here considered are higher than in any other year during the
19-year period. The average for the year 1908 was 5.2 per cent
below that for 1907; 0.2 per cent higher than that for 1906; 36.9 per
cent higher than for 1897, the year of lowest prices during the 19-year
195
196
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
period, and 22.8 per cent higher than the average for the 10 years from
1890 to 1899. The decline from the prices shown by the October,
1907, data continued without interruption until August of 1908, with
the exception of a slight advance in July. Prices were at their lowest
point of the year during the month of August, when they were 1.1
per cent below the average for the year 1908 and 7.3 per cent below
the average for October, 1907, the highest point of the 19 years cov
ered. The prices in December show an advance of 1.8 per cent over
the prices in August, the month of lowest average prices during the
year.
PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1908 COMPARED WITH 1907.
Comparing 1908 with 1907, the groups showing the greatest
decrease in prices were metals and implements, lumber and building
materials, and cloths and clothing. Food, etc., was the only important
group of commodities which showed an increase in price.
An examination of the prices of the various articles covered by the
investigation shows that while there was a large average decrease for
the year taken as a wdiole, the decrease in price did not extend to all
groups nor to all commodities. Of the 258 articles for which whole
sale prices were obtained 162 showed a decrease in the average price for
1908 as compared with 1907, 33 showed no change in the average
price for the year, and 63 showed an increase in price. The following
table divides the articles for which prices were secured into nine
groups and shows for each group the number of articles covered, the
per cent of decrease in the average price for 1908 as compared with
that for 1907 for each group as a whole, and the number of articles
that increased or decreased in price.
PER CENT OF DECREASE IN AVERAGE PRICES FOR 1908 AS COMPARED WITH
AVERAGE PRICES FOR 1907, AND NUMBER OF ARTICLES THAT INCREASED OR
DECREASED IN PRICE, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES.
Number of commodities show
ing—
Number Per cent
of com
of
modi decrease
No
ties.
in price. Increase. change
Decrease.
in price.
Group.
Farm products..........................................................
Food, etc....................................................................
Cioths and clothing...................................................
Fuel and lighting......................................................
Metals and implements.............................................
Lumber and building materials................................
Drugs and chemicals.................................................
House furnishing goods.............................................
Miscellaneous.............................................................
20
57
66
13
3§
28
9
14
13
2.9
«2.4
7.7
3.1
12.6
9.4
o .7
3.8
5.7
8
28
4
5
1
5
5
$
4
3
8
2
10
3
2
3
2
12
26
54
6
27
20
2
8
7
All commodities...............................................
258
5.2
63
33
162
a Increase.
From the above table it is seen that when the commodities are
considered by groups, seven of the nine groups showed a decrease
in price in 1908 as compared with 1907. In farm products, taken as
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
197
a whole, there was a decrease in price of 2.9 per cent in 1908 below the
average price for 1907, this decrease being the least of any of the seven
groups showing a decrease. There was a decrease in the price of 12 of
the 20 articles for which prices were obtained. Among the articles for
which prices decreased were hay, sheep, cotton, hogs, and hides. Some
articles that increased in price were corn, tobacco, oats, wheat, and cattle.
Food as a whole increased 2.4 per cent in the average price for
1908 as compared with 1907. In this group, 28 articles increased
in price, 3 showed no change, and 26 decreased in price.
Among the articles showing an increase in price were beans, beef,
flour, meal, sugar, rice, eggs, and fresh vegetables. No change took
place in the price of crackers and in one quotation for loaf bread.
The principal articles showing a decrease in price were butter, coffee,
cheese, pork, mutton, canned peas, canned corn, and canned tomatoes.
One of the varieties of fish showed an increase in the average price for
the year, while other varieties showed a decrease in price.
Of the 66 articles included under cloths and clothing, 54 showed a de
crease in price, 8 showed no change, and 4 showed an increase in price.
In the group as a whole there was an average decrease of 7.7 per cent in
price, the principal decrease being in the prices of cotton goods and silk.
In fuel and lighting as a group there was a decrease in price of
3.1 per cent. Petroleum increased in price, as did also some kinds
of coal; other kinds of coal, and coke, decreased in price.
In the metals and implements group the decrease in the average
price for 1908 below 1907 was 12.6 per cent, being the heaviest
decline in price of any of the seven groups showing a decrease. Of
a total of 38 articles in this group there was a decrease in the price
of 27 articles, including copper, iron, lead, steel billets, nails, tin plate,
etc. Ten articles, including steel rails, did not change in price, and in
only one article, quicksilver, was there an increase in price.
Twenty of the 28 articles included under lumber and building
materials decreased in price in 1908 as compared with 1907. Nearly
all kinds of timber products showed a marked decrease in price, as
did also brick, window glass, tar, turpentine, and plate glass. In
this group as a whole there was a decrease in price of 9.4 per cent;
3 of the articles showed no change, and 5 articles increased in price
in 1908 compared with 1907.
The increase in the average price of drugs and chemicals in 1908 over
1907 was 0.7 per cent, the articles showing the greatest increase in price
being glycerin and alcohol.
Quinine showed a marked decrease in price.
House furnishing goods as a whole decreased 3.8 per cent in price.
The principal decrease in price was in glassware and cutlery. Three
articles did not change in price, while 3 increased in price.
In the miscellaneous group there was a marked decrease in the
prices of jute, rope, rubber, cotton-seed oil, and malt. There was no
change in the price of tobacco, while there was an increase in the
198
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
prices of proof spirits and 3 other articles. Taken together, the group
of miscellaneous articles decreased in price 5.7 per cent. The per
cent of increase or decrease in the average wholesale price for 1908 in
each of the 258 articles as compared with the price for 1907 is shown
on pages 224 to 227.
In addition to the classification into the nine groups named above,
the 258 articles included in the investigation have been divided into
two general groups, designated as raw commodities and manufactured
commodities. Of course exact definitions of these classes can not be
made, but the commodities here designated as raw may be said to be
such as are marketed in their natural state and such as have been
subjected to only a preliminary manufacturing process, thus con
verting them into a marketable condition, but not to a suitable form
for final consumption, while the commodities here designated as
manufactured are such as have been subjected to more than a pre
liminary factory manipulation and in which the manufacturing
labor cost constitutes an important element in the price. In the
group designated as raw are included all farm products, beans,
coffee, eggs, milk, rice, pepper, tea, vegetables, raw silk, wool, coal,
crude petroleum, copper ingots, pig lead, pig iron, bar silver, spelter,
pig tin, brimstone, jute, and rubber—a total of 54 articles. All the
other articles are classed a's manufactured commodities.
As thus grouped it appears that the average wholesale price of raw
commodities for 1908 was 5.9 per cent below that for 1907, and that
the average wholesale price of manufactured commodities for 1908
was 5 per cent below that for 1907.
The following table shows the per cent that the average price for
each month of the year 1908 was above or below the average price for
the year, and in the last column the per cent of increase or decrease of
the average December price above or below the average price for
each preceding month:
COMPARISON OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR EACH MONTH OF 1908 WITH THE AVERAGE
PRICE FOR THE YEAR, AND OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR DECEMBER, 1908, WITH THE
AVERAGE PRICE FOR EACH PRECEDING MONTH OF THE YEAR.
Per cent of
Per cent of
mont
Month.
January...
February..
Marcn.......
April........
May..........
June.........
July..........
August ...
September
October...
November.
December.
(+ ) or de
crease ( - )
in Decem
Above av Below av ber over
erage price erage price each pre
for year.
for year.
ceding
month.
2.4
1.3
X. X
1.0
.7
......
- 1 .7
......
......
0.3
1.1
.9
1.1
.8
- .5
- .3
+ 1.0
+ 1.7
+ 1.6
+ 1.8
+ 1.5
....
.6
.6
- .6
+ 1.2
+ 1.2
199
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
The average for wholesale prices in January, 1908, was 2.4 per cent
above the average price for the year. In this month prices were at
the highest point of the year. Prices declined each month from
February to June, with a slight advance in July, followed by another
decline in August. Prices reached their lowest point of the year in
June and August, being 1.1 per cent below the average for 1908.
Prices advanced again in September and October, remaining the same
during November, and advanced slightly in December to 0.7 per cent
above the average price for the year.
From the figures given in the last column of the table it is seen that
the average of wholesale prices in December, 1908, was 1.7 per cent
below the average in January and 1.8 per cent above the average in
August, the month of lowest prices during the year.
The change that took place in wholesale prices month by month
during 1908 in each of the 9 groups already referred to will be seen
in the following table:
COMPARISON OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR EACH MONTH OF 1908 WITH AVERAGE PRICE
FOR THE YEAR, AND OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR DECEMBER, 1908, WITH AVERAGE
PRICE FOR EACH PRECEDING MONTH OF THE YEAR, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES.
Month.
January.............
February............
March................
April..................
May....................
June...................
July....................
August...............
September.........
October..............
November..........
December..........
Farm products.
Foods, etc.
Per cent of price Per cent
for month— of increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
average average ber as
price for price for compared
each
year.
year. with
preceding
month.
Per cent of price Per cent
for month—
of increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
average average ber as
price for price for compared
with each
year.
year. preceding
month.
0.8
1.4
1.4
.7
.5
.6
.3
1.6
2.5
3.2
.2
.3
+ 4.2
+ 5.0
+ .7
+ .1
+ .2
+ 1.8
+ .9
+ 1.0
+ 1.9
+ 1.0
+ 1.3
0.6
1.1
1.7
1.1
3.2
0.1
.7
.3
2.0
.2
.3
.5
Cloths and clothing.
+ 3.2
+ 3.8
+ 3.5
+ 2.6
+ 5.2
+ 3.4
+ 3.5
+ 3.7
+2.1
+ 1.5
+ 2.1
Per cent of price Per cent
for month— of increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
average average ber as
price for price for compared
each
year.
year. with
preceding
month.
6.1
3.7
2.6
1.4
.6
i
1.9
2.1
2.1
2.3
2.3
1.8
1.1
—6.8
—4.6
—3.6
—2.4
—1.7
+ .8
+ 1.0
+ 1.0
+ 1.2
+ 1.2
+ .7
200
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
COMPARISON OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR EACH MONTH OF 1908 WITH AVERAGE PRICE
FOR THE YEAR, AND OF AVERAGE PRICE FOR DECEMBER, 1908, W ITH AVERAGE
PRICE FOR EACH PRECEDING MONTH OF THE YEAR, BY GROUPS OF COMMODI
TIES—Concluded.
Fuel and lighting.
Per cent of price Per cent
for month—
of in
crease
(+ )o r
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
as
average average ber
com
price
price
pared
for year. for year. with each
preceding
month.
Month.
January.............
February............
March................
April..................
May....................
June...................
July...................
August...............
September..........
October..............
November..........
December..........
2.7
1.3
1.6
1.8
2.3
1.4
1.2
.5
.3
.1
.8
1.3
Drugs and chemicals.
Per cent of
price for
month—
Month.
Above
aver
age
price
for
year.
January__
February..
March........
April..........
May...........
June..........
July...........
August......
September.
October___
November.
December..
0.6
.5
2.1
1.5
.7
.5
Below
aver
age
price
for
year.
0.8
(a )
.2
ao
1.8
.6
.2
Per cent of price
for month—
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
as
average average ber
com
price
price
pared
for year. for year. with each
preceding
month.
1.6
1.0
.4
.4
.3
- 1 .3
(a)
- .3
+&1
+&7
+ 2.7
+ 2.6
+ 1.8
+ 1.6
+ 1.4
+ .5
House furnishing
goods.
+ .6
+a5
+ 2.3
—1.6
- 1 .1
- .3
+ 1.1
+ .6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
.4
.1
0.6
1.1
.7
.6
.5
.2
Per cent of
Per
price for
cent
month—
of in
crease
(+ )o r
de
crease
(- )in
DecemAbove Below
ber as aver aver
age
com age
pared price price
for
for
with
each year. year.
pre
ceding
month.
+ 1.3
— .2
Lumber and building ma
terials.
Metals and implements.
2.5
2.5
2.5
ai
ai
.2
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
(- )in
Above Below Decem
as
average average ber
com
price
price
pared
for year. for year. with each
preceding
month.
- 1 .3
— .8
- .2
- .2
- .1
+ .7
+ 1.4
+ 1.0
+ .8
+ .7
+ .5
4.4
3.8
1.6
2.1
2.3
1.3
.2
.6
1.7
1.0
1.3
0.8
1.2
1.4
2.7
2.3
+ao
All commodities.
Per cent of
Per
price for
cent
month—
of in
crease
(+ )o r
de
crease
( - ) in
DecemAbove Below
ber as aver aver
com age
age
pared price price
with
for
for
each year. year.
pre
ceding
month.
- 4 .5
- 3 .5
- 2 .5
- 2 .9
- 3 .9
- 3 .3
- 3 .6
- 1 .5
- 1 .2
- .9
+ .3
—1.9
—1.3
+ .8
+ .3
+3. 6
+ 5.8
+ 5.8
+ 4.9
+ 4.5
+ 4.0
1.1
&2
&2
2.4
2.0
1.5
.6
2.4
Miscellaneous.
Per cent of
Per
price for
cent
month—
of in
crease
(+ )°r
de
crease
(- )in
DecemAbove Below
ber as aver aver
age
com age
pared price price
with
for
for
each year. year.
pre
ceding
month.
- 5 .6
- 5 .6
- 5 .6
- 5 .6
- 5 .6
- 3 .5
- 3 .2
- .6
— .6
- .6
(a)
Per cent of price
for month—
2.4
1.3
1.1
1.0
.7-
Per
cent
of in
crease
(+ )o r
de
crease
(- )in
Decem
ber as
com
pared
with
each
pre
ceding
month.
—1.7
— .6
— .5
- .3
+ 1.0
+ 1.7
+ 1.6
+1. 8
+ 1.5
+ 1.2
+ 1.2
0.3
1.1
.9
1.1
.8
.6
.6
1
o Same as average price for December.
In January, 1908, the wholesale prices of farm products were 2.5
per cent below the average price for the year, and in February they
were 3.2 per cent below, this being the lowest point of the year.
During the eight months—March, April, May, July, August, October,
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
201
November, and December—prices were above the average for the
year. Prices for June and September were slightly below the average
for the year. The highest point reached during the year was in
December, being 5 per cent above the average price for February.
The movement in prices during the year for each of the articles that
enter into this and the other groups will be found in Table II, pages
300 to 324, or, if desired, the full details of the prices throughout the
year may be found in Table I, pages 249 to 299.
Food commodities as a group reached their lowest price in May and
attained their highest point in December, when they were 3.2 per cent
above the average price for the year.
The increase in price in December as compared with May was 5.2
per cent. Food commodities increased in price each month from
August to October, declined slightly in November, and advanced
again in December. The December price was higher than that of
any other month of the year.
The price of cloths and clothing was above the average for the year
during the first five months ^nd below the average for the other seven
months. From January to July there was a decrease in price each
month. The only months showing an increase in price over the pre
vious month were November and December, when prices advanced
slightly. The January price was 6.1 per cent above the average for
the year and the December price was 6.8 per cent lower than the price
for January.
The fuel and lighting group declined in price each month, with the
exception of March, from January to May. The lowest price of this
group was reached in May, when the price was 2.3 per cent below the
average for the year. From June to December the price advanced
each month, being in December 1.3 per cent above the average price
for the year. The price in December was 3.7 per cent above the price
in May, the month of lowest prices.
The group of metals and implements reached its lowest point of
the year in July, when the price was 1.1 per cent below the average
price for the year. From January to July, with the exception of
April (which remained the same as March), there was a decline in
price each month, while from that time to December the price
advanced slightly each month. The December price was 0.2 per cent
above the average for the year, but 1.3 per cent lower than the price
for January.
The price of lumber and building materials in the month of Jan
uary was 4.4 per cent above the average price for the year. W ith
the exception of a slight advance in April the price declined each
month from January to June, continuing at the same price during
July. From August the price advanced each month until December,
when the price was 2.4 per cent above the average for the year but
was 1.9 per cent lower than the January price.
202
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Drugs and chemicals during the months of February, March, July
to September, and December were above the average price for the
year, but during January, April, May, June, October, and November
the price was below the yearly average. In December the price was
3.5 per cent higher than in May, the month of lowest prices, but 1.6
per cent lower than in July, the month of highest prices for this group
during the year.
House furnishing goods were above the average price for the first
seven months of the year and below the average for the remaining
five months. This group reached the lowest point of the year during
the months of November and December. The price in December was
5.6 per cent lower than the highest price of the year, which prevailed
from January to May.
Miscellaneous articles in January were 2.3 per cent above the aver
age price for the year and 2.7 per cent below the average price for the
year in November. From July to November the average price de
clined each month, advancing slightly in December. With the excep
tion of November the price in December.was lower than during any
other month of the year.
While 1908 was on the whole a year of declining prices, the price
of a number of important articles advanced. Of the 258 articles
included in this report, the prices of 107 articles were at the highest
point during the year in January while only 20 articles attained their
highest price in December.
A few of the articles showing a decline in price from that shown in
the early part of the year are here noted. Barley declined from an
average of $0.9960 in January to $0.6013 in June, this being a decline
of 39.6 per cent. Cotton declined 21.1 per cent from January to
October; hops declined 58.1 per cent from January to September;
mackerel declined 28.6 per cent from January to October; milk de
clined 43.8 per cent from January to June; print cloths declined
27.3 per cent from January to September; coke declined 29.4 per
cent from January to September; Bessemer pig iron declined 17.1 per
cent from January to October; rosin declined 30 per cent from
February to September; cedar shingles declined 17.8 per cent from
January to October; malt declined 39.3 per cent from January to
December; and rope declined 22.8 per cent from January to Decem
ber. The price of 61 articles remained the same throughout the year
1908, and for only 8 articles was the average price for December lower
than for any other month of the year. Attention is directed to a
few of the articles which advanced in price during the year. Choice
to extra steers advanced 32.1 per cent from February to June; corn
advanced 37.7 per cent from February to September; hogs advanced
63 per cent from February to September; wheat advanced 16.7 per
cent from July to December; eggs advanced 141.6 per cent from April
203
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
to December; lard advanced 37.7 per cent from February to Septem
ber; meal advanced 20.3 per cent from January to September; fresh
beef in New York advanced 29.7 per cent from February to June;
smoked hams advanced 35.7 per cent from February to July; ingot
copper advanced 14.5 per cent from March to December; pig lead
advanced 24.3 per cent from January to August; spelter advanced
17.2 per cent from January to December; tar advanced 46.2 per cent
from March to October; jute advanced 30.8 per cent from February
to August; rubber advanced 70.5 per cent from March to December.
The average monthly prices for the several articles are given in
Table II, pages 300 to 324.
The following table shows for both raw and manufactured com
modities, according to the classification already explained, the per
cent that prices in each month in 1908 were above or below the average
prices of the year and the per cent of increase or decrease in December
above or below each preceding month of the year:
COMPARISON OF AVERAGE PRICES OF RAW AND MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES
FOR EACH MONTH OF 1908, WITH THE AVERAGE PRICES FOR THE YEAR, AND OF
AVERAGE PRICES FOR DECEMBER, 1908, WITH THE AVERAGE PRICES FOR EACH
PRECEDING MONTH OF THE YEAR.
Raw commodities.
Month.
January.............
February...........
March................
April..................
May....................
June...................
July
..........
August...............
September
October..............
November..........
December..........
Manufactured commodities.
Per cent of price Per cent Per cent of price
for month—
for month—
of in
crease (+ )
or de
crease (—)
in Decem
Above Below
ber as
Above Below
com average average
average average
price
price
pared
price
price
for
for
with each
for
for
year.
year.
preced year.
year.
ing
month.
0.1
1.3
1.8
5.3
1.0
1.3
.2
1.2
2.5
1.4
.6
.2
+ 6.4
+ 6.7
+ 5.6
+6 6
+8 0
+ 6.8
+ 5.9
+ 5.5
+ 5.3
+ 4.0
+ 3.4
3.2
2.0
1.5
1.5
.2
0.9
1.1
1.4
1.1
1.1
1.1
.6
All commodities.
Per cent Per cent of price
for month—
of in
crease (+ )
or de
crease (—)
in Decem
ber as
Above Below
com average average
price
pared
price
with each
for
for
year.
preced year.
ing
month.
- 3 .6
- 2 .6
- 2 .0
—2.0
- .7
+ .3
+ .5
+ .8
+ .5
+ .5
+ .6
2.4
1.3
1.1
1.0
.7
0.3
1.1
.9
1.1
.8
.6
.6
Per cent
of in
crease (+ )
or de
crease (—)
in Decem
ber as
com
pared
with each
preced
ing
month.
- 1 .7
- .6
— .5
— .3
+ 1.0
+ 1.7
+ 1.6
+ 1.8
+ 1.5
+ 1.2
+ 1.2
- From this table it is seen that there was a greater fluctuation in the
prices of raw commodities during the year than in the prices of manu
factured commodities. In May, the price of raw commodities was
2.5 per cent below the average price for the year, while in December
the price was 5.3 per cent above the average price for the year. In
manufactured commodities, the lowest prices were in August, when
the average was 1.4 per cent below the average price for the year,
while in January the average was 3.2 per cent higher than the average
204
BULLETIN OF T EE BUREAU OF LABOR.
price for the year. Thus, May marked the lowest prices in raw com
modities and August marked the lowest prices in manufactured
commodities, while December marked the highest prices in raw com
modities and January the highest prices in manufactured commodities.
Prices of raw commodities in December averaged 6.4 per cent higher
than in January and 8 per cent higher than in May. The December
prices of manufactured commodities averaged 3.6 per cent lower than
those prevailing in January and 0.8 per cent higher than those which
prevailed in August.
PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1908 COMPARED WITH PREVI
OUS YEARS BACK TO 1890.
Thus far attention has been directed to the changes that took
place in wholesale prices in the year 1908 as compared with 1907 and
the movement of wholesale prices month by month during the year
1908. Attention is now directed to the course of wholesale prices
from year to year since 1890. The following table shows, by relative
prices, the changes in the average wholesale prices of the articles for
which prices were secured from 1890 to 1908, inclusive. The rela
tive price used in this table is simply a percentage. The base on
which the relative price is computed is not the price in any one year,
but the average price for the ten years from 1890 to 1899, inclusive.
The reason for adopting this base is fully explained on pages 228
and 229. Relative prices, such as are here shown, are also sometimes
spoken of as relative'numbers or as index numbers. For explanation
of the method used in computing the relative price of all commodi
ties for each year see pages 231 and 239.
To assist in comparing wholesale prices in 1908 with the prices
each year back to 1890, another column is given in the table showing
the per cent of the increase in prices for 1908 over the prices for each
of the preceding years.
RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND PER CENT OF INCREASE IN
PRICES FOR 1908 OVER PRICES FOR EACH PRECEDING YEAR.
Year.
1890..................................
1891..................................
1892...................................
1893..................................
1894..................................
1895..................................
1896..................................
1897..................................
1898..................................
1899..................................
Relative
price of
all com
modities,
(a)
112.9
111.7
106.1
105.6
96.1
93.6
90.4
89.7
93.4
101.7
Per cent
of increase
in 1908
over each
preceding
year.
8.8
9.9
15.7
16.3
27.8
31.2
35.8
36.9
31.5
20.7
a Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.
Relative
price of
all com
modities.
(«)
Year.
1900..................................
1901..................................
1902..................................
1903..................................
1904..................................
1905..................................
1906..................................
1907..................................
1908..................................
110.5
108.5
112.9
113.6
113.0
115.9
122.5
129.5
122.8
&Decrease.
Percent
of increase
in 1908
over each
preceding
year.
11.1
13.2
8.8
8.1
8.7
6.0
.2
6 5.2
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
205
The relative wholesale prices during the years from 1890 to 1908
set forth in tabular form in the preceding table, are shown also in the
graphic table which follows:
RELATIVE PRICES OP ALL COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908.
[Average price for 1890 to 1899=100.0.]
This table shows that the average wholesale prices declined each
year from 1890 to 1897, or 8 years of constantly falling prices. From
1898 to 1908 has been a period of advancing prices with only 3 of
the 11 years showing a decrease from the prices of the previous year.
These 3 years were 1901,1904, and 1908, the decline of the 1908 prices
from those of 1907 being heavier than the decline in either 1901 or
1904. The lowest year of the 19-year period was 1897 and the high
206
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
est was 1907. The wholesale prices in 1908 were 36.9 per cent higher
than those of 1897 and 5.2 per cent below those of 1907.
The average of wholesale prices of all commodities for 1890 was
112.9 per cent of the average of wholesale prices for the years from
1890 to 1899; in other words, the average of wholesale prices in
1890 was 12.9 per cent higher than the average for the 10-year period
named.
In 1891 relative wholesale prices declined to 111.7; that is, to a
point where the average wholesale price for the year was 11.7 per cent
above the average price for the 10 years from 1890 to 1899.
In 1892 relative wholesale prices dropped to 106.1 and in 1893 to
105.6. In the next year, 1894, wholesale prices fell to 96.1, a point
3.9 below the average price for the 10-year base period. In each of
the three succeeding years wholesale prices declined until in 1897 they
reached 89.7; that is, 10.3 per cent below the average price for the
10-year period. In each of the 3 years next srfficeeding wholesale
prices advanced, in 1900 reaching 110.5. In 1901 wholesale prices
dropped back to 108.5. The next year, however, marked an increase,
prices in 1902 being on an average a restoration of the prices in 1890,
namely, 112.9. In 1903 prices advanced to 113.6. The next year,
1904, showed a slight decline, nearly back to the prices of 1890 and
1902. In 1905 prices advanced to 115.9; in 1906 prices advanced
to 122.5; in 1907 prices advanced again, reaching 129.5, a higher
level than in any other year of the 19 years covered by the investiga
tion. In 1908 prices declined to 122.8 or 22.8 per cent above the
average price for the 10 years from 1890 to 1899.
The last column of the table (page 204) shows that the price in 1908
was 5.2 per cent below the price in 1907, 8.8 per cent above the price
in 1890, and 36.9 per cent above the price in 1897, the year of lowest
average prices within the last 19 years.
The relative prices appearing in this table are based on 251 articles
in 1890 and 1891, on 253 articles in 1892, on 255 articles in 1893, on
256 articles in 1894, on 258 articles from 1906 to 1908, on 259 articles
in 1895,1904, and 1905, on 260 articles in 1896 and from 1899 to 1903,
and on 261 articles in 1897 and 1898.
Having shown the movement in wholesale prices for the period
from 1890 to 1908 in all commodities taken as a whole, a table is
given showing the movement in each of the 9 groups previously
referred to. This table gives for each group the relative prices and
the per cent of increase or, in a few instances, decrease of prices for
1908, as compared with the prices for each preceding year.
20T
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND PER CENT OF INCREASE
IN PRICES FOR 1908 OVER PRICES FOR EACH PRECEDING YEAR, BY GROUPS OF
COMMODITIES.
Farm products.
Year.
1890..........
1891..........
1892..........
1893..........
1894..........
1895..........
1896..........
1897..........
1898..........
1899..........
1900..........
1901..........
1902..........
1903..........
1904..........
1905..........
1906..........
1907..........
1908..........
1890..........
1891..........
1892..........
1893..........
1894..........
1895.
1896..........
1897..........
1898..........
1899..........
1900..........
1901..........
1902..........
1903..........
1904..........
1905..........
1906..........
1907..........
1908..........
Cloths and cloth
ing.
Fuel and light
ing.
Metals and im
plements.
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
of
of
of
of
of
Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase*
tive
tive
in 1908
in 1908
tive
in 1908
in 1908
tive
tive
in 1908
price, (a) over each price.(<*) over each price.(a) over each price. («)' over each price.(®) over each:
preced
preced
preced
preced
preced
ing year.
ing year
ing year.
ing year.
ing year.
110.0
121.5
111.7
107.9
95.9
93.3
78.3
85.2
96.1
100.0
109.5
116.9
130.5
118.8
126.2
124.2
123.6
137.1
133.1
21.0
9.5
19.2
23.4
38.8
42.7
70.0
56.2
38.5
33.1
21.6
13.9
2.0
12.0
5.5
7.2
7.7
6 2.9
Lumber and
building ma
terials.
Year.
Food, etc.
112.4
115.7
103.6
110.2
99.8
94.6
83.8
87.7
94.4
98.3
104.2
105.9
111.3
107.1
107.2
108.7
112.6
117.8
120.6
7.3
4.2
16.4
9.4
20.8
27.5
43.9
37.5
27.8
22.7
15.7
13.9
8.4
12.6
12.5
10.9
7.1
2.4
Drugs and
chemicals.
113.5
111.3
109.0
107.2
96.1
92.7
91.3
91.1
93.4
96.7
106.8
101.0
102.0
106.6
109.8
112.0
120.0
126.7
116.9
3.0
5.0
7.2
9.0
21.6
26.1
28.0
28.3
25.2
20.9
9.5
15.7
14.6
9.7
6.5
4.4
6 2.667.7
House furnishing
goods.
104.7
102.7
101.1
100.0
92.4
98.1
104.3
96.4
95.4
105.0
120.9
119.5
134.3
149.3
132.6
128.8
131.9
135.0
130.8
24.9
27.4
29.4
30.8
41.6
33.3
25.4
35.7
37.1
24.6
8.2
9.5
6 2.6
612.4
61.4
1.6
6 .8
63.1
Miscellaneous.
119.2
111.7
106.0
100.7
90.7
92.0
93.7
86.6
86.4
114.7
120.5
111.9
117.2
117.6
109.6
122.5
135.2
143.4
125.4
5.2r
12.3:
18.3
24.5.
38. a
36. &
33. S
44.»
45.1
9. £
4.1
12.1
7.0’
6 .0
14.4
2.46 7.2
612.6.
All commodities..
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent,
of
of
of
of
of
Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase Rela increase*
tive
in 1908
in 1908
tive
tive
tive
in 1908
in 1908
tive
in 1908
price. («) over each price.(«) over each price.(«) over each price.(«) over each price. (<*) over each,
preced
preced
preced
preced
preced
ing year.
ing year.
ing year.
ing year.
ing year.
111.8
108.4
102.8
101.9
96.3
94.1
93.4
90.4
95.8
105.8
115.7
116.7
118.8
121.4
122.7
127.7
140.1
146.9
133.1
19.1
22.8
29.5
30.6
38.2
41.4
42.5
47.2
38.9
25.8
15.0
14.1
12.0
9.6
8.5
4.2
&5.0
69 .4
110.2
103.6
102.9
100.5
89.8
87.9
92.6
94.4
106.6
111.3
115.7
115.2
114.2
112.6
110.0
109.1
101.2
109.6
110.4
0.2
6.6
7.3
9.9
22.9
25.6
19.2
16.9
3.6
6 .8
6 4.6
6 4.2
63.3
62.0
.4
1.2
9.1
.7
111.1
110.2
106.5
104.9
100.1
96.5
94.0
89.8
92.0
95.1
106.1
110.9
112.2
113.0
111.7
109.1
111.0
118.5
114.0
« Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 2
2.6
3.4
7.0
8.7
13.9
18.1
21.3
26.9
23.9
19.9
7.4
2.8
1.6
.9
2.1
4.5
2.7
63.8
110.3
109.4
106.2
105.9
99.8
94.5
91.4
92.1
92.4
97.7
109.8
107.4
114.1
113.6
111.7
112.8
121.1
127.1
119.9
8.7
9.6
12.9
13.2
20.1
26.9
31.2
30.2
29.8
22.7
9.2
11.6
5.1
5.5
7.3
6.3
61.0
65.7
&Decrease.
112.9
111.7
106.1
105.6
96.1
93.6
90.4
89.7
93.4
101.7
110.5
108.5
112.9
113.6
113.0
115.9
122.5
129.5
122.8
8.8*
9 .0
15.7
16.3
27.8
31.2=
35.8
36.0
31.5
20.7
11.1.
13.2?
8.88 .1
8.7
6 .0
.2 :
65.2:
208
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
In this table the average relative prices of farm products are based
on 16 articles from 1890 to 1907 and on 20 articles in 1908; of food,
etc., on 53 articles from 1890 to 1892 and from 1904 to 1907, 54 from
1893 to 1903 and on 57 in 1908; of cloths and clothing, on 66 in 1908,
on 70 articles in 1890 and 1891, 72 in 1892, 73 in 1893 and 1894, 75
in 1895, 1896, 1906, and 1907, and 76 from 1897 to 1905; of fuel and
lighting, on 13 articles; of metals and implements, on 37 articles
from 1890 to 1893, 38 in 1894 and 1895 and from 1899 to 1908, and
39 from 1896 to 1898; of lumber and building materials, on 26 articles
from 1890 to 1894, 27 from 1895 to 1907 and on 28 in 1908; of drugs
and chemicals, on 9 articles; of house furnishing goods, on 14 articles,
and of miscellaneous, on 13 articles.
A study of the table shows that the group of farm products reached
the lowest average in 1896 and the highest in 1907; that of food,
etc., the lowest in 1896 and the highest in 1908; that of cloths and
clothing, the lowest in 1897 and the highest in 1907; that of fuel
and lighting, the lowest in 1894 and the highest in 1903; that of
metals and implements, the lowest in 1898 and the highest in 1907;
that of lumber and building materials, the lowest in 1897 and the
highest in 1907; that of drugs and chemicals, the lowest in 1895 and
the highest in 1900; that of house furnishing goods, the lowest in
1897 and the highest in 1907, while in the miscellaneous group the
lowest average was reached in 1896 and the highest in 1907. The
average for all commodities combined, as before stated, was lowest
in 1897 and highest in 1907. Of the nine groups, it is seen that one
reached its lowest point in 1894, one in 1895, three in 1896, three in
1897, and one in 1898. The highest point was reached by one group
in 1900, by one in 1903, by six in 1907, and by one group in 1908.
In order to follow the movement in the two great classes—raw
and manufactured commodities—the following table has been pre
pared. The articles included under each of the two groups are indi
cated on page 198.
209
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES OF RAW AND OF MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND
PER CENT OF INCREASE IN PRICES FOR 1908 OVER PRICES FOR EACH PRECEDING
YEAR.
Raw commodities.
Year.
1890...................................................
1891...................................................
1892...................................................
1893...................................................
1894...................................................
1895...................................................
1896...................................................
1897...................................................
1898...................................................
1899...................................................
1900...................................................
1901...................................................
1902...................................................
1903...................................................
1904...................................................
1905...................................................
1906...................................................
1907...................................................
1908...................................................
a
Manufactured com
modities.
All commodities.
Per cent of
Per cent of
Per cent of
in Relative increase in Relative increase in
Relative increase
1908
over
1908
over
1908 over
price. («) each preced price. («) each preced price. («) each
preced
ing year.
ing year.
ing year.
115.0
116.3
107.9
104.4
93.2
91.7
84.0
87.6
94.0
105.9
111.9
111.4
122.4
122.7
119.7
121.2
126.5
133.4
125.5
9.1
7.9
16.3
20.2
34.7
36.9
49.4
43.3
33.5
18.5
12.2
12.7
2.5
2.3
4.8
3.5
6 .8
6 5.9
112.3
110.6
105. 6
105.9
96.8
94.0
91.9
90.1
93.3
100.7
110.2
107.8
110.6
111.5
111.3
114. 6
121.6
128. 6
122.2
8.8
10.5
15.7
15.4
26.2
30.0
33.0
35. 6
31.0
21.4
10.9
13.4
10.5
9.6
9.8
6.6
.5
65.0
112.9
111.7
106.1
105.6
96.1
93.6
90. 4
89.7
93.4
101.7
110.5
108.5
112. 9
113. 6
113.0
115.9
122.5
129.5
122.8
8.8
9.9
15.7
16.3
27.8
31.2
35.8
36.9
31.5
20.7
11.1
13.2
8.8
8.1
8.7
6.0
.2
65.2
Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.
In 1890, when prices in general were high, the relative prices of
raw commodities were higher than those of manufactured commod
ities and remained so until 1893, when prices of raw commodities
declined and those of manufactured commodities were slightly above
the prices of 1892. From 1894 to 1896 there was a marked decline
in both groups, the raw commodities being lower than the manu
factured in each of these years. In 1897 raw commodities advanced
and manufactured declined. From 1898 to 1900 there was a decided
advance in both groups each year, raw commodities advancing to a
higher point than manufactured. In 1901 there was a very slight
decline in raw and-a, more marked decline in manufactured com
modities. In 1902 both raw and manufactured commodities made
a decided advance, raw commodities much the greater, and in 1903
both slightly advanced. In 1904 both raw and manufactured com
modities declined slightly, but in 1905 both raw and manufactured
commodities advanced. In 1906 both raw and manufactured com
modities made a sharp advance, and another advance, equally great,
was made in both groups in 1907, when both raw and manufactured
commodities reached the highest point during the 19 years consid
ered. In 1908 both raw and manufactured commodities declined.
For the 19 years included in this table, with the single exception
of 1893, it will be seen that during the years of high prices raw com
modities were higher than manufactured commodities, and during
the years of low prices, with the exception of 1898, raw commodities
210
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
were lower than manufactured commodities.
in the graphic table which follows:
This is clearly shown
RELATIVE PRICES OF RAW AND MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES
1890 TO 1908.
[Average price for 1890 to 1899=100.0.]
R aw
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . M anufactured
211
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
PRICES OF COMMODITIES, BY MONTHS, JANUARY, 1904,
TO DECEMBER, 1908.
An opportunity is given below to study the movement in prices
in each of the 9 groups before named, month by month for a few
years back, in a table showing the relative prices in each group and
for all commodities for each month from January, 1904, to December,
1908, inclusive:
RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES FOR EACH MONTH, 1904 TO 1908, BY GROUPS.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Date.
Farm Food,
prod etc.
ucts.
Lum
Cloths Fuel Metals ber
and
and
and
and
build
cloth light imple ing
ma
ing.
ing.' ments. terials.
All
Drugs House Mis
ana
fur cella com
chem nishing neous.
modi
icals. goods.
ties.
1904.
January.....................
February..................
March........................
April.........................
May...........................
June..........................
July...........................
August......................
September.................
October.....................
November.................
December..................
120.8
127.2
130.3
129.2
127.6
126.8
125.2
125.3
126.0
125.4
126.4
122.2
106.3
108.3
108.7
107.4
105.2
105.1
105.2
106.3
108.5
107.8
110.2
111.4
110.4
112.1
111.9
111.7
110.9
110.5
108.8
108.6
108.4
108.4
108.3
108.6
143.6
141.9
138.7
130.6
129.1
129.4
127.8
128.2
128.8
129.1
130.8
133.9
108.9
109.0
109.6
111.0
110.6
109.3
108.6
108.3
107.6
107.7
110.7
113.4
123.6
124.4
123.5
123.6
123.9
125.5
124.4
123.6
120.4
119.5
119.4
120.1
111.7
110.4
110.6
111.8
112.3
110.6
109.9
109.6
108.5
108.2
107.7
109.1
111.9
111.5
111.5
111.5
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
110.2
111.2
112.9
112.6
112.7
111.6
112.9
111.6
111.2
111.6
109.7
111.5
113.2
114.4
114.6
114.0
113.2
112.9
112.0
112.0
112.0
111.8
112.7
113.5
Average, 1904..
126.2
107.2
109.8
132.6
109.6
122.7
110.0
111.7
111.7
113.0
January.....................
February...................
March........................
April.........................
May...........................
June..........................
July...........................
August......................
September................
October.....................
November.................
December..................
124.1
125.9
127.1
127.0
125.2
126.2
128.9
125.3
120.4
120.1
119.7
121.8
112.2
113.6
110.3
109.0
104.6
102.7
103.2
105.9
108.3
108.8
110.2
112.1
109.6
108.5
108.7
108.8
109.0
110.1
111.5
113.8
114.5
115.2
116.1
117.1
130.8
132.8
130.5
125.8
124.0
124.4
124.3
125.3
126.5
132.2
134.5
134.7
115.2
119.7
122.6
122.5
122.3
121.2
120.8
122.3
123.2
124.2
126.3
129.3
120.1
121.9
120.7
122.8
124.5
130.7
128.0
131.6
131.9
133.4
134.2
132.1
108.9
109.4
110.0
110.5
109.0
108.8
106.4
108.1
110.0
110.2
109.5
108.8
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
111.2
113.8
114.6
113.9
112.1
112.9
110.6
111.6
111.8
112.5
113.3
115.1
114.0
115.2
114.9
114.6
113.6
114.1
114.3
116.0
116.7
117.6
118.7
119.8
Average, 1905..
124.2
108.7
112.0
128.8
122.5
127.7
109.1
.109.1
112.8
115.9
January.....................
February...................
March........................
April.........................
May...........................
June..........................
July...........................
August......................
September.................
October.....................
November.................
December..................
119.5
118.7
119.4
122.5
124.2
126.2
124.0
122.8
123.8
125.2
126.9
130.0
112.3
112.2
111.7
111.0
109.8
111.1
112.3
113.2
112.4
112.7
115.8
118.2
119.4
119.5
119.6
119.3
119.5
119.4
119.3
119.3
119.7
120.3
121.6
122.2
134.0
131.3
130.9
131.7
129.9
128.6
129.7
131.3
131.9
132.2
134.5
136.5
131.0
131.6
131.5
131.3
132.3
133.2
133.1
133.2
135.4
139.3
143.6
146.9
135.0
138.4
139.6
139.2
140.4
139.8
141.5
139.9
141.0
141.1
141.6
143.3
102.9
101.5
101.2
101.0
100.2
100.3
100.3
101.6
100.9
100.7
100.7
102.9
108.8
108.8
108.8
108.8
108.8
108.8
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.7
115.0
115.0
118.6
118.9
118.1
117.6
121.3
122.2
122.6
123.0
121.4
120.3
123.4
125.8
120.
121.
121.
121.
121.
121.
122.
122.3
122.6
123.5
125.7
127.6
Average, 1906..
123.6
112.6
120.0
131.9
135.2
140.1
101.2
111.0
121.1
122.5
1905.
1906.
[Average price for 1890 to 1899—100.0J
212
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
RELATIVE PRICES OF ALL COMMODITIES, BY MONTHS, 1904 TO 1908.
2 13
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES FOR EACH MONTH, 1904 TO 1908, BY GROUPS—
Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Date.
1907
Farm Food,
prod etc.
ucts.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
Lum Drugs House
Fuel Metals ber
All
and and
Mis com
and
and
fur
build
light imple ing ma chem nishing cella modi
neous.
ing. ments. terials. icals. goods.
ties.
.
January.....................
February..................
March........................
April.........................
May...........................
June..........................
July...........................
August......................
September.................
October.....................
November.................
December..................
129.0
134.6
135.4
136.5
139.9
144.2
140.5
141.0
145.5
144.4
128.9
128.3
117.0
118.2
116.7
113.9
113.8
115.2
114.9
115.3
117.4
123 5
122.8
120.8
123.2
123.9
124.6
125.3
125.9
126.9
128.0
128.3
129.2
128.8
128.2
127.1
135.8
136.6
135.5
132.1
132.6
131.2
132.9
134.1
135.2
139.9
139.9
133.6
147.9
149.1
148.8
148.6
148.8
148.1
146.9
142.7
140.8
135.4
133.3
129.8
145.9
147.3
149.1
150.5
150.4
149.8
149.2
149.0
147.2
144.9
142.2
137.2
102.1
103.5
103.4
105.0
104.8
104.4
108.1
119.1
119.1
116.7
115.8
112.4
115.0
115.0
117.2
117.5
117.5
118.5
119.6
120.5
120.5
120.5
120.2
120.2
126.0
123.8
128.5
128.9
129.5
128.8
130.3
127.5
127.8
129.5
124.3
120.6
127.9
129.0
129.4
129.1
129.6
130.1
130.3
130.2
130.8
131.0
128.9
126.4
Average, 1907..
137.1
117.8
126.7
135.0
143.4
146.9
109.6
118.5
127.1
129.5
January.....................
February..................
March........................
April.........................
M!ay...........................
June..........................
July...........................
August......................
September................
October.....................
November.................
December..................
129.8
128.8
134.2
135.0
134.9
132.8
134.0
133.8
132.7
133.9
133.5
135.2
120.5
119.8
120.2
121.3
118.2
120.3
120.2
120.0
121.9
122.6
121.9
124.4
124.0
121.2
119.9
118.5
117.6
114.7
114.5
114.4
114.2
114.2
114.8
115.6
134.3
132.5
132.9
128.5
127.8
129.0
129.2
130.2
130.4
130.7
131.9
132.5
127.4
126.7
125.9
125.9
125.8
124.8
124.0
124.5
124.7
124.8
125.1
125.7
138.9
138.1
135.2
135.9
131.6
128.8
128.8
129.9
130.4
131.1
132.3
136.3
109.5
111.1
110.9
110.2
107.1
108.4
112.7
112.1
111.2
109.7
110.2
110.9
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
114.5
114.1
111.2
111.2
111.2
110.5
110.5
122.6
121.4
120.1
120.6
121.9
121.1
121.5
118.9
118.5
118.2
116.7
117.1
125.7
124.4
124.2
124.0
122.4
121.5
121.7
121.4
121.8
122.1
122.1
123.6
Average, 1908..
133.1
120.6
116.9
130.8
125.4
133.1
110.4
114.0
119.9
122.8
1908
.
In this table the average relative prices of farm products are based
on 16 articles from 1904 to 1907 and on 20 articles in 1908; of food,
etc., on 53 articles from 1904 to 1907 and on 57 articles in 1908; of
cloths and clothing, on 76 articles in 1904 and 1905, on 75 articles in
1906 and 1907,and on 66 articles in 1908; of fuel and lighting, on 13
articles; of metals and implements, on 38 articles; of lumber and
building materials, on 27 articles from 1904 to 1907, and on 28.articles
in 1908; of drugs and chemicals, on 9 articles; of house furnishing
goods, on 14 articles, and of miscellaneous, on 13 articles. The aver
age relative prices of all commodities are based on 259 articles in 1904
and 1905, and on 258 articles from 1906 to 1908.
The table shows that in the five-year period the group of farm
products reached the lowest average in February, 1906, and the high
est in September, 1907; that of food, etc., the lowest in June, 1905,
and the highest in December, 1908; that of cloths and clothing, the
lowest in November, 1904, and the highest in September, 1907; that
of fuel and lighting, the lowest in May, 1905, and the highest in Janu
ary, 1904; that of metals and implements, the lowest in September,
1904, and the highest in February, 1907; that of lumber and building
214
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
materials, the lowest in November, 1904, and the highest in April,
1907; that of drugs and chemicals, the lowest in May, 1906, and the
highest in August and September, 1907; that of house furnishing
goods, the lowest, January to June, 1906, and the highest in August,
September, and October, 1907; while in the miscellaneous group the
lowest average was reached in November, 1904, and the highest in
July, 1907. It is interesting to see that during the five years the rela
tive price of no single group was as low as the base—that is, the aver
age price for the ten-year period from 1890 to 1899. Farm products
were from 18.7 per cent to 45.5 per cent above base (average price
for the ten-year period, 1890 to 1899); food, etc., from 2.7 per cent
to 24.4 per cent above base; cloths and clothing, from 8.3 per cent to
29.2 per cent above base; fuel and lighting, from 24 per cent to 43.6
per cent above base; metals and implements, from 7.6 per cent to 49.1
per cent above base; lumber and building materials, from 19.4 per
cent to 50.5 per cent above base; drugs and chemicals, from 0.2 per
cent to 19.1 per cent above base; house furnishing goods, from 8.8 per
cent to 20.5 per cent above base; the miscellaneous group, from 9.7
per cent to 30.3 per cent above base; and all commodities combined,
from 11.8 per cent to 31.0 per cent above base. All commodities com
bined reached the lowest average for these years in October, 1904, and
the highest in October, 1907.
The course of prices, by months, during the years 1904 to 1908 as
represented by all commodities is clearly shown in the graphic table
on page 212.
The following table shows the movement in the wholesale prices
of raw commodities and of manufactured commodities month by
month from January, 1904, to December, 1908. A description of the
two classes may be found on page 198.
RELATIVE PRICES OF RAW COMMODITIES, MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES, AND ALL
COMMODITIES, FOR EACH MONTH, 1904 TO 1908.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Date.
1904.
Jannarv................ ...........
February......................................................................................................
March...........................................................................................................
April.............................................................................................................
May...............................................................................................................
June..............................................................................................................
July.......................................................................:......................................
August..........................................................................................................
September....................................................................................................
October.........................................................................................................
November.....................................................................................................
December..... ..............................................................................................
Average. 1904.........
Manufac
Raw
All
tured
commod commod
commod
ities.
ities.
ities.
121.8
123.6
123.2
121.1
119.7
118.5
117.5
118.7
119.1
117.3
120.7
122.1
111.1
112.2
112.5
112.3
111.6
111.5
110.7
110.4
110.3
110.5
110.8
111.5
113.2
114.4
114.6
114.0
113.2
112.9
112.0
112.0
112.0
111.8
112.7
113.5
119.7
111.3
113.0
2 15
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES OF RAW COMMODITIES, MANUFACTURED COMMODITIES, AND
ALL COMMODITIES, FOR EACH MONTH, 1934 TO 1938—Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Date.
Manufac
Raw
All
tured commod
commod commod
ities.
ities.
ities.
1905.
Januarv............................
February......................................................................................................
March./.......................................................................................................
April.............................................................................................................
May..............................................................................................................
June.............................................................................................................
July..............................................................................................................
August.........................................................................................................
September....................................................................................................
October........................................................................................... ............
November....................................................................................................
December____________________ __________________________________
Average, 1905..........
1906.
Januarv............................
February......................................................................................................
March./.......................................................................................................
April.............................................................................................................
May..... ........................................................................................................
June.............................................................................................................
July..............................................................................................................
August.........................................................................................................
September....................................................................................................
October........................................................................................................
November....................................................................................................
December________________________ ______________________________
Average, 1906.........
1907.
Januarv...........................
February...................................................................................................... •
March...........................................................................................................
April.............................................................................................................
May..............................................................................................................
June.............................................................................................................
July..............................................................................................................
August.........................................................................................................
September....................................................................................................
October........................................................................................................
November....................................................................................................
December............................. ................................................... ..................
Average, 1907..........
1908.
Januarv....... ....................
February......................................................................................................
March...........................................................................................................
April.............................................................................................................
May..............................................................................................................
June....... .....................................................................................................
July..............................................................................................................
August.........................................................................................................
September....................................................................................................
October.............................................................................*..........................
November....................................................................................................
D ecem b er________________________________________________________________
Average. 19fl8______
123.0
124.1
122.6
119.6
118.2
117. 4
118. 4
118.4
119.6
122.1
123.8
126.3
111.9
113.1
113.1
113. 4
112.5
113.3
113.3
115.4
116.0
116.6
117.5
118.2
114.0
115 2
114 9
114,6
113.6
114.1
114.3
116.0
116.7
117.6
118.7
119.8
121.2
114.6
115.9
125.5
124.4
123.0
124.7
123.6
124.9
124.9
125.4
126.3
128. 4
132. 4
135.6
119.7
120.3
120.6
120.1
120. 6
120. 9
121 5
121 5
121.8
122. 4
124.1
125.6
120.8
121.1
121 1
121 0
121 2
121 6
122 1
122 3
122 6
123 5
125.7
127.6
126.5
121.6
122.5
134.7
136.1
136.2
133.9
136.0
136.9
134.2
132. 3
132. 8
134.3
128.1
124.2
126.3
127.3
127. 8
128.0
128 0
128.5
129.4
130. 3
130 2
129.1
127.0
127.9
129 0
129.4
129.1
129 6
130 1
130 3
130 2
130 8
131.0
128 9
126.4
133.4
128 6
129.5
124.3
123.9
125.2
124.0
122.4
123.8
124.8
125.3
125.6
127.1
127.8
132.2
126.1
124.7
124.0
124.0
122.4
121.1
120.9
120.5
120.9
120.9
120.8
121.5
125.7
124.4
124 2
124.0
122.4
121.5
121.7
121.4
121.8
122.1
122.1
123.6
125.5
122.2
122.8
129. 7
The price of raw commodities reached the lowest average for these
years in October, 1904, and the highest in June, 1907; manufactured
commodities reached the lowest point in September, 1904, and the
highest in September, 1907. The average price for raw commodities
ranged from 17.3 per cent to 36.9 per cent above the base, while the
216
BULLETIN OP THE BUKEAU OP LABOB.
average for manufactured commodities ranged from 10.3 per cent to
30.3 per cent above the base price.
The course of prices of raw and manufactured commodities from
1904 to 1908 is shown, by months, in the graphic table which follows:
INFLUENCES AFFECTING PRICES.
No attempt has been made in any way to investigate the causes
of the rise and fall of prices. The aim has been to give the prices
as they actually prevailed in the market. The causes are too com
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
217
plex, the relative influence of each too uncertain, in some cases in
volving too many economic questions, to permit their discussion in
connection with the present article. It will be sufficient to enumer
ate some of the influences that cause changes in prices. Such
influences include variations in harvest, which not only contract or
expand the supply and consequently tend to increase or decrease the
price of a commodity, but also decrease or increase, to a greater or less
degree, the purchasing power of such communities as are dependent
in whole or in part upon such commodity; changes in demand due to
changes in fashions, seasons, etc.; legislation altering internal-revenue
taxes, import duties, or bounties; inspection as to purity or adul
teration; use of other articles as substitutes—as, for instance, an
advance in the price of beef will cause an increased consumption of
pork and mutton and, it may be added, a probable increase in the
price of both pork and mutton; improvements in methods of produc
tion which will tend to give either a better article for the same price
or an equal article for a lower price; cheapening of transportation or
handling; speculative manipulation of the supply or of the raw
product; commercial panic or depression; expanding or contracting
credit; overproduction; unusual demand owing to steady employ
ment of consumers; short supply owing to disputes between labor
and capital in industries of limited producing capacity, as in the
anthracite coal industry in 1902; organization or combination of
mills or producers, thus enabling, on the one hand, a greater or
less control of prices or, on the other hand, economies in production
or in transportation charges through the ability to supply the article
from the point of production or manufacture nearest the purchaser.
So far as individual commodities are concerned, no conclusion can
safely be formed as to causes without an examination of the possible
influence of several—in some cases, perhaps all—of these causes.
For example, the various internal-revenue and tariff acts have, in
a marked degree, no doubt affected the prices of proof spirits, of
tobacco, and of sugar. But, on the other hand, they have not been
alone in their influences, and it probably would not in all cases be
accurate to give the change of tax or duty as representing the measure
of a certain and definite influence on the prices of those commodities.
EXPLANATION OF TABLES.
The general statistical tables of this report are five in number,
entitled as follows:
I. —Wholesale prices of commodities in 1908.
II.
—Monthly actual and relative prices of commodities in 1908 and
base prices (average for 1890-1899).
III. —Monthly relative prices of commodities in 1908.
218
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
IY.—Average yearly actual and relative prices of commodities,
1890 to 1908, and base prices (average for 1890-1899).
V*—Yearly relative prices of commodities, 1890 to 1908.
Table I .— Wholesale prices o f commodities in 190 8 , pages 2Jf) to 2 9 9 .—
This table shows in detail the actual prices in 1908, as obtained for the
several commodities embraced by this report. There is not space
within a bulletin article to republish in full the actual prices for all
commodities from 1890 down to 1907. Such prices may be found,
however, in preceding March Bulletins of this Bureau, as follows:
Prices from 1890 to 1901 in Bulletin No. 39.
Prices for 1902 in Bulletin No. 45.
Prices for 1903 in Bulletin No. 51.
Prices for 1904 in Bulletin No. 57.
Prices for 1905 in Bulletin No. 63.
Prices for 1906 in Bulletin No. 69.
Prices for 1907 in Bulletin No. 75.
It is important that the greatest care be exercised in the choice of
commodities in order that a simple average of their relative prices
shall show a general price level. In the present compilation 258 com
modities are shown, and it has been the aim of the Bureau to select
only important and representative articles in each group. The use
of a large number of articles, carefully selected, minimizes the effect
on the general price level of an unusual change in the price of any
one article or of a few articles. I t will be seen that more than one
series of prices have been given in the case of articles of great impor
tance. This has been done for the purpose of giving weight to these
important commodities, no other method of accomplishing this
having been found satisfactory by the Bureau. The same means
have been employed by Mr. Sauerbeck in his English prices, as
explained in Bulletin No. 39, and the approximate accuracy of the
same, as an indication of the variation of prices, has been proved
by various tests based on the amount of production, etc.
Various methods of weighting have been attempted in connection
with compilations of relative prices. One method employed by Euro
pean statisticians is to measure the importance of each commodity by
its annual consumption by the entire nation, the annual consumption
being found by adding to the home production the amount imported
and subtracting the amount exported. The method employed by the
Bureau of Labor in its publication of Retail Prices of Food in the
Eighteenth Annual Report and in Bulletins 59, 65, 71, and 77, con
sisted in giving to the various articles of food an importance based
upon their average consumption in normal families. While it was
possible to determine the relative importance as far as the consump
tion of food is concerned, there are, of course, many commodities the
importance of which can not be measured by this method. The
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
219
of securing even approximately accurate figures for
annual consumption in the United States of the commodities included
in this compilation renders this method unavailable for the Bureau.
It has been thought best in the present series of index numbers,
after a careful consideration of all methods of weighting, to use simply
a large number of representative staple articles, selecting them in
such a manner as to make them, to a large extent, weight themselves.
Upon a casual examination it may seem that by this method a com
paratively unimportant commodity—such, for instance, as tea—has
been given the same weight or importance as one of the more impor
tant commodities, such as wheat. A closer examination, however,
discloses the fact that tea enters into no other commodity under con
sideration, while wheat is not only quoted as the raw material, but
enters into the two descriptions of wheat flour, the two descriptions
of crackers, and the three descriptions of loaf bread.
In securing these prices an effort has been made to include staple
commodities only. In a number of instances it was found possible
to continue prices for the same commodities that were included in the
Report on Wholesale Prices, Wages, and Transportation, submitted
by Mr. Aldrich from the Senate Committee on Finance, March 3,1893Many articles which were included in that report are no longer manu*'
factured, or, if stiff manufactured, have ceased to be important
factors in the market. On the other hand, a number of articles not
shown in that report have become of such importance as to render
necessary their inclusion in any study of the course of prices.
Although in the case of commodities of great importance more than
one series of quotations have been used, in no case has an article of a
particular description been represented by more than one series of
quotations from the same market. For this reason the terms “ series
of quotations” and “ commodities” have been used interchangeably
in this report.
In the record of prices for the nineteen years from 1890 to 1908,
237 iseries of quotations have been secured for the entire period and
an additional 24 for some portion of the period. No quotations are
shown for imported tin plate since 1898; none are shown for Ashton’s
salt since 1903; none are shown for beaver overcoatings since 1905;
and none are shown for sun-dried apples, nutmegs, cotton and wool
blankets, split boots, men’s 84-needle hose, linen thread, all-wool
chinchilla overcoatings, shawls, Atlantic brown sheetings, Hope
bleached sheetings, and indigo 16-ounce suitings in 1908. Quota
tions for horses, mules, live poultry, tobacco, canned corn, canned
peas, canned tomatoes, fresh beef (Chicago), dressed poultry, cab
bage, and yellow-pine flooring are shown for the first time in 1908.
In all there are 258 series of quotations for the year 1908.
im p o s s i b il it y
220
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
Material changes in the description of 3 articles were made in 1902,
of 2 articles in 1903, of 1 article in 1904, of 5 articles in 1905, of 7
articles in 1906, of 3 articles in 1907, and of 19 articles in 1908. For
7 of these articles the trade journals no longer supply satisfactory
quotations, the manufacture of the particular grades of 10 previously
quoted has been discontinued by the establishments heretofore fur
nishing quotations, and for 23 articles the substituted descriptions
more nearly represent the present demands of the trade.
In making these substitutions, with few exceptions articles were
supplied corresponding as closely as possible to those which were
previously used.
The prices quoted in eveiy instance are wholesale prices. Whole
sale prices have invariably been used in compilations which have been
made for the purpose of showing changes in the general price level of
all commodities. They are more sensitive than retail prices and more
quickly reflect changes in conditions, and, too, it is much more diffi
cult to follow the changes in quality of commodities quoted in retail
prices than in wholesale prices. Retail prices usually follow the
wholesale, but not always in the same proportion. The margin
between them in the case of some commodities is so great that slight
changes in the wholesale price do not affect the retail price. Changes
in-the wholesale price, which last for a short time only, do not usually
result in corresponding changes in the retail price.
The net cash prices are shown for textiles and all articles whose list
prices are subject to large and varying discounts. In the case of a
number of articles, such as white pine, nails, etc., however, whose
prices are subject to a small discount for cash, no deduction has been
made.
The prices have been collected from the best available sources, such
as standard trade journals, officials of boards of trade, chambers of
commerce, and produce exchanges, and leading manufacturers or
their selling agents.
The prices quoted are usually the prices in the New York market,
except for such articles as have their primary market in some other
locality. For grains, live stock, etc., for example, Chicago prices are
quoted; for fish, except salmon, Boston prices; for tar, Wilmington,
N. C., prices; for Elgin creamery butter, Elgin, 111., prices, etc. The
prices for textiles are the prices in the general distributing markets,
such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia; and where no market
is mentioned in the prefatory note to Table I it should be understood
that the prices are for the general market.
The following table shows the different markets and the number of
articles quoted for each market:
221
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
NUMBER OF COMMODITIES OR SERIES OF QUOTATIONS IN 1908, CLASSIFIED BY
MARKETS FOR WHICH SECURED.
Market.
Lum Drugs House
Cloths Fuel Metals ber
Farm
and ana
Mis
and
and and im build
fur cella
prod Food,
Total.
light ple ing ma chem nishing neous.
ucts. etc. cloth
ing.
ing. ments. terials. icals. goods.
New York...........................
Chicago...............................
Factory, mine, wells, etc...
Pittsburg............................
Philadelphia.......................
Boston................................
Trenton, N. J .....................
Cincinnati...........................
Eastern markets (Balt.,
Boston, N. Y., Phila.)___
East St. Louis, 111...............
Elgin, 111.............................
La Salle, 111........................
Louisville, K y....................
Peoria, 111...........................
Washington, D. C...............
Wilmington, N. C...............
General market..................
3
15
Total.........................
20
46
6
2
9
3
1
9
6
12
3
2
'
1
1
1
1
1
62
66
2
13
38
1
28
2
9
14
131
23
10
7
4
3
3
3
1
2
57
23
1
3
4
3
1
21
1
1
13
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
66
258
As regards the description of the commodity it should be stated
that the greatest care has been taken to secure prices throughout the
.period from 1890 to 1908 for a commodity of precisely the same
description. Changes in quality are, of course, reflected in prices,
and for this reason note has been made of any important changes
which have occurred. In the case of certain commodities, such as
butter, eggs, etc., prices for the best quality have been taken in
order to avoid frequent changes in grade. It should also be stated
in this connection that in the case of commodities for which prices
were secured from the Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter the lowest
quotations were taken where a range of prices was found, because
of the fact that in that publication these represent the prices of
large lots, while the high quotations represent the prices of smaller lots.
Weekly quotations have been secured in the case of all articles
which are subject to frequent fluctuations in price, such as butter,
cheese, eggs, grain, live stock, meats, etc. In the case of articles
whose prices are more stable, monthly or yearly quotations have
been taken. The following table shows the number of series of
weekly, monthly, and yearly price quotations:
NUMBER OF COMMODITIES OR SERIES OF QUOTATIONS, CLASSIFIED AS TO THEIR
FREQUENCY OF QUOTATION IN 1908.
Frequency of quotation.
Lum Drugs House
Fuel Metals ber
and and
Farm Food, Cloths
Mis
and
fur cella
and and im build
prod etc. cloth
Total.
light
ple
nishing neous.
ma chem
ucts.
goods.
ing.
ing. ments. ing
icals.
terials.
Weekly...............................
Monthly.............................
Y early...............................
17
3
25
32
1
61
4
1
12
38
28
9
14
1
12
45
209
4
Total.........................
20
57
66
13
38
28
9
14
13
258
222
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
The character of each series of quotations as regards frequency is
shown in all cases in Table I in a prefatory note which states fully the
date of the quotations and, if weekly, whether the quotations are for
some particular day of the week, the average for the week, or the range
for the week. The majority of the weekly quotations show the price
on Tuesday, and if for any reason Tuesday’s price was not obtainable
the first price in the week has been taken. The quotations from trade
and other journals, when credited to the first of each month, are not
in all instances the price for the exact day stated, as it is a common
practice of the daily papers which make a specialty of market reports
to devote certain days to the review of the market of certain articles.
For example, the Boston Herald quotes fish on Saturday only. The
prices are, however, the earliest prices quoted in the journal to which
the article is credited. It should also be stated that the monthly
prices credited to weekly publications are the earliest quotations
shown in such publications for each month.
In many localities the price of bread per loaf is not affected by
changes in the price of flour, yet the weight of the loaf is changed
from time to time. During 1904, with the advance in the price of
flour, the weight of the loaf was decreased in some localities. For this
reason the relative prices of bread are computed on the price per
pound and not per loaf. Table I shows the price per loaf, the price
per pound, and the weight each month during 1908.
The average price for the year was obtained by dividing the sum of
the quotations for a given commodity by the number of quotations
shown. For example, the sum of the Tuesday’s prices of cotton for
1908 (shown on page 250) was $5.4405, and the numberof quotations 52.
The former figure divided by the latter gives $0.10463 as the average
price for the year. When a range was shown the mean price for each
date was found, and this was used in computing the yearly average
as above described. The reader will understand that, in order to
secure for any commodity a strictly scientific average price for the
year, one must know the quantity marketed and the price for which
each unit of quantity was sold. It is manifestly impossible to secure
such detail, and even if it were possible the labor and cost involved
in such a compilation would be almost prohibitive. It is believed that
the method adopted here, which is also that used in the construction of
other index numbers, secures results which are quite as valuable for
all practical purposes.
Owing to the unusual method of fixing the scale of prices of cut
and wire nails and the difficulties encountered in securing satisfactory
quotations of prices, it was thought best to enter into a somewhat
lengthy explanation in Bulletin No. 39, and the reader is referred to
pages 226 to 231 of that number.
22$
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
The base prices of nails are the prices quoted by the trade, and
while, for reasons explained in Bulletin No. 39, they could not be used
in computing relative prices, they form the basis from which are cal
culated the actual prices for 8-penny nails, as given in Table I, and
therefore the base prices of both cut and wire nails during 1908 are
given in the following tables:
NAILS: CUT, BASE SIZES, 1908.
[Price per 100-pound keg, f. o. b. Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.J
Month.
Price.
Jan............... $2.00-12.05
Feb.............. 2.00- 2.05
Mar............... 1.90- 1.95
Month.
Month.
Price.
Apr............. *1.90-SI. 95
May............ 1.90- 1.95
June............
1.85
Price.
Month.
•
July.............
$1.75
Aug............. $1.75-1.80
Sept............
1.75
Price.
Oct.............
Nov.............
Dec.............
$1.7£
1.75.
1.75*
Average...
$1.85.-
NAILS: WIRE, BASE SIZES, 1908.
[Price per 100-pound keg, f. o. b. Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.J
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
$2.05
2.05
2.05
Apr.............
May............
June...........
$2.05
2.05
2.05
July............
. *
.......
Aug.............
Sept............
$1.95
1.95
1.95
Oct.............
Nov...........
Dec............
Average...
In previous Bulletins quotations were published for two descriptions,
of scoured wool, but in view of the fact that a large proportion o f
wool is marketed unwashed, monthly price quotations for a stand
ard grade of unwashed wool have also been secured. For purposes of:
comparison the quotations on the scoured basis are continued in.
Table I. No relative prices were computed from the quotations o f
unwashed wool. It may be necessary at some future time to use
these quotations in the index number, and it was considered advisableto secure them from year to year.
The quotations of actual prices of unwashed wool on the first of
each month for 1890 to 1903 were shown in Bulletin No. 51 (page
237); for 1904, in Bulletin No. 57 (page 405); for 1905, in Bulletin No~
63 (page 352); for 1906, in Bulletin No. 69 (page 264); and for 1907,,
in Bulletin No. 75 (page 311).
The prices for 1908 follow:
WHOLESALE PRICE OF UNWASHED OHIO MEDIUM FLEECE WOOL (ONE-FOURTH
AND THREE-EIGHTHS GRADE), 1908.
[Price per pound in the eastern markets (Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia) on the first
of each month.]
Month.
Jan...............
Feb.......^ ....
Mar............. .♦
Price.
$0.31
.30
.29
Month.
Apr.............
May.............
June............
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 3
Price.
$0.28
.27
.22
Month.
July.............
Aug.............
Sept............
Price.
$0.23
.25
.26
Month.
Price.
Oct.............
Nov.............
Dec.............
$0.26;’
.27'
.27'
Average...
$0.2675-
224
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
On preceding pages of this report an opportunity has been afforded
to note the extent of the change in wholesale prices between 1907 and
1908, by groups of commodities. The following table shows the per
cent of increase or decrease in the average wholesale price in 1908 for
each individual article as compared with the price in 1907:
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES
OF COMMODITIES IN 1908, COMPARED WITH 1907.
[For a more detailed description of the articles see page 249 et seq.]
Farm products, 20 articles.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
Article.
Article.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
price decreased—concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Flaxseed: No. 1___________ _____ __
Rye: No. 2, cash..................................
Cattle: steers, good to choice.................
Cattle: steers, choice to fancy................
Wheat: regular grades, cash..................
Oats: contract grades, cash..................
Tobacco: Burley, dark red, good leaf—
Com: contract, cash.............................
1.8
1.8
3.2
4.2
9.1
13.2
21.1
29.6
PRICE DECREASED.
Barley: choice to fancy malting, by sam
ple....................................................
4.3
Hogs: heavy........................................
Poultry: live, fowls..............................
Horses: draft, good to choice................
Mules: 16 hands high, medium to good.
Hides: green, salted, packers’, heavy na
tive steers.................................. 'I__
Hogs: light..........................................
Sheep: wethers, plain to choice.............
Cotton: upland, middling.....................
Sheep: wethers, good to fancy...............
Hay: timothy, No. 1............................
Hops: New York State, prime to choice.
4.6
5.8
7.1
7.2
8.2
9.4
11.2
11.9
13.9
27.2
31.7
Food, etc., 57 articles.
PRICE SAME AS IN
1907.
p r i c e i n c r e a s e d —c o n c lu d e d .
Beans: medium, choice............... .
Meat: beef, salt, extra mess..........
Vegetables, fresh: potatoes, white.
Bread: crackers, oyster..............
Bread: crackers, soda.................
Bread: loaf, Washington market.
PRICE INCREASED.
PRICE DECREASED.
Poultry: dressed, fowls, western, dry
picked..................................................
Eggs: new-laid, fancy, near-by..............
Fruit: prunes, California, 60’s to 70’s--Vegetables, fresh: onions........................
Fruit: apples, evaporated, choice...........
Flour: rye...............................................
Bread: loaf, Vienna................................
Meat: beef, fresh, native sides (N. Y.
market)................................................
Sugar: granulated...................................
Meat: beef, salt, hams, western.............
Bread: loaf, homemade..........................
Vinegar: cider, Monarch.........................
Flour: wheat, winter straights...............
Sugar: 96° centrifugal............................
Sugar: 89° fair refining..........................
Flour: wheat, spring patents.................
Fruit: raisins, California, London layer.
Fish: salmon, canned.............................
Glucose....................................................
Rice: domestic, choice, head..................
Flour: buckwheat..................................
Meal: com, fine w h ite............................
Meal: corn, fine yellow ..........................
Meat: beef, fresh, carcass, good native
steers (Chicago market)............. •........
Vegetables, fresh: cabbage.....................
Salt: American, medium........................
Lard: prime, contract.............................
Meat: mutton, dressed...........................
Fish: herring, large, Nova Scotia sp lit..
Milk: fresh..............................................
Butter: creamery, Elgin.........................
Cheese: New York State, full cream___
Starch: pure com ...................................
Butter: creamery, extra.........................
Coflee: Rio No. 7 ...................................
Canned goods: cornj Republic No. 2__
Meat: bacon, short rib sides...................
Meat: bacon, short clear sides................
Fish: cod, dry, bank, large.....................
Tea: Formosa, fine.................................
Butter: dairy, New York State..............
Meat: pork, salt, mess, old to new..........
Tallow.....................................................
Molasses: New Orleans, open kettle.......
Fruit: currants, Amalia’s .......................
Meat: hams, smoked, loose.....................
Canned goods: peas, Republic No. 2 __
Canned goods: tomatoes, standard New
Jersey No. 3 ........................................
Soda: bicarbonate of, American.............
Fish: mackerel, salt, large No. 3 s ........
Spices: pepper, Singapore.......................
0.4
.6
.8
1.0
2.4
2.9
3.3
5.7
6.2
6.4
6.4
6.8
7.6
8.3
9.6
11.1
11.2
15.2
16.8
16.9
18.0
18.9
18.9
20.2
26.0
30.5
34.3
44.9
1.0
1.7
1.8
2.5
3.5
4.2
4.2
4.6
4.8
5.3
5.6
5.7
7.3
8.3
9.1
11.3
13.2
13.4
13.7
14.0
14.2
15.4
18.4
28.1
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
225
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES
OF COMMODITIES IN 1908, COMPARED WITH 1907—Continued.
Cloths and clothing, 66 articles.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
Article.
PRICE SAME AS IN
1907.
Article.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
PRICE d e c r e a s e d — c o n c lu d e d .
Boots and shoes: men’s vici calf shoes,
Blucher bal., vici calf top, single sole..
Boots and shoes: men’s vici kid shoes,
Goodyear welt.....................................
Linen shoe thread: 10s, Barbour...........
Overcoatings: covert cloth ....................
Underwear: shirts and drawers, white,
all wool................................... :..........
Underwear: shirts and drawers, white,
merino, full-fashioned, 60 per cent
wool, etc............................................. .
Women’s dress goods: Sicilian cloth---Women’s dress goods: Panama cloth....
PRICE INCREASED.
Shirtings: bleached, Wamsutta
"
Trouserings: fancy worsted....................
Women’s dress goods: Poplar cloth.......
Sheetings: bleached, 9-4, Atlantic..........
1.7
1.9
3.1
&2
PRICE DECREASED.
Wool: Ohio, fine fleece (X and X X
grade), scoured....................................
Leather: sole, oak, scoured backs, heavy
No. 1 ....................................................
Flannels: white, 4-4, Ballard Vale No. 3.
Broadcloths: first quality, black, 54-inch.
Cotton thread: J. & P. Coats..................
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, 36-inch,
Hamilton.............................................
Carpets: Wilton, 5-frame, Bigelow.........
Leather: chrome calf..............................
Bags: 2-bushel, Amoskeag.....................
Horse blankets: 6 pounds each..............
B o o ts and shoes: w o m en ’s solid grain
shoes....................................................
Blankets, cotton: 10-4, 2 pounds to the
pair............................................. ........
Carpets: ingrain, 2-ply, Lowell...............
Carpets: Brussels, 5-frame, Bigelow.......
Suitings: clay worsted diagonal, 16-ounce
Suitings: d ay worsted diagonal, 12-ounce
BlanKets: 11-4, 5 pounds to the pair, all
wool.....................................................
.3
.6
.8
2.3
2.5
2.8
3.0
3.0
3.3
3.7
3.8
3.8
3.9
4.5
4.8
5.0
Wool: Ohio, medium fleece (J and f
grade), scoured....................................
Leather: sole, hemlock...........................
Worsted yams: 2-40’s, Australian fine..
Suitings: serge, Washington Mills 6700..
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, cotton
warp, Atlantic Mills F .........................
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, all
wool, Atlantic Mills.............................
Hosiery: women’s cotton hose, seamless,
fast black.............................................
Overcoatings: kersey.............................
Leather: harness, oak.............................
Hosiery: men’s cotton half hose, seam
less, fast black, 160 needles....................
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Indian Head.......
Suitings: indigo blue, all wool, 14-ounce,
Middlesex.............................................
Drillings: 30-inch, Stark A .....................
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Wamsutta S. T
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Pepperell R ........
Boots and shoes: men’s brogans, split__
Worsted yams: 2-32’s, crossbred stock,
white....................................................
Overcoatings: chinchilla, cotton warp...
Hosiery: women’s cotton hose, high
spliced heel, combed peeler yam ........
Cotton flannels: 3£ yards to the pound..
Calico: American standard prints, 64 x 64
Drillings: brown, Pepperell....................
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Lonsdale..........
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Pepperell.......
Denims: Amoskeag................................
Cotton flannels: 2 | yards to the pound ..
Ginghams: Amoskeag.............................
Ginghams: Lancaster.............................
Tickings: Amoskeag A. C. A .................
Cotton yams: northern, cones, 22/1........
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Fruit of the
Loom....................................................
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Williamsville
Cotton yams: northern, cones, 10/1.......
Sheetings: brown, 4-4 Lawrence L. L ...
Suk: raw, Japan.....................................
Snk: raw, Italian....................................
Print cloths: 28-inch, 64 x 64....................
5.0
5.1
5.1
5.4
5.7
5.8
5.9
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.7
7.9
8.5
10.8
10.9
11.5
12.4
13.0
13.8
14.4
14.8
15.3
16.0
16.1
16.7
17.0
18.1
18.2
18.3
19.4
19.4
19.8
23.1
25.1
29.5
Fuel and lighting, 13 articles.
PRICE SAME
AS IN 1907.
PRICE DECREASED.
Coal: anthracite, chestnut.......................
M a tc h e s : p a r l o r , d o m e s t ic ................................
PRICE INCREASED.
Coal: anthracite, s t o v e ........................................
Petroleum: refined, 1503 fire test, water
white....................................................
Petroleum: crude, Pennsylvania............
Coal: bituminous, Pittsburg (Youghiogheny), lum p....................................
Petroleum: refined, for export................
0.1
.3
2 .6
3.3
5.5
Coal: anthracite, egg...............................
Coal: anthracite, broken.........................
Candles: adamantine..............................
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (f. o. b.
New York Harbor)..............................
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (at the
m ine)...................................................
Coke: Connellsville, furnace...................
0.1
.1
1.4
4.9
6 .2
39.5
226
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES
OF COMMODITIES IN 1908, COMPARED WITH 1907—Continued.
Metals and implements, 38 articles.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
Article.
Article.
PRICE SAME AS IN 1907.
price decreased—concluded.
Angers! extra, 1-inch ..............................
Tin plates: domestic...............................
Nails: cut, 8-penny, fence and common..
Steel billets.............................................
Doorknobs: steel, bronze p lated ............
Zinc: sheet..............................................
Chisels: extra, socket firmer...................
Bar iron: common to best refined, from
mill......................................................
Locks: common mortise.........................
Wood screws: 1-inch...............................
Silver: bar, fine......................................
Bar iron: best refined, from store...........
Spelter: western.....................................
Lead: pig................................................
Tin: pig............ ‘.....................................
Pig iron: Bessemer.................................
Pig iron: foundry No. 1 .........................
Lead pipe................................................
Pig iron: gray forge, southern................
Pig iron: foundry No. 2 .........................
. Copper: ingot, electrolytic......................
Copper: sheet, hot-rolled........................
Copper wire: bare..................................
Axes: M. C. O., Yankee.........................
Butts: loose pin, wrought steel, 3§ by
3£ inches...............................................
Trammers; M ay d ole N o. 11
Planes: Bailey No. 5, jack plan e
Saws: crosscut, Disston No. 2 ...............
Saws: hand, Disston No. 7 ....................
Steel rails
................. ..............................
Trowels: M. C. O .
...
............... ....
V ises: solid b o x , 50-pound ......................
PRICE INCREASED.
Quicksilver.............................................
12.4
PRICE DECREASED.
Shovels: A m es N o. 2 ...........................
B arb wire: ga lv a n ized ..
........ .........
Nails: wire, 8-penny, fence and common.
Steel sheets: black , No. 27................. ....
Files: 8-inch mill bastard......................
.2
.5
.8
4.0
4.3
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
4.9
9.8
10.1
11.1
14.0
15.5
16.6
17.0
18.0
18.9
19.4
23.0
23.6
24.1
25.3
25.9
29.3
31.5
31.9
35.8
35.8
36.8
Lumber and building materials, 28 articles.
PR IC E DECREASED— concluded.
PRICE SAME AS IN 1907.
Cement.: R nsendale
Pine: y ello w , sid in g, long l e a f ____ _____
Putty: bulk.......................... ................
PRICE INCREASED.
Oak: white, quartered...........................
Poplar.....................................................
Linseed oil: raw.....................................
Pine: y ello w , flooring, B , heart face........
Lime: common.......................................
0.2
.4
.8
8.0
10.1
PRICE DECREASED.
Pine: white, boards, uppers...................
Maple: hard............................................
Pine: white, boards, No. 2 barn.............
Doors: western white pine.....................
•1.0
1.9
2.8
3.7
Oxide of zinc...........................................
Hemlock.................................................
Carbonate of lead: American..................
Oak: white, plain...................................
Cement: Portland, domestic..................
Spruce.....................................................
Window glass: American, single, firsts..
Window glass: American, single, thirds.
Shingles: cypress....................................
Brick: common domestic.......................
Plate glass: polished, glazing, 5 to 10
square feet...........................................
Plate glass: polished, glazing, 3 to 5
square feet...........................................
Rosin: common to good, strained..........
Shingles: red cedar.................................
Turpentine: spirits of.............................
Tar..........................................................
4.7
6.2
6.7
10.7
11.3
13.4
16.1
16.1
16.3
17.1
19.1
24.7
25.0
25.4
28.6
31.3
Drugs and chemicals, 9 articles.
PRICE SAME AS IN
Alum: lu m p M uriatic acid
1907.
PRICE INCREASED—c o n c lu d e d .
Alcohol: wood, refined...........................
Glycerin: refined....................................
............. .......
.................
PRICE DECREASED.
PRICE INCREASED.
Brimstone: crude....................................
S ulp hu ric a c id ......
............... .......
Alcohol: grain.........................................
7.1
7.9
1.4
2.0
4.5
Opium: natural, incases........................
Quinine: American.................................
4 .7
11.7
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
227
PER CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES
OF COMMODITIES IN 1908, COMPARED WITH 1907—Concluded.
House furnishing goods, 14 articles.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
Article.
PRICE SAME AS IN
1907.
Article.
Per cent
of in
crease or
decrease.
PRICE DECREASED.
Earthenware: plates, white granite........
Earthenware: teacups and saucers,
white granite.......................................
Furniture: tables, kitchen......................
PRICE INCREASED.
Wooden ware: tubs, oak-grained...........
Furniture: chairs, kitchen....................
Wooden ware: pails, oak-grained..........
3.1
&6
6.6
Furniture: bedroom sets, hard wood___
Earthenware: plates, cream-colored.......
Furniture: chairs, bedroom, maple........
Table cutlery: carvers............................
Glassware: pitchers, common.................
Glassware: tumblers...............................
Glassware: nappies.................................
Table cutlery: knives and forks...
2.2
2.5
5.8
6.3
8.3
11.7
12.9
16.5
Miscellaneous, 13 articles.
PRICE SAME AS IN
1907.
PRICE DECREASED.
Tobacco: plug.........................................
Tobacco: smoking, granulated, Seal of
North Carolina....................................
PRICE INCREASED.
Cotton-seed meal....................................
Proof spirits............................................
Soap: castile, mottled, pure...................
Starch: laundry......................................
2.4
a3
4.3
7.2
Paper: news, wood.................................
Paper: wrapping, manila.......................
Malt: western made...............................
Cotton-seed oil: summer yellow, prime..
Rubber: Para Island, new.....................
Rope: manila..........................................
Jute: raw................................................
0.4
1.2
9.9
16.0
18.1
21.3
23.9
The most striking decreases in the average prices for 1908 as com
pared with 1907 in the group of farm products were for hops, hay,
sheep, and cotton. The most important articles showing increased
prices were corn, cattle, tobacco, oats, and wheat.
The articles showing the greatest increase in price in food were po
tatoes, fresh beef, beans, cabbage, flour, meal, rice, and sugar, while the
articles showing the greatest decrease were pepper, mackerel, pork,
canned peas, canned tomatoes, and molasses. In the group of cloths
and clothing there was a decrease of from 10.8 to 29.5 per cent in 22
articles, including most of the cotton products, while only 4 articles
showed an increase.
The principal decrease in the price of fuel and lighting was in coke.
In metals and implements, there was a marked decrease in the prices
of copper, pig iron, lead, bar iron, spelter, pig tin, and silver, with an
increase in price of only one article, quicksilver.
In the lumber and building materials group there was a marked
decline in the price of tar, turpentine, rosin, glass, shingles, and brick,
but an increase in the price of lime and 4 other articles.
In the group of drugs and chemicals there was a decrease in the
price of quinine and an increase in the price of glycerin and alcohol.
In the group of house furnishing goods there was a decrease in
the price of table cutlery and glassware.
228
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
In the miscellaneous group the principal decrease in price was in
jute, rope, rubber, and cotton-seed oil, and a slight advance in the
price of starch, soap, and proof spirits.
Table 11 .— M onthly actual and relative 'prices o f commodities in 1908
and base prices {average fo r 1 8 9 0 -1 8 9 9 ), pages 8 0 0 to 8 2 4 .—This table
shows for each article the monthly price, which is either the average
price for the month or the price on some day of the month. On the
line below the December price is given the average price for the year,
and on the line above the January price is given the average price
during the 10 years from 1890 to 1899, which average price is desig
nated the base price.
The monthly prices for such articles as are quoted weekly in Table
I were found by dividing the sum of the quotations in each month as
shown in Table I by the number of quotations in each month, except
for articles in which a range is quoted, for which articles the average
is computed from the mean of the weekly prices. In Table I single
quotations for 1908 are shown for 4 articles. The price of two of
these is maintained throughout the year, and the prices of two are
averages for the year. For each of these four articles the annual
price has been shown in Table II as the price during each month.
I t was impossible to secure quotations during all of the months of
the year for 9 of the 258 articles, viz, horses, wheat, dairy butter,
buckwheat flour, raisins, cabbage, onions, Atlantic bleached sheetings,
and tar.
The average price for 1908 was obtained, as has already been
explained, by dividing the sum of the quotations for the year as shown
in Table I by the number of quotations for the year. The average
price for the 10-year period, 1890 to 1899, was obtained by dividing
the sum of the average prices of the 10 years by 10. This average
price for 10 years has been adopted as the base for all relative prices.
For the 10 articles which do not show prices for the entire period of 10
years, 1890 to 1899, the base in each case is the average of the years
prior to and including 1899.
For the 11 articles quoted in 1908 for the first time, no monthly
or yearly relative price could be computed for each individual article
because the average for the base period of 10 years was not secured.
These articles have been given due weight in the subgroups and gen
eral groups to which they belong. See discussion of Table III, p. 231.
In explanation of the term base or standard, as used in connection
with relative prices or index numbers, it may be stated that in reducing
a series of actual prices to relative prices a base must first be chosen,
and this may be either a single quotation, the average price for 1
year, or the average for 2 or more years. If the price for a single year
is chosen, it is essential that that year be a normal one, for if prices
are high in the year chosen for the base any subsequent fall will be
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
229
unduly emphasized, while, on the other hand, if prices are low any
subsequent rise will be emphasized. For the reason that all the
commodities probably never present a normal condition as regards
prices in any one year, it was decided that an average price for a
number of years would better reflect average or approximately nor
mal conditions and form a more satisfactory base than would the price
for any single year. A base made up of an average of a number of
yearn will include or neutralize the effects alike of speculation and of
depression. The period chosen as this base was that from 1890 to
1899—a period of 10 years. The average price of each article for the
base period was found, as previously stated, by adding together the
average yearly prices of that article for all of the 10 years and dividing
by 10.
The relative prices as shown in this and other tables have been cal
culated in the usual manner and represent simply the percentage
which each monthly or yearly price is of the base price. The average
price for the first 10 years of the period, that is, the base, always repre
sents 100, and the percentages for each month or year enable the
reader to measure readily the rise and fall, from month to month or
from year to year, of the prices of each single commodity, of any
group of commodities, or of all the 258 commodities involved. These
commodities are arranged in alphabetical order under each of the
nine general groups, as in Table I.
In order that the method pursued may be more readily understood,
the reader is referred to the table itself, as given on pages 300 to 324.
Taldng up the first commodity shown, barley, we find that the aver
age price per bushel for the base period, 1890 to 1899, inclusive, was
45.34 cents; the average price for January, 1908, was 99.60 cents;
that for February was 89.38 cents; that for March 89.13 cents, etc.
The relative price for the base period, as heretofore explained, is
always placed at 100, and is so given in the table. The relative price
for January, 1908, is shown to be 219.7, or 119.7 per cent higher than
the base or average for the 10 years. In February the relative price
was 197.1, or 97.1 per cent above the base, etc.
The relative price for the year 1908 was 161.8, or 61.8 per cent above
the base. The figures in each case were secured according to the
method already explained, that for January, 1908, being expressed as
follows:
Average price for base period (1890-1899)....................................................... $0.4534
Average price for January, 1908.......................................................................$0.9960
Relative price for base period (1890-1899)......................................................
100.0
Relative price for January, 1908.....................................................................
219.7
The remainder of the table may be analyzed in a similar manner.
The value of prices given in this relative form, it will readily be
seen, consists in the means afforded for tracing and measuring the
230
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
changes from month to month, from year to year, or from period to
period, and in the combination of prices of a sufficient number of com
modities to show the general price level. I t must not be assumed that
a system of relative prices of representative commodities will enable
one to trace the causes of changes in the general price level or to
determine the effect of such changes on any class of consumers or on
all consumers. The use of such a system is to show the general course
of prices from time to time of one commodity, of a group of commodi
ties, or of all commodities.
I t is stated on page 220 that certain articles are no longer quoted
and other articles of the same class are substituted.
An explanation of the method of computing the relative price of
these articles is necessary, and harness leather will be used as an illus
tration. I t must be understood that during the years when “ country
middles” were quoted, they were assumed to represent the several
grades of oak harness leather—that is, that the course of prices of a
standard grade of oak harness leather in an index number of prices
fairly represents the course of prices of the various grades of oak har
ness leather. Therefore, when it became necessary to substitute, in
1902, “ packers’ hides” for the “ country middles,” prices were secured
for packers’ hides for both 1901 and 1902, and it was found that the
average price for the year 1902 was the same, or 100 per cent of the
average price for the year 1901. The relative price of country mid
dles in 1901, as shown in Table IV, was 114.7 (average price for the
ten years, 1890 to 1899, equals 100), and if country middles repre
sented oak harness leather at that time, and packers’ hides repre
sented the class in 1902, harness leather (shown by the price of
packers’ hides) remained the same price in 1902 as in 1901, and the
relative price in 1902 was therefore 100 per cent of 114.7, the relative
price in 1901, which gives 114.7 as the relative price in 1902. The
same method was followed in computing relative prices for each month.
The average price of harness leather in 1908 was 93.85 per cent of the
average price in 1907; therefore the relative price in 1908 was 93.85
per cent of 129.0, the relative price of 1907, which gives 121.1 as the
relative price in 1908. The same method of computing the relative
prices was followed for sheep, crackers, herring, blankets, boots and
shoes, calico, hosiery, leather, sheetings, women’s dress goods, worsted
yams, augers, bar iron, butts, copper, vises, doors, plate glass, white
pine, shingles, bedroom sets, and jute. For trouserings and under
wear the exact grade quoted for 1903 was not manufactured in 1902.
The manufacturer of trouserings, however, estimated that one-half
of the advance in price over the price for the grade quoted for previous
years was due to the fact that it was a better article and the other half
to the advance in price of material and cost of manufacture. The
advance was $0.1125 per yard over the price in 1902; one-half of this,
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
231
$0.05625, was added to the 1902 price of the 22 to 23 ounce trouserings
to secure a theoretical 1902 price for the 21 to 22 ounce trouserings,
and the 1903 relative price was then computed as abo've. Underwear
was arbitrarily given the same relative price in 1903 as in 1902, as the
all-wool underwear manufactured by the same firm showed no change
in price. The 1908 relative prices of trouserings and underwear were
found in the same way as explained above for harness leather.
Table I I I — Monthly relative prices o f commodities in 1908 , pages 3 25
to 3 3 7 .—This table repeats the relative monthly price for each article
as given in Table II. In addition, similar commodities have been
grouped for convenience in comparison, and averages computed for
each subgroup and for each of the nine general groups.
Owing to the fact that in 1908 11 articles are quoted for the first
time, that quotations of 11 are discontinued, and that 19 articles are
substituted for similar articles formerly quoted, it has not been
deemed advisable to compute the averages for groups and subgroups
for 1908 upon the simple average basis as heretofore.
The method used in this report is as follows: The actual price for
each month in 1908 was divided by the average price for the year
1907, giving a percentage based on 1907. These percentages for the
several commodities of a group were added for each month and the
sum divided by the number of commodities, giving an average per
centage for the group for each month based on 1907. The relative
price for the group for the year 1907, as determined in the report for
that year, was then multiplied by the average percentage for the
group for each month, producing as the product the relative price
for the group for each month. The same process was used in com
puting the relative price for the year 1908. In applying this method
to a group to which new articles were added in 1908, it was necessary
to secure prices for both 1907 and 1908 for the additional articles.
For example, during the years when 16 articles were quoted in
farm products, they were assumed to represent farm products; that
is, the course of prices of these 16 articles in an index number of
prices was assumed to fairly represent the course of prices for all farm
products. Since it was considered advisable to secure prices for 4
additional articles belonging in this group, it became necessary to
include these additional prices in computing the average for the group.
This table shows under farm products average relative prices for
grain, for cattle, for hogs, for sheep, and for all live stock quoted. An
average is then given for farm products as a general group. The
prices for horses and mules were included in the average relative price
of live stock in 1908 by using the method explained above; also the
four commodities, horses, mules, poultry, and tobacco, were included
in the general group average for farm products by this method.
Relative prices can not be shown separately for horses, mules, poultry,
232
BULLETIN OF THE BUKEAU OF LABOR.
and tobacco, because the prices from 1890 to 1899, the common base
for all articles, were not secured.
As explained in the discussion of Table II it was impossible to
secure quotations during all of the months of the year for 9 of the 258
articles. In order of arrangement these are: Horses, wheat, dairy
butter, buckwheat flour, raisins, cabbage, onions, sheetings, bleached,
9-4, Atlantic, and tar. In presenting monthly relative prices for
these articles a nominal relative price (which is the same as the rela
tive price for the month in which the article was last quoted) has been
entered in this table for the months for which no price quotation is
shown in Table I. This nominal price enters into the average for the
subgroup, the general group, and “ all commodities” for that month.
In the following table the December, 1908, relative price is com
pared with the average for 1890 to 1899. The average price for 1890
to 1899 is in every case the base, or 100 per cent. Only the commodi
ties are included below for which the quotations throughout the 19year period have been for practically the same description of article.
In using this table it must be borne in mind that the comparison is
between the prices for December, 1908, and the average prices for the
base period.
RELATIVE PRICES, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
[For a more detailed description of the articles see Table I, page 249 et seq. Average price for
1890-1899=100.0.]
Farm products, 14 articles.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
Article.
Article.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
price increased—concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Hay: timothy. No. 1 .............................
Cotton: upland, middling.......................
Hogs: light..............................................
Flaxseed: No. 1.......................................
Hogs: heavy............................................
Cattle: steers, good to choice..................
Cattle: steers, choice to fancv.................
Barley: choice to fancy malting, by
sample..................................................
Wheat: regular grades, cash...................
115.0
119.2
123.7
126.2
131.6
133.6
138.2
Rye: No. 2, cash.....................................
Corn: contract, cash................................
Hides: green, salted, packers’, heavy na
tive steers.............................................
Oats: contract grades, cash.....................
139.2
140.8
Hops: New York State, prime to choice.
143.3
155.4
170.8
184.3
PRICE DECREASED.
76.2
Food products, 47 articles.
PRICE INCREASED—continued.
PRICE INCREASED.
Starch: pure corn....................................
Bread: loaf (Washington market)..........
Meat: hams, smoked...............................
Rice: domestic, choice, head..................
Vegetables, fresh: onions........................
Molasses: New Orleans, open kettle.......
Bread: loaf, Vienna (New York market).
Flour: wheat, winter straights..............
Meat: beef, fresh, native sides (New
York market).......................................
Salt: American, medium........................
Vinegar: cider, Monarch.........................
100.4
100.6
105.7
109.3
110.3
111.1
117.3
118.6
119.3
120.7
121.8
Fish: salmon, canned.............................
Bread: loaf, homemade (New York mar
ket).......................................................
Flour: wheat, spring patents..................
Fish: cod, dry, bank, large.....................
Tallow....................................................
Vegetables, fresh: potatoes, white..........
Flour: buckwheat...................................
Meat: bacon, short rib sides....................
Beans: medium, choice...........................
Butter: creamery, extra (New York
market)................................................
123.9
126.2
127.8
129.8
130.6
134.7
135.1
137.0
137.7
139.8
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
233
RELATIVE PRICES, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITII AVERAGE PRICE FOR
1890-1899—Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Food 'products, 47 articles—Concluded.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
Article.
price increased—concluded.
Meat: bacon, short clear sides.....................
Butter: creamery, Elgin.........................
Cheese: New York State, full cream......
Meat: pork, salt, mess, old to new.
Butter: dairy, New York State..............
Lard: prime, contract.............................
Meat: beef, salt, hams, western..............
Flour: ry e..............................................
Milk: fresh...........................................................
Fruit: currants, Amalia’s .............................
M eal: c o m , fin e w h i t e . ..................................
M eal: co r n , fin e y e l l o w ..... .............................
Meat: beef, salt, extra mess....................
Eggs: new-laid, fancy, near-by...............
Article.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
PRICE DECREASED.
140.3
141.7
141.8
142.7
143.8
146.9
150.3
152.2
156.9
158.4
159.7
164.7
165.3
223.1
Sugar: 96° centrifugal.............................
Meat: mutton, dressed...........................
Sugar: 89° fair refining............................
Sugar: granulated...................................
Bread: crackers, soda.............................
Fruit: apples, evaporated, choice...........
Spices: pepper, Singapore.............................
Fruit: prunes, California, 60s to 70s .........
Tea: Formosa, fine ..........................................
Fish: mackerel, salt, large No. 3s ..............
Coffee: Rio No. 7 .....................................
Soda: bicarbonate of, American.............
97.6
96.8
96.5
96.0
90.5
90.1
84.2
72.7
72.2
70.8
50.0
47.8
Cloths and clothing, 44 articles.
p r i c e in c r e a s e d — c o n c lu d e d .
PRICE INCREASED.
Silk: raw, Japan.....................................
Linen shoe thread: 10s, Barbour...........
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Williamsville
Ginghams: Amoskeag.............................
Cotton yarns: northern, cones, 22/1........
Cotton yarns: northern, cones, 10/1........
Silk: raw, Italian....................................
Tickings: Amoskeag A. C. A ..................
Cotton flannels: 2 | yards to pound........
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, W am sutta^0^
Boots and shoes: men's vici kid, Good
year welt..............................................
Wool: Ohio,medium fleece ( i and | grade),
scoured.................................................
Carpets: ingrain, 2-ply, Lowell...............
Denims: Amoskeag................................
Cotton flannels: 3J yards to pound...........
Blankets: 11-4,5 pounds to pair, all wool.
Broadcloths: first quality, black, 54-inch.
Underwear: shirts and drawers, white,
all wool, etc..........................................
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Lonsdale.........
Carpets: Brussels, 5-frame, Bigelow.......
Leather: sole, oak, scoured backs, heavy
No. 1.....................................................
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Pepperell R ..........
Carpets: Wilton, 5-frame, Bigelow.......'.
102.0
102.1
102.7
103.2
104.1
105.7
105.8
106.0
106.2
108.1
108.7
109.6
111.1
112.5
113.0
113.1
114.3
115.8
116.9
117.5
117.5
118.0
118.5
Suitings: indigo blue, all wool, 14-ounce,
Middlesex.............................................
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Fruit of the Loom
Flannel: white, 4-4, Ballard Vale No. 3..
Print cloths: 28-inch, 64 by 64................
Boots and shoes: men’s brogans, sp lit.. .
Drillings: brown, Pepperell...................
Worsted yarns: 2-40s, Australian fine......
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Indian Head___ _
Boots and shoes: women’s solid grain
Cotton thread: J. & P. Coats..................
Horse blankets: 6 pounds each...............
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Pepperell.......
Leather: sole, hemlock...........................
Bags: 2-bushel, Amoskeag......................
Drillings: 30-inch, Stark A .....................
Wool: Ohio,fine fleece (X and X X grade),
scoured.................................................
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, cotton
warp, Atlantic Mills F .........................
119.0
120.2
120.9
121.1
121.3
122.4
122.8
123.8
125.4
12a 4
126.5
127.4
131.5
132.2
132.6
134.8
138.6
PRICE DECREASED.
Overcoatings: Covert cloth, light weight,
staple goods........................................
linghams: Lancaster............................
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4,WamsuttaS. T.
Overcoatings: chinchilla....................
96.9
96.0
89.0
87.0
Fuel and lighting, 13 articles.
PRICE INCREASED.
price increased—concluded.
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (f.o.b.
New York Harbor)..............................
Coke: Connellsville, furnace...................
Coal: anthracite, broken.........................
Coal: anthracite, stove...........................
Petroleum: refined, for export................
Coal: bituminous, Pittsburg (Youghiogheny),lump......................................
Coal: anthracite, chestnut......................
Coal: anthracite, egg...............................
Petroleum: refined, 150* fire test, water
white....................................................
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (at the
m ine)...................................................
Petroleum: crude, Pennsylvania............
113.0
117.8
124.7
130.4
131.0
132.2
137.6
137.7
151.7
163.2
195.6
PRICE DECREASED.
Candles: adamantine..............................
Matches: parlor, domestic.......................
92.7
85.4
234
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
RELATIVE PRICES, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR
1890-1899—Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Metals and implements, 31 articles.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
Article.
Article.
PRICE SAME AS BASE.
PRICE increased—concluded.
Saws: crosscut, Disston No. 2 ................
Trowels, M. C. O., brick.........................
Zinc: sheet..............................................
Pig iron: foundry No. 2 ..........................
Pig iron: Bessemer.................................
Hammers: Maydole No. 1£.....................
Pig iron: gray forge, southern................
Axes: M. C. O., Yankee.........................
Tin: pig..................................................
Chisels: extra, socket firmer...................
Locks: common mortise.........................
Doorknobs: steel, bronze plated............
PRICE INCREASED.
Bar iron: best refined, from store...........
Nails: cut, 8-penny, fence and common.
Saws: hand, Disston No. 7 .....................
Barb wire: galvanized............................
Steel rails...............................................
Copper wire: bare...................................
Files: 8-inch mill bastard.......................
Quicksilver.............................................
Lead: pig................................................
Copper: sheet, hot-rolled........................
Spelter: western.....................................
Planes: Bailey No. 5, jack plane............
Steel billets.............................................
Pig iron: foundry No. 1 ..........................
101.2
101.2
101.3
102.1
107.4
107.6
110.2
111.7
113.9
114.5
114.8
115.7
116.1
119.9
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
121.3
125.6
126.3
129.0
135.3
144.9
160.1
198.0
203.2
235.7
PRICE DECREASED.
Lead pipe................................................
Shovels: Ames No. 2 ...............................
Nails: wire, 8-penny, fence and common
Wood screws: lin c h ...............................
Silver: bar, fine......................................
99.6
96.9
94.8
66.2
66.0
Lumber and building materials, 20 articles.
PRICE i n c r e a s e d — c o n c lu d e d .
PRICE INCREASED.
Linseed oil: raw.....................................
Cem ent: R o se n d a le.....................................
Brick: common domestic........................
Window glass: American, single, thirds..
Carbonate of lead: American..................
Maple: hard............................................
Shingles: cypress....................................
Window glass: American, single, firsts...
Lime: common.......................................
Oak: white, plain...................................
Oxide of zinc...........................................
Turpentine: spirits of.............................
105.8
107.1
110.1
112.1
114.7
117.0
118.7
119.0
125.4
126.9
128.3
128.6
O a k : w h i t e , q u a r t e r e d .......................................
T a r ..................................................................................
S p r u c e ...........................................................................
P in e : y e llo w , s id i n g , lo n g l e a f .......................
H e m l o c k ......................................................................
P o p l a r ...........................................................................
R o s in : c o m m o n t o g o o d , s t r a i n e d ...............
152.8
157.7
163.8
165.2
167.2
186.5
225.7
PRICE DECREASED.
P u t t y : b u l k ..............................................................
75.9
Drugs and chemicals, 9 articles.
PRICE DECREASED.
PRICE INCREASED.
Alum: lump............................................
Brimstone: crude....................................
Sulphuric acid............................... .*........
Glycerin: refined.....................................
Alcohol: grain.........................................
Muriatic acid...........................................
Opium: natural, in cases........................
104.2
106.3
112.4
117.9
118.3
129.8
171.6
Quinine: American...............................
Alcohol: wood, refined...........................
61.0
49.3
House furnishing goods, 13 articles.
PRICE DECREASED.
PRICE INCREASED.
Earthenware: plates, white granite........
Earthenware: plates, cream-colored.......
Wooden ware: tubs, oak-grained...........
Furniture: ta b les, k itch en
.....................
Furniture: chairs, bedroom, maple........
Furniture: chairs, k itch en .....................
W ooden ware: p a ils, oak-grained............
102.4
104.0
122.5
124.7
145.3
156.8
161.7
Earthenware: teacups and saucers,white
granite..................................................
Glassware: nappies.................................
Table cutlery: carvers.............................
Table cutlery: knives and forks.............
Glassware: pitchers................................
Glassware: tumblers...............................
98.8
98.2
93.8
82.5
71.5
67.6
235
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR
1890-1899—Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Miscellaneous, 12 articles.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
Article.
Relative
price, De
cember,
1908.
Article.
PRICE INCREASED.
PRICE DECREASED.
104.6
117.9
118.6
119.1
123.0
125.7
129.3
134.8
148.0
Malt: western made................................
Tobacco: smoking, granulated...............
Tobacco: plug.........................................
Proof spirits............................................
Soap: castile, mottled, pure...................
Cotton-seed oil: summer yellow, prime..
Starch: laundry......................................
Cotton-seed meal.....................................
Rubber: Para Island, new.....................
Rope: manila..........................................
Paper: wrapping, manila......................1
Paper: news, wood.................................
95.1
85.9
69.6
Of the farm products group, 13 of the 14 articles were higher in
December, 1908, than the average price for 1890 to 1899, and the
price of only 1 article was lower in December, 1908, than the average
for 1890 to 1899. The December, 1908, price, compared with the
average price for 1890 to 1899, shows oats 84.3 per cent above; hides,
70.8 per cent above; corn, 55.4 per cent above, etc. Of the food
group in December, 1908, eggs were 123.1 per cent above; mess beef
65.3 per cent above; yellow meal, 64.7 per cent above; lard, 46.9 per
cent above; dairy butter, 43.8 per cent above, etc. With these
illustrations the reader is referred to the table.
The facts presented in the foregoing table are summarized in the
following table, which shows the changes in prices of articles in each
group, classified by per cent of change:
CHANGES IN PRICES OF ARTICLES IN EACH GROUP, CLASSIFIED BY PER CENT OF
CHANGE, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
Number of articles for which price-
Group.
Num
ber of
arti
100
cles.
per
cent
and
more.
increased—
60
25
10
and and and
under under under
25
100
50
per per per
cent. cent. cent.
Farm products..........................
Food, etc....................................
Cloths and clothing...................
Fuel and lighting.......................
Metals and implements.............
Lumber and building materials.
Drugs and chemicals.................
House furnishing goods.............
Miscellaneous.............................
14
47
44
13
31
20
9
13
12
1
3
7
2
1
3
2
6
1
2
Total................................
203
4
Decreased—
24
7
15
9
5
5
4
1
1
4
51
3
8
19
3
9
Was
10
25
Less same Less and
and
than
as
than under under
base.
10
10
25
50
per per
per
per
cent. cent.
cent.
cent.
6
2
4
12
1
6
2
2
3
6
2
2
2
........
........
........
1 .......
3
57
29
2
16
3
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
8
9
2
3
50
per
cent
and
more.
2
1
1
.......
1 ......
2
3
236
BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OF LABOE.
It is seen in the above comparison of the prices of December, 1908,
with the average for 1890 to 1899, that of the 14 articles in the farm
products group, 13 show an increase and 1 a decrease; of the 47 in the
foods, etc., group, 35 show an increase and 12 a decrease; of the 44 in
the cloths and clothing group, 40 show an increase and 4 a decrease;
of the 13 in the fuel and lighting group, 11 show an increase and 2 a
decrease; of the 31 in the metals and implements group, 24 show an
increase, 2 show the same price as the average for the base period,
and 5 show a decrease; of the 20 in the lumber and building materials
group, 19 show an increase and 1 a decrease; of the 9 in the drugs and
chemicals group, 7 show an increase and 2 a decrease; of the 13 in the
house furnishing goods group, 7 show an increase and 6 a decrease;
of the 12 in the miscellaneous group, 9 show an increase and 3 a
decrease. Of the 203 commodities included in the above table, 165
show an increase, 2 show the same price as the average for the base
period, and 36 show a decrease. Of the 165 commodities that
showed an increase in December, 1908, over the average for 1890 to
1899, 29 advanced less than 10 per cent, 57 advanced 10 and under 25
per cent, 51 advanced 25 and under 50 per cent, 24 advanced 50 and
under 100 per cent, and 4 advanced 100 per cent and more. Of the 36
commodities which showed a decrease, 16 decreased less than 10 per
cent, 8 decreased 10 and under 25 per cent, 9 decreased 25 and under
50 per cent, and 3 decreased 50 per cent and more.
The number and per cent of articles which showed each specified
increase or decrease are given in the following table:
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF ARTICLES, BY CLASSIFIED PER CENT OF INCREASE OR
DECREASE, DECEMBER, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
Number Per cent
of articles. of articles.
Price increased:
100 per cent and more.......
60 and under 100 per cent..
25 and under 50 per cent...
10 and under 25 per cent...
Less than 10 per cent........
Total
Price same as base...................
4
24
51
57
29
2.0
11.8
25.1
28.1
14.3
165
81.3
2
1.0
Number Per cent
of articles. of articles.
Price decreased:
Less than 10 per cent.......
10 and under 25 per cent..
25 and under 50 per cent..
50 per cent and more.......
Total
ft rand total
16
8
9
3
7.9
3.9
4.4
1.5
36
17.7
203
100.0
Of the 203 articles included in this table, it is seen that 165, or 81.3
per cent, show an increase in price; 2 articles, or 1 per cent, show
the same price as the average for the base period; and 36 articles, or
17.7 per cent, show a decrease in price in December, 1908, as com
pared with the average price for the base period.
Of the 258 commodities considered in the Bureau’s compilation of
prices, the average price of 142 commodities was lower in December,
1908, than in December, 1907, the average price of 50 was the same
in December, 1908, as in December, 1907, and the average price of 63
237
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
was higher in December, 1908, than in December, 1907. For two
articles there were no quotations in December, 1907, and no quotation
for one article in December, 1908.
The following table shows the relative prices of certain related arti
cles, so grouped as to render easy a comparison of the course of their
prices during the year 1908:
RELATIVE PRICES OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF RELATED ARTICLES IN 1908.
JAverage price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cattle and cattle produets.
Month.
Beef,
Cattle, i fresh.
Beef,
mess.
Beef,
hams.
Dairy produets.
Tallow.
Hides.
Milk.
Butter.
Cheese.
Jan...........
Feb..........
Mar______
Apr...........
may..........
June..........
July..........
Aug..........
S ep t...___
Oct...........
Nov..........
D ee..........
111. 2
110.3
123.9
129.8
131.4
142.0
134.3
128.7
125.6
122.6
129.7
135.9
117.0
117.0
119.6
135.4
139.1
142.3
139.4
128.3
126.2
128.1
129.0
133.7
141.0
14L0
145.9
149.2
149.2
153.1
160.3
160.3
165.8
165.8
155. 5 :
150.3
133.3
130.2
140.3
162.2
171.5
•177. o :
182.8
184.0
184.0
176.5
165.3
165.3
126.4
120.7
119.1
124.4
124.4
123.7 ,
126.0
124.6
129.4
137.9
133.6
130.6
119.1
110.7
100.7 | 1
112.1
125.4
141.4 i
160.1
166.8 '
168.1
167.0
168.7
170.8
156.9
147.1
137.3
122.7
102.7
88.2
98.0
117.6
122.7
147.1
150.2
156.9
140.0
145.9
134.6
130.5
108.6
107.0
102.5
107.2
109.0
124.2
133.9
141.8
m o
159.6
159.6
150.1
146.9
128.2
113.4
117.5
122.6
126.6
132.7
141.8
1908.......
