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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES }
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
. . . . No.384
MISCELLANEOUS
SERIES
LABOR CONDITIONS IN
THE SHOE INDUSTRY
IN MASSACHUSETTS
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1920-1924
By ROBERT S. BILLUPS and PHILIP L JONF.S
01 the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistica
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MARCH, 1925
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1925
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ADDITIONAL COPIES
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CONTENTS
Page
Introduction------------------------------------- 1-6
Causes of depression.._______________________________________
4
Agreements and adjustments______________________________________ 4, 5
Kinds of shoes made_____________________________________________ 5,6
Haverhill---------------------------------------------------- 6-22
Working agreement in Haverhill--------------------------------- S-11
Haverhill
Shoe Board------------------------------------------11-22
Arbitration
of disputes in Haverhill__________________________ 15,
16
Rulings of Haverhill Shoe Board--------L------------------- 16-22
Strikes and lockouts in HaverhlU
-------------------22
shoe workers
------------------22
LynnEfficiency of Haverhill_______________________
:_ __ 23-30
Reasons for removal, liquidation, or failure in
23-25
Efficiency of Lynn shoe worker.,_________________________
25
25
Shoe workers' unions in Lynn____________________________________
Union agreement of 1924 in Lynn_________________________________
26
Strikes in Lynn__________________________________________ 26, 27
Open or nonunion shop..____________________________________ 27,28
Working rules of 1924 in Lynn ___________________________________ 28-30
At:arket, dividends, and rentals--Haverhill and Lynn___________________ 80, 81
Average hours and earnings______________________________________ 81-38
Cost of producing and selling shoes--Haverhill and Lynn_______________ 88-41
Brocktoll----------------------------------------- 42-45
Production,
1914
1924_________
------------ 42-44
42
Strike of 1928
in to
Brockton
_______________________________________
Working agreement in Brockton __________________________________ 44,43
Production of shoes, by States
--------- 45, 46
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Lynn_______________
m
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BULLETIN OF THE
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
N0.384
WASHINGTON
MARCH, 1921
WOR CONDITIONS IN THE SHOE INDUSTRY IN ~ACBUSETTS,
1920 TO 1924
INTRODUCTION
Haverhill, Lynn, and Brockton, Mass., were, according to United
States Census of Manufactures, three of the five leading cities in the
United States in number of pairs of shoes produced in the years
1914, 1919, and 1921? New York City and St. Louis being the other
two oities. Production figures by cities are not available for 1922
In 1914 Lynn produced 18,383,022 pairs of shoes and Haverhill
17,781579 pairs, and ranked first and second in production. In
1919 Haverhill produced 21,830,680 pairs, New York City, 18,867,516
pairs, and Lynn, 18,579,693 pairs, ranking first, second, and third,
respectively. In 1921 New York City produced 20,548,895 pairs,
Haverhill, 13,624,549jairs, and Lynn, 13,260,093 pairs. Haverhill's
loss in 1921, compare with 1919, was 8,206,131 pairs, or 38 per cent,
and Lynn's loss was 5,319,600 pairs, or 29 per cent. It is generally
conceded that production in Haverhill and Lynn was less in 1922
and 1923, and proportionately less during the first seven months of
1924 than in 1921.
In 1923 there were produced in Massachusetts 89,517.,331 pairs of
shoes, or 22 per cent less than in 1914; 23 per cent less than m 1919;
and 4 per cent more than in 1921. The loss in 1923, as com_pared
with 1914 and 1919, was due largely to the losses in Haverhill and
L~~ number of pairs of shoes produced in the United States in
1923 was 351,114,273, or 20 per cent more than the number of pairs
produced in 1914; 6 per cent more than in 1919; and 22 per cent
more than in 1921.
The information upon which this report is based covers 19201 1921,
1922, 1923, and January to August, 1924, and was obtained directly
from the manufacturers, their associl!,tions, union officials, and other
available sources by agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics who
visited Haverhill, Lynn? Brockton, and Boston. All persons who
were asked for information, except one shoe manufacturer in Lynn,
cooperated with the agents to the fullest extent. For the information and the very courteous treatment received acknowledgment and
thanks are here expressed.
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1
2
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Every e:ffort was made by the agents to obtain 1922 and 1923 production figures for the above-named Massachusetts cities, with
limited success, because census figures for 1923 were not available and
apparently little or no e:ffort had been made to compile such :figures
locally e:1;cept by the Brockton Dail:y Enterprise.
The table following shows for each of the cities, Haverlrlll, Lynn,
and Brockton, and for each year, 1920 to 1923, and for January to
Au~, 1924, the number of shoe manufacturers in business at the
begmning of the year the number starting in business after the beginning of the year, the number moving out of the city the number
liquidating or going into bankruptc_y during the year, anci the number
in business at the end of the year. Stitching shops are not included in
this table.
TABLE 1.-CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN HAVEBHILL, LYNN, AND BROCKTON,
1920 TO 1924, BY YEARS
Number of shoe manufacturersCity Bild year
Haverhill:
1920•••••••••••••••••••••••
1921.••••••••••••••••••••••
1922•••••••••••••••••••••••
1923•••••••••••••••••••••••
11124 ' · · · · · · · · - - -
In bWllness Starting In
at begin•
ulng of
year
122
119
122
123
110
Total···---····· ........... .
Lynn:
1920•••••••••••••••••••••••
1921•••••••••••••••••••••••
1922•••••••••••••••••••••••
1923•••••••••••••••••••••••
1924 •••••••••••••••••••••••
g1nu1ng of
;rear
Cl
19
20
20
1
Total In
business
durlug
year
128
138
142
143
111
86 ••••••••••••
llK ••••••••••••
100
Z1
104
127
M ..,_# Llquidato ....,.
11111 or In In business
out of city bauiruptcJ at end of
duriug
during
year
;rear
;rear.
2
6
6
119
8
122
128
110
98
23
67
----·--·---··
2
2
6
13
JOO
115
106
Cl
13
7
128
90
4
94
6
9
9
1
Ill ••••••••.••.
Z1
113
7
10
13
80
115
106
Total ••· - - - - · •••••••••••.
Brockton:
~
7
14
5
40
90
88
.........................
1===1====1====1====1====1====
43 ••••••••••••
43
1920•••••••••••••••••••••••
43 ··········••1----Ill
1921•••••••••••••••••••••••
43
13
56 · - - - •
5
51
6
57
••••••••••••
1
611
1~ ••••••••••••••••••••••
60 ••••••••••••
6
56
4
M
1923•••••••••• - - M
1
56
••••••••••••••••••••••••
56
1924•----Tot.'\l ••• _ _ _ _ .1••-••-••-••-••-••-1---24-+.••-••-••-••-••➔
••-••-••-••-••-••-1.- - - 1 - 1,,~
••-••-••-••-••-••
l JBJluary to August, 1924.
Haverhill.-At the beginning of 1920 Haverhill had 122 shoe factories in business. Between January 1, 1920, and August, 1924, 66
factories started in business and 23 moved away, 17 going to other
localities in Massachusetts, 5 to cities in New Hampshire, and
1 to Philadelphia. A total of_, 67 factories liquidated or went into
bankruptcy. The 98 factories in business in August, 1924, consisted
of 62 of the 122 in business at the beginning of 1920 and 36 of the66 starting in business between the beginning and the ending of the
period covered by the study. Very few, if any, of the 66 factories
that started in business after January 1, 1920, were large either
in number of workers or in number of pairs of shoes produced per
day, while those that moved, liquidated, or went into bankruptcy
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INTRODUCTION
3
included at least 25 of the leading factories that were in business
January 1, 1920, ranging in number of shoe workers from approximately 50 to 1,000. For further discussion of Haverhill, see pages
6 to 22.
Lyrvn,.-At the beginning of 1920 this city had 104 shoe factories.
Between January 1, 19201 and August, 1924, 51 factories started in
business, 27 moved from the city, 12 going to Boston, 7 to other cities
in Massachusetts, 6 to cities in New Hampshire, 1 to Maine, and 1
to New York City, and a total of 40 factories liquidated or went into
bankruptcy. The 88 in business in August, 1924, were made up of 58
of the 104 in business January 1, 1920, and 30 of the 51 factories
starting in business after January 1, 1920.
Practically all of the 51 factories starting in business after J anua.ry 1, 1920, were small while those that moved, liquidated, or went
into bankruptcy included at least 30 of the largest in business on
January 1, 1920, the number of workers ranging from 40 to 500.
For further discussion of Lynn, see pages 23 to 30.
It will be observed from the above that, of the 50 factories that
moved out of Haverhill and Lynn, only two (both small) left New
England, one going to New York City and one to Philadelphia.
While this does not bear out the statement and impression frequently made that shoe factories are leaving New England, it
must not be assumed that New England has held its prestige in the
shoe industry. Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire produced
53 per cent of the shoes manufactured in the United States in 1914;
48 per cent in 1919; 41 per cent in 1921, and 37 per cent in 1923.
Boston.-Between January 1, 1920, and August 1924, one Haverhill
and 12 Lynn shoe factories moved to Boston. These factoriest in the
aggregate, employed 2,117 workers immediately prior to date of
removal, produced an average of 17,600 pairs of shoes per day, and
are responsible for an article in the Boston News Bureau, December
6, 1923, in which it was stated that :
The city of Boston has been gaining at the expense of Lynn and Haverhill
in attracting here some of the shoe manufacturing concerns which, on account
of never-ending labor troubles have left and are leaving the major shoe manufacturing cities of Massachusetts. The result is that Boston is gradually
developing into an important shoemaking center.
Leather men declare that many shoe manufacturers have concluded that
Boston offers labor and raw material advantages not possessed by other shoe
cities. In most of the Boston shoe factories the operatives work 5½ days a
week against a maximum of 5 days in the outside shoe cities.
Strikes and other labor complications are fast becoming intolerable in
Lynn and elsewhere. In the past 18 months 50 shoe firms have been lost to
the city of Lynn.
The statement above as to operatives in Boston working 5½ days
per week against a maximum of 5 days in the outside shoe cities
applied at that time and for a number of years before to Haverhill
and LYil!l, where factories when working full time worked 9 hours
per day Monday to Friday with no work on Saturday, or 45 hours
per week, but did not apply to Brockton, where factories when workmg full time have for many years worked 5 days of 8% hours each
and 5 hours Saturday, or 48 hours per week.
Under the December, 1923, agreement, to be in force until December, 1928.J the reg11lar working time in Haverhill factories during
the months June to November, inclusive, is 5 days of 9 hours each or
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4
LABOl't CONDITIONS IN S:!l:OE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
45 hours per week, and December to· May, 5½ days or 48 hours per
week. (Seep. 9, section 5, of agreement.)
Under the Au~st, 1924, agreement, in force until April 30, 1925,
the regular working time in Lynn factories is 5 days of 9 hours each2
or 45 hours per week during June, July, and August; and 5 days ot
9 hours each and a half day on Saturday, September to May, not to
exceed 50 hours per week.
The regular working time in Boston factories is and has been for
a number of years 8¾ hours per day Monday to Friday, and 4¼
hours on Saturday, or 48 hours per week.
Brockton.-I.n comparison, Brockton at the be!ri.nning of 1920 had
43 factories in operation. During the period :January 1 1920, to
August, 1924, a total of 24 factories started in business, and 11 liquidated or went into bankruptcy. The 56 factories in operation at the
end of the period consisted of 39 of the original 43 and 17 of the 24
factories which had come in later. Consequently, the 11 factories
liquidating or going into bankruptcy consisted of 4 of the 43 in
business January 1, 1920, and 7 of the 24 starting in business between January 1, 1920, and August, 1924.
None of the 24 factories starting in business or of the 1\:::S:idating or going into bankruptcy was large either as to the n
er of
shoe workers or pairs of shoes produced per day. The 11, in the
aggregate, employed not to exceed 500 shoe workers and produced
about 1,800 to 2,000 pairs of shoes per day.
As Haverhill lost 23 and Lynn 27 factories by removal to other
cities, attention is here called to the fact that no factories moved out
of Brockton durin~ the period covered by this study, indicating
conditions were satisfactory to Brockton manufacturers. One factory moved into Brockton. For further discussion of Brockton, see
pages 42 to 45.
CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
The depression of the shoe industry in Haverhill and Lvnn in
recent years-that is, th~ loss in the number of _pairs of shoes produced and the decrease m number of shoe workers-may be summarized as due to the extreme novelty shoes, delays in reaching
working agreements and wage adjustments, delays in filling orders,
cancellation of orders, high piece rates or labor costs, inability of
manufacturers to make a profit and at the same time sell at prices
at which manufacturers in other States and localities sell shoes of
like grade and style, and to restrictive rules as to hiring and discharging employees.
AGREEMENTS AND ADJUSTMENTS
In a piece working industry there is a distinction between a general atgreement and minor agreements that must be made from time
to time as the character of the work varies. In both Haverhill and
Lynn the formulation and final acceptance of basic working agreements between the union and the manufacturers have been very
difficult and caused more or less cessation of work and loss of production. In Haverhill minor adjustments in piece prices due to
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INTRODUCTION
5
ch~ in style have usually been made without cessation of work,
hut 1n Lynn differences as to piece prices arising owing to change
of style have caused considerable loss of work and production.
KINDS OF SHOES MADE
The shoes produced in Haverhill are women's and misses' fan.oy,
novelty turns and McKays, and slippers. The city is often called
the "turn shoe city" or "slipper city," because the production of
its factories consists principally of turn shoes and slippers. A large
per cent of the shoes made in Lynn are women's and misses' fancy
McKays.
'I'he styles of the women's and misses' extreme, fancy, novelty
shoes, such as have been and are being made in Haverhill and Lynn,
change very frequently, making it necessary to fi~re and adjust
piece rates or labor cost for each new style. Time 1S a very important element in the manufacture and sale of such shoes, as it is
necessary to make and fill orders of customers on schedtule time
in order to avoid cancellation of orders and larg-e losses thereby.
Manufacturers stated that many orders call for delivery within four
or five weeks from date of ordering.
Manufacturers make up sample shoes, figure or estimate piece
prices or labor cost and other costs of manufacture for each sample
or style, basing their figures or estimates on shoes of somewhat
similar style and grade that have already been made, take orders,
and then, in case the piece prices of the manufacturer are acceptable
to the workers, proceed to make and fill the orders. It has been
necessary in many cases to change proposed piece rates as the workers have asked higher piece rates than had been figured or estimated
by the mamdacturer. The loss of time in negotiations caused delays
in production, resulting in cancellation of orders. This condition
prevailed in both Lynn and Haverhill in 1920 and up to the creation
of the Haverhill Shoe Board in 1924 under the ' peace pact" or
agreement of December, 1923, and in Lynn on and up to the date
of this study, August, 1924.
Under the agreement now in effect in Haverhill, each manufacturer, before beginning the making of a shoe of different style, makes
and sends a sample to the manufacturers' association, where experts
figure prices for the various operations, the aim being in every case
to do justice to the manufacturer and to the workers. If the prices
are not acceptable to either side and representatives of the union
and the association are not able to adjust the differences, the case is
submitted to the Haverhill Shoe Board for arbitration.
Novelty shoes, on account of the rapid change in styles, have a
higher cost of production due to new patterns, dies, and lasts for
each new style. Further, the .Price of shoes sinks very low as the
style goes out. Some of the highly colored novelty shoes priced at
$1 $8, and even $10 a pair at retail may in six months or less be
ottered on bargain counters at $1.98 a pair or under. This illustrates the fact that the more radical the style of the shoe the greater
the cut in the price when the shoe is out of style. A story bringing
out this point runs like this: A buyer _placed an order for some highstyle novelties. The shoes were finished in time to be delivered on
time, but so soon had the style cha~d in the interval between order
25328° -25--2
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6
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
and delivery that when the manufacturer telegraphed, "Shall I
ship your shoes by express, freight, or parcel post¥ ' the reply was:
" Ship them in a casket. They will be dead by the time they get
here, anyway."
HAVERHILL
The 23 factories that moved out of Haverhill and the 67 that
liquidated or went into bankruptcy employed a total -of 3,500 to
4,000 shoe workers, ranging from 2 or 3 to 1,000 employees, and
produced in the aggregate an average of 30,000 to 35,000 :pairs of
shoes per day. Each of those that moved was of coDS1derable
importance both as to number of employees and number of shoes
produced, while 20 to 25 of those that liquidated or went out of
business were very small. Haverhill has an unusual number of small
shoe factories.
Fafl!ures of small fo.ctories.-Most of the failures of small factories were due to lack of finances, lack of credit, canceled orders.,
or to lack of business training.
Examples of the small Haverhill factories that discontinued business are as follows:
No. 1. Employed 10 to 12 shoe workers, did cutting and packing,
and had all other work done outside by contract.
No. 2. Proprietor did the cutting, and also did the packing,
assisted by wife and sometimes by one employee. All other work
was done outside by contract.
No. 3. Employed 6 workers, produced 300 pairs of women's
turns and sandals per day1 did the cutting and packing, and had all
other work done outside city by contract.
No. 4. Employed 15 or 16 workers, produced 108 to .288 paiJ:i:t.of
women's turns per day, and did all work except stitching, which was
done by contract. Under the rule-equal division of work amonf,
workers in times of slack work-there was no reduction in " crew '
or number of workers when production was less than 288 pairs per
day. Consequently, there was less work and less earnings per
worker when production was low.
No. 5. Employed 20 workers and produced 250 pairs of women's
McKay's per day.
Oontraat work.-As indicated by the examples above, some
manufacturers let .J,>art of the work to contractors located in the
city or near-by territory. This was done by a considerable number
of medium and small sized establishments·. Between J anuag, 1920,
and August_, _1924, approximately 20 shops did contract stitchin~.
About one-third of them are not now (August, 1924) in business m
the city.
Nwmber of shoe workers in Haverhill.-Accordi.ng to reports
covering individual members of the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers'
Association, the association members as a whole employed an average of 6,987 shoe workers in 1920; 6,503 in 1921; 6,213 in 1922; 6,244
in 1923; and 3,733, January 1 to July 1, 1924, a loss of 47 per cent
in 1924, compared with 1920. In 1920 there were 65 association
members reported as employ~ approximately 90 per cent of the
total number of shoe workers m the city. In 1924 there were 39
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HAVERHILL
7
association members employing approximately 80 per cent of the
shoe workers and producing 80 per cent of the average output per
day, or approximately 95,000 pairs of shoes.
Reasom for removal or failure.-Reasons for moving out of
Haverhill, for liquidating, or going into bankruptcy varied as indicated by reports of 25 of the 90 factories lost to the mdustry between
January 1, 1920, and August, 1924, as follows:
1. Unable to compete with outside manufacturers due to high wages.
2. Depreciation of stock on hand, canceled orders, and high labor costs.
3. Labor troubles, mostly in fixing piece rates on new style shoes.
4. High labor costs, restrictions as to days and hours of work and as to
hiring and fl.ring employees, lack of proper handling of the sales department,
and dissension between members of the fl.rm.
5. I{,igh rent, wage rates, and general labor troubles.
6. High labor cost and canceled orders.
7. Limitation of work to five days per week and Interference by union agents.
10. Cutthroat pikers in Haverhill selling at prices we were unable to meet
and at the same time pay Haverhill wage rates.
11. Change in value of material on hand, or depreciation in Talue of leather
and other material used in the manufacture of shoes, and repudiation of contracts by large brokers.
12. Labor union conditions, no control by manufacturers over employees,
and canceled orders.
13. Depreciation in value of material with which the factory was overloaded and canceled orders.
14. Lack of orders and high labor costs.
15. Exhorbitant demands by unions in making new piece rates.
16. Small capital, lack of experience, and canceled orders.
17. Canceled orders, returned shoes, and failure of jobbers to whom shoes
were sold.
18. Returned shoes, high labor costs, and lack of orders caused by jobbers
being afraid shoes would not be completed on time.
19. Depression in value of material. Leather bought at as hig~ as $1.25
per foot dropped to about 35 cents per foot.
20. Loss on•canceled orders by selling $4 shoes at $2 and $2.25 per pair.
21. Disagreement between partners.
22. Didn't have enough money to run the business and couldn't get any.
The banks wouldn't lend to us as they do to big factories. Canceled orders
also helped to put us out of business.
23. Inability to sell style of shoes we were making, and not caring to engage
in the manufacture of extreme novelty shoes demanded by the women, because manufacturers in other localities, on account of difference in labor
costs, can produce and sell them at 35 to 50 cents per pair less than the
Haverhill manufacturers.
24. Lack of orders. For nine months we could get no orders because we could
not compete and pay the Haverhill labor cost. During the nine months overhead expenses amounting to a little more than $40 per day continued.
25. Canceled and returned orders. Jobbers, after having given orders and,
while shoes were in process of manufacture, canceled the orders, or after
having received the orders returned the shoes, stating, in some instances,
that the shoes were faulty in workmanship or that they were not delivered
on time. The orders being for shoes of the extreme novelty style Jn vogue,
owing to rapid change in style, were sold at great loss, often less than the
cost of manufacture including cost of material. Cancellations are frequently
made, as we believe, in order to get goods by sharp practices at much less
than the regular selling price. Representatives of the jobbers practicing
such methods approach the manufacturer, after orders have been canceled,
or shoes have been returned, and ask the manufacturer if he has anything to
sell, and, if answered in the negative, ls asked "What about the goods returned from - - " An attempt was made to get shoes in this way from us.
The reasons reported b_y other manufacturers are of practically
the same tenor as those above.
The high cost of labor compared with other localities is one of
the principal reasons, probably the outstanding one. This conclu
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8
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSA.-ORUSE'rl'S
sion was reached after giving due weight to the above, to the May
8, 1924). reduction.z a.nd to the statement of the _chairman of the Haverhill i:::ihoe Boarct, shown on pages 11 to 15.
WORKING AGREEMENT IN HAVERHILL
The following agreement called the "Peace Pa.ct" is ( August,
1924) in effect between the union and the shoe manufacturers' association, and between the union and all except two of the 59 factories
that are not members of the association.
On August 8, 1924, a strike was called in the two factories not
working under the agreement, to force recog.nition of the union and
union wage rates. When the strike was called these factories employed 135 shoe workers.
WORKING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SHOE WoBXEBs' PBoTEcnvE UNION AND '1'JD:
HAVERHILL SHOE MANUFAOTUBEBS' AsSOCIATION
This agreement between each and all the members of the Shoe Workers'
Protective Union, of Haverhfil, Mass., and such other· persons as shall become
members of said union during the term of this agreement, party of the first
part, hereinafter referred to as employee or employees, and the following
named persons, firms, and corporations engaged in the business of manufacturing shoes, members of the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers' Association,
namely:
[List of firms omitted]
and such other manufacturers as shall become members of said association
during the aforesaid term, excepting those under prior contract with some other
labor union, party of the second part, and hereinafter referred to as manufacturer or manufacturers, witnesseth :
1. There shall be no strike, lockout, or cessation of work, and nothing shall
be done by either party to hinder, impede, retard, or prevent production. This
article ls not arbitrable.
2. This agreement applies only to the employment of labor in the opera·
tion of factories in Haverhill, Mass.
