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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1926
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C E R T IF IC A T E
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Contents
Special articles:
Pag9
Are average wage rates keeping pace with the increased cost of living?
(second article) by Ethelbert Stewart, United States Commissioner
of Labor Statistics_______________________________________
1-4
The longshoreman and accident compensation, by Lindley D. Clark,
of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics___ _____ ______ 5-18
Physical examinations in industry, by Frank L, Rector, M. D.,
secretary of American Association of Industrial Physicians and
Surgeons, and editor of The Nation’s Health__________________ 18-23
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
Labor relations in the lace and lace-curtain industries____________ 24, 25
Work of Joint Board of Sanitary Control in women’s garment indus
tries of New York________________________________________25-27
Report of Nova Scotia Coal Commission_______________________ 27-31
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States______________________ 32-53
Retail prices of bituminous coal in the United States____________
54
55
Index numbers of wholesale prices in February, 1926_____________
Comparison of retail price changes in the United States and in for
eign countries________________________________ ____ ______ 56-58
Canada—Changes in cost of the family budget, 1921 to 1925______
59
Spain—Retail prices in Madrid, December, 1925________________
59
Wages and hours of labor:
Alaska-—Wages and labor conditions, 1924-25__________________ 60, 61
California—Order regulating hours and working conditions of women
in the motion-picture industry_____________________________
62
New York—Average weekly earnings of factory employees, 1914 to
1925--------------------------- --------------- -------1_________________
62
Argentina—
Hours of work in Buenos Aires___________________________
63
New wage law_________________________________________
63
Prohibition of night work in Tucuman bakeries______________
64
Canada—Wages and hours of labor, 1925______________________ 64-67
Great Britain—Regulation of agricultural wages_________________ 68, 69
Guatemala—Agricultural wages______________________________
69
Japan—Wages in specified industries, 1924 and 1925_____________ 69, 70
Mexico—Wages in textile industry____________________________
71
Paraguay—Sunday rest law_________________________________
71
Productivity of labor:
Railroad labor accomplishment, 1922 to 1924___________________ 72-75
Japan—Production and per capita output in coal mines, 1914 to 1923_
75
Women in industry:
Pennsylvania—Wage-earning mothers in Philadelphia____________ 76-79
Child labor:
Rural child labor on the northern Pacific coast__________________ 80, 81
Pennsylvania—Children in canneries__________________________ 82, 83
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h i
IV
CONTENTS
labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Agreements—
Pago
Molders—Continuation of national agreement______________
84
Newspapers—Los Angeles__________
84-86
Stereotypers—Youngstown, Ohio_________________________
86
Street railways—Clinton, Davenport, and Muscatine Ry______87, 88
Street railways—Philadelphia____________________________ 88-90
Awards and decisions—
Clothing industry—New York_________
90
Railroads—Decisions of Railroad Labor Board________ _______ 90-93
Railroads—Decisions of Train Service Board of Adjustment
for the eastern region_________________________________ 93, 94
Railroads—Decisions of Train Service Board of Adjustment
for the western region_________________________________ 94, 95
Shirt industry—New York_______________________________ 95, 96
Sweden—Collective agreements, 1924_________________________ 96, 97
Employment and unemployment:
Employment in selected industries in February, 1926____________98-113
Employment and earnings of railroad employees, January, 1926, and
January and December, 1925____________________________ 113-115
Recent employment statistics—
Public employment offices—
Illinois__________________________________ - ................
115
Iowa________________________________
115
Massachusetts_____________________________________
116
Ohio........... ..........
