Full text of Methods of Procuring and Computing Statistical Information of the Bureau of Labor Statistics : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 326

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner

BULLETIN O F THE UNITED STATES \
BU REA U OF LA B O R S T A T IS T IC S / *
M I S C E L L A N E O U S

• • • INo. 326
S E R I E S

METHODS OF PROCURING AND COMPUTING
STATISTICAL INFORMATION OF THE
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS




MARCH, 1923

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1923




CONTENTS.
Page.

Wages and hours of labor___ .•
.......................................................................................
1-5
Union scales...............................................................................................................
2,3
Pay-roll data.............................................................................................................. « 3-5
6-21
Changes in the cost of living.........................................................................................
Retail prices...................................................................................................................... 21-28
Wholesale prices............................................................................................................... 28-34
Volume of employment........... •..................................................................................... 35-37
Strikes and lockouts........................................................................................................ 38,39
Industrial accidents......................................................................................................... 39-46
Workmen’s compensation and insurance.................................................................... 46-50
Labor laws and decisions................................................................................................50,51
Monthly Labor R eview .....................................................................................................51-54




iii




BULLETIN OF THE

U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
NO. 326

W ASH IN G TO N

MARCH, 1923

METHODS OF PROCURING AND COMPUTING STATISTICAL INFORMATION
OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is one of the executive bureaus
of the Department of Labor. It is charged with the duty of “ acquir­
ing and diffusing among the people of the United States useful
information on subjects connected with labor in the most general
and comprehensive sense of the w o r d /’ and of investigating “ the
causes of, and facts relating to, controversies and disputes between
employers and employees as they may occur. ” Its functions are
educational, not administrative.
In carrying out the purpose for which the Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics was created, data are collected in various ways and from
various sources—by personal visits of agents in the field, by corre­
spondence, by consulting reports, trade journals, and other publi­
cations, by contract with experts to make special studies, and in
other ways. All the material in the publications of the bureau,
whether prepared in the bureau or contributed by persons specially
contracted with, is carefully edited in the office, and all facts and
figures are verified, whenever practicable, by comparison with the
original sources.
The object of this bulletin is to state the character of the principal
activities of the bureau and to describe briefly the methods employed
by the bureau in carrying on its work.
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
The information collected and published by the bureau concern­
ing wages and hours of labor is divided into two general classes:
(a) Union scales of wages and hours of labor for which the data
are obtained from labor union officials; (i) wages, earnings, and
working hours for which data are obtained from the pay-roll records
of employers and without regard to whether employees are union
members or not.
Union scales are taken for trades that are so widely organized that
a union scale may be accepted as the prevailing rate of the trade
and that are paid at time rates.
Pay-roll data are resorted to in order to get earnings and hours
worked for piecework employees and for trades that are not gen­
erally organized.




1

2

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

UNION SCALES.

Data are collected by the bureau each year as of May 15 for
practically all of the general trades employed at time rates in
representative cities of the United States. For illustration, see
Bulletin No. 286.
The data are collected by special agents of the bureau in per­
sonal calls on secretaries, business agents, or other officials of local
unions. The following form (Form 1) is used in collecting data.
" The data for the preceding year are entered on the schedule in
the office before the schedule is sent to the agent for the collection
of data for the current year. The agent is furnished with instruc­
tions to guide him in his field work.
Farm 1.
XT. S. DEPARTMENT OP LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.

RATES OF WAGES—UNION SCALE: M AY 15, 1922.
1. City................... ’. .................... 2. State...................................... 3. Special agent...............................
4. Industry................................. ................................................................... 5. Local Union No.................
6. Occupation........ . .......................................................................................................... 7. Sex..................
9.

Name, position, and
. address of person I o. 1921
who furnished data
for—
I 6. 1922,

1922
10. R .....................................................................................
11. E . . i . ................................. ...........................................
12., Regular rate per................................of............... hours
13. Regular rate per................................of............... hours
14. Rate for overtime (1 ,1£, 2, etc.)...................................
15. Rate for Sunday (1 ,1£, 2, etc.).....................................
16. Rate for holidays (1, H, 2, etc.).....................................
17. Rate for Saturday half holiday (1 ,1£, 2, etc.)..............

1921

May 15,
1921.

Full week.

Sunday.
l

Saturday.

Friday.

Thursday.

Wednesday.

Tuesday.

18. Regular work­
ing tim e........'

Monday.

Days per week.

Hours—

1922.
1921.
19. H
20. Number of months having Saturday half holiday provided by agreement..........
21............................................................. ,1922........................................................,1921
(Name months provided b y agreements.)
22. Hours on Saturday during such periods..............
a. Union scale
23. Number of union members in b. More than union scale
this occupation in this juris- c. Less than union scale,
diction receiving—
24.

Change and date of each change from May 16,1921, to May 15,1922.

25. Change and date of each change after May 15, 1922..........................................................
26. Co^y of agreement or scale sent: a. For 1922............................................. b. For 1921.
27. This report is approved:...................................................................... ...........................

When an agent has an interview with a union official and gets the
data and fills out the schedule, he also gets such printed or written
documentary matter as is available, which he8is required to send in
to support the statements on the schedule. Such documentary
matter consists of agreements or union rules.




PAY-ROLL DATA.

3

When the schedule is received from the agent it is examined in
the bureau and the documents submitted therewith are compared
with the schedule. If any statement on the schedule conflicts with
the agreement, or if the schedule is incomplete or lacks clearness, it
is returned to the agent for explanation or revision.
An abridged tabulation of the union wage data is published in
the Monthly Labor Review. (See Review of September, 1922.)
In addition to the detailed figures, index numbers are also computed
showing the trend of hourly rates, weekly rates, and weekly hours.
In computing the index numbers for a trade, the first step is to
obtain the average rate for the trade, which is done by multiplying
the rate per hour in each city by the number of union members in
the city, adding the products, and dividing by the aggregate number
of union members in the country entering into the total. These
averages are brought into comparison with the average for the base
year to determine the index number for each year. Grand average
hourly rate, full-time weekly earnings, and weekly hours for all
trades combined are obtained in the same manner as the corresponding
figures were obtained for each of the several trades.
In a few instances union wage data have been collected from union
officials by correspondence, in which the following combination of
circular letter and questionnaire has been used:
Form 2.

U . S. D epartment of L abor ,
B ur eau of L abor Statistics,
W ashington .
D ear Sir :

Wage data are desired for the use of this bureau showing rates and hours in building
trades on November 15, 1921.
Will you please fill in answers to inquiries below for your local and return this sheet
to me in the inclosed addressed official envelope, on which postage is not required?
Prompt attention to this request will be appreciated.

,

November 15 1921.

Rate of wages per h o u r .........................................................
Hours per day, Monday to F r id a y ....................................
Hours on Saturday..................................................................
Very truly yours,

Commissioner of Labor Statistics.
Inclosure.
PAY-RO LL D ATA.

All wage figures not obtained from labor organizations and pub­
lished as union wage scales are compiled from data taken from the
pay-roll records of employers. Studies are made and bulletins
issued industry by industry. Several studies of wages have been
made in each of many of the principal industries. (See list of publi­
cations of the bureau.)
The bureau, because of limited funds, can not undertake a wage
census for any large industry. To ascertain wage conditions, there­
fore, it is necessary to resort to the sampling method. Further, it is
not practicable to cover a year’s records in any number of plants and
the sampling process has to be continued to the extent of taking but
one sample pay roll of the year. As closely as possible the pay rolls




4

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

for the industry taken from the different establishments are for the
same month or same season. The pay rolls taken vary in length
from one week to one month as the case may be.
Preliminary to the collection of wage data the census figures for
the industry are studied to determine in which States the industry
is of material importance. Manufacturers’ directories are examined
and books and periodicals relating to the industry are read.
A form is then drafted on which to enter the data to be obtained.
Instructions to govern agents are also drawn, applying to the par­
ticular industry to be studied.. The data desired may be of the same
general character for several industries; the same blank form can,
therefore, be used in a number of industries. The following form
(Form 3) is generally used in this connection:

F rmS
a .
I. I n d u str y ...........................................................................................................

2. A g en t . . . . .....................................

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.

WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
3.
4.
5.
9.
10.
II.

Establishment................................................................... 6. Department...............................................
Local address. . ................................................................... 7. Occupation.................................................
Person furnishing data...................................................... 8. Pay roll for............... , ending................
Hours each day: Monday to Friday.......... Saturday........., Sunday......... ; total per week.....................
Number of days not worked by this occupation in this pay period: Sundays. ___, week days. . . . . . . .
I f 7-day occupation, is regular relief: Provided............... . observed............. (If any, explain in note.)

12

13

14

(Leave Occupation term on Num­
ber.
vacant.)
pay roll.

15
Sex.

16

17

18

Days
Hours
starts Hours paid
were worked. for.
made.

19
Time
rate.

20

21

22

Earn­ (Leave (Leave
ings. vacant.) vacant.)

1.................... .........
2..............................
3..............................

A tentative list of establishments is selected for each State to be
visited. An agent is then sent into a State with instructions as to
the number of establishments and number o f employees for which
he is to get data. The agent is provided with a list of the most im­
portant occupations of the industry, and he is instructed to place
the data for each selected occupation on a separate sheet so that the
figures therefor may be tabulated separately. In order that the wage
survey may cover the establishment as a whole, the occupations not
of sufficient importance to be selected for a separate showing are all
combined into a group designated as “ Other employees.”
In many establishments employing pieceworkers there is no record
of the time worked by such employees, as the establishment is, for
its own purpose, interested only in the amount of product and a
consequent total earnings of the employee. The major point of in­
terest, however, in the wage study is to determine what the em­
ployee earns when at work; the unit of measure is the average earn­
ings per hour. To determine earnings per hour of pieceworkers it is
necessary to know the hours worked in the pay period, and when
any establishment does not have a record of the hours worked the
agent arranges with the establishment to keep a record of the time
worked in the pay period selected.




PAY-ROLL DATA.

5

Form 4 is used in the establishment by a time clerk or ott^r des­
ignated person in recording day by day the time worked by each
pieceworker during the selected pay-roll period. The agent, or the
establishment, totals the hours worked on this sheet. For conven­
ience, the earnings may also be entered on this form.

4

Form .
(Establishment.)

(City.)

(State.)

(Agent.)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON, D . C.

Record of time worked by pieceworkers during pay period ending.................r................... , 192
Please record on this sheet the time worked each day by each pieceworker to nearest quarter hour and
hold the sheet until called for by an agent of the department. Short intervals of waiting for work are
considered as time worked.
Enter dates covered by pay roll.

Check number or
name o f each
pieceworker.

Occupation.

TotalEarnhours. ings.

Sex.

Form 5 gives general data relating to the establishment.
Form 5.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.

RATES OF WAGES, SUPPLEM ENTAL SHEET.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Industry..................................................................................................................................
Name and address of establishment.................................................................................
P r o d u c t.................................................................................................................................
Person furnishing data....................................................................................................
Pay-roll period covered.......................................................................................................
Total number of employees scheduled not counting duplications. Duplications
may be estimated.............................................................................................................
7. Number of calendar days in operation in 12 months e n d in g ......................, 192...
If departments differed, specify.................................................................................. .
8. Number of days closed in 12 months e n d in g .................., 192.., b y causes...............
9.
10.

Dates and amount of change in wage rates (or bonuses), or in hours, since April 1,
1920....................................................................................................................................
What per cent has been paid extra for overtime since April 1, 1920, giving dates

11.

Explain any bonus systems in operation since April 1, 1920, giving dates

The schedules relating to an establishment are examined as soon
as they are received in the bureau, to determine if the agent has fol­
lowed instructions and to see if there are any points in the agent’s
schedules that need explanation or further confirmation. If there
is any doubt in the mind of the examiner the schedules are returned
for further information or explanation.
After the schedules have been examined and approved, tables are
prepared showing, by occupations and States, the number of establish­
ments and employees covered, average earnings per hour and per
week, average actual and full-time hours, classified earnings and hours,
index numbers of earnings and hours, and other items of interest.
Bulletins Nos. 288 and 299 are examples of final results of this work.




6

STATISTICAL METHODS---- BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.
Since 1918 the bureau has been publishing “ Changes in the cost
of living.” At the beginning of this work prices were secured in a
number of cities back to December, 1914, so that the tables bearing
on this subject go back to that date for a beginning.
There are two essential features in this work. One is to find the
differences from time to time in the prices or cost of the several
articles entering into the usual family expenditures, and the other
is to so “ weight” the price of each article or group of articles, that
it will have its proper effect on the cost of living as a whole. It is
evident that the price of an overcoat will have greater weight in the
family budget than the price of a pair of shoes or of a hat, but an
overcoat will usually last several years, while most men purchase
shoes and hats each year, so that tne latter items may cost as much
or more in the total than the former.
In order to have a basis for weighting, the bureau made an exten­
sive study of the cost of living in 92 localities in the United States,
covering more than 12,000 families. In this study, information was
secured in great detail relating to the expenditures of the families
for one year, grouped under food, clothing, housing, furniture and
house furnishings, fuel and light, and miscellaneous items. The
following schedule was used:

Form
S.
U . S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.

Aen
g t.

COST OF LIVING IN THE Y E A R ENDING
R e q u i r e m e n t s .— 1 . The family must be that of a wage earner or salaried worker, but not of a person in
business for himself. The families taken should represent proportionally the wage earners and the low or
medium salaried families of the locality, both as between these two occupational classes And as between
income groups. Take no family of a salaried worker earning above $2,000; there is no limit as to a wage
earner. 2. The family must have as a minimum both a husband and wife and at least one child who is
not a boarder or lodger. 3. The family must have kept house in the locality for the entire year covered.
4. At least 75 per cent of the family income must come from the principal breadwinner or others who con­
tribute all earnings to family fund. 5. AU items of income or expenditure of members other than those
living as boarders or lodgers must be obtainable. 6. The family may not have over three boarders or
lodgers either outsiders or children living as such. 7. The family must have no subrental other than
furnished rooms for lodgers. 8. Do not take slum or charity families or non-English speaking families
who have been less than five years in the United States. Also see instructions.

1. Name of head of family..........................................

2. City and State.

3. Street and number.................................................

4. White or colored1

5.
Family, relation
to husband.

6.
Sex.

8.
9. Industry and occu­
7.
pation, or status.
Age. Wks. in
home.

а. Husband.......
б. Wife...............
c. Eldest child...
d. Next ch ild ....
e. Next child___
/. Next child___
l .;

:

i . ............................
1 P la ce ch e ck o v e r ite m .




10.
Mis.
day.

11.
Paid for
B, & L.

12.
13.
14.
Wks. Rate of Earn­
empd. wages. ings.

7

CHANGES IN TH E COST OF LIVING,
15. Summary of income:
a. Earnings of family.................. $
b. Board and lodging..................
c. Net from garden, chickens,
etc.1.......................................
d. Gifts: Money, food, clothing,
etc.1......................................
e. Net from rents, interest, etc.1. .
/ . Fuel picked up........................
g. Other (specify)........................

16. Summary of expenses:
a. F o o d ............................................................................ t
b. Clothing...................................
c. Housing—rent.........................
d.
Do.—on owned home.......
e. Fuel and light.........................
/. Furniture and furnishings......
g. Miscellaneous...........................
h.

Total

h.
Total..............................
17. Amount of surplus or deficit1...................
18. If surplus, how used. If deficit, how met

N o t e .— Every person living in the home any part of the year should be shown on the schedule. State
age at birthday in year covered. Fill all columns except 11 for all persons contributing entire earnings,
if any, and getting all support from the family fund. For children, parents, or others living as boarders
and lodgers fill 5, 6, 7, 8,10, and 11, and in 9 enter only B. & L., or B. or L. with inclusive dates of the
eriod in the family. If any person occupies more than one status during the year, report for each condition
y interlining above and bracketing. If’any wage earner has two or more occupations report only the
major occupation and industry in 9, but in 12 and 14 report for all occupations combined. If only one rate
enter it in 13, but if more than one rate give approximate average. Items 12 and 13 must be approximately
consistent with 14.

E

EXPENSES FOR FOOD DURING YEAR.

Report all articles bought, whether paid for or not, and the market value of food raised or received as a
gift. Convert all units of quantity to unit stated in schedule. On blank lines specify other kinds of the
article used and insert unit if not already stated. Except as indicated by a dash the quantity must be
reported, exact or estimated.

Items.

19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40

41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.

Beef, fresh, steak.......... .lbs..
do.
roast............ .lbs..
do.
stew............. .lbs..
do............................. .lbs..
do............................. .lbs..
Beef, salt, corned........... .lbs..
do.
dried.............. .lbs..
Veal................................ .lbs..
Pork, fresh...................... .lbs..
Pork, salt, bacon............ .lbs..
do.
ham and shoulder............ .lbs..
do.
side, dry....... .lbs..
do.
side, pickled. .lbs..
Mutton, chops................
do. roast................. .lbs..
do. stew.................. .lbs..
do............................. .lbs..
Poultry, hens.................
do............................. .lbs..
Other meat (not canned)
Sausage........................ .lbs..
Liver........................... .lbs..
Snnp bones................
(2 ................................. .lbs..
)
(2 ................................. .lbs..
)
(2) ................................. .lbs..
Canned and potted meats:
(3)................................. .lbs..
(3).......................................

Cooked meats, ham....... .lbs..
do.
( 0 .......... .lbs..
do.
( 0 ........... .lbs..
Fish, fresh...................... .lbs..
Fish, salt........................ .lbs..
Fish, canned, salm on... .lbs..

Quan­
tity.

Cost.

Items.

Quan­
tity.

Cost.

52. Fish, canned 5*
.............. ..lb s..
53. Other sea food, oysters....qts..
54.
do.
(6)..........
do.
( 0 ........ ........
55.
56. Milk, not skimmed____..qts..
57. do. skimmed..............qts..
58. do. condensed and evaporated.............. ..lb s..
59. Buttermilk....................
60. Cream............................
61. Ice cream.........................qts..
62. Butter...........................
63. Oleo.............................. ..lb s..
64. Other butter substitutes7lbs..
Vegetable cooking and table
oils:
65. (8) ..............................
66. (89..............................
)
67. Cheese, ordinary American
..lbs..
68. do. (9)...................... ..lb s..
69. do. (9)...................... ..lbs..
70. Lard.............................. ..lb s..
do. oorppnnnd..
71
lbs
72. do. substitutes (1 1.. ..lbs..
0
)
73. Eggs...............................
74. Flour, wheat.................
75. do (ii)...................... ..lbs..
76. do. (ii)..................... ..lb s..
77. Corn meal..................... ..lb s..
78. Hominy or grits............
79. Corn starch................... . .lbs..
Breakfast foods:
80.
(12) - . - - ..lb s..
81.
(12) - - - - ..lbs..
82.
0* ) . . . . ..lbs..