127.4
129.5
153.2
164.5
126.7
142.6
129.0
122.1
138.2
Hogs and hog products.
Month.
;
J m .................
Feb..........
Mar......... :
Apr......... !
May----June........
July.........
Aug..........
Sept_____ !
Oct..........
.Nov_____
Dec..........
1908.......,
150.9
159.6
136.0
132.0
127.7
116.3
106.4
110.6
116.8
117.9
125.7
142.2
147.3
161.2
159.5
153.5
138.7
129.5
133.1
99.7
97.8
112.3
m 7
124.2
131.8
m
s
Com, etc.
Month.
Ia n .......
Feb........
Mar........
Apr........
May.......
June____
Ju ly.......
Aug........
S ep t.......
Oct.........
N ov........
D ee........
Hams,
smoked.
Bacon.
Bogs.
:
s
109.3
118.7
131.8
131.2
129.5
126.4
114,0
105.7
Flaxseed, etc.
156.3 174.9 142.9 1042
152.0 177.7 1 4 2 .9 102.6
167.1 177.7 145.3 102.9 '
175.4 177.7 155.0 101.5
196.2 174.9 145.3 104.7'
184 4 174.9 159.8 108.7
196.2 174 9 157.4 106.2
206.4 189.0 162.3 110.3
209.3 203.1 171.9 110.5
193.4 203.1 164 7 106.9
167.7 203.1 167.1 110.9
155.4 203.1 162.3 126.2
156.4
108.0
i
Lard.
Sheep.
Mutton, j Wool.
127.9
12L4
125.7
128.9
128.9
134.3
151.0
149.4
148.5
145.6
140.8
142.7
124.5
115.4
123.2
129.4.
131.7
137.0
146.5
147.6
159.0;
152.9
148.8
146.9
117.2
120.8
139.5
135.9
119.9
105.5
96.9
97.2
93.5
100.6
99.2
106.2 |
117.8
122.7
143.9
150.0
136.7
123.3
107.8
105.3
87.5
92.8
89.5
96.8
137.3
138.8
111.0 :
114.5
114.3
Lin
Glu Meal. Flax seed
Cora. cose.
seed.
oil.
1908..... 179.9 186.2
Mess
pork.
101.8
97.2
99.6
m
Sheep and sheep produets.
Rye and rye
flour.
Rye.
Rye
flour.
97.0 : 158.9
97.0: 155.1
9 4 8 i 151.9
94.8 i 148.2
92.6 154 0
97,0 147.4
97.0: 143.7
97.0 147.1
97.0 143.9
9 4 8 141.9
92.6. 141.6
105.8 143.3
154.5
m 2
152.2
146.2
144 7
147,0
141.7
130.4
135.7
131.9
125.1
152.2
96.5; 148.0
Wheat and
wheat flour. .
'
118.3
116.7
116.7
116.7
115.1
115.1
118.5
118.5
120.1
120.1
121.9
121.9
118.3
Flour, etc.
Wheat Crack Loaf
Wheat. Wheat1
flour, , flour. ; ers,
bread,
131,7
123.8
126.8
1246
135.8
127,6
120,6
130.3
132.7
135.2
138.8
140.8
142.8 ; 131.8
1243 *
118.9:
119.9;
115.0
m s:
115.4
114 7
116.8
118.1
118.6
121.2
123.2
1243
118.9 .
119.9 1
115.0
118.8,
115.4 .
114 7
116.8
118.1
118.6
121.2
123.2
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
1 145
1 145
1145
1145
11 4 5
114 5
114 5
114 5
114 5
114 5
114.5
114 5
118.8
118.8 : 112.1
1145
238
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
RELATIVE PRICES OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF RELATED ARTICLES IN 1908—Concluded,
[Average price for 1890-1899 =100.0. ]
Cotton and cotton goods.
Month.
Bags:
Calico:
Cotton:
American Cotton Cotton Cotton
upland, 2-bushel,
standard
Amosflannels. thread. yams. Denims.
middling. keag.
prints.
Drill Ging Hosiery.
ings. hams.
Jan....... A
Feb..........
Mar..........
Apr..........
May.........
June........
July.........
Aug..........
Sept.........
Oct..........
N ov.........
Dec..........
150.4
149.1
142.0
129.6
141.2
149.3
144.9
133.8
120.1
118.7
121.3
119.2
139.4
150.1
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
133.7
114.6
114.6
114 6
114.6
90.6
90.6
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
128.9
128.9
125.0
125.0
121.0
121.0
117.1
117.1
113.6
113.6
109.6
109.6
145.4
145.4
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
126.4
126.4
121.9
115.9
117.6
105.6
106.0
103.1
103.7
107.6
105.6
106.2
107.1
105.0
119.7
119.7
119.7
1149
1149
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
112.5
137.3
139.0
134.9
127.2
130.8
127.7
129.9
128.2
127.9
128.8
128.2
127.5
115.3
110.8
113.1
113.1
113.1
90.6
90.6
90.6
90.6
90.6
99.6
99.6
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
1908.......
134.8
134.3
1043
119.2
131.7
108.8
111.1
130.6
101.5
89.5
Cotton and cotton goods.
Month.
Print
cloths.
Wool and woolen goods.
Sheet
ings.
Shirt
ings.
Tick
ings.
Wool.
Blan
kets (all Broad
Carpets.
wool). cloths.
Flan Horse
blan
nels.
kets.
Jan..........
Feb..........
Mar..........
Apr..........
May.........
June........
July.........
Aug.........
Sept.........
Oct..........
N ov.........
D ec..........
145.3
133.9
122.2
114.5
112.8
114.5
114 5
108.4
105.7
108.4
116.7
121.1
137.9
129.9
127.7
124.8
122.7
117.8
117.4
113.4
112.9
112.3
111.5
113.2
144.9
128.8
128.8
128.8
125.1
110.0
111.6
111.6
111.6
111.6
112.4
114 0
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
99.0
99.0
99.0
99.0
99.0
106.0
106.0
118.3
116.7
116.7
116.7
115.1
115.1
118.5
118.5
.120.1
120.1
121.9
121.9
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
114.3
114.3
114 3
114.3
1143
123.2
123.2
123.2
123.2
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
115.7
115.7
115.7
124 4
124.4
124 4
124.4
124.4
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
1908.......
118.0
120.0
120.0
106.0
118.3
113.1
115.6
118.9
122.4
126.5
Hides, leather, and boots
and shoes.
Wool and woolen goods.
Month.
Under Women’s
dress
wear
Worsted
goods
(all
yams.
(all
wool).
wool).
Petroleum.
Over
coatings
(all
wool).
Suit
ings.
Jan..........
Feb..........
Mar..........
Apr..........
May.........
June.........
July.........
Aug.........
Sept.........
Oct..........
N ov.........
Dec..........
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
131.4
123.2
123.2
123.2
123.2
124.5
125.6
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
127.0
125.2
124.2
122.7
117.0
117.0
113.2
114.2
114.2
114 2
114.2
115.6
119.9
119.1
110.7
100.7
112.1
125.4
141.4
160.1
166.8
168.1
167.0
168.7
170.8
123.2
120.2
119.8
118.9
116.8
116.8
116.8
119.0
119.0
120.2
120.2
122.3
121.9
120.6
119.3
119.3
119.1
119.7
120.5
121.1
121.9
123.3
124.7
124 7
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
141.5
141.5
141.5
1908.......
122.6
127.6
115.8
127.0
117.6
142.6
119.4
121.3
195.6
143.1
Hides.
Leather.
Boots
and
shoes.
Crude.
Re
fined.
The lowest monthly relative price during 1908 for cattle was 110.3
in February, the highest 142.0 in June; the lowest for fresh beef was
117.0 in January and February, the highest 142.3 in June; the low
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
239
est for beef hams was 141.0 in January and February, the highest
165.8 in September and October; the lowest for mess beef was 130.2
in February, the highest 184.0 in August and September; the lowest
for tallow was 119.1 in March, the highest 137.9 in October; the
lowest for hides was 100.7 in March, the highest 170.8 in December.
The facts for the other groups may be seen by reference to the table.
Table I V .— Average yearly actual and relative prices o f commodities,
1890 to 1908, and base prices {average f o r 1 8 9 0 -1 8 9 9 ), pages8 3 8 to 8 6 4 -—
This table shows for each commodity the average price for each of
the 19 years from 1890 to 1908. In the parallel column following is
given the relative price for each year—that is, the per cent that the
price in each year is of the average price for the 10 years from 1890
to 1899. In the line above the prices for 1890 are given the average
prices for the 10-year period taken as the basis of comparison.
The average price for each year was obtained, as has been explained
on page 222, by dividing the sum of the quotations for each year as
shown in Table I by the number of quotations for each year. The
average price for the 10-year period (1890 to 1899) was obtained by
dividing the sum of the average prices of the 10 years by 10. The
relative prices for each year were computed in the same way as for
each month, as explained in the discussion of Table II. The 11 arti
cles quoted in 1908 for the first time do not appear in Table IV.
Table V .— Y ea rly relative prices o f commodities, 1890 to 1908,
pages 8 6 5 to 882. —In
this table similar commodities have been grouped
and the average relative prices have been computed for the various
subgroups and each of the 9 general groups. The relative prices
of articles in Table IV are included in this table. Relative prices can
not be given for the articles quoted for the first time in 1908, since
prices for the base period, 1890-1899, were not secured, but these
articles enter into the averages for the groups within which they fall.
The relative prices from 1890 to 1907 for the groups are simple aver
ages, found by dividing the sum of the relative prices of the several
commodities in the group by the number of commodities.
For 1908 the averages for all the groups were computed by the
method explained on page 231 in the description of Table III.
The average relative price of each of the 9 general groups for
each year of the period and the average relative price of all commodi
ties for each year are shown on page 207.
The average relative prices of the 237 commodities for which quota
tions were secured for the entire period involved do not differ mate
rially from the average relative price of all commodities shown in a
preceding table based on the varying number of commodities in the
different years. Eliminating the commodities for which quotations
were secured for only a portion of the period, we find that the aver79828—Bull. 81—09--- 4
240
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
age relative price of the 237 commodities remaining was 122.3 in
1908, as against 122.8, the relative price for the 258 articles for
which wholesale prices were secured in this investigation.
The following table shows for each of the 9 general groups the
relative prices of 1908 compared with the average for 1890 to 1899.
There are included in this table only those commodities which
have retained practically the same description throughout the 19-year
period. The average price for 1890 to 1899 is in every case the base,
or 100 per cent. I t should be kept in mind in using the table that
the comparison is between the average prices for 1908 and the aver
age prices for the base period.
RELATIVE PRICES, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
[For a more detailed description of the articles see Table I, page 249 et seq. Average price for
1890-1899=100.0.]
Farm products, 14 articles.
Relative
price,
1908.
Article.
Article.
Relative
price,
1908.
price increased—concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Flaxseed: No. 1...................................
Hay: timothy, No. 1............................
Cattle: steers, good to choice................
Hogs: light...........................................
Cattle: steers, choice to fancy................
Hogs: heavy........................................
Wheat: regular grades, cash..................
Cotton: upland, middling.....................
Hides: green, salted, packers’, heavy na
tive steers..........................................
108.0
118.3
126.7
127.5
128.1
131.4
131.8
134.8
142.6
Rye: No. 2, cash..................................
Barley: choice to fancy malting, by sam
ple....................................................
Com: contract, cash..............................
Oats: contract grades, cash...................
148.0
161.8
179.9
189.5
price decreased.
Hops: New York State, prime to choice.
67.1
Food products, 48 articles.
PRICE INCREASED—concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Bread: loaf (Washington market)..........
Fruit: apples, evaporated, choice...........
Vegetables, fresh: onions........................
Sugar: granulated...................................
Starch: pure com ....................................
Sugar: 89° fair refining...........................
Sugar: 96° centrifugal.............................
Rice: domestic, choice, head..................
Sdt: American, medium........................
Flour: wheat, winter straights...............
Molasses: New Orleans, open kettle.......
Meat: hams, smoked, loose.....................
Meat: mutton, dressed...........................
Bread: loaf, Vienna (New York market).
Fruit: raisins, California, London layer.
Butter: creamery, extra (New York
market)................................................
Butter: dairy, New York State..............
Meat: beef, fresh, native sides (New
York market).......................................
Butter: creamery, Elgin.........................
Vinegar: cider, Monarch.........................
Flour: wheat, spring patents..................
Bread: loaf, homemade (New York
market)................................................
Tallow.....................................................
Milk: fresh...............................................
100.6
101.9
104.0
104.5
104.9
104.9
105.0
111.2
111.5
111.6
112.7
114.3
114.5
117.3
120.6
120.9
121.0
121.1
124.1
124.6
126.1
126.2
126.7
129.0
Fish: salmon, canned...........................
Fish: cod, dry, bank, large...................
Meat: bacon, short rib sides..................
Meat: bacon, short dear s i d e s . ..........
Meat: pork, salt, mess, old to new.........
Cheese: New York State, full cream......
Lard: prime, contract...........................
Beans: medium, choice........................
Eggs: new-laid, fancy, near-by.............
Vegetables, fresh: potatoes, white.........
Flour: rye............................................
Meat: beef, salt, hams, western.............
Meal: corn, fine white...........................
Flour: buckwheat................................
Meal: com, fine yellow.........................
Fruit: currants, Amalia’s .....................
Meat: beef, salt, extra
...................
130.4
130.7
132.6
133.5
137.3
138.2
138.8
138.9
142.0
142.6
142.8
153.2
154.0
156.1
158.8
162.4
164.5
PRICE DECREASED.
Spices: pepper, Singapore.....................
ttrp.nd; pr&CKPrs, soda ............ ..............
Fish: salt, mackerd, large No. 3s..........
Fruit: prunes, California, 60s to 70s.......
Tea: Formosa, fine...............................
Soda: bicarbonate of, American............
Coffee: Rio No. 7..................................
95.5
90.5
80.4
75.1
52.6
47.8
241
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899—Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0]
Cloths and clothing, 44 articles.
Relative
price,
19C8.
Article.
PRICE SAME AS BASE.
Relative
price,
1908.
Article.
PRICE INCREASED— c o n c l u d e d .
Ginghams: Lancaster.............................
PRICE INCREASED.
Linen shoe thread: 10s, Barbour...........
Ginghams: Amoskeag............................
Tickings: Amoskeag A. C. A.................
Cotton yams: northern, cones, 22/1........
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Williamsville
Wool: Ohio, medium fleece, J and §
grade, scoured......................................
Boots and shoes: men’s vici kid shoes,
Goodyear w elt.....................................
Cotton yams: northern, cones, 10/1........
Denims: Amoskeag................................
Leather: sole, oak, scoured backs, heavy
No. 1....................................................
Blankets: 11-4,5 pounds to pair, all wool.
Boots and shoes: men’s brogans, split...
Broadcloths: first quality, black, 54-inch.
Underwear: shirts and drawers, white,
all wool................................................
Carpets: ingrain, 2-ply, Lowell..............
Cotton flannels: 2£ yards to pound........
Print cloths: 28-inch, 64 by 64................
Shirtings: bleached, Wamsutta ^ x x ___
Boots and shoes: women’s solid grain
shoes.....................................................
102.1
102.8
106.0
106.9
107.1
107.3
108.7
110.5
111.1
113.0
113.1
114.8
115.6
115.8
116.6
117.4
118.0
118.0
118.5
Suitings: indigo blue, all wool, 14-ounce,
Middlesex.............................................
Carpets: Brussels, 5-frame, Bigelow.......
Shirtings: bleached, 4-4, Lonsdale..........
Carpets: Wilton, 5-frame, Bigelow.........
Worsted yams: 2-40s, Australian fine...
Cotton flannels:
yards to pound........
Flannels: white, 4-4, Ballard Vale No. 3.
Drillings: brown, Pepperell...................
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Pepperell R .......
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Indian Head.......
Shirtings: bleached,4-4, Fruitof the Loom
Horse blankets: 6 pounds each...............
Leather: sole, hemlock...........................
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Pepperell......
Wool: Ohio, fine fleece, X andX X grade,
scoured.................................................
Cotton thread: J. & P. Coats..................
Bags: 2-bushel, Amoskeag......................
Drillings: 30-inch, Stark A .....................
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, cotton
warp, Atlantic Mills F ........................
119.0
119.9
120.1
1 2 0 /2
1 2 0 .8
1 2 1 .0
122.4
123.4
124.0
124.4
125.4
126.5
129.3
129.6
129.6
131.7
134.3
137.8
138.6
PRICE DECREASED.
Silk: raw. Italian....................................
Overcoatings: covert cloth.....................
Silk: raw, Japan.....................................
Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Wamsutta S.T.
Overcoatings: chinchilla........................
98.2
96.9
96.8
94.7
89.0
Fuel and lighting, 13 articles.
PRICE INCREASED—concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Coke: Connellsville, furnace..................
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (f. o. b.
New York Harbor)...........................
Coal; anthracite, broken.......................
Coal: anthracite, stove.................. _ ....
Coal: bituminous, Pittsburg (Youghiogheny),lump..................................
Petroleum: refined, for export..............
Coal: anthracite, chestnut.....................
Coal: anthracite, egg............................
112.3
124.8
127.1
Petroleum, refined, 150° fire test, water
white................................................
Coal: bituminous, Georges Creek (at the
mine)...............................................
Petroleum: crude, Pennsylvania...........
132.3
133.9
134.1
134.1
Candles: adamantine............................
Matches: parlor, domestic.....................
100.6
151.7
162.2
195.6
PRICE DECREASED.
93. &
85.4
Metals and implements, 31 articles.
PRICE SAME AS BASE.
p r ic e in c r e a s e d —
Saws: crosscut, Disston No. 2...............
Trowels: M. C. O., brick.......................
PRICE INCREASED.
Saws: hand, Disston No. 7...................
Bar iron: best refined, from store..........
Barb wire: galvanized..........................
Copper wire: bare.................................
Spelter: western...................................
Nails: cut, 8-penny, fence and common.
Steel rails.............................................
Copper: sheet, hot-rolled......................
Quicksilver..........................................
Lead: pig.............................................
Files: 8-inch mill bastard.....................
Planes: Bailey No. 5, jack plane...........
Pig iron: formdry No. 1..........................
Zinc: sheet...........................................
101.3
103.7
103.8
103.8
105.1
106.7
107.4
108.0
109.1
110.8
111.9
115.7
119.6
121.3
concluded.
Steel billets..........................................
Pig iron: Bessemer...............................
Pig iron: foundry No. 2 ........................
Hammers: Maydole No. 1£...................
Pig iron: gray forge, southern...............
Axes: M. C. 0 ., Yankee........................
Tin: pig...............................................
Chisels: extra, socket firmer..................
Locks: common, mortise......................
Doorknobs: steel, bronze plated............
122.2
123.9
124.5
129.0
129.6
144.9
160.2
198.0
203.2
235.7
PRICE DECREASED.
Shovels: Ames No. 2............................
Lead pipe.............................................
N ails: wire, 8-penny, fence and common.
Silver: bar, fine....................................
Wood screws: 1-inch.............................
99.4
98.4
97.1
71.4
66.2
242
BULLETIN OP THE BUKEAU OF LABOR.
RELATIVE PRICES, 1908, COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899—Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Lumber and building materials, 20 articles.
Relative
price,
1908.
Article.
PRICE INCREASED.
Article.
Relative
price,
1908.
PRICE INCREASED—concluded.
Window glass: American, single, thirds..
Cement: Rosendale..............................
Window glass: American, single, firsts...
Carbonate of lead: American.................
Maple: hard.........................................
Lime: common....................................
Shingles: cypress..................................
Oxide of zinc........................................
Oak: white, plain.................................
Tar......................................................
Turpentine: spirits of...........................
Spruce.................................................
103.4
107.1
109.7
112.7
119.3
125.4
125.4
128.3
131.7
132.8
135.6
144.9
Oak: white, quartered..........................
Pine: yellow, siding, long leaf...............
Hemlock..............................................
Poplar.................................................
Rosin: common to good, strained...........
149.3
165.2
174.5
185.8
227.9
PRICE DECREASED.
Linseed oil: raw..................................
Brick: common, domestic...............
Putty: bulk.........................................
96.5
91.8
75.9
Drugs and chemicals, 9 articles.
PRICE INCREASED.
PRICE DECREASED.
Alum: lum p..........................
Brimstone: crude..................
Glycerin: refined...................
Sulphuric acid.......................
Alcohol: grain.......................
Muriatic acid.........................
Opium: natural, in cases___
104.8
105.3
106.6
114.6
117.7
129.8
199.8
Quinine: American.................................
Alcohol: wood, refined...........................
63.7
44.8
House furnishing goods, 13 articles.
PRICE DECREASED.
PRICE INCREASED.
102.4
104.0
108.9
122.5
124.7
152.0
156.8
161.7
Earthenware: plates, white granite.
Earthenware: plates, cream-colored.
Glassware: nappies.........................
Wooden ware: tubs, oak-grained__
Furniture: tables, kitchen..............
Furniture: chairs, bedroom, maple.
Furniture: chairs, kitchen..............
Wooden ware: pails, oak-grained...
Earthenware: teacups and saucers, white
granite..................................................
Table cutlery: carvers............................
Table cutlery: knives and forks.............
Glassware: pitchers................................
Glassware: tumblers...............................
98.8
93.8
89.4
82.0
74.6
Miscellaneous, 12 articles.
PRICE INCREASED— concluded.
PRICE INCREASED.
Rope: m a n ila ......................................................
Rubber: Para Island, new......................
Tobacco: smoking, granulated...............
Proof spirits............................................
Tobacco: plug.........................................
Soap: castile, mottled, pure...................
Starch: laundry......................................
Malt: western made................................
108.7
108.8
117.9
118.0
118.6
123.0
124.4
132.7
Cotton-seed meal.....................................
Cotton-seed oil: summer yellow,prime..
133.8
134.4
PRICE DECREASED.
Paper: wrapping, manila........................
Paper: news, wood.................................
90.4
82.9
The 1908 prices of all of the 14 articles included in the farm prod
ucts group, except hops, were higher than the average price for 1890
to 1899. The 1908 price, compared with the average price for 1890
to 1899, shows oats 89.5 per cent above; com, 79.9 per cent above;
barley, 61.8 per cent above; rye, 48 per cent above; hides, 42.6 per
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
243
cent above; cotton, 34.8 per cent above, etc. The price of hops was
32.9 per cent below the average price for 1890 to 1899.
Forty-one of the 48 articles of food shown in this table were higher
and 7 lower in price than the average for 1890 to 1899. In 1908 the
price of mess beef was 64.5 per cent above the average price for 1890
to 1899; currants, 62.4 per cent above; yellow meal, 58.8 per cent
above; beef hams, 53.2 per cent above; potatoes, 42.6 per cent
above; eggs, 42 per cent above; beans, 38.9 per cent above, etc.
The price of coffee was 52.2 per cent below the average price for 1890
to 1899; tea, 24.9 per cent below; prunes, 22.7 per cent below; soda
crackers, 9.5 per cent below, etc.
Of the 44 articles considered in the cloths and clothing group in
1908, the prices of 38 were above and 5 below, while 1 article was the
same as the average price for 1890 to 1899. In 1908 the price of At
lantic Mills cotton warp cashmere was 38.6 per cent above the average
price for 1890 to 1899; Stark drillings, 37.8 per cent above; bags,
34.3 per cent above; cotton thread, 31.7 per cent above; Ohio fine
fleece wool, 29.6 per cent above, etc.
Of the 13 articles included in the fuel and lighting group in 1908,
the prices of the less important articles of matches and candles only
were below the average price for 1890 to 1899. The price of crude
petroleum was 95.6 per cent above the average price for 1890 to 1899;
Georges Creek coal at the mine, 62.2 per cent above; refined petro
leum, 51.7 per cent above, etc.
Thirty-one articles are considered in the metals and implements
group. The prices of two articles in 1908 were the same as the aver
age price for 1890 ta 1899, while the prices of 24 articles were above
and of 5 below the average price for 1890 to 1899. Doorknobs were
135.7 per cent above; locks, 103.2 per cent above; chisels, 98 per
cent above; pig tin, 60.2 per cent above; pig iron, gray forge, 29.6
per cent above, etc. The price of wood screws was 33.8 percent
below the average for 1890 to 1899; bar silver, 28.6 per cent below;
wire nails, 2.9 per cent below, etc.
Of the 20 articles included in the lumber and building materials
group, all but 3 showed prices above the average for 1890 to 1899.
The price of rosin was 127.9 per cent above the average price for
1890 to 1899; poplar, 85.8 per cent above; hemlock, 74.5 per cent
above; yellow pine siding, 65.2 per cent above, etc. The price of
putty was 24.1 per cent below the average for 1890 to 1899, and of
brick 8.2 per cent below.
Of the 9 articles included in the group of drugs and chemicals, 7
were above and 2 below the average price for 1890 to 1899.
Of the 13 articles considered in the group of house furnishing goods,
the 1908 prices of 8 were above and of 5 below the average price for
1890 to 1899.
244
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Of the 12 articles included in the miscellaneous group, the 1908
prices of 10 were above and of 2 below the average price for 1890 to
1899.
The facts presented in the foregoing table are summarized in the
following table, which shows the changes in prices of articles in each
group, classified by per cent of change:
CHANGES IN PRICES OF ARTICLES IN EACH GROUP, CLASSIFIED BY PER CENT OF
CHANGE, 1908 COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
Number of articles for which price—
Group.
Num
ber
of
arti 100
cles. per
cent
and
more.
Increased—
50
25
10
and and and
under under under
50
25
100
per per per
cent. cent. cent.
Farm products.............................
Food, etc.......................................
Cloths and clothing.......................
Fuel and lighting..........................
Metals and implements................
Lumber and building materials...
Drugs and chemicals....................
House furnishing goods...............
Miscellaneous................................
14
48
44
13
31
20
9
13
12
........
........
........
........
2
1
........
........
3
6
Total...................................
204
3
21
.......
Decreased—
3
2
3
1
8
15
9
5
3
8
1
3 ........
3
52
1
Was
10
25
Less same I,ess and
50
and per
than as than under
under
10 base. 10
cent
25
50
per
per per
per and
cent.
cent. cent.
cent. more.
1
7
7
1
2
5
9
3
3
3
2
57
36
3
13
22
2
8
2
2
2
1
2
4
3
1
1 1
3 ........
2 1
2..... 2
1 1
15
9
1 ......
1
2
1
.......
i...... i
1 ......
6
2
I t is seen in the above comparison of the prices of 1908 with the
average for 1890 to 1899 that of the 14 articles in the farm products
group, 13 show an increase and 1 a decrease; of the 48 in the food, etc.,
group, 41 show an increase and 7 a decrease; of the 44 in the cloths
and clothing group, 38 show an increase, 1 shows the same price as
the average for the base period, and 5 show a decrease; of the 13 in
the fuel and lighting group, 11 show an increase and 2 show a de
crease; of the 31 in the metal and implements group, 24 show an in
crease, 2 show the same price as the average for the base period, and
5 show a decrease; of the 20 in the lumber and building materials
group, 17 show an increase and 3 a decrease; of the 9 in the drugs
and chemicals group, 7 show an increase and 2 a decrease; of the 13
in the house furnishing goods group, 8 show an increase and 5 a de
crease; of the 12 in the miscellaneous group, 10 show an increase and
2 a decrease. Of the 204 commodities included in this table, 169
show an increase, 3 show the same price as the average for the base
period, and 32 show a decrease.
The number of articles according to classified per cents of increase
and decrease is also shown in the following table. Of the 169 com
modities that showed an increase in 1908 over the average for 1890
to 1899,36 advanced less than 10 per cent, 57 advanced 10 and under
25 per cent, 52 advanced 25 and under 50 per cent, 21 advanced 50 and
under 100 per cent, and 3 advanced 100 per cent and more. Of the 32
245
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1390 TO 1903.
commodities which showed a decrease, 15 decreased less than 10 per
cent, 9 decreased 10 and under 25 per cent, 6 decreased 25 and under
50 per cent, and 2 decreased 50 per cent and more.
The number and per cent of articles which showed each specified
increase or decrease are given in the following table:
NUMBER AND PER CENT OF ARTICLES, BY CLASSIFIED PER CENT OF INCREASE OR
DECREASE, 1908 COMPARED WITH AVERAGE PRICE FOR 1890-1899.
Number Per cent
of
of
articles. articles.
Number Per cent
of
of
articles. articles.
Price decreased—
Less than 10 per cent.......
10 and under 25 per cen t..
25 and under 50 per cent..
50 per cent and more.......
Price increased—
100 per cent and m ore.......
50 and under 100 per cent..
25 and under 50 per cen t...
10 and under 25 per cent...
Less than 10 per cent.........
3
21
52
57
36
1.5
10.3
25w5
27.9
17.6
Total...............................
169
82.8
Total.............................
32
15.7
Price same as base....................
3
1.5
Grand total...................
204
100.0
15
9
6
2
7.4
4.4
2.9
1.0
Of the 204 articles included in this table, it is seen that 169, or
82.8 per cent, show an increase in price; 3 articles, or 1.5 per cent,
show the same price as the average for the base period, and 32 arti
cles, or 15.7 per cent, show a decrease in price in 1908 as compared
with the average price for the base period.
Of the 258 commodities considered in the compilation of prices for
1908, the average price for 162 commodities was lower in 1908 than
in 1907, the average price of 33 was the same in 1908 as in 1907, and
the average price of 63 was higher in 1908 than in 1907.
The following table shows the relative prices of certain related
articles, so grouped as to render easy a comparison of the course of
these prices during the years from 1890 to 1908:
RELATIVE PRICES OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF RELATED ARTICLES, 1890 TO 1908.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cattle and cattle products.
Year.
Cattle.
1 8 9 0 ....
189 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
89.5
109.2
95.4
103.0
96.3
103.7
88.3
99.5
102.2
113.2
111.3
116.6
139.5
105.8
110.9
111.2
114.2
122.9
127.4
Beef,
fresh.
89.2
106.2
98.8
105.4
97.0
102.7
90.5
99.7
101.3
108.3
104.3
102.1
125.9
101.7
106.1
104.0
101.2
114.7
129.5
Beef,
hams.
80.4
85.8
80.5
98.6
101.5
95.9
88.1
125.1
118.8
125.6
114.2
112.6
118.0
117.2
123.5
121.6
119.2
144.0
153.2
Beef,
mess.
86.8
104.4
84.8
102.2
101.0
101.4
93.7
95.7
114.2
115.9
121.7
116.3
147.1
113.1
109.4
125.0
110.3
122.5
164.5
Dairy products.
Tallow.
105.7
111.0
106.4
125.1
110.3
99.8
78.9
76.3
81.8
104.1
111.5
119.1
144.6
117.2
105.5
103.2
119.3
142.8
126.7
Hides.
99.6
101.5
92.8
79.9
68.4
109.7
86.6
106.3
122.8
131.8
127.4
132.0
142.8
124.8
124.4
152.6
164.7
155.3
142.6
Milk.
103.1
104.7
105.1
109.4
103.1
99.2
91.8
92.2
93.7
99.2
107.5
102.7
112.9.
112.9
107.8
113.3
118.0
131.4
129.0
Butter.
100.4
116.1
116.4
121.3
102.2
94.5
82.3
84.1
86.8
95.8
101.7
97.7
112.1
105.7
98.4
112.8
113.1
128.5
122.1
Cheese.
97.1
102.4
107.2
109.0
107.4
941
92.0
98.1
83.3
108.9
1143
102.4
1141
123.3
103.2
122.8
133.0
143.3
138.2
246
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
RELATIVE PRICES OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF RELATED ARTICLES, 1890 TO 1908—Cont’d.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Hogs and hog products.
Year.
Bacon.
Hogs.
89.2
99.2
115.7
148.6
112.2
96.6
78.3
82.8
85.6
91.8
115.5
134.5
155.2
137.2
116.7
120.2
142.2
139.2
129.5
1890.......
1891.......
1892.......
1893.......
1894.......
1895.......
1896.......
1897.......
1898.......
1899.......
1900.......
1901.......
1902.......
1903.......
1904.......
1905.......
1906.......
1907.......
1908.......
89.3
103.7
116.6
154.7
111.8
96.3
73.1
79.9
89.4
85.8
111.5
132.3
159.3
142.6
115.1
119.0
139.9
140.7
133.1
Com, etc.
Year.
1890.......
1891.......
1892.......
1893.......
1894.......
1895.......
1896.......
1897.......
1898.......
1899.......
1900.......
1901.......
1902.......
1903.......
1904.......
1905.......
1906.......
1907.......
1908.......
103.8
151.0
118.3
104.2
113.7
104.0
67.8
66.9
82.6
87.6
100.2
130.6
156.9
121.1
132.6
131.7
121.8
138.8
179.9
124.3
111.4
109.2
81.7
86.0
91.8
95.6
104.9
116.0
153.6
129.7
126.3
125.1
142.9
159.4
186.2
Hams,
smoked.
Mess pork.
101.1
99.8
109.3
126.9
103.6
96.2
95.8
90.9
82.0
93.8
104.2
109.2
123.1
129.2
108.9
106.3
125.5
132.4
114.3
104.4
97.2
99.1
157.6
121.4
101.7
76.8
76.6
84.8
.80.3
107.5
134.2
154.2
143.1
120.6
123.9
150.5
151.0
137.3
•
Flaxseed, etc.
Glu Meal.
Com. cose,
(a)
100.8
142.0
114.0
105.8
105.6
103.3
77.4
76.5
83.7
91.2
97.0
115.5
148.2
124.7
129.5
128.4
122.5
131.5
156.4
Sheep and sheep products.
Lard.
96.8
100.9
117.9
157.5
118.2
99.8
71.7
67.4
84.4
85.0
105.5
135.3
161.9
134.1
111.8
113.9
135.6
140.7
138.8
Rye and rye
flour.
Flax Linseed Rye.
seed.
oil.
Rye
flour.
125.5
97.1
91.4
97.7
121.6
111.8
72.9
78.1
99.8
104.0
145.7
145.8
135.0
94.1
99.6
107.6
99.1
106.1
108.0
101.4
148.3
121.1
93.0
83.8
94.5
80.9
84.6
92.9
99.4
103.3
100.1
103.8
94.9
131.1
134.7
115.9
138.7
142.8
135.8
106.8
90.0
102.2
115.6
115.6
81.2
72.2
86.5
94.1
138.7
140.0
130.8
91.9
91.7
103.1
89.3
95.7
96.5
Sheep.
103.0
157.6
127.7
92.6
88.1
91.2
66.5
74.9
93.8
104.4
97.9
100.8
102.5
97.5
133.4
134.5
115.5
145.4
148.0
Mutton.
119.3
117.8
125.2
103.8
73.6
78.4
78.7
94.2
104.9
104.3
112.0
92.0
103.2
98.4
109.1
131.5
132.6
126.9
111.0
Wool.
123.7
114.9
121.2
106.5
80.2
82.2
82.9
96.6
98.0
94.3
96.4
89.5
97.9
98.7
103.2
113.9
120.7
116.0
114.5
Wheat and
wheat flour.
132.1
125.8
113.2
101.6
79.1
70.1
70.6
88.7
108.3
110.8
117.7
96.6
100.8
110.3
115.5
127.3
121.1
121.5
118.3
Flour, etc.
Wheat Crack Loaf
Wheat. Wheat
flour. flour.
ers.
bread.
118.9
128.1
104.9
90.1
74.4
79.9
85.4
105.8
117.8
94.7
93.7
95.7
98.7
105.1
138.3
134.5
105.6
120.8
131.8
120.9
125.6
104.2
89.3
77.6
84.4
91.2
110.1
109.0
87.9
88.3
87.4
89.7
97.1
125.4
122.3
96.8
108.6
118.8
120.9
125.6
104.2
-89.3
77.6
84.4
91.2
110.1
109.0
87.9
88.3
87.4
89.7
97.1
125.4
122.3
96.8
108.6
118.8
107.7
107.7
104.3
100.6
98.8
95.6
94.1
85.3
107.3
99.1
102.7
108.2
108.2
101.3
103.4
113.8
112.1
112.1
112.1
100.9
100.9
100 9
100.9
100.9
98.7
94.5
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
106.0
110.9
110.9
110.9
114.5
Cotton and cotton goods.
Year.
Cotton:
upland,
mid
dling.
Bags:
2-bushel,
Amoskeag.
142.9
110.8
99.0
107.2
90.2
94.0
102.0
92.2
76.9
84.7
123.8
111.1
115.1
144.7
155.9
123.1
142.0
153.0
134.8
113.9
111.7
110.8
106.8
91.1
82.2
91.6
92.9
95.6
103.4
112.6
101.0
102.4
104.2
128.4
109.6
129.1
138.5
134.3
1890.......
1891.......
1892.......
1893.......
1894.......
1895.......
1896.......
1897.......
1898.......
1899.......
1900.......
1901.......
1902.......
1903.......
1904....... *
1905.......
1906.......
1907.......
1908.......
Cotton Cotton
flannels. thread.
Calico.
117.5
104.0
117.5
113.0
99.5
94.9
94.9
90.4
81.4
87.3
94.9
90.4
90.4
91.1
95.7
93.5
99.5
121.0
104.3
a
121.8
121.8
115.9
101.4
95.7
91.7
93.9
88.6
81.0
88.0
101.6
95.4
96.1
106.8
125.6
119.7
128.2
139.5
119.2
101.6
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
99.6
98.4
98.4
98.4
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
134.8
131.7
Cotton Denims.
yams.
111.7
112.8
117.0
110.5
93.0
92.1
93.0
90.6
90.8
88.5
115.5
98.3
94.0
112.9
119.5
105.7
120.8
133.9
108.8
Average for 1893-1899=100.
112.5
109.6
109.6
112.5
105.4
94.6
94.6
89.2
85.9
85.8
102.8
100.2
100.6
108.0
116.6
103.7
118.1
132.3
111.1
Drill
ings.
Ging
hams.
121.1
114.6
102.2
105.6
97.1
93.2
100.2
90.4
86.8
88.5
105.0
102.2
102.0
109.9
126.7
123.8
138.8
147.2
130.6
119.1
122.1
122.1
114.9
89.5
87.0
88.0
84.2
83.1
89.7
96.3
92.3
99.2
101.8
99.9
93.4
104.7
122.0
101.5
Ho- ‘
siery.
129.7
122.8
117.4
109.4
100.8
94.4
90.5
86.7
83.4
82.5
87.3
85.9
85.2
90.1
89.2
87.5
89.7
97.4
89.5
247
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
RELATIVE PRICES OF CERTAIN GROUPS OF RELATED ARTICLES, 1890 TO 1908-Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cotton and cotton goods.
Year.
1890.......
1891.......
1892.......
1893.......
1894.......
1895.......
1896.......
1897.......
1898.......
1899.......
1900.......
1901.......
1902.......
1903.......
1904.......
1905.......
1906.......
1907.......
1908.......
Print
cloths.
117.7
103.5
119.3
114.6
96.8
100.9
90.9
87.6
72.6
96.3
108.6
99.3
108.9
113.3
117.3
110.0
127.7
167.4
118.0
Wool and woolen goods.
Sheet
ings.
Shirt
ings.
Tick
ings.
Wool.
Blan
kets (all
wool).
117.6
112.3
103.8
107.7
95.9
94.6
97.4
91.8
86.7
92.2
105.9
101.8
101.4
110.6
121.1
113.5
122.4
132.2
120.0
112.9
110.2
107.4
110.2
99.9
97.6
97.9
92.0
83.8
87.8
100.4
98.9
98.8
103.2
104.7
101.2
111.1
137.4
120.0
113.1
110.7
108.4
111.3
102.2
94.8
96.0
91.9
84.3
87.0
102.2
95.5
99.0
104.1
114.3
102.1
119.0
129.4
106.0
132.1
125.8
113.2
101.6
79.1
70.1
70.6
88.7
108.3
110.8
117.7
96.6
100.8
110.3
115.5
127.3
121.1
121.5
118.3
108.3
106.0
107.1
107.1
101.2
89.3
89.3
89.3
107.1
95.2
107.1
101.2
10k 2
110.1
110.1
119.0
122.0
119.0
113.1
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
18 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1897___
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1900___
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
19 0 4 ....
19 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
19 0 8 ....
Over
coat
ings (all Shawls.
wool).
111.9
111.9
111.9
108.6
97.5
90.8
86.7
87.8
97.1
100.6
116.1
105.3
105.3
110.2
110.3
118.2
126.1
124.8
122.6
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
89.1
89.5
90.2
89.1
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
117.5
128.5
107.0
(a)
Suit
ings.
113.1
113.1
113.4
112.7
98.3
89.2
87.8
88.7
103.4
106.1
115.8
104.9
105.8
109.0
109.0
122.7
134.8
133.1
127.6
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
91.2
79.7
79.7
98.2
98.2
98.2
108.0
110.3
110.3
110.3
110.5
115.2
116.6
116.6
115.6
105.3
112.8
104.5
104.5
98.7
91.0
90.2
93.5
100.2
99.4
102.7
101.9
102.5
108.6
110.0
115.7
117.7
123.2
118.9
Hides, leather, and boots
and shoes.
Wool and woolen goods.
Year.
Broad
cloths. Carpets.
Under Womens Worst
Boots
wear
dress
ed
Hides. Leather. and
(all goods (all yarns.
shoes.
wool).
wool).
106.2
110.0
110.0
110.0
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
115.8
115.8
115.8
a
117.6
123.0
124.1
114.7
90.6
82.7
74.1
82.2
88.5
102.7
118.7
107.9
109.8
114.4
115.6
129.7
134.1
130.9
127.0
122.3
123.4
117.2
109.5
91.3
74.0
72.9
82.5
100.5
106.7
118.4
102.2
111.7
118.0
116.5
124.7
128.5
127.9
117.6
99.6
101.5
92.8
79.9
68.4
109.7
86.6
106.3
122.8
131.8
127.4
132.0
142.8
124.8
124.4
152.6
164.7
155.3
142.6'
100.6
100.9
97.0
96.9
91.5
108.0
95.2
96.1
104.4
109.3
113.2
110.8
112.7
112.0
108.5
112.1
120.4
124.0
119.4
104.8
103.5
102.7
100.9
99.4
98.7
99.6
97.2
96.3
96.8
99.4
99.2
98.9
100.2
101.1
107.4
121.8
125.9
121.3
Flan
nels.
116.8
116.8
115.9
109.5
94.1
81.7
85.4
82.6
97.8
99.5
108.7
100.8
105.8
114.3
117.6
118.4
122.4
123.1
122.4
Horse
blan
kets.
109.1
104.7
109.1
104.7
96.0
92.5
90.8
99.5
99.5
94.2
118.7
109.9
109.9
117.8
122.2
130.9
135.3
130. 9
126.5
Petroleum.
Crude.
95.4
73.6
61.1
70.3
92.2
149.2
129.5
86.5
100.2
142.1
148.5
132.9
135.9
174.5
178.8
152.1
175.5
190.5
195.6
Re
fined.
112.4
102.2
91.5
81.0
80.5
106.6
112.5
96.6
99.5
118.0
132.6
119.3
118.8
142.8
140.5
126.6
131.8
139.1
143.1
Quotations discontinued.
This table shows for all of the 6 articles grouped under cattle and
cattle products (cattle, fresh beef, beef hams, mess beef, tallow, and
hides) an advance in price in 1891, but not in the same degree; in
1892, a decline in all of the articles in this group; in 1893, an increase,
except for hides, for which there was a further decline; in 1894, a
decline, except for beef hams, which increased; in 1895, an increase,
except for beef hams and tallow; in 1896, a decline in all of the
articles; in 1897, an increase, except for tallow; in 1898, an increase
for all of the articles, except beef hams; in 1899, an increase for all;
in 1900. a decline, except for mess beef and tallow; in 1901, an
248
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
increase for cattle, tallow, and hides, and a decline for fresh beef,
beef hams, and mess beef; in 1902, an increase for all; in 1903, a
decrease for all; in 1904, an increase for cattle, fresh beef, and hams,
and a decrease for mess beef, tallow, and hides; in 1905, an increase
for cattle, mess beef, and hides, and a decrease for fresh beef, beef
hams, and tallow; in 1906, an increase for cattle, hides, and tallow,
and a decrease for fresh beef, beef hams, and mess beef; in 1907,
an increase for all except hides, which decreased; in 1908 an increase
for cattle, fresh beef, beef hams, and mess beef, and a decrease for
tallow and hides.
For the 19 years from 1890 to 1908 the lowest relative price for
cattle was 88.3 in 1896, the highest 139.5 in 1902; the lowest for fresh
beef 89.2 in 1890, the highest 129.5 in 1908; the lowest for beef
hams 80.4 in 1890, the highest 153.2 in 1908; the lowest for mess beef
84.8 in 1892, the highest 164.5 in 1908; the lowest for tallow 76.3 in
1897, the highest 144.6 in 1902; the lowest for hides 68.4 in 1894, the
highest 164.7 in 1906. The facts for the other groups may be seen
by reference to the table.
General Tables I, II, III, IV, and V follow.
249
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able I .— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908.
[For explanation and discussion of this table, see pages 218 to 228.]
FARM PR O D U C TS.
B AR LE Y: Choice to fancy malting, by sample.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, weekly range; quotations furnished by the secretary of the Chicago Board
of Trade.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
$0.99-$l. 05
1.00- 1.06
.96- 1.06
.91- 1.03
.90- 1.00
.89- .93
.87- .90
.87- .90
.87- .92
.89.90.83.84-
Apr___
May....
June...
.93
.95
.90
.89
Month.
Price.
$0.80
.80
.80
.80
-$0.86
- .85
- .85
- .87
.74 .70 .72 .69 .621.61 .53 .53 .60 -
.85
.74
.75
.75
.65
.66
.61
.62
.65
July....
A ug....
Sept....
Price.
Month.
$0.60-$0.65
.69- .74
.73- .74
.69- .70
.63- .69
.63- .65
.65- .67
.65- .68
.65- .68
.64.65.64.61-
.66
.67
.66
.62
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
Price.
$0.59
.59
.61
.58
.59
.59
.63
.63
.61
-$0.62
- .61
- .63
- .62
- .60
- .63
- .67
- .64
- .64
.60 .63£.62 .62 -
.64*
.64
.65
.64
$0.7336
C AT TLE : Steers, choice to fancy.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and
Drovers’ Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$5.40-$6.15 Apr___
5.80- 6.30
5.60- 6.25
5.55- 6.20 ,
5.55- 6.15 May....
5.50- 6.00
5.55- 6.00 ,
5.50- 6.00 '
1
5.65- 6.00 ; June...
5.85- 6.35 !
6.10-6.40 j
6.65- 7.00 j
6.90- 7.50 j
$6.65-$7.35
6.35- 7.05
6.50- 7.10
6.50- 7.25
6.65- 7.25
6.80- 7.30
6.50- 7.25
6.50- 7.30
6.707.107.507.257.75-
7.35
7.75
8.40
8.15
8.40
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$7.15-$8.25 Oct.......
6.85- 8.00
6.60- 7.75
6.35- 7.40
6.40- 7.20 Nov......
6.40- 7.20
6.50- 7.20
6.75- 7.35
6.90- 7.40
6.60- 7.10 , Dec.......
6.55- 7.10
6.25- 7.00
6.35- 7.15
$6.20-S7.00
6.25- 7.10
6.25- 7.10
6.30- 7.00
6.30- 6.90
6.90- 7.00
6.60- 7.50
6.90- 7.90
6.75- 7.85
6.90- 8.00
6.90- 7.75
7.00- 7.85
6.90- 7.50
j Average.
$6.8163
1
CATTLE: Steers, good to choice.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and
Drovers’ Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.80-$5.30
5.25- 5.75
5.05- 5.50
5.00- 5.50
5.15- 5.50
5.05- 5.45
5.15- 5.50
.5.15- 5.45
Apr___
5.35- 5.60
5.45- 5.80
5.65- 6.05
6.25- 6.60
6.40-6.80
Ju n e...
M ay....
$6.15-$6.60
5.80- 6.30
6.00- 6.45
5.90- 6.40
6.00- 6.60
6.15- 6.75
5.95-6.45
5.80- 6.40
5.956.356.606.256.10-
6.60
7.00
7.40
7.15
7.10
July....
A ug....
S e p t...
$6.15-$7.00
5.85- 6.80
5.70- 6.50
5.50- 6.30
5.40-6.30
5.40- 6.30
5.40- 6.40
5.75- 6.65
5.80- 6.75
5.45- 6.50
5.60- 6.50
5.25- 6.15
5.30- 6.25
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$5.25-$6.15
5.25- 6.20
5.25- 6.15
5.05- 6.20
5.05- 6.20
5.50- 6.75
5.35- 6.50
5.65- 6.75
5.65- 6.60
5.80- 6.75
5.80- 6.75
6.00- 6.90
5.85- 6.75
$5.9976
250
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F A R M P R O D U C T S —Continued.
CORN: Contract, cash.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the secretary of the
Chicago Board of Trade.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
to. 60 Apr___
$0.59*- .60
.69 - .5 9 |
.58*- .59
.58 - .59 May....
.57 - .58
.57 - .57*
.57*- .58*
. 6 0 - .60* Ju n e...
.62*- .63
.63$- .64*
.65*- .66
.65*
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0,661-10.67* July....
.66*- .67
.661
.66*
.70* A ug....
.71*
.78 - .78*
.78$
.73 - .73* S ep t...
.69*- .69$
.68 - .68*
.69$- .70*
.69*- .70
Month.
Price.
$0.72*-$0.73 Oct.......
.74*- .74$
.75$- .76*
.75 - .75*
.77*- .78 Nov......
.79*- .80
.78 - .78*
.78 - .78*
.79*- .80 Dec.......
.80 - .80*
.81*- .81*
.78 - .78*
.78*- .78$
$0.77*-$0.77*
.76*- .76$
.71*- .71$
.67*- .70
.6 4 - .65
.62*- .64*
.63 - .65
.63*- .63*
.61*- .61$
.60 - .60*
.58*
.57 - .57*
.58 - .58*
Average.
$0.6843
•
COTTON: Upland, middling.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
$0.1130
.1165
.1210
.1165
.1185
.1165
.1145
.1135
.1165
.1150
.1105
.1040
.1050
Apr___
May__
June...
$0.1025
.1000
.1000
.1000
.1040
.1105
.1090
.1150
.1150
.1140
.1175
.1180
.1150
July....
$0.1120
.1110
.1100
.1170
.1080
.1055
.1040
.0980
.0930
.0930
.0940
.0930
.0930
A ug....
Sept.. .
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$0.0905
.0915
.0925
.0940
.0940
.0935
.0945
.0945
.0935
.0925
.0910
.0925
.0930
$0.10463
FLAXSEED : No. 1.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, on the first of each month; quotations furnished by the secretary of the
Chicago Board of Trade.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.11 -$1.21 Apr___
1.09 - 1.19* May....
1.09*- 1.19* J u n e...
$1.08 -$1.18 July....
1.11*- 1.21* A ug....
1.17*- 1.24* S ep t...
$1.14$-$1.21$: Oct.......
1.18$- 1.26$ Nov......
1 .1 8 - 1 .2 8 Dec.......
$1.14 -$1.24
1.18*- 1.28*
1.35*- 1.45*
Average.
$1.2019
H A T : Tim othy, No. 1.
[Price per ton, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations* from the Daily Inter-Ocean.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$13.00-$14.00
12.50- 13. 50
12.50- 13.50
12.00- 13. 50
12.50-14.00
12.50- 14.00
12.50- 14.00
14.00- 15.00
14.50- 15. 50
14.50- 15.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
12.50- 13.50
Apr__
M ay.. .
June...
$13.00-$14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.50- 14. 50
14.00- 15.00
14.00- 15.00
13.50- 14. 50
13. 50- 14. 50
13.00-14.00
13.00- 14.00
12.00- 13.00
10.00- 11.00
9.50- 10.00
9.50- 10.00
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
$9.50-$10.00
11.00- 12.00
11.00- 12. 00
11.00- 12.00
11.00- 12. 00
11.00- 12.00
10.50- 11. 50
10. 50- 11. 50
10.00- 11. 00
10. 50- 11. 50
10.50- 11.00
10.50- 11. 50
10.50- 11. 50
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
Average.
$10.50-$ll. 50
11.00- 12.00
11.00-12.00
11.00- 12.00
12.00- 12. 50
12.00- 12. 50
12.00- 12. 50
11.50- 12. 50
11.50- 12.50
12.00-13.00
12.00- 13. 00
11.00-12.00
11.00- 12. 00
$12.3365
251
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F A R M P R O D U C T S —Continued.
H ID ES: Green, salted, packers’ , heavy native steers.
[Average monthly price per pound, in Chicago; quotations from the Shoe and Leather Reporter.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.1116
.1037
.0944
Apr___
May....
June...
Price.
Month.
$0.1050
.1175
.1325
July....
Aug....
Sept...
Price.
$0.1500
.1563
.1575
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.1565
.1581
.1600
Average.
$0.1336
H O G S : Heavy.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and
Drovers’ Journal.]
J a n ...,.
Feb.......
Mar.......
$ 4 52*-$4.65 Apr___
4.20 - 4.35
4.37*- 4. 52*
4.45 - 4.60
4.35 - 4. 45 M ay....
4 .3 0 - 4 .3 5
4.30 - 4. 40
4.30 - 4. 40
4.50 4.70 4.65 4.97*5.95 -
4.60 June...
4.77*
4. 75
5.10
6.05
$6.00-$6.10
5.80 - 5.95
5 .8 0 - 6 .0 0
5. 40 - 5. 50
5.55 - 5. 65
5.55 - 5. 65
5.371-5.50
5.35 - 5. 50
July....
5.55 - 5. 65
5.50 - 5. 60
5.6*1-5.80
5.95 - 6.15
6.35 - 6.55
S ep t...
A ug....
$6.50-$6. 70 Oct.......
6.75- 7.05
6.55- 6. 85
6.25- 6. 60
6.55- 6. 90 Nov......
6.55- 6. 80
6.70- 6. 85
6.40- 6. 80
6.75- 7.10
6.75- 7.05 Dec.......
7.15- 7.42*
7.05- 7.40 i
6.85- 7.25
$6.55-$7.00
6.00- 6.30
5.50- 5.90
5.80- 6.10
5.90- 6.15
5.95-6.20
5.70- 5. 95
6.00- 6. 25
5. 75- 6. 00
5 65- 5. 85
5.60-5.80
5.60-5.85
5.95-6. 15
Average.
$5.7986
H O G S: Light.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and
Drovers’ Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$ 4 25-$4.65 Apr___
4 0 0 - 4 35
4 1 5 - 4 50
4 2 5 - 4 60
4 1 5 - 4 45 M ay....
4 1 5 - 4 37*
4 1 5 - 4 40
4 1 5 - 4 40
4 3 0 - 4 60 June...
4 5 0 - 4 80
4.45- 4 77*
4 75- 5.10
5.75- 6.05
$5 85-$6.20
5.50- 6.00
5.55- 6.00
& 15- 5. 55
5.40- 5. 70
5.40- 5. 65
5.25- 5. 50
5.20- 5. 50
5.355 305. 405.756.00-
July....
Aug....
5. 67* S ep t...
5. 62*
5.80
6.15
6. 55
$6.15-$6. 75
6. 45- 7. 00
6.15-6.80
6.00-6.60
6.30- 6.90
6.35- 6. 80
6.35- 6. 85
5 90- 6. 80
6.55- 7.10
6.50- 7. 05
6.90- 7. 40
6.80- 7. 45
6.50- 7.20
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$6.0Q-$6.95
5.50-6.30
5.10-5.85
5.15- 6. 05
5.30- 6.15
5.30- 6.15
5.30- 5. 90
5.40- 6. 20
5.00- 6. 00
5.00-5.85
5.00- 5. 80
4 85- 5. 80
5.30- 6.15
$5.6346
H OP S: New York State, prime to choice.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.15-$0.16
.15- .16
.13- .14
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$0. ll-$0.12
.11- .12
.11- .12
July....
A ug....
Sept...
o New crop.
$0.08-$0.10
.07- .08
.06- .07
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
®$0.13-$0.14
.13- .14
.13- .14
Average.
$0.1188
252
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F A R M P R O D U C T S —Continued.
H OR SES: Draft, good to choice.
[Price per head, in Chicago, on Wednesday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and Drovers'
Journal.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
3170-6220
170- 220
170- 220
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
Apr___
May....
June...
Month.
Price.
3170-3225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 230
170- 225
Price.
July__
3170-3225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170-225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
170- 225
A ug....
S ep t...
Month.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Price.
3165-3215
165- 215
165- 215
165- 215
16516&165165-
(a )
(a)
215
215
215
215
165- 215
165- 215
165- 215
Average.
3196.18
M ULES: 16 hands high, medium to good.
[Price per head, in East St. Louis, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Daily National Live
Stock Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
3150-3200
150- 200
150- 200
150- 225
155- 230
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155155155155155-
225
225
225
225
225
Apr___
May....
June...
3155-3225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155155155155155-
225
225
225
225
225
July—
3155-3225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
A ug....
Sept__
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
3155-3225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
155- 225
3189.13
O A T S: Contract grades, cash.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the secretary of the
Chicago Board of Trade.]
30.50f Apr___
. 50 |
. 50§
. 50|
.502 May—
.5 0 |
.50
30.51§- .52
.532- .5 3 | Ju n e...
.5 2 |- .5 2 |
.532- .5 3 |
.53S- .532
.522- . 52§
30.51 £-30.52 July....
.52]- .5 2 |
.5 2 |
.522
.5 3 | A ug....
.54*
.542
.552
.52 Sept....
.50
.502- .51
.52]
.50]
30.532 Oct.......
.562
.59
.52J
30.46 - .462 Nov......
.4 8 |- .4 8 |
.4 8 |
.492
.4 9 | Dec.......
.4 9 |- .50
.482
.48
.492
30.482
• 482
.462
.472
.49
.492
30.49|- .492
•4 9 |
.4 8 |
.502
.492- -50
.492
.492
Average.
30.5095
a No quotations for week,
253
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b le I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F A R M P R O D U C T S —Continued.
P O U LTR Y: Live, fowls.
(Price per pound, in New York, on Saturday of each week; quotations from the National Provisioner.]
Month.
Jan.......
Month.
Price.
Apr__
$0.14* J u ly ...
.15
.15
.14
\ 13 M ay...
.13*
.14*
.13
.13*
.14 June...
.14
.14
.14*
.13 A ug....
.13*
.13*
.13*
.13*
.13* S ep t...
.13*
.13*
.12*
$0.13
.13
.13
.12
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
Price.
Month.
$0.12
.12
.13
.13
Oct.......
.14 N ov___
.14
.13*
.12*
.13
.12 Dec.......
.12*
.13*
.14
Average.
Price.
tO. 14
.15
.13*
.13*
.13
.11
.12
.11*
.11*
.12
.16
.12*
.12
$0.1327
B Y E : No. 2, cash.
(Price per bushel, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the secretary of the
Chicago Board of Trade.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
10.81 -$0.83 Apr__
.84 - .85
.86 - .87
.83
.82 - .83 M ay...
.82 - .82*
.81 - .81*
.82
.84 June...
.82 - .83
.81 - .82*
.78 - .80
.74 - .75
$0.76 -$0.78
.76 - .78
.79 - .80
.80
.80*- .81
.81 - .82
.82 - .84
.80 - .81
.78
.77 - .79
.79 - .80
.77*- .78
.76 - .77
J u ly ...
Aug—
S e p t...
$0.74 -$0.75 Oct.......
. 7 4 - .75
.78
.77
.76*- .78* N ov___
.78
.78 - .7 8 |
.7 7 - .77*
.76* Dec.......
. 7 6 - .76*
. 7 6 - .76*
.75*- .76
.75*- .76
$0.75
$0.75*- .76
.75
.74 - .75
.74 - .75
.74
.75
.76
.75 - .76
.75*r .76*
.76]r .76*
.76
.75
Average-
$0.7825
i
SHEEP: Wethers, good to fancy.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers’ and
Drovers’ Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.75-$5.10
5.00- 5.40
5.00- 5.40
5.15- 5.50
5.15- 5.40
5.10- 5.35
5.25- 5.50
5.25- 5.60
5.355.756.006.006.25-
5.75
6.10
6.75
6.85
7.00
Apr___
May—
June...
$6.25-$7.00
5.75- 6.10
5.65- 6.10
5.50- 6.10
5.35- 6.00
5.40- 6.15
4.60- 5.25
4.50- 5.10
4.504.505.004.503.75-
5.10
5.10
5.50
5.15
4.25
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$3.85-$4.50
4.25- 4.65
4.35- 4.75
4.25- 4.65
4.25- 4.65
4.10- 4.25
4.25- 4.50
„ 4.30- 4.60
4.25- 4.50
4.15- 4.25
4.00- 4.30
4.00- 4.50
4.00- 4.25
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$4.25-$4.75
4.35- 5.00
4.25- 4.60
4.25- 4.60
4.35- 4.65
4.25- 4.65
4.25- 4.60
4.25- 4.75
4.25- 4.60
4.25- 4.60
4.50- 5.00
4.60- 5.10
4.75- 5.25
$4.9505
254
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T able I .— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F A R M P R O D U C T S —Concluded.
SHEEP: Wethers, plain to clioice.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Chicago, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Farmers, and
Drovers’ Journal.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Apr___
$4.60-15.25
5.00- 5.50
5.00- 5.40
5.00- 5.50
5.10- 5.40
5.10- 5.40
5.10- 5.60
5.10-5.60
M ay...
June..
5.25-5.75
5.40- 6.10
5.75- 6.75
5.90- 6.90
6.00- 7.10
Price.
$6.00-17.00
5.50- 6.10
5.35- 6.00
5.25- 6.00
5.25- 6.00
5.35- 6.15
4.50- 5.10
4.40-5.25
4.254.254.504.253.50-
5.00
5.10
5.50
5.10
4.00
Month.
Price.
$3.65-$4.10
3.90- 4.50
4.00- 4.50
4.00- 4.40
4.00- 4.60
3.85- 4.15
4.00- 4.40
4.00- 4.50
4.00- 4.35
4.25- 4.40
3.80- 4.25
3.65- 4.25
3.65- 4.10
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
$4.00-$4.50
4.25- 4.75
4.10- 4.50
4.15-4.50
4.10- 4.50
4.00-4.40
4.10- 4.40
4.15- 4.50
4.00- 4.50
3.90-4.50
4.25- 4.90
4.35- 5.00
4.50-5.25
N o v !...
Dec.......
Average.
$4.8115
TOBACCO: Burley, dark red, good leaf.
[Price per hundred pounds, in Louisville, on Monday of each week; quotations from the Western Tobacco
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$12.00-$13.00
12.00- 13.00
12.00- 13.00
12.00- 13.00
12.00- 13.00
12.00- 13.00
12.50- 13.50
13.00- 14.00
13.0013.0013.0013.0013.00-
i4 .66
14.00
14.00
14.00
14.00
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$13.00-$14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.00- 14.00
13.0013.0014.0014.0014.50-
14.00
14.00
15.00
15.00
15.50
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$14.50-$15.50
15.00- 16.00
15.50- 16.50
16.00- 17.00
16.00- 17.00
16.00- 17.00
16.00- 17.00
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
Average.
$16.00-$16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.50- 17.00
16.50- 17.00
16.50- 17.00
16.50- 17.00
16.75-17.00
16.75- 17.00
17.50- 18.50
18.00- 19.00
18.00- 19.00
18.00- 19.00
18.00- 19.00
$15.0625
W H EA T: Begular grades, cash.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the secretary of the
Chicago Board of Trade.]
a N o quotation for week.
255
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
FOOD, ETC.
BEANS: medium, choice.
Price per bushel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price;
Price.
$2.274-$2.30 Apr___
2.25 - 2 .27* May....
2.32$ June...
$2.25
2.20
$2.40- 2.45
Month.
July....
A ug,...
S ep t...
Price.
$2.35-$2.40
2.35- 2.40
2.35- 2.40
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.35
$2.3d- 2.32*
2.30
Average.
$2.3198
BREAD: Crackers, oyster, In boxes.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants* Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06* Apr__
.06* May__
.06* June...
$0.06* July....
.06* Aug—
.0 6 | S ep t...
$0.06* Oct.......
.06* Nov......
.06* Dec.......
$0.06*
.06*
Average.
$0.0650"
BREAD: Crackers, soda, IV. B. C., In boxes.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review .J
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06* Apr__
.06* May....
.06* June...
$0.06* July....
A ug....
.06* S ep t...
$0.06* Oct.......
.06* Nov......
.06* Dec.......
$0.06*
Average.
$0.0650
!o6*
BREAD: Loaf, 1 pound after baking.
[Price per loaf, in Washington, D. C., on the first of each month. Weight before baking, 18 ounces. Price
per pound (before baking), January to December, 80.0356.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.04
.04
.04
Apr__
May__
June.. .
$0.04
.04
.04
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.04
.04
.04
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.04
.04
.04
Average.
$0.0400
BREAD: Eoaf, homemade.
[Price per loaf, in New York, on the first of each month. Weight before baking, 16 ounces. Price per
pound (before baking), January to December, $0.04. Standard weight and standard prices charged
by the Bakers’ Association, which includes leading bread manufacturers in New York and Brooklyn*
and one or two in New Jersey who deliver bread in Manhattan.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.04
.04
.04
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.04
.04
.04
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.04
.04
.04
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.04
.04
.04
Average.
$0.0400
BREAD: Eoaf, Vienna.
[Price per loaf, in New York, on ttfe first of each month. Weight before baking, 15J ounces. Price per
pound (before baking), January to December, $0.0413. Standard weight and standard prices charged
by the Bakers’ Association, which includes leading bread manufacturers in New York and Brooklyn*
and one or two in New Jersey who deliver bread in Manhattan.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.04
.04
.04
Apr__
M ay....
June...
79828—Bull. 81—09---- 5
$0.04
.04
.04
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.04
.04
.04
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.04
.0 4
.0 4
Average.
$0.0400
256
BULLETIN OP THE BUKEAU OF LABOB.
T able I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
BUTTER: Creamery, Elgin.
[Price per pound, in Elgin, 111., on Monday of each week; quotations furnished by W. C. Willson, manager
of the Elgin Dairy Report.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$0.30 July....
.29
.29
.26$
.26 A u g....
.24
.22
.23
.23
.23 S ep t...
.23
.23
.23
I0 .2 9 | Apr___
.30
.30*
.32
.33 M ay....
.33*
.32
.32
.31 June...
.29
.29
.29
.29$
Jan--- -
Month.
ii
Month.
Price.
$0.22 Oct.......
.22
.22
.22
.21 N ov......
.22
.23
.23
.23
.23 Dec.......
.23
.23$
.26
$0.27$
.27$
.27$
.27$
.28
.29
.30
.30
.30
.30
.30
.31
.32
Average.
$0.2692
BU TTER: Creamery, extra.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.30-$0.30$ Apr___
.31
.31
.32
.33 M ay....
.34
.32
.32
.30 June...
.28
.28
.28
.28$
$0.30$ July....
.28
.28$
.26$
.26$ A ug....
.22$
$0.21$- .2 1 |
.22$
.23$ S ep t...
. 23$
.23$
.22$- .2 2 |
.22 - .22$
$0.22 -$0.22$ Oct.......
. 22$
.22$
.22
.21$- .21$ N ov......
.23
.23 - .23$
.23$
.23$ Dec.......
. 23$- . 23J
.23$- .23f
.23$- .24
.25 - .25$
$0.27$
.27$
. 26$
.26$
.27$
.29$
.29$
. 30$
.31
.31
.31$
.31$
.33
$0.26 . 26 . 27 . 29 . 29 . 30 .30$.30$.3 1 .3 1 .32$-
Average.
$0.2711
B UTTER: Dairy, New York State, tubs and balf tubs, fancy.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan........
Feb.......
$0.28-$0.29
(a)
(a)
(«)
(«)
(a)
(o)
Apr___
Maly....
(a)
Mar.......
(a )
la )
(a )
(a)
(a )
Ju n e...
(a)
July....
$0.27-$0.27$
.27- .28
.26
.26 A ug....
.22
.21
.22
.23 S ep t...
.23
.23
.22$
.22
$0.21$-$0.22 Oct.......
.21$- .22
.21$- .22
.21 - .21$
.20$ N ov......
.21 - .21$
.21$- .22
.21$- .22
.21$- .22 Dec.......
.22
.22 - .22$
.22 - .22$
.23
•
$0.25-$0.26
.25- .26
.25- .26
.25- .26
.26- .26$
.28
.28
.28- .29
.29
.29
.29
.29
.29- .30
Average.
$0.2449
a N o quotations for week.
257
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
CANNED GOODS: Corn, Republic No. 2, fancy.
[Price per dozen cans, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
i
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$0.90
.90
.90
Month.
Apr___
M ay....
June...
Price.
Month.
$0.90
.90
.90
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
Price.
Month.
tO. 90
.90
.90
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tO. 90
.90
.90
Average.
tO. 9000
CANNED GOODS: Peas, Republic No. 2, sifted.
[Price per dozen cans, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.40
1.40
1.40
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$1.40
1.40
1.40
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
tl. 40
•1.35
1.35
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tl.35
1.35
1.40
Average.
tl.3S33
CANNED G OODS: Tom atoes, Standard New Jersey No. 3.
[Price per dozen cans, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
tl. 10
1.10
1.10
Apr___
May...
June...
tl. 10
1.05
1.00
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
tl.00
1.10
1.10
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tl. 10
1.10
1.10
Average.
tl. 0791
CHEESE: New York State, full cream, large, colored, best grades.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.1 5 | Apr__
. 15*
. 15*
.15*
.151 M ay...
. 15*
. 15*
. 15*
.15* June...
.15*
. 15*
. 15*
.15*
$0.15* Ju ly...
.15
.1 4 |
.144
.144 A ug....
.144
.144
.144
.144 S ep t...
.144
.114
. 11*
.11
to. 104 Oct.......
.11
.114
. 11*
.114 Nov......
.114
to. 114- . 11*
. 11*
. 11* Dec.......
• 11*
.12
.124
.124
Average.
to. 124
.124
.124
.124
.124
$0.12|- .13
.134
.134
.14
.14
.14
.14
.14
$0.1304
COFFEE: Rio No. 7, Brazil grades.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06 -tO. 064 Apr___
.064- . 06§‘ M ay...
.064- -OOf June...
$0.06 -tO. 064 Ju ly...
.06 - .0 6 | Aug....
.06*- .064 S ep t...
t0.064-t0.064 Oct.......
.064- .06* Nov......
.06 - .064 Dec.......
t0.064-t0.06§
.0 6 |- . 0 6 |
.064- -061
Average.
tO. 0628
258
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PKICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
E G G S: New-laid, fancy, near-by.
[Price per dozen, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.32 -$0.38
.28 - .34
.26 - .30
.25 - .30
.27 - .32
.25 - .28
.26 - .30
.24 - .30
.24 - .27
.24 - .26
. 17*- .20
.17 - .20
.17 - 20
Apr___
M ay...
June...
Price.
Month.
$0.17 -$01.19 J u ly ...
.17 - .18*
.18 - .19*
.17*- .18*
.17*- .18* A ug....
.18 - .19
.19*- .21
.18 - .19
.18 - .20 S ep t...
.18*- .21
.19 - .22
.20 - .23
.20 - .24
Price.
$0.21-$0.25
.22- .26
.22- .26
. 22— .26
.22- .27
.22- .27
.22- .28
.24- .30
.24- .30
.24- .30
.25- .32
.25- .32
.27- .35
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
$0.28-$0.37
.28- .38
.32- .40
.32- ..40
.33- .46
.35- .48
.35- .50
.35- .50
.40- .52
.45- .55
.43- .50
.36- .42
.35- .40
N o v __
Dec.......
Average.
$0. 2788
F IS H : Cod, dry, bank, large.
[Price per quintal, in Boston, on the first of each month; quotations from the Boston Herald.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$7.25-$7.50
7.25- 7.50
7.25- 7.50
$7.50
$7.00- 7.50
7.00- 7.50
J u ly ...
Aug....
Sept...
$7.00-$7.50
7.00- 7.50
7.00- 7.50
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$7.00-$7.50
7.00- 7. 50
7.00- 7.50
Average.
$7.3021
F ISH : Herring, large, Nora Scotia split.
[Price per quintal, in Boston, on the first of each month; quotations from the Boston Herald.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr___
May....
June...
$7.00-$7.50
7.00- 7.50
7.00- 7.50
$7.00-$7.50
7.00- 7.50
7.00- 7.50
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$7.00-$7.50
7.00
7.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$7.00
6.50
$6.50- 7.00
Average.
$7.0833
F IS H : Mackerel, salt, large No. 3s.
[Price per barrel, in Boston, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$14 00
13.50
12.50
Apr__
May....
June...
$12.50
11.50
11.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$10.50
10.50
10.25
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$10.00
10.00
10.00
Average.
$11.3542
F IS H : Salmon, canned, Columbia River, 1-pound tails.
[Price per dozen cans, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$2.00
2.00
$1.85- 2.00
Apr___
May—
June...
$1.85-$2.00
1.85- 2.00
1.85- 2.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$1.85-$2.00 Oct.......
1.85- 2.00 • Nov......
1.85- 2.00 Dec.......
$1.85-$2.00
1.80- 1.85
1.80- 1.85
Average.
$1.9208
259
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able I __ WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
FLOUR: Buckwheat.
[Price per 100 pounds, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan. . . .
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$3.00-S3.10
3.00
3 50
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Apr__
May....
June...
(a)
(a)
(a)
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
(®)
(«)
Oct.......
Nov.. ..
Dec.......
$3.15-$3.25
2.75- 2.90
2.50- 2. 75
Average.
$3.0333
(a)
FLOUR: Rye.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.85-$5.40
4.75- 5.35
4.75- 5.35
Apr___
May....
June...
$4.50-$5.20
4.50- 5.10
4.60- 5.15
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$4.40-$5.00
4.00- 4.65
4.25- 4.75
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$4.00-$4.75
3.75- 4.55
3.60- 4.50
Average.
$4.7375
FLOUR: Wheat, spring patents.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of the
New York Produce Exchange.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$5.30-$5.85
5.50- 5. 85
5.35- 5. 80
5.35- 5.80
5.15- 5. 75
5.15- 5.75
5.00- 5.60
5.00- 5.55
5.20- 5. 75
5.20- 5. 75
5.10- 5.65
5.10- 5.65
5.10- 5.65
Apr__
May....
June...
$4.90-$5.40
4.90- 5.20
4.95- 5. 40
5.10- 5. 50
5.10- 5. 50
5.20- 5. 65
5.20- 5. 65
5.10- 5. 60
5.15- 5. 45
5.00- 5.50
5.00- 5.50
5.00- 5. 45
5.00- 5.45
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$5.00-$5.45
5.10- 5. 65
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5. 75
5.30- 5. 90
5.30- 5.90
5.30- 5. 90
5.30- 5.90
5.25- 5. 75
5.25- 5. 85
5.25- 5.85
5.25- 5. 85
5.25- 5.80
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$5 20-$5.70
5.20- 5.75
5.10- 5.60
5.00- 5.60
5.00- 5.50
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5.75
5.30- 5.80
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5.75
5.20- 5. 75
$5.4183
FLOUR: Wheat, winter straights.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of the
New York Produce Exchange.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.35-$4.75
4.35- 4.75
4.35- 4.75
4.35- 4.75
4.25- 4.55
4.25- 4. 55
4.15- 4. 45
4.10- 4. 40
4.25- 4. 50
4.25- 4. 50
4.25- 4.50
4.25- 4. 50
4.25- 4. 50
Apr__
M ay...
June...
J u ly ...
$4.00-$4.35
4.00- 4.35
4.00- 4.40
4.10- 4. 45
4.10- 4. 45
4.15- 4. 55
4.15- 4. 55
4.15- 4. 50
4.20- 4. 55
4.10- 4. 35
4.00- 4. 35
3.90- 4.25
3.90- 4.20
Aug....
S ep t...
$3.85-$4.15
3.85- 4.15
3.85- 4.25
3.85- 4.20
3.85-4.15
3.85- 4.15
3.85- 4.15
3.85- 4.15
3.85- 4.15
3.85- 4.20
4.00- 4. 30
4.10- 4.45
4.10- 4.45
i
a No quotations for month.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$4.10-$4.45
4.15- 4.50
4.10- 4.50
4.10- 4.50
4.10- 4.50
4.30- 4.70
4.30- 4.70
4.40- 4.75
4.40- 4.75
4.50- 4.80
4.40- 4.75
4.30- 4.70
4.30- 4.70
$4.2909
260
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OE LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
FR U IT: Apples, evaporated, clioiee.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Eeb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.10 Apr__
.09* May....
$0.09- .091 June...
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.08|-$0.091 July....
.071- -09 Aug....
Bept...
.0 8 |- . m
Month.
$0.08 -$0.09
.0 8 - .09
.071- .09
Price.
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
$0.07 -$0.09
.0 7 |- .0 7 |
.071- . 07f
Average.
$0.0803
FR U IT: Currants, Amalia's, In barrels.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06£-$0.06f Apr--.061- .061 May—
.06 - .061 June...
$0.05f-$0.06J July....
.051- .06 Aug....
.051- .06 Sept. . .
$0.05!-$0.06 Oct.......
.051- -06 Nov......
.061- . 0 6 | Dec.......
$0.06 -$0.06|
.0 5 |- .06
.051- .06
Average.
$0.0609
F R U IT: Prunes, California, 60s to 70s, in 25-pou nd boxes.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06!-$0.07 Apr___
.061- .07 May—
.06 - .061 Ju n e...
$0.051-$0.06
.051- -06
.051- .06
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.051-S0.051 Oct.......
.051- .051 N ov......
.06 - .061 Dec.......
$0.06 -$0.061
. 06 - .061
.051- .051
Average.
$0.0598
F R U IT: Raisins, California, London layer.
[Price per box, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
J a n .....
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.75-$1.85
1.75- 1,85
1.75- 1.85
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$1.75-$l. 85
1.75- 1.85
1.75- 1.85
July....
Aug....
Sept...
$1.75-$l. 85
1.75- 1.85
1.85
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
Average.
(a )
$1.85
(a)
$1.8100
CUUCOSB: 42° mixing.
[Price per hundred-pounds, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York
Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$2.48
2.52
2.52
Apr___
May....
June...
$2.52
2.48
2.48
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
« No quotation for month.
$2.48
2.68
2.88
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.88
2.88
2.88
Average.
$2.6400
261
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able I .— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
LARD: Prime, contract.
IPrice per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of the
New York Produce Exchange.]
Month.
Price.
Price.
Month.
Apr__ $0.0845-50.0865
.0845- .0860
.0820- .0850
.0820- .0860
May.... .0850- .0875
.0845- .0870
.0850- .0875
.0840- .0875
Ju n e... .0850- .0875
.0850- .0875
.0870- .0920
.0900- .0925
.0940- .0950
Jan....... $0.0820-$0.0845
.0800- .0830
.0790- .0825
.0775- .0825
Feb....... .0755- .0790
.0735- .0780
.0715- .0765
.0730- .0770
Mar....... .0755- .0780
. 0775- .0805
.0780- .0825
.0800- .0820
.0845- .0870
Month.
Price.
July.... $0.0955-50.0970
.0945- .0970
.0945- .0965
.0945- .0965
Aug.... .0965- .0990
.0960- .0980
.0935- .0960
.0955- .0975
Sept... .0980- .1000
.1005- .1020
.1050- .1070
.1065- .1075
.1060- .1070
Month.
Price.
Oct....... $0.1035-S0.1050
.0960- .0980
.0970- .0985
.1000- .1015
Nov......
.0980- .0990
.0970- .0980
.0960- .0975
.0960- .0970
Dec.......
.0960- .0975
.0945- .0955
.0940- .0955
.0950- .0970
.0970- .0985
Average.
$0.0908
M EAL: Corn, fine white.
[Price per bag of 100 pounds, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York
Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay....
June...
$1.45-$l. 50
1.45- 1.50
1.50
$1.60
$1.45- 1.55
1.60- 1.70
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$1.60-11.65
1.65- 1.70
1.75- 1.80
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.70
$1.70- 1.75
1.65- 1.70
Average.
$1.6146
MEAL: Corn, line yellow.
[Price per bag of 100 pounds, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York
Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.45-11.50
1.45- 1.50
1.50
Apr__
May__
June...
$1.60
$1.45- 1.55
1.60- 1.70
July....
Aug—
Sept...
$1.60-$l. 65
1.65- 1.70
1.75- 1.80
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
$1.70
$1.70- 1.75
1.65- 1.70
Average.
$1.6146
M EAT: Bacon, short clear sides, smoked, loose.
[Price per pound, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the Daily Trade Bulletin.]
Jan..
Feb..
Mar..
$0.08§-$0.08* Apr..
.071- .08
. 07*- .07]
.07*- .07|
.0 7 |- .07; May..
.07*- .071
.07 - .0 7 |
.0 6 |- .07
.07*- .07: June.
.0 7 |- .073
.071- .07|
.0 7 |- .073
.07g- .08
$0.07f-$0.08 July..
.071- .08
• 07|- . 07;
.0 7 |- .07|
.071- .08 Aug..
.071- .08
.0 7 |- .07]
.08 - .08 l
. 08*- .08* Sept.
.08*- .08*
.08f- .087
.0 8 |- .08;
.0 8 |- .09
$0.09§-$0.
.09*- .09]
Oct.
. 09§.09*.0 9 |.091.0 9 |-
.0 9 |
.10 Nov..
.10
.10
.10
.10*- .10; Dec.
.10*- .10]
.11 - .11*
.111- .11*
. 111 - . 11 *
Average.
$0. ll*-$0. I lf
. 10*. 10|. 10*. 10*. 10*. 10*-
.0 9 |.0 9 |.0 9 |.0 9 |-
. 10*
. 10|
. 10|
. 10|
.101
.101
.10
.091
.09*
.09*
.09*
• 091- .09*
$0.0901
262
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OP LABOR.
T a b le I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued,
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
N E A T : Bacon, short rib sides, smoked, loose.
[Price per pound, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the Daily Trade Bulletin.]
N E A T : Beef, fresh, carcass, good native steers.
[Price per pound, in Chicago, each week; quotations from the National Provisioner.]
Mar.......
.0 9 | M ay . . .
.09f
.0 9 |
.09*
.0 9 |
.09* June...
.09*
.09*
.10
$0.10 July....
.10
$ 0 .10- .101
.11
.11 .11 .10*.10 .10 .10 .10*.11 .11 -
.12* Aug....
.12
.11
.10*
.10*
.10* S ep t...
.12
.12*
.11*
$0. ll*-$0.12 Oct.......
. 11 - .12
. 1 1 - .12
.10*- .11*
.10*. 10*. 10*.10 .10 .10 .10*.10 .10 -
.11 Nov......
.11
.11
.10*
.10*
.11 Dec .........
.11
.11
.11
Average.
$0.10*-$0.11*
‘. l o t
i i i
Feb.......
$0.09* Apr___
.09
.09*
.09f
111
t—1H* H“*
Jan ..........
.10*- .11
. 1 0 - .10*
.10*- .11
.10*. 11 . 11 . 11 -
.11
.12
.12
.12
$0.1063
N E A T : Beef, fresh, native sides.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Daily Tribune.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.07*-$0.09* Apr___
.09*
•.0E7t"
|- .09*
.07*- .09*
.07*- .09 M a y ...
.07*- .09
.07*- .09
.07 - .09*
.07 - .09 Ju n e...
.07 - .09
.07 - .09
.08 - .09*
.09*- .11
$0.10 -$0.11 J u ly ...
.10 - .11*
.0 9 |- .11*
.0 9 |- .11
.09*- .11 A ug....
.10 - .11*
.09*- .11
.09*- .11*
.09*- .11* S ep t...
.10 - .11*
.10 - .11*
.10*- .12
.08*- .12
$0.08*-$0.12 Oct.......
.08*- .11*
.08 - .11*
.08*- .11
.08*- .11 N ov___
.08 - .10*
.07*- .10.07*- .10
.07*- .10 Dec.......
.07*- .10
.07*- .11
.07 - .10*
.07 - .10*
$0.07 -$0.10*
.07*- .1 0 |
.07 - . 10*
.07 - . i 0 |
.07 .08 .07*- . i o |
107*.07*- ; iof
.07*- . 10!
.08 - .10*
.08 - .10*
.08 - .10*
Average.
$0. 0934
263
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table I .— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
M EAT: Beef, salt, extra mess.
[Average weekly price per barrel in New York; quotations furnished by the statistician of the New York
Produce Exchange.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Jan.......
110.75
10.75
10.75
10.50
Apr__
$12.25
13.00
13.25
13.50
J u ly ...
$14.50
14.63
14.75
14.75
Oct.......
Feb.......
10.25
10.25
10.25
10.25
11.17
11.25
11.25
11.25
11.25
M ay...
13.75
13.75
13.75
13.75
13.75
13.75
14.00
14.50
14.50
A ug....
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
14.75
N ov___
Mar.......
June...
S ep t...
Price.
$14.75
14.75
14.75
13.25
13.25
13.25
13.25
13.25
13.25
Dec.......
13.25
13.25
13.25
13.25
Average.
$13.1837
M EAT: Beef, salt, ham s, western.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of
the New York Produce Exchange.]
$24.50-$26,50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
24.50- 26.50
25.00- 27.00
25.00- 27.00
25.00- 27.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$26.00-$28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.00
26.50- 28.50
26.50- 28.50
26.50- 28.50
27.00- 29.00
27.00- 29.00
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$28.00-$30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
28.00- 30.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
$29.00-$31.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
29.00- 31.00
28.00- 30.00
27.00- 29.00
27.00- 29.00
26.50- 28.50
26.00- 28.00
26.00- 28.50
26.00- 28.50
26.00- 28.50
26.00- 28.50
$27.7115
M EAT: Ham s, smoked, loose.
[Price per pound, in Chicago, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the Daily Trade Bulletin.]
264
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
M EAT: M u tton , dressed.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the New York Daily Tribune.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
$0.07-$0.09! Apr__
.07- .10
.09- • 10J
.08- .10
.08- .10! M ay...
.08- .10!
.08- . 10!
.08- . 10!
.08- .12! June...
.08- .10!
.09- .12
.10- .12!
.12- .14
Price.
Month.
$0.11 -SO1.12! J u ly ...
.10 - .12
.10 - .12
.10!- .12!
.10 - .12! A ug....
.10 - .12
.09 - .11
.08 - .10
.08 - .10 S ep t...
.09 - .11
.09 - .11
.08 - .10!
.07 - .09!
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.07-$0.09! Oct.......
.07- .09!
.07- .09
.07- .09
.07- .09! Nov......
.07- .09
.07- .09
.06- .09
.05- .09 Dec.......
.05- .08
.05- .08
.05- .08
.05- .08
$0.06 -$C1.09
.05 - .08!
.06 - .08!
.05 - .08
.05 - .08!
.05!- .08!
.05 - .08!
.05 - .08
.06 - .09
.06 - .09
.06 - .09
.05 - .08
.06 - .09
Average.
$0.0863
M E A T : Pork, salt, mess, old to new.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of
the New York Produce Exchange.]
$14.50-115.25
14.50- 15.25
14.50- 15.25
14.50- 15.25
14.00- 14.50
14.00- 14.50
13.75- 14.25
13.75- 14.25
14.00- 14.50
14.00- 14. 75
14.00- 14.75
14.00- 14.75
15.50- 16.00
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$15.25-S16.75
15.25- 15.75
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
14.50- 15.50
15.50- 15.75
16.00- 16.25
16.25- 16.50
J u ly ...
Aug....
S e p t...
$17.00-$17.25
17.75- 18.00
17.50- 17.75
17.50- 17.75
17.50- 17.75
17.50- 17.75
17.00- 17.25
17.00- 17.25
16.75- 17.25
16.75- 17.25
Oct.......
N ov.....
Dee.......
17.00- 17.25
$17.50-$17.75
17.50- 17.75
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.50
16.00- 16.75
16.00- 16.75
16.00- 16.75
16.00- 16.75
16.00- 16.75
16.00- 16.75
16.50- 17-00
17.50- 17.75
17.50- 17.75
16.50- 17.00
16.50- 17.00
Average.
$15.9736
M IL K : Presk.
[Average monthly exchange price per quart; net price at shipping stations subject to a freight rate to
New York of 26 cents per can of 40 quarts; quotations from the Milk Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0400
.0375
.0350
Apr___
May__
J u n e...
$0.0313
.0262
.0225
July__
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0250
.0300
.0313
O ct......
Nov___
D ec.......
$0.0375
.0383
.0400
Average.
$0.0329
M O LA SSE S: New Orleans, open kettle.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.34-$0.42
.34- .42
.28- .42
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.28-$0.42
.28- .42
.28- .42
July....
Aug__
Sept__
$0.28-$0.42
.28- .42
.28- .42
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.28-SO. 42
.28- .42
.28- .42
Average.
$0.3550
265
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
POULTRY: Dressed, fowls, western, dry picked.
{Price per pound, in New York, each week; quotations from the National Provisioned]
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Jan.......
$0.12* Apr___
.13*
$0.13*- .14
.13
$0.14* July....
.14*
. 15
.14*
$0.13 Oct.......
.13
.14
.14*
Feb.......
.13 May....
.13*
.13*
.13*
.14
.13* June...
.13*
.13*
.14*
.13* A ug....
.14
.14*
.14
$0.13*- .14
.14 Sept__
.14
.13*
.13*
Nov......
Mar.......
Price.
$0.15
.15
.15
.13 .13*.13*.1 3 . 13 -
tffc
Month.
Price.
©
00
1
Month.
.14
.14
.14
.14
.14
:la1
.13*
.14*
.13*
.14 Dec.......
.14
.15
.15*
.13
.13*- .14
.13*- .14
.13*- .14
Average.
$0.1389
RICK: Domestic, choice, head.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.05f-$0.06* Apr___
. 05§- .06* May—
.0 5 |- .06* June...
$0.05|-$0.06* July....
.0 5 |- .06* Aug--.0 5 |- .06* Sept__
$0.06*-$0.06* Oct.......
.0 8 |- . 06§ Nov.......
.0 6 |- .06f Dec.......
$0.06*-$0.06*
. 06 - .06*
. 06 - . 06*
Average.
$0.0624
SALT: American, medium.
[Price per barrel, in Chicago, each week; quotations furnished by the secretary of the Chicago Board
of Trade.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.82
.76
.76
.76
.76
.76
.76
.76
.76
Apr___
$0.74
-.74
.74
.74
July....
May....
A ug....
.74
.74
.74
.74
June...
.71
.71
.71
.71
.71
.71
.71
.71
.71
S ep t...
$0.74
.74
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
Oct.......
Nov.......
$0.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
.85
Dec.......
.85
.85
.85
.85
Average.
$0.7854
SODA: Bicarbonate of, American.
[Price per pound in New York on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
$0.0130 Apr___
.0130’ M ay...
.0115 June...
$0.0115
.0115
.0115
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0100
. 0100
.0100
Oct.......
N o v ___
Dec.......
$0.0100
.0100
.0100
Average.
$0.0110
266
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a ble I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
SPICES: Pepper, Singapore.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.08*-$0.08* Apr__
.07f- .08 M a y ...
.0 7 |- .08 June...
Month.
SO. 07*-$0.07f J u ly ...
.07 - .07* A ug....
.07 - .07* S ep t...
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.06f-$0.06f Oct.......
.06*- .07 N ov___
.07 - .07* Dec.......
$0.06*-$0.06 J
.06 - .06*
.06*- .06f
Average.
$0.0715
STARC H : Pure corn, for culinary purposes.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants, Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06
.06
.06
Apr__
M a y ...
June...
$0.06
.06
.06
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.05* Oct.......
.05* N ov___
.05* Dec.......
$0.05*
.05*
.05*
Average.
$0.0575
SU G A R : 89° fair refining.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Thursday of each week, including import duty of 1.44 cents per pound;
quotations from Willett & Gray’s Weekly Statistical Sugar Trade Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0335 Apr___
.0344
.0342
.0330
.0325
.0325 M ay...
.0317
.0317
.0338*
.0339 June...
.0355
.0362*
.0386
$0.0386
.0386
.0386
.0399
.0392
.0386
.0386
.0374
.0377
.0386
.0390
.0381
.0375
J u ly .. .
Aug--S ep t...
$0.0389 Oct.......
.0389
.0386
.0375
.0375
.0362* N ov___
.0358
.0350
.0340
.0346 Dec.......
.0340
.0345
.0348
$0.0348
.0348
.0346
.0354
.0348
.0345
.0344
.0344
.0344
.0342
.0336
.0327
.0317
.0317
Average.
$0.03563
SUGAR: 96° centrifugal.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Thursday of each week, including import duty of 1.95 cents per pound;
quotations from Willett & Gray’s Weekly Statistical Sugar Trade Journal.] .
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0385 Apr___
.0394
.0392
.0380
.0375
.0375 May__
.0367
.0367
.0388*
.0389 Ju n e...
.0405
.0412*
.0436
$0.0436
.0436
.0436
.0449
.0442
.0436
.0436
.0424
.0427
.0436
.0440
.0431
.0425
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0439 Oct.......
.0439
.0436
.0425
.0425
.0412* N ov___
.0408
.0408
.0390
.0396 Dec.......
.0390
.0395
.0398
$0.0398
.0398
.0396
.0404
.0398
.0395
.0394
.0394
.0394
.0392
.0386
.0377
.0367
.0367
Average.
$0.04064
267
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F O O D , E T C .—Continued.
SUGAR: Granulated, in barrels.
[Price per pound, in New York, on Thursday of each week, including import duty of 1.95 cents per pound;
quotations from Willett & Gray’s Weekly Statistical Sugar Trade Journal.]
Price.
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
$0.0455
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0465
.0455
.0465
.0475
.0485
.0505
.0525
Price.
$0.0525
.0525
.0535
.0535
.0535
.0515
.0535
.0535
.0520
.0520
.0520
.0525
.0525
Apr__
M ay...
June...
Month.
Price.
J u ly ...
$0.0525
.0525
.0525
.0525
.0515
.0505
.0505
.0505
.0475
.0495
.0495
.0495
.0495
Aug....
S ep t...
i
Month.
Price.
$0.0495
.0485
.0485
.0475
.0485
.0475
.0460
.0455
Oct.......
Nov......
.0 4 8 $
Dec.......
.0455
.0455
.0460
.0450
.0450
Average.
$0.04940
TALLOW.
[Price per pound, in New* York, on Tuesday of each week; quotations furnished by the statistician of the
New York Produce Exchange.]
TE A : Formosa, fine.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.22-$0.24
.22- .24
.22- .24
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$0.22-$0.24
.20- .21
.20- .21
Ju ly. . .
Aug ...
Sept...
$0.20-$0.21
.20- .21
.20- .21
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.20-$0.21
.20- .21
.20- .21
Average.
$0.2133
VEGETABLES, FRESH: Cabbage.
[Price per ton, in New York, each week; quotations from the Producer’s Price Current.]
Jan.......
$9.00-$12.00
9.00- 12.00
9.00- 12.00
9.00- 11.00
Apr___
$7.00-$12.00
6.00- 10.00
7.00- 14.00
6.00- 9.00
J u ly .. .
Feb.......
8.00-10.00
8.00-10.00
10.00-14.00
10.00-14.00
10.00-11.00
9.00-11.00
6.00-10.00
6.00-10.00
6.00-10.00
May....
4.00- 8.00
(a)
(o»
A ug....
Mar.......
(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)
June. . .
IOI
(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)
Oct.......
(°)
(a)
(a )
(a)
Nov......
\a)
(a)
(a )
(a )
S ep t...
Dec.......
$16.00-$20.00
$16.00- 20.00
Average.
a
No quotation for week.
$15.00-118.00
15.00- 18.00
20.00- 24.00
20.00- 25.00
20.00- 25.00
20.00- 25.00
20.00- 25.00
18.00- 25.00
18.00- 22.00
20.0030.0030.0030.00-
24.00
35.00
33.00
33.00
$15.4394
268
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a ble I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued,
F O O D , E T C .—Concluded.
VEGETABLES, FRESH: Onions.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of Com
merce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$2.50-t4.50
3.00- 5.50
5.00- 6.00
Month.
Price.
Month.
Apr___
M ay...
June...
(a)
(a )
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
(a )
Price.
(«)
(a)
$2.50-33.00
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.50-$3.00
1.50- 3.00
2.50- 5.00
Average.
$3.5357
VEGETABLES, FRESH : Potatoes, white, good to fancy.
[Price per bushel, in Chicago, weekly range; quotations furnished by the secretary of the Chicago Board
of Trade.]
$0.52-SO. 62
.52- .60
.55- .65
.57- .65
.58.64.64.62.62.65.62.62.62-
.70
.72
.72
.72
.73
.75
.73
.74
.71
Apr___
$0.62-tO.71
.60- .71
.60- .76
.62- .77
J u ly .. .
M ay.. .
.62.62.60.57.50.53.65&.90.95-
Aug....
June...
.80
.78
.77
.70
.64
.78
.96
1.50
1.45
t0.95-tl. 10
.95- 1.10
.85- 1.05
.70- 1.00
S ep t...
.70.73.80.60.58.65.68.66.58-
.83
.90
.90
.83
.75
.72
.78
.76
.70
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
t0.60-t0.81
.55- .70
.50- .60
.52- .62
.56- .67
.57- .68
.60- .70
.60- .71
.60- .70
.60.60.60.62-
.72
.75
.77
.72
tO. 7119
VINEGAR: Cider, Monarch, in barrels.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
to. 18
.18
.18
Apr___
M ay...
June...
tO. 18
.18
.18
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
tO. 19
.19
.19
1
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tO. 19
.19
.18
Average.
tO. 1842
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H IN G .
B A G S: 2-bushel, Amoskeag.
tO. 19* Apr___
.21 M a y ...
.18* Ju n e...
tO. 18* J u ly .. .
.18* Aug....
.18* S ep t...
tO. 18* Oct.......
.18* Nov......
.18* Dec.......
©
00 00 00
[Price per bag on the first of each month.]
Average.
to.1879
B LA N K E TS: 1 1-4, 5 pounds to the pair, all wool.
[Average price per pound.]
Year.
Price.
1908..................................................................................................................................... .
a
No quotation for month.
& New crop.
tO. 95
269
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table
I .—WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
BLANKETS, C O TTO N : 10-4, 2 pounds to the pair, £ 4 x 7 4 .
{Price per pair on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
M ar.....
Price.
Month.
*0.51* Apr___
.51* M ay...
.51* Jan e...
Price.
*0.50
.50
.50
Month.
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
Month. ;
Price.
*0.50 Oct.......
.50 j N ov___
.50 D ec.......
*0.50
.50
.50
Average.
*0.5040
BOOTS AND SH OES: Men’s b ro w n s, split.
{Price per pair on the first ofeaeh month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
*1.15 A pr....
1.10 May—
1*07* June...
*1.07* J u ly ..
1.10 A ug....
1.12* Sept—
*1.12* Oct.......
1.15 i Nov___
1.15 D e c .....
*1.17*
1.20
1.20
Average.
$1.1354
BOOTS AND SHOES: Men’s f i d calf shoes., Blaeher Hal., vici calf top, single
sole.
{Price per pair on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
*2.80 Apr___
2.80 ; M a y ...
2.80 June...
*2.80
2.30
2.80
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
*2.80 Oet.......
2.80 . N ov___
2.80 D ec.......
*2.80
2.80
2.80
Average.
*2.8000
BOOTS AND SHOES: Men’ s vici kid shoes, Goodyear welt.
{Price per pair on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
*2.50 ! Apr___
2.50 M a y ...
2.50 June...
*2.50
2.50
2.50
J u ly ...
A og....
S e p t...
*2.50 Oct.......
2.50 : Nov___
2.50 Dec.......
*2.50
2.50
2.50
Average.
*2.5000
BOOTS AND SH OES: Women’s solid grain shoes, leather, polish or polka.
{Price per pair on the first ofeaeh month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......•
$0.97* Apr___
.97* M ay.. .
.95 June...
*0.95 J u ly ...
.92* Aug....
.92* S e p t...
*0.95 Oct.......
,95 Nov___
.97* D ec.......
*1.00
1.02*
1.02*
Average.
*0.9088
BROADCLOTHS: First quality, black, 54-inch, made from X X X wool.
{Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
*2.02; Apr___
2.02 M ay...
2.02 June...
*2.02
2.02
2.02
J u ly ...
A ug....
S e p t...
*2.02
1.08
1.98
Oet.......
N ov___
D ec.......
SI. 98
1.98
1.98
Average.
*2.0030
270
BULLETIN OF THE BUKEAU OF LABOB.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
CALICO: American standard prints, 6 4x 64, 7 yards to tlie pound.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.0665
.0570
.0570
Apr___
M ay...
June...
Price.
$0.0570
.0570
.0451
Month.
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
Price.
$0.0451
.0475
.0475
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.0475
.0475
.0475
Average.
$0.0519
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
Average.
$1.2000
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.5280
.5280
.5280
Average.
$0.5540
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
Average.
$2.2160
CARPETS: Brussels, 5-frame, Bigelow.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.2480
1.2480
1.2480
Apr___
May....
June...
$1.2480
1.1760
1.1760
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
CARPETS: Ingrain, 2-p ly , Lowell.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.5760
.5760
.5760
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.5760
.5520
.5520
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.5520
.5520
.5520
CARPETS: Wilton, 5 -frame, Bigelow.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$2.2800
2.2800
2.2800
Apr___
May....
June...
$2.2800
2.1840
2.1840
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
COTTON FLANNELS: 2f yards to the pound.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.09 Apr___
.09 May....
.0 8 | June...
$0.08| July....
.08} Aug....
.08} S ep t...
$0.08}! Oct.......
.08}' Nov......
.07}! Dec.......
$0.07}
.07}
.07}
Average.
$0.0829
COTTON FLANNELS: 3} yards to tlie pound.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.07} Apr___
.07} M ay....
.07} June...
$0.07} July....
.07 Aug....
.07 S ep t...
$0.06} Oct.......
.06} Nov......
.06} Dec.......
$0.06}
. 06}
Average.
$0.0696
271
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table I.—WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
COTTON THREAD: 6-cord, 200-yard spools, J. & P. Coats.
[Price per spool, freight paid, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.04508
.04508
. 04018
Price.
$0.04018
.04018
. 04018
Apr__
May....
June...
Month.
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
$0.04018
.04018
.04018
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.04018
.03920
. 03920
Average.
$0.040833
COTTON Y A R N S: Carded, white, m ule-spun, northern, cones, 10/1.
[Price per pound on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.20 Apr__
.19* May....
.19 June...
$0.18* July....
.17f Aug....
.17 Sept...
$0.17 Oct.......
.17 Nov......
. 1 6 | Dec.......
$0.16f
.17*
.17
Average.
$0.1777
COTTON Y A R N S: Carded, white, m ule-spun, northern, cones, 22/1.
[Price per pound on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
$0. m
.21* May....
.23 June...
$0.19 J July....
.20 Aug....
.1 9 | S ep t...
$0.20 Oct.......
.21* Nov......
.21 Dec.......
$0.21*
.21
.20*
Average.
$0.2104
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.11
.11
• I lf
Average.
$0.1160
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.07
.07
.07
Average.
$0.0706
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0705
.0698
.0691
Average.
$0.0718
D ENIM S: Amoskeag.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.12* Apr___
.12* May....
.12* June...
$0.12
.12
.11
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.11
.11
.11
D R ILLIN G S: Brown, Pepperell.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.07* Apr___
.07* May....
.07* June...
$0.07
.07
.07
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.07
.07
.07
DR ILLIN G S: 30-inch, Stark A.
[Average monthly price per yard.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0772
.0786
.0746
Apr__
M ay....
June...
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 6
$0.0688
.0726
.0693
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0717
.0698
.0695
272
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e ! • — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
FLANNELS: White, 4 -4 , Ballard Vale No. 3.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.4687
.4687
.4687
Price.
Apr___
May__
June...
$0.4687
.4687
.4557
Month.
Price.
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.4557
.4557
.4557
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.4557
.4557
.4557
Average.
$0.4611
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.05
.05*
.05*
Average.
$0.0548
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.05
.05*
.05*
Average.
$0.0573
G IN G H A M S: Amoskeag.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06 Apr___
.0 5 | May....
.06 June...
$0.06
.06
.05
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.05
.05
.05
G ING H A M S: Lancaster.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
$0.0 6 | Apr__
.06* May....
.06* June...
$0.06* July....
.06* A ug....
.05 S ep t...
$0.05
.05
.05
HORSE B LAN KETS: 6 pounds each, all wool.
[Average price per pound.]
Year.
Price.
1908.......................................................................................................................................
$0.72*
H O SIE R Y: Men's cotton half hose, seamless, fast hlack, 20 to 22 ounce,
160 needles, single thread, carded yarn.
[Price per dozen pairs on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$0.75
.75
.75
Month.
Apr___
M ay...
June...
Price.
$0.75
.75
.75
Month.
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
$0.75
.75
.75
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.75
.75
.75
Average.
$0.7500
H O S IE R Y : W om en's cotton hose, high-spliced heel, double sole, fu ll-fash
ioned, combed peeler yarn.
[Price per dozen pairs maintained throughout the year.]
Year.
1908......................................................................................................................................
Price.
$1.77*
273
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
H O S IE R Y : Women’s cotton hose, seamless, fast black, 26-ounce, 176 needles,
single thread, carded yarn.
[Price per dozen pairs on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.80
.80
.80
Price.
Month.
$0.80
.80
.80
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
Month.
$0.80
.80
.80
Price.
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.80
.80
.80
Average.
$0.8000
LEATHER: Chrome calf, glazed finish, B grade.
[Price per square foot on the first of each month in the general market; quotations from the Shoe and
Leather Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.22-$0.23
.22- .23
.22- .23
$0.22-$0.23
.21- .22
.21- .22
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.21-40.22
.21- .22
.21- .22
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.21-$0.22
.21- .22
.21- .22
Average.
$0.2183
LEATHER: Harness, oak, packers’ hides, heavy No. 1.
[Price per pound on the first of each month in the general market; quotations from the Shoe and Leather
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.35-$0.37
.33- .36
.33- .36
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.33-$0.36
.33- .36
.33- .36
July....
A ug....
Sept__
$0.33-$0.36
.33- .36
.33- .36
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.35-$0.37
.35- .37
.36- .38
Average.
$0.3508
LEATHER: Sole, hemlock, Buenos Aires and M ontana, middle weights,
first quality.
T P ric e p e r p o u n d o n t h e f i r s t o f e a c h m o n t h i n t h e g e n e r a l m a r k e t ; q u o t a t i o n s f r o m t h e S h o e a n d L e a t h e r
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.26-$0.27
.25
.25
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.25
.24
.24
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.24
$0.25- .26
.25- .26
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.25-$0.26
.25- .26
.25- .26
Average.
$0.2508
LEATHER: Sole, oak, scoured backs, heavy No. 1.
[Price per pound on the first of each month in the general market; quotations from the Shoe and Leather
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.37-$0.40
.37- .40
.37- .39
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.36-$0.38
.37- .38
.37- .38
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.37-$0. 38
.38
.38
Oct.......
Nov.. ..
Dec.......
$0.38
.38
$0.39- .40
Average.
$0.3800
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.8930
.8930
.8930
Average.
$0.8930
LINEN SHOE THREAD: 10s, Barbour.
[Price per pound on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.8930
.8930
.8930
Apr__
May__
June...
$0.8930
.8930
.8930
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.8930
.8930
.8930
274
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I , — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
OVERCOATINGS: Chinchilla, cotton warp, C. C. grade.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.4 5 | Apr__
.44 May....
.44 June...
$0.44
.44
.44
Month.
Price.
July....
Aug....
Sept__
Month.
Price.
$0.43 Oct.......
.42* Nov......
.43 Dec.......
$0.42$
.42$
.4 2 |
Average.
$0.4346
OVERCOATINGS: Covert cloth, light weight, staple goods.
[Price per yard maintained throughout the year.]
Year.
Price.
1908.......................................................................................................................................
$2.2568
OVERCOATINGS: Kersey, standard, 28-ounce.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
$1.85
1.85
1.85
Price.
Apr__
May....
June.. .
$1.85
1.85
1.85
Month. |
Price.
July....
Aug—
Sept__
$1.85
1.85
1.85
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.85
1.85
1.85
Average.
$1.8500
Oct.......
$0.0300
.0300
.0300
.0312$
.0325
.0325
.0325
.0337$
.0337$
PRINT C LOTH S: 2 8 -inch, 64 hy 64.
[Average weekly price per yard.]
Jan........
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
$0.0425
.0425
.0400
.0400
$0.0325
.0325
.0325
.0325
.0400 May....
.0387$
.0387$
. 0362$
. 03621
.03621 Ju n e...
. 0350
. 0337i
.0337$
July....
$0.0325
.0325
.0325
.0325
. 0318a, Nov......
.0312$'
.0300
.0306$;
.0300 j
.0300 Dec.......
.0300
.0300
.0300
.0325 Aug--.0312$
. 03121
.0325'
.0325
.0325 S ep t...
.0325
.0325
. 0325
.0343$
.0343$
.0343$
.0343$
Average.
$0.033486
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.2040
.1977
.2021
Average.
$0.2390
SH EETINGS: Bleached, 9 -4 , Atlantic.
[Average monthly price per yard.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.2780
.2779
.2779
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$0.2561
.2586
.2578
a
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
No quotation for month.
(a)
$0.2130
.2060
275
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a ble I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
SHEETINGS: Bleached, 10-4, PeppereU.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
$0.30 ! Apr__
.25 ; May....
.25 June...
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.25
.25
.23
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
Month.
Price.
$0.23
.23
.23
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.23
.24
.24
Average.
$0.2442
SH EETINGS: Bleached, 10-4, W am sutta S. T.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
$0.31} Apr__
.30 May....
.30 June...
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.30 July....
.30 Aug....
.26} S ep t...
$0.26} Oct.......
.26} Nov......
.26} Dec.......
$0.26}
.26}
.26}
Average.
$0.2794
SHFFTIINOS: Brown, 4 -4 , Indian Head.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
$0.08} Apr__
.08} May....
.08 June...
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.08 July....
.08 Aug....
.07} S ep t...
$0.07} Oct.......
.07} Nov......
.07} D e c .....
$0.07}
.07}
.07}
Average.
$0.0779
SH EETINGS: Brown, 4 -4 , Lawrence L. L., 4 yards to the pound.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.06 Apr__
.05} May—
.05} June...
$0.05} July....
.05 A u g —
.05 S ep t...
$0.04f Oct.......
.05 N o v .......
.05 Dec.......
$0.04$
.05
.05
Average.
$0.0519
$0.06} Oct.......
'. °O6b}| Nov......
Dec.......
$0.06}
.06}
.06}
Average.
$0.0683
SH EETINGS: Brown, 4 -4 , Pepperell R.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.07} Apr__
.07 May....
.07 June...
$0.07 July....
.06} Aug....
.0 6 | S ep t...
SH IR T IN G S: Bleached, 4 -4 , Fruit of the Loom.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.12 Apr__
.09} May....
.09} June...
$0.09} July....
.09} Aug....
.08} S ep t...
1
$0.08} Oct.......
.08} Nov......
.08} Dec.......
$0.08}
.08}
.08}
Average.
$0.0913
276
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
SH IR T IN G S: Bleached, 4 -4 , Lonsdale.
IPrice per yard on the first, of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
! Month.
to. 10 Apr__
.091 May....
.09* June...
Price.
‘Month.
$0.091 July....
.09* A ug....
.08 S ep t...
Price.
] Month.
Price.
tO. 081 | Oct.......
.081 Nov......
.081 Dec.......
$0.081
.081
.0 8 |
Average.
t0 .0873
to. 101 Oct.......
.101 Nov......
"101 Dec......
to. 101
.101
.101
Average.
tO. 1119
tO. 081 Oct.......
.081 Nov......
.081 Dec___
$0.081
.09
.09
Average.
tO. 0938
SH IR T IN G S: Bleached, 4 -4 , W a m s u t t a ^
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
tO. 121 Apr__
.121 May....
.121 June...
tO. 12J July....
. m Aug....
.101 Sept.. .
SHIRTINGS? Bleached, 4 -4 , Williamsville A l.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May__
June...
tO. 12
.10
.10
to. 10 July....
• 0 8 | Aug....
.081 Sept.. .
SIL K : Raw, Italian, classical.
[Net cash price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the American Silk
Journal.]