116
Pennsylvania______________________________________
116
Wisconsin_________________________________________
117
State departments of labor—
California_______________________________________ 117, 118
Illinois__________________ ____ ___________ _______ 119, 120
Iowa________________________________________
121
Maryland_________________________________________
122
Massachusetts_____________________________________
123
New York______________________________________
124
Wisconsin_______________________________________ 124, 125
Austria—Law restricting employment of alien workers_________ 126, 127
Germany—Increase of unemployment and new regulation of unem
ployment relief________________________________________ 127-129
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Accident rates in underground work in metal mines in the United
States, 1922 to 1924__________________________
130
Sickness among industrial employees________________________ 131, 132
Tuberculosis as an industrial health problem__________________ 132-134
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Arizona—Compensation act held constitutional_______________ 135-138
New York—Unemployment insurance in the cloak, suit, and skirt
industry of New York City______________________________ 138-142
Recent compensation reports—
North Dakota_________________________________________
143
Virginia____________________________________________ 144, 145
Australia—State pension act of Victoria_____________________ 145,146
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CONTENTS
V
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance—Continued.
Page
Great Britain—Effect of unemployment insurance upon the worker. 146-148
Switzerland—Referendum on introduction of invalidity, old-age, and
life insurance__________________________________________ 149,150
Housing:
New Jersey—Bayonne experiment in industrial housing_________ 151-153
New York—Extension of emergency rent law___________________
153
Cooperation:
Size and business of credit unions___________________________ 154, 155
155
Statistics of leading European cooperative societies______________
Cooperation in foreign countries—
Austria_______________________________________________
156
Belgium______________________________________________
156
Denmark_____________
157
France__________________
157
Hungary------ -------------------------------------------------------------157
Japan______
157
Netherlands___________________________________________
158
Rumania------------------ ---------------------------------------------- 158, 159
159
Switzerland___________________________________________
United Kingdom_______________________________________
160
Vocational guidance:
Germany—Statistics of public vocational guidance, 1922 to 1924__ 161-163
Strikes and lockouts:
Belgium—Strikes and lockouts in 1925________________________
164
Canada—Strikes and lockouts, 1925________________________ 165, 166
Rumania—Strikes and lockouts, 1924_________________________
166
Conciliation and arbitration:
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in February, 1926, by
Hugh L. Kerwin, Director of Conciliation__________________ 167-169
Germany—Industrial conciliation in 1924______________________
170
Great Britain—Conciliation plan for shipbuilding industry________
171
Iceland—Law on mediation in labor disputes___________________
172
Sweden—Work of official conciliators, 1924_____________________
172
Immigration:
Statistics of immigration for January, 1926, by J. J. Kunna, chief
statistician, United States Bureau of Immigration___________ 173-178
Factory inspection:
Mississippi________________________________________________
179
What State labor bureaus are doing:
Alaska, California, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missis
sippi, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Wisconsin______________________________________________
180
Current notes of interest to labor:
United States—Industrial accident conference_________________
181
Austria—Profit sharing in the postal and telegraph service________
181
China—Joint ownership of land by landlord and tenant________ 181, 182
Great Britain—Continuation of miners’ welfare fund_____________
182
Portugal—Abolition of Ministry of Labor____________________ 182, 183
Spanish America—Recent origin of labor problems_______________
183
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States____________ ____ _________ ____ ____ 184, 185
Official—Foreign countries____________________
185-187
Unofficial_______________________________________________ 187-192
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This issue in Brief
Physical examination of workers assures them a lessened risk of
injury and illness, steadier employment, and more stable earnings,
according to an article by Dr. Frank L. Rector. The employer
benefits through reduced turnover, better quality of product, and a
more contented working force. Page 18.
The leading causes of illness in a group of 114 ,000 industrial workers
during 1924 were influenza, grippe, and other respiratory diseases,
which together caused nearly one-half of the cases of illness lasting
8 days or more. It was also found that women had 44 per cent
more sickness than men. Page 131.
Hourly earnings of workers in the iron and steel industry and of rail
road section men increased from 1913 to 1924 considerably more
rapidly than the cost of living. The purchasing power of hourly
earnings in 1924 of workers in blast furnaces was 49 per cent over
the purchasing power in 1913, in Bessemer converters 33 per cent,
in bar mills 21 per cent, among common laborers in the industry 35
per cent, and among railroad section men 39 per cent. Page 1.