1 Place check over item.
2 Brains, heart, kidney, giblets, tripe, sweet breads, meat pudding, scrapple, pork roll, Taylor ham, pigs’
feet, meat ends, tongue, veal loaf, game, etc.
8 Corned beef, ham, tongue, sausage, poultry, etc.
4 Corned beef, tongue, bologna, head cheese, etc.
6 Tuna, sardines, etc.
* Crabs,lobsters, smelts, etc.
7 Nut margarine, troco, etc.
8 Olive oil, Wesson oil, Mazola, etc., report quantity, lbs., or qts., according to method of purchase.
9 Pimento, snappy, cream, cottage, Swiss, etc.
1 Crisco, Snowdrift, etc.
0
1 Barley, rice, rye, graham, potato, etc.
1
I3Rolled oats, Cream of Wheat, puffed rice, corn flakes, etc.




8

S T A T I S T I C A L M E T H O D S — B U R E A U O F L A B O R STATISTICS.

Quan­
tity.

Items.
83. Bread, wheat, U. S. standard
..................
lbs..
84.
do. (is).......................lbs..
85.
do. (i3)........................lbs..
86. Rolls and buns...............lbs..
87. Crackers..........................lbs..
88. Cakes and cookies.......... lb s..
89. P i e s ..;........................... lbs..
90. Macaroni, spaghetti, noo­
dles.............................. lbs..
91. R ice................................ lbs..
92. Tapioca,sago................. lbs..
93. Sugar..................
lbs..
Molasses, sirup, honey:
94.
(M)..................................
95. Candy.............................lbs..
96. Chocolate............., ....... lbs..
97. Fruits, fresh, apples— pks..
98.
do.
‘ peaches, .p k s..
99.
do.
bananas., doz..
100.
do.
lemons. . . doz..
101.
do.
oranges... doz..
102.
do.
grapes........lbs..
103.
do.
berries___ qts..
104.
do.
(*6
*
4
1 ).....................
105.
do.
0 5 .....................
)
106.
do.
(is).....................
107. Fruit, dried, apples....... lb s..
108.
do.
prunes___ lbs..
109.
do.
raisins____lbs..
110.
do.
(!«)............. lbs..
111.
do.
(I®)............. lbs..
112. Fruit, canned (1 ) ...........lbs..
7
113.
do.
(17) ............. lbs..
114.
do.
O7) ............. lbs..
115.
do.
(17) ............. lbs..
116.
do.
(17)............. lbs..
117. Jellies, preserves, marma1ades andfruit butters.lbs..
118. Peanut butter................lb s..
Vegetables, fresh:
119.
Potatoes, Irish.........lbs..
120.
do. sweet and
yams.....................lb s..
121.
Cabbage................... lbs..
122.
Spinach and kale.. .pks..
123.
Peas.........................p k s..
124.
Beans, string...........p k s..

Cost.

Items.

125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.

Quan­
tity.

Cost.

Vegetables, fresh—Contd.
Tomatoes................. lbs
Onions...................... lbs
Com.................
doz
Lettuce................ heads
Celery.............. bunches
O8)
(M) ~

(18)~

,1 )
8
*
(« )
(18)
Vegetables, dried:
136.
Beans, navy............ lbs
'ID'
137.
138.
Vegetables, canned:
139.
Beans, baked___ __ .lbs
Peas..........................lbs
140.
C ora.........................lbs
141.
Tomatoes................. lbs
142.
(ao).............................lbs
143.
(20).............................lbs
144.
(20)............... .............lbs
145.
(20 .............................lbs
)
146.
(90).............................lbs
147.
148. Gelatin............................ lbs
149. Canned soup...................lbs
150. T ea..................................lbs
151. Coffee.............................. lbs
152. Coffee substitutes........... lbs
153. Cocoa............................. -.lbs
154. Chowchow, pickles, olives
etc.....................................
155. Baking powder, yeast, soda,
etc.......................................
1
156. Condiments and extracts (2 )
157. Soft drinks, fruit juices, etc
Other food:
Nuts..........................lbs
158.
(22)
159.
(22) : : ; ; ; ; : ; : ; ; ; : ; : ; ;
160.
( ) . ......
».
161.
162. Ice................................... lbs.
163. Lunches and meals bought
outside.........................No.
164.

Total cost of food.

18 Rye, graham, etc.
14 Karo, maple, cane, sorghum, etc. Report quantity, lbs. or qts., according to method of purchase.
1 Cherries, apricots, plums, pears, melons, grapefruit, figs, etc.
&
1 Figs, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, currants, etc.
6
17 Berries, peaches, plums, cherries, apples, etc.
is Asparagus, carrots, okra, peppers, turnips, beets, cole slaw, sauerkraut, etc.
1 Peas, com , etc.
9
9° String beans, beets, asparagus, sweet potatoes, okra, etc.
8 Salt, pepper, spices, vinegar, salad dressing, catsup, etc.
1
2« Include all food not enumerated elsewhere.
EXPENSES FOR HOUSING DURING YEAR.

If the family moved in the year, describe below the last house only, but give total expenses of housing
for the year. A single house is a house occupied by one family only. A flat is a building in which each
family occupies one whole floor, each flat usually having a separate entrance. An apartment is a building
having living quarters for several families with two or more families to a floor, and usually a common
entrance. Indicate classification by check, and insert figures where called for.
165. Type: A. Single house: Det........ semidet.......... row..........end of row with windows in the side..........
166.
B. Flat: D et.. , . . . semidet.........row.......... end of row with windows in the side— .. what
floor.........
167.
C. Apartment: What floor.........elevator......... . outlook on front.........rear.......... side...........
tw o sides.........
168. Material: Brick............... frame.................................................... ..........................
169. Interior: Plastered.........ceiled.......... wall b oa rd .......................................................................
170. Rooms: Total number.........also pantry.......... attic......... cellar......... bathroom..........
171. Sanitation: Water inside.........in yard..........running water.......... running hot water..........
172.
Water closet inside.........outside.......... privy..........sole use..........
173.
Stationary laundry tubs.........sink.......... sewer connection..........
174. Heat: Steam.........hot water.......... hot air.......... stove.......... fireplace.......... latrobe.......... number of
rooms equipped for heating.........
175. Light: Total windows.........number of sleeping rooms without outside w in d ow s...... number of
other rooms without outside windows.........
176. Rent includes heat.........light.......... hot water.......... kitchen stove..........
177. Owned house would rent for................................................ per year.




9

CHANGES IN TH E COST OF LIVING.
Own ed home:
184.
Paid on principal........................ S
185.
Paid on interest..........................
186.
Taxes..........................................
187.
Special assessments....................
188.
Repairs and improvements.......
189.
Water rent..................................
190.
Insurance....................................
191..............................................................

Rented home:
178.
Rent for year................................$
179..............................................................
180.
Repairs........................................
181.
Water rent if separate from rent.
182..............................................................
183.

Total

192.

Total

EXPENSES FOR CLOTHING DURING YEAR.

For each article of clothing enter the total number of articles and total cost or value, and note the following
conditions:
“ Including...................... . material only, costing $....................... ” This appears where material is bought
and made up by the family. The cost should include patterns, thread, and buttons.
“ Including...................... . new, gift, valued at $...................... ” If elaborate and far beyond means of
family, report useful value.
“ Including...................... . secondhand, bought, costing $....................... ”
“ Including...................... . secondhand, gift, valued at $....................... ” Estimate this value on the basis
of what the secondhand clothing was considered worth to the family, taking into consideration condition
and wearing quality.
If material was bought and hired made up, combine the cost without note. Do not include clothing of
children or others who live as boarders or lodgers in the family, but include that of dependents. Include
garments of mixed material under the chief material.
Other males (insert age of each person as given on first page).
Husband.
Age.............

Items.
No.

193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
201.
202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.
210.
211.
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
231.
232.
233.

Headwear:
Hats, felt......................
do. straw....................
Caps...... ......................
Outergarments:
Suits: W ool.................
do. Cotton...............
Coats (separate)..........
Pants (separate), wool.
do.
cotton.
Overcoats.....................
Mackinaws...................
Raincoats.....................
Sweaters and jerseys. .
Cleaning, pressing and
repairing................... —
Overalls.......................
Jumpers.......................
Shirts (work or dress):
Cotton...................
Wool......................
Silk........................
Underwear:
Undershirts, cotton—
do.
wool.......
Drawers, cotton..........
do. wool.............
Union suits, cotton—
do.
wool.......
Pajamas.......................
Nightshirts...................
Footwear:
Socks, cotton...............
do. wool.................
do. silk...................
Shoes, high..................
do. lo w ...................
Shoe repairing..............
Shoe shines..................
Rubber boots..............
House slippers.............
Spats and leggings.......
Rubbers.......................
Arctics.........................
Gloves and m itt e n s ,
leather, dress.................
Gloves and m itt e n s ,
leather, work...............
Gloves and m itt e n s ,
cotton............................




Cost.

Age.............

Age.............

Age.............

No.

No.

No.

No.

Cost.

Cost.

—

Cost.

—

Cost.

10

S T A T I S T I C A L M E T H O D S — B U R E A U O F L A B O R STATISTICS.

Other males (insert age of each person as given on first page).
Husband.
Items.

Age.,
No.

Cost.

No.

Age.
Cost.

No.

Age.
Cost.

No.

Cost.

No.

Cost.

234. Gloves and m itt e n s ,
wool...............................
Collars...............................
Ties...................................
Handkerchiefs..................
Mufflers and scarfs............
Garters..............................
Belts..................................
Suspenders........................
Umbrellas.........................
Pocket books.....................
Watches and jewelry.......
Infants’ wear (not speci­
fied above):
245.
Dresses.........................
246.
Rompers......................
247.
Underwaists.................
248.
Petticoats....................
249.
Other infants’ wear___
250. Other clothing (note if
over $5)..........................
251.
Total for males.........
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
24L
242.
243.
244.

Other females (insert age of each person as given on first page).
Wife.
Age

Items.
No.

252.
253.
254.

257.
258.
259.
260.
261.
262.
263.
264.
265.
266.
267.
268.
270.
271.
272.
273.
274.
275.
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.
281.
282.

Headwear:
Hats.............................
Veils.............................
Caps.............................
Outer garments:
Suits, cotton................
do. wool...................
do. silk....................
Skirts, cotton...............
do. wool.................
do. silk...................
Waists and blouses,
cotton........................
Waists and blouses,
wool..........................
Waists and blouses,
silk............................
Dresses, cotton............
do.
wool...............
do.
silk.................
House dresses, bunga­
low aprons, wrappers.
Aprons.........................
Coats and cloaks, cot­
ton............................
Coats and cloaks, wool.
Raincoats....................
Sweaters and jerseys,
cotton........................
Sweaters and jerseys,
wool..........................
Sweaters and jerseys,
silk............................
Furs and boas.............
Cleaning, pressing, and
repairing...................
Underwear:
Petticoats, cotton........
do.
wool............
do.
silk.............
Corsets.........................
Brassieres....................
Corset covers and cami­
soles...........................




Cost.

No.

Age
Cost.

No.

Age
Cost.

No.

Age,
Cost.

No.

Cost.

11

CHANGES IN TH E COST OF LIVING.

Wife.
Items.

Other females (insert age of each person as given on first page).
Age............

No.
Underwear-Continued.
Combinations, cotton..
do.
silk----Union suits, cotton—
do.
wool.........
do.
silk..........
Shirts, cotton...............
do. wool.................
do. silk...................
Chemises, cotton.........
do.
silk..............
Drawers, cotton...........
do. wool..............
do. silk...............
Nightdresses, cotton...
do.
silk........
Pajamas, cotton..........
do. silk...............
Kimonos (2 ), cotton...
3
do.
wool----do.
silk........
Footwear:
303.
Stockings, cotton.........
304.
do.
wool...........
305.
do.
silk..............
306.
Shoes, high...................
307.
do. low....................
308.
Shoe repairing..............
309.
Shoe shines..................
310.
House slippers.............
311.
Spats and gaiters.........
312.
Rubbers.......................
313.
Arctics..........................
314. Gloves and mittens, kid...
315.
do.
cotton
316.
do.
wool..
317.
do.
silk...
318. Collars...............................
319. Collar and cuff sets...........
320. Ties...................................
321. Ribbons............................ 322. Handkerchiefs..................
323. Scarfs................................
324. Garters..............................
325. Belts.................................
326. Hairpins, fancy combs,
ornaments, nets, etc. . . .
327. Sanitary supplies..............
328. Umbrellas.........................
329. Parasols............................
330. Hand bags and purses—
331. Watches and jewelry.......
Infants’ wear (not speci­
fied above):
332.
Rompers......................
333.
Underwaists................
334.
Other infants’ wear___
335. Other clothing (note if
over $5)..........................

Cost.

Age............

Age...........

Age.........

No.

No.

No.

No.

Cost.

Cost.

Cost.

336.

Total for females___

» Including bathrobes.




ii
i
i i

-

i

i

283.
284.
285.
286.
287.
288.
289.
290.
291.
292.
293.
294.
295.
296.
297.
298.
299.
300.
301.
302.

-

-

Cost.

12

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUBEAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
EXPENSES FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DURING YE AR.

Specify size of anthracite coal, and kinds of wood and gas. Interline, bracket and note fuel picked up and
estimate value. Also see instructions.
Used for (V )—
Heat.
337.
338.
339.
340.
341.
342.
343.
344.
345.
346.
347.

Cost
including
storing.

Quantity—express in unit
here stated.

Article.
Cook.

Light.
............ tons of 2,000 lbs.............
............
do.
............
............
do.
............
............
do.
............
............ cords of 128 cu. ft..........
............
do.
............
............ 1,000 cu. ft....................
............ gallons............................
............ '"do.................................
............ kilowatt hours...............

Coal, ant.............................
do. bit.............................
Coke...................................
Charcoal.............................
W ood.................................
do......................................
Gas.....................................
Kerosene............................
Gasoline.............................
Electricity.........................
Matches and candles.........

348.

Total.........................

EXPENSES FOR FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS DURING Y E A R .

For articles bought on installment, do not enter cost price but amount paid during year.
items enter expense incurred in year whether paid or not.

Items.

349.
350.
351.
352.
353.
354.

Carpets (2 ) .............................
4
Matting (2 ) .............................
4
Linoleum and floor oilcloth..
Chairs and stools....................
Tables.....................................
Couches, davenports, sofas,
settees..................................
355. Bureaus, chiffoniers, dressing
tables...................................
356. Writing desks.........................
357. Bookcases and magazine
racks....................................
358. Clocks.....................................
359. Mirrors....................................
360. Pictures, frames and other
ornaments...........................
361. Hatracks, costumers and hall
trees.....................................
362. Sideboards, buffets, china
closets..................................
363. Bedsteads...............................
364. Bed springs............................
365. Mattresses...............................
366. Pillows....................................
367. Blankets......................*
*..........
368. Quilts and comforts...............
369. Sheets.....................................
370. Pillowcases.............................
371. Spreads...................................
372. Pitchers, washbowls, etc.......
373. Dishes and glassware.............
374. Knives, forks, spoons, etc---375. Stoves,ranges,and heaters f2 )
8
376. Fireless cookers......................
377. Kitchen cabinets....................
378. Kitchen utensils (pots, pans,
etc.).....................................
379. Refrigerators...........................
380. Brooms and brushes..............

Quan­
tity.

Items.

Cost.

381. Carpet sweepers and vacuum
cleaners.
382. Mops.......................................
383. Tablecloths, cotton................
384.
do.
linen..................
385. Napkins, cotton.....................
386.
ao.
linen.......................
387. Towels, cotton.......................
388.
do. linen..........................
389. Table oilcloth.........................
390. Lamps, lamp chimneys, gas
mantles and electric bulbs.
Musical inst., records, rolls
(specify):
391 ..............................................
392 ..............................................
393 ..............................................
394. Window shades.................
395. Screens, window and door__
396. Curtains, draperies, portieres,
sofa pillows.
397. Laundry utensils, tubs..........
8.
do.
boilers____
9.
do.
washboards
400.
do.
wringers..
401.
do.
irons..........
402.
do.
w a s h in g
machine.
403.
do.
404.
do.
405. Toys, sleds, carts, etc.............
406. Baby carriages and gocarts..
407. Sewmg machines...................
408. Other furniture and furnish­
ings.
409. (* )........................................
410. (* )........................................
411.

Total.............................

2 Include rugs with carpets or matting according to material.
4
2 Describe fully in note.
6
*e Specify, as hammocks, jardin&res, medicine cabinet, door mats, awning, etc.




For all other

Quan­
tity.

Cost.

13

CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES DURING Y E A R .

Ite m s.

412.
413.
414.
415.
416.
417.
418.
419.
420.

Insurance:
L ife, O ld line. P e r s o n s ......................
27
A m t .................
P e rson s......................
L ife , I n d u s .
27
A m t .................
P e r s o n s ......................
L ife, F r a t.
27
A m t .................
P e r s o n s ......................
L ife, E s ta b .
27
A m t .................
P e r s o n s ......................
L if e ....................
27
A m t .................
A c cid en t..........
P e r s o n s ......................
A m t .................
P e r s o n s ......................
H e a lt h ..............
A m t . _______
Personal p r o p e r ty ....................................
L ife, persons not m economic
f a m i lv 28.........

Ite m s.

C ost.

Cost.

440.

B o o k s ..................................................................................................

441.

P o s t a g e .............................................................................................

442.

S c h o o l , t u i t i o n , c h i l d r e n .......................................

443.
444.

d o .

b o o k s ,

d o .

o t h e r e x p e n s e s ...............................................

d o .................................................

445.

S c h o o l, a ll e x p e n s e s o f c h ild r e n a w a y ..

446.

S ick n e s s , p h y s ic ia n , s u rg e o n , o c u l is t ..

447.

d o .

m e d i c i n e ...................................................................

448.

d o .

n u r s e ...............................................................................

449.

d o .

h o s p i t a l ......................................................................

450.

d o .

d e n t i s t .........................................................................

451.

d o .

e y e g l a s s e s ................................................................

452.

d o ...................................... .................................................................

453.

D e a t h , u n d e r t a k e r 32......................................................

454.

d o .

c e m e t e r y 3 2 .........................................................

455.

L iq u o r s , in

456.

T o b a c c o ............................................................................................

457.

P e rso n a l p ro p e rty

o r o u t o f h o u s e ...................................
a n d p o l l t a x .....................

4 5 8 . I n c o m e t a x ..................................................................................
459.

Labor organizations...............................
Lodges, clubs, societies29......................

439.

460.

L a u n d ry

461.

C l e a n i n g s u p p l i e s , s o a p .............................................

C h arity..................................................................

432.
433.
434.
435.
436.
437.
438.

T o o l s .....................................................................................................

462.

Patriotic contributions30......................
Gifts outside fa m ily 31.......................... .
Street car fare, rides to work.............. .
do.
do. to school..............
do.
do. other................... .
Movies (number of tickets)..................
Plays, concerts, lectures (number of
tickets............. ) ................................... .
Dances......................................................
Pool...........................................................
Other amusements.................................
Excursions............................................. .
Vacation (out of city )............................
Travel (not vacation),
.w e e k ly -----Newspapers (d a ily ...
other............. ) .................
Magazines and periodicals

463.

w o rk

s e n t o u t .............................................

d o .

s o a p p o w d e r a n d liq u id

d o .

o t h e r s ............................................

464.

B a r b e r w o r k .....................................................................

465.

T o i l e t a r t i c l e s 33............................................................