8. Except as may be otherwise agreed upon only members of the Shoe
Workers' Protective Union 1n good standing shall be employed by the manufacturer to perform operations in the manufacture of shoes. When a manufacturer lacks a sufficient number of union. operatives to do bis work, before
he can employ operatives who are not members of the Shoe Workers' Protective
Union he shall at once notify the union headquarters and give the union an
opportunity to supply union operatives; if the union does not supply a sufficient
number of competent operatives within 24 hours, then the employer shall have
the right to employ operatives who are not members of the Shoe Workers'
Protective Union to fill the places of those the union is unable to :fill; and the
union agrees to accept such operatives into the union at the regular initiation
fee, provided that the manufacturer, upon being notified that the union can
supply union operatives, states that he wishes to retain such operatives who
are not members of the union ; and such statement by the manufacturer shall
make the said operatives regular members of the shop crew. This is not to be
construed as meaning that the union must take in any person or persons not
having a clean labor record, and manufacturers shall replace B1;1Ch operatives
upon request from the union.
.
Upon hiring operatives who are not members of said union, the manufacturers
shall immediately forward in writing to the union the name and address of such
operative.
Shop committees shall have full privileges to perform their official duties.
The manufacturer agrees that there shall be no laying off of members of
the crew during slack periods, and during the slack periods work shall be distributed as equally as possible among the crew.
4. The provisions of this agreement shall not apply to work performed by
office forces, salesmen, superintendents and foremen, -foreladies, assistant fore-
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men, assistant foreladle!!!, not to exceed three persons In any one departrnent, one of whom may be designated as a shipper, unless the production of
such department exceeds 1,200 pairs daily when a greater number of assistants in proportion to the work required may be had, machinists who do no
work on shoes, engineers, and other persons employed by the manufacturers
in executive, managerial, or administrative capacities, and persons holding
such positions need not be members of the union.
During their spare time, but not amounting to more than half their time,
superintendents, foremen, foreladies, assistant foremen, and assistant foreladies may be employed to a reasonable extent in working on shoes in any
of the departments without being members of the union. Any claim of
the union that the designation of any employee as one holding such a position
is a pretext or that any such person is to an unreasonable ·extent employed or
engaged as a shoe worker, if not adjusted with the union, shall be referred
to arbitration.
Manufacturers, including in cases of corporations, officers, may work on
shoes in any of the departments of the business without being members of the
union.
5. During the months of June, July, and August regular working time shall
be 5 days of 9 hours each, and there shall be no Saturday work during· those
months.
During the months of December, January, February, March, April, and May
of each year, the regular working time shall be 51/2 days each week of 48 hours.
During September, October, and November the regular working time shall be
5 days of 9 hours each, but each local agent may, if in his opinion it is necessary, grant Saturday work.
Each local agent may within legll]. limits, if in bis opinion overtime work is
necessary, grant additional hours.
For overtime work operatives shall be paid additional compensation at
their regular rate. This article is not arbitrable.
6. All controversies between the parties to this agreement shall be subject to
adjustment and arbitration as herein provided.
7. In case of a dispute concerning a price to be paid for new work, namely,
work of a kind not heretofore done or by process not heretofore used, pending
the consideration and adjustment or arbitration of such dispute concerning
a price, the work shall be at the price then paid for work nearest or most
similar thereto. In the event of any misunderstanding as to a price to be
paid, the price that has been or is being paid shall continue to be paid until
the matter is adjusted. In both instances enumerated above the difference
between the price paid and the price finally determined for such work to be
paid or refunded, as the case may be, dating from the time the new work
was introduced.
8. The discharge of any employee which the union claims to be unjustifiable
shall be arbitrated.
9. All differences shall be referred for final settlement to a board of arbitration which shall consist of three members, who are to be chosen as follows:
One member to be appointed by the general agent of the union, one member
to be appointed by the manager of the association, both of whom shall serve
until the determination of the particular controversy for which they were
appointed; the third member, who shall be known as the neutral arbitrator,
shall be chosen by the said general agent and manager, provided, however,
that if within 12 secular days from the date hereof they shall fail to agree
upon and designate the third or neutral member of said board, then the
neutral member shall be named in writing by any four of the followingnamed persons: William D. McFee, Rev. John J. Graham, Jefferson L. Alexander, Martha R. St. Onge, Matthew J. Fowler, Rev. Hiram W. Hook, and Daniel
J. Cavan, acting upon the written application of said manager or said general
agent, but no neutral member shall be so named unless he has the indorsement
of either said manager or said general agent.
Said neutral member shall serve until the expiration of this agreement.
A vacancy in the membership of said board of arbitration caused by the death,
resignation, refusal, or inability to serve of the third or neutral member, shall
be filled by the appointment of a new member of said board by the then general
agent of the Shoe Workers' Protective Union and the then manager of the
Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers' Association, provided, however, that if within
12 secular days from the creation of such vacancy the said general agent and
the said manager shall fail to agree upon and designate the third or neutral
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
member of said board, then said appointment of the third or neutral member
shall be made as provided in case of failure to agree on the ftrst appointment of
·
said neutral member.
In case of the failure of any member of said. board other than the neutral
member to serve for three days for any cause, then the said general agent in
the case of said failure of a union member to serve or the said manager of the
association in the case of said failure of a manufacturer's member to serve,
shall, within three secular days after receipt of written notice of such failure
to serve from the other party to the agreement, appoint a representative who
shall act as a member of said board in place of said member faillng to serve.
If the said general agent or the said manager, whose duty it is to appoint such
representative, fails within said three secular days to do so, then the other
members of the board of arbitration shall proceed and transact business and
in such case their decision shall be the decision of the board, and if they fall
to agree the decision of the neutral member shall be the decision of the
board.
Said board of arbitration may summon witnesses and conduct a full investigation of all matters in dispute which shall be referred to it, and shall have
power to determine and settle by a vote of a majority of its members, except
as otherwise provided, all matters of controversy referred to it, and every
determination or finding made as aforesaid by said board of arbitration shall
·
be conclusive and binding upon the parties.
The board shall have power to determine the manner of conducting its hearings and the nature and character of the evidence. Every decision of said
board of arbitration shall, so far as it may be possible, relate back to and
become effective as of, the ~te of the original claim for arbitration, and the
same matter shall not be brought before the board again within six months
from the date of said declsion.
If either party shall refuse to arbitrate any controversy under the foregoing
provisions and such provisions for legal reasons can not be enforced, then
and in such case the parties respectively agree that they will submit such con•
troversy to arbitration under the provisions of chapter 251 of the General Laws,
and will execute an agreement therefor in accordance with said chapter, which
agreement shall name as arbitrators the persons then constituting the aforesaid
board of arbitration, and shall contain, so far as it properly may, the provisions of this agreement respecting arbitration; and it is further agreed
thut in case of a refusal to sign such agreement, this agreement itself shall
constitute an agreement for arbitration under the provisions of said chapter.
Reference to the board of arbitration may be claimed at any time, in writing,
by the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers' Ai;isoclation, acting through its manager,
or by the Shoe Workers' Protective Union, acting through its general agent.
Written notice shall be given by the party to this agreement claiming such
reference to the other party to this agreement to the effect that such reference
ls claimed, and describing brleffy the matter or matters in controversy to
be settled thereby.
The said board of arbitration shall give notice in writing to both parties
hereto of the time and place of the hearings upon all matters referred to it
as aforesaid, and may order the production before it of any shoes, machinery,
or materials which it may deem relevant to any matter to be decided by said
board. Within three secular days after the reference to said board of arbitration of any matter, complaint, or controversy, a hearing or hearings thereon
shall be had before said board, and shall proceed with all reasonable expedition.
All decisions and orders of said board of arbitration shall be made in writing, and shall be signed by a majority of its members, except as otherwise
provided, and shall be made within three days after the close of the evidence.
The third or neutral member-of said board of arbitration shall be reimbursed
for all expenses and disbursements incurred by him in the performance of his
duties; and shall be paid a reasonable .compensation for his services. the parties hereto Jl.greeing to pay in equal shares all sums of money required for the
above-mentioned purposes. Clerical or stenographic services incurred by the
board shall be borne equally by the association and union.
10. The collector and business agent of each local union of the Shoe Workers'
Protective Union shall, after giving notice to the office or to the foreman of ·the
department visited, have access to the departments of the factory in which the
work under the jurisdiction of such local ls done for the purpose of performing
their official duties. The persons or board having under the terms of this
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agreement the duty of adjusting or determining any controversies shall have
access to the department involved to investigate the subject matter with
or without the business agent of the local involved.
11. The various clauses of this agreement are to be Independent of each
other, and If any one clause is for any reason invalid, the Invalidity thereof
shall not affect the other clauses.
12. This agreement shall remain In force until December 31, 1928, provided,
should either party to this agreement desire to alter, amend, or annul It
before its expiration, it shall give written notice thereof to the other party
not later than September 1, 1925, in which event the agreement shall remain
in force until December 31, 1925.
If no notice is given on or before September 1, 1925, the agreement remains
In full force and effect until December 31, 1928.
If such notice is given and mutually satisfactory amendments are entered
Into by the parties, then the agreement as amended shall continue in full force
and effect until December 31. 1928.
In case such notice is given meetings shall be held between the parties
not later than 10 days after the giving of the notice. If the party giving
the notice falls or refuses to meet the other party within said 10-day period,
then the original agreement shall continue in full force and effect until
December 31, 1928.
Any proposed changes or amendments agreed upon by the representatives of
the parties to the agreement shall be submitted for approval or ratification to
the parties themselves an<l such approval, ratification, or rejection (as the case
may be) shall be made known to the parties on or before October 1, 1925.
HAVERRILL SHOE BOARD
The Haverhill Shoe Board, or~anized as provided by section 9
of the above agreement, is funct10ning and is reported by many
manufacturers and others directly interested in the improvement
of conditions in the industry in the city, as being of great service
in promoting peace and harmony between the union and manufacturers, ana the direct cause of improved business conditions in
the industry immediately after the beginning of August, 1924. The
board has rendered many decisions, all being accepted by the union
and the manufacturers.
Reduction of piece rates.-One of the decisions, undoubtedly the
one of greatest importance, rendered May 8, 1924, made a reduction
in piece rates. When this decision was made the following statement as to conditions was issued by Mr. Edwin Newdick, chairman
of Haverhill Shoe Board.
STATEMENT
The accompanying ruling and decisions provide for a general revision ot
piece rates in association factories making turn shoes. The reduction is an
average decrease of nearly one-fifth, or 20 per cent, of present piece rates
on fancy shoes In the average factory where the making room Is classified
as Grade 3. On plain base shoes, the reduction will be about 15 per cent.
The reductions applied vary widely on different operations, patterns, ana
shoes, and -the average reduction within the several departments also varies
considerably. The reduction of piece rates average, by departments, a~proxlmately as follows on fancy shoes : Cutting, 25 per cent ; stitching, :.!O
per cent; making (including stock fitting and goodyear stitching), 10 pe1•
cent ; finishing, 22½ per cent ; wood heeling, 25 per cent ; treeing, 33¾ per cent.
The above summary, however, leaves much unsaid. For example, Goodyear
stitchers are reduced 25 per cent although the making room averages a reduction of about 10 per cent. About two-thirds of the operations in the stitching
room are not reduced at all, while the others are reduced 20 and 25 per centIn one case, hand pressing, 33¾ per cent.
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Bour rates are not dealt with in the present decisions but may be revised
later 1t necessary. It is, however, the hope and belief of the board that those
o• hour ud week work can and will do enough more work per hour so that
the cost per pair of the work they perform will be reduced 20 per cent without
lowering hour rates. To accomplish this, hour and week workers must do onequarter more work than they have been doing.
The case for !5 per oent.-A strong case for 25 per cent reduction has been
presented to the board. The chairman believes that a 25 per cent reduction is
not more than the manufacturers are justified in asking, in view of the losses
which they have sustained and the conditions now confronting them. An attempt was made to work out a revision of rates which would net 25 per cent reduction in labor cost per pair. The attempt had to be abandoned because the
chairman could not justify such terrific cuts as many workers would have been
obliged to take in order to yield an average cut of 25 per cent.
The manufacturers have, it is true, shown numerous operations yielding
earnings per week high enough to stand substantially more than a 25 per
cent cut. But these were instances shown by taking selected factories, selected
operatives, and selected weeks, and were too exceptional to warrant accepting such figures as a fair indication of the earning power of average operatives at full-time work under average conditions.
The board regrets that it has appeared unwarrantable fully to meet the
requirements of Witherall & Dobbins.1 The chairman confidentially informed
the heads of this company on Monday of the general nature of the prospeetlve reduction and wishes to record his appreciation of their response. They
agreed to do their best to figure out a way by which they could, under the
forthcoming decisions, continue in operation and refill their factory with shoes
made and sold on a profitable basis. There is, therefore, still hope that this
large, old, and honored fl.rm will be saved to Haverhill.
Conditions confronting Haverhill.-The general conditions of the city's chief
industry are well known. The chairman and numerous representatives of
the union, as well as manufacturers and citizens generally, are convinced that
an emergency exists demanding immediate action to avoid workers' earnings
being still further reduced by unemployment and factory losses being still
further increased by low volume of production.
The number of shoe workers out of work, though large, does not fully measure
the unemployment. Numerous crews are so overmanned that full-time work
would not be given them even at capacity production. Many of the shoe
workers who have employment are earning but a fraction of what they need
to live on. Royalty slips• show Haverhill to be operating at only one-third
of normal while the country as a whole is producing shoes at better than
four-fifths of normal.
Very few factories are operating at or near their full volume of production, and production at less than full volume means increased cost per pair.
The present market will not pay Haverhill costs for shoes, much less pay the
higher prices needed to cover losses from part-time operation. Manufacturers have been taking losses which they could not long continue to take.
This situation brings these necessities: Shoe workers need more income to
enable them to live; shoe manufacturers need lower production costs to enable
the business to live. There is only one possible way to meet both requirements:
Make more shoes in Haverhill.-If, at present rates, a shoe worker works
the equivalent of 30 full-time weeks in a year, at $40 a week, he or she earns
$1,200. If 45 weeks' work is secured at 25 per cent lower wage rates, the
total earnings for the year will be $1,350-12½ per cent more earned at lower
rates.
If a manufacturer has an overhead cost of 40 cents per pair when making
1 ~ pairs per day but makes only 500 pairs a day, the overhead cost increases
to 80 cents per pair. Losses result and these losses will be greater If he
raises the price of his shoes, because that will still further reduce the orders
obtainable. But if he can lower the price of his shoes sufficiently to make
1,200 pairs a day, the overhead burden per pair falls from 40 cents to 33¾
cents. This makes evident how manufacturers who have been losing money
This company and other shoe factories, as irtated above, requested a reduction of 25
cent In wage rates. It continued in business In Haverhill In AUlfUSt, 1924.
• Monthly reports by shoe m8llufacturers to shoe machlnerJ' comp&DJ', showing the
amount of work done by speclfted machines.
1
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can nevertheless give the buyer all or practically all which they now get off
the labor cost of the shoe; some can give the buyer more than the amount by
which the labor cost is reduced.
This wage adjustment can justify itself .only by bringing more orders for
shoes into Haverhill factories.
The causea.-It is not difficult to understand how a drastic and abrupt
reduction has become necessary. Three factors are prominent in causing i t (1) the boom, (2) fancy shoes, and (3) inflexible wage rates.
1. The war and postwar boom brought sharp competition for workers
and skyrocketing living costs. Wage rates·· advanced, yielding large increases
in the earnings possible from most operations. Profits were large and the
country's shoe factory capacity increased so that it is now possible to make
shoes much faster than they are bought in normal times. Competition between shoe manufacturers is therefore likely to be very keen for a long
period. To stay in the race, manufacturers must strip down to low production costs.
2. The system used in making piece prices, involving numerous extras,
has added unduly to the labor cost of the fancy shoes now in vogue, continuing the labor cost of Haverhill shoes upward during a period when wholesale and retail prices have generally been falling, and the consumer demanding goods "at a price." The seller's market of boom times has become a
buyer's market with Haverhill shoes unable to compete at prices low enough
to obtain any large amount of what is called the "volume of business."
3. Throughout the period of change which has been underway during several
years past, the wage rates in Haverhill shoe factories have been rigid. There
ltave been some reductions here and there, but increases elsewhere, principally due to extras on fancy shoes. Had wage rates been flexible and
properly adjusted in relation to changing conditions, no such severe change
would be required as must now be made all at once to meet an emergency
which has been accumulating over an extended period.
The system of wage adjustment which Haverhill must develop to yield the
best results to manufacturer and worker must be flexible ; first, to permit
the manufacturer to more steadily sell Haverhill shoes and thus give steadier
work ; and, second, to permit the worker the best living which the industry
t'lln afford to pay him and still yield capital a reasonable return compared
with opportunities for profit in the shoe industry elsewhere. An increase
should be made just as promptly when conditions warrant as the decrease
is now being made. The increase should not be delayed until living costs
have gone ballooning, any more than the decrease should have been postponed until heavy losses have piled up which demand drastic action to defend the welfare of the city's industry, as at present.
The price situation.-Something approximating a revolution is going on in
the merchandising of shoes. The small retailer dealing through the jobber
ls being rapidly displaced by the chain store buying in huge volume and
retailing at lower margins above factory eost and at fixed price levels. Shoes
retailing at four, five, and six dollars now comprise a huge amount of the
total shoes sold.
It is necessary for Haverhill to meet this situation if its future is to be
prosperous as a shoe manufacturing center. Whatever the kind or gr11de
of Haverhill shoe studied, it is found that the proposed wage reduction is
the least which promises to put Haverhill factories into the running to get
this business; and those factories now getting some of this business must
have the reduction to retain it and continue operation in this city.
It would be sheer folly to make a readjustment of wages which is insufficient
to meet this situation, for little or nothing would result but reduced earnings of
workers and consequent and justified resentment on their part. It is confidently
expected that the reductions made will meet this price stiuation, thus giving
the manufacturer more orders, less losses, and a profit, and giving the workers
more earnings, less loafing, and a living.
Competition by workers.-When factories of Haverhill are slack, Haverhill
shoe workers go to competing factories in the surrounding territory and work
for less than Haverhill wage rates. They thus help competitors of Haverhill
but do not help themselves, nor even the shoe workers employed in Haverhill at
higher rates. The inevitable outcome is that Haverhill workers at higher rates
get less work and less in total earnings. It is not in the interests of Haverhill
25328°-25---3
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
shoe workers as a whole to maintain wage rates far out of line with factories
in surrounding territory, because doing so is taking shot's out of Haverhill to
be made elsewhere. Better work for $35 in Haverhill than work for $35 soaewhere else, even though rates in Haverhill remain sufficient to yield $50 were
there plenty of work, yet actually yielding only $25 because of slack work.
It is not intended to criticize anyone for going wherever nec~sary to get a
job, for one must work to live. The point is that Haverhill wage rates should
be adjusted in accord with plain common sense and the interests of the city
and its people. Haverhill is a better place to live and work, so let us see to it
that we make it possible to live and work here.
The tum shoe.-Haverh-ill turn shoes are under a more severe competitive
handicap on price than McKay shoes. The shoemaking operations on turns are
hand work as against machine operation on McKays. This increases the labor
cost on turns over Mc.Kays and gives the former their price handicap against the
latter. Haverhill turns must compete against other turns, and against some
McKays besides. The Haverhill turn shoe has quality appeal to set against
its competitive disadvantages, but the consumer is not at present sufflcl.ently
aware of the difference.
The board is unanimously of the opinion that tum shoemakers. do not eam
as much as the high skill and hard work of their craft should yield them.
Nevertheless, it appears to the chairman that some reduction is advisable to
safeguard their jobs and their earnings. If Haverh1ll turn factories get reduction only in departments common to both McKays and turns, the tum shoemaking of the city will remain in danger even though ·Haverhill McKays do
not directly compete with Haverh1ll turns. This is true because Haverhill
McKays must have labor costs to enable them to compete with McKays made
elsewhere, and McKays made elsewhere do certainly compete with Haverhill
turns. The chairman considers that the turn workmen have shown moderation
in securing increases in the past, and they certainly have been open-minded
and fair in the proceedings of the present readjustment. All of this causes
regret that any reduction whatever of tum workmen should appear advisable;
nevertheless economic facts dictate the present course and the board believes
that it would be unwise to ignore them.
Special effort will be made to cause tum manufacturers to improve conditions
so that the tum workmen can do more pairs per day.
Re'ViBion of specific ratea.-It has appeared to the chairman so highly important to take prompt action and reap full advantage· of the selling period now
upon us that not all the time desired by the union could be granted. ~he accompanying ruling therefore provides for revision of specific rates in less than
the six-months' period established in the working agreement as the minimum
during which a decision shall remain in force, for although the ruling sets
forth that a general revision of rates covered by the decision for each department can not be made inside six months, speclff.c rates for one operation may be
,revised within that period.
This ruling is based on advice of legal counsel for the board. The ruling doe'll
not furnish so broad an opportunity for revisions of the present decisions as
the chairman had in mind to allow by a temporary decision permitting reconsideration of any part or all of the rates set at any time after issuance. In
the recent injunction proceedings counsel for the union argued that the board
has not the authority to make a temporary decision and a temporary decision
is therefore not made.
Any revisions made within the six-months' period will be so applied as to
protect the manufacturer from any substantial increase in cost on shoes already
sold and in process.
The workers' problem.-The fundamental question which the Haverhill shoe
worker is called upon to answer is, Can the peace pact be made to work to any
advantage? About 18 months remain in which to answer that question. The
peace pact can then be annulled if either side wishes to do so.
The ·conditions met with at the outset are about as difficult as they could be.
On the success or failure of our efforts to cope with those difficulties the union
will be judged, the Haverhill shoe industry will be judged, and our experiment
with permanent arbitration machinery will be judged. can we together make
a success of the experiment? If we do, benefit must accrue to both parties to
the pact, for nothing else would be success. If we do not make a success of
it the condition must again be one either of deadlock, or struggle, or dictatorial
rule by manufacturers or union. Does anyone believe that the industry can
prosper during any such condition? If the industry can not vrosver neither ~IJ
either part, to the struggle Ion~ prosper,
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The way to determine whether the peace pact can benefit the worker is to
give it a good, thorough trial. While union officials find frequent occasion
to express threats and regrets because they are in the peace pact the right
attitude is not being taken to give the pact an honest trial.
The manufacturers' duty.-The manufacturers are being awarded a large
reduction in labor costs so that they can sell more shoes. It is their duty
to go out immediately and fill their factories. The manufacturers have given
assurance that they can do it with 25 per cent reduction. Careful study convinces the chairman that they can do it with 20 per cent reduction. They will
have forfeited a serious measure of confidence if they fail.
Most of the manufacturers have a further responsibility. Where conditions
in their factories unduly slow up the worker those conditions should be
remedied, for at the reduced rates it is unjustifiable to put obstacles in the
way of pieceworkers trying to make a day's pay. A good grade of work
must assuredly be required, but there should be no hampering or annoyance of
workers by too much supervision nor by inconsiderate words or acts of supervisors. There must at the same time be greater effort than heretofore to
see that the work gets to each worker in proper condition for performance of
the next operation with the minimum of avoidable difficulty.