Longshoremen are in a very anomalous situation as regards compen
sation for injury. If injured on the dock, they come under the State
compensation law. If injured on the vessel, they come under mari
time law with its antiquated remedies. Moreover, it often requires
a lawsuit to determine in which class a particular accident belongs.
How this situation has developed and the efforts to relieve it are
discussed on page 5.
A wage rate of 77 cents per hour for Philadelphia street-railway
employees was upheld by the Pennsylvania Public Service Com
mission as “reasonable,” although higher than in any other American
city. The commission says “a study of the 77-cent wage from the
viewpoint of economics and sociology shows that it produces annual
earnings but little if any higher than the minimum budget necessary
to maintain an average family on the basis of living costs in Phila
delphia.” Page 88.
Wage-earning mothers have entered industry through economic stress,
a recent Philadelphia study shows. If the mother does not work, the
family can not support itself. The effect of the outside work upon
her health, the care of her children, and the family welfare generally
is too intricate a question to be decided from such studies as have
been made so far, and much further investigation of the matter is
needed. Meanwhile, “the exclusion of the mother from industry is
not the solution of the family’s problem.” Page 76.
The lace and lace-curtain industries are transplantations from.
Europe. As they are greatly affected by changes in styles which
make for irregularity of employment, the union has worked toward
controlling and restricting the labor supply in order to stabilize
employment. An elaborate code of regulations has been developed
to handle grievances and settle disputes. Page 24.
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V II
V III
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Children have been employed in Pennsylvania canneries extensively
and often illegally, the State department of labor and industry found
in an investigation made in the fall of 1925. Violations of the child
labor law were most frequent in canneries which maintained labor
camps and employed migratory labor. Page 82.
Railway employees engaged in train work moved 518 tons of freight
and 44 passengers one mile per man per hour in 1924, as compared
with 500 tons of freight and 42 passengers in 1923. Page 72.
The alien population of the United States was increased in January,
1926, by 14,652 persons, a total of 29,733 aliens having been ad
mitted and 15,081 having departed. Page 173.
Employment in manufacturing industries continued to increase in
February, this being the seventh consecutive month showing increased
employment. Page 98.
Recent price changes.—Retail prices of food decreased 1.7 per cent
from January 15 to February 15, though showing an increase of 6.6
per cent since February 15 of last year. Page 32. Wholesale prices
of all commodities decreased 0.6 per cent from January to February
and S }/2 Per cent in the course of the year. Page 55.
The fishinq and mining industries of Alaska together employ 96
per cent of all the labor in Alaska, aside from the workers employed
on the railroads. In the fishing industry the supply of resident
labor is inadequate, and from 50 to 85 per cent of the workers are
imported from the States for the fishing season, 35 to 45 per cent of
these coming in under the “ oriental contract system.” Page 60.
The report of the Nova Scotia Coal Commission recommends the
frank acceptance of the union by the employers, a 10 per cent reduc
tion of the 1924 wage rates, regulation of rates every six months on
the basis of the ability of the industry to pay, some method by which
employment can be stabilized, abolition of the check-off except in
matters directly related to the workers’ employment, machinery for
adjustment of differences between employers and workers, and estab
lishment of a fund to improve the social well-being of the workers.
Page 27.
A study of the British unemployment insurance system by a group of
prominent Englishmen concludes that the system, on the whole, is
successful; that the alleged evil effect of the benefit on the willingness
of the worker to accept work has been greatly exaggerated, and that
the administration of the scheme is efficient enough to prevent any
widespread abuse. Page 146.
The employment of workers not Austrian citizens and who have not
resided in Austria continuously since January 1, 1923, is forbidden by
a law of that country effective January 1, 1926. Certain exceptions
may be granted by the Federal chancellery. Page 126.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVI EW
v o l . x x ii , n o .
WASHINGTON
4
Ap r il , 1926
Are Average Wage Rates Keeping Pace with the increased Cost of
Living?