466.

d o .

p r e p a r a t i o n s 3 4 ..........................................

467.

T e l e p h o n e ............................................................................

468.

M o v i n g .....................................................................................

469.

V e h i c l e s , b i c y c l e s 35................................................

470.
471.

d o .

m o t o r c y c l e s 35...................................

d o .

a u t o m o b i l e s 3 6 ...................................

472.

S erv a n t a n d

473.

O t h e r m i s c e l l a n e o u s : ...........................................

d a y

w o rk

w a g e s .................

C)............................
3
6

(3)..........................
6
474.

T o t a l .........................................................................

27 A lso , if obtainable, note k in d of p o licy.
28 Children liv in g as boarders an d lodgers are not in the econom ic fam ily .
29 A n organization w hose object is m a in ly insurance should be counted insurance.
ao W a r bon d s a n d savings sta m p s are n o t expenses, b u t counted as m o n e y in h a n d for in v e stm e n t.
34 G ifts inside econom ic fa m ily are cou nted as ordinary fa m ily exp ense. More or less forced contributions
outside fa m ily are considered gifts.
32 Show d ate of death in C olu m n 9. E n te r expenses for death outside fa m ily in 473.
33 B rushes, com b s, m irrors, tooth brushes, curling iron, m anicu re sets, razors an d blad es, etc.
34 T oilet soap, tooth p ow d er, cosm etics, shoe po lish , etc.
35 Includ ing also sup plies, repairs, an d license.
36 Specify item s ab o ve $5.

With this schedule, trained agents went into each of the 92 local­
ities referred to above, and through personal visits to the homes of
workingmen, where they interviewed the wives and other members
of the family, they secured complete data relating to the income and
expenditures of these families. The following form of table has been
used in showing a summary of the results of this investigation.
25046°— 23— Bull. 326----- 2




A V E R A G E A M O U N T A N D P E R C E N T O F E X P E N D I T U R E P E R A N N U M F O R T H E P R IN C IP A L G R O U P S O F IT E M S O F C O ST O F L IV IN G O F F A M IL IE S
I N 92 I N D U S T R I A L C E N T E R S , B Y I N C O M E G R O U P S .

U n d e r $900..................................
$900 an d un der $1,200...........
$1,200 a n d un der $ 1 ,5 0 0 ....
$1,500 a n d un der $1,800____
$1,800 a n d un der $2,100____
$2,100 a n d under $2,500____
$2,500 a n d ov e r.........................

A verage yearly expenses per fa m ily for—

Food.

Clothing.

R e n t.

Fuel
an d
lig h t.

Fu rni­
ture an d
furnish­
ings.

1

•

T o t a l ................................
PER CENT.

U n d e r $900.............................
$900 an d un der $1,200____
$1,200 a n d un der $ 1 ,5 0 0 ..
$1,500 a n d under $ 1 ,8 0 0 ..
$1,800 a n d un der $2 ,1 0 0 ..
$2,100 a n d under $2 ,5 0 0 ..
$2,500 a n d ove r....................
*

T o t a l ..............................




M iscel­
laneous.

T o ta l
average
yearly
expenses
per
fa m ily .

•

Surplus.

F a m i­
lies
hav­
ing—

A verage
a m o u n t.

D eficit.

F a m i­
lies
hav­
in g—

A v erage
a m o u n t.

F a m i­
lies
h a v in g
neither
surp lus
nor
deficit.

A v . sur­
plus ( - f )
or defi­
cit (— )
for
group.

STATISTICAL M ETHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

In c o m e group.

A verage persons
in fa m ily .
Num ­
ber
of
E q u iv a ­
fa m i­
le n t
T o ta l.
lies.
ad u lt
m ales.

M

CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.

15

Tables were also constructed showing the average quantity con­
sumed per family of each of the articles mentioned in the family
schedule or budget. To illustrate this the reader is referred to the
table on page 22, showing the consumption of food.
These “ consumption figures ” are used in giving the proper
“ weights ” to the several articles within ,a group of items, as will be
explained further on.
Having provided a system of weighting, the next step is to secure
information relating to the prices of the various items or articles
entering into the usual family budget and their changes from time to
time. The number of articles is so great that it is impracticable to
et prices at frequent intervals on all the articles the average family
uys, so the bureau has selected a number of the more important and
representative articles of each of the six groups mentioned above
and secures prices on these articles. As stated on page 23, it is
believed that the articles so selected fairly represent all the articles
in their respective groups, and that changes in the cost of living,
based on changes in the cost of these articles, are very close to the
actual changes experienced by the average family.
The manner of securing and computing food prices is described on
page 21 under “ Retail prices.” All other prices except for coal,
wood, gas, electricity, and dry goods (see page 27), are secured peri­
odically by special agents of the bureau, who visit merchants,
dealers, agents, etc., and get data directly from records. Form 7 is
used for prices of male clothing, 8 for female clothing, 9 for rents, 10
for furniture and house furnishings, and 11 for miscellaneous items.
These forms are used several consecutive times, each of the columns
under “ Retail prices in — ” being used for a different date.
In selecting stores and establishments from which to secure prices
every effort is made to get representative firms in various sections of
the city which are patronized by workingmen’s families.
Quotations are secured from four stores or establishments for each
article, with a few exceptions, such as street-car fares, for instance,
where, in the nature of things, not so many quotations can be obtained.
Data on rents are secured from 375 to 2,000 houses and apartments
in each city. These houses are such as are occupied by representative
workingmen’s families.
Prices of clothing, furniture, etc., are secured through the personal
visits of agents, rather than by correspondence, for two reasons:
The articles in these groups are not standardized to the extent that
articles of food are, neither can they be described so definitely as to
be readily identified at all times. Besides this the grade or quality
as well as the style of clothing, furniture, etc., is constantly changing,
and substitutions frequently have to be made. It is absolutely
essential to secure correct results that when such substitutions or
changes must be made the articles substituted must be as nearly as
possible of the same quality or grade as the original article. The
experience of the bureau is that it is very difficult if not impossible
to obtain satisfactory results in this work by correspondence. It
requires the personal investigation and careful inquiry of a trained
agent who thoroughly understands the work to secure the best re­
sults. Whenever substitutions have to be made, prices are secured
on the article substituted for the previous price period as well as
for the present, so that the figures will always be comparable.

f




16

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
Form 7.
Agent.
U . S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
R E T A IL

P R IC E S

OF

C L O T H IN G

1. N a m e o f store..............................................................................

4 . A d d r e s s ................................................................. ’. ..........

FOR

M ALES.

2. C it y ..................................

3. S t a t e ....................................

5. N a m e an d p osition o f in f o r m a n t ........................................ .

R e ta il prices in —
A rticle.

D escription o f ar­
ticle.

HATS AND CAPS.
(S ) H a t s , s t r a w . .
H a t s , fe lt.........
C a p s ...................
C ap s, 12-yea r.
READY TO W EA R.

(S) Suits................................................
(S)
(W )
(W )
(W )
(W )

T rousers, cotton , 1 2-yea r...................
S u its................................................................
O vercoats.....................................................
T rousers, w ool, 12-year........................
O vercoa ts or m a ck in a w s, 1 2-yea r.
S u its, w ool, 1 2-yea r...............................
O veralls or w ork trou sers..................
UNDERWEAR AND STOCKINGS.

(S ) U n io n s u its ..................
( S j U n io n su its, 12-year.
( W ) U n io n suits
U n io n suits, 12-year.............
Socks, c o tto n ............................
Stockings, c o tto n , 12-y ea r.

(W
)

FURNISHINGS.
S h irts, c o tto n ...................
N ig h tsh irts........................
C o llars..................................
N e ck tie s..............................
Sh irts, cotton , 12-year.
N igh tsh irts, 12-year —
N eck ties, 12-yea r............

Shoes, h ig h ....................
Shoes, h igh , 1 2-yea r.
R u b b e r s .........................
SHOE REPAIRING.
W h o le soles a n d heels (se w e d )................
H a lf soles a n d heels (se w e d )....................
H a lf soles a n d heels (sew ed ), 12-yea r.




in f o r m a n t s :

U nit,

CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.

17

Form 8.
Agent.
U . S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
R E T A IL

P R IC E S

O F C L O T H IN G

1. N a m e o f store..............................................................................
4. A d d r e s s .............................................................................

FOR

FEM ALES.

2. C ity ..................................

3. S t a t e ................................. .

5. N a m e an d position of in f o r m a n t .........................................

R etail prices in—
A rticle.

D escription of ar­
ticle.

U nit.

READY TO W EAR.

S)
. V)
(W )
(W )
(W )
(W )

Skirts, cotton , w a s h .
W a ists, silk
S u its, w o o l...................
C oats, w o o l..................
Dresses, w o o l..............
C oats, w ool, 6 -y e a r ..
Petticoats, not s ilk ..

(w; ~ ”

KNIT UNDERWEAR AND STOCKINGS.
(S ) U n ion s u it s .............................
( W ) U n ion s u its .............................
( W ) U n ion su its, 6 -year.............
U n derw aists, 6-year...........
Stockings, c o tto n .................
Stockings, cotton , 6 -y e a r.
MUSLIN UNDERWEAR.
(S )
( S)
(S )
(S )
(W )
(W )

D raw ers, m u slin , 6-year.............
P etticoa ts, m u slin , 6 -y e a r ......... .
N igh tgow n s, m u slin , 6-year —
P etticoa ts, m u s lin ......................... .
N ig h tgow n s, 6 -y e a r ....................... .
Petticoats or bloom ers, 6-year.
C om binations, e t c ., m u slin ------N igh tgow n s, m u s lin .....................

Corset c o v e r s .................................
CORSETS.

C orsets-----Brassieres..
HOUSE DRESSES.
H ou se d r e sse s..
K im o n o s ............

(S )
(S )
(W )
(W )

Shoes, lo w ....................
Shoes, low , 6 -y e a r ..
Shoes, h ig h ................
Shoes, high, 6-year.
R u b b e r s .......................
R u b b ers, 6-year____
DRESS GOODS.
Yd.
Yd.
Yd.
Yd.
Yd.

V o ile ..........................
O rgan d ie.................
G in g h a m .................
A p ro n g in g h a m .
Serge..........................
SHOE REPAIRING.
H a lf soles and heels (sew ed ).
R u b b e r h e e ls ................................ .




INFORMANTS:

18

STATISTICAL, METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
Farm 9.
Agent.
U . S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
COST OF R E N T S .

1. N a m e of fir m .............................................................2. C it y ...................................................... 3. S ta te .......................
4. A d d r e ss....................................................5. N a m e of person furnishing in form ation ........................................

Street a n d n u m b er.

H o u se,
flat, or
a p t.1

R e n t per m o n th in —
N o . of
room s.2

1 ..............................................................................
2 ..............................................................................
3 ........................................................................

1 A house is a b u ild in g occupied b y a single fa m ily .
A flat is a b u ild in g in w h ich each fa m ily occupies a w hole floor.
A n ap artm en t is a b u ild in g h a v in g liv in g quarters for tw o or m ore fam ilies on a floor.
I f flat or ap artm en t, state on w hich floor.
2 In clu d e all room s usable for liv in g purposes, b u t exclude b a th , p a n try , storage attic, an d storage cellar. *

Form 10.
Agent.
U . S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
R E T A I L P R IC E S O F F U R N IT U R E A N D H O U S E F U R N IS H IN G S .
1. N a m e of store.............................................................2. C it y ...................................................... 3. State...............................................
4. A d d r e ss....................................................5. N a m e a n d position of in fo r m a n t......................................... . ....................................
R ep o rt prices for a grade generally purchased b y fam ilies of w orkin gm en, th e sam e grade throu gh o u t
th e period. State th e u n it, as each, h a lf dozen, etc. G iv e description of article as com p lete as po ssib le.
A v o id special d a y or season sales.

R etail prices in —
A r ticle.

R u g s , w o o l........................................
R u g s, grass........................................
L in o le u m s.........................................
C hairs, liv in g ro o m .......................
C hairs, d in in g ..................................
T a b le s, lib ra ry or liv in g room ,
T a o le s, d in in g.................................
T a b le s, k itc h e n ..............................
Couches (san itary or b e d ) ____
D ressers...............................................
C hiffoniers.........................................
B u ffe ts.................................................
C hina closets....................................
B ed stead s..........................................

B ed springs..............................................
Mattresses.................................................
B a b y carriages........................................
Gocarts.....................................................
Pillow cases..............................................
Sheets........................................................
Tablecloths, cotton.................................
Napkins, cotton......................................
Towels, cotton .........................................
Blankets, cotton ...............................
Blankets, w ool........................................
Comforts...................................................
Table oilcloths........................................
Cook stoves; coal, wood, gas, or o i l .. .
Heating stoves; coal, wood, gas, or oil.
Carpet sweepers......................................
B room s.....................................................
Pianos.......................................................
Talking m achines...................................
Sewing machines.....................................
Refrigerators............................................




D escription of
article.

U n it.

19

CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING.
Form 11.

Agent.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
R E T A I L

P R IC E S

O F

M IS C E L L A N E O U S

IT E M S .

1.

N a m e o f e s t ................................................................................................

2.

C i t y ...............................................................................

4.

A d d r e s s ............................................................................................................

5.

F a m e

a n d p o s itio n

3.

S ta te —

o f i n f o r m a n t ...................................

P r ic e in —
Ite m .

Street car: R egu lar fare, a d u lt ...........................................................
M ovies: F irst floor, w eek n ig h t, a d u lt ...........................................
N ew sp ap er: D a ily on str e e t.................................................................
S u n d a y o n s tr e e t ............................................................
D octor: Office v is it, u s u a l ch arge.....................................................
H o u se v is it, u su a l ch arge....................................................
O bstetrical case, u su a l ch arge....................................
Medicine: C alo m el ta b le ts, £ g r a in ...................................................
A sp irin ta b le ts, 5-grain ....................................................
Castor o il..................................................................................
Q uinine p ills...........................................................................
Stan d ard prescription, liq u id ......................................
Stan d ard prescription, liq u i d ......................................
Stan dard prescription, capsule or p ill, 3-grain
m ixtu re.
H o sp ita l: P a y w a r d ..................................................................................
D en tist: F illin g , u su al ch arge............................................................
C row n, u su a l charge............................................................ .
P late, full u p p er, u su a l charge.......................................
Spectacles: G old-filled rim s, flat spherical le n s ...................... .
Single separate le n s.........................................................
L a u n d ry: M en 's stiff c ollars................................................................
M en 's shirts, soft cuffs atta c h e d ............................... .
Sh eets....................................................................................... .
T u rk ish to w e ls ....................................................................
F la t w o r k ............................................................................... .
Cleaning supplies:
.
S o a p .........................................................................................................
L a u n d ry soap (6 to 12 o z .) ...........................................................
Soap pow d er (8 to 16 o z . ) ............................................................ .
C leaning pow d er (14 to 18 o z .) ..................................................
B arber: S h a v e ............................................................................................
H a ir c u t .......................................................................................
Toilet articles a n d preparations:
T o oth bru sh .......................................................................................
T o ilet s o a p ..........................................................................................
Sh aving soap or c re a m .................................................................
T ooth pow der or p a s te .................................................................
T a lc u m po w d er................................................................................
V aselin e (1 to 2 o z .) .......................................................................
T elephone: R esid en ce.................................. .........................................
Tobacco: C igar...........................................................................................
C igarettes.................................................................................
Cigarette tobacco (1 to 2 o z .) ........................................
P ip e tobacco (1 to 2 o z .) ..................................................
P lu g tobacco (1 to 3J o z .) ...............................................
K erosen e.........................................................................................................




U n it.

1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

d o z.

1doz.
2oz.
1d oz.
2oz.
4 o z.

1

d o z .

W e e k .

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

L b .
O z.
O z.
O z.
O z.

1
1
1

O z.
O z.
O z.
O z.
O z.
M o n th .

O z.
O z.
O z.
G a llo n .

20

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

The following table is given to illustrate the method of working
up and applying the prices after they are received in the bureau.
This table shows the changes in the cost of four articles of furniture
and house furnishings in a certain city from March to June, 1922.
Taking the first article in the table, bedsteads, it will be noted that
the quantity weighting is 0.2, that is the families that were interro­
gated in this city purchased an average of 0.2 of a bedstead in a year.
The four quotations of prices for this article aggregated $85.25 in
March and $81.25 in June, the average price being $21.31 per bed­
stead in March, and $20:31 in June. These average prices multi­
plied by the quantity weighting, 0.2, gives $4.26 for March, and
$4.06 for June; that is, the average cost of the number of bedsteads
purchased by the average family in a year was $4.26 in March, and
$4.06 in June. Each article on the list is treated in the same way,
and the results added, showing that the total cost of the average
number of these articles of furniture purchased by a family each
year was $17.94 in March, and $17.46 in June. Taking the March
cost as a base or 100 per cent, the June cost was 97.0 per cent, a
decrease of 3 per cent. The data for all furniture and for the other
groups of items—food, clothing, etc.— are worked up in the same
manner.
F U R N IT U R E A N D H O U S E F U R N IS H IN G S .

Prices.
A rticle.

W e ig h te d cost.

Q u a n tity
w eighting.
M arch, 1922. June, 1922. M arch, 1922. June, 1922.

B e d ste a d s........................................................................

B e d sprin gs....................................................................

T o ta l (4 q u o ta tio n s)....................................
A v e r a g e ...............................................................
M attresses.......................................................................

.3

T o ta l (4 q u o ta tio n s)....................................
A v e r a g e ...............................................................
B a b y carriages.............................................................

T o ta l (4 q u o ta tio n s)....................................
A v e r a g e ...............................................................
T o ta l.....................................................................
P er c e n t..............................................................
P er cen t decrease, M arch to J u n e .. .




.2

8 1 .25
20.31

16. 25
8. 50
8. 50
2 1 .5 0

14. 50
8 .5 0
8 .5 0
2 1.50
5 3 .00
13. 25

10. 75
1 2.00
13. 50
2 5 .0 0

9. 75
1 2.00
1 3 .50
25 .0 0

6 1 .2 5
15.31

.2

$14.75
29. 50
2 4 .5 0
12. 50

54.75
13.69

T o ta l (4 q u o ta tio n s)....................................
A v e r a g e ......................... .....................................

$14.75
29. 50
28. 50
12.50
85. 25
21.31

0 .2

6 0 .2 5
15.06

32. 00
3 2 .5 0
2 5 .0 0
3 7 .5 0

3 2 .0 0
32. 50
25. 00
3 5 .0 0

127.00
3 1 .7 5

124.50
3 1 .1 3

$4.26

$4.06

2 .7 4

2 .6 5

4 .5 9

4 .5 2

6 .3 5

6 .2 3

17.94
100.0

1 7 .46
9 7 .0
3 .0

RETAIL PRICES.

21

Having ascertained the changes in the cost of the several groups
of items, it remains to “ weight” these results according to their
relative importance in the family budget. To illustrate this part of
the work the following table is used:

G roups o f item s.

Increase
from
January
t o M ay
(per cen t).

W e ig h t
of group
(per cen t).

R esu ltan t
effect on
cost of
liv in g
(per cen t).