Manufacturers, supervisors, crews, and union agents should work together
for constructive betterment of manufacturing details. Any factory official
is unwise who does not listen open-mindedly to suggestions. Any worker
or agent is unwise who adopts so aggressive, critical, or disrespectful a manner
as to anger the person addressed and thus befog the merit of a suggestion
with a vapor of resentment.
The community's duty.-Everyone in Haverhill is largely dependent upon
the shoe industry for his income, either directly or indirectly. The community must share the industry's burdens. One party to the industry, the
manufacturer, has shown burdens too great for him to continue to carry.
Part of that burden is being taken over by the shoe workers. It is the intention of the board to transfer part of the shoe workers' burden to the community.
This will be done, first, by an appeal to merchants and real estate owners
to reduce prices and rents. Second, the Haverhill Shoe Board will proceed
to investigate prices and rents. The results will be presented to an advisory
committee which has agreed to assist the chairman and which will presently
be announced with further plans for determined action to get results. It
appears that some landlords and retailers need to be notified that the war is
over.
ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES IN HAVERHILL
As provided by section 6 (p. 9) of the agreement between the
Shoe Workers' Protective Union and the Haverhill Shoe Manufa~turers' Association, " All. controve1:3ies between the parties to
this agreement shall be subJect to adJustment and arbitration as
herein provided."
In case of controversy between one or more manufacturers anil
the shoe workers of such manufacturers and inability of these
parties to adjust their differences, the general agent of the union
and the manager of the association, on the request of either party,
endeavor to adjust the question at issue. If these two, one representing the union and the other representing the manufacturers,
are unable to render a decision acceptable to both parties, the coutro':'ers~ is referred_ to t?e Hayerhill Shoe Board, in writing, for
arbitration, as provided m section 9 of the agreement. This board
consists of three members, one selected by the general agent of the
union, one by the manager of the manufacturers' association, and
one known as the neutral arbitrator selected by the said general
agent and manager, or by a specified committee of leading citizens
of Haverhill. The board has full power in fixing piece rates and
in adjusting any and all differences between the union and the
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN :MASSACHUSETTS
association, or between the union or one or more locals of the union
and any manufacturer. There is no appeal from the decisions of
the board. Prior to the establishment of the board by the December
19, 1923, agreement the industry: in Haverhill was greatly affected
and much business and work was lost owing· to the fact that it was
extremely difficult for the union and the association to settle differences within a reasonable period of time. In June, 1920, the
manufacturers' association, representing 65 factories, made a request for a reduction of wages, claiming inability to sell shoes in
competition with factories in other localities where wage rates were
less than in Haverhill. The union refused the request. This
started a disagreement that was not settled until the December 12,
1920, agreement was signed. While there was no general strike or
lockout, work dropped off because of lack of orders, lack of ability
of manufacturers to get orders on account of the trouble and long
period of disagreement. A few small strikes occurred in individual
factories. Wage rates were not reduced. Like differences and results occurred in i922 and 1923 prior to the agreements in those
years.
The manufacturers' association was for and the union was against
the time-clock system. The inauguration of the system will furnish
the amount of time worked by pieceworkers for the earnings per day
or week, the time worked being needed especially for time studies of
occupations or operatfons and for accuracy in fixing piece rates.
The following decisions are indicative of the work of the Haverhill Shoe Board:
RULINGS OF HAVERHILL SHOE BO.ARD
CASES
Nos. 75
by pieceworkers and payment
of pieceworkers for waiting for work
AND 126.-Ringing of time clocks
(Case No. 75 referred to arbitration by the association June 9, 1924. Preliminary hearing June 11. Hearing continued August 4. Case No. 126 referred
to arbitration by the union July 30. Preliminary hearing August 1. Hearing
continued'August 4.)
The association refers to the board Case No. 75, asking that manufacturers
be authorized to require pieceworkers, as well as week workers, to use time
clocks. The union refers Case No. 126, asking that pieceworkers be paid for
time at the employers' disposal when the employee is required to wait for
work.
The union objects to pieceworkers being required to use time clocks, basing
the objection on principle. The manufacturers object to paying pieceworkers
for waiting for work, basing the objection on the impossibility of accurately
figuring this element of cost into the price of the shoes.
Waiting for work has long been a grievance of pieceworkers. As a result of
lt the timing-out practice arose, under which crews left the factory for the
day if work was not provided for them within a specified period after starting tim~usually one hour. The evil of waiting for work is an evil of slack
times and has recently caused dissatisfaction, several cutting-room crews having followed the timing-out practice within the last few weeks.
The manufacturers· ask permission to require pieceworkers to register on
time clocks in order that pay-roll figures of earnings may be subject to check
to show whether or not the earnings represent full working time spent i~
the factory. Much contradictory testimony would·be eliminated from hearings
of the board if time-clock records were available.
The manufacturers' objection to any element of cost .which can not be
accurately figured, like paying piece~orkers for waiting, is entitled to serious
consideration. At the same time, 1t must be recognized that there are inevitably elements of cost which can not be accurately figured-cancellations,
for example.
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The board recognizes that anything which contributes ....to a feeling at
freedom is precious to a wage earner, and, therefore, appreciates that pieceworkers value the absence of such rigid tlme requirement as they feel ls
imposed when they must register their entrance to, and exit from, the factory
on a time clock.
The board is strongly of the opinion that substantial advantages will accrue
to both manufacturers and workers if their objections are overruled. Pieceworkers should be paid for time which they are required to place at the
manufacturers' dlsposaL If not receiving piece wages, they should be receiving
time wa~ This is obvious justice and common sense.
· The manufacturers should realize that, when employees are kept waiting
for work, there is an indication of something wrong somewhere. Production
ls impeded. The work expected to arrive at a given place in the factory at a
certain time did not arrive there on schedule. In the final analysis, the
money invested in the business of manufacturing shoes was slowed up in its
turnover, which means reduced profit or increased loss. The manufacturer
will himself benefit if he is stimulated to eliminate the need of workers waiting around for something to do. The manufacturer will be further benefited
by getting rid of one of the worst causes of dissatisfaction among his crew.
Pieceworkers will be benefited by elimination of waiting, for they will then
either have the time free or else be getting compensation for it.
TWs ruling deals definitely with waiting for work at the beginning of the
morning and afternoon. There is also much time lost by pieceworkers waiting
for work between jobs. Part of this is due to too large crews for the work
in hand, but waiting is an evil which the board ls convinced can and should
be minimized, during whatever part of the day it occurs.
•
There Is at present no record of any kind made to show how much time pieceworkers are forced to wait for work, and it ls a complicated matter to devise
a plan which will completely cover requirements and work well for all operations and all factories.
The board will initiate experiments in difl'.erent factories on difl'.erent
operations in the attempt to work out a method by which records can be made
available to show the amount of waiting between jobs which pieceworkers
encounter.
The chairman has designated a special committee to recommend installation
of experimental systems and to devise a uniform system for general use. This
committee ls composed of Mr. Frank U. Ryan, representing the chairman; Mr.
William J. Ryan, representing the union, and Mr. Fred L. Cooper, representing
the association. This committee is requested to devise a form of slip, for use
as soon as possible, which will show the opemtion, the work done, by whom
done, and the time consumed in doing the work. When an operative finishes
all WQl'k then available, and he or she is required to wait ~or another job
for a considerable period, the data will be at hand on the proposed slips upon
which the board can base an order for time payment to that operative for
time lost in waiting.
When such records are available, the board wm hear any case in which the
union asks payment for excessive time lost in any factory. No definite order
will be issued at present requiring payment for waiting between jobs, but
manufacturers are warned to minimize waiting unless they are ready to face
the prospect of paying pieceworkers for excessive time which they are required
to wait between jobs.
The board further rules as follows:
Effective September 1, 1924, or at the beginning of the next pay-roll week
thereafter, and until otherwise ordered, each time and piece worker may be
required to register entrance into and departure from the factory on a time
clock, provided that time clock be reasonably well located and in proper operating condition.
Similarly effective, if a time clock be provided, every Pi!!Ceworker shall
be paid for one hour's time for the first full hour which he or she is required
to wait continuously for work immediately after his or her starting time, and
half such hour rate for each 30 minutes of waiting over the first full hour of
continuous waiting immediately after bis or her starting time : PrO'IJid,ed,,
That no payment for waiting shall be made for time in advance of the time
at which the worker was ordered or expected to report for work, nor in advance of the time at which entrance into the factory was registered on the
time clock : .A.nd, provided, further, That no worker shall be entitled to be thus
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
.
.
.paid unless he or she has
regularly registered entrance into, and exit from
the factory on the time clock in accordance with requirements.
Similarly effective, if no time clock is provided, every pieceworker shall
be paid the hour rate on his or her operation for each hour which he or she
is required to wait continuously for work immediately after the regular starting time of that factory, and half such hour rate for each 30 minutes of waiting
over the first full hour or subsequent full hours of continuous waiting immediately after the regular starting time of that factory; it being provided by this
paragraph that any manufacturer who fails to furnish a time clock on which
pieceworkers may record entrance must pay pieceworkers for waiting, on the
assumption that they entered the factory at the regular time when that factory•
began operation on the day in question.
Similarly effective, any pieceworker asked or expected to report for work in
any morning and who does report and register on a time clock, if a time clock
is provided, and who receives no work and (having waited less than one hour)
receives no hour pay for waiting, shall be paid for one-half hour for reporting;
and, if asked to return for work later in the same day, said peiceworker, upon
duly reporting and registering later in the day, shall be entitled to payment
for waiting In accordance with the foregoing provisions; Provided, That when
reporting for work more than once In one day, a pieceworker shall be paid for
each half hour of continuous waiting immediately after reporting time.
Similarly effective, any pieceworker asked to report for work at any time of
the day other than the regular starting time shall be paid for waiting in accordance with the foregoing provisions.
Any pi~ce or time worker who registers on a time clock his or her entrance
into the factory within 5 minutes after the regular starting time for that factory shall be deemed ·to have registered at or before starting time if more than
50 employees are required to register on any one clock.
No pieceworker shall be entitled to pay for waiting for work when such
waiting is caused by tardiness or absence of a worker on a preceding operation.
No week or hour worker shall suffer deduction from his or her pay for tardiness of more than an amount equal to his or her rate of pay multiplied by the
time tardy.
No time clock shall be set during working hours.
August 8, 1924.
CABE
No. 142.-0hange of grade of edge making: Hartman Shoe Oo.
(Referred to arbitration by the union September 2, 1924. Preliminary hearing September 4. Hearing continued September 17.)
The union asks that the Hartman Shoe Co. be changed from Class 3 to
Class 2 in rates paid for edge trimming and edge setting.
Pay-roll figures show setters in the Hartman factory able to make $40 per
week. The company states that the setters did not work full 9-hour days to
make this amount. The local to which these operations belong is opposing the
use of time clocks by its members to show when they enter and leave the
factory. The board, therefore, accepts the testimony of the company upon this
point and concludes that present rates received by the setters are not shown to
require revision at this time by the evidence offered and the attitude taken by
the union.
·
Edge trimmers in the HartIJlUn Co. show substantially lower earnings than
setters. The principal reason is that there are seven trimmers to six setters.
The retention of the extra trimmer is required by the terms of the working
agreement providing against dismissal of operatives because of slack work. The
board can not adjust rates to furnish adequate earnings to overmanned crews.
Case No. 142 is dismissed.
September 18, 1924.
CASE
No. 18.-Di1Jision of work in the cutting room of the H. 8. OoUins factory
(Referred to arbitration by the union March 6, 1924. Preliminary hearing
March 9. Hearing continued March 11. Board meeting March 12.)
This cw;;e involves the interpretation of the working agreement as to whether
during slack periods workmen may be laid off and work done by supervisory
employees, If the total volume of work done by each does not exceed one-half
of his time. The last paragraph of article 3 of the working agreement Is as
follows:
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" The manufacturer agrees that there shall be no laying off of members of
the crew during slack periods, and during the slack periods work shall be distributed as equally as possible among the crew."
Article 4, paragraph 8, states: " During their spare time, but not amounting
to more than half their time, superintendents, foremen, foreladies, assistant
foremen, and assistant foreladies may be employed to a reasonable extent in
working on shoes in any of the departments without being members of the
union."
These two clauses must be interpreted together. It is to be noted tbat the
maximum amount of work authorized for a supervisory employee, not a member of the union, is one-half his time. Manifestly the agreement contemplates
that such supervisors shall frequently, or perhaps usually, work less than the
maximum one-half of their time.
The last paragraph of article 3 states explicitly and unconditionally tbat
there shall be no laying off of members of the crew during slack periods but
tbat work shall be distributed as equally as possible among the crew.
The interpretation hereby made is as follows : Supervisory employees as
specified in the above portion of the second paragraph of article 4 shall during
slack times be considered in the division of work as one of the crew. That is,
the two sections of the agreement above quoted shall be interpreted and applied
as if the last paragraph of article 3 were made to read as follows :
" The manufacturer agrees that there shall be no laying off of members of
the crew during slack periods and during the slack periods work shall be distributed as equally as possible among the crew, including such supervisory employees as are specified in the first sentence of paragraph 3, article 4, except
that such division of work shall not give to any such supervisory employee
more work than can be performed in one-half his or her time each week."
The division of work in the cutting room of the H. S. Collins factory during
the period in issue is held to have been a fair application of the terms of the
working agreement and of this decision.
March 12, 1924.
CASE
No. 90.-Piece rates for pulZing off and relasting boots: M. T. Ornsteen
Shoe Co.
(Referred to arbitration by the union ,Tune 17, 1924. Preliminary hearing
June 19. Hearing continued July 24, 1924.)
The union requests a higher price for pulling off and relasting boots In the
M. T. Ornsteen factory. The board finds conditions in that factory not substantially difl'erent than elsewhere, and not substantially different than before
the wage adjustment. It appears, however, that the present total price of
6-½ cents per dozen for relasting and pulling off boots is not accurately divided.
It is easier to relast a boot than an oxford, but a little more difficult to pull off
a boot than an oxford. The present 6-½ cents gives 4-½ cents for relasting and
2 cents for p)Jlling off. Effective at the beginning of the next pay-roll week,
the price for relasting boots shall be 4 cents per dozen, and for pulling off 2-½
cents per dozen, with no change in the price of 1 cent per dozen for throwing
away lasts.
This change applies to all McKay factories.
July 29, 1924.
No. 98.-Piece rates for fancy stitching saddle on patterns 178"/ and 1!188
(Ladd), Hartman_ Shoe Co., and basis for computing prices on simllar pat-
CASE
terns
(Referred to arbitration by the association June 23, 1924. Preliminary hearIng June 25. Hearing continued July 31.)
The association asks that a change in the piece rates for fancy stitching
saddle on patterns 1737 and 1738 (Ladd) of the Hartman Shoe Co., and asks
that this change be made by figuring the price from a tip instead of from a
vamp throat as has been done heretofore. Such an order of the board, lf made,
will have weight as a precedent on similar patterns but will perhaps have no
effect on the specific patterns on which the case arises, as no work on these
patterns is now being done by the Hartman Shoe Co.
As figured from a vamp throat base, the fancy stitching on pattern 1737 came
to 63 cents per dozen pairs. The rate actually paid was 63 cents minus the 25
per cent reduction recently made by the board
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE iNbUSTRY tN :M:ASSACHtiSET'l'S
The assoclatlon's proposal to figure the price from the tip base would make
the price 88 cents a dozen, from which the 25 per cent reduction on fancy
stitching would similarly apply. The association's proposal would give a rate
nearly 40 per cent lower than the basis of figuring actually followed.
The board ls able In this case to get full time earnings from this particular
operation made by a number of different fancy stltchers. Ten operatives
worked exclusively on this pattern over periods of from four to eight weeks.
The pay-roll data shows earnings per week on these patterns averaging from
$89.93, "the lowest, to $48.68, the highest. The lowest operative-worked four
weeks exclusively on these patterns, five operatives, including the one with the
highest earnings, worked eight weeks exclusively on these patterns. Ten operatives who worked a total of 60 operative weeks, averaged $43.24 ea.ch per
week.
These earnings were made with the 25 per cent reduction In effect as ordered
by the board ·several months ago. Had the same work been done ·before this
reduction, the average weekly earnings of the ten fancy stltchers on this work
would have been about $57.50 per week, and the highest Individual would have
.
averaged over $63 and made over $85 In her best week.
Had the patterns been figured on the tip base, the operatives would have
made an average of about $26 each on the work done. The board considers
$26 too low for full-time earnings for fancy stitchers on work of this natureunder the conditions applying. The operatives worked entirely on this
one operation for several weeks, thus having a chance to acquire their maximum speed on the work. Evidence was offered to ·show that the operatives
were requested by supervisors to hurry the work. They doubtless exceeded
the speed which should be assumed in fixing prices, In view of this, and the
conditions highly favorable to unusual speed, high earnings should appear.
Operatives ought to feel free to go after high earnings without fear of rate
cuts merely because they may substantially exceed a fair average wage.
Nevertheless, the board believes that the tip ls the base which the patterns
more closely approximate. The base vamp upon which the price· for short
throat is made has a throat with curvature on a radius of about five-eighths
inch. The base tip on which prices are made has a curvature on a radius of
about 9 Inches. The length of the row to be stitched varies less, jl.Jld matters
less to · the operator, than the degree ol curvature. The maximum curvature
of the saddle straps involved in this case ls about 4/ir Inches. The board
rules as follows :
Etrectlve during the next pay-roll week beginning on or after September 15,
1924, patterns No. 1737 and 1738 (Ladd), Hartman Shoe Co., and similar
patterns shall be figured from the short vamp throat base when the radius
of the maximum curvature is 1½ inches or less for a distance of 1 inch or
more, or when the radius ls 1½ inches to 3 inches for a distance of 3 Inches
or more, or when the radius ls 3 inches to 5 inches for a distance of 5 Inches
or more. The distance In each case shall be measured along the chord of the
curve ; 1. e., the straight line drawn between the ends of the curve. In any
case In which the radius ls more or the distance less than specified herein,
the price shall be figured from the tip base. The provisions as to curvature
and distance shall be figured separately for each row to be stitched· unless
the union and the association shall otherwise agree.
This case is continued to September 10, 1924, at 10 o'clock a. m., at which
time the parties wlll be heard on prices for fancy stitching tips.
August 8, 1924.
CASE
No. 13.-Discharge of a treer b71 Knighta:AZZen Oo.
(Referred to arbitration by the union, March 3, 1924. Hearing March 4.)
Concerning the treer discharged from this factory on Monday, March 8,
1924, the following ruling is made:
1. The treer shall be reinstated after suspension for a period of one week,
returning to work Monday :m-0rning, March 10.
2. The treer shall receive no pay for this period of suspension.
8. One-half the regular piece price for treeing the last case of shoes done
by said treer Friday afternoon, February 29, shall be deducted from the next
pay envelope ol said treer as further penalty for defective workmanship.
4. The union agrees to furnish a thorough, competent, substitute or substitutes required by the -Knights-Allen Co. to perform any work held up by
·
suspension of said treer.
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HAVERHILL
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5. The treer is warned that high standard of workmanship may properly be
demanded by Haverhill shoe manufacturers, and that a more severe penalty
might have appeared justified but for the long service of about 18 years of
good work done by this treer. It is further calledl to the attention of the employee that too much talk or irritating manner or language is to be carefully
avoided.
March 4, 1924.
r
CASE
No. 159.-Discharge of a vamper: Hartnwn Shoe Oo.
(Referred to arbitration by the union September 2, 1924. Hearing September 5.)
The union asks reinstatement with pay for lost time of a vamper discharged
for leaving the factory without permission of the foreman. The association
asks confirmation of the discharge.
Testimony indicates that the discharged vamper waited several hours for
work on three consecutive mornings. On the first two she eventually received
work; on the third she went home after waiting several hours without being
given any work. Upon reporting for work on the following morning she was
discharged. ·
The vamper asserts that she reported to the foreman that she was kept
waiting an excessive length of time for work. The foreman denies that she
reported the fact to him. The vamper further asserts that the foreman told
the operator on the next machine to hers that he wished to know if this
operator was kept waiting. The vamper· also asserts that the foreman said
this in her hearing and in such a manner as to convince her that she was
being discriminated against or being intentionally irritated. The foreman
denies the facts and denies any intention to irritate or discriminate against
the discharged vamper.
Testimony indicates that the foreman and the vamper each made remarks
bound to anger the other. The foreman told this vamper that no employee
gained anything by going over his head to the union with a complaint, and
that she would not gain anything if she went to the ·union. The vamper
retorted by charging the foreman with favoritism.
The earnings of the discharged vamper during these several days were
substantially lower than those of other operators around her, although she
is a fast operator, but evidence does not show any intentional discrimination.
The discharged operator did not report the facts to the union before leaving
her place, nor did she report them until the• following day after she had been
discharged.
In ruling on this case, these facts and considerations are given decisive
weight:
1. The vamper, a pieceworker, was kept waiting for work an undue length
of time three consecutive mornings, without explanation from the foreman
and without any indication of considerate attitude on his part. The enforcement of undue waiting upon pieceworkers by an executive placed the employer
in an unfavorable position in any case before this board in which it is involved.
2. The foreman, in making a remark discouraging the vamper from reporting to the union, was directly opposing the proper functioning of an integral
part of the .arbitration machinery. Evidence indicated that the foreman acted
contrary to the attitude of higher officials of the Hartman Shoe Co. in this
matter.
3. The vamper left her work without permission, which she should not
have done; nevertheless, she did only what it was formerly customary fercrews to do (after shorter periods of waiting) under the timing out rule.
She also failed to report to the union in time to allow opportunity for the matter to be adjusted with the least possible difficulty and the minimum of interference with production.
The order in this case is as follows :
1. The vamper shall be immediately reinstated.
2. She shall be paid for time lost between her discharge and her reinstatement, but not for the day on which she left the factory without permission.
Payment for time lost shall be at the rate of 60 cents per hour, and shall
25328°-25---4
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
be for 9 hours for each working day beginning with the day of the discharge,
·
Thursday, August 29.
3. The vamper in this case is fined $5 for leaving the factory without permision of the foreman or authorization of the agent of her union.
4. The foreman is fined $10 for attempting to intimidate the vamper and
for attempting to prevent her from following the proper course of reporting
the matter to the union.
5. The fines shall be deducted from the next pay envelope o:8 the vamper
and the foreman and paid by the Hartman Shoe Co. to the Haverhill Shoe
Board to be expended only for relief in any case of need or misfortune in the
immedi"ate family of a Haverhill shoe worker and only upon recommendation
of some agent or official of the union.
6. Notice is hereby given tQ all executives that intimidation and obstruction
of the proper functioning of the arbitration machinery, including the union
and its accredited representatives, are offenses likely to be dealt with more
severely by this board hereafter.
September 9, 1924.
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS IN HAVERHILL
The agreement that there shall be " no strike, lockout, or cessation
of work, and that nothing shall be done by either party to hinder,
impede, retard, or prevent production" was part of the December 12,
1920, agreement in effect until December~ 1922: of the December.
1922, agreement in effect until January 1, 1924, and is part of the
December 19, 1923, agreement in force and effect to December 31,
1928.