(Second article)
By E t h e l b e r t
Stew
art
, U
n it e d
States C
o m m is s io n e r
of
L
abor
S t a t is t ic s
N ARTICLE in the January issue of the Labor Review (pp.
16-20) contained a table showing the comparative changes
from 1906 to 1925 in union rates of wages per hour and in
the cost of living, together with derived figures showing the relative
purchasing power of wage rates over the same period. In other
words, the attempt was made to determine “ real wages'’ as discussed
by economists by applying the index numbers of the factors involved.
In order to determine how far union wage rates could be taken as
typical of all classes of workers, similar tables were shown for the
workers in boot and shoe factories, woolen mills, and cotton mills,
and the conclusion was reached that in any discussion of theoretical
real wages each industry must be considered by itself.
An extension of that study is offered in the present article covering
similar data for certain departments in the iron and steel industry
and the occupation of railroad section men.
Some general observation as to the scope and method employed
has been made necessary, before presenting the detailed tables as to
these occupations, by criticisms of the former article. A number of
economists have insisted that real wages can be discussed only where
total annual earnings are available. This simply means in the last
analysis that the discussion must continue indefinitely, as it has
during the past generation, as a war of words. There is no question
as to the desirability of annual earnings as a true measure of real
wages, and it may be that in time such data on a large scale will
become available through the development of such factors as unem
ployment insurance with complete individual earnings records. But
there is also no question that, for the United States, this time is still
remote, and at present any large quantity of material covering total
annual earnings of individuals is statistically impossible. The ex
pense of following employees who work less than a year in one place
from factory to factory, from industry to industry, is rendered
prohibitive by the cost of such investigation even if it were physi
cally possible to follow such less-than-full-time workers.
It is true that the total earnings of persons remaining on a single
pay roll for a year can be ascertained by copying the pay roll, but if
they are full-time workers their full-time earnings can be arrived at by
converting their hourly rate into a full-time rate just as easily and at
very much less expense than by following them through the pay roll.
In these articles it is assumed that the hour is the time unit of
labor. It is treated just as a pound, a ton, a quart, or any other
unit of measurement would be treated in any other calculation. It
is so treated because it is the definite monetary basis upon which man
power in industry is sold. It is an unchanging and unchangeable
unit of measurement and for this reason it is statistically workable as a
A
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[749]
1
2
M ONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW
basis for comparison. From it can be computed full-time earnings for
all persons who work full time in any industry or any occupation.
It has been urged that because the working hours per week have
changed, the full-time weekly earnings should have been made the
basis instead of the hourly rate. The very fact that the number
of full-time hours per week has changed, and that the number of
hours of normal operation per week in various establishments and
in various parts of the country is not uniform, is precisely the
reason that the full-time weekly earnings were not made the basis
of these calculations.
My attention has been called to what seems to be a discrepancy
between the union wage table in the January Labor Review and the
table prepared by the International Labor Office giving real wages
in various cities of the world including one city, Philadelphia, in the
United States. The table in the January Labor Review shows that
the purchasing power of trade-union wages in the United States
increased between 1924 and 1925 about 2.6 per cent. The inter
national table referred to indicates that the purchasing power of
wages in Philadelphia decreased during substantially the same
period. In explanation of this difference, it should be noted that
the dates covered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics do not conform
exactly to the dates covered by the international table. The bureau’s
figures are for the calendar year 1925. The international figures are
presumably as of October, 1925. The international figures are based
upon the retail prices of 16 articles of food. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics’ figures are based upon all the items going into the cost
of living and include some 43 articles of food, also rent, clothing, fuel,
and miscellaneous expenses; in other words, the total cost-of-living
index as carried by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the time
in question there were no increases in union wage rates in Phila
delphia and two rather serious decreases. Also the cost of the 16
articles of food carried in the international computation increased in
Philadelphia very much more than the cost of all articles of food in
the United States as a whole. On the other han d, in the United States
as a whole, trade-union wage rates increased between 1924 and 1925
jTom 128.1 per cent to 137.9 per cent over the 1913 base, and the
total cost of living increased from 70.7 per cent to 73.5 per cent over the
1913 base instead of the very large increase in food prices that occurred
in Philadelphia. In other words, the selection of Philadelphia as
typical of the United States was unfortunate in the particular year
under discussion, and was not in any way illustrative of the trend of
real wages among trade-unionists in the United States.