Apr__ t3.6630-t3.7125
May.... 3.8115- 3.8610
June... 3.8610- 3.9105
Jan....... to. 0490-55.0985
Feb....... 4.3560- 4.4055
Mar....... 3.9600- 4.0095
July.... $3.9600-t4.0095
A ug.... 4.1085- 4.2075
Sept.. . 4.1580- 4.2570
Oct....... S4.2075-t4.3065
Nov...... 4.1580- 4.2570
Dec....... 4.4550- 4.5540
Average.
t4 .1807
S IL K : Raw, Japan, Kansal No. 1.
[Net cash price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month, quotations from the American Silk
Journal.]
Jan....... t4 .0255-54.0740
Feb....... 4.0255- 4.0740
Mar....... 3.7345- 3.7830
Apr__ t3.5405-53.5890
May.... 3.4435- 3.4920
June... 3.5405- 3.5890
July.... 53.9770-54.0255
A ug.... 3.9770- 4.0255
Sept.. . 4.0255- 4.0740
Oct....... 54.0255-54.0740
Nov...... 3.9770- 4.0740
Dec....... 4. .0740- 4.1225
Average.
53.8902
SU ITIN G S: Clay worsted diagonal, 12-ounce, Washington Mills.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
51.1700
1.1700
1.1700
Apr__
May__
June...
51.1700
1.1700
1.1700
July....
Aug....
S ep t.. .
51.0575
1.0575
1.0575
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
51.0575
1.0575
1.0575
Average.
51.1138
277
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I .—WHOLESALE PRICES OP COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
SiriT IN G S: Clay worsted diagonal, 16-ounce, W ashington Mills.
[ Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Apr__
May__
June...
$1.3960
1.3950
1.3950
Price.
$1.3950
1.3950
1.3950
Month.
July....
Aug....
Sept__
Price.
$1.2825
1.2»25
1.2825
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.2825
1.2825
1.2825
Average.
$1.3388
SU IT IN G S: Indigo blue, all wool, 54-lncb, 14-ounce, Middlesex standard.
[ Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May....
June...
$1.5750
1.5750
1.5750
$1.5750
1.5750
1.5750
July....
Aug....
Sept....
$1.5750
1.5750
1.5750
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.5750
1.5750
1.5750
Average.
$1.5750
S U IT IN G S : Serge, Washington Mills 6700.
[ Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr___
May....
June...
$1.0575
1.0575
1.0575
$1.0575
1.0575
1.0575
July....
Aug....
Sept__
$0.9225
.9225
.9225
O c tl....
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.9225
.9225
.9675
Average.
$0.9938
$0.10* Oct.......
.10* Nov......
.10* Dec.......
$0.10*
.111
. I lf
Average.
$0.1125
T IC K IN G S: Amoskeag A. C. A.
[Price per yard on the first of each month. ]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Aor__
May....
June...
$0.12
.12
.12
$0.12 July....
.12 Aug....
.10* Sept....
TR O U SER IN G S: Fancy worsted, 19 to 20 ounce, all worsted warp and filling,
wool and worsted bach.
[ Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May....
June...
$2.4750
2.4750
2.4750
$2.4750
2.4750
2.4750
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$2.4750
2.4750
2.4750
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.4750
2.5875
2.5875
Average.
$2.4938
UNDERWEAR: Shirts and drawers, white, all wool, full-fashioned, 18-gauge.
[Price per dozen garments on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$27.00
27.00
27.00
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$27.00
27.00
27.00
J u ly ...
A ug....
Sept.. .
$27.00
27.00
27.00
Oct.......
Nov___
Dec.......
$27.00
27.00
27.00
Average.
$27.0000
278
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T able I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Continued.
UNDERWEAR: Shirts and drawers, white, merino, full-fashioned, 60 per
cent wool, 40 per cent cotton, 24-gauge.
[Price per dozen garments on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$18.00
18,00
18.00
Month.
Apr—
M ay...
June...
Price.
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Month.
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Average.
$18.0000
WOMEN’ S DRESS GOODS: Cashmere, all wool, 8 -9 twill, 35-inch, Atlantic
Mills.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.3185
.3185
.3185
Apr__
M a y ...
June...
$0.3185
.3185
.3185
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.3185
.3185
.3185
Oct.......
Nov___
Dec.......
$0.3185
.3185
.3185
Average.
$0.3185
WOMEN’ S DRESS GOODS: Cashmere, cotton warp, 9-tw ill, 4 -4 , Atlantic
Mills F.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.2107
.2107
.2107
Apr__
M a y ...
June...
$0.2107
.2107
.2107
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.2107
.2107
.2107
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.2107
.2107
.2107
Average.
$0.2107
WOMEN’ S DRESS GOODS: Cashmere, cotton warp, 36-inch, Hamilton.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.1960
.1960
.1960
Apr___
M a y ...
June...
$0.1911
.1911
.1911
J u ly ...
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.1911
.1911
.1911
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.1862
.1862
.1862
Average.
$0.1911
WOMEN’ S DRESS GOODS: Panama cloth, all wool, 54-inch.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.6983
.6983
.6983
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.6983
.6983
.6983
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.6983
.6983
.6983
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.6983
.6983
.6983
Average.
$0.6983
WOMEN’ S DRESS GOODS: Poplar cloth, cotton warp and worsted filling,
36-inch.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.20
.20
.20
Apr___
M ay...
Ju n e...
$0.20
.20
.20
J u ly ...
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.20
.20
.19
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.19
.19
.19
Average.
$0.1967
279
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I .—WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
C L O T H S A N D C L O T H I N G —Concluded.
WOMEN S DRESS GOODS: Sicilian cloth, cotton warp, 50-inch.
[Price per yard on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Apr__
May....
June...
SO. 3491
.3491
.3491
Price.
SO. 3491
.3491
.3491
Month.
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
Price.
Month.
Price.
SO. 3491 1 Oct.......
.3491 Nov......
.3491 Dec.......
SO. 3491
.3491
.3491
Average.
SO. 3491
W OOL: Ohio, fine fleece (X and X X grade), scoured.
[Price per pound, in the eastern markets (Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia), on the first
of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
SO. 7021
.7021
.7021
Apr__
M ay....
June...
SO. 7021
.7021
.7021
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
SO. 7234
.7234
.7234
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
SO. 7234
.7447
.7447
Average.
SO. 7163
WOOL: Ohio, medium fleece (one-fourth and three-eighths grade), scoured.
[Price per pound, in the eastern markets (Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia), on the first of
each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay....
June...
$0.5000
.4865
.4865
SO.4865
.4730
.4730
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
SO. 4865 ■ Oct.......
.4865 ' Nov......
.5000 Dec.......
!
I Average.
i
$0.5000
.5000
.5000
SO. 4809
WORSTED Y A R N S : 2 -4 0 s, Australian fine.
[Price per pound on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May....
June...
SI. 27
1.25
1.22
SI. 22
1.22
1.20
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
SI. 22 ’ Oct.......
1.22 1 Nov......
1.22 Dec.......
SI. 22
1.25
1.25
Average.
SI. 2300
WORSTED YA R N S: 2 -3 2 s, crossbred stock, white, in skeins.
[Price per pound on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
SO. 88
.88
.88
Apr__
M ay....
June...
SO. 80
.80
.76
July....
Aug--Sept.. .
SO. 76
.76
.76
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
SO. 76
.76
.82
Average.
SO. 8017
280
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OP LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued,
F U E L A N D L IG H T IN G !.
CANDLllS: Adamantine, 6s, 14-ounce.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug Re
porter.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
$0.07* July....
• 07* Aug....
.07* S ep t...
$0.07$ Apr__
.0 7 | M ay....
.07* June...
Month.
Price.
$0.07* Oct.......
.07* Nov......
.07* j Dec.......
tO. 07*
.07*
.07*
Average.
tO. 0731
COAL,: Anthracite, broken.
[Average monthly selling price per ton, at tide water, New York Harbor.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
t4.2071
4.2068
4.2000
Apr___
May—
June...
t4.2000
4.2018
4.2059
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
t4.2006
4.2000
4.2000
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
t4.2000
4.2000
4.2000
Average.
t4.2019
COAL: Anthracite, chestnut.
[Average monthly selling price per ton, at tide water, New York Harbor.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
t4 .9470
4.9500
4.9500
Apr___
May....
June...
t4 .4500
4.5343
4.6469
July....
Aug—
S ep t...
t4 .7377
4.8439
4.9398
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
t4.9492
4.9502
4.9486
Average.
t4.8206
COAL: Anthracite, egg.
[Average monthly selling price per ton, at tide water, New York Harbor.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
14.9504
4.9500
4.9500
Apr___
May....
June...
t4 .4500
4.5327
4.6463
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
t4.7475
4.8285
4.9384
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
t4 .9500
4.9500
4.9500
Average.
t4.8203
COAL: Anthracite, stove.
[Average monthly selling price per ton, at tide water, New York Harbor.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
14.9503
4.9500
4.9500
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$4.4510
4.5357
4.6453
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
t4.7469
4.8497
4.9459
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
t4.9483
4.9500
4.9486
Average.
t4.8226
COAL: Bituminous, Georges Creek.
[Price per ton, at the mine, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
tl. 50
1.50
1.50
Apr___
M ay....
Ju n e...
tl. 50
1.40
1.40
July....
A ug....
Sept....
tl. 35
1.40
1.40
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tl. 45
1.45
1.45
Average.
tl. 4417
281
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F U E L A N D L I G H T I N G —Continued.
COAL: Bituminous, Georges Creek.
[Price per ton, f. o. b. New York Harbor, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb....... v
Mar.......
Price.
$3.15
3.10
3.10
Month.
Apr__
May__
June...
Price.
$3.10
3.00
3.05
Month.
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
Month.
Price.
S3.05
3.05
3.05
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
S3.10
3.10
3.10
Average.
S3.0792
COAL: Bitum inous, Pittsburg (Yougliioglieny), lum p.
[Price per bushel on Tuesday of each week, Cincinnati, afloat; quotations furnished by the superintendent
of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.]
Jan I___
Feb.......
Mar.......
SO. 09 Apr___
.08^
.08*
.08*
.08* May....
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08* June...
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
SO. 08* July....
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08* A ug....
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08* Sept__
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
SO. 08* Oct.......
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08* Nov......
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08* Dec.......
.08*
• 08*
.08*
.08*
SO. 08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
.08*
Average.
SO. 0851
COKE: Connellsville, furnace.
[Contract price per ton, f. o. b. at the ovens, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
S2.00-S2.25
1.70- 1.75
1.80- 1.85
Apr___
May....
June...
SI. 60
1.60
1.50- 1.75
SI.50-
July....
Aug....
Sept__
$1.60
SI. 50- 1.75
1.50
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
SI. 50
SI. 65- 2.00
1.85- 2.15
Average.
SI. 7083
M ATCHES: Parlor, domestic.
[Price per gross of boxes (200s), in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants'
Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
SI. 50
1.50
1.50
Apr___
May__
June...
SI. 50
1.50
1.50
July....
Aug....
Sept....
SI.50
1.50
1.50
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
SI. 50
1.50
1.50
Average.
S1.500Q
PETROLEUM: Crude, Pennsylvania.
[Price per barrel, at the wells, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil City Derrick.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
SI. 78
1.78
1.78
Apr___
May__
June...
SI. 78
1.78
1.78
July....
Aug....
Sept....
SI. 78
1.78
1.78
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
SI. 78
1.78
1.78
• Average.
SI.7800
282
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
F U E L A N D L I G H T I N G —Concluded.
PETROLEUM: Refined, In barrels, cargo lots, for export.
[Price per gallon, New York loading, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.0875
.0875
.0875
Apr__
M ay....
June...
Price.
$0.0875
.0875
.0875
Month.
Price.
July....
Aug....
Sept__
$0.0875
.0875
.0875
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0850
.0850
.0850
Average.
$0.0869
PETROLEUM: Refined, 150° fire test, water white, In barrels, packages
included (jobbing lots).
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.13* Apr___
.13* May__
.13* June...
$0.13* July—
.13* Aug—
.13* Sept__
$0.13* Oct.......
.13* Nov......
.13* Dec.......
$0.13*
.13*
.13*
Average.
$0.1350
M E T A L S A N D IM P L E M E N T S .
AUGERS: Extra, 1-lncli.
[Price per auger, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.42
.42
.42
Apr—
May__
June...
$0.42
.42
.42
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.42
.42
.42
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.42
.42
.42
Average.
$0.4200
A X E S : M . C. O., Yankee, pattern handled.
[Price per ax, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.68
.68
.68
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.68 July....
.68 . Aug....
.68 S ep t...
$0.68
.68
.68
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.68
.68
.68
Average.
$0.6800
BAR IR O N : Best refined, from store.
[Average monthly price per pound, in Philadelphia; quotations from the Bulletin of the American Iron
and Steel Association.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0176
.0176
.0176
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.0176
.0176
0166
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0166
.0166
.0166
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0166
.0166
.0166
Average.
$0.0170
BAR IR O N : Common to best refined, from mill.
[Price per pound, on the first of each month, f. o. b. Pittsburg; quotations from the Iron Age.]
$0.0160
Jan.......
Feb.......
.0140
Mar....... $0.0147- .0150
Apr___ $0.0147-$0.0150
M ay... .0147- .0150
Ju n e... .0147- .0150
J u ly ...
Aug....
Sept__
$0.0140
.0140
.0140
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0140
.0140
.0150
Average.
$0.0146
283
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M E T A L S A N D IM P L E M E N T S -C o n tin u e d .
BARB W IRE: Galvanized.
[Average monthly price per hundred pounds, in Chicago; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$2.68
2.68
2.68
Apr__
May—
June...
Price.
$2.68
2.68
2.58
Month.
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
Price.
! Month.
$2.58
2.58
2.58
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.58
2.58
2.58
Average.
$2.6217
B U T T S: Loose pin, wrought steel, 3* by 3* Inch.
[Price per pair, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.09
.09
.09
$0.09
.09
.09
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.09
.09
.09
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.09
.09
.09
Average.
$0.0900
CHISELS: Extra, socket firmer, 1-Inch.
[Price per chisel, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan........
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May__
June...
$0.375
.375
.375
$0,375
.375
.375
July....
Aug....
Sept....
$0.375
.375
.375
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.375
.375
.375
Average.
$0.3750
COPPER: Ingot, electrolytic.
[Price per pound, in New York', on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
$0.1300
Jan........ $0.1375-$0.1400 Apr__
Feb....... .1362*- . 1362| May— $0.1260 - .1270
Mar....... .1237*- . 1275 June... .12621- .1275
July— $0.1262*-$0.1275
Aug—
.1350
S ep t...
.1375
Oct.......
$0.1355
Nov...... $0.1375- .1387*
Dec....... .1425- .1450
Average.
$0.1334
COPPER: Sheet, hot-rolled (base sizes).
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan........
Feb.......
M ar.....
$0.20
.20
.17
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.17
.17
.17
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.17
.17
.18
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.18
.18
.19
Average.
$0.1792
COPPER W IRE: Bare, No. 8, B. and S. gauge and heavier (base sizes).
[Price per pound, f. o. b. New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan........
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.16* Apr___
.16* May....
.14* June...
$0.14f July....
-14f Aug....
.1 4 | S ep t...
$0.14f Oct.......
.14* Nov......
.15* Dec.......
$0.15*
.15
.1 5 |
Average.
$0.1519
284
T able
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M E T A L S A N D I M P L E M E N T S —Continued.
DOORKNOBS: Steel, bronze plated.
[Price per pair, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.40
.40
.40
Apr___
May__
June...
Price.
$0.40
.40
.40
Month.
Price.
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.40
.40
.40
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.40
.40
.40
Average.
$0.4000
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.94
.94
.94
Average.
$0.9542
FILES: 8-Inch mill bastard, Nicholson.
[Price per dozen on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
M ar.....
$0.97
.97
.97
Apr___
May__
June...
$0.97
.96
.96
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.95
.94
.94
H AM M ER S: May dole No. 1*.
[Price per hammer, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0,466
.466
.466
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$0,466
.466
.466
Ju ly.. .
Aug....
Sept.. .
$0,466
.466
.466
Oct.......
Nov___
Dec.......
$0,466
. 4C6
.466
Average.
$0.46C0
LEAD: Pig, desilverized.
[Price per pound, in New York, from store, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan....... $0.0365-$0.0375
Feb....... .0375- .0380
Mar.......
.0375
Apr___
M ay.. .
June...
$0.0400
.0420
.0430
J u ly ...
$0.0450
Aug—
.0460
Sept.. . $0.0457*- .0460
Oct....... $0.0445-$0.0460
Nov___ .0430- .0445
Dec....... .0430- .0437*
Average.
$0.0422
LEAD PIPE.
[Price per 100 pounds, f. o. b. New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.68
4.25
4.25
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$4.35
4.60
4.75
J u ly ...
A ug....
Sept.. .
$5.00
5.00
5.10
Oct.......
Nov___
Dec.......
$5.10
5.00
4.80
Average.
$4.7400
L O C K S: Common mortise, knob lock, 3*-inch.
[Price per lock, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0,166
.166
.166
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$0.166
.166
.166
J u ly ...
A ug....
Sept...
$0.166
.166
.166
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$0.166
.166
.166
Average.
$0.1660
285
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M E T A L S A N D I M P L E M E N T S —Continued.
N AILS: Cut, 8-penny, fence and common.
[Price per 100-pound keg, f. o. b. Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations computed from base
prices published in the Iron Age.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
$2.10-82.15
2.10- 2.15
2.00- 2.05
Apr__
May__
June...
Price.
$2.00-82.05
2.00- 2.05
1.95
Month.
J u ly ...
Aug....
Sept...
Price.
$1.85
$1.85- 1.90
1.85
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$1.85
1.85
1.85
Average.
$1.9500
N A ILS: Wire, 8-penny, fence and common.
[Price per 100-pound keg, f. o. b. Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations computed from base
prices published in the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay...
Ju n e...
$2.15
2.15
2.15
$2.15
2.15
2.15
J u ly ...
Aug....
Sept.. .
$2.05
2.05
2.05
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$2.05
2.05
2.05
Average.
$2.1000
PIG IR O N : Bessemer.
[Average monthly price per ton in Pittsburg; quotations from the Bulletin of the American Iron and Steel
Association.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$19.00
16.90
17.86
Apr___
May....
June...
$17.49
16.96
16.90
July....
Aug....
Sept...
$16.83
16.26
15.90
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$15.75
16.59
17.40
Average.
$17.0700
PIG IR O N : Foundry No. 1.
[Average monthly price per ton in Philadelphia; quotations from the Bulletin of the American Iron and
S teel A ssociation .]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May—
June...
$18.70
18.75
18.62
$18.15
17.44
17.12
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$17.00
17.00
17.12
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$17.25
17.50
17.75
Average.
$17.7000
PIG IRON: Foundry No. 2, northern.
[Price per ton, f. o. b. Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$17.65-$18.40
16.90- 17.40
16.65- 16.90
Apr__
May....
June...
$16.40
$16.55- 16.80
15.90
July....
Aug....
Sept...
$15.90
$15.40- 15.65
15.40- 15.65
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$15.25-$15.40
15.40
16.40
Average.
$16.2500
PIG IR O N : Gray forge, southern, coke.
[Price per ton, f. o. b. Cincinnati, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$14.75-S15.25
14.25- 14.75
14.25- 14.75
Apr___
May....
June...
$13.75-$14.25
13.50- 14.00
13.75- 14.25
July....
Aug....
Sept...
$13.75-$14.25
14.00- 14.50
14.25- 14.75
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$14.25-S14.75
14.25- 14.75
14.75- 15.25
Average.
$14.3750
286
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued,
M E T A L S A N D I M P L E M E N T S —Continued.
PLANES: Bailey No. 5, jack plane.
[Price per plane, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$1.53
1.53
1.53
Month.
Apr—
May__
June...
Price.
$1.53
1.53
1.53
Month.
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
Price.
$1.53
1.53
1.53
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.53
1.53
1.53
Average.
$1.5300
QUICKSILVER.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.61
.61
.61
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.61
.61
.60
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$0.5 9| Oct.......
.59 Nov......
.60 Dec.......
1
Average.
$0.62
.64
.62i
$0.6100
SAW S: Crosscut, Blsston No. 2, 6-foot.
[Price per saw to small jobbers, f. o. b. Philadelphia, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
Apr__
May....
June...
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
Average.
$1.6038
SA W S: Hand, Blsston N o. 7, 26-ln ch .
' [Price per dozen to small jobbers, f. o. b. Philadelphia, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$12.95
12.95
12.95
Apr__
May__
June...
$12.95
12.95
12.95
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$12.95
12.95
12.95
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$12.95
12.95
12.95
Average.
$12.9500
SHOVELS: Ames No. 2, cast steel, B liandle, square point, back strap, black.
[Price per dozen on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$7.84
7.84
7.84
Apr___
May—
June...
$7.84
7.84
7.84
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$7.84
7.84
7.84
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average
SILVER: Bar, fine.
[Average monthly price per ounce, in New York; quotations furnished by the Director of the Mint.]
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
$0.56274
.56630
.55990
Apr.,
May.
June.
$0.55129
.53427
.54278
July.
Aug.
Sept,
$0.53^96
.52302
. 523C0
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
$0.52050
.50320
. 49399
Average.
$0.53496
287
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table I.—WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M E T A L S A N D I M P L E M E N T S —Continued.
SPELTER: Western.
[ Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Month.
Price.
Jan....... 10.0440-10.0445
Feb....... .0470- .0475
Mar.......
.0475
Month.
Price.
Apr___ $0.0470-10.0475
May.... .0465- .0470
June... .0455- .0460
Month.
Price.
July....
$0.0450
Aug.... $0.0480- .0485
S ep t...
.0475
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
$0.0485
Nov...... $0.0490- .0505
Dec....... .0517*- .0520*
Average.
$0.0475
STEEL BILLETS.
[Average monthly price per ton, at mills at Pittsburg; quotations from the Bulletin of the American Iron
and Steel Association.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$28.00
28.00
28.00
Apr___
May—
June...
$28.00
28.00
25.75
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$25.00
25.00
25.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$25.00
25.00
25.00
Average.
$26.3125
STEEL RAILS.
[Price per ton, at mills in Pennsylvania; quotations from the Bulletin of the American Iron and Steel
Association.]
$28.00
28.00
28.00
Apr___
May__
June...
$28.00
28.00
28.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$28.00
28.00
28.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$28.00
28.00
28.00
Average.
$28.0000
STEEL SH EETS: Black, No. 27, box annealed, one pass through cold rolls*
[Price per pound, in Pittsburg, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0240
.0240
.0240
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.0240
.0240
.0240
July__
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.0240
.0240
.0240
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0240
.0240
.0240
Average.
$0.0240
T IN : Pig.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
$0.2675
Jan.......
Feb.......
.2860
Mar....... $0.3025- .3050
Apr___
May__
J u n e...
$0.3125
.3105
.2885
July__
$0.2720
A ug.... $0.3070- .3075
Sept....
.2900
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.2950
. 3037*.2940
Average.
$0.2942
TIN PLATES: Domestic, Bessemer, coke, 14 by 20 Inch.
[Price per 100 pounds, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$3.89
3.89
3.89
Apr___
May....
June...
79828— Bull. 8 1 -0 9 ------ 7
$3.89
3.89
3.89
July....
Aug....
Sept....
$3.89
3.89
3.89
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$3.80
3.893.80
Average.
$3.8900
288
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
Table I.—WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M E T A L S A N D I M P L E M E N T S —Concluded.
TR O W ELS;
in. C. O., Brick,
lO i-lncb.
[Price per trowel, in New York, on the first of each month,]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
Apr___
May—
June...
JO. 34
.34
.34
Price.
$0.34
.34
.34
Month.
July....
Aug__
S e p t...
Price.
Month.
$0.34
.34
.34
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.34
.34
.34
Average.
$0.3400
V ISE S: Solid box, 50-pou nd.
[Price per vise, in New York, on the first of each month.]
J a n .« ..
Feb.......
Mar.......
$4.37
4.37
4.37
Apr__
May....
Ju n e...
$4.37
4.37
4.37
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$4.37
4.37
4.37
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$4.37
4.37
4.37
Average.
$4.3700
WOOD SCREW S: 1-inch, No. 10, flat head.
[Price per gross, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.10
.10
.10
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.10
.10
.10
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$0.10
.10
.10
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.10
.10
.10
Average.
$0.1000
ZIN C : Sheet, ordinary numbers and sizes, packed In OOO-pound casks.
[Price per hundred pounds, f. o. b. La Salle, 111., on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$6.44
6.44
6.44
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$6.44
6.44
6.44
July....
A ug....
Sept...
$6.44
6.44
6.44
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$6.44
6.44
6.44
Average.
$6.4400
L U M B E R A N D B U IL D IN G M A T E R IA L S ,
B R IC K : Common domestic building.
[Price per thousand, on dock in New York, from the first to the last of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$5.25-$5.75
5.25- 5.75
4.75- 5.75
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$5.00-$5.75
4.50- 5.00
4.50- 4.75
July....
A ug....
Sept.. .
$4.50-$4.75
4.25- 4.75
4.25- 4.75
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$4.5045.00
5.50-6.00
6.00- 6.25
Average.
$5.1042
CARBONATE OF LEAD: American, in oil.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0637
.0637
.0637
Apr--M ay....
June...
$0.0637
.0637
.0637
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$0.0662
.0662
.0662
\
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0662
.0662
.0662
Average.
$0.0650
289
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
L U M B E R A N D B U IL D IN G - M A T E R I A L S —Continued.
CEMENT: Portland, domestic.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Apr___
M ay....
June...
SI. 55
1.45
1.45
Month.
Price.
$1.45
1.45
1.45
Price.
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$1.45
1.45
1.45
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.45
1.45
1.45
Average.
$1.4600
CEM ENT: Rosendale.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May—
June...
$0.95
.95
.95
$0.95
.95
.95
July....
A ug....
Sept.. .
$0.95
.95
.95
O c t.....
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.95
.95
.95
Average.
$0.9500
D O O R S: Western white pine, 2 feet 8 inches hy 6 feet 8 inches, I f inches
thick, f»-panel, No. I , O. G.
[Price per door, f. o. b. Chicago, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$2.01 Apr___
2.01 M ay.. .
1 .6 8 | June...
$1.68* J u ly ...
A ug....
Sept.. .
$1.68* Oct.......
1.68* N ov___
Dec.......
1-681
$1.68*
1.68*
1.74
Average.
$1.7438
HEM LOCK: Base sizes.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
M ay.. .
June...
$22.00
22.00
21.50
$20.50-$21.50
20.50- 21.50
21.00
J u ly ...
A ug....
Sept.. .
$21.00
21.00
2a oo
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$20.00
2U 00
2a oo
Average.
$20.8750
LIM E : Rochport, common.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.02-11.07
1.02- 1.07
LOB- 1.07
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$1. Q2-$l. 07 ! J u ly ...
1.02- 1.07 Aug....
1.02- 1.07 Sept.. .
$1.02-$l. 07
1.02- 1.07
1.02- 1.07
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
Average.
-
$1.02-$l. 07
1.02-1.07
1.02- 1.07
$1.0450
LINSEED O IL: Raw, city, in barrels.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
$0.44
.44
.43
Apr___
M ay.. .
June...
$0 43
.42
.44
Ju ly.. .
Aug....
Sept.. .
$0.44
.44
.44
Oct.......
N ov___
Dee.......
$043
.42
.48
Average.
$0 4375
290
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
L U M B E R A N D B U I L D I N G M A T E R I A L S —Continued.
M APLE: Hard, 1-inch, firsts and seconds, 6 Indies and up wide.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$32.00-$3a00
32. oo- 3a. 00
32.00- 3a 00
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$32.00-133.00
32.00- 3a 00
30.00- 32.00
J u ly ...
Aug—
S ep t.. .
$30.00-$32.00
30.00- 32.00
30.00- 32.00
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec.......
$30.00-$32.00
30.00- 32.00
30.00- 32.00
Average.
$31.6250
Price.
O A K : White, plain, 1-incli, 6 Inches and up wide.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr___
M a y ...
June...
$5aoo-$55.oo
51.00- sa 00
si. oo- sa oo
$51.00-$53.00
51.00- 5a 00
45.00- 4& 00
J u ly .. .
A ug....
Sep t.. .
$45.00-$4a00
45.00- 48.00
47.00- 4 a 00
Oct.......
N o v ....
Dec.......
$47.00-$4a00
47.00- 4a 00
47.00- 4a 00
Average.
$49.2917
O A K : White, quartered, clear and good seconds, 6 inches and up wide, lO
to 16 feet long.
[Price perM feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$78.00-$82.00
78.00- 82.00
78.00- 82.00
Apr__
May....
June...
$78.00-$82.00
78.00- 82.00
78.00- 82.00
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$78.00-$82.00
78.00- 82.00
78.00- 82.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$78.00-$82.00
78.00- 82.00
80.00- 84.00
Average.
$80.1667
O XID E OF ZIN C : American, extra dry.
[Price per pound on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.05* Apr__
,05* May....
.05* June...
$0.05* July....
.0 5 | Aug....
.05 * S ep t...
$0.05* Oct.......
.05* Nov......
.05* Dec.......
$0.05*
• 05*
Average.
$0.0513
PINE: White, hoards, "No. 2 barn , 1-inch, 16 inches wide, rough.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$37.50-$38.00
37.50- 38.00
37.50-^38.00
Apr___
M ay....
Ju n e...
$37.50-$38.00
37.50- 38.00
35.00- 35.50
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$35.00-$35.50
35.00- 35.50
35.00- 35.50
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$35.00-$35.50
35.00- 35.50
36.00- 36.50
Average.
$36.3750
PIINF: White, boards, uppers, 1-inch, 8 inches and up wide, rough.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$97.50-$99.50
97.50- 99.50
97.50- 99.50
Apr___
May....
Ju n e...
$97.50-$99.50
97.50- 99.50
94.50- 96.50
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$94.50-$96.50
94.50- 96.50
92.50- 94.50
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$92.5G-$94.50
92.50- 94.50
92.50- 94.50
Average.
$96.0833
291
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a ble I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
L U M B E R A N D B U I L D I N G M A T E R I A L S —Continued.
PINE: Yellow, flooring, B, heart face, rift sawn, 1 Inch thick,
(counted 3 In).
inches wide
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
t il. 00-142.00
41.00- 42.00
44.00- 45.00
Apr__
May....
June...
$44.00-145.00
44.00- 45.00
46.00- 47.00
Month.
Price.
July.... $46.00-$47.00
Aug - 43.00- 44.00
S ep t...
43.00- 44.00
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$43.00-$44.00
43.00- 44.00
43.00- 44.00
Average.
$43.9167
PINE: Yellow, siding, long leaf, hoards, heart face, 1-Inch and lj-in ch .
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr___
May....
June...
$30.00-$31.00
30.00- 31.00
30.00- 31.00
$30.00-131.00
30.00- 31.00
30.00- 31.00
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$30.00-$31.00
30.00- 31.00
30.00- 31.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$30.00-131.00
30.00-31.00
30.00-31.00
Average.
$30.5000
PLATE G LA SS: Polished, glazing, area 3 to 5 square feet.
[Price per square foot, f. o. b. New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.21
.21
.16
$0.16
.16
;16
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.16
.16
.16
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.16
.18
Average.
$0.1733
.20
PLATE G LA SS: Polished, glazing, area 5 to 10 square feet.
[Price per square foot, f. o. b. New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan........
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.32
.32
.26
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.26
.26
.26
July....
Aug....
Sept....
$0.26
.26
.26
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.26
.28
.30
Average.
$0.2750
POPLAR: Yellow, 1-inch, 8 inches and up wide, firsts and seconds, rough.
[Price per M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$57.00-$62.00
55.00- 58.00
57.00- 60.00
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$59.00-$61.00
59.00- 61.00
55.00- 59.00
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$55.00-$59.00
55.00- 59.00
57.00- 60.00
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
$57.00-$60.00
57.00- 60.00
57.00- 60.00
Average.
$58.2917
P U T T Y : Bulk.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0120
.0120
.0120
Apr___
M ay....
J u n e...
$0.0120
.0120
.0120
July....
A ug....
Sept. . .
$0.0120
.0120
.0120
Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
$0.0120
Average.
$0.0120
.0120
.0120
292
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOK.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued..
L U M B E R A N D B U I L D I N G M A T E R I A L S —Continued.
BOS1N: Common to good, strained.
[Price per barrel, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Month.
Price.
Month.
Jan........
Feb.......
Mar.......
$3.20
4.00
3.75
Apr___
May—
June...
Price.
Month.
Price.
$3.90
3.60
2.95
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$3.15
3.00
2.80
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov__ _
Dec.......
$2.85-82.90
2.90
3.25
Average.
$3.2817
SH INGLES: Cypress, all heart, 5 and 6 inches wide, 16 inches long.
[Price per M, f. o. b. mills, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
M ar.....
$3.85
3.85
3.85
Apr___
May....
June__
$3.60
3.60
3.60
Ju ly....
A u g....
S ep t.. .
$3.35
3.35
3.35
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$3.35
3.35
3.35
Average.
$3.5375
SH IN G LE S: Red cedar, clears, random width, 16 inches long.
[Average monthly price at mills in Washington.]
$2.25
2.15
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
2.10
Apr--May....
June...
$2.10
1.90
1.95
July....
A ug....
Sept__
$1.95
1.95
2.20
Oct.......
N ov.....
Dec.......
$1.85
1.85
1.90
Average.
$2.0125
SPRUCE: 6 to 9 inch, cargoes.
[Priceper M feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Lumber Trade
Journal.]
Jan.......
F eb ..;..
Mar.......
$20.00-J22.00
20.00- 22.00
20.00- 22.00
Apr__
May._
June...
$20.00-122.00
20.00- 22.00
18.00-21.00
July__
A ug....
Sept__
$18.00-$21.00
18.00- 21.00
19.00- 22.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$19.00-122.00
20.00- 23.00
22.00-.25.00
Average.
$20.7917
TAR.
[Price per barrel, in Wilmington, N. C., on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal
of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.}
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
(«)
(a)
$1.30
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$1.50
1.60
1.50
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$1.50
1.50
1.40
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$1.90
1.90
1.90
Average.
$1.6000
TURPENTINE:, Spirits of, in machine barrels.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.43$ Apr___
. 55$ M ay....
.53$ Ju n e...
$0.56-10.57 July....
.47$ A ug....
.43$ Sept....
a No quotation for month.
$0.42
.41
.39
Oct.......
Nov.......
Dec.......
$0.39
.40
.43
Average.
$0.4533
293
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO. 1908.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
L U M B E R A N D B U I L D I N G M A T E R I A L S —Concluded.
WINDOW G LA SS: American, single, firsts, 25-inch bracket (6 by 8 to 10 by
15 inches).
[Price per 50 square feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter/
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
Apr--May....
June...
$2.72
2.24
2.56
Price.
$2.56
1.92
1.92
Month.
July....
A ug....
Sept....
Price.
$1.92
2.40
2.56
Month.
Priee.
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec.......
$2.56
2.40
2.56
Average.
$2.3600
WINDOW G L A SS: American, single, thirds, 2 5 -inch bracket (6 by 8 to 10 by
15 inches).
[Price per 50 square feet, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and
Drug Reporter.]
Apr—
M ay....
June...
$2.1675
1.7850
2.0400
$2.0400
1.5300
1.5300
July....
Aug__
Sept....
$1.5300
1.9125
2.0400
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$2.0400
1.9125
2.0400
Average.
$1.8806
D R U G S A N D C H E M IC A L S .
ALCOHOL: Grain.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr___
M ay...
June...
$2.63
2.63
2.63
$2.63
2.63
2.63
July.....
Aug....
Sept. . .
$2.63
2.63
2.65
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
ALCOHOL: Wood, refined, 95 per cent.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.39
.39
.39
Apr__
M ay...
June...
$0.39
.39
.41
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.46
.46
.46
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
ALUM : Lum p.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each mon :h; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
$0.0175
.0175
.0175
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.0175
.0175
.0175
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$0.0175
.0175
.0175
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0175
.0175
.0175
Average.
$0.0175
294
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a b l e I , — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
D R U G S A N D C H E M I C A L S —Concluded.
BRIM STONE: Crude, seconds.
[Price per ton, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
Price.
Apr___
M ay.. .
June...
$19.50
22.00
22.00
$22.00
22.00
22.00
Month.
Price.
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
$22.00
22.00
22.00
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$22.00
Average.
$21.7917
22.00
22.00
GLYCERIN: Refined, chemically pure, in bulk.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.16
.16
.16
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.15* J u ly .. .
.14* A ug....
.1 3 | S ep t...
$0.13* Oct.......
.13* Nov......
.14* Dec.......
$0.14*
.15
.16*
Average.
$0.1492
M URIATIC A C ID : 20°.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0135
.0135
.0135
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.0135
.0135
.0135
J u ly .. .
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.0135
.0135
.0135
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0135
.0135
.0135
Average.
$0.0135
OPIUM : Natural, in cases.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$5.00
4.55
4.50
A pr....
May....
June...
$4.37* July....
4.55 Aug....
4.50 S ep t...
$5.75
5.50
5.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$4.50
4.30
4.05
Average.
$4.7146
QUININE: American, In 100-ounce tins.
[Price per ounce, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.16
.16
16
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$0.16
.16
.16
$0.16
.16
.15
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.15
.15
.15
Average.
$0.1567
SULPHURIC A CID : 66°.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.0100
.0110
.0110
Apr___
May__
June...
$0.0110
.0090
.0100
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.0100
.0100
.0100
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.0100
Average.
$0.0102
.0100
.0100
295
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a ble I . — WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
H O U SE F U R N IS H IN G G O O D S.
EARTHENWARE: Plates, cream-colored, 7-Inch.
[Price per dozen, f. o. b. Trenton, N. I., on the first of each month.]
Month.
Price.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Month.
Price.
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.4300
.4300
.4300
$0.4300
.4300
.4300
$0.4300
.4300
.4300
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.4300
.4300
.4300
Average.
$0.4300
1
j
Jan.......
Peb.......
Mar.......
r h',*wT1
1
j
Month.
EARTHENWARE: Plates, white granite, 7-lneli.
[Price per dozen, f. o. b. Trenton, N. J., on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.4586
.4586
.4586
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.4586
.4586
.4586
July....
Aug—
S ep t...
$0.4586
.4586
.4586
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.4586
.4586
.4586
Average.
$0.4586
EARTHENW ARE: Teacups and saucers, white granite, with handles.
[Price per gross (G dozen cups, and 6 dozen saucers), f. o. b. Trenton, N. J., on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
Apr___
May....
June...
$3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
July....
Aug__
S ep t...
$3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
Average.
$3.3869
FURNITURE: Bedroom sets, 3 pieces, Iron bedstead, hard-wood dresser and
washstand.
[Price per set, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$11.25
11.25
11.25
Apr__
May....
June...
$11.25
11.25
11.25
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$10.75
10.75
10.75
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$10.75
10.75
10.75
Average.
$11.0000
FURNITURE: Chairs, bedroom, maple, cane seat.
[Price per dozen, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$10.00
10.00
10.00
Apr__
May—
June...
$10.00
10.00
9.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$9.00
9.00
9.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$9.00
9.00
9.00
Average.
$9.4170
FURNITURE: Chairs, kitchen, common spindle.
[Price per dozen, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$6.00
6.00
6.00
Apr___
May....
June...
$6.00
6.00
6.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$6.00
6.00
6.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$6.00
Average.
$6.0000
6.00
6.00
FURNITURE: Tables, kitchen, 3£-foot.
[Price per dozen, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Apr__
May....
June...
$18.00
18.00
18.00
July....
Aug....
S ep t...
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$18.00
18.00
18.00
Average.
$18.0000
296
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
H O U S E F U R N I S H I N G G O O D S —Concluded.
GLASSW ARE: Nappies, 4-ln cli.
[Price per dozen, f. o. b. factory, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Month.
Price.
$0.13
.13
.13
Apr__
May....
June...
Price.
$0.13
.13
.13
Month.
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
Price^
$0.13
.11
.11
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.11
.11
.11
Average.
$0.1220
GLASSW ARE: Pitchers, one-half gallon, common.
[Price per dozen, f. o. b. factory, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.05
1.05
1.05
Apr__
May....
June...
$1.05
1.05
1.05
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
$1.05
.84
.84
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
Average.
GLASSW ARE: Tumblers, table, one-third pint, common,
[Price per dozen, f. o. b. factory, on the first of each month.]
$0.15
.15
.15
Apr___
May....
June...
$0.15
.15
.12
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$0.12
.12
.12
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec......
$0.12
.12
.12
Average.
$0.1325
TABUS C U TLE R Y: Carvers, stag handles.
[Price per pair on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.75
.75
.75
Apr__
May....
June...
$0.75
.75
.75
July....
Aug--Sept....
$0.75
.75
.75
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec.......
Average.
TABLE C UTLERY: Knives and forks, cocobolo handles, metal bolsters.
[Price per gross on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$5.50
5.50
5.50
Apr__
May....
June...
$5.50
5.50
5.50
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$5.50
5.50
5.50
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec.......
$5.50
5.00
5.00
Average.
$5.4167
WOODEN W ARE: Palls, oak-grained, 3-h oop, wire ear.
[Price per dozen, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$2.10
2.10
2.10
Apr___
May....
June...
$2.10
2.10
2.10
July....
A ug....
Sept....
$2.10
2.10
2.10
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec.......
$2.10
2.10
2.10
Average.
$2.1000
WOODEN W ARE: Tubs, oak-grained, 3 In nest.
[Price per nest of 3, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$1.65
1.65
1.65
Apr__
May....
June...
$1.65
1.65
1.65
July....
Aug....
Sept__
$1.65
1.65
1.65
Oct.......
Nov......
D ec.......
$1.65
1.65
1.65
Average.
$1.6500
297
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M IS C E L L A N E O U S .
COTTON-SEED MEAL.
[Price per ton of 2,000 pounds, In New York, on the first of each month.]
Month.
Jan___
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
Month.
528.60
28.60
2 8 .10
Apr__
May....
June...
Price.
$29. iO
29.60
29.60
Month.
Price.
July....
A ug....
Sept....
Month.
$29.60
29.60
30.60
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec......
$29.60
30.10
29.60
Average.
$29.3917
COTTON-SEED O IL: Summer yellow, prime.
[Price per gallon, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
$0.37* Apr__
.4 0 | May....
.37 Ju n e...
$0.42 July....
.43* A ug....
.4 7 | S ep t...
$0.47 Oct.......
.4 2 | Nov......
•37J Dec.......
$0.40
.37*
.38*
Average.
$0.4090
JU TE: Raw, Nf-double triangle, shipment, medium grades.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.03f Apr___
.03* May....
.03* Ju n e...
$0.03* July....
.031 A ug....
.0 3 | S ep t...
$0,031 Oct.......
.04* Nov......
• 04* Dec.......
$0.04
.03*
.03*
Average.
$0.0370
M A L T : Western made.
[Price per bushel, in New York, on the last of each month; quotations from the Brewers’ Journal.]
$1.17-SI. 25
1.15- 1.20
1.15- 1.20
Apr___
May__
Ju n e...
$1.03-$1.05
.99- 1.01
.80- .85
July__
Aug....
S ep t...
$0.85
.85
$0.79- .83
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.74-$0.78
.74- .78
.71- .76
Average.
$0.9325
PAPER: News, wood.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan....... $0.0255-50.0275
Feb....... .0255- .0275
Mar....... .0250- .0275
Apr__ $0.0250-50.0280
May.... .0250- .0280
June... .0250- .0280
Oct....... $0.0225-50.0240
Nov.'__
.0205- .0215
Dec.......
.0205- .0210
July.... $0.0250-50.0280
A ug.... .0225- .02*0
Sept... .0225- .0240
Average.
$0.0248
PAPER: Wrapping, manlla, No. 1, Jute.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
$0.05*1 Apr___
.05*! May....
.05* June...
$0.05-50.05* July....
.05- .05* Aug....
.05- .05* S ep t...
$0.05-50.05*1 Oct.......
.04f, Nov......
.04* Dec.......
tt.M j
Average.
$0.0500
I
298
BU LLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I . — WHOLESALE
PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Continued.
M I S C E L L A N E O U S —Continued.
PROOF SP IR ITS.
[Price per gallon, including tax, in Peoria, HI., on Tuesday of each week; quotations from the Peoria
Herald Transcript.]
ROPE: Manila, base sizes.
[Price per pound, f. o. b. New York or factory, on the first of each month; quotations from the Iron Age.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.11* Apr___
.11* May....
$0.11- .11* June...
$0.10*-$0.11 July....
.10*- .11 A u g....
. 1 0 - .10* Sept.. .
$0.10 Oct.......
$0.09*- .10 Nov......
.09* Dec.......
$0.09
.09
$0.08f- .09
Average.
$0.1015
RUBBER: Para Island, new.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the New York Journal of
Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.76-$0.77 Apr___
.71- .71* May....
.69- .70 June...
$0.75-$0.75* July....
.80- .81 Aug—
.87- .88 Sept.. .
$0.88-$0.89
.85- .86
.90- .91
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
tO. 96-$0.97
1.05
1.17- 1.20
Average.
$0.8708
SOAP: Castile, m ottled, pure.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Oil, Paint, and Drug
Reporter.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.07
.07
.07
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$0.07
.07
.07
July....
A ug....
Sept.. .
$0.07
.07
.07
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.07
.07
.07
Average.
$0.0700
STARCH : Laundry, Austin, Nichols & Co., 40-pou n d boxes, In bulh.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.04* Apr___
.04* M ay....
.04* June...
$0.04* July....
.04* A ug....
.04* Sept.. .
$0.04* Oct.......
.04* Nov......
.04* Dec.......
$0.04*
.04*
.04*
Average.
$0.0433
299
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
I.— WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—Concluded.
M I S C E L L A N E O U S —Concluded.
TOBACCO: Plug, Climax.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Month.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Price.
$0.47
.47
.47
Month.
Apr___
M ay....
June...
Price.
$0.47
.47
.47
Month.
July....
A ug....
Sept.. .
Price.
$0.47
.47
.47
Month.
Price.
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.47
.47
.47
Average.
$0.4700
TOBACCO: Smoking, granulated, Seal o f North Carolina.
[Price per pound, in New York, on the first of each month; quotations from the Merchants’ Review.]
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
$0.60
.60
.60
Apr___
M ay....
June...
$0.60
.60
.60
July....
Aug....
Sept.. .
$0.60
.60
.60
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
$0.60
.60
.60
Average.
$0.6000
300
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
T able
II.—
MONTHLY
ACTUAL A N D B E L A T IV E P B IC ES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PB IC ES (A V E B A G E FO B 1890-1899).
[For explanation and discussion of this table, see pages 228 to 231. For a more detailed description of
the articles, see Table I. Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Farm products.
Month.
Barley:
by sample.
Cattle: steers, Cattle: steers,
choice to extra. good to choice.
Com: cash.
Cotton: up
land, middling.
Relap Price ttela- Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
Price
per
tive per 100 tive per 100 tive
per
tive
per
tive
bushel. price. pounds. price. pounds. price. bushel. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.4534
.9960
Jan..........................
.8938
Feb..........................
.8913
Mar..........................
.8288
Apr..........................
.7215
May.........................
.6013
June........................
.6860
July.........................
Aug..........................
.6575
.6438
Sept.........................
O c t.........................
.6040
N ov.........................
.6300
Dec..........................
.6313
Average, 1908..........
.7336
100.0
219.7
197.1
196.6
182.8
159.1
132.6
151.3
145.0
142.0
133.2
139.0
139.2
161.8
Flaxseed:
No. 1.
$5.3203
5.9063
5.7813
6.4400
6.8438
6.9438
7.6350
7.2938
6.9300
6.7625
6.6500
7.0800
7.3500
6.8163
100.0
111.0
108.7
121.0
128.6
130.5
143.5
137.1
130.3
127.1
125.0
132.7
138.2
128.1
$4.7347
5.2688
5.3000
5.9950
6.2000
6.2625
6.6500
6.2250
6.015Q
5.8750
5. 6875
6.0000
6.3250
5.9976
100.0
111.3
111.9
126.6
130.9
132.3
140.5
131.5
127.0
124.1
120.1
126.7
133.6
126.7
Hides: green,
Hay: timothy, salted, packers',
N o .l.
heavy native
steers.
10.3804
.5944
.5781
.6355
.6672
.7463
.7015]
.7463
.7850
.7960
.7357
.6378
.5913
.6843
100.0 30.07762
156.3 .11675
152.0
.11575
167.1
.11020
175.4
.10063
196.2
.10963
184.4
.11590
196.2
.11250
206.4
.10388
209.3
. 09320
193.4
.09213
.09413
167.7
155.4
.09250
.10463
179.9
Hogs: heavy.
100.0
150.4
149.1
142.0
129.6
141.2
149.3
144.9
133.8
120.1
118.7
121.3
119.2
134.8
Hogs: light.
Month.
Rela
Price
tive
per
bushel. price.
Average, 1890-1899... 31.1132
Jan.......................... 1.1600
Feb.......................... 1.1425
Mar.......................... 1.1450
Apr.......................... 1.1300
May......................... 1.1650
June........................ 1.2100
July......................... 1.1825
Aug.......................... 1.2275
Sept......................... 1.2300
Oct.......................... 1.1900
N ov......................... 1.2350
Dec.......................... 1.4050
Average, 1908.......... 1.2019
100.0 310.4304
104.2 13.0625
102.6 13.5825
102.9 13.9500
101.5 13.8750
104.7 14.0000
108.7 11.2000
108.2 11.0625
110.3 11.2500
110.5 10.8500
106.9 11.3750
110.9 12.1875
126.2 12.0000
108.0 12.3365
Hops: N. Y.,
choice.
Month.
Price Rela
tive
per
pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899... 30.1771
Jan..........................
.1550
.1550
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.1350
.1150
Apr..........................
.1150
May.........................
.1150
June........................
.0900
July.........................
.0750
Aug..........................
.0850
Sept.........................
.1350
Oct..........................
.1350
Nov.........................
.1350
Dec..........................
.1188
Average, 1908..........
Price
per
ton.
100.0
87.5
87.5
76.2
64.9
64.9
64.9
50.8
42.3
36.7
76.2
76.2
76.2
67.1
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
tive
tive per 100 tive per 100 tive
price. pound. price. pounds. price. pounds price.
100.0
125.2
130.0
133.7
133.0
134.2
107.4
106.1
107.9
104.0
109.1
116.8
115.0
118.3
30.0937
.1116
.1037
.0944
.1050
.1175
.1325
.1500
.1563
.1575
.1565
.1581
.1600
.1336
100.0
119.1
110.7
100.7
112.1
125.4
141.4
160.1
166.8
168.1
167.0
168.7
170.8
142.6
Horses: draft, Mules: 16 hands,
good to choice. medium to good.
Price
per
head.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
head.
3196.00
197.50
197.50
198.50
200.00
199.38
197.50
197.50
197.50
190.00
190.00
190.00
198.18
(a)
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a)
(a )
(a )
(a )
( a)
(a )
3178.13
190.63
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
190.00
189.13
34.4123
4.4594
4.3503
5.0050
5.8188
5.5156
5.8775
6.6563
6.7400
7.1156
6.1438
5.9850
5.8063
5. 7986
100.0
101.1
98.7
113.4
131.9
125.0
133.2
150.9
152.8
161.3
139.2
135.6
131.6
131.4
Oats: cash.
100.0
98.3
96.8
111.0
129.5
123.3
130.3
146.8
149.1
157.8
132.6
128.3
123.7
127.5
Poultry: live,
fowls.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. bushel. price. . pound. price.
(a )
(a )
(a)
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a )
(« )
(a)
(a )
(a)
(a)
(a)
30.2688
.5050
.5060
.5318
.5244
.5466
.5108
.5544
.4813
.4903
.5775
.5933
.4954
.5095
100.0
187.9
188.2
197.8
195.1
203.3
190.0
206.3
179.1
182.5
214.8
220.7
184.3
189.5
o No relative price computed. For explanation, see page 231,
34.4206
4.3438
4.2781
4.9075
5.7250
5.4500
5.7600
6.4875
6.5900
6.9750
5.8625
5.6700
5.4688
5.6346
30.1275
.1350
.1413
.1463
.1340
.1325
.1250
.1340
.1300
.1380
.1150
.1313
.1327
(a )
fa i
V1)
?a)
(a )
(a)
(a)
(a i
( aj
(°)
(a )
(a )
301
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
I I .—MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
Table
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Farm products.
Month.
Rye: No. 2,
cash.
Sheep: weth
ers, good to
fancy.
Sheep: weth
ers, plain to
choice.
Tobacco: Bur Wheat: regular
ley, dark red,
grades, cash.
good leaf.
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
tive
per
tive
per
tive
per
tive
per
tive
bushel. price. 100 lbs. price. 100 lbs. price. lOOlbs. price. bushel. price.
Average, 1890-1899-. $0.5288
.8400
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
.8200
Mar..........................
.8035
Apr..........................
.7838
May........................
.8144
June........................
.7795
July.........................
.7600
Aug.........................
.7778
.7610
Sept............. ..........
.7506
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
.7488
Dec..........................
.7578
Average. 1908..........
.7825
100.0 <*$3.7580 100.0 &$3.9541 100.0
158.9 5.1625 <117.1
5.1438 <*117.2 12.5000
155.1
5.3250 <120.8 5.3000 <*120.8 12.8750
151.9 6.1800 <140,1 6.0900 <*138.8 13.5000
148.2
6.0563 <137.3 5.9000 <*13A 4 13.5000
154.0
5.2938 <120.0 5.2500 <*119.6 13.5000
147.4 4.7350 <107.4 A 5450 <*103.6 14.2000
143.7 4.4000 «99.8
4.1313 <*94.1 15.7500
147.1
4.3650 c99.0
A1850 <*95.3 16.4000
143.9 4.1813 C94.8 A 0438 <*92.1 16.2500
141.9 4.5063 <102.2 4.3438 <*99.0 16.5000
141.6 4.4600 <101.1 4.2650 <*97.2 17.0500
143.3 4.7563 <107.9 4.5813 <*104.4 18.5000
148.0 4.9505 112.3 A 8115 <*109.6 15.0625
( e)
( e)
(e)
(ej
(e)
(«)
\e)
se)
\e )
f
( g)
(«)
(«)
$0.7510
.9893
.9300
.9519
.9355
1.0200
.9583
.9057
.9783
.9968
1.0150
1.0422
1.0573
.9899
100.0
131.7
123.8
126.8
124.6
135.8
127.6
120.6
130.3
132.7
135.2
138.8
140.8
131.8
Food, etc.
Beans: me
dium, choice.
Bread: crack
ers, oyster.
Bread: crack
ers, soda.
Month.
Bread: loaf
(Wash, mar
ket).
Bread, loaf,
homemade
(N. Y. market).
Price
Price
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
Rela
per
Rela
per
tive
per
tive
per
tive pound tive pound tive
bushel. price. pound. price. pound. price. before price. before price.
baking.
baking.
Average, 1890-1899. Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................:
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug...................—
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$1.6699 100.0 /$0.0673 100.0 $0.0718
2.2875 137.0
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.2625 135.5
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.32o0 139.2
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.2500 134.7
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.2000 131.7
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.4250 145.2
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3750 1.142.2
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3750 142.2
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3750 142.2
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3500 140.7
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3125 138.5
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3000 137.7
.0650 0133.7
.0650
2.3198 138.9
.0650 0133.7
.0650
100.0
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
$0.0354
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
100.0
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
$0-0317
.0400
. 0400
.0400
.0400
-0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0400
a Sheep: native.
6 Sheep: western.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $5.7461.
d For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $5.4206.
e No relative price computed. For explanation, see page 231.
f Brsstd* crackers butter
0 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.0650
100.0
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
302
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB,
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OP COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Month.
Bread: loaf,
Butter: cream Butter: cream Butter: dairy, Canned goods:
Vienna
ery, Elgin
ery, extra
New York
com, Republic
(N. Y. market). (Elgin market). (N. Y. market).
State.
No. 2.
Price
"per
pound
baking.
Average, 1890-1899.
Jan.......................
Feb.......................
Mar.......................
Apr.......................
May......................
Juhe.....................
July......................
Aug......................
Sept......................
Oct.......................
N ov......................
Dec.......................
Average, 1908.......
$0.0352
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
.0413
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
tive
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
$0.2170
.3050
.3263
.2950
.2863
.2375
.2300
.2200
.2240
.2388
.2750
.2940
.3075
100.0
140.6
150.4
135.9
131.9
109.4
106.0
101.4
103.2
110.0
126.7
135.5
141.7
124.1
goods:
Canned goods: Canned
tomatoes,
peas, Repub- Standard,
N. J.
lie No. 2.
No. 3.
$0.2242
.3106
.3275
.2850
.2838
.2328
.2305
.2228
.2528
.2395
.2688
.2900
.3135
.2711
100.0
138.5
146.1
127.1
126.6
103.8
102.8
99.4
112.8
106.8
119.9
129.3
139.8
120.9
©: N. Y.,
full cream.
$0.2024
.2850
$
.2692
.2275
.2270
.2163
.2131
.2225
.2550'
.2769
.2910
.2449
100.0
140.8
133.0
112.4
112.2
106.9
105.3
109.9
126.0
136.8
143.8
121.0
Coffee: Rio
No. 7.
Price
per
dozen
cans.
Rela
tive
price.
.9000
.9000
-.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
.9000
(«)
Eggs: new-laid,
fancy, near-by.
Month.
Price
per
dozen
cans.
Average, 1890-1899.
Jan.........................
Feb........................
Mar........................
Apr........................
May.......................
June.......................
July........................
Aug........................
Sept.......................
Oct.........................
Nov........................
Dec........................
Average, 1908.........
Rela Price
per
tive
price. dozen
cans.
$1.4000
1.4000
1.4000
1.4000
1.4000
1.4000
1.4000
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.4000
1.3833
o No relative price com puted.
$1.1000
1.1000
1.1000
1.1000
1.0500
1.0000
1.0000
1.1000
1.1000
1.1000
1.1000
1.1000
1.0791
Rela Price Rela Price Relar
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0
$0.0987
.1575
.1575
.1575
.1481
.1450
.1265
.1119
.1160
159.6
159.6
159.6
150.1
146.9
128.2
113.4
117.5
.1250
.1310
.1400
.1364
126.6
132.7
141.8
138.2
.1210
122.6
For explanation, see page 231.
$0.1313
.0606
.0631
.0631
.0606
.0606
.0644
.0638
.0625
.0606
.0631
.0650
.0656
.0628
100.0
46.2
48.1
48.1
46.2
46.2
49.0
48.6
47.6
46.2
48.1
49.5
50.0
47.8
Price Rela
per
tive
dozen. price.
$0.1963
.3038
.2775
.2125
.1813
.1881
.2055
.2375
.2525
.2840
.3438
.4150
.4380
.2788
6 No quotation for m onth.
100.0
154.8
141.4
108.3
92.4
95.8
104.7
121.0
128.6
144.7
175.1
211.4
223.1
142.0
30$
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Month.
Fish: cod, dry,
bank, large.
Fish: herring,
large, Nova
Scotia split.
Price
Rela Price
per
per
tive
quintal. price. barrel.
Average, 1890-1899.. $5.5849
Jan.......................... 7.3750
Feb.......................... 7.3750
Mar.......................... 7.3750
Anr.......................... 7.5000
May......................... 7.2500
June........................ 7.2500
7.2500
Aug.......................... 7.2500
Sept......................... 7.2500
Oct.......................... 7.2500
Nov......................... 7.2500
Dec.......................... 7.2500
Average, 1908.......... 7.3021
Fish: mack
erel, salt,
large 3s.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. barrel.
100.0 ®$3.7763 100.0 $14.1306
132.1
7.2500 6163.8 14.0000
132.1
7.2500 6163.8 13.5000
132.1
7.2500 6163.8 12.5000
134.3
7.2500 6163.8 12.5000
129.8 7.2500 6163.8 11.5000
129.8
7.2500 6163.8 11.0000
129.8 7.2500 6163.8 10.5000
129.8 7.0000 6158.2 10.5000
129.8 7.0000 6158.2 10.2500
129.8
7.0000 6158.2 10.0000
129.8
6.5000 6146.9 10.0000
129.8
6.7500 6152.5 10.0000
7.0833 6160.1 11.3542
130.7
Flour: rye.
Fish: salmon,
canned.
Flour: buck
wheat.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. 12 cans. price. 100 lbs. price.
100.0
99.1
95.5
88.5
88.5
81.4
77.8
74.3
74.3
72.5
70.8
70.8
70.8
80.4
$1.4731
2.0000
2.0000
1.9250
1.9250
1.9250
1.9250
1.9250
1.9250
1*9250
1.9250
1.8250
1.8250
1.9208
100.0
135.8
135.8
130.7
130.7
130.7
130. 7
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
123.9
123.9
130.4
$1.9428
3.0500
3.0000
3.5000
(c)
(c)
( c/
( C1
\c)
(c)
3.2000
2.8250
2.6250
3.0333
100.0
157.0
154.4
180.2
164.7
145.4
135.1
156.1
Flour: wheat, Flour: wheat, Fruit: apples, Fruit: currants
spring patents. winter straights. evaporated,
in barrels.
choice.
Month.
Price Rela Price
per
per
tive
barrel. price. barrel.
Average, 1890-1899.. $3.3171
Jan.......................... 5.1250
Feb.......................... 5.0500
Mar.......................... 5.0500
Apr.......................... 4 8500
May......................... 4.8000
June......................... 48750
July......................... 4 7000
A u g ........................ 43250
Sept......................... 45000
Oct.......................... 43750
Nov......................... 41500
Dec.......................... 5.0500
Average, 1908.......... 4 7375
100.0
154 5
152.2
152.2
146.2
144.7
147.0
141.7
130.4
135.7
131.9
125.1
152.2
142.8
$4.2972
5.6000
5.3688
5.4150
5.1813
5.3750
5.2500
5.3875
5.6000
5.5350
5.3938
5.4188
5.4900
5.4183
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
per
per
tive
tive
per
tive
price. barrel. price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0
130.3
124.9
126.0
120.6
125.1
122.2
125.4
130.3
128.8
125.5
126.1
127.8
126.1
$3.8450
4 5500
4 3375
43750
42063
4.3250
41800
40188
4.0000
41450
43000
4 4688
4 5600
4 2909
100.0
118.3
112.8
113.8
109.4
112.5
108.7
104 5
104.0
107.8
111.8
116.2
118.6
111.6
$0.0847
.1000
.0950
.0913
.0900
.0838
.0900
.0850
.0850
.0825
.0800
.0763
.0763
.0863
100.0
118.1
112.2
107.8
106.3
98.9
106.3
100.4
100.4
97.4
94 5
90.1
90.1
101.9
$0.0375
.0663
.0638
.0613
.0594
.0588
.0588
.0588
.0588
.0644
.0619
.0594
.0594
.0609
100.0
176.8
170.1
163. &
.158.4
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
171.7
165.1
158.4
158.4
162.4
« Fish: herring, shore, round.
6 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231: average price for 1907, $7.2083.
CNo quotation for month.
79828— Bull. 81— 09----- 8
304
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
I I .—MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
Table
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Month.
Fruit:
prunes,
California.
Price Rela
tive
per
pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0774
Jan..........................
.0688
Feb..........................
.0675
Mar..........................
.0613
Apr..........................
.0575
May.........................
.0575
.0575
June........................
July.........................
.0538
Aug..........................
.0538
Sept.........................
.0613
.0613
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
.0613
Dee..........................
.0563
Average, 1908..........
.0598
100.0
88.9
87.2
79.2
74.3
74.3
74.3
69.5
69.5
79.2
79.2
7a 2
72.7
77.3
Meal: com,
fine yellow.
Fmit: raisins,
California,
London layer.
Price
per
box.
$1.5006
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8000
1.8500
1.8500
(*)
(&)
1.8100
Glucose.
Lard: prime
contract.
Relar Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. 100 lbs. priee. pound. price. 100 lbs. price.
100.0 ®$1.4182
120.0 2.4800
120.0 2.5200
12a 0 2.5200
i 2a o
2.5200
120.0 2.4800
12a 0 2.4800
12a 0 2.4800
120.0 2.6800
12a 3 2.8800
2.8800
12a 3
2.8800
2.8800
12a 6 2.6400
Meat: bacon,
short clear
sides.
io a o
174 9
177.7
177.7
177.7
174 9
1749
174 9
isa 0
2031
203 1
203 1
203 1
186.2
Meat: bacon,
short rib
sides.
Month.
$0.0654
.0814
.0755
.0806
.0846
.0861
. 08^6
.0958
.0965
.1040
.1000
.0973
.0961
.0908
100.0
145 0
145.0
147.5
157.3
147.5
162.3
159.8
164.7
174.6
167.2
16a 6
164 7
158.8
$a0675
.0788
.0719
.0747
.0788
.0794
.0849
.0960
.0994
.1094
.1080
.1041
.0947
.0901
io a o
115 7
106.5
na7
116.7
117.6
125 8
142.2
147.3
162.1
ie a 0
154 2
14a 3
133 5
$0.0656
. 0760
.0697
.0724
.0766
.0775
.0824
.0932
.0966
.1051
.1043
.1002
.0899
.0870
io a o
115 9
105 3
115 4
115 8
ll& l
125 6
142.1
147.3
165 2
159.0
152.7
137.0
132.6
io a o
124 5
115 4
123 2
129.4
131.7
137.0
145 5
147.6
159.0
152.9
148.8
145 9
138.8
Meat: beef,
fresh, carcass,
good native
steers (Chi
cago market).
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price
tive
tive
per
tive
per
per
per
100 lbs. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound.
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.0169
Jan.......................... 1.4750
F e b ..,........ ........... 1.4750
Mar.......................... 1.5000
Apr.......................... 1.6000
May......................... 1.5000
June........................ 1.6500
July......................... 1.6250
A u g......................... 1.6750
Sept......................... 1.7750
Oct............... .......... 1.7000
N ov......................... 1.7250
Dec.......................... 1.6750
Average, 1908........... 1.6146
$1.0486
1.4750
1.4750
1.5000
1. 6000
1.5000
1.6500
1.6250
1.6750
1.7750
1.7000
1.7250
1.6750
1.6146
105 0
145 7
145 7
143 0
152.6
1430
157.4
155.0
159.7
169.3
162.1
1645
159.7
154 0
Meat: beef,
fresh, native
sides (New
York market).
Rela Price
tive
per
price. pound.
Rela
tive
price.
$5 0771
.0857
.0825
.0860
.1050
.1044
.1070
.0994
.0913
.0880
.0885
.0916
.0920
.0934
100.0
111.2
107.0
111.5
13 5 2
135.4
138.8
128.9
113 4
1141
114 8
113 8
119.3
121.1
$0.0938
.0970
.0975
.1028
.1090
.1113
.1144
.1055
.1056
.1080
.1063
.1131
.1053
o Average for 1893-1899.
&No quotation for month.
e No relative price computed. For explanation, see page 231.
Meal: corn,
fine white.
( c)
rc)
?c\
f C)
f C)
?C)
\ c)
( c)
( C)
( c)
f C)
(C)
(c)
305
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a ble I I . — MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Month.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan..........................
Feb................... .
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
Aug.........................
Sept........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908...........
Meat: beef,
salt, hams,
western.
Meat: beef,
salt, extra
mess.
Price
per
barrel.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. barrel.
$8.0166
10.6875
10.4340
11.2500
13.0000
13.7500
14.1875
14.6575
14.7500
14.7500
14.1500
13.2500
13.2500
13.1837
100.0
133.3
130.2
140.3
162.2
171.5
177.0
182.8
184.0
184.0
176.5
165.3
165.3
164.5
$18.0912
25.5000
25.5000
26.4000
27.0000
27.0000
27.7000
29.0000
29.0000
30.0000
30.0000
28.1250
27.2000
27.7115
Meat: pork,
salt, mess, old
to new.
Meat: mutton,
dressed.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price
tive
tive
tive
per
per
per
price. pound. price. pound. price. barrel.
100.0
141.0
141.0
145.9
149.2
149.2
153.1
160.3
160.3
165.8
165.8
155.5
150.3
153.2
Molasses: New
Orleans, open
kettle.
Milk: fresh.
Meat: hams,
smoked.
$0.0984
.0997
.0956
.0980
.1068
.1076
.1168
.1297
.1291
.1274
.1244
.1122
.1040
.1125
100.0
101.3
97.2
99.6
108.5
109.3
118.7
131.8
131.2
129.5
126.4
114.0
105.7
114.3
$0.0754
.0888
.0925
.1085
.1131
.1031
.0930
.0813
.0794
.0660
.0700
.0675
.0730
.0863
100.0 $11.6332
117.8 14.8750
122.7 14.1250
143.9 14.6250
150.0 15.0000
136.7 15.0000
123.3 15.6250
107.8 17.5625
105.3 17.3750
87.5 17.2750
92.8 16.9375
89.5 16.3750
96.8 16.6000
114.5 15.9736
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
127.9
121.4
125.7
128.9
128.9
134.3
151.0
1 4 9 .4
148.5
145.6
140.8
142.7
137.3
Poultry:
dressed, fowls, Rice: domestic, Salt: American.
western, dry
choice.
picked.
Month.
Price
per
quart.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.0255
Jan..........................
.0400
.0375
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.0350
Apr..........................
.0313
May.........................
.0262
June........................
.0225
July.........................
.0250
Aug.........................
.0300
.0313
Sept.........................
.0375
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
.0383
Dec..........................
.0400
Average, 1908..........
.0329
Rela Price
per
tive
price. gallon.
100.0
156.9
147.1
137.3
122.7
102.7
88.2
98.0
117.6
122.7
147.1
150.2
156.9
129.0
$0.3151
.3800
.3800
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3550
Soda: bicarbonate
of, American.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price
tive
tive
tive
per
per
per
price. pound. price. pound. price. barrel.
100.0
120.6
12a 6
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
112.7
$0.1319
.1350
.1375
.1463
.1395
.1375
.1363
.1395
.1463
.1445
.1363
.1356
.1389
Spices: pepper,
Singapore.
(<*)
(a )
(a )
(a )
(a)
(a)
fa)
(a)
(a)
(a)
$0.0561
.0619
.0619
.0619
.0619
.0619
.0619
.0631
.0650
.0650
.0619
.0613
.0613
.0624
100.0
110.3
110.3
110.3
na3
110.3
110.3
112.5
115.9
115.9
110.3
109.3
109.3
111.2
Starch: pure
corn.
$0.7044
.7720
.7600
.7400
.7400
.7100
.7100
.7760
.8250
.8500
.8500
.8500
.8500
.7854
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
109.6
107.9
105.1
105.1
100.8
100.8
110.2
117.1
120.7
120.7
120.7
120.7
111.5
Sugar: 89° fair
refining.
Month.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative
price.
price.
pound.
price.
pound.
pound.
price.
pound.
$0.0209
.0130
.0130
.0115
.0115
.0115
.0115
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0110
Average, 1890-1899...
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July....... •................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
a
100.0
62.2
62.2
55.0
55.0
55.0
55.0
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
52.6
$0.0749
.0838
.0788
.0788
.0763
.0713
.0713
.0669
.0688
.0713
.0663
.0613
.0631
.0715
100.0
111.9
105.2
105.2
101.9
95.2
95.2
89.3
91.9
95.2
88.5
81.8
84.2
95.5
$0.0548
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0550
.0550
.0550
.0550
.0550
.0550
.0575
100.0
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
104.9
No relative price computed. For explanation, see page 231.
$0.03398
.03352
. 03244
.03606
.03898
.03808
.03830
. 03828
. 03526
.03448
.03488
.03443
.03278
.03563
100.0
98. 6
95.5
io a i
114.7
112.1
112.7
112.7
io a s
101.5
102.6
101.3
96.5
104.9
306
BU LLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y A C T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Month.
Sugar: 96°
centrifugal.
Sugar: granulated.
Tallow.
Tea: Formosa, fine.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per
price.
pound.
pound.
price.
pound.
price.
pound.
Average, 1890-1899...
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$0.03869
.03852
.03744
.04106
.04398
. 04308
. 04330
.04328
. 04046
. 03948
.03988
. 03943
.03778
.04064
100.0
99.6
96.8
106.1
113.7
111.3
111.9
111.9
104.6
102.0
m i
101.9
97.6
105.0
Vegetables, fresh:
cabbage.
$0.04727
.04710
.04650
.04975
.05310
.05263
.05225
.05230
.04975
.04950
.04850
.04613
.04540
. 04940
100.0
99.6
98.4
105.2
112.3
111.3
110.5
110.6
105.2
104.7
102.6
97.6
9a 0
104.5
Vegetables, fresh:
onions.
Month.
$0.0435
.0550
.0525
.0518
.0541
.0541
.0538
.0548
.0542
.0563
.0600
.0581
.0568
.0551
100.0
126.4
120.7
119.1
124 4
124 4
12a 7
126.0
124.6
129.4
137.9
13a 6
130.6
126.7
Vegetables, fresh:
potatoes, white,
choice to fancy.
Relative
price.
$0.2839
.2300
.2300
.2300
.2300
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2050
.2133
100.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
75.1
Vinegar: cider,
Monarch.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative
ton.
price.
barrel.
price.
bushel.
price.
gallon.
price.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$10.3750
10.5000
8.5000
8.8750
6.0000
(6)
(&)
(&)
18.0000
20.0000
21.6250
29.3750
15.4394
° N o relative price computed.
(a)
(a)
(ai
faS
?o)
(a)
(a)
yV
(a)
(a)
(a)
$3.3995
3.5000
4.2500
5.5000
(6)
(&)
(&)
(*)
(*>)
2.7500
2.7500
2.2500
3.7500
3.5357
100.0
103.0
125.0
161.8
80.9
80.9
66.2
110.3
104.0
$0.4991
.5960
.6763
.6800
.6738
.6600
.9650
.9230
.7613
.6913
.6130
.6450
.6725
.7119
For explanation, see page 231.
100.0
119.4
135.5
136.2
135.0
132.2
193.3
184.9
152.5
138.5
122.8
129.2
134 7
142.6
$0.1478
.1800
.1800
.1800
.1800
.1800
.1800
.1900
.1900
.1900
.1900
.1900
.1800
.1842
& No quotation for month.
100.0
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
128.6
128.6
128.6
128.6
128.6
121.8
124 6
307
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AN D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
10-4,
11-4, Blankets:
Bags: 2-bushel, 5Blankets:
pounds to the
pounds to the 2 pair,
54
x
74,
Amoskeag.
pair, all wool.
all cotton.
Price
per
bag.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.1399
Jan..........................
.1950
Feb..........................
.2100
Mar..........................
.1850
Apr..........................
.1850
.1850
May.........................
June........................
.1850
July.........................
.1850
Aug..........................
.1850
Sept.........................
.1850
Oct..........................
.1850
Nov.........................
.1850
Dec..........................
.1850
Average, 1908..........
.1879
Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
tive
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0
139.4
150.1
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
134.3
$0.840
.950
.950
.950
.950
_,950
.950
.950
.950
.950
.950
.950
.950
.950
100.0 a $0,424
113.1
.515
113.1
.515
113.1
.515
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
.500
113.1
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
113.1
.500
.504
113.1
Boots and
shoes: men’s
brogans, split.
Boots and
shoes: men’s
vici calf shoes,
Blucher bal.,
vici calf top,
single sole.
Price
per
pair.
Price
per
pair.
100.0 $0.9894
cl39.1 1.1500
cl39.1 1.1000
cl39.1 1.0750
C135.0 1.0750
C135.0 1.1000
C135.0 1.1250
C135.0 1.1250
C135.0 1.1500
<>135.0 1.1500
C135.0 1.1750
C135.0 1.2000
C135.0 1.2000
cl36.1 1.1354
Boots and
Broadcloths:
Boots and
shoes: men’s shoes: women’s first quality,
black, 54-inch,
solid grain
vici kid shoes,
shoes.
Goodyear welt.
X X X wool.
Rela
tive
price.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 6$2.376
100.0
116.2
2.800 d 109.0
111.2
2.800 <*109.0
108.7
2.800 <*109.0
108.7
2.800 <*109.0
111.2
2.800 <*109.0
113.7
2.800 <*109.0
113.7
2.800 <*109.0
116.2
2.800 <*109.0
116.2
2.800 <*109.0
118.8
2.800 <*109.0
121.3
2.800 <*109.0
121.3
2.800 <*109.0
114.8
2.800 <*109.0
Calico: Amer Carpets: Brus
ican standard
sels, 5-frame,
prints, 64 x 64.
Bigelow.
Month.
Price
per
pair.
Average, 1890-1899 .. $2.3000
Jan.......................... 2.5000
Feb.......................... 2.5090
Mar.......................... 2.5000
Apr.......................... 2.5000
May......................... 2.5000
June........................ 2.5000
July......................... 2.5000
Aug.......................... 2.5000
Sept......................... 2.5000
Oct.......................... 2.5000
Nov......................... 2.5000
Dec.......................... 2.5000
Average, 1908.......... 2.5000
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
pair.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
$0.8175
.9750
.9750
.9500
.9500
.9250
.9250
.9500
.9500
.9750
1.0000
1.0250
1.0250
.9688
100.0
119.3
119.3
116.2
116.2
113.1
113.1
116.2
116.2
119.3
122.3
125.4
125.4
118.5
$1,732
2.020
2.020
2.020
2.020
2.020
2.020
2.020
1.980
1.980
1.980
1.980
1.980
2.003
100.0 *$0.0553 100.0
116.6
.0665 /133.7
116.6
.0570 /114.6
.0570 /114 6
116.6
116.6
.0570 /U 4 6
116.6
.0570 /114 6
116.6
.0451 /90.6
116.6
.0451 / 90.6
114 3
.0475 / 95.5
1 143
.0475 / 95.5
1143
.0475 / 95.5
1143
.0475 / 95.5
.0475 / 95.5
114.3
115.6
.0519 /104 3
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
$1.0008
1.2480
1.2480
1.2480
1.2480
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.1760
1.2000
Blankets: 11-4,5 lbs. to the pair, cotton warp, cotton and wool filling.
6 Boots and shoes: men’s calf bal. shoes, Goodyear welt, dongola top.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.524.
<* For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $2.80.
« Calico: Cocheco prints.
/ For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.0602.
a
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
124 7
1247
124 7
124 7
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
119.9
308
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OP LABOB,
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Carpets:
ingrain, 2-ply,
Lowell.
Price
per
yard.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.4752
Jan...........................
.5760
Feb..........................
.5760
Mar..........................
.5760
Apr..........................
.5760
.5520
May.........................
June___•..................
.5520
July.........................
.5520
Aug.........................
.5520
.5520
Sept.........................
.5280
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
.5280
.5280
Dec..........................
.5540
Average, 1908...........
Month.
Carpets: Wilton, 5-frame,
Bigelow.
Cotton flannels: Cotton flannels: Cotton thread:
6-cord, 2002f yards
3^ yards
spools,
to the pound. to the pound. J.yard
& P. Coats.
Relative
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
121.2
121.2
121.2
121.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
111.1
111.1
111.1
116.6
$1.8432
2.2800
2.2800
2.2800
2.2800
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.1840
2.2160
100.0
123.7
123.7
123.7
123.7
lia s
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
lia s
118.5
118.5
120.2
$0.0706
.0900
.0900
.0875
.0875
.0850
.0850
.0825
.0825
..0775
.0775
.0750
.0750
.0829
100.0 $0.0575
.0750
127.5
.0750
127.5
123.9
.0725
123.9
.0725
120.4
.0700
120.4
.0700
116.9
.0675
116.9
.0675
109.8
.0675
109.8
.0675
106.2
.0650
106.2
.0650
117.4
.0696
100.0 $0.031008
130.4
.045080
130.4
.045080
126.1
.040180
126.1
.040180
121.7
. 040180
121.7
.040180
117.4
.040180
117.4
.040180
117.4
. 040180
117.4
.040180
113.0
.039200
113.0
.039200
121,0
.040833
Cotton yams:
Cotton yams:
carded, white, carded, white,
mule-spun,
mule-spun,
northern, cones, northern, cones,
10/1.
22/1.
TifinlniQ*
A
/CULUIllO*
Amoskeag.
Price Rela Price Rela Price
per
tive
per
per
tive
pound. price. pound. price. yard.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.1608
Jan..........................
.2000
Feb..........................
.1950
Mar..........................
.1900
.1825
&>r..........................
May.........................
.1775
June........................
.1700
July.........................
.1700
Aug.........................
.1700
.1675
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
.1675
Nov.........................
.1725
Dec..........................
.1700
Average, 1908...........
.1777
100.0
124.4
121.3
118.2
113.5
110.4
105.7
105.7
105.7
104.2
104.2
107.3
105.7
110.5
$0.1969
.2350
.2175
.2300
.1925
.2000
.1975
.2000
.2150
.2100
.2125
.2100
.2050
.2104
100.0
119.3
110.5
116.8
97.8
101.6
100.3
101.6
109.2
106.7
107.9
106.7
104.1
106.9
$0.1044
.1250
.1250
.1250
.1200
.1200
.1100
.1100
.1100
.1100
.1100
.1100
.1175
.1160
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
119.7
119.7
119.7
114.9
114.9
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
112.5
111.1
Drillings:
brown,
Pepperell.
Price Rela
per * tive
yard. price.
$0.0572
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0706
100.0
126.7
126.7
126.7
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
123.4
Price
per
spool.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
145.4
145.4
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
126.4
126.4
131.7
Drillings:
30-inch, Stark
A.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
$0.0521
.0772
.0786
.0746
.0688
.0726
.0693
.0717
.0698
.0695
.0705
.0698
.0691
.0718
100.0
14a 2
isa 9
143.2
132.1
139.3
133.0
137.6
134.0
133.4
135.3
134.0
132.6
137.8
309
WHOLESALE PEICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC TU AL A N D E E L A T IV E PEICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A SE PEICES (A V E E A G E F O E 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Flannels:
white, 4-4, Bal
lard Vale No. 3.
Price
per
yard.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.3768
.4687
Jan..........................
.4687
Feb..........................
Mar........... >............
.4687
Apr..........................
.4687
May.........................
.4687
June........................
.4557
.4557
July.........................
.4557
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
.4557
Oct..........................
.4557
.4557
Nov.........................
.4557
Dec..........................
Average, 1908...........
.4611
Month.
Ginghams:
Amoskeag.
Ginghams:
Lancaster.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
100.0
124.4
124.4
124.4
124.4
124.4
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
122.4
$0.0533
.0600
.0575
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0550
.0550
.0548
100.0
112.6
107.9
112.6
112.6
112.6
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
103.2
103.2
102.8
$0.0573
.0675
.0650
.0650
.0650
.0650
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0550
.0550
.0573
Rela Price Rela Price
tive
per 12
tive
per
price. pound. price. pairs.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 o$0.9555
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
.7500
126.5
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
.7500
126.5
100.0
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
6 88.9
688.9
100.0
117.8
113.4
113.4
113.4
113.4
87.3
87.3
87.3
87.3
87.3
96.0
96.0
100.0
Hosiery: wom Hosiery: wom
Leather: har
en’s cotton
en’s cotton
ness, oak,
hose, combed hose, seamless,
fast black, 26- packers’ hides,
peeler yam,
ounce, 176
heavy No. 1.
nigh spliced
needles.
heel.
Price
per 12
pairs.
Average, 1890-1899.. c$1.850
Jan...........................
1.775
Feb..........................
1.775
Mar..........................
1.775
Apr..........................
1.775
May.........................
1.775
June.........................
1.775
1.775
July.........................
1.775
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
1.775
Oct..........................
1.775
1.775
Nov.........................
1.775
Dec..........................
1.775
Average, 1908..........
a Hosiery:
Rela Price
per 12
tive
price. pairs.
100,0
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
d%0.9310
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
.8000
Rela Price
per
tive
price. pound.
Hosiery: men’s
cotton half
Horse blankets: hose,
seamless,
6 pounds each, fast black,
20
all wool.
to 22 ounce,
160 needles.
$0,573
.725
.725
.725
.725
-.725
.725
.725
.725
.725
.725
.725
.725
.725
Leather: sole,
hemlock.
Leather: sole,
oak.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
tive
per
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0 c$0.2590 100.0
.3600 0124.2
/84.2
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
.3450 0119.1
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
Z84.2
.3450 0119.1
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
/ 84.2
.3450 0119.1
f 8 4 .2
.3600 0124.2
f 84.2
.3600 0124.2
Z84.2
.3700 0127.7
/8 4 .2
.3508 0121.1
Z84.2
$0.1939
.2650
.2500
.2500
.2500
.2400
.2400
.2400
.2550
.2550
.2550
.2550
.2550
.2508
100.0
136.7
128.9
128.9
128.9
123.8
123.8
123.8
131.5
131.5
131.5
131.5
131.5
129.3
$0.3363
.3850
.3850
.3800
.3700
.3750
.3750
.3750
.3800
.3800
.3800
.3800
.3950
.3800
100.0
114.5
114.5
113.0
110.0
111.5
111.5
111.5
113.0
113.0
113.0
113.0
117.5
113.0
men’s cotton half hose, seamless, fast black, 20 to 22 ounce.
6 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.80.
c Average for 1893-1899.
d Hosiery: women’s cotton hose, seamless, fast black, 26 to 28 ounce.
c Leather: harness, oak, country middles, 14 pounds and up (except overweights, 20 pounds and up).
/ For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.85.
g For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.3738.
310
BU LLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A S E PRICES (A V E R A G E F O R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Leather:
chrome calf,
glazed finish,
B grade.
Price
per sq.
foot.
Linen shoe
thread: 10s.,
Barbour.
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. <z$0.6545 100.0
.2250 *117.1
Jan..........................
.2250 *117.1
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.2250 cl 17.1
Apr..........................
.2250 *117.1
.2150 clll. 9
May.........................
June........................
.2150 c lll.9
.2150 clll. 9
July.........................
.2150 clll. 9
Aug..........................
.2150 c lll.9
Sept.........................
.2150 c lll.9
Oct..........................
.2150 clll. 9
Nov.........................
.2150 clll. 9
D ec..........................
.2183 *113-6
Average, 1908..........
Print cloths:
28-inch, 64x64.
$0.8748
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
..8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
.8930
100.0
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
Sheetings:
bleached, 9-4,
Atlantic.
Overcoatings:
chinchilla,
cotton warp,
C. C. grade.
Overcoatings:
covert cloth,
light weight,
staple.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
$0.4883
.4550
.4400
.4400
.4400
.4400
.4400
.4300
.4250
.4300
.4250
.4250
.4250
.4346
100.0
93.2
90.1
90.1
90.1
90.1
90.1
88.1
87.0
88.1
87.0
87.0
87.0
89.0
$2.3286
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
Rela
tive
price.
Overcoatings:
Kersey, stand
ard, 28-ounce.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 &$1.2472
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
96.9
1.8500
Sheetings:
Sheetings:
bleached, 10-4, bleached, 10-4,
Pepperell.
WamsuttaS. T.
100.0
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Indian Head.
Month.
Price
per
yard.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.028380
Jan.......................... . 041250
Feb.......................... .038000
Mar.......................... .034688
Apr.......................... .032500
May......................... .032000
June........................ .032500
July......................... .032500
Aug.......................... .030750
Sept......................... .030000
Oct.......................... .030750
Nov......................... . 033125
Dec.......................... .034375
Average, 1908.......... .033486
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. yard.
100.0 $<*0.1836 100.0 $0.1884
145.3
.2780 C161.3 .3000
133.9
.2779 C161.2 .2500
122.2
.2779 C161.2 .2500
114.5
.2561 *148.6
.2500
112.8
.2586 «150.0 .2500
114.5
.2578 cl49.6
.2300
114.5
.2300
(/)
108.4
.2130 *123.6
.2300
105.7
.2060 *119.5
.2300
108.4
.2040 *118.3
.2300
116.7
.1977 *114.7
.2400
121.1
.2021 *117.2
.2400
118.0
.2390 *138/7
.2442
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
159.2
132.7
132.7
132.7
132.7
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
127.4
127.4
129.6
$0.2949
.3150
.3000
.3000
.3000
.3000
.2625
.2625
.2625
.2625
.2625
.2625
.2625
.2794
100.0
106.8
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
89.0
89.0
89.0
89.0
89.0
89.0
89.0
94.7
$0.0626
.0850
.0850
.0800
.0800
.0800
.0750
.0750
.0750
.0750
.0750
.0725
.0775
.0779
100.0
135.8
135.8
127.8
•127.8
127.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
115.8
123.8
124.4
o Leather: wax calf, 30 to 40 lbs. to the dozen, B grade.
6 Average for 1897-1899.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.2250.
d Sheetings: bleached, 10-4, Atlantic.
* For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.2315.
/ No quotations for month.
311
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
II.— MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Lawrence L. L.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Average, 1890-1899... a$0.0525 100.0
.0600 6117.9
Jan..........................
.0575 6113.0
Feb..........................
.0550 6108.0
Mar..........................
.0525 6103.1
Apr..........................
.0500 698.2
.0500 6 98.2
June.........................
July.........................
.0488 695.9
.0500 698.2
Aug..........................
.0500 6 98.2
Sept.........................
.0488 6 95.9
Oct..........................
.0500 698.2
N ov.........................
.0500 6 98.2
Dec..........................
.0519 6102.0
Average, 1908...........
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
Williamsville
A l.
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Pepperell R.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
Fruit of the
Loom.
Shirtings:
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4, bleached, 4-4,
Wamsutta
Lonsdale.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
$0.0551
.0775
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0650
.0675
.0675
.0675
.0675
.0675
.0650
.0650
.0683
100.0
140.7
127.0
127.0
127.0
118.0
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
118.0
118.0
124.0
$0.0728
.1200
.0950
.0950
.0950
.0950
.0825
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0875
.0913
100.0
164.8
130.5
130.5
130.5
130.5
113.3
116.8
116.8
116.8
116.8
116.8
120.2
125.4
$0.0727
.1000
.0925
.0925
.0925
.0925
.0800
.0825
.0825
.0825
.0825
.0825
.0850
.0873
100.0
137.6
127.2
127.2
127.2
127.2
110.0
113.5
113.5
113.5
113.5
113.5
116.9
120.1
$0.0948
.1250
.1250
.1250
.1250
.1250
.1025
.1025
.1025
.1025
.1025
.1025
.1025
.1119
100.0
131.9
131.9
131.9
131.9
131.9
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
118.0
Silk: raw,
Italian,
classical.
Silk: raw,
Japan,
filatures.
Suitings: clay
worsted diag
onal, 12-ounce,
Wash. Mills.
Suitings: clay
worsted diag
onal, 16-ounce,
Wash. Mills.
Month.
Price
per
yard.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.0876
.1200
Jan..........................
.1000
Feb..........................
.1000
Mar..........................
.1000
Apr..........................
.0875
May.........................
June.........................
.0875
.0875
July.........................
.0875
Aug.........................
.0875
Sept.........................
.0875
Oct..........................
.0900
N ov.........................
.0900
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
.0938
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 c$0.8236 100.0 c$1.0068
1.1700 142.1
1.3950
100.8
1.1700 142.1
1.3950
100.8
1.3950
93.5 1.1700 142.1
1.1700 142.1
1.3950
88.7
1.3950
86.3
1.1700 142.1
1.3950
1.1700 142.1
88.7
1.2825
99.6 1.0575 128.4
99.6 1.0575 128.4 1.2825
1.2825
1.0575
128.4
100.8
1.0575 128.4 1.2825
100.8
100.2
1.0575 128.4 1.2825
1.2825
102.0
1.0575 128.4
1.3388
96.8
1.1138 135.2
100.0
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
127.4
127.4
127.4
127.4
127.4
127.4
133.0
Rela Price Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0
137.0
114.2
114.2
114.2
99.9
99.9
99.9
99.9
99.9
99.9
102.7
102.7
107.1
$4.2558
5.0738
4.3808
3.9848
3.6878
3.8363
3.8858
3.9848
4.1580
4.2075
4.2570
4.2075
4.5045
4.1807
100.0
119.2
102.9
93.6
86.7
90.1
91.3
93.6
97.7
98.9
100.0
98.9
105.8
98.2
$4.0187
4.0498
4.0498
3.7588
3.5648
3.4678
3.5648
4.0013
4.0013
4.0498
4.0498
4.0255
4.0983
3.8902
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Stark A. A.
6 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.0647.
e Average for 1895-1899.
a
312
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a b l e I I . — MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Suitings:
indigo blue,
all wool, 54-in.,
14-oz.,
Middlesex.
Price
per
yard.
Average, 1890-1899... $1.3230
Jan........................... 1.5750
Feb.......................... 1.5750
Mar.......................... 1.5750
Apr.......................... 1.5750
May......................... 1.5750
June......................... 1.5750
1.5750
July....................
Aug......................... 1.5750
Sept......................... 1.5750
Oct.......................... 1.5750
N ov......................... 1.5750
D ec.......................... 1.5750
Average, 1908........... 1.5750
Month.
Relar
tive
price.
Suitings:
serge,
Washington
Mills 6700.
Price
per
yard.
100.0 «$0.7526
119.0
1.0575
119.0
1.0575
119.0
1.0575
119.0
1.0575
119.0
1.0575
119.0 1.0575
119.0
.9225
119.0
.9225
119.0
.9225
119.0
.9225
119.0
.9225
119.0
.9675
119.0
.9938
Tickings:
Amoskeag
A. C. A.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
100.0
140.5
140.5
140.5
140.5
140.5
140.5
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
128.6
132.0
$0.1061
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1050
.1050
.1050
.1050
.1050
.1125
.1125
.1125
Relar
tive
price.
Underwear:
Trouserings:
shirts and
fancy worsted,
white,
19 to 20 ounce. drawers,
all wool, etc.
Price
per
yard.
Price Rela
Rela per
12
tive
tive
gar price.
price. ments.
100.0 *$1.9456 100.0
2.4750 <123.7
113.1
113.1
2.4750 <123.7
113.1
2.4750 cl23.7
113.1
2.4750 cl23.7
113.1 2.4750 423.7
99.0 2.4750 C123.7
99.0 2.4750 cl23.7
99.0 2.4750 cl23.7
99.0 2.4750 cl23.7
99.0 2.4750 <123.7
106.0 2.5875 <129.3
106.0 2.5875 <129.3
106.0 2.4938 <124.6
$23.31
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
27.00
100.0
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
Women's dress Women’s dress Women’s dress
Underwear:
goods: cashgoods: cashdress
shirts and
goods: cash- Women's
all wool, mere, cotton
goods: Pan
drawers, white, mere,
mere, cotton
8-0
twill,
35warp,
9-twill,
ama
cloth,
merino, 60 per
warp, 36-inch,
4-4, Atlantic
Atlantic
54-inch.
cent wool, etc. inch,Mills.
Hamilton.
Mills F.
Price
per 12
gar
ments.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
Average, 1890-1899.. <*$15.57 100.0 40.2905 100.0
Jan..........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 *127.1
Feb..........................
18.00 ftl06.0
.3185 <127.1
Max..........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 *127.1
Apr................... .
18.00 *106.0
.3185 *127.1
May.........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
June........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
July......... ...............
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Aug.........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Sept.................. .
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Oct..........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
N ov.........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Dec..........................
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Average, 1908..........
18.00 *106.0
.3185 <127.1
Price
per
yard.
$0.1520
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
.2107
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 /$0.0883 100.0
138.6
.1960 1127.8
138.6
.1960 J127.8
138.6
.1960 3127.8
138.6
.1911 H24.6
138.6
.1911 3124.6
138.6
.1911 1124.6
138.6
.1911 H24.6
138.6
.1911 H24.6
138.6
.1911 H24.6
138.6
.1862 /121.4
138.6
.1862 J121.4
138.6
.1862 J121.4
138.6
.1911 3124.6
Price
per
yard.
5151
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
.6983
m .
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
ft 126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
*126.8
* 126.8
* 126.8
* 126.8
a Average for 1892-1899.
* Average for 1892-1899; 22 to 23 ounce.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $2.4469.
d 52 per cent wool and 48 per cent cotton.
« Women's dress goods: cashmere, all wool, 10-11 twill, 38-inch, Atlantic J.
/W om en’s dress goods: cashmere, cotton warp, 27-inch, Hamilton.
0 Women's dress goods: Franklin sackings 6-4.
* For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $18.00.
1 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.3381.
3 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.1960.
ft For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.6983.
313
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Month.
Women’s dress
goods: poplar Women’s dress Wool: Ohio,
Wool: Ohio,
yams,
medium fleece Worsted
cloth, cotton goods: Sicilian fine fleece (X
2-40s, Aus
warp mid wor cloth, cotton and XX grade), ( i and | grade),
tralian
fine.
sted filling, 36- warp, 50-inch.
scoured.
scoured.
inch.
Price
per
yard.
Relative
price.
Price
per
yard.
Rela- Price
tive
per
price. pound.
Average, 1890-1899... °$0.0758 100.0 &$0.0680 100.0 $0.5526
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
Jan..........................
.2000 d l5 .4
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
.2000 d l5 .4
Feb..........................
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
Mar..........................
.2000 cll5.4
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
.2000 cll5.4
Apr..........................
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
.2000 cll5.4
M a y ...,..................
.7021
.3491 <*124.9
.2000 d l5 .4
June........................
.7234
.2000 cll5.4
.3491 <*124.9
July.........................
.7234
.3491 <*124.9
Aug.........................
.2000 C115.4
.7234
.3491 <*124.9
.1900 d 09.6
Sept.........................
.7234
.3491 <*124.9
Oct..........................
.1900 cl09.6
.3491 <*124.9
.1900 d 09.6
.7447
Nov.........................
.3491 <*124.9
.7447
.1900 cl09.6
Dec..........................
.7163
.3491 <*124.9
.1967 cll3.5
Average, 1908..........
Cloths and
clothing.
Month.
Worsted yams:
2-32s, crossbred
stock, white,
in skeins.
100.0
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
130.9
130.9
130.9
130.9
134.8
134.8
129.6
$0.4564
.5000
.4865
.4865
.4865
.4730
.4730
.4865
.4865
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.4899
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive.
price. pound. price.
100.0
109.6
106.6
106.6
106.6
103.6
103.6
106.6
106.6
109.6
109.6
109.6
109.6
107.3
$1.0183
1.2700
1.2500
1.2200
1.2200
1.2200
1.2000
1.2200
1.2200
1.2200
1.2200
1.2500
1.2500
1.2300
100.0
124.7
122.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
117.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
122.8
122.8
120.8
Fuel and lighting.
Candles: ada
mantine, 6s,
14-ounce.
Price Relar Price
per
per
tive
pound. price. pound.
Average, 1890-1899... «$1.0071 100.0
.8800 /125.5
Jan...........................
.8800 /125.5
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.8800 /125.5
Apr..........................
.8000 /114.1
.8000 /114.1
May.........................
.7600 /108.4
June........................
.7600 /108.4
.7600 /108.4
Aug..........................
.7600 /108.4
Sept.........................
.7600 /108.4
Oct..........................
.7600 /108.4
Nov.........................
.8200 /117.0
D ec..........................
.8017 /114.4
Average, 1908..........
Rela Price
per
tive
price. pound.
$0.0782
.0750
.0750
.0750
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0725
.0731
Coal: anthra
cite, broken.
Coal: anthra
cite, chestnut.
Coal: anthra
cite, egg.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
ton.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
ton.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
ton.
100.0
95.9
95.9
95.9
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
93.5
$3.3669
4.2071
4.2068
4.2000
4.2000
4.2018
4.2059
4.2006
4.2000
4.2000
4.2000
4.2000
4.2000
4.2019
100.0
125.0
124 9
124 7
124 7
124 8
124 9
124 8
124 7
124 7
124 7
124 7
124 7
124 8
$3.5953
4.9470
4.9500
4.9500
4.4500
4 5343
4.6469
4.7377
48439
4.9398
4.9492
4 9502
4.9486
4.8206
100.0
137.6
137.7
137.7
123.8
126.1
129.2
131.8
1347
137.4
137.7
137.7
137.6
134.1
$3.5936
4 9504
4.9500
4.9500
4.4500
45327
4.6463
4 7475
48285
4.9384
4 9500
49500
4.9500
48203
Rela
tive
price.
Women’s dress goods: cashmere, cotton warp, 22-inch, Hamilton.
6 Women’s dress goods: alpaca, cotton warp, 22-inch, Hamilton.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.1908.
d For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.3491.
e Worsted yams: 2-40s X X X X , white, in skeins.
/ For method of computing relative price, see pages £30 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.90.
a
100.0
137.8
137.7
137.7
123.8
126.1
129.3
132.1
134 4
137.4
137.7
137.7
137.7
1341
314
BULLETIN OE TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
T a ble I I . — MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Fuel and lighting.
Month.
Coal: anthra
cite, stove.
Price
per
ton.
Average, 1890-1899... $3.7949
Jan.......................... 4.9503
Feb.......................... 4.9500
Mar.......................... 4.9500
Apr.......................... 4.4510
May......................... 4.5357
June........................ 4.6453
July......................... 4.7469
Aug.......................... 4.8497
Sept......................... 4.9459
Oct.......................... 4.9483
Nov......................... 4.9500
D ec......................... 4.9486
Average, 1908.......... 4.8226
Coal: bitumi Coal: bitumi
nous, Georges nous, Georges
Creek(at
Creek (f. o. b.
mine).
N. Y. Harbor).
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
ton.
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
ton.
100.0
130.4
130.4
130.4
117.3
119.5
122.4
125.1
127.8
130.3
130.4
130.4
130.4
127.1
$0.8887
1.5000
1.5000
1.5000
1.5000
1.4000
1.4000
1.3500
1.4000
1.4000
1.4500
1.4500
1.4500
1.4417
100.0
168.8
168.8
168.8
168.8
157.5
157.5
151.9
157.5
157.5
163.2
163.2
163.2
162.2
$2.7429
3.1500
3.1000
3.1000
3.1000
3.0000
3.0500
3.0500
3.0500
3.0500
3.1000
3.1000
3.1000
3.0792
Coal: bitumi
nous, Pitts Coke: Connellsburg (Yough- ville, furnace.
iogheny).
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
price. bushel. price.
100.0
114.8
113.0
113.0
113.0
109.4
111.2
111.2
111.2
111.2
113.0
113.0
113.0
112.3
$0.0643
.0863
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0851
Month.
Petroleum:
crude.
Price
per
Rela Price
per
gross of tive
boxes price. barrel.
(200s).
Average, 1890-1899... $1.7563
Jan.......................... 1.5000
Feb.......................... 1.5000
Mar.......................... 1.5000
Apr.......................... 1.5000
May......................... 1.5000
June........................ 1.5000
July......................... 1.5000
Aug.......................... 1.5000
Sept......................... 1.5000
o c t .......................... 1.5000
Nov......................... 1.5000
1.5000
Average, 1908.......... 1.5000
100.0
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
$0.9102
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
1.7800
$1.6983
2.1250
1.7250
1.8250
1.6000
1.5500
1.6250
1.6000
1.6250
1.5000
1.5000
1.8250
2.0000
1.7083
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
125.1
101.6
107.5
94.2
91.3
95.7
94.2
95.7
88.3
88.3
107.5
117.8
100.6
Metals and im
plements.
Fuel and lighting.
Matches: par
lor, domestic.
100.0
134.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.3
Price
per
ton.
Petroleum: re Petroleum: re Augers: extra,
fined, for ex fined, 150° fire
1-inch.
test, w. w.
port.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. gallon.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. gallon.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. auger.
100.0
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
100.0
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
131.0
131.0
131.0
133.9
100.0 <*$0.1608 100.0
151.7
.4200 6223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
151.7
.4200 6 223.9
$0.0649
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0875
.0850
.0850
.0850
.0869
$0.0890
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
.1350
Rela
tive
price.
a Augers: extra, J-inch.
b For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907,30.42.
315
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
II.—
M O N T H L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
[Average for 1908 com puted from quotations in Table I.]
Metals and implements.
Axes: M. C. O.,
Yankee.
Month.
Bar iron: best
refined, from
store (Phila
delphia mar
ket).
Bar iron: com
mon to best
refined (Pitts
burg market).
Barb wire:
galvanized.
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
Price Rela
per
tive
per
tive
tive per 100 tive
per ax. price.
pound. price. pound. price. pounds. price.'
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.4093
.6800
Jan..........................
.6800
Feb..........................
.6800
Mar..........................
.6800
Apr..........................
.6800
May.........................
.6800
June........................
.6800
July.........................
.6800
Aug.........................
Sept.........................
.6800
Oct..........................
.6800
.6800
Nov.........................
.6800
D ec..........................
Average, 1908..........
.6800
100.0
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
Chisels: extra,
socket firmer,
1-inch.
$0.0164
.0176
.0176
.0176
.0176
.0176
.0166
.0166
.0166
.0166
.0166
.0166
.0166
.0170
100.0 ®$0.0145 100.0 $2.5261
107.3
.0160 cl20.0
2.6800
107.3
.0140 cl05.0 2.6800
107.3
.0149 c lll.8 2.6800
107.3
.0149 cm . 8 2.6800
107.3
.0149 Clll.8 2.6800
101.2
.0149 c lll.8 2.5800
101.2
.0140 cl05.0 2.5800
101.2
.0140 clOS.O 2.5800
101.2
.0140 cl05.0 2.5800
101.2
.0140 cl05.0
2.5800
101.2
.0140 cl05.0
2.5800
101.2
.0150 cl 12.5
2.5800
103.7
.0146 C109.5 2.6217
Copper: ingot,
electrolytic.
Copper: sheet,
hot-rolled
(base sizes).
Butts: loose
pin, wrought
steel, 3 i x 3*
inch.
Price
per
pair.
100.0 5$0.0316
106.1
.0900
106.1
.0900
106.1
.0900
106.1
.0900
106.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
102.1
.0900
103.8
.0900
Copper wire:
bare.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
d 126.6
Doorknobs:
steel, bronze
plated.
Month.
Price
per
chisel.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.1894
Jan..........................
.3750
.3750
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.3750
Apr..........................
.3750
.3750
May.........................
June........................
.3750
.3750
July.........................
.3750
Aug..........................
.3750
Sept.........................
.3750
Oct..................... .
.3750
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
.3750
Average, 1908...........
.3750
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
tive
per
tive
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
100.0 c$0.1234 100.0
198.0
.1388 /115.0
.1363 /112.9
198.0
198.0
.1256 /104.1
198.0
.1300 /107.7
198.0
.1265 /104.8
.1269 /105.2
198.0
.1269 /105.2
198.0
.1350 /111.9
198.0
198.0
.1375 /113.9
198.0
.1355 /112.3
.1381 /114.4
198.0
.1438 /119.2
198.0
.1334 /110.5
198.0
$0.1659
.2000
.2000
.1700
.1700
.1700
.1700
.1700
.1700
.1800
.1800
.1800
.1900
.1792
100.0
120.6
120.6
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
108.5
108.5
108.5
114.5
108.0
$0.1464
.1650
.1650
.1450
.1475
.1475
.1475
.1475
.1450
.1525
.1525
.1500
.1575
.1519
100.0
112.7
112.7
99.0
100.8
100.8
100.8
100.8
99.0
104.2
104.2
102.5
107.6
103.8
Price
per
pair.
Rela
tive
price.
$0.1697
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
.4000
100.0
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
o Bar iron: best refined, from mill (Pittsburg market).
b Butts: loose joint, cast, 3 x 3 inch.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.0175.
d For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.09.
« Copper: ingot, lake.
/ For method of computing relative price; see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.2078.
316
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Metals and implements.
Month.
Files: 8-inch
mill bastard.
Price
per
dozen.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.8527
Jan..........................
.9700
Feb..........................
.9700
Mar..........................
.9700
Apr..........................
.9700
.9600
May.........................
June........................
.9600
July.........................
.9500
Aug.........................
.9400
Sept.........................
.9400
Oct..........................
.9400
Nov.........................
.9400
Dee..........................
.9400
Average, 1908..........
.9542
Hammers:
Maydole No. 1 |.
Lead: pig.
Lead: pipe.
Locks: com
mon mortise.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
Price Rela
tive
per
tive
per
tive per 100 tive
tive
price. hammer. price. pound. price. pounds. price. per lock. price.
100.0
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.8
112.6
112.6
111.4
110.2
110.2
110.2
110.2
110.2
111.9
$0.3613
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
100.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
Nails: cut,
Nails: wire,
and common.
and common.
8-penny, fence 8-penny, fence
$0.0381
.0370
.0378
.0375
.0400
.0420
.0430
.0450
.0460
.0459
.0453
.0438
.0434
.0422
100.0
97.1
99.2
98.4
105.0
110.2
112.9
118.1
120.7
120.5
118.9
115.0
113.9
110.8
$4.8183
4.6800
4.2500
4.2500
4.3500
4.6000
4.7500
5.0000
5.0000
5.1000
5.1000
5.0000
4.8000
4.7400
100.0
97.1
88.2
88.2
90.3
95.5
98.6
103.8
103.8
105.8
105.8
103.8
99.6
98.4
Pig iron: Bes
Pig iron:
semer.
foundry No. 1.
$0.0817
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
100.0
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
Pig iron:
foundry No. 2.
Month.
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
Price Rela
Price Rela
per 100 tive per 100 tive
tive
tive
tive
pounds. price. pounds. price. per ton . price. per ton. price. per ton. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.8275
Jan.......................... 2.1250
Feb.......................... 2.1250
Mar............. ............ 2.0250
Apr.......................... 2.0250
May......................... 2.0250
June......................... 1.9500
July......................... 1.8500
Aug......................... 1.8750
Sept......................... 1.8500
Oct.......................... 1.8500
Nov......................... 1.8500
Dec.......................... 1.8500
Average, 1908.......... 1.9500
100.0
116.3
116.3
110.8
110.8
110.8
106.7
101.2
102.6
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
106.7
Pig iron:
Gray forge,
southern, coke.
$2.1618
2.1500
2.1500
2.1500
2.1500
2.1500
2.1500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.1000
100.0 $13.7783 100.0 $14.8042 100.0 $13.0533 100.0
99.5 19.0000 137.9 18.7000 126.3
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
97.1
Planes:
Bailey No. 5,
jack plane.
17.9000
17.8600
17.4900
16.9600
16.9000
16.8300
16.2600
15.9000
15.7500
16.5900
17.4000
17.0700
129.9
129.6
126.9
123.1
122.7
122.1
118.0
115.4
114.3
120.4
126.3
123.9
Quicksilver.
18.7500
18.6200
18.1500
17.4400
17.1200
17.0000
17.0000
17.1200
17.2500
17.5000
17.7500
17.7000
126.7
125.8
122.6
117.8
115.6
114.8
114.8
115.6
116.5
118.2
119.9
119.6
18.0250
17.1500
16.7750
16.4000
16.6750
15.9000
15.9000
15.5250
15.5250
15.3250
15.4000
16.4000
16.2500
138.1
131.4
128.5
125.6
127.7
121.8
121.8
118.9
118.9
117.4
118.0
125.6
124.5
Saws: crosscut, Saws: hand,
Disston No. 2. Disston No. 7.
Month.
Price
per
ton.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan...........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908...........
$11.0892
15.0000
14.5000
14.5000
14.0000
13.7500
14.0000
14.0000
14.2500
14.5000
14.5000
14.5000
15.0000
14.3750
Rela Price
tive
per
price. plane.
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price.
100.0
100.0
135.3
130.8
130.8
126.2
124.0
126.2
126.2
128.5
130.8
130.8
130.8
135.3
129.6
$1.3220
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
$0.5593
.6100
.6100
.6100
.6100
.6100
.6000
.5950
.5900
.6000
.6200
.6400
.6250
.6100
100.0
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
107.3
106.4
105.5
107.3
110.9
114.4
111.7
109.1
Price
per
saw.
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
Rela Price
tive
per
price. dozen.
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
$12,780
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
12.950
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
317
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a b l e I I . — M O N T H L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OP COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Metals and implements.
Month.
Shovels:
Ames No. 2.
Silver: bar,
fine.
Spelter:
western.
Price
per
dozen.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. ounce.
Rela Price
Rela
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899. - $7.8658
Jan........................... 7.8400
Feb........................ - 7.8400
Mar.......................... 7.8400
Apr.......................... 7.8400
May......................... 7.8400
June........................ 7.8400
July......................... 7.8400
Aug.......................... 7.8400
Sept......................... 7.8400
Oct.......................... 7.8400
Nov.......................... 7.8400
Dec.......................... 7.6200
Average, 1908........... 7.8217
100.0 $0.74899
.56274
99.7
.56630
99.7
.55990
99.7
.55129
99.7
.53427
99.7
.54278
99.7
.53796
99.7
99.7 . .52302
.52360
99.7
.52050
99.7
.50320
99.7
96.9
.49399
99.4
.53496
100.0
75.1
75.6
74.8
73.6
71.3
72.5
71.8
69.8
69.9
69.5
67.2
66.0
71.4
Steel sheets:
black, No. 27.