There has been little or no violation of these agreements on the part
of the union or association. A small number of strikes have occurred,
none of them general. The strikes were usually by workers in only
one of the departments of the factory, participated in by- a small
per cent of the total number of workers of the factory, and were· of
short duration.
EFFICIENCY OF H:AVERRILL SHOE WORKERS.
The manufacture of shoes in Haverhill began about 1640 and is the
principal-in fact, almost the only-industry in the city. In discussing business conditions with citizens, it is the only industry referred to,. as is always the case in a one-industry city.
When. shoe factories a.re busy labor in Ha.verhill is employed and
business generally good or excellent, but when the factories, on account of lack of orders or for other reasons, are working part time
and dividing the available work equally among workers, as provided
in times of slack work, labor is employed part time and business is
fair, poor, or bad according to the amount of work available.
The manufacture of shoes under these conditions is, therefore, so
necessary to the city and to labor that one hears the expected when
told that the shoe workers in the city are unusually skilled in giving
touch, style, and finish to shoes. Manufacturers, with one or two
exceptions, so expressed themselves as to their employees. In addition? it is stated that some of the factories that IQ.Oved from the city
are having stitching and finishing done in union contract shops in
1.):averhill, because the workers in Haverhill are more efficient than
those in the towns in which the factories are now locat.ed.
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LABOR CONDIT'IONS IN SHOE .INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
28
LYNN
The 27 factories that moved out of Lynn and the 40 that liquidated
or· went into bankruptcy include 46 that were in business prior to
and on January 1, 1920. One of the 46 began business in 1885 and
several between 1890 and 1900, or more than 20 years before the beginning of the period covered by this study.
In the aggregate, the 67 factories, employed an average of more
than 4,000 shoe workers, and, when working the customary fulltime hours, produced an average of between 45,000 and 50,000 pairs
of shoes per day.
The tremendous loss in number of shoe workers forced out of
employment, in earnings, and in value of products, is shown in a
statement of " Facts," prepared by the Lynn Chamber of Commerce
and published in the Lynn Telegram-News in the latter part of 1923,
after 49 of the 67 factories had closed their doors, in which it was
stated that :
During the last 30 months, 49 shoe manufacturing plants for one reason or
another have closed their doors. In the neighborhood of 4,000 workers have
been forced out of employment. It is conservatively estimated that under
normal production these plants were capable of turning out daily 42,740 pairs
of shoes. On the basis of a 5-day week, this amounts to 213,700 pairs, and on
a yearly basis of 40 weeks, amounts to 8,548,000 pairs. At the extremely low
average value of $2.50 per pair, the normal daily loss in value of product
amounts to $107,850, or in a 5-day week to $539,250, and in a 40-week year to
$21,570,000. At the rock-bottom labor cost of 90 cents per pair, the wage loss
amounts to $38,466 per day, or iI} a 5-day week amounts to $192,330, and in a
40-week year to $7,693,200. If the estimated wage loss above referred to was
divided equally among the 9,000 shoe workers, which the State department of
labor contends are normally employed in Lynn, each would receive $854.80 or a
weekly average of $21.37. Think of what a tremendous buying power this
would be.
In arriving at these conclusions we have used as a basis the known normal
capacity of the concerns which have gone plus labor cost and shoe value so far
below average Lynn prices as to prohibit criticism. The figures do show, however, in a clear and concise way the magnitude of Lynn's financial loss.
REASONS FOR REMOVAL, LIQUIDATION, OR FAILURE IN LYNN
Practically every manufacturer who moved and every one who
liquidated reported that he did so only as a last resort and after
an earnest and honest effort to make shoes in Lynn, and attributed
his action to labor conditions. The same is true of those who went
into bankruptcy except a few who failed on account of bankruptcy
of brokers to whom they sold their shoes, or because of lack of
finances in times of slack business.
Maufacturers assert that they really have little or nothing to say
as to the operation of their factories because they claim, in substance,
,
thatThere are certain working rules which are burdensome, though they were
accepted by both parties to the agreement. Unions enforce the rule, " During
slack times the foreman shall divide the work evenly and no one shall be discharged because of slack work." The unions insist that workers who do certain
operations, such as lasting, etc., leave the factory whenever a certain amount
of work is not in readiness at a stated time. Example: Ten !asters report for
work in the morning. The foreman has nine cases of shoes ready for them.
All leave the factory because work is not ready for 10, even though assured by
the foreman that another case will be provided as soon as possible.
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LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Unions, under the " permit system " rule, dictate whom the manufacturer may
hire, and when he may increase or decrease his crew. Under the permit system the manufacturer, when in need of employees, asks the union to furnish
a specified number of cutters, !asters, stitchers, etc. The union issues individual
permits authorizing workers to go to the specified manufacturer and work at
the occupation designated in the permit. The permit is limlted to the particular
manufacturer and occupation. This system was also enforced in Haverhill
part of the time between 1920 and 1924, but was abandoned after strong opposition by the Haverhill Manufacturers' Association.
Union officials do not appear to have enough control over their members to
prevent them from striking. When factories have an abundance of orders and
shoes are in process of manufacture, unions demand increases in wage rates
and strike to enforce the demand, as in August, 1923, when !asters demanded
an increase of 40 per cent for !asters and 50 per cent for assemblers. The
.lasters, by this strike, which was in violation of agreement and against the
advice of the Joint Council of Amalgamated Shoe Workers, obtained an increase
of 17 Pfr cent in piece rates of !asters and 19 per cent in piece rates of assemblers. Nearly every factory was tied up by the August, 1923, strike, and
approximately 5,000 workers were out of work for three or four days.
The Ma,ssachusetts Department of Labor and Industries reports
12,131 shoe workers in Lynn shoe factories in 1919; 9,340 in 1920;
9,500 in 1921; 8,329 in 1922; and 8,221 in 1923-a loss of 12 per cent
in 1923 compared _with 1920. _ According to information obtained
from union officials, from an official of the manufacturers' association, and from an official of the chamber of commerce there were
approximately 8,000 shoe workers in Lynn in 1924.
Owing to slack business or lack of orders a very large per cent
of the 5,000 to 6,000 workers, who were employed in 1924, were
working part time, approximately 1,000 of them in 15 open or nonunion shops. Part time is necessary under the rule requiring equal
division of work among workers and no reduction of crew or force
in times of slack work. Under this rule when there are only a few
hours' work per day an employee may get his share by working on
one or more days per week, that is, for example, work 7½ hours in
one day or 1½ hours per day for 5 days. The number of workers
may, therefore, be the same when a factory is working full time and
when it is working part time.
A considerable number, while still living in Lynn, were working
in factories in near-by cities-Boston, Beverly, Chelsea, Danvers,
and Salem-making daily trips from Lynn to the place of employment and return, and frequently working, as manufacturers assert, at
lower rates and on more days per week and under di:fferent rules, regulations, and conditions than those in Lynn.
In Au~st, 1924, a member of one of the large real estate companies in Lynn said :
There are now thousands of feet of vacant floor space in Lynn, 1,500,000
or more, formerly occupied by shoe manufacturers who have either moved
from Lynn to other cities or have gone into bankruptcy, principally on account
of labor troubles. This space may be had at a rental of 20 cents per foot,
including heat and power. In 1920 all space in Lynn was in use. We have
the rental of much of the space. At the price of 20 cents per foot, owners
can not make anything but are glad to have the buildings occupied and get
something, as many of them have mortgages on them carried by the banks
in Lynn.
Rental prices on homes have come down -very little except for those that
are not modern and have few if any conveniences, but there are a number
of vacancies caused by families of shoe workers moving out of Lynn, while
others are doubling up, which is frequently done to save expenses.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LYNN
25
Rentals range from $5 to $15 per week for houses of 4 to 8 rooms. The $5
rate is for 4 rooms without conveniences, while the $15 rate _is for houses
with conveniences and well located.
Many shoe workers who bought houses when prices were high are now
in danger of losing their equity in them on account of being unable to meet
second mortgage payments. They come to us frequently and ask us to sell
their homes at most any price as they say they are going to Salem, Boston,
Chelsea, Lowell, or other places where they have work or hope to be able to
get work. Many are living in Lynn and working elsewhere at wage rates
less than the rates paid for the same work in Lynn. We are at present
renting houses to 200 or more families.
The above statement as to factory buildings and shoe workers'
homes was corroborated in the main by another large Lynn real
estate company.
EFFICIENCY OF LYNN SHOE WORKERS
Lynn shoe workers are, according to their employers, as skillful
and efficient as workers in any other locality. One manufacturer
said:
Our employees are very efficient and do as much or more work per man
per hour and do it as well if not better than shoe workers elsewhere, giving
the shoes a style and finish that can not be beaten, and our machine workers
do the work with the minimum amount of wear and tear on the machines.
.Another said :
Lynn shoe workers are faster and more efficient and do a better grade
of work than workers in factories in near-by States. This statement is made
after having visited a number of localities in those States as well as one
city in this State and seen employees at work. The trip was made when
we were seriously thinking of moving out of Lynn to get away from labor
conditions. We decided not to move. Lynn-made shoes of our make can,
on account of better workmanship, be sold at 5 cents more per pair wholesale than shoes of the same style made outside Lynn at a labor cost of 5
cents less per pair.
Other manufacturers, including many of those that moved, liquidated, or went out of business, spoke of Lynn workers in like
manner.
SHOE WORKERS' UNIONS IN LYNN
The .Amalgated Shoe Workers of .America, with approximately
5,000 members, is by far the largest shoe workers' union in Lynn,
followed in order by the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union, Independent Lasters, Shoe Workers' Protective Union, Independent
Stock Fitters, and Independent Packers, and mixed unions. The
lasters, stock fitters, packers, and mixed unions were locals under
the amalgamated but seceded and frequently are called "Rebels."
The feeling between the amalgamated and the "Rebels" is extremely bitter, and has resulted in numerous petty strikes, delaying the work on shoes in the process of manufacture and causing
cancellation of orders on account of manufacturers not being able
to finish and deliver shoes on time. It is the general opinion that
the industry, manufacturers and workers, will continue to suffer as
long as the above conditions as to unions exist.
2532s 0 -25---o
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
26
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
UNION AGREEMENT OF 1924 IN LYNN
The 1924 agreement 8 between the Amalgamated Shoe Workers of
America and individual manufacturers in Lynn, which was to go
into effect September 1, is as follows:
1. The parties to this agreement are the Joint Council No. 1 of Lynn, of
the Amalgamated Shoe Workers of America, the locals affl.llated therewith,
and each and all of the Jpembers of said locals, hereinafter called the union,
and - -- - of said Lynn, hereinafter called the employer. The agreement
applies to the employment of direct labor on shoes produced in departments
,of the employer's factory in Lynn. It shall not apply to superintendents,
foremen, assistants, office help, or other employees not commonly represented
1n a shoe craft
2. There shall be no lockout on the part of the employer and no strike or
(:()ncerted cessation of work on the part of employees.
3. Only members of a local of the Amalagmated Shoe Workers of America,
now or hereinafter afflllated with Joint Council No. 1, of Lynn, Mass., shall
be employed in a department where the work commonly performed by the
craft composing such local is done, and the employer may hire any such
member ; providing, however, that if the union falls at any time to supply
such members in sufficient numbers as requested by the employer to carry
,on said work in any such department, any person or persons may be employed.
4. The employer agrees that there shall be no discrimination against any
member of the union because of his or her activity in union affairs.
5. Any difference not settled between the employer and the business agent
,of the local involved shall at the request of either be submitted to an adjustment board composed of three representatives of the employer ha vlng
the difference and three representatives of the local. Unless such board
meets and settles the matter in five days from the date such board is re.quested by either, the matter shall be referred for arbitration to the State
Board of Conciliation and Arbitration whose decision shall be binding. In
,case either party fails to sign an arbitration application, signatures to this
agreement shall be treated by the State board as such application. While
any difference ls being considered the work shall be performed without any
interruption. Decisions on new work shall date from the time the new work
was begun.
6. A discharge shall be considered a difference if the local so notifies the
~mployer. In such case the place of the discharged employee Shall be tilled
temporarily if the employer desires. and if the difference ls determined in
his or her favor the discharged employee shall be reinstated.
7. The employer agrees that otl.lcials and stewards of the union acting in
their official capacity shall not be hindered or obstructed in performing their
-official duties in the factory.
·
8. During the months of June, July, and August the working time shall be
~ days a week, of 9 hours each, beginning Monday of each week; during the
other 9 months the time shall be the foregoing and a half day on Saturday,
the total not to exceed 50 hours. Concerns manufacturing slippers may work
the Saturday half day in June, July, and August or any of said months, providing they select other three months in which to omit the Saturday half
day.
.
9. The term of this agreement shall be until April 30, 1925.
STRIKES IN LYNN
Notwithstanding the provision in the various agreements during
the last five years between the Amalgamated Shoe Workers of
America and the Lynn Manufacturers' Association, and between the
amalgamated and mdividual manufacturers that there shall be no
strikes or lockouts, strikes have occurred in each of the years, 1920
in
• Newspaper items IDdicate tbat this a,reemeut bas not altogether settled eonditiol18
LynD,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LYNN
27
to 1924, and in nearly every month up to and including July and
August, 1924, with such :frequency and regularity as to create fear
and doubt by customers as to the ability of Lynn manufacturers to
fill orders on time. Time is a very important element in. the manufacture, delivery, and sale of novelty shoes. In order to continue
in the shoe business, with the continually changing styles, the jobber
and the retai.ler find it necessary to purchase shoes in smaller lots
than formerly, and from manufacturers who assure prompt delivery.
The files of the Telegram-News and the Daily Evening Item covering the last five years record numerous strikes in individual shops
by stitchers, vampers, !asters, heelers, pa.eking-room workers, or
workers in other occupations.
Strike data compiled by the Lynn Chamber of Co.mn:ierce and
published as "Facts" in the Telegram-News show that 12 strikes
occurred in 1920, 1 of which was general; 14 in 1921, 1 being general;
17 in 1922, 5 of which were general; and ~2 in 1923, 2 of which
were general.
In discussing these strikes it was stated thatA review of the circumstances surrounding these strikes shows that in
practically every instance the primary issue was wages and conditions, which,
under existing agreements, should have been adjusted in an orderly way and
without interference with production. This record does not embrace the frequent walkouts and cessation of work in various factory departments, all of
which played a more or less important part in temporarily at least curtailing
production. Practically all of these strikes and some of the walkouts and
cessation from work led to court litigation which cost parties involved a great
deal of time, effort, and money, all of which could have been avoided had
channels distinctly outlined in existing agreements for the settlement of differences been followed, thereby permitting contending parties to engage in productive pursuits.
OPEN OR NONUNION SHOPS
In the study of conditions in Lynn 15 factories were found operating as open or nonunion shops. S[x of them were in business J a.nuary 1, 1920, and nine began business after tha-t date. An official of
the amalgamated said, " There are about 20 open shops in Lynn, 8 of
which are paying union wage rates, operating under union rules and
conditions, and are also open to union agents." He was asked if he
would name them and replied, "I prefer not to do so."
The largest open shop has a capacity of 450 workers and 2,160
pairs of shoes per day, and in August, 1924, was employing approximately 400 workers and producing 1,720 pairs per day. Prior to
December, 1923, this factory was operated as a union shop. The '
change as stated was made on account of union rules and conditions
which interfered with completion of shoes in process of manufacture.
The smallest open shop factory working at capacity employed five
workers and produced 72 pairs per day.
Two of the open shop :factories moved into Lynn. One moved from
Boston in July, 1924, and said: "The change was made because we
can get better labor here," and the other moved from a near-by town
in June, 1924, on account of" Lack of factory space and because the
majority of our workers were from Lynn." These two factories employed 115 workers and produced an average of 1,008 pairs of shoes
per day.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
28
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
The 15 open shop factories in the aggregate employed between 1,000
and 1,100 shoe workers in August, 1924, and produced an average of
a_pproximately 8,000 1;>airs of shoes per day. Five of these reported
that they had been union shc;>ps and changed to open shops on account
of labor conditions.
WORKING RULES OF 1924 IN LYNN'
The union rules governing the various departments in Lynn shoe
factories are as follows:
CUTTINGRooM:
1. There shall be no discrimination between cutters.
2. Where it ls the custom in any factoi:y to work by the piece no cutter shall
work by the hour except when requested by the employer.
3. Cutters shall not be required to cut missing pieces or cripples after the
case has been accepted as full by the stitching department.
4. Any damaged shoes in question shall be referred to the cutters' executive
board for decision before being charged to the cutter. If the decision of the
executive board ls that the damage is not the fault of the cutter, the question
of whether the cutter shall be charged therefor becomes a matter for arbitration under the provisions of the existing agreement.
5. P.rices for fancy shoes and special patterns shall be based upon the prices
for regular work; if an agreement can not be reached as to the price to be
paid, the same shall be determined under the provisions of the existing agree.
ment. In any event the work is to be performed without delay or interruption.
6. A list of cutters waiting for work shall be kept by the foreman when
necessary, and all cutters shall take their regular turn on the list.
7. During slack time the foreman shall divide the wor~ evenly among the
men and no man shall be discharged because of slack time.
8. Cutters must keep their boards in good condition and to do so must buff
and dress them at least once a week.
9. During slack time cutters shall report for work as required and at any
time during the morning untll 9 o'clock, but shall not be required to wait for
work longer thlln one hour from the time they are ordered to report.
10. Cutters shall wait for work 45 :rplnutes from the time of getting caught
up, -If requested to wait, before leaving the factory; any abuse of this rule to
constitute a difference to be arbitrated under the terms of the existing
agreement.
11. There shall be a sufficient number of proper patterns provided so that
no more than three cutters shall work on the same width patterns at the
same time.
12. A sufficient number of grindstones kept in good condition shall be furnished for the cutters.
13. Factories employing 20 or more outside cutters shall have a pattern boy.
14. A full allowance of top and vamp stock shall be given with each job.
15. Cutters shall receive from the office slips for correction within 48 hours
, from the time of sending them ln, and if required shall send slips dally.
16. Cutters shall not be responsible for the keeping together of matched parts
of colored shoes unless paid for match marking.
, The continued unsettled conditlon In Lynn 111 Indicated by news Items in the Jan. 8,
9, and 10, 1925, Issues of the Lynn Dally Evening Item stating In substance that the
- - Co. recently moved to Salem because it could obtain more favorable conditions
from the Shoe Workers' Protective Union there than from the Amalgamated Shoe Workers
of America In Lynn. Some of the locals of the amalgamated were unwilling to join
with others in olferinc a reduction In wage rates to retain the company In Lynn.
One of the locals of tbe amalgamated requested that the amalgamatA!d poll a referendum
as to affiliation with the boot and shoe workers' union, the request being made because
of the desire of many Lynn shoe workers for unity and the. strengtliening of thelr
organization, and beca1188 the amalgamated had sustained l<isses through the withdrawal
of the Iasters' local unton and the growth of the open-llhop movement in Lynn. The
Lynn representative of the boot and shoe workers' union sent a letter to all the locals
of the amalgamated and to the district council of the amalgamated presumably on the
81lbject of affiliation. This representative was reported to have said that he and his
associates will do everything In their power to bring about a better understandinc among
the Lynn shoe workers with a view to improving the situation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LYNN
STITCHING
29
Roov
1. To insure a fair division of the work a tag system shall be used on all
operations where there are two or more operators working.
2. Each operator is entitled to one lot of work in their box besides the
-one they are working on, providing this amount of work does not exceed a day's
work for the operator.
3. Any operator having one lot in the box besides the one they are working
on, or any operator having a full day's work, may be passed.
4. An equal division of work shall be made during slack time; providing,
!l.owever, that n!) operators shall be given more work than they can complete
in one day.
5. During dull season no operator should be laid off except such as have
been speciflcally hired for a short period of time to help out.
6. No operator shall be compelled to pay for damaged shoes unless it can be
,clearly shown to be the fault of the operator.
7. t,..ny damaged parts or shoes in question that are to be charged shall first
be shown to the operators, a charge slip presented to them to sign before such
~harge is made. If any question arises over the justice of such charge, the
parts or shoes in question shall be reported to the stitchers' executive board
for decision. If the decision of the executive board is that the damage is not
the fault of the operator, the matter then becomes a subject for arbitration
under the provisions of the agreement.
8. Shoes damaged in departments other than the stitching room shall not
be done over free of charge. Each shoe shall be paid for as one pair.
9. Any operator that is hired for any specific part must be paid the hour
price as such part or operation calls for by the list E>f hour rates when working on any hour basis, except in case the work done shall be of such nature
that the hour rates would call for higher rating; then the higher hour rate
shall be paid.
10. If any operator has to wait for any work one hour for any cause other
than the breaking of any part of the machinery of the plant, or for conditions
over which the head of the department has no responsibility or control, they
shall go home and no more work shall be given out that day on that particular
part or operation.
11. Each operator shall report to the head of the department when they get
caught up and if they do not receive work in one hour from the time reported
shall go home. The rest of the operators on that particular part or operation
must finish all the work that they have in their boxes before going out.
12. Work to be held in their box for operators for one hour from the time
they are ordered to report to work. Executives may distribute said work
after the expiration of said hour either during slack or rush periods.
13. During slack time operators shall report for work as requested and at
any time during the. morning and up to 2 p. m., but wm not be required to
wait longer than one hour for work from the time ordered to report.
14. Each operator shall be responsible for the cleaning of the parts of his
or her machine or bench. Said machine or bench must be kept clean.
15. Each case must be counted by every operator and in case of shortage
reported to the foreman or forelady. Any shortage not so reported may be
charged to the last operator handling the same.
16. Operators must see that their work is done properly and must avoid all
waste. The operators wm be held responsible.
17. Operators shall receive slips for correction 11'.rom the office within at least
48 hours after sending them ih, and, if required, must send slips daily.
18. The shoes damaged in the stitching room shall be done over by the operators free of charge.
·
19. Fancy shoes and special patterns or operations, the prices shall be figured
from the new base price on regular work on all such operations.
20. If it is not possible to arrive at the exact price to be paid for operations
-0n new work, the operators will send their numbers in, in any event, and the
manufacturer will pay on account, pending adjustment of the prices.
McKAY OPEBATOBS
1. The work is to be divided among the shop's crew and the McKay sewers
shall sew· as many cases as are lasted each day, allowing no surplus to ac-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
30
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
cumulate. In cases of rush work to be done, or samples coming through,
the McKay sewers agree that men shall be there to perform it. In no instance shall a surplus of any work be allowed to accumulate which is more
than one case for each operator to work on in the morning and one case
on the floor.
·
GooDYEAB OPERATORS
2. There shall be as many cases operated as are lasted each day, allowing
no surplus to accumulate through fault of the operators; work to be divided
among the shop's crew.
.
3. It is suggested that regular production be not operated the same morning or afternoon that it is lasted or welted. In cases where the employer
wishes rush work to travel faster, any question arising over faulty work
is to be taken up for adjustment.
4. The present working conditions are to remain unchanged. Any differ.ence arising, whether relating to interference with production or otherwise,
is to be taken up between the sole fasteners' local committee and a representative of the manufacturer for determination ; failing to agree, the question becomes a matter for arbitration under the terms of· the existing agreement.