Having covered the points of criticism of the article in the Janu
ary issue, I come now to the figures for the iron and steel industry.
Iron and Steel Industry
ABLE 1 shows for the years 1907 to 1924 inclusive the index
numbers of average hourly earnings in three departments of the
iron and steel industry—blast furnaces, Bessemer converters, and bar
mills—in comparison with index numbers of cost of living for the
same years, and also derived figures showing the change in the pur
chasing power of such hourly earnings over the same period. In
this table only the distinctive occupations belonging to the depart
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U50]
AEE WAGE BATES K EEPIN G PACE W IT H COST OE LIVING?
3
merits above mentioned have been included. Common labor which
is or might be interchangeable among the several departments is
presented in Table 2. It should be noted that the index numbers
of cost of living given in all the tables for the years prior to 1913
are based solely on retail food prices, as data on the other items
entering into the family budget were not compiled prior to 1913.
T a b l e 1 . — C O M P A R IS O N O F C H A N G E IN H O U R L Y E A R N IN G S IN S P E C IF I E D D E P A R T
M E N T S O F T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y A N D IN C O ST O F L IV IN G , 1907 T O 1924
[1913=100]
B last furnaces
Bessemer converters
Y ear
P urchasing
power of
hourly earn
ings
Index Index
Index Index
Index Index
num num
um num
num num
Per nbers
Per
Per
bers
bers
bers
bers
bers
cent
Index
Index
cent
Index
cent
of
of
of
of
of
of
n
u
m
n
u
m
of
of
n
u
m
of
hourly cost
cost
cost
bers change hourly
bers change hourly
bers change
earn
earn
earn
of
of
of
meas
as
meas
■meas
as
as
ings living ured in com ings living ured in com ings living ured in com
living pared
living pared
living pared
cost
w ith
w ith
w ith
cost
cost
1913
1913
1913
1907_______
1908_______
1909_______
1910_______
1911_______
1912_______
1913_______
1914_______
88
85
83
87
89
92
100
101
1 9 1 5 _________
101
1917.
1919
1920_______
1922_______
1924 1______
B ar mills
Purchasing
power of
hourly earn
ings
Purchasing
power of
hourly earn
ings
156
250
283
191
254
82. 0
84.3
88.7
93. 0
92.0
97.6
100. 0
103. 0
105. 1
142. 4
188. 3
208. 5
167. 3
170. 7
107.3
100.8
93. 6
93. 5
96. 7
94.3
+ 7 .3
+ .8
- 6 .4
-6 . 5
- 3 .3
- 5 .7
100. 0
98. i
96. 1
109. 6
132. 8
135. 7
114. 2
148.8
- 1 .9
-3 . 9
+9. 6
+32. 8
+35.7
+14.2
+48.8
85
79
82
86
82
90
100
90
64
151
208
241
170
227
82.0
84.3
88. 7
93.0
92.0
97.6
100. 0
103.0
105. 1
142. 4
188. 3
208. 5
167. 3
170. 7
103. 7 + 3 .7
93. 7 - 6 .3
92.4 - 7 .6
92. 5 - 7 .5
89. 1 -1 0 .9
92. 2 - 7 .8
100. 0
87.4
89. 4
106. 0
110. 5
115. 6
101.6
133.0
-1 2 .6
-1 0 . 6
+6. 0
+10. 5
+15. 6
+1- 6
+33.0
94
84
88
95
90
90
100
96
98
(2)
214
252
173
207
82.0
84.3
88. 7
93.0
92. 0
97.6
100. 0
103.0
105. 1
114. 6
99.6
97. 0
102. 2
97. 8
92. 2
93. 2
93. 2
- 6 .8
- 6 .8
188. 3
208. 5
167. 3
170. 7
113. 6
120. 9
103. 4
121.3
+ 13. 6
+20.9
+ 3 .4
+21.3
100. 0
+14.6
-.4
- 3 .0
+ 2 .2
- 2 .2
- 7 .8
1 T he figures for 1924 for b last furnaces cover 36 p lan ts and 8,788 employees; for Bessemer converters, 11
p lants and 1,606 employees; and for b ar mills, 31 bar mills and 4,569 employees.