Tin: pig.
$0.0452
.0443
.0473
.0475
.0473
.0468
.0458
.0450
.0483
.0475
.0485
.0498
.0519
.0475
Steel
billets.
Price
per
ton.
100.0 $21.5262
98.0 28.0000
104.6 28.0000
105.1 28.0000
104.6 28.0000
103.5 28.0000
101.3 25.7500
99.6 25.0000
106.9 25.0000
105.1 25.0000
107.3 25.0000
110.2 25.0000
114.8 25.0000
105.1 26.3125
Rela
tive
price.
Steel
rails.
Price
per
ton.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 $26.0654
130.1 28.0000
130.1 28.0000
130.1 28.0000
130.1 28.0000
130.1 28.0000
119.6 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
116.1 28.0000
122.2 28.0000
100.0
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
Tin plates:
Trowels:
Vises: solid
domestic,
C. O. brick, box,
Bessemer, coke, M. lOHnch.
50-pound.
14x20 inch.
Month.
Average, 1890-1899.. <*$0.0224
Jan..........................
.0240
Feb..........................
.0240
Mar..........................
.0240
Apr..........................
.0240
.0240
May.........................
June........................
.0240
July.........................
.0240
Aug.........................
.0240
Sept.........................
.0240
Oct..........................
.0240
Nov..........................
.0240
Dec..........................
.0240
Average, 1908..........
.0240
100.0
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
$0.1836
.2675
.2860
.3038
.3125
.3105
.2885
.2720
.3073
.2900
.2950
.3038
.2940
.2942
100.0 &$3.4148
145.7 3.8900
15$. 8 3.8900
165.5 3.8900
170.2 3.8900
169.1
3.8900
157.1
3.8900
148.1
3.8900
167.4 3.8900
158.0 3.8900
160.7 3.8900
165.5 3.8900
160.1
3.8900
160.2 3.8900
100.0
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
$0.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Price
per
vise.
8S 8888888S S 88S
Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela
per
per
tive
tive per 100 tive
per
tive
pound. price. pound. price. pounds. price. trowel. price.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
d 147.4
<*147.4
147.4
<*147.4
d
®Average for the period, July, 1894, to December, 1899.
&Average for 1896-1899.
c Prices quoted by a different firm from that furnishing quotations in previous years.
d For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $4.37.
318
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
II.— MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
fAverage for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Metals and implements.
Month.
Wood screws:
1-inch, No. 10,
flat head.
Price
per
gross.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.1510
Jan..........................
.1000
Feb..........................
.1000
Mar..........................
.1000
Apr..........................
.1000
.1000
May.........................
June........................
.1000
July.........................
.1000
Aug.........................
.1000
Sept.........................
.1000
.1000
Oct..........................
.1000
N ov.........................
.1000
Dec..........................
.1000
Average, 1908..........
Zinc: sheet.
Lumber and building materials.
Brick: com
mon domestic.
Carbonate of
lead: Ameri
can, in oil.
Cement: Port
land, domestic.
Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price Rela Price
tive per 100 tive
per
tive
tive
per
price. pounds. price. per M. price. pound. price. barrel.
100.0
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
$5.3112
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
6.4400
100.0
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
$5.5625
5.5000
5.5000
5.2500
5.3750
4.7500
4.6250
4.6250
4.5000
4.5000
4.7500
5.7500
6.1250
5.1042
100.0
98.9
98.9
94.4
96.6
85.4
83.1
83.1
80.9
80.9
85.4
103.4
110.1
91.8
$0.0577
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0662
.0662
.0662
.0662
.0662
.0662
.0650
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 <z$l. 9963
110.4
1.5500
110.4
1.4500
110.4
1.4500
110.4
1.4500
110.4
1.4500
110.4
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
114.7
1.4500
112.7
1.4600
100.0
77.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
73.1
Lumber and building materials.
Month.
Cement: Rosen- Doors: western
dale.
white pine.
Price
per
barrel.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.8871
Jan...........................
.9500
Feb..........................
.9500
Mar..........................
.9500
Apr..........................
.9500
.9500
May.........................
.9500
June........................
July.........................
.9500
Aug.........................
.9500
Sept.........................
.9500
Oct..........................
.9500
N ov.........................
.9500
Dec___'...................
.9500
Average, 1908...........
.9500
Rela
tive
price.
Price
per
door.
Hemlock.
Rela Price
per M
tive
feet.
price.
100.0 &$1.0929 100.0 $11.9625
107.1
2.0100 *185.9 22.0000
107.1
2.0100 *185.9 22.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21.5000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21,0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 21.0000
107.1
1.6850 cl55.9 20.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 20.0000
107.1
1.6850 *155.9 20.0000
107.1
1.7400 *161.0 20.0000
107.1
1.7438 *161.3 20.8750
Lime: common.
Linseed oil:
raw.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. barrel.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. gallon.
100.0
183.9
183.9
179.7
175.5
175.5
175.5
175.5
175.5
167.2
167.2
167.2
167.2
174.5
100.0
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
$0.8332
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
1.0450
Rela
tive
price.
$0.4535
.4400
.4400
.4300
.4300
.4200
.4400
.4400
.4400
.4400
.4300
.4200
.4800
.4375
®Average for 1895-1899.
6 Doors: pine, unmolded, 2 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 8 inches, 1J inches thick.
c For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $1.8108.
100.0
97.0
97.0
94.8
94.8
92.6
97.0
97.0
97.0
97.0
94.8
92.6
105.8
96.5
3 19
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
II.—
M O N T H L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
Table
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Lumber and building materials.
Month.
Maple: hard.
Price
per M
feet.
Average, 1890-1899...
Jan...........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908...........
$26.5042
32.5000
32.5000
32.5000
32.5000
32.5000
31.0000
31.0000
31.0000
31.0000
31.0000
31.0000
31.0000
31.6250
Oak: white,
plain.
Rela Price
tive
per M
price.
feet.
100.0
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
119.3
Pine: white,
boards, uppers
(N .Y . market).
Oak: white,
quartered.
Rela Price
per M
tive
price. feet.
$37.4292 100.0
54.0000 144.3
52.0000 138.9
52.0000 138.9
52.0000 138.9
52.0000 138.9
46.5000 124.2
46.5000 124.2
46.5000 124.2
47.5000 126.9
47.5000 126.9
47.5000 126.9
47.5000 126.9
49.2917 131.7
Pine: yellow,
flooring.
$53.6771
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
80.0000
82.0000
80.1667
Oxide of zinc.
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price.
100.0 $0.0400
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
149.0 .0513
152.8
.0513
.0513
149.3
Pine: yellow,
siding.
Pine: white,
boards, No. 2
bam (N .Y .
market).
Price
per M
feet.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 a$17.1104 100.0
128.3
37.7500 *197.4
128.3
37.7500 *197.4
128.3
37.7500 *197.4
128.3
37.7500 *197.4
128.3
37.7500 *197.4
128.3
35.2500 *1 8 4 4
128.3 35.2500 * 1 8 4 4
128.3
35.2500 *1 8 4 4
128.3 35.2500 * 1 8 4 4
128.3
35.2500 * 1 8 4 4
128.3
35.2500 * 1 8 4 4
128.3
36.2500 *189.6
128.3
36.3750 *190.3
Plate glass:
polished,
glazing, area
3 to 5 sq. ft.
Plate glass:
polished,
glazing, area
5 to 10 sq. ft.
Month.
Price
per M
feet.
Rela Price
tive
PerM
price.
feet.
Average, 1890-1899... c$46.5542 100.0
Jan.......................... 98.5000 /203.1
Feb.......................... 98.5000 /203.1
Mar.......................... 98.5000 /203.1
Apr................... .
98.5000 /203.1
May......................... 98.5000 /203.1
June........................ 95.6000 /196.9
July......................... 95.5000 /196.9
Aug......................... 95.5000 /196.9
Sept......................... 93.5000 /192.8
Oct.......................... 93.5000 /192.8
N ov......................... 93.5000 /192.8
Dec.......................... 93.5000 /192.8
Average, 1908.......... 96.0833 /198.1
41.5000
41.5000
44.5000
44.5000
44.5000
46.5000
46.5000
43.5000
43.5000
43.5000
43.5000
43.5000
43.9167
Rela Price
tive per M
price. feet.
(9)
(g)
(g)
(9)
(9)
(g)
\° )
(9)
(9)
(g)
li
$18.4646
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
30.5000
Rela Price
tive per sq.
price.
foot.
Rela Price
tive per sq.
price.
foot.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 d$0.3630 100.0 c$0.5190
.2100 * 70.5
165.2
.3200
.2100 *7 0 .5
165.2
.3200
165.2
.1600 *5 3 .7
.2600
.1600 *5 3 .7
165.2
.2600
165.2
.1600 *53.7
.2600
165.2
.1600 *53.7
.2600
165.2
.1600 *5 3 .7
.2600
165.2
.1600 *5 3 .7
.2600
165.2
.1600 *53.7
.2600
165.2
.1600 *5 3 .7
.2600
165.2
.1800 *6 0 .4
.2800
165.2
.2000 *67.1
.3000
165.2
.1733 *58.2
.2750
100.0
<75.4
*75.4
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<61.3
<66.0
<70.7
<64.8
oPine: white, boards, No. 2 bam, 1-inch, 10 inches wide, rough (Buffalo market).
6 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $37.4167.
cPine: white, boards, uppers, 1 inch, 8 inches and up wide, rough (Buffalo market),
d Plate glass: polished, unsilvered, area 3 to 6 square ieet.
« Plate glass: polished, unsilvered, area 5 to 10 square feet.
/For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $97.0833.
g No relative price computed. For explanation see page 231.
* For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.23.
<For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.34.
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 9
320
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
II.—
M O N T H L Y AC TU A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R 1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
[Average for 1908 com puted from quotations in Table I.]
Lumber and building materials.
Month.
Poplar.
Price
per M
feet.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
Aug.........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$31.3667
59.5000
56.5000
58.5000
60.0000
60.0000
57.0000
57.0000
57.0000
58.5000
58.5000
58.5000
58.5000
58.2917
Putty.
Rosin: common
to good,strained.
Rela Price Rela Price
per
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price. barrel.
100.0
189.7
180.1
186.5
191.3
191.3
181.7
181.7
181.7
186.5
186.5
186.5
186.5
185.8
$0.0158
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
.0120
100.0
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
100.0
222.2
277.8
260.4
270.9
250.0
204.9
218.8
208.3
194.5
200.0
201.4
225.7
227.9
Month.
Price
per M
feet.
Average, 1890-1899... $14.3489
Jan.......................... 21.0000
Feb....................t .. . 21.0000
Mar.......................... 21.0000
Apr.......................... 21.0000
May......................... 21.0000
June........................ 19.5000
July......................... 19.5000
Aug......................... 19.5000
Sept......................... 20.5000
Oct.......................... 20.5000
N ov......................... 21.5000
Dec.......................... 23.5000
Average, 1908.......... 20.7917
Shingles: red
cedar, random
width, 16-inch.
Rela Price
Rela Price
tive
tive
price. per M. price. perM.
Turpentine:
spirits of.
Tar.
Spruce.
$1.4399
3.2000
4.0000
3.7500
3.9000
3.6000
2.9500
3.1500
3.0000
2.8000
2.8800
2.9000
3.2500
3.2817
Shingles: cy
press.
$2.8213
3.8500
3.8500
3.8500
3.6000
3.6000
3.6000
3.3500
3.3500
3.3500
3.3500
3.3500
3.3500
3.5375
Rela
tive
price.
100.0 o$3.7434
100.0
136.5
2.2500 6159.8
136.5
2.1500 6152.7
136.5
2.1000 6149.2
127.6
2.1000 6149.2
127.6
1.9000 6135.0
127.6
1.9500 6138.5
1.9500 6138.5
118.7
118.7
1.9500 6138.5
118.7
2.2000 6156.3
118.7
1.8500 6131.4
118.7
1.8500 6131.4
118.7
1.9000 6135.0
125.4
2.0125 6143.0
Window glass: Window glass:
American,
American,
single, firsts,
single, thirds,
6 x 8 to 10 x 15 6 x 8 to 10 x 15
inches.
inches.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. barrel.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. gallon.
Rela Price
Rela Price
Rela
per 50
tive
tive
per 50
tive
price. sq. feet. price. sq. feet. price.
100.0
146.4
146.4
146.4
146.4
146.4
135.9
135.9
135.9
142.9
142.9
149.8
163.8
144.9
100.0
100.0
130.1
166.0
160.0
169.0
142.1
130.1
125.6
122.6
116.7
116.7
119.7
128.6
135.6
$1.2048
(c)
(4
1.3000
1.5000
1.6000
1.5000
1.5000
1.5000
1.4000
1.9000
1.9000
1.9000
1.6000
107.9
124.5
132.8
124.5
124.5
124.5
116.2
157.7
157.7
157.7
132.8
$0.3343
.4350
.5550
.5350
.5650
.4750
.4350
.4200
.4100
.3900
.3900
.4000
.4300
.4533
$2.1514
2.7200
2.2400
2.5600
2.5600
1.9200
1.9200
1.9200
2.4000
2.5600
2.5600
2.4000
2.5600
2.3600
100.0
126.4
104.1
119.0
119.0
89.2
89.2
89.2
111.6
119.0
119.0
111.6
119.0
109.7
$1.8190
2.1675
1.7850
2.0400
2.0400
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.9125
2.0400
2.0400
1.9125
2.0400
1.8806
100.0
119.2
98.1
112.1
112.1
84.1
84.1
84.1
105.1
112.1
112.1
105.1
112.1
103.4
Shingles: white pine, 18-inch, X X X X .
6 For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $2.6958.
c No quotation for month.
a
321
WHOLESALE PBICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a ble I I . — MONTHLY ACTUAL AND BELATIVE PBICES OF COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PBICES (AVEBAGE FOB 1890-1899)—Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Drugs and chemicals.
Month.
Alcohol: grain.
Price
per
gallon.
Average, 1890-1899.. $2.2405
Jan.......................... 2.6300
Feb.......................... 2.6300
Mar.......................... 2.6300
Apr.......................... 2.6300
May...... ;................. 2.6300
June........................ 2.6300
July......................... 2.6300
Aug........................ . 2.6300
Sept......................... 2.6500
Oct.......................... 2.6500
Nov......................... 2.6500
Dec.......................... 2.6500
Average, 1908 .......... 2.6367
Alcohol: wood,
refined, 95 per
cent.
Rela Price
per
tive
price. gallon.
100.0
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
117.7
$0.9539
.3900
.3900
.3900
.3900
.3900
.4100
.4600
.4600
.4600
.4500
.4700
.4700
.4275
Alum: lump.
Rela Price Rela
per
tive
tive
price. pound. price.
100.0
40.9
40.9
40.9
40.9
40.9
43.0
48.2
48.2
48.2
47.2
49.3
49.3
44.8
$0.0167
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
Brimstone:
crude, sec
onds.
Price
per
ton.
100.0 $20.6958
104.8 19.5000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 22.0000
104.8 21.7917
Rela Price Rela
tive
per
tive
price. pound. price.
100.0
94.2
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
105.3
Muriatic acid:
20°.
Opium: natu
ral, in cases.
Quinine:
American.
Price Relap Price Rela Price
per
per
tive
per
tive
pound. price. pound. price. ounce.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0104 100.0
.0135 129.8
Jan...........................
.0135 129.8
Feb..........................
.0135 129.8
Mar..........................
.0135 129.8
Apr..........................
.0135 129.8
May.........................
.0135 129.8
June.........................
.0135 129.8
July.........................
Aug........................ .
.0135 129.8
.0135 129.8
Sept.........................
.0135 129.8
Oct..........................
.0135 129.8
Nov.........................
.0135 129.8
Dec..........................
.0135 129.8
Average, 1908..........
$2.3602
5.0000
4.5500
4.5000
4.3750
4.5500
4.5000
5.7500
5.5000
5.0000
4.5000
4.3000
4.0500
4.7146
100.0
211.8
192.8
190.7
185.4
192.8
190.7
243.6
233.0
211.8
190.7
182.2
171.6
199.8
$0.2460
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1567
$0.1399
.1600
.1600
.1600
.1550
.1425
.1375
.1350
.1350
.1450
.1450
.1500
.1650
.1492
100.0
114.4
114.4
114.4
110.8
101.9
98.3
96.5
96.5
103.6
103.6
107.2
117.9
106.6
House furnish
ing goods.
Drugs and chemicals.
Month.
Glycerin:
refined.
Sulphuric
acid: 66°.
Earthenware:
plates, creamcolored.
Rela Price Rela Price
tive
per
tive
per
price. pound. price. dozen.
100.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
61.0
61.0
61.0
61.0
63.7
$0.0089
.0100
.0110
.0110
.0110
.0090
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0100
.0102
100.0
112.4
123.6
123.6
123.6
101.1
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
114.6
$0.4136
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
.4300
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
322
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I I ___ M O N T H L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E P R IC E S OP COM M ODITIES
IN 1908 A N D B A S E PRIC ES (A V E R A G E F O R 1890-1899)— Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
House furnishing goods.
Earthenware:
plates, white
granite.
Earthenware:
teacups and
saucers, white
granite.
Furniture:
bedroom sets,
hard wood.
Furniture:
chairs, bed
room, maple.
Furniture:
chairs,
kitchen.
Month.
Price
per
dozen.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.4479
Jan..........................
.4586
.4586
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
.4586
Apr.. .....................
.4586
.4586
May.........................
June........................
.4586
July.........................
.4586
Aug.........................
.4586
.4586
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
.4586
.4586
Nov.........................
.4586
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
.4586
Price
per
(6 Rela
Rela- gross
dozen
tive
tive
cups
price. and
6 price.
dozen
saucers).
100.0
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
$3.4292
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
Price
per
set.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. dozen.
100.0 a$10.555 100.0
98.8
11.250 6137.4
98.8
11.250 6137.4
98.8
11.250 6137.4
98.8
11.250 6137.4
98.8 " 11.250 6137.4
98.8
11.250 6137.4
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
10.750 6131.3
98.8
11.000 6134.3
$6,195
10.000
10.000
10.000
10.000
10.000
9.000
9.000
9.000
9.000
9.000
9.000
9.000
9.417
Rela Price
per
tive
price. dozen.
100.0
161.4
161.4
161.4
161.4
161.4
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
152.0
Glassware:
Glassware:
Furniture:
Glassware:
tumblers, £4-galtables, kitchen. nappies, 4rinch. pitchers,
lon, common. pint, common.
Rela
tive
price.
$3.8255
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
6.0000
100.0
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
Table cutlery:
carvers, stag
handles.
Month.
Price
per
dozen.
Average, 1890-1899... $14,435
Jan.......................... 18.000
Feb.......................... 18.000
Mar.......................... 18.000
Apr.......................... 18.000
May......................... 18.000
June........................ 18.000
July......................... 18.000
Aug......................... 18.000
Sept......................... 18.000
Oct.......................... 18.000
N ov......................... 18.000
Dec.......................... 18.000
Average, 1908........... 18.000
a
b
Rela Price
per
tive
price. dozen.
100.0
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
$0,112
.130
.130
.130
.130
.130
.130
.130
.110
.110
.110
.110
.110
.122
Rela Price
tive
per
price. dozen.
Rela Price
tive
per
price. dozen.
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
108.9
100.0
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
71.5
71.5
71.5
71.5
71.5
82.0
100.0
84.5
84.5
84.5
84.5
84.5
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
74.6
$1,175
1.050
1.050
1.050
1.050
1.050
1.050
1.050
.840
.840
.840
.840
.840
.963
$0.1775
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1200
.1325
Price
per
pair.
Rela
tive
price.
$0.80
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
Furniture: bedroom sets, ash.
For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $11.25.
100.0
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
323
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table I I .—MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OP COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Continued.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Month.
House furnishing goods.
Miscellaneous.
Weoden ware:
pails, oak grained.
Cotton-seed meal.
Table cutlery:
knives and forks,
cocobolo handles.
Wooden ware:
tubs, oak-grained.
Price per Relative
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative ton
of 2,000 price.
price.
price. nest of 3.
dozen.
price.
gross.
lbs.
Average, 1890-1899...
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
M ay........................
June........................
July.........................
A uk. . . .....................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$6.0600
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.0000
5.0000
5.4167
100.0
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
82.5
82.5
89.4
$1.2988
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
2.1000
100.0
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
$1.3471
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
1.6500
100.0
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
$21.9625
28.6000
28.6000
28.1000
29.1000
29.6000
29.6000
29.6000
29.6000
30.6000
29.6000
30.1000
29.6000
29.3917
100.0
130.2
130.2
127.9
132.5
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
139.3
134.8
137.1
134.8
133.8
Miscellaneous.
Month.
Cotton-seed oil:
summer yellow,
prime.
Jute: raw, Mdouble triangle,
shipment.
Malt: western made.
Paper: news.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative
price.
bushel.
gallon.
price.
pound.
price.
price.
pound.
Average, 1890-1899...
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June.........................
July.........................
Aug.........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
N ov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908...........
$0.3044
.3750
.4050
.3700
.4200
.4350
.4775
.4700
.4275
.3725
.4000
.3725
.3825
.4090
a Jute:
100.0
123.2
133.0
121.6
138.0
142.9
156.9
154.4
140.4
122.4
131.4
122.4
125.7
134.4
a $0.0359
.0375
.0325
.0325
.0350
.0388
.0375
.0388
.0425
.0413
.0400
.0350
.0325
.0370
100.0
5142.3
& 123.3
6123.3
6132.8
6147.2
6 142.3
6147.2
6 161.3
6156.7
6 151.8
6132.8
6123.3
6140.4
$0.7029
1.2100
1.1750
1.1750
1.0400
1.0000
.8250
.8500
.8500
.8100
.7600
.7600
.7350
.9325
100.0 » $0.0299
172.1
.0265
167.2
.0265
167.2
.0263
148.0
.0265
.0265
142.3
117.4
.0265
120.9
.0265
120.9
.0233
115.2
.0233
108.1
.0233
108.1
.0210
104.6
.0208
132.7
.0248
raw, spot quotations.
&For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907,10.0486.
100.0
88.6
88.6
88.0
88.6
88.6
88.6
88.6
77.9
77.9
77.9
70.2
69.6
82.9
324
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a ble I I — MONTHLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OP COMMODITIES
IN 1908 AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR 1890-1899)—Concluded.
[Average for 1908 computed from quotations in Table I.]
Miscellaneous.
Month.
Paper: wrapping,
* manila.
Proof spirits.
Rope: manila,
base sizes.
Rubber: Para
Island.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative
pound.
gallon.
price.
price.
pound.
price.
pound.
price.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$0.0553
.0525
.0525
.0525
.0513
.0513
.0513
.0513
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0475
.0500
100.0
949
949
949
92.8
92.8
92.8
92.8
85.9
85.9
85.9
85.9
85.9
90.4
Soap: castile,
mottled, pure.
$1.1499
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3500
1.3660
1.3700
1.3700
1.3700
1.3565
100.0
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
118.8
119.1
119.1
119.1
118.0
Starch: laundry.
$0.0934
.1150
.1150
.1125
.1063
.1063
.1013
.1000
.0975
.0950
.0900
.0900
.0888
.1015
100.0
123.1
123.1
120.4
113.8
113.8
108.5
107.1
104 4
101.7
96.4
96.4
95.1
108.7
Tobacco: plug.
Month.
$0.8007
.7650
.7125
.6950
.7525
.8050
.8750
.8850
.8550
.9050
.9650
1.0500
1.1850
.8708
100.0
95.5
89.0
86.8
940
100.5
109.3
110.5
106.8
113.0
120.5
131.1
148.0
108.8
Tobacco: smoking,
granulated, seal of
N. C.
Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative Price per Relative
pound.
price.
pound.
price.
pound.
price.
pound.
price.
Average, 1890-1899..
Jan..........................
Feb..........................
Mar..........................
Apr..........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
Aug..........................
Sept.........................
Oct..........................
Nov.........................
Dec..........................
Average, 1908..........
$0.0569
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
.0700
100.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
$0.0348
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0425
.0450
.0450
.0450
.0450
.0433
100.0
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
129.3
129.3
129.3
129.3
124 4
$0.3962
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
.4700
100.0
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
$0.5090
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
100.0
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
325 .
•WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T abl e III.— MONTHLY RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908.
[For explanation and discussion of this table, see pages 231 to 239. Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. For
a more detailed description of the articles, see Table I. Relative price for 1908 computed from average
price for the year shown in Table I.]
Farm products.
Grain.
Month. Cotton:
up
Flax
land,
Bar
seed:
mid No. 1. ley: by
dling.
sam
ple.
Jan.......
F e b ....
M ar....
Apr___
May—
June__
Ju ly ....
Aug--Sept__
Oct......
N ov__
Dec......
19 08 ....
150.4
149.1
142.0
129.6
141.2
149.3
144.9
133.8
120.1
118.7
121.3
119.2
134.8
104.2
102.6
102.9
101.5
104.7
108.7
106.2
110.3
.110.5
106.9
110.9
126.2
108.0
219.7
197.1
196.6
182.8
159.1
132.6
151.3
145.0
142.0
133.2
139.0
139.2
161.8
Com:
cash.
Oats:
cash.
Rye:
No. 2
cash.
Wheat:
regular
grades,
cash.
156.3
152.0
167.1
175.4
196.2
184.4
196.2
206.4
209.3
193.4
167.7
155.4
179.9
187.9
188.2
197.8
195.1
203.3
190.0
206.3
179.1
182.5
214.8
220.7
184.3
189.5
158.9
155.1
151.9
148.2
154.0
147.4
143.7
147.1
143.9
141.9
141.6
143.3
148.0
131.7
12a 8
126.8
124.6
135.8
127.6
120.6
130.3
132.7
135.2
138.8
140.8
131.8
Hides:
green,
Hops:
Hay: salted,
New
timo packers, York
thy
Aver No. 1. heavy
State,
age.
native choice.
steers.
170.0
162.4
167.4
164.9
170.6
157.7
163.9
163.2
163.9
164.9
162.3
154.1
163.0
125.2
130.0
13a 7
133.0
134.2
107.4
106.1
107.9
104.0
109.1
116.8
115.0
118.3
119.1
110.7
100.7
112.1
125.4
141.4
160.1
166.8
168.1
167.0
168.7
170.8
142.6
87.5
87.5
76.2
64.9
64.9
64.9
50.8
42.3
36.7
76.2
76.2
76.2
67.1
Live stock.
Hogs.
Cattle.
Sheep.
Month.
Steers: Steers:
choice good to
to extra. choice.
Jan.......
Feb......
Mar.. . .
Apr___
May—
June__
July—
Aug--Sept—
Oct......
N ov___
Dec......
1908 ....
111.0
108.7
121.0
128.6
130.5
14a 5
137.1
130.3
127.1
125.0
132.7
138.2
128.1
Aver Heavy. Light.
age.
111.2 101.1
111.3
111.9
126.6
130.9
132.3
140.5
131.5
127.0
124.1
110.3
123.9
129.8
131.4
142.0
134.3
12a 7
125.6
126.7
13a 6
126.7
129.7
135.9
127.4
120.1 122.6
98.7
113.4
131.9
125.0
133.2
150.9
152.8
161.3
139.2
135.6
131.6
131.4
98.3
Aver
age.
99.7
97.8
96.8
111.0 112.3
129.5
123.3
130.3
146.8
149.1
157.8
132.6
128.3
123.7
127.5
130.7
124.2
131.8
148.8
150.9
159.6
136.0
132.0
127.7
129.5
Aver
age,
farm
Weth Weth
Aver prod
ers,
ers,
Aver age. (a) ucts. (&)
plain
age.
good
to
to
fancy. choice.
117.1
117.2
117.2
140.1
137.3
138.8
134.4
119.6
103.6
94.1
95.3
92.1
99.0
97.2
104.4
109.6
139.5
135.9
119.9
105.5
96.9
97.2
9a5
100.6
111.7
uai
124.8
129.8
124.7
125.5
125.2
124.2
124.5
119.4
111.0
122.4
122.3
120.8 120.8 120.8
120.0
107.4
99.8
99.0
94.8
102.2
101.1
107.9
112.3
99.2
106.2
120.0
« Including horses and mules, see explanation, page 231.
*>Including horses, mules, poultry, and tobacco, see explanation, page 231.
129.8
128.8
134.2
135.0
1349
132.8
134.0
133.8
132.7
133.9
133.5
135.2
13a 1
326
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e I I I . — M O N T H L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[ A verageprice for 1890-1899=100.00. R d a tiv e price for 1908 com puted from average price for th e year shown
in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Bread.
Month.
Crackers.
Beans:
medium
choice.
Oyster.
Jan.......
F e b ....
M ar....
Apr___
May—
June__
July—
Aug—
Sept—
Oct......
N ov___
Dec___
190 8 ....
Soda.
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
133.7
137.0
135.5
139.2
134.7
131.7
145.2
142.2
142.2
142.2
140.7
138.5
137.7
138.9
Loaf.
Average.
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
90.5
Washing Home
made
ton
(N. Y.
market. market).
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
112.1
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
Average.
Vienna
(N. Y. Average.
market).
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
126.2
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
117.3
Butter.
140.6
150.4
135.9
131.9
109.4
106.0
101.4
103.2
110.0
126.7
135.5
141.7
124.1
138.5
140.8
146.1 a 140.8
127.1 a 140.8
126.6
133.0
103.8
112.4
140.0
145.9
134.6
130.5
108.6
112.2 107.0
106.9 102.5
105.3 107.2
109.9 109.0
126.0 124.2
136.8 133.9
143.8 141.8
121.0 122.1
102.8
99.4
112.8
106.8
119.9
129.3
139.8
120.9
159.6
159.6
159.6
150.1
146.9
128.2
113.4
117.5
122.6
126.6
132.7
141.8
138.2
46.2
48.1
48.1
46.2
46.2
49.0
48.6
47.6
46.2
48.1
49.5
50.0
47.8
154.8
141.4
108.3
92.4
95.8
104.7
121.0
128.6
144.7
175.1
211.4
223.1
142.0
Cod,
dry,
bank,
large.
Her
ring,
large,
Nova
Scotia
split.
132.1
132.1
132.1
134.3
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
130.7
163.8
163.8
163.8
163.8
163.8
163.8
163.8
158.2
158.2
158.2
146.9
152.5
160.1
Flour.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr.......
May......
June___
July......
Aug......
Sept___
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
1908.......
Rye.
157.0
154.4
180.2
<*180.2
«180.2
o l8 0 .2
o l8 0 .2
o 180.2
o l8 0 .2
164.7
145.4
135.1
156.1
Spring
patents.
154.5
152.2
152.2
146.2
144.7
147.0
141.7
130.4
135.7
131.9
125.1
152.2
142.8
130.3
124.9
126.0
120.6
125.1
122.2
125.4
130.3
128.8
125.5
126.1
127.8
126.1
Mack
erel, Salmon, Aversalt,
large canned.
No. 3s.
99.1
95.5
88.5
88.5
81.4
77.8
74.3
74.3
72.5
70.8
70.8
70.8
80.4
135.8
135.8
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
130.7
123.9
123.9
130.4
132.4
128.7
129.2
125.8
124.7
123.5
122.4
121.8
121.3
117.1
118.2
124.9
Fruit.
Wheat.
Month.
Buck
wheat.
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
113.6
Fish.
Eggs:
Cheese: Coffee: newCream CreamN. Y.,
laid,
Dairy,
Month. ery. El
Rio
full
gin
exi
New Aver- cream.
No. 7. fancy,
near
(Elgin (N. Y. York
by.
mar mar State.
ket).
ket).
Jan___
F eb ....
Mar....
Apr.;..
May...,
June...
July...
Aug....
Sep t...
O ct....
Nov....
D ec....
1908....
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
114.5
Average.
Winter
straights.
Average.
118.3
112.8
113.8
109.4
112.5
108.7
104.5
104.0
107.8
111.8
116.2
118.6
111.6
124.3
118.9
119.9
115.0
118.8
115.4
114.7
116.8
118.1
118.6
121.2
123.2
118.8
140.1
135.9
142.4
138.4
140.1
138.8
137.2
135.9
137.8
133.7
129.2
133.9
134.2
a Nominal price, see explanation on page 232.
Apples,
evapo
rated,
choice.
118.1
112.2
107.8
106.3
98.9
106.3
100.4
100.4
97.4
94.5
90.1
90.1
101.9
Currants,
in
barrels.
176.8
170.1
163.5
158.4
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
171.7
165.1
158.4
158.4
162.4
327
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e H I . — MONTHLY RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. Relative price for 1908 computed from average price for theyear shown
in Table I.]
Food,, etc.
Fruit.
Meal: corn.
Month.
Raisins,
Prunes,
California, California,
London
in boxes.
layer.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr.......
May......
June—
July......
Aug......
Sept--Oct.......
N ov......
Dec.......
1908.......
88.9
87.2
79.2
74.3
74.3
74.3
69.5
69.5
79.2
79.2
79.2
72.7
77.3
120.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
120.0
123.3
123.3
5123.3
6123.3
120.6
Average.
Lard:
Glucose. (<*) prime,
contract.
131.0
127.5
122.0
118.9
116.4
118.6
115.0
115.0
121.2
119.2
116.8
114.3
119.5
174.9
177.7
177.7
177.7
174.9
174.9
174.9
189.0
203.1
203.1
203.1
203.1
186.2
124.5
115.4
123.2
129.4
131.7
137.0
146.5
147.6
159.0
152.9
148.8
146.9
138.8
Fine
white.
Fine
yellow.
140.7
140.7
143.0
152.6
143.0
157.4
155.0
159.7
169.3
162.1
164.5
159.7
154.0
145.0
145.0
147.5
157.3
147.5
162.3
159.8
164.7
174.6
167.2
169.6
164.7
158.8
Average.
142.9
142.9
145.3
155.0
145.3
159.8
157.4
162.3
171.9
164.7
167.1
162.3
156.4
Meat.
Beef.
Month.
Jan.*....
F e b ....
M ar....
Apr--May—
June__
July—
Aug--Sept—
Oct......
N ov___
Dec--1 9 0 8 ....
Fresh,
native Salt,
sides extra
and
carcass. mess.
(<0
117.0
117.0
119.6
135.4
139.1
142.3
139.4
128.3
126.2
128.1
129.0
133.7
129.5
Pork.
Bacon,
Salt,
hams, Aver short
west age, (c) clear
ern.
sides.
133.3
130.2
140.3
162.2
171.5
177.0
182.8
184.0
184.0
176.5
165.3
165.3
164.5
141.0
141.0
145.9
149.2
149.2
153.1
160.3
160.3
165.8
165.8
155.5
150.3
153.2
130.5
129.7
134.9
150.0
154.5
158.5
160.0
154.2
154.3
153.4
148.7
150.2
148.2
Bacon,
short Hams,
rib smoked.
sides.
116.7
106.5
110.7
116.7
117.6
125.8
142.2
147.3
162.1
160.0
154.2
140.3
133.5
Molasses: Rice:
Soda: bi
Or
Salt:
carbon
Milk: New
Month. fresh.
Amer
leans, domes
ate of,
tic,
open
Ameri
ican.
choice.
kettle.
can.
Jan.......
F e b ....
Mar--Apr--May—
June....
July—
Aug--S ep t....
Oct......
N ov___
D ec___
190 8 ....
156.9
147.1
137.3
122.7
102.7
88.2
98.0
117.6
122.7
147.1
150.2
156.9
129.0
120.6
120.6
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
111.1
112.7
a Average
rll0.3
110.3
110.3
110.3
110.3
110.3
112.5
115.9
115.9
110.3
109.3
109.3
111.2
109.6
107.9
105.1
105.1
100.8
100.8
110.2
117.1
120.7
120.7
120.7
120.7
111.5
62.2
62.2
55.0
55.0
55.0
55.0
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
47.8
52.6
115.9
106.3
110.4
116.8
118.1
125.6
142.1
147.3
160.2
159.0
152.7
137.0
132.6
101.3
97.2
99.6
108.5
109.3
118.7
131.8
131.2
129.5
126.4
114.0
105.7
114.3
Salt,
mess,
old to
new.
127.9
121.4
125.7
128.9
128.9
134.3
151.0
149.4
148.5
145.6
140.8
142.7
137.3
Mutton, Aver
Aver dressed. age. ( c)
age.
115.2
107.7
111.4
117.6
118.4
126.1
141.8
143.8
150.1
147.8
140.3
131.1
129.3
117.8
122.7
143.9
150.0
136.7
123.3
107.8
105 3
87.5
92.8
89.5
96.8
114.5
Sugar.
Spices: Starch:
pepper, pure
Singa com. 89° fair 96°cen
Aver
pore.
refin trifu Granu
lated.
age.
ing.
gal.
111.9
105.2
105.2
101.9
95.2
95.2
89.3
91.9
95.2
88.5
81.8
84.2
95.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
109.5
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
104.9
98.6
95.5
106.1
114.7
112.1
112.7
112.7
103.8
101.5
102.6
101.3
96.5
104.9
99.6
96.8
106.1
113.7
111.3
111.9
111.9
104.6
102.0
103.1
101.9
97.6
105.0
99.6
98.4
105.2
112.3
111.3
110.5
110.6
105.2
104.7
102.6
97.6
96.0
104.5
for 1893-1899=100.0.
6 Nominal price, see explanation on page 232.
c Including carcass beef, native steers (Chicago market). See explanation, page 231.
123.8
120.8
127.5
137.9
138.6
142.0
147.3
145.1
145.5
144.8
139.1
136.8
137.4
99.3
96.8
105.8
113.6
111.6
111.7
111.7
104.5
102.7
102.8
100.3
96.7
104.8
328
T able
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
i n . —MONTHLY RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. Relative price for 1908 computed from average price for the year shown
in Table I.]
Food, etc.
Cloths and clothing.
Vegetables, fresh.
Month.
Jan.......
F e b ....
Mar___
Apr--May—
June__
July___
Aug—
Sept__
Oct......
N ov___
D ec___
1 9 0 8 ....
Tea:
For
Tallow. mosa,
fine.
126.4
120.7
119.1
124.4
124.4
123.7
126.0
124.6
129.4
137.9
133.6
130.6
126.7
Blankets.
Vine Avergar:
Pota
cider,
toes,
f it
Aver
Mon
Onions. white, age. («) arch. etc. (6)
choice
to fancy.
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
72.2
75.1
103.0
125.0
161.8
c 161.8
c 161.8
c 161.8
c 161.8
c 161.8
80.9
80.9
66.2
110.3
104.0
119.4 • 102.7
115.7
135.5
136.2
122.5
123.1
135.0
132.2
114.3
135.1
193.3
132.2
184.9
121.2
152.5
122.9
138.5
122.8
123.0
129.2
124.9
162.4
134.7
142.6
124.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
128.6
128.6
128.6
128.6
128.6
121.8
124.6
120.5
119.8
120.2
121.3
118.2
120.3
120.2
120.0
121.9
122.6
121.9
124.4
120.6
Bags:
10-4,2
2bu., 11-4,5 pounds
Amos- pounds to the Aver
keag.
to the
pair,
age.
pair, all 54 X 74,
wool.
all cot
ton.
139.4
150.1
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
134.3
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
113.1
139.1
139.1
139.1
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
135.0
136.1
125.9
125.9
125.9
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.1
124.6
Cloths and clothing.
Boots and shoes.
Month.
Jan.......
F e b ....
Mar___
Apr___
May___
June__
July___
Aug—
Sept___
Oct.......
N o v ___
Dec......
1 9 0 8 ....
Men’s
vici calf
Men’s shoes,
bro- Blucher
gans, bal.,vici
split. calf top,
single
sole.
116.2
111.2
108.7
108.7
111.2
113.7
113.7
116.2
116.2
118.8
121.3
121.3
114.8
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
109.0
Carpets.
Broad Calico:
cloths: Ameri
first
can
Men’s Wom
stand Brussels, Ingrain, Wilton,
vici kid en’s
Aver
ard
shoes,
solid
5-frame,
5-frame, AyerGood grain
age. 54-inch,
Bigelow.
X X X prints,
Bigelow. age.
year
64x64.
wool.
shoes.
welt.
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
119.3
119.3
116.2
116.2
113.1
113.1
116.2
116.2
119.3
122.3
125.4
125.4
118.5
121.9
120.6
119.3
119.3
119.1
119.7
120.5
121.1
121.9
123.3
124.7
124.7
121.3
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
116.6
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
114.3
115.6
133.7
114.6
114.6
114.6
114.6
90.6
90.6
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.5
104.3
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
117.5
119.9
121.2
121.2
121.2
121.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
116.2
111.1
111.1
111.1
116.6
123.7
123.7
123.7
123.7
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
118.5
120.2
123.2
123.2
123.2
123.2
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
115.7
115.7
115.7
118.9
a Including cabbage; see explanation, page 231.
6 Including canned com, peas, and tomatoes, fresh carcass beef (Chicago market), dressed poultry, and
cabbage; see explanation, page 231.
c Nominal price; see explanation on page 232.
329
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
III.— M O N T H L Y
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average pricefor 1890-1899=100.0. R elative price for 1908 computed from average price for th e year shown
in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Cotton flannels.
Cotton yams.
Drillings.
Cotton
thread:
Month.
Den
Carded,
6-cord, Carded,
ims:
white,
white,
2f yards 3J yards Aver 200-yard
Amosmulemule- Aver keag. Brown,
to the
to the age. spools.
Pep- 30-inch, Aver
spun,
spun,
age.
pound. pound.
perell. Stark A. age.
Coats. northern, northern,
cones, 10/1. cones, 22/1.
Jan.
F e b ...
Mar___
Apr___
May__
June__
J u ly ....
Aug--Sept___
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec......
1908___
127.5
127.5
123.9
123.9
120.4
120.4
116.9
116.9
109.8
109.8
106.2
106.2
117.4
130.4
130.4
126.1
126.1
121.7
121.7
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
113.0
113.0
121.0
128.9
128.9
125.0
125.0
121.0
121.0
117.1
117.1
113.6
113.6
109.6
109.6
119.2
145.4
145.4
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
129.6
126.4
126.4
131.7
124.4
121.3
118.2
113.5
110.4
105.7
105.7
105.7
104.2
104.2
107.3
105.7
110.5
119.3
110.5
116.8
97.8
101.6
100.3
101.6
109.2
106.7
107.9
106.7
104.1
106.9
121.9
115.9
117.6
105.6
106.0
103.1
103.7
107.6
105.6
106.2
107.1
105.0
108.8
Ginghams.
Flannels:
white,
Month. 4-4, Bal
lard Vale
No. 3.
Jan.......
F e b ....
Mar___
Apr___
May__
June__
July___
Aug--Sept___
Oct.......
N o v ....
Dec......
1 9 0 8 ....
124.4
124.4
124.4
124.4
124.4
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
120.9
122.4
Amoskeag.
Lan
caster.
112.6
107.9
112.6
112.6
112.6
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
103.2
103.2
102.8
117.8
113.4
113.4
113.4
113.4
87.3
87.3
87.3
87.3
87.3
96.0
96.0
100.0
148.2
150.9
143.2
132.1
139.3
133.0
137.6
134.0
133.4
135.3
134.0
132.6
137.8
137.3
139.0
134.9
127.2
130.8
127.7
129.9
128.2
127.9
128.8
128.2
127.5
130.6
Hosiery.
Horse
blankets:
Women’s
6 pounds Men's cotton cotton hose, Women’s
half hose,
cotton hose,
Aver each,
combed
seamless, peeler
seamless,
age. all wool. fast
yam, fast
black, high spliced
black,
20 to 22 oz.
26 oz.
heel. («)
115.3
110.8
113.1
113.1
113.1
90.6
90.6
90.6
90.6
90.6
99.6
99.6
101.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
126.5
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
88.9
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
84.2
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9.
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
95.9
Aver
age.
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
89.5
Overcoatings.
Leather.
Month.
Chrome
calf,
glazed
fimsh, B
grade.
Har
ness,
oak.
Sole,
hem
lock.
Sole,
oak.
Jan.......
Feb.......
Mar.......
Apr.......
May......
June___
July......
Aug......
S e p t....
Oct.......
Nov......
Dec.......
1908.....
117.1
117.1
117.1
117.1
111.9
111.9
111.9
111.9
111.9
111.9
111.9
111.9
113.6
124.2
119.1
119.1
119.1
119.1
119.1
119.1
119.1
119.1
124.2
124.2
127.7
121.1
136.7
128.9
128.9
128.9
123.8
123.8
123.8
131.5
131.5
131.5
131.5
131.5
129.3
114.5
114.5
113.0
110.0
111.5
111.5
111.5
113.0
113.0
113.0
113.0
117.5
113.0
a Average for 1893-1899=100.0.
126.7
126.7
126.7
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
122.4
123.4
119.7
119.7
119.7
114.9
114.9
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
105.4
112.5
111.1
jumen
shoe
Kersey,
thread, Chinchilla,
Covert
Aver
10s,
cotton
cloth, light stand Aver
ard, 28- age.
age. Barbour. warp, C. C. weight,
oz.(&)
staple.
grade.
123.2
120.2
119.8
118.9
116.8
116.8
116.8
119.0
119.0
120.2
120.2
122.3
119.4
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
93.2
90.1
90.1
90.1
90.1
90.1
88.1
87.0
88.1
87.0
87.0
87.0
89.0
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
148.3
&Averagefor 1897-1899=100.0
113.4
112.2
112.2
112.2
112.2
112.2
111.4
111.0
111.4
111.0
111.0
111.0
111.7
330
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OP LABOB.
T a b l e I D . — MONTHLY RELATIVE PRICES OP COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. Relative price for 1908 computed from average price for the year shown
in Table!.]
331
WHOLESALE PBICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able m .—
M O N T H L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. R elative price for 1908 computed from average price for th e year shown
in Table I.]
Cloths and clothing.
Underwear.
Month.
Tan..
Feb..
Mar..
Apr..
May..
Tune.
Tuly..
Aug..
Sept.,
O ct..
Nov..
D ec..
1908..
Women’s dress goods.
Shirts
CashShirts
and
mere, all
and
wool,
drawers,
drawers, white, Aver twin, 8-9
35white,
merino, age. inch, At
all wool, wool
lantic
and
etc.
cotton.
Mills.
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
115.8
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.0
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
CashCashmere, cot mere, cot
ton
ton
Panama
warp,
warp,
cloth,
9-twill, 36-inch, 54-inch.
4-4, At Hamil
lantic F.
ton.
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
Wool.
Month.
Tan.......
Feb___
Mar___
Apr___
May___
Tune__
Tuly—
Aug--Sept___
Oct.......
N ov___
Dec......
1 9 0 8 ....
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
138.6
127.8
127.8
127.8
124.6
124.6
124.6
124.6
124.6
124.6
121.4
121.4
121.4
124.6
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
126.8
Poplar
cloth,
cotton
Sicilian
cloth,
cotton Aver
and
age.
warp,
worsted 50-inch.
filling,
Q / L in n h
115.4
115.4
115.4
115.4
115.4
115.4
115.4
115.4
109.6
109.6
109.6
109.6
113.5
Average.
2-40s, Aus
tralian fine.
2-32s, cross
bred stock,
white, in
skeins.
Average.
109.6
106.6
106.6
106.6
103.6
103.6
106.6
106.6
109.6
109.6
109.6
109.6
107.3
118.3
116.7
116.7
116.7
115.1
115.1
118.5
118.5
120.1
120.1
121.9
121.9
118.3
124.7
122.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
117.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
119.8
122.8
122.8
120.8
125.5
125.5
125.5
114.1
114.1
108.4
108.4
108.4
108.4
108.4
108.4
117.0
114.4
125.2
124.2
122.7
117.0
117.0
113.2
114.2
114.2
114.2
114.2
115.6
119.9
117.6
127.2
127.2
127.2
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
125.5
125.0
125.0
125.0
126.3
Worsted yams.
Ohio, medi
Ohio, fine
fleece
fleece (X and um
( la n d f
X X grade),
grade),
scoured.
scoured.
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
127.1
130.9
130.9
130.9
130.9
134.8
134.8
129.6
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
124.9
' Average
cloths and
clothing.
124.0
121.2
119.9
118.5
117.6
114.7
114.5
114.4
114.2
114.2
114.8
115.6
116.9
332
Table
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
III.—
MONTHLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. Relative price forl908 computed from average price for the year shown
Fuel and lighting.
Coal.
Month.
Anthracite.
Gandies:
ada
man
tine,
6s,
14ounce. Broken. Chest Egg. Stove.
nut.
Jan..
F e b ....
M ar....
Apr___
May—
June...
J u ly...
A u g ....
Sept___
Oct.......
N o v___
Dec...
1908..
95.9
95.9
95.9
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
93.5
Month.
Coke:
Connellsville,
furnace.
125.0
124.9
124.7
124.7
124.8
124.9
124.8
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.8
137.6
137.7
137.7
123.8
126.1
129.2
131.8
134.7
137.4
137.7
137.7
137.6
134.1
137.8
137.7
137.7
123.8
126.1
129.3
132.1
134.4
137.4
137.7
137.7
137.7
134.1
130.4
130.4
130.4
117.3
119.5
122.4
125.1
127.8
130.3
130.4
130.4
130.4
127.1
Bituminous.
Aver
age.
Geo]
(at
mine).
132.7
132.7
132.7
168.8
168.8
168.8
124.3
126.6
128.5
130.5
132.5
132.7
132.7
132.7
130.1
157.5
157.5
151.9
157.5
157.5
163.2
163.2
163.2
162.2
122.6
168.8
Georges
Creek
Pitts
Aver
(f. o. b.
burg
age.
New (Yough- Aver
age.
York
iogheHar
ny).
bor).
114.8
113.0
113.0
113.0
109.4
111.2
111.2
111.2
111.2
113.0
113.0
113.0
112.3
134.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.2
132.3
139.5
138.1
138.1
138.1
133.6
134.3
132.8
134.3
134.3
136.5
136.5
136.5
136.1
135.7
135.1
135.0
129.1
128.3
129.9
130.4
132.2
133.4
134.4
134.4
134.4
132.7
Petroleum.
Jan___
F eb ....
M ar....
Apr___
M a y ...
June...
July....
A ug....
Sept.. .
O c t....
Nov__
Dec___
1908....
Matches:
parlor,
domestic.
125.1
101.6
107.5
94.2
91.3
95.7
94.2
95.7
88.3
88.3
107.5
117.8
100.6
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
Refined.
Crude.
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
195.6
For
export.
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
131.0
131.0
131.0
133.9
Average.
150° fire
test,w. w.
Average.
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
151.7
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
143.6
141.5
141.5
141.5
143.1
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
160.9
159.4
159.4
159.4
160.6
Average
fuel and
lighting.
134.3
132.5
132.9
128.5
127.8
129.0
129.2
130.2
130.4
130.7
131.9
132.5
130.8
333
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e I I I . — M O N T H L Y R E L A T IV E
PRICES OF COM M ODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Averageprieefor 1890-1899=100.0. R elative price for 1908 com puted from average price for th e year shown
in Table L ]
Metals and implements.
Builders’ hardware.
Bar iron.
Month.
Jan___
F eb....
Mar....
Apr__
M ay...
June...
July....
Aug....
Sept...
O ct....
Nov__
Dec__
1908....
Best
Com
Barb Butts:
refined, mon to
wire: loose Door
from best re
galvan
Ptav . knobs:
store
fined Aver ized. wrought
steel,
(Phila (Pitts age.
bronze
steel,
delphia burg
plated.
mar
mar
ket).
ket).
107.3
107.3
107.3
107.3
107.3
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
103.7
120.0
105.0
111.8
111.8
111.8
111.8
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
112.5
109.5
113.6
106.2
109.6
109.6
109.6
106.5
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.1
106.8
106.6
106.1
106.1
106.1
106.1
106.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
102.1
103.8
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
235.7
Copper.
Locks:
Sheet,
com Aver Ingot,
hot- Wire, Aver
mon age. elec
bare. age.
tro rolled
mor
(base
lytic. sizes).
tise.
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
203.2
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
192.3
Lead:
Pig.
Lead
pipe.
Jan___
F eb....
Mar....
Apr__
May—
June...
July....
Aug....
Sept...
O ct....
Nov....
Dec__
1908....
97.1
99.2
98.4
105.0
110.2
112.9
118.1
120.7
120.5
118.9
115.0
113.9
110.8
Month.
Quick
silver.
Silver:
bar, fine.
Spelter:
western.
J an ....
Feb__
Mar__
Apr....
May....
June...
July....
Aug....
Sept...
O ct....
Nov....
Dec__
1908....
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.1
107.3
106.4
105.5
107.3
110.9
114.4
111.7
109.1
75.1
75.6
74.8
73.6
71.3
72.5
71.8
69.8
69.9
69.5
67.2
66.0
71.4
98.0
104.6
105.1
104.6
103.5
101.3
99.6
106.9
105.1
107.3
110.2
114.8
105.1
120.6
120.6
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
102.5
108.5
108.5
108.5
114.5
108.0
112.7
112.7
99.0
100.8
100.8
100.8
100.8
99.0
104.2
104.2
102.5
107.6
103.8
Gray
Cut,
Wire,
forge,
8-penny, 8-penny, Aver Besse Foundry Foundry south
mer.
fence and fence and age.
No. 2.
No. 1.
ern,
common. common.
coke.
97.1
88.2
88.2
90.3
95.5
98.6
103.8
103.8
105.8
105.8
103.8
99.6
98.4
116.3
116.3
110.8
110.8
110.8
106.7
101.2
102.6
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
106.7
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
99.5
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
94.8
97.1
108.0
108.0
105.5
105.5
105.5
103.6
98.6
99.2
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
102.4
Steel
billets.
130.1
130.1
130.1
130.1
130.1
119.6
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
122.2
137.9
129.9
129.6
126.9
123.1
122.7
122.1
118.0
115.4
114.3
120.4
126.3
123.9
126.3
126.7
125.8
122.6
117.8
115.6
114.8
114.8
115.6
116.5
118.2
119.9
119.6
138.1
131.4
128.5
125.6
127.7
121.8
121.8
118.9
118.9
117.4
118.0
125.6
124.5
135.3
130.8
130.8
126.2
124.0
126.2
126.2
128.5
130.8
130.8
130.8
135.3
129.6
Aver
age.
134.9
130.2
129.2
125.9
123.6
122.0
121.6
120.4
120.4
120.0
122.2
127.1
124.8
Tin plates:
Steel
domestic,
sheets:
Tin:
pig.
Bessemer,
Steel rails. black,
No.
coke, 14x20
27.(a)
inch.(6)
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
a Average for the period July, 1894, to December, 1899=100.0.
6 Average for 1896-1899=100.0.
116.1
115.5
101.9
103.6
102.7
102.8
102.8
104.4
108.8
108.3
108.4
113.7
107.4
Pig iron.
Nails.
Month.
115.0
112.9
104.1
107.7
104.8
105.2
105.2
111.9
113.9
112.3
114.4
119.2
110.5
145.7
155.8
165.5
170.2
169.1
157.1
148.1
167.4
158.0
160.7
165.5
160.1
160.2
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
113.9
334
T able
BULLETIN OP TH E BUBEAU OP LABOR.
IH.—
M ONTHLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. E ela tiv e price for 1908 com puted from average price for th e year shown
in T a b le!.]
Metals and implements.
Tools.
Month.
Augers:
Axes:
extra, M. C. O.,
1-inch. Yankee.
Jan......
F eb ....
M ar....
Apr___
May....
June__
July—
Aug--Sept__
Oct......
Nov__
Dec......
1908....
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
223.9
Chisels:
extra,
socket
firmer,
1-inch.
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
144.9
Saws.
Planes:
Files: 8- Hammers: Bailey
inch mill Maydole No. 5, Crosscut, Hand,
bastard.
jack
No. 1*.
Disston Average.
plane. Disston
No. 2.
No. 7.
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.8
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
198.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
112.6
112.6
111.4
110.2
110.2
110.2
110.2
110.2
111.9
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
115.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
101.3
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
Tools.
Month.
Jan......
F eb ....
Mar___
Apr___
May—
June....
July—
Aug--Sept....
Oct......
Nov__
Dec......
1908......
Shovels:
Ames No. 2.
Trowels:
M. C. O.,
brick,
lOJ-incn.
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
99.7
96.9
99.4
Vises: solid
box,
50-pound.
Average.
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
147.4
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.8
113.7
113.7
113.6
113.5
113.5
113.5
113.5
113.2
113.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Wood
screws:
1-inch,
No. 10,
flat head.
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
66.2
Zinc:
sheet.
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
121.3
Average
metals and
implements.
127.4
126.7
125.9
125.9
125.8
124.8
124.0
124.5
124.7
124.8
125.1
125.7
125.4
Lumber and building materials.
Month.
Jan--Feb....
Mar__
Apr....
May....
June...
July....
Aug....
Sept...
O ct....
Nov__
Dec__
1908....
Brick:
common
domestic.
98.9
98.9
94.4
96.6
85.4
83.1
83.1
.80.9
80.9
85.4
103.4
110.1
91.8
Cement.
Carbonate
of lead:
American, Portland,
in oil.
domestic.(«) Bosendale. Average.
110.4
110.4
110.4
110.4
110.4
110.4
114.7
114 7
1147
114 7
114 7
1147
112.7
77.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
72.6
73.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
92.0
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.2
89.5
« Average for 1895-1899=100.0.
Doors:
western
white
pine.
185.9
185.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
155.9
161.0
161.3
Lime:
common.
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
125.4
Linseed
oil: raw.
97.0
97.0
948
948
92.6
97.0
97.0
97.0
97.0
94 8
92.6
105.8
96.5
335
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
III.—
MONTHLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Averageprice for 1890-1899=100.0. R elative price for 1908 computed from average price for th e year shown
in Table L]
Lumber and building materials.
Lumber.
Pine.
Oak: white.
Month.
Jan....
Feb....
Mar....
Apr__
May....
June...
July__
Aug....
Sept...
O ct....
Nov. ..
D ec....
1908....
Hem
lock.
183.9
183.9
179.7
175.5
175.5
175.5
175.5
175.5
167.2
167.2
167.2
167.2
174.5
Maple:
hard.
White boards.
Plain.
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
122.6
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
119.3
Quar
tered.
Aver
age.
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
149.0
152.8
149.3
146.7
144.0
144.0
144.0
144.0
136.6
136.6
136.6
137.9
137.9
137.9
139.8
140.5
144.3
138.9
138.9
138.9
138.9
124.2
124.2
124.2
126.9
126.9
126.9
126.9
131.7
Lumber.
197.4
197.4
197.4
197.4
197.4
184.4
184.4
184.4
184 4
1844
184 4
189.6
190.3
Poplar.
Spruce.
189.7
180.1
186.5
146.4
146.4
146.4
167.2
165.7
167.2
128.3
128.3
128.3
70.5
70.5
53.7
75.4
75.4
61.3
191.3
181.7
181.7
181.7
186.5
186.5
186.5
186.5
185.8
146.4
135.9
135.9
135.9
142.9
142.9
149.8
163.8
144.9
167.2
162.0
162.0
160.8
161.1
161.1
161.8
164.1
164.0
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
128.3
53.7
53.7
53.7
53.7
53.7
53.7
60.4
67.1
58.2
61.3
61.3
61.3
61.3
61.3
61.3
66.0
70.7
64.8
191.3
146.4
Month.
Cypress.
136.5
136.5
136.5
127.6
127.6
127.6
118.7
118.7
118.7
118.7
118.7
118.7
125.4
(«)
167.2
128.3
53.7
61.3
Putty.
73.0
73.0
57.5
57.5
57.5
57.5
57.5
57.5
57.5
57.5
63.2
68.9
61.5
Tar.
149.0
145.8
144.3
139.2
132.9
134.5
129.4
129.4
137.3
126.2
126.2
127.8
135.2
6 132.8
6 132.8
107.9
124.5
132.8
124.5
124.5
124.5
116.2
157.7
157.7
157.7
132.8
Turpen
tine:
Firsts,
spirits of. 6 x 8 to
10x15
inches.
Thirds,
6 x 8 to
10x15
inches.
130.1
166.0
160.0
169.0
142.1
130.1
125.6
126.4
104.1
119.0
119.0
89.2
89.2
89.2
119.2
98.1
116.7
116.7
119.7
128.6
135.6
119.0
119.0
112.1
112.1
122.6
111.6
111.6
119.0
109.7
112.1
112.1
84.1
84.1
84.1
105.1
105.1
112.1
103.4
a Including yellow pine flooring, see explanation, page 231.
6 Nominal price, see explanation on page 232.
79828— Bull. 81— 09------10
166.9
166.9
173.0
173.0
173.0
177.0
177.0
171.0
171.0
171.0
171.0
171.0
171.8
189.1
189.1
192.5
192.5
192.5
190.2
190.2
186.8
185.8
185.8
185.8
187.1
189.0
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
Rosin:
good,
strained.
222.2
277.8
260.4
270.9
250.0
204.9
218.8
208.3
194.5
200.0
201.4
225.7
227.9
Window glass: American, single.
Red
cedar.
159.8
152.7
149.2
149.2
135.0
138.5
138.5
138.5
156.3
131.4
131.4
135.0
143.0
200.3
200.3
200.3
200.3
200.3
190.7
190.7
190.7
188.6
188.6
188.6
191.3
1942
Oxide of
Area, 3 to Area, 5 to
zinc.
5 square 10 square
feet.
feet.
Shingles.
Jan..
F eb ....
Mar.. ..
Apr___
May__
June...
July...
Aug—
Sept__
Oct......
Nov__
Dec..
1908....
203.1
203.1
203.1
203.1
203.1
196.9
196.9
196.9
192.8
192.8
192.8
192.8
198.1
Aver
age.^)
Plate glass: polished, glazing.
Month.
Jan__
Feb....
Mar....
Apr....
May...
June...
July...
Aug...
Sept...
Oct....
Nov...
Dec__
1908....
No. 2
barn.
Yellow,
siding
and
flooring.
Uppers. Average.
(a)
Average
lumber
and
building
mate
Average.
rials.^)
122.8
101.1
115.6
115.6
86.7
86.7
86.7
108.3
115.6
115.6
108.3
115.6
106.5
138.9
138.1
135.2
135.9
131.6
128.8
128.8
129.9
130.4
131.1
132.3
136.3
133.1
336
BULLETIN" OP TH E BUREAU OP LABOR.
T a b l e I I I . — M O N T H L Y R E L A T IV E
PRICES OF COM M ODITIES IN 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. R elative priceforl908 computed from average price for the year shown
Drugs and chemicals.
Month.
Jan ...
Feb....
Mar....
Apr....
M ay...
June...
July...
Aug....
Sept...
Oct___
Nov....
Dec__
1908....
Alcohol:
Brim Glycer
Opium:
wood, Alum: stone:
Sul
Average,
Alcohol: refined,
Muriatic natu Quinine:
re acid:
phuric drugs ana
grain. 95 per lump. crude, in:
20°.
ral, in Ameri
fined.
can.
acid:60°.
chemicals.
seconds.
cases.
cent.
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
117.7
40.9
40.9
40.9
40.9
40.9
43.0
48.2
48.2
48.2
47.2
49.3
49.3
44.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
94.2
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.3
105.3
114.4
114.4
114.4
110.8
101.9
98.3
96.5
96.5
103.6
103.6
107.2
117.9
106.6
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
211.8
192.8
190.7
185.4
192.8
190.7
243.6
233.0
211.8
190.7
182.2
171.6
199.8
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.0
61.0
61.0
61.0
61.0
63.7
112.4
123.6
123.6
123.6
101.1
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
112.4
114.6
109.5
111.1
110.9
110.2
107.1
108.4
112.7
112.1
111.2
109.7
110.2
110.9
110.4
House furnishing goods.
Earthenware.
Month.
Plates,
creamcolored.
Jan......
F eb ....
Mar.. ..
A pr....
May__
June....
July....
Aug—
Sept....
Oct......
N ov....
Dec......
1908....
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
Furniture.
Bedroom Chairs,
Teacups
Plates,
and sau Average.
sets,
Chairs, Tables, Average.
white
white
hard bedroom,
granite. cers,
maple. kitchen. kitchen.
granite.
wood.
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
Jan......
F eb ....
M ar....
Apr--May....
June....
July....
Aug—
Sept....
Oct......
N ov....
Dec.....
1908....
137.4
137.4
137.4
137.4
137.4
137.4
131.3
131.3
131.3
131.3
131.3
131.3
134.3
161.4
161.4
161.4
161.4
161.4
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
145.3
152.0
Table cutlery.
Glassware.
Month.
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
101.7
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
156.8
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
124.7
145.0
145.0
145.0
145.0
145.0
141.4
139.8
139.8
139.8
139.8
139.8
139.8
142.1
Wooden ware.
Average
house
Knives
Tum
Carvers,
furnish
Nap Pitchers, blers, Aver stag
and
Tubs, Aver
Aver Pails,
ing
pies, J-gallon, i-pint,
forks,
oak
oak
han cocobolo age. grained. grained. age.
goods.
4-inch. common. common. age.
dles. handles.
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
116.1
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
108.9
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
89.4
71.5
71.5
71.5
71.5
71.5
82.0
84.5
84.5
84.5
84.5
84.5
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
67.6
74.6
97.2
97.2
97.2
97.2
97.2
90.6
90.6
79.2
79.2
79.2
79.2
79.2
88.7
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
82.5
82.5
89.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
92.4
88.4
88.4
91.8
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
161.7
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
122.5
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
141.9
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
117.0
114.5
114.1
111.2
111.2
111.2
110.5
110.5
114.0
337
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
III.— MONTHLY RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES IN 1908—
Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0. Relative prieefor^l9(» computed from average price for theyear shown
Miscellaneous.
Cotton
seed oil:
Month.
seed meal.
Jan___
F eb ....
M ar....
Apr___
M ay....
June...
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
O c t....
N ov....
Dec___
1908....
130.2
130.2
127.9
132.5
134.8
134.8
134.8
134.8
139.3
134.8
137.1
134.8
133.8
s li m m e r
yellow,
prime.
123.2
133.0
121.6
138.0
142.9
156.9
154.4
140.4
122.4
131.4
122.4
125.7
134.4
Paper.
Jute: raw.
142.3
123.3
123.3
132.8
147.2
142.3
147.2
161.3
156.7
151.8
132.8
123.3
140.4
Malt:
western
made.
172.1
167.2
167.2
148.0
142.3
117.4
120.9
120.9
115.2
108.1
108.1
104.6
132.7
News.
88.6
88.6
88.0
88.6
88.6
88.6
88.6
77.9
77.9
77.9
70.2
69.6
82.9
Wrapping, Average.
manila.
Proof
spirits.
91.8
91.8
91.5
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
81.9
81.9
81.9
77.9
77.5
86.7
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
117.4
118.8
119.1
119.1
119.1
118.0
Smoking,
gran., Seal
of N. C.
Average.
Average,
miscella
neous.
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
118.3
122.6
121.4
120.1
120.6
121.9
121.1
121.5
118.9
118.5
118.2
116.7
117.1
119.9
94.9
94.9
94.9
92.8
92.8
92.8
92.8
85.9
85.9
85.9
85.9
85.9
90.4
Tobacco.
Month.
J a n ....
F e b ....
M ar....
Apr—
M ay....
June...
July....
A ug....
S ep t...
O c t....
Nov—
Dec___
1908....
Rope:
manila.
123.1
123.1
120.4
113.8
113.8
108.5
107.1
104.4
101.7
96.4
96.4
95.1
108.7
J&UDDGr*
Para
Island.
95.5
89.0
86.8
94.0
100.5
109.3
110.5
106.8
113.0
120.5
131.1
148.0
108.8
Soap:
castne,
mottled,
pure.
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
123.0
Starch:
laundry.
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
122.1
129.3
129.3
129.3
129.3
124.4-
Plug.
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
118.6
338
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OP LABOB.
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899).
T able
[For explanation and discussion ot this table, see page 239. For a more detailed description of the articles,
see Table X.]
Farm products.
Year.
Barley: by
sample.
Cattle: steers, Cattle: steers,
choice to extra. good to choice.
Com: cash.
Cotton: upland,
middling.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
bushel. price. 100 lbs. price. 100 lbs. price. bushel. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. 10.4534
.5062
1890..........................
.6098
1891..........................
.5085
1892..........................
.4685
1893..........................
.5134
1894..........................
.4300
1895..........................
.2977
1896..........................
.3226
1897..........................
.4348
1898..........................
.4425
1899..........................
.4815
1900..........................
.5884
1901..........................
.6321
1902..........................
.5494
1903..........................
.5300
1904..........................
1905..........................
.4850
.5116
1906..........................
.7663
1907..........................
.7336
1908..........................
100.0
111.6
134.5
112.2
103.3
113.2
94.8
65.7
71.2
95.9
97.6
106.2
129.8
139.4
121.2
116.9
107.0
112.8
169.0
161.8
$5.3203
4.8697
5.8851
5.0909
5.5211
5.1591
5.4849
4.5957
5.2255
5.3779
5.9928
5.7827
6.1217
7.4721
5.5678
5.9562
5.9678
6.1298
6.5442
6.8163
100.0
91.5
110.6
95.7
103.8
97.0
103.1
86.4
98.2
101.1
112.6
108.7
115.1
140.4
104.7
112.0
112.2
115.2
123.0
128.1
$4.7347
4.1375
5.0976
4.4995
4.8394
4.5245
4.9344
4.2712
4.7736
4.8846
5.3851
5.3938.
5.5901
6.5572
.5.0615
5.1923
5.2192
5.3572
5.8120
5.9976
100.0
87.4
107.7
95.0
102.2
95.6
104.2
90.2
100.8
103.2
113.7
113.9
118.1
138.5
106.9
109.7
110.2
113.1
122.8
126.7
Hides: green,
timothy, salted, packers',
Flaxseed : No. 1. Hay:No.
1.
heavy native
steers.
$0.3804
.3950
.5744
.4500
.3964
.4326
.3955
.2580
.2546
.3144
.3333
.3811
.4969
.5968
.4606
.5046
.5010
.4632
.5280
.6843
100.0 $0.07762
103.8
.11089
151.0
.08603
118.3
.07686
104.2
.08319
113.7
.07002
104.0
. 07298
67.8
.07918
66.9
.07153
82.6
.05972
87.6
.06578
100.2
.09609
130.6 .08627
156.9
.08932
121.1
.11235
132.6
.12100
131.7
.09553
121.8
.11025
138.8
.11879
179.9
.10463
Hogs: heavy.
100.0
142.9
110.8
99.0
107.2
90.2
94.0
102.0
92.2
76.9
84.7
123.8
111.1
115.1
144.7
155.9
123.1
142.0
153.0
134.8
Hogs: light.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average, Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
bushel. ‘ price.
ton.
price. pound. price. 100 lbs. price. 100 lbs. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.1132
1890.......................... 1.3967
1891.......................... 1.0805
1892.......................... 1.0179
1893.......................... 1.0875
1894.......................... 1.3533
1895.......................... 1.2449
.8119
1896..........................
.8696
1897..........................
1898.......................... 1.1115
1899.......................... 1.1578
1900.......................... 1.6223
1901.......................... 1.6227
1902.......................... 1.5027
1903.......................... 1.0471
1904.......................... 1.1088
1905.......................... 1.1979
1906.......................... 1.1027
1907.......................... 1.1808
1908.......................... 1.2019
100.0 $10.4304
125.5
a 9952
97.1 12.2861
91.4 11.8375
97.7 11.2067
121.6 10.4183
111.8 11.3844
72.9 10.3269
78.1
8.4423
8.3317
99.8
104.0 10.0745
145.7 11.5673
145.8 12.8255
135.0 12.6154
94.1 12.4279
99.6 11.7308
107.6 11.2596
99.1 12.9615
106.1 16.9387
108.0 12.3365
100.0
95.8
117.8
113.5
107.4
99.9
109.1
99.0
80.9
79.9
96.6
110.9
123.0
120.9
119.2
112.5
107.9
124.3
162.4
118.3
$0.0937
.0933
.0951
.0870
.0749
.0641
.1028
.0811
.0996
.1151
.1235
.1194
.1237
.1338
.1169
.1166
.1430
.1543
.1455
.1336
100.0
99.6
101.5
92.8
79.9
68.4
109.7
86.6
106.3
122.8
131.8
127.4
132.0
142.8
124.8
124.4
152.6
164.7
155.3
142.6
$4.4123
3.9534
4.4229
5.1550
6.5486
4.9719
4.2781
3.3579
3.5906
3.8053
4.0394
5.0815
5.9580
6.9704
6.0572
5.1550
5.2913
6.2351
6.0795
5.7986
100.0
89.6
100.2
116.8
148.4
112.7
97.0
76.1
81.4
86.2
91.5
115.2
135.0
158.0
137.3
116.8
119.9
141.3
137.8
131.4
$4.4206
3.9260
4.3404
5.0675
6.5752
4.9327
4.2533
3.5591
3.7223
3.7587
4.0709
5.1135
5.9177
6,7353
6.0541
5.1481
5.3213
6.3274
6.2163
5.6346
100.0
88.8
98.2
114.6
148.7
111.6
96.2
80.5
84.2
85.0
92.1
115.7
133.9
152.4
137.0
116.5
120.4
143.1
140.6
127.5
339
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
IV.— AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
Farm products.
Year.
Hops: N. Y.
State, choice.
Oats: cash.
Rye: No. 2,
cash.
Sheep: native. Sheep: western.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. bushel. price. bushel. price. 100 lbs. price. 100 lbs. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.1771
.2621
1890..........................
1891..........................
.2640
.2505
1892..........................
.2271
1893..........................
1894..........................
.1515
1895..........................
.0940
1896..........................
.0877
1897..........................
.1160
1898..........................
.1621
1899..........................
.1563
1900..........................
.1483
1901..........................
.1719
1902..........................
.2375
1903..........................
.2825
1904..........................
.3475
1905..........................
.2673
1906..........................
.1629
1907..........................
.1738
1908..........................
.1188
100.0
148.0
149.1
141.4
128.2
85.5
53.1
49.5
65.5
91.5
88.3
83.7
97.1
134.1
159.5
196.2
150.9
92.0
98.1
67.1
$0.2688
.3106
.3873
.3042
.2827
.3110
.2373
.1801
.1825
.2470
.2452
.2271
.3179
.3960
.3541
.3649
.2990
.3282
.4501
.5095
100.0
115.6
144.1
113.2
105.2
115.7
88.3
67.0
67.9
91.9
91.2
84.5
118.3
147.3
131.7
135.8
111.2
122.1
167.4
189.5
Farm products.
Year.
$0.5288
.5447
.8334
.6754
.4899
.4660
.4825
.3517
.3962
.4958
.5521
.5177
.5328
.5418
.5156
.7056
.7113
.6107
.7688
.7825
100.0 $3.7580 100.0 $3.9541
100.0
103.0 4.5284 120.5
4.6644
118.0
157.6 4.5106 120.0 4.5719
115.6
127.7
4.7798 127.2
4.8695
123.2
92.6
4.1255
3.8781 103.2
104.3
2.6957
71.7
2.9808
75.4
88.1
78.5
91.2
2.9495
3.0943
78.3
66.5
2.9322
3.1411
78.0
79.4
74.9
3.4971
3.7692
93.1
95.3
93.8
3.9250 104.4
4.1625
105.3
104.4
4.1615
3.8837 103.3
105.2
4.1236 109.7
97.9
4.5207
114.3
89.2
100.8
3.7442
3.3519
94.7
4.1784
3.7817 100.6
105.7
102.5
98.7
97.5
3.7101
3.8769
98.0
133.4
4.1457 110.3
4.2608
107,8
134.5
5.0529 134.5
5.0798
128.5
115.5 4.9481 131.7
5.2793
133.5
145.4 4.8962 130.3
4.8835
123.5
148.0 0 4.9505 <*112.3 64.8115 6109.6
Food, etc.
medium, Bread: crack
wneat. cash. Beans:
choice.
ers, butter.
Bread: crackBread: loaf
ers, soda.
(Wash, market).
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average
per Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price
tive
bushel. price. bushel. price. pound. price. pound. price. pouxici* price.
( c)
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.7510 100.0
1890..........................
.8933 118.9
1891..........................
.9618 128.1
1892..........................
.7876 104.9
1893..........................
.6770
90.1
1894..........................
.5587
74.4
1895..........................
.6000
79.9
1896..........................
85.4
.6413
1897..........................
.7949 105.8
1898..........................
.8849 117.8
1899..........................
.7109
94.7
1900..........................
.7040
93.7
1901..........................
.7187
95.7
1902..........................
.7414
98.7
1903..........................
.7895 105.1
1904.......................... 1.0390 138.3
1905.......................... 1.0104 134.5
1906..........................
.7931 105.6
1907..........................
.9073 120.8
1908..........................
.9899 131.8
$1.6699
2.0292
2.2531
1.8698
1.9906
1.8469
1.7896
1.1740
1.0448
1.2479
1.4531
2.0969
2.1927
1.9198
2.2625
2.0104
2.1500
1.9000
1.7771
2.3198
100.0
121.5
134.9
112.0
119.2
110.6
107.2
70.3
62.6
74.7
87.0
125.6
131.3
115.0
135.5
120.4
128.8
113.8
106.4
138.9
$0.0673 100.0 $0.0718
.0700 104.0
.0800
.0800
.0700 104.0
.0763
.0688 102.2
96.6
.0750
.0650
.0725
.0650 96.6
97.2
.0654
.0675
96.6
.0658
.0650
.0592
.0592
88.0
.0758
.0733 108.9
.0663
.0713 105.9
.0750 111.4
.0675
.0700
.0800 118.9
.0800 118.9
.0700
.0646
.0758 112.6
.0658
.0775 115.2
.0683
.0892 132.5
133.7
.0650
.0900
.0650
.0900 133.7
.0650
<*.0650 <*133.7
100.0
111.4
111.4
106.3
104.5
101.0
94.0
91.6
82.5
105.6
92.3
94.0
97.5
97.5
90.0
91.6
95.1
90.5
90.5
90.5
$0.0354
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0333
.0363
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
0356
.0363
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
100.0
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
94.1
102.5
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
102.5
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
a Sheep: wethers, good to fancy. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $5.7461.
6 Sheep: wethers, plain to choice. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $5.4206.
« Weight before baking.
<* Bread: crackers, oyster. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average
price for 1907, $0.0650.
340
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR,
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Food, etc.
Year.
Butter: cream Butter: cream Butter: dairy,
Bread: loaf,
Bread: loaf,
ery, Elgin (El
ery, extra
homemade
Vienna
New York
(N .Y . market). (N .Y . market). gin market). (N .Y . market).
State.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound.® price. pound.® price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. 10.0317
.0320
1890..........................
.0320
1891..........................
.0320
1892..........................
.0320
1893..........................
.0320
1894..........................
.0320
1895..........................
1896..........................
.0287
.0320
1897..........................
.0320
1898..........................
.0320
1899..........................
.0320
1900..........................
.0320
1901..........................
1902..........................
.0320
.0320
1903..........................
1904..........................
.0350
1905..........................
.0376
1906..........................
.0376
.0376
1907..........................
.0400
1908..........................
100.0
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
90.5
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
110.4
118.6
118.6
118.6
126.2
Cheese: N .Y .,
full cream.
Year.
$0.0352
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0319
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0356
.0370
.0400
.0400
.0400
.0413
100.0
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
90.6
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
105.1
113.6
113.6
113.6
117.3
Coffee: Rio
No. 7.
$0.2170
.2238
.2501
.2528
.2581
.2194
.2064
.1793
.1837
.1886
.2075
.2178
.2114
.2413
.2302
.2178
.2429
.2459
.2761
.2692
100.0
103.1
115.3
116.5
118.9
101.1
95.1
82.6
84.7
86.9
95.6
100.4
97.4
111.2
106.1
100.4
111.9
113.3
127.2
1241
$0.2242
.2276
.2586
.2612
.2701
.2288
.2137
.1841
.1895
.1954
.2126
.2245
.2163
.2480
.2348
.2189
.2489
.2489
.2830
.2711
100.0
101.5
115.3
116.5
120.5
102.1
95.3
82.1
84.5
87.2
94.8
100.1
96.5
110.6
1 047
97.6
111.0
111.0
126.2
120.9
Eggs: new-laid, Fish: cod, dry,
bank, large.
fancy, near-by.
$0.2024
.1954
.2380
.2350
.2521
.2091
.1882
.1665
.1684
.1749
.1965
.2115
.2007
.2318
.2150
.1970
.2339
.2325
.2671
.2449
100.0
96.5
117.6
116.1
1246
103.3
93.0
82.3
83.2
86.4
97.1
1045
99.2
1 145
106.2
97.3
115.6
1 149
132.0
121.0
Fish: herring,
shore, round.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. dozen. price. quintal. price. barrel. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0987
1890..........................
.0958
1891..........................
.1011
1892..........................
.1058
.1076
1893..........................
1894..........................
.1060
1895..........................
.0929
1896..........................
.0908
1897..........................
.0968
1898..........................
.0822
1899..........................
.1075
1900..........................
.1128
1901..........................
.1011
1902..........................
.1126
.1217
1903..........................
1904..........................
.1019
1905..........................
.1212
1906..........................
.1313
.1414
1907..........................
.1364
1908..........................
100.0
97.1
102.4
107.2
109.0
107.4
94.1
92.0
98.1
83.3
108.9
114.3
102.4
1141
123.3
103.2
122.8
133.0
143.3
138.2
$0.1313
.1793
.1671
.1430
.1723
.1654
.1592
.1233
.0793
.0633
.0604
.0822
.0646
.0586
.0559
.0782
.0832
.0811
.0658
.0628
100.0
136.6
127.3
108.9
131.2
126.0
121.2
93.9
60.4
48.2
46.0
62.6
49.2
446
42.6
59.6
63.4
61.8
50.1
47.8
$0.1963
.1945
.2160
.2167
.2247
.1835
.2002
.1741
.1718
.1817
.1994
.1977
.2095
.2409
.2418
.2650
.2712
.2615
.2771
.2788
100.0
99.1
110.0
110.4
114 5
93.5
102.0
88.7
87.5
92.6
101.6
100.7
106.7
122.7
123.2
135.0
138.2
133.2
141.2
142.0
$5.5849
5.6771
6.7292
7.0521
6.3802
5.9583
5.5208
4.2083
4 5208
4 6667
5.1354
5.3021
5.9896
5.0938
5.8646
7.2813
7.3958
7.6042
7.7396
7.3021
100.0 $3.7763
100.0
101.7
3.5250
93.3
120.5
4 7068 1246
126.3 2.9375
77.8
3.8125
1142
101.0
106.7 3.3958
89.9
83.6
98.9
3.1563
75.4
3.3542
88.8
3.6354
80.9
96.3
83.6
111.4
42083
92.0
5.0313
m 2
949
5.0833
1346
4.9792
107.2
131.9
91.2
49063
129.9
105.0 5.7292
151.7
130.4 5.4531
144 4
132.4 6.0000
158.9
136.2
6.3438
168.0
138.6 6.1500
162.9
130.7 6 7.0833 6160.1
®Weight before bating.
6 Fish: herring, Nova Scotia split. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231:
average price for 1907, $7.2083.
341
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
IV.— AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
Food, etc.
Year.
Fish: mackerel,
salt, large
No. 3s.
Fish: salmon,
canned.
Flour: buck
wheat.
Flour: rye.
Flour: wheat,
spring patents.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
tive
tive
tive
price per tive price per tive
price.
price.
price.
barrel. price. 12 cans. price.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$14.1306
18.2500
15.3125
13.0000
13.0000
11.0556
15.6250
13.9167
12.2292
13.6667
15.2500
13.8958
10.8182
13.7500
17.4479
14.5000
13.9167
14.7917
13.9167
11.3542
100.0
129.2
108.4
92.0
92.0
78.2
110.6
98.5
86.5
96.7
107.9
98.3
76.6
97.3
123.5
102.6
98.5
104.7
98.5
80.4
Flour: wheat,
winter
straignts.
$1.4731
1.6417
1.5000
1.4833
1.4938
1.4250
1.5042
1.5500
1.3375
1.2667
1.5292
1.7708
1.7125
1.6146
1.6208
1.7250
1.7042
1.6833
1.6679
1.9208
100.0
111.4
101.8
100.7
101.4
96.7
102.1
105.2
90.8
86.0
103.8
120.2
116.3
109.6
110.0
117.1
115.7
1 143
113.2
130.4
Fruit: apples,
evaporated,
choice.
$1.9428
2.0214
2.4429
1.7891
2.3679
2.4357
1.6750
1.3806
1.4656
1.5500
2.3000
2.1036
2.1063
2.2357
2.3214
2.3333
2.1893
2.2333
2.5714
3.0333
100.0 $3.3171
104 0 3.3646
125.7
49208
92.1
40167
3.0854
121.9
125.4 2.7813
86.2
3.1333
71.1
2.6833
75.4 2.8063
3.0813
79.8
118.4
3.2979
3.4250
108.3
108.4 3.3208
3.4417
115.1
3.1479
119.5
43479
120.1
4 4667
112.7
115.0
3.8438
132.4
46021
47375
156.1
Fruit: apples,
sun-dried.
100.0 $4.2972
101.4 5.1856
148.3 5.3053
43466
121.1
40063
93.0
83.8
3.5947
3.6434
94 5
3.7957
80.9
4.5913
84.6
47293
92.9
99.4
3.7740
3.8423
103.3
3.8104
100.1
3.8082
103.8
43303
949
5.3784
131.1
134 7 5.4221
42760
115.9
48755
138.7
142.8 5.4183
Fruit: cur
rants, in
barrels.
100.0
120.7
123.5
101.1
93.2
83.7
848
88.3
106.8
110.1
87.8
89.4
88.7
88.6
100.8
125.2
126.2
99.5
113.5
126.1
Fruit: prunes,
California, in
boxes.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
barrel. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $3.8450
1890.......................... 4.6524
1891.......................... 4.9048
1892.......................... 4.1216
1893.......................... 3.2832
1894.......................... 2.7495
1895.......................... 3.2311
1896.......................... 3.6197
1897.......................... 4.3606
1898.......................... 4.1452
1899.......................... 3.3822
1900.......................... 3.3490
1901.......................... 3.3085
1902.......................... 3.4885
1903.......................... 3.5923
1904.......................... 4.8264
1905.......................... 4.5428
1906.......................... 3.6149
1907.......................... 3.9877
1908.......................... 4.2909
100.0
121.0
127.6
107.2
85.4
71.5
84.0
941
113.4
107.8
88.0
87.1
86.0
90.7
93.4
125.5
118.1
940
103.7
111.6
$0.0847
.1136
.1100
.0688
.0927
.1092
.0678
.0533
.0555
.0890
.0869
.0615
.0709
.0921
.0611
.0603
.0699
.0978
.0843
.0863
100.0
1341
129.9
81.2
109.4
128.9
80.0
62.9
65.5
105.1
102.6
72.6
83.7
108.7
72.1
71.2
82.5
115.5
99.5
101.9
$0.0515
.0690
.0825
.0423
.0508
.0631
.0481
.0312
.0267
.0398
.0610
.0443
.0410
,0507
.0432
.0333
.0348
.0532
.0638
(«)
100.0
1 340
160.2
82.1
98.6
122.5
93.4
60.6
51.8
77.3
118.4
86.0
79.6
98.4
83.9
64 7
67.6
103.3
123.9
>Quotations discontinued.
$0.0375
.0478
.0426
.0297
.0270
.0173
.0254
.0327
.0479
.0580
.0470
.0720
.0831
.0494
.0476
.0488
.0490
.0614
.0703
.0609
100.0
127.5
113.6
79.2
72.0
46.1
67.7
87.2
127.7
1547
125.3
192.0
221.6
131.7
126.9
130.1
130.7
163.7
187.5
162.4
$0.0774
.1068
.1000
.0995
.1039
.0735
.0666
.0581
.0546
.0544
.0565
.0522
.0525
.0551
.0481
.0461
.0459
.0646
.0593
.0598
100.0
138.0
129.2
128.6
1342
95.0
86.0
75.1
70.5
70.3
7a 0
67.4
67.8
71.2
62.1
59.6
59.3
83.5
76.6
77.3
342
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR,
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Food, etc.
Year.
Fruit: raisins,
California, Lon
don layer.
Glucose.
Lard: prime
contract.
Meal: com,
fine white.
Meal: com,
fine yellow.
Average Rela- Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive
tive
tive
box.
price. 100 lbs. price. pound. price. W
price. Pi(m bs!r price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.5006
............. 2.3604
1890
1891
.............. 1.8021
1892
............. 1.4688
1893
............. 1.7000
1894
............. 1.1542
1895
.............. 1.4292
1896
............. 1.0188
1897
............. 1.3979
1898
.............. 1.3917
1899
.............. 1.2833
1900
.............. 1.5208
1901
.............. 1.4417
1902
.............. 1.6854
1903
.............. 1.4458
1904
............. 1.4729
1905
............. 1.1875
1906
.............. 1.6000
1907
............. 1.6271
1908
............. 1.8100
100.0 ®$1.4182
157.3
120.1
97.9
113.3
1.7625
76.9
1.5802
95.2
1.5492
67.9
1.1585
93.2
1.2190
1.3021
92.7
85.5
1.3558
101.3
1.4875
96.1
1.6458
112.3
2.1788
96.3
1.8396
98.2
1.7917
79.1
1.7742
106.6
2.0267
108.4 2.2608
120.6
2.6400
Meat: bacon,
short clear
sides.
100.0
124.3
111.4
109.2
81.7
86.0
91.8
95.6
104.9
116.0
153.6
129.7
126.3
125.1
142.9
159.4
186.2
Meat: bacon,
short rib sides.
$0.0654
.0633
.0660
.0771
,1030
.0773
.0653
.0469
.0441
.0552
.0556
.0690
.0885
.1059
.0877
.0731
.0745
.0887
.0920
.0908
100.0
96.8
100.9
117.9
157.5
118.2
99.8
71.7
67.4
84.4
85.0
105.5
135.3
161.9
134.1
111.8
113.9
135.6
140.7
138.8
Meat: beef,
fresh, native
sides.
$1.0486
1.0613
1.4746
1.1921
1.1013
1.1188
1.0721
.8129
.8158
.8821
.9554
1.0115
1.1979
1.5354
1.2967
1.3396
1.3250
1.2667
1.3575
1.6146
100.0
101.2
140.6
113.7
105.0
106.7
102.2
77.5
77.8
84.1
91.1
96.5
114.2
146.4
123.7
127.8
126.4
120.8
129.5
154.0
$1.0169
1.0200
1.4579
1.1608
1.0833
1.0629
1.0613
.7854
.7633
.8463
.9273
.9908
1.1875
1.5250
1.2783
1.3333
1.3250
1.2625
1.3575
1.6146
100.0
100.3
143.4
114.2
106.5
104.5
104.4
77.2
75.1
83.2
91.2
97.4
116.8
150.0
125.7
131.1
130.3
124.2
133.5
158.8
Meat: beef, salt, Meat: beef, salt,
extra mess.
hams, western.
Year.
Average Rela- Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. barrel. price. barrel. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0675 100.0 $0.0656
..............
1890
.0603
89.3
.0586
1891
..............
.0699 103.6
.0681
1892
..............
.0764
.0787 116.6
1893
..............
.1048 155.3
.1010
1894
..............
.0751 111.3
.0736
1895
..............
.0632
.0650
96.3
1896
..............
.0494
73.2
.0479
1897
..............
.0541
80.1
.0522
1898
..............
.0596
.0594
88.3
1899
..............
.0583
86.4
.0558
1900
..............
.0752 111.4
.0732
1901
..............
.0891 132.0
.0869
1902
..............
.1073 159.0
.1046
1903
..............
.0959 142.1
.0938
1904
..............
.0775 114.8
.0757
1905
..............
.0800 118.5
.0783
1906
..............
.0942 139.6
.0920
1907
..............
.0954 141.3
.0919
1908
..............
.0901 133.5
.0870
100.0
89.3
103.8
116.5
154.0
112.2
96.3
73.0
79.6
90.5
85.1
111.6
132.5
159.5
143.0
115.4
119.4
140.2
140.1
132.6
$0.0771
.0688
.0819
.0762
.0813
.0748
.0792
.0698
.0769
.0781
.0835
.0804
.0787
.0971
.0784
.0818
.0802
.0780
.0884
.0934
<*Average for 1893-1899.
100.0 $8.0166
89.2
6.9596
106.2 8.3654
98.8
6.7966
105.4 8.1938
97.0 8.0933
102.7 8.1274
90.5
7.5096
99.7
7.6755
101.3
9.1563
108.3
9.2885
104.3
9.7538
102.1
9.3204
125.9 11.7885
101.7 9.0673
106.1
8.7689
104.0 10.0240
101.2 8.8462
114.7
9.8173
121.1 13.1837
100.0
86.8
104.4
84.8
102.2
101.0
101.4
93.7
95.7
114.2
115.9
121.7
116.3
147.1
113.1
109.4
125.0
110.3
122.5
164.5
$18.0912
14.5409
15.5144
14.5577
17.8317
18.3558
17.3443
15.9327
22.6250
21.4880
22.7212
20.6587
20.3774
21.3413
21.2115
22.3341
21.9952
21.5625
26.0519
27.7115
100.0
80.4
85.8
80.5
98.6
101.5
95.9
88.1
125.1
118.8
125.6
114.2
112.6
118.0
117.2
123.5
121.6
119.2
144.0
153.2
343
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
Table IV .—AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
Food, etc.
Year.
Meat: hams,
smoked.
Meat: mutton,
dressed.
Meat: pork,
salt, mess.
Milk: fresh.
Molasses: N. O.,
open kettle.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. barrel. price. quart. price. gallon. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0984
1890
..............
.0995
1891
..............
.0982
1892
..............
.1076
1893
..............
.1249
1894
..............
.1019
1895
..............
.0947
1896
..............
.0943
.0894
1897
..............
1898
..............
.0807
1899
..............
.0923
1900
..............
.1025
1901
..............
.1075
1902
..............
.1211
1903
..............
.1271
1904
..............
.1072
1905
..............
.1046
1906
..............
.1235
1907
..............
.1303
1908
..............
.1125
100.0 $0.0754
101.1
.0933
99.8
.0866
109.3
.0914
126.9
.0803
103.6
.0605
96.2
.0620
95.8
.0625
90.9
.0728
82.0
.0739
93.8
.0711
104.2
.0727
109.2
.0675
123.1
.0738
129.2
.0744
108.9
.0778
106.3
.0859
125.5
.0910
132.4
.0875
114.3
.0863
100.0 $11.6332
123.7 12.1502
114.9 11.3029
121.2 11.5252
106.5 18.3389
80.2 14.1262
82.2 11.8255
82.9
8.9399
96.6 8. 9087
98.0
9.8678
94.3
9.3462
96.4 12. 5072
89.5 15. 6108
97.9 17. 9399
98.7 16. 6514
103.2 14.0288
113.9 14.4183
120.7 17. 5120
116.0 17.5684
114.5 15.9736
100.0
104.4
97.2
99.1
157.6
121.4
101.7
76.8
76.6
84.8
80.3
107.5
134.2
154.2
143.1
120.6
123.9
150.5
151.0
137.3
Rice: domestic, Salt: American. Salt: Ashton’s.
choice.
Year.
$0.0255
.0263
.0267
.0268
.0279
.0263
.0253
.0234
.0235
.0239
.0253
.0274
.0262
.0288
.0288
.0275
.0289
.0301
.0335
.0329
100.0
103.1
104.7
105.1
109.4
103.1
99.2
91.8
92.2
93.7
99.2
107.5
102.7
112.9
112.9
107.8
113.3
118.0
131.4
129.0
Soda: bicar
bonate of,
American.
$0.3151
.3542
.2788
.3188
.3346
.3092
.3083
.3246
.2617
.3083
.3525
.4775
.3783
.3638
.3546
.3396
.3229
.3400
.4088
.3550
100.0
112.4
88.5
101.2
106.2
98.1
97.8
103.0
83.1
97.8
111.9
151.5
120.1
115.5
112.5
107.8
102.5
107.9
129.7
112.7
Spices: nut
megs.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive P2 2 S £ ? r tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. barrel. price.
price. pound. price. pound. price.
bag.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0561
1890
..............
.0605
1891
..............
.0637
1892
..............
.0569
1893
..............
.0459
1894
..............
.0526
1895
..............
.0533
1896
..............
.0519
1897
..............
.0542
1898
..............
.0608
1899
..............
.0607
1900
..............
.0548
1901
..............
.0548
1902
..............
.0559
1903
..............
.0566
1904
..............
.0441
1905
..............
.0417
1906
..............
.0474
1907
..............
.0534
.0624
1908
..............
100.0
107.8
113.5
101.4
81.8
93.8
95.0
92.5
96.6
108.4
108.2
97.7
97.7
99.6
100.9
78.6
74.3
84.5
95.2
111.2
$0.7044
.7921
.7865
.7575
.7019
.7192
.7019
.6226
.6613
.6648
.6365
1.0010
.8567
.6360
.6140
.7704
.7552
.7144
.7931
.7854
100.0
112.5
111.7
107.5
99.6
102.1
99.6
88.4
93.9
94.4
90.4
142.1
121.6
90.3
87.2
109.4
107.2
101.4
112.6
111.5
$2.2033
2.4646
2.3813
2.3750
2.3250
2.2375
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.0500
2.1813
2.2250
2.2479
(a)
(a)
(a)
100.0
111.9
108.1
107.8
105.5
101.6
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
99.0
101.0
102.0
(a)
(a)
«Quotations discontinued.
$0.0209
.0275
.0317
.0218
.0285
.0268
.0177
.0152
.0150
.0129
.0117
.0123
.0107
.0108
.0129
.0130
.0130
.0130
.0130
.0110
100.0
131.6
151.7
104.3
136.4
128.2
84.7
72.7
71.8
61.7
56.0
58.9
51.2
51.7
61.7
62.2
62.2
62.2
62.2
52.6
$0.4322
.6317
.6081
.5319
.4584
.3996
.3969
.3590
.3354
.3140
.2871
.2601
.2346
.2028
.2877
.2175
.1722
.1730
.1397
<«)
100.0
146.2
140.7
123.1
106.1
92.5
91.8
83.1
77.6
72.7
66.4
60.2
54.3
46.9
66.6
50.3
39.8
40.0
32.3
344
BULLETIN OF THE BUEEAU OP LABOR.
T able I V .—A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OP
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO
1890-1899)— Continued.
1908,
AND
B A SE
PRICES
(A V E R A G E
FOR
Food, etc.
Year.
Spices: pepper,
Singapore.
Starch: pure
com.
Sugar: 89° fair
refining.
Sugar: 96° cen Sugar: granu
trifugal.
lated.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0749
.1151
1890
..............
1891
..............
.0873
.............
1892
.0689
.0595
1893
..............
1894
..............
.0516
1895
..............
.0497
1896
..............
.0500
.0664
1897
..............
1898
..............
.0891
1899
..............
.1117
.1291
1900
..............
.1292
1901
..............
.1255
1902
..............
.1289
1903
..............
1904
..............
.1229
1905
..............
.1217
.1138
1906
..............
.0994
1907
..............
.0715
1908
..............
100.0
153.7
116.6
92.0
79.4
68.9
66.4
66.8
88.7
119.0
149.1
172.4
172.5
167.6
172.1
164.1
162.5
151.9
132.7
95.5
Tallow.
$0.0548
.0546
.0600
.0600
.0600
.0567
.0554
.0513
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0500
.0470
.0440
.0507
.0525
.0552
.0577
.0600
.0575
100.0 $0.03398
.04890
99.6
109.5
.03459
109.5
.02873
109.5
.03203
103.5
. 02759
.02894
101.1
.03192
93.6
91.2
.03077
91.2
.03712
91.2
.03922
.04051
91.2
.03521
85.8
.03035
80.3
92.5
.03228
95.8
.03470
100.7
.03696
105.3
.03183
109.5
.03251
104.9
.03563
Tea: Formosa,
fine.
100.0 $0.03869
.05460
143.9
.03910
101.8
.03315
84.5
.03680
94.3
.03229
81.2
85.2
.03253
.03624
93.9
.03564
90.6
.04235
109.2
.04422
115.4
.04572
119.2
.04040
103.6
.03542
89.3
.03720
95.0
.03974
102.1
.04278
108.8
.03686
93.7
.03754
95.7
.04064
104.9
Vegetables,
fresh: onions.
100.0 $0.04727
141.1
.06168
.04714
101.1
.04354
85.7
95.1
.04836
83.5
.04111
84.1
.04155
93.7
.04532
92.1
.04497
109.5
.04974
114.3
.04924
118.2 .05332
104.4
.05048
91.5
.04455
96.1
.04641
102.7 .04772
110.6
.05256
95.3
.04515
97.0
.04651
105.0
.04940
Vegetables,
fresh: potatoes,
white.
100.0
130.5
99.7
92.1
102.3
87.0
87.9
95.9
95.1
105.2
104.2
112.8
106.8
94.2
98.2
101.0
111.2
95.5
98.4
104.5
Vinegar: cider,
Monarch.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. barrel. price. bushel. price. gallon. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0435
..............
1890
.0460
1891
..............
.0483
1892
..............
.0463
.0544
1893
..............
1894
..............
.0480
1895..'......................
.0434
1896
..............
.0343
1897
..............
.0332
1898
..............
.0356
1899
..............
.0453
1900
..............
.0485
1901
..............
.0518
1902
..............
.0629
1903
..............
.0510
1904
..............
.0459
1905
..............
.0449
1906
..............
.0529
1907
..............
.0621
1908
..............
.0551
100.0
105.7
111.0
106.4
125.1
110.3
99.8
78.9
76.3
81.8
104.1
111.5
119.1
144.6
117.2
105.5
103.2
119.3
142.8
126.7
$0.2839
.2733
.2817
.3008
.2888
.2783
.2700
.2583
.2800
.2958
.3117
.2977
.2850
.3015
.2296
.2758
.2675
.2350
.2300
.2133
100.0
96.3
99.2
106.0
101.7
98.0
95.1
91.0
98.6
104.2
109.8
104.9
100.4
106.2
80.9
$7.1
94.2
82.8
81.0
75.1
$3.3995
4.3438
4.1250
3.6042
3.1875
3.2500
3.1146
1.9479
3.9271
3.2708
3.2238
2.4271
3.5000
3.6458
3.5675
3.5568
3.2392
3.2917
3.5000
3.5357
100.0
127.8
121.3
106.0
93.8
95.6
91.6
57.3
115.5
96.2
94.8
71.4
103.0
107.2
104.9
104.6
95.3
96.8
103.0
104.0
$0.4991
.5956
.7730
.4546
.6714
.6128
.4326
.1965
.3279
.5094
.4172
.3736
.5642
.5958
.5249
.7301
.4026
.5476
.4912
.7119
100.0
119.3
154.9
91.1
134.5
122.8
86.7
39.4
65.7
102.1
83.6
74.9
113.0
119.4
105.2
146.3
80.7
109.7
98.4
142.6
$0.1478
.1558
.1800
.1642
.1500
.1500
.1450
.1300
.1300
.1325
.1400
.1350
.1325
.1408
.1300
.1325
.1458
.1700
.1725
.1842
100.0
105.4
121.8
111.1
101.5
101.5
98.1
88.0
88.0
89.6
94.7
91.3
89.6
95.3
88.0
89.6
98.6
115.0
116.7
124.6
345
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
IV.— AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
Cloths and clothing.
Blankets: 11-4, Blankets: 11-4,
Blankets: 11-4,
5 pounds to
5 pounds to
Boots and
5 pounds to the the pair, cotton the pair, cotton shoes: men’s
pair, all wool. warp, all wool
warp, cotton
brogans, split.
filling.
and wool filling.
Year.
Average Bela- Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
bag.
price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
pair.
price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.1399 100.0
.1594 113.9
1890..........................
.1563 111.7
1891..........................
1892..........................
.1550 110.8
.1494 106.8
1893..........................
.1275
1894..........................
91.1
1895..........................
.1150 82.2
91.6
.1281
1896..........................
92.9
.1300
1897..........................
95.6
.1338
1898..........................
1899..........................
.1446 103.4
.1575 112.6
1900..........................
1901..........................
.1413 101.0
1902..........................
.1433 102.4
.1458 104.2
1903..........................
1904..........................
.1796 128.4
1905..........................
.1533 109.6
1906..........................
.1806 129.1
.1938 138.5
1907..........................
.1879 134.3
1908..........................
Boots and
shoes: men’s
calf bal. shoes.
Goodyear welt.
$0,840 100.0
.910 108.3
.890 106.0
.900 107.1
.900 107.1
.850 101.2
.750
89.3
.750 89.3
.750
89.3
.900 107.1
95.2
.800
.900 107.1
.850 101.2
.850 .101.2
.925 110.1
.925 110.1
1.000 119.0
1.025 122.0
1.000 119.0
.950 113.1
Boots and
shoes: men’s
split boots.
$0,613
.650
.650
.640
.640
.550
.540
.560
.650
.625
.625
.750
.650
.650
.700
.725
.775
.800
.800
(a)
100.0
106.0
106.0
104.4
104.4
89.7
88.1
91.4
106.0
102.0
102.0
122.3
106.0
106.0
114.2
118.3
126.4
130.5
130.5
$0,424 100.0
.460 108.5
.460 108.5
.430 101.4
.420
99.1
96.7
.410
.400
94.3
.400
94.3
99.1
.420
99.1
.420
99.1
.420
.525 123.8
.475 112.0
.475 112.0
.500 117.9
.525 123.8
.600 141.5
.600 141.5
.600 141.5
6.504 6136.1
$0.9894
1.0500
1.0500
1.0375
1.0125
.9688
.9813
.9938
.9500
.9125
.9375
.9375
.9438
.9313
.9250
.9250
1.0042
1.2542
1.2729
1.1354
100.0
106.1
106.1
104.9
102.3
97.9
99.2
100.4
96.0
92.2
94.8
94.8
95.4
94.1
93.5
93.5
101.5
126.8
128.7
114.8
Boots and
Boots and
Broadcloths:
shoes: men’s shoes: women’s first quality,
vici kid shoes,
solid grain
black, 54-inch,
Goodyear welt.
shoes.
X X X wool.
Year.
Average Rela- Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive- price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pair. price. 12 pairs. price. pair.
pair.
price.
price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $2.376 100.0
1890..........................
2.400 101.0
1891..........................
2.400 101.0
1892..........................
2.400 101.0
1893..........................
2.400 101.0
1894..........................
2.400 101.0
1895..........................
2.400 101.0
1896..........................
2.400 101.0
1897..........................
2.400 101.0
1898..........................
97.6
2.320
1899..........................
2.240
94.3
1900..........................
2.240
94.3
1901..........................
2.300
96.8
1902..........................
96.8
2.300
2.350
98.9
1903..........................
1904..........................
2.350
98.9
1905..........................
2.375 100.0
1906.......................... c 2.775 C108.0
1907.......................... C2.800 409.0
1908.......................... C2.800 409.0
$16,350
17.000
17.000
17.000
16.500
16.000
15.000
15.500
16.000
16.500
17.000
18.000
18.375
18.167
18.500
18.583
19.708
23.667
26.167
(«)
100.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
100.9
97.9
91.7
94.8
97.9
100.9
104.0
110.1
112.4
111.1
113.1
113.7
120.5
144.8
160.0
$2.3000
2.5000
2.5000
2.5000
2.5000
2.5000
2.2500
2.2500
2.0000
2.0000
2.0000
2.0000
2.0000
2.0000
2.0000
2.0083
2.1958
2.3792
2.5000
2.5000
100.0
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
97.8
97.8
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.3
95.5
103.4
108.7
108.7
$0.8175
.8500
.8000
.7750
.7500
.7500
.8500
.8500
.8500
.8500
.8500
.9042
.8542
.8625
.8875
.9183
.9771
1.0313
1.0063
.9688
100.0
104.0
97.9
94.8
91.7
91.7
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
110.6
104.5
105.5
108.6
112.3
119.5
126.2
123.1
118.5
$1.732
1.970
1.970
1.970
1.970
1.580
1.380
1.380
1.700
1.700
1.700
1.870
1.910
1.910
1.910
1.914
1.995
2.020
2.020
2.003
100.0
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
91.2
79.7
79.7
98.2
98.2
98.2
108.0
110.3
110.3
110.3
110.5
115.2
116.6
116.6
115.6
a Quotations discontinued.
6 Blankets: 10-4,2 lbs. to the pair, 54 x 74, all cotton. For method of computing relative price, see pages
230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0,524.
e Men’s vici calf shoes: Blucher bal., vici calf top, single sole. For method of computing relative price,
see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1905, $2.57.
346
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
IV.— A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Brus
Calico: Cocheeo Carpets:
sels, 5-frame,
prints.
Bigelow.
Carpets: in
grain, 2-ply,
Lowell.
Carpets: Wil Cotton flannels:
ton, 5-frame, 2 | yards to the
Bigelow.
pound.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0553 100.0 $1.0008
1890
.............
.0650 117.5
1.0320
1891
.............
.0575 104.0
1.1280
1892
.............
.0650 117.5
1.0320
.0625 113.0
1893
.............
.9840
1894
..............
.0550 99.5
.9360
1895
.............
.0525 94.9
.9360
1896
.............
.0525 94.9
.9360
1897
..............
.0500
90.4
.9600
1898
..............
.0450
81.4
1.0320
1899
..............
.0483
1.0320
87.3
1900
..............
.0525 94.9
1.0320
1901
..............
.0500 90.4
1.0320
1902
..............
.0500 90.4
1.0360
.0504 91.1
1903
..............
1.0880
1904
..............
.0529 95.7
1.1040
1905
..............
.0517 93.5
1.1520
1906
..............
.0550 99.5
1.1800
1907
.............. <*.0602 <*121.0 1.2480
1908
.............. <*. 0519 <*104.3 1.2000
Year.
100.0
103.1
112.7
103.1
98.3
93.5
93.5
93.5
95.9
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.5
108.7
110.3
115.1
117.9
124.7
119.9
$0.4752
.5160
.5520
.5040
.5280
.4680
.4200
.4080
.4320
.4680
.4560
.4920
.4800
.4840
.5136
.5184
.5520
.5520
.5760
.5540
100.0
108.6
116.2
106.1
111.1
98.5
88.4
85.9
90.9
98.5
96.0
103.5
101.0
101.9
108.1
109.1
116.2
116.2
121.2
116.6
Cotton yams:
Cotton thread: carded,
Cotton flannels: 6-cord,
white,
3£ yards to the spools, 200-yard
mule-spun,
J. & P.
pound.
northern,
Coats.
cones, 10/1.
$1.8432
1.9200
2.0160
1.9200
1.9200
1.9200
1.6800
1.6800
1.7280
1.8240
1.8240
1.8720
1.8720
1.8840
2.0080
2.0400
2.1360
2.1920
2.2800
2.2160
100.0
104.2
109.4
104.2
104.2
104.2
91.1
91.1
93.8
99.0
99.0
101.6
101.6
102.2
108.9
110.7
115.9
118.9
123.7
120.2
Cotton yams:
carded, white,
mule-spun,
northern,
cones, 22/1.
$0.0706
.0875
.0875
.0838
.0725
.0675
.0650
.0650
.0575
.0575
.0619
.0738
.0640
.0650
.0735
.0885
.0854
*0923
.0988
.0829
100.0
123.9
123.9
118.7
102.7
95.6
92.1
92.1
81.4
81.4
87.7
104.5
90.7
92.1
104.1
125.4
121.0
130.7
139.9
117.4
Denims: Amoskeag.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. spool.(&) price. pound. price. pound. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0575
..............
1890
.0688
1891
..............
.0688
1892
..............
.0650
1893
..............
.0575
1894
.............
.0550
1895
..............
.0525
1896
..............
.0550
1897
..............
.0550
1898
..............
.0463
1899
..............
.0508
1900
..............
.0567
1901
..............
.0575
1902
..............
.0575
1903
..............
.0629
1904
..............
.0723
1905
..............
.0681
1906
..............
.0723
1907
..............
.0800
1908
..............