SOLE
FASTENERS
5. Any damaged shoes in question that are to be charged to the operator
shall first be shown to the operator and a charge slip presented to him to
sign, before such charge is made. If any question arises over the justice of
such charge, the shoes in question shall be referred to the sole fasteners'
executive board for decision. If the decision of the sole fasteners' executive
board is that the damage is not the fault of the operator, the matter then
becomes subject to arbitration under the provisions of the existing agreement.
FINISHING DEPARTMENT
· Any damaged shoes in question that are to be charged to the operator
shall first be shown to the operator and a charge slip presented to him to
sign before such charge is made. If any question arises over the justice of
such charge, the shoes in question shall be referred to the bottom finishers'
executive board for decision. If the decision of the bottom finishers' executive board is that the damage is not the fault of the operator, the matter
then becomes a matter for arbitration under the provisions of the agreement.
IBoNING AND PACKING DEP.A.RTMENT
1,. Buc'k Sgatem.-Eacb operator after receiving his turn passes the buck
to the next operator. This is continued right along until each operator has
had his quota, but in no instance can an operator hold more than two cases
besides the one he is working on. This does not necessarily mean that each
man must receive exactly the same number of cases per day when there isplenty of work as it is recognized that some operators can handle more work
than others; therefore their quota is larger proPortionately.
2. Operators shall report for work at any time during the morning and at
1 p. m. if required. Work wlll not be held for operators for more than one hour
from the time they are ordered to rePort.
3. To insure a continuous flow of work through this department during
slack time, operators shall arrange to report alternately mornings and afternoons and keep work caught up so that there will be no delay in shipments.
MARKET, DIVIDENDS, AND RENTALS-HAVERRILL AND
LYNN.
The distribution of the product of individual factories in Haverhill a.nd Lynn, by geographical divisions, varies greatly. One factory sold 5 per cent of its product in New England, 20 per cent in
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, a.nd Maryland, 40 per cent in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
AVERAGE HOURS AND EARNINGS
81
the South, east of the Mississippi River, 30 per cent in Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and 5 per cent in the States west
of the Mississippi River, selling mostly to retailers through traveling men. Another factory sold its entire product to brokers in
Boston, another to brokers in New York City, and another sold only
to chain stores in the Middle West. Only two or three factories in
Haverhill and Lynn reported exports.
Dividends, as such, have been paid in recent years by a comparatively small per cent of the factories in Haverhill or in Lynn. If
the organization was a partnership and there was a net profitreported as a rare occurrence in recent years-a division of the profit
was made in proportion to the amount invested by each partner.
Of the 90 Haverhill and 67 Lynn shoe manufacturers that moved,
liquidated, or went into bankruptcy between January 1, 1920, and
August, 1924, 90 per cent or more rented the buildings in which
they made shoes. In August, 1924, the vacant factory space as
reported by real estate companies, manufacturers, and others
amounted to at least 1,000,000 feet in Haverhill and from 1,500,000
to 1,750,000 feet in Lynn. Rentals were as high as 35 cents per foot
in 1920 in Haverhill and 45 cents per foot in Lynn, with little or
no vacant space. In August, 192!, inducements such as three months'
free rent could be had in Haverhill, with a maximum of 25 cents per
foot rental after the first three months, and floor space in Lynn could
be obtained as low as 20 cents per foot.
AVERAGE HOURS AND EARNINGS
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has for a number
of years, with the cooperation of a number of representative shoe
manufacturers in States in which the production o:f shoes is of real
importance, obtained information as to hours and earnings of shoe
workers from the pay rolls and other records of shoe manufacturers.
This information was used in computing the averages in the tab)j
following, and in compiling Bulletins 232, 260, 278, and 324, and the
article in the June, 1924, Monthl_y Labor Review, giving detailed
figures as to hours, earnings, and working conditions in the shoe
industry.
The great mass of the 1924 information was taken from pay rolls
in Januarv and February. The 1924 averages are, therefore, as of
these two"' months and the Haverhill avera~ earnings per hour
($0.81) shown in Table 2 are representative of earnings before the
20 per cent reduction in piece rates on fancy shoes and 15 per cent
on plain shoes. The average earnings per hour of Haverhill workers
in all occupations combined, even if based on a straight 20 per cent
reduction of the $0.81 per hour for all workers instead of the 20 or
15 per cent reduction in piece rates as stated above, would give avera~e earnings of $0.648 per hour for Haverhill workers, compared
with $0.531 for Boston, $0.652 for Lynn, $0.691 for Brockton, $0.562
for Massachusetts, not including these four cities; $0.709 for New
Y-ork City, and $0.493 for New York State, not including New York
City.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
32
LABOR CONDITION'S IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
.A. comparison of the 1924 State averages in Table 3 shows fewer
hours per week ( 47.8) and higher average eatnings per hour ($0.595)
in Massachusetts than in any other State, and more hours per week
(53.4) in Maine, and lower earnings per hour ($0.405) in Virginia
and Maryland combined than in any other State.
2.-AVERAGE FULL•TIME HOURS PER WEEK, EARNINGS PER IiOUR, AND
FULL-TIME EARNINGS PER WEEK FOR SHOE WORKERS IN ALL OCCUPATIONS
COMBINED, BY SPECIFIED LOCALITY, 1924
TABLE
Average
full•time
hours per
week
Locality
HaverhllL•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.
Lynn .••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Brockton••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••.
Boston ••••..••••••••.••.••.• _••••.•..••••••••••••••••••..••••••••••
Massachusetts, excluding above cities •••••••.••••••••••.•••••••••••
Massachusetts-State ••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••
New York ,-,;ty •.•••••..•••••••••.•.••.•..•...••...••••••••••••.•••
New York State, excluding New York City •••••••••••••••••••••.••
New York State•••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••.••••••••••.•••••••••••
United States ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
48.0
45.0
48.0
48.0
47.9
47.8
45. 7
48. 7
47.9
Average
earnings
per hour
I
$0. 810
.652
.691
.531
.562
.595
• 709
.493
.546
.516
49.1
Av~rsge
full-time
earnings
per week
1 $38. 88
29.34
33.17
25.49
26.97
28.44
32.40
24.01
26.15
25.28
1 This average is of Ianuary and February, or prior to the May 8, 1924, reduction of approximately 20
per cent In piece rates on fancy shoes and of 15 per cent on plain shoes.
TABLE
3.-AVERAGE HOURS AND EARNINGS OF SHOE WORKERS IN ALL OCOUPA•
TIONS COMBINED, BY STATES, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922, AN;D 1924
A versge full-time hours
per week
Average
earnings
hour
per
Average full•time earnings per
week
State
1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1916 1918 1920 1922 1924 1916
Ou.
Massachusetts•••• 54.0 51.6 47.5 47.4 47.8 28.2
47.4
47.9
52.
5
50.8
47.6
28.6
Nl!w Yo!k..••••••
MISSoun•••••••••• 55.0 53.2 47.6 49.0 49.8 23.4
Ohin .•••••••••••• 55.2 53.8
lilinns)tlvanis..... 54.8 54.5
New 1LII1pshlre•• 55.0 50.5
Maine•••.•.•••••• 57.9 53.1
Illinois•••••••••••• 54.2 52.6
Wisconsin ••••• -. 57.0 54. 2
New Jersey••••••• 55.0 54. 7
Minnesota•••••••• 57.8 54. 3
55.1
Michl~---·····
Virgima •••••••••• 59~0 54.2
0
Virginia anC:
Maryland ••••••
49.9
50. 7
48.6
52.4
50.0
48.8
49.1
48.2
49. 7
48.0
50.0
50.6
48.5
52.2
49.8
48. 7
47. 7
48.0
49.7
47.9
49.9
50.1
48. 7
53.4
49.8
49.0
48.4
48.0
49. 7
48. 7
22.6
21.8
23.6
25.5
29.0
19.1
23.4
24.8
----19.8
eta.
36.6
36.5
28. 9
29.8
27.1
34.9
35.6
31.8
27.0
27.0
30.1
26.8
25. 7
1918
1920
1922
1924
Ou. Ct,. Ou.
59.6 52. 7 59.5 $15.23 $18.89 $28. 31 $24. 98 $28.44
64. 2 53.5 54.6 15.02 18.54 30.56 25.36 26.15
50.2
49. 7
47.9
58.5
55.6
52.1
48.0
46.9
54.4
44. 7
45.9
48.5
48.9
41.8
45.8
48.3
47.3
46.5
44.5
52.0
44. 9
45.1
----- ----- ----- ...........
47;6
44.9
44. 7
50.5
44.0
52.0
53.0
54.6
50.5
45. 7
12.87
12.48
11.95
12.98
14. 76
15. 72
10.89
12.87
14. 33
15.37
16. 08
14. 77
17.62
18. 90
16. 73
14.63
14. 77
16.34
14. 77
11.68 13.93
......... ·----40.5
23.90
24.80
24.29
28.43
29.13
26.05
23.42
23.03
26.22
22.22
22.03
------ ------ ..
23.77
24.45
21.15
22.21
25.21
23.56
22.65
21.23
24. 96
22.32
21.60
.. .........
.
19.'n
23. 70
22.36
22.39
24. 51>
23.50
25. go.
25.97
26.43
24.24
22.71
Total••••••• 54. 6 52.3 48..6 48. 7 49.0 25.9 33. 6 55.9 50.1 51.6 14.11 17.54 26.97 24. 45 25.28
Total, all States
except Masss•
ehusetts ••••••••
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
=
=1. -.
49.4 ..
....... -----
·---l---.1:: ------ ·-•-•l•-··••I::
33
COST OF PRODUCING AND SELLING SHOES
4.-AVERAGE FULL-TIME HOURS PER WEEK EARNINGS PER HOUR, AND
FULL-TIME EARNINGS PER WEEK, FOR 14 SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONS IN THE BOOT
AND SHOE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND IN HA VERRILL AND LYNN,
BY OCCUPATION AND SEX, 1924
TABLE
Average full•tlme Average earnings per Average full•time
hour
hours per week
earnings per week
Occupation
Ha•
Ha•
HaUnited ver•
United ver•
Lynn United
ver• Lynn
States h!IJI
States hill Lynn States hill
I
---Cutters, vamp and whole shoe, hand,
malA ··•·•·•••••••••··••··•··••·•··•· 48.4
Ski ~:ieupper: ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48.0
Female ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.0
Cementers and doublers:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.6
Female••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.1
Lining makers, female •••••••••••••••••• 49.3
Top stitchers:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 47.9
Female ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.3
Vampers:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48.2
Female••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.4
Assemblers, pulling over machine:
Male .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.3
Female ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 50.0
Bed machine operator!i male ••••••••••• 49.1
'l'urn !asters/ hand, m e ••••••••••••••• 48.2
Goodyear st tchers, male ..••••••••.•••• 48.8
Edge trimmers, male ••••••••••••••••••• 49.1
Edge setters, male•••••••••••••••••••••• 49.1
Treers:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48. 8
Female ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48.8
Repairers:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48.9
Female••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48.8
All occupations:
Male ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 48. 8
Female••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49.0
48. 0
45.0 $0. 837 $1. 241 $0.939 $40. 51 $59.57
48.0
48.0
45.0
45.0
.619
.472
1.233
.824
.692
.992
29. 71
23.13
59.18
39.55
$42.26
31.14
44.64
·45:0·
·48:o·
48.0 45.0
.332
.328
.369
··:wr ··:41r
.423
16.47
16.10
18.19
·24.-3g" ··2i:5ii
.499
·48:o· ·45:0·
.675
.462
··:153·
··:65r
32.33
22. 77
·aii:i4. ··29.-34
• 707
.519
1.028
.800
··.-600·
34.08
25.64
49.34
38.40
• 743
45.0
45.0
45.0
45.0
.554
.399
.692
• 790
• 773
• 767
• 756
• 776
.598
.811
1.190
1.188
.962
.910
.921
.824
• 780
• 737
27.31
19.95
33.98
38.08
37. 72
37.66
37.12
37.25
28. 70
38. 93
57.12
57.02
46.18
43.68
45.0
45.0
.624
.431
1.096
• 769
30.45
21.03
.. ............
24. 99
19.67
·25:00· --2i:14
48.0
48.0
48.0
48.0
48.0
48.0
48.0
48.0
48. 0
48.0
............
·45.-ij"
45.0
·45.-ij"
·is.·o· ·45:0}48.o
.511
.403
.983
-------
··:s1ii"
··:i22· ··:4Bii·
45.0 { .479
.349 } .810
23.95
47.18
.652 {23.38
17.10 ~8.88
19.04
··21:21
33.44
--aii::.iD
41. 45
37.08
35.10
33.17
49.32
34. 61
29.34
1 The averages In this column are as of January and February, 1924, or prior to the May 8, 1924, reduction
of approximately 20 per cent in piece rates on fancy shoes, and 15 per cent on plain shoes.
COST OF PRODUCING AND SELLING SHOES-HAVERHILL
AND LYNN
In making this study data were obtained, from quite a number of
individual shoe manufacturers, for each of the years (1920 to 1924)
that the factory was in business in Haverhill or Lynn, covering (1)
the number of pairs of shoes produced and sold by the factory; (2)
sales price less discounts; (3) the cost of all materials used in the
manufacture of shoes; (4) the labor cost; that is, the amount paid
in wages to shoe workers; ( 5)" all other specified expenses incurred
in the manufacture and sale of shoes, including such expenses as
rent of buildings rent of machines and payments of royalties for
use of machines, fuel, light, power, maintenance and repair, freight,
interest, taxes, insurance, etc.
·
Data for many factories, especially for those that moved, liquidated, or went into bankruptcy, were not available or were incomplete.
The per cent which each item of cost is of the net amount received for the shoes and the cost per 100 pairs of shoes for each specified item, based on the number of pairs of shoes produced and the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
84
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN :MASSACHUSETTS
expense incurred therein, have been computed and are presented in
Table 5.
.
It will be observed that the costs of manufacture for some of the
subdivisions vary considerably from year to year. In factory No.
1, in Haverhill, the cost of officials was $9.2'7 per 100 pairs in 1922 and
$11.22 in 1923, the last year that this factory was in operation. The
1923 increase over 1922 was due to a 27 per cent reduction in the num. her of pairs of shoes produced in 1923 compared with 1922 with only
12 per cent reduction is salaries of officials. This factory lost money
in each of the years it was in business, the net loss being $13.30 per
100 pairs in 1921, $8.66 in 1922, and $32.82 in 1923. Bad accounts,
causmg a loss of $8.07 per 100 pairs in 1922 and $15.54 per 100 pairs
in 1923, was the cause of nearly all of the net loEB in 1922 and nearly
half of the loss in 1923.
·
Variation in cost, as a rule, is due in part to the variation in the
number of shoes :produced in· different years. The overhead, such
as salaries of officials, rents, taxes, insurance, etc., continues regardless of the number of shoes produced. This point is vividly illustrated by factory No. 16 in Lynn, in which coi;;t of officials was $22.77
per 100 pairs in 1920; $20.64: in 1921; $22.4o in 1922, and $55.52 in
1923, the 1923 increase being due to a decrease of only 7 per cent in
salaries of officials against a decrease of 62 per cent in number of
pairs of shoes produced in 1923 compared with the 1920 figqres.
Cost figures covering materials used in the manufacture of shoes
vary with the price of materials and the style of shoes. In 1920,
when the price of materials, especially leather, was very high, the
cost of materials per 100 pairs of shoes, as shown by factory No.
3 in Haverhill, was high. The deflation or reduction in the price
of leather in 1920 contributed to the failure of a number of shoe
factories. It was reported by one manufacturer that a grade of
leather which he b9ught in considerable quantity early in 1920 at
more than $1 per pound sold at less than 35 cents per pound in later
years. A change in style increasing or decreasing the quantity of
leather and other material means a change in cost of materials per
100 pairs.
Variation in cost figures for materials as well as for labor also
results from a change in the kind of shoe produced. A change from
infants' and children's turn shoes to infants'.: children's, and misses'
welt shoes in 1922, and from infants' children's, and misses' welt
shoes to infants', children's, and misses; welt and turn shoes in 1924,
as was done by factory No. 9 in Lynn, increased the cost of materials
per 100 pairs in 1922 and reduced the cost of materials per 100 pairs
m 1924. Comparison of the figures of this factory for turn shoes in
1920 or 1921 should not be made with the figures for 1922 or 1923
for welt shoes, nor should the 1924 figures for welt and turn shoes
be compared with figures for ·any of the preceding years for turn
shoes or for welt shoes.
Cost figures covering labor vary with the amount of work or the
number of operations necessary in the making of different styles of
shoes. A change from a plain standard shoe to .an extreme novelty
with many straps, cut-outs, etc., means additional operations with
increased labor cost.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
COST OF PRODUCING AND SELLING SHOl!lS
85
TABLE 4.-PER CENT THAT SPECIFIED ITEMS CONSTITUTE OF NET BALES, AND
COST PER 100 PAIRS, BY ESTABLISHMENT AND ITEM OF COST, 1920 TO 11124
JUVEBllILL, KASS,
[A blank column indicates that the factory was not in operation daring the year or that data were not
available]
Establishment, kind of shoes,
and Item of expense
Per cent that specified Items
constitute of net sales
Cost per 100 pairs
i--.---r---.-, ---+---.--.-- -.---r-1920
1921
1922 1923
1924
1920
1921
1922
1923
192i
----------1 ---- -- _ _,.__ , _ --- ------ --Establishment No. 1.-Women•s turns and slippers:
43.1 4,4. 0 ------ -------- $169. 40 $136. 86 $165. 78 -------Materlals_--------------- -----Labor
cost________________
______ 46.
36. 92
35. 1
2. 9
1. 3
Bales force..________________ ______ L 3
3.1
1.1
1· 5
chines.... _________________ -----•7
•5
Fuel, light, and power__________
•6
•8
Maintenance and repair__ ______
•3
•2
Freight in and out________ ______
•4
•4
Interest paid______________ ______ 1. 5
•7
Taxes, except real estate-.. ______
•2
•1
6
.5
Lasts, dies, and patterns-_ ______ 2. 9 2. 6
Bad accounts ___________________ ------ 2. 5
Depreciation______________
______ •. 56
All other________________________
•• 4
7
Net loss. __________________ ------ 3. 9 2. 7
Establishment No. 2.-Women's turns and McKay:
Materials-_--------------_
60. 67 34.
52. 89 36.
49. 73
Labor cost________________ 33.
Officials.__________________ 3. 0 3. 0 1. 6
Office clerks..------------•6
•4
•2
Bales force..________________
•1
• 4 2. 6
Rent of buildings __ ------- 2. 1 L1 1. 2
Rent and roysltles on
7
.8
•5
Fuel, light, and power____
.8
•8
•7
Maintenance and repair___
•3
•4
Freight in and out________
•8
.6
•5
.8
Interest paid __ ------------ L 1
•4
Taxes, except real estate__
•3
.2
•5
.3
•1
Lasts, dies, and patterns__ (')6
•3
Bad accounts _____________ -----.4
Loss on returned shoes____ (')
(')
Depreciation._____________
1
.4
All
other__________________ .•47 .8
•6
Officials.__________________ ______
Office clerks.______________ ------
2. 2
1. 7
~:~:~esoiiiiii;- ------
Insurance _________________ ------ .
macb!nes.______________ .
·""
Insurance----------------- .
·""
<?
i:~
37. 1
3. 0
1. 6
3. 6
1. 3
------ -------- 123.13
---------------------
-----------------------------
7. 49
6. 94,
4. 51
6. 19
• 7 ------ -------• 7 ------ -------• 2 ------ --------
2. 42
1. 93
1. 02
.1 ------ --------
1. 33
4. 98
. 6 ------ -------2. 4 ------ --------
1. 97
• 3 ------ --------
1. 99
13. 30
• 9 ------ -------.1 ------ --------
• 57
18. 02
4.1 ------ -------- ·------• 6 ------ -------1. 73
8.1 ------ -------(1)
!Ill
------ --------
1 ------ --------
1. 1 ------ -------• 8 ------ -------4. 3 ------ --------
4 ------ --------
1
. 8 ------ -------• 7 ------ -------. 6 ------ -------• 5 ------ --------
. 1 ------ --------
• 6 ------ -------• 4 ------ -------• 7 ------ --------
<?1
:::::: ::::::::
• 5 ------ --------
96. 69
63. 71
5.49
.80
• 70
3.15
Ll2
L41
.82
1.07
L42
111. 69
9. 27
4.11
9. 95
3. 55
L52
2.60
.73
1.26
2.21
.28
1.49
8.27
8.07
1.35
2. 25
8.66
00.85
66.23
2. 811
.39
4. 72
2.23
1.00
1.24
• 74
.97
139. 95 -------11. 22
5. 76
13. 4,7
4. 87
2.82
2. 46
• 72
• 48
3. 38
• 31
2.14
9.02
--------
----------------------
15. 54
2.11
1.12
32.82
.//i_>48
1.98
1.35
7. 65 -------2. 60 -------1. 43 -------1. 17 --------
1. 09 --------
• 91 --------
.33
.75
.87
1. 17 -------1 11.1 --------
.81
.46
1. 25 --------
.49
.72
(')
. 75
LM
l:~ :::::: :::::::: i:~
.23
• 66 --------
- (') -- ---(') -- -------. 20
1.09
.21
.91
Net llllin-----------------Net
foss_____ ______ ______ __ (•)
(I)
~~
Establishment No. 3.-Women's McKay:
Materials_________________ 64. 2 48. 7 38.1 42. 2 ______ 1$328. 37 196. 08 125. 70 167.
82 -------Labor cost________________ 21. 2 35. 7 40. 0
143. 09 132.12
Officials.__________________
Office
clerks.____________
Bales force.._______________
Rent of buJldings_________
Rent
and royalties on
machines______________
Fuel, light,
power____
Maintenanceand
and repair___
Freight in and out________
Interest paid______________
1. 3
1. 4
3. 3
(')
•4
(1)
•3
•1
1. 2
Taxes, except real estate__
Insurance_________________
.• 45
Lasts, dies, and patterns__
L7
~':'°:1t!ie<r8lioes::::--.:-6Depreciation______________ . 4
All other__________________
Net gain __________________
Net foes.__________________
!Not reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2. 5
2.
o
3. 5
(•)
43. 1 ------ 105. 96
• 8 -----6. 39
1. 7 -----6. 97
2. 3 ------ 16. 48
(')
------
(')
S!
10.19
8.09
14.04
3.88
6.8'
1L44
(')
171. 59
3. 22
6. 92
0 '.16
(')
2. 30
(L')72
(')
•5
•7
• 8 ______
1. 80
1. 97
(')
•4
.1
(')
•5
.1
(')
• 4 ______
.1 ____ _
•6
2. 8
•4
1. 5
(')
1. 52
• 82
5. 98
2. 73
1. 98
8. 59
(I)
1. 72
• 58
4. 34
1. 26
2. 38
lL 18
L1
•1
•6
•3
i~ ~:
•7
• 7 ______
• 5 ______
• 3 ______
3. 6 ______
.: ______ --2'i'.49-
• 28
2. 06
• 98
1. 26
6. 11
s:g:
t~
2. 73
2. 23
---------------
---------------
3.18 _______ _
(')
1. 46
• 21
2. 63
2. 09
1. m
14. 07
-------_______ _
_______ _
_______ _
_______ _
_______ _
_______ _
i~ ::::::::
•7
• 5 ______
1. 82
L 98 _______ _
2. 9
2. 4, -----8. 81
9.17
9. 55
9. 36 _______ _
4.1 ______ ------ -------- -------- 13. 55 _______________ _
.6 ------ . 7 ------ 27. IH
2.11 -------2. 70 _______ _
•Not IJ4lllle&8ted; included in "all other,"
1. 8
2. 4,
------ ______
6.4,
1. 2
2.1
3. 6
(')
~:!