2 No data.
T a b l e s — C O M P A R IS O N O F C H A N G E IN H O U R L Y E A R N IN G S O F C O M M O N L A B O R E R S
IN A L L D E P A R T M E N T S O F T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y A N D IN C O ST O F
L IV IN G , 1907 TO 1924
[1913=100]
Index
num bers
of hourly
earnings
v
1907- _____ ________________ _______________________
1908_____ ________________________________________
1909________________________________...______________
1910_________ ______________________ - ______________
1911_______________________________________________
1912_______________________________________________
1913
1914-_______ ______________________________________
1915_______________________________________________
19171______________________________________________
1919_______________________________________________
1920______ ________________________________________
1922____________________ ________ __________________
1924 2_______________________________________ ____
83
81
80
87
88
89
100
100
99
164
254
280
185
230
Index
num bers
of cost of
living
82.0
84.3
88.7
93.0
92. 0
97.6
100. 0
103. 0
105. 1
142. 4
188. 3
208. 5
167. 3
170.7
Purchasing power of
hourly earnings
---------------- Index
P er cent
of change
num bers
as comm easured
in living pared w ith
cost
1913
101. 2
90. 1
90.2
93. 5
95. 7
91. 2
100. 0
97. 1
94. 2
115. 2
134.9
134. 3
110. 6
134. 7
1 Figures for 1917 do no t include laborers in puddling mills, bar mills, or tin-plate mills.
2 Figures for 1924 cover 183 p lan ts and 8,706 employees.
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[751]
+ 1 .2
-3 .9
-9 .8
-6 .5
-4 .3
-8 .8
- 2 .9
-5 .8
+15.2
+34. 9
+34.3
+10.6
+34.7
4
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Railroad Section Men
| N ADDITION to the preceding comparison of the purchasing power
* of hourly earnings by industries, compiled from original data col
lected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an attempt has been made
to apply the same methods to so-called section hands employed by the
railroads in various parts of the country. In this case the hourly
earnings have been calculated from the figures of the Interstate
Commerce Commission and the year 1915 has been used as the base
year. The reason for this change of base will be found in the fact
that in 1915 and in subsequent years the classification of section
men as carried by the Interstate Commerce Commission has been
clear cut and uniform. Prior to 1915 the classification included not
only section men in the ordinary acceptance of that term, but also
common laborers around stations and a large number of employees
who, while they could fairly be considered common laborers, should
not be classified with section men. The data for 1924 cover 259,373
section laborers employed on Class I railroads.
T able 3 —C O M P A R IS O N O F C H A N G E S IN H O U R L Y E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D S E C
T IO N M E N A N D IN C O ST O F L IV IN G , 1906 T O 1924
[1915=100]
Purchasing power of
hourly earnings
Index
num bers
of average
hourly
earnings
Y ear
1906______________ _____ ___________________________
1907______________________ ______ ____ _____________
1908____________________________________ _____ _____
1909___________ ____ _______ _________ ____ _______ _
1910_______________________________________________
1911_____________ ____ _____________________________
1912.___________ ____ _____________________________ _
1913_______ _____ _________ _____ ___________________
1914_______________________________________________
1915_____________ _____ __________________ ____ _____
1916__________________________________________ ____ _
1917._____ __________________________ _____ _________
1918___________ _________ __________________________
1919______________________ _____________ ______ ____
1920_____________ ________________ _____ ____________
1921________ _____ ________________ ____ ______ ____ _
1922......................... .....................................................................