.0696
100.0 $.031008
119.7 .031514
119.7 .031238
113.0 . 031238
100.0 .031238
95.7 .031238
91.3 .031238
95.7 .030871
95.7 .030503
80.5 .030503
88.3 .030503
98.6 .037240
100.0 .037240
100.0 .037240
109.4 .037240
125.7 .037240
118.4 .037240
125.7 .037240
139.1 . 041813
121.0 .040833
100.0
101.6
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
99.6
98.4
98.4
98.4
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
134.8
131.7
$0.1608
c .1790
c. 1794
c .1885
.1808
.1523
.1477
.1483
.1452
.1456
.1408
.1850
.1585
.1538
.1869
.1981
.1733
.2004
.2204
.1777
100.0
111.3
111.6
117.2
112.4
94.7
91.9
92.2
90.3
90.5
87.6
115.0
98.6
95.6
116.2
123.2
107.8
124.6
137.1
110.5
$0.1969
c. 2208
c .2244
c. 2300
.2138
.1796
.1815
.1844
.1788
.1792
.1760
.2283
.1927
.1819
.2156
.2279
.2038
.2304
.2571
.2104
100.0
112.1
114.0
116.8
108.6
91.2
92.2
93.7
90.8
91.0
89.4
115.9
97.9
92.4
109.5
115.7
103.5
117.0
130.6
106.9
$0.1044
.1175
.1144
.1144
.1175
.1100
.0988
.0988
.0931
.0897
.0896
.1073
.1046
.1050
.1127
.1217
.1083
.1233
.1381
.1160
100.0
112.5
109.6
109.6
112.5
105.4
94.6
94.6
89.2
85.9
85.8
102.8
100.2
100.6
108.0
116.6
103.7
118.1
132.3
111.1
<*Calico: American standard prints, 64 x 64. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and
231; average price for 1906, $0.0495.
6 Freight paid.
c Records destroyed. Price estimated by person who furnished data for later years.
347
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a bl e I V . — AVERAGE
Y E A R L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AN D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Drillings:
brown, Pep
pered.
Flannels:
Drillings: 30- white,
4-4, Bal
inch, Stark A. lard
vale No. 3.
Ginghams:
Amoskeag.
Ginghams:
Lancaster.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.0572
.0683
1890..........................
.0652
1891..........................
.0582
1892..........................
.0590
1893..........................
1894..........................
.0559
1895..........................
.0529
1896..........................
.0573
1897..........................
.0525
1898..........................
.0513
1899..........................
.0510
1900..........................
.0606
1901..........................
.0585
1902..........................
.0575
1903..........................
.0619
1904..........................
.0727
1905..........................
.0721
1906..........................
.0775
1907..........................
.0825
1908..........................
.0706
$0.0521
.0640
.0600
.0535
.0563
.0502
.0489
100.2
.0522
91.8
.0463
89.7
.0437
89.2
.0457
.0542
105.9
.0532
102.3
100.5
.0539
108.2
.0581
127.1
.0658
126.0
.0633
135.5
.0740
144.2
.0782
123.4
.0718
100.0
119.4
114.0
101.7
103.1
97.7
92.5
100.0
122.8
115.2
102.7
108.1
96.4
93.9
100.2
88.9
83.9
87.7
104.0
102.1
103.5
111.5
126.3
121.5
142.0
150.1
137.8
$0.3768
.4400
.4400
.4367
.4125
.3546
.3080
.3217
.3113
.3685
.3750
.4096
.3800
.3986
.4306
.4433
.4461
.4613
.4638
.4611
$0.0533
.0625
.0650
.0650
.0631
.0485
.0466
.0472
.0438
.0431
.0477
.0515
100.8
.0490
105.8
.0523
114.3
.0550
117.6
.0548
118.4
.0515
122.4
.0565
.0658
123.1
122.4
.0548
100.0
116.8
116.8
115.9
109.5
94.1
81.7
85.4
82.6
97.8
99.5
108.7
$0.0573
.0692
.0700
.0700
118.4
.0638
.0504
91.0
87.4
.0496
88.6
.0500
82.2
.0494
80.9
.0488
89.5
.0515
96.6
.0550
91.9
.0531
98.1
.0575
103.2
.0575
102.8
.0556
96.6
.0517
106.0
.0592
123.5
.0690
102.8
.0573
100.0
117.3
122.0
122.0
100.0
120.8
122.2
122.2
111.3
88.0
86.6
87.3
86.2
85.2
89.9
96.0
92.7
100.3
100.3
97.0
90.2
103.3
120.4
100.0
wom Hosiery: wom
Horse blankets: Hosiery: men’s Hosiery: men’s Hosiery:
6 pounds each, cotton half hose, cotton half hose, en’s combed
en’s cotton
Egyptian
all wool.
20 to 22 oz.(o) * 84 needles.
hose, 26 to 28 oz.
cotton.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. 12 pans. price. 12 pairs. price. 12 pairs. price. 12 pairs. price.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$0,573
.625
.600
.625
.600
.550
.530
.520
.570
.570
.540
.680
.630
.630
.675
.700
.750
.775
.750
.725
$0.9555 100.0 $0.7845
109.1 c 1.2740 133.3 d. 9750
104.7 cl. 1760 123.1
d.9750
109.1 cl. 0780 112.8 d. 9700
104.7 cl. 0535 110.3 d. 8750
96.0
c. 9800 102.6 d. 7250
92.5
c.9065 94.9 d. 7000
d. 7000
90.8
c. 8330 87.2
c. 7840 82.1
99.5
<2.6500
c. 7350 76.9
99.5
<2.6500
94.2
c. 7350 76.9 d . 6250
118.7
c. 7840 82.1
<2.6500
109.9
c. 6860 71.8 <2.7250
109.9
c. 7350 76.9
.6667
117.8
c. 7840 82.1
.7063
122.2
c.6370 82.1
.7525
130.9
c. 6370 82.1
.7009
135.3
c.6615 85.3
.7000
130.9
c. 7350 94.8
.7500
c. 7500 «88.9
126.5
(/)
100.0
100.0
124.3
124.3
123.6
111.5
92.4
89.2
89.2
82.9
82.9
79.7
82.9
82.4
85.0
90.0
95.9
89.2
89.2
95.6
b $1,850
i.900
1.900
1.875
1.875
1.850
1.800
1.750
1.900
2.000
100.0
162.7
102.7
101.4
101.4
100.0
97.3
94.6
102.7
108.1
1.850 100.0
1.875 101.4
1.800 97.3
1.750 94.6
1.900 102.7
2.025 109.5
0 1.775 095.9
$0.9310
c1.2250
c 1.1270
cl. 0780
cl. 0535
c. 9800
c. 8575
c. 7840
c. 7595
c. 7105
c. 7350
c. 7595
c.6615
c. 7350
c. 8085
c. 7595
c. 7840
c. 7595
c. 8330
K 8000
100.0
131.6
121.1
115 8
113.2
105.3
92.1
84.2
81.6
76.3
78.9
81.6
71.1
78.9
86.8
81.6
84.2
81.6
89.5
& 84.2
a The price for 1890-1903 is for two-thread goods. Prices, 1904 to 1908, are for single-thread goods. For
method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231. Price of single-thread goods, 10.6370 in Sep
tember, 1903.
b Average for 1893-1899.
c September price.
d January price.
« Hosiery: men’s cotton half hose, seamless, 20 to 22 ounce, 160 needles, carded yam. For method of
computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.80.
/ Quotations discontinued.
o Combed peeler yam.
h Hosiery: women’s cotton hose, seamless, fast black, 26 ounce, 176 needles, carded yam. For method of
computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.85.
348
BULLETIN" OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AN D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Leather: har
sole,
ness, oak, coun Leather:
hemlock.
try middles.
Leather: wax
Leather: sole, calf,
30 to 40 lbs.
oak.
to the dozen.
Linen shoe
thread: 10s,
Barbour.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. sq. foot. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.2590 100.0 $0.1939
99.3
.1921
1890
.............
.2571
.2579 99.6
.1858
1891
.............
1892
.............
.2367 91.4
.1727
1893
..............
.1796
.2400 92.7
1894
..............
.2275 87.8
.1715
.2073
1895
..............
.2888 111.5
.2554 98.6
1896
..............
.1881
.2433 93.9
.2033
1897
..............
.2129
.2825 109.1
1898
..............
.3004 116.0
.2254
..............
1899
.2490
.3025 116.8
1900
..............
.2475
.2971 114.7
1901
..............
1902
.............. a. 3325 o ll4.7
.2367
.2267
1903
.............. a. 3313 0114.3
.2258
1904
.............. a. 3188 ollO. 0
.2290
1905
.............. a. 3333 0115.0
.2538
.............. a. 3713 0128.1
1906
.2644
1907
.............. o.3738 0129.0
.2508
1908
.............. a. 3508 0121.1
100.0
99.1
95.8
89.1
92.6
88.4
106.9
97.0
104 8
109.8
116.2
128.4
127.6
122.1
116.9
116.5
118.1
130.9
136.4
129.3
Linen thread: Overcoatings:
3-cord, 200-vard beaver, Mos
spools, Barbour. cow, all wool.
Year.
$0.3363
.3771
.3679
.3421
.3483
.3279
.3421
.2925
.3079
.3213
.3358
.3608
.3525
.3800
.3742
.3450
.3663
.3796
.3821
.3800
$0.6545 100.0 $0.8748
.6000
91.7
.8910
.6469 98.8
.8910
.6929 105.9
.8910
.6450
98.5
.8993
.6042
92.3
.9182
.7333 112.0
.8514
.8514
.6433
98.3
94.1
.6156
.8514
.8514
.6760 103.3
.8514
.6875 105.0
.6563 100.3
.8877
.6281
96.0
.8910
.6604 100.9
.8910
.6900 105.4
.8460
102.6
.6875 105.0
.8499
108.9
.6969 106.5
.8499
112.9
.7167 109.5
.8930
113.6
.7667 117.1
.8930
113.0
&.2183 6113.6
.8930
100.0
112.1
109.4
101.7
103.6
97.5
101.7
87.0
91.6
95.5
99.9
107.3
104.8
113.0
111.3
Overcoatings:
chinchilla, all
wool.
Overcoatings:
chinchilla,
cotton warp.
100.0
101.9
101.9
101.9
102.8
105.0
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
101.5
101.9
101.9
96.7
97.2
97.2
102.1
102.1
102.1
Overcoatings:
covert cloth,
light weight.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price
per 12 tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
spools. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.8522
.8910
1890
..............
1891
.............
.7945
1892
..............
.8019
1893
..............
.8308
1894
.............
.8514
.8514
1895
..............
1896
..............
.8514
.8679
1897
..............
1898
..............
.8910
1899
..............
.8910
1900
..............
.8910
1901
..............
.8910
1902
..............
.8910
1903
..............
.8370
1904
..............
.8835
1905
..............
.8835
1906
..............
.8835
1907
..............
.9145
1908
..............
<«)
100.0
104.6
93.2
94.1
97.5
99.9
99.9
99.9
101.8
104 6
104 6
104 6
104 6
104 6
98.2
103.7
103.7
103.7
107.3
$2.0817
C2.4296
C2.4296
C2.4296
2.3250
1.9879
1.7670
1.7670
1.7670
1.8600
2.0538
2.4994
2.2088
2.2088
2.4413
2.3250
2.4413
8
100.0
116.7
116.7
116.7
111.7
95.5
849
849
849
89.4
98.7
120.1
106.1
106.1
117.3
111.7
117.3
$2.1419
C2.4296
C2.4296
C2.4296
2.3250
1.9879
1.8774
1.8774
1.8774
2.0925
2.0925
2.4994
2.0925
2.0925
2.2088
2.2088
2.3948
2.5226
2.5575
(<*)
100.0
113.4
113.4
113.4
108.5
92.8
87.7
87.7
87.7
97.7
97.7
116.7
97.7
97.7
103.1
103.1
111.8
117.8
119.4
$0.4883
.5325
.5258
.5329
.5367
.4733
.4508
.4354
.4575
.4800
.4583
.4892
.4433
.4508
.4533
.4558
.4588
.4963
.4908
.4346
100.0
109.1
107.7
109.1
109.9
96.9
92.3
89.2
93.7
98.3
93.9
100.2
90.8
92.3
92.8
93.3
94.0
101.6
100.5
89.0
$2.3286
2.4616
2.4616
2.4616
2.4616
2.4254
2.3259
2.0363
1.9458
2.2625
2.4435
2.3621
2.2625
2.2625
2.1899
2.1899
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
2.2568
100.0
105.7
105 7
105.7
105.7
104.2
99.9
87.4
83.6
97.2
104.9
101.4
97.2
97.2
94.0
94.0
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
a Leather: harness, oak, packers’ hides, heavy No. 1. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1901, $0.3325.
b Leather: chrome calf, glazed finish, B grade. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230
and 231; average price for 1907, $0.2250.
c Records destroyed. Price estimated by person who furnished data for later years.
d Quotations discontinued.
349
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a b l e I V . — AVERAGE
Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AN D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Shawls: stand
Sheetings:
Overcoatings:
ard, all wool, bleached. 10-4,
kersey, stand Print cloths:
Atlantic.
ard, 27 to 28 oz. 28-inch, 64x64. 72x144 in., 42-oz.
Sheetings:
bleached, 10-4,
Pepperell.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
tive price per tive price per tive
price
price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. each. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. <*$1. 2472
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897.......................... i. 1833
1898.......................... 1.3000
1899.......................... 1.2583
1900.......................... 1.5750
1901.......................... 1.5000
1902.......................... 1.5000
1903.......................... 1.5750
1904.......................... 1.6500
1905.......................... 1.8313
1906.......................... 2.0417
1907.......................... 1.9708
1908.......................... 1.8500
100.0 $0.02838
94.9
104.2
100.9
126.3
120.3
120.3
126.3
132.3
146.8
163.7
158.0
148.3
Sheetings:
bleached, 10-4,
Wamsutta S. T.
.03340
.02938
.03386
.03251
.02748
.02864
.02581
.02485
.02059
.02732
.03083
.02819
.03090
.032156
.033290
.031214
.036238
.047512
.033486
100.0
117.7
103.5
119.3
114.6
96.8
100.9
90.9
87.6
72.6
96.3
108.6
99.3
108.9
113.3
117.3
110.0
127.7
167.4
118.0
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Atlantic A.
$4.5787 100.0
4.9000 107.0
4.9000 107.0
4.9000 107.0
4.9000 107.0
49000 107.0
49000 107.0
89.1
40800
89.5
40970
90.2
41300
89.1
40800
49000 107.0
4.9000 107.0
49000 107.0
49000 107.0
49000 107.0
62.2400 6117.5
62.4500 6128.5
62.0400 6107.0
W
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Indian Head.
$0.1836 100.0 $0.1884
.2241 122.1
.2190
.2138 116.4
.2008
.1996 108.7
.1900
.2052 111.8
.1946
.1741
948
.1742
.1722 93.8
.1785
.1792
.1700 92.6
87.4
.1604
.1738
83.2
.1721
.1527
.1641
89.4
.2021
.2292
.2043 111.3
.1853 100.9
.2117
.2100
.1917 104 4
.2124 115.7
.2275
.2355 128.3
.2425
.2024 110.2
.2267
c. 2095 cl21. 5
.2475
.2883
c.2315 cl343
c. 2390 <138.7
.2442
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Pepperell R.
100.0
116.2
106.6
100.8
103.3
92.5
947
95.1
92.3
91.3
107.3
121.7
112.4
111.5
120.8
128.7
120.3
131.4
153.0
129.6
Sheetings:
brown, 4-4,
Stark A. A.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $0.2949
1890..........................
.3126
1891..........................
.3162
1892..........................
.2944
1893..........................
.3056
1894..........................
.2756
1895..........................
.2719
1896 .........................
.2925
1897..........................
.2925
1898..........................
.2925
1899..........................
.2951
1900..........................
.3075
1901..........................
.2925
1902..........................
.2925
1903..........................
.3038
1904..........................
.2775
1905..........................
.2700
1906..........................
.2733
1907..........................
.3050
1908..........................
.2794
100.0
106.0
107.2
99.8
103.6
93.5
92.2
99.2
99.2
99.2
100.1
104.3
99.2
99.2
103.0
94.1
91.6
92.7
103.4
94.7
$0.0553
.0669
.0653
.0590
.0619
.0549
.0520
.0535
.0490
.0443
.0466
.0555
.0542
.0549
.0636
.0718
.0639
.0739
.0768
0*)
$0.0626
.0725
.0727
.0648
.0679
.0598
.0585
.0622
88.6
.0588
80.1
.0540
.0544
84.3
100.4
.0623
.0631
98.0
99.3
.0625
.0681
115.0
.0802
129.8
115.6
.0758
133.6
.0802
.0835
138.9
.0779
100.0
121.0
118.1
106.7
111.9
99.3
94.0
96.7
$0.0551
.0640
.0597
.0569
.0583
.0531
.0529
.0558
.0525
.0475
.0504
.0592
.0592
100.8
.0569
99.8
108.8
.0599
128.1
.0669
121.1
.0644
128.1
.0685
133.4
.0746
1244
.0683
100.0
115.8
116.1
103.5
108.5
95.5
93.5
99.4
93.9
86.3
86.9
99.5
100.0
116.2
108.3
103.3
105.8
96.4
96.0
101.3
95.3
86.2
91.5
107.4
107.4
103.3
108.7
121.4
116.9
124 3
135.4
1 240
$0.0525
.0660
.0594
.0545
.0574
.0521
.0513
.0511
.0452
.0424
.0451
.0508
.0494
e. 0566
<.0623
<.0715
«. 0725
<•0767
<.0777
/.0519
100.0
125.7
113.1
103.8
109.3
99.2
97.7
97.3
86.1
80.8
85.9
96.8
941
<92.6
<101.9
<117.0
<118.6
<125.5
<127.1
/ 102.0
a Average for 1897-1899.
6 Shawls: standard, all wool (low grade), 72x144 inch, 40 to 42 ounce. For method of computing rela
tive price, see pages 230 and 231; averageprice for 1904, $2.04.
c Sheetings: "bleached, 9-4, Atlantic. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1905,10.1901.
d Quotations discontinued.
« Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Massachusetts Mills, Flying Horse brand. For method of computing rela
tive price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1901,10.0575.
/ Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Lawrence L. L. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $0.0647.
350
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
IV.— AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
T a ble
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
Fruit of the
Loom.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
Hope.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
Lonsdale.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
New York
Mills.
Shirtings:
bleached, 4-4,
W a m s u t ta ^ ^
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899 -. 10.0728
.0845
1890
.............
.0799
1891
.............
.0808
1892
.............
.0832
1893
.............
1894
.............
.0727
1895
.............
.0700
.0696
1896
.............
.0641
1897
.............
.0584
1898
.............
.0644
1899
.............
.0753
1900
.............
1901
.............
.0750
.0756
1902..:.....................
1903
.............
.0767
.0802
1904
.............
.0748
1905
.............
.0817
1906
.............
.1117
1907
..............
.0913
1908
..............
100.0
116.1
109.8
111.0
114.3
99.9
96.2
95.6
88.0
80.2
88.5
103.4
103.0
103.8
105.4
110.2
102.7
112.2
153.4
125.4
$0.0630
.0726
.0703
.0663
.0713
.0620
.0608
.0620
.0574
.0518s
.0551
.0671
.0699
.0676
.0675
.0705
.0663
.0728
. .0905
(&)
100.0
115.2
111.6
105.2
113.2
98.4
96.5
98.4
91.1
82.2
87.5
106.5
111.0
107.3
107.1
111.9
105.2
115.6
143.7
$0.0727
.0845
.0822
.0812
.0832
.0727
.0697
.0685
.0633
.0595
.0626
.0731
.0738
.0741
.0755
.0796
.0739
.0806
.1025
.0873
100.0
116.2
113.1
111.7
114.4
100.0
95.9
94.2
87.1
81.8
86.1
100.6
101.5
101.9
103.9
109.5
101.7
110.9
141.0
120.1
$0.0876
.0968
.0965
.0931
.0925
.0885
.0851*
.0885
.0836
.0784
.0725
.0786
.0760
.0766
.0850
.0830
.0848
«. 0946
0.1163
a.0938
100.0
110.5
110.2
106.3
105.6
101.0
97.1
101.0
95.4
89.5
82.8
89.7
86.8
87.4
97.0
94.7
96.8
0108.0
ol32.8
0107.1
$0.0948
.1011
.1009
.0973
.0981
.0950
.0969
.0951
.0935
.0807
.0892
.0965
.0875
.0885
.0974
.0921
.0942
.1033
.1100
.1119
100.0
106.6
106.4
102.6
103.5
100.2
102.2
100.3
98.6
85.1
94.1
101.8
92.3
93.4
102.7
97.2
99.4
109.0
116.0
118.0
indigo
clay Suitings: clay Suitings:
Silk: raw, Ja Suitings:diago
all wool,
worsted diago blue,
pan, filatures. worsted
1
4
-o
z
.,
nal, 12-oz.
nal, 16-oz.
Middlesex.
Silk: raw,
Italian, clas
sical.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $4.2558
1890.......................... 5.2238
1891.......................... 4.1865
1892.......................... 4.4826
1893.......................... 5.0289
1894.......................... 3.6816
1895
.............. 4.0373
1896
.............. 3.6293
1897
.............. 3.6404
1898
.............. 3.8768
1899
.............. 4.7706
1900
............. 4.5128
1901
.............. 3.8466
1902
.............. 4.1085
1903
.............. 4.5241
1904
.............. 3.8651
1905
.............. 4.1085
1906
.............. 4.3249
1907
.............. 5.5812
1908
.............. 4.1807
a W illiam sville, A l.
100.0
122.7
98.4
105.3
118.2
86.5
94.9
85.3
85.5
91.1
112.1
106.0
90.4
96.5
106.3
90.8
96.5
101.6
131.1
98.2
$4.0187
5.2429
4.0110
4.3266
4.5409
3.3627
3.7855
3.4072
3.4637
3.6376
4.4085
4.1690
3.5132
3.8224
4.1346
3.6416
3.9912
4.1632
5.0602
3.8902
100.0 c$0.8236
130.5
99.8
107.7
113.0
83.7
94.2
84.8
86.2
90.5
109.7
103.7
87.4
95.1
102.9
90.6
99.3
103.6
125.9
96.8
.7621
.7337
.7595
.9165
.9461
1.0819
.9113
.9131
.9488
.9244
1.0931
1.2150
1.1700
1.1138
& Quotations discontinued.
100.0 c$1.0068
92.5
89.1
92.2
111.3
114.9
131.4
110.6
110.9
115.2
112.2
132.7
147.5
142.1
135.2
.9445
.8819
.9392
1.1216
1.1468
1.3463
1.1175
1.0931
1.1288
1.1036
1.3013
1.4738
1.4025
1.3388
$1.3230
1.5470
. 1.5470
1.5470
1.5084
1.4697
1.1523
93.8
1.1375
87.6
93.3
1.0465
111.4
1.1375
1.1375
113.9
1.1375
133.7
111.0
1.1849
108.6
1.3119
112.1
1.4400
109.6
1.4438
129.3
1.5300
146.4
1.7100
139.3
1.7100
133.0
1.5750
100.0
c Average for 1895-1899.
100.0
116.9
116.9
116.9
114.0
111.1
87.1
86.0
79.1
86.0
86.0
86.0
89.6
99.2
108.8
109.1
115.6
129.3
129.3
119.0
351
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a b le I V . — AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Suitings:
Suitings:
indigo blue, serge, Washing
all wool, 16-oz. ton Mills 6700.
Tickings:
Amoskeag
A. C. A.
Trouserings:
fancy worsted,
22 to 23 oz.
Underwear:
white, all wool,
etc.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average
12 Rela
tive
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price,
gar price.
yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. yard. price. ments.
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.9154
1890.......................... 6 2.0925
1891.......................... b 2.0925
1892.......................... 6 2.0925
1893.......................... 2.0925
1894.......................... 1.7670
1895.......................... 1.5903
1896.......................... 1.7228
1897.......................... 1.6740
1898.......................... 1.9763
1899.......................... 2.0538
1900.......................... 2.2669
1901.......................... 2.0925
1902.......................... 2.0925
1903.......................... 2.1576
1904.......................... 2.1855
1905.......................... 2.2785
1906.......................... 2.4180
1907.......................... 2.4180
(rf)
1908........... ..............
100.0 a$0.7526
109.2
109.2
109.2
109.2
92.3
83.0
89.9
87.4
103.2
107.2
118.4
109.2
109.2
.9100
.9100
.6825
.6825
.6143
.6598
.7508
.8106
.8100
.8025
.7913
.7556
.7744
.9638
1.0444
1.0500
.9938
112.6
114.1
119.0
126.2
126.2
Underwear:
white, merino,
52% wool, etc.
Year.
100.0
$0.1061
120.9
120.9
90.7
90.7
81.6
87.7
99.8
107.7
107.6
106.6
105.1
100.4
102.9
128.1
138.8
139.5
132.0
.1175
.1150
.1181
.1084
.1006
.1019
.0975
.0894
.0923
.1084
.1013
.1050
.1104
.1213
.1083
.1263
.1373
.1125
.1200
100.0 <*$1.9456
100.0
2.0734
2.0734
1.9238
1.7100
1.7955
1.7955
2.1197
2.0734
2.2871
1.9879
1.9800
c 2.0925
c 2.1244
c2.2331
c 2.4131
c 2.4469
«2.4938
106.6
106.6
98.9
87.9
92.3
92.3
108.9
106.6
117.6
113.1
110.7
108.4
111.3
102.3
94.8
96.0
91.9
84.3
87.0
102.2
95.5
99.0
104.1
114.3
102.1
119.0
129.4
106.0
102.2
101.8
cl04.6
cl06.2
c lll .6
cl20.6
cl22. 3
«124.6
$23.31
24.75
25.65
25.65
25.65
21.60
21.60
21.60
21.60
21.60
23.40
23.40
23.40
23.40
23.40
23.40
23.40
27.00
27.00
27.00
100.0
106.2
110.0
110.0
110.0
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
115.8
115.8
115.8
Women’s dress Women’s dress Women’s dress Women’s dress
goods: alpaca,
goods: cashgoods: cashgoods: cashcotton warp, mere,
mere, cotton
mere, cotton
all wool, warp,
Atlan
22-inch,
warp,
22-inch,
Atlantic J.
tic F.
Hamilton.
Hamilton.
Average
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price, 12 Rela
tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
gar price.
yard. price. yard. price.
yard. price. yard. price.
ments.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891.......................:
1892..........................
1893........................
1894
.......... .
1895
..............
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$15.57
16.65
17.55
17.55
17.55
14.85
14.40
14.40
14.40
14.85
13.50
14.85
14.85
14.85
/16.20
/16.20
/16.20
/18.00
/18.00
/18.00
100.0
106.9
112.7
112.7
112.7
95.4
92.5
92.5
92.5
95.4
86.7
95.4
95.4
95.4
/9 5 .4
/9 5 .4
/9 5 .4
/106.0
/106.0
/106.0
$0.0680
.0735
.0735
.0723
.0711
.0686
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0637
.0657
.0711
.0711
.0705
.0690
.0764
1.1150
0.1217
0.1250
i. 3491
100.0
108.1
108.1
106.3
104.6
100.9
93.7
93.7
93.7
93.7
96.6
104.6
104.6
103.7
101.5
112.4
0114.9
0121.6
0124.9
*124.9
$0.2905 100.0
.3479 119.8
.3663 126.1
.3724 128.2
.3247 111.8
.2450
84.3
.2352
81.0
.1960
67.5
.2389
82.2
.2573
88.6
.3208 110.4
.3459 119.1
.3234 111.3
.3234 111.3
.3320 114.3
.3418 117.7
.3730 128.4
.3920 134.9
.3920 134.9
/. 3185 /127.1
$0.1520
.1813
.1813
.1789
.1495
.1348
.1274
.1270
.1372
.1434
.1593
.1642
.1585
.1642
.1679
.1740
.2017
.2156
.2234
.2107
100.0
119.3
119.3
117.7
98.4
88.7
83.8
83.6
90.3
94.3
104.8
108.0
104.3
108.0
110.5
114.5
132.7
141.8
147.0
138.6
$0.0758
.0833
.0833
.0821
.0809
.0760
.0735
.0711
.0686
.0686
.0706
.0760
.0760
.0754
.0741
.0809
A. 1867
A. 1900
A.1908
A.1967
100.0
109.9
109.9
108.3
106.7
100.3
97.0
93.8
90.5
90.5
93.1
100.3
100.3
99.5
97.8
106.7
A107.7
A109.6
A110.1
A113.5
^Average for 1892-1899.
^Records destroyed. Price estimated by person who furnished data for later years.
c 21 to 22 ounce. For average price in 1902 and method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and
231.
d Quotations discontinued.
e 19 to 20 ounce. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
/60 per cent wool, etc. For average price in 1902 and method of computing relative price, see pages
230 and 231.
g Danish cloth, cotton warp and worsted filling, 22-inch. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1904,10.1125.
a Poplar cloth, cotton warp and worsted filling, 36-inch. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1904, $0.1850.
* Sicilian cloth, cotton warp, 50-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $0.3491.
i Cashmere, all wool, 8-9 twill, 35-inch, Atlantic Mills. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $0.3381.
79828—B ull. 81—09----11
352
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
CO M M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B A SE PRIC ES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Women's dress
Wool: Ohio,
goods: cash- Women's dress Wool: Ohio,
yarns:
(X medium fleece Worsted
mere, cotton goods: Franklin fineXfleece
Austra
X grade), d and | grade), 2-40s,
warp, 27-inch, sackings, 6-4. and scoured.
lian fine.
scoured.
Hamilton.
Average Relar Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
yard. price. yard. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.0883 100.0 $0.5151 100.0
.0980 111.0
.5938 115.3
1890..........................
.0980 111.0
.6175 119.9
1891..........................
.0968 109.6
.6175 119.9
1892..........................
.0937 106.1
.6056 117.6
1893..........................
.0907 102.7
.4988
96.8
1894..........................
.4342
.0846
95.8
84.3
1895..........................
.0821
.4156
93.0
80.7
1896..........................
.0784
.4235
82.2
88.8
1897..........................
.4552
.0784 88.8
88.4
1898..........................
.0821
.4889
93.0
94.9
1899..........................
.0882
.6096 118.3
99.9
1900..........................
.5383 104.5
.0907 102.7
1901..........................
.5581 108.3
.0901 102.0
1902..........................
.5898 114.5
.0894 101.2
1903..........................
.5839 113.4
.0976 110.5
1904..........................
.6749 131.0
.1072 121.4
1905..........................
.6868 133.3
1906.......................... o. 1911 ol24.6
.6531 126.8
1907.......................... a.I960 ol27.8
5.6983 6126.8
a.1911 ol24.6
1908..................... .
Worsted yams:
2-40S, XX X ,
white, in skeins.
100.0
129.5
124.1
110.7
102.0
80.5
68.2
71.3
89.7
111.3
112.8
119.3
98.7
104.4
118.5
1 242
137.4
129.9
129.9
129.6
$0.4564
.6143
.5820
.5276
.4620
.3542
.3280
.3186
.3999
.4805
.4966
.5296
.4315
.4436
.4658
.4869
.5348
.5125
.5158
.4899
100.0
134.6
127.5
115.6
101.2
77.6
71.9
69.8
87.6
105.3
108.8
116.0
945
97.2
102.1
106.7
117.2
112.3
113.0
107.3
$1.0183
1.2263
1.2354
1.2175
1.1342
.9292
.7425
.7250
.8517
1.0308
1.0908
1.2050
1.0404
1.1229
1.1771
1.1875
1.2525
1.2933
1.2967
1.2300
100.0
120.4
121.3
119.6
111.4
91.3
72.9
71.2
83.6
101.2
107.1
118.3
102.2
110.3
115.6
116.6
123.0
127.0
127.3
120.8
Fuel and lighting.
Cloths, etc.
Year.
$0.5526
.7156
.6857
.6119
.5639
.4448
.3768
.3940
.4955
.6150
.6232
.6594
.5453
.5770
.6546
.6862
.7591
.7181
.7181
.7163
Candles: ada
mantine, 6s,
14-ounce.
Coal: anthra
cite, broken.
Coal: anthrar
cite, chestnut.
Coal: anthra
cite, egg.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
ton.
ton.
ton.
price.
price.
price.
pound. price. pound. price.
Average, 1890-1899...
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$1.0071
1.2500
1.2625
1.1563
1.0833
.9188
.7563
.7500
.8188
1.0042
1.0708
1.1938
1.0283
cl. 1392
cl. 2125
cl. 1717
c l. 2733
cl. 3092
cl. 2933
d. 8017
1 241
125.4
114 8
107.6
91.2
75.1
74.5
81.3
99.7
106.3
118.5
$0.0782
.0800
.0800
.0800
.0883
.0867
.0850
.0850
.0745
.0613
.0613
.1059
C113.1
C120.4
C116.3
C126.4
C130.0
cl28.4
<1114.4
.0996
.0900
.0858
.0766
.0741
.0731
100.0
102.1
.1100
.1100
100.0
102.3
102.3
102.3
112.9
110.9
108.7
108.7
95.3
78.4
78.4
135.4
140.7
140.7
127.4
115.1
109.7
98.0
94.8
93.5
$3.3669
3.4858
3.4433
3.6152
3.5628
3.4172
3.2833
3.2691
3.2465
3.2108
3.1350
3.2706
3.5508
3.7186
42496
42473
4.2134
42021
42040
4.2019
100.0
103.5
102.3
107.4
105.8
101.5
97.5
97.1
96.4
95.4
93.1
97.1
105.5
110.4
126.2
126.1
125.1
124 8
12 4 9
124 8
$3.5953
3.3533
3.4758
3.9443
4.1673
3.5416
2.9793
3.5561
3.7366
3.5525
3.6458
3.9166
4.3270
4.4597
4.8251
48250
4.8226
4 8601
4.8204
48206
100.0
93.3
96.7
109.7
115.9
98.5
82.9
98.9
103.9
98.8
101.4
108.9
120.4
12 4 0
134.2
134.2
134.1
135.2
1341
1341
$3.5936
3.6142
3.7508
3.9803
3.8520
3.3903
3.0296
3.5490
3.7986
3.5993
3.3714
3.5843
40565
4.3673
4.8251
4 8227
48246
4 8629
48211
4 8203
100.0
100.6
104.4
110.8
107.2
94.3
84.3
98.8
105.7
100.2
93.8
99.7
112.9
121.5
134.3
1342
13 4 3
135.3
134.2
134.1
o Cashmere, cotton warp, 36-inch, Hamilton. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230
and 231; average price for 1905,10.1862.
6 Panama cloth, all wool, 54-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $0.6983.
c Designated as X X X X .
d 2 -3 2 s, crossbred stock, white, in skeins. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231;
average price for 1907, $0.90.
353
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a bl e I V .— AVERAGE
COM M ODITIES, 1890
1890-1899)— Continued.
Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
TO 1908, A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
Fuel and lighting.
Year.
Coal: bitumi
Coal: anthra nous,
Georges
cite, stove.
Creek (at mine).
Coal: bitumi Coal: bitumi
Coke: Connous, Georges nous,
Pittsburg nellsville, fur
Creek (f. o. b. (Youghiogheny).
nace.
N .Y. Harbor).
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
ton.
ton.
price.
ton.
price.
price.
price. bushel. price.
ton.
Average, 1890-1899... $3.7949
1890.......................... 3.7108
1891.......................... 3.8542
1892.......................... 4.1532
1893.......................... 4.1931
1894..'....................... 3.6003
1895.......................... 3.1264
1896.......................... 3.7942
1897.......................... 4.0146
1898.......................... 3.7978
1899.......................... 3.7047
1900.......................... 3.9451
1901.......................... 4.3224
1902.......................... 4.4627
1903.......................... 4.8245
1904.......................... . 4.8246
1905.......................... 4.8226
1906.......................... 4.8615
1907.......................... 4.8215
1908.......................... 4.8226
100.0
97.8
101.6
109.4
110.5
94.9
82.4
100.0
105.8
100.1
97.6
104.0
113.9
117.6
127.1
127.1
127.1
128.1
127.1
127.1
$0.8887
.8625
.9500
.9000
.9208
.8208
.7750
.9000
.8333
.9125
1.0125
1.2000
1.3375
2.1250
2.3958
1.7500
1.6000
1.5500
1.5375
1.4417
100.0
97.1
106.9
101.3
103.6
92.4
87.2
101.3
93.8
102.7
113.9
135.0
150.5
239.1
269.6
196.9
180.0
174.4
173.0
162.2
$2.7429
2.9875
3.0313
2.9313
2.9500
2.7375
2.8125
2.6625
2.4417
2.1750
2.7000
2.9083
2.9250
4.0583
4.4375
3.1958
3.1500
3.1250
3.2375
3.0792
100.0
108.9
110.5
106.9
107.6
99.8
102.5
97.1
89.0
79.3
98.4
106.0
106.6
148.0
161.8
116.5
114.8
113.9
118.0
112.3
$0.0643
.0664
.0789
.0749
.0758
.0634
.0600
.0573
.0570
.0565
.0531
.0752
.0752
.0787
.0925
.0852
.0800
.0789
.0824
.0851
100.0
103.3
122.7
116.5
117.9
98.6
93.3
89.1
88.6
87.9
82.6
117.0
117.0
122.4
143.9
132.5
124.4
122.7
128.1
132.3
Matches: par
lor, domestic.
Petroleum:
crude.
100.0
122.7
110.4
106.5
87.1
62.3
78.0
110.4
95.2
98.8
128.7
155.8
115.6
158.2
171.5
96.4
134.7
157.5
166.3
100.6
Metals and im
plements.
Fuel and lighting.
Year.
$1.6983
2.0833
1.8750
1.8083
1.4792
1.0583
1.3250
1.8750
1.6167
1.6771
2.1854
2.6458
1.9625
2.6875
2.9125
1.6375
2.2875
2.6750
2.8250
1.7083
Petroleum: re Petroleum: re Augers: extra,
fined, for
fined, 150°,w.w.
2-inch.
export.
Average
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price 144 Rela
price
tive
tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
boxes price.
barrel. price. gallon. price. gallon. price. each. price.
(200s).
Average, 1890-1899.. $1.7563
1890.......................... 1.9583
1891.......................... 1.7500
1892.......................... 1.7500
1893.......................... 1.7500
1894.......................... 1.6667
1895.......................... 1.6875
1896.......................... 1.7500
1897.......................... 1.7500
1898.......................... 1.7500
1899.......................... 1.7500
1900.......................... 1.7500
1901.......................... 1.7500
1902.......................... 1.5833
1903.......................... 1.5000
1904.......................... 1.5000
1905.......................... 1.5000
1906.......................... 1.5000
1907.......................... 1.5000
1908.......................... 1.5000
100. Q $0.9102
111.5
.8680
.6697
99.6
.5564
99.6
.6399
99.6
.8389
94.9
1.3581
96.1
99.6
1.1789
.7869
99.6
.9118
99.6
1.2934
99.6
1.3521
99.6
1.2095
99.6
90.1
1.2369
85.4
1.5886
85.4
1.6270
1.3842
85.4
85.4
1.5975
1.7342
85.4
85.4
1.7800
100.0
95.4
73.6
61.1
70.3
92.2
149.2
129.5
86.5
100.2
142.1
148.5
132.9
135.9
174.5
178.8
152.1
175.5
190.5
195.6
$0.0649
.0733
.0685
.0609
.0522
.0515
.0711
.0702
.0597
.0628
.0791
.0854
.0749
.0734
.0860
.0826
.0722
.0762
.0824
.0869
100.0
112.9
105.5
93.8
80.4
79.4
109.6
108.2
92.0
96.8
121.9
131.6
115.4
113.1
132.5
127.3
111.2
117.4
127.0
133.9
$0.0890
.0995
.0879
.0794
.0725
.0725
.0922
.1039
.0900
.0909
.1015
..1188
.1096
.1108
.1363
.1367
.1263
.1300
.1346
.1350
100.0
111.8
98.8
89.2
81.5
81.5
103.6
116.7
101.1
102.1
114.0
133.5
123.1
124.5
153.1
153.6
141.9
146.1
151.2
151.7
$0.1608
100.0
118.2
.1900
118.2
.1900
.1900
118.2
.1800
111.9
.1542
95.9
.1333
82.9
.1394
86.7
.1425
88.6
.1425
88.6
.1465
91.1
.2000
124.4
.1700
105.7
.1800
111.9
.2310
143.7
.2400
149.3
.3067
190.7
.3567
221.8
.3600 223.9
<*.4200 <*223.9
«Augers, extra, 1-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for
1907,10.42.
354
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
IT.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Metals and implements.
Year.
Bar iron: best Bar iron: best
refined, from
Axes: M. C. O., refined, from
mill
(Pittsburg store (Philadel
Yankee.
market).
phia market).
Barb wire:
galvanized.
Butts: loose
joint, cast,
3 x 3 inch.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price
price
tive
tive
tive
price
tive
price
tive
each. price. per lb. price. per lb. price. P100ei?s!r price. per pair. price.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.4693
.5650
1890
.............
1891
.............
.5550
1892
.............
.5000
1893
.............
.5000
1894
.............
.4733
1895
..............
.4600
1896
.............
.4150
.3938
1897
.............
1898
..............
.3750
.4555
1899
.............
.4831
1900
.............
.4166
1901
.............
1902
..............
.4833
1903
.............
.5050
1904
.............
.5788
.6323
1905
.............
1906
.............
.6715
1907
.............
.6800
1908
..............
.6800
100.0
120.4
118.3
106.5
106.5
100.9
98.0
88.4
83.9
79.9
97.1
102.9
88.8
103.0
107.6
123.3
134.7
143.1
144.9
144.9
Chisels: extra,
socket firmer,
l-inch.
$0.0145 100.0
.0184 126.9
.0171 117.9
.0164 113.1
.0150 103.4
82.8
.0120
86.2
.0125
84.1
.0122
75.9
.0110
73.8
.0107
.0195 134.5
.0215 148.3
.0180 124.1
.0194 133.8
.0177 122.1
.0148 102.1
.0187 129.0
0.0169 ol26.8
0.0175 ol31.3
0.0146 0109.5
$0.0164
.0205
.0190
.0187
.0170
.0134
.0144
.0140
.0131
.0128
.0207
.0196
.0184
.0213
.0200
.0172
.0192
.0198
.0211
.0170
100.0
125.0
115.9
114.0
103.7
81.7
87.8
85.4
79.9
78.0
126.2
119.5
112.2
129.9
122.0
104.9
117.1
120.7
128.7
103.7
Copper: sheet,
Copper: ingot, hot-rolled
(base
lake.
sizes).
$2.5261
3.5665
3.2189
2.7662
2.5188
2.1750
2.2458
1.9625
1.8000
1.8375
3.1696
3.3942
3.0375
2.9542
2.7375
2.5075
2.3829
2.4283
2.6342
2.6217
100.0
141.2
127.4
109.5
99.7
86.1
88.9
77.7
71.3
72.7
125.5
134.4
120.2
116.9
108.4
99.3
94.3
96.1
104.3
103.8
Copper wire:
bare.
$0.0316
100.0
.0353
111.7
.0353
111.7
.0306
96.8
.0311
98.4
.0303
95.9
.0317
100.3
104.1
.0329
.0306
96.8
.0292
92.4
92.4
.0292
126.6
.0400
116.8
.0369
126.6
.0400
126.6
.0400
126.6
.0400
126.6
.0400
126.6
.0400
126.6
.0400
5.0900 6126.6
Doorknobs:
steel, bronze
plated.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
price
each. price. pound. price. pound. price. pound. price. pair. price.
Average, 1890-1899... $0.1894
1890
..............
.2100
1891
..............
.2100
1892
.............
.2100
1893
.............
.1933
1894
..............
.1733
1895
.............
.1710
1896
.............
.1793
.1710
1897
..............
1898
..............
.1720
.2038
1899
.............
1900
..............
.2417
1901
..............
.2300
1902
..............
.2700
.2800
1903
..............
1904
..............
.3000
1905
.............
.3967
1906
............:
.4188
.4438
1907
..............
1908
..............
.3750
100.0
110.9
110.9
110.9
102.1
91.5
90.3
94.7
90.3
90.8
107.6
127.6
121.4
142.6
147.8
158.4
209.5
221.1
234.3
198.0
$0.1234 100.0
.1575 127.6
.1305 105.8
.1154 93.5
88.6
.1093
.0948
76.8
.1075
87.1
.1097
88.9
.1132 91.7
.1194 96.8
.1767 143.2
.1661 134.6
.1687 136.7
97.3
.1201
.1368 110.9
.1311 106.2
.1576 127.7
.1961 158.9
.2125 172.2
c.1334 cllO. 5
$0.1659
.2275
.1900
.1600
.1500
.1425
.1425
.1425
.1463
.1400
.2175
.2067
.2088
.1783
.1917
.1800
.1992
.2375
.2792
.1792
100.0
137.1
114.5
96.4
90.4
85.9
85.9
85.9
88.2
84.4
131.1
124.6
125.9
107.5
115.6
108.5
120.1
143.2
168.3
108.0
$0.1464
.1875
.1650
.1438
.1350
.1156
.1238
.1356
.1375
.1375
.1825
.1800
.1815
.1326
.1497
.1438
.1702
.2108
.2402
.1519
100.0
128.1
112.7
98.2
92.2
79.0
84.6
92.6
93.9
93.9
124.7
123.0
124.0
90.6
102.3
98.2
116.3
144.0
164.1
103.8
$0.1697
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1953
.1733
.1660
.1660
.1660
.1813
.1900
.2153
.2250
.2458
.3625
.4408
.4500
.4000
100.0
97.8
97.8
97.8
97.8
97.8
115.1
102.1
97.8
97.8
97.8
106.8
112.0
126.9
132.6
144.8
213.6
259.8
265.2
235.7
o Bar iron: common to best refined (Pittsburg market). For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1905, $0.0172.
t> Butts, loose pin. wrought steel, 3£ x 3J inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230
and 231; average price for 1907, $0.09.
c Copper, ingot, electrolytic. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 31; average
355
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
T a bl e I V .— AVERAGE
Y E A R L Y AC T U A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OP
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
Metals and Implements.
Year.
Hammers:
Files: 8-inch
mill bastard. Maydole No. 1£.
Lead: pig.
Lead pipe.
Locks: com
mon mortise.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price
price per tive
tive price per tive price per tive
price
tive
dozen. price. each. price. pound. price. 100 lbs. price. each. price.
Average, 1890-1899... 10.8527
.9100
1890
.............
.8917
1891
.............
1892
.............
.8717
.8667
1893
.............
1894
.............
.8300
.8133
1895
.............
1896
.............
.7775
1897
.............
.8050
1898
.............
.8250
.9358
1899
.............
1900
............. 1.0900
1901
............. 1.0500
1902
............. 1.0500
1903
............. 1.0500
1904
.............. 1.0400
1905
.............. 1.0367
1906
.............. 1.0217
1907
..............
.9975
1908
..............
.9542
100.0
106.7
104.6
102.2
101.6
97.3
95.4
91.2
94.4
96.8
109.7
127.8
123.1
123.1
123.1
122.0
121.6
119.8
117.0
111.9
Nails: cut, 8penny, fence
and common.
10.3613
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3500
.3525
.3800
.3800
.3633
.3867
.4189
.4233
.4233
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
.4660
100.0
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
97.6
105.2
105.2
100.6
107.0
115.9
117.2
117.2
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0
Nails: wire, 8penny, fence
and common.
80.0381
.0440
.0437
.0413
.0374
.0331
.0326
.0300
.0358
.0380
.0448
.0445
.0438
.0411
.0428
.0443
.0479
.0588
.0552
.0422
100.0
115.5
114.7
108.4
98.2
86.9
85.6
78.7
94.0
99.7
117.6
116.8
115.0
107.9
112.3
116.3
125.7
154.3
144.9
110.8
84.8183
5.4000
5.6000
5.1833
5.0000
4.4333
4.2000
4.1000
4.3167
4.6000
5.3500
5.1208
5.0479
5.2167
5.1958
4.7950
5.2250
6.4208
6.7050
4.7400
100.0
112.1
116.2
107.6
103.8
92.0
87.2
85.1
89.6
95.5
111.0
106.3
104.8
108.3
107.8
99.5
108.4
133.3
139.2
98.4
10.0817
.0830
.0830
.0830
.0830
.0818
.0833
.0867
.0833
.0750
.0750
.0788
.0750
.0850
.0900
.1025
.1496
.1808
.2000
.1660
100.0
101.6
101.6
101.6
101.6
100.1
102.0
106.1
102.0
91.8
91.8
96.5
91.8
104.0
110.2
125.5
183.1
221.3
244.8
203.2
Pig iron: Bes
Pig iron:
Pig iron:
semer.
foundry No. 1. foundry No. 2.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
ton.
price. 100 lbs. price.
ton.
price.
price.
ton.
price.
Average, 1890-1899... 81.8275
1890
.............. 2.2875
............. 1.8333
1891
1892
.............. 1.7583
1893
.............. 1.6813
1894
.............. 1.5271
1895
.............. 1.9250
1896
............. 2.7125
1897
............. 1.3329
1898
............. 1.1927
1899
.............. 2.0240
1900
.............. 2.2500
1901
.............. 2.1125
............. 2.1333
1902
1903
............. 2.1958
1904
............. 1.8188
1905
............. 1.8250
1906
............. 1.9313
1907
............. 2.1625
1908
...*......... 1.9500
100.0
125.2
100.3
96.2
92.0
83.6
105.3
148.4
72.9
65.3
110.8
123.1
115.6
116.7
120.2
99.5
99.9
105.7
118.3
106.7
82.1618
2.9646
2.4667
2.1896
1.9917
1.6521
2.1177
2.9250
1.4854
1.4375
2.3875
2.6333
2.3646
2.1042
2.0750
1.9063
1.8958
1.9583
2.1167
2.1000
100.0 813.7783
137.1 18.8725
114.1 15.9500
101.3 14.3667
92.1 12.8692
76.4 11.3775
98.0 12.7167
135.3 12.1400
68.7 10.1258
66.5 10.3317
110.4 19.0333
121.8 19.4925
109.4 15.9350
97.3 20.6742
96.0 18.9758
88.2 13.7558
87.7 16.3592
90.6 19.5442
97.9 22.8417
97.1 17.0700
100.0 814.8042
137.0 18.4083
115.8 17.5208
104.3 15.7492
93.4 14.5167
82.6 12.6642
92.3 13.1033
88.1 12.9550
73.5 12.1008
75.0 11.6608
138.1 19.3633
141.5 19.9800
115.7 15.8683
150.0 22.1933
137.7 19.9158
99.8 15.5725
118.7 17.8850
141.8 20.9825
165.8 23.8950
123.9 17.7000
100.0 $13.0533
124.3 17.1563
118.4 15.3958
106.4 13.7729
98.1 12.4396
85.5 10.8458
88.5 11.6750
87.5 11.7708
81.7 10.1000
78.8 10.0271
130.8 17.3500
135.0 18.5063
107.2 14.7188
149.9 21.2396
134.5 19.1417
105.2 13.6250
120.8 16.4104
141.7 19.2667
161.4 23.8688
119.6 16.2500
100.0
131.4
117.9
105.5
95.3
83.1
89.0
90.2
77.4
76.8
132.9
141.8
112.8
162.7
146.6
104.4
125.7
147.6
182.9
124.5
356
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
IV .—AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
T able
Metals and implements.
Year.
Pig iron: gray
forge, south
ern, coke.
Planes: Bailey
No. 5, jack
plane.
Quicksilver.
Saws: cross
cut, Disston
No. 2.
Saws: hand,
Disston No. 7.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive
price
tive price per tive
price
tive price per tive
ton.
price. each. price. pound. price. each. price. dozen. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $11.0892
.............. 14.5000
1890
1891
.............. 12.5167
1892
.............. 11.7917
1893
.............. 10.6354
1894
.............. 8.9375
1895
.............. 10.3229
1896
.............. 9.6042
1897
.............. 8.8021
1898
.............. 8.7188
1899
.............. 15.0625
1900
.............. 15.6042
1901
.............. 12.5521
1902
.............. 17.6042
1903
.............. 16.2292
1904
.............. 11.6771
1905
.............. 14.4896
1906
.............. 16.5313
1907
.............. 20.9875
1908
.............. 14.3750
100.0
130.8
112.9
106.3
95.9
80.6
93.1
86.6
79.4
78.6
135.8
140.7
113.2
158.8
146.4
105.3
130.7
149.1
189.3
129.6
Shovels: Ames
No. 2.
Year.
$1.3220
1.4200
1.4200
1.4200
1.4200
1.3783
1.2417
1.2300
1.2300
1.2300
1.2300
1.4142
1.4600
1.5100
1.5300
1.5300
1.5300
1.7100
1.5300
1.5300
100.0
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
104.3
93.9
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
107.0
110.4
114.2
115.7
115.7
115.7
129.3
115.7
115.7
Silver: bar,
fine.
$0.5593
.7300
.6283
.5642
.5213
.4792
.5133
.4979
.5157
.5425
.6004
.6769
.6629
.6458
.6342
.5900
.5446
.5517
.5429
.6100
100.0
130.5
112.3
100.9
93.2
85.7
91.8
89.0
92.2
97.0
107.3
121.0
118.5
115.5
113.4
105.5
97.4
98.6
97.1
109.1
Spelter: west
ern.
$1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
1.6038
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Steel billets.
$12,780
12.400
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.600
12.950
12.950
12.950
100.0
112.7
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
101.3
101.3
101.3
Steel rails.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
dozen. price. ounce. price. pound. price.
ton.
price.
ton.
price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $7.8658
.............. 7.8700
1890
1891
.............. 7.8700
1892
.............. 7.8700
1893
.............. 7.8700
1894
.............. 7.4500
1895
.............. 7.4500
1896
.............. 7.8100
1897
.............. 7.9300
1898
.............. 7.9300
1899
.............. 8.6075
1900
.............. 9.1200
1901
.............. 9.1200
1902
.............. 9.3550
1903
.............. 8.0200
1904
.............. 7.6533
1905
.............. 7.6200
1906
.............. 7.6200
1907
.............. 7.8400
1908
.............. 7.8217
100.0 $0.74899
100.1 1.05329
.99034
100.1
.87552
100.1
.78219
100.1
.64043
94.7
.66268
94.7
.68195
99.3
.60775
100.8
.59065
100.8
109.4
.60507
.62065
115.9
.59703
115.9
.52816
118.9
102.0
.54208
.57844
97.3
96.9
.61008
96.9
.67379
.65979
99.7
99.4
.53496
100.0
140.6
132.2
116.9
104.4
85.5
88.5
91.0
81.1
78.9
80.8
82.9
79.7
70.5
72.4
77.2
81.5
90.0
88.1
71.4
$0.0452
.0554
.0508
.0465
.0410
.0355
.0362
.0401
.0421
.0453
.0588
.0442
.0405
.0487
.0558
.0515
.0592
.0620
.0617
.0475
100.0 $21.5262
122.6 30.4675
112.4 25.3292
102.9 23.6308
90.7 20.4358
78.5 16.5783
80.1 18.4842
88.7 18.8333
93.1 15.0800
100.2 15.3058
130.1 81.1167
97.8 25.0625
89.6 24.1308
107.7 30.5992
123.5 27.9117
113.9 22.1792
131.0 24.0283
137.2 27.4475
136.5 29.2533
105.1 26.3125
100.0 $26.0654
141.5 31.7792
117.7 29.9167
109.8 30.0000
94.9 28.1250
77.0 24.0000
85.9 24.3333
87.5 28.0000
70.1 18.7500
71.1 17.6250
144.6 28.1250
116.4 32.2875
112.1 27.3333
142.1 28.0000
129.7 28.0000
103.0 28.0000
111.6 28.0000
127.5 28.0000
135.9 28.0000
122.2 28.0000
100.0
121.9
114.8
115.1
107.9
92.1
93.4
107.4
71.9
67.6
107.9
123.9
104.9
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
357
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
1890-1899 )— Continued.
T able
Metals and implements.
Year.
Steel sheets:
black, No 27.
T in :;Pig-
Tinplates: do Tin plates: im
Trowels:
mestic, Besse ported, Besse M. C. O., brick,
mer, coke.
mer, coke.
lOJ-inch.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price
tive
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
pound. price. pound. price. 100 lbs. price. 108 lbs.® price. each. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. *>$0.0224 100.0
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
.0235 104.9
1895..........................
.0244 108.9
.0215
96.0
1896..........................
87.1
.0195
1897..........................
.0190
84.8
1898..........................
.0267 119.2
1899..........................
.0293 130.8
1900..........................
1901..........................
.0315 140.6
.0291 129.9
1902..........................
.0260 116.1
1903..........................
.0210
93.8
1904..........................
1905..........................
.0222
99.1
.0237 105.8
1906..........................
.0250 111.6
1907..........................
.0240 107.1
1908..........................
$0.1836
.2121
.2025
.2037
.2002
.1812
.1405
.1330
.1358
.1551
.2721
.3006
.2618
.2648
.2816
.2799
.3127
.3922
.3875
.2942
100.0 c$3.4148
115.5
110.3
110.9
109.0
98.7
76.5
72.4
3.4354
74.0
3.1823
84.5
2.8500
148.2
4.1913
4.6775
163.7
142.6
4.1900
144.2
4.1233
153.4 3.9400
152.5
3.6025
170.3
3.7067
213.6
3.8608
211.1
4.0900
160.2
3.8900
100.0 d$4.5862
4.7958
5.3367
5.3050
5.3717
4.8917
3.8725
3.8000
100.6
3.9025
93.2
4.0000
83.5
(e)
122.7
(e)
137.0
m
122.7
(ei
120.7
(e)
115.4
?« )
105.5
108.5
?<)
113.1
119.8
(v
113.9
(« )
Metals and implements.
Year.
Wood screws:
Vises: solid box, 1-inch,
No. 10,
50-pound
fiat head.
100.0
104.6
116.4
115.7
117.1
106.7
84.4
82.9
85.1
87.2
$0.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
.3400
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Lumber and building materials.
Zinc: sheet.
Carbonate of
Brick: common lead:
American,
domestic.
in oil.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price
tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
price. pound. price.
M.
each. price. gross. price. 100 lbs. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. $3.9009 100.0
1890.......................... 4.1400 106.1
1891.......................... 4.1400 106.1
1892.......................... 4.2550 109.1
1893.......................... 4.1975 107.6
1894.......................... 4.0567 104.0
97.2
1895.......................... 3.7933
1896.......................... 3.7200 95.4
1897.......................... 3.5000
89.7
84.1
1898.......................... 3.2800
1899.......................... 3.9267 100.7
1900.......................... 4.2683 109.4
1901.......................... 5.0200 128.7
1902.......................... 5.1300 131.5
1903.......................... 5.1767 132.7
1904.......................... 4.2550 109.1
1905.......................... 4.1400 106.1
1906.......................... 4.5208 115.9
1907.......................... 5.7500 147.4
1908.......................... / 4.3700 /147.4
$0.1510
.1970
.2000
.2100
.2100
.1558
.1117
.1033
.0850
.0918
.1452
.1820
.1045
.0952
.1093
.0945
.1055
.1055
.1219
.1000
100.0
130.5
132.5
139.1
139.1
103.2
74.0
68.4
56.3
60.8
96.2
120.5
69.2
63.0
72.4
62.6
69.9
69.9
80.7
66.2
$5.3112
6.0542
5.7192
5.4900
4.9942
3.9500
4.5217
4.9400
4.9400
5.4983
7.0042
6.0950
5.5583
5.7308
6.0183
5.6092
6.8250
7.1725
7.4858
6.4400
100.0
114.0
107.7
103.4
94.0
74.4
85.1
93.0
93.0
103.5
131.9
114.8
104.7
107.9
113.3
105.6
128.5
135.0
140.9
121.3
$5.5625
6.5625
5.7083
5.7708
5.8333
5.0000
5.3125
5.0625
4.9375
5.7500
5.6875
5.2500
5.7656
5.3854
5.9063
7.4948
8.1042
8.5469
6.1563
5.1042
100.0
118.0
102.6
103.7
104.9
89.9
95.5
91.0
88.8
103.4
102.2
94.4
103.7
96.8
106.2
134.7
145.7
153.7
110.7
91.8
$0.0577
.0638
.0650
.0658
.0609
.0524
.0525
.0517
.0535
.0543
.0568
.0625
.0576
.0539
.0615
.0598
.0633
.0690
.0697
.0650
100.0
110.6
112.7
114.0
105.5
90.8
91.0
89.6
92.7
94.1
98.4
108.3
99.8
93.4
106.6
103.6
109.7
119.6
120.8
112.7
®Duty paid.
& Average for the period July, 1894, to December, 1899.
c Average for 1896-1899.
d Average for 1890-1898.
« Quotations discontinued.
/ Vises, solid box, 50-pound (price quoted by another firm). For method of computing relative price,
see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $4.37.
358
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
IV .—AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
Table
Lumber and building materials.
Year.
CJement: Port
land, domestic.
Cement:
Rosendale.
Doors, pine
(Buffalo mar
ket).
Hemlock.
Lime: com
mon.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
barrel. price. barrel. price. door. price. Mfeet. price. barrel. price.
Average, 1890-1899.. o$l. 9963
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895.......................... 1.9688
1896.......................... 2.0000
1897.......................... 1.9667
1898.......................... 1.9979
1899.......................... 2.0479
1900.......................... 2.1583
1901.......................... 1.8896
1902.......................... 1.9500
1903.......................... 2.0292
1904................ :....... 1.4604
1905.......................... 1.4271
1906.......................... 1.5750
1907.......................... 1.6458
1908.......................... 1.4600
100.0
98.6
100.2
98.5
100.1
102.6
108.1
94.7
97.7
101.6
73.2
71.5
78.9
82.4
73.1
Linseed oil:
raw.
Year.
$0.8871
1.0542
.9417
.9688
.8875
.9271
.8521
.8333
.7521
.7604
.8938
1.0167
1.0188
.8646
.8896
.8021
.8333
.9500
.9500
.9500
100.0
118.8
106.2
109.2
100.0
104.5
96.1
93.9
84.8
85.7
100.8
114.6
114.8
97.5
100.3
90.4
93.9
107.1
107.1
107.1
Maple: hard.
$1.0929
1.3750
1.2500
1.2500
1.2250
1.0500
.9125
.8375
.8125
.9250
1.2917
1.5900
1.8913
2.1208
1.7292
1.6900
&1.8367
61.7271
61.8842
cl. 7438
100.0 $11.9625 100.0 $0.8332
125.8 12.5833 105.2
.9792
114.4 12.4583 104.1
.9125
114.4 12.2917 102.8
.9292
112.1 12.0000 100.3
.9292
96.1 11. 7083
.8479
97.9
93.2
83.5 11.1458
.7813
76.6 11.1667
.6938
93.3
74.3 11.0000
92.0
.7188
84.6 11.7500
98.2
.7417
118.2 13.5208 113.0
.7979
145.5 16.5000 >137.9
.6833
.7742
173.1 15.0000 125.4
194.1 15.8333 132.4
.8058
158.2 16.7917 140.4
.7875
154.6 17.0000 142.1
.8246
6163.2 17.8750 149.4
.8908
21.8958
183.0
6153.5
.9471
6167.5 22.2500 186.0
.9492
cl61.3 20.8750 174.5
1.0450
Oak: white,
plain.
Oak: white,
quartered.
100.0
117.5
109.5
111.5
111.5
101.8
93.8
83.3
86.3
89.0
95.8
82.0
92.9
96.7
94.5
99.0
106.9
113.7
113.9
125.4
Oxide of zinc.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
gallon. price. Mfeet. price. M feet. price. M feet. price. pound. price.
Average, 189Q-1899.. $0.4535
.6158
1890..........................
.4842
1891..........................
.4083
1892..........................
.4633
1893..........................
.5242
1894..........................
.5242
1895..........................
.3683
1896..........................
.3275
1897..........................
.3925
1898..........................
.4267
1899..........................
.6292
1900..........................
.6350
1901..........................
.5933
1902..........................
.4167
1903..........................
.4158
1904..........................
.4675
1905..........................
.4050
1906..........................
.4342
1907..........................
.4375
1908..........................
100.0 $26.5042
135.8 26.5000
106.8 26.5000
90.0 26.5000
102.2 26.5000
115.6 26.5000
115.6 26.5000
81.2 26.5000
72.2 26.5000
86.5 26.5000
94.1 26.5417
138.7 27.5000
140.0 26.7083
130.8 28.5833
91.9 31.6667
91.7 31.0000
103.1 30.5000
89.3 31.0000
95.7 32.2500
96.5 31.6250
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.1
103.8
100.8
107.8
119.5
117.0
115.1
117.0
121.7
119.3
$37.4292
37.8750
38.0000
38.4583
38.7500
37.2500
36.2500
36.2500
36.2500
36.2500
38.9583
40.8333
36.7708
40.8750
44.8333
46.5000
47.3333
50.4167
55.2083
49.2917
100.0 $53.6771
101.2 51.4583
101.5 53.5833
102.7 53.0000
103.5 53.0000
99.5 51.1250
96.8 53.2500
96.8 54.5000
96.8 53.8333
96.8 52.5000
104.1 60.5208
109.1 64.4583
98.2 59.1667
109.2 63.0833
119.8 74.7917
124.2 80.7500
126.5 80.2500
134.7 79.1667
147.5 80.0000
131.7 80.1667
100.0
95.9
99.8
98.7
98.7
95.2
99.2
101.5
100.3
97.8
112.7
120.1
110.2
117.5
139.3
150.4
149.5
147.5
149.0
149.3
$0.0400
.0425
.0419
.0426
.0413
.0373
.0350
.0383
.0377
.0396
.0438
.0451
.0438
.0440
.0463
.0463
.0465
.0508
.0538
.0513
100.0
106.3
104.8
106.5
103.3
93.3
87.5
95.8
94.3
99.0
109.5
112.8
109.5
110.0
115.8
115.8
116.3
127.0
134.5
128.3
o Average for 1895-1899.
5 Doors: western white pine, 2 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 8 inches, If inches thick, 5-panel, No. 1 , 0 . G. For
method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1904, $1.74.
c Doors: western
white pine, 2 feet 8 inches by 6_____
feet 8 inches,
inches thick,, 5-panel,
No.
1, G. (Chi___________________________
_____If________
A
_____O.
cago market), For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907,
$1.8108.
359
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908,
IT.— A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C TU A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D BASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FO R
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Lumber and building materials.
Year.
Pine: white,
boards, No. 2
bam (Buffalo
market).
Pine: white,
boards, uppers
(Buffalo mar
ket).
Pine: yellow.
Plate glass:
Plate glass:
polished, 3 to 5 polished, 5 to 10
sq. ft.
sq. ft.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
tive price per tive price^per tive price^per tive
price per tive
price.
price.
Mfeet. price. *MfeeL price. Mfeet. price.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899................... .
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$17.1104 100.0 $46.5542 100.0
94.7
16.7917
98.1 44.0833
17.0000 99.4 45.0000
96.7
17.1458 100.2 46.1417 98.9
18.6250 108.9 48.5000 104 2
18.1667 106.2 46.4167
99.7
98.8
17.2500 100.8 46.0000
96.4 46.6250 100.2
16.5000
15.8333
92.5 46.3333
99.5
90.6 46.0833
15.5000
99.0
18.2917 106.9 50.4583 108.4
21.5000 125.7 57.5000 123.5
20.8750 122.0 60.4167 129.8
23.5000 137.3 74.8333 160.7
24.0000 140.3 80.0000 171.8
23.0000 134.4 81.0000 174.0
24.1667 141.2 82.0000 176.1
29.7500 173.9 84.7500 182.0
<37.4167 cl95.7 <*97.0833 <*200.2
<36.3750 C190.3 <*96.0833 <*198.1
Poplar.
Putty.
$18.4646
20.7500
19.9583
18.5000
18.5000
18.5000
16.9167
16.4167
16.4375
18.6250
20.0417
20.7083
19.6667
21.0000
21.0000
21.4167
24.9167
29.3333
30.5000
30.5000
100.0
112.4
108.1
100.2
100.2
100.2
91.6
88.9
89.0
100.9
108.5
112.2
106.5
113.7
113.7
116.0
134.9
158.9
165.2
165.2
Rosin: good,
strained.
$0.3630 100.0
.5300 146.0
.5200 143.3
.4200 115.7
.4200 115.7
.3300
90.9
82.6
.3000
93.7
.3400
.2000
55.1
74.4
.2700
.3000 82.6
.3400
93.7
88.2
.3200
.2575
70.9
.2625
72.3
.2275
62.7
.2408
66.3
o.2267 « 76.1
o. 2300 a 77.2
0.1733 a 58.2
Shingles:
cypress.
$0.5190
.7000
.6900
.5500
.5500
.4500
.4800
.5400
.3200
.4300
.4800
.5400
.4900
.4113
.4313
.3650
.3729
b. 3300
6.3400
6.2750
100.0
134.9
132.9
106.0
106.0
86.7
92.5
104.0
61.7
82.9
92.5
104.0
94.4
79.2
83.1
70.3
71.8
6 77.7
680.1
6648
Shingles: white
pine, 18-inch.
Year.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
M.
price.
M.
price.
Mfeet. price. pound. price. barrel. price.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$31.3667
30.5000
30.5000
30.6042
33.6250
31.7500
31.0000
31.0000
30.6667
30.0000
34.0208
37.6875
36. 7083
42.1042
49.6458
50.3292
48.2083
50.9583
58.0833
58.2917
100.0
97.2
97.2
97.6
107.2
101.2
98.8
98.8
97.8
95.6
108.5
120.2
117.0
134.2
158.3
160.5
153.7
162.5
185.2
185.8
$0.0158
.0175
.0175
.0161
.0160
.0157
.0145
.0145
.0145
.0145
.0168
.0190
.0150
.0192
.0141
.0110
.0109
.0119
.0120
.0120
100.0
110.8
110.8
101.9
101.3
99.4
91.8
91.8
91.8
91.8
106.3
120.3
94.9
121.5
89.2
69.6
69.0
75.3
75.9
75.9
$1.4399 100.0
1.3844
96.1
1.4740 102.4
93.2
1.3417
87.6
1.2615
1.2510
86.9
1.5615 108.4
1.7458 121.2
1.6125 112.0
1.4208
98.7
1.3458
93.5
1.6021 111.3
1.5302 106.3
1.6125 112.0
2.2156 '153.9
2.8333 196.8
3.4229 237.7
4.0146 278.8
4.3771 304.0
3.2817 227.9
$2.8213
3.3500
3.2500
3.1500
3.0000
2.8000
2.6500
2.5000
2.3500
2.5000
2.6625
2.8500
2.8500
2.6708
2.5667
2.6000
2.7250
3.2417
4.2250
3.5375
100.0 $3.7434
100.0
102.6
118.7
3.8417
4.0000
115.2
106.9
104.4
111.7
3.9063
102.8
106.3
3.8500
99.2
3.7500
100.2
98.8
93.9
3.7000
3.6125
88.6
96.5
3.5417
94.6
83.3
3.5521
88.6
94 9
94.4
3.6792
98.3
4.0000
106.9
101.0
4.1875
111.9
101.0
94.7 «3.5875 * 123.0
91.0 «3. 6500 «125.1
92.2 «3. 5750 «122.5
96.6 «3. 5000 «119.9
114.9 / 2.2125 /157.2
149.8 / 2.6958 /191.5
125.4 / 2.0125 /143.0
a Plate glass: polished, glazing, area 3 to 5 square feet.
For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1905, $0.1975.
b Plate glass: polished, glazing, area 5 to 10 square feet. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231: average price for 1905, $0.3050.
cPine: white, boards, No. 2 bam, 1-inch, 10 inches wide, rough (New York market). For method of
computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1906, $33.25.
d pine: white, boards, uppers, 1-inch, 8 inches and up wide, rough (New York market).
For method
of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231; averageprice for 1906, $88.25.
«Shingles: Michigan white pine, 16 inches long, X X X X . * For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231; average price for 1901, $3.2625.
/Shingles: red cedar, clears, random width, 16 inches long. For method of computing relative
price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1905, $1.6875.
360
BU LLETIN OE TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
IT.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C TU A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
Lumber and building materials.
Year.
Turpentine:
spirits of.
Tar.
Spruce.
Window glass:
American, sin
gle, firsts, 6 x 8
to 10x15 inches.
Window glass:
American, sin
gle, thirds, 6 x 8
to 10x15 inches.
Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela Average Rela
price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive price per tive
M feet. price. barrel. price. gallon. price. 50 sq. ft. price. 50 sq.ft. price.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890 .......................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893 ........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896 ........................
1897..........................
1898 ........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$14.3489
16.2917
14.2183
14.8542
13.7708
12.7083
14.2500
14.2500
14.0000
13.7500
15.3958
17.3750
18.0000
19.2500
19.1875
20.5000
21.4167
25.5417
24.0000
20.7917
100.0
113.5
99.1
103.5
96.0
88.6
99.3
99.3
97.6
95.8
107.3
121.1
125.4
134.2
133.7
142.9
149.3
178.0
167.3
144.9
$1.2048
1.4750
1.5833
1.3000
1.0458
1.0917
1.1417
1.0125
1.0542
1.0979
1.2458
1.3625
1.2817
1.3250
1.6792
1.6792
1.7583
1.9583
2.3292
1.6000
100.0
122.4
131.4
107.9
86.8
90.6
94.8
84.0
87.5
91.1
103.4
113.1
106.4
110.0
139.4
139.4
145.9
162.5
193.3
132.8
$0.3343
.4080
.3795
.3227
.3002
.2932
.2923
.2743
.2924
.3221
.4581
.4771
.3729
.4740
.5715
.5757
.6276
.6649
.6344
.4533
100.0
122.0
113.5
96.5
89.8
87.7
87.4
82.1
87.5
96.4
137.0
142.7
111.5
141.8
171.0
172.2
187.7
198.9
189.8
135.6
$2.1514
2.2283
2.2125
1.9935
2.1375
1.9918
1.5988
1.8021
2.1986
2.6432
2.7081
2.6990
4.1282
3.2187
2.6400
2.8867
2.7637
2.9196
2.8133
2.3600
100.0
103.6
102.8
92.7
99.4
92.6
74.3
83.8
102.2
122.9
125.9
125.5
191.9
149.6
122.7
134.2
128.5
135.7
130.8
109.7
$1.8190
1.7858
1.7700
1.5948
1.7100
1.6326
1.3919
1.6000
1.9630
2.3428
2.3986
2.3194
3.2823
2.5649
2.1600
2.3283
2.1365
2.2563
2.2419
1.8806
100.0
98.2
97.3
87.7
94.0
89.8
76.5
88.0
107.9
128.8
131.9
127.5
180.4
141.0
118.7
128.0
117.5
124.0
123.2
103.4
Drugs and chemicals.
Year.
Average, 1890-1899...
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..................•.......
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
Alcohol: grain.
Alcohol: wood, re
fined, 95 per cent.
Alum: lump.
Brimstone: crude,
seconds.
Average
price per
gallon.
Rela
tive
price.
Average
price per
gallon.
Rela
tive
price.
Average
price per
pound.
Rela
tive
price.
Average
price per
ton.
$2.2405
2.0717
2.2150
2.1417
2.1808
2.1521
2.3292
2.3008
2.2767
2.3250
2.4117
2.3867
2.4583
2.4057
2.3958
2.4325
2.4275
2.4642
2.5229
2.6367
100.0
92.5
98.9
95.6
97.3
96.1
104.0
102.7
101.6
103.8
107.6
106.5
109.7
107.4
106.9
108.6
108.3
110.0
112.6
117.7
$0.9539
1.1375
1.1598
1.2973
1.2917
.7198
.8667
.8500
.6958
.7500
.7708
.8000
.6125
.6417
.5917
.5875
.6750
.7000
.3992
.4275
100.0
119.2
121.6
136.0
135.4
75.5
90.9
89.1
72.9
78.6
80.8
83.9
64.2
67.3
62.0
61.6
70.8
73.4
41.8
44.8
$0.0167
.0182
.0158
.0160
.0174
.0169
.0160
.0164
.0166
.0165
.0168
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0173
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
.0175
100.0
109.0
94.6
95.8
104.2
101.2
95.8
98.2
99.4
98.8
100.6
104.8
104.8
104.8
103.6
104.8
104.8
1048
1048
1 048
$20.6958
21.1458
28.6042
241458
18.7292
16.5833
15.6250
17.9583
20.1250
22.9167
21.1250
21.1458
22.0000
23.4375
22.3333
21.7750
21.2667
22.1563
21.4983
21.7917
Rela
tive
price.
100.0
102.2
138.2
116.7
90.5
80.1
75.5
86.8
97.2
110.7
102.1
102.2
106.3
113.2
107.9
105.2
102.8
107.1
103.9
105.3
361
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
JS IV.—
A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y AC TU AL A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B A SE PRICES (A V E R A G E FOR'
1890-1899)— Continued.
Drugs and chemicals.
Year.
Glycerin: refined.
Muriatic acid: 20°.
Opium: natural,
incases.
Quinine: American.
Average
Average Relative Average Relative Average Relative
price per Relative
per price. price per price. price per
price. price
price.
pound.
pound.
pound.
ounce.
Average, 1890-1899...
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$0.1399
.1767
.1538
.1396
.1346
.1194
.1204
.1671
.1308
.1238
.1329
.1515
.1504
.1444
.1446
.1396
.1238
.1129
.1383
.1492
100.0
126.3
109.9
99.8
96.2
85.3
86.1
119.4
93.5
88.5
95.0
108.3
107.5
103.2
103.4
99.8
88.5
80.7
98.9
106.6
$0.0104
.0104
.0098
.0121
.0101
.0088
.0083
.0075
.0109
.0128
.0135
.0135
.0150
.0168
.0160
.0160
.0160
.0135
.0135
.0135
100.0
100.0
94.2
116.3
97.1
84.6
79.8
72.1
104.8
123.1
129.8
129.8
144.2
161.5
153.8
153.8
153.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
100.0
111.0
82.4
70.8
101.3
96.8
78.0
88.6
99.2
141.6
130.2
135.6
136.8
120.0
130.6
116.5
128.5
125.0
209.6
199.8
$0.2460
.3275
.2508
.2183
.2150
.2621
.2508
.2406
.1829
.2146
.2975
.3325
.3025
.2575
.2525
.2333
.2100
.1658
.1775
.1567
100.0
133.1
102.0
88.7
87.4
106.5
102.0
97.8
74.3
87.2
120.9
135.2
123.0
104.7
102.6
94.8
85.4
67.4
72.2
63.7
House furnishing goods.
Drugs, etc.
Sulphuric acid: 66°.
$2.3602
2.6208
1.9438
1.6708
2.3917
2.2854
1.8413
2.0917
2.3417
3.3417
3.0729
3.2000
3.2292
2.8313
3.0813
2.7500
3.0333
2.9500
4.9458
4.7146
Earthenware:
plates, creamcolored.
Earthenware:
plates, white
granite.
Earthenware:
teacups and saucers,
white granite.
Year.
Average
price per
Average Relative Average Relative Average Relative gross (6 Relative
dozen
price per price. price per price. price per price.
dozen.
cups and 6 price.
pound.
dozen.
dozen
saucers).
Average, 1890-1899...
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$0.0089
.0088
.0081
.0095
.0085
.0073
.0070
.0070
.0095
.0113
.0120
.0120
.0125
.0130
.0127
.0129
.0124
.0100
.0100
.0102
100.0
98.9
91.0
106.7
95.5
82.0
78.7
78.7
106.7
127.0
134.8
134.8
140.4
146.1
142.7
144.9
139.3
112.4
112.4
114.6
$0.4136
.4465
.4367
.4230
.4230
.4177
.3913
.3807
.3807
.4153
.4208
.4410
.4655
.4655
.4775
.4705
.4410
.4410
.4410
.4300
100.0
108.0
105.6
102.3
102.3
101.0
94.6
92.0
92.0
100.4
101.7
106.6
112.5
112.5
115.4
113.8
106.6
106.6
106.6
104.0
$0.4479
.4888
.4786
.4644
.4644
4566
.4162
.3991
.3991
.4515
.4607
.4841
.5096
.5096
.4988
.4943
.4586
.4586
.4586
.4586
100.0
109.1
106.9
103.7
103.7
101.9
92.9
89.1
89.1
100.8
102.9
108.1
113.8
113.8
111.4
110.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
$3.4292
3.7600
3.6817
3.5720
3.5720
3.5250
3.2374
3.0907
3.0907
3.3595
3.4026
3.5750
3.7632
3.7632
3.6832
3.6503
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
3.3869
100.0
109.6
107.4
104.2
104.2
102.8
94.4
90.1
90.1
98.0
99.2
104.3
109.7
109.7
107.4
106.4
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
362
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR,
IV,— A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y A C TU A L A N D R E L A T IV E PRICES
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, A N D B ASE PRICES (A V E R A G E FL
1890-1899)— Continued.
T able
House furnishing goods.
Year.
Furniture: bed
room sets, ash.
Furniture: chairs,
bedroom, maple.
Furniture: chairs,
kitchen.
Furniture: tables,
kitchen.
Average
Average Relative Average Relative Average Relative
price per Relative
per price. price per price. price per
price. price
price.
set.
dozen.
dozen.
dozen.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902.........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$10.555
12.000
12.000
12.000
11.000
11.000
9.950
8.750
8.750
10.000
10.100
11.250
11.250
11.750
12.167
12.250
12.354
12.958
14.500
a 11.000
100.0
113.7
113.7
113.7
104.2
104.2
94.3
82.9
82.9
94.7
95.7
106.6
106.6
111.3
115.3
116.1
117.0
122.8
137.4
a 134.3
Glassware:
nappies, 4-inch.
$6.195
7.000
7.000
6.850
6.850
6.000
6.000
6.000
5.000
5.125
6.125
8.000
7.000
7.333
7.917
8.000
8.000
8.917
10.000
9.417
100.0
113.0
113.0
110.6
110.6
96.9
96.9
96.9
80.7
82.7
98.9
129.1
113.0
118.4
127.8
129.1
129.1
143.9
161.4
152.0
Glassware:
pitchers, ^-gallon,
common.
$3.8255
4.2000
4.2000
4.2500
4.2500
3.5000
3.5000
3.5000
3.5000
3.3130
4.0420
5.2080
4.7500
4.9167
5.0000
4.7708
4.7500
5.1250
5.7917
6.0000
100.0
109.8
109.8
111.1
111.1
91.5
91.5
91.5
91.5
86.6
105.7
136.1
124.2
128.5
130.7
124.7
124.2
134.0
151.4
156.8
Glassware:
tumblers, £-pint,
common.
$14.435
15.000
15.000
15.000
15.000
14.250
14.250
13.800
13.800
13.800
14.450
15.600
15.600
15.600
15.600
15.600
15.600
16.500
18.000
18.000
100.0
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
98.7
98.7
95.6
95.6
95.6
100.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
114.3
124.7
124.7
Table cutlery: carv
ers, stag handles.
Year.
Average
Average Relative Average Relative Average Relative
price per Relative
per price. price per price. price per
price. price
price.
dozen.
dozen.
dozen.
pair.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$0,112
.120
.120
.120
.120
.120
.120
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.140
.140
.140
.140
.140
.140
.140
.122
100.0
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
89.3
89.3
89.3
89.3
89.3
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
108.9
$1,175
1.250
1.250
1.250
1.250
1.250
1.250
1.250
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.000
1.300
1.300
1.300
1.150
1.050
1.050
1.050
.963
100.0
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
85.1
85.1
85.1
85.1
110.6
110.6
110.6
97.9
89.4
89.4
89.4
82.0
$0.1775
.1800
.2000
.1900
.1900
.1900
.1850
.1800
.1700
.1600
.1300
.1800
.1800
.1850
.1767
.1600
.1500
.1500
.1500
.1325
100.0
101.4
112.7
107.0
107.0
107.0
104.2
101.4
95.8
90.1
73.2
101.4
101.2
104.2
99.5
90.1
84.5
84.5
84.5
74.6
$0.80
.80
.80
.80
.95
.80
.80
.80
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
.80
.75
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
118.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
100.0
93.8
a Furniture: bedroom sets, iron bedstead, hardwood dresser and washstand. For method of computing
relative price, see pages 230 and 231; average price for 1907, $11.25.
363
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
j a b l b IV .—AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES OF
* COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Continued.
- House furnishing goods.
Year.
Table cutlery:
knives and forks,
cocobolo handles.
Wooden ware:
pails, oak-grained.
Miscellaneous.
Wooden ware:
tubs, oak-grained.
Cotton-seed meal.
Average
Average
Average
Average
price per Relative
price per Relative
price per Relative
price per Relative
price.
price.
price.
ton
of 2,000 price.
gross.
dozen.
nest of 3.
pounds.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..................... i..
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$6.0600
7.7500
7.7500
6.8500
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.5000
5.0000
5.5000
5.7500
5.7500
6.5000
6.5000
6.5000
6.6667
6.6875
6.0500
6.4833
5.4167
100.0
127.9
127.9
113.0
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
82.5
90.8
94.9
94.9
107.3
107.3
107.3
110.0
110.4
99.8
107.0
89.4
$1.2988
1.5917
1.4500
1.3500
1.3125
1.2583
1.1208
1.2625
1.2417
1.1333
1.2667
1.4917
1.5500
1.5500
1.5875
1.7000
1.7000
1.7000
1.9708
2.1000
100.0
122.6
111.6
103.9
101.1
96.9
86.3
97.2
95.6
87.3
97.5
114.9
119.3
119.3
122.2
130.9
130.9
130.9
151.7
161.7
$1.3471
1.6500
1.5667
1.4000
1.3083
1.2875
1.2500
1.2500
1.2500
1.2500
1.2583
1.4417
1.4500
1.4500
1.4500
1.4500
1.4500
1.4500
1.6000
1.6500
100.0
122.5
116.3
103.9
97.1
95.6
92.8
92.8
92.8
92.8
93.4
107.0
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
118.8
122.5
$21.9625
23.3750
25.2083
23.6958
25.7042
22.5583
18.9125
19.9375
20.4375
19.0000
20.7958
25.5458
25.0208
27.1333
26.7083
26.2000
26.3583
30.3917
28.7042
29.3917
100.0
100.4
114.8
107.9
117.0
102.7
86.1
90.8
93.1
86.5
94.7
116.3
113.9
123.5
123^6
119.3
120.0
138.4
130.7
133.8
Miscellaneous.
Year.
Cotton-seed oil:
summer yellow,
prime.
Jute: raw.
Malt: western
made.
Paper: news.
Average Relative Average Relative Average Relative
Average
per price. price per price. price per
price per Relative
price. price
price.
gallon.
pound.
bushel.
pound.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890.........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$0.3044
.3446
.3567
.3088
.4550
.3238
.2721
.2513
.2365
.2288
.2663
.3556
.3571
.4067
.3977
.3135
' .2696
.3613
.4869
.4090
100.0
113.2
117.2
101.4
149.5
106.4
89.4
82.6
77.7
75.2
87.5
116.8
117.3
133.6
130.7
103.0
88.6
118.7
160.0
134.4
$0.0359
.0388
.0371
.0475
.0346
.0345
.0279
.0319
.0373
.0332
.0365
.0435
.0400
.0438
.0464
.0444
a. 0398
a. 0539
a . 0486
a . 0370
100.0
108.1
103.3
132.3
96.4
96.1
77.7
88.9"
103.9
92.5
101.7
121.2
111.4
122.0
129.2
123.7
a 151.0
«204.5
ol84.4
o l40.4
$0.7029
.7500
.9271
.8015
.7750
.7446
.6854
.5629
.5438
.6163
.6221
.6538
.7450
.7925
.7246
.6758
.6150
.6471
1.0346
.9325
100.0
106.7
131.9
114.0
110.3
105.9
97.5
80.1
77.4
87.7
88.5
93.0
106.0
112.7
103.1
96.1
87.5
92.1
147.2
132.7
$0.0299
.0382
.0340
.0340
.0318
.0323
.0308
.0275
.0271
.0219
.0209
.0281
.0226
.0242
.0253
.0267
.0242
.0219
.0249
.0248
100.0
127.8
113.7
113.7
106.4
108.0
103.0
92.0
90.6
73.2
69.9
94.0
75.6
80.9
84.6
89.3
80.9
73.2
83.3
82.9
a Jute: raw, M-double triangle, shipments. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and
231; average price for 1904,10.0326.
364
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR.
T a ble I V . — AVERAGE YEARLY ACTUAL AND RELATIVE PRICES 0 1
COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908, AND BASE PRICES (AVERAGE FOR
1890-1899)—Concluded.
Miscellaneous.
Year.
Paper: wrapping,
manila.
Proof spirits.
Rope: manila,
f-inch.
Rubber: Para
Island.
Average Relative Average Relative Average
Average
per price. price per price. price per
price per Relative
price. price
pound.
pound.
pound.
gallon.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
10.0553
.0575
.0575
.0558
.0579
.0584
.0586
.0588
.0588
.0459
.0438
.0480
.0502
.0497
.0526
.0530
.0525
.0500
.0506
.0500
100.0
104.0
104.0
100.9
104.7
105.6
106.0
106.3
106.3
83.0
79.2
86.8
90.8
89.9
95.1
95.8
94.9
90.4
91.5
90.4
Soap: castile, mot
tled, pure.
Year.
Average, 1890-1899..
1890..........................
1891..........................
1892..........................
1893..........................
1894..........................
1895..........................
1896..........................
1897..........................
1898..........................
1899..........................
1900..........................
1901..........................
1902..........................
1903..........................
1904..........................
1905..........................
1906..........................
1907..........................
1908..........................
$1.1499
1.0533
1.1052
1.0757
1.0713
1.1326
1.2109
1.2031
1.1830
1.2220
1.2421
1.2460
1.2861
1.3138
1.2809
1.2692
1.2616
1.2879
1.3133
1.3565
100.0
91.6
96.1
93.5
93.2
98.5
105.3
104.6
102.9
106.3
108.0
108.4
111.8
114.3
111.4
110.4
109.7
112.0
114.2
118.0
Starch: laundry.
$0.0934
.1494
.1038
.1148
.0919
.0770
.0735
.0664
.0631
.0842
.1094
.1320
.1092
.1348
o .ll4 6
o .ll7 1
o .U 95
o .l252
o . 1290
&.1015
100.0
160.0
111.1
122.9
98.4
82.4
78.7
71.1
67.6
90.1
117.1
141.3
116.9
144.3
0122.7
ol25.4
ol27.9
o 134.0
ol38.1
& 108.7
Tobacco: plug.
$0.8007
.8379
.7908
.6763
.7167
.6744
.7425
.8000
.8454
.9271
.9954
.9817
.8496
.7273
.9054
1.0875
1.2425
1.2131
1.0633
.8708-
100.0
104.4
109.1
109.7
108.1
103.3
89.1
88.2
93.3
96.7
98.1
107.7
115.1
116.5
115.6
113.7
114.2
114.2
117.9
123.0
a &-inch.
$0.0348
.0371
.0426
.0373
.0366
.0366
.0363
.0310
.0300
.0300
.0300
.0340
.0363
.0454
.0431
.0369
.0329
.0367
.0404
.0433
100.0
106.6
122.4
107.2
105.2
105.2
104.3
89.1
86.2
86.2
86.2
97.7
104.3
130.5
123.9
106.0
94.5
105.5
116.1
124.4
$0.3962
.4050
.4008
.3725
.3967
.4000
.4000
.3808
.3758
.4133
.4175
.4433
.4658
.4542
.4500
.4700
.4900
.4833
.4700
.4700
100.0
102.2
101.2
94.0
100.1
101.0
ioi.o
96.1
94.9
104.3
105.4
111.9
117.6
114.6
113.6
118.6
123.7
122.0
lia 6
118.6
100.0
104.6
98.8
84.5
89.5
84.2
92.7
99.9
105.6
115.8
124.3
122.6
106.1
90.8
113.1
135.8
155.2
151.5
132.8
108.8
Tobacco: smoking,
gran., Seal of N . C.
Average Relative Average Relative Average
Average
per price. price per
per
price per Relative
price. price
price. price
pound.
pound.
pound.
pound.
10.0569
.0594
.0621
.0624
.0615
.0588
.0507
.0502
.0531
.0550
.0558
.0613
.0655
.0663
.0658
.0647
.0650
.0650
.0671
.0700
Relative
price.
$0.5090
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5000
.5300
.5600
.5600
.5600
.5592
.5700
.5825
.6000
.6000
.6000
.6000
Relative
price.
100.0
9 8 .2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
oa 2
9a 2
9a 2
104.1
110.0
110.0
110.0
109.9
112.0
114.4
117.9
117.9
117.9
117.9
365
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
ible
V.—YEARLY RELATIVE PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908.
iFor explanation and discussion of this table, see pages 239 to 248. Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.3
Farm products.
Grain.
Year. Cotton:
upland,
mid
dling.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1892___
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
18 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
18 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
190 2 ....
19 0 3 ....
19 0 4 ....
19 0 5 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
142.9
110.8
99.0
107.2
90.2
94.0
102.0
92.2
76.9
84.7
123.8
111.1
115.1
144.7
155.0
123.1
142.0
153.0
134.8
Flax
seed:
Com:
No. 1. Barley:
by
sample. cash.
125.5
97.1
91.4
97.7
121.6
111.8
72.9
78.1
99.8
104.0
145.7
145.8
135.0
94.1
99.6
107.0
99.1
106.1
108.0
111.6
134.5
112.2
103.3
113.2
94.8
65.7
71.2
95.9
97.6
106.2
129.8
139.4
121.2
116.9
107.0
112.8
169.0
161.8
103.8
151.0
118.3
104.2
113.7
104.0
67.8
66.9
82.6
87.6
100.2
130.6
156.9
121.1
132.6
131.7
121.8'
138.8
179.9
Rye:
No. 2, Wheat:
cash.
cash.
Oats:
cash.
103.0
157.6
127.7
92.6
88.1
91.2
66.5
74.9
93.8
104.4
97.9
100.8
102.5
97.5
133.4
134.5
115.5
145.4
148.0
115.6
144.1
113.2
105.2
115.7
88.3
67.0
67.9
91.9
91.2
84.5
118.3
147.3
131.7
135.8
111.2
122.1
167.4
189.5
118.9
128.1
104.9
90.1
74.4
79.9
85.4
105.8
117.8
94.7
93.7
95.7
98.7
105.1
138.3
134.5
105. “6
120.8
131.8
Hides:
green, Hops:
Hay: salted,
New
timo packers’,
York
thy,
Aver No.
heavy
State,
1.
native choice.
age.
steers.
110.6
143.0
115.3
99.1
101.0
91.6
70.5
77.3
96.4
95.1
96.5
115.0
129.0
115.3
131.4
123.8
115.6
148.3
163.0
95.8
117.8
113.5
107.4
99.9
109.1
99.0
80.9
79.9
96.6
110.9
123.0
120.9
119.2
112.5
107.9
124.3
162.4
118.3
99.6
101.5
92.8
79.9
68.4
109.7
86.6
106.3
122.8
131.8
127.4
132.0
142.8
124.8
124.4
152.6
164.7
155.3
142.6
148.0
149.1
141.4
128.2
85.5
53.1
49.5
65.5
91.5
88.3
83.7
97.1
134.1
159.5
196.2
150.9
92.0
98.1
67.1
Live stock.
Cattle.
Year.
Steers, Steers,
choice good to
to extra. choice.
1 8 9 0 ....
1891___
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
18 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
19 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4....
19 0 5 ....
190 6 ....
190 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
91.5
110. G
95.7
103.8
97.0
103.1
86.4
98.2
101.1
112.6
108.7
115.1
140.4
104.7
112.0
112.2
115.2
123.0
128.1
87.4
107.7
95.0
102.2
95.6
104.2
90.2
100. §
103.2
113.7
113.9
118.1
138.5
106.9
109.7
110.2
113.1
122.8
126.7
Sheep.
Hogs.
Aver Heavy. Light.
age.
89.5
109.2
95.4
103.0
96.3
103.7
88.3
99.5
102.2
113.2
111.3
116.6
139.5
105.8
110.9
111.2
114 2
122.9
127.4
89.6
100.2
116.8
148.4
112.7
97.0
76.1
81.4
86.2
91.5
115.2
135.0
158.0
137.3
116.8
119.9
141.3
137.8
131.4
88.8
98.2
114.6
148.7
111.6
96.2
80.5
84.2
85.0
92.1
115.7
133.9
152.4
137.0
116.5
.120.4
143.1
140.6
127.5
Aver Native.
age.
89.2
99.2
115:7
148.6
112.2
96.6
78.3
82.8
85.6
91.8
115.5
134.5
155.2
137.2
116.7
120.2
142.2
139.2
129.5
West Aver
ern.
age.
118.0
120.5
120.0 115.6
127.2
123.2
103.2 104.3
75.4
71.7
78.5
78.3
78.0
79.4
93.1
95.3
104.4
105.3
105.2
103.3
114.3
109.7
89.2
94.7
100.6
105.7
98.0
98.7
110.3
107.8
128.5
134.5
133.5
131.7
130.3
123.5
o ll2 .3 5109.6
Aver
age.
119.3
99.3
117.8
108.7
125.2
112.1
103.8
118.4
73.6
94.0
78.4
92.9
81.8
78.7
94.2
92.2
104.9
97.5
104.3
103.1
112.0
112.9
92.0
114.3
103.2
132.6
98.4
113.8
109.1
112.2
131.5 121.0
132.6 129.7
126.9 129.7
111.0 C122.3
Aver
age,
farm
prod
ucts.
110.0
121.5
111.7
107.9
95.9
93.3
78.3
85.2
96.1
100.0
109.5
116.9
130.5
118.8
126.2
124.2
123.6
137.1
d 133.1
Sheep, wethers, good to fancy. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
&Sheep, wethers, plain to choice. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
c Including horses and mules. See explanation, page 231.
d Including horses, mules, poultry, and tobacco. See explanation, page 231.
a
366
BULLETIN OP TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908-
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Food, etc.
Bread.
Year.
Crackers.
Loaf.
medium
choice.
Boston.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
121.5
134.9
112.0
119.2
104.0
104.0
102.2
96.6
96.6
97.2
96.6
110.6
107.2
70.3
62.6
74.7
87.0
125.6
131.3
115.0
135.5
120.4
128.8
113.8
106.4
138.9
Soda.
88.0
108.9
105.9
111.4
118.9
118.9
112.6
115.2
132.5
133.7
133.7
«133.7
111.4
111.4
106.3
104.5
101.0
94.0
91.6
82.5
105.6
92.3
94.0
97.5
97.5
90.0
91.6
95.1
90.5
90.5
90.5
Average.
107.7
107.7
104.3
100.6
98.8
95.6
94.1
85.3
107.3
99.1
102.7
108.2
108.2
101.3
103.4
113.8
112.1
112.1
112.1
Washing Home
made
ton mar (N.
Y.
ket.
market).
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
94.1
102.5
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
102.5
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.6
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100/9
90.5
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
110.4
118.6
118.6
118.6
126.2
Vienna
(N. Y. Average.
market).
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
90.6
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
101.1
105.1
113.6
113.6
113.6
117.3
Butter.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Cream
ery,
extra
(New
York
mar
ket).
103.1
115.3
116.5
118.9
101.1
95.1
82.6
84.7
86.9
95.6
100.4
97.4
111.2
106.1
100.4
111.9
113.3
127.2
124.1
101.5
115.3
116.5
120.5
102.1
95.3
82.1
84.5
87.2
94.8
100.1
96.5
110.6
104.7
97.6
111.0
111.0
126.2
120.9
96.5
117.6
116.1
124.6
103.3
93.0
82.3
83.2
86.4
97.1
104.5
99.2
114.5
106.2
97.3
115.6
114.9
132.0
121.0
a Crackers,
oyster.
103.6
103.6
102.2
100.7
100.0
97.5
94.4
94.6
103.4
100.2
101.6
103.8
103.8
101.0
105.0
112.1
111.4
111.4
113.6
Fish.
Eggs:
Cheese:
New Coffee: newlaid,
Dairy,
York,
Rio fancy,
New Aver fuU
No. 7. near
York
age. cream.
by.
State.
Cream
ery,
Elgin
(Elgin
mar
ket).
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
98.7
94.5
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
100.9
106.0
110.9
110.9
110.9
114.5
100.4
116.1
116.4
121.3
102.2
94.5
82.3
84.1
86.8
95.8
101.7
97.7
112.1
105.7
98.4
112.8
113.1
128.5
122.1
97.1
102.4
107.2
109.0
107.4
94.1
92.0
98.1
83.3
108.9
114.3
102.4
114.1
123.3
103.2
122.8
133.0
143.3
138.2
136.6
127.3
108.9
131.2
126.0
121.2
93.9
60.4
48.2
. 46.0
62.6
49.2
44.6
42.6
59.6
63.4
61.8
50.1
47.8
99.1
110.0
110.4
114.5
93.5
102.0
88.7
87.5
92.6
101.6
100.7
106.7
122.7
123.2
135.0
138.2
133.2
141.2
142.0
Cod*
dry,
bank,
large.
Mack
Her erel,
Aver
salt, Salmon,
ring. large
canned. age.
No. 3s.
101.7
120.5
126.3
114.2
106.7
98.9
75.4
80.9
83.6
92.0
94.9
107.2
91.2
105.0
130.4
132.4
136.2
138.6
130.7
93.3
124.6
77.8
101.0
89.9
83.6
88.8
96.3
111.4
133.2
134.6
131.9
129.9
151.7
144.4
158.9
168.0
162.9
160.1
129.2
108.4
92.0
92.0
78.2
110.6
98.5
86.5
96.7
107.9
98.3
76.6
97.3
123.5
102.6
98.5
104.7
98.5
80.4
111.4
101.8
100.7
101.4
96.7
102.1
105.2
90.8
86.0
103.8
120.2
116.3
109.6
110.0
117.1
115.7
114.3
113.2
130.4
For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231,
108.9
113.8
99.2
102.2
92.9
98.8
92.0
88.6
94.4
109.2
112.0
108.0
107.0
122.6
123.6
126.4
130.8
128.3
124.9
367
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
W.— Y E A R L Y
R E L A T IV E PRIC ES OF CO M M O DITIES, 1890 to 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Food, etc.
Flour.
Year.
Apples.
Wheat.
Buck
wheat.
1 8 90....
1 8 9 1....
1 8 92....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
190 2 ....
1903....
1904....
190 5 ....
1 9 0 6....
190 7 ....
190 8 ....
Fruit.
Rye.
Spring
patents.
101.4
148.3
121.1
93.0
83.8
94.5
80.9
84.6
92.9
99.4
103.3
100.1
103.9
94.9
131.1
134.7
115.9
138.7
142.8
104.0
125.7
92.1
121.9
125.4
86.2
71.1
75.4
79.8
118.4
108.3
108.4
115.1
119.5
120.1
112.7
115.0
132.4
156.1
Winter
straights. Average.
120.7
123.5
101.1
93.2
83.7
84.8
88.3
106.8
110.1
87.8
89.4
88.7
88.6
100.8
125.2
126.2
99.5
113.5
126.1
121.0
127.6
107.2
85.4
71.5
84.0
94.1
113.4
107.8
88.0
87.1
86.0
90.7
93.4
125.5
118.1
94.0
103.7
111.6
Average.
120.9
125.6
104.2
89.3
77.6
84.4
91.2
110.1
109.0
87.9
88.3
87.4
89.7
97.1
125.4
122.2
96.8
108.6
118.8
111.8
131.3
105.4
98.4
91.1
87.4
83.6
95.1
97.7
98.4
97.0
95.8
99.6
102.2
125.5
122.9
106.1
122.1
134.2
Glu
cose.^)
Lard:
prime
contract.
124.3
111.4
109.2
81.7
86.0
91.8
95.6
104.9
116.0
153.6
129.7
126.3
125.1
142.9
159.4
186.2
96.8
100.9
117.9
157.5
118.2
99.8
71.7
67.4
84.4
85.0
105.5
135.3
161.9
134.1
111.8
113.9
135.6
140.7
138.8
Evap
orated, Sun-dried. Average.
choice.
134.1
129.9
81.2
109.4
128.9
80.0
62.9
65.5
105.1
102.6
72.6
83.7
108.7
72.1
71.2
82.5
115.5
99.5
101.9
Fruit.
Year.
18 9 0 ....
189 1 ....
18 9 2 ....
189 3 ....
1 8 94....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
189 7 ....
189 8 ....
189 9 ....
1900___
190 1 ....
190 2 ....
1 9 03....
1 9 0 4....
1 9 05....
190 6 ....
1 9 0 7....
1 9 08....
a
138.0
129.2
128.6
134.2
95.0
86.0
75.1
70.5
70.3
73.0
67.4
67.8
71.2
62.1
59.6
59.3
83.5
76.6
77.3
157.3
120.1
97.9
113.3
76.9
95.2
67.9
93.2
92.7
85.5
101.3
96.1
112.3
96.3
98.2
79.1
106.6
108.4
120.6
Quotations discontinued.
79828—Bull. 81—09----12
134.1
145.1
81.7
104.0
125.7
86.7
61.8
58.7
91.2
110.5
79.3
81.7
103.6
78.0
68.0
75.1
109.4
111.7
101.9
Meal: com.
Raisins,
Currants, Prunes, California, Average.
in barrels. California,
in boxes. London
layer.
127.5
113.6
79.2
72.0
46.1
67.7
87.2
127.7
154.7
125.3
192.0
221.6
131.7
126.9
130.1
130.7
163.7
187.5
162.4
134.0
160.2
82.1
98.6
122.5
93.4
60.6
51.8
77.3
118.4
86.0
79.6
98.4
83.9
64.7
67.6
103.3
123.9
(«)
138.2
130.6
93.8
105.5
93.9
84.5
70.7
81.7
100.0
101.0
103.9
109.8
104.5
88.3
96.0
83.8
117.9
119.2
119.5
Fine
white.
101.2
140.6
113.7
105.0
106.7
102.2
77.5
77.8
84.1
91.1
96.5
114.2
146.4
123.7
127.8
126.4
120.8
129.5
154.0
Fine
yellow.
100.3
143.4
114.2
106.5
104.5
104.4
77.2
75.1
83.2
91.2
97.4
116.8
150.0
125.7
131.1
130.3
124.2
133.5
158.8
6 Average for 1893-1899=100.0.
Average.
100.8
142.0
114.0
105.8
105.6
103.3
77.4
76.5
83.7
91.2
97.0
115.5
148.2
124.7
129.5
128.4
122.5
131.5
156.4
368
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRIC ES OP CO M M O DITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Food, etc.
Meat.
Beef.
Year.
Pork.
Mutton, Aver
Fresh, Salt, Salt, Aver Bacon,
Bacon, Hams, Salt, Aver dressed. age.
short short
native extra hams,
rib smoked. old to age.
clear
age.
sides. mess. west
sides. sides.
new.
ern.
1890..
1891..
1892..
1893..
1894..
1895..
1896..
1897..
1898..
1899..
1900..
1901..
1902..
1903..
1904..
1905..
1906..
1907..
1908..
89.2
106.2
98.8
105.4
97.0
102.7
90.5
99.7
101.3
108.3
104.3
102.1
125.9
101.7
106.1
104.0
101.2
114.7
a129.5
86.8
104.4
844
102.2
101.0
101.4
93.7
95.7
1142
115.9
121.7
116.3
147.1
113.1
109.4
125.0
110.3
122.5
1645
80.4 85.5
85.8 98.8
80.5 88.0
98.6 102.1
101.5 99.8
95.9 100.0
88.1 90.8
125.1 106.8
118.8 111.4
125.6 116.6
1142 113.4
112.6 110.3
118.0 130.3
117.2 110.7
123.5 113.0
121.6 116.9
119.2 110.2
1440 127.1
153.2 a 148.2
89.3
103.6
116.6
155.3
111.3
96.3
73.2
80.1
88.3
86.4
111.4
132.0
159.0
142.1
114.8
118.5
139.6
141.3
133.5
89.3
103.8
116.5
1540
112.2
96.3
73.0
79.6
90.5
85.1
111.6
132.5
159.5
143.0
115.4
119.4
140.2
140.1
132.6
101.1
99.8
109.3
126.9
103.6
96.2
95.8
90.9
82.0
93.8
104.2
109.2
123.1
129.2
108.9
106.3
125.5
132.4
114.3
104.4
97.2
99.1
157.6
121.4
101.7
76.8
76.6
848
80.3
107.5
1342
1542
143.1
120.6
123.9
150.5
151.0
137.3
96.0
101.1
110.4
148.5
112.1
97.6
79.7
81.8
86.4
86.4
108.7
127.0
149.0
139.4
1149
117.0
139.0
141.2
129.3
123.7
1149
121.2
106.5
80.2
82.2
82.9
96.6
98.0
943
96.4
89.5
97.9
98.7
103.2
113.9
120.7
116.0
114.5
95.5
102.0
103.4
125.8
103.5
96.6
843
93.0
97.2
98.7
108.9
116.1
135.6
123.5
112.7
116.6
125.9
132.8
a 137.4
Salt.
Spices.
Soda:
Molas Rice:
bicarses:
New
Starch:
Milk: Orleans, domes
bonate
Year. fresh.
pure
tic, Ameri Ash Aver of,
Pepper, Aver com.
open choice.
Nut
Singa age.
kettle.
can. ton’s. age. Ameri
megs.
can.
pore.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
103.1
1047
105.1
109.4
103.1
99.2
91.8
92.2
93.7
99.2
107.5
102.7
112.9
112.9
107.8
113.3
118.0
131.4
129.0
112.4
88.5
101.2
106.2
98.1
97.8
103.0
83.1
97.8
111.9
151.5
120.1
115.5
112.5
107.8
102.5
107.9
129.7
112.7
107.8
113.5
101.4
81.8
93.8
95.0
92.5
96.6
108.4
108.2
97.7
97.7
99.6
100.9
78.6
74.3
84.5
95.2
111.2
112.5
111.7
107.5
99.6
102.1
99.6
88.4
93.9
94.4
90.4
142.1
121.6
90.3
87.2
109.4
107.2
101.4
112.6
111.5
111.9
108.1
107.8
105.5
101.6
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
99.0
101.0
102.0
(b)
(6)
(b)
(ib)
(6)
112.2
109.9
107.7
102.6
101.9
96.3
90.7
93.5
93.7
91.7
117.6
110.3
95.7
94.6
109.4
107.2
101.4
112.6
111.5
a Including fresh carcass beef (Chicago market).
5 Quotations discontinued.
131.6
151.7
104.3
136.4
128.2
847
72.7
71.8
61.7
56.0
58.9
51.2
51.7
61.7
62.2
62.2
62.2
62.2
52.6
146.2
140.7
123.1
106.1
92.5
91.8
83.1
77.6
72.7
66.4
60.2
54.3
46.9
66.6
50.3
39.8
40.0
32.3
(6)
153.7
116.6
92.0
79.4
68.9
66.4
66.8
88.7
119.0
149.1
172.4
172.5
167.6
172.1
164.1
162.5
151.9
132.7
95.5
150.0
128.7
107.6
92.8
80.7
79.1
75.0
83.2
95.9
107.8
116.3
113.4
107.3
119.4
107.2
101.2
96.0
82.5
95.5
See explanation, page 231.
99.6
109.5
109.5
109.5
103.5
101.1
93.6
91.2
91.2
91.2
91.2
85.8
80.3
92.5
95.8
100.7
105.3
109.5
104.9
369
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Food, etc.
Year.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1903___
1 9 0 4 ....
1905___
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1908___
Vegetables, fresh.
Sugar.
Tea:
For
Tallow.
mosa,
89° fair 96° cen Granu Aver
fine.
refin trifu lated.
age.
ing.
gal.
143.9
101.8
84.5
94.3
81.2
85.2
93.9
90.6
109.2
115.4
119.2
103.6
89.3
95.0
102.1
108.8
93.7
95.7
104.9
141.1
101.1
85.7
95.1
83.5
84.1
93.7
92.1
109.5
114.3
118.2
104.4
91.5
96.1
102.7
110.6
95.3
97.0
105.0
130.5
99.7
92.1
102.3
87.0
87.9
95.9
95.1
105.2
104.2
112.8
106.8
94.2
98.2
101.0
111.2
95.5
98.4
104.5
138.5
100.9
87..4
97.2
83.9
85.7
94.5
92.6
108.0
111.3
116.7
104.9
91.7
96.4
101.9
110.2
94.8
97.0
104.8
105.7
111.0
106.4
125.1
110.3
99.8
78.9
76.3
81.8
104.1
111.5
119.1
144.6
117.2
105.5
103.2
119.3
142.8
126.7
96.3
99.2
106.0
101.7
98.0
95.1
91.0
98.6
104.2
109.8
104.9
100.4
106.2
80.9
97.1
94.2
82.8
81.0
75.1
Onions.
127.8
121.3
106.0
93.8
95.6
91.6
57.3
115.5
96.2
94.8
71.4
103.0
107.2
104.9
104.6
95.3
96.8
103.0
104.0
Aver
age.