86
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE 5.-PER CENT THAT SPECIFIED ITEMS CONSTITUTE OF NET SALES, AND
COST PER 100 PAIRS, ETC.-Conttnued
·
KAVERRILL, JU.SS.-COntinued
Per cent that specified items
Cost per 100 pairs
constitute of net sales
Establishment, kind of shoes,
and item of expense
t---,---.---~--,r---+---.----,----,,-----.--1920 1921 1922 1923 1924
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
-----------1·--1·--+--l--+---l--- - - - - - - - - - - - Establishment No.4.-Wom•
en's tnrns:
Materials ••••••••••••••••. 67. 5
Labor cost................ 22. o
Officials••••••••••••• ~..... 2. 2
.6
Office clerks...............
Sales force.................
.3
Rent of buildings.........
.4
Rent and royalties on
machines................
.3
Fuel, light, and power....
.6
Maintenance and repair...
.2
Freight in and ont........
.3
Interest paid..............
.6
Taxes, except real estate... 1.1
Insurance.................
.5
Depreciation.............. 1.1
All other..................
.5
Net gain •••••••••••••••••• 1.7
Net loss•.••••••••••..•..••.•••••
Establislunent No. o.-Wom·
en's turns:
Materials................. 48. 3
Labor cost................ 28. 5
Officials................... 1. 2
Office clerks............... 1. 2
Sales force................. 2. 6
Rent of buildings......... 1. 3
Rent and royalties on
machines................
.1
Fuel, light, and powerO • • •
•2
Maintenance and repru.r.• .
.9
Freight In and out........
•3
Interest paid..............
.2
Taxes, except real estate...
.4
Insurance.................
.3
Lasts, dies, and patterns..
.6
Bad accounts.............
.4
Loss on returned shoes.. • • 2. o
Depreciation.............. 3. 3
All other.................. 2. 4
Moving expenses•••••••••..•••••
Net gain.................. 2. 3
Establishment No. 6.-Wom•
en's and misses' McKay:
Materials................. 48. 1
Labor cost •••••••••••••••• 25. 3
Officials................... (•)
Office clerks............... (')
Sales force................. 3. 3
Rent of buildings......... (•)
Rent and royalties on
machines................
. ·5
Fuel, light, and power.... (')
Maintenance and repair...
.3
Freight in and out........
•5
Interest paid..............
.1
Taxes, except real estate...
.3
Insurance.................
.3
Lasts, dies, and patterns.. (•)
Bad accounts ..•.•••••••••••••••
Loss on returned shoes .••..•••••
Depreciation..............
.3
All other.................. 8. 0
Net gain.................. 8. 5
55.6
30.1
6.3
1. 2
.8
1.0
M.0
34.2
4.1
1.3
1.0
2.0
51. 9 $272. 70 $191. 68 $157.14 $147.18
36.1
89.02 103.85 97.67
94. 75
2.6
9.08 21.55 11. 71
7.06
1.5
2.62
4.01
3.58
3. 75
1.1
1.24
2. 72
2.52
2.81
(')
1. 58
3.57
5.59
3. 76
.4
.4
.6
.8
1.14
1. 4 1. 2 1. O (2)
2. 29
.3
.3
.3
.2
. 82
.3
.3
.2
.3
1. 10
1. 2 1. o
•6
•6
2. 23
3. 3
.4
.1
.1
4. 45
1. 2 1.1
. 9 1.1
2. 08
2. 2
. 9 1. o 2.1
4. 42
1.2
.6
.5
3.2
2.20
•...••.•.•... 1 ••..••
6.93
6.5
3.8 •••••• 1.5 ••••••••
1. 22
4. 73·
1.00
":95
4.29
11. 52
4.12
7.43
4.07
1. 28
3.49
. 76
1.00
2.86
1.14
3.27
2.68
1. 79
1. 64
2. 80
. 74
.58
1. 78
.19
2.54
2. 73
1.34
22. 24
10. 82
• 29
49. 7 .•••.....•.......• ·148.83
87.88
32.0
3. 75
.9
1.0
3. 74
8.03
3.3
4.10
.8
175.08
112. 54
3.15
3.55
11.69
2.95
.33
12.09
2.22
•••••• •••••• ••••••
.34
.• 6ir
2.64
.96
.58
1. 25
1.00
1.86
1.13
6.08
9.10
7.46
··••••••••••••••••
7.04
.1
.6
1.1
.2
.1
.5
.3
.5
3.0
2.4
1. 2
.4
2.7
46.3
35. 6
1.1
.6
1.9
1.2
.8
•••••• ··•••· ··•••·
.•••.•.•••.. ••••••
47.7 47.3
38. 7 40. 3
1.2
1.1
.7
.8
1.9 1.6
1.0 1.0
.8
.9
1.0
.3
.8
1.1
.3
(")
··i:o·
1.3
.2
.9
.3
1.1
.3
1.1
2.9
.3
.6
.1
1.4.
.3
.7
5.9
• Not segregated, included in "all other."
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
53.8
34.6
2.6
1.4
.9
1.4
1. 2·
.8
1.2
.2
(1)
2.0
.3
.7
147. 24
77.39
(')
(1)
10.15
(1)
1.56
(•)
.95
1.51
.44
.98
.98
(1)
1.3 ••••.•••••.••.
.3
.95
.9 ...•.. 24.33
1.2 ·•·••• 25.89
$137. 55
95.60
6.89
4.06
2.95
{•)
2.21
(•)
.64
.69
1.48
.20
2.85
5.56
.8.48
4. 05
.83
.49
1.80
.oo
1. 73
10. 55 .••••• : ...• :: •. : .• :.::::
8. 53 •••••••• ••·••••· ••••••••
4.22 •••••••. •••••••· ••••••••
1.32 .••••••••••••••.••••••••
9.67 •••••••• ••••••.. •·••••••
106. 81
82.19
2.49
1.49
4.30
2.82
89.35
·72.55
2.23
1.31
3.a6
1.92
87.83
74.88
2.04
1. 56
2. 93
1. 77
1.90
1.98
2.29
.63
.07
3.10
.48
2.19
. 72
2.43
1. 58
1.42
1.97
.63
2.25
1.50
2.21
.34
.08
3.63
.53
1.27
.64
2.59
6. 72
···i:iii"
.49
1.22
.17
2.59
.51
1.34
11.08
-------·--2:46· -------.• 48
1. 75 -------2.25
• Less than one•tenth of l per cent.
87
COST OF PRODUOING AND SELLING SHOES
~ABL■
G.-PBlR CENT THAT SPECIFIED ITEMS CONSTITUTE OF NET SALES, AND
COST PER 100 PAIRS, ETC.-Continued
LYNN, KASS,
Per cent that speclfled items
Cost per 100 pairs
constitute of net sales
Establlshment, kind of shoes,
and Item of expense
1--,---,---,---.---1---,----.-----,,-----1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Establishment No. 7-Wom•
en'sMoKay:
Materials................. 54. 2 47. 5 •••••••••••••••••• $178. 14 $1«. 11 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Labor oost ...•••...•.••••. 22. 2 43. o •••••• •••••• •••••• 73. 04 130. 50 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Offiolals................... 3. 4 1. 7 •••••• •••••• •••••• 11. 23
r, t.6 ........................
Office clerks............... 1. 4 1. 2 •••••• •••••• •••••• 4. 72
3. 62 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Sales foroe................. 2. 3 2. 2 ...... •••••• •••••• 7 '"I
11 ~7 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Rent of buildings......... 1. 5 2 o •••••• •••••• •••••• 4. 78
6. 06 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Rent and royalties on
machines................ . 4 • 7 •••••• .••••• •••••• 1. 47 :>. 9A ........................
Fuel, light, and power.... .1
• 2 ··-··- •••••• ••••••
• 46
• 75 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
Maintenance and repair... • 3
• 9 •••••• •••••• ••••••
• 97
2. 73 •••••••• --·-·-·· ••••••••
Freight In and out........ • 2
• 6 •••••• •••••• ••••••
• 74
1. 69 ······-- ••••••••••••••••
Interest paid.............. • 9 1. 3 •••••• --···- •••••• 2. 79
4. 04 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
· Taxes, except real estate... • 3
.1 ····-- •••••• ••••••
. 94
• 43 •••••••• ·-·-·-·- ••••••••
Insurance................. • 2
• 5 •••••• •••••• ••••••
. 65
1. 46 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
~ t s ~ : , d patterns •••2.2•••ii-:i° ••.........•••••.•••. 7. 07•••is:°i4• ·····--· -······· ...... ..
~~:.~:............. L: ••1. 3 ••••••
Netloss................... • 8 12. 7 ••••••
Establishment No. 8-Women's ohildren's, and Infants'
MoKay and welts:
Materials................. 57. 3 43. 8 41. 9
Labor oost................ 25. 1 38. 5 39. 0
Offiolals................... 4. 5 6. 6 3. 4
Office clerks............... • 5 1. o 1. 2
Sales force................. L 5 2. 7 2. 8
Rent of buildings......... (I)
(I)
(I)
Rent and royalties on
machines•••••••••••••••• Ll
1.4 L7
2.(l)l (I)
Fuel, light, and power.... (I)
Maintenance and repair... L 4
1. 2
Freight lnand out........ .1
.1
.1
Interest paid.............. . 5
•1
.5
Tues, except real estate... • 4
•3
.1
Insurance................. .3
.3
.7
.6
.2
Badaocounts••••••••••••• (I)
Depreciation.............. 2. 1 4. o 4. s
Another•••••••••••••••••• 2.2 4.9 6.8
Net gain •• - - - · · · · · 3. 3 •••••• ••••••
Net loss••••••••••••••••••••••••• 6.1 3.3
Establishment No. II-Infants'
and ohlldren's turns In 1920
•••••• ••••••
•••••• ••••••
4. ~ ···4. 08 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
2. 66 38. 65 ••••••••••••••••••••••••
47. 5 «. 9 233. 93 139. 00 $112. 97 $133. 46 $126.'JJT
39. 7 36. 1 102. 31 122. 26 105. 02 111. 34 100. 53
2. 7 2. 7 18. 40 17. 79
9. 29
7. 67
7.52
L5
.8
2. 08
3. 02
3. 14
4. 26
2.36
3. 1 2. 2
6. 26
8. 56
7. 63
8. 71
6.14
(I)
(I)
(I)
(I)
(I)
(I)
(')
LS
2.0
(I)
4.29
4.50
3. 14
.32
1. 28
• 38
6.0'J
2.(1)..
(I)
.37
1. 96
L 46
1.06
4.38
6.(1)53
.47
. 48
1. 06
1.0'J
• 34
2. 66
31.44
26.81
46.43
31.25
86.64
73.83
20.68
7L46
64.20
19.50
(I)
•9
.1
.9
.1
L2
.1
.4
••••••
.7
(I)
6. 86
(I)
uu
6.67
3. 25
.29
1.07
.33 ••••••••
1.92
L62
1.91
.s
.08
1.61
.46
L71
.oo
1. 9
s. 71 12. 71 lL 56 s. 22
5. 41
6.1
8.98 16.41 17.57 11.83
14.33
•••••• 6. 6
13. 63 •••••••• •••••••• •••••••• 18. 40
6.9 •••••••••••••• 16.21
8.96
16.47 ••••••••
.6
.1
2. 9
4.2
::a~~~:f~~~
1923; Infants' ohlldren's, and
misses' welts and turns In
1924:
Materials................. '6. 6 49. 2 39. 9 43. 3 (1)8
Lsborcost •••••••••••••••• 34.6 33.9 34.0 32.8 38;
Offiolals................... 6. 6 9. 8 9. 5 11. 8 8. 6
Office clerks............... (1)
(I)
(1)
(I)
Sales force................. 4. 7 3. 6 3. 1 2. 4
~
Rent of buildings......... (I)
(I)
(I)
(I)
-,
Rent and royalties on
ii)
~tiiniiiiowei:::: ··(')·· ··(')·· ··(')·-
Freight In and out........ .3
•6
Tues, except real estate... L 1
•7
Insurance................. .3 LS
Bad aooounts... •••••••••• •••••• 2. 6
Delll'8CiBtion.............. •••••• ••••••
Alfother.................. 5. 8 9. O
.5
•5
1.6
•7
1. 6
~
.4
5.12
9.00
(I)
r65
(')
3.99
(')
--cl)·· ···cl)··· ···cl)··· ·--cl)·,
ci>14
.6
• 8 ••••••
~64
(I)
.'JJT
. 86
.20
3.31
(I)
.42
• 68
.3 L5
1.66
• 8 1. 5 •••••••• 2. 42
L 9 -··-·- ··-···-- ••••••••
9. o 15. O 12. 2
4. 47
8. 29
(I)
1.1..
1. Oli
3.53
1. 51
3. 44
19. 53
~~-89
9.58
(I)
.04
(I)
·-·,_;.,···
• 73
.55
1. 33 ••••••••
.57
1.73
1. 28
1. 73
3.18 ••••••••
24. 71
13. 77
:=: r:::::::::::::::::::: ..~.~. ·icff .•.:~. ··iff :::::: ...~-~. ··°i:86- •••~:~. ··io~oo· ::::::::
1 Not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
• Not segregated; Included In "all other.''
• Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
38
LABOR CONDITIONS .IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE 5.-PER CENT THAT SPECIFIED ITEMS CONSTITUTE OF NET SALES, AND
COST PER 100 PAIRS, ETC.-Continued
LYNN, MASS.-Continued
Per cent that specified items
Cost per 100 pairs
constitute of net sales
Establishment, kind of shoes,
i--.----;--,---:---t----;---,------,-----and item of expense
1920
1921
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924
1922
1923
1924
------------1--- --- --- --- --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Establishment N o.10.-Wom•
en's welts:
Materials .•••..•••....... _ 59. 2 44. 8 38. 0 50. 2 ·····- $326. 76 $176. 74 $123. 82 $167. 50
147. 86 164. 73 147. 23 157. 17
Labor cost •.••.••. __ ...... 26. 8 41. 8 45. 2 47.1
1. 7
1. 7
5. 1
20.23
26. 34
Officials................... 4. 8
5.63
5. 53
1. 1 1. O 1. 3
.8
4. 21
4. 61
Office clerks..•....... -....
4. 25
3. 28
3. 8
12. 62
1. 8 3. 9
7.23
7.30
12. 54
Sales force- ......•....•. -.. 1. 3
2.3
1.2 2.4
4. 70
.8
4. 33
Rentofbuildings ....... -7. 71
7. 57
Rent and royalties on ma6.12
5. 97
2.1
1. 9
6.13
1.6
6.87
chines __ ··-·•···· -·•···· · 1. 1
. 63
.1
.59
.2
•3
Fuel, light, and power....
1.02
.2
• 77
5. 87
.4
2.48
.7
.7
Maintenance and repair...
2. 31
1. 5
2. 32
.2
Freight in and out........
1.05
.4
1.68
1. 33
.6
1. 87
.3
. 59
1. 48
3. 64
.3
.97
.5
.1
.7
Interest paid·-···········2. 78
1. 32
.2
.5
• 77
.4 (')
Taxes, except real estate...
.14
.2
. 93
1. 57
.6
2.12
.09
(')
.3
Insurance ........ ·-·······
6.65
Lasts, dies, and patterns.. 1. O
.2
5. 67
.12 .......•
11. 96 .. . 23
5. 64
(3) ••••••
.1
Bad accounts............. 1. o 3.0
1. 13
( 3) ••••••
•4
.2
1.85
Depreciation..............
.5
.11 ·•·•··••
1. 20
3. 32
.7
3. 71
• 7 ...... ....•.
All other..................
.8
2. 34 ········ ····•···
.3
Net gain .•.••••......... -.
R 22 ..•.•.••••••••••
1. 84
2. 5 ····-· ••••••
7. 0 •••••....•.... 24. 07
23. 31
Net loss __ ···••·······-···· --··-· 6.1
Establishment No. 11.-Wom•
en's welts:
Materials ..••••..••..••. __ 87. 8 43. 5 48. 5 48. 3
590.15 184. 78 159. 82 163. 23
114. 63 124. 77 106. 47 133. 49
Labor cost................ 17. 1 29. 3 32. 3 39. 5
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
Officials................... (')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
Office clerks_.............. (')
(')
2. 2 2. 5 2. O
9. 27
11. 47
Sales force................. 1. 7
8. 23
6. 75
(')
(')
(')
(')
Rent of buildings......... (')
(')
(')
(')
Rent and royalties on ma·
5.89
2. 4
1. 8
6. 49
8.18
chines..............•... _ 1. o 1. 4
6.05
(')
(')
(')
(')
(2)
(')
(')
Fuel, light, and power.... (')
2.17
•4
•5
1. 72
•4
1.90
.3
1. 27
Maintenance and repair...
1. 34
•4
.4
1.24
.3
.2
1. 50
1.40
Freight in and out........
. 42
3. 43
1. 37
.4
.1
.5
Interest paid_·····-·······
.3
.5
1. 3
5. 35
22. 29
Taxes, except real estate... 3. 3
1. 76
. 85
2. 35
.3
.7
2.30
.6
.4
2.38
1. 10
Insurance.................
11.25
7.80
3. 3 .......•...... 34. 38
Bad accounts.•·-············--· 8. 1 2. 4
1.62
• 4 -·-··· •..••..••••• 15. 71
Loss on returned shoes.... 2. 3
8.55
7. 46
1. 7
5.90
Depreciation..••......... _ 1. 1 2. o 3. 3
10. 92
52. 84
56.38
53. 72
39. 56
All other ...••.. ·-··-······ 8. o 12. 4 17. 1 11. 7
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Net gain .•••••.•....... ___ (')
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Net loss .....••.... ·-··-·-- (1)
Establishment N o.12.-W omen's welts:
83.19
Materials ....•..•..••......•.•. -····· 37. 1 28. 7 .••.......•••..••••... 124. 98
Labor cost ...•...............•. -····· 39. 9 43. 6 ...•.............•.... 134. 26 126. 44
20.20
21.m
.
...............
····-·
3
9.
O
6.
-·····
Officials .....•..•••.............
3. 98
3.39
Office clerks......................... 1. O 1. 4 .............. -·······
3.12
-·······
........•.....
2
1.
3. 37
9
.
Sales force.............................
(') -····· .....•...••...•.
(')
(')
Rent of buildings ........ _............ (')
Rent and royalties on ma•
8. 24
6. 52
2. 8 ...••. ....•.•• ...•••.•
chines........ -...................... 1. 9
(')
(')
(') ...... ........ ........
Fuel, light, and power .... -··•··...... (')
2. 43
1. 88
. 8 ...... .•••.•.. ........
.6
Maintenance and repair .. _ ...... ··-···
1. 04
• 96
. 4 ...•.. .••••.•. ....••..
•3
Freight in and out. ..•...... ~ ... -·····
• 26
. 1 .•••...•.•.......•.... --······
Interest paid._..............................
. 11
92
.
........
..••••..
.•....
(')
3
.
..••..
estate.........
Taxes, except real
. 77
. 76
. 3 .••... ..••.••. ........
.2
Insurance .............. -........ ...•..
6.14
4. 93
2.1 ...... .....•.. ....•...
Lasts, dies, and patterns.............. 1. 5
. 05 ............... .
Bad accounts......................... (') •··-·· .••.•. ...•.••• ....••..
80
6.
76
5.
••••••••
••••••••
••••••
3
2.
7
1.
shoes................
Loss on returned
3. 58 .......•
2. 49
1. 2 ..•••........• -·······
.7
Depreciation._........................
05 ....... .
4.
.......•
.......•
..•••••.
Moving expenses_ ..••••... -··•·· ...•.. -····· 1. 4 .•.••.
16. 20 ..•....•
5. 6 .••••. .••••••. ...•.•.. 12. 73
All other........................ .•.•.. 3. 8
··-·····
..•••...
91
13.
...•••..
••..•.•.
Net gain.............................. 4.1 ...•.. .••••.
Net loss .•....•.......•... -·····............ -~ 1 ..•... ......•. .....•.. ••...•.. 14. 73 ....••..
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
1 Not segregated; included in "all Qther.''
I Not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
39
COST OF PRODUCING AND SELLING SHOES
TABLlil 5.-PER CENT THAT SPECIFIED ITEMS CONSTITUTE OF NET SALES, AND
COST PER 100 PAIRS, ETC.-Contlnued
LYNN, MASS,-Continued
Establishment, kind of sh008,
and item of expense
Per cent that specified items
constitute of net sales
1920
1921
Cost per 100 pairs
1923
1924
1920
1921
1922
1923
41. 7 47.7
25. 7 25.6
(1)
27. 3
----------------------------------------------------------------
$77. 06
41.46
$70.17
43.36
$80.95
43.41
(')
(')
(')
(')
1922
-Establishment No. 13.-Men's
and women's McKay, and
turn:
Materials _________________
Labor cost_ _______________
OfficiaJs ___________________
Office clerks _______________
Sales force _________________
Rent of buildings _________
royalties on
and ________________
Rent
machines
--------------------------
----------Fuel, light, and ~wer ____ ------
Maintenance an repair ___
Freight in and out ________
Taxes,
except
real estate __
Insurance
_________________
All other__________________
Net gain __________________ -----Net Joss ___________________
Establishment N o.14.-Women's McKay:
Materials
---------- -- - 65.3
Labor
cost____
________________
Officials ___________________ 23.1
.9
Office clerks_______________
.8
Sales force ________________
.5
Rent of buildings _________ (')
Rent
and ________________
royalties on
machines
(')
Fuel, light, and ~ower_____ (')
Maintenance an repair ___
.4
Freight in and out ________
.2
Interest paid ______________
.3
Taxes,
except
real estate___ 3.0
Insurance
_________________
All other__________________ 1..25
Net gain __________________ (1)
Net loss ___________________ (1)
Establishment N o.15.-Women's
McKay:_________________
Materials
Labor cost ________________
Officials ___________________
Office clerks _______________
Sales force _________________ -----Rent of buildings __________
Rent and royalties on
machines ________________
Fuel, light, and power ____
Maintenance and repair ___
Freight in and out_ _____.__
Interest paid ______________
Taxes, except real estate ___
Insurance
___ ______________
-------------- -----Depreciation
All other __________________
Net gain __________________
Net Joss ___________________
------
----------------------------------------------
1 Not
reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Not
44.4
23.9
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
(')
5.1
1.5
2.3
1.5
4.0
1.6
1.9
2.8
(')
.5
.1
2. 5
.4
.5
.1
3. 6
.4
2.6
6.51
.2
.2
7.5
7. 3
.7
.7
.2
.1
2.3 4. 7
.4
.o
3. 7 -----.2
.4
8.3 11. 8
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
68.0
20. 5
.9
1.1
.6
51.8
33. 7
1.9
1.2
1.2
52. 2
37.8
1. 7
2. 8
2.3
(')
(')
(')
.1
(')
.3
.2
(')
3.5
.1
1. 8
(1)
(1)
.2
(')
.6
.3
(')
4.9
.6
5.5
(1)
(1)
.2
(')
.6
.3
.1
1.6
.2
7.9
(')
(1)
49.9 46. 2 43.6
33. 2 40.4 44.5
5.8 4.6
1. 7
.6
.9
.6
1.2
.7
2. 3
(1)
.6
(')
.6
.6
.3
.2
.1
1. 0
5.3
(1)
(1)
(')
.7
(')
.4
.4
.2
.2
.2
2. 2
2.0
1.1
(')
.8
(')
.8
.3
.1
.1
.2
1.1
2. 5
1. 7
(1)
(1)
---------------
-----------------------------
$283. 53
----------- 100.3. 54
77
----------- 3.28
------
---------------------------------------------------
2.08
(')
2.66
.84
.15
4.31
• 71
11. 27
.35
13.03
(1)
(1)
3.85
2. 65
.85
. 17
6.06
.69
4. 35
. 35
12. 33
(1)
(1)
6.85
2.80
1.25
. 21
3.96
. 64
6. 27
.37
14.17
189. 59
137. 32
6. 35
10.12
8. 26
(')
(')
(')
.67
(')
1. 66
.97
I. 13
12.86
.98
6. 68
2.06
1. 45
.13
21. 51
.65
11.24
18.06
.18
20. 51
2.30
1.11
.44
5.63
.67
28. 66
112. 33
76. 65
13. 08
2. 01
2.87
111.05
97.18
10.97
1. 39
1. 79
108. 88
110.93
4. 33
I. 52
5.66
(')
(')
(')
1.46
1.68
2.12
(')
(')
(')
(1)
------ ------------- ------------- ------------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------
------ --------
------ ------ ------ --------
(1)
(1)
1. 28
1.37
. 71
.45
.28
2. 34
12. 03
(I)
(1)
(1)
2.22
1.20
• 14
(1)
(1)
1.01
.99
.58
3.33
4.114
1.28
.28
8. 39
1.00
-------.67
21.02
---------------------______
192.10
125. 08
6.90
4.56
4. 32
.57
(•)
(')
(1)
(1)
1)
417. 57
125. 87
5.44
6. 75
3. 61
.49
(1)
$48.43
t
.20
(')
------ (1)
------------------------------------------ ------------- --------
segregated; includedi n "all other".