1.

2.

3.

4.

F o o d ............................................................
C loth in g.....................................................
R e n t .............................................................
F u el an d lig h t ........................................
F u rniture, e t c .........................................
M iscellaneous..........................................

3 .4
6 .3
4 .0
3 .6
3 .2
5 .8

T o t a l...............................................

3 8 .2
1 6 .6
1 3.4
5 .3
5 .1
21 .3

1 .3
1 .0
.5
.2
.2
1 .2
4 .4

Let us assume that it has been ascertained that the changes in the
cost of the respective groups of items between two given dates have
been indicated in column 2 of the table; that is, the cost of food has
increased 3.4 per cent, clothing 6.3 per cent, etc. The figures in
column 3 are taken from the summaries of the study mentioned on
13. If the cost of food increased 3.4 per cent, and the cost of
constitutes 38.2 per cent of the family expenditure, then 38.2
per cent of 3.4 (3.4 multiplied by 0.382) will give 1.3 per cent, the
resultant effect on the cost of living; that is if the cost of food in­
creased 3.4 per cent, and the cost of other items remained unchanged,
the cost of living would be increased 1.3 per cent. In the same way
the effect of the changes in the other groups are ascertained, and the
results added. This gives 4.4 per cent as the total increase in the
cost of living during the period under consideration.

E

RETAIL PRICES.
For several years the bureau has collected and published data
relating to retail prices of food. Beginning in 1915 summaries or
abstracts of these data have been published monthly in the Monthly
Labor Review, fuller reports being published annually in a bulletin.
With several changes from time to time in the number of articles
and in the number of cities represented, prices are now secured for
43 articles in each of the following 51 cities:
Atlanta, Ga.
Baltimore, Md.
Birmingham, Ala.
Boston, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y .
Butte, Mont.
Charleston, S. C.
Chicago, 111.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Columbus, Ohio.
Dallas, Tex.
Denver, Colo.
Detroit, Mich.
Fall River, Mass.
Houston, Tex.




Indianapolis, Ind.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Kansas City, Mo.
Little Rock, Ark.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, K y.
Manchester, N. II.
Memphis, Tenn.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Mobile, Ala.
Newark, N. J.
New Haven, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
New York, N. Y.
Norfolk, Ya.
Omaha, Nebr.

Peoria, 111.
Philadelphia. Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Portland, Me.
Portland, Oreg.
Providence, R. I.
Richmond, Ya.
Rochester, N. Y .
St. Louis, Mo.
St. Paul, Minn.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
San Francisco, Calif.
Savannah, Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
Springfield, 111.
Washington, D. C.

22

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS,

In a study of the cost of living made by the bureau in 1918-19,
inquiry was made as to the quantity of different articles of food con­
sumed b y the average family. The following table shows a list of
these articles and the quantity of each consumed per family in one year:
Q U A N T IT Y O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F F O O D C O N SU M E D IN O N E Y E A R B Y W O R K ­
I N G M E N 'S F A M I L I E S .
[T h e u n it o f q u a n tity is th e p o u n d unless otherwise stated.]

A rticle.

M eats:
B eef, fresh, steak ...........................
B eef, fresh , r o a st...........................
B eef, fresh , ste w ............................
B e e f, fresh , other...........................
B e e f, s a lt, corned...........................
B e e f, sa lt, d r ie d .............................
V e a l ......................................................
P o rk , fresh........................................
P o rk , s a lt, bacon...........................
P o rk , s a lt, h a m a n d shoulder.
P o rk , s a lt, sid e, d r y .....................
P o rk , sa lt, sid e , p ic k le d ............
M u tto n , c h o p s ................................
M u tto n , r o a st..................................
M u tto n , ste w ...................................
M u tto n , other..................................
P o u ltr y , h e n s ..................................
P o u ltr y , other.................................
S au sage...............................................
L iv e r ....................................................
K id n e y ................................................
O th er m e a t, n o t can n ed ............
B e e f, ca n n e d ....................................
P o rk , can ned...................................
H a m , cooked....................................
To n gu e, coo k ed .............................
O th er m e a t , cook ed .....................
Sea food :
F ish , fr e sh .........................................
F ish , sa lt............................................
F ish , can n ed , s a lm o n .................
F ish , can n ed , o th e r.....................................
O y ste r s.............................................q u a r t ..
O th er sea fo o d ................................................
M ilk an d m ilk products:
M ilk , n o t s k im m e d ................... q u a r t ..
M ilk , s k im m e d ...............................d o _____
M ilk , condensed or e va p orated ............
B u tte r m ilk .....................................q u a r t ..
C r e a m .................................................. d o —
Ice cream ............................................d o ____
B u t t e r .................................................................
Cheese, ord in ary A m e r ic a n ....................
Cheese, other...................................................
O leom argarin e........................................................
O th er b u tte r su b stitu te s..................................
V e g e ta b le cooking a n d ta b le oils.................
L a r d ..............................................................................
L a r d co m p o u n d .....................................................
L a r d su b stitu tes....................................................
E g g s .............................................................d o z e n ..
G rain products:
F lo u r , w h ea t...................................................
F lo u r , r y e ..........................................................
F lo u r, other.....................................................
Corn m e a l..........................................................
H o m in y or g r it s .. ......................................
C ornstarch........................................................
B reakfast foods—
W h e a t ........................................................
C o m ................ ...........................................
O a t s ............................................................
O th e r ..........................................................
B read , w h e a t .................................................
B rea d , r y e ........................................................
B re a d , o th e r ....................................................
R o lls an d b u n s ...............................................
Crackers.............................................................
C akes a n d cookies........................................




A verage
q u a n tity
consum ed
per
fam ily in
one year.

66.1
39.9
44.7
15.5

6.1
1.2

16.2
40.5
17.0
19.9
7.7
2.5
5.0

6.2
6.1
a

16.5
8.9

-.8

5.6
.5
.3
7.4
.1

11.6
31.4
4.4

8.8
1.5

2.0

62.2
37.6
1.5

67.5
12.0
2.7
16.7
4.5
3.2
36.6
13.3
10.2
61.2
260.1
7.7
36.9
69.4

5.9
39.6
.7
396.7
32.5
5.0
18.9
15.3
15.5

A rticle.

G rain products— C ontinued.
M acaroni, sp a gh etti, an d noodles____
R ic e ......................................................................
P ies................................................................................
T apioca an d sago...................................................
S u g a r............................................................................
M olasses, siru p , an d h o n e y .............................
C a n d y ..........................................................................
C h ocolate...................................................................
F r u its, fresh:
A p p le s .................................................p e c k ..
P eaches.............................................. d o _____
B a n a n a s...........................................d o z e n ..
L e m o n s .............................................. d o _____
O ranges.............................................. d o ..* ..
G ra c e s.................................................................
B erries.............................................. q u a r t ..
C an talou p e....................................... e a c h ..
W a te r m e lo n .................................... d o _____
O th e r ......................................................
F r u its, dried:
A p p le s ....................................................
Prunes...................................................
R a isin s..................................................
Peaches.................................................
O th e r ......................................................
F r u its, canned:
P eaches.................................................
P in eapp le.............................................
O th e r .....................................................
Jellies, preserves, m arm alad es, etc.
P ean u t b u tte r............................................
V e getab les, fresh:
P ota toes, Ir is h ..................................
P ota toes, sw eet a n d y a m s .........
C ab b ag e.................................................. ..........
Sp in ach an d k a le ............................p e c k ..
P e as....................................................... d o ____
B ean s, s tr in g .................................... d o ____
T o m a to e s..........................................................
O nions.................................................................
C o m .....................................................d o z e n ..
L e ttu c e ................................................ h e a d ..
C ele ry ................................................ b u n c h ..
B e e ts ....................................................................
Carrots................................................................
T u rn ip s..............................................................
Sauerk raut.......................................................
A sp a ra g u s.......................................b u n c h ..
V egetables, dried:
B ean s...................................................................
O th e r...................................................................
V egetab les, can ned :
B ean s, b a k e d ..................................................
P e a s.....................................................................
C o m .....................................................................
T o m a to e s ..........................................................
A sp a r a g u s........................................................
O th e r ...................................................................
G e la tin ........................................................................
C anned s o u p ............................................................
T e a ................................................................................
Coffee....................................................................... ....
Coffee s u b stitu te ....................................................
C ocoa............................................................................
N u t s ..............................................................................
O ther fo o d s...................................................... ..
L u n c h e s................................................ n u m b e r ..

A v era g e
q u a n tity
con sum ed
per
fa m ily in
on e year.

20.6
32.1
4.0
1.5
146.0
33.2
10.5

1.1

16.8

2.6

10.0
4.2
6.4
16.1
12.3
5.7
1.9
32.8

1.1
10.2
9.3

1.8
1.6
4.0

2.2
1.9
5.4
3.6
691.2
51.3
62.3

2.1

1.6
4.9
99.1
65.0
7.8
28.0
8.3
18.8
27.7
19.4

2.0
1.5
26.8
23.0
3.3
10.5
6.3
9.7

10.2
34.0
.3
2.3

1.1
4.8

6.6
38.9
.7
4.6
4.2

1.2

57.2

23

RETAIL PRICES,

It is impracticable to secure prices of all of these articles every
month. From this list, however, 43 of the more important and rep­
resentative articles have been selected to represent food in the bu­
reau’s retail price work. It is believed that the prices and the changes
in the prices of these articles fairly represent conditions in the cost
of food as a whole.
The following three forms show the articles for which prices are
secured and at the same time show the manner in which the prices
are collected. These schedules are made up in book form, each book
containing 12 sheets, one for each month. These books are sent out
early in January to merchants and dealers with whom arrangements
have previously been made by an agent of the bureau to furnish the
prices. It is the aim to get quotations from 15 to 25 grocers and
meat dealers in each city on Form 12 and a smaller number of quo­
tations from bakers and dairymen for bread and milk on Forms 13
and 14, respectively.
Form 12.
R E T A I L P R IC E S F O R T H E

U N IT E D

STATES B U R E A U

OF LABOR

S T A T IS T IC S .

[Name of firm.]
[Street.]

[Vo.*]

[ Name

'[ City!]

[ S a t e .]

of person furnishing information.]

Please enter prices on th e date indicated b elow . D etach th e sheet an d m ail it in one o f th e accom *
p a n yin g envelopes t o th e “ Com m issioner of La b or Statistics, W a sh in g to n , D . C .”
PRICE FEBRUARY 15, 1922.
[O n ly one price on each article is desired.]

A rticle.

Price.

Sirloin steak , b est c u t...........................per l b . .
R o u n d steak , b est c u t ......................... per l b . .
R ib roast, bone in , b est c u t ..............per l b . .
C huck roast, bone in , b est c u t........ per l b . .
P late boiling beef (n ot corned), b est cut
...................................................................... per l b . .
P ork ch ops, loin, b e s t...........................per l b . .
B acon, clear, sm o k e d , s lic e d ............per l b . .
H a m , sm ok e d , s lic e d ........................... per l b . .
L eg of la m b , yea rlin g ........................... per l b . .
H e n s, year or m ore old, dressed, not
d r a w n ........................................................per l b . .
S alm on , red A la sk a ................. per 1-lb. c a n ..
Salm on , p in k A la sk a ............... per 1-lb. c a n ..
M ilk , evaporated (u n sw ee te n ed ).....................
...................................................... per 16-oz. c a n ..

[Enter brand.]
B u tter, cream ery, ex tra ...................... per l b . .

[Enter “ Tub” or “ Print.” ]
Oleom argarine, b est u n c o lo r e d .. . .p e r l b . .
N u t m argarine, vegetable.................. per l b . .
Cheese, A m e ric an , fu ll c r e a m .......... per l b . .
L a rd , pure, loose......................................per l b . .
V e g e ta b le lard su b s titu te , . p e r ..........l b s . .

[Enter weighty

E g gs, strictly fresh, n e a r -b y ..........per d o z ..
E g gs, fresh ............................................... per d o z ..
E g gs, storage...........................................per d o z ..
W h e a t flour...............................per fc-bbl. b a g . .

[Enter brandy
Corn m e a l.................................................... per l b . .

A rticle.

Price.

R olled oats............................... p e r .............p k g . .

[Enter brand.]' [Enter weight.]
Corn flakes...................................per 8-oz. p k g . .
[ Enter brand.]
W h e a t cereal............................ per 28-oz. p k g . .
M acaroni.................................... p e r ............ p k g . .
[ Enter brand.] [ Enter weight.]
R ice, w hole...............................................'.p e r l b ..
[ Enter description of grade.J
B ean s, sm a ll, w hite n a v y , hand-pick ed
P otatoes, Irish (or w h ite )................p e r p k . .
O nions, y e llo w ......................................... per l b . .
C ab b ag e........................................................per l b . .
B eans, b a k e d ........... per 20-oz. ( N o . 2 ) c a n ..
Corn, sta n d a r d ____per 20-oz. ( N o . 2) c a n . .
[ Enter Maine or other.]
Peas, sta n d a r d ------ per 20-oz. ( N o . 2) c a n . .
T o m atoes, stan d ard .p er 20-oz. (N o . 2) c a n ..
Sugar, gran ulated................................... per l b . .
T e a , b u lk ..................................................... per l b . .
[ Enter kind.]
C oflee.................................................. per lb . p k g ..
[ Enter kind.]
P runes, C alifornia...................................per l b . .
[ Enter size.]
R aisin s, seeded...................... p e r ............ p k g . .
[ Enter brand.] [ Enter weight.]
B an an as.................................................... per d o z . .
O ranges......................................................per d o z ..
[ Enter size.]

R em arks: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................
E n ter under “ R e m a r k s” th e cause of a n y change in weight or of a n y ad vance or decline in th e price
since the m id d le of last m o n th .
Continue rem arks on th e b ack of this sheet, if necessary.




24

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
Form 18.
B R EAD WEIGHTS AND R E TA IL PRICES.
[Name of firm.]
‘[N o ! }'”

...................................................................................... [ S t r e e t .] ...............’

........................................... [ C

i t y . ] ...................................'

“ “ [is ’ t o S ! ]

[ Name of person f urnishing information.j
PRICE FEBRUARY 15, 1922.

Retail
price ^>er

Scaling
weight
per loaf.

Baked
weight
(cold)
per loaf.

Cents.

Name of loaf.

Ounces.

Ounces.

Remarks:
Enter under ‘ ‘ Remarks” the cause of any change in weight or of any advance or decline in the price since
the middle of last month.
Continue remarks on the back of this sheet, if necessary.
*

Form

14.

R E TA IL PRICES.
[Name of firm.]
’[ W
oV]......................................[Street.]......................... . ...................... [ City.J ................. ’ [State'.]
[Name of person furnishing information.]
PRICE FEBRUARY 15, 1922.

Article.

Price.

Milk, fresh___, delivered, bottled...................................................................................... per q t ..
[Enter “ P ” if pasteurized; “ R ” if raw.]
Butter, creamery, extra....................................................................................................... per l b ..
[Enter “ Tub” or “ Print.” ]
Eggs, strictly fresh, near-by...............................................................................................per d oz..
Eggs, fresh...........................................................................................................................per d oz..
Eggs, storage....................................................................................................................... per d oz..
Hens, year or more old; dressed, not drawn....................................................................... per lb ..
Remarks: .........................................................................................................................................................
Enter under “ Remarks” the cause of any material advance or decline in the price of any article since the
middle of last month.
Continue remarks on the back of this sheet, if necessary.

From the prices that are received from month to month the bureau
computes an average price for each article in each city and for the
51 cities combined, and also computes relative prices or index num­
bers. These index numbers are percentages in which the average
prices for the year 1913 are taken as the base, or 100 per cent, upon
which the percentages for other dates are computed. In working
the index numbers including all articles for a city or for the United
States as a whole, the prices are weighted by the average family con­
sumption as shown by the table on page 22.
The following form of table is used to show the results of this work.
The table on page 26 shows how the index numbers are presented.




BE TAIL PRICES,

25

AVERAG E R E TA IL PRICES OF SPECIFIED FOOD ARTICLES AND PER CENT OF IN­
CREASE OR DECREASE A P R IL 15, 1922, COMPARED W ITH A P R IL 15, 1921, AND MARCH
15, 1922.

Average retail price on—
Article.

Unit.
Apr. 15,
1921.

Sirloin steak.................................
Round steak................................
Rib roast......................................
Chuck roast..................................
Plate beef.....................................
Pork chops...................................
B acon.. T.....................................
H am ............................................
Lamb...........................................
Hens.............................................
Salmon, canned, red...................
Milk, fresh...................................
Milk, evaporated.................. .
Butter..........................................
Oleomargarine.............................
Nut margarine.............................
Cheese..........................................
Tard.............................................
Vegetable lard substitute..........
Eggs, strictly fresh ......................
Bread...........................................
Flour............................................
Com meal....................................
Rolled oats...................................
Com flakes...................................
Wheat cereal...............................
Macaroni......................................
Rice..............................................
Beans, navy.................................
Potatoes ...................................
Onions..........................................
Cabbage.......................................
Beans, baked...............................
Com, canned................................
Peas, canned................................
Tomatoes, canned.......................
Sugar, granulated.................... .
Tea...............................................
Coffee................................. .’ ........
Prunes..........................................
Raisins.........................................
Bananas............................. .........
Oranges........................................
All articles combined.




Pound...................
.......do....................
.......d o....................
.......d o....................
.......do....................
.......do........ ..........
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
Quart....................
15-16 oz. can.........
Pound...................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......d o....................
.......do....................
Dozen...................
Pound...................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
8-oz. package........
2S-oz. package.......
P ound..................
.......do....................
.......do....................
....... d o...................
.......do....................
.......do....................
No. 2 can..............
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
Pound...................
....... do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
.......do....................
Dozen...................

Mar. 15,
1922.

Apr. 15,
1922.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Per cent of increase
( + ) or decrease
( - ) Apr.15,1922,
compared with—
Apr. 15,
1921.

Mar. 15,
1922.

IN D E X NUMBERS SHOWING CHANGES I N THE R E TA IL PRICES OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES B Y YEARS, 1907
TO 1921, AND B Y MONTHS IT)R 1921 AND 1922.

to

c*

[Average for year 1913=100.]

1907........................
1908........................
1909........................
1910........................
1911........................
1912........................
1913........................
1914........................
1915........................
1916........................
1917........................
1918........................
1919........................
1920........................
1921: Av. for year.
January..........
February........
March.............
April..............
May................
June...............
July................
August...........
September___
October..........
November----December.......

71
73
77
80
81
91
100
102
101
108
124
153
164
172

68
71
74
78
79
89
100
106
103
110
130
165
174
177

76
78
81
85
85
94
100
103
101
107
126
155
164
168

100
104
101
107
131
166
169
164

153

154

147

159
151
154
157
158
157
158
157
153
147
141
139

163
153
157
160
160
160
161
160
154
148
139
138

157
148
152
154
153
151
148
147
144
139
135
135

January..........
February........
March.............
April..............