1923.................................... ....................................................
1924....................... .................................... ..................... ............
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[752]
84
91
90
86
91
93
93
98
99
100
103
121
197
262
284
256
218
224
225
Index
num bers
of cost of
living
74.9
78.0
80.2
84.4
88. 5
87. 5
92.9
95.1
98.0
100.0
112. 6
135.5
165.9
179. 2
198.4
168.7
159. 2
162.7
162.4
Index
num bers
measured
in living
cost
112.1
116.7
112. 2
101.9
102.8
106.3
100.1
103.0
101.0
100.0
91.5
89.3
118. 7
146.2
143. 1
151. 7
136.9
137. 7
138.5
Per cent
of change
as com
pared w ith
1915
+12. 1
+16.7
+ 12.2
+ 1 .9
+ 2 .8
+ 6 .3
+ 0 .1
+ 3 .0
+ 1. 0
-8 .5
-1 0 .7
+18.7
+ 4 6 .2
+ 43.1
+ 51.7
+36.9
+37.7
+38.5
5
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
The Longshoreman and Accident Compensation
By
L in d l e y
D.
C
lark
,
of
the
U
n it e d
States B
ureau
of
L
abor
S t a t is t ic s
HE so-called maritime worker presents perhaps the most striking
combination and contrast of the ancient and the modern of
any group of workers in the western world. In fact, it is only
by reason of the unyielding tenacity of precedents that the single
term “maritime” is still applied to the whole. The basic maritime
codes (known as the Laws of Oleron and the Code of Wisby from
important trading centers of the day, and still referred to as embody
ing controlling principles of admiralty lav/), took form in the twelfth
century—a time when the present methods of marine transportation
were as inconceivable as they were remote. They necessarily applied
only to the seafaring man in his various functions and capacities, and
embodied principles of relationship between master and crew that
have lon<£ since been outgrown in every other field of employment in
civilized lands. More antiquated than the common law, yet enforc
ing certain aspects of a domestic establishment, their rules as to
redress of injuries still hold after the outgrown inequities of the
common-law liability for injuries due to negligence have been all but
superseded elsewhere by the doctrine of compensation.
Formulated to meet conditions of brief voyages and the performance
of not only the duties of navigation but those of loading, stowing and
unloading as well, whatever present applicability they have is solely
to the seagoing crew; and the extended statutory provisions enacted
by Congress in the last century amply demonstrate the entire in
adequacy of the old code. Perhaps the more urgent needs of the
seagoing maritime workers have been met by the fairly recent en
actments of 1915 and 1920; at least a measure of satisfaction appears
to be felt by the subjects of such legislation.
A distinct group of longshoremen and other dock workers, however,
has now taken over that portion of the earlier duties of the sailor
consisting of loading and unloading; the work of maintenance and
repair has also multiplied beyond the possibility of general crafts
manship, so that specialized workers are necessary in a score of trades.
Men who never leave the harbor, and who would be as useless in nav
igation as the inland farmer or blacksmith, nevertheless are de
clared to be maritime workers the moment they board a vessel to
stow goods, to repair an engine, to renew the upholstering in the
passenger cabins, or to do a hundred other things demanded by
modern ship construction. Justification for such classification of
some of these is claimed from the fact that improper stowing and
defective repair would make the vessel unseaworthy; but in numer
ous aspects of these employments there is no possible maritime
significance involved in the operation beyond the fact that the
structure in which goods are being warehoused or which is the subject
of mechanical alteration or repair is an instrument of transportation
by water. These workers live at home and are employed by cor
porations, many of which may be within the terms of local com
pensation laws as to injuries to their workmen, but the moment the
gangplank is crossed, jurisdiction changes and the antiquated and
insufficient remedies of the maritime law become applicable to the
man injured in his floating workshop.