(')
(')
8. 80
1924
(')
(1)
(1)
1. 94
.67
.33
.33
.42
2. 73
6.34
4.12
..,_
--------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'
----------------------
--------
----------------------------·------- -------- --------------• 54
.45
5. 34
4. 84
2.68
• Less than one-tenth or 1 per cent.
40
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
TABLE 5.-PEJR CEJNT THAT SPECIFIEJD ITEMS CONSTITUTEJ OF NEJT SALES, AND
COST PEJR 100 PAIRS, EJTC.-Contlnued
LYNN, MA.SS.-Continued
Establishment, kind of shoes,
and item of expense
Per cent that specified Items
constitute of net sales
. Cost per 100 pairs
1---,---,--------1----,---------,.--1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
- - - - - - - - - - i - - -----------l----+----1----1--EstablishmentNo.16.-Women's welts:
Materials................. 57. 6 42. 1 41. 5 45. 2 ·•··•· $287. 84 $149. 42 $125. 22 ,$164. 30
94. 31 110.01 108. 76 135. 54
Labor cost ..••••.....•••.. 18. 9 30. 9 36. 0 37. 3
22. 77
20.64
Officials................... 4. 6
22. 45
5. 8
7.4 15. 3
65.52
1. 7
3. 74
1. 76
Office clerks...............
.7
2. 24
.5
.7
6. 20
Sales force................. 1. 6
2.7
7.80
8.68
2. 4
10.17
3. 4
9. 76
Rent of buildings......... 1. 2
3.4
6.81
3.20
.9
1. 4
4. 26
12. 31
Rent and royalties on
machines................
.9
1.6
1. 7
2. 7
4. 70
5.57
5.10
9. 74 .••••••.
Fuel, light, and power....
.4
.5
.6
.8
1. 84
1. 88
1. 79
2. 92 ••••.•.•
-Maintenance and repair...
.3
.6
.5
.5
1. 57
1. 99
1. 44
1. 81 ••......
Freightinandout.........
.2
.2
.2
.3
.90
.86
.70
1.06 .•..••..
Interest paid.................... (3)
• 3 ...... ...... ........
. 15
. 85 .•..•..•.....•••
Taxes, except real estate... 1. 0
.8
.8
1. 4
5. 11
2. 71
2. 46
5. 00
Insurance.................
.3
.2
.3
. 1 .•.•..
1. 37
. 74
. 94
. 31 ...•••..
Lasts, dies, and patterns..
.7
2. 5
1. 5
1. 7 ......
3. 30
8. 92
4. 59
6. 30 •••.•..•
Bad accounts................... 1. 1
1. 1 6. 9 ..•... ..•.....
4. 06
3. 46
25. 11 ..•.•.•.
Depreciation..............
.2
.2
. 4 ...... ......
. 91
. 83
1. 09 ••.•.....•.•••..
All other.•.••••••.•.••••... 3
.4
.7
1.5 ....••
1.28
1.29
1.99
5.43 .•••.•..·
Net gain ..••••••.......•.• 12.1 10.1
3. 7 ...... ..•••. 60. 65
35. 94
11. 29 .•..............
Net loss................... ••••.. ...•.. ....•. 17. 9 .•.••• .•••..•• .••••••• .••••••• 65. 09 .•.•••..
EstablishmentNo.17.-Wom~
'I
en'sMcKay:
Materials................. 57. 9 46. 5 32. 4 .•.••• ••.••• 301. 54 194. 49
96. 05 ••••••.•.•••••..
Labor cost................ 25. 0 35. 2 48. 6 ...•.• .••••• 130. 46 147. 52 153. 65 •••...•• ···-···
Officials................... 2. 8
3. 1
3. 8 .•.... .••••• 14. 45
12. 89
12. 13 ..............•.
Office clerks...............
.7
.8
1. 6 .•.... .•••••
3. 47
3. 43
5. 15 ............... .
Sales force................. 3. 3
4. 0
3. 3 ••.... ..•.•• 17. 02
16. 60
10. 39 ..•.............
Rent of buildings......... ('}
(2)
(')
•••••• ••••••
(')
(')
(')
•••••••••••••••.
Rent and royalties on
machines................
3.41
.4
4.40
.8
1. 4 .••••• .•••••
2. 12
Fuel, light, and power.... (2)
( 2)
( 2)
•••••• ••••••
(')
(')
(')
Maintenance and repair...
4.55 , 3. 34
.9
1. 1
1. 1 .•...• .•.•••
4. 90
Freight in and out........
.2
.3
.93
. 3 .•.•.. .....•
1. 29
1. 21
Interest paid..............
.6
.63
.2
3.00
. 9 •.••.. ••••••
3. 25
Taxes, except real estate...
.1
.2
. 3 ...••• ..•••.
. 72
.88
.81
Insurance.................
.4
1.00
.5
. 3 .•...• ..••.•
1. 85
2. 23
Lasts, dies, and patterns... 1. 2
7.80
11. 13
1. 9
3. 5 ..•... ..••.•
6. 50
1.20
Bad accounts............. 2. 6
7.99
1. 9
. 4 ...•.• ..•••• 13. 71
Depreciation..............
.1
.48
.1
. 3 .....• ••••••
. 45
.89
All other.................. 2. 9
4. 6
5. 4 .•.••• •••••• 15. 22
19.24
17.15
Net gain.................. 1. 0 ...... ...... ..•..• .•••.•
5. 41 .•........••....••............•.
Net loss......................... 1. 2
2.1 .••••• .•••.• •••••...
4. 95
6. 62 ••............••
• Not segregated; Included In "all other."
• Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
The figures furnished by a Haverhill manufacturer and presented
in Table 6 show for each half year, 1920 to 1924, the per cent that
each item of expense in making and selling shoes is of the amount
received for the shoes. It will be observed that this factory has
lost money each half year since the first half of 1920, the loss rang•
ing from 5.3 per cent in the second half of 1922 to 18.9 per cent
in 1924. The manufacturing expense includes salaries of officials,
which were reduced in 1923 and again in 1924, the 1924 salaries
being only 35 per cent of those paid in each of the three years, 1920,
1921, and 1922. The manufacturer is still in business in Haverhill,
hoping for better conditions and a. balance on the right side of his
ledger.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
41
COST OF PRODUCING AND SELLING SHOES
T.lBLII 8.--PER CENT EAOB BPECil!'IED ITEM OF EXPENSE IS OF AMOUNT RECEIVED
FOR SHOES SOLD BY A HAVERHILL FIRM, 1920 TO 1924
Per cent each specified item of expense Is of amount received for shoes sold
1920
Item of expeDII
I
1921
1922
1923
111M
First Second First Beoond First Second First Second First
half
half
half
half
half
half
half
half
half
of year of year of;vear of year of year of year of year of year of year
Materials used in shoes______
FiJidinp used in shoes _______
Labor __
47.9
Ill.II
2.2
2.4
22. 7
2U
15.2
26.11
.. 9
7.2
.. 8 -------10. 1
Manufacturing.
Commtsslons_
Net-•NetlOSS.-
--------1
TotDI
100.~
I
100.0
39.7
2. 7
33.3
29.0
5.9
'1.8
2.8
35.9
20.7
6.9
10.6
7.9
100.0
100.0
39.li
2.8
38.0
24.0
S.li
80.7
3.0
"4.1
21.4
6.1
35.9
3.1
41.0
24.5
6. 9
5.3
11.4
100.0
100.0
--iii~ii"
100.0
39.3
2.8
42.9
26:9
7.0
32.7
2.8
38.4
24.4
7.9
6.2 \----18~9
100.0
I
100.0
The figures of Table 7, furnished by a factory that is still in business in Haverhill, show the cost-1 per 100 pairs, of the materials used
in manufacturing women's suede shoes and women's patent leather
shoes of medium or cheap grade, the cost of labor in wa~es of shoe
workers, the cost of selling the shoes, and all other expenses incurred
in their manufacture and sale in August, 1924.
TABL& 7.-0OBT OF PRODUCTION AND BELLINO BY A HAVERHILL FIRM IN 1924, BY
ITEM
Cost per 100 pairs
Item
Women's
Women's
shoes
leather shoes
suede
Materials._
Labor
Bales expense.
All other expense ••
Total_ - -------------------
patent
$127.17
113.42
2. 50
88.00
$129.33
97.86
2.50
38.00
281.09
267.69
A factory that is still in business in Lynn furnished the data for
Table 8, wliich show the cost, per 100 pairs, of materials used, labor,
and all other expense incurred in the manufacture and sale of men's
turn slippers in 1920 and 1921 and in 1923 and 1924, and of women's
McKay oxfords in 1921 and 1922 and in 1923 and the first part of
1924.
TABU 8.-00ST. OF PRODUCTION AND BELLINO BY A LYNN FIRM IN
YEARS, BY ITEM
Men's turn slippers
SPECIFIED
Women's McKay oxfords
Item
1920and 1921 1928 and 11124 1921 and 1922 1923and 1924
Materials_.
Labor.
All other C<"¢
TotaJ _____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
---------------------
$70. 78
87.33
22.39
$52.11
35.56
21.33
$1"4.92
51.44
30.86
$113.83
411.08
130.50
109.00
227.22
192. 35
29.44
42
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
BROCKTON
PRODUCTION, 191' TO 192,
The Brockton Daily Enterprise carefully compiles from railroad,
~ress and posto:ffice shipments the number of cases of shoes
shipped from the city each week. It has published such figures weekly. and annually since the beginning of 1900. The figures by years,
1914 to 1924, are as follows:
Number of oases
ana number of f)alrs
of shoes s'IK9f)ed eaoh weele, 1914 to 19!4
Year
1914 _________________________
1915 _________________________
1916 _________________________
1917 _________________________
1918 _________________________
1919 _________________________
1920 _________________________
1921 _________________________
1922 _________________________
1923 _________________________
1924 1 ________________________
Number of oases
Number of pain
648,198
694,919
795,634
621,900
679,023
759,352
611,006
631,536
680,192
609,232
429,444
16,204,950
17,373,975
19,890,850
15,547,500
16,975,575
18,983,800
15,275,150
15,788,400
17,004,800
15,230,800
10,736,100
llan. 1 to Nov.1.
From the above it is seen that during the years 1920 to 1923, inclusive, production held up to a fairly uniform level, notwithstanding a strike of 11 weeks' duration, beginning May 14, 1923, which
t,J.osed all factories in the city, causing considerable loss in production. The January 1 to November 1, 1924, figures (10,786,100 pairs)
indicate a total of 12,000,000 to 13,000,000 pairs in 1924, a considerable loss, compared with previous _years..
.A large majority of tlie factories in Brockton are considerably
larger in number of shoe workers and in output of shoes per day
than the factories in Haverhill, Lynn, and many other localities.
Practically all of the shoes produced by the Brockton factories are
standard men's welt, with fewer changes in style and in labor cost.
STRIKE OF 1923 IN BROCKTON
In discussing the strike just referred to, union officials ss.id :
For more than 20 years prior to the strike the shoe mantlfacturers In
Brockton, through its association, In cooperation with the shoe workers' union
through its officials, worked in peace and harmony. Early in 1923 the local
union of dressers and packers appealed to the State board of arbitration for
an increase of wages. The appeal was re.fused. An unauthorized strike, in
violation of agreement and against the advice of union officials, followed. Of
the 13 local unions, all except 3 (edge workers, dressers, and lasters) voted
against the strike. Radicals came into the city from other localities. :Meetings and parades were held, shoe workers not in sympathy with the strike
were attacked, and every effort was made to get them to withdraw from
their union and join another, many of them being visited at their homes.
:Mantlfacturers refused to employ any shoe workers· other than members of
the union with which they had an agreement.
. During this strike the union and the manufacturers' association
issued the ·following statements, which were published in the local
papers:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
BROCKTON
48
STATEYENT OF UNION
To the shoe worker& of Brockton:
The Brockton Joint Shoe Council for over a quarter of a century has carefully pided the welfare of the local unions as authorized by the constitution
of the boot and shoe workers' union. It has guarded zealously the best
interests of the shoe workers of this community and maintained the highest
wages and working conditions consistent with the competitive conditions in
the shoe trade. E:tforts have not been spared to keep Brockton in the first
rank as a shoe center where steady employment with good remuneration may
be secured. We are now confronted with a condition which aims to destroy
the constructive work of our organization and threatens to cripple progress
of the future.
Groups of individuals have, without any regard for honorable agreements,
openly violated contracts and are now engaged in the task of inducing others
to follow them. Misrepresentation of the issues Involved is the instrument
employed to conceal the real facts. The paramount question is the preservation of our contracts. An organization that deliberately permits its members
to repudiate a solemn agreement can not succeed in maintaining good wages
and favorable conditions of employment. Promises from those who regard
these principles lightly constitute an insecure foundation upon which to
build for the future. It can only result In the infliction of injury upon the
homes and famllles of the people of Brockton.
We appeal to every shoe worker to return to work at once and thus manifest his loyality to the cause of organized labor. The issue Is now between
those who would violate a trade agreement and those who would maintain its
integrity. Let us show to the world that an agreement entered into with
E>mployers by the shoe workers of this city will be honorably respected. Every
shoe worker must realize the wisdom of this course. It is the only means
by which his interests may be cared for.
The Brockton Joint Shoe Council No. 1 appeals to you to stand firmly by
these principles and again asks you to return to work at once.
STATE:MENT OF l'd:ANUFAOTUBJ;.'BS' ASSOCIATION
The Brockton Shoe Manufacturers' Association includes manufacturers in
Brockton and near-by towns of the Old Colony District. For more than 20
years the manufacturers, in cooperation with the trade-union of their employees, the boot and shoe workers' union, have avoided the grave dangers
and heavy losses imposed by strikes and lockouts throughout the successful
practice of peaceful adjustment, under the plan of the union stamp and arbitration contract of the boot and shoe workers' union, which is recognized
and approved by the American Federation of Labor.
In the faithful fulfillment of the contract obligations by the employees, via
their union, and by the employers of the manufacturers' association, there
has been maintained peace in our various communities, and prosperity and
progress, in which the vitally Interested public has shared.
Beginning May 15, groups of employees in various crafts of our great industry, launched an assault seeking to wreck the peaceful adjustment plan
t.hat has contributed to our general progress and enabled our industry to fill
the orders of its customers on schedule time. The purpose of this assault
ls to tear down all that has been accomplished in more than 20 years of
success in peaceful relationship between employees and employers, and to
set up In Its place the warfare in industry that is common where so-called
independent unions rule, or ruin.
A vast majority of our employees by being present at their work, or anxious
to resume as members in good standing of the boot and shoe workers' union
demonstrate their desire to fulfill their contract obligations, and to continue
peace and its benefits in our industry to the advantage of the public.
The manufacturers of Brockton and near-by towns stand unalterably by
their earlier declarations that they intend to abide firmly by their contractll
with their employees' union, the boot and shoe workers' union.
The manufacturers will not deal with independent unions. The adoption
of suclf a program would be disastrous ·to the industry and opposed to the
public welfare.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
44
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Our loyal employees know this, the hundreds of employees, whom we have
promoted to better jobs, understand it and that we intend to protect them in
thelr future rights; and we desire the public to be correctly Informed of our
position.
Production in our factories is constantly improving. Some workers are still
missing their pay envelopes because unwise leaders seeking to upset our peaceful communities have temporarily hampered production in volume. But the
situation is rapidly stablllzing so that the public soon will not be further
obliged to sutl:er its share of the losses due to irresponsible leadership that
bas temporarily guided some of our employees away from the duty of honoring
their pledged agreements.
The manufacturers of Brockton and near-by towns will not submit to the
upheavals and interruptions of work that are common in strike-ridden places,
outside of this district. We are glad to say to the public that the vast ma-·
jority of our employees are also opposed to the rule or ruin policy that would
deprive them often of their pay envelope, cause frequent decreases in earnings,
and ln1llct losses on the community as a whole.
WORKING AGREEMENT IN BROCKTON
The following agreement is now in effect between the union and
all of the large shoe manufacturers in Brockton and a majority of
the others:
.Agreement entered into thi.~-------daY o----------, 192 ,
_____ shoe manufacturer o..___ _ _ __
by and between
hereinafter known as the employer, and the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union,
with headquarters at 246 Summer Street, Boston, Mass., hereinafter known as
the union, witnesseth :
FmsT. The union agrees to furnish its union stamp to the employer free of
charge, to make no additional price for the use of the stamp, to make no discrimination between the employer, other firms, persons, or corporations who
may enter into an agreement with the union for the. use of the union stamp,
and to make all reasonable efforts to advertise the union stamp, and to create
a demand for the union-stamped products of the employer, in common with
other employers using the union stamp.
SEcoND. In consideration of the foregoing valuable privlleges the employer
agrees to hire as shoe workers only members of the Boot and Shoe Workers'
Union, in good standing, and further agrees not to retain any shoe worker in
his employment after receiving notice from the union that such shoe worker is
objectionable to the union, either on account of being in arrears for dues, or
disobedience of union rules or laws.
The employer agrees that there shall be no discrimination against any member of the union because of his or her activity in union aJrairs.
THDID. The employer agrees that he will not cause or allow the union stamp
to be placed on any goods not made in the factory for which the use of the
union stamp is granted and the employer agrees that it will be a violation of
this contract to use the union stamp or stamps in any other place than the
particular factory for which the use of the stamp is granted.
·
FotmTH. It is mutually agreed that the union wlll not cause or sanction any
strike, and that the employer will not lock out his employees while this agreement is in force.
All questions of wages or conditions of labor, which can not be mutually
agreed upon, shall be submitted to the State board of arbitration.
The decision of this board of arbitration shall be final and binding upon
the employer, the union, and the employees.
The employer agrees that where a change of system or methods ls made, be
will notify the local union aJrected and endeavor to mutually agree upon a
price to be paid. Falllng to agree, the matter shall be arbitrated, and the decision rendered shall date from the time of change in system and method.
In the event of the employer or local union, or a duly authorized agent giving written notice to the general president of their- desire to refer to arbitration
any matter in dispute relative to wages, conditions of employment, interpreta-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PRODUCTION OF SHOES, BY STATES
45
tion ot contract, or any other difl'erence of opinion, he shall insist that the apP.llcatlon for same shall be signed within seven days from hiJI receipt of said
aetice. Failure of either party to comply with this clause shall constitute a
jlrect violation of this contract.
l.l'I:rTJL The union agrees to assist the employer in procuring competent shoe
workers to fill the places of any empleyees who refuse to abide by section 4 of
this agreement, or who may withdraw or be expelled from the Boot and Shoe
Workers' Union.
Slr.rH. The employer agrees tbat the regnlarly appointed collectors, or business agents acting in the capacity of collectors, shall not be hindered or obstructed in collecting dues from members working in the factory.
SlmcNTH. The employer agrees that the general president of the union, or his
deputy upon his written order, may visit the employees in the factory at any
tlme.
EIGHTH. The employer agrees that the union is the lawful owner of the union
stamp, and the employer agrees n:ot to make or cause to be made any union
stamp or stamps, and it is further agreed that the union will furnish free ot
cost, all stamps necessary to be used under the agreement.
NINTH. The union agrees that no person except the general president, or his
deputy upon his written order, shall have tbe right to demand or receive the
union stamp from the employer.
TENT:e:. Should the employer violate this agreement, he agrees to surrender
the union stamp or stamps in his possession to the general president or his
deputy, upon his written order, and tbat the said general president or his
deputy may take said stamp or stamps, wherever they may be, without being
llable for damages, or otherwise.
ELB:vENT:e:. In case the said employer shall for any cause fail to deliver the
said stamp or stamps to the general president, or his deputy, as provided 1n this agreement, the employer shall be liable to the general president
for the sum of $200, as liquidated damages, to be recovered by the general
president in an action of contract, brought 1n the name of the general president,
for the benefit of the union against employer.
TwELFTH. The agreement shall remain ln force unti.._________ . Should
either party desire to alter, amend, or annul this agreement, it shall give a
written notice thereof to the other party three months before expiration of the
agreement ; fllld if the parties fail to give such notice the agreement shall continue in force for another year; and so on from year to year until such notice
Is given.
TBmTl:ENTH. In case the employer shall cease to do business, or shall transfer it.s business, or any part thereof, to any person or persons, or corporations,
this agreement shall be ended, and the stamp or stamps shall be returned to
the general president forthwith, without demand from the union, when a new
agreement of similar tenor to this may be entered into between the employer
and the general executive board of the Boot and Shoe Workers' Union.
Signed, by___________ for the employer; bY-----.1.or the union.
[UAL.]