139
139
141
143

136
135
138
141

135
134
136
138

19*
09




100
104
100
106
130
170
167
151

74
76
83
92
85
91
100
105
96
108
152
186
201
201

74
77
83
95
91
91
100
102
100
106
152
196
205
194

76
78
82
91
89
91
100
102
97
109
142
178
199
206

81
80
90
104
88
94
100
99
93
111
175
211
234
187

81
83
89
94
91
93
100
102
97
111
134
177
193
210

133

118

166

158

181

114

148
138
141
140
138
135
129
130
128
124
120
120

140
129
130
127
124
117
109
112
110
109
106
106

171
156
168
177
167
162
163
181
179
171
152
145

171
166
155
164
161
159
160
162
159
153
147
143

180
179
181
183
181
182
190
197
191
180
170
165

141
131
124
116
106
103
106
115
113
109
105
101

119
118
121
122

106
106
107
107

137
140
149
157

139
140
144
147

164
173
185
188

97
101
109
107

173
173
177
177

84
86
93
98
94
99
100
102
99
109
139
165
182
197

85
86
90
94
88
98
100
94
93
103
127
151
177
183

186

148

200
201
203
202
194
181
182
183
179
175
168
168

229
139
121
99
97
101
122
138
146
171
201
204
145
140
92
92

100
104
105
117
150
162
193
188

87
90
91
95
96
97
100
100
99
102
125
156
174
188

95
102
109
108
102
105
100
104
126
135
211
203
218
245

88
92
94
95
94
102
100
105
108
113
192
227
213
217

100
113
125
130
164
175
179
205

135

154

164

159
148
150
145
111
105
122
134
132
139
139
136

175
174
176
169
143
133
133
148
148
149
151
149

183
173
171
167
162
160
157
161
158
160
161
158

177

176

193
189
188
184
177
175
173
173
171
170
166
163

203
197
194
179
173
179
176
173
170
164
155
152

118
120
120
118

149
149
149
145

153
148
146
143

157
154
155
155

148
155
161
161

100
101
104
105
119
148
174
200

105
111
112
101
130
135
100
108
89
159
253
188
224
371

105
108
107
109
117
115
100
108
120
146
169
176
205
353

150

109

173
167
160
153
150
150
147
150
147
143
140
137

176
121
113
106
101
101
100
101
103
107
108
107

182

145

176
153
147
135
129
159
200
247
235
206
188
182

176
162
176
176
153
142
129
136
133
125
122
118

130
130
130
130

107
107
107
108

194
194
182
171

113
116
118
122

Cof­
fee.

100
100
101
100
101
102
145
158

12
2

All
Tea. articles
com­
bined.

100
100
100
100
107
119
129
135

82
84
89
93
92
98
100
102.
101
114
146
168
186
203

128

153

129
126
125
123
121
120
120
119
119
119
119
119

133
131
131
129
129
126
127
127
127
127
127
124

172
158
156
152
145
144
148
155
153
153
152
150

120
119
119
120

125
125
124
124

142
142
139
139

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Rib
Pork Ba­
Year and month. Sirloin Round roast. Chuck Plate chops. con. Ham. Lard. Hens. Eggs. But­ Cheese. Milk. Bread. Flour. Com Rice. Pota­ Su­
steak. steak.
roast. beef.
ter.
meal.
toes. gar.

RETAIL PRICES.

27

Prices of coal, wood, gas, and dry goods are obtained by corre­
spondence on Forms 15, 16, 17, and 18, respectively. In addition
to the items shown on Form 18, prices are secured on ginghams,
muslins, sheetings, flannels, sheets, and blankets. Prices of elec­
tricity are also obtained by correspondence.
Form 15.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
RETAIL PRICE OF COAL O N ............................................................. DELIVERED TO FAMILY TRADE.

(The price entered should be the price charged f a m il y tra d e . The price should be
for coal delivered to the consumer, but should not include any e x tra charge for storing
in cellar or coal bin of consumer where an extra handling is necessary.)
Name of person furnishing information: ......................................................................................
P e n n s y l v a n ia

a n t h r a c it e

w h it e

ash

coal:

In ton lots.

Stove..........................................
Chestnut....................................
Pea..............................................
B it u m in o u s

coal:

(Kind sold to family trade.)

Form 16.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
RETAIL PRICE OF WOOD, PER CORD, O n ......................................................................

(Please give price on c o rd w o o d , sawed, split, and delivered. Prices are not wanted
for kindling wood.)
Name of person furnishing information........................................................................................
Price per cord.

A d d itio n a l in fo r m a tio n d esired .
If the most of your sales are made on less than cord lots, will ydu please enter below
the quantity on which sales are made, together with prices on the dates specified.
Quantity
Price on
Price on

Form 17.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
PRICE OF MANUFACTURED GAS, PER THOUSAND CUBIC FEET, O N ....................................

Name of person furnishing information:..............................................................................
Gas for household lighting and heating purposes:
Per thousand
cubic feet.

Gross price.............................................................................................$ .................... ..
Net price............................................................................................... $ .............
Gas for household cooking and heating purposes:
Gross price...............................................................................................$ ....................
Net price............................................................................................... $ ....................

1. Have you an additional charge for meter service, or have you any other service
charges that are in addition to the regular rates given a b o v e ?............................................
2. Has your company a lighting or heating standard?........................................................
It based on light, what is your candlepower?...........................................................
If based on heat, what is the minimum standard for British thermal units?




28

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS.
Form 18.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OP LABOR, BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS, WASHINGTON.
RETAIL PRICES ON

The bureau requests the retail price o n ........................................ of the articles listed
below. Neither special sale, leader prices, nor prices on mill ends or seconds should
be quoted.
Calico:
American—
Light........................................................................................... per yard
Dark.............. ......................................................................................d o ..
Simpson—
Light.................................................................................................. d o ..
Dark................................................................................................... d o ..
Merrimack—
Light.................................................................................................. d o ..
Dark................................................................................................... d o ..
Manchester—
Light.................................................................................................. d o ..
Dark....................................... ............................................................ d o ..
Percale, 36-inch:
Punjab....................................................................................................... d o ..
Manchester............................................................................................... d o ..
Pacific........................................................................................................ do. .
Windsor cretonne................................................................................... d o ..
Rumson cretonne................................................................................... d o ..
Premier (Windsor).................................................................................do. .

$

WHOLESALE PRICES.

Wholesale prices in representative markets of the country are
collected each month by the bureau for a large number of commodi­
ties. In some instances prices for a particular grade or quality of an
article of special importance are obtained in several different local­
ities in order to show the influence of local conditions. In other
instances prices for several different grades of an important article
are obtained in* the same locality. In both cases each quotation is
counted as a commodity. Of 450 commodities, or series of quota­
tions, now included in the compilation, 404 are used in constructing
the series of weighted index numbers.
A majority of the price quotations used are obtained from standard
trade journals. This applies particularly to articles classed as farm
products, foods, metals, and chemicals and drugs. In most instances
weekly prices are taken. These are transferred to cards (Form 19)
on which spaces are provided for the source of the price quotations,
the serial number of the article, the group to which it belongs in the
bureau's classification, the unit ana day of week quoted, and the
description of the article. Each card contains a year's record,
average and relative prices for each month and for the year being
shown, together with the 1913 basic price, in addition to the detailed
weekly prices.
A list of the publications from which prices are extracted follows:
American Contractor.
Black Diamond.
Boston Chamber of Commerce Weekly Market Report.
Chicago Daily Drovers Journal.
Chicago Dairy Produce.
Coal Age.
Coal Trade Journal.




WHOLESALE PRICES.

29

Commercial List and Maritime Register (Philadelphia).
D a ily Market Record.
D a ily Trade Bulletin.
Drug and Chemical Markets.
Engineering News Record.
F luid M ilk Market Report of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Hardware Age.
Iron Age.
Iron Trade R eview .
Journal of Commerce and Commercial Bulletin.
Kansas City Star.
Lum ber.
Lumber Trade Journal.
M ilk News.
M ilk Reporter.
Morning Oregonian.
Morning Star.
National Provisioner.
New York Tribune.
Northwestern Miller.
Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter.
Pacific Dairy R eview .
Paper.
Paper Trade Journal.
Price Current-Grain Reporter.
St. Louis G lobe Democrat.
San Francisco Chronicle.
Seed World.
Shoe and Leather Reporter.
Statistical Sugar Trade Journal.
Times-Picayune.
Virginian Pilot.
Western Tobacco Journal.
Form 19.
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R —

B U R E A U

O P

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S .

W E E K L Y W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S .
Source..........................................................................................................................

No.

Division....................................................................

Group...........................................

Quotation.................................................................

w eek..............................
Day of week

Article......................................................- .............................................................................
..............................................
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May.

June.

July.

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

A k c .....................

Avg..................
Rel...................

Y e a rA g g ....................

Year A v g ..................

Year R e l....................

1913 Avg.

Notes............................................................................................................................................

About one-third of the quotations are obtained directly from
manufacturers or sales agents. For textiles and housefurnishing
goods all quotations used are supplied by manufacturers or their
25046°— 23— B u ll. 326----- 3




30

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

trade bodies. In collecting these a blank form (Form 21) is mailed
each month to the firm supplying information. This form carries
sufficient preceding price data to make identification certain and to
insure the comparability of the information. In addition to the
statement of first-of-month prices, spaces are provided on the lower
part of the sheet for a record of price changes during the month. In
this way an average price for the month, based on the actual number
of days each price was in effect, can be computed. Accompanying
the blank each time in lieu of a letter is a printed card (Form 20)
containing the request and stating the period for which prices are
desired.
Form B .
O
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O P

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S .

Washington,...............................................
G en tlem en :
I shall be greatly obliged if you w ill furnish me, at your earliest convenience, your
statement of wholesale prices for the period named below. The inclosed envelope,
which requires no postage, m ay be used for the return of the sheet bearing this informa­
tion.
V ery truly yours,

Commissioner of Labor Statistics.
Prices are desired for

Form Bi.
N o ...................................
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O P

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S ,

W A S H IN G T O N .

F irm : ....................................................
S t r e e t :.................................................................
City and S tate: ..........................................................................
Person supplying information: ...................................................................................................
A rticle: ..................................................................................................................................................

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May.

June.

July.

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Pleaseindicate only first of m<>nth pri cesin t: lese colinrnns.

Price to ...................................................................................

D is c o u n t :.....................................

Please indicate price changes during month below.

Date.

New price.

Date.

New price.

For office records, the information furnished by manufacturers is
transcribed on Form 22.




31

WHOLESALE PRICES.
Form 22.
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O F

M ONTHLY W HOLESALE

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S .

P R IC E S .

C om pany.......................................................................................................................
No.
In d ivid u al............................................................................
Group................................
Street....................................................................................... Quotation........................
City and S tate..................................................................... D ay of w eek...................
A rticle........................................................................................................................................
Jan.

Mar.

Feb.

Apr.

May.

June.

July.

Aug.

Oct.

Sept.

Nov.

Dec.

192
192
Relative
Requested
Received

Y ear A gg.....................

Y ear A v g .....................

Y ear R e l....................

1913 A vg.

Price to .................................... ....................................................... D iscount..........................................
N otes...................................................................................................................................................................
Price changes on opposite side of this card.

In a number of instances weekly prices are furnished by officials
of boards of trade, etc. These prices relate to a particular day of
the week and are supplied on Form 23. The form is mailed to the
reporter after the end of the month, for inserting the month’s price
record. The detailed information is preserved for office use on
Form 19, a summary being entered on Form 22 and attached to the
other card.
Form 28.

U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O F

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S ,

W A S H IN G T O N .

Group.........................................................................................
A rticle.......................................................................................
Quotation.................................................................................
Source.......................................................................................
January.

February.

$

$

May.
$

March.

S

$

June.
$

July.
$

April.

August.
$

Agg.....................................................................................
September.
$
Agg.....................................................................................
Ave.....................................................................................




Y early aggregate
Y early average..

October.

S

November. December.
$

$

32

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

As far as possible the quotations for the various commodities are
secured in their primary markets. For example, the prices quoted
for live stock and most animal products as well as for most of the
ains are for Chicago; flour prices are mainly for Kansas City,
inneapolis, and St. Louis; pig iron and steel for Pittsburgh, etc.
As has been stated, more than one price series for commodities of
great importance is included in the compilation. In no case, how­
ever, is an article of a particular description represented b y more
than one series of quotations for the same market. For most articles,
as has been said, weekly prices are secured. In a large number of
instances, particularly since the beginning of 1918, it hasbeen possible
to obtain average monthly prices. For those commodities whose
prices are quite stable, as certain textiles and building materials,
only first-of-the-month prices are taken. These details are sum­
marized as follows:

S

NUMBER OF COMMODITIES, OR SERIES OF QUOTATIONS, CLASSIFIED AS TO
FREQUENCY.

Frequency of quotation.

Cloths Fuel Metals Build­ Chem­ House Mis­
Farm
and
fur­
and
and
icals nish­ cella­
prod­ Foods. cloth­ light­ metal ing
Total.
and
ucts.
prod­ mate­ drugs. ing neous.
ing. ucts. rials.
ing.
goods.

1

W eekly.....................................
Monthly....................................
Average for month...................

47

6

89
14

2

15
54

Total...............................

56

105

70

3

1
0

32

5
5

1
2

16
14
17

43

9

2
0

53

47

'43

1
1
2
0
31

1
2
8
5

250
85
115

25

450

In computing its revised index numbers of wholesale prices,
announced under date of June 19, 1922, the bureau introduced an
important change in the grouping of commodities. Under the new
plan articles falling under more than one of the classifications adopted
are included under each classification. For example, structural
steel, nails, and certain other metal products used in building are
now placed with building materials as well as with metals and metal
products. Similarly, food articles produced on the farm, which reach
the consumer practically unchanged in form, as potatoes, rice, eggs,
and milk, are included both among farm products and among foods.
In computing the general index number for all commodities, however,
such articles are counted only once, thereby avoiding duplication in
the final result.
Besides the inclusion of certain articles in more than one group,
there has been a rearrangement of commodities within the several
groups to provide for subgroups of closely related articles. Only
the group index numbers are published monthly, however, owing
to the amount of space required for a statement by subgroups.
The system of grouping adopted is as follows:




WHOLESALE PRICES.
1. Farm products:

Grains.

2.

3.

4.

5.

L ive stock and poultry.
Other farm products.
A ll farm products.
Foods:
Meats.
Butter, cheese, and milk.
Other foods.
A ll foods.
Cloths and clothing:
Boots and shoes.
Cotton goods.
Woolen goods.
Silk, etc.
A ll clothing.
Fuel and lighting:
Anthracite coal.
Bituminous coal.
Other fuel and lighting.
A ll fuel and lighting.
Metals and metal products:
Iron and steel.
Nonferrous metals.
A ll metals and metal products.

33

6. Building materials:
Lumber.
Brick.
Structural steel.
Other building materials.
A ll building materials.
7. Chemicals and drugs:
Chemicals.
Fertilizer materials.
Drugs and pharmaceuticals.
A ll chemicals and drugs.

8. House furnishing goods:
Furniture.
Furnishings.

All house furnishing goods.
Cattle feed.
Leather.

9. Miscellaneous:

Paper and pulp.
Other miscellaneous.
A ll miscellaneous.
10. A ll commodities.

In constructing the new series of weighted index numbers the
average price of each article in the year 1913, selected as the base
period in order to provide a pre-war standard for measuring price
changes, was first multiplied by the estimated quantity of that
article marketed in the census year 1919, as nearly as could be
ascertained from Government reports and those of trade organiza­
tions, etc. The several products thus obtained were then added
together, giving the approximate value in exchange in 1913 of all
articles in the group or in the total list of commodities. Similar
aggregates were likewise made for each remaining year and for each
month since January, 1913, by multiplying the average price by
the quantity marketed in 1919 and aduing the results. The index
number for each year and each month was then obtained by com­
paring the aggregate for such year or month with the aggregate
for 1913, taken as 100 per cent.
If there had been no changes in the list of commodities included
in the index numbers during the period under consideration, the
percentage changes in the cost of any group would be accurately
measured by dividing the several aggregates for the months and years
covered by the index numbers by the aggregate for 1913. However,
articles have been added or dropped from time to time as circum­
stances demanded, while substitution of one article for another at
a different price has been necessary in numerous instances. There­
fore, in computing the index numbers for a series of years a method
had to be adopted that would allow for variations in the number
and kind of commodities.
This method consists in constructing two separate aggregates for
any year or month in which a change occurs, the first aggregate
being based on the list of articles before making additions, sub­
tractions, or substitutions, and the second aggregate on the revised




34

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

list of articles. In this way comparison between any two consecu­
tive years or months is limited to aggregates made up of identical
commodities.
The following statement relative to lumber in the group of building
materials will serve to illustrate the method employed, it having
been necessary in 1918 to substitute several other lumber series in
place of the series formerly carried.
IN D E X NUMBERS BASED ON AGGREGATE VALUES OF COMMODITIES,
1917, 1918, AND 1919.
Approximate value (000 omitted). .
Commodity.
1917.

1918-A.

1918-B.

1919.

Douglas fir, No. 1, common......................
Douglas fir, No. 2 and better....................
Gum, sap, firsts and seconds.....................
Hemlock, northern, No. 1.........................
Maple, hard, No. 1, common.....................
Oak, white, plain, No. 1, common............
Pine, white, No. 2, barn.............................
Pine, yellow, flooring, B and better.........
Pine, yellow, timbers, square edge, sound
Poplar, N o. 1, common..............................
Spruce, eastern, random.............................
Lath, yellow pine, No. 1........................... .
Shingles, cypress, 16-in. long......................
Shingles, red cedar, 16-in. long...................

$70,279
35,301
23,089
46,497
28,100
92,143
84,692
151,501
170,982
12,513
29,303
13,203
4,792
28,902

$80,793
41,328
27,451
51,816
26,169
107,143
104,158
165,373
209,867
16,654
34,081
13,370
6,412
28,663

$80,793
41,328
30,646
55,477
31,548
124,529
82,581
165,373
209,867
18,436
34,081
9,486
6,412
28,663

$112,520
58,548
43,361
68,377
39,790
182,087
93,486
269,427
245,393
21,771
41,062
15,585
7,138
46,041

Total................................................. .
Index numbers (1913 equals 100)___

791,297
134.62

913,278
155.38

919,220

1,244,586
210.38

The index number for 1917, with 1913 as the base period, was
found to be 134.62. Dividing the comparable aggregate for 1918
($913,278) by the aggregate for 1917 ($791,297) we obtain 115.42.
This figure is the index number for 1918 on the 1917 base. To con­
vert it to the 1913 base we multiply 115.42 by 134.62, giving 155.38
as the index for 1918 on the 1913 base. This is rounded on to 155
when published. To obtain the index number for 1919 we first
divide the aggregate for 1919 ($1,244,586) by the comparable aggre­
gate for 1918 ($919,220), giving 135.40 as the index for 1919 on the
1918 base. To convert this to the 1913 base we multiply 135.40 by
155.38 (the index number for 1918 on the 1913 base), which gives
210.38 as the index number for 1919 on the 1913 base. This is in
turn rounded off to 210 when published. Index numbers for all
other groups and subgroups are found in the same manner as for
lumber in all cases where a change in the list of included articles
has been made.
The information concerning wholesale prices collected by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics is published annually in bulletin form.
Each bulletin contains monthly price data for the last completed
year and yearly averages back to 1890. Detailed information for
all of the commodities included in the series of index numbers is also
published monthly in pamphlet form, prices being shown for the
current month, the previous month, and the peak period in May,
1920. Monthly index numbers are contained in each issue of the
Monthly Labor Review, the figures for a given month appearing in
the issue of the second month thereafter. In this statement com­
parison is made with the preceding month and with the correspond­
ing month of the preceding year.



STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

35

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT.
Under this topic the bureau publishes monthly the total number of
employees and the total amount of pay rolls in a large number of
establishments in the manufacturing industries of the United States.
This work has recently been enlarged, and the report now covers
over 4,000 establishments, in 43 industries, employing approxi­
mately 1,800,000 persons. The bureau expects to bring the number
of establishments reporting up to 5,000. The industries included are
as follows:
Agricultural implements.
Automobiles.
Automobile tires.
Bakeries. .
Boots and shoes.
Brick.
Car building and repairing.
Carpets.
Carriages and wagons.
Chemicals.
Clothing, men’s.
Clothing, women’s.
Cotton finishing.
Cotton manufacturing.
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
supplies.
Fertilizers.
Flour.
Foundry and machine shops.
Furniture.
Glass.
Hardware.

and

Hosiery and knit goods.
Iron and steel.
Leather.
Lumber, millwork.
Lumber, sawmills.
Millinery and lace goods.
Paper boxes.
Paper and pulp.
Petroleum.
Pianos.
Pottery.
Printing, book and job.
Printing, newspapers.
Shipbuilding, steel.
Shirts and collars.
Silk.
Slaughtering and meat packing.
Stamped ware.
Stoves.
Tobacco: Chewing and smoking.
Tobacco: Cigars and cigarettes.
Woolen manufacturing.

Data are secured for the pay-roll period ending nearest the 15th of
each month, on the following form (Form 24), which is sent by the
bureau to the several establishments with which arrangements have
been made to furnish the data for these reports. Several State depart­
ments of labor are cooperating with the Bureau of Labor Statistics in
this work by securing reports from the manufacturing establishments
within their bounds and transmitting them to the bureau. The
States that are thus cooperating are Illinois, Maryland, Massachu­
setts, New Y ork, and Wisconsin.

Fr 24.
om
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O P

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S ,

W A S H IN G T O N .

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT.
Please fill the inquiries on this blank and return it to the Commissioner of Labor
Statistics, Washington, D. C., in the accompanying envelope, which does not require
postage, so that it will reach Washington not later than the 25th of the month, if
possible.
Pay R

oll

E

n d in g

N

earest—

M arch

15, 1923.

*

1. Principal products..........................................................................................

2. Pay roll ending......................................................................... . 1923.
( Enter date.)

3. Period covered (one week, two weeks, half month, or month).........
4. Amount of pay roll..........................................................................$ .............

5. Total number of persons who worked any part of period..................




36
6.

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
If there has been marked increase or decrease in total pay roll or employees,
since February report, please state reason..........................................................................

7. Was your establishment operating:
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

(a) Full or part tim e ? ........................................
( b) Full or part capacity ? ................................
If you made any change in r a t e s of wages between f e b . 15 and m a r . 15—Give
date....................... Was it an i n c r e a s e ? .................., or d e c r e a s e ? . . . . ...........
Per cent of change....................... Number of employees affected.........................
I f more than one plant is covered b y this report, how many ? ..................................
Location of plants......................................... .......................................................................
Name of company......................................................................................................... .......
Office address {Street, City , and S ta te) ..............................................................................

The following forms of tables illustrate the manner of showing the
results of these monthly studies. In addition to publishing the
reports in the Monthly Labor Review they are given to the press and
sent to persons particularly interested, in mimeograph form, as soon
as the data are available.
C O M P A R IS O N

OF

E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L
W E E K IN F E B R U A R Y A N D

In d u str y .

A g ricu ltu ral im p le m e n ts.................................
A u to m o b ile s ...........................................................
A u to m o b ile tir e s ..................................................
B o o ts a n d shoes....................................................
B r ic k . . . ....................................................................
Car b u ild in g an d rep airin g.............................
C a rp e ts.......................................................................
Carriages a n d W a g o n s........................................
C hem icals..................................................................
C lo th in g , m e n ’ s .....................................................
C loth in g, w o m e n ’s ..............................................
C otto n finishing.....................................................
C otto n m an u factu rin g.......................................
E lectrica l m ach in ery, ap paratu s, and
su p p lie s..................................................................
F e r t iliz e r s ..............................................................
F lo u r ...........................................................................
F o u n d r y a n d m ach in e s h o p s .....................
F u rn itu re..................................................................
G lass.............................................................................
H a rd w a re.................................................... - ...........
H osiery a n d k n it g o o d s....................................
Iron a n d ste e l.........................................................
L e a th e r ......................................................................
L u m b e r , m ill w o r k ..............................................
L u m b e r , saw m ills................................................
M illinery a n d lace good s..................................
Paper a n d p u l p .....................................................

P ia n o s ..................... t iu . tL'iubZr..........................
P o tt e r y . . . . .
lu .A
..........................
P rin tin g, b o o k a n d j o b .....................................
P rin tin g, n e w sp a p e r..........................................
S h ip b u ild in g , ste e l,.............................................
Shirts a n d collars..................................................
S ilk ...............................................................................
Slaughtering an d m e a t p a c k in g ...................
S tsu fip e d w are........................................................
S to v e s .........................................................................
T o b a cco : C h ew in g an d sm o k in g ................
T o b acco : Cigars an d cigarettes....................
W o o le n m a n u fa ctu rin g ....................................




E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
M A R C H , 1923.

D U R IN G

N u m b e r on
E sta b ­
A m o u n t of p a y roll
p a y roll i n one
lish­
in one w eek.
w eek.
m en ts
reportPer
in g for
cent
F e b ru ­
of
ary * F e b ru ­
change.
M arch,
F e b ru a ry,
M arch ,
and
a ry ,
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
M arch,
1923.

ONE

Per
cent
of
ch ange.

37

VOLUME OF EM PLOYM ENT.
C O M P A R IS O N

OF

E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
W E E K I N M A R C H , 1922, A N D M A R C H , 1923.

N u m b er on
E sta b ­
p a y roll in one
lish ­
w eek.
m e n ts
Per
report­
cent
in g for
of
M arch,
change.
1922
M arch, M arch ,
1922.
1923.
an d
1923.

In d u str y .

D U R IN G

ONE

A m o u n t o f p a y roll
in one w eek.

M arch ,
1922.

M arch ,
1923.

Per
cent
of
change.

A u to m o b ile s ...........................................................
B o o ts and shoes.....................................................
Car b u ild in g an d rep airin g.............................
C loth in g, m e n ’s .....................................................
C otton finishing.....................................................
C otton m a n u fa c tu r in g .....................................
H osiery an d k n it g o o d s....................................
Iron a n d steel.........................................................
L e a th e r ......................................................................
P a ger an d p u lp .....................................................
T o b acco : Cigars an d cigarettes....................
W o o le n m a n u fa c tu rin g ....................................

C O M P A R I S O N O F P E R C A P I T A E A R N I N G S I N F E B R U A R Y , 1923, W I T H T H O S E I N
M A R C H , 1923.




In d u stry

Car bu ild in g an d repairing................
Iron an d ste e l...........................................
A u to m o b ile s..............................................
F ertilizers....................................................
L u m b e r , sa w m ills ..................................
A gricultural im p le m e n ts....................
A u to m o b ile tir e s.....................................
P o tte r y .........................................................
G la ss..............................................................
S tov es............................................................
F u rn itu re ....................................................
C loth in g, w o m e n ’s .................................
S ilk .................................................................
M illinery an d lace g o o d s....................
C h em icals....................................................
P aper an d p u lp ........................................
H osiery a n a k n it g o o d s......................
H a r d w a r e ....................................................
E lectrical m ach in ery, apparatus,
an d sup plies...........................................
F o u n d ry an d m ach in e sh o p s...........
B o o ts an d sh o es.......................................
Carriages an d w agon s...........................
L e a th e r .........................................................
Ship building, steel.................................
C loth in g, m e n ’ s .......................................
Shirts an d collars....................................
B r ic k ..............................................................
C otton m an u factu rin g.........................
P rin tin g, b oo k an d i o b .......................
T obacco: Cigars an d cigarettes____
L u m b e r, m iH w ork.................................
W o o le n m an u factu rin g.......................
F lo u r..............................................................
Prin tin g, new sp aper.............................
P ia n o s...........................................................
T o b acco : C hew ing an d sm o k in g ...
Slaughtering a n d m e a t p a c k in g .. .
C otton fin ish in g.......................................
Paper b o x e s ...............................................
P etroleu m ...................................................
C arpets..........................................................
S tam p ed w a r e ..........................................

Per cent of
ch an ge in
M arch , 1923, as
com p ared w ith
F e b ru a ry ,
1923.

38

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps a record of
such strikes in this country as come to its attention. As the bureau
has no authority to require reports relative to strikes from any one,
it is obliged to obtain its information in such way as it can and from
such sources as are available. This information is obtained chiefly
from the following-named sources: Labor papers and trade-union
journals; leading trade periodicals; lists of strikes issued by labor,
trade, and other organizations; clipping bureaus; daily newspapers;
reports from the Director of Conciliation of the united States
Department of Labor, and from State labor boards; also from
reports of agents of the bureau in the field.
The bureau follows up the report of a strike by sending a questionaire or schedule of inquiry to one or both of the parties to the
dispute, whenever this is feasible, using Form 25.
Form 25.
U .

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O P

L A B O R ,

B U R E A U

O P

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S ,

W A S H IN G T O N .

Da S :
e r ir
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is endeavoring to keep as accurate a record as possible
of all strikes and lockouts in the United States as they occur. We shall, therefore,
greatly appreciate your courtesy in furnishing so much as you can of the information
listed below, relative to the strike or lockout here indicated.
An addressed envelope on which no postage is required is inclosed for your reply.
Very respectfully,
C om m issioner o f Labor Statistics.

SCHEDULE OP INQUIRY.

1. State.................................................. 2. City or to w n .. .
3. (a) Industry............................................. ( b ) Occupation..
4. Strike or lockout?................................................................... .
5. Name of establishment (if more than one, give number).
6.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Date of beginning.................................... 7. Date of ending.......................................
Number of employees involved, Male.............. Fem ale................ Total.......................
Cause or object, briefly stated............................................................................................
Result, briefly stated............................................................................................................
If ordered b y a labor organization, please give name....................................................
If settled b y arbitration, please name Board.................................................................
If terminated b y a written agreement between employer and employees, w ill you
kindly inclose a copy of the same?................................................................................

Sometimes the information thus obtained shows that the initial
report of a strike was erroneous.
•
The information secured from the various sources above enumera­
ted is sifted and compared and the facts or probable facts arrived at
by a process of elimination. This is an important phase of the work.
Where no statement can be obtained direct from either party to
an alleged dispute resulting in a strike or* lockout, it is necessary to
rely upon the information at hand or procurable ffom other sources.
Each strike is carded and filed. The card record shows not only
the strike data so far as known, but the sources from which they were
obtained.
The results of the information obtained are published quarterly
in a brief form in the Monthly Labor Review, and more complete
data are published annually in the same periodical.



39

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.

The bureau aims to have on hand lists of trade-unions, as nearly
up to date and complete as practicable; also it has access to
the extensive and efficiently managed library of the department,
wherein directories of manufacturers and other publications may be
consulted for the purpose of ascertaining the correct addresses of
employers, etc.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
The bureau has been securing and publishing data on this subject
since 1910.
In order to compute satisfactory statistics of accident occurrence,
information is necessary on three points: (1) The amount of exposure
to hazard; (2) the number of cases of injury, properly classified;
(3) the amount of disability arising from these cases. On the first
point, information is secured on Form 26, shown below.
Form 26.
REPORT OF EM PLOYM ENT.
C o m p a n y ............................................................................... P la n t.....................................................................................

Year

I f total hours are n o t available
report as b elow .
T o ta l hours
' w orked b y all
m e n as sh o w n
b y tim e books.

D e p a rtm e n t.

A verage
n u m b er
em p loy ed .

D a y s de­
p a rtm e n t
w as in
operation.

U su al
len gth of
d a y or
tu rn .

In large plants a record is usually kept of the hours each man spends
in the plant each day and the sum of these hours for a given period
gives the “ Hours of exposure” required for accident study purposes.
When such records are not kept it is usually possible to secure a
practically useful figure from the items in the last three columns of
the foregoing form. The product of these three factors gives an
approximation to the true hours of exposure, which is exact in
proportion to the precision with which the factors can be stated.
In case detailed and extended studies are to be made of various
items regarding those who suffer accidental injury each case must
be represented b y a record such as the following:
Form 27.
R E C O R D O F A C C ID E N T .
E stab lish m en t N o . 69. D a te , 5/4115. H o u r . 5 p. A g e , 38. Se x, M. M arried, Yes.
D epen den ts, h o w m a n y ? 3. Speak E n glish ? Yes. R ace, Slav. Dept. Axle works.
O ccupation, Laborer. W o r k e d for co m p a n y h o w lon g? 6 years.
H a d th e injured w orked i n th e in d u stry elsewhere? No. I f so, h o w l o n g ? ..................
M achine, to o l, appliance, object, or con dition in connection w ith w hich accident occurred?
Crane.
Describe in fu ll h o w th e accident ha p p en ed : Hooking lift of plate. It lowered on his foot.
W h a t p a rt o f th e b o d y w as in ju red ? Foot. W a s th e in ju r y a n abrasion, bruise, cu t, laceration, p u ncture,
b u rn , scald, concussion, dislocation, fracture, sp ra in , stra in , d ism em b e rm en t b y th e accident, nervous
shock, or other?
Contusion. D id th e in ju r y becom e in fected ? No.
R esu lts o f in ju r y : D E A T H ? No. P E R M A N E N T D I S A B I L I T Y ?
No. I f so, state n a tu re......................
T E M P O R A R Y D IS A B IL IT Y ?
Yes. D a y s lost, 70.
SPACES RESERVED FOR CODES.
Serial N o .

Age, 38.

16019.

Experience, *10.
L ocation, 61.

D e p t., 26.
Se x, 1.
Occ .,098.
N atu re, 02.




Y e a r , 15.
C o n j.c o n d .,1.
C a u s e ,!.
R esu lt, 3.

M o n th , 5.
D e p e n d ., 03.
Cause a n a l., 082.
P er. d is., 00.

D a y o f w eek, 3 .
E n g l i s h ,! .
P a rt, 0.
T e m p , d is., 12.

H o u r , 12.
R a ce, 25.
M od e , 0.
T im e , 0070.

40

STATISTICAL METHODS---- BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

In the appropriate spaces in the upper part of the card are recorded
the various items of information regarding the injured person which
might be necessary in adjusting his compensation, such as his age,
the number of his dependents, and those items regarding the cause
and nature of his injury which might serve in the study of preventive
measures, and finally the resiuts— death, permanent disability,
or tempory disability.
The next step in the procedure is to transfer these records to
punched cards. A standard form of card arranged to carry the
data regarding accidents is shown (Form 28). The record from
Form 27 is indicated as punched thereon. For example, in thq
age column 3 and 8 are punched out, corresponding to age 38. The
transfer of the records to these cards, that is the punching, as well
as the succeeding arrangement and tabulation, is done by mechanical
apparatus, and in order that this may be done a scheme of “ coding”
the facts so that they may be available for machine work has been
adopted.
Form 28, which follows, illustrates the process by which the
sorting and tabulating of the punched cards are carried on




Hour.

Age.

Conjugal condi­
tion._____

Dependents.

English.

Race.

Experience.

Occupation.

Cause.

Cause analyzed.

Part.

Mode.

Location.

Nature.

Result.

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

• 0

0

0 0

•

• 0 0

0

• 0 0

•

•

0 0

• 0

0

t l l t l
2 2 2 2 2

1 1
• 2

• 1
2 2

1
2

• 1
2 *

1 1
2 2

•
2

•
2

1 1
2 2

•
2

1 1
• 2

1
2

1 1 1
2 2 2

•
2

1 1 1
2 2 •

1
2

1
2

1 •
2 2

1 1
2 *

3 3 3 3 3

3 3

3 3

3

1
2
•

3 3

• 3

3

3

3*

3

3 3

3

3 3 3

3

3 3 3

3

3

3 3

4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5
6• 6 6 6

4 4
5 5
6*

4 4
5•
6 6

4
•
6

4
5
6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4
5
6

4
5
6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4
5
6

4 4
5#
6 6

4
5
6

4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6

4
5
6

4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6

4
5
6

4
5
6

7 7 7 7 7
8 8 8 8 8
9 9 9 9•

7 7
8 8
9 9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7 7
8#
9 9

7
8
9

7
8
9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7
8
9

8 9

12 13

14 15

16

17

7 7
7 7 7 7
8
8 8
8 8 9
9 9
9• 9 9
22 23 24 25 26 27

7 7 7
8• 8
9 9 9

6 7

7
8
9
11

7 7
8 8
9 9

1 2 3 4 5

7
8
9
10

28 29 30

31




7
7
8
8
9
9
18 19 2(* 21

Time
allow­
ance.

Day of week.

0 0

Temporary dis­
ability.

Month.

0 0

0 0 # 0

i

Permanent dis­
ability.

Year.

0

Serial number.

m

•

0 0

1
2

1 1
2 2

• 1
2 0

1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2

3 3

•

3 3

3 3

3 3 3 3

4 4
5 5
• 6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4
5
6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4 4
5 5
6 6

4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6

7
8
9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7
8
9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7 7
8 8
9 9

7 7 0 7

8 8 8 8
9 9 9 9

32

33 34

35 36

37

38 39

40 41

42 43 44 45

•

•

« o #

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS

Department.

n

F $.
orm 8

42

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

When the sorting and tabulating process is completed various
rates are computed by using the hours of exposure reported on Form
26 as a base. The form of a resulting table is shown below.
A c cid en t
frequ ency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exp osure).

N u m b e r o f cases.

D ep artm en t an d
occupation.

Num ­
ber o f
w ork­
ers.

Per­
m a­
D e a th . nent
disa­
b ility.

Tem ­
po­
To­
rary
D ea th .
ta l.
disa­
b ility.

Per­
m a­
nent
disa­
b ility.

A c cid en t seve rity rates
(per 1.000 h ours’ e x ­
p osure).

Tem ­
po­
To­
rary
D e a th .
ta l.
disa­
b ility.

Per­
m a­
nent
disa­
b ility.

Tem ­
po­
To­
rary
ta l.
disa­
b ility.

*

Since it would be too large a task to undertake a complete survey
of the field by collecting and tabulating individual cases, a large
>ortion of the data secured by the bureau comes in the form of tabuations. Form 29 used for this purpose is shown below.