Vinegar:
cider,
Mon
arch.
123.6
119.3
138.1
154.9
98.6
91.1
114.2
134.5
109.2
122.8
89.2
86.7
39.4
48.4
90.6
65.7
102.1
99.2
83.6
89.2
73.2
74.9
113.0
108.0
119.4
113.3
105.2
105.1
146.3
125.5
80.7
88.0
109.7
103.3
98.4
100.7
142.6 o l24.8
105.4
121.8
111.1
101.5
101.5
98.1
88.0
88.0
89.6
94.7
91.3
89.6
95.3
88.0
89.6
98.6
115.0
116.7
124.6
Pota
toes,
white.
Aver-
sa
etc.
112.4
115.7
103.6
110.2
99.8
94.6
83.8
87.7
94.4
98.3
104.2
105.9
111.3
107.1
107.2
108.7
112.6
117.8
6120.6
Cloths and clothing.
Blankets.
Year.
1890___
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
Bags:
2-bu.,
Amoskeag.
113.9
111.7
110.8
106.8
91.1
82.2
91.6
92.9
95.6
103.4
112.6
101.0
102.4
104.2
128.4
109.6
129.1
138.5
134.3
11-4,
all
wool.
11-4,
11-4,
cotton
warp,
cotton
warp, cotton
and
all wool
wool
filling.
filling.
108.3
106.0
107.1
107.1
101.2
89.3
89.3
89.3
107.1
95.2
107.1
101.2
101.2
110.1
110.1
119.0
122.0
119.0
113.1
106.0
106.0
104.4
104.4
89.7
88.1
91.4
106.0
102.0
102.0
122.3
106.0
106.0
114.2
118.3
126.4
130.5
130.5
W
108.5
108.5
101.4
99.1
96.7
94.3
94.3
99.1
99.1
99.1
123.8
112.0
112.0
117.9
123.8
141.5
141.5
141.5
e 136.1
Boots and shoes.
Aver
age.
107.6
106.8
104.3
103.5
95.9
90.6
91.7
98.1
102.7
98.8
117.7
106.4
106.4
114.1
117.4
129.0
131.3
130.3
124.6
Men’s
Men’s
Men’s calf bal. Men’s vici kid Wom
en’s
broshoes,
shoes, solid
split
gans,
Good boots. Good grain
year
year, Sioes.
split.
welt.
welt.
106.1
106.1
104.9
102.3
97.9
99.2
100.4
96.0
92.2
94.8
94.8
95.4
94.1
93.5
93.5
101.5
126.8
128.7
114.8
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
101.0
'101.0
101.0
101.0
97.6
94.3
94.3
96.8
96.8
98.9
98.9
100.0
c 108.0
c 109.0
c 109.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
100.9
97.9
91.7
94.8
97.9
100.9
104.0
110.1
112.4
111.1
113.1
113.7
120.5
144.8
160.0
(*)
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
108.7
97.8
97.8
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.0
87.3
95.5
103.4
108.7
108.7
104.0
97.9
94.8
91.7
91.7
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
104.0
110.6
104.5
105.5
108.6
112.3
119.5
126.2
123.1
118.5
Aver
age.
104.8
103.5
102.7
100.9
99.4
98.7
99.6
97.2
96.3
96.8
99.4
99.2
98.9
100.2
101.1
107.4
121.8
125; 9
121.3
a Including cabbage. See explanation, page 231.
& Including canned corn, canned peas, and canned tomatoes, fresh carcass beef (Chicago market),
dressed poultry, and cabbage. See explanation on page 231.
c Men's vici calf shoes, Blucher bal., vici calf top, single sole. For method of computing relative price,
see pages 230 and 231.
d Quotations discontinued.
«10-4,2 lbs. to the pair, 54 x 74, all cotton. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and
231.
370
T able
BULLETIN OP TH E BUREAU OP LABOR.
V.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF CO M M O DITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cloths and clothing.
Year.
Broadcloths:
first
54-inch,
XXX
wool.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
18 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
113.7
113.7
113.7
113.7
91.2
79.7
79.7
98.2
98.2
98.2
108.0
110.3
110.3
110.3
110.5
115.2
116.6
116.6
115.6
Carpets.
Calico:
Cocheco
prints.
117.5
104.0
117.5
113.0
99.5
94.9
94.9
90.4
81.4
87.3
94.9
90.4
90.4
91.1
95.7
93.5
99.5
o 121.0
o 104.3
Cotton flannels.
Brussels,
5-frame,
Bigelow.
Ingrain,
Wilton,
5-frame,
Bigelow.
Average.
103.1
112.7
103.1
98.3
93.5
93.5
93.5
95.9
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.1
103.5
108.7
110.3
115.1
117.9
124.7
119.9
108.6
116.2
106.1
111.1
98.5
88.4
85.9
90.9
98.5
96.0
103.5
101.0
101.9
108.1
109.1
116.2
116.2
121.2
116.6
104.2
109.4
104.2
104.2
104.2
91.1
91.1
93.8
99.0
99.0
101.6
101.6
102.2
108.9
110.7
115.9
118.9
123.7
120.2
105.3
112.8
104.5
104.5
98.7
91.0
90.2
93.5
100.2
99.4
102.7
101.9
102.5
108.6
110.0
115.7
117.7
123.2
118.9
Cotton yams.
Year.
Cotton
thread:
6-cord,
200-yard
spools,
Coats.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1892___
1893___
1894___
1895___
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
101.6
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.7
99.6
98.4
98.4
98.4
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
120.1
134.8
131.7
112.1
114.0
116.8
108.6
91.2
92.2
93.7
90.8
91.0
89.4
115.9
97.9
92.4
109.5
115.7
103.5
117.0
130.6
106.9
123.9
123.9
118.7
102.7
95.6
92.1
92.1
81.4
81.4
87.7
104.5
90.7
92.1
104.1
125.4
121.0
130.7
139.9
117.4
119.7
119.7
113.0
100.0
95.7
91.3
95.7
95.7
80.5
88.3
98.6
100.0
100.0
109.4
125.7
118.4
125.7
139.1
121.0
121.8
121.8
115.9
101.4
95.7
91.7
93.9
88.6
81.0
88.0
101.6
95.4
96.1
106.8
125.6
119.7
128.2
139.5
119.2
Drillings.
Carded, Carded,
white,
white,
mulemuleAverage.
spun,
spun,
northern, northern,
cones, 10/1 cones, 22/1.
111.3
111.6
117.2
112.4
94.7
91.9
92.2
90.3
90.5
87.6
115.0
.98.6
95.6
116.2
123.2
107.8
124.6
137.1
110.5
2 | yards 3J yards
to the
to the Average.
pound. pound.
111.7
112.8
117.0
110.5
93.0
92.1
93.0
90.6
90.8
88.5
115.5
98.3
94.0
112.9
119.5
105.7
120.8
133.9
108.8
Denims:
Amoskeag.
112.5
109.6
109.6
112.5
105.4
94.6
94.6
89.2
85.9
85.8
102.8
100.2
100.6
108.0
116.6
103.7
118.1
132.3
111.1
Brown,
Pepperell.
119.4
114.0
101.7
103.1
97.7
92.5
100.2
91.8
89.7
89.2
105.9
102.3
100.5
108.2
127.1
126.0
135.5
144.2
123.4
Flannels:
white,
4-4, Bal
lard
30-inch, Average.
Vale
Stark A.
No. 3.
122.8
115.2
102.7
108.1
96.4
93.9
100.2
88.9
83.9
87.7
104.0
102.1
103.5
111.5
126.3
121.5
142.0
150.1
137.8
121.1
114.6
102.2
105.6
97.1
93.2
100.2
90.4
86.8
88.5
105.0
102.2
102.0
109.9
126.7
123.8
138.8
147.2
130.6
116.8
116.8
115.9
109.5
94.1
81.7
85.4
82.6
97.8
99.5
108.7
100.8
105.8
114.3
117.6
118.4
122.4
123.1
122.4
a Calico: American standard prints, 64 x 64. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230
and 231.
371
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
V.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OP COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cloths and clothing.
Ginghams.
Hosiery.
Horse
blan
Year.
kets: 6
Women’s
cotton Men’s cotton
pounds Men’s
combed
half hose,
Amos- Lan Aver each,
half
hose,
Egyptian
seamless,
all
keag. caster. age.
seamless,
cotton
hose,
fast black,
wool. 20
84 needles. high spliced
to 22 oz.
heel.(o)
189 0 ....
189 1 ....
189 2 ....
189 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
189 5 ....
1 8 96....
1 8 9 7....
189 8 ....
1 8 9 9....
1900....
1 9 0 1....
190 2 ....
190 3 ....
190 4 ....
190 5 ....
190 6 ....
190 7 ....
19 0 8 ....
117.3
122.0
122.0
118.4
91.0
87.4
88.6
82.2
80.9
89.5
96.6
91.9
98.1
103.2
102.8
96.6
106.0
123.5
102.8
120.8
122.2
122.2
111.3
88.0*
86.6
87.3
86.2
85.2
89.9
96.0
92.7
100.3
100.3
97.0
90.2
103.3
120.4
100.0
119.1
122.1
122.1
114.9
89.5
87.0
88.0
84.2
83.1
89.7
96.3
92.3
99.2
101.8
99.9
93.4
104.7
122.0
101.5
133.3
123.1
112.8
110.3
102.6
94.9
87.2
82.1
76.9
76.9
82.1
71.8
76.9
82.1
82.1
82.1
85.3
94.8
88.9
109.1
104.7
109.1
104.7
96.0
92.5
90.8
99.5
99.5
94.2
118.7
109.9
109.9
117.8
122.2
130.9
135.3
130.9
126.5
124.3
124.3
123.6
111.5
92.4
89.2
89.2
82.9
82.9
79.7
82.9
92.4
85.0
90.0
95.9
89.2
89.2
95.6
(*)
Leather.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Harness, oak.
Sole, hem
lock.
99.3
99.6
91.4
92.7
87.8
111.5
98.6
93.9
109.1
116.0
116.8
114.7
114.7
114.3
110.0
115.0
128.1
129.0
121.1
99.1
95.8
89.1
92.6
88.4
106.9
97.0
104.8
109.8
116.2
128.4
127.6
122.1
116.9
116.5
118.1
130.9
136.4
129.3
Sole, oak.
112.1
109.4
101.7
103.6
97.5
101.7
87.0
91.6
95.5
99.9
107.3
104.8
113.0
111.3
102.6
108.9
112.9
113.6
113.0
Women’s
cotton hose, Aver
seamless,
age.
fast black,
26 to 28 oz.
131.6
121.1
115.8
113.2
105.3
92.1
84.2
81.6
76.3
78.9
81.6
71.1
78.9
86.8
81.6
84.2
81.6
89.5
C84.2
102.7
102.7
101.4
101.4
100.0
97.3
94.6
102.7
108.1
100.0
101.4
97.3
94.6
102.7
109.5
95.9
129.7
122.8
117.4
109.4
100.8
94.4
90.5
86.7
83.4
82.5
87.3
85.9
85.2
90.1
89.2
87.5
89.7
97.4
89.5
Linen thread.
Wax calf,
30 to 40 lbs.
to the dozen,
B grade.
91.7
98.8
105.9
98.5
92.3
112.0
98.3
94.1
103.3
105.0
100.3
96.0
100.9
105.4
105.0
106.5
109.5
117.1
d 113.6
3-cord,
Shoe,
Aver 10s,
Bar 200-yard
age.
spools,
bour.
Barbour.
100.6
100.9
97.0
96.9
91.5
108.0
95.2
96.1
104.4
109.3
113.2
110.8
112.7
112.0
108.5
112.1
120.4
124.0
119.4
101.9
101.9
101.9
102.8
105.0
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
101.5
101.9
101.9
96.7
97.2
97.2
102.1
102.1
102.1
104.6
93.2
94.1
97.5
99.9
99.9
99.9
101.8
104.6
104.6
104.6
104.6
104.6
98.2
103.7
103.7
103.7
107.3
(6)
Aver
age.
103.3
97.6
98.0
100.2
102.5
98.6
98.6
99.6
101.0
101.0
103.1
103.3
103.3
97.5
100.5
100.5
102.9
104.7
102.1
Average for 1893-1899=100.0.
6 Quotations discontinued.
c 26-ounce. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
& Chrome calf, glazed finish, 6 grade. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
a
372
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cloths and clothing.
Overcoatings.
Year.
Beaver,
Chinchilla,
Covert
Moscow, all Chinchilla,
cotton
cloth, light
B-rough, warp,
wool,
C. C.
weight,
all
wool.
black.
grade.
staple.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
116.7
116.7
116.7
111.7
95.5
84.9
84.9
84.9
89.4
98.7
120.1
106.1
106.1
117.3
111.7
117.3
(J)
113.4
113.4
113.4
108.5
92.8
87.7
87.7
87.7
97.7
97.7
116.7
97.7
97.7
103.1
103.1
111.8
117.8
119.4
(»)
(*)
109.1
107.7
109.1
109.9
96.9
92.3
89.2
93.7
98.3
93.9
100.2
90.8
92.3
92.8
93.3
94.0
101.6
100.5
89.0
105.7
105.7
105.7
105.7
104.2
99.9
87.4
83.6
97.2
104.9
101.4
97.2
97.2
94.0
94.0
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
Kersey,
standard,
27 to 28
Aver
age.
Print
cloths:
28-inch,
64 x 64.
Shawls:
standard, all
wool, 72 x
144 in.,42-oz.
OZ. (<*)
•
94.9
104.2
100.9
126.3
120.3
120.3
126.3
132.3
146.8
163.7
158.0
148.3
111.2
110.9
111.2
109.0
97.4
91.2
87.3
89.0
97.4
99.2
112.9
102.4
102.7
106.7
106.9
113.4
120.0
118.7
111.7
117.7
103.5
119.3
114.6
96.8
100.9
90.9
87.6
72.6
96.3
108.6
99.3
108.9
113.3
117.3
110.0
127.7
167.4
118.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
89.1
89.5
90.2
89.1
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.0
117.5
128.5
107.0
(6)
Sheetings.
Bleached.
Brown.
Year.
10-4,At
lantic.
1890....
122.1
1891....
116.4
1892....
108.7
1893....
111.8
1894....
94.8
1895....
93.8
1896....
92.6
1897....
87.4
1898....
83.2
1899....
89.4
1900....
111.3
1901....
100.9
1902....
104.4
1903....
115.7
1904....
128.3
1905....
110.2
1906.... <*121.5
1907.... <*134.3
1908.... <*138.7
Pesr
10-4,
Wamsutta
S. T.
116.2
106.6
100.8
103.3
92.5
94.7
95.1
92.3
91.3
107.3
121.7
112.4
111.5
120.8
128.7
120.3
131.4
153.0
129.6
106.0
107.2
99.8
103.6
93.5
92.2
99.2
99.2
99.2
100.1
104.3
99.2
99.2
103.0
94.1
91.6
92.7
103.4
94.7
10-4,
Aver 4-4, At
age.
lantic A.
114.8
110.1
103.1
106.2
93.6
93.6
95.6
93.0
91.2
98.9
112.4
104.2
105.0
113.2
117.0
107.4
115.2
130.2
121.3
121.0
118.1
106.7
111.9
99.3
94.0
96.7
88.6
80.1
84.3
100.4
98.0
99.3
115.0
129.8
115.6
133.6
138.9
(»)
4-4, In 4-4, Pep- 4-4, Stark Aver
dian
age.
Head. perell K. A. A.
115.8
116.1
103.5
108.5
95.5
93.5
99.4
93.9
86.3
86.9
99.5
100.8
99.8
108.8
128.1
121.1
128.1
133.4
124.4
116.2
108.3
103.3
105.8
96.4
96.0
101.3
95.3
86.2
91.5
107.4
107.4
103.3
108.7
121.4
116.9
124.3
135.4
124.0
125.7
113.1
103.8
109.3
99.2
97.7
97.3
86.1
80.8
85.9
96.8
94.1
C92.6
c 101.9
c 117.0
c 118.6
c 125.5
c 127.1
«102.0
119.7
113.9
104.3
108.9
97.6
95.3
98.7
91.0
83.4
87.2
101.0
100.1
98.8
108.6
124.1
118.1
127.9
133.7
118.1
Aver
age.
117.6
112.3
103.8
107.7
95.9
94.6
97.4
91.8
86.7
92.2
105.9
101.8
101.4
110.6
121.1
113.5
122.4
132.2
120.0
Average for 1897-1899=100.0.
& Quotations discontinued.
c Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Massachusetts Mills, Flying Horse brand. For method of computing relative
price, see pages 230 and 231.
<* Sheetings: bleached, 9-4, Atlantic. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
e Sheetings: brown, 4-4, Lawrence, L. L. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
a
373
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cloths and clothing.
Shirtings: bleached.
Silk: raw.
Year.
WamNew 4-4,sutta
4-4, Fruit
Lons 4-4,
Italian,
York
Average. classical.
of the 4-4, Hope. 4-4,dale.
<
o
>
Loom.
Mills.
XX
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
18 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
19 0 0 ....
19 0 1 ....
190 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
116.1
109.8
111.0
114.3
99.9
96.2
95.6
88.0
80.2
88.5
103.4
103.0
103.8
105.4
110.2
102.7
112.2
153.4
125.4
115.2
111.6
105.2
113.2
98.4
96.5
98.4
91.1
82.2
87.5
106.5
111.0
107.3
107.1
111.9
105.2
115.6
143.7
(6)
116.2
113.1
111.7
114.4
100.0
95.9
94.2
87.1
81.8
86.1
100.6
101.5
101.9
103.9
109.5
101.7
110.9
141.0
120.1
110.5
110.2
106.3
105.6
101.0
97.1
101.0
95.4
89.5
82.8
89.7
86.8
87.4
97.0
94.7
96.8
0108.0
0132.8
0107.1
106.6
106.4
102.6
103.5
100.2
102.2
100.3
98.6
85.1
94.1
101.8
92.3
93.4
102.7
97.2
99.4
109.0
116.0
11&0
112.9
110.2
107.4
110.2
99.9
97.6
97.9
92.0
83.8
87.8
100.4
98.9
98.8
103.2
104.7
101.2
111.1
137.4
120.0
122.7
98.4
105.3
118.2
86.5
94.9
85.3
85.5
91.1
112.1
106.0
90.4
96.5
106.3
90.8
96.5
101.6
131.1
98.2
Japan,
filatures.
Average.
130.5
99.8
107.7
113.0
83.7
94.2
84.8
86.2
90.5
109.7
103.7
87.4
95.1
102.9
90.6
99.3
103.6
125.9
96.8
126.6
99.1
106.5
115.6
85.1
94.6
85.1
85.9
90.8
110.9
104.9
88.9
95.8
104.6
90.7
97.9
102.6
128.5
97.5
Saltings.
Year.
1890___
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894___
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Clay
worsted
diagonal,
12-oz.,
Wash.
Mills.(c)
92.5
89.1
92.2
111.3
114.9
131.4
110.6
110.9
115,2
112.2
132.7
147.5
142.1
135.2
Clay
worsted
diagonal,
16-oz.,
Wash.
Mills.(c)
Indigo blue,
all wool,
54-inch, 14ounce,
Middlesex.
Indigo
blue, all
wool, 16ounce.
93.8
87.6
93.3
111.4
113.9
133.7
111.0
108.6
112.1
109.6
129.3
146.4
139.3
133.0
116.9
116.9
116.9
114.0
111.1
87.1
86.0
79.1
86.0
86.0
86.0
89.6
99.2
108.8
109.1
115.6
129.3
129.3
119.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
109.2
92.3
83.0
89.9
87.4
103.2
107.2
118.4
109.2
109.2
112.6
114,1
119.0
126.2
12a 2
(»)
Williamsville, A l.
6 Quotations discontinued.
a
Serge,
Washing Trouserings,
Aver
fancy
ton Mills worsted.(d)
age.
6700.(d)
120.9
120.9
90.7
90.7
81.6
87.7
99.8
107.7
107.6
106.6
105.1
100.4
102.9
128.1
138.8
139.5
132.0
106.6
106.6
98.9
87.9
92.3
92.3
108.9
106.6
117.6
102.2
101.8
104.6
io a 2
111.6
120.6
122.3
124.6
113.1
113.1
113.4
112.7
98.3
89.2
87.8
88.7
103.4
io a i
115.8
104.9
105.8
109.0
109.0
122.7
134.8
133.1
127.6
c Average for 1895-1899=100.0.
d Average for 1892-1899=100.0.
Tickings:
Amoskeag
A. C. A.
113.1
110.7
108.4
111.3
102 2
94.8
9a 0
91.9
84.3
87.0
102.2
95.5
99.0
104.1
114.3
102.1
119.0
129.4
io a o
374
Table
BULLETIN OF TH E BUBEAU OF LABOK.
V.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Cloths and clothing.
Underwear.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Women's dress goods.
CashShirts
CashCashAlpaca, mere,
Shirts
and
all mere,
mere,
cotton
and
wool,
drawers,
cotton
cotton
drawers, white, Aver warp,
10-11
warp,
warp,
white,
twin,
merino, age. 22-inch,
9-twfll, 22-inch,
Hamil 38-in.,
all wool, 52%
wool,
At 4-4, At Hamil
ton.
etc.
ton.
etc.
lantic J. lantic F.
106.2
110.0
110.0
110.0
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
92.7
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.4
115.8
115.8
115.8
106.9
112.7
112.7
112.7
95.4
92.5
92.5
92.5
95.4
86.7
95.4
95.4
95.4
95.4
95.4
95.4
106.0
106.0
106.0
106.6
111.4
111.4
111.4
94.1
92.6
92.6
92.6
94.1
93.6
97.9
97.9
97.9
97.9
97.9
97.9
110.9
110.9
110.9
108.1
m i
106.3
104.6
100.9
93.7
93.7
93.7
9a 7
96.6
104 6
104 6
103.7
101.5
112.4
a 114 9
ol21.6
a l2 4 9
4 124 9
Wool.
Year.
18 9 0 ....
18 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
189 3 ....
189 4 ....
1895___
1 8 9 6 ....
18 9 7 ....
18 9 8 ....
189 9 ....
190 0 ....
19 0 1 ....
190 2 ....
190 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
190 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
Ohio, fine Ohio, medi
fleece (X and um fleece (1
X X grade), and | grade),
scoured.
scoured.
129.5
1241
110.7
102.0
80.5
68.2
71.3
89.7
111.3
112.8
119.3
98.7
104 4
11&5
124 2
137.4
129.9
129.9
129.6
134 6
127.5
115.6
101.2
77.6
71.9
69.8
87.6
105.3
108.8
116.0
945
97.2
102.1
106.7
117.2
112.3
uao
107.3
119.8
126.1
128 2
111.8
843
81.0
67.5
82.2
88.6
110.4
119.1
111.3
111.3
114 3
117.7
128.4
134 9
134 9
«127.1
119.3
119.3
117.7
98.4
88.7
83.8
83.6
90.3
943
104 8
m o
104 3
108.0
110.5
114 5
132.7
141.8
147.0
138.6
109.9
109.9
108.3
106.7
100.3
97.0
93.8
90.5
90.5
9a 1
100.3
100.3
99.5
97.8
106.7
6107.7
6109.6
6110.1
6 1 ia 5
Cashmere, Frank
cotton
lin
warp,
sack Aver
age.
27-inch, ings,
Hamil
6-4.
ton.
111.0
115.3
111.0
119.9
109.6
119.9
106.1
117.6
96.8
102.7
95.8
843
93.0
80.7
88.8
82.2
88.4
88.8
93.0
949
99.9
118.3
102.7
104 5
102.0
m 3
101.2
114 5
lia 4
110.5
121.4
131.0
c l2 4 6 13a 3
c 127.8
126.8
c l2 4 6 /126.8
•I ia 9
115.7
115.0
107.5
95.6
89.3
85.4
88.0
90.7
98.8
108.4
104 6
105.5
106.6
112.5
122.7
127.6
128.6
126.3
Worsted yams.
Average.
132.1
125.8
I ia 2
101.6
79.1
70.1
70.6
88.7
m 3
110.8
117.7
96.6
100.8
110.3
115.5
127.3
121.1
121.5
ua3
XXX,
2-40s, Aus 2-40S,
white, in
tralian fine.
skeins.
12a 4
121.3
119.6
111.4
91.3
72.9
71.2
83.6
101.2
107.1
na3
102.2
110.3
115.6
116.6
12a 0
127.0
127.3
120.8
1241
125.4
114 8
107.6
91.2
75.1
745
81.3
99.7
m 3
l ia s
102.1
011 a l
0120.4
0116.3
0126.4
0130.0
0128.4
A114 4
Average.
122.3
12a 4
117.2
109.5
91.3
74 0
72.9
82.5
100.5
106.7
na4
102.2
111.7
nao
116.5
124 7
12a 5
127.9
117.6
Average,
cloths and
clothing.
lia s
111.3
109.0.
107.2
96.1
92.7
91.3
91.1
9a4
96.7
106.8
101.0
102.0
106.6
109.8
112.0
120.0
126.7
lia 9
a Danish cloth, cotton warp and filling, 22-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages
230 and 231,
&Poplar cloth, cotton warp and filling, 36-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages
230 ana 231.
c Cashmere, cotton warp, 36-inch, Hamilton, For method of computing relative price, see pages 230
and 231.
d Sicilian cloth, cotton warp, 50-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
«Cashmere, all wool, 8-9 twill, 35-inch, Atlantic Hills. For method of computing relative price, see
pages 230 and 231.
/Panama cloth, all wool, 54-inch. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
o Designated as X X X X .
h 2-32s, crossbred stock, white, in skeins. For method of computing relative price, see pages 230 and 231.
375
WHOLESALE PEICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Fuel and lighting.
Coal.
Year.
Candles:
ada
man
tine,
6s, 14-oz.
189 0 ....
1 8 91....
1 8 92....
189 3 ....
1 8 94....
1895....
1 8 96....
1 8 9 7....
1 8 9 8....
1 8 9 9....
1 9 0 0....
1 9 0 1....
190 2 ....
1 9 0 3....
1 9 0 4....
190 5 ....
19 0 6 ....
190 7 ....
190 8 ....
102.3
102.3
102.3
112.9
110.9
108.7
108.7
95.3
78.4
78.4
135.4
140.7
140.7
127.4
115.1
109.7
98.0
94.8
93.5
Year.
Coke:
Connellsville,
furnace.
Anthracite.
Bituminous.
Bro
ken.
Chest
nut.
Egg.
Stove.
Aver
age.
103.5
102.3
107.4
105.8
101.5
97.5
97.1
96.4
95.4
93.1
97.1
105.5
110.4
126.2
126.1
125.1
124.8
124.9
124.8
93.3
96.7
109.7
115.9
98.5
82.9
98.9
103.9
98.8
101.4
108.9
120.4
124.0
134.2
134.2
134.1
135.2
134.1
134.1
100.6
104.4
110.8
107.2
94.3
84.3
98.8
105.7
100.2
93.8
99.7
112.9
121.5
134.3
134.2
134.3
135.3
134.2
134.1
97.8
101.6
109.4
110.5
94 9
82.4
100.0
105.8
100.1
97.6
104 0
113.9
117.6
127.1
127.1
127.1
128.1
127.1
127.1
98.8
101.3
109.3
109.9
97.3
86.8
98.7
103.0
98.6
96.5
102.4
113.2
118.4
130.5
130.4
130.2
130.9
130.1
130.1
Pitts
Aver
Georges Georges
Creek
burg
Creek (f.
Aver age.
(Yougho.
b.
(at
age.
ioN. Y.
mine). Harbor).
gheny).
97.1
106.9
101.3
103.6
92.4
87.2
101.3
93.8
102.7
113.9
135.0
150.5
239.1
269.6
196.9
180.0
174.4
173.0
162.2
108.9
110.5
106.9
107.6
99.8
102.5
97.1
89.0
79.3
98.4
106.0
106.6
148.0
161.8
116.5
114 8
113.9
118.0
112.3
103.3
122.7
116.5
117.9
98.6
93.3
89.1
88.6
87.9
82.6
117.0
117.0
122.4
143.9
132.5
124 4
122.7
128.1
132.3
103.1
113.4
108.2
109.7
96.9
94 3
95.8
90.5
90.0
98.3
119.3
124.7
169.8
191.8
148.6
139.7
137.0
139.7
136.1
100.6
106.4
108.9
109.8
97.1
90.0
97.5
97.6
94 9
97.3
109.7
118.1
140.4
156.7
138.2
134.3
133.5
134.2
132.7
Petroleum.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
122.7
110.4
106.5
87.1
62.3
78.0
110.4
95.2
98.8
128.7
155.8
115.6
158.2
171.5
96.4
134 7
157.5
166.3
100.6
Matches:
parlor,
domestic.
111.5
99.6
99.6
99.6
94 9
96.1
99.6
99.6
99.6
99.6
99.6
99.6
90.1
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
85.4
Refined.
Crude.
95.4
73.6
61.1
70.3
92.2
149.2
129.5
86.5
100.2
142.1
148.5
132.9
135.9
174 5
178.8
152.1
175.5
190.5
195.6
For
export.
112.9
105.5
93.8
80.4
79.4
109.6
108.2
92.0
96.8
121.9
131.6
115.4
113.1
132.5
127.3
111.2
117.4
127.0
133.9
Average.
150° fire
test, w. w.
Average.
111.8
98.8
89.2
81.5.
81.5
103.6
116.7
101.1
102.1
114 0
133.5
123.1
124 5
153.1
153.6
141.9
146.1
151.2
151.7
112.4
102.2
81.4
81.0
80.5
106.6
112.5
96.6
99.5
118.0
132.6
119.3
118.8
142.8
140.5
126.6
131.8
139.1
143.1
106.7
92.6
91.5
77.4
84 4
120.8
118.1
93.2
99.7
126.0
137.9
123.8
124 5
153.4
153.2
135.1
146.3
156.2
160.6
Average,
fuel and
lighting.
104 7
102.7
101.1
100.0
92.4
98.1
104 3
96.4
95.4
105.0
120.9
119.5
134 3
149.3
132.6
128.8
131.9
135.0
130.8
376
B U LLETIN OF TH E BUBEAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Metals and implements.
Builders’ hardware.
Bar iron.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
From
mill
(Pitts
burg
mar
ket).
126.9
117.9
113.1
103.4
82.8
86.2
84.1
75.9
73.8
134.5
148.3
124.1
133.8
122.1
102.1
129.0
126.8
131.3
109.5
From
store
(Fhila. Aver
age.
mar
ket).
125.0
115.9
114.0
103.7
81.7
87.8
85.4
79.9
78.0
126.2
119.5
112.2
129.9
122.0
104.9
117.1
120.7
128.7
103.7
126.0
116.9
113.6
103.6
82.3
87.0
84.8
77.9
75.9
130.4
133.9
118.2
131.9
122.1
103.5
123.1
123.8
130.0
106.6
Barb
wire:
gal
van
ized.
141.2
127.4
109.5
99.7
86.1
88.9
77.7
71.3
72.7
125.5
134.4
120.2
116.9
108.4
99.3
94.3
96.1
104.3
103.8
Door
knobs:
Butts. steel,
bronze
plated.
111.7
111.7
96.8
98.4
95.9
100.3
104.1
96.8
92.4
92.4
126.6
116.8
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
126.6
97.8
97.8
97.8
97.8
97.8
115.1
102.1
97.8
97.8
97.8
106.8
112.0
126.9
132.6
144.8
213.6
259.8
265.2
235.7
Copper.
Locks:
com Aver In
mon
got.
mor age.
tise.
101.6
101.6
101.6
101.6
100.1
102.0
106.1
102.0
91.8
91.8
96.5
91.8
104.0
110.2
125.5
183.1
221.3
244 8
203.2
103.7
103.7
98.7
99.3
97.9
105.8
1041
98.9
94 0
940
110.0
106.9
119.2
123.1
132.3
174 4
202.6
212.2
192.3
127.6
105.8
93.5
88.6
76.8
87.1
88.9
91.7
96.8
143.2
134 6
136.7
97.3
110.9
106.2
127.7
158.9
172.2
110.5
Sheet,
hotrolled Wire,
(base bare.
sizes).
Aver
age.
137.1 128.1
114 5 112.7
96.4
98.2
90.4
92.2
85.9
79.0
85.9
84 6
85.9
92.6
88.2
93.9
8 4 4 93.9
131.1 124 7
124 6 123.0
125.9 124 0
107.5 90.6
115.6 102.3
108.5 98.2
120.1 116.3
143.2 1 4 4 0
168.3 1641
108.0 103.8
130.9
111.0
96.0
90.4
80.6
85.9
89.1
91.3
91.7
133.0
127.4
128.9
98.5
109.6
104 3
121.4
148.7
168.2
107.4
Metals and implements.
Nails.
Year.
Lead:
pig-
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900*...
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
115.5
114 7
108.4
98.2
86.9
85.6
78.7
940
99.7
117.6
116.8
115.0
107.9
112.3
116.3
125.7
154 3
144 9
110.8
Lead
pipe.
Pig iron.
Wire,
Cut,
8-penny, 8-penny, Aver
fence
fence
age.
and
and
common. common.
112.1
116.2
107.6
103.8
92.0
87.2
85.1
89.6
95.5
111.0
106.3
1048
108.3
107.8
99.5
108.4
133.3
139.2
98.4
125.2
100.3
96.2
92.0
83.6
105.3
148.4
72.9
65.3
110.8
123.1
115.6
116.7
120.2
99.5
99.9
105.7
118.3
106.7
137.1
1141
101.3
92.1
76.4
98.0
135.3
68.7
66.5
110.4
121.8
109.4
97.3
96.0
88.2
87.7
90.6
97.9
97.1
131.2
107.2
98.8
92.1
80.0
101.7
141.9
70.8
65.9
110.6
122.5
112.5
107.0
108.1
93.9
93.8
98.2
108.1
102.4
Besse Foundry Foundry
mer.
No. 1.
No. 2.
137.0
115.8
1 043
93.4
82.6
92.3
88.1
73.5
75.0
138.1
141.5
115.7
150.0
137.7
99.8
118.7
141.8
165.8
123.9
1243
118.4
106.4
98.1
85.5
88.5
87.5
81.7
78.8
130.8
135.0
107.2
149.9
134 5
105.2
120.8
141.7
161.4
119.6
131.4
117.9
105.5
95.3
83.1
89.4
90.2
77.4
76.8
132.9
141.8
112.8
162.7
146.6
104 4
125.7
147.6
182.9
1245
Gray
forge,
south
ern,
coke.
130.8
112.9
106.3
95.9
80.6
93.1
86.6
79.4
78.6
135.8
140.7
113.2
158.8
146.4
105.3
130.7
149.1
189.3
129.6
Aver
age.
130.9
116.3
105.6
95.7
83.0
90.8
88.1
78.0
77.3
134 4
139.8
112.2
155.4
141.3
103.7
124.0
145.1
1 749
12 4 8
377
WHOLESALE PBICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able V .—Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Metals and implements.
Tin plates.
Year.
1890___
1891___
1892___
1893
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Steel
sheets:
black,
No.27.(»)
Quick Silver:
bar,
silver.
fine.
Spelter:
western.
Steel
billets.
Steel
rails.
140.6
132.2
116.9
104.4
85.5
88.5
91.0
81.1
78.9
80.8
82.9
79.7
70.5
72.4
77.2
81.5
90.0
88.1
71.4
122.6
112.4
102.9
90.7
78.5
80.1
88.7
93.1
100.2
130.1
97.8
89.6
107.7
123.5
113.9
131.0
137.2
136.5
105.1
141.5
117.7
109.8
94.9
77.0
85.9
87.5
70.1
71.1
144.6
116.4
112.1
142.1
129.7
103.0
111.6
127.5
135.9
122.2
121.9
114.8
115.1
107.9
92.1
93.4
107.4
71.9
67.6
107.9
123.9
104.9
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
130.5
112.3
100.9
93.2
85.7
91.8
89.0
92.2
97.0
107.3
121.0
118.5
115.5
113.4
105.5
97.4
98.6
97.1
109.1
i04.9
108.9
96.0
87.1
84.8
119.2
130.8
140.6
129.9
116.1
93.8
99.1
105.8
111.6
107.1
Tin:
Pig.
115.5
110.3
110.9
109.0
98.7
76.5
72.4
74.0
84.5
148.2
163.7
142.6
144.2
153.4
152.5
170.3
213.6
211.1
160.2
Domes
tic, Bes
semer,
coke,
14x20.(6)
100.6
93.2
83.5
122.7
137.0
122.7
120.7
115.4
105.5
108.5
113.1
119.8
113.9
Import
ed, JBes- Aver
semer,
coke, I.C., age.
14x20. (c)
104.6
116.4
115.7
117.1
106.7
84.4
82.9
85.1
87.2
(d)
104.6
116.4
115.7
117.1
106.7
84.4
91.8
89.2
85.4
122.7
137.0
122.7
120.7
115.4
105.5
108.5
113.1
119.8
113.9
( d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
(d)
Tools.
Year.
Augers.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
18 9 6 ....
189 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 02....
1 9 03....
1 9 04....
190 5 ....
1 9 0 6....
1 9 0 7....
190 8 ....
118.2
118.2
118.2
111.9
95.9
82.9
86.7
88.6
88.6
91.1
124.4
105.7
111.9
143.7
149.3
190.7
221.8
223.9
223.9
Axes:
M.C.O.,
Yankee.
120.4
118.3
106.5
106.5
100.9
98.0
88.4
83.9
70.9
97.1
102.9
88.8
103.0
107.6
123.3
134.7
143.1
144.9
144.9
Chisels:
extra,
socket
firmer,
1-inch.
110.9
110.9
110.9
102.1
91.5
90.3
94.7
90.3
90.8
107.6
127.6
121.4
142.6
147.8
158.4
209.5
221.1
234.3
198.0
Planes:
Files: 8- Hammers: Bailey
inchmill Maydole
No. 5,
No, 1$.
bastard.
jack
plane.
106.7
104.6
102.2
101.6
97.3
95.4
91.2
94.4
96.8
109.7
127.8
123.1
123.1
123.1
122.0
121.6
119.8
117.0
111.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
96.9
97.6
105.2
105.2
100.6
107.0
115.9
117.2
117.2
129.0
129.0
129.0
129.0.
129.0
129.0
Average for the period July, 1894, to December, 1899=100.0
& Average for 1896-1899=100.0.
a
107.4
107.4
107.4
107.4
104.3
93.9
93.0
93.0
93.0
93.0
107.0
110.4
114.2
115.7
115.7
115.7
129.3
115.7
115.7
c
Saws.
Crosscut, Hand,
Disston Disston
No. 2.
No. 7.
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Average.
112.7
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
101.3
101.3
101.3
Average for 1890-1898=100.0.
Quotations discontinued.
106.4
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
99.3
100.7
100.7
100.7
378
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price ior 1890-1899=100.0.]
Metals and implements.
Tools.
Year.
18 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
189 2 ....
189 3 ....
189 4 ....
1 8 95....
1 8 96....
189 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
189 9 ....
190 0 ....
190 1 ....
190 2 ....
1 9 03....
1 9 04....
190 5 ....
190 6 ....
19 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
Shovels:
Ames No. 2.
Trowels: M.
C. O., brick,
lOJ-inch.
Vises: solid
box, 50pound.
Average.
Wood
screws: 1inch, No. 10,
flat head.
100.1
100.1
100.1
100.1
94.7
94.7
99.3
100.8
100.8
109.4
115.9
115.9
118.9
102.0
97.3
96.9
96.9
99.7
99.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
106.1
106.1
109.1
107.6
104.0
97.2
95.4
89.7
84.1
100.7
109.4
128.7
131.5
132.7
109.1
106.1
115.9
147.4
147.4
107.2
105.6
104.5
103.0
98.6
95.3
95.7
95.0
93.9
101.3
111.8
110.0
114.6
118.2
118.4
127.5
134.4
115.7
113.6
130.5
132.5
139.1
139.1
103.2
74.0
68.4
56.3
60.8
96.2
120.5
69.2
63.0
72.4
62.6
69.9
69.9
80.7
66.2
Zinc:
sheet.
Average,
metals and
implements.
114.0
107.7
103.4
94.0
74.4
85.1
93.0
93.0
103.5
131.9
114.8
104.7
107.9
113.3
105.6
128.5
135.0
140.9
121.3
119.2
111.2
106.7
100.0
90.7
92.7
93.0
86.7
86.6
114.4
120.7
111.5
117.9
117.2
109.6
122.6
135.5
143.2
125.4
Lumber and building materials.
Year
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Brick:
common
domestic.
118.0
102.6
103.7
104.9
89.9
95.5
91.0
88.8
103.4
102.2
94.4
103.7
96.8
106.2
134.7
145.7
153.7
110.7
91.8
Cement.
Carbonate
of lead:
American, Portland,
in oil.
domestic.(o) Bosendale. Average.
110.6
112.7
114.0
105.5
90.8
91.0
89.6
92.7
94.1
98.4
108.3
99.8
93.4
106.6
103.6
109.7
119.6
120.8
112.7
98.6
100.2
98.5
100.1
102.6
108.1
94.7
97.7
101.6
73.2
71.5
78.9
82.4
73.1
a
118.8
106.2
109.2
100.0
104.5
96.1
93.9
84.8
85.7
100.8
114.6
114.8
97.5
100.3
90.4
93.9
107.1
107.1
107.1
118.8
106.2
109.2
100.0
104.5
97.4
97.1
91.7
92.9
101.7
111.4
104.8
97.6
101.0
81.8
82.7
93.0
94.8
89.5
Average for 1895-1899=100.0.
Doors:
pine.
125.8
114.4
114.4
112.1
96.1
83.5
76.6
74.3
84.6
118.2
145.5
173.1
194.1
158.2
154.6
163.2
153.5
167.5
161.3
Lime:
common.
117.5
109.5
111.5
111.5
101.8
93.8
83.3
86.3
89.0
95.8
82.0
92.9
96.7
94.5
99.0
106.9
113.7
113.9
125.4
Linseed
oil: raw.
135.8
106.8
90.0
102.2
115.6
115.6
81.2
72.2
86.5
94.1
138.7
140.0
130.8
91.9
91.7
103.1
89.3
95.7
96.5
379
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T able
V.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Lumber and building materials.
Oak: white.
Year.
Hem
lock.
Maple:
hard.
White, boards.
Plain.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
105.2
104.1
102.8
100.3
97.9
93.2
93.3
92.0
98.2
113.0
137.9
125.4
132.4
140.4
142.1
149.4
183.0
186.0
174.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.1
103.8
100.8
107.8
119.5
117.0
115.1
117.0
121.7
119.3
Pine.
Quar
tered.
Aver
age.
95.9
99.8
98.7
98.7
95.2
99.2
101.5
100.3
97.8
112.7
120.1
110.2
117.5
139.3
150.4
149.5
147.5
149.0
149.3
98.6
100.7
100.7
101.1
97.4
98.0
99.2
98.6
97.3
108.4
114.6
104.2
113.4
129.6
137.3
138.0
141.1
148.3
140.5
101.2
101.5
102.7
103.5
99.5
96.8
96.8
96.8
96.8
104.1
109.1
98.2
109.2
119.8
124.2
126.5
134.7
147.5
131.7
Lumber.
Year.
189 0 ....
18 9 1 ....
1892___
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
189 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
189 7 ....
189 8 ....
189 9 ....
1 9 0 0....
190 1 ....
190 2 ....
190 3 ....
190 4 ....
1 9 0 5....
1 9 0 6....
1 9 07....
1 9 0 8....
Poplar.
Spruce.
97.2
97.2
97.6
107.2
101.2
98.8
98.8
97.8
95.6
108.5
120.2
117.0
134.2
158.3
160.5
153.7
162.5
185.2
185.8
113.5
99.1
103.5
96.0
88.6
99.3
99.3
97.6
95.8
107.3
121.1
125.4
134.2
133.7
142.9
149.3
178.0
167.3
144.9
No. 2
bam.
Uppers.
98.1
99.4
100.2
108.9
106.2
100.8
96.4
92.5
90.6
106.9
125.7
122.0
137.3
140.3
134.4
141.2
173.9
195.7
190.3
94.7
96.7
98.9
104.2
99.7
98.8
100.2
99.5
99.0
108.4
123.5
129.8
160.7
171.8
174.0
176.1
182.0
200.2
198.1
Aver
age.
96.4
112.4
98.1
108.1
99.6
100.2
100.2
106.6
100.2
103.0
91.6
99.8
98.3
88.9
89.0
96.0
94.8
100.9
108.5
107.7
124.6
112.2
106.5
125.9
113.7
149.0
156.1 . 113.7
154.2
116.0
158.7
134.9
178.0
158.9
165.2
198.0
194.2
a 171.8
Average.
101.7
101.4
99.8
104.4
102.0
97.1
95.2
93.7
96.8
107.9
120.5
119.4
137.2
141.9
141.5
150.7
171.6
187.0
a 189.0
Plate glass: polished.
Oxide of
zinc. > Area 3 to
Average.
5 sq. ft.
102.0
100.7
100.5
102.1
98.7
97.6
97.2
96.2
97.2
107.7
119.3
115.0
127.4
137.4
140.2
144.0
159.7
168.6
o 164.0
106.3
104.8
106.5
103.3
93.3
87.5
95.8
94.3
99.0
109.5
112.8
109.5
110.0
115.8
115.8
116.3
127.0
134.5
128.3
146.0
143.3
115.7
115.7
90.9
82.6
93.7
55.1
74.4
82.6
93.7
88.2
70.9
72.3
62.7
66.3
76.1
77.2
58.2
Area 5 to Average.
10 sq. ft.
134.9
132.9
106.0
106.0
86.7
92.5
104.0
61.7
82.9
92.5
104.0
94.4
79.2
83.1
70.3
71.8
77.7
80.1
64.8
140.5
138.1
110.9
110.9
88.8
87.6
98.9
58.4
78.7
87.6
98.9
91.3
75.1
77.7
66.5
69.1
76.9
78.7
61.5
a Including yellow pine flooring, see explanation, page 231.
Yellow,
siding.
Putty.
110.8
110.8
101.9
101.3
99.4
91.8
91.8
91.8
91.8
106.3
120.3
94.9
121.5
89.2
69.6
69.0
75.3
75.9
75.9
Rosin:
good,
strained.
96.1
102.4
93.2
87.6
86.9
108.4
121.2
112.0
98.7
93.5
111.3
106.3
112.0
153.9
196.8
237.7
278.8
304.0
227.9
380
Table
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Lumber and building materials.
Window glass: American,
single.
Shingles.
Year.
* Turpen
tine:
spirits of.
Tar.
Cypress.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
189 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
189 9 ....
190 0 ....
190 1 ....
190 2 ....
1 9 0 3....
1 9 0 4 ....
190 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
19 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
118.7
115.2
111.7
106.3
99.2
93.9
88.6
83.3
88.6
94.4
101.0
101.0
94.7
91.0
92.2
96.6
114.9
149.8
125.4
White
pine.
102.6
106.9
104.4
102.8
100.2
98.8
96.5
94.6
94.9
98.3
106.9
111.9
123.0
125.1
122.5
119.9
ol57.2
ol91.5
o 143.0
Average.
122.4
131.4
107.9
86.8
90.6
94.8
84.0
87.5
91.1
103.4
113.1
106.4
110.0
139.4
139.4
145.9
162.5
193.3
132.8
110.7
111.1
108.1
104.6
99.7
96.4
92.6
89.0
91.8
96.4
104.0
106.5
108.9
108.1
107.4
108.3
136.1
170.7
135.2
Firsts,
6 x 8 to
10x15
inches.
122.0
113.5
96.5
89.8
87.7
87.4
82.1
87.5
96.4
137.0
142.7
111.5
141.8
171.0
172.2
187.7
198.9
189.8
135.6
103.6
102.8
92.7
99.4
92.6
74.3
83.8
102.2
122.9
125.9
125.5
191.9
149.6
122.7
134.2
128.5
135.7
130.8
109.7
Thirds,
6 x 8 to
10x15
inches.
98.2
97.3
87.7
94.0
89.8
76.5
88.0
107.9
128.8
131.9
127.5
180.4
141.0
118.7
128.0
117.5
124.0
123.2
10&4
Average,
lumber
and
building
mate
Average.
rials.
100.9
100.1
90.2
96.7
91.2
75.4
85.9
105.1
125.9
128.9
126.5
186,2
145.3
120.7
131.1
123.0
129.9
127.0
106.5
111.8
108.4
102.8
101.9
96.3
94.1
93.4
90.4
95.8
105.8
115.7
116.7
118.8
121.4
122.7
127.7
140.1
146.9
6133.1
Sul
phuric
acid:
66°.
Average,
drugs
and
chemic
als.
Drugs and chemicals.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Alcohol:
Opium:
wood, Alum: Brim
Alcohol: refined,
stone: Glgcer- Muriatic
natural, Quinine:
acid:
Ameri
grain.
crude,
lump.
in
95 per
20°.
can.
seconds. refined.
cases.
cent.
92.5
98.9
95.6
97.3
96.1
104.0
102.7
101.6
103.8
107.6
106.5
109.7
107.4
106.9
108.6
108.3
110.0
112.6
117.7
119.2
121.6
136.0
135.4
75.5
90.9
89.1
72.9
78.6
80.8
83.9
64.2
67.3
62.0
61.6
70.8
73.4
41.8
44.8
109.0
94.6
95.8
104.2
101.2
95.8
98.2
99.4
98.8
100.6
104.8
104.8
104.8
103.6
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
104.8
102.2
138.2
116.7
90.5
80.1
75.5
86.8
97.2
110.7
102.1
102.2
106.3
113.2
107.9
105.2
102.8
107.1
103.9
105.3
126.3
109.9
99.8
96.2
85.3
86.1
119.4
93.5
88.5
95.0
108.3
107.5
103.2
103.4
99.8
88.5
80.7
98.9
106.6
100.0
94.2
116.3
97.1
84.6
79.8
72.1
104.8
123.1
129.8
129.8
144.2
161.5
153.8
153.8
153.8
129.8
129.8
129.8
111.0
82.4
70.8
101.3
96.8
78.0
88.6
99.2
141.6
130.2
135.6
136.8
120.0
130.6
116.5
128.5
125.0
209.6
199.8
133.1
102.0
88.7
87.4
106.5
102.0
97.8
74.3
87.2
120.9
135.2
123.0
1047
102.6
948
85.4
67.4
72.2
63.7
98.9
91.0
106.7
95.5
82.0
78.7
78.7
106.7
127.0
1348
1 348
140.4
146.1
142.7
144.9
139.3
112.4
112.4
1146
110.2
103.6
102.9
100.5
89.8
87.9
92.6
94.4
106.6
111.3
115.7
115.2
1 142
112.6
110.0
109.1
101.2
109.6
110.4
^Shingles: red cedar, random width, 16 inches long. For method of computing relative price, see pages
* Including yellow pine flooring. Spe explanation, page 231.
381
WHOLESALE PRICES, 1890 TO 1908.
T a b l e V . — Y E A R L Y R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Continued.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
House furnishing goods.
Furniture.
Earthenware.
Year.
Plates,
creamcolored.
1 8 9 0 ....
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1908.___
108.0
105.6
102.3
102.3
101.0
94.6
92.0
92.0
100.4
101.7
106.6
112.5
112.5
115.4
113.8
106.6
106.6
106.6
104.0
Teacups
Chairs,
Plates,
Chairs,
and sau Average. Bedroom bedroom,
white
kitchen.
sets.
white
maple.
granite. cers,
granite.
109.1
106.9
103.7
103.7
101.9
92.9
89.1
89.1
100.8
102.9
108.1
113.8
113.8
111.4
110.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
102.4
109.6
107.4
104.2
104.2
102.8
94.4
90.1
90.1
98.0
99.2
104.3
109.7
109.7
107.4
106.4
98.8
98.8
98.8
98.8
Nap-
&
1890___
1 8 9 1 ....
1 8 9 2 ....
1 8 9 3 ....
1 8 9 4 ....
1 8 9 5 ....
1 8 9 6 ....
1 8 9 7 ....
1 8 9 8 ....
1 8 9 9 ....
1 9 0 0 ....
1 9 0 1 ....
1 9 0 2 ....
1 9 0 3 ....
1 9 0 4 ....
1 9 0 5 ....
1 9 0 6 ....
1 9 0 7 ....
1 9 0 8 ....
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
107.1
89.3
89.3
89.3
89.3
89.3
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
125.0
108.9
113.7
113.7
113.7
104.2
104.2
94.3
82.9
82.9
94.7
95.7
106.6
106.6
111.3
115.3
116.1
117.0
122.8
137.4
134.3
113.0
113.0
110.6
110.6
96.9
96.9
96.9
80.7
82.7
98.9
129.1
113.0
118.4
127.8
129.1
129.1
143.9
161.4
152.0
Table cutlery.
Glassware.
Year.
108.9
106.6
103.4
103.4
101.9
94.0
90.4
90.4
99.7
101.3
106.3
112.0
112.0
111.4
110.2
102.6
102.6
102.6
101.7
Tables,
kitchen. Average.
109.8
109.8
111.1
111.1
91.5
91.5
91.5
91.5
86.6
105.7
136.1
124.2
128.5
130.7
124.7
124.2
134.0
151.4
156.8
103.9
103.9
103.9
103.9
98.7
98.7
95.6
95.6
95.6
100.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
108.1
114.3
124.7
124.7
110.1
110.1
109.8
107.5
97.8
95.4
91.7
87.7
89.9
100.1
120.0
113.0
116.6
120.5
119.5
119.6
128.8
143.7
142.1
Wooden ware.
age,
Pitch Tum
Knives
house
ers,
blers, Aver Carvers,
and
Pails,
Tubs,
fur
Aver oak
i-gallon, i-pint, age.
forks,
oak Aver nishing
stag
com
com
handles. cocobolo age. grained, grained. age.
goods.
mon.
mon.
handles.
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.4
85.1
85.1
85.1
85.1
110.6
110.6
110.6
97.9
89.4
89.4
89.4
82.0
101.4
112.7
107.0
107.0
107.0
104.2
101.4
95.8
90.1
73.2
101.4
101.4
104.2
99.5
90.1
84.5
84.5
84.5
74.6
105.0
108.7
106.8
106.8
106.8
105.9
99.0
90.1
88.2
82.5
91.9
112.3
113.3
111.7
104.3
99.6
99.6
99.6
88.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
118.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
93.8
100.0
93.8
127.9
127.9
113.0
90.8
90.8
90.8
90.8
82.5
90.8
94.9
94.9
107.3
107.3
107.3
110.0
110.4
99.8
107.0
89.4
114.0
114.0
106.5
104.8
95.4
95.4
95.4
88.2
92.3
94.4
94.4
100.6
100.6
100.6
101.9
102.1
96.8
103.5
91.8
122.6
111.6
103.9
101.1
96.9
86.3
97.2
95.6
87.3
97.5
114.9
119.3
119.3
122.2
130.9
130.9
130.9
151.7
161.7
122.5
116.3
103.9
97.1
95.6
92.8
92.8
92.8
92.8
93.4
107.0
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
107.6
118.8
122.5
122.6
114.0
103.9
99.1
96.3
89.6
95.0
94.2
90.1
95.5
111.0
113.5
113.5
114.9
119.3
119.3
119.3
135.3
141.9
111.1
110.2
106.5
104.9
100.1
96.5
94.0
89.8
92.0
95.1
106.1
110.9
112.2
113.0
111.7
109.1
111.0
118.5
114.0
382
Table
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T.—
YEARLY
R E L A T IV E PRICES OF COM M ODITIES, 1890 TO 1908—
Concluded.
[Average price for 1890-1899=100.0.]
Miscellaneous.
Year.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Cotton
seed meal.
106.4
114.8
107.9
117.0
102.7
86.1
90.8
93.1
86.5
94.7
116.3
113.9
123.5
121.6
119.3
120.0
138.4
130.7
133.8
Cotton
seed oil:
sum m er
yellow,
prime.
113.2
117.2
101.4
149.5
106.4
89.4
82.6
77.7
75.2
87.5
116.8
117.3
133.6
130.7
103.0
88.6
118.7
160.0
134.4-
Paper.
Jute: raw.
108.1
103.3
132.3
96.4
96.1
77.7
88.9
103.9
92.5
101.7
121.2
111.4
122.0
129.2
123.7
151.0
204.5
184.4
140.4
Malt:
western
made.
106.7
131.9
114.0
110.3
105.9
97.5
80.1
77.4
87.7
88.5
93.0
106.0
112.7
103.1
96.1
87.5
92.1
147.2
132.7
News.
127.8
113.7
113.7
106.4
108.0
103.0
92.0
90.6
73.2
69.9
94.0
75.6
80.9
84.6
89.3
80.9
73.2
83.3
82.9
Wrapping, Average*
manila.
104.0
104.0
100.9
104.7
105.6
106.0
106.3
106.3
83.0
79.2
86.8
90.8
89.9
95.1
95.8
94.9
90.4
91.5
90.4
115.9
108.9
107.3
105.6
106.8
104.5
99.2
98.5
78.1
74.6
90.4
83.2
85.4
89.9
92.6
87.9
81.8
87.4
86.7
Proof
spirits.
91.6
96.1
93.5
93.2
98.5
105.3
104.6
102.9
106.3
108.0
108.4
111.8
114.3
111.4
110.4
109.7
112.0
114.2
118.0
Tobacco.
ma>
Year. Rope:
nila.
1890....
1891....
1892....
1893....
1894....
1895....
1896....
1897....
1898....
1899....
1900....
1901....
1902....
1903....
1904....
1905....
1906....
1907....
1908....
Rubber:
Para
Island.
160.0
111.1
122.9
98.4
82.4
78.7
71.1
67.6
90.1
117.1
141.3
116.9
144.3
122.7
125.4
127.9
134.0
138.1
108.7
104.6
98.8
84.5
89.5
84.2
92.7
99.9
105.6
115.8
124.3
122.6
106.1
90.8
113.1
135.8
155.2
151.5
132.8
108.8
Soap: castile, mot
tled, pure.
104.4
109.1
109.7
108.1
103.3
89.1
88.2
93.3
96.7
98.1
107.7
115.1
116.5
115.6
113.7
114.2
114.2
117.9
123.0
Starch:
laundry.
106.6
122.4
107.2
105.2
105.2
104.3
89.1
86.2
86.2
86.2
97.7
104.3
130.5
123.9
106.0
94.5
105.5
116.1
124.4
Plug.
102.2
101.2
94.0
100.1
101.0
101.0
96.1
94.9
104.3
105.4
111.9
117.6
114.6
113.6
118.6
123.7
122.0
118.6
118.6
Smoking,
granu
lated, Seal Average.
of N. C.
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
98.2
104.1
110.0
110.0
110.0
109.9
112.0
114.4
117.9
117.9
117.9
11% 9
100.2
99.7
96.1
99.2
99.6
99.6
97.2
96.6
104.2
107.7
111.0
113.8
112.3
112.8
116.5
120.8
120.0
118.3
118.3
Average,
miscella
neous.
110.3
109.4
106.2
105.9
99.8
94.5
91.4
92.1
92.4
97.7
109.8
107.4
114.1
113.6
111.7
112.8
121.1
127.1
119.9
RECENT REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR STATISTICS.
KANSAS.
Twenty-second Annual Report o f the Bureau o f Labor and Industry
fo r 1906. W . L. A. Johnson, Commissioner, viii, 256 pp.
The subjects presented in this report are considered under seven
titles, as follows: Wage-earner statistics, 88 pages; labor organiza
tion statistics, 20 pages; strikes and labor difficulties, enforcement
of labor laws, and legal decisions affecting labor, 29 pages; child labor
and factory inspection, 13 pages; industrial opportunities, 18 pages;
directory of manufacturers, 22 pages; manufacturing statistics, 13
pages; proceedings of the ninth annual convention of the State
Society of Labor, 49 pages.
W age-earners .—This section presents a summary of returns from
employees in four general groups of employment, but the figures
shown are of little representative value, because the bureau was
forced to rely on what is termed the “ mailing system,” and only a
few wage-earners were willing to take the trouble to fill out and return
the schedule sent them. Those employed in railway train service
reported average earnings for the year of $1,123.11, cost of living,
$614.17, and value of homes owned, $1,830.95. Those employed
in railway shops reported average earnings for the year of $771.38,
cost of living, $577.22, and average value of homes owned, $1,532.59.
Those employed in building trades reported average earnings for the
year of $674.79, cost of living, $438.52, and average value of homes
owned, $1,518.45. Those employed in miscellaneous trades reported
average earnings for the year of $649.11, cost of living, $417.49, and
average value of homes owned, $1,403.75.
L abor Organizations.—Under this title the returns from 156
labor organizations are presented in tabular form. The information
furnished shows the name, location, and date of organization, mem
bership and affiliation of the various organizations, average months
of employment, daily hours of labor, percentage of members unem
ployed, average wages, and changes in rates of wages; strikes, with
duration, members involved, days lost, wage loss, and result; and
number of fatal and nonfatal accidents. On June 30, 1906, the
79828—rBull. 81—09---13
383
384
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
membership of the 156 organizations making returns was 12,454.
Increase in wages was reported by 56, and decrease in wages by 6
organizations. There were 50 fatal and 339 nonfatal accidents
during the year.
Strikes and L abor D ifficulties.—The data reported relative to
strikes show that 45 strikes were engaged in during the year, 40
organizations reporting that 5,806 members were involved. Thirtynine organizations reported the number of days lost as 370,477 and
the wage loss as $932,890. The total amount of strike benefits paid
out by 30 organizations reporting was $30,838. Of the strikes, 26
were successful, 11 were partly successful, and 8 were still pending at
the time of making the report.
Manufactures.—Returns received from 2,008 manufacturing
establishments indicate an invested capital of $86,054,465; the em
ployment of 32,483 wage-earners, who received in wages during
1906, $20,248,302; and a product valued at $207,789,483, from the
use of raw material costing $156,564,241.
Twenty-third Annual Report o f the Bureau o f Labor and Industry fo r
1907 . W. L. A. Johnson, Commissioner, viii, 351 pp.
The subjects presented in this report are considered under eight
titles, as follows: Wage-earner statistics, 100 pages; labor organiza
tion statistics, 24 pages; child labor and factory inspection, 93
pages; strikes, labor difficulties, law enforcement, and legal decisions
affecting labor, 25 pages; directory of manufacturers, 25 pages;
manufacturing statistics, 33 pages; lead and zinc statistics, 10 pages;
and proceedings of the tenth annual convention of the State Society
of Labor, 33 pages.
W age-earners .—This section presents a summary of returns
from employees in four general groups, but the figures are not
representative, because of the small number of wage-earners who
reported. Those employed in railway train service reported average
earnings for the year of $1,183.74, cost of living, $773.77, and average
value of homes owned, $2,382.81. Those employed in railway
shops reported average earnings for the year of $795.25, cost of
living, $642.03, and average value of homes owned, $1,463.63.
Those employed in building trades reported average earnings for
the year of $725.63, cost of living, $540.49, and average value of
homes owned, $1,561.25. Those employed in miscellaneous trades
reported average earnings for the year of $669.99, cost of living,
$449.55, and average value of homes owned, $1,122.16.
L abor Organizations.—Under this title the returns from 206
labor organizations are presented in tabular form. The information
REPORTS OP STATE BUREAUS OP LABOR— KANSAS.
385
furnished shows the name, location, and date of organization,
membership and affiliation of the various organizations, average
months of employment, daily hours of labor, percentage of members
unemployed, average wages, and changes in rates of wages; strikes,
with duration, members involved, days lost, wage loss, and result;
and number of fatal and nonfatal accidents. On June 30, 1907, the
membership of the 206 organizations making returns was 13,058.
Increase in wages was reported by 103 and decrease in wages by 1
organization. There were 67 fatal and 437 nonfatal accidents
during the year.
Strikes and L abor D ifficulties.—The data reported relative to
strikes show that 18 strikes were engaged in, involving 875 members
of 15 labor organizations. The number of days lost as reported by
12 organizations was 57,199, and the wage loss reported by 10
organizations $113,017. The total amount of strike benefits paid
out by 9 organizations reporting was $21,571. . Of the strikes, 7
were successful, 2 were partly successful, 4 were lost, and 5 were still
pending at the time of making the report.
Manufactures .—Returns received from 1,769 manufacturing
establishments indicate an invested capital of $119,983,322; the
employment of 53,543 wage-earners, who received in wages during
1907, $33,135,052; using raw materials costing $181,726,766, and
producing goods valued at $241,943,553.
Twenty-fourth Annual Report o f (he Bureau o f Labor and Industry
fo r 1908. W. L. A. Johnson, Commissioner. 260 pp.
The subjects presented in this report are considered under seven
titles, as follows: Wage-earners statistics, 20 pages; labor organiza
tion statistics, 61 pages; child labor and factory inspection, 67 pages;
strikes and labor difficulties, enforcement of labor laws, and decisions
affecting labor, 46 pages; industrial conditions, 14 pages; manu
facturing statistics, 28 pages; review of work of Association of
Officials of Bureaus of Labor Statistics of America, 14 pages.
W age-earners .—This section presents the results of an investiga
tion of the earnings in one week of 1908 by 56,378 working people,
as reported by 1,146 establishments. Of this number, 29.5 per cent
received less than $10 for their week’s work, 69.3 per cent received
less than $1-5, 87.6 per cent received less than $20, and 97.6 per
cent received less than $25.
L abor Organizations.—Under this title is presented a synopsis
of the proceedings of the state Federation of Labor, and in tabular
form the returns from 502 labor organizations. The information
furnished gives the name, location, date of organization, and mem
386
BU LLETIN OF TH E BUBEAU OF LABOB.
bership of the various organizations, average months of employ
ment, daily hours of labor, average wages, and changes in rates of
wages; strikes, with duration, members involved, days lost, wage
loss, and result; number of fatal and nonfatal accidents. Increase
in wages was reported by 26 and decrease in wages by 1 organization.
There were 24 fatal and 254 nonfatal accidents during the year.
Stbikes and L abor D ifficulties .—The data reported relative
to strikes show that 31 strikes were engaged in, 28 labor organizations
reporting that 4,101 members were involved. The number of days
lost, as reported by 27 organizations, was 222,085, and the wage loss
$559,556. The total amount of strike benefits paid out by 29
organizations reporting was $20,482. Of the strikes, 25 were suc
cessful, 3 were lost, and 3 were still pending at the time of making
the report.
Manufactures.— Returns received from 1,653 manufacturing
establishments indicate an invested capital of $125,875,848, the
employment of 52,309 wage-earners, who received in wages during
the year $30,497,667; using raw materials costing $178,959,544,
with a product valued at $233,984,332.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Thirty-eighth Annual Report on the Statistics o f Labor fo r the year 1907 .
Charles F. Gettemy, Chief of Bureau,
xxv, 663 pp.
This report (following a general review of the work of the bureau,
etc.) is made up of seven parts, as follows: Part I, Strikes and lock
outs for the year ending September 30, 1906, 48 pages; Part II,
Recent British legislation affecting workingmen, 202 pages; Part III,
Industrial opportunities, 64 pages; Part IV, Statistics of manufac
tures, 98 pages; Part V, Free employment offices, 56 pages; Part VI,
Strikes and lockouts for the year ending September 30, 1907, 86
pages; Part VTI, Changes in rates of wages and hours of labor for
the year ending September 30, 1907, 98 pages.
Strikes and L ockouts for the tear ending S eptember 30,
1906.—Of the 222 labor disputes during the year ending September
30, 1906, 212 were strikes, 9 were lockouts, and 1 partook of the
nature of both a strike and a lockout. The number of disputes
shows an increase of 64 over that of the previous year. The indus
tries in which labor disputes occurred, with the number of disputes
in each, are as follows: Boots and shoes, 35; building trades, 44; city
and town employees, 4; clothing, 3; conveyances, 4; food, tobacco,
and liquors, 4; leather and rubber goods, 3; machinery and metals,
28; paper and paper goods, 4; printing and publishing, 11; stone
and clay products, 12; textiles, 50; transportation, 10; water, light,
REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR---MASSACHUSETTS.
387
and power, 1; and wooden goods, 9. The following table shows the
number of disputes, by causes and results:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, BY CAUSES AND RESULTS, YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER
30,1906.
Result.
Failed.
Cause.
Succeed Compro
ed.
mised. Strikers
rein
stated.
Against change in working conditions...
Against employment of apprentices.......
Against employment of certain persons..
Against reduction in wages.......................
For change in working conditions.............
For closed shop..........................................
For increase of wages................................
For recognition of union............................
For shorter workday.
In sympathy...........
Miscellaneous.......... .
2
1
Total.
Result
Places unknown.
filled.
4
2
1
3
2
2
4
7
33
1
1
14
19
1
3
4
4
8
3
1
2
11
23
2
6
10
3
9
27
48
70
Total.
1
2
6
3
14
2
10
3
13
4
21
4
93
3
13
32
3
25
8
222
There were 113 disputes—93 for increase, 3 against reduction, and
17 for other causes—in connection with wages. Of this number, 36
succeeded, 23 were compromised, 50 failed, and for 4 the results are
not stated. Of the 222 strikes and lockouts, 69 succeeded, 27 were
compromised, 118 failed, and for 8 the results are not stated. The
following table shows the number of persons directly involved and
working days lost in the 222 disputes:
NUMBER AND DURATION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, PERSONS DIRECTLY IN
VOLVED, AND WORKING DAYS LOST, YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1906.
Duration of
disputes.
Number Persons Work
of dis directly ing days
putes. involved.
Under 1 day............
1 day........................
1£ days.....................
2 days......................
24 days.....................
3 days......................
4 days......................
5 days......................
6 days......................
7 days......................
8 days.....................
9 days......................
10 days.....................
11 days.....................
1 2 days.....................
13 days.....................
14 days.....................
15 days.....................
16 days.....................
17 days.....................
18 days.....................
19 days....................
21 days.....................
23 days.....................
24 days.....................
4
37
1
29
1
18
14
4
26
5
2
4
2
3
8
4
3
2
1
1
4
1
2
2
2
158
2,068
18
2,127
185
885
877
174
2,031
199
120
144
171
107
1,084
1,313
130
264
26
6
1,660
15
200
288
432
80
3,358
27
5,648
478
6,984
40,090
995
16,275
3,248
960
5,391
1,710
1,147
1 3 ,2 6 0
32,669
1,820
3,960
416
782
46,980
855
6,240
6,624
11,568
Duration of
disputes.
Number Persons Work
of dis directly ing days
putes. involved.
lost.
25 days......
26 days......
28 days......
29 days......
30 days......
31 days......
32 days......
33 days......
34 days......
36 days......
44 days......
50 days......
56 days......
59 days......
68 days......
73 days......
76 days......
78 days......
81 days......
100 days—
101 days—
Indefinite..
2
4
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
11
205
493
14
178
80
200
139
370
27
65
45
144
35
225
150
54
325
62
350
392
9
324
5,125
12,974
392
7,424
2,400
1,875
5,344
12,210
918
2,340
1,980
12,150
19,600
6,750
10,200
5,767
28,500
7,332
25,750
39,200
909
Total.
222
18,568
420,705
388
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
Strikes and L ookouts for the year ending S eptember 30,
1907.—Of the 209 labor disputes during the year ending September
30, 1907, 205 were strikes and 4 were lockouts. The number of dis
putes shows a decrease of 13 over that of the previous year. The
industries in which labor disputes occurred, with the number of dis
putes in each, follow: Building and stone working, 49; clothing, 41;
food, liquors, and tobacco, 4; leather and rubber goods, 2; metals,
machinery, and shipbuilding, 28; paper and paper goods, 5; print
ing and allied trades, 1; public employment, 2; textiles, 50; trans
portation, 19; wood working and furniture, 5; and miscellaneous, 3.
The following table shows the number of disputes, by causes and
results:
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, BY CAUSES AND RESULTS, YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER
30,1907.
Result.
Failed.
Cause.
Suc
ceeded.
Against change in working conditions........
Against employment of certain persons—
Against reduction in wages........................
For change in working conditions..............
For closed shop...........................................
For increase o f wages..................................
For recognition of union.............................
For reinstatement of discharged employees,
For shorter workday...................................
In sympathy...............................................
Miscellaneous..............................................
Compro
mised. Strikers
rein
stated.
1
1
6
Places
filled.
2
2
2
3
8
5
3
5
13
107
6
9
14
3
28
11
3
4
1
3
4
34
1
4
4
3
10
2
6
34
3
5
4
5
12
29
47
16
70
76
209
2
Total.
1
Total.
10
There were 121 wage disputes— 107 for increase, 3 against reduc
tion, and 11 for other causes in connection with wages. Of this num
ber, 30 succeeded, 13 were compromised, and 78 failed. Of the 209
strikes and lockouts, 47 succeeded, 16 were compromised, and 146
failed. The following table shows the number of persons directly
involved and working days lost in the 209 disputes:
NUMBER AND DURATION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, PERSONS DIRECTLY IN
VOLVED, AND WORKING DAYS LOST, YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1907.
Duration of
disputes.
Number Persons Working
of dis directly
putes. involved. days lost.
ld a y ..
1$ days
2 days.
3 days.
4 days.
5 days.
6 days.
7 days.
8 days.
20
2
27
18
17
14
21
4
6
482
155
993
873
780
763
99
242
576
233
2,186
5,964
6,498
6,857
10,975
714
3,736
Duration of
disputes.
9 days.
10 days.
11 days.
12 days.
13 days.
14 days.
15 days.
17 days.
18 days.
Number Persons Working
of dis directly
putes. involved. days lost.
6
7
7
4
3
827
785
422
292
326
129
5
4
291
84
6
2
100
12,822
41,050
9,257
3,538
5,568
4,112
1,850
9,473
1,512
REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR— MASSACHUSETTS.
389
NUMBER AND DURATION OF STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, PERSONS DIRECTLY IN
VOLVED, AND WORKING DAYS LOST, YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,1907—Conc'd.
Duration of
disputes.
Number Persons Working
of dis directly
putes. involved. days lost.
19 days....................
20 days....... ............
21 days....................
22 days....................
23 days....................
24 days....................
25 days....................
27 days....................
29 days.....................
30 days.....................
31 days....................
33 days....................
Si rlftVQ
43 days....................
49 days....................
4
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1,303
15
10
42
92
20
102
257
160
67
54
41
394
211
12
43,189
300
273
545
2,116
786
2,575
6,939
4,640
2,010
1,494
1,869
13,396
11,923
588
Duration of
disputes.
Number Persons Working
of dis directly
putes. involved. days lost.
50 days...................
57 days...................
61 days...................
73 days...................
78 days...................
80 days...................
82 days...................
83 days....... ...........
89 days..................
90 days...................
119 days.................
168 days.................
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
22
1,738
70
277
20
20
30
100
311
392
97
159
1,100
48,165
4,270
20,221
1,560
1,600
2,460
8,300
27,923
11,995
4,785
26,440
Total............
209
15,050
378,383
Kecent B ritish L abor L egislation.—In Part II is given the
results of an exhaustive inquiry made by the British royal commis
sion on trade disputes and combinations, the text of the principal
acts affecting the legal status of trade unions, and the most recent
legislation on the subject of workmen’s compensation for injuries sus
tained in the course of employment.
I ndustrial Opportunities not yet U tilized.—This chapter con
sists of returns from the boards of selectmen of 297 towns, or 92.5
per cent of all the towns of the State. The purpose of the investi
gation was to ascertain the advantages offered by these towns for
the establishment of some industry. From these returns a series of
eight tables is presented showing as follows: Land available for man
ufacturing purposes, railroad facilities, and water power available;
local facilities, such as gas and electric-light plants, electric railways,
etc.; raw materials and natural products; idle workshops and fac
tories; industries wanted, by towns; industries wanted, by indus
tries; summer resorts; and tax rebates.
S tatistics of Manufactures, 1905 and 1906..—This is the
twenty-first of a series of annual reports on manufacturing statistics.
The statistics presented are compiled from the returns of 5,055 estab
lishments, each of which made a report for the two years under con
sideration. Comparative tables are given, which show, for the years
1905 and 1906, the number of establishments controlled by private
firms, by corporations, and by industrial combinations, together with
the number of partners and stockholders interested therein; the
capital devoted to production; the cost value of stock and materials
used, and the selling value of the goods made; the smallest, greatest,
and average number of persons employed, and aggregate employees,
by months; the total wages paid during each year, average yearly
earnings per employee, and classified weekly wages in selected indus
tries, by sex and age; average days in operation during each year,
390
BULLETIN OF THE BUKEAU OF LABOR,
and average proportion of business done. Seventy-nine classified
industries are represented.
The principal facts as to ownership are shown in the following
table:
FIRMS, CORPORATIONS, AND INDUSTRIAL COMBINATIONS, AND PARTNERS AND
STOCKHOLDERS IN 5,055 IDENTICAL ESTABLISHMENTS, 1905 AND 1906.
Year.
1905............................................
1906............................................
Firms.
Corpo
rations.
Indus
trial
combi
nations.
3,094
2,979
1,866
1,981
95
95
Average
Average stock
Stock partners
holders
holders. to a firm. to
a cor
poration.
Part
ners.
4,751
4,527
60,659
61,961
1.54
1.53
33.93
32.68
From the above table it will be seen that the tendency continues
to be toward an increase of number of establishments controlled by
corporations and a decrease of establishments under private control.
The following table presents statistics separately for 9 principal
industries, in aggregate for 70 other industries, and totals for the 79
industries reported on for the years 1905 and 1906:
STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURES, 1905 AND 1906.
Industry.
1905.
1906.
Amount.
$134,433,937
8,912,065
98,070,194
36,058,043
28,232,451
36,594,457
23,036,629
35,901,882
42,322,193
295,578,703
+$15,684,059
+ 1,005,549
+ 13,877,664
+ 6,359,705
+ 3,534,397
+ 6,916,178
+ 1,737,980
+ 1,473,026
+ 3,472,891
+ 32,931,401
+13.21
+12.72
+16.48
+21.41
+14.31
+23.30
+ 8.16
+ 4.28
+ 8.94
+12.54
739,140,554 + 86,992,850
+13.34
Boots and shoes.................................
Carpetings.........................................
Cotton goods.....................................
Leather..............................................
Machines and machinery..................
Metals and metallic goods.................
Paper.................................................
Woolen goods....................................
Worsted goods...................................
Other industries (70).........................
636
13
169
110
381
435
87
145
45
3,034
$118,749,878
7,906,516
84,192,530
29,698,338
24,698,054
29,678,279
21,298,649
34,428,856
38,849,302
262,647,302
Total........................................
5,055
652,147,704
Value of goods made.
Industry.
1905.
Increase (+ ) or de
crease ( —).
Value of stock used.
Number of
establishments.
1906.
Per cent.
Total wages paid.
Per
cent of
in
crease
1905.
1906.
Per
cent of
in
crease
( +>
or de
crease
(- ).
ir U crease
( - )•
Boots and shoes................... $182,644,882
Carpetings............................
12,056,931
Cotton goods........................ 144,790,278
Leather................................
40,923,156
Machines and machinery__
62,481,269
Metals and metallic goods...
57,823,499
36,244,054
Paper...................................
Woolen goods.......................
59,533,901
60,411,605
Worsted goods.....................
Other industries (70)........... 477,126,205
$207,263,253
13,454,549
169,891,173
46.439.029
71,875,755
68,563,678
39.080.029
60,718,658
64,328,151
529,813,259
+13.48
+11.59
+17.34
+13.48
+15.04
+18.57
+ 7.82
+ 1.99
+ 6.48
+11.04
$38,034,515
2,368,190
35,097,153
4,228,230
21,137,230
14,497,583
6,062,849
11,167,212
8,700,925
85,841,159
$41,815,689
2,515,589
39,492,044
4,631,635
23,950,700
16,246,101
6,392,865
11,275,391
9,921,716
95,837,705
+ 9.94
+ 6.22
+12.52
+ 9.54
+13.31
+12.06
+ 5.44
+ .97
+14.03
+11.65
Total.......................... 1,134,035,780
1,271,427,534
+12.12
227,079,435
252,079,435
+10.98
REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR— MASSACHUSETTS.
391
In the above table the 9 specified industries, the aggregate for
70 other industries, and the total for the 79 industries all show an
increase in value of materials and products and in wages paid in 1906
over 1905. The greatest increases in wages paid in the 9 specified
industries appear in worsted goods and in machines and machinery.
The greatest increase in value of stock used and in goods made was
in metals and metallic goods.
The capital devoted to production in the 79 industries in 1905
amounted to $616,355,050 and in 1906 to $651,221,011.
Data relative to employees, earnings, and days in operation are
presented in the table following, the establishments considered
being the same as in the table preceding:
AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, AVERAGE YEARLY EARNINGS, AND AVER
AGE DAYS IN OPERATION IN 9 PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES, IN 70 OTHER INDUSTRIES,
AND IN ALL INDUSTRIES, 1905 AND 1906.
Average number of em
ployees.
Industry.
1905.
1906.
Boots and shoes.................... 70,497 76,271
Carpetings............................ 5,446 5,633
Cotton goods......................... 95,680 99,089
Leather................................. 8,339 9,279
Machines and machinery___ 36,568 40,441
Metals and metallic goods... 1 25,839 28,484
Paper.................................... 12,869 13,364
Woolen goods....................... 25,831 25,219
Worsted goods...................... 21,238 22,544
Other industries ( 7 0 ) ............ 173,798 188,964
Per
cent
of in
crease
(+ )
or de
crease
(- ).
Average yearly earn
ings.
1905.
1906.
+ 8.19 $539.52 $548.25
+ 3.43 434.85 446.58
+ 3.56 366.82 398.55
+11.27 507.04 499.15
+10.59 578.03 592.24
+10.24 561.07 570.36
+ 3.85 471.12 478.36
- 2 . 3 7 432.32 447.10
+ 6.15 409.69 440.10
+ 8.73 493.91 507.17
Total........................... 476,105 509,288 + 6.97
477.07
494.96
Average days in opera
tion.
Per
cent
of in
crease
(+ )
or de
crease
(- ).
1905.
1906.
Per
cent
of in
crease
(+ )
or de
crease
<-).
+1.62
+ 2.70
+ 8.65
- 1 .5 6
+ 2.46
+ 1.66
+ 1.54
+ 3.42
+ 7.42
+ 2.68
294.01
300.71
294.95
299.28
298.36
296.95
291.47
296.84
303.45
293.45
293.90
301.09
303.56
299.59
299.54
300.36
296.18
294.53
302.81
294.45
- 0 .0 4
+ .13
+2.92
+ .10
+ .40
+1.15
+1.62
- .78
- .21
+ .34
+3.75
295.16
297.46
+ .78
Only one of the principal industries shows a decrease in the aver
age number of employees, all but one show an increase in average
yearly earnings, and but three show a decrease in average days in
operation in 1906 as compared with 1905. In all industries con
sidered together an increase is shown in the three items of average
employees, average yearly earnings, and average days in operation.
For the total 79 industries the proportion of business done of full
or maximum production was 71.49 per cent in 1905 and 73.80 per
cent in 1906; the proportion of actual running time of possible work
ing time was 96.78 per cent in 1905 and 97.21 per cent in 1906.
The table following shows the number of employees (wageearners) earning the indicated weekly wages. The number of em
ployees given is the number reported in each industry for the week
392
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
in which the largest number was employed, and does not, therefore,
agree with the number shown in the table preceding.
NUMBER OF MALE AND FEMALE ADULTS AND OF YOUNG PERSONS IN 79 INDUS
TRIES, BY CLASSIFIED W EEKLY WAGES, 1905 AND 1906.
1906.
1905.
Classified weekly
wages.
Persons 21 years
of age and over.
Males.
Females.
Young
persons
(under
21).
Persons 21 years
of age and over.
Females.
Young
persons
(under
21).
Total.
Males.
Total.
Under $5...................
$5 and under $6.........
$6 and under $7........
$7 and under $8........
98 and under $9........
99 and under 910.......
910 and under 912___
912 and under 915___
915 and under 920___
920 and over..............
8,585
9,036
18,034
28,163
29,097
42,062
53,226
63,183
57,854
20,446
16,073
17,445
24,889
22,316
18,268
14,228
12,061
5,729
2,244
261
26,230
16,824
13,493
7,209
3,645
2,503
1,301
491
122
50,888
43,305
56,416
57,688
51,010
58,793
66,588
69.403
60,220
20,715
7,089
7,370
16,305
26,183
31,175
44,908
58,621
69,202
63,575
23,315
12,755
16,211
24,562
22,679
20,229
16,369
14,893
7,067
2,672
430
22,965
18,249
15,499
9,923
5,607
3,517
2,073
835
220
26
42,809
41,830
56,366
58,785
57,011
64,794
75,587
77,104
66,467
23,771
Total...............
329,686
133,514
71,826
535,026
347,743
137,867
78,914
564,524
Comparing the totals for each class, it is seen that there was a
falling off in 1906 in the numbers earning under $7 per week as com
pared with 1905, while the number in each of the other wage classes
showed an increase in 1906 as compared with 1905.
In order to show the actual result of the productive forces of in
dustry, the element of cost of material must be deducted from the
total value of product, and the remainder will show only the indus
try product, or the new values created. This has been done in the
case of the nine leading industries, also the division of industry prod
uct between the wage fund and the fund devoted to profit and minor
expenses, as insurance, interest, rent, freight, commissions, salaries,
etc. The results for the years 1905 and 1906 appear in the follow
ing table:
INDUSTRY PRODUCT, WAGES, AND PROFIT AND MINOR EXPENSES IN 9
SELECTED INDUSTRIES, 1905 AND 1906.
1905.
Per cent of
industry product.
Industry.
Boots and shoes...............
Carpetings........................
Cotton goods....................
Leather............................
Machines and machinery.
Metals and metallic goods.
Paper...............................
Woolen goods...................
Worsted goods.................
Industry
product.
Wages.
Profit and
minor
expenses.
$63,895,004
4,150,415
60,597,748
11,224,818
37,783,215
28,145,220
14,945,405
25,105,045
21,562,303
$38,034,515
2,368,190
35,097,153
4,228,230
21,137,230
14,497,583
6,062.849
11,167 212
8,700,925
$25,860,489
1,782,225
25,500,595
6,996,588
16,645,985
13,647,637
8,882,556
13,937,833
12,861,378
Paid
in
wages.
59.53
57.06
57.92
37.67
55.94
51.51
40.57
44.48
40.35
Devoted
to profit
and
minor
expenses.
40.47
42.94
42.08
62.33
44.06
48.49
59.43
55.52
59.65
REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR— MASSACHUSETTS.
393
INDUSTRY PRODUCT, WAGES, AND PROFIT AND MINOR EXPENSES IN 9
SELECTED INDUSTRIES, 1905 AND 1906-Concluded.
1906.
Per cent of
industry product.
Industry.
Boots and shoes...............
Carpetings........................
Cotton goods...................
Leather............................
Machines and machinery.
Metals and metallic goods.
Paper...............................
Woolen goods...................
Worsted goods..................
Industry
product.
Wages.
Profit and
minor
expenses.
$72,829,316
4,542,484
71,820,979
10,380,986
43,643,304
31,969,221
16,043,400
24,816,776
22,005,958
$41,815,689
2,515,589
39,492,044
4,631,635
23,950,700
16,246,101
6,392,865
11,275,391
9,921,716
$31,013,627
2,026,895
32,328,935
5,749,351
19,692,604
15,723,120
9,650,535
13,541,385
12,084,242
Paid
in
wages.
57.42
55.38
54.99
44.62
54.88
50.82
39.85
45.43
45.09
Devoted
to profit
and
minor
expenses.
42.58
44.62
45.01
55.38
45.12
49.18
60.15
54.57
54.91
In 5 of the 9 industries, in 1905, more than one-half of the industry
product was paid out in wages, the largest showing being in boots
and shoes, with 59.53 per cent, followed by cotton goods, with 57.92
per cent, and carpetings, with 57.06 per cent. The industry devot
ing the lowest proportion of the industry product to labor was worsted
goods, with 40.35 per cent. In 1906, also, 5 industries paid out more
than one-half of the industry product in wages. The boot and shoe
industry paid the highest proportion, 57.42 per cent, and the paper
industry the lowest, 39.85 per cent.
F ree E mployment Offices .—During the first year of its existence,
which ended November 30, 1907, the free employment office located
in Boston received applications for positions from 25,350 males and
9,600 females. Applications were received from employers for the
help of 19,965 males and 13,731 females. Positions were offered
15,296 males and 8,372 females. Reports were received that posi
tions had been filled by 8,671 males and 5,809 females at an average
cost of $1.35 p,er position.
R ates of W ages and H ours of L abor .—During the year ending
September 30,1907, increase in wages was given to 173,621 employees,
averaging $1.10 per week, without being the result of strikes. In the
case of 3,209 other employees increases were granted, averaging $0.88
per week, as the result of strikes. Decrease in wages was reported
for 319 employees at an average of $0.69 per week. During the same
period hours of labor were shortened for 26,244 employees and length
ened for 298, resulting in an average reduction of 3.9 hours a week
for each employee affected.
Twenty-second A nn ua l Report on the Statistics o f Manufactures fo r
the year 1907.
xxxvi, 82 pp.
In former years the statistics of manufactures were arranged in
the form of comparative tables, the comparisons being limited in
394
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
each report to returns of such identical establishments as had made
report to the Bureau for two years in succession. In the present year
a new plan has been adopted, the reports of all establishments report
ing being published as an annual census of manufactures, regardless
of whether or not returns were received from all covering the previous
year. Thus for the year 1907 returns are given for 5,671 establish
ments, only 5,109 of which made report for the preceding year. Tables
are presented showing for these 5,671 establishments the amount of
capital devoted to production; the cost value of stock and materials
used and the selling value of goods made; the smallest, greatest, and
average number of persons employed; the total wages paid, average
yearly earnings per employee, and classified weekly wages; the days in
operation and the proportion of business done. For the_nine leading
industries comparative tables are also given showing the per cent of
employees earning each classified wage rate in 1897 and in 1907.
The following table presents statistics separately for 9 principal
industries, in aggregate for all other industries, and totals for the
State for the year 1907.
STATISTICS OF MANUFACTURES, 1907.
Industry.
Number
Capital
of estab devoted to
lishments. production.
Value of
stock used.
Value of
goods made.
1153,763,472
10,094,317
108,137,762
34,364,843
31,051,035
38,872,929
23,927,908
35,221,467
46,906,549
297,500,676
$233,025,182
15,162,507
193,276,574
46,903,784
79,342,230
73,124,952
42,707,680
58,262,898
74,667,461
547,957,987
$46,079,854
2,855,968
45,304,115
5,284,362
26,230,640
17,982,602
6,735,401
11,170,079
12,062,680
104,485,412
779,840,958 1,364,431,255
278,191,113
Boots and shoes................................
Carpetings.....................*...................
Cotton goods......................................
Leather..............................................
Machines and machinery..................
Metals and metallic goods.................
Paper.................................................
Woolen goods....................................
Worsted goods...................................
Other industries................................
729
14
178
122
407
477
89
146
49
3,460
139,296,256
7,739,091
149,053,322
27,178,660
67,515,260
33,693,146
27,987,312
36,285,276
47,544,641
263,264,792
Total........................................
5,671
699,557,756
Total wages
paid.
Data relative to employees, earnings, days in operation, and pro
portion of business done are presented in the table following:
AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, AVERAGE YEARLY EARNINGS, AVERAGE DAYS
IN OPERATION, AND PROPORTION OF BUSINESS DONE IN 9 PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES
AND IN ALL INDUSTRIES, 1907.
Industry.
Average number of employ
Propor
ees.
Average Average
days in
tion of
yearly
opera
business
earnings.
tion.
done.
Males. Females. Total.
Cottongoods...............................................
Leather.......................................................
Machines and machinery...........................
Metals and metallic goods..........................
Paper............................. ............................
Woolen goods.............................................
Worsted goods...........................................
Other industries.........................................
55,036
3,386
54,102
9,993
42,083
27,592
8,582
15,776
14,179
136,742
26,622
2,854
48,323
163
699
3,445
4,964
8,300
12,497
64,644
81,658
6,240
102,425
10,156
42,782
31,037
13,546
24,076
26,676
201,386
$564.30
457.69
442.32
520.32
613.12
579.39
497.22
463.95
452.19
518.83
290.64
297.38
300.62
298.08
296.41
296.68
289.46
286.18
295.04
69.51
85.93
89.87
69.71
74.43
71.50
89.06
72.56
85.16
Total.................................................
367,471
172,511
539,982
515.18
293.54
70.96
Boots and shoes..........................................
REPORTS OP STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR— MASSACHUSETTS.
395
The table following shows the number of employees (wage-earners)
of each sex earning the indicated weekly wages. The number of
employees given is the number reported in each industry for the week
in which the largest number was employed, and does not, therefore,
agree with the number shown in the table preceding.
NUMBER OF MALE AND FEMALE ADULTS AND OF YOUNG PERSONS EMPLOYED IN
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, BY CLASSIFIED WEEKLY WAGES, 1907.
Persons 21 years of
age and over.
Females.
Young
persons
(under
21).
Classified weekly wages.
Males.
Total.
Under $3.............
$3 and under $ 5 ..
$5 and under $ 6 ..
$6 and under $ 7 ..
$7 and under | 8 ..
$8 and under 19 ..
$9 and under $10.
$10 and under $12
$12 and under $15
$15 and under $20
$20 and under $25
$25 and over.......
1,713
4,154
6,594
12,898
23,835
32,076
45,653
64,759
76,313
74,664
19,980
8,517
2,149
8,816
15,122
23,301
23,788
21,512
18,546
20,086
10,507
3,214
472
164
2,014
18,051
18,208
18,310
11,849
7,373
4,847
3,331
1,220
309
42
3
5,876
31,021
39,924
54,509
59,472
60,961
69,046
88,176
88,040
78,187
20,494
8,684
Total......
‘ 371,156
147,677
85,557
604,390
NEBRASKA.
Tenth Biennial Report o f the Bureau o f Labor and Industrial Statistics
fo r the years 1905 and 1906. Burrett Bush, Deputy Commissioner.
221 pp.
The subjects‘presented in this report are: Summary of the work
of the bureau, 5 pages; child labor, 24 pages; directory of manufac
turers, 147 pages; crop statistics, 41 pages.
Child L abor .—In this section of the report are given arguments
for the restriction of child labor and the text of recent legislation upon
the subject in the State.
NORTH DAKOTA.
Eighth and Ninth Biennial Reports o f the Commissioner o f Agriculture
and Labor fo r the term ending June SO, 1906. W . C. Gilbreath,
Commissioner.
117 pp.
The subjects presented in this report are: Statistics of agriculture,
60 pages; orchards and fruit, 4 pages; live stock, 8 pages; vital sta
tistics, 4 pages; farm labor, 4 pages; coal mines, 2 pages; dairy
industry, 13 pages.
F arm L abor .—Tables show for each county the number of male
and female employees reported in 1902, 1903, 1904, and 1906, their
average monthly wages, and the total amount paid in wages. The
396
BULLETIN OP TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
lowest average monthly wages reported in any county in 1905 was
$20.46 for males and $8 for females; the highest average was $40 for
males and $21.84 for females.
Coal Mines .—Returns are given from the coal mines of the State
for each year of the period covered. In 1905, 41 mines reported the
employment of 209 persons and the production of 237,474 tons of coal.
PENNSYLVANIA.
A nnual Report o f the Secretary o f Internal A ffa irs o f the Commonwealth
o f Pennsylvania. Vol. XXXV, 1907. Part III, Industrial Sta
tistics.
John L. Rockey, Chief of Bureau.
278 pp.
In the first of the two parts composing this report brief special
articles are presented upon the subjects of the unemployed, prices
and cost of living, farm products and wages, the liquor business, the
cigar industry, the Portland cement industry, the clays of the State,
and industrial accidents.
I ndustrial A ccidents.—There occurred, during 1907, in anthra
cite mining 607 fatal and 1,746 nonfatal accidents, in bituminous
mining 437 fatal and 1,678 nonfatal accidents, in the iron and steel
industry 176 fatal and 1,179 nonfatal accidents, in the pig iron
industry 72 fatal and 623 nonfatal accidents, in other industries 130
fatal and 914 nonfatal accidents, making a total loss of 1,422 lives and
the injury of 6,140 persons.
General Statistics of Manufactures and Mining .—The second
section of the report embraces data gathered from 3,133 establish
ments of the State engaged in the manufacturing and the mining
industries, giving a record of the capital invested, value of products,
average value of product per employee, days in operation, number of
working people (men, women, and minors), aggregate wages paid,
average yearly earnings, average daily wages, etc. Data relative to
strikes and lockouts are reported for coal mining and for the iron
and steel, tin plate, and a few minor industries. The information
gives for the various disputes cause of dispute, number of persons
involved, days lost, and result. Data are further presented for the
different industries showing the number of establishments making
returns and giving statistics pertaining to number of employees own
ing their homes, average rent paid by those renting, working hours
per week, nationality of employees, accidents, causes of time lost, and
trade conditions.
The 3,133 establishments considered in this investigation had
invested in plants and working capital a total of $992,560,486, and the
market value of production for the year aggregated $1,807,276,403.
The various industries were in operation during the year an average
of 278 days and employed a total of 790,809 wage-earners (689,868
REPORTS OP STATE BUREAUS OP LABOR---- PENNSYLVANIA.
397
men, 74,691 women, and 26,250 minors), to whom were paid in wages
the sum of $422,984,854 to the men, $23,258,944 to the women, and
$5,907,367 to the minors. The average yearly earnings of all wageearners was $571.76 (of the men $642.13, of the women $311.40, and
of the minors $225.04). The average daily wage of all employees
was $2.05. For each employee the average value of product for the
year amounted to $2,279.73.
I ron, S teel , and T in -Plate P roduction.—The following sum
mary statements show the more important items for the year 1907
relating to the production of pig iron, steel, rolled iron and steel, and
tin plate:
PIG IRON.
Capital invested...................................................................................... $143,859,428
Gross tons of production..........................................................................
11,311,985
Realized value........................................................................................ $206,443,155
Value of basic material........................................................................... $100,308,832
Average days in operation.......................................................................
326
Average number of adult male employees..............................................
18,949
Aggregate wages paid adult male employees.......................................... $12,671,854
Average yearly earnings of adult male employees..................................
$668. 73
Average daily wages of adult male employees........................................
$2.05
Cost of labor per ton...................................................... .........................
$1.10
Tonnage per man per day.......................................................................
1.8
STEEL.
Gross tons of production:
Bessemer..........................................................................................
Open-hearth, acid process................................................................
Open-hearth, basic process...............................................................
Crucible and other processes............................................................
4,349,431
1,046,584
6,823,415
90,606
Total..............................................................................................
12,310,036
ROLLED IRON AND STEEL.
Capital invested...................................................................................... $346,361,420
Gross tons of production:
Muck and scrap bar..........................................................................
Slabs, blooms, billets, tin-plate and sheet bars, etc.........................
Rails.................................................................................................
Iron and steel structural shapes.......................................................
Cut nails and spikes.........................................................................
Plates and sheets (a) .........................................................................
Other rolled products.......................................................................
140,399
2,807,100
1,323,739
1,259,500
29,279
2,464,554
4,928,476
Total..............................................................................................
12,953,047
Value of product (not including the black-plate works)........................ $504,167,225
Average number of employees (not including those in black-plate works)
137,712
Average number of adult male employees (not including those in blackplate works).........................................................................................
135,998
« Including 283,815 tons of black plate and other sheets made by the black-plate
works.
398
BULLETIN OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR.
Aggregate wages paid all employees........................................................
Aggregate wages paid adult male employees...........................................
Average days in operation.......................................................................
Average yearly earnings of all employees...............................................
Average yearly earnings of adult male employees..................................
Average daily wages of all employees.....................................................
Average daily wages of adult male employees........................................
Average value per ton.............................................................................
Cost of labor per ton................................................................................
$91,413,384
$90,926,567
298
$663.80
$668.59
$2.23
$2.25
$43.20
$7.83
TIN PLATE (BLACK-PLATE W O R K S).
Capital invested (16 plants)....................................................................
Pounds of production of black plate (tinned, not tinned, and tem e)—
Value of production of black plate..........................................................
Pounds of production of sheets and plates other than black..................
Value of production of sheets and plates other than black.....................
Average number of employees................................................................
Average number of adult male employees..............................................
Aggregate wages paid all employees.......................................................
Aggregate wages paid adult male employees...........................................
Average days in operation.......................................................................
Average yearly earnings of all employees...............................................
Average yearly earnings of adult male employees..................................
Average daily wages of all employees............ :.......................................
Average daily wages of adult male employees........................................
$8,198,605
633,902,496
$22,980,589
1,842,270
$55,147
7,365
7,087
$5,319,694
$5,233,223
197
$722.29
$752. 54
$3. 67
$3. 82
TIN PLATE (D IPPIN G W O R K S).
Capital invested (4 plants)......................................................................
Pounds of production of tin and teme plate...........................................
Value of product......................................................................................
Average number of employees.................................................................
Average number of male employees.......................................................
Aggregate wages paid all employees.......................................................
Aggregate wages paid male employees....................................................
Average days in operation.......................................................................
Average yearly earnings of all employees...............................................
Average yearly earnings of male employees............................................
Average daily wages of all employees.....................................................
Average daily wages of male employees.................................................
$1,387,080
29,082,916
$1,520,409
238
200
$123,876
*$113,302
276
$520.49
$566. 51
$1.89
$2.05
Returns from 56 pig-iron companies showed that 629 wage-earners
owned their homes, that the average annual rental for those paying
rent was $79, that the average working hours were 96 per week, and
that of the 10,844 persons for whom nationality was reported 2,690
were Americans. Returns from 170 iron and steel companies showed
that 4,912 wage-earners owned their homes, that the average annual
rental for those paying rent was $134, and that of the 72,975 employees
for whom nationality was reported 34,898 were Americans. Returns
from 11 companies in the tin-plate industry showed th at 65 wageearners owned their homes, that the average annual rental for those
paying rent was $200, that the average hours of work per week were
55, and that of the 2,802 employees for whom nationality was reported
2,165 were Americans
REPORTS OF STATE BUREAUS OF LABOR— PENNSYLVANIA.
399
Coal Mining .—The following statement presents a summary of the
operations of the anthracite and of the bituminous coal mines in the
State during 1907, the coke workers not being included:
ANTHRACITE AND BITUMINOUS COAL-MINE OPERATIONS, 1907.
Items.
Number of mines in operation...................
Miners........................................................
Inside workmen.........................................
Outside workmen.......................................
Aggregate wages paid to miners................
Aggregate wages paid to inside workmen..
Aggregate wages paid to outside workmen.
Average days in operation.........................
Average yearly earnings (all employees)...
Average yearly earnings (miners only)___
Average daily wages (all employees).........
Average daily wages (miners only)...........
Number of tons mined and marketed.......
Market value of product............................
Average tons mined per miner per year.. .
Average tons mined per miner per day___
Anthracite
coal.
294
41,075
72,440
48,226
$29,462,021
$38,863,929
$23,729,064
243
$574.44
$717.05
$2.36
$2.95
65,477,649
$156,154,760
1,741
7.16
Bituminous
coal.
1,311
118,115
26,940
17,859
$67,974,817
$18,922,526
$11,611,504
268
$603.72
(«)
$2.25
(&)
149,390,965
$174,035,853
1,265
4.70
Miners, pick, $601.91; miners, machine, $540.27.
& Miners, pick, $2.24; miners, machine, $2.01.
a
In addition to the above coal-mining operations there were 53
plants, employing 1,852 persons, engaged in washing anthracite coal
from culm banks at the mines. The plants washed 3,485,541 tons of
coal, which had a market value of $3,201,495. Wages were paid
aggregating $825,319, or an average yearly earning per employee of
$445.63. Also there were 34 plants engaged in dredging coal from
the Susquehanna and Schuylkill rivers, giving an average employment
of 113 days to 141 men, to whom wages amounting to $31,375 were
paid. There were 65,538 tons of coal raised, having a market value
of $56,929.
Of the 1,311 bituminous coal mines there were 342 from which coal
was coked. During the year there were 45,127 coke ovens in service,
producing 34,625,377 tons of coke, of a value at plant of $50,040,427.
There were 12,578 coke workers, to whom were paid wages amounting
to $7,251,731, or an average yearly wage of $586.85.
Of 85,312 employees of the anthracite mines for whom nationality
was reported 28,009 were Americans. Returns from 475 bituminous
coal companies (that do not coke coal) showed that 7,320 wageearners owned their homes, th at the average annual rental for those
paying rent was $67, and that of the 79,660 employees for whom
nationality was reported 21,987 were Americans and 12,884 were
Slavonians. Returns from 98 bituminous coal companies (that coke
coal) showed that 2,419 wage-earners owned their homes, that the
average annual rental for those paying rent was $52, that the average
hours of work per week were 54, and that of the employees for whom
nationality was reported 8,185 were Slavonians and 7,097 were
Americans.
79828— Bull. 8 1 -0 9 ------14
400
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
T extile I ndustries .—Returns made in 1907 by 639 establish
ments engaged in the textile industries in Philadelphia showed an
invested capital of $75,517,539, and for the year a product of the
market value of $130,503,116. The establishments were in operation
during the year an average of 289 days, employing 62,293 wageearners (25,976 males, 31,246 females, and 5,071 minors), to whom
were paid wages amounting to $26,778,586 ($14,638,340 to the men,
$11,102,377 to the women, and $1,037,869 to the children). The
average yearly earnings per employee in the industry were $429.88—
the average for the men being $563.53; for the women, $355.32, and
for the children, $204.66. The average daily wages per employee
were $1.49—the average for the men being $1.95; for the women,
$1.23, and for the children, $0.71. The average value of product per
employee was $2,094.99.
RECENT FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS.
BELGIUM.
Monographies IndustrieUes (Aperpu Fconomoque Technologique et Com
xvi, 242% pp. Fdbricar
xxiv, 263 pp. Industries du Caout
chouc et de VAm iante, 1907. 237 pp.
Construction des Machines
et A ppareils Electriques, 1908. 344 pp. Ministere de FIndustrie et
du Travail. Office du Travail et Inspection de FIndustrie.
mercial).
Industries
ceramiques, 1907.
tion et Travail du Verre, 1907.
These volumes are a part of a series of monographs being prepared
by the Belgian labor office on conditions existing in selected industries
or groups of industries, considered from the economic, technical, and
commercial standpoints. Monographs of this series on cotton, flax,
hemp, jute, and linen spinning and on the manufacture of paper and
pasteboard have been mentioned in previous issues of the bulletin. (a)
Ceramic I ndustries.—An introductory chapter is devoted to a
statistical account of the industry, derived partly from the industrial
census of 1896 and partly from subsequent investigation. I t shows
the number of establishments classified by date of foundation;
geographical location, and motive force employed; and the number
of employees, their sex, ages, hours of labor, and mode of remunera
tion. The first chapter deals with ceramic products in general, their
classification, and the materials employed in their composition. The
second chapter describes the raw materials of Belgian origin and their
extraction and exploitation. Subsequent chapters are devoted to
the manufacture of bricks and tiles, fire-clay products, matt-surfaced
and enameled stoneware, common vases, pots, pipes, and articles of
fancy terra-cotta, faience or crockery, porcelain, and bricks made of
schist. Included in each chapter is a description of the materials
used and of the hand and mechanical processes employed in the manu
facture of the finished product, the quantity, value, and destination
of output, and statistics of imports.
Manufacture of Glass.—An introductory chapter is devoted to a
statistical account of the industry similar to that given in the volume
on ceramic industries. The first chapter in the main body of the
work describes in a general way the composition and properties of
glass, and classifies the industry according to the nature of the prod
ucts. The second chapter is devoted to the raw materials employed
a Bulletin No. 65, pp. 323, 324; Bulletin No. 72, p. 597.
401-
402
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
in the industry, and the third chapter describes the processes and
appliances used in the fusion or melting of the raw materials. Suc
ceeding chapters contain a description of the methods used in the
working of the molten material into the various shapes, and also a
description of the various products, their application, and their com
mercial classification. The sixth chapter is devoted to the economic
condition of the industry, presenting, in tabular form, statistics of
the various establishments; their personnel, power, and machinery
employed, consumption of raw materials, quantity and value of
products, and imports and exports.
I ndia -Rubber and A sbestos I ndustries.—The first part is
devoted to the india-rubber industry. Chapter one classifies the
plants from which crude rubber is obtained, and describes the extrac
tion of the latex, its coagulation, and its preparation for market, as
well as the appliances used in such work. Information is also given
concerning the production, commerce, commercial grades, and prices
of the crude product. Chapter two describes the various materials
employed in the manufacture of india rubber and of articles in which
india rubber is combined with other materials. Chapter three is
devoted to the technical processes used in manufacturing the finished
product, and chapter four classifies and describes the various articles
wholly or partially composed of india rubber. Chapter five contains
a report on the economic position of the industry, a history of the
industry, and statistical facts concerning the number of establish
ments engaged, the total production, and imports and exports of the
manufactured product.
The second part relates to the asbestos industry. I t gives informa
tion on the composition, properties, and commercial value of crude
asbestos, the manufacturing processes employed, the varieties, prices,
and uses of the manufactured product, and the economic situation
of the industry.
Construction of Machinery
and
E lectrical A pparatus.—This
monograph consists of five chapters: The first chapter classifies and
defines the various forms of electrical appliances, while the second
chapter describes the materials entering into the composition of
these appliances. Chapter three gives a descriptive summary of the
electrical industries; and chapter four describes the manufactured
products, including dynamos, motors, locomotives, rheostats, trans
formers, accumulators, commutators, cables, telephone and telegraph
apparatus, lamps, and electrical measuring instruments, as well as
articles of a miscellaneous nature. The fifth chapter presents
statistics relating to the economic situation of the industry, giving
the number of establishments, employees, and motive power employed
in each branch of the industry; figures are also given which show
imports and exports of the manufactured products.
FOREIGN STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS— BELGIUM.
403
Each of the monographs is profusely illustrated and contains a
directory of the establishments engaged in the production of the
articles considered.
FRANCE.
Enquete sur le Travail ft Dom icile dans V Industrie de la Lingerie .
Tome 7. Paris. Ministere du Travail et de la Prevoyance Sociale,
Office du Travail.
1907.
xiv, 768 pp.
This volume gives in detailed form the results of an inquiry into
the material and social conditions surrounding home work in the
making of undergarments and household linen in the city of Paris.
The work is divided into five parts. An introductory chapter
is devoted to an outline of the scope and plan of the inquiry, includ
ing, as well, specimens of the schedules of questions used in the
conduct of the investigation.
The first part presents the individual reports of manufacturers
and merchants engaged in the industry. They include, in a general
way, statements of the conditions under which work is given out by
each establishment, including the method and the rate of payment
for the work.
The second part presents the individual reports of the working
people, principally women, who contract to accept work from the
larger establishments and who execute it themselves, aided, in some
cases, by their families or by a few employees, the work being done
in the home of the contractor. Figures showing the number of
employees, hours of labor, and rate of compensation are presented
where such facts could be obtained.
The detailed results of the inquiry, in tabular form, are presented
in the third part, which forms the main body of the work. The
product is divided into four groups, as follows: (1) Women’s and
children’s undergarments, shirtwaists, blouses, and infants’ apparel;
(2) men’s undergarments; (3) household linen; and (4) under
garments and linen of a miscellaneous nature made for charitable
societies and institutions, for railroads, and for the army and the
navy. The tables show, for each household, the number, ages, con
jugal condition, and length of service of the persons employed; variety
of goods made, price paid, source from which work is obtained, time
of delivery of work, and time of payment; hours of labor, daily earn
ings, and annual income, and location, rent, and sanitary conditions.
Statistics are given for a total of 610 households.
In the fourth part of the volume are presented individual mono
graphs of the working people, with some family budgets which show
the receipts and expenditures of each household.