PRODUCTION OF SHOES, BY STATES
Table 9, computed from reports of the United States Department
of Commerce, shows a total production in the United States of
351,114,273 pairs of shoes other than rubber in 1923; 286,771,101
in 1921; 331,224,628 in 1919; and 292,666,468 in 1914; thus showing
that the production in 1923, one of the so-called years of depression,
exceeds that of any other year by. approximately 20.iQ<>0,OO0 pairs.
Massachusetts, the State in which Ha"."erhill1 Lynn, .JjrocktoI?,, and
Boston are located, shows a production of 115,224,383 pairs in
1914; 116,992,912 pairs in 1919; 85,819,586 pairs in 1921; and
89,517,331 pairs in 1923, an increase of nearly 4,0001000 pairs in
1923 over 1921 and a loss of about 27,000,000 pairs m 1923 compared with 1919, the year of peak production in Massachusetts.
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46
LABOR CONDITIONS IN SHOE INDUSTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
Production in New York increased from 38,798,158 pairs in 1914
to 75,821,623 in 1923, or 95 per cent, and in Missouri from 20,868,352 ,
in 1914 to 56,050,116 in 1923 or an increase of 169 per cent.
It will also be observed in Table 9 that there has been from
year to year little difference in production in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
or Maine; that in New Hampshire there has been very little change
except in 1921 when production was 14,631,976 pairs compared with
22,700,694 in 1919; that while the production in Illinois in 1923
was less than in 1919 or 1921 it was approximately the same as
in 1914; and that while production in Wisconsin in 1921 was
only 7 per cent less than in 1919, the 1923 production was 105 per
cent more than in 1914.
Thus it appears that while the figures show no depression in the
·industry in the country as a whole in 1923 and little or none in
192'1, they do actually show a decrease in Massachusetts of 22 l?er
cent in 1923 compared with 1914, and 23 per cent compared with
1919, with an increase of 4 per cent in 1923 over 1921.
TABLE
9,-PRODUCTION OF SHOES, BY STA.TES, 1914, 1919, 1921, and 11123
(Computed from reports of U.S. Department or Commerce.)
Pairs or shoes produced
State
1914
Massachusetts- _____________________ : __
New York ______________________________
Missouri
1919
1921
1923
Ohio
Wisconsin
______________________________
ID!nois _________________________________
All other States_-----------------------
24,659,886
22,184,502
15,709,277
17,973,441
8,382,882
8,292,659
2Al, 572, 928
116,992,912
62,773,081
26,362,397
22,700,694
23,617,362
19,175,387
17,870,148
11,142,456
10,638,609
19,951,582
85, 819, fi86
63,696,324
27,423,938
14,631,976
19,195,193
16,515,142
16,835,245
10,407,318
12,295,206
19,951,173
89,517,331
75,821,623
56,050,116
21,718,392
21,533,047
17,261,279
17,243,519
17,150,437
8,645,160
26,173,369
Total- -------- -------------------
292, 666, 468
331, 224, 628
286, 771, 101
351,114,273
Maine~__________________________________
:~~~:'
~::======================
115,224,383
38,798,158
:1Al, 868, 352
Figures from the same source, for the country as a whole, show a
production of 213,203,556 pairs in January to July, inclusive, 1923,
and 179,290,629 pairs in the corresponding seven months of 1924, a
loss of about 34,000,000 :pairs or 16 per cent. Considerable improvement has been reported m the shoe industry in the United States as
a whole since July, 1924. It is estimated that production during
August to December, 1924, will amount to about as much as in the
same months of 1923, resulting in a total production for the year of
about 315,000,000 pairs, thus showing little depression in the country
as a whole in 1924, even when compared with the peak years, 1919
and 1923, and none when compared with 1914 and 1921.
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SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
[Tie pablicatioa ol tlte -al and special reporta card of tlae 6imontll7 6alletin wa,
iiacolltiaud in Jrd7, 1912, card since tut time a b.Uetin lta, l,eea pablialie,l at irre,.,ar
iaten1al,. Bad -6er coatain, lllatfer ieooted to one ol a ,aia ol ,-ral .,,J,ject,.
TMN 6.Uetiu are •-ered couecatillel7, 6egirurin, witli No. 101. u, to No. 236 t-,
al,o carried c-cllfille IUllllber, under each series. Beginning witli No. 231 tie ,erial
-6ering ltaa 6een diacontimred. A list ol tlte ama is gioen 6elow. Under each is
,rn,ed all tlte 6alletiu which contain material relating to tlte mject nudfer ol that
,eria. A list ol tlte reports and balletiu ol tie Bnrean iamed prior to Jal.1 l, 1912, will
6e hmtia6e4 on application. Tie l,alletiu marked tmu • are ont ol print.]
Whol•ale Prices.
•Bui. 114. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1912.
Bui. 149. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1918.
•Bui. 178. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign
•Bui. 181. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1914.
*Bui. 200.
*Bul. 226.
Bui. 269.
Bui. 284.
Bui. 296.
Bul. 820.
Bul. 885.
Bui. 867.
countries.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 19111.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1916.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1919.
Index numbers of wholesale prices ln the United States and foreign
countries. [:tlevislon of Bulletin No. 178.J
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1920.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1921. ·
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1922.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1928. [In preBL]
Retail Prieea and Coat of LiTfnl'.
•Bui. 105. Retail prices, 1890 to 1911 : Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to 1911 : Part II-General tablea.
•Bul. 106. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912 : Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912 : Part II-General table&
Bui. 108. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1912.
Bui. 110. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1912.
Bul. 118. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1912.
Bul. 115. Retail prices, 1890 to February, 1913.
•Bui. 121. Sugar prices, from reftner to consumer.
Bui. 125. Retail prices, 1890 to April, 1918.
*Bui. 180. Wheat and flour prices, from farmer to consum.-.
Bui. 182. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1913.
Bui. 136. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1913.
•Bui. 138. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1918.
*Bui. 140. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1918.
Bui. 156. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1914.
Bui. 164.
Bui. 170.
•Bui. 184.
Bui. 107.
Bui. 228.
Bui. 270.
Bui. 300.
Bui. 815.
Bui. 834.
Bui. 857.
Bui. 366.
Bui. 869.
Butter prices, from producer to consumer.
Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Retail prices, 1907 to June, 1915.
Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1915.
Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1916.
Retail prices, 1918 to December, 1919.
Retail prices, 1913 to December, 1920.
Retail prices, 1918 to 1921.
Retail prices, 1918 to 1922.
Cost of living in the United States.
Retail prices, 1918 to December, 1928.
The use of cost-of-living ftgures In wage adjustments.
[In press.]
Wase• and H011n of Labor.
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-eandng women In
'
selected Industries In the District of Columbia.
•Bui. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
BuL 119. Working hours of women In the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
•Bui. 128. Wages and hours of labor In the cotton, woolen, and silk industries,
1890 to 1912.
•Supply exhausted.
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Waares and Hours of Labor-Continued.
*Bui. 129. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries, 1890 to 1912.
•BuL 1111. Union scale of Waies and hours of labor, 1907 to 1912.
*Bui. 134. .Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and knit
goods industries, 1890 to 1912.
•Bui. 135. Wages and hours of labor in the cigar and clothing industries, 1911
and' 1912.
Bui. 187. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1890 to 1912.
Bui. 148. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1918.
*Bui. 146. Wages and regularity of employment and standardization of piece rates
in the dress and waist industry of New York City,
•Bui, 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
*Bui. 150. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, a.nd silk industries, 1907
to 1918.
•BuL 1.51. Wages and hours of labor in the iron a.nd steel industry In the United
States, 1907 to 1912.
BuL 153. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture Industries, 1907 to 1913.
•Bui. 154. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe a.nd hosiery and underwear
industries, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile
establishments and garment factories.
Bui. 161. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to
1913.
But. 163. Wages and hours of labor In the building a.nd repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 168. Wages and hours of labor in the Iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1913.
•But.171. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1, 1914.
But. 177. Wages and hours of labor In the hosiery and underwear industry, 1907
to 1914.
Bul.178. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe Industry, 1907 to 1914.
•But. 187. Wages and hours of labor in the men's clothing industry, 1911 to 1914.
•Bui. 190. Wages a.nd hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, a.nd silk industries, 1907
to 1914.
•Bui. 19~. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1, 1916.
Bui. 204. Street railway employment in the United States.
But. 214. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1918.
BuL 218. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel Industry, ltO'I' to 191G.
BuL 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Bui. 225. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries, 1915.
Bui. 232. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1916.
Bui. 238. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,
1916.
Bui. 239. Wages and hours of labor In cotton-goods manufacturing and finishing,
1916.
Bui. 245. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1917.
Bui. 252. Wages and hours of labor in the slaughtering and meat-packing industry,
1917.
Bui. 259. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1918.
Bui. 260. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe Industry, 1907 to 1918.
Bui. 261. Wages and hours of labor In woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,
1918.
Bui. 262. Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing and finishing,
1918•
. Bui. 265. Industrial survey in selected industries in the United States, 1919.
Prellm1nary report.
BuL 274. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1919.
Bui. 278. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1920.
Bui. 279. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous coal mining.
Bu.I. 286. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1920.
Bui. 288. Wages and hours of labor in cotton-goods manufacturing, 1920.
Bui. 289. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted ·goods manufacturing,
1920.
• Supply exhausted.
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Wages and Hours of Labor--Contlnued.
Bui. 294. Wages and hours of labor In the slaughtering and meat-packing industry
in 1921.
Bui. 297. Wages and hours of labor in the petroleum industry.
Bui. 802. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1921.
Bui. 805. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel Industry, 1907 to 1920.
Bui. 316. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous coal mlnlng--anthracite,
January, 1922; bituminous, winter of 1921-22.
Bui. 817. Wages and hours of labor in lumber manufacturing, 1921.
Bui. 324. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 19-07 to 1922.
Bui. 825. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1922.
Bui. 327. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,
1922.
Bui. 328. Wages and hours of labor In hosiery and underwear Industry, 1922.
Bui. 329. Wages and hours of labor in the men's clothing industry, 1922.
Bui. 345. Wages and hours of labor In cotton-goods manufacturing, 1922.
Bui. 848. Wages and hours of labor In the automobile Industry, 1922.
Bui. 353. Wages and hours of labor in the Iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1922.
Bui. 354. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1923.
Bui. 356. Productivity costs in the common-brick industry.
Bui. 358. Wages and hours of labor in the automobile-tire industry, 1923.
Bui. 360. Time and labor costs in manufacturing 100 pairs of shoes.
Bui. 862. Wages and hours of labor in foundries and machine shops, 1923.
Bui. 368. Wages and hours of labor in lumber manufacturing, 1923.
Bui. 865. Wages and hours of labor in the paper and pulp industry.
Bui. 871. Wages and hours of labor In cotton-goods manufacturing, 1924.
Bui. 373. Wages and hours of labor in the slaughtering and meat-packing industry,
1923. [In press.]
Bui. 874. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1924.
[In press.]
Bui. 376. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear Industry, 1907 to
1924.
Bui. 377. Wages and hours of labor In woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,
1924.
Bui. 381. Wages and hours of labor in the Iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1924.
[In press.]
Employment and Unemployment.
• Bui. 109. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices.
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in
selected industries in the District of Columbia.
Bui. 172. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y.
•Bul.182. Unemployment among women In department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass.
•Bui. 183. Regularity of employment In the women's ready-to-wear garment industries.
Bui. 192. Proceedings of the American Association of Public Employment Offices.
•Bui. 195. Unemployment in the United States.
Bui. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers' conference held at Minneapolis,
Minn., January, 1916.
•BuL 202. Proceedings of the conference of Employment Managers' Association
of Boston, Mass., held May 10, 1916.
Bui. 206. The British system of labor exchanges.
Bui. 220. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Association
of Public Employment Offices.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
*Bui. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers' Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,
April 2 and 3, 1917.
Bui. 235. Employment system of the Lake Carriers' Association.
Bui. 241. Public employment offices in the United States.
Bui. 247. Proceedings of Employment Managers' Conl:erence, Rochester, N. Y.,
May 9-11, 1918.
Bui. 310. Industrial unemployment: A statistical study of its extent and causes.
Bui. 311. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Public Empl_oyment · Services.
• Supply exhausted.
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Employment and Unemployment-Continued.
Bul.-887. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Public Employment Services.
Bui. 3(io. Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the International Association of Public Employment Services.
Women in Industry.
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of ·wage-earning women in
selected Industries In the District of Columbia.
•Bui, 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons.
*Bui. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
Bui. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
•Bui. 122. Employment of women in power laundries in Milwaukee.
Bui. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women In Indiana mercantile establishments and garment factories.
•Bui. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
•Bui. l 'ffl. Summary of the report on condition of woman and child wage earners
in the United States.
•Bul.176. Elfect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon.
•Bui. 180. The ·ooot and shoe Industry In Massachusetts as a vocation for women.
*Bui. 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass.
Bui. 198. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts.
BuL 215. Industrial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts.
Bui. 217. Elfect of workmen's compensation laws In diminishing the necessity of
industrial employment of women and children.
Bui. 228. Employment of women and Juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
Bui. 258. Women in the lead industries.
Workmen'• Imurance and Compensation (includinir laws relatlnir thereto),
•Bui. 101. Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany.
•Bui. 102. British National Insurance Act, 1911.
Bui. 103. Sickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland.
Bui. 107. Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany.
•Bui. 126. Workmen's compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries.
•Bui. 155. Compensation for accidents to employees of tbe United States.
*Bui. 185. Compensation legislation of 1914 and 1915.
•Bui. 208. Workfnen's compensation laws of the Unit~ States and foreign countries.
Bui. 210. Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 212. Proceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 217. Elfect of workmen's compensation laws In diminishing the necessity of
Industrial employment of women and children.
Bui. 240. Comparison of workmen's compensation laws of the United States.
Bui. 243. Workmen's compensation legislation In the United States· and foreign
countries.
Bui. 248. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 264. Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 272. Workmen's compensation legislation of the United States and Canada,
1919.
•Bui. 273. Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the International As11ociatiou
of lndustri.al Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 275. Comparison of workmen's compensation laws of the United States and
Canada.
Bui. 281. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial Accldent Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 301. Comparison of workmen's compensation insurance and administration.
Bui. 304. Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissioas.
Bui. 812. National Health Insurance In Great Britain, 1911 to 1920.
Bui. 882. Workmen's compensation legislation of .the United States and Canada,
1920 to 1922.
• Supply exhausted.
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Workmen'■ ln■uanee and Com~tlon (lndadlns law■ relatinir tltereto)-Contlnued.
Bul. 888. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Indulltrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 8ll9. Proeeedhlgs of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the International ABBoclation
of Indwrtrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Bui. 879. Comparison of workmen's compensation laws of the United States as ot
J'anuary 1, 1925.
lndastrlal Aeeidenta and ]qslene.
*Bui. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary
ware factories.
Bul.120. Hygiene of the painters' trade.
*Bul.127. Dangers to workers from dust and fumes, and methods of protection.
*Bui. 141. Lead poisoning In the smelting and re1lning of lead.
*Bui. 157. Industrial accident statistics.
*Bui. 165. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries.
*Bui. 179. Industrial poisons used In the rubber industry.
Bui. 188. Report of British departmental committee on the danger In the use of
lead In the painting of buildings.
•Bui. 201. Report of committee on statistics and compensation Insurance cost of
the International .Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Com•
missions. [Limited edition.]
Bui. 205. Anthrax as an occupational disease.
Bui. 207. Causes of death by occupation.
Bui. 209. Hygiene of the printlll&' trades.
*Bui. 216. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building.
Bui. 219. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Bui. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health In British munition factories.
Bui. 2110. Industrial efficiency and fatigue In British munltlon factories.
•Bui. 281. Mortallty from respiratory diseases in dusty trades.
*Bul. 234. Safety movement In the Iron and steel Industry, 1907 to 191'1.
Bui. 286. Effect of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters.
Bul. 251. Preventable death in the cotton manufacturing Industry.
Bui. 258. Women in the lead industries.
Bui. 256. Accidents and accident prevention In machine building. Revision of Bui.
216.
Bul. 267. Anthrax as an occupational disease. [Revised.]
Bui. 276. Standardization of industrial accident statlstics.
,.
Bui. 280. Industrial poisoning in making coal-tar dyes and dye intermediates.
Bui. 291. Qarbon monoxide poisoning.
Bui. 298. The problem of dust phthisis in the granite-stone industry.
Bui. 298. Causes and prevention of accidents In the Iron and steel industry, 1910
to 1919.
Bui. 1106. Occupation hazards and diagnostic signs: A guide to impairment to be
looked for In hasardous occupations.
Bui. 889. Statlstics of Industrial accidents in the United States.
Conelllatlon and A.nitration (lncladlnir atrikea and leekoafll).
*Bui. 124. Conciliation and arbitration In the building trades of Greater New York.
*Bui. 1811. Report of the 1ndustrial council of the British Board of Trade on its
inqulcy into industrial agreements.
*Bnl. 189. Michigan copper district strike.
Bul.144. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt Industry of New York City._
Bul. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of
New York City.
Bul.191. Collective bargaining In the anthracite coal Industry.
*Bul.198. Collective agreements In the men's clothing industry.
Bu).. 2113. Operation of the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of Canada.
Bui. SOS. Use of Federal power In settlement of railway labor disputes.
Bui. 841. Trade agreement In the Bilk-ribbon industry of New York City.
Labor Laws of the United States (lncladins decisions of eoarfll relatlns to lallor).
•Bui. 111. Labor legislation of 1912.
*Bui. 112. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1912.
*Bui. 148. Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto.
•Bui. 152. Declsions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1913.
•Bui. 166. Labor legislation of 1914.
•Bui. 169. Decislons of courts affecting labor, 1914.
• Supply exhausted.
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Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor)-Continued.
*Bul. 186. Labor legislation of 1915.
•Bui. 189. Decisions of courts afl'ecting labor, 1915.
Bnl. :n1. Labor laws aBd their administration in the Pacific States.
*Bui. 218. Labor legislation of 1916.
Bui. 224. Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1916.
Bui. 229. Wage-payment legislation In the United States.
•Bui. 244. Labor legislation of 1917.
Bui. 246. Decisions of courts afl'ecting labor, 1917.
*Bui. 257. Labor legislation of 1918.
Bui. 258. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1918,
•Bui. 277. Labor legislation of 1919.
.
Bui. 285. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States:
Bui. 290. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1919-1920.
Bul. 292. Labor legislation of 1920.
Bul. 808. Labor legislation of 1921.
Bui. 309. Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1921.
Bui. 321. Labor laws that have been declared unconstitutional
Bul. 322. Kansas Court of Industrial Relations.
Bui. 330. Labor legislation of 1922.
Bui. 343. Laws providing for bureaus of labor statistics, etc.
Bui. 344. Decisions of courts and opinions affactlng labor, 1922.
Bui. 370. Labor laws of the United States with decisions of courts relating thereto.
[In press.]
Foreign Labor Laws.
•Bui. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European
countries.
Vocational Education.
Bul. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry
of New York City.
•Bui. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
•Bui. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.
•Bui. 162. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va.
Bui. 199. Vocational education survey of Minneapolis, Minn.
Bul. 271. Adult working-class education (Great Britain and the United States).
Labor as Affected by the War.
Bui. 170. Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Bui. 219. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Bui. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Bul. 222. Welfare work In British munition factories.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Grent Britain during the war.
Bui. 230. Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
Bui. 237. Industrial unrest in Great Britain.
Bui. 249. Industrial health and efficiency. Final report of British Health of
Munition Workers Committee.
Bui. 255. Joint industrial councils In Great Britain.
Bui. 283. History of the Shipbuilding Labor Adjustment Board, 1917 to 1919,
Bui. 287. National War Labor Board.
Safety Codes.
Bui. 331. Cocle of lighting factories, mills, and other work places.
Bui. 336. Safety code for the protection of industrial workers in foundries.
Bui. 338. Safety code for the use, care, and protection of abrasive wheels.
Bui. 350. Rules governing the approval of headlighting devices for motor vehicles.
Bui. 351. Safety code for the construction, care, and use of ladders.
Bui. 364. ·Safety code for mechanical power-transmission apparatus.
Bui. 375. Safety code for laundry machinery and operations.
Bui.. 378. Safety code for woodworking plants.
Bui. 382. Code of lighting school buildings.
Miscellaneous Series.
•Bui. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons.
•Bui. 118. Ten-hour maximum working dny for women and young persons. ·
•Bui. 123. Employers' welfare work.
•Bui. 158. Government aid to home owning and housing of working people. In foreign
countries.
•Bui. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners and a factory school experiment.
• Supply exhausted.
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(VI)
llll■cellaneou■
Serlea---Continued.
•Bul. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
Bul. 170. Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
•Bul. 174. Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics up to May 1, 1915.
Bui. 208. Profit-sharini:- in the United States.
Bul. 222. Welfare work in British munition factories.
Bul. 242. Food situation in central Europe, 1917.
•Bul. 250. Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United
States .
. Bui. 254. International labor legislation and the society of nations.
Bui. 263. Housing by employers in the United States.
Bui. 266. Proceedings of Seventh Annual Convention of Governmental Labor
Officials of the United States and Canada.
Bui, 268. Historical survey of international action affecting labor.
Bui. 271. Adult working-class education in Great Britain and the United States.
Bui. 282. Mutual relief associations among Government employees in Washington, D. C.
Bui. 295. Building operations ln repres.entative cities in 1920.
Bui. 299. Personnel research agencies: A guide to organized research in employment
management, industrial relations, training, and working conditions.
Bui. 807. Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Convention of the Association of
Governmental Labor Officials of the United States and Canada.
Bui. 813. Consumers' cooperative societies in the United States in 1920.
Bui. 314. Cooperative credit societies in America and foreign countries.
Bui. 818. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in 1921.
Bui. 319. The Bureau of Labor Statistics: Its history, activities, and organization.
Bui. 823. Proceedings of the Nintl1 Annual Convention of the Association or
Governmental Labor Officials of the United States and Canada.
Bui. 326. Methods of procuring and computing statistical information of the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
Bui. 340. Chinese migration, with special reference to labor conditions.
Bui. 842. International Seamen's Union of America: A study of its history and
problems.
Bui. 346. Humanity in government.
Bui. 347. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in 1922.
Bui. 849. Industrial relations in the West Coast Juml:ier industry.
Bui. 352. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Convention of Governmental Labor
Officials of the United States and Canada.
Bui. 361. Labor relations in the Fairmont (W. Va.) bituminous coal field.
Bui. 868. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States in 19:!3.
Bui. 372. Convict labor in 1928.
Bui. 880. Post-war labor conditions in G<>rmany. [In press.]
Bui. 383. Works council movement in Germany. [In press.]
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Description of occupations, prepared for the United States Employment Service, 1918-19.
*Boots and shoes, harness and saddlery, and tanning.
•Cane-sugar refining and flour milling.
Coal and water gas, paint and varnish, paper, printing trades, and rubber goods.
•Electrical manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance.
Glass.
Hotels and restaurants.
•Logging camps and sawmills.
Medicinal manufacturing.
Metal working, building and general construction, railroad transportation, and
shipbuilding.
•Mines and mining.
•Office employees.
Slaughtering and meat packing.
Street railways.
•Textiles and clothing.
•water transportation.
• Supply exhausted.
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