{

Form 29.
S C H E D U L E O F D IS A B L IN G A C C ID E N T S (R E S U L T IN G I N D E A T H , P E R M A N E N T D I S ­
A B I L I T Y , O R T E M P O R A R Y D IS A B I L I T Y B E Y O N D D A Y O F IN J U R Y ) O C C U R R IN G
D U R I N G T H E Y E A R E N D I N G D E C E M B E R 31, 192
N a m e o f p la n t...............................................................................
1
1

|
|

N a m e of c o m p a n y .............. ........................................................... ;

1

G ran d tota l.

T o ta l.

j

F ou rteen th w eek or later.
|
D u ration of disab ility n ot k n o w n . |

F o u rth w eek.
F ifth w eek.

! Second w eek.
[ T h ird w eek.

S ix th to thirteenth w eek.

|

1
*

| G rand total.
| First w eek .

| T o ta l.

|

|

| Loss o f bo th eyes.
( O th er.

of
of
of
of
Loss
L oss
Loss
Loss
|
|
|
|

| D e a th .

b oth
bo th
b o th
b o th

arm s.
legs.
hands.
feet.

D e p a rtm e n t
of p la n t.

| Loss o f th u m b an d 4 fingers.
| Loss o f great toe.
[ Loss of a n y 2 toes.
[ O ther.

f Loss o f th u m b an d 3 fingers.

|
| Loss of 1 finger.
| Loss of 2 fingers.

|

|
| Loss of 1 t h u m b .

|
|
|

|
| Loss o f 1 eye.

| Loss of 4 fingers.
Loss o f th u m b an d 1 finger.
[ Loss of th u m b an d 2 fingers.

|

|
| Loss of 1 foot.

j

| L o ss o f 1 han d .
| L o ss o f 1 leg.

| T o ta l.
| Loss o f 1 a rm .

j

| Loss of 3 fingers.

Partial.*

T o ta l.

A c cid en ts resulting
in tem p orary disa­
b ility term in atin g
in—
|

1

A c cid en ts restilting in perm anen t d isa b ility .1

1 Cases of plural injuries w h ich m igh t be entered in m ore th an one o f these classes sh o u ld be entered b u t
once under w h at is regarded as th e m ore severe in ju ry . A n in ju r y in clu d ed a m o n g p erm an en t injuries
sh o u ld n o t b e placed also am on g tem porary disabilities. A m p u ta tio n b etw een th e knee a n d th e an k le or
b etw een th e elbow an d w rist is considered as th e loss o f a foot or a h a n d , a t or ab o v e th e kn ee or elb ow as
th e loss o f a leg or an arm .
a L o ss o f a p h a la n x , perm anen t m alform ation, or perm anen t stiffness of a jo in t is regarded as e q u ivalen t
t o th e loss o f th e m em ber.

From such a table the number of cases can be determined directly
and frequency rates computed. The preparation of severity rates is a
more extended process.




43

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.

The standard scale of weightings adopted by the International
Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions is as
follows:
SC ALE O F D IS A B IL IT Y W E IG H T IN G S A D O P T E D B Y T H E IN T E R N A T IO N A L
T I O N O F I N D U S T R I A L A C C I D E N T B O A R D S A N D C O M M I S S IO N S .

R e su lt o f in ju ry.

D e a th ............................................................................................................................. .
P erm an en t total d isa b ility ................................................................................ .
A r m a b o ve elb ow , d ism e m b e r m e n t..............................................................
A r m a t or below e lb o w , d ism e m b e r m e n t...................................................
H a n d , d ism e m b e r m e n t.........................................................................................
T h u m b , a n y p e rm an en t disab ility o f...........................................................
A n y on e finger, a n y p e rm an en t d isab ility o f ...........................................
T w o fingers, a n y pe rm an en t disab ility of...................................................
Th ree fingers, a n y p e rm an en t d isab ility o f ...............................................
Four fingers, a n y p e r m a n e n t disa b ility o f .................................................
T h u m b a n d one finger, a n y p e rm an en t disab ility o f ..........................
T h u m b a n d tw o fingers, a n y p erm an en t disab ility of...................... .
T h u m b a n d three fingers, a n y perm an en t d isab ility o f ................... .
T h u m b an d four fingers, a n y p erm an en t d isab ility of.......................
L e g ab o ve k n ee, d ism e m b e rm e n t...................................................................
L e g at or b elow kn ee, d ism e m b e rm e n t.......................................................
F o o t, d ism e m b e r m e n t...........................................................................................
G reat toe, or a n y tw o or m ore toes, a n y p erm an en t d isab ility of.
O n e toe, other th a n great toe, a n y perm anen t d isab ility o f........... .
O n e eye, loss of sig h t............................................................................................. .
B o th eyes, loss of s ig h t................................................. '......................................
O n e earr loss o f hearing..........................................................................................
B o th ears, loss of hearing.................................................................................... .

D egree of
d isa b ility
in per
ce n t o f
p e rm an en t
to ta l
disab ility.

100
100
75
60
50
10
5
12*

A S S O C IA ­

D a y s lo st.

6,000
4.500
3,600
3.000
600
300
T<50

20

1,200

30

1,800

20
25
33*
40
75
50
40
5

1,200
1.500

2.000
2.400
4.500
3,000
2.400
300

0
30

100
10
50

1,800
6,000
600
3,000

This scale supplies constants for the conversion of death and perma­
nent disabilities into terms of days lost. The temporary disabilities
recorded as terminating in successive weeks are similarly converted
by the use of appropriate constants, 3.5 for those terminating in the
first week, 9.5 for those terminating in the second week, and so on.
Multiplying the items of the table by the appropriate constants
gives a series of equivalents in terms of days lost, from which severity
rates may be computed by dividing by the corresponding hours of
exposure.
These tabulations permit the determination of rates for the de­
partments and of the results in each department, but do not permit
any study of causes, or location and nature of injury. For such
studies the records of individual cases are necessary.
The accident studies of the bureau are published in bulletin form
from time to time. In addition to these publications summaries are
published in the Monthly Labor Review, in which also appear dis­
cussions of special topics and information having particular signifi­
cance in connection with this subject. In all these publications, in
addition to the tables such as have been mentioned, a liberal use is
made of charts. Charts I and II following illustrate this method of
presentation.




44

STATISTICAL METHODS---- BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Chart 1.

1 1




FATALITIES

PERMANENT

□

TEMPORARY

C h a r t 2.—FLUCTUATION FROM MONTH TO MONTH OF SE V E R IT Y RATES, OF FREQUENCY RA TE S, AND OF EMPLOYMENT, 1914 TO 1919.

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.

25046°— 23— Bull. 326




46

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

In recent publications of the bureau the study of causes has been
undertaken by the method of rates. This procedure is similar to one
long familiar m the field of vital statistics. For example, a given city
may have a death rate of 12 per 1,000 inhabitants. Further analysis
may show that this is made up of a rate of 3 for tuberculosis, 2 for
circulatory diseases, and 7 for other diseases.
The study of causes is intimately connected with the determination
of suitable preventive measures. The other subjects are of less
importance in this regard but are of interest in the field of compensa­
tion.
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND INSURANCE.
The work of the Bureau of Labor Statistics dealing with workmen’s
compensation may be divided into four main classes, as follows:
1. Compilation of State and Federal statutes and court decisions.
2. Comparison of workmen’s compensation laws.
3. Field investigations into particular phases of workmen’s com­
pensation legislation and administration.
4. Special articles and summaries of reports dealing with workmen’s
compensation.
1. In the compilation of statutes and court decisions the texts of
the compensation acts, together with amendatory legislation, are
taken from the State and Federal statutes and the court decisions are
taken from the advance sheets of the State, Federal, and United States
Supreme Court reports, copies of which are received in the law divis­
ion of the bureau. Approximately every four or five years a compila­
tion of existing legislation, including also the more important court
decisions, is published. New legislation, including court decisions, is
published annually or biennially until the next general compilation
is issued.
2. A comparison of workmen’s compensation laws is published
biennially. In this publication the laws are treated topically. The
principal provisions, such as the scope, compensation benefits, medical
service, insurance, administrative procedure, etc., are analyzed and
compared by means of tables and charts. A special feature of this
work is a computation of the number of employees subject to the
compensation act in each State. The computation is based upon the
United States census of occupations and the results are obtained as
follows: All employers (including farmers, independent workers, etc.)
are first deducted from the number gainfully employed as reported by
the census, the remainder being the bona fide employees or wage
earners; from the latter group are then excluded those employees
exempted by the provisions of the law as interpreted by the court or
commission of each State.
3. The bureau has made a number of field investigations into the
results of workmen’s compensation legislation. Perhaps the most
important of these investigations was a study of the comparison of
workmen’s compensation insurance and administration, including a
comparison of State insurance funds with private insurance carriers.
This investigation covered 20 States and 2 Canadian Provinces.
The points upon which information was particularly sought were the
relative cost, service, and security of the various types of insurance
carriers. The question of cost included both the cost of insurance and
the cost of administration. The question of security covered security



w o r k m e n ’s

c o m p e n s a t io n

and

in s u r a n c e .

47

to employers and to injured workmen. As regards service, three tests
were taken into consideration, viz: (1) Promptness of compensation
payments, (2) adequacy or liberality of payments, including liberality
of interpretation of the laws, and (3) accident prevention work. In
addition, the study included an examination of the administration
procedure of State industrial commissions and funds, especially as
regards methods of accident reporting and claim procedure. Form
30, following, was used as a guide in conducting the investigation.
F o rm

I. I ncome

from

SO.

E mployers .

1. Classification of industries—how determined.
2. Insurance rates.
a. How determined and collected.
b. Compared with rates charged b y private companies.
3. Merit rating plans.
a. How determined.
b. Effect upon basic rates.
II. Other I ncome .
1. State appropriations.
2. Interest from reserves and surplus.
3. Other.
III. E xpenditures .
1. Losses, or pure premiums.
a. Medical service, paid and outstanding.
b. Money benefits, paid and outstanding.
c. Other.
d. How are outstanding losses determined?
2. Administrative expenses.
a. Total expenses of commission.
b. Expenses on account of compensation act.
(1) Accident prevention—inspection.
(2) Adjustment of claims.
(3) Investigation.
(4) Pay-roll audits.
(5) Other.
IV. R eserves .
1. For unearned premiums.
2. For catastrophe hazard.
3. For losses from outstanding and deferred claims.
Y. Surplus— How used and invested.
VI. A dministration .
1. Settlement of claims.
а. Notice of injury.
(1) From employee.
(2) From employer or insurer.
(3) From physician.
б. Claim for compensation.
c. Method of handling claims.
(1) Comparison of accident reports from employer, insurance
carrier, and physician.
(2) Investigation of each claim or voluntary agreement—how
and b y whom made.
(3) Detection of fraudulent claims.
(4) Periodic examination b y physicians.
(5) When are payments stopped?
(6) Who reports employee’s return to work?
(7) Time between injury and compensation payments.
(8) Procedure in case of disputed claims.
(9) Per cent of cases in which hearings are held.
(10) Per cent of cases appealed to courts.
(11) Time required to adjudicate disputed cases.
d. Methods of payment.
(1) How paid.
(2) B y whom.
(3) Receipt required.




48

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

2. Revision of benefits.
3. Lump sum settlements.
а. When made.
б. Number,
c. Results.
4. Over and under payments.
5. Accident reports.
a. When required.
From whom.
c. How obtained.
d. How kept.
e. How used.
6. Medical service.
a . Selection of physician—b y whom.
b. Medical and hospital fees.
c. Organization and function of medical department.

b.

V II. Compensation B enefits .

1. Amount of award per case (death, permanent, temporary).
2. Has cost per case increased—why?
V I I I . M edical B enefits .

1.
2.
3.
4.
IX .

What is included in term medical service?
To what extent is it provided?
Cost per case.
Classification of cases b y amount of benefit paid.

A ccident P revention W or k .

1. How organized.
2. Cost.
3. Effect upon accident rates.

X . S elf-I n sur ers .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
X I . P eriod

Accident rates.
Amount of compensation paid per case.
Amount of medical benefits paid per case.
Length of disability per injury.
Security required.
How are claims handled and paid?
of

D isability .

1. Permanent.
2. Temporary.
3. Has disability period increased or decreased—why?
X I I . P ermanent I njuries .

1. Rehabilitation and reemployment.
2. Discrimination against cripples.
3. Operation of special fund.

In conducting this investigation the following method was used:
The compensation commission of each State and Province was
visited and their records and procedure were examined and studied
at first hand. Particular attention was given to the following sub­
jects: Accident reporting, claim procedure, promptness in compensa­
tion payments, method of handling permanent partial disabilities,
accident statistics, formulation of insurance rates, auditing of pay
rolls, computation of reserves, administrative expenses, merit rating,
declaration of dividends, and accident prevention. Several States
had made special studies or had tabulated data, and these were
utilized to some extent by the bureau in its investigation. Most of
the information, however, was obtained directly from the books and
files of the commissions. The bureau made no actuarial audit with
respect to the solvency of the State funds, accepting the financial
statements as furnished by the funds at their face value. Statistics
as to volume of business were obtained from the records or statistical
reports of the compensation commissions, State insurance depart­
ments, and associations of private insurance carriers. Data as to
promptness in reporting accidents or in making compensation pay­
ments was compiled from actual cases in the files of the commissions.



w o r k m e n ’s

c o m p e n s a t io n

and

49

in s u r a n c e .

It was the aim to select only representative cases and to include a
sufficient number to give dependable averages.
Another investigation made by the bureau dealt with the economic
consequences of permanent disabilities resulting from industrial in­
juries. It was the object of the study to ascertain to what extent
such disabilities affect the occupational opportunities and earning
capacity of the injured men. The main emphasis was laid upon the
character of the industry; the occupation of the employee at the time
of the injury, upon his return to work, and, at the time of the inves­
tigation, the length of time totally disabled; the employee’s wages
at the time of the injury and upon his return to work; and the age,
nationality, and English-speaking ability of the employee. Massa­
chusetts was selected, as the field of study, because under the law of
this State compensation for all partial disabilities must be paid until
the employee is reemployed at a wage not less than that received at
the time of the injury. Thus a longer and more complete record of
the cases is available. The investigation was limited to major per­
manent disabilities; that is, to injuries resulting in amputation or
loss of use of a hand, arm, foot, or leg. Practically every case for
which records were available in the office of the Massachusetts In­
dustrial Accident Board was scheduled (see Form 31 following),
special precaution being taken to exclude the element of selection.
F o r m S I.

A g en t.

u.

S .

D E P A R T M E N T

O F

L A B O R ,

PERMANENT

B U R E A U

O F

L A B O R

S T A T IS T IC S ,

W A S H IN G T O N .

D ISA B IL IT Y ACCIDENTS.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Name of em ployee.....................................................Address.
Name of employer..................................................... Address
Industry or business of employer...........................................
Name of insurer......................................................... Address
Date of accident................................. 6. Age of employee when injured................
Nationality............................................................................................................................
Nature ana extent of permanent disability....................................................................
Occupation at which employee was injured...................................................................
Was it his regular occupation................. If not, what was his regular occupation.

11.
12.
13.
14.

Length of time totally disabled.........................................................................................
Total amount of compensation awarded and received..................................................
Was compensation paid in a lump sum...........................................................................
Cost of medical, hospital, and surgical service provided.............................................
At time of in ju ry .

P resent tim e (d a te ).

15. Did employee speak English.............................................................................................
16. Employee marned or single...............................................................................................
17. Number of (a) dependent children...................................................................................
( b ) other dependents......................................................................................
18. Weekly wages of em ployee.................................................................................................
19. Was employee reemployed b y same em ployer............ At what occu p a tion ...
20. Did employee obtain reemployment through his own efforts............................. If
not, what assistance did he receive from insurance company or other agency.......
21. Did employee refuse any position offered......................... If so, w hy......................
22. Positions held by employee since injury:
Industry.




Occupation.

Length of time
worked.

Wages re­
ceived.

50

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OE LABOR STATISTICS.

23. What industrial reeducation and training did employee undergo.............................
24. Number of positions held b y employee during one year immediately preceding
date of injury, if obtainable.....................................................................................
25. Did injured employee take full advantage of medical and surgical service offered
..................................................... If not, explain fu lly ...............................................
26. Remarks..................................................................................................................................

The following method of investigation was adopted: All available
information in the files of the industrial accident board was first
utilized. The schedules were then submitted to the insurance com­
panies for additional information, after which personal investiga­
tion of each case was attempted. Some of the injured men had
left the country, others could not be found, while several living in
remote corners of the State were not visited. In a large proportion
of the cases, however, a fairly complete history from the date of the
injury to the time of the investigation was obtained. The data thus
gathered were then analyzed, tabulated, and published.
4.
The bureau also publishes numerous special articles and sum­
maries of reports dealing with workmen’s compensation. The special
articles deal with particular phases of compensation and include such
subjects as medical service, accident rates, methods of computing
average weekly wages, accidents sustained in interstate commerce,
adequacy of compensation benefits, etc. The data upon which these
articles are based are usually taken from State and Federal reports
dealing with the subject. In addition to the special articles, sum­
maries of reports issued by the several States, foreign countries, and
associations of labor, employers, and insurance companies are pub­
lished by the bureau if the importance of the reports warrants pub­
lication.
LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS.
The work of the law division of the bureau lies mainly in two
principal fields—labor legislation and decisions of courts affecting
labor. In connection with the first an annual bulletin is published
showing the activities of the State legislatures and the Federal
Congress in the enactment of laws classifiable as labor legislation.
For the most part these laws are discovered by search made in the
publications of session laws at the close of each legislative session,
though in a few cases slip laws are obtained in advance. Basic compi­
lations have been published from time to time showing the state of
legislation in all jurisdictions. The last compilation of this nature
bears date of January 1, 1914, and forms two volumes with an
aggregate of 2,473 pages. Annual supplements have appeared,
each carrying a cumulative index covering the basic compilations
and all subsequent bulletins to date.
Compensation legislation, on account of its bulk and special in­
terest, has received separate treatment; the laws on this subject have
been separately reproduced, the last bulletin on this subject being No.
272, bearing date of January, 1921, but including no legislation later
than that for the year 1919. A supplemental volume is in prospect.
This bulletin, besides reproducing the laws, carries an account of the
progress and development of legislation on this subject, a general
analysis of its matter, and a summary of court decisions ana board
rulings showing the construction and application of the laws. This
material has been taken from court reports, reports of commissions
and boards, the Weekly Underwriter, and special reports furnished
by the boards and commissions.



M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.