404
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
The fifth part consists of an analysis and rfeume of the results
of the investigation. The report shows that 52 per cent of the
working people embraced in the investigation entered the trade
before the age of 26 years, and that 17 per cent were at the time of
the inquiry 60 years of age or over. Half of the total number were
married, a third were widowed or divorced, and the remainder were
single. Two-fifths of the married women had, at the time of the
inquiry, no children in their charge, and the proportion of childless
widows and divorcees is a little less, about 37 per cent. Only 44
out of the total of 510 households worked for more than one estab
lishment, and in most cases work was delivered every day of the week
except Sunday. Payment was usually made once a week, at the
time of the delivery of the work. In the busy season, the hours of
labor for 43 per cent of the workers were fewer than 10 per day; for 43
per cent the hours of labor were from 10 to 12 per day, and for 13 per
cent they were more than 12 per day. Out of a total of 217 working
people whose earnings could be established half earned less than 16
centimes ($0.03) per hour and 85 per cent less than 26 centimes
($0.05) per hour. Of 366 working people reporting annual earnings,
60 per cent earned less than 400 francs ($77.20) per year, nearly 25
per cent earned from 400 to 600 francs ($77.20 to $115.80) per year,
and the remainder more than 600 francs ($115.80). The annual
income (including wages earned from other sources and relief given
by charity) was, for 57 per cent of the unmarried working people,
from 301 to 600 francs ($58.09 to $115.80); the annual income (includ
ing the earnings of the husband) of the same proportion of the mar
ried people was from 1,500 to 2,500 francs ($289.50 to $482.50) per
annum. Of a little less than 500 habitations visited, 135 were of
one room only. Of this number, 61 were less than 30 cubic meters
(1,059 cubic feet) in size, and 24 were occupied by three or more
persons. Rents usually varied from 151 to 300 francs ($29.14 to
$57.90) per year. In 68 per cent of the habitations the sanitary
conditions were found satisfactory; the remainder were characterized
as bad.
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
[Except in cases of special interest, the decisions here presented are restricted to
those rendered by the federal courts and the higher courts of the States and Terri
tories. Only material portions of such decisions are reproduced, introductory and
explanatory matter being given in the words of the editor. Decisions under statute
law are indexed under the proper headings in the cumulative index, page 471 et seq.]
DECISIONS UNDER STATUTE LAW.
A ssignment of W ages—F uture E arnings—Constitutionality
Statute— M utual Loan Co. v. MarteU, Suprem e Judicial Court o f
of
Massachusetts, 86 Northeastern Reporter, page 9 1 6 .—The company
named sued to recover on two promissory notes given by two different
persons (one of whom was married), secured by an assignment of
future earnings in the employment of the defendant, Martell. Martell relied on sections 7 and 8 of chapter 605, Acts of 1908 (given in
full on page 466), as his defense, since he had not accepted either
assignment, as provided for by section 7, nor had the wife of the mar
ried employee concerned consented in writing to the assignment of her
husband’s earnings, as provided by section 8. The loan company
contended that these sections are unconstitutional, and on judgment
being given against it in the superior court of Suffolk County it
appealed to the supreme court. The law was upheld by this court,
as appears from the following quotations from its opinion, which was
delivered by Judge Knowlton:
These sections interfere with the rights of the assignor and assignee
to contract with each other, which right of contract, in general, is
secured to all our citizens under the fourteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, as well as under the constitution
of Massachusetts. Such an interference by law with one’s right to
manage his property and to make contracts in relation to it and to
pursue any proper vocation is in violation of the constitution, unless
it can be justified upon an independent ground. The defendant con
tends that there is such justification, in the present case, in the enact
ment of this statute by the legislature in the exercise of the police
power.
The State may legislate for the public health, the public safety, the
public morals and the public welfare, in the exercise of this power,
b u t, in balancing this right of the State against the constitutional
right of the individual to personal liberty, it is often difficult to draw
the line between permissible and impermissible legislation.
In tlm present case we have to inquire how far the welfare of the
community requires an interference oy way of regulation with the
right of workmen to dispose of their wages to be earned in the future.
405
406
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
The requirement that they [the assignments] be recorded is certainly
reasonable. It tends to lessen the opportunity of wage-earners to be
dishonest in procuring credit on the faith of their expected possession
of earnings, as they might be if unrecorded assignments were out
standing. The requirement that the order or assignment be accepted
in writing by the employer tends to diminish the risk of his refusal to
pay, involving litigation the result of which might be loss of employ
ment by the wage-earner and injury to the business of the employer.
Then, too, this requirement might operate as a check upon the rapacitv of unscrupulous money lenders who are inclined to take advantage
or the needs of employees. If the legislature saw an advantage to
the community from this provision, we can not say that they ^ere
acting beyond their constitutional authority in enacting the law.
Nor can we say that they might not find grounds for a distinction
between assignments to secure loans of money and assignments as
security for necessaries or other property fumisned or to be furnished.
The occasions for making assignments as security for necessaries may
be far more pressing than for making them to obtain money, and the
risk of wasting that which is obtained may be much less in one case
than in the other. The statute is not unconstitutional because it
deals only with security for loans and does not include security for
other debts.
Section 8 presents a similar but more difficult question. A married
man is bound by law to support his wife. If he is a wage-earner,
although she has no legal title to his wages, she has an interest in the
right use of them. If there are such risks of his making an improper
disposition of them by assigning them to secure the payment of money
that he borrows for unnecessary purposes as to justify the legislature
n limiting and regulating his exercise of this right, might they not
site to the
made in
A
the whole
we are of opinion that the legislature might look chiefly to the ordi
nary relations between husband and wife under the law, and adopt
this form of regulation as salutary in its application to most members
of the class with which they were dealing. ^ The principles that are
applicable to section 7 require us to hold section 8 to be constitutional.
Conspiracy—Common L aw—E ffect of S tatutes—E lements
Offense — I nterference with E mployment—F ines of E mploy
ers—E xtortion—R ecovery— State v. Dalton, St. L ou is (M issou ri)
of
Court o f A ppea ls, I l 4 Southwestern Reporter, page 113 2 .—Charles J.
Dalton and Franklin C. Fay were indicted for conspiring to unlaw
fully extort from William Burke, a contracting plumber, the sum of
$200 by inducing the employees of said Burke to cease work and to
refrain from working for him until such sum should be paid.
The indictment was quashed in the St. Louis court of criminal cor
rection and the defendants dismissed, whereupon the State appealed
and secured a reversal of the judgment of the court below, on grounds
that appear in the portion of the opinion quoted below.
DECISION'S OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
407
The State has a statute on the subject of conspiracy, and the trial
court had proceeded on the ground that it entirely superseded the
common law on the subject, so that no case could be brought except
as it fell within its provisions. Since this statute did not cover the
offenses named in the indictment, it was held that no crime had been
committed. This view the appellate court rejected, holding that the
statute did not repeal the common law, and that action would still
lie under the latter. Having disposed of this point, the court took up
the definition of the term “ conspiracy,” as construed by the courts and
by the grand jury in the indictment under consideration.
Judge Nortoni, who delivered the opinion, said:
It is indeed difficult to formulate ah accurate definition of con
spiracy at common law which will incorporate all of the acts punish
able under this description, without including as well acts which may
not be punishable. Therefore, in Com. v. Hunt, 4 Mete. (Mass.) I l l ,
123, 38 Am. Dec. 346, Chief Justice Shaw said: “ Without attempting
to review and reconcile all the cases, we are of opinion that as a general
description, though perhaps not a precise and accurate definition, a
conspiracy must be a combination of two or more persons, by some
concerted action, to accomplish some criminal or unlawful purpose,
or to accomplish some purpose, not in itself criminal or unlawful, by
criminal or unlawful means.” The gist of the offense at common law
is a corrupt combination which involved an infringment of the law
either in accomplishing the end contemplated or the means to be
employed in attaining the end to which tne confederation is directed.
Therefore the offense was complete and punishable even though no act
was done in furtherance of the conspiracy. From these considera
tions it appears, of course, that a conspiracy was a substantive offense
at common law, though nothing be done in execution of it.
Aside from the present statutory provisions requiring the com
mission of an overt act in certain cases, acts in execution of a con
spiracy are alleged in the indictment and received in evidence as
tending to elucidate the intention of the parties or in aggravation
of the unlawful combination only. (Com. v. Hunt, 4 Mete. (Mass.)
I l l , 125, 38 Am. Dec. 346; Com. v. Judd, 2 Mass. 337, 3 Am. Dec.
54; State v. Buchanan, 5 Har. & J. (Md.) 317, 9 Am. Dec. 534;
2 Bishop, New Crim. Law (8th ed.) sec. 203.)
From what has been said, it will appear the offense of conspiracy
may arise from a corrupt confederation with an unlawful purpose
in either one of two ways: The offense may be complete under the
old law, first, if the confederation be to do by concert of action,
either direct or remote, a criminal or unlawful act bj any means,
whether unlawful or not; or, second, to do an act, not m itself crimi
nal or unlawful, by criminal or unlawful means. It will be observed
that the statement of the doctrine includes either a criminal or un
lawful end or the employment of criminal or unlawful means. On
this statement there arises for consideration, in a more or less remote
degree, the question as to what character of unlawful purpose or
what character of unlawful means contemplated by the conspirators
will be sufficient to infuse into the confederation the elements of
criminal conspiracy.
408
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
There can be no doubt whatever on the question of conspiracy
when the parties combine to violate the criminal law. Of course,
in every case where the confederation is for the purpose of doing,
by direct or remote concert, an act which would amount to a criminal
offense if done by one of the parties, notwithstanding the confedera
tion, the offense is complete. (State v . Buchanan, 5 Har. & J. (Md.)
317, 9 Am. Dec. 534; 6 Amer. & Eng. Ency. Law (2d ed.) 848, 853.)
And it is said by Mr. Bishop (2 Bishop, New Crim. Law [8th ed .| sec.
178) that the term “ unlawful,” in this connection, “ signifies neither
‘indictable ’ nor ‘criminal/ though it includes both, but it means
‘contrary to law/ which may be the law of the criminal courts or of
the civil.”
While from an examination of the authorities it may be asserted
as true that the precise limits of the rule with respect to the terms
“ unlawful purpose” or “ unlawful means,” in cases where neither
the purpose to be achieved nor the means to be employed, are actu
ally criminal, has never been clearly defined, the authorities assert
and sustain a doctrine commensurate at least with the exigencies of
the case now under consideration. The doctrine referred to arises
from the additional power or enhanced ability to accomplish a result
which is in many cases present in the combination of several to the
same end. In some degree, the principle pervades the entire law of
conspiracy. I t may be stated as a general proposition that, where
an additional power or enhanced abfiity to accomplish an injurious
purpose arises by virtue of the confederation and concert of action,
an element of criminal conspiracy is thereby introduced which will
render sufficiently criminal either the means or the purpose, other
wise merely unlawful, to sustain a conviction, although the means
or the end were not such as are indictable if performed by a single
individual. (Com. v. Waterman, 122 Mass. 57; Com. v. Judd, 2 Mass.
329, 337, 3 Am. Dec. 54; State v. Burnham, 15 N. H. 396; 2 Bishop,
New Crim. Law (8th ed.) secs. 180, 195; 3 Chitty, Crim. Law, 1139;
6 Amer. & Eng. Ency. Law (2d ed.) 851; Twitchell v. Commonwealth,
9 Pa. 211, and remarks, 212.)
There can be no doubt that the facts alleged in either count of the
indictment present a case falling within the influence of the principle
last stated. The indictment in the first count charges in substance
that the defendant conspired to, and, in execution or the conspiracy,
induced, certain mechanics to quit the employ of William Burke,
and would not permit them to enter again m his employ, although
he was in sore need of their services, until Burke had first paid to
the defendants $200 to withdraw their influence in that behalf, and
that their purpose was to thus unlawfully exact $200 from Burke,
which he paid. The second count charges in substance that the
mechanics mentioned voluntarily quit the employ of Burke, and that
defendants corruptly conspired to and did so influence them as to
prevent their return to his employ, although he was in great need of
their services, unless Burke paid the defendants $200 to withdraw
their influence, and that then* purpose was to thus unlawfully exact
$200 from Burke; which payment he made, etc. From all that
appears in the indictment* the means employed by the defendants
were entirely lawful. It is certainly true that if the parties are not
under contract (nothing appearing to the contrary, the presumption
is they were not) their associates and friends may counsel and advise
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
409
them either to quit or continue a particular service, or having quit
the service, as in the second count mentioned, not to return thereto
except upon reasonable and proper conditions. (Thomas v . C. N. O.
& T. Ry. Co. (In re Phelan [C. C.]) 62 Fed. 803, 817, 818; Wabash
Ry. Co. v . Hannahan (C. C.) 121 Fed. 563 [Bulletin No. 49, p. 1374].)
It is otherwise, however, with respect to the alleged purpose sought
to be effectuated in either count of the indictment. I t is the policy
of our enlightened system of jurisprudence to insure and protect the
freedom of contract in its largest measure, subject only to certain
restraints imposed by a wise public policy of a still higher and more
holy nature. To leave men free to choose their own occupation and
contract with whomsoever they will in their particular field of indus
try, without restraint or interference from others, tends not only to
elevate their condition by fostering a spirit of independence and
ambition, but secures as well to skill and industry a proper recom}>ense in recurring advantages, too numerous to mention. The common
aw has never tolerated a species of interference by third persons for
a purpose such as that disclosed in the allegations of the mdictment.
Although one may lawfully induce another to quit a particular
service, or not return to the employ of a particular person, there can
be no doubt, even when no contract of employment is breached
' thereby, that it is unlawful for third parties, as charged in the first
count, to interfere and induce employees to quit their employer, and
not to return to his services, for the purpose of exacting and extort
ing from him a sum of money against his consent. And it is equally
clear where men are unemployed, as were the mechanics mentioned
in the second count to have quit the service, that it is unlawful for a
third person to interfere with the freedom of contract and, by per
suasion or other means, for the sole purpose of exacting or extorting
a sum of money from the employer agamst his consent, prevent the
consummation of a new contract of employment. When one, upon
whom there rests no legal obligation to do so, is thus coerced, by
threat, reasonable apprehension, or fear of suffering injury to his
business, to contribute his means to another who has no moral or
legal right to insist upon such payment, the most elementary princi
ples of natural justice, inherent in the common law, denounce the act
as unlawful and afford a remedy certain and sure. (Carew v. Ruther
ford, 106 Mass. 1, 13, 14, 8 Am. Rep. 287; March v. Bricklayers’,
etc., Union, 79 Conn. 7, 63 Atl. 291 [Bulletin No. 67, p. 887].) Al
though the act of procuring money from another under the circum
stances stated may not be a criminal offense either at common law
or under the statute, it is palpably unlawful, and an action in tort
will lie in favor of the injured party for its recovery, as is affirmed in
the authorities supra. This being true, the purpose of the conspiracy
is obviously unlawful in the sense essential to infuse an element of
criminal liability therein, as contemplated by the entire doctrine of
our law in respect of conspiracy and conspirators. A single indi
vidual, acting alone to the same end, would indeed be less bold and
more likely to recede from a sense of insecurity in his venture. And
then, too, the ability of one person to coerce the subject of his design
would be less potent. The additional power and enhanced ability
arising from a confederation of two persons to overawe and coerce
an ordinary man to part with his means against his will, under the
circumstances alleged in the indictment, is obvious. Therefore we
410
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
conclude that, although the purpose sought to be effectuated and
to which the conspiracy was directed may not, in and of itself, amount
to an offense agamst the criminal laws if committed by a single indi
vidual, it is an unlawful purpose possessed of an element essential
to a criminal conspiracy m such cases—this for the reason of the
additional power and enhanced ability to accomplish the contem
plated mischief, which accrued in virtue of the federation.
The indictment alleges in each count that the purpose of the con
spiracy was actually accomplished, and sets out sufficient facts from
which an overt act, essential in the law as modified by our statute,
appears. This being true, it charges an offense at common law as
modified by our statute touching the commission of some overt act
in case of conspiracies other than those to commit a felony upon
the person of another, or to commit arson or burglary.
E mployers’ L iability—R ailroad Companies—A cceptance
R elief B enefits —W aiver —E ffect of Statute— Goldenstein
of
v.
Baltim ore and Ohio Railroad Com pany, Suprem e Court o f the District
o f Columbia, 3 7 Washington Law Reporter, page 2 . —F. E. Goldenstein
sued the railroad company to recover damages for injuries received
by him while in its employment within the District of Columbia.
The company offered as defense that Goldenstein was a member of
its relief department and had received benefits therefrom on account
of his injuries and was therefore precluded from claiming other dam
ages. The plaintiff relied on section 3 of the federal employers’ lia
bility act of 1906, which provides that “ no contract of employment,
insurance, relief benefit, or indemnity for injury or death entered
into by or on behalf of any employee, nor the acceptance of any such
insurance, relief benefit, or indemnity by the person entitled thereto,
shall constitute any bar or defense to any action brought to recover
damages for personal injuries to or death of such employee: P ro
vided, however, That upon the trial of such action against any com
mon carrier the defendant may set off therein any sum it has con
tributed toward any such insurance, relief benefit, or indemnity that
may have been paid to the injured employee, or, in case of his death,
to his personal representative.”
This law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in
certain interstate cases (207 U. S. 463; Bulletin No. 74, p. 216), but
was held by the court of appeals of the District of Columbia to be
valid law in said District. (Hyde v . R. Co., 36 Wash. Law Rep. 374,
Bulletin No. 78, p. 682.) The particular point in question had not
been previously discussed, but its constitutionality was upheld in
the present case, as appears from the following portions of the opin
ion of the court, which was delivered by Judge Stafford:
The demurrer to this plea raises the question whether Congress
could, constitutionally and without interfering with due freedom of
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
411
contract, enact that men should not be bound by their contracts of
this character. To answer yes is to say that an employee who, as
such, has suffered an injury through the fault of his employer, and
who thereafter accepts a consideration in settlement and discharge
of his damage, is not bound by said acceptance nor by his deed
expressly releasing and discharging his claim, provided such accept
ance ana release were under and in pursuance of a contract entered
into by him before the injuries were suffered which entitled him to
receive that consideration. The act does not attempt to touch con
tracts of settlement made for the first time after the injuries were
received and not under any prior arrangement of this character, but
only those contracts under which the employee was acting during the
course of his employment. His prior agreement to accept such Denefits, if he accepts them at all, m full of his claim for damages, is
impliedly declared to be unjust, oppressive, and against public policy,
ana the benefits actually received by him in pursuance of this agree
ment are referred back to such unlawful contract and are declared to
be payment pro tanto only. The theory of the statute seems to be
that during the period when the relation of employer and employee
exists or is in contemplation, the parties do not stand on a level, but
that the employee or person applying for employment is subject to
the undue influence o f the employer, as the borrower is supposed to
be under the like power of the lender in the matter of interest. To
continue the analogy, the employee, on entering into the contract to
accept benefits in mil if he accepts them at all, is in the position of
the borrower when agreeing to pay usury, while the employee when
accepting the benefits after injury is in the position of the borrower
when actually paying the usury. As the borrower may still recover
back the usurious payment, so may the employee repudiate his release
of his real damages. If it be said that the injured employee is at
liberty to accept or reject the benefits as he may choose, so, it may
be replied, is the borrower at liberty to pay or refuse to pay the
usurious rate. In the case of interest on money the legislature has
said that the liberty is only theoretical, not real; in the case of the
employees of common carriers Congress has said the same.
Was Congress justified in treating this class of men—employees of
c o m m o n carriers—as a class needing peculiar protection? That is—
is it not?—a auestion for legislative judgment, rather than forensic.
As the courts nave sustained the usury laws and others of like char
acter, why should they not sustain this? They should, certainly,
unless it is too plain for argument or doubt that there is no rational
ground for classifying such employees in this way, no reasonable
asis in point of fact for saying that they are subject to be taken
advantage of unconscionably by the other party to the contract.
How can the courts possibly take such a position as that ? How can
we shut our eyes to the facts that the men who make up the largest
part of the railroad’s working force are poor men, taking their lives
m their hands every day, and supporting their wives and children
by the day’s earnings and that in many instances the loss of the job
is the loss of comfort, of health, perhaps of life itself to the laborer
or those who depend upon him? Had not Congress a right to say—
to let railroads exact from their employees a binding agreement tnat
they shall be required to pay for the loss of an arm only so much,
for the loss of an eye so much and no more, for the loss of a life not
412
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
exceeding so much—in each instance a less sum perhaps than would
be recoverable in any impartial court—is against public policy and
a rule which will tend to make railroads careless of life and limb?
Might they not fairly say that public policy requires that the burden
of this great annual sacrifice of health and strength and happiness
and life should fall where it ought to fall as between the laborer and
the employer—i. e. where it turns out on full and fair inquiry that
it ought to fall—rather than that a poor and overworked class should
be permitted to barter away its rignts in advance as the mere price
of an opportunity to work? These are considerations that address
themselves to legislatures and when they are found weighty and con
trolling by that branch of the government it is of doubtful propriety
for the judicial branch to seek to overturn its work.
The supreme court of Indiana, in the case of International Text
Book Co. v . Weissinger, 160 Ind. 349, 65 N. E. 521, 98 Am. St. Rep.
334, had occasion to pass upon the constitutionality of a state stat
ute prohibiting assignments of future wages to become due to em
ployees, and sustained the constitutionality of the act. After
referring to many acts of legislation in that State showing a tender
regard for the rights of wage-earners the court turns to the reasons
underlying such legislation, calling attention to the large number of
wage-earners employed in manufacturing and mining industries and
the heavy sum paid annually to this class. They then take notice of
the fact that a large proportion of the persons affected by such
statutes are dependent upon their daily or weekly wages ror the
maintenance of themselves and families; that delay of payment may
result in the deprivation of the necessaries of life, suffering, inability
to meet obligations and in many cases may make wage-earners a
charge upon the public. They go on to say : “ The situation of these
persons renders them peculiarly liable to imposition and injustice.
* * * Where future wages may be assigned, the temptation to
anticipate their payment and to sacrifice them for an inadequate
consideration is often very great. * * * It is clear that the
object of the act was the protection of wage-earners from oppression,
extortion or fraud on the part of others and from the consequences
of their own weakness, folly or improvidence. We can not say that
no just ground existed for such legislative interference for so com
mendable a purpose.” The analogy is then pointed out between
the disability imposed by that act and the disability which renders
married women incompetent to bind themselves or their property by
contracts of suretyship; the disability of the debtor before judgment
to waive the benefit or exemption laws and laws providing for a stay
of execution or regulating the rights of parties under mortgages on
household goods.
Contracts of indemnity, insurance and of relief benefits such as
those legislated against m the act now under consideration are an
attempt on the part of employers to restrict their common law
liability by requiring their employees to accept and receive for injuries
a sum less than that to which they would otherwise be entitled. It
is as if an employer should say to an employee, “ I will not accept you
in my service unless you will agree beforehand that if you are injured,
instead of being compensated in full you shall receive therefor only
some small amount now inserted in the contract.” The supposition
is that the employee assents to the contract under the stress of his
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
413
situation by reason of his necessity to secure employment. Is it not
legitimate ror the legislature to say that such contracts are against
public policy? When the State or Missouri enacted a statute pro
viding that in all suits brought upon policies of fire insurance the
company should not be permitted to deny that the property insured
was worth the full amount of the insurance at the time of issuing the
policy, although the policy itself provided that the company should
not be liable beyond the actual value of the property at the time of its
loss, the Supreme Court of the United States neld the statute to be
constitutional, notwithstanding the limitation placed thereby upon
the right of contract. (Orient Insurance Co. v. Baggs, 172 U. S. 557.)
In another case the same court declared that the right to contract
is not absolute in respect to every matter, but may be subjected to
the restraints demanded by the safety and welfare of the State and
its inhabitants, and that the right to impose these restraints was not
confined to the right of the legislature to amend the charters of cor? orations. (Knoxville Iron Co. v . Harbison, 183 U. S. at page 224.)
n the case last cited the court had before it an act of the Tennessee
legislature requiring that store orders and all like evidences of indebt
edness issued oy employers in payment of wages should be redeemed
in cash by such employers at the option of the holders and held that
the statute was not an unconstitutional impairment of the freedom
of contract. In Holden v. Hardy, 169 U. S. 166, the same court
upheld an act of the State of Utah limiting to eight hours per day
the employment of workingmen in mines underground.
The defense attempted to be pleaded in the second plea in this
case would be a good defense except for the statute, according to the
decisions in various States. (People v. Powers (Ohio), 35 L. R. A.
507; Donald v. Railroad Co. (Iowa), 33 L. R. A. 492; Railroad Co.
v . Curtis, 51 Neb. 442, 66 Am. St. Rep. 456; Ringle v. Railroad Co.,
164 Pa. St. 529, 44 Am. St. Rep. 628; Owens v . Railroad Co. (U. S.
Cir. Ct., Sou. Dist., Ohio), 1 L. R. A. 75.) That is the exact point
decided for this jurisdiction in Brown against this same defendant.
(6 App. D. C., 237, 23 Wash. Law Rep. 337.) In that case the
court took note of the distinction between those cases in which there
was only a precontract to accept benefits and release the railroad
company and those in which there was an actual acceptance of the
benefits and a release in consideration thereof subsequent to the
injury. In the former cases it was said that there might not be a
discharge of the defendants, although that question was not decided,
but in the latter cases it was held that the discharge was effective.
While no doubt is intended to be cast upon this decision it is pertinent
to observe that there are other cases in other jurisdictions which
hold that even without the statute the defense here set up in the
second plea is insufficient as based upon a contract against public
policy; for the reasons which have induced some courts to so hold
without a statute may well be considered as affording a sufficient
basis for a statute when the legislature has chosen to enact one.
In the case of Chicago, etc., Railroad Co. v. Miller, 76 Fed. Rep.
439, the defendant put its reliance upon just such a contract with
its employees as that which has been pleaded in this case, and it was
there decided that the plaintiff’s right of action against the company
was not barred by the acceptance of such benefits. The same ques
tion was afterwards argued before the court of appeals in the same
414
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
case and the decision affirmed, Caldwell, Judge, saying: “ Such con
tracts so far as they attempt to release the railroad company from
liability for injuries inflicted on its employees through its negligence
are without sufficient consideration against public policy and void,
and must ultimately be so declared by all courts.” (22 C. C. A. 264;
see also 9 Cvc. 544.)
On the other hand two cases reported in 71 Fed. Rep., one at page
139 and the other at page 931, hold such agreements to be valid,
and the latter treats the statute of Ohio, which expressly declared
such agreements illegal, to be unconstitutional. Such decisions are
apparently open to the pointed criticism of legal writers, such as
that to be found in 31 Am. Law Rev. 460. To quote therefrom:
“ Where a man ships goods over a railroad and accepts from the rail
road company a bill of lading in which the company endeavors to
exonerate itself from the consequences of its own negligence, the
clause by which the company attempts to exonerate itself is void;
but where a railroad company assumes the bailment of human lives
and is negligent in taking proper care of them—and no matter how
f ross its negligence may be—it may contract that if it provides a
ospital, kept up chiefly by the very men whose lives are in its
charge, it may kill and maim them with impunity.” The state
ment may sound sardonic, but it is feared there is too much justice
in it. One is reminded of an occasion when by a still higher authority
than any of those here cited the question was asked, “ What man shall
there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit
on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold of it and lift it out ? How
much then is a man better than a sheep?” (The Gospel according
to St. Matthew, chapter 12, verses 11 and 12.) A court which pays
greater heed to the safety of the live freight of the cattle train than
to the human beings who managed the train would seem to deserve a
similar rebuke. In Kilpatrick v . Grand Trunk R. R. Co., 74 Yt. 288,
63 L. R. A. 551, 93 Am. St. Rep. 887, the supreme court of Vermont
had under consideration a statute prohibiting the use of side ladders
on freight cars, and making a company using such ladders subject
to a penalty and also liable for injuries occasioned thereby. After
the fullest consideration it was there held that the doctrine of as
sumption of risk, viewed as a contract, could not be invoked by a
railroad company against its employee who sued it for injuries
resulting from the use of such ladder, because such a contract would
be against public policy, and that the enactment of such a statute
was a valid exercise of the police power for the protection of the poor
and helpless, although it prevented the employee from assuming the
risk by contract. It would not be becoming for the writer or the
present opinion to quote from the language of the opinion in that
case, but he wishes to reiterate his belief in the soundness of the views
there expressed. See also the note to Houston, &c., R. R. Co. v.
De Walt, 97 Am. St. Rep. at pages 890-893, where this case and others
are discussed. The Vermont case just referred to is in line with the
decision in the well-known case of Narramore v. Cleveland, &c., R.
R. Co., 96 Fed. Rep. 298, 37 C. C. A. 499, where the opinion was
delivered by Circuit Judge Taft.
If it is objected that the present act is unconstitutional as being
limited to a particular class of employees instead of applying to all
classes, it would seem to be a sufficient answer that so far as the courts
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
415
are aware, it is only employees of common carriers who are liable to
be made the victims of unjust contracts of this peculiar character
The court has no reason to suppose that Congress would not just as
readily extend the act to other employees if there were any such abuse
to be corrected in respect to them. It is peculiarly the province of
the legislature to ascertain the bases of facts upon which legislation
is required.
For the foregoing reasons it is considered that the second plea is
bad, as it relies upon matters which the act of Congress expressly
and constitutionally declares shall not constitute a bar.
E mployers’ L iability —“ R ailroad H azards”—Construction
Statute—American Car and Foundry Co v. Inzer Appellate Court
of
.
,
of Indiana, 86 Northeastern Reporter, page 444-—This was an action
by Mary Inzer as administratrix to recover damages for the death of
John A. Inzer, alleged to have been caused by the company’s negli
gence. The company builds cars, and Inzer was a tinner employed
in roofing a car when the car on which he was working was moved in a
train of six cars drawn by a locomotive of a railway connected with
the company’s plant. Being knocked from the car he was pinioned
under a wheel and afterwards rim over and killed by the negligence of
those in charge. This was the finding of the circuit court of Clark
County, and it was affirmed by the appellate court. The matter of
interest in the case was the application to the accident of the em
ployers’ liability act of the State (Burns’s Ann. Stat. 1901, sec. 7083),
which had been restricted in its application by the decision in case
of Bedford Quarries Co. v. Bough, 168 Ind. 671, 80 N. E. 529; see
Bulletin No. 71, page 377. A part of the reasoning of the court on this
point is given, in the language of Judge Roby, who spoke for the court:
That case decides the act is violative of the fourteenth amendment
of the federal Constitution, in so far as it imposes upon corporate
employers burdens which are not imposed upon individual employers.
The act as applied to railroads is upheld, but the case does not decide
that only railroads as such are within the purview of the act, but that
the legislature intended it to apply to “ railroad hazards.” The
character of the employment must oe the test by which to determine
its applicability, and not the character of the employer. (Kline v.
Minn. Iron Co., 93 Minn. 63, 100 N. W. 681; Bedford Quarries Co. v.
Bough, supra.) Analogous statutes of other States applying to
“railroads,” have been upheld because their manifest purpose was to
give their benefits to employes engaged in the hazardous business of
operating railroads. (Akeson v. Ch. etc., R. Co., 106 Iowa 54,75 N. W.
676; Mo. Pac. R. Co. v. Haley, Adm’r, 25 Kan. 53.) A consideration
of the reasoning of the foregoing cases shows that the appellee was
within the statute. Clearly it was a railroad hazard which caused
the death. The complaint was therefore sufficient, and the demurrer
to it was correctly overruled.
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 15
416
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
E mployment of Children —N ewspapers as Merchandise—Con
stitutionality of Statute— D istrict o f Columbia v. B eider , Juvenile
Court o f the D istrict o f Columbia (O pinion copied fro m court files ).—
Lynn L. Reider, a route agent for a morning newspaper in the District
of Columbia, was charged with a violation of the child-labor law of
the District in employing a minor under 14 years of age to deliver
newspapers. The first section of the law reads in part as follows:
No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed or permitted
to work in the District of Columbia .* * * in the distribution or
transmission of merchandise or messages. No such child shall be
employed in any work performed for wages or other compensation,
to whomsoever payable^ during the hours when the public schools or
the District of Columbia are m session, nor before the hour of six
o’clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o’clock in the even
ing: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to
children employed in the service of the'Senate.
There was no question as to the facts, the defendant claiming, first,
that the act is void on the ground that it is in conflict with the four
teenth amendment of the Constitution, requiring all legislation to be
uniform in its application, and, in any case, that the delivery of news
papers is not prohibited by the act. The first contention was de
nied, but the second was allowed and Reider was discharged on the
single ground that newspapers are not merchandise. The District
sought to procure a writ of error to bring the case before the court of
appeals of the District of Columbia, but this court refused to grant the
writ, sustaining the decision of the juvenile court.
The opinion of the juvenile court was delivered by Judge De Lacey,
and is as follows:
Counsel for the defendant contend that the act is unconstitutional
because it excludes children in the employ of the U. S. Senate. But
everybody knows that children in the employ of the Senate are not
properly a “ class,” for the constituent units of such alleged class are
subject to constant change owing to the political favor upon which
sucrt service depends, so that, theoretically at least, it is possible for
every child in the District to enjoy such excepted employment. With
out such exception, it is doubtful that service in the Senate would have
come within the employments prohibited, any more than the making
of beds or the nursing of children, and, while it may be well to have
such exception expressed, its exemption is no more fatal to the act
than the nonenumeration of the many other activities open to children
which the law .making power has not seen fit to prohibit. The Su
preme Court of the U. S. has said that “ legislation which, in carrying
out a public purpose, is limited in its application, if within the sphere
of its operation it affects alike all persons similarly situated, is not
within the [fourteenth] amendment.” (Barbier v. Connolly, 113 U.
S., 27.) Counsel also objects, on constitutional grounds to section 16,
giving the commissioners authority to issue permits for the employ
ment of children in theatrical exhibitions, citmg the case of Yick Wo
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
417
v.
Hopkins, 118 U. S., 356. But this legislation has reference to
infants whose status under the law is abnormal, and is intended for
their protection, and plainly confers upon the commissioners a dis
cretion to be exercised according to the circumstances of each case,
and, therefore, is excepted from the operation of this ruling of the
Supreme Court by the very language of the decision, for “ the char
acter of the exhibition” is specified.
This act is undoubtedly a valid exercise of the police powers of the
State, for the protection of child life.
This brings us to the question as to whether the delivery of news
papers as set forth be prohibited.
Counsel on both sides have industriously and skillfully labored to
enlighten the court as to the meaning of the word “ merchandise,”
the prosecution insisting that even old newspapers have value for
junk dealers and for this reason and because of the decision in the case
of Smith v . Wilcox, 24 N. Y. Reports, 353, that newspapers are mer
chandise, their delivery is forbidden by section 1 of tms act. But it
must be remembered that old newspapers cease to be sought for as
newspapers, disseminators of the news from the four quarters of the
globe, and are valuable for the paper stock in them.
In Smith v. Wilcox decided in 1862, a liberal construction was given
to an act for the regulation of the observance of the Sabbath. In
view of the language of the decision that “ acts not interfering with
the benevolent design of the Sabbath * * * and not prohibited,
do not take their character from the day on which they are done, but
are lawful or unlawful in reference to the general laws of the land,”
and the wonderful development of the Sunday newspaper, this de
cision can hardly be given much weight in the interpretation of an act
of the character of the one now under consideration. I do not think
that newspapers are merchandise in the proper sense of that term
for the reason
First, everything of value is not merchandise, for instance, land;
Second, everything trafficked in is not merchandise, e. g., stocks
and bonds;
Third, newspapers are sought for the intelligence they transmit,
and not for the intrinsic value of the material upon which that in
telligence is conveyed.
But whether newspapers be merchandise or not, it is a familiar rule
of interpretation that an act to be within a penal prohibition must be
within its spirit as well as within its letter. Whatever is not within
the motives and purposes of an act, although within the letter of the
act, is without its operation. Now the purpose of this legislation is
the protection of the physical and mental welfare of children in their
growing years from whatever may lead to arrested development. No
one will seriously contend that the nature of the employment in the
case at bar is at all harmful to the child, nor can it be urged that Con
gress had in mind newspapers in the enumeration of “ merchandise”
in section 1, since in section 11 et seq. it promulgated its wishes in re
gard to the handling of newspapers by minors. In no place in the
act is the prohibition of the delivery or newspapers to be found, and
it follows that the defendant is discharged.
418
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
E mployment of L abor—B reach of Contract by E mployee—
R ecovery of W ages E arned— Latham v. BarwicTc, Suprem e Court
o f A rkansas, 118 Southwestern Reporter, page 61ft.—J. F. Barwick had
recovered wages in a suit against one Latham, executor of an estate,
in the circuit court of Clay County, whereupon the latter appealed,
securing a reversal of the judgment of the lower court. The facts
appear in the opinion, which was delivered by Judge McCulloch, and
is in part as follows:
This is an action instituted by appellee against appellant’s testa
trix to recover upon an account for wages alleged to he due him as a
farm hand. He entered into a verbal contract with appellant’s tes
tatrix to work on the latter’s farm from February 26 until July 1,
1906, for $25 per month, and quit work on May 14, 1906. He sues
for the amount of his earned wages. There was testimony tending
to show that according to the terms of the contract the wages of ap
pellee were to be paid one-half as he earned or needed them and the
other half on July 1st, that he quit the service of his employer with
out cause, and that at the time he quit work more than one-half of his
earned wages had been paid to him.
There seems to be some conflict in the authorities whether or not
one employed for a specified time, who, without adequate cause, quits
service before expiration of the time, can recover upon a quantum
meruit; but the great weight of authority is to the effect that he can
not recover. (26 Cyc. p. 1042, and cases cited.) This court adopted
the rule sustained by the weight of authority. English, C. J., speak
ing for the court in Hibbard v . Kirby, 38 Ark. 105, said: “ The rule
seems to be that if the contract of the servant to labor be for a speci
fied period of time, and payment is to be made, either expressly or by
implication of law, at the end of the period, and the servant leaves
the service of his master improperly, without a sufficient cause, and
without his consent, before the expiration of that time, he can recover
no compensation for his services, either on the contract or on a quan
tum meruit.” A statute of this State enacted in 1883 puts the ques
tion entirely at rest. I t is as follows: “ If any laborer shall without
good cause abandon his employer before the expiration of his con
tract he shall be liable to such employer for the full amount of any
account he may owe him and shall forfeit to his employer all wages
or share of crop due him or which may become due him from his em
ployer.” (Kirby’s Digest, sec. 5028.) This statute is conclusive of
the questions involved in this appeal. I t applies, in express terms,
to all verbal contracts for services for a period not longer than one
year.
It follows that the court erred in giving a peremptory instruction
and in refusing to give the instructions requested by appellant.
Reversed and remanded for a new trial.
Mine R egulations—Sale
of
P owder—Commerce—
E x parte
William s, Suprem e Court o f Kansas, 98 Pacific Reporter, page 7 7 7 .—
J. H. Williams was convicted of selling powder to a coal miner in vio
lation of the provisions of chapter 250, acts of 1907, which permit such
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
419
sales only in an original package containing 12J pounds of powder,
securely sealed. In default of the fine imposed, Williams was com
mitted to jail. He applied for a writ of habeas corpus, contending
that the law was unconstitutional as restricting the liberty of contract
by taking property without due process of law, by denying the equal
protection of the laws, and by unlawful discrimination. It was also
claimed that the law was void, because it conflicts with the commerce
clause of the Constitution of the United States.
I t was stipulated that the powder sold was in an unbroken original
package containing 25 pounds and was imported into Kansas from the
State of Missouri by the company for which Williams was agent; that
black powder is an article of commerce among the States; and that
black powder in 12^-pound packages can not be bought or sold in the
market except at a considerably higher price. The constitutionality
of the law was upheld in all its points and the prisoner was remanded.
Judge Benson announced the opinion of the court, reviewing each of
the claims of the defendant. He held that, owing to the hazardous
nature of coal mining and the equal application of the law to all
employment in such mines, the charge of discrimination was not well
founded; that the regulation of the sale of dangerous explosives was
a customary and valid exercise of the police power of the State, which
controls even the right of contract; and, further, that the control over
commerce conferred on Congress “ does not prevent the State from
making reasonable regulations designed primarily to promote the
health and safety of its people, although they indirectly affect the
subjects of interstate commerce.” Cases were cited in support of each
point taken, and the following syllabus was prepared by the court as
presenting its rulings on the points of law involved:
Chapter 250, page 400, of Laws 1907, entitled “ An act to protect
mines, miners, and mine laborers, and defining the manner of sale and
delivery of black powder for use in coal mines of the State of Kansas,,,
is not in conflict with the state constitution or the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States and is not invalid as a
regulation of interstate commerce.
P ayment of W ages—W eighing Coal B efore S creening—
F reedom of Contract—E qual P rotection of L aws—Constitu
tionality of S tatute— M cLean v. State, Suprem e Court o f the United
States, 2 9 Suprem e Court Reporter, page 2 0 6 .—This
was a case in which
was brought in question the constitutionality of section 1 of the stat
ute of Arkansas (ch. 219, acts of 1905), which requires operators of
mines employing ten or more men underground at bushel or ton rates
to weigh all coal mined before screening the same. Waiver of the
statute by the employee is prohibited, and punishment for violations
is fixed at a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500, or imprison
420
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
ment for not less than 60 days nor more than 6 months, or both fine
and imprisonment. McLean was managing agent of a mining com
pany and contracted with his employees to pay them at a fixed rate
per ton, the coal to be screened before weighing. For this admitted
violation of the law he was convicted in the circuit court of Sebastian
County and, on appeal, in the supreme court of the State, over his con
tention that the law was unconstitutional. Further appeal was taken
to the Supreme Court of the United States, in which the constitution
ality of the law was upheld, Justices Brewer and Peckham dissenting.
Owing to the importance of the principle involved, the opinion of the
court, which was delivered by Justice Day, is reproduced in full:
The objections to the judgment of the state supreme court of a con
stitutional nature are twofold: First, that the statute is an unwar
ranted invasion of the liberty of contract secured by the 14th amend
ment of the Constitution of the United States; second, that the law,
being applicable only to mines where more than ten men are employed,
is discriminatory, and deprives the plaintiff in error of the equal pro
tection of the laws, within the inhibition of the same amendment.
That the Constitution of the United States, in the 14th amendment
thereof, protects the right to make contracts for the sale of labor, and
the right to carry on trade or business, against hostile state legislation,
has been affirmed in decisions of this court, and we have no disposition
to question those cases in which the right has been upheld and main
tained against such legislation. (Allgeyer v . Louisiana, 165 U. S.578,
17 Sup. Ct. Rep. 427; Adair v . United States, 208 U. S. 161, 28 Sup.
Ct. Rep. 277.) But, in many cases in this court, the right of freedom
of contract has been held not to be unlimited in its nature, and when
the right to contract or carry on business conflicts with laws declaring
the public policy of the State, enacted for the protection of the public
health, safety, or welfare, the same may be valid, notwithstanding
they have the effect to curtail or limit the freedom of contract. I t
would extend this opinion beyond reasonable limits to make reference
to all the cases in this court in which qualifications of the right of free
dom of contract have been applied and enforced. Some of them are
collected in Holden v . Hardy, 169 U. S. 366,18 Sup. Ct. Rep. 383, in
which it was held that the hours of work in mines might be limited.
In Knoxville Iron Co. v . Harbison, 183 U. S. 13, 22 Sup. Ct. Rep. 1,
it was held that an act of the legislature of Tennessee, requiring the
redemption in cash of store orders or other evidences of indebtedness
issued by employers in payment of wages due to employees, did not
conflict with any provisions of the Constitution of the United States,
protecting the right of contract.
In Frisbie v . United States, 157 U. S. 160,15 Sup. Ct. Rep. 586, the
act of Congress prohibiting attorneys from contracting for a larger fee
than $10 for prosecuting pension claims was held to be a valid exercise
of police power.
in Soon Hing v . Crowley, 113 U. S. 703, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 730, a stat
ute of California, making it unlawful for employees to work in laun
dries between the hours of 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. was sustained.
The statute fixing maximum charges for the storage of grain, and
prohibiting contracts for larger amounts, was held valid. (Munn v.
Illinois, 94 U. S. 113.)
DECISIONS OP COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
421
In Patterson v. The Eudora, 190 U. S. 169, 23 Sup. Ct. Rep. 821,
this court held that an act of Congress making it a misdemeanor for a
shipmaster to pay a sailor any part of his wages in advance was held
to be valid.
In Gundling v. Chicago, 177 U. S. 183, 20 Sup. Ct. Rep. 633, this
court summarized the doctrine as follows:
' ‘ Regulations respecting the pursuit of a lawful trade or business are
of very frequent occurrence in the various cities of the country, and
what such regulations shall be and to what particular trade, business,
or occupation they shall apply, are questions for the State to deter
mine, and their determination comes within the proper exercise of the
police power by the State; and, unless the regulations are so utterly
unreasonable and extravagant in their nature and purpose that the
property and personal rights of the citizen are unnecessarily, and in a
manner wholly arbitrary, interfered with or destroyed without due
process of law, they do not extend beyond the power of the State to
pass, and they form no subject for federal interference.”
In Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U. S. 11, 25 Sup. Ct. Rep. 358,
this court said:
“ The liberty secured by the Constitution of the United States to
every person within its jurisdiction does not import an absolute right
in each person to be, at all times, and in all circumstances, wholly freed
from restraint. There are manifold restraints to which every person
is necessarily subject for the common good.”
It is, then, the established doctrine of this court that the liberty of
contract is not universal, and is subject to restrictions passed by the
legislative branch of the government in the exercise or its power to
protect the safety, health, and welfare of the people.
It is also true that the police power of the State is not unlimited,
and is subject to judicial review; and, when exerted in an arbitrary
or oppressive manner, such laws may be annulled as violative of rights
Jprotected by the Constitution. While the courts can set aside legis-
ative enactments upon this ground, the principles upon which such
interference is warranted are as well settled as is the right of judicial
interference itself.
The legislature, being familiar with local conditions, is, primarily,
the judge of the necessity of such enactments. The mere fact that a
court may differ with the legislature in its views of public policy, or
that judges may hold views inconsistent with the propriety of the
legislation in question, affords no ground for judicial interference,
unless the act m question is unmistakably and palpably in excess of
legislative power. (Jacobson v. Massachusetts, supra; Mugler v.
Kansas, 123 U. S. 623, 8 Sup. Ct. Rep. 273; Minnesota v. Barber,
136 U. S. 313, 320, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep. 862; Atkin, v. Kansas, 191 U. S.
207, 223, 24 Sup. Ct. Rep. 124.)
If the law in controversy has a reasonable relation to the protection
of the public health, safety, or welfare, it is not to be set aside because
the judiciary may be of opinion that the act will fail of its purpose, or
because it is thought to be an unwise exertion of the authority vested
in the legislative branch of the government.
We take it that there is no dispute about the fundamental proposi
tions of law which we have thus far stated; the difficulties and differ
ences of opinion arise in their application to the facts of a given case.
422
BULLETIN OP THE BUBEAU OF LABOB.
Is the act in question an arbitrary interference with the right of con
tract, and is there no reasonable ground upon which the legislature,
acting within its conceded powers, could pass such a law? Looking
to the law itself, we find its curtailment of the right of free contract
to consist in the requirement that the coal mined shall not be passed
over any screen where the miner is employed at quantity rates,
whereby any part of the value thereof is taken from it before the
same shall nave been weighed and credited to the employee sending
the same to the surface; and the coal is required to be accounted for
according to the legal rate of weights, as fixed by the law of Arkansas,
and contracts contrary to this provision are invalid. This law does
not prevent the operator from screening the coal before it is sent to
market; it does not prevent a contract for mining coal by the day,
week, or month; it does not prevent the operator from rejecting coal
improperly or negligently mined, and shown to be unduly mingled
with dirt or refuse. The objection upon the ground of interference
with the right of contract rests upon the inhibition of contracts which
prevent the miner employed at quantity rates from contracting for
wages upon the basis of screened coal instead of the weight of the coal
as originally produced in the mine.
If there existed a condition of affairs concerning which the legisla
ture of the State, exercising its conceded right to enact laws for the
protection of the health, safety, or welfare of the people, might pass
the law, it must be sustained; if such action was arbitrary interference
with the right to contract or carry on business, and having no just
relation to the protection of the public within the scope of legislative
power? the act must fail.
While such laws have not been uniformly sustained when brought
before the state courts, the legislatures of a number of the States have
deemed them necessary in the public interests. Such laws have been
passed in Illinois, West Virginia, Colorado, and perhaps in otter
States. In Illinois they have been condemned as unconstitutional.
(Ramsey v. People, 142 111. 380, 32 N. E. 364.) The same conclusion
has been reached in Colorado, citing and following the Illinois case.
(Re House Bill No. 203, 21 Colo. 27, 39 N. E. 431.)
In West Virginia, while at first sustained by a unanimous court,
such an act was afterwards, upon rehearing, maintained by a divided
court. (State v. Peel Splint Coal Co. 36 W. Va. 802, 16 S. E. 1000.)
W e are not disposed to discuss these state cases. It is enough for
our present purpose to say that the legislative bodies of the States
referred to, m the exercise of the right of judgment conferred upon
them, have deemed such laws to be necessary.
Conditions which may have led to such legislation were the subject
of very full investigation by the Industrial Commission authorized by
Congress by the act of June 18,1898. (3Q Stat. at L. 476, Chap. 466.)
Volume 12 of the report of that commission is devoted to the subject
of "Capital and Labor Employed in the Mining Industry.” In that
investigation, as the report shows, many witnesses were called and
testified concerning the conditions of the mining industry in this coun
try, and a number of them gave their views as to the use of screens as
a means of determining the compensation to be paid operatives in coal
mines. Differences or opinion were developed in the testimony.
Some witnesses favored the "run of the mine’’ system, by which the
coal is weighed and paid for in the form in which it is originally mined;
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
423
others thought the screens useful in the business, promotive of skilled
mining, and that th e y worked no practical discrimination against the
miner. A number of the witnesses expressed opinions, based upon
their experience in the mining industry, that disputes concerning the
introduction and use of screens had led to frequent and sometimes
heated controversies between the operators and the miners. This
condition was testified to have been the result, not only of the intro
duction of screens as a basis of paying the miners for screened coal
only, but, after the screens had been introduced, differences had arisen
because of the disarrangement of the parts of the screen, resulting in
weakening it, or in increasing the size of the meshes through which
the coal passed, thereby preventing a correct measurement or the coal
as the basis of paying the miner’s wages.
We are unable to say, in the light of the conditions shown in the
public inquiry referred to, and in the necessity for such laws, evinced
m the enactments of the legislatures of various States, that this law
had no reasonable relation to the protection of a large class of laborers
in the receipt of their just dues and in the promotion of the har
monious relations of capital and labor engaged in a great industry
in the State.
Laws tending to prevent fraud and to require honest weights and
measures in the transaction of business have frequently been sus
tained in the courts, although, in compelling certain modes of deal
ing, thev interfere with the freedom of contract. Many cases are
collected in Mr. Freund’s book on “ Police Power,” wherein that
author refers to laws which have been sustained, regulating the size
of loaves of bread when sold in the market; requiring the sale of
coal in quantities of 500 pounds or more, by weight; that milk shall
be sold in wine measure, and kindred enactments. (Sec. 274.)
Upon this branch of the case it is argued for the validity of this
law that its tendency is to require the miner to be honestly paid for
the coal actually mined and sold. It is insisted that the miner is
deprived of a portion of his just due when paid upon the basis of
screened coal, because, while the price may be higher, and theo
retically he may be compensated for all the coal mined in the price
paid him for screened coal, that practically, owing to the manner of
the operation of the screen itself, and its different operation when
differently adjusted, or when out of order, the miner is deprived^ of
payment for the coal which he has actually mined. I t is not denied
that the coal which passes, through the screen is sold in the market.
I t is n o t for us to say whether these are actual conditions. ^ I t is
sufficient to say that it was a situation brought to the attention of
the legislature, concerning which it was entitled to judge and act for
itself m the exercise of its lawful power to pass remedial legislation.
The law is attacked upon the further ground that it denies the
equal protection of the law, in that it is applicable only to mines
employing ten or more men. This question is closely analogous to
one that was before this court in "the case of Consolidated Coal Co.
v . Illinois, 185 U. S. 203, 22 Sup. Ct. Rep. 616, wherein an inspec
tion law of the State was argued to be clearly unconstitutional by
reason of its limitation to mines where more than five men are
employed at any one time, and in that case, as in this, it was contended
that the classification was arbitrary and unreasonable,—that there
was no just reason for the discrimination. Of that contention this
court said (p. 207):
424
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
“ This is a species of classification which the legislature is at liberty
to adopt, provided it be not wholly arbitrary or unreasonable, as it
was in Cotting v . Kansas City Stock Yards Co. (Cotting v. Godard)
183 U S. 79, 22 Sup. Ct. Rep. 30, in which an act defining what
should constitute public stock yards, and regulating all charges con
nected therewith, was held to be unconstitutional, because it applied
only to one particular company, and not to other companies or cor
porations engaged in a like business in Kansas, and thereby denied
to that company the equal protection of the laws. In the case
under consideration there is no attempt arbitrarily to select one mine
for inspection, but only to assume that mines which are worked
upon so small a scale as to require only five operatives would not be
likely to need the careful inspection provided for the larger mines,
where the workings were carried on upon a larger scale or at a greater
depth from the surface, and where a much larger force would be
necessary for their successful operation. It is quite evident that a
mine which is operated by only five men could scarcely have passed
the experimental stage, or that precautions necessary in the opera
tion or coal mines of ordinary magnitude would be required in such
cases. There was clearly reasonable foundation for a discrimina
tion here.”
This language is equally apposite in the present case. There is no
attempt at unjust or unreasonable discrimination. The law is alike
applicable to all mines in the State employing more than ten men
underground. It may be presumed to practically regulate the industiy when conducted on any considerable scale. We can not say that
there was no reason for exempting from its provisions mines so small
as to be in the experimental or formative state, and affecting but
few men, and not requiring regulation in the interest of the public
health, safety, or welfare. We can not hold, therefore,, that this law
is so palpably in violation of the constitutional rights involved as to
require us, in the exercise of the right of judicial review, to reverse
the judgment of the supreme court of Arkansas, which has affirmed
its validity. The judgment of that court is affirmed.
DECISIONS UNDER COMMON LAW.
Contracts for E xclusive R edemption of W age Checks—
R estraint of T rade—Monopoly—E nforcement of Contract—
Stewart et al. v. Stearns
cfe
Culver Lum ber Com pany, Suprem e Court
o f Florida, Jfi Southern Reporter, page 19.—Stewart
and another,
partners, sued the company named to recover damages for the viola
tion of a contract. Judgment being against them in the circuit
court of Santa Rosa County, the partners appealed, the appeal
resulting in the affirmance of the judgment of the lower court. The
facts appear sufficiently in the opinion, which was delivered by Judge
Whitfield, and is in part as follows:
The contract upon which the action is brought contains a lease to
a partnership of a storehouse formerly used as a commissary in a
village where a corporation, the owner of the storehouse, it is alleged,
owned and operated a large sawmill, employing a great number of
DECISION'S OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
425
persons. The contract also contains an agreement by the c o lo ra
tion to relinquish its right to establish and maintain a commissary
for its employees, to use its influence to induce the employees, loggers,
and others to purchase their supplies from the partnership, and to
issue to its employees merchandise checks against their wages directed
exclusively to the partnership, to be redeemed by the corporation
through the partnership for cash at par every 30 days, if such issue
is not illegal. The partnership agreed in the contract to establish
a general store carrying $10,000 or more of feed, grain, dry goods,
boots, and shoes, furniture, drugs, stationery, notions, hardware,
etc., to accept as cash the merchandise coupons issued by the cor
poration, ana to pay the corporation every 30 days a commission of
5 per cent, upon the gross sales of the business. The partnership
alleges that its covenants have been performed, and that the cove
nants of the corporation have been violated, for which damages are
claimed.
The demurrer to the declaration presents the question whether
the contract is one that the courts will enforce; l. e., whether it
tends to create a monopoly, to restrain trade, or to stifle competition,
so as to make it violative of the laws or of public policy of this State.
At common law any contract or agreement that in its operation
has or may have a tendency to restrain trade, to stifle competition
in trade, to create or maintain a monopoly, or to unnaturally control
the supply of or to increase the price of or to curtail the opportunity
of obtaining useful commodities, to the injury of the public or any
considerable portion of the population of any locality, is regarded as
contrary to just governmental principles and inimical to the public
welfare, and therefore against public policy.
The courts will not in general aid either party to enforce an illegal
agreement, but will leave the parties where they place themselves
with reference to such illegal agreement, except where the law or
public policy requires action by the courts, or where the parties are
not in pari delicto, and perhaps in other cases not pertinent here.
Public policy favors competition in trade, to the end that commodi
ties may be obtained with the greatest convenience and at the lowest
possible prices, and opposes monopolies and restraints upon trade in
useful commodities that tend to inconvenience or to control the sup
ply or to higher prices, to the injury of the public or any considerable
portion thereof in any locality. Agreements that in their operation
and effect tend to facilitate, stimulate, or promote trade are regarded
with favor where they do not directly or indirectly injure the public.
Whether a contract in its terms or operation is or may be unreason
able because it extends to or may be extended to a longer time or to
a greater territory or to other subjects than is reasonably necessary
for the protection of the rights of the parties inter sese, and whether
the public is or may be appreciably injured thereby, can not be ascer
tained by any accurately defined rules, but must be determined
from a practical consideration of the circumstances of every case as
it arises in connection with such general principles of law and of con
struction as are applicable thereto. The validity of the contract
should be determined not by what has been done under it, but by
what may be done under it, by What will be its real tendency with
reference to trade and monopoly when in full operation.
426
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Where a contract in its terms and its operation transfers from one
party to another a lawful business, trade, or occupation actually
engaged in, or a lawful exclusive right, and, as an incident thereto,
it is agreed that the vendor will not for a reasonable time engage in
the same or a similar business within a reasonable territory covered
by the business, and such agreement does not unreasonably restrict
the available supply of, or access to, or raise the price of any useful
commodity, or tend to create a monopoly, it may not be against
public policy or unlawful, and consequently may be enforced by the
courts if otherwise legal and binding.
The illegality in the agreement or in its operation need not amount
to a criminal offense. The test is whether the agreement in full opera
tion will be injurious to the public welfare. If so, it will not be
enforced.
The inhabitants of a village have a right to protection from in
jurious restraint of trade and monopoly in useful commodities in
the village without reference to the opportunities afforded for obtainingthe commodities in a neighboring town.
Where an agreement in operation has a necessary tendency to
restrain trade or to monopoly to the appreciable injury of the public,
limitations as to time, place, or subjects contained in the agreement
are immaterial.
The validity or invalidity of an agreement that in operation tends
to restrain trade or to monopoly is in general determined by the
element of whether it is or is not injurious to the public. If injurious
in any perceptible degree to any considerable portion of the public,
the agreement is contrary to public policy, ana will not be enforced.
If not so injurious, it may be enforced if otherwise legal and binding.
In this case no established business, trade, profession, or occupa
tion, or lawful exclusive right, was transferred with accompanymg
good will, but the contract contains a lease of a storehouse and an
agreement to relinquish a right common to all to establish a general
store in a village, coupled with other agreements that in practical
operation necessarily tend to substantially restrain freedom of trade
and to monopoly, whether so intended by the parties or not.
Assuming that the corporation had the right to establish and main
tain a general store, it obviously had no lawful exclusive right to do
so in the village named by the contract, and the agreement to relin
quish a right common to all to establish and maintain a general store
in the village, if of any benefit to the other contracting party, was
not necessary to the protection of the rights in the lease of the store
house. ^ When this agreement to relinquish a right common to all is
taken in connection with the agreement as to the exclusive issuing
and redeeming by the contracting parties of merchandise checks to a
great number of persons in a village, employees of one of the parties,
and with the character of goods the checks would purchase, the
relation of the contracting corporation to its employees, the great
number of the employees operating in a village, the agreement to
induce the employees, loggers, and others to purchase their supplies
at the one place, and the agreement to pay 5 per cent, commission on
gross sales, it is manifest that the inevitable tendency of the agree
ment, though ancillary to a lease of a storehouse, is to restrain trade,
to stifle competition, to increase prices of useful if not necessary
commodities, and to create and maintain a monopoly, so as to injure
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
427
in some appreciable degree at least a considerable portion of the local
public whether such result was intended or not. If the restraint of
trade or the monopoly the contract tends to effectuate, in its opera
tion, is injurious to tne public to any appreciable degree, the limita
tions, expressed or implied, as to time, place, or objects are immaterial.
A mere influencing of trade in a lawful manner is not necessarily
illegal. The issuing by an employer to employees of “ merchandise
checks against their wages” to be redeemed exclusively through a
merchandise house of another party as alleged in this case may not
ipso facto and necessarily be illegal under all circumstances; but
under the circumstances of this case such a course of dealing, whether
so intended or not, tends to aid in restraining trade and in maintain
ing a monopoly to the injury of a large number of persons. It does
not appear from the record whether the merchandise checks were to
be issued before or after wages were due and payable, nor does it
seem to be material in this case. Even if it should appear that the
village where this contract operated is near a larger town, it would
not redeem the contract, since the freedom of trade may be restrained,
and a monopoly assisted to the injury of a local public by curtailing
the convenience of the public in procuring supplies of useful com
modities. Whether the corporation was or was not able to pay its
employees in cash does not appear to be material in this case. No
element of partnership express or implied appears from the contract
or the declaration if that would relieve the agreement of invalidity.
While the rent for a storehouse may properly be a percentage or the
business done in the storehouse, yet in this case the agreement to
pay 5 per cent, of gross sales, taken in connection with the other
parts or the contract and conditions under which it was to operate
and with the claim for commissions paid, indicate that such a per
centage covers, not only the store rent, but also profits from a business
capaUe of being so conducted as to in some substantial degree restrain
trade and maintain a monopoly to the injury of at least an appreciable
part of the public in the locality where the business was conducted,
and the intention of the parties is of no controlling force.
The inevitable tendency of the contract operating under the cir
cumstances alleged in the declaration is to restrain trade, to stifle
competition, and to a monopoly, to the injury of at least a consider
able portion of the public affected by the contract, and the contract
is consequently violative of the public policy of the State, or the
implied principles of law recognized as existing in this State on this
subject for the general welfare. This being so, courts of justice will
not aid the parties in enforcing the invalid agreements, and the de
murrer to the declaration was properly sustained.
E mployers’ L iability —E xcessive D amages—I ncompetence of
E mployees— Sm ith v. Chicago, Peoria and S t. L ou is R ailw ay C o., S u
preme Court o f Illinois, 8 6 Northeastern Reporter, 150.—Gertrude Smith
had recovered damages in the amount of $10,000 for the death of her
husband, an engineer on one of the trains of the company. An ap
peal from the circuit court of Sangamon County resulted in the judg
ment being affirmed in the appellate court, and again in the supreme
428
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
court of the State. The action was based on the alleged failure of
the employer to exercise due care in the employment of the engineer
and conductor in charge of the work train with which Smith's engine
collided, as it was claimed that these men were incompetent for the
discharge of the duties for which they were employed.
Appellants presented as grounds of appeal that there was ho suffi
cient ground on which to base the charge of incompetency, and that
the amount of damages awarded was excessive. Chief Justice Cart
wright, who announced the opinion of the court, took up these points
in their reverse order, using in part the following language:
We feel certain that the learned counsel who present and argue the
second proposition that the damages awarded by the jury are exces
sive would be quite unwilling to have us attribute their course to
ignorance of the law, and it is fair to assume that they do not expect
any attention to be given to the point further than to be again ad
monished that it can not be raised. The proposition that the amount
of damages caused by negligent act or omission is purely one of fact,
finally settled by the judgment of the appellate court, is one about
which there never could have been any doubt, and yet this court has
been required to make that statement m a multitude of cases, running
through more than 100 volumes of the reports. In 1883, in the case
of Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Co. v. Peyton, 106 111. 534,
46 Am. Rep. 705, the court said (page 539 of 106 111.): “ It is likewise
insisted that the damages are excessive. Appellant refers to no text
book or reported case which holds that the assessment of damages is
a question of law. On the other hand, by every rule of law it must
be cpnsidered a question of fact. I t is averred as a fact in the declara
tion. I t is averred as a fact, and never questioned by demurrer.
On the trial damages are proved by evidence, and they are found by
the jury, and not by the court. # The proposition seems so obvious
that it should not require the decision or a court to establish the propo
sition." ^ If attorneys have not yet learned of this obvious proposi
tion by its wearisome repetition in so many cases, it would seem to be
of no use to state any principle of law in the decisions of the court.
The other alleged error questions the ruling of the trial court in
refusing to direct a verdict of not guilty on motion of the defendant;
and it is insisted that the evidence tending to support the cause of
action alleged in the declaration, together with all reasonable infer
ences which the jury might draw therefrom, was insufficient, as a
matter of law, to sustain the verdict.
That the death of Smith was caused by the negligence of the engi
neer and conductor was proved, but the defendant would not be
liable, under the declaration, for an injury caused by their negligence
unless it resulted from their incompetency, combined with the failure
of the defendant to use reasonable care in their selection. I t was
necessary for the plaintiff, not only to prove incompetency of the en
gineer or conductor, or both, but also negligence or the defendant in
employing them or one of them. The mere happening of an accident
would not ordinarily raise a presumption of incompetency (Mobile &
Ohio Railroad Co. v. Godfrey, 155 III. 78, 39 N. E. 590), but the con
duct of a person on a single occasion may be entirely sufficient to
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
429
demonstrate his unfitness, and, after such an occurrence, to charge
the employer with a failure of duty in keeping him in the service.
If the employer used reasonable care in the selection of the servant,
and had no knowledge of his incompetency, the employer would not be
responsible for the consequences resulting on the single occasion when
incompetency was manifested. The conduct of the engineer and con
ductor on this occasion fairly tended to show the unfitness and in
competency of both for the positions in which they had been placed,
but the evidence did not show that the engineer had previously mani
fested any want of competency or that the defendant did not use
reasonable care in his selection.
In September, 1904, and January, 1905, the superintendent of de
fendant did not regard Cuthbertson as competent to take charge of a
work train; and, unless the superintendent afterward satisfied himself
of his competency, he was guilty of negligence in employing him.
Cuthbertson had no experience, between the time that he was rejected
as incompetent and June, 1905, which could qualify him to fill the
position as conductor. The evidence favorable to the plaintiff fairly
tended to prove that Cuthbertson was incompetent to fill the position
of conductor, that the superintendent knew him to be incompetent,
and that reasonable care was not used in employing him. The trial
court therefore did not err in refusing to direct a verdict of not guilty.
E mployers L iability —R elease — R eliance on A dvice of
Company Surgeon—F raud —E vidence— S t L ou is, Iron M ountain
and Southern R ailw ay Com pany v. Hambright, Suprem e
Arkansas, 118 Southwestern Reporter, page 8 0 8 .—W.
Court o f
O. Hambright
was a brakeman employed by the company named, and was injured
while in such service. He placed himself first under the care of his
own physician, but afterwards went to a hospital maintained by the
company, where he remained for about two weeks. When he went
away he promised Dr. Outten, the chief surgeon, that he would
return. Several weeks later Dr. Outten wrote to him, upbraiding
him for his failure to return and for his prolonged absence without
having obtained a “ clearance,” or statement of his physical condi
tion, before leaving the hospital. Hambright thereupon returned
to the hospital and Dr. Outten gave him a letter to be taken to the
claim agent as a basis of settlement. This letter was sealed, and
contained a statement of serious injuries with a bare possibility of
recovery. Dr. Outten testified that he informed Hambright of the
contents of the letter, but this statement the latter denied. The
letter was left at the claim agent's office in his absence. Hambright
testified that the doctor had told him that his injuries were not
serious, and that he would be all right in a few months, this testi
mony being supported by that of a friend, Phelps, who had accom
panied Hambright on his visit to the doctor. There was also a
conflict between the testimony of Hambright and that of the claim
430
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR,
agent and his employee. Hambright accepted $1,250 from the com
pany and signed a release of all claims of every class arising out of
the injuries received. He afterwards sued on the ground of the
employers’ liability for the injury and alleged fraud in the procure
ment of the settlement. The circuit court of Miller County gave
damages in the amount of $5,000, and the railroad company appealed.
The judgment of the court below was affirmed, on grounds that
appear in the following extracts from the opinion of the court, which
was delivered by Judge Hill:
Appellant says that the evidence is not sufficient to show that the
plaintiff was either deceived or misled, or that any fraud was prac
ticed on him in obtaining the settlement. In discussing this it must
be taken that the jury has accepted the testimony of Hambright
and Phelps and rejected that of Outten and Jones; and the suffi
ciency of the evidence must be tested solely upon the accredited
testimony. In H. & T. C. Ry. Co. v. Brown (Tex. Civ. App.) 69
S. W. 651, an employee of the railroad company was injured and was
taken to a hospital, where he was treated by Dr. Stewart, the sur
geon of the railroad company. The doctor represented to him that
the bones of his arm had knitted and united together, that his arm
was well, and that as soon as the swelling had passed away his arm
would be as good as ever. Brown, the employee, had stated that
he was ready to settle with the railroad company whenever the
bones of his arm had knit together and his arm was cured. The
court said: “ The facts in evidence warrant the conclusion that
Stewart made the representations and statements to the appellee
for the purpose of inducing him to execute the release to appellant,
and that the appellee believed the statements were true, and relied
upon the same, and was thereby induced to make the settlement and
sign the release; that the representations and statements so made by
Stewart were false, in that the bones at the time of the trial were not
united, and that his arm was practically destroyed in its usefulness.
The court correctly submitted this issue to the jury. We can not
agree with the contention of appellant that it may escape liability
on the ground that the representations and statements made by
Stewart was a mere expression of opinion. I t was more than an
opinion. I t was the statement of a fact. The effect of his state
ment was that the appellee was a sound man, and that the bones of
his arm had knitted together, and that it would be all right. I t is
true this statement may have been predicated upon his opinion as a
medical expert, but the opinion is based upon facts or which he
possessed, knowledge. The fact that the statement made by Stewart
was not intentionally false does not affect the right of the appellee
to have the release set aside if he was misled by the statement, and
executed the release believing the statement was true. In such a
case innocent misrepresentations may as well be the basis of relief
as where such statements are intentionally false.” This case was
quoted from and approved by the federal court of appeals of the
ninth circuit in Great Northern Ry. Co. v. Fowler, 136 Fed. 118, 69
C. C. A. 106. In that case a brakeman on a railroad was injured
and was examined by the company’s physician, who advised him,
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
431
after a cursory examination, that his injuries were slight, and that
he would be ready for work in two weeks. He consulted no other
physician as to the extent of his probable injuries. The decisions
touching this exact point are carefully considered and discriminated,
and these conclusions reached: “ He accepted the statement and
opinion of the appellant's surgeon, and on the basis of it received
$195 and signed the discharge. We entertain no doubt that such a
release executed under a mutual mistake of fact so induced by the
appellant should be set aside. I t is true that, where there is no
misrepresentation or fraud on the part of the releasee, a releasor
can not subsequently avoid his release on the ground that his injuries
were more serious than he thought them to be, even though his
opinion at the time of making the settlement may have been based
upon that of a physician employed by the releasee to examine and
report on the extent of his injuries; * * * but it is equally true
that a mutual mistake of fact or an innocent misrepresentation of
the facts of the releasor's injury, made by the releasee's physician,
may be effective to avoid a release induced thereby."
The case of T. & P. Ry. Co. v. Jowers, (Tex. Civ. App.) 110 S. W.
946, is essentially similar to the case at bar. An employee of the
railroad company was injured and sent to the same hospital to which
Hambright went, and was under the care of Dr. Yasterling, who was
also one of the physicians who attended Hambright while he was at
the hospital. The course of dealing between the hospital and the
patient was shown to be the same in that case as it was in this. The
plaintiff's evidence was that he had settled upon the statement of
Dr. Yasterling that his injuries were slight, and it was proved that
such was not the case. The court said: “ The fifth and sixth assign
ments are submitted together in the appellant's brief, and assail
the court's charge in submitting the issue of bad faith or fraud upon
the part of Dr. Vasterling, appellant's physician in charge of the
hospital, and Hoeppner, appellant's claim agent stationed at that
place, in advising the appellee concerning the extent of his injuries
at the time the release was executed. The propositions (two in
number) submitted under those assignments indicate that the
particular objection was to the action of the court in submitting any
such issue at all under the circumstances. The first proposition
asserts that fraud can not be predicated upon a representation which
is a mere statement of opinion, and not the statement of the fact.
The appellants lose sight evidently of the fact that fraud may be
based upon the giving of an opinion as well as the statement of any
other fact. In this particular suit the contention is relied upon that
the physician fraudulently gave an incorrect opinion, and thereby
misled the appellee into agreeing to a settlement [citing authorities].
The second proposition assumes as a matter of fact that the physician
acted in good faith. That, we think, was an issue for the jury."
See, also, on the general principle involved, Railway Co. v. Kosischke,
104 Fed. 440, 43 C. C. A. 626, the circuit court of appeals of the
eighth circuit. The appellee's evidence fully meets the requirements
of the authorities to avoid a release induced by fraud.
It is said that Hambright came direct from his own physicians and
ought to have known, and must have known, something of his condi
tion outside of anything Dr. Outten said to him, and that he could not
79828—Bull. 8 1 - 0 9 --- 16
432
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
have been misled in this regard. Hambright testified that he had been
under Dr. Out ten’s care from September, and that he did not know
his own condition, but relied upon Dr. Outten, and asked him to tell
him his true condition. In the third instruction the court predicated
plaintiff’s case on a reliance upon Dr. Outten’s statements, and the
verdict means that the jury believed he did rely upon them. Dr.
Outten says that his examinations were made in behalf of the em
ployees as well as the railroad; that his employment came from the
railroad company and his compensation came from a hospital fund
derived from assessments of tne employees. Certainly Hambright
had a right to rely upon his good faith, and it does not lie in the
mouth of the railway company to say that an employee can not safely
rely upon statements of its chief surgeon who occupies this delicate
position between it and its employees.
I t is next argued that the court erred in entertaining this suit with
out requiring a tender of the amount received in the settlement of
December 28th. This point was reserved by exception to the fourth
instruction. This contention, however, was settled against the
appellant in St. L., I. M. & S. Ry. Co. v . Smith, 82 Ark. 105, 100
S. W. 884. In that case, as in this, there was a controversy over a
release; one side claiming that it was for a single purpose and the
other side claiming that it was a full release. The court said: “ So, if
the jury found that she was paid the sum of money as compensation
only for the inconvenience and delay caused by the collision, or that
she was induced to sign the receipt by false representations, which
she relied on, as to its contents, she would not be oound to return the
sum paid before suing to recover the damages sustained.” If plain
tiff’s evidence was true, then the tender was not necessary; and the
defendant did not ask for the converse of the proposition to be sub
mitted.
E mployers’ L iability —Safe P lace
D ischarge of E mployer’s D uty—A cts
P eople’s GasligJvt Co.,
page 204*—Charles
to W ork—Sufficient
of S ervice— Brown v.
Suprem e Court o f Vermont, 71 Atlantic Reporter,
A. Brown was a laborer employed in laying gas
pipes under the immediate direction of a foreman, one Miles, and was
injured by the caving in of earth. Action was brought and a verdict
for damages secured in the Rutland County court, from which the
company appealed. The appeal resulted in a reversal of the judg
ment of the lower court, on grounds that appear in the following
quotations from the opinion of the court, which was delivered by
Judge Powers:
Among the nondelegable duties which a master owes his servant is
that of providing and maintaining a reasonably safe place in which to
work. But this rule does not require the master to supervise the
merely executive details of the w ort as it goes along. These are acts
of service, and are within the proper range of the servant’s' duties.
They may be delegated to a competent coservant, and, when so dele
gated, negligence therein, though resulting in injury, will not support
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
433
an action against the master. And it matters not whether the offend
ing servant be a foreman, overseer, superintendent, or a mere fellowworkman; the result is precisely the same—the master is not legally
responsible—for it is the character of the act in question which
determines. So it is that when a master provides his servant with
suitable materials and instrumentalities to make safe the place, and a
competent foreman to use and apply them, he fully discharges his
legal duty, and the negligence of the foreman in the manner in which
the appliances are used, or in failing to make use of them at all, will
not establish liability on the part of the master.
Cases much like the one in hand are not wanting. In Zeigler v.
Day, 123 Mass. 152, the defendant was a contractor engaged m the
construction of a sewer through the streets of Cambridge. The plain
tiff was at work for him excavating a trench through soil more or less
sandy, under the direction of one Winning, who had charge of the
work as superintendent, and whose skill and competency were ad
mitted. For the safety of the men in the trench it was necessary in
some places to shore up the sides. The necessity for this, as well as
the proper mode of applying the safeguards was from the nature of the
case left to be determined by the superintendent as the work pro
gressed. There was no evidence that the defendant failed to furnish
sufficient and suitable material for the construction of the required
safeguards, or that he was chargeable with any specific personal
neglect or knew of the cause of this injury, though he was occasionally
present as the work went on. In granting a nonsuit, the court saia:
‘ ‘ In the case at bar the work was committed to the supervision of a
slrillful and competent superintendent. It required for the protec
tion of the men the frequent use of temporary structures, the location
and erection of which, as the digging progressed, was a part of the
work in which the superintendent and the men under him were alike
employed, and for the preparation of which, as in case of the scaffold
of the mason or the carpenter, the master is not liable, unless there is
something to show that he assumed it as a duty independent of the
servant’s employment.”
At the time or his injury the plaintiff [Brown] was directed by Miles
to go into the ditch and dig out a bell hole, [i. e., an enlargement of the
trench for the accommodation of the calker], and to hurry about it
so that the joint could be calked before night. The walls of the ditch
were not shored up, though the defendant’s superintendent testified
(and this was not in any way contradicted) that the defendant sup
plied planking and bracing timbers to protect dangerous places, if
any occurred. The plaintiff entered the ditch pursuant to Miles’
order, and began the work assigned him. ^While so engaged, he en
countered a stone in the bank, and, while digging around it to remove
it, the east bank caved onto him, and caused the injuries herein
sued for. After the plaintiff went into the ditch, and before the bank
caved, a crack appeared in the dirt thrown up from the ditch running
along parallel with the ditch, to which the calker called Miles’ atten
tion, suggesting that the bank ought to be braced to prevent caving.
Miles replied, in substance, that it would stand long enough to get
the joint calked, and gave the plaintiff no warmng. ’file bank
caved along this crack. It is urged that the foreman’s knowledge
of this crack and the plaintiff’s ignorance of it save the case for the
434
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
plaintiff, on the ground that it became the duty of the master to
warn the servant of a danger known to him, but unknown to the
servant. Such is not the case. The danger was not in a legal sense
latent. The crack was not so much the source of danger as it was
the manifestation of it. But, in any view, it was in character obvious,
though unseen by the plaintiff. The duty to warn is coextensive
with the duty to exercise care. If it was the duty of the master to
protect the plaintiff from the danger which threatened, it was his
duty to warn him of the imminence of the danger indicated by the
crack, otherwise, not. So it comes back to the question hereinbefore
discussed. However great the moral obligation resting on the fore
man to warn the plaintiff, his fellow-laborer, he did not, in his neg
lect to do so, represent the defendant, for the master’s duty had been
fully performed. The omission of the foreman in this behalf, like
his omission to make use of the shoring, was his own, and not that
of his master—an omission which comes within the fellow-servant
rule.
L abor Organizations— L egality — Monopolies— B oycotts—
Conspiracy—I njunction— Lohse Patent D oor Company v. Fuelle
et a t , Suprem e Court o f M issouri, 114 Southwestern Reporter, page
9 9 7 .—The company named was a manufacturer of sashes, doors, and
woodwork generally, for use in the construction of buildings, and
had sued in the St. Louis circuit court to secure an injunction against
a boycott. The defendants were officers and representatives of the
“ Carpenters’ District Council,” organized in accordance with the
terms and rules of the “ United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America.” It was charged in the petition that it was the
purpose of these organizations, in cooperation with others of like
nature, to so control the building business of St. Louis as to compel
the petitioners to employ only union men, under conditions fixed by
the unions, and thus to secure and maintain a monopoly, in that par
ticular line of business, in behalf of the members of such associations.
In furtherance of this object a boycott had been established against
the plaintiff and against all builders purchasing or using the products
of the company.
The petition described the methods of the boycott, the interference
with the company’s employees, who, it is alleged, were satisfied with
their employment and were not seeking aid from the organizations
named, and also set forth the fact of the insolvency of defendants.
Besides asking for an injunction, the dissolution of the organizations
was asked for, as being monopolistic and against public policy.
The petition was. demurred to, thus admitting the facts, but hold
ing that they did not constitute a cause of action against the defend
ants. This demurrer was sustained by the St. Louis circuit court,
and the petition was dismissed. The company appealed, securing a
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
435
reversal of the lower court, and the case was remanded for a new
trial.
The opinion was delivered by Judge Woodson, who first took up
the question of monopoly as charged by the plaintiff. On this point
he said:
According to the allegations of the petition and admissions of the
demurrer, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of the
City of St. Louis, and the various other associations with which it
affiliates, are composed of carpenters, joiners, and other persons who
do carpenter work and other labor in the construction or houses and
other buildings in the city of St. Louis, and throughout the country.
It is alleged and admitted that the object and purpose of these asso
ciations is to shorten the hours of work and to increase the pay they
are to receive for their labor. While it might be conceded that labor
organizations might be proper subjects for legislative control and
regulation, yet the legislature has not in its wisdom seen proper to
do so; and at common law personal service—an occupation—could
not be the subject of a monopoly. In discussing that question, in
the case of State ex rel. v. Associated Press, 159 Mo., loc. cit. 456,
60 S. W. 91, 104, 51 L. R. A. 151, 81 Am. St. Rep. 368, this court
used this language: “ But there is nothing here on which a monopoly
can attach. The business is one of mere personal service—an occupa
tion. Unless there is ‘property ’ to be ‘ affected with a public interest
there is no basis laid for the fact or the charge of a monopoly.’ ”
The authorities seem to be uniform in holding that individuals have
a perfect legal right to form labor organizations for the protection
and promotion or the interest of the laboring classes, ana deny the
power to enjoin the members of such organizations from peaceably
withdrawing from the service of the employer. [Cases cited.] These
decisions are based upon the law which permits everyone to enter
into any kind of a contract which has for its object and purpose the
protection and promotion of the interest of the parties thereto, as
well as the betterment of their condition in life; and that right to so
contract is not curtailed or abridged if, perchance, the contract indi
rectly or incidentally operates in restraint of trade. We must there
fore hold that the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and
their allied associations, whom the defendants represent, are not
unlawful combinations made and entered into in restraint of trade,
but are legal and highly laudable when confined within proper
bounds.
On the point of the boycott the court said:
The second proposition presented for consideration seems to be
equally well settled by the authorities, and nothing we might say
upon the question could throw any light upon it or strengthen the
principle or law upon which it is founded. We will therefore content
ourselves by simply restating the rule as we find it in the numerous
adjudications of this country, and quote from a few leading cases
showing its application.
In brief, the petition charges defendants and those with whom
they are affiliated with havmg entered into a conspiracy or an
436
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
unlawful combination to injure and damage plaintiffs business by
having coerced and intimidated certain contractors and builders
from purchasing and using all building materials manufactured by
it in any building to be constructed by them by prohibiting then*
members from working upon all buildings in which plaintiffs said
materials were being used. The demurrer admits the allegations of
the petition to be true, except the allegation that the conduct of
defendants is unlawful. In other words, counsel for plaintiff con
tends that the petition, in short, charges defendants with boycotting
plaintiffs business, and that the demurrer admits the charge to be
true; while counsel for defendants contends that the petition only
charges them with having entered into an agreement to protect
their own interest, and that the conduct complained of is not for
that reason unlawful.
The word “ boycott ” has been defined by many courts, in different
language, but all agree substantially as to the meaning of the word.
Alter an extensive review of the authorities, the supreme court of
Minnesota, in the recent case of Gray v. Building Trades Council,
91 Minn., loc. cit. 179, 97 N. W. 666, 63 L. R. A. 753,103 Am. St. Rep.
477 [Bulletin No. 53, p. 955], defines the word in the following lan
guage: “ A boycott may be defined to be a combination of several per
sons to cause a loss to a third person by causing others against their
will to withdraw from him their beneficial business intercourse through
threats that, unless a compliance with their demands be made, the
persons forming the combination will cause loss or injury to him; or an
organization formed to exclude a person from business relations with
others by persuasion, intimidation, and other acts which tend to vio
lence, and thereby cause him through fear of resulting injury to submit
to dictation in the management or his affairs. Such acts constitute
a conspiracy, and may be restrained by injunction.” If that is the
proper definition of the word “ boycott,” then the petition clearly
charges the defendant with being guilty of boycotting plaintiffs
business, for the reason, as before stated, the petition charges the
defendants with having formed a combination to injure plaintiffs
business, by having caused the builders of the city of St. Louis,
against their will, to withdraw from plaintiff their beneficial business
intercourse through threats that, unless a compliance with their
demands be made, the defendants will cause a strike to be called
against the said business. All the authorities hold that a com
bination to injure or destroy the trade, business, or occupation of
another by threatening or producing injury to the trade, business,
or occupation of those who have business relations with him is an
unlawful conspiracy, regardless of the name by which it is known,
and may be restrained by injunction.
Many cases were then cited, with extended quotations, after which
it was said:
We might prolong this opinion by citing and quoting from many
more of the hundreds of reported cases, where this subject has been
discussed by the state and federal courts of the country, but no
wise purpose would be served by doing so, for the reason that they
are an in harmony with the views expressed by the various courts
above mentioned.
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
437
During the oral argument it was suggested by counsel that the
case of Clothing Co. v. Watson, 168 Mo. 146, 67 S. W. 391 [ B u lle t in
No. 44, page 157], announced views not in harmony with those
expressed^ by the courts in the case before cited. We do not so
understand that case. By a careful reading of that case it will be
seen that the question there discussed was whether or not, under
the constitution, defendants in that case could be enjoined from
publishing a boycott, and it was there held that he could not be so
enjoined; but tnat is not the purpose of this suit. The clear object
of this case is to prohibit the defendants from continuing the boycott
in force heretofore declared, or to enjoin the defendants from declaring
a threatened boycott against plaintiff's business, and not to enjoin its
publication. Ir the boycott itself is enjoined, there would be no
occasion for complaint against its publication.
Learned counsel for defendants, several times, during the course
of the oral argument of this case, asked the question: If a single
individual may lawfully do all of the things which are charged
against the defendants, then why may not two or more persons agree
to do the same things without violating the law ? The answer is plain
and simple. Neither the individual nor two or more persons can
lawfully conspire to do the things charged. In the first place, the
individual can not do the things charged in the petition at all, either
legally or illegally, for the reason he can not conspire with nimself
to injure plaintiff's business, however well his intention may be to
do so; nor can he intimidate the builders from using materials
manufactured by plaintiff, for the reason he has no associates bound
to him by contract or otherwise with which to intimidate them.
I t is true, the individual might make up his mind to injure plaintiff's
‘business, and determine in n is own mmd that he would work such
injuries by threatening to no longer work for the builders and con
tractors ix they continued to use materials manufactured by the
plaintiff; but the practical working of such an undertaking by an
individual would result in most, if not in all, instances in such a small
loss to the builders and contractors, over and above the profit they
would probably make by continuing to deal with plaintiff, that the
threat would have but little or no intimidating effect upon them,
and in no manner force them from doing business with plaintiff.
Certainly the law would take no notice of such infinitesimal loss nor
such slight intimidation. Lex non curat de minimis.
But so much can not be said regarding combinations or con
spiracies formed between two or more persons to injure and destroy
the business of a person by means of a boycott. The books are full
of cases where such combinations or conspiracies have wrought
great injury and loss, and even wrecked and destroyed great and
powerful business institutions, and, if left untrammeled, would
cause the strongest of them to fall, and the very foundation of our
Government to crumble. Such combinations are differentiated from
the labor organizations mentioned in paragraph 1 of this opinion by
the fact that they are formed for the direct purpose of protecting and
promoting the interests of the laboring classes, which only indirectly
and incidentally operate in restraint of trade; while these have for
their direct object the immediate effect to injure and damage the
business of the persons at whom they are directed, and thereby
438
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
compel them to discharge the nonunion laborers, and thereby
indirectly and incidentally protect and benefit the parties to the
combination or conspiracy. All of the authorities permit and
encourage the former organizations in carrying out their laudable
purposes, but the law with an equally firm hand prohibits all com
binations and conspiracies which are formed for the purpose of
working injury and damage to the business of another. We are,
therefore, of the opinion that the trial court erred in sustaining the
demurrer to the petition.
L abor Organizations—Membership—E mployers of L abor—
B oycott—Secondary B oycott—Conspiracy—I njunction —Com
pleted A cts—I nterference with E mployment— J . F . Parkinson
Co. v . Building Trades Council o f Santa Clara County et al., Supreme
Court o f California, 98 Pacific Reporter, page 1 02 7.—The
company
named was owner and proprietor of a lumbervyard, a plumbing and
tinning shop, mill, etc., while the Building Trades Council was an
organization made up of delegates from various labor unions of the
county. This organization had for its aim the enforcement of union
rules and conditions of employment throughout Santa Clara County,
in the industries represented. In 1904 the plaintiff company had
employed some nonunion men in the erection of lumber sheds, which
gave rise to a controversy between it and the council, and before this
was settled a workman was found to be employed in its tin shop who
was not a member of the tinner's union. His discharge was demanded,
unless he would join the union. He agreed to join, but found that the
fee was $50 instead of $25 as he at first supposed. He then took some
stock in the company, and asked for a master tinner's card at a much
lower fee, on the ground that he was an employer. That the pur
chase of the shares constituted him an employer was denied by the
council, .and in this the court agreed, saying:
A stockholder of a corporation—even a large and preponderant
stockholder—is not in legal contemplation the employer of those who
are working for the corporation, which is a person distinct from its
members, and as such the only employer in the case. Aside from this
technical view, it is equally clear that the holder of a minute fraction
of the stock of a corporation from which he is receiving wages is not
his own employer in any substantial sense. As to this branch of the
dispute, therefore, the position of the union and of the council in
denying Waterman's claim to be a master tinner within the meaning
of tne union rules was clearly correct.
The dispute continued until Parkinson's men were called out, his
shop declared unfair, and a notice sent to his customers that union
men would not work on materials purchased from the boycotted
company. These customers, or many of them, ceased dealings with
the company, some of them canceling unfulfilled orders. The com
pany then asked for an injunction, which was granted by the superior
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
439
court of Santa Clara County, together with a judgment of $1 damages
and costs in an amount of $304.25. This judgment was, on appeal,
dissolved by the supreme court, Judge Shaw dissenting and Judge
Sloss dissenting in part. Three other judges held somewhat different
opinions on certain matters of argument, but concurred in the results.
The opinion of the court was delivered by Chief Justice Beatty.
It appeared from the record that Parkinson’s business was not ac
tually made to stop except for a short time, but that there was a sub
stantial loss of profits for a time by reason of the loss of old customers.
Business had been resumed with the employment of nonunion work
men, and no force, threat, violence, or intimidation were shown, nor
was there any picketing of the company’s premises or interference
with its customers. The most serious charge proved against the
council was that its business agent had told Mr. Parkinson that the
council would drive him out of business if he refused to observe their
rules. As to this the court said:
This, however, was merely an expression of the business agent’s
opinion of the effect of declaring the plaintiff unfair. It was a warn
ing, or caution, intended no doubt to force compliance with the
council’s demands, but evidently it did not have that effect, for
Mr. Parkinson, being of a different opinion, stood his ground, and
accepted the consequences.
Continuing the court said:
There was also some evidence that in three instances individual
members of some of the unions had warned some of the strikers that
they would incur some danger of personal violence if they returned
to work while the plaintiff remained unfair, but these threats were
not authorized or countenanced by the council or any of the unions,
and not a single act of violence was proved against anyone who did
return *to work. It was found by the court upon evidence which
fully sustains the finding that the plaintiff had been injured by the
acts of the defendants in an amount not susceptible of computation,
and it was found that a continuance of such acts would cause a
damage irreparable, for the reason, I suppose, that its amount could
not be computed, and for the same reason that the plaintiff had no
plain, speedy, and adequate remedy at law. I t was not found that
the defendants were insolvent or unable to respond in damages.
In reference to the word “ unfair,” it clearly appears that, as em
ployed by the defendants and labor organizations generally, it has a
technical meaning well understood by the plaintiff and oy all the
persons to whom the council sent notices that plaintiff bad been
declared unfair. Such declaration means, and in this instance was
understood by all parties concerned to mean, not that the plaintiff
had been guilty of any fraud, breach of faith, or dishonorable con
duct, but only that it had refused to comply with the conditions
upon which union men would consent to remain in its employ or
handle material supplied by it. The sole effect of the notice to the
contractors was that a majority of them ceased to deal with the
plaintiff, at least for a time, and some of them countermanded orders
for lumber and^ other material previously sent it.
440
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
Can it be said, in view of this more specific and detailed statement
of the probative facts involved in the general finding of the trial judge,
that the defendants entered into a conspiracy for the purpose or
compelling the plaintiff, by coercion and intimidation, to subject its
business to their control ? Can it be said that they entered into a con
spiracy at all? A combination there certainly was, but it had no
reference to the plaintiff except as the business of the plaintiff put
it into the general class (employers of labor) who would necessarily
be affected by the enforcement or the regulations of the unions. Their
object was to secure higher wages, shorter hours, and more favorable
conditions generally than employers of labor might be willing to
concede, ana just so far as they might be successful in accomplishing
this object it may be assumed that employers, as a class, the plaintiff
included, would incur a corresponding loss. But assuming all this,
would that constitute the combination a conspiracy ? A conspiracy
is a combination of two or more persons to accomplish by concerted
action a criminal or unlawful purpose, or a lawful purpose by criminal
or unlawful means, and, to support the conclusion that these de
fendants were guilty of a conspiracy, it must be held that their pur-
{>ose was at least unlawful if not criminal, or their purpose being
awful that they proposed to attain it by the employment of some
unlawful means.
Limiting our consideration for the present to this question of con
spiracy, it is clear that the avowed object of these organizations—
the several unions of workingmen and the council in which they were
combined—was in no sense unlawful, and the discussion may be con
fined to the question whether the means proposed for its attainment
were unlawful, a question as to which there is a wide divergence of
view disclosed by the decisions of the courts of different jurisdictions,
and often by the differing opinions of judges of the same court.
There is, however, at the present day a tolerably uniform consensus
of judicial opinion as to some fundamental principles which form the
basis of discussion in all that class of cases, which, for convenience,
may be designated as boycotting cases. In one or the more recent
of these (National Protective Association v. Cumming, 170 N. Y . 315,
63 N. E. 369, 58 L. R. A. 135, 88 Am. St. Rep. 648 [ B u lle t in No. 42,
p. 1118]) the seven justices of the court of appeals were divided, four
to three, as to the lawfulness of the avowed object of the defendants,
and as to the means employed by them against the plaintiff. Chier
Justice Parker—three or his associates concurring—held both object
and means to have been lawful, while Justice Vann, with the concur
rence of the other two justices, condemned the means employed by
the defendants to accomplish their purpose, not because the acts of
defendants were otherwise unlawful, but because they were rendered
unlawful by the selfish and censurable motive which inspired them.
“ The obiect of the defendants,” he concluded, “ was not to get higher
wages, shorter hours, or better terms for themselves, but to prevent
others from following their lawful calling.” This conclusion was
based upon evidence which showed clearly enough what appears as
clearly in this case—that the immediate object of the defendants was
to exclude the competition of men outside of their unions. This pur
pose Judge Vann considered so selfish, and its accomplishment so
opposed to public policy and common right as to infect acts otherwise
entirely lawful with the taint of illegality. The opposing opinion of
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
441
the Chief Justice—the majority opinion—seems to be rested partly
upon the ground that, in order to secure employment on more favor
able terms for themselves, individuals have an absolute right to com
bine for the purpose of preventing the employment and competition
of others, and partly upon the further and independent ground that,
whether such right is absolute or not, every man is clearly privileged
to stop work with or without reason whenever he can do so without
violating his contract, and that no one can question his motive, since
a bad motive does not convert an act otherwise lawful into a ground
of action. This last proposition embodies the rule of decision which
Was approved by this court in the case of Boyson v. Thom, 98 Cal.
£>78,33 JPac. 4 9 2 ,2 1 L. R. A. 233, and which has recently been reaffirmed
in the much discussed case of the People v. Schmitz, 94 Pac. 419, 15
L. R. A. (N. S.) 717.
As to what are lawful acts in furtherance of such objects as were
proposed by the defendants in this case, the consensus of recent judi
cial opinion above referred to can not be better illustrated than by
quoting the propositions upon which the majority and the minority
of the New Y ort court of appeals, despite their opposite conclusions
in National Protective Association v. Cumming, were entirely agreed.
Chief Justice Parker at the outset of his opinion (170 N. x . 320, 63
N. E. 369, 58 L. R. A. 135, 88 Am. St. Rep. 648) says: “ I shall assume
that certain principles of law laid down by Judge Vann are correct,
namely: ‘I t is not the duty of one man to work for another unless he
has agreed to, and if he has so agreed, but for no fixed period, either
may end the contract whenever he cnooses. The one may work or
refuse to work at will, and the other may hire or discharge at will.
The terms of employment are subject to mutual agreement, without
let or hindrance from anyone. If the terms do not suit, or the em
ployer does not please, the right to quit is absolute, and no one may
demand a reason therefor. Whatever one man may do alone, he
may do in combination with others, provided they have no unlawful
object in view. Mere numbers do not ordinarily affect the quality
of the act. Workingmen have the right to organize for the purpose
of securing higher wages, shorter hours of labor, or improving their
relations with their employers. They have the right to strike; that
is, to cease working in a body by prearrangement until a grievance
is redressed, provided the object is not to gratify malice or inflict
injury upon others, but to secure better terms of employment for
themselves. A peaceable and ordinary strike, not to harm others,
but to improve their own condition, is not in violation of law/ ”
This is a most conservative statement of the law. I t embraces noth
ing that is not conceded at this day by even the most determined
opponents of the principle of the strike, and contains in the conclud
ing sentence a qualification which the rule of Boyson v. Thorn would
compel us to disregard. In case of a peaceable and ordinary strike
without breach of contract, and conducted without violence, threats,
or intimidation, this court would not inquire into the motives of the
strikers. Their acts being entirely lawful, their motives would be
held immaterial. But, taking the doctrine as stated by Justice Vann
with all its qualifications, it suffices for the decision or everything of
real importance in the present controversy, so far as the council and
its constituent unions are concerned. The rule that their members
could not work with nonunion men, or handle material supplied by
442
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOK.
an employer of nonunion men, was adopted before any difference had
arisen between them and the plaintiff or its manager. It was a rule
which they supposed would benefit them, and that was its sole pur
pose. Whatever others may think of the policy or justice of such a
rule that is a matter outside the province of the courts, and as with
regard to other questions of economic or political aspect, the remedy,
if a remedy is needed, must be found by the legislature. In the mean
time, and for present purposes, we must recognize the fact that this
rule, as established by the council and the affiliated unions, was de
vised for the promotion of an object certainly not unlawful, that the
occasion that called for its application was the voluntary act <if
plaintiffs agent, and that with two or three possible exceptions tb
be hereafter noticed the defendants did nothing unlawful in their
attempt to make it effective.
Certainly it was not unlawful to call out the union men, and it was
not unlawful for the men to cease work which they were bound by
no contract to continue. It was no doubt a technical trespass for
the business agent of the council to enter the premises of plaintiff
for the purpose of calling the men out for which the plaintiff might
have recovered nominal damages in an action at law, but, it was no
ground for an injunction in the absence of any evidence of a threat
ened repetition of the act. Was it unlawful to send the written
notice to the contractors employing union labor that the plaintiff
had been declared unfair, ana that union men could not work for it
or handle material supplied by it till further notice? There are
authorities on both sides of this question, but I think those which
would answer it in the negative have the better reason. The con
tractors were working in harmony with the unions (as indeed the
plaintiff had previously done), and fair dealing required that the
council, representing and acting for the unions, should protect such
contractors from any loss they might incur if left in ignorance of the
action it had taken. If they had not sent the notices some of those
contractors who felt constrained to stop dealing with plaintiff when
informed that it had been declared unfair might have purchased
material which they could not have used, and it is only upon the
assumption that such purchases would have been made that the
plaintiff can base a claim that it was damaged by the notices. But
can plaintiff make such a claim as a ground for equitable relief? It
seems very clear that it can not; for, with full knowledge that it had
been declared unfair and of all the consequences flowing from that
declaration, it would not have been justified in selling material to a
contractor employing union men without disclosing a fact so mate
rial to his freedom of contract. And, if good faith and fair dealing
imposed an equal obligation upon the plaintiff and the council to
inform the contractors of what the plaintiff knew, it is difficult to see
what right of plaintiff was infringed by the sending of the notices.
Their only effect was to enable the contractors and plaintiff to con
duct their future dealings on equal terms. Nor was there anything
unlawful in the presentation to the plaintiff of an agreement embody
ing the conditions upon which union men would consent to reenter
its service and handle the output of its mill and shops. Conceding
that the conditions of the proposed contract were intolerable, the
right to propose them stood upon the same plane as the right to reject
them, and no right of the plaintiff was infringed unless it can be held
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
443
that men who are free to work or not to work, with or without reason,
are breaking the law in proposing unreasonable terms as a condition
of entering the employment of another. If this were so, why would
it not equally follow that an employer would be breaking the law bv
proposing to men seeking employment conditions of service which
they might consider intolerable, or a court deem unreasonable?
Neither proposition can be admitted. The fact that the business
agent of the council in the course of the dispute over the Waterman
affair told Mr. Parkinson that they would drive him out of business
if he refused to observe their rules is material only in so far as it is
sin item of evidence tending to show that the course pursued b y the
council was dictated by a malicious purpose to injure the plaintiff,
and not by a desire to benefit its members. I think myself, as I have
in substance said, that it has very slight probative force for that
purpose, and that it is completely refuted by all the facts of the case.
But, conceding that it might have warranted the superior court in
concluding that the motives of defendants were tinctured with malice,
it can not be denied that all the acts of the council and its affiliated
unions were lawful, and that they were adapted to the promotion of
the plans devised by them for bettering the condition of the mem
bers. Being so adapted, and being lawful in themselves, they could
not be rendered actionable by the mere fact that some feeling of
animosity had been engendered in the course of the controversy
between the parties.
One other consequence of the strike and the notice to the con
tractors remains to be considered. Some of the contractors to whom
the notices were sent countermanded orders for building material
which they had already placed with the plaintiff. This it may be
conceded was a breach of their contracts, and the law is pretty thor
oughly settled both in England and in this country that causing
another to violate his contract with a third party, without a legal
justification, is an actionable injury, from which it follows that if the
defendants by sending the notices to the contractors caused some of
them to break their contracts, and did so maliciously and without
justification, they made themselves liable at least to an action for
damages. But 1 do not think it can be said that the sending of the
notices was without justification. The plaintiff had been declared
unfair, and it was certain that, until that action of the council should
be reversed, no member of any of the unions—so long as he remained
a member—would handle material supplied by the plaintiff. The
contractors to whom the notices were sent were all employing union
men, and it was no less the duty of the plaintiff than of the council
to inform them, with a view to future transactions, that they could
not use material supplied by the Parkinson Company without engag
ing nonunion men in place of the men they had. If this is so—if
the notice to the contractors was proper and essential to fair dealing,
as between them and the plaintiff—the fact that some of them vio
lated their existing contracts can not be deemed a wrong caused by
the defendants. It was a wrong for which the contractors alone were
responsible. But, even if it could be held that the action of the
council in sending the notices was without justification and malicious,
something would still be wanting to sustain the injunction. The
notices had all been sent before this action was commenced, and
there was no evidence of any threat to send notice to any other per
444
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
son. An injunction lies only to prevent threatened injury, and has
no application to wrongs which have been completed, ana for which
the injured party may obtain redress by an action at law. This
proposition involves a consideration of the sufficiency of the evi
dence to support the fifth finding of the trial court: “ That said
defendants threatened to continue to coerce and intimidate plaintiff
and its patrons and customers to the irreparable damage and injury
of plaintiff.” Being challenged to point out the evidence to support
this finding, counsel for respondent cites us to the testimony of only
one witness (Harrison, an officer of the council), the entire substance of
which is a mere restatement of the rule forbidding union men to work
for a person declared unfair, or to handle his material. The finding,
therefore, so far as it is sustained by the evidence, means no more
than this: There is a standing warning that union men will not work
for plaintiff while it remains on the unfair list, or handle its material.
This is the whole extent of the coercion and intimidation threatened,
and against such a threat an injunction would be utterly impotent.
To enjoin men from not working would be wholly ineffective unless
there resides in the courts a power to compel them to go to work.
But there is no such power. A court of equity can not even enforce
specifically a contract for personal services, and much less can it
enforce the performance of such services in the absence of any
contract.
I have not overlooked the fact that there was evidence that two or
three individual members of the unions used threatening language in
one or two instances towards other members who spoke of returning
to work, and there may have been reason to conclude that they
would continue to employ threats of the same character to deter
others from seeking employment with the plaintiff. If so, the court
would have been justified in enjoining those individuals, but there
was nothing to justify an injunction against the council or the unions,
or their officers, or the large number of individual members who
made no threats.
Any injury to a lawful business, whether the result of a conspiracy
or not, is prima facie actionable, but may be defended upon the
ground that it was merely the result of a lawful effort of the defend
ants to promote their own welfare. To defeat this plea of justifica
tion the plaintiff may offer evidence that the acts or the defendants
were inspired by express malice, and were done for the purpose of
injuring plaintiff, and not to benefit themselves. The principle is the
same which permits proof of express malice to defeat the plea of priv
ilege in libel, or the defense of probable cause in actions for malicious
prosecution or false imprisonment. In this case there was over
whelming proof that the council, when the occasion arose, simply
put in force a rule long before adopted for their own benefit, and not
directed against the plaintiff or any particular person. Nor did the
council, the unions, or their members generally use any unlawful
means to injure the plaintiff, unless it was unlawful to send the notices.
I have expressed the opinion that so far from being unlawful the
sending of the notices was only the fulfillment of a duty under the
circumstances, but whether so or not, since the contractors doing
business in Palo Alto and employing union men had all received the
notices before the action was commenced, and there was no threat
to send notices to any other persons, there was nothing to enjoin.
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
445
As to the sending of notices that a firm or corporation has been
declared “ unfair, the authorities are by no means uniform that such
notices are unlawful. In the case of Gray v. Building Trades Coun
cil, 91 Minn. 171, 97 N. W. 663, 63 L. R. A. 753 [Bulletin No. 53, p.
955] (a Minnesota case cited by respondent), the supreme court mod
ified an injunction by striking out that part which restrained the
giving of unfair notices, and this for reasons equally applicable to the
present case.
There is nothing in our decision in Goldberg v. Stablemen's Union,
14:9 Cal. 429, 86 Pac. 806, 8 L. R. A. (N. S.) 460 [Bulletin No. 68, p.
l6 l], at all inconsistent with the views herein expressed. By their
demurrer to the complaint the defendants in that case admitted the
truth of all that was charged, and the injunction as modified restrained
only acts of violence and intimidation.
For the reasons above stated, the judgment of the superior court
is reversed.
One judge concurred in full. As already stated other opinions
were written, concurring in the judgment but not approving the argu
ment in its entirety. Thus Judge Sloss said in part:
The real question in the case turns upon the activities of the defend
ants exerted in two ways: First, in ceasing to work for the plaintiff
(striking); second, in notifying (or threatening, if that term be pre
ferred) the customers of plaintiff that workmen affiliated with the
Building Trades Council would not work for contractors using mate
rials^purchased of plaintiff. That workmen employed by the Parkin
son Company had a right to leave its employ whenever they desired,
and for any reason that might seem to them sufficient, is universally
conceded. Was it unlawful to notify contractors dealing with the
Parkinson Company that union men would not continue to work for
them if they purchased material of said Parkinson Company? In
this inquiry I think it is unimportant that the defendants were merely
acting m accordance with a rule adopted before any difference with
the plaintiff had arisen. The opinion of the Chief Justice appears to
proceed upon the theory that, since the defendants had bound them
selves to act in a certain way in the event of a controversy of this
kind, it was not only proper, but laudable, for them to notify con
tractors of their intended action and of the consequences which
would follow to contractors who should continue to deal with the
plaintiff. More than this, that it was in some way incumbent upon
plaintiff to notify contractors dealing with him that a continuance
of their patronage would be likely to result in loss to them. I can
not agree to the proposition that the rights of the parties are in any
way affected by such considerations. If the defendants' course of
conduct amounted to an unlawful interference with plaintiff's rights,
it was not made lawful by the fact that the defendants had decided,
in advance, to act in this way whenever an occasion should present
itself.
But was their action unlawful? They had a right, as has been
said, to cease working for Parkinson. They had an equal right to
cease working for any other employer. Upon what ground, then, is
it claimed that, while their refusal to work for plaintiff gave plaintiff
no cause of complaint, the refusal to work for others did give plaintiff
a ground of action? Because, it is said, they are bringing to bear
446
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
upon the Parkinson Company, with which they have a controversy,
the pressure of loss inflicted by third persons, not connected with the
main dispute, and are, by holding over these third persons the risk
of financial loss, compelling them against their will to inflict upon
Parkinson the damage resulting from a cessation of their patronage.
This is the argument commonly advanced to establish the illegality
of what has been called, in much of the recent discussion of the sub
ject, a “ secondary” rather than a “ primary” boycott. I do not
see that we are helped to a solution or the question of the illegality
of the defendants’ acts by looking into the “ motive” or “ intentJ’
with which they acted. Even if we assume, contrary to the deci
sions of this court, that an improper motive may, as a general propo
sition, render actionable an act otherwise lawful, or, to use another
form of statement, that damage intentionally inflicted will be action
able unless its infliction can be justified by showing that it was
inspired by a proper motive, the motive with which these defendants
acted was not, in my opinion, one which the law regards as improper.
The defendants were seeking in all they are shown to have done to
secure employment by the plaintiff for themselves, to the exclusion
of those not associated with them, and to secure that employment
upon terms deemed satisfactory or advantageous to them. That is
the effort of every dealer in goods. It is the struggle of competition,
and is no more to be frowned upon where the subject of trade is
labor than where it is a specific commodity. The uniting or com
bining of a number of persons to accomplish a lawful object by lawful
means will not per se render the conduct of the many any more unlaw
ful than would be the same conduct on the part of any one of them.
“ It is plain,” as is said by Mr. Justice Holmes in his dissenting opin
ion in Vegelahn v . Guntner, 167 Mass. 92, 108, 44 N. E. 1077, 10£1,
35 L. R. A. 722, “ from the slightest consideration of practical affairs,
or the most superficial reading of industrial history, that free com
petition means combination, and that the organization of the world,
now going on so fast, means an ever increasing might and scope of
combmation. * * * One of the eternal conflicts out of which life
is made up is that between the effort of every man to get the most
he can for his services, and that of society, disguised under the name
of capital, to get his services for the least possible return. Combina
tion upon the one side is patent and powerful. Combination on the
other is the necessary and desirable counterpart, if the battle is to
be carried on in a fair and equal way.”
The injunction then, must rest upon the principle that it is unlawful,
in an effort to compel A. to yield a legitimate benefit to B., for B. to
demand that C. withdraw his patronage from A. under the penalty of
losing B.’s services or patronage to which he has no contract right.
That there are many cases sustaining the affirmative of this prop
osition is true. [Cases cited.] So are there many to the contrary.
[Cases cited.]
.
Upon a consideration of the authorities, I think the sounder rule is
that one who is under no contract relation to another may freely and
without question withdraw from business relations with that other.