51

Somewhat similar to the foregoing is a bulletin on minimum wage
laws, though the material for this was largely procured by an in­
vestigation carried on in the States having such laws by a representa­
tive of the bureau. This bulletin gives the text of the laws, including
all existing orders, their construction, and an account of their actual
operation.
Court decisions affecting labor are selected from the National
Reporter System of the West Publishing Co. The Index Digest,
showing in each number the matter contained therein, is chiefly
relied upon for the discovery of the cases that are desired to be used,
though material is found in some cases in newspaper reports, followed
up by requests for advance copies of the important decisions. The
cases selected for publication are intended to be representative but
not exhaustive of the subjects covered. A summary of the facts is
prepared, and such quotations are made from the opinion as printed
as may be found necessary to show the exact position taken by the
court. Decisions are classified and indexed, and the bulletins in
which they appear, like those containing labor legislation, carry on
the opening pages a brief summary discussion of the points considered
in the body of the bulletin.
Besides these principal subjects thus presented frequent use is
made of the pages of the Monthly Labor Review for a prompter
presentation of important laws and decisions than would be feasible
through the channels of the annual bulletins. Special topics are also
presented in the Review from time to time. Thus within the current
year articles have appeared giving an account of the laws and decisions
relating to criminal syndicalism and sabotage, recent injunctions in
the building trades, rights and status of employees injured in com­
merce, etc. Such articles may require a study both of volumes of
session laws and a considerable range of court reports.
Another line of work carried on in this division is the digesting of
reports of workmen’s compensation boards and commissions. These
are in the main the published volumes of such bodies, though use is
also made of special typewritten or mimeographed reports and answers
to special inquiries made by the bureau.
In brief, the method of investigation in this division chiefly is that
of selecting from the published volumes of legislation and court
reports the matter thought suitable for the ends in view, the same
bemg subjected to such editing, classification, and indexing as to
make it available for the persons making use of the publications of
the bureau.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The Monthly Labor Review, published since July, 1915, is the
medium of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the presentation and
dissemination of reliable current information relating to labor in all
its phases. The results of original investigations too brief for bulle­
tin purposes, summaries of statistical data gathered by the bureau
for its regular reports, and current data on important labor subjects
collected by the bureau are published in the Monthly Labor Review,
together with abstracts of pertinent data published in the official
reports of the various States and foreign nations.




52

STATISTICAL METHODS— BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Special articles on subjects of interest to labor are printed, and
also digests of current labor legislation, of decisions of courts relat­
ing to labor, and of reports of State labor bureaus and other official
bodies dealing with labor matters, as well as accounts of the more
important current movements of interest to labor, of new and success­
ful labor methods, and of public and private activities for the better­
ment of industrial conditions. Current statistics as to the immigra­
tion and conciliation work of the Department of Labor are pub­
lished, and important trade agreements and awards are either
digested or printed in full.
The following subjects are given special attention and much valu­
able information thereon is collected and published: Wholesale and
retail prices and cost of living; wages and hours of labor; produc­
tivity and efficiency of labor; minimum wage; industrial relations and
labor conditions; woman and child labor;labor agreements, awards,
and decisions; employment and unemployment; vocational educa­
tion; housing; industrial accidents and hygiene; workmen’s compen­
sation and social insurance; labor legislation; decisions of courts
relating to labor; labor organizations; strikes and lockouts; concilia­
tion and arbitration; immigration; cooperation; employees’ repre­
sentation; welfare work; profit sharing; etc. A bibliography of offi­
cial publications relating to labor appears each month and a direc­
tory of labor officials in the United States and Canada is published
in July of each year.
Special articles on various phases of labor appear in the Review,
each number containing one or more. These articles are obtained in
various ways, some being contributed by special investigators and
experts outside the bureau, some being reports of original investiga­
tions by bureau experts, and others representing extensive and
thorough research into the particular subjects by bureau employees.
The original statistical data appearing in the Review are gathered,
compiled, and tabulated in the statistical division of the bureau. A
description of the methods used in their compilation appears in
connection with the work of the sections of the bureau represented
in the particular investigations. Wholesale prices of commodities
and retail prices of food and coal are published monthly (see pp. 21
and 28), wnile retail prices of gas and dry goods are printed quarterly
(see p. 27). Data as to changes in the cost of living in the United
States, secured quarterly (see p. 6), are published promptly, and
summary reports of investigations as to wages and hours of labor in
various industries (see p. 1 ) are printed in advance of the detailed
*
reports. Statistics of volume pf employment in selected industries
(see p. 35) appear in each issue, ana those of strikes and lockouts
(see p. 38) appear quarterly. Changes in union scales of wages (see
p. 1) are given prompt notice. Data as to building permits in
principal cities are also published.
The statistical data relating to foreign countries appearing in the
Review are abstracted or collated, in most instances, from official
reports, though in some instances unofficial sources are used if reli­
able or when the figures can be checked from other sources. Fre­
quently figures taken from the reports of different countries are
brought together in a summary table that a comprehensive view
may be had as to conditions prevailing in foreign countries; and
comparisons made with conditions in the United States.




M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.

53

Most of the articles and all digests and extracts are compiled in
the editorial and research division of the bureau. During the month
hundreds of foreign and domestic newspapers and periodicals, offi­
cial and unofficial reports, trade and labor journals, and books on
labor subjects are received and critically examined for information
along labor lines. Consular reports and the publications of the
International Labor Office are also examined. All items taken from
newspapers and unofficial journals are verified from the original
source wherever possible. In all articles the source of the informa­
tion is set forth.
The articles on labor in foreign countries are compiled from original
sources, translations being made from those in foreign languages.
The sources used are official reports, such as the monthly or semi­
monthly bulletins and annual reports of the governmental labor offices,
statistical offices, employment and factory inspection services, emi'ation commissions, etc., and the publications of the International
abor Office. Among the unofficial sources are the journals and
bulletins published by trade-unions, employers’ organizations, cooper­
ative societies, the daily press, and a few of the best socio-political
magazines.
Information as to recent developments in industrial hygiene is
obtained from current medical journals, and reports and bulletins
of the United States Public Health Service and the United States
Bureau of Mines. Methods of reporting industrial accidents and
occupational or industrial diseases and for their prevention are ab­
stracted from the reports of the United States Bureau of Mines, of
State factory and mine inspection offices, and of unofficial bodies
interested in such work.
The reports of State workmen's compensation boards, minimum
wage commissions, and labor bureaus are examined and summaries
or reviews prepared and published, and important features given
more extended notice. Through correspondence with State Tabor
bureaus much information as to their current activities is obtained
and published, thus affording an opportunity for each bureau to
keep m touch with the work of the other bureaus.
The trade and labor publications and some newspapers are scanned
for items relating to trade agreements and decisions. Information
thus obtained as to a trade agreement is followed up by correspond­
ence asking for a copy of the agreement. The bureau is on the mail­
ing list of the permanent arbitration boards and receives copies of all
their decisions. Decisions of other boards or arbitrators are obtained
through correspondence. Important agreements and decisions and
those with unusual provisions are written up and sometimes repro­
duced in full.
The foreign material used in the articles on cooperation is obtained
from cooperative news sheets and periodicals and from reports of
foreign central cooperative organizations. Reports on cooperation
published by Government agencies are few but where available are
used. Material on the movement in the United States is obtained
from cooperative periodicals and press releases, official data of the
Census Bureau*and the United States Bureau of Markets, and directly
from the cooperative societies themselves.
Summaries of important decisions of courts regarding labor ques­
tions, and of important laws affecting labor, including those relating

E




54

STATISTICAL METHODS---- BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

to workmen’s compensation and minimum wage for women, appear
regularly.
I n preparing articles on housing, women and children in industry,
industrial relations and labor conditions, etc., the material is secured
through search of trade and labor papers, books, official reports, and
correspondence, and occasionally by personal interviews.
Current notes of interest to labor are culled from every source
available, news of Government agencies being obtained directly.
Proceedings of conventions and meetings of organized bodies dealing
with subjects of interest to labor are reported in the Review, in some
instances being digested from the official report of the proceedings
and in others being reported directly by bureau representatives who
were present.
The monthly statistics of immigration are furnished directly by
the United States Bureau of Immigration, and those of the concilia­
tion and arbitration work of the United States Department of Labor
b y the Division of Conciliation.
The bibliography of official publications relating to labor pub­
lished each month is compiled from the publications received during
the month by the department library.




SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
[The publication o f the annual and special reports and o f the bim onthly bulletin was
discontinued in July, 1912, and since that tim e a bulletin has been published at irregular
intervals. Each num ber contains m atter devoted to one o f a series o f general subjects •
These bulletins are num bered consecutively, beginning with No. 101, and up to N o. 236
they also carry consecutive num bers under each series. Beginning with N o. 237 the serial
num bering has been discontinued. A list o f the series is given below. Under each is
grouped all the bulletins which contain material relating to the subject m atter o f that
series. A list o f the reports and bulletins o f the Bureau issued prior to July 1, 1912, will
be furnished on application. The bulletins marked thus * are ou t o f p rint . ]

Wholesale Prices.
*Bul. 114.
Bui. 149.
*Bul. 173.
*Bul. 181.
*Bul. 200.
Bui. 226.
Bui. 269.
Bui. 284.

Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1912.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1913.
Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign countries.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1914.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1915.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1916.
Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1919.
Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign countries. [Revision
of Bulletin No. 173.]
Bui. 296. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1920.
Bui. 320. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1921.

Retail Prices and Cost of Living.
*Bul. 105. Retail prices, 1890 to 1911: Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to 1911: Part II—General tables.
*Bul. 106. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912: Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912: Part II—General tables.
Bui. 108. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1912.
Bui. 110. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1912.
*Bul. 113. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1912.
Bui. 115. Retail prices, 1890 to February, 1913.
*Bul. 121. Sugar prices, from refiner to consumer.
Bui. 125. Retail prices, 1890 to April, 1913.
*Bul. 130. Wheat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer.
Bui. 132. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1913.
Bui. 136. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1913.
*Bul. 138. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1913.
*Bul. 140. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1913.
Bui. 156. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1914.
Bui. 164. Butter prices, from producer to consumer.
Bui. 170. Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Bui. 184. Retail prices, 1907 to June, 1915.
Bui. 197. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1915.
Bui. 228. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1916.
Bui. 270. Retail prices, 1913 to 1919.
Bui. 300. Retail prices, 1913 to 1920.
Bui. 315. Retail prices, 1913 to 1921.

Wages and Hours of Labor.*
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in selected industries
in the District of Columbia.
118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
128. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1890 to 1912.
129. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries, 1890 to 1912.
131. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, 1907 to 1912.
134. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and knit goods industries, 1890
to 1912.
*Bul. 135. Wages and hours of labor in the cigar and clothing industries, 1911 and 1912.

*Bul.
Bui.
*Bul.
*Bul.
*Bul.
*Bul.




(i )

Wages and Hours of Labor— Concluded.
Bui. 137. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad cars, 1890 to 1912.
Bui. 143. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15,1913.
Bui. 146. Wages and regularity of employment and standardization of piece rates in the dress and
waist industry of New York City.
*Bul. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
*Bui. 150. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907 to 1913.
*Bul. 151. Wages and hours of labor in theiron and steel industry in the United States, 1907 to 1912.
Bui. 153. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture industries, 1907 to 1913.
*Bul. 154. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and underwear industries, 1907
to 1913.
Bui. 160. Horn's, 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.
Bui. 163: Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad cars, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 168. Wages and hours of labor in theiron and steel industry, 1907 to 1918.
*Bul. 171. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1,1914.
Bui. 177. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industry, 1907 to 1914.
Bui. 178. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1914.
Bui. 187. Wages and hours of labor in the men's clothing industry, 1911 to 1914.
*Bul. 190. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907 to 1914.
*Bul. 194. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1,1915.
Bui. 204. Street railway employment in the United States.
Bui. 214. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15,1916.
Bui. 218. Wages and hours of labor in theiron and steel industry, 1907 to 1915.
Bui. 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 wooden 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. Preliminary report.
Bui. 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.
Bui. 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.
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. 302. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15,1921.
Bui. 305. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1920.
Bui. 316. Hours and earnings in anthracite and bituminous coal mining—anthracite, January, 1922;
bituminous, winter of 1921-22.
Bui. 317. Wages and hours of labor in lumber manufacturing, 1921.
Bui. 324. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1922. [In press.]
Bui. 325. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15,1922. [In press.]

Employment and Unemployment.
*Bul. 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.
*Bul. 183. Regularity of employment in the women's ready-to-wear garment industries.
Bui. 192. Proceedings of the American Association of Public Employment Offices.
*Bul. 195. Unemployment in the United States.
Bui. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers' Conference held at Minneapolis, January, 1916. *
Bui. 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 Employ­
ment Offices, Buffalo, N. Y ., July 20 and 21,1916.




(n )

Employment and Unemployment—Concluded.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
*Bul. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers1 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' Conference, 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 Em­
ployment Services, Buffalo, N. Y ., September 9-11,1921.

Women in Industry.
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in selected indus­
tries in the District of Columbia.
*Bul. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons.
*Bul. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
Bui. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
*Bul. 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.
*Bul. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
*Bul. 175. Summary of the report on condition of woman and child wage earners in the United States.
*Bul. 176. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon.
*Bul. 180. The boot 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. 193. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts.
Bui. 215. Industrial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts.
Bui. 217. Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of industrial employ­
ment of women and children.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
Bui. 253. Women in the lead industry.

Workmen’s Insurance and Compensation (including laws relating thereto).
Bui. 101.
Bui. 102.
Bui. 103.
Bui. 107.
*Bul. 126.
*Bul. 155.
*Bul. 185.
Pul. 203.
Bui. 210.
Bui. 212.
Bui. 217.
Bui. 240.
Bui. 243.
Bui. 248.
Bui. 264.
Bui. 272.
*Bul. 273.
Bui. 275.
Bui. 281.
Bui. 301.
Bui. 304.
Bui. 312.

Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany.
British National Insurance Act, 1911.
Sickness and accident insurance law of Switzerland.
Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany.
Workmen’ s compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries.
Compensation for accidents to employees of the United States.
Compensation legislation of 1914 and 1915.
Workmen’ s compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries.
Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
Proceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of industrial employ­
ment of women and children.
Comparison of workmen’s compensation laws of the United States.
Workmen’ s compensation legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
Workmen’ s compensation legislation of the United States and Canada, 1919.
Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
Comparison of workmen’ s compensation laws of the United States and Canada.
Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
Comparison of workmen’ s compensation insurance and administration.
Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions.
National Health Insurance in Great Britain, 1911 to 1920. [In press.]

Industrial Accidents and Hygiene.

*

Bui. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary ware factories.
Bui. 120. Hygiene of the painters' trade.
*Bul. 127. Dangers to workers from dust and fumes, and methods of protection.




(in)

Industrial Accidents and Hygiene—Concluded.
Bui. 141.
*Bul. 157.
Bui. 165.
*Bul. 179.
Bui. 188.
*Bul. 201.
Bui. 205.
Bui. 207.
Bui. 209.
*Bul. 216.
Bui. 219.
Bui. 221.
Bui. 230.
Bui. 231.
*Bul. 234.
Bui. 236.
Bui. 251.
. Bui. 253.
Bui. 256.
Bui. 267.
Bui, 276.
Bui. 280.
Bui. 291.
Bui. 293.
Bui. 298.
Bui. 306.

Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead.
Industrial accident statistics.
Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries.
Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry.
Report of British departmental committee on the danger in the use of lead in the painting
of buildings.
Report of committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost of the International
Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions. [Limited edition.]
Anthrax as an occupational disease.
Causes of death by occupation.
Hygiene of the printing trades.
Accidents and accident prevention in machine building.
Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
Mortality from respiratory diseases in dusty trades.
Safety movement in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917.
Effect of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters.
Preventable death in the cotton manufacturing industry.
Women in the lead industries.
Accidents and accident prevention in machine building. Revision of Bui. 216.
Anthrax as an occupational disease. [Revised.]
Standardization of industrial accident statistics.
Industrial poisoning in making coal-tar dyes and dye intermediates.
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
The problem of dust phthisis in the granite-stone industry.
Causes and prevention of accidents in the iron and steel industry, 1910 to 1919.
Occupation hazards and diagnostic signs: A guide to impairment to be looked for in haz­
ardous occupations.

Conciliation and Arbitration (including strikes and lockouts).
*Bul. 124. Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York.
*Bul. 133. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade on its inquiry into industrial
agreements.
Bui. 139. Michigan copper district strike.
Bui. 144. Industrial court of the cloaks suit, and skirt industry of New York City.
Bui. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of New York City.
Bui. 191. Collective bargaining in the anthracite coal industry.
*Bul. 198. Collective agreements in the men’s clothing industry.
Bui. 233. Operation of the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of Canada.
Bui. 303. Use of Federal power in settlement of railway labor disputes.

Labor Laws of the United States (including decisions of courts relating to labor).
*Bul. 111.
*Bul. 112.
*Bul. 148.
*Bul. 152.
*Bul. 166.
*Bul. 169.
♦Bill. 186.
*Bul. 189.
Bui. 211.
*Bul. 213.
Bui. 224.
Bui. 229.
Bui. 244.
Bui. 246.
Bui. 257.
Bui. 258.
Bui. 277.
Bui. 285.
Bui. 290.
Bui. 292.
Bui. 308.
Bui. 309.
Bui. 321.
Bui. 322.

Labor legislation of 1912.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1912,
Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1913.
Labor legislation of 1914.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1914.
Labor legislation of 1915.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1915.
Labor laws and their administration in the Pacific States.
Labor legislation of 1916.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1916.
Wage-payment legislation in the United States.
Labor legislation of 1917.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1917.
Labor legislation of 1918.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1918.
Labor legislation of 1919.
Minimum-wage legislation in the United States.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1919-1920.
Labor legislation of 1920.
Labor legislation of 1921.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1921.
Labor laws that have been declared unconstitutional.
Kansas Court of Industrial Relations. [In press.]




(IV)

Foreign Labor Laws.
Bui. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European countries.

Vocational Education.
Bui. 145.
*Bul. 147.
*Bul. 159.
Bui. 162.
Bui. 199.
Bui. 271.

Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of New York City.
Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.
Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va.
Vocational education survey of Minneapolis.
Adult working class education (Great Britain and the United States).

Labor as Affected by the War.
Bui. 170.
Bui. 219.
Bui. 221.
Bui. 222.
Bui. 223.
Bui. 230.
Bui. 237.
Bui. 249.

Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Welfare work in British munition factories.
Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
Industrial unrest in Great Britain.
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.

Miscellaneous Series.
♦Bill. 117.
*Bul. 118.
*Bul. 123.
*Bul. 158.
*Bul. 159.
*Bul. 167.
Bui. 170.
Bui. 174.

Prohibition of night work of young persons.
Ten-hour maximum working day for women and young persons.
Employers’ welfare work.
Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign countries.
Short-unit courses for wage earners and a factory school experiment.
Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics up to
May 1,1915.
Bui. 208. Profit sharing in the United States.
Bui. 222. Welfare work in British munition factories.
Bui. 242. Food situation in central Europe, 1917.
Bui. 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 in representative cities in 1920.
Bui. 299. Personnel research agencies. A guide to organized research in employment management,
industrial relations, training, and working conditions.
Bui. 313. Consumers’ cooperative societies in the United States in 1920.
Bui. 314. Cooperative credit societies in America and foreign countries.
Bui. 318. Building permits in the principal cities of the United States.
Bui. 320. The Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its history, activities, and organization.
Bui. 323. Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Convention of the Association of Governmental Labor
Officials of the United States and Canada, held at Harrisburg, Pa., May 22-26, 1922.




(V)

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.




(VI)

ADDITIONAL COPIES
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D . C.
AT

10 CENTS PE R COPY
PURCHASER AGREES NOT TO RESELL OR DISTRIBUTE THIS
COPY FOR PROFIT.— PUB. RES. 57, APPROVED MAY 11, 1922

V