This includes the right to cease to deal, not only with one person but
with others; not only with the individual who may be pursuing a
course deemed detrimental to another who opposes it, but with all
who by their patronage aid in the maintenance of the objectionable
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
447
olicies. In other words, if the defendants violated no right of the
arkinson Company by refusing to work for it, they violated none by
refusing to work for contractors who used material bought of Parkin
son. Such refusal, as is shown in the opinion of the Chief Justice,,
and as is stated in the testimony of plaintiffs manager and principal
witness, was the “ sum total of the interference” which was practiced
or threatened. An agreement by shipowners, in order to secure a
carrying trade exclusively for themselves, that agents of members,
should be prohibited upon pain of dismissal from acting in the interest
of/ competing shipowners; a combination of retailers binding the
members to refuse to purchase of wholesalers who should sell to non.paembers of the combination; an agreement of contractors to with
draw their patronage from wholesalers selling to a contractor who had
conceded the demands of his employees for an eight-hour day; a
threat by a railroad company to discharge any employee who should
deal with the plaintiff; a threat by an employer that he would dis
charge any laborer who rented plaintiffs house—have been held to
give no right of action to the individuals affected. The defendants in
each case were held to be acting within their absolute legal right in
entering or refusing to enter into business relations with persons to
whom they were not bound by contract. I see no reason why work
men have not the same absolute right to dispose of their labor as.
they see fit. So long as they abstain from breach of contractr
violence, duress, menace, fraud, misrepresentation, or other unlawful
means, they may lawfully inflict such damage as results from the
withholding of their labor or patronage. To quote again from Judge
Holmes’ opinion in Vegelahn v. Guntner: “ If it be true that working
men may combine with a view, among other things, to getting as;
much as they can for their labor, just as capital may combine with a,
view to getting the greatest possible return, it must be true that,
when combined, they have the same liberty that combined capital
has to support their interests by argument, persuasion, and the
bestowal or refusal of those advantages which they otherwise law
fully control.” The terms “ intimidation” and “ coercion,” so fre
quently used in the discussion of this question, seem to me to have no
application to such acts as were here committed. One can not be
said to be “ intimidated” or “ coerced” in the sense of unlawful com
pulsion by being induced to forego business relations with A., rather
than lose the benefit of more profitable relations with B. It is
equally beside the question to speak of “ threats” where that which,
is threatened is only what the party has a legal right to do. It may
be that the combination of great numbers of men, as of great amounts
of capital, has placed in the hands of a few persons an immense power,
and one which, in the interest of the general welfare, ought to be
limited and controlled. But if there be, in such combinations, evils
which should be redressed, the remedy is to be sought, as to some
extent it has been sought, by legislation. If the conditions require
new laws, those laws should be made by the lawmaking power, not
by the courts.
g
The dissenting opinion of Judge Shaw accepted the position that
motive can not be questioned and that the means by which inter
ference is accomplished is the test of lawfulness or unlawfulness.
Assuming that the use of duress, menace, fraud, or undue influence in
79828—Bull. 81—09--- 17
448
BULLETIN OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
bringing about an injurious act was unlawful, Judge Shaw based his
dissent on the ground that the influence of associated persons was so
increased by the fact of association as to make acts which would not
be annoyance or coercion if committed by one, objectionable where
committed or supported by numbers. He said in part:
The evidence showed that at least seven of the plaintiffs important
customers quit dealing with the plaintiff; that substantial damage
had already been caused to the plaintiff by this loss of custom during
the time it had continued, and that its further continuance would
cause plaintiff further substantial loss; that these customers were, by
the aforesaid threats of defendants, coerced and compelled, against
their wish and will, to cease dealing with plaintiff or using goods
obtained from plaintiff; and that the defendants intended and threat
ened to continue this boycott indefinitely. The claim of the defend
ants appears to be that these notices were intended for the benefit
of the several persons to whom they were sent to warn them of the
consequences that might attend their patronizing the plaintiff, so
that they could avoid doing so, and thereby escape the evil results
that would otherwise come to them, and that the sending of notices
for such a purpose is not only lawful and innocent, but praiseworthy
as well; that these consequences would not come as the result of any
act done with reference to the parties warned, but as the result of con
ditions that existed under the union rules established long before any
difficulty with plaintiff arose. These rules seem to be regarded as of
similar force to the law of the land and a notice not to disregard them
as a friendly act similar to a notice to a friend not to violate the law.
I concede, of course, that, where a strike has been determined upon,
the mere sending of a notice of the fact is not unlawful, or blame
worthy, and can not be made the foundation of an action. Perhaps
the sending of these notices under some circumstances might have
been considered as an act of this character. But under the circum
stances disclosed in this case, and in view of the findings of the court
which show that the acts of the defendants were intended to coerce
plaintiff’s patrons to cease dealing with plaintiff in order to injure
laintiff in its property rights, the conduct of the defendants must
e considered as malicious and unlawful. The defendants had the
right, by lawful means to persuade or induce others to cease dealing
with plaintiff, although their purpose in so doing was to injure the
plaintiff in its business and constrain plaintiff to yield to their de
mands in regard to the conduct of plaintiff’s business. It is only
when they seek to accomplish such injury by the use of means
which the law deems unlawful that their action to that end becomes
unlawful and the resulting injury an actionable wrong. The entire
case depends on the question whether or not the means by which
the defendants induced the plaintiff’s customers to cease dealing
with it were unlawful.
It is of no importance that the rules were adopted without special
reference to the plaintiff. They were adopted for the express purpose
of being put in force against any person when the occasion should
arise which made it desirable that tne conduct of such person should
be influenced or controlled. The effect in contemplation of law is the
same as if they had been made expressly for the occasion for which
E
DECISIONS OF COURTS AFFECTING LABOR.
449
they were used. Nor is the case of plaintiff defeated by the fact that
the only act done by the defendants at the time of the boycott was the
sending of notices that the plaintiff had been declared unfair without
threat of any sort accompanying it. It is in evidence that all the
persons thus notified knew of the purport and effect of the union rules
which would be applied in such a case. The defendants had created
this engine of oppression for use at any time they desired, and had
prepared the signal upon which it was to become active. The parties
notified were aware of all this, and the defendants also knew that
these parties had this knowledge. Further words were unnecessary.
The threat would not have been more complete if the notice had
expressly stated that all business with Parkinson Company must stop
under penalty of a strike of their union workmen. The defendants
had arranged this condition of affairs. They can not escape its effects
on the ground that they were simply giving information of action
which would inevitably take place and were doing it for the benefit
of the contractors so that they might act as requested, and thus
avoid the damages otherwise ensuing. If the action of which this
notice was given had been that of third persons for whom defendants
were in nowise responsible, or with whom they were not in collusion,
such a claim might stand. But the action of which they were so
kindly notifying the contractors was their ovrn action long before
resolved upon. If they had no right to act in this manner for this
purpose, the fact that it was previously arranged or decided upon
for this or any similar occasion, was immaterial.
It is further argued that the only thing with which the customers
were threatened was a strike of these customers’ employees; that this
threat was made by the men themselves, through their agents author
ized to act for them; and that they had a lawful right to strike at
any time and for any cause or no cause, and hence that their conduct
was not unlawful. The principle settled by the cases cited, however,
is that, while men have a right to strike, they have no right by that
means to coerce their employers so as to compel them to act to the
injury of a third person. The fact that they were to strike in such
numbers gave them a power over the threatened customers of plain
tiff, whicn constituted undue influence over them, or coercion or
intimidation, as most of the authorities usually express it, and this
coercion, exercised for the purpose of injuring a third person, is an
unlawful act, and makes the resulting injury an unlawful injury,
which may be enjoined if only threatened, ana which, if committed,
may be redressed by an action for damages. It is the control of
another’s conduct against his will that is the unlawful element in the
proposition. This being unlawful, the resulting injury to a third per
son is unlawful, although every other act in the transaction is lawful
in itself. So far as this unlawful element is concerned, it is immate
rial whether that control is obtained by fear produced by the imme
diate prospect of serious pecuniary loss, as the result of a threatened
strike, or by fear produced by a threat of bodily injury.
LAWS OF VARIOUS STATES RELATING TO LABOR, ENACTED SINCE
JANUARY 1, 1908.
[The Twenty-second Annual Report of this Bureau,contains all laws of the various States and Territories
and of the United States relating to labor, in force January 1, 1908. Later enactments are reproduced in
successive issues of the Bulletin beginning with Bulletin No. 80, the issue of January, 1909. A cumulative
index of these later enactments is to be found on page 471 et seq. of this issue.]
LO UISIANA.
ACTS OF 1908.
A ct N o .
31 .— Interest to be paid on employees’ deposits.
S e c t io n 1. All corporations, firms and individuals doing business in this State
requiring of its or their employees a cash deposit as a guarantee for the faithful per
formance of the duties imposed upon such employees, shall pay to such employee in
cash interest at the rate of not less than four per cent per annum oh the cash sum
so deposited.
Approved June 20, 1908.
A ct N o.
73 .—Inspection o f factories, etc.—Doors to open outwardly.
S ec tio n 1. All the doors for ingress and egress to * * * factories with more
than twenty employees * * * shall be so swung as to open outwardly from
the * * * workshops; but such doors may be hung on double-jointed hinges, so
as to open with equal ease outwardly or inwardly.
S e c . 2. The provisions of this act shall apply to all buildings and houses within its
terms, erected after its passage, from the date it becomes in force. As to all such
buildings and houses heretofore erected, said provisions shall be applied from and
after the expiration of six months from the date when this act became operative.
S e c . 3. * * * The owner of any * * * factory, failing to comply with the
provisions of this act or to have same complied with as relates * * * to such
building or buildings owned by them, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars,
and upon failure to pay such fine and costs shall be imprisoned in the parish jail for
a period not exceeding (90) ninety days.
S e c . 4. Provided , That this act shall not apply to factories, cotton seed oil mills and
other like establishments where the doors for the purpose of protection against fire,
are so arranged as to slide back and forth on rollers.
Approved June 30, 1908.
A ct
155 .—Bureau o f labor and industrial statistics.
S e c tio n 1. The governor, shall, by and with the advice and consent of the senate,
appoint some suitable person who shall be designated ‘‘Commissioner of Labor and
Industrial Statistics’ 1 with headquarters in such place as the governor shall designate,
and who shall hold his office for a term of four (4) years.
S e c . 2. The duties of such commissioner shall be to collect, assort, systematize and
present in annual reports to the governor, and to be by him biennially transmitted to
the legislature within ten days after the convening thereof every two years, statistical
details, relating to all departments of labor in the State, especially in its relations to
the commercial, industrial, social, educational and sanitary condition of the laboring
people; and to the permanent prosperity of the productive industries of the State,
and also inquire into the immediate causes of strikes, lockouts or other disturbances of
the relations between employers and employees.
S e c . 3. The commissioner shall have power to take and preserve evidence, examine
witnesses under oath, and administer the same, and in the discharge of his duties,
may enter any public institution of the State, and at reasonable hours when open
450
LABOR LAWS— LOUISIANA— ACTS OF 1908.
451
for business, any factory, mill, workshop, store or other places where labor may be
employed. He shall have power to appoint such deputies as he may deem necessary
and all inspectors [inspections], authorized by law, of factories, mills, workshop,
store or other places where labor is employed shall be made by said commissioner
or his deputies. It shall be the duty of the commissioner and his deputies to enforce
all laws regulating or dealing with the employment of labor of any kind, and to prose
cute all persons, firms or corporations violating the same. In the city of New Orleans,
the mayor, with consent of the council shall appoint a factory inspector who may be
either male or female.
S e c . 4. A l l S ta te , p a ro c h ia l, m u n ic ip a l a n d tow n officers, are h e re b y d ire cte d to
fu rn is h to s a id co m m issio ne r, u p o n h is re q u e st, a ll s ta tis tic a l in fo rm a tio n in reference
to la b o r a n d in d u s trie s , w h ic h m a y b e in th e ir possession as s u c h officers.
/ S e c . 5 . A n y person w ho s h a ll w illf u lly im p e d e or p re v e n t th e co m m issio n e r or h is
d e p u tie s in th e f u ll or free p erform ance of h is or th e ir d u tie s, s h a ll b e d ee m e d g u ilt y
of a m isd em e a n o r a n d u p o n c o n v ic tio n of th e sam e s h a ll b e fin e d n o t less th a n fiv e (5)
dollars n o r m ore th a n tw e n ty -fiv e (25) d o llars or b e im p riso n e d no t less th a n fiv e (5) d a y s
nor m ore th a n tw e n ty -fiv e (25) d a y s in th e p a rish ja il, or b o th a t th e d isc re tio n of th e
co u rt.
S e c . 6. The commissioner shall receive a salary of fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars
per annum, he shall employ a secretary at a salary of one thousand ($1000) dollars per
annum and shall be allowed the sum of one thousand ($1000) dollars per annum for
all necessary expenses attendant upon the duties of his office, all of which amounts
shall be payable monthly out of the general fund, upon the warrant of the said com
missioner.
S e c . 9. N o th in g in t h is a ct s h a ll be co n stru e d as re la tin g to sugar in d u s tr ie s or sugar
m ills o u tsid e of a n y c it y or tow n in t h is S ta te .
Approved July 2, 1908.
A ct N o .
178.—Exam ination , etc., o f electricians.
S e c t io n 1. The governor shall within, thirty (30) days after the passage of this act,
appoint in each city therein of more than fifty thousand (50,000) inhabitants, a board
which shall be known as the Board of Electrical Examiners and Supervisors, consist
ing of five qualified electors for the purpose of examining into the qualifications and
capabilities of master electricians, as defined by section 5 of this act.
The members of the boards so appointed shall be competent practical electricians,
and shall be selected as follows: One (1) from nomination made by the oldest estab
lished electrical contractors’ association of each city, one (1) from nomination made
by the commissioner of police and public buildings, one (1) from nomination made by
tne fire marshal, and one (1) from nomination made by local “ International Brother
hood Electrical Workers, ” inside wiremen, and these four shall select a fifth member
from among the local established electrical engineers. A majority of said board shall
constitute a quorum to transact the business thereof. Unless removed for cause, the
term of office of the members of the first number so appointed shall be as follows: The
nominee from the fire marshal one (1) year; nominee from the electrical contractors’
association, two (2) years; the nominee of the commissioner of police and public build
ings, one (1) year; nominee from the local I. B. E. W., inside wiremen, two (2) years,
the fifth member selected shall serve one year. Should any vacancy occur from any
cause, during the term of any board as herein provided, the governor shall appoint
some one from nominations made as above provided to fill such vacancy, and this in
such manner that the various boards shall continue to be constituted as herein pro
vided. The governor shall have full power to remove any member of the board for
incompetency or improper conduct upon satisfactory evidence being presented to him
of such condition.
S e c . 2. The members of said board shall respectively take and subscribe the oath
required of state officers. They shall have the power to elect out of their number, a
president, a secretary and a treasurer; to adopt such rules and by-laws for the trans
action of the business of the board as they may deem expedient.
S e c . 3. Each member of said board shall receive a compensation of five dollars
($5.00) per day for actual service in attending meetings of the board, which compen
sation shall be paid out of any moneys in the hands of the treasurer of said board: Pro
vided, That the secretary of said board may receive such additional compensation as
the board may deem just and reasonable and for which the by-laws of the said board
may provide. In no event however shall the compensation of the members of the
said boards or of their secretaries be paid out of the funds in the state treasury or become
a charge against the State.
452
BULLETIN O F THE BUKEAU OE LABOE.
S ec. 4. Said boards shall meet at least once each month in their respective domi
ciles, and shall hold special meetings as frequently as the proper and efficient discharge
of their business shall require, and each board shall adopt rules and regulations for
the examination of master electricians as herein defined and when so adopted, such
rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as if herein contained; and
the rules of said board shall also provide for the giving of timely notice of such meetings
to all those who shall have made application for a license as herein provided and said
board shall give in writing to the commissioner of police and public buildings a detailed
statement of all licenses issued, renewed, or revoked at any meeting of said board.
A majority of its members shall organize each of such boards and constitute a quorum
for the transaction of its business.
S ec. 5. The term “ master electrician” as used in this act shall be so defined as to
include any and all persons, firms and corporations engaged in the business of or hold
ing themselves out to the public as engaged in the business of installing, erecting or
repairing, or contracting to install, erect or repair electric wires or conductors to be
used for the transmission of electric current for electric light, heat or power purposes,
or mouldings, ducts, raceways or conduits, together with fittings for same for the recep
tion or protection of such wires and conductors, or to electrically connect electric
wires or conductors together, or to any electrical machinery apparatus device fittings
or fixtures to be used for electric light, heat or power purposes.
A license of “ master electrician” issued or granted under and in accordance with
the provisions of this act, shall entitle any such person, firm or corporation so licensed
to engage in the business of installing, erecting and repairing, and of contracting to
install, erect and repair any electric wires or conductors to be used for the transmis
sion of electric current for electric light, heat or power purposes and any mould
ings, ducts, raceways and conduits, together with fittings for same to he used for the
reception and protection of such wires and conductors together and to any apparatus,
devices, fittings or fixtures to be used for electric light, heat or power purposes.
S ec. 6. Before any person{,] firm or corporation shall hereafter engage in the busi
ness of a master electrician as defined in section five (5) of this act, and before any
person, firm or corporation now so engaged in said business or any branch or class
thereof, shall continue in said business of “ master electrician , ’ 1 such person firm or
corporation shall apply to said board for a license to practice as “ master electrician,75
ana the applicant, if a person, or if a corporation, one of the officers or a representa
tive and agent thereof, to be designated by said corporations; or if a firm, one of the
members thereof thall present himself before the said board at a time and place fixed
by the said board. If the board shall find upon due examination, that the applicant
presenting himself is of good moral character has a satisfactory knowledge of elec
tricity and the natural laws appertaining to and governing the same and of the use
and functions of electric wires, appliances and devices for electric light, heat and power
purposes and is possessed of skill and knowledge in all matters pertaining to the busi
ness of a “ master electrician ” as defined in section five (5) of this act the said board,
upon payment of the fee and upon giving the bond hereinafter provided for, shall
issue to the said person, firm or corporation a license as “ master electrician ” to prac
tice said business for a term of one (I) year, and shall register such person, firm or cor
poration as duly licensed “ master electrician.”
Provided, That no license shall be granted to any person under the age of twenty-one
(21) years, nor shall any license be granted to any person who has not taken ana sub
scribed an oath that he, or in case of a corporation, one of the principal officers or the
representative and agent thereof and, in the case of a firm, one of the members thereof,
has had at least three (3) years actual experience as a “ master electrician ” within the
terms of this act or as an electrical workman, in such class or classes of electrical busi
ness or work as, in the opinion of the board shall have properly fitted the applicant
for a license as “ master electrician.”
Providedfurther, That each applicant at the time of filing his, their or its application,
shall pay to the secretary of said state board of electrical examiners, the sum of twentyfive dollars ($25.00): A nd provided moreover, That every person, firm or corporation
before receiving a license shall make, execute and deliver a bond to the State of
Louisiana in the full sum of twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) with sufficient
surety or sureties to be approved and filed with the state board of electrical examiners
the bond to save harmless the owner or real party in interest in the property for which
any such material is furnished, or service performed, against loss or damage which
shall arise by reason of the work done or material furnished being in violation of and
below the standard of the current edition of the national electric code; but action can
be maintained thereon in the name of such owner or real party in interest only, if com
menced within one (1) year from and after the date of the installation of the materials
furnished or performance of such work or service.
LABOR LAWS— LOUISIANA— ACTS OP 1908.
453
When, however, the material furnished, or work done, or service performed, shall
have been inspected, and a written or printed certificate of approval issued by a
legally authorized underwriters, inspector, then the said master electrician shall be
considered as having fulfilled the requirements of this act, and his responsibility
shall cease under the above bond for materials furnished and work or service performed.
S e c . 7. All persons^ firms or corporations, that at the time of the enactment of
this act, are engaged in the business which shall be hereafter known as the business
of a “ master electrician,” as described in section five (5) of this act, shall within
sixty days after the passage of this act comply with all the provisions of section six
(6) of this act, or such persons, firms or corporations shall within sixty (60) days cease
to do the work which shall be hereafter known as that of a “ master electrician” as
described in section five (5) otherwise he, they or it shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and on conviction suffer the fines and penalties as set forth in section fourteen (14)
of this act.
S e c . 8. Each and every license issued under the provisions of this act shall be
signed by the president and secretary of the board and attested with its seal, and
said license so signed and attested, for the period of one year, shall be evidence in
any court in the State of the business for which the license is issued. All licenses
and renewals of same shall expire on the first day of January of each year.
S e c . 9. N o person, firm or corporation g ra n te d a lic e n s e u n d e r tn e p ro v isio n s of
t h is a ct, s h a ll c o n tin u e i n th e b u sin e ss of in s ta llin g or re p a irin g e le c t ric a l w ires, co n
d u cto rs or a p p a ra tu s for e le c tric lig h t , h e a t or pow er p urposes, after th e e x p ira tio n
of th e s a id lic e n s e , u n le ss th e s a id lic e n s e or e x te n sio n of sam e s h a ll h a v e b e e n
ren ew ed as h e re in afte r p ro v id e d .
Upon the payment of a fee of ten ($10) dollars any person? firm or corporation
granted a license under the provisions of this act (unless the said license shall have
been revoked as hereinafter enacted), shall be granted a renewal of said license with
out examination of the applicant, if application therefor is made either in person or
in -writing to the said board by the holder of such license within the three months
preceding the expiration of such license upon payment of a fee of ten dollars ($10.00)
and the said renewal of said license shall be made for a period of one (1) year, and
shall be signed and attested as required for such original license and any sucn renewal
of such license so signed and attested shall have the same weight as evidence in any
court of this State as is hereinbefore accorded said original license.
Provided , also, That further, one year renewals shall be granted in like manner
upon expiration of any renewal of. license upon making application and paying a
like fee within three months preceding the expiration of such renewal, in the same
manner as provided for the first renewal.
S e c . 10 . After a full hearing of all parties in interest said board shall have power
to revoke for proper cause any license or renewal of same, granted by the said board.
S e c . 1 1 . E a c h a n d e v e r y lic e n s e a n d re n e w a l of sam e s n a il b e i n force a n d effect
o n ly so lon g , as a n a p p ro v e d b o n d , file d w ith th e s a id b o ard i n a cco rd a n ce w it h the
p ro v is io n s of se ctio n s ix (6) of t h is a c t s h a ll r e m a in i n force a n d e v e r y s u c h lic e n se
or re n e w a l of sam e s h a ll beco m e v o id b y th e te rm in a tio n of s a id b o n a regardless of
th e re g u la r d ate of e x p ira tio n of th e sa id ce rtificate , lic e n s e or re n e w a l.
S e c . 1 2 . A n y a n d a ll persons, firm s or corporations g ran te d a lic e n s e or re n e w a l
thereof, i n a cco rd a n ce w ith th e p ro v isio n s of th is a c t s h a ll d is p la y th e sam e i n a
co n sp icu o u s p la c e i n th e office or p la c e of b u sin e ss of th e person, firm or corporation
to w h ic h i t w as issu e d .
S e c . 13. Nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent any person from
doing or performing any of the kinds of work enumerated in section five (5) of this
act when such work is performed under the direction and supervision of a duly
licensed master electrician, but no work, other than minor electric repairs for the
maintenance of established plants, shall be performed excepting under such direc
tion and supervision of a duly licensed master electrician, and the said licensed
master electrician shall be responsible for any and all work so done under his direc
tion and supervision. This shall be construed as exempting lighting companies and
electric railway companies and the department of police and public buildings of the
city of New Orleans from the provisions of this act in so far as the maintenance and
installation of their equipment pole-line services and meters are concerned.
S e c . 14. Any person, firm or corporation or any member of such firmer corporation,
who shall practice or engage, or continue in the work of a master electrician as defined
in section five (5) of this act without having complied with all the provisions of
this act, and any person not licensed as a master electrician who shall do or perform
any such work except under the direction of a master electrician, or who shall vio
late any of the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
454
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five
dollars ($25.00), nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or to an imprisonment
not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S e c . 15, No license, or renewal of same, granted or issued under the provisions of
this act, shall be assignable, or transferable, and every such license ana renewal of
same shall specify the name of the person, firm or corporation to whom it is issued,
and in the case of a firm, the member of said firm, and in the case of a corporation,
the principal officer or the designated representative of the said corporation through
whom the application for the said license was made.
S e c . 16 . A l l fees co lle c te d u n d e r th e p ro visio n s of th is a ct, s h a ll b e for th e use of
sa id b o ard to d efra y its n e ce ssary expenses.
S e c . 17. It shall be the duty of the said board before the first Monday of January
of each and every year, to make a report in writing to the governor of the State,
containing a detailed statement of the nature of receipts and the manner of expendi
ture, and any balance of money remaining at the end of the year, after payment of
expenses, including per diem of members of board and other necessary expenses,
incurred by them in the discharge of their duties, shall be deposited m the state
treasury.
Approved July 3, 1908.
A ct
N o . 184.—P ublic printing to be done by a citizen o f the State.
S e c t io n 1. * * * Such contract or contracts [for public printing] shall not be
awarded to any but a.citizen of this State; * * *
Approved July 6,1908.
A ct
N o. 228.— Company stores— Redemption o f orders.
S e c t io n 1 . Any person, firm or corporation issuing checks, punchouts, tickets,
tokens, or other device, redeemable either wholly or partially in goods or merchandise
at their, or any other place of business, shall, on demand of any legal holder thereof, on
the next pay day of such person, firm or corporation issuing same succeeding the date
of issuance of same be liable for the full face value thereof, in current money of the
United States.
S e c . 2. Any such checks punchouts, tickets, tokens, or other device, issued by any
person, firm or corporation, shall be considered and treated as payable to bearer, on
demand, in current money of the United States, notwithstanding any contrary stipu
lation or provision which may be therein contained.
S e c . 3. In case of failure of any person, firm or corporation to pay any legal holder
of any such checks, punchouts, tickets, or other device, issued by them, the full face
value thereof, in current money of the United States, when so demanded, such holder
may immediately bring suit thereon in any court of competent jurisdiction, and, in
addition to recovering the full face value thereof, with legal interest from demand, may
recover ten per cent of said amount as attorney's fees recoverable in the same suit.
Approved July 8,1908.
A ct
N o . 264.—Protection o f employees on buildings.
1. For the safety of persons in and about the construction, repairing, altera
tion or removal of buildings, bridges, viaducts and other structures, all scaffolds, hoists,
cranes, stays, ladders, supports or other mechanical contrivances erected or constructed
by any person firm or corporation in this State for use in the erection, repairing, altera
tion, removing or painting of any house, building, bridge, viaduct, or other structure
in cities of more than thirty thousand inhabitants, shall be erected and constructed,
placed and operated so as to give proper and adequate protection to the life and limb
of any person or persons employed or engaged thereon, or passing under or by the
same, and in such manner as to prevent the falling of any material that may be used
or deposited thereon.
S e c . 2. In the construction or repairing, alteration or removal of any structures, that
scaffolding or staging, swung or suspended from any overhead support, more than
twenty feet from the ground or floor shall have, where practicable, a safety rail properly
bolted, secured and braced and rising at least thirty-four (34) inches above the floor
or main portion of such scaffolding or staging and extending along the entire length
outside and ends thereof, and properly attached thereto and such scaffolding or staging
shall be so fastened as to prevent the same from swaying from the building or structure.
S e c . 3. In any house, building or structure in process of erection or construction,
where the distance between the inclosing walls is more than twenty-four feet in the
S e c t io n
LABOR LAWS— LOUISIANA— ACTS OF 1908.
455
clear, there shall be built, kept and maintained proper intermediate supports for the
joists, which supports shall be either brick walls or iron or steel columns, beams,
trusses or girders of wood, or other material of sufficient strength, and the floor in all
such houses, buildings or structures in process of erection or construction shall be
designed, and constructed in such a manner as to be capable of bearing in all their
parts in addition to the weight of the floor construction, partitions and permanent fix
tures and mechanisms that may be set upon the same, a live load of twenty-five (25)
pounds for every square foot of surface in such floor, and it is hereby made the duty
of every owner, builder, lessee, contractor or sub-contractor of such house, building
or construction or the superintendent or agent of either to see that all the provisions
of this section are complied with.
S e c . 4. It shall be the duty of every owner of every house, building or structure
£ except buildings exclusively for residential purpose), now under construction or here
after to be constructed, to affix and display conspicuously on each floor of such build
ing during construction, a placard stating the load per square foot of the floor surface,
which may with safety be applied to that particular floor during such construction,
or if the strength of different parts of the floor varies, then there shall be such placards
for each varying part of such floor.
It shall be unlawful to load any such floors or any part thereof to a greater extent
than the load indicated on such placard and all such placards shall be verified and
approved by the city engineer or inspector of buildings or other proper authority of
the city charged with the enforcement of building laws.
S e c . 5. Whenever it shall come to the notice of the building inspector in any city
in this State of more than thirty thousand inhabitants charged with the duty of enforc
ing the building laws, that the scaffolding, stays, hangers, blocks, pulleys, sling braces,
ladders, irons, or ropes of any swinging or stationary scaffolding, platform or other
similar device, used in the construction repairing alteration removing, cleaning or
painting of buildings, bridges or viaducts within said cities are unsafe or liable to
rove dangerous to the life or limb of any person, such local authorities shall immeiately cause an inspection to be made of such scaffolding, platform or device or the
slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, stays, braces, ladders, iron or other parts connected
therewith, and if after an examination, such scaffolding, platform or other device or
any parts thereof is found to be dangerous to the life and limb of any person,* the said
local authorities shall at once notify the person, responsible for the maintenance of
such fact and warn him against the use, maintenance of [or] operation thereof and pro
hibit the use thereof ana require the same to be altered and reconstructed, so as to
avoid such danger.
Such notice may be served personally upon the one responsible for its erection or
by conspicuously affixing it to the scaffolding, platform or other device, or the part
thereof declared to be unsafe, after such notice has been served or affixed the person
responsible therefor shall cease using and immediately remove such scaffolding, plat
form or other device or part thereof or alter or strengthen it in such manner as to
render it safe. The officer or such local authority whose duty it is to examine or
test any scaffolding, platform or similar device or part thereof required to be erected
and maintained, by this section, shall have free access at all times during, reasonable
hours to any buildings or structures or premises containing such scaffolding, platform
or other similar device or parts thereof or where they m aybe in use. All swinging or
stationary scaffolding, platform or other similar devices shall be so constructed as to
bear four times the maximum weight required to be dependent thereon or placed
thereon when in use and such swinging scaffolding, platform or other similar devices
shall not be so loaded or crowded as to render them unsafe or dangerous.
S e c . 6. Any person, firm, or corporation in this State, hiring, employing or directing
another to perform labor of any kind in erecting, repairing, altering or painting any
water pipe, stand pipe, smoke stack, chimney, tower, steeple, pole, staff, dome, or
cupalo [cupola], with the use of any scaffold, staging, swing hammock, support, tem
porary platform, or other similar contrivance, for such labor, shall keep and maintain
at all times while such labor is being performed and such mechanical device in use or
operation a safe and proper scaffold, stay, support, or other suitable device, not less than
sixteen feet below such working scaffold, staging, swaying hammock, support or tem
porary platform when such work is being performed at a height of thirty-two (32) feet
or more, for the purpose of protecting the person or persons performing such labor from
falling in case of any accident to such working scaffold, staging, swaying hammock
support or temporary platform.
S e c . 7. All contractors and owners when constructing buildings where the plans and
specifications require the floors to be arched between the beams thereof or where the
floors or filling in between the floors are fireproof material or brick work shall complete
the flooring or filling in as the building progresses to not less than within three tiers
S
456
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
or b e a m s b e lo w a n d on w h ic h th e iro n w ork is b e in g erected . If th e p la n s a n d sp e cifi
ca tio n s of s u c h b u ild in g do not re q u ire th e f illin g in b e tw ee n th e b eam s of th e floors
w it h b r ic k or fireproof m a te ria l, s a id co ntractor or Owner s h a ll la y i n th e underflooring
th ereof or a safe te m p o rary floor on e a ch story as th e b u ild in g progresses to not less th a n
w it h in tw o stories of th e floor b elow th e one to w h ic h s a id b u ild in g h a s b e e n erected
a n d w here d o u b le floors are n o t to b e u se d , s u c h ow ners or contractors sh a U k ee p p la n k s
o v e r th e floor to tw o stories of th e floor below th e sto ry w here th e w o rk i s b e in g p e r
fo rm ed , a n d i f th e floor b eam s are no t of iro n or steel, th e co ntracto r for th e ir o n or ste e l
w o rk i n th e course of c o n stru ctio n or th e ow ner of s u c h b u ild in g s h a ll th o ro u g h ly p la n k
o v e r th e e n tire tie r of ir o n or ste e l b eam s on w h ic h th e s tru c tu ra l iro n or ste e l w o rk is
b e in g erected , e x c e p t s u c h spaces as m a y b e re a so n a b ly re q u ire d for th e proper c o n
s tr u c tio n of s u c h iro n or ste e l w o rk, a n d for th e ra isin g a n d low ering of m a te ria l to b e
u se d i n th e c o n stru ctio n of s u c h b u ild in g .
S e c . 8. If elevating machines or hoisting apparatus are used within a building in
the course of construction for the purpose of lifting material, the contractor or owner
shall cause the shafts or openings m each floor to be inclosed or fenced in on all sides
by substantial barrier or railing at least four feet in height: Provided , Any hoisting
machine or engine used in such building construction shall, where practicable, be set
up or placed on the ground and where it is necessary to place such hoisting machines
or engines on the same floor above the ground floor, such machines or engines must be
properly and securely supported with a foundation capable of sustaining twice the
weight of such machine or engine, and if the building in course of construction is five
stories or more in height, no material needed for such construction, shall be hoisted or
lifted over any public street or alley, unless, such street or alley shall be barricaded
from use by the public or so covered as to prevent injury to pedestrians.
S e c . 9. If elevating machines or hoisting apparatus operated or controlled by other
than hand power, be used in the construction, alteration or removal of any building or
other structures, a complete adequate system of communication by means of signals
shall be provided and maintained by the owner, contractor or subcontractor during
the use and operation of such elevating machines or hoisting apparatus in order that
prompt and perfect communication may be had at all times between the operator of
the engine or motive power of such elevating machine and hoisting apparatus and the
employees or persons engaged thereon or in using or operating the same, and the officers
of any city charged with the enforcement of the building law are hereby charged with
the enforcement of this provision of this act and in case of their failure so to do, the
police authorities shall pursuant to the terms of this act enforce the provisions thereof.
S e c . 1 0 . Any contractor, subcontractor, foreman or other person having charge of
the erection, construction, repairing, alteration, removal or painting of any building,
viaduct, bridge, or other construction within the provisions of this act violating any
of the provisions hereof, upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less
than twenty-five dollars ($25.0 0 ) or more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment
for not less than three months or more than two years or both fine and imprisonment in
discretion of the court.
Approved July 9, 1908.
A ct N
o.
2 7 1 . — Public works— Citizens to be 'preferred in employment.
S e c t i o n 1. Every contractor, superintendent or duly authorized agent engaged
in the construction of any state or public building or public works for the State of
Louisiana, in cities whose population exceeds ten thousand (10,000) shall employ
only mechanics who are citizens of the State and who have paid their poll tax for the
current or next preceding year prior to engaging in the work.
S e c . 2. In the event mechanics, where such works or buildings are being constructed,
are not available, then such contractor, superintendent or duly authorized agent, shall
notify the mayor of the city wherein the work is being done, of such fact, and unless
the mayor of said city shall forthwith supply such contractor, superintendent or duly
authorized agent with the mechanics needed, said contractor, superintendent or duly
authorized agent, shall be authorized to employ mechanics who are not citizens of
the State of Louisiana, to make up the deficiency: Provided , That nothing herein
shall be construed to prevent the State of Louisiana or any parochial or municipal
corporation from placing or letting any contract for the erection or construction
of any public building or public work, in the open market, and soliciting bids
from persons or corporations without the State of Louisiana.
S e c . 3. Any contractor, superintendent or duly authorized agent violating any of
the provisions of this act, shall be liable, after conviction before a court of competent
jurisdiction, to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisonment
of not more than sixty (60) days, or both at the discretion of the court.
Approved July 9, 1908.
LABOR LAWS— LOUISIANA— ACTS OR 1908.
A c t N o,
457
297.— Railway companies— Cars, etc,, to be repaired within the State.
S e c t i o n 1. All railway or,railroad corporations operating in the State of Louisiana,
and having their repair shops within the State, as a condition precedent to exercising
the right of eminent domain under the laws of the State of Louisiana, the railway or
railroad corporations so operating within the State of Louisiana, shall and are hereby
required to repair, renovate or rebuild in the State of Louisiana any and all defective
or broken cars, coaches, locomotives or other equipment, owned or leased by said cor
porations in the State of Louisiana, when such rolling stock is within the State of
Louisiana: Provided, Such railway shall have or be under obligations to have proper
facilities in the State to do such work: And provided, This act shall not be so construed
as to require any railway company to violate the safety appliance law of Congress: And
provided further , That no railway company shall be required to haul such disabled
equipment a greater distance for repairs at a point in Louisiana than would be neces
sary to reach repair shops in another State.
S e c , 2, All railroad corporations operating in the State of Louisiana, and having
their repair shops within the State, shall be prohibited from sending or removing any
of their cars, coaches, locomotives or other equipment out of the State of Louisiana to
be repaired, renovated or rebuilt, when the same is in a defective or broken condition
and within the State,
S e c . 3. Any corporation, lessee, receiver, superintendent or agent; who shall violate
any of the provisions of this act, shall after conviction by a court of competent juris
diction, be liable to a fine of not less than fifty dollars, or more than two hundred dol
lars, or be imprisoned for not more than three months or both at the discretion of the
court.
Approved July 9, 1908.
A ct
N o . 301.—Inspection o f factories, etc.—Em ploym ent o f women and children.
S e c t i o n 1 . From and after the passage of this act it shall be unlawful for any person,
agent, firm, company, copartnership, or corporation to require or permit or suffer or
employ any child under the age of 14 years to labor or work in any mill, factory,
mine, packing house, manufacturing establishment, workshop, laundry, millinery or
dressmaking store or mercantile establishment in which more than five persons are
employed, or in any theater, concert hall, or in or about any place of amusement where
intoxicating liquors are made pr sold, or in any bowling-alley, boot-blacking establish
ment, freight or passenger elevator, or in the transmission or distribution of messages,
either telegraph or telephone, or any other messages, or merchandise, or in any other
occupation not herein enumerated which may be deemed unhealthful or dangerous.
The provisions of this section shall in no way be construed as applying to agricultural
or domestic industries. Any violation of this provision shall be punishable by a fine
of not less than $25 or more than $50 or by imprisonment in the parish jail (parish
prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days ox more than six months, or both, in
the discretion of the court.
%
S e c . 2 . The state factory inspector or any factory inspector appointed by the mayor
of the city of New Orleans with the consent of the council acting in conjunction with
the boaTd of health and school board in the parish shall have full power to issue an age
certificate to minors over 14 years and under 16 years of age seeking employment in
any part of this State: Provided, however, That no person authorized to issue an age
certificate as hereafter provided shall have authority to approve such certificate for
any child then in or about to enter his own establishment, or the employment of a
firm or corporation of which he is a member, officer or employee.
The person approving these age certificates shall have authority to administer the
oath provided therein, but no fee shall be charged therefor. Every person issuing
or approving these age certificates shall keep a record of the same, and shall forward
to the office of the state factory inspector a duplicate of each certificate issued or
approved. All such age certificates shall be subject to review by the state or other
factory inspector, and may by him or her be canceled if he or she finds that such cer
tificates have been obtained through fraud, misrepresentation or falsification of facts,
and whoever shall obtain or assist in obtaining such age certificates by fraud, misrep
resentation or falsification of facts, is hereby declared to be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and on conviction before a court of competent jurisdiction shall be fined not less than
$10 or more than $50. In such cases the factory inspector shall give written notice to
the employer, who shall at once cause the minor affected to be dismissed from employ
ment. Printed forms of the age certificates hereinafter provided shall be furnished
by the state factory inspector upon request made by persons authorized to issue themAn age certificate shall not be approved unless satisfactory evidence is furnished by a
certificate of birth or baptism of such child, the register of birth of such child with an
458
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
officer of a city or town designated to keep a register of births, or by the records of the
public or parochial school attended by such child, that such child is of the age stated
in the certificate, or by a certified copy of their passport from the commissioner of
immigration: Provided, That in cases where the above proof is not obtainable, the
parent, guardian or custodian of the child shall make an oath before the state factory
inspector, or any factory inspector, or before a juvenile or district court as to the age
of such child, and the state factory inspector, or any factory inspector, or the court,
may issue to such child an age certificate as sworn to. A duplicate of such age certifi
cate shall be filled out and shall be forwarded to the office of the state factory inspector.
The age certificate shall be printed and shall be filled out, signed and held or surren
dered in the following forms:
AGE CERTIFICATES.
This certifies that I am (father, mother, guardian or custodian) of (name of minor)
and that (he or she) was born at (name of town or city) in the (name of county if known)
and (State or county o f ------ ) on the (date of birth and year of birth) and is now
(number of years and months) old.
(Signature of parent, guardian or custodian.)
or town and date.)
3 personally appeared before me the above-named (name of person signing)
and made oath that the foregoing certificate by (him or her) signed, is true to the best
of (his or her) knowledge. I hereby approve the foregoing certificate of (name of
child), height, (feet and inches,) weight------ , complexion (fair or dark), hair (color),
having no sufficient reason to doubt that (he or she) is of the age therein certified.
Owner of certificate. This certificate belongs to (name of child and in whose behalf
it is drawn), and is to be surrendered to (him or her) whenever (he or she) leaves the
service of the corporation or employer holding the same, but if not claimed by said
child within thirty days from such time, it shall be returned to the office of the state
factory inspector for cancelation.
(Signature of person authorized to approve and sign with official character of au
thority.)
(Town or city and date.)
Such certificate shall be issued without charge. The provisions of this section shall
not become operative until 60 days after the promulgation of this act.
S e c . 3. It shall be the duty of the commissioner of labor and industrial statistics
and his deputies, and such factory inspectors as will be appointed in incorporated
cities and towns by the mayor, with the consent of the council, and in parishes, by
the police jury, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to visit and inspect,
at all reasonable times and as often as possible all places enumerated in section 1 of
this act, and to file complaint in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the
provisions of this act, and it shall be the duty of the parish or district attorney to
appear and prosecute all complaints so filed.
S ec . 4. No child or person under the age of 18 years, and no woman shall be employed
in any of the places and industries enumerated in section 1 of this act for a longer
period than ten hours perday of [or] 60 hours per week. There shall be one hour allowed
each day for dinner, but such dinner time shall not be included as part of the working
hours of the day. In case twro-thirds of the employees so desire, time for dinner may
be reduced at their request to not less than 30 minutes: Provided , That this shall not
apply to persons working in stores and mercantile establishments on Saturday nights
or 20 days before Christmas. Any violation of this provision shall be punishable by
a fine of not less than $25 or more than" $50, or by imprisonment in the parish jail
(parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days or more than six months,
or both, in the discretion of the court.
No boy under the age of 16 years and no girl under the age of 18 shall be employed
at any work before the hour of 6 in the morning or after the hour of 7 at night: P ro
vided, That this shall not apply to persons working in stores and mercantile estab
lishments on Saturday nights or during 20 days before Christmas. Any violation
of this provision shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than
$100, or by imprisonment m the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not
less than ten days nor more than six months, or both, m the discretion of the court.
S ec. 6. Every person, firm or corporation, agent or manager of a corporation employ
ing or permitting or suffering to work five or more children under the age of 18 years
and over the age of 14 in all places of business or establishments or occupations enu
merated in section 1 shall post and keep posted in a conspicuous place in every room
in which such help is employed or permitted or suffered to work a list containing the
names, age and place of residence of every person under the age of 18 years employed,
e
LABOR LAWS---LOUISIANA---ACTS OF 1908.
459
permitted or suffered to work in such room, and it shall be unlawful for any person,
agent, firm, company, copartnership, corporation or manager of a corporation to require
or permit or suffer or employ in any mill, factory, mine or packing house, manufac
turing establishment, workshop, store, laundry, millinery, dressmaking or mercantile
establishment in which more than five persons are employed, or any theater, concert
hall or in or about any place of amusement where intoxicating liquors are made or
sold, or in any bowling-alley or boot-blacking establishment, or in any place where
messages are transmitted or distributed, or in any other occupation notnerein enu
merated which may be deemed unhealthful or dangerous, any child over the age of
14 until an age certificate, approved as hereinabove provided, has been produced and
placed on file in any such establishment or place of employment as heretofore men
tioned in this section: Provided, further , however, That immediately upon the employ
ment of any child in any of the places enumerated in this act the manager, superin
tendent, owner or agent shall notify in writing, the factory inspector of the employ
ment of said child in the event proper age certificate is not filed, but such establish
ment or place of employment must procure from said child within five days from
employment the age certificate provided for in this act. Any violation of this section
shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $50 or by imprisonment
in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days nor more
than six months, or both m the discretion of the court.
S ec . 7. Any parent or guardian or person or persons having control of or being
responsible for the care of any child or person under the age of 16 who shall sign or
swear or in any manner make false statement as to the age of said child or person
under the age of 16 for the purpose of obtaining employment for said child or young
person shall be deemed guilty of an offense for each violation thereof and upon con
viction for the same shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $25
or by imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than
ten days nor more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 8. A n y c h ild working in or in con n ection w ith a n y of th e aforesaid establish
m ents or in th e distribu tion or transm ission of m erchandise or m essages w ho appears
to th e insp ector to b e under th e legal age is required to procure from th e c ity or par
ish p h y sicia n a certificate as to th e p h y sica l fitness of said c h ild to perform th e work
or serv ice h e or sh e is required to do.
S ec . 9. The presence of any child under 14 years of age in any of the establishments
enumerated in section 1, except during the dinner hour, shall constitute prima facie
evidence of his or her employment therein.
S ec . 10. Any owner, manager, supervisor or employee in any of the aforesaid occu
pations who shall hide or assist to escape or give warning of the approach of the
inspector to any child or young person or woman in said establishments shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5
nor more than $15 or by imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans)
for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the
court.
S e c . 11. Any person, owner, agent, firm, manager, copartnership or company in
charge of any establishment at the time of inspection shall be required to furnish the
inspector a true statement of the number of persons employed in such establishment
and any person, owner, agent, superintendent, firm, manager, company or copartner
ship who shall fail or refuse to furnish such statement or willfully understate the num
ber of persons employed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100 for each offense or impris
onment for not less than ten nor more than thirty days in the parish jail (parish prison
in New Orleans), or both in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 12. Within one month after the occupancy of any factory, workshop or mill
or store or other aforesaid occupation or establishment where children, young per
sons or women are employed the occupant shall notify the inspector in writing of
such occupancy. Failure to do this shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be
punishable by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $25 or by imprisonment in
the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days nor more
than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 13. Every person who shall employ any female in any factory, mill, warehouse,
manufacturing establishment, workshop or store or any other occupation or estab
lishment hereinabove mentioned shall provide suitable seats, chairs or benches for
the use of the females so employed, which shall be so placed as to be accessible to
said employees and shall permit the use of such seats, chairs or benches by them
when they are not necessarily engaged in the active duties for which they are employed,
and there shall be provided at least one chair to every three females. Failure to com
ply with this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than
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BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
$50 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less
than ten days nor more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 14. Every factory, mill, manufacturing establishment, workshop, warehouse,
mercantile establishment or store and all other occupations and establishments herein
above mentioned in which five or more young persons or women are employed and
every such institution in which two or more children young persons or women are
employed shall be supplied with proper wash and dressing rooms and kept in a
cleanly state and free from effluvia arising from any drain, privy or other nuisance
and shall be provided, within reasonable access, with a sufficient number of proper
water closets or privies for the reasonable use of the persons employed and at least one
of such closets shall be provided for each twenty-five persons employed and wher
ever two or more persons and one or more female personfs] are employed as aforesaid
a sufficient number of separate and distinct water closets, earth closets or privies,
shall be provided for the use of each sex and plainly so designated, and no person
shall be allowed to use any such closet or privy assigned to persons of the other sex,
and said closets or privies shall not be locked during working hours. Failure to com
ply with this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than
$50 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than
t^n days nor more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 15. Stairways with substantial hand rails shall be provided in factories,
mills and manufacturing establishments for the better safety of persons employed
in said establishments. The doors of such establishments shall swing outwardly or
slide, as ordered by the factory inspector and it shall be neither locked, bolted or
fastened during working hours. Failure to comply with this section shall be. pun
ishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $50 or imprisonment in the parish
jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days nor more than thirty
days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 16. Every factory, mill or workshop in this State where women and children
are employed shall be lime-washed or painted when deemed necessary and ordered
by the health authorities. Failure to comply with this section shall be punishable
by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $50 or imprisonment in the parish jail
(parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days
or both, in the discretion of the court.
S e c . 1 7 . N o minor or woman shall be required to clean any part of the mill, gear
ing or machinery in any such establishment in this State while the same is in motion.
Failure to comply with this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25
nor more than $50 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans),
for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the
court.
S ec . 18. The opening of all hatchways, elevators and well-holes upon every floor
of every manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile or public buildings where women
or children are employed in this State shall be protected by good and sufficient trap
doors of self-closing hatches or safety catches or good strong guard rails at least three
feet high. Failure to comply with this section shall be punishable by a fine of not
less than $25 nor more than $50 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in
New Orleans), for not less than ten days nor more than thirty days or both, in the
discretion of the court.
S ec . 19. In all establishments in this State wherein children, young persons or
women are employed where any process is carried on by which dust, or smoke or lint
is generated the inspector shall have the power and authority to order that a fan,
or Ians, or some other dust, or smoke or lint removing or consuming contrivance or
contrivances be so placed as to prevent the inhalation of such dust or smoke or lint
by the employees: Provided, That two mechanical engineers, one chosen by the
inspector and the other by the owner or owners of the establishment, shall agree as
to the necessity of such fan or fans or other dust or smoke or lint removing or consum
ing contrivance or contrivances. Upon the failure of said two mechanical engineers
to agree, a third mechanical engineer shall be chosen to arbitrate. Failure to com
ply with this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than
$50 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for not less than
ten days nor more than six months or both, in the discretion of the court.
S ec . 20. All accidents in manufacturing, mechanical or other establishments or
places within this State where children, young persons or women are employed which
prevent the injured person or persons from returning to work within two weeks after
the injury or which result in death shall be reported semi-annually by the person
in charge of such establishment or place to the inspector. Failure to do this shall
be deemed a violation of this section and punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor
LABOR LAWS— LOUISIANA— ACTS OF 1908.
461
more than $10 or imprisonment in the parish jail (parish prison in New Orleans) for
not less than twenty-four hours nor more than ten days, or both, in the discretion of
the court.
S ec . 21. It shall be the duty of the city or town or parish employing an inspector
or inspectors to provide a suitable office for same and pay for all necessary expenses
incurred in the discharge of the duties of said office.
S ec . 22. There shall be an annual report of inspections made and all work and
expenses in connection with said office forwarded to the commissioner of labor and
incorporated towns and cities to the mayor and council of the cities and towns em
ploying said inspector or inspectors.
, S ec . 23. In the city of New Orleans, with the consent of the council, [the mayor]
shall appoint a factory inspector, who may be either male or female, to see that the
regulations of this act are observed and also to prosecute all persons who shall violate
the same. Such inspector shall be paid a salary of not more than $750 per annum.
S ec . 24. All fines collected through this act shall be paid over to the school fund
in the parish where the fines are collected.
Approved July 9, 1908.
M ASSACHUSETTS.
ACTS OF 1908.
Chapter 217 .— Em ploym ent o f labor— False advertisements.
S ection 1. It shall be unlawful knowingly to cause to be printed or published a
false or fraudulent notice or advertisement for help or for obtaining work or employ
ment.
S ec . 2. W hoever violates th e provisions of th is act shall be pu nish ed b y a fine of
n ot more th an five hundred dollars or b y im prisonm ent for n ot more than three
'm onths, or b y both su ch fine and im prisonm ent.
Approved March 14,1908.
Ch apter 273 .— Sunday labor.
S ection 1. Section three of chapter ninety-eight of the Revised Laws, as amended
by chapter four hundred and fourteen of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and
two, and by chapter one hundred and twenty-six of the acts of the year nineteen
hundred and eight, is hereby further amended * * *
Approved March 25, 1908.
[Chapter 126 permits the digging of clams and the icing and dressing of fish on Sun
day, and chapter 273 permits the performance on Sunday of unpaid work on yachts
and pleasure boats.]
Chapter 306 .— Free public employment offices— Weekly bulletins.
S ection 1. The chief of the bureau of statistics of labor is hereby authorized to
furnish weekly to the clerks of all cities and towns in the Commonwealth printed
bulletins showing the demand for employment, classified by occupations to such
extent as may be feasible, and indicating the city or town in which the employees
are wanted, such information to be based upon the applications for employees made
at the free employment offices under the jurisdiction of said bureau.
S ec . 2. It shall be the duty of every city and town clerk to post the lists received
as aforesaid, in one or more conspicuous places in the city or town.
S ec . 3. A city or town clerk who fails to comply with the provisions of this act
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars.
Approved March 27,1908.
Ch apter 325 .— Inspection o f factories, etc.— Pure water fo r humidifying .
S ection 1. The water used for humidifying purposes by any person, firm or cor
poration operating a factory or workshop, shall be of such a degree of purity as not to
give rise to any impure or foul odors, and shall be so used as not to be injurious to
the health of persons employed in such factories or workshops.
462
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
S ec . 2. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this act shall,
upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than
one thousand dollars.
S ec . 3. The state inspectors of health shall, under the direction of the state board
of health, enforce the provisions of this act.
Approved March 31, 1908.
Ch apter 343.—Sunday labor.
S ection 1. The provisions of section two of chapter ninety-eight of the Revised
Laws, as amended by section two of chapter four hundred and sixty of the acts of
the year nineteen hundred and four [prohibiting Sunday labor] shall not apply to
the delivery of ice cream on the Lord’s day.
Approved April 3, 1908.
Chapter 375.—Factory inspectors— Age o f eligibility.
S ection 1. A person who is not above the age of fifty years, if otherwise qualified,
shall be eligible for appointment as an inspector of factories and public buildings, as
a member of the inspection department of the district police.
Approved April 8, 1908.
Chapter 380.—A ctions fo r injuries—Special inspection o f plant.
S ection 1. Any justice of the superior court may, upon petition setting forth in
ordinary language tnat the servant or employee of a certain firm, person, corporation
or association has been injured in the course of his employment, through some defect
in the ways, works or machinery owned or used by the employer, and that it is nec
essary in order to protect the interests of the injured person that an examination of
the ways, works or machinery through whose defect the injury occurred should be
made, grant an order directing the employer or person in control of such ways, works
or machinery to permit the person named in said order to make such examination,
under such conditions as shall be set forth in the order; but the order shall not be
granted until after such notice to the employer as any justice of said court may direct
or approve, and a hearing.
Approved April 10, 1908.
Cha pter 389.—Inspectors o f factories, etc.—Powers and duties.
S ection 1. The chief of the district police, the deputy chief of the inspection de
partment of the district police, and the inspectors of factories and public buildings
may, in the performance of their duty in enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth,
enter any building, structure or inclosure, or any part thereof, and examine the
methods of prevention of fire, means of exit, and means of protection against accident,
and may make investigations as to the employment of children, young persons and
women, except concerning health and the influence of occupation upon health. They
may, except m the city of Boston, enter any public building, public or private insti
tution, schoolhouse,.church, theatre, public hall, place of assemblage, or place of
public resort, and make such investigations and order such structural or other changes,
in said buildings, as are necessary relative to the construction, occupation and heating
appliances ana conditions, except for ventilating and sanitary purposes: Provided,
however, That they may order structural changes for any purpose whenever the neces
sity therefor has been reported in accordance with the provisions of section five of
chapter five hundred ana thirty-seven of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and
seven.
S ec . 2. Any person who hinders or prevents or attempts to prevent any member
of the inspection department of the district police from entering any building, struc
ture or inclosure or part thereof specified in the preceding section snail be liable to a
penalty of not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars.
S ec . 3. Trial justices, police, municipal and district courts shall have concurrent
jurisdiction with the superior court to enforce the provisions of this act.
Approved April 11, 1908.
LABOR LAWS— MASSACHUSETTS— ACTS OF 1908.
463
Chapter 420 .— Liability o f railway companies fo r injuries to employees.
S ection 1. Section seventy-one of chapter one hundred and six of the Revised
Laws is hereby amended * * *
Approved Aprfl 21, 1908.
[The section named is amended by extending its application to elevated trains,
elevated railways, and elevated railway corporations.]
Chapter 457 .— Liability o f employers fo r injuries to employees—Actions.
S ection 1. Section seventy-three of chapter one hundred and six of the Revised
l^aws is hereby amended * * * so as to read as follows:
. Section 73. If, as the result of the negligence of an employer himself, or of a person
ftoY whose negligence an employer is liable under the provisions of section seventy-one,
an employee is instantly killed, or dies without conscious suffering, his widow or, if
he leaves no widow, his next of kin, who, at the time of his death, were dependent
upon his wages for support, shall have a right of action for damages against the em
ployer. If an action is brought under the provisions of this section by the widow of
the employee, or by the next of kin, who may have such right of action, or if the action
is brought under the provisions of section seventy-one by the legal representatives,
such action shall not fail by reason of the fact that it should have been brought under
the other section, but may be amended so as to provide against such failure at any
time prior to final judgment.
Approved April 28, 1908.
Chapter 462 .— Bureau o f labor.
S ection 1. Chapter one hundred and seven of the Revised Laws is hereby amended
by striking out section two and inserting in place thereof the following:
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the bureau to collect, assort, arrange, and issue
from time to time reports embodying statistical information relative to the commercial,
industrial, social, educational, and sanitary condition of the people, and to the per
manent prosperity of the productive industries of the Commonwealth. It may also
distribute at such regular intervals as it deems advisable a bulletin in relation to
industrial or social matters. It may send for persons and papers, and examine wit
nesses under oath; and such witnesses shall be summoned in the same manner and
be paid the same fees as witnesses before the superior court.
S e c . 2. The chief of the bureau of statistics of labor shall annually, on or before
the third Wednesday in January, make a report to the general court summarizing
the work of the bureau during the preceding year, and shall make therein such recom
mendations as he may deem proper. To this report there shall be appended a report
or reports embodying such statistical and other information regarding labor as may be
gathered by the bureau for annual presentation. These reports may be issued sepa
rately in parts in the discretion of the chief of the bureau and shall, when bound
together, constitute the annual report of the chief of the bureau of statistics of labor.
S ec . 5. The chief of the said bureau shall annually, on or before the third Wednes
day in January, make a report to the general court covering the work of the free employ
ment offices, established in accordance with chapter four hundred and thirty-five
of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and six. The secretary of the Commonwealth
shall cause to be printed of said report, three thousand two hundred and fifty copies,
of which two thousand two hundred and fifty shall be for the use of the bureau.
Approved April 28, 1908.
Ch a pter 485 .— Free public employment offices.
S ection 1 . Chapter four hundred and thirty-five of the acts of the year nineteen
hundred and six is hereby amended by striking out section two ana inserting in
place thereof the following: Section 2. The chief of said bureau shall appoint for
each of the offices provided for in section one of this act a superintendent to discharge
under his direction the duties hereinafter set forth or such as may be required by
him. The said chief may also appoint an assistant superintendent and such clerks
as he may deem necessary for the proper conduct of the business of said employment
offices. The furniture and fixtures of said employment offices shall be provided by
the sergeant-at-arms in the manner and under the restrictions specified in section
79828—Bull. 81—09----18
464
BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
four of chapter ten of the Revised Laws for buildings or parts of buildings leased to
the Commonwealth. The situation of each office established under the provisions
of this act shall be plainly indicated by a proper sign or signs.
S ec . 2. Said chapter is hereby further amended by striking out section three and
inserting in place thereof the following: Section 3. It shall be the duty of the super
intendents of the employment offices established in accordance with this act, to receive
applications from those seeking employment and from those desiring to employ,
and to register the same in such manner as may be devised by the chief of said bureau,
and to take such other action as may be deemed best by the chief of said bureau to
promote the purposes of said offices.
S ec . 3. Section four of said chapter is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof
the following: Any clerk or superintendent who directly or indirectly charges Or
receives any fee in the performance of his duties shall be deemed guilty of a misder
meanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or to imprisi
onment in the county jail for a term not exceeding thirty days. ^ Such fine or imprison
ment shall disqualify him from holding further connection with said office.
S ec . 4. Said chapter is hereby further amended by striking out section five and
inserting in place thereof the following: Section 5. In registering applications for
employment and for employees wanted preference shall be given to residents of the
Commonwealth.
S e c . 5. Said chapter is hereby further amended by striking out section six and
inserting in place thereof the following: Section 6. Each superintendent shall make
to the chief of said bureau such reports of applications for labor or employment and
of other details of the work of his office as may be required by said chief. The said
chief shall cause reports showing the business of the several offices to be prepared at
regular intervals and to be exchanged between the said offices, and shall supply them
to the newspapers and to citizens upon request; and the several superintendents shall
cause such reports to be posted in a conspicuous place in their offices so that they
may be open to public inspection.
S ec . 6. Chapter one hundred and thirty-five of the acts of the year nineteen hundred
and seven is hereby amended by striking out section one and inserting in place
thereof the following: Section 1. There shall be allowed and paid out of the treasury
of the Commonwealth, upon the approval of the chief of the bureau of statistics of la
bor, for salaries and for contingent expenses in connection with the establishment and
maintenance of free employment offices as herein provided for, such sum as the gen
eral court may annually appropriate therefor. The annual salary of the superintend
ents, and of such clerk as may be appointed in each office to act as chief clerk or
assistant superintendent shall be fixed by the chief of said bureau, subject to the
approval of the governor and council.
S e c . 7. The chief of the bureau of statistics of labor shall annually on or before
the third Wednesday in January make a report to the general court covering the
work of the free employment offices established in accordance with chapter four
hundred and thirty-five of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and six.
Approved May 1, 1908.
Ch a pter 487 .— Inspection o f factories—A ppeals from orders o f inspectors.
S ection 1. Whoever is aggrieved by the order, requirement, or direction of an
inspector of factories and public buildings may, within ten days after the service
thereof, appeal to a judge of the superior court lor the county in which the building
to which such order, requirement or direction relates is situated, for an order for
bidding its enforcement; and after such notice as said court shall order to all parties
interested, a hearing may be had before said court at such early and convenient
time and place as shall be fixed by said order; or the court may appoint three disin
terested persons, skilled in the subject-matter of the controversy, to examine the matter
and hear the parties; and the decision of said court, or the decision, in writing and
under oath, of the majority of said experts, filed in the office of the clerk of courts in
said county within ten days after such hearing, may alter, annul or affirm such order,
requirement or direction. Such decision or a certified copy thereof shall have the
same authority, force and effect as the original order, requirement or direction of
the inspector. If such decision annuls or alters such order, requirement or direction
of the inspector, the court shall also order the said inspector not to enforce his order,
requirement or direction, and in every case the certificate required by law shall
thereupon be issued by said court or by said experts.
S ec. 2. T h e c o u rt m a y a w a rd reaso nab le co m p e n satio n to e xp e rts a p p o in te d u n d e r
th e p ro v isio n s of th e p re ce d in g s e c tio n w h ic h , i f th e order, re q u ir e m e n t or d ir e c tio n
of th e in s p e c to r is a lte re d or a n n u lle d , s h a ll b e p a id b y th e c o u n t y i n w h ic h th e
LABOR LAWS— MASSACHUSETTS— ACTS OF 1908.
465
application for an order of the court was made; otherwise by the applicant. If the
order, requirement or direction of the inspector is affirmed by the court or the experts,
costs shall be taxed against the applicant for the order of the court, as in civil cases,
and shall be paid into the treasury of the county in which the application for such
order of the court was made.
Approved May 5,1908.
Ch apter 489.— Compensation fo r injuries to employees—Plans— Contracts waiving
employer’s liability.
S ection 1. Any employer of labor may submit to the state board of conciliation
and arbitration a plan of compensation for employees in his employ, providing for
payments to said employees in the event of injury m the course of their employment,
based upon a certain percentage of the average earnings of such employees, ana with
out reference to legal liability under the common law or the employer’s liability
act. After examination of such plan of compensation, and a public hearing thereon
after public notice thereof, the board of conciliation and arbitration may, if it con
siders the same fair and just to the employees, give its approval thereof by certificate
to be attached to such plan.
S ec . 2. After obtaining the approval of a plan of compensation as set forth in the
foregoing section, it shall be lawful for the employer to enter into a contract with his
employees by which such employees shall release the employer from liability in
case of injury in the course of said employment and accept in lieu thereof the com
pensation provided in said plan of compensation.
S ec . 3. Either parent of any minor employee or the guardian of such minor may
agree to said plan of compensation in behalf of the minor. Such agreement shall
be in writing signed by the employee, or, in the case of a minor employee, by either
parent or guardian, in the presence of two witnesses, of whom one shall be an employee
at the tim e of such signature.
S e c . 4. N o e m p lo y e r s h a ll re q u ire as a c o n d itio n of e m p lo y m e n t th a t a n y e m p lo ye e
s h a ll assen t to a n y p la n of c o m p e n sa tio n or i n a n y w a y w a iv e h is le g a l r ig h t to re co v er
d am ages for a n i n ju r y o u tsid e th e p ro v isio n s of s u c h p la n .
S e c . 5 . N o c o n tra c t u n d e r s u c h p la n of co m p e n satio n s h a ll b e b in d in g for m ore
t h a n one y e a r from t h e d a te thereof.
Sec. 6. So much of section sixteen of chapter one hundred and six of the Revised
Laws as is inconsistent herewith is hereby repealed.
Approved May 5,1908.
Ch apter 547.—Hours o f labor o f employees in penal institutions.
S ection 1. The hours of labor for officers, instructors and employees of the State
penal institutions shall not exceed sixty in each week; and every officer, instructor or
employee whose duties require his presence at the institution seven days a week shall
be given at least two days vacation in each month, which shall be in addition to the
regular annual vacation and without loss of pay. Nothing in this section shall pre
vent the warden or superintendent, respectively, from requiring the services of all
his officers, instructors and employees to assist in recapturing an escaped prisoner,
or in any case of extraordinary emergency involving danger to property, to life, to
public safety or to public health.
Approved May 27, 1908.
Chapter 553.—Liability o f railroad companies fo r injuries to employees— Assum ption
o f lisle.
S ection 1. Section one hundred and sixty-seven of Part II of chapter four hundred
and sixty-three of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and six is hereby amended
* * * so as to read as follows: Section 167. An employee of a railroad corpora
tion who is injured by any locomotive, car or train which is used contrary to the pro
visions of sections one hundred and fifty-nine, one hundred and sixty-one, one hun
dred and sixty-two and one hundred and sixty-three, shall not be deemed to have
assumed the risk of such injury, although he continues in the employment of such
corporation after the unlawful use of such locomotive, car or train has been brought
to his knowledge. An employee of a railroad corporation who is injured by any
locomotive, car or train by reason of the negligence of any other employee of the cor
poration shall not be deemed to have assumed the risk of such injury. *
Approved May 28, 1908.
466
BULLETIN OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR.
Ch apter 605.— Assignments o f wages.
S e c t i o n 7. N o assignment of, or order for, wages to be earned in the future to
secure a loan of less than two hundred dollars, shall be valid against an employer of
the person making said assignment or order until said assignment or order is accepted
in writing by the employer, and said assignment or order, and the acceptance of the
same have been filed and recorded with the clerk of the city or town where the party
making said assignment or order resides, if a resident of the Commonwealth, or in
which h e is employed, if not a resident of the Commonwealth.
S e c . 8. N o s u c h a ssig n m e n t of, or order for, wages to b e earned i n th e fu tu re s h a ll
b e v a lid , w h e n m ad e b y a m a rrie d m a n , u n le ss th e w ritte n co nsent of h is w ife to th e
m a k in g of s u c h a ssig n m e n t or order is a tta ch e d thereto.
Approved June 11 , 1908.
Chapter 645.— Hours o f labor o f women and children.
S e c t i o n 1 . Section twenty-four of chapter one hundred and six of the Revised
Laws * * * is hereby amended * * * so as to read as follows: Section 24.
No child under eighteen years of age and’no woman shall be employed in laboring
in a manufacturing or mechanical establishment more than ten hours in any one
day, except as hereinafter provided in this section, unless a different apportionment
of the hours of labor is made for the sole purpose of making a shorter day’s work for
one day of the week; and in no case shall the hours of labor exceed fifty-six in a week,
except that in any such establishment where the employment is by seasons, the number
of such hours in any week may exceed fifty-six, but not fifty-eight: Provided , That the
total number of such hours in any year snail not exceed an average of fifty-six hours
a week for the whole year, excluding Sundays and holidays. Every employer shall
post in a conspicuous place in every room in which such persons are employed a
printed notice stating the number of hours’ work required of them on each day of the
week, the hours of commencing and stopping work, and the hours when the time
allowed for meals begins and ends or, in the case of establishments exempted from
the provisions of sections thirty-six and thirty-seven, the time, if any allowed for
meals. The printed forms of such'notices shall be provided by the chief of the dis
trict police, after approval by the attorney-general. The employment of such person
at any time other than as stated in said printed notice shall be deemed a violation
of the provisions of this section unless it appears that such employment was to make
up time lost on a previous day of the same week in consequence of the stopping of
machinery upon which he was employed or dependent for employment; but no
stopping of machinery for less than thirty consecutive minutes shall justify such
overtime employment, nor shall such overtime employment be authorized until a
written report of the day and hour of its occurrence and its duration is sent to the
chief of the district police or to an inspector of factories and public buildings.
S e c . 2. This act shall take effect on the first day of January in the year nineteen
hundred and ten.
Approved June 1 3 , 19 0 8 .
M IS S IS S IP P I.
ACTS OF 1908.
Ch apter 93.—Blacklisting telegraph operators— Membership in labor unions.
S ection 1. It shall be unlawful for any telegraph company, telephone company,
telegraph press association, railroad company, or any leased wire firm or private
individual doing business in this State, and employing telegraphers for the purpose
of transmitting telegraph dispatches for the general public, or any press association,
or private business, or in the operation of any railroad, to discriminate against any
such telegrapher in its service or out of its service, or to blacklist or refuse employ
ment to any telegrapher only because of such telegrapher’s affiliation with or member
ship in any lawful organization or trade or labor union of telegraphers.
S ec . 2. A n y su ch telegraph or telep h on e com pany, telegraph press association,
railroad com pany or leased wire firm or private in d iv id u a l violatin g section 1 of th is
act shall be liab le in actual and exem p lary dam ages to th e person so discrim inated
against.
S ec . 3. It shall be unlawful for any two or more such telegraph or telephone com
panies, telegraph press associations, railroad companies or leased wire firms or private
individuals doing business in this State and employing telegraphers, to conspire,
LABOR LAWS— MISSISSIPPI— ACTS OP 1908.
467
contract, mutually agree or cooperate to discriminate against, blacklist or refuse
employment to any telegrapher merely on account of such telegrapher’s affiliation
with or membership in any lawful organization or trade or labor union of telegraphers.
S e c . 4. A n y te le g ra p h or te le p h o n e c o m p a n y , te le g ra p h press a sso cia tio n , ra ilro a d
c o m p a n y , or leased w ire firm or p r iv a t e in d iv id u a l v io la tin g se ctio n 3 of t h is a c t s h a ll
b e jo in t ly a n d s e v e r a lly lia b le i n a c t u a l a n d e x e m p la r y dam ages to th e p a rt y so
a gg rie ve d .
Approved March 7, 1908.
Ch apter 95.—Railroads— Backing locomotives at night.
S e c t i o n 1. It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation owning or operating
r>arailroad as a common carrier of passengers and freight for hire in the State, to require
or permit a locomotive engine to be backed on his or its line of railroad, in the night
time, unless it is provided and equipped with a pilot and headlight on the rear of its
tender:
Provided , however, That the provisions of this act shall not apply to raiiroads whose
principal business is hauling logs, nor to locomotive engines running for coal or water,
doubling hills, returning from trains when broken in two, going to or returning from
trains in the yard limits of terminal stations, nor to engines engaged in regular switch
ing service in yards, or road engines switching at intermediate stations; nor to any
locomotive engines m cases of washouts, wrecks, or when going to the assistance of
engines so disabled as to block the main track of a railroad.
S e c . 2 . A n y person or corp o ratio n v io la tin g th e p ro v isio n s of th is a c t s h a ll b e
g u ilt y of a m isd em e ano r, a n d on c o n v ic tio n thereof s h a ll b e p u n is h e d b y a fine of n o t
less th a n $ 10 0 n o r m ore th a n $ 1,0 0 0 , a n d i n a d d it io n thereto a n y person g iv in g a n
order, p e r m ittin g or re q u ir in g a n e m p lo y e e of a n y ra ilro a d to v io la te th e p r o v iS o n s
of t h is a c t s h a ll b e g u ilt y of a m isd em e ano r, a n d on c o n v ic tio n thereof s h a ll b e p u n
is h e d b y im p ris o n m e n t i n th e c o u n t y j a il n o t less th a n te n nor m ore th a n t h ir t y d a y s .
S e c . 3 . A n y person or corporation o p erating a ra ilro a d in v io la tio n of th e p ro v isio n s
of th is a c t s h a ll be lia b le for in ju r y or dam age cau se d to a n y person b y reason thereof,
n o tw ith sta n d in g th e n e g lig en ce of th e p a rty in ju r e d or d am age d .
Approved March 16, 1908.
Chapter 99.—E m ploym ent oj children— General provisions.
S ection 1. N o c h ild r e n u n d e r th e age of tw e lv e ye a rs s h a ll b e e m p lo y e d in or
p e rm itte d to w ork i n a n y m ill, fa cto ry or m a n u fa c tu rin g e sta b lish m e n t i n th is S ta te .
S ec . 2 . N o c h ild u n d e r th e age of six te e n ye a rs s h a ll be e m p lo y e d or d e ta in e d i n
a n y m ill, facto ry or m a n u fa c tu rin g e sta b lish m e n t w it h in th is Sta te for m ore th a n
te n h o u rs in a n y one d a y , or for m ore th a n fifty -e ig h t ho u rs i n a n y one w eek, or b e
e m p lo y e d in or d e ta in e d in a n y s u c h m a n u fa c tu rin g e sta b lish m e n t betw een th e hours
of 7 p . m . a n d 6 a . m .
S e c . 3. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to employ or detain
or permit to work in any mill, factory or manufacturing establishment in this State
any child under the age of sixteen years without first requiring said child to present
the affidavit of the parent or guardian or person standing in parental relation to such
child, stating the place and date of birth of such child, and also stating the last school
attendance of such child and grade of studies pursued, and the name of school and
name of teacher in charge. The employer shall preserve such affidavit and keep a
complete register of all such affidavits showing all the facts contained therein.
S e c . 4. I t is th e s p e c ia l d u t y of th e sheriff of th e c o u n t y in w h ic h m a n u fa c tu rin g
e sta b lish m e n ts e m p lo y in g c h ild la b o r are lo ca te d to v is it , a t le ast once e a ch m o n th ,
e a ch s u c h m a n u fa c tu rin g e sta b lish m e n t, a n d see to th e e nforcem en t of th is a ct.
S e c . 5. It is the duty of each county health officer to visit, without notice of his
intention to do so, all manufacturing establishments employing child labor within
his county, at least twice each year, and oftener if requested by the sheriff, and to
promptly report to the sheriff any unsanitary condition of the premises, any child
or children afflicted with an infectious, contagious or communicable disease, or whose
physical condition renders such child or children incapacitated to perform the work
required of them; and the sheriff shall promptly remove such child or children from
such manufacturing establishment, and order the premises put in sanitary condition;
and the judgment of the county health officer as to the physical condition of the
children and sanitary condition, of the premises shall be finai and conclusive.
S e c . 6. It shall be the duty of the circuit judge to specially charge the grand jury
to investigate violations of this act.
468
BULLETIN OF THE BUBEAU OF LABOR.
S ec . 7. A n y officer, manager or su perintend en t of an y m anufacturing establish
m en t in w h ich ch ild labor is em p loyed w ho shall fail or refuse to g iv e true and correct
inform ation dem anded of h im b y a n y of th e officers hereinbefore directed to in sp ect
su ch establishm ents, or w ho sh all fail or refuse to ob ey an y law ful order of th e sheriff
or h ealth officer of th e cou n ty in w h ich su ch estab lish m en t is located, for carrying
ou t th e purposes of th is act, shall b e g u ilty of a m isdem eanor, and up on con viction
sh all b e fined n ot less than te n dollars nor more than one hundred dollars.
S ec . 8. Any person, firm or corporation, or the superintendent, manager, or any
officer of a manufacturing establishment employing any child or permitting any child
to be employed by or to work in or to be detained in any mill, factory or manufac
turing establishment in this State contrary to law, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hun
dred dollars, or may be sentenced to the county jail for not less than ten days noy
more than sixty days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
S ec . 9. The provisions of this act shall apply only to manufacturing establishments
engaged in manufacturing or working in cotton, wool or other fabrics, and to manu
facturing establishments where children are employed indoors at work injurious to
health, or in operating dangerous machinery.
Approved March 21, 1908.
Chapter 194 .— Liability o f railroad companies fo r injuries to employees—Fellowservants.
S ection 4056 of the code of 1908 is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Section 1. Every employee of a railroad corporation, and all other corporations and
individuals, using engines, locomotives or cars of any kind or description whatsoever,
propelled by the dangerous agencies of steam, electricity, gas, gasoline or lever power,
ana running on tracks, shall nave the same rights and remedies for an injury suffered
by him from the act or omission of such railroad corporation or others, or their em
ployees, as are allowed by law to other persons not employed.
Knowledge by an employee injured of the defective or unsafe character or condition
of any machinery, ways or appliances, or of the improper loading of cars, shall not
be a defense to an action for injury caused thereby, except as to conductors or engineers
in charge of dangerous or unsafe cars or engines voluntarily operated by them. When
death ensues from an injury to an employee, an action may be brought in the name of
the widow of such employee for the death of the husband, or by the husband for the
death of his wife, or by a parent for the death of a child, or in the name of a child for
the death of an only parent, for such damages as may be suffered by them respectively
by reason of such death, the damages to be for theuse of such widow, husband, par
ent or child, except that in case the widow should have children, the damages shall
be distributed as personal property of the husband. The legal or personal represent
atives of the person injured shall have the same rights and remedies as are allowed
by law to such representatives of other persons. In every such action the jury may
give such damages as shall be fair and just, with reference to the injury resulting
from such death to the person suing. Any contract or agreement expressed or implied,
made by an employee to waive the benefit of this section shall be null and void; and
this section shall not deprive an employee of a person, natural or artificial, or the legal
or personal representatives of such person, of any right or remedy they now have by
law.
Approved March 20, 1908.
NEW JERSEY.
ACTS OF 1908.
Chapter 25 .—Arbitration o f labor disputes.
S ection 1. The act entitled “ An act to provide for the amicable adjustment of
grievances and disputes that may arise between employers and employees, and to
authorize the creation of a state board of arbitration,” approved March twenty-fourth,
one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two, and all acts amendatory thereof and
supplementary thereto, be and the same are hereby repealed.
Approved March 25, 1908.
Chapter 156 .— Civil service— Labor class.
S ection 16. The labor class shall include ordinary unskilled laborers. Vacancies
in the labor class shall be filled by appointment from lists of applicants registered in
their respective localities by the civil service commission. Preference in employ
LABOR LAWS— NEW JERSEY— ACTS OF 1908.
469
ment from such lists shall be given according to the date of application. There shall
be separate lists of applicants for different kinds of labor or employments, and the
said commission may establish separate labor lists for various localities, institutions
and departments. The said commission shall require an applicant for registration
for the labor service before he can be registered to furnish evidence or to pass such
examinations as they may deem proper with respect to his age, residence, physical
condition, ability to labor, sobriety, industry, capacity and experience in the trade
or employment for which he applies.
Approved April 10, 1908.
Chapter 231.—Em ploym ent o f children— School attendance required.
S ection 1 . Section one hundred and fifty-three of an act entitled “An act to estab
lish a thorough and efficient system of free public schools, and to provide for the
maintenance, support and management thereof/ ’ approved October nineteenth, one
thousand nine hundred and three, is amended to read as follows:
Section 153. Every parent, guardian or other person having control of a child between
the ages of seven and seventeen years inclusive, shall cause such child to regularly
attend a day school in which, at least, the common school branches of reading, writing,
arithmetic, spelling, English grammar and geography are taught by a competent
teacher, or receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school, unless such child
is above the age of fifteen years and has completed the grammar school course pre
scribed by the state board of education, and in addition thereto is regularly and law
fully employed in any useful occupation or service. Such regular attendance shall
be during all the days and hours that the public schools are in session in the city,
town or district in which the child resides, unless it be shown to the satisfaction of
the board of education of the school district in which such parent, guardian or other
erson resides, that the bodily or mental condition of such child is such [as] to prevent
is or her attendance at school. If such child be within the age of seventeen years
and has completed the grammar school course and is not regularly and lawfully em
ployed in any useful occupation or service, such child shall attend the high school or
manual training school in said city, town or district in which such child resides, if
there is a high school or manual training school in said city, town or district; if there
is no high school or manual training school in said city, town or district, said child
shall be transported to a high school or manual training school as provided in section
one hundred and nineteen of this act.
Approved April 13, 1908.
S
Chapter 273.—Factory inspectors— Female inspector.
S ection 1. In addition to the inspectors provided by the act to which this is a sup
plement, and the amendments and supplements thereto, the governor shall, imme
diately after the passage of this act, appoint two suitable persons as inspectors, one of
whom' shall be a woman,* whose salary, powers and duties and term of office, shall be
the same as the inspectors.already provided for.
Approved April 14, 1908.
Chapter 284.—Bribery o f employees.
S ection 1. Whoever gives, offers or promises to an agent, employee or servant, any
gift or gratuity whatever, without the knowledge and consent of the principal, em
ployer or master of such agent, employee or servant, with intent to influence his action
m relation to his principal’s, employer’s or master’s business; or an agent, employee
or servant who, without the knowledge and consent of his principal, employer or mas
ter, requests or accepts a gift or gratuity or a promise to make a gift, or to do an act
beneficial to himself, under an agreement, or with an understanding that he shall act
in any particular manner to his principal’s, employer’s or masters business; or an
agent, employee or servant who, being authorized to procure materials, supplies or
other articles, either by purchase or contract for his principal, employer or master, or
to employ service or labor for his principal, employer or master, receives directly or
indirectly, for himself or for another, a commission, discount or bonus from the person
who makes such sale or contract, or furnishes such materials, supplies or other articles,
or from a person who renders such service or labor, and any person who gives or offers
such an agent, employee or servant such commission, discount or bonus shall be guilty
of a misdemeanor.
Approved April 15, 1908.
CUMULATIVE INDEX OF LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS RELATING
THERETO.
[This index includes all labor laws enacted since January 1, 1908, and published in successive issues
pi the Bulletin, beginning with Bulletin No. 80, the issue of January, 1909. Laws enacted previously
Appear in the Twenty-second Annual Eeport of the Commissioner of Labor. The decisions indexed under
the various headings relate to the laws on the same subjects without regard to their date of enactment
and are indicated by the letter “ D ” in parenthesis following the name of the State.]
B ulletinNo.
Accidents in factories, etc.:
Louisiana...............................
Antitrust act:
United States (D )..................
Arbitration of labor disputes:
New Jersey.............................
Assignment of wages:
Massachusetts (D )..................
Massachusetts........................
Blacklisting:
Mississippi..............................
Bribery of employees:
New Jersey.............................
Bureau of labor:
Louisiana...............................
Massachusetts........................
Children and women, employ
ment of:
Louisiana...............................
Children and women, hours of
labor of:
Louisiana...............................
Massachusetts........................
Children employed, certificates,
registers, etc., of:
Kentucky...............................
Louisiana...............................
Mississippi..............................
Children, employment of, age
limit for:
Kentucky...............................
Louisiana..............................
460,461
80
124-138
81
468
81
81
405,406
466
81
466,467
81
469
81
81
450,451
463
81
457-461
81
81
458
466
SO
190-192
81
80
81
81
NewYork ( D)V JIIIIIIIIIIII! 80
Pennsylvania......................... 80
Children, employment of, general
provisions for:
District of Columbia (D )........ 81
Kentucky............................... 80
Louisiana............................... 81
Mississippi.............................. 81
New Jersey............................. 81
Children, employment of, in bar
rooms:
Louisiana............................... 81
Children, employment of, in cer
tain occupations forbidden:
Kentucky..................... ........ 80
Children, employment of, to clean
moving machinery:
Louisiana............................... 81
Pennsylvania (D ).................. 80
Children, hours of labor of:
Kentucky............................... 80
Louisiana............................... 81
Massachusetts........................ 81
Mississippi.............................. 81
Children, illiterate, employment
of:
Kentucky............................... 80
Page.
81
81
Bulletin—
457-459
467
190-193
457-459
467
143,144
142,143
416,417
190-193
457-461
467,468
469
457
192
460
142,143
191
458
466
467,468
190,191
No.
Children, night work by:
Kentucky............................. .
Louisiana...............................
Mississippi.............................
Citizens, employment of, on pub
lic works:
Louisiana...............................
Civil service:
New Jersey........................... .
Company stores:
Louisiana...............................
Compensation for injuries to em
ployees:
Massachusetts........................
Contracts of employment, regula
tion, etc., of:
Arkansas (D ).........................
Deposits of employees, employers
to pay interest on:
Louisiana...............................
Eight-hour day:
Maryland...............................
New York (D ).......................
Electricians, examination, etc.,
of. ( S e e Examination, etc.)
Employees, examination, etc., of.
( S e e Examination, etc.)
Employers’ liability. ( S e e Lia
bility of employers.)
Employment of children. ( S e e
Children, employment of.)
Employment of labor, deception,
etc., in:
Massachusetts........ ............. .
Employment offices, free public:
Massachusetts........................
Examination, etc., of electricians:
Louisiana...............................
Examination, etc.,of miners, mine
foremen, etc.:
Kentucky..............................
Examination, etc., of railroad em
ployees:
Georgia...................................
Experienced men to be employed.
( S e e Examination, etc.)
Factories and workrooms, venti
lation, sanitation, etc., of:
Louisiana...............................
Factory regulations. ( S e e In
spection of factories):
Georgia, 1908..........................
Guards for dangerous machinery:
Kentucky..............................
Hours of labor of employees in
penal institutions:
Massachusetts........................
Hours of labor of employees on
railroads:
Missouri (D )..........................
Wisconsin (D ).......................
191
458
467,468
456
468,469
454
465
418
450
194
150-155
461
461,463,464
451-454
188,189
187
460
187
192
465
144-146
146-150
471
472
CUMULATIVE INDEX OF LABOB LAWS.
B ulletinNo.
Hours of labor on public works:
Maryland...............................
New York (D )........................
Injuries, special inspections in ac
tions for:
Massachusetts........................
Inspection of factories and work
shops;
K en tucky.............................
Louisiana...............................
Massachusetts........................
Inspectors, factory:
Louisiana...............................
Massachusetts........................
New Jersey.............................
Inspectors, mine:
Kentucky...............................
Intimidation of employees:
Missouri (D )...........................
Kentucky, 1908.............................
Labor organizations, protection
of members of. ( S e e Protec
tion, etc.)
Liability of employers for injuries
to employees:
District of Columbia (D ).......
Indiana ( D ) ...........................
Massachusetts........................
Mississippi..............................
Louisiana, 1908.............................
Maryland, 1908.............................
Massachusetts, 1908......................
Mine gases, etc., investigation
of:
Kentucky..............................
Mine inspectors. (^In sp e c to r s,
mine.)
Mine regulations:
Arkansas ( D ) ........................
Kansas (D )............................
Kentucky................ ..............
Miners, etc.,examination of. ( S e e
Examination, etc.)
Mississippi, 1908...........................
New Jersey, 1908..........................
Payment of wages, modes and
tunes of:
Arkansas (D ).........................
Louisiana...............................
Protection of employees as mem
bers of labor organizations:
Mississippi............................
Bulletin—
Page.
No.
£0
80
194
150-455
81
462
£0
81
81
192,193
450,457-461
461,462
81
81
81
451,461
462,464,465
469
80
187,188
80
80
155-161
187- m
81
81
81
81
81
80
81
410-415
415
463,465
468
450-461
193,194
461-466
80
190
81
81
80
419-424
418,419
187-190
81
81
466-468
468,469
81
81
419-424
454
81
466,467
Protection of employees on build
ings:
Louisiana...............................
Public printing to be done within
the State:
Louisiana...............................
Public works, hours of labor on.
( S e e Hours of labor, etc.)
Public works, preference of resi
dent laborers on:
Louisiana...............................
Railroad cars to be repaired with
in the State:
Louisiana...............................
Railroad employees,qualifications
of. ( S e e Examination, etc.)
Railroad trains, sufficient crews
required on:
Maryland............................... 80
Railroads, competent men to be
employed on. ( S e e Examina
tion, etc.)
Railroads, hours of labor of em
ployees on. ( S e e Hours of labor,
etc.)
Railroads t running locomotives
on, at night:
Mississippi..............................
Railroads, safety-appliances on:
Georgia...................................
Safety appliances. ( S e e Guards
on dangerous machinery; In
spection of factories; Railroads*,
safety appliances on.)
Seats for employees:
Kentucky..............................
Louisiana...............................
Sunday labor:
Massachusetts........................ 81
Toilet rooms, etc., for employees:
Kentucky...............................
Louisiana...............................
Ventilation. ( S e e Factories ana
workrooms, etc.; Mine regula
tions.)
Wages, assignment of. ( S e e As
signment of wages.)
Wages, payment of. ( S e e Pay
ment of wages.)
Water for humidifying:
Massachusetts........................ 81
Women and children. ( S e e Chil
dren and women.)
454-456
454
4do
457
193,194
467
187
192,193
459
461,462
192
460
461,462
INDEX TO BULLETIN NO. 81.
Belgium:
Page.
Ceramic industries in, monograph of Belgian labor office on........................................................
401
Glass, monograph of Belgian labor office on manufacture of, in................................................ 401,402
India-rubber and asbestos industries in, monograph of Belgian labor office on............................
402
Machinery and electrical apparatus, monograph o! Belgian labor office on the construction of, in. 402
Ceramic industries in Belgium, monograph of Belgian labor office on................................................
401
Coal mines, statistics of, in North Dakota................................................................................................................................. 396
Pennsylvania.................................................................................................................................
399
Decisions of courts affecting labor:
Assignment of wages—future earnings—constitutionality of statute.......................................... 405,406
Conspiracy—common law—effect of statutes—elements of offense—interference with employ
m ent-fines of employers—extortion—recovery...................................................................... 406-410
Contract of employment—breach by employee—recovery of wages earned................................. . 418
Contracts for exclusive redemption of wage checks—restraint of trade—monopoly—enforcement
of contract................................................................................................................................ 424-427
Employers’ liabilityexcessive damages—incompetence of employees.................................................................. 427-429
railroad companies—acceptance of relief benefits—waiver—effect of statute........................ 410-415
railroad hazards—construction of statute................................................................................
415
release—reliance on advice of company surgeon—fraud—evidence...................................... 429-432
safe place to work—sufficient discharge of employer’s duty—details of work................. . 432-434
Employment of children—newspapers as merchandise—constitutionality of statute................ 416,417
Labor organizations—
boycott—secondary boycott—conspiracy—injunction—completed acts—interference with
employment...................................................................................................................... 438-449
legality—monopolies—boycotts—conspiracy—injunction.................................................... 434-438
membership—employers of labor—boycott—secondary boycott—conspiracy—injunctioncompleted acts—interference with employment................................................................ 438-449
Mine regulations—sale of powder—commerce............................................................................ 418,419
Payment of wages—weighing coal before screening—freedom of contract—equal protection of
laws—constitutionality of statute...................................................................................... 419-424
Digest of recent foreign statistical publications:
Belgium—
MonographieSlndustrielles ( Apergu Eeonomique Technologique et Commercial). Industries
cSramiques, 1907. Fabrication et Travail du Verre, 1907. Industries du Caoutchouc et
de l’Amiante, 1907. Construction des Machines et Appareils Electriques, 1908............... 401-403
France—
EnquSte sur le Travail k Domicile dans l’lndustrle de la Lingerie..................................... 403,404
Digest of recent reports of state bureaus of labor statistics:
Kansas........................................................................................................................................ 383-386
Massachusetts...............................................................................................................-............ 386-395
Nebraska........................................................................................................................................ 395
North Dakota............................................................................................................................. 395,396
Pennsylvania.............................................................................................................................. 396-400
Employment offices, free, in Massachusetts......................................................................................
393
Farm labor in North Dakota, statistics of........................................................................................ 395,396
Glass, manufacture of, in Belgium, monograph of Belgian labor office o n ....................................... 401,402
Home work in Paris, report of French labor office on...................................................................... 403,404
Hours of labor and rates of wages in Massachusetts........................................................................
393
India-rubber and asbestos industries in Belgium, monograph of Belgian labor office on.................... 402
Industrial accidents in Pennsylvania, 1907..........................................................................................
396
Industrial opportunities not yet utilized in Massachusetts.................................................................
389
Influences affecting prices.................................................................................................................216,217
Iron, steel, and tin-plate production in Pennsylvania, statistics of.................................................. 397,398
Kansas, statistics of, in 1906,1907, and 1908 ...................................................................................... 383-386
Labor organizations.................................................................................................................... 383-386
Manufactures.............................................................................................................................. 384-386
Strikes and labor difficulties....................................................................................................... 384-386
Wage-earners.............................................................................................................................. 383-385
Labor organizations in Kansas, statistics of, 1906,1997, and 1908 ..................................................... 383-386
Laws relating to labor. ( S e e Cumulative index of labor laws and decisions relating thereto, pp.
471, 472.)
Machinery and electrical apparatus, construction of, in Belgium, monograph of Belgian labor
office on............................................................................................................................................. 402
Manufactures, statistics of, in Kansas, 1906,1907, and 1908 ........................................................................................................ 384-386
Massachusetts, 1906 and 1907 ...................................................................................................... 389-395
Pennsylvania.............................................................................................................................. 396,397
Massachusetts, statistics of............................................................................................................... 386-395
Free employment offices............................................................................................................... 393
Industrial opportunities not yet utilized...................................................................................... 389
Manufactures, 1906 and 1907 ....................................................................................................... 389-395
Strikes and lockouts, 1906 and 1907 ............................................................................................ 386-389
Wages, rates of, and hours of labor............................................................................................... 393
473
474
INDEX TO BULLETIN NO. 81,
Page.
Mining and manufactures in Pennsylvania, general statistics of...................................................... 396,397
Nebraska, statistics of, 1905 and 1906 .................................................................................................... 395
North Dakota, statistics of, 1906........................................................................................................ 395,396
Farm labor................................................................................................................................... 395,396
Coalmines......................................................................................................................................
396
Paris, home work in, report of French labor office on...................................................................... 403,404
Pennsylvania, statistics of................................................................................................................. 396-400
Coal mining..................................................................................................................................... 399
Industrial accidents........................................................................................................................ 396
Iron, steel, and tin-plate production........................................................................................... 397,398
Manufactures and mining........................................................................................................... 396,397
Textile industries
400
Prices, wholesale, 1890* to 1908. ( S e e Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1908.)
Strikes and labor difficulties in Kansas, statistics of, 1906,1907, and 1908 ........................................ 384-386
Strikes and lockouts in Massachusetts, statistics of, 1906 and 1907.................................................... 386-389
Textile industries in Philadelphia, statistics of.................................................................................... 400
Wage-earners in Kansas, statistics of, 1906,1907, and 1908................................................................ 383-385
Wages, rates of, and hours of labor in Massachusetts........................................................................
393
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1908............................................................................................................ 195-382
Average yearly actual and relative prices of commodities, 1890 to 1908, and base prices (average
for 1890-1899)...................................................................................................................... 239,338-364
Explanation of tables....................................................................................................................217-248
Influences affecting prices............................................................................................................. 216,217
Monthly actual and relative prices of commodities in 1908 and base prices (average for 18901899)............................................................................................................................. 228-231,300-324
Monthly relative prices of commodities in 1908.............................................................. 231-239,325-337
Prices of commodities—
by months, January, 1904, to December, 1908..*................................................................... 211-216
1908 compared with 1907....................................................................................................... 196-204
1908 compared with previous years back to 1890 .................................................................. 204-210
in 1908 ...................................................................................................................... 218-228,249-299
relative, of certain groups of related articles, 1908 ............................................................... 237,238
relative, of certain groups of related articles, 1890 to 1908 .................................................... 245-247
Yearly relative prices of commodities, 1890 to 1908........................................................ 239-248,365-382
DIRECTORY OF BUREAUS OF LABOR IN THE UNITED STATES
AND IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Name of bureau.
State.
Title of chief officer.
Location of bureau.
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Deputy Commissioner.
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Washington, D. C.
San Francisco.
Denver.
Hartford.
Boise City.
Secretary....................
Chief...........................
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Springfield.
Indianapolis.
Des Moines.
Topeka.
Frankfort.
UNITED STATES.
United States___
California.............
Colorado..............
Connecticut.........
Idaho...................
Illinois.................
Indiana...............
Iowa....................
Kansas................
Kentucky............
Louisiana............
Maine..................
Maryland.............
Massachusetts___
Michigan.............
Minnesota............
Missouri...............
Montana..............
Nebraska.............
New Hampshire..
New Jersey..........
New York............
North Carolina...
North Dakota___
Ohio....................
Oklahoma............
Oregon................
Pennsylvania......
Rhode Island.......
Virginia...............
Washington.........
West Virginia--Wisconsin............
United States Bureau of Labor..........
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Bureau of Immigration, Labor, and
Statistics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Bureau of Statistics.............................
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Bureau of Labor and Industry...........
Department of Agriculture, Labor,
and Statistics.
Bureau of Statistics of Labor.............
Bureau of Industrial and Labor Sta
tistics.
Bureau of Industrial Statistics...........
Bureau of Statistics of Labor.............
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Sta
tistics.
Bureau of Labor.................................
Bureau of Labor Statistics and In
spection.
Bureau of Agriculture, Labor, and
Industry.
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Sta
tistics.
Bureau of Labor..................................
Bureau of Statistics of Labor and In
dustries.
Department of Labor..........................
Bureau of Labor and Printing............
Department of Agriculture and Labor.
Bureau of Labor Statistics..................
Department of Labor..........................
Bureau of Labor Statistics and In
spection of Factories and Workshops.
Bureau of Industrial Statistics...........
Bureau of Industrial Statistics...........
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Sta
tistics.
Bureau of Labor..................................
Bureau of Labor..................................
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Sta
tistics.
Commissioner............. Baton Rouge.
Commissioner............. Augusta.
Chief........................... Baltimore.
Chief........................... Boston.
Commissioner............. Lansing.
Commissioner............. St. Paul.
Commissioner............. Jefferson City.
Commissioner............. Helena.
Deputy Commissioner. Lincoln.
Commissioner............. Concord.
Chief........................... Trenton.
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Commissioner.............
Albany.
Raleigh.
Bismarck.
Columbus.
Guthrie.
Salem.
Chief........................... Harrisburg?
Commissioner............. Providence.
Commissioner............. Richmond.
Commissioner............. Olympia.
Commissioner............. Wheeling.
Commissioner............. Madison.
FOREIGN
COUN
TRIES.
Argentina........... Departamento Nacional del Trabajo..
Austria................ K. K. Arbeitsstatistisches Amt im
Handelsministerium.
Belgium............... Office du Travail (Minist&re de FIn
dus trie et du Travail).
Canada................ Department of Labor..........................
Canada: Ontario.. Bureau of Labor (Department of Pub
lic Works).
Chile.................... Oficina de Estadistica del Trabajo__
Finland............... Industristyrelsen ( a ) ...........................
France................. Office du Travail (Minist&re du Tra
vail et de la Prevoyance Sociale).
Germany............. Abteilung fur Arbeiterstatistik, Kaiserliches Statistisches Amt.
Great Britain and Labor Department (Board of Trade)..
Ireland.
Presidente.................. Buenos Aires.
Vorstand.................... Wien.
Directeur General......
Bruxelles.
Minister of Labor...... Ottawa.
Secretary.................... Toronto.
Jefe............................. Santiago.
Helsingfors.
Directeur.................... Paris.
President...................
Berlin.
Commissioner of La London.
bor.
a Issues a bulletin of labor.
475
476
DIRECTORY OF BUREAUS OF LABOR,
State.
Name of bureau.
Title of chief officer.
Location of bureau.
FOREIGN COUN
TRIES—conc’d.
Italy.................... Ufficio del Lavoro (Ministero di Agricol tura Industria e Commercio).
Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek («).
N etherlands..
New South Wales. State Labor Bureau.............................
New Zealand....... Department of Labor..........................
Spain................... Instituto de Reformas Soeiales............
Sweden............... Afdelning for Arbetsstatistik (Kgl.
Kommerskollegii).
Switzerland......... Secretariat Ouvrier Suisse (semi-offi
cial).
Uruguay.............. Oficina del Trabajo (Ministero de
Industrias, Trabajo e Instruccidn
Ptiblica).
International....... International Labor Office...................
Direttore Generale___ Rome.
Directeur....................
Director of Labor.......
Minister of Labor.......
Seeretario General......
Direktor......................
’S-Gravenhage.
Sydney.
Wellington.
Madrid.
Stockholm.
Secretaire.................... Zurich.
Montevideo.
Director...................... Basle, Switzerland.
a Issues a bulletin oi labor.
LEADING ARTICLES IN PAST NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN,
No. 1. Private and public debt in the United States, by George K . Holmes.(«)
Employer and employee under the common law, by V. H. Olmstead and
S. D. Fessenden. («)
No. 2. The poor colonies of Holland, by J. Howard Gore, Ph. D .(a)
The industrial revolution in Japan, by William Eleroy Curtis. («)
Notes concerning the money of tne U. S. and other countries, by W.C. Hunt.(a)
The wealth and receipts and expenses of the U. S., by W. M. Steuart.(«)
No. 3. Industrial communities: Coal Mining Co. of Anzin, by W. F. Willoughby.
No. 4 . Industrial communities: Coal Mining Co. of Blanzy, by W. F. Willoughby.(«)
The sweating system, by Henry White, (a)
No. 5. Convict labor.
Industrial communities: Krupp Iron and Steel Works, by W. F. Willoughby.
No. 6. Industrial communities: Familistere Society of Guise, by W. F. Willoughby.
Cooperative distribution, by Edward W. Bemis, Ph. D.
No. 7. Industrial communities: Various communities, by W. F. Willoughby.(«)
Bates of wages paid under public and private contract,, by Ethelbert Stewart. («)
No. 8. Conciliation and arbitration in the boot and shoe industry, by T. A. Carroll.(a)
Railway relief department, by Emory R. Johnson, Ph. D .(fl)
No. 9. The padrone system and padrone banks, by John Koren.(a)
The Hutch Society for General Welfare, by J, Howard Gore, Ph. D.(a)
No. 10. Condition of the Negro in various cities.(«j
Building and loan associations.(«)
No. 11. Workers at gainful occupations at censuses of 1870, 1880, and 1890, by W. C.
Hunt.
Public baths in Europe, by Edward Mussey Hartwell, Ph. D., M. D.
No. 12. The inspection of factories and workshops in the U. S., by W. F. Wil
loughby.^)
Mutual rights and duties of parents and children, guardianship, etc., under
the law, by F. J. Stimson.(a)
The municipal or cooperative restaurant of Grenoble, France, by C. O.
Ward, (a)
No. 13. The anthracite mine laborers, by G. O. Virtue, Ph. D.(«)
No. 1 4 . The Negroes of Farmville, Va.: A social study, by W . E . B. Du Bois, Ph. D.(°)
Incomes, wages, and rents in Montreal, by Herbert Brown Ames, B. A .( a)
No. 1 5 . Boarding homes and clubs for working women, by Mary S. F erg u sso n .(a )
The trade union label, by John Graham Brooks.(o)
No. 16. Alaskan gold fields and opportunities for capital and labor, by S. C. Dunham.
No. 17. Brotherhood relief and insurance of railway employees, by E. R. Johnson,
Ph. D.(«)
♦
The nations of Antwerp, by J. Howard Gore, Ph. D.(«)
No. 18. Wages in the United States and Europe, 1870 to 1898.(a)
No. 19. Alaskan gold fields and opportunities for capital and labor, by S. C. Dun
ham.(a)
Mutual relief and benefit associations in the printing trade, by W. S.
Waudby.(a)
No. 20. Conditions of railway labor in Europe, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
No. 21. Pawnbroking in Europe and the United States, by W. R. Patterson, Ph. D.
No. 22. Benefit features of American trade unions, by Edward W. Bemis, Ph. D.(«)
• The Negro in the black belt: Some social sketches, by W. E. B. Du Bois,
Ph. D.(«)
Wages in Lyon, France, 1870 to 1896 .(a)
« B ulletin out ot print.
477
478
LEADING ARTICLES IN PAST NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN.
No. 23. Attitude of women’s clubs, etc., toward social economics, by Ellen M. Henrotin.(«)
The production of paper and pulp in the U. S., from January 1 to June 30,
1898.(a)
No. 24. Statistics of cities.(a)
No. 25. Foreign labor laws: Great Britain and France, by W. F. Willoughby.(o)
No. 26. Protection of workmen in their employment, by S. D. Fessenden, (a)
Foreign labor laws: Belgium and Switzerland, by W. F. Willoughby.(«)
No. 27. Wholesale prices: 1890 to 1899, by Roland P. Falkner, Ph. D.(a)
Foreign labor laws: Germany, by W. F. Willoughby.(«)
No. 28. Voluntary conciliation and arbitration in Great Britain, by J. B. McPher
son, (a)
System of adjusting wages, etc., in certain rolling mills, by J. H. Nutt.(«)
Foreign labor laws: Austria, by W. F. Willoughby.(«)
No. 29. Trusts and industrial combinations, by J. W. Jenks, Ph. D.
The Yukon and Nome gold regions, by S. C. Dunham.
Labor Day, by Miss M. C. de Graffenried.
No. 30. Trend of wages from 1891 to 1900.
Statistics of cities.
Foreign labor laws: Various European countries, by W, F. Willoughby.
No. 31. Betterment of industrial conditions, by V. H. Olmsted.
Present status of employers’ liability in the U. S., by S. D. Fessenden.
Condition of railway labor in Italy, by Dr. Luigi Einaudi.
No. 32. Accidents to labor as regulated by law in the U. S., by W. F. Willoughby.
Prices of commodities and rates of wages in Manila.
The Negroes of Sandy Spring, Md.: A social study, by W. T. Thom, Ph. D.
The British workmen’s compensation act and its operation' by A. M. Low.
No. 33. Foreign labor laws: Australasia and Canada, by W. F. Willoughby.
The British conspiracy and protection of property act and its operation, by
A. M. Low.
No. 34. Labor conditions in Porto Rico, by Azel Ames, M. D.
Social economics at the Paris Exposition, by Prof. N. P. Gilman.
The workmen’s compensation act of Holland.
No. 35. Cooperative communities in the United States, by Rev. Alexander Kent.
The Negro landholder of Georgia, by W. E. B. Du Bois, Ph. D.
No. 36. Statistics of cities.
Statistics of Honolulu, H. I.
No. 37. Railway employees in the United States, by Samuel McCune Lindsay,
Ph. D.(«)
The Negroes of Litwalton, Va.: A social study of the “ Oyster Negro,” by
William Taylor Thom, Ph. D.(«)
No. 38. Labor conditions in Mexico, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
The Negroes of Cinclare Central Factory and Calumet Plantation, La., by
J. Bradford Laws.
No. 39. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1901.
No. 40. Present condition of the hand-working and domestic industries of Germany,
by Henry J. Harris, Ph. D.
Workmen’s compensation acts of foreign countries, by Adna F. Weber.
No. 41. Labor conditions in Cuba, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
Beef prices, by Fred C. Croxton.
No. 42. Statistics of cities.(«)
Labor con d ition s^ Cuba.(«)
No. 43. Report to the President on anthracite coal strike, by Carroll D. Wright.(<*)
No. 44. Factory sanitation and labor protection, by C. F. W. Doehring, Ph. D.
No. 45. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1902.
No. 46. Report of Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.
No. 47. Report of the Commissioner of Labor on Hawaii.
No. 48. Farm colonies of the Salvation Army, by Commander Booth Tucker.
The Negroes of Xenia, Ohio, by Richard R. Wright, jr., B. D.
No. 49. Cost of living.
Labor conditions in New Zealand, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
No. 50. Labor unions and British industry, bv A. Maurice Low.(«)
Land values and ownership in Philadelphia, by A. F. Davies.(«)
No. 51. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1903.
The union movement among coal-mine workers, by Frank J. Warne, Ph. D.
a Bulletin out of print.
LEADING ARTICLES IN PAST NUMBERS OE THE BULLETIN.
479
No. 52. Child labor in the United States, by Hannah R. Sewall, Ph. D.
No. 53. Wages and cost of living.
No. 54. The working of the United States Bureau of Labor, by Carroll D. Wright.
Bureaus of statistics of labor in the United States, by G. W. W. Hanger.
Bureaus of statistics of labor in foreign countries, by G. W. W. Hanger.
The value and influence of labor statistics, by Carroll D. Wright.
Strikes and lockouts in the United States, 1881 to 1900, by G. W. W. Hanger.
Wages in the United States and Europe, 1890 to 1903, by G. W. W. Hanger.
Cost of living and retail prices in the United States, 1890 to 1903, by G. W. W.
Hanger.
Wholesale prices in the United States, 1890 to 1903, by G. W. W. Hanger.
Housing of the working people in the United States by employers, by G. W. W.
Hanger.
Public baths in the United States, by G. W. W. Hanger.
Trade and technical education in the United States.
Hand and machine labor in the United States.
Labor legislation in the United States, by G. A. Weber.
Labor conditions in Hawaii.
No. 55. Building and loan associations in the U. S., by G. W. W. Hanger.(«)
Revival of handicrafts in America, by Max West, Ph. D .(a)
No. 56. Influence of trade unions on immigrants, by Carroll D. Wright.
Labor conditions in Australia, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
No. 57. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1904.
Street railway employment in the United States, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
State cooperative accident insurance fund of Maryland.
No. 58. Labor conditions in'the Philippines, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
Labor conditions in Java, by victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
The new Russian workingmen’s compensation act, by I. M. Rubinow.
No. 59. Wages and hours of labor in manufacturing industries, 1890 to 1904.
Retail prices of food, 1890 to 1904.
Laws relating to child labor in European countries.
No. 60. Government industrial arbitration, by Leonard W. Hatch, A. M.
No. 61. Labor conditions in Porto Rico, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. H.(a)
Early organizations of printers, by Ethelbert Stewart.(«)
No. 62. Municipal ownership in Great Britain, by Frederic C. Howe, Ph. D.(®)
Conciliation in the stove industry, by John P. Frey and John R. Commons.(a)
Laws relating .to the employment of children in tne United States. (®)
No. 63. Course of wholesale prices, 1890 to 1905.
No. 64. Conditions of living among the poor, by S. E. Forman.
Benefit features of British trade unions, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.
No. 65. Wages and hours of labor in manufacturing industries, 1890 to 1905. («)
Retail prices of food, 1890 to 1905.(a)
No. 66. Third report of the Commissioner of Labor on Hawaii.
No. 67. Conditions of entrance to the principal trades, by Walter E. Weyl, Ph. D.,
and A. M. Sakolski, Ph. D.(«)
Cost of industrial insurance in the District of Columbia, by S. E. Forman.M
No. 68. Free public employment offices in the United States, by J. E. Conner, Ph. D.(a)
Laws of foreign countries relating to employees on railroads, by Lindley D.
Clark, A. M., LL. M .(« )
No. 69. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1906.
No. 70. The Italian on tne land: A study in immigration, by Emily Fogg Meade.(«)
A short history of labor legislation in Great Britain, by A. Maurice Low.(a)
The British workmen’s compensation acts, by Launcelot Packer, B. L.(<*)
No. 71. Wages and hours of labor in manufacturing industries, 1890 to 1906.(a)
Retail prices of food, 1890 to 1906.(<*)
No. 72. Italian, Slavic, and Hungarian unskilled immigrant laborers in the United
States, by. Frank J. Sheridan.
Economic condition of the Jews in Russia, by I. M. Rubinow.
No. 73. Laws relating to the employment of women and children.
Laws relating to factory inspection and the health and safety of employees.
No. 74. The legal liability of employers for injuries to their employees in the United
States, by Lindley D. Clark, A. M., LL. M.
Workmen’s compensation acts of foreign countries.
No. 75. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1907.
Industrial hygiene, by George M. Kober, M. D.
a Bulletin out of print.
79828— B u ll. 81— 09------19
480
LEADING AETICLES IN PAST NUMBERS OF THE BULLETIN.
No. 76. The Canadian Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of 1907, by Victor S.
Clark, Ph. D.
What is done for the unemployed in European countries, by W. D. P. Bliss.
No. 77. Wages and hours of labor in manufacturing industries, 1890 to 1907.
Retail prices of food, 1890 to 1907.
Cost of living of the working classes in the principal industrial towns of Great
Britain.
No. 78. Industrial accidents, by Frederick L. Hoffman.
Mexican labor in the United States, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
Cost of living of the working classes in the principal industrial towns oifr
Germany.
No. 79. Mortality from consumption in dusty trades, by Frederick L. Hoffman.
Charity relief and wage earnings, by S. E. Forman.
No. 80. Woman and child wage-earners in Great Britain, by Victor S. Clark, Ph. D.
@FedFRASER