T
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According to a statement made by the president of a longshoremen’s
association in 1921, there were then in the United States some 250,000
harbor workers, the largest single group of these being in and about
the city of New York. What fractional portion they constitute of
the compensable workmen of the State is not known, but the same
writer states that of the accidents annually reported to the New York
compensation bureau, one-tenth were to longshoremen. Another
labor official, writing at the same date, says that there were 15,000
ship repair men in New York alone. The men in all classes of such
employment are likely to be called on for work under conditions of
haste that involve serious hazard, increased by prolonged working
hours, with the added hazard of weariness and inattention.
The present article undertakes to set forth the general provisions
of the maritime law as it has developed up to the time of statutory
change, together with a brief account of the changes affecting the
seagoing worker, and, more fully, the repeated efforts, thus far futile,
on the part of the localized worker to secure a basis in law for a more
adequate indemnity for occupational injuries. If it seems to be
something of a maze, some comfort may be felt from the fact that
a court of such high standing as the New York Court of Appeals
found itself squarely reversed in decisions in which it declared its
full purpose of following principles laid down by the Supreme Court.
Authorities differ as to the form and extent of possible legislative
relief, but no one fails to recognize the complexity and difficulty
of the situation.
Nature and Scope of Maritime Law as Affecting Personal Injuries
law of admiralty embodies “ a somewhat restricted set of
principles arising out of the rules and customs of the sea” as
formulated and put into operation by the earlier admiralty courts
and their successors. Maritime law is defined by Bouvier as that
“ system of law which particularly relates to the affairs and business
of the sea, to ships, their crews and navigation, and to the marine
conveyance of persons and property.” Admiralty jurisdiction was
formerly limited to tidal waters, but in the United States, at least, it
is now applicable to navigable rivers, whether tidal or not, as well as
to the lakes on which navigation takes place, a specific enactment of
1845 (R. S., sec. 566) extending its applicability to the Great Lakes.
The Federal Constitution provides that the judicial power of the
United States shall extend “ to all cases of admiralty and maritime
jurisdiction,” assuming a common understanding of the meaning of
such language, and no statutory definition has ever undertaken to
establish absolute bounds and .limits.
The desirability of a certain measure of flexibility in regard to
rights of recovery of damages for maritime torts was indicated in
the provision found, in the Judicial Code granting to the courts of the
United States jurisdiction over “ all civil causes of admiralty and
maritime jurisdiction,” by a provision “ saving to suitors ‘in all
cases the right of a common-law remedy where the common law is
competent to give it.” (Judiciary act of 1789, R. S., sec. 563.)
And even though the doctrine be affirmed that neither the States
nor Congress can extend or narrow the limits of maritime law ( T h e
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Lottawanna (1875), 88 U. S. 558), it is nevertheless declared in the
same case that:
What the law is within those limits, assuming the general maritime law to be
the basis of the system, depends on what has been received as law in the maritime
usages of this country, and on such legislation as may have been competent to
affect it (p. 576).
Each state [i. e., nation] adopts the maritime law, not as a code having any
independent or inherent force, proprio vigore. but as its own law, with such modi
fications and qualifications as it sees fit. Thus adopted and thus qualified in
each case, it becomes the maritime law of the particular nation that adopts it.
And without such voluntary adoption it would not be law (p. 573).
It can not be supposed that the framers of the Constitution contemplated
that the law should forever remain unalterable. Congress undoubtedly has
authority under the commercial power, if no other, to introduce such changes as
are likely to be needed (p. 577).
A summary statement of the rights of recovery for personal
injuries under the admiralty law appears in a case decided by the
Supreme Court (The Osceola (1903), 189 U. S. 158, 175, 23 Sup. Ct.
483) as follows:
1. That the vessel and her owners are liable, in case a seaman falls sick, or is
wounded, in the service of the ship, to the extent of his maintenance and cure,
and to his wages, at least so long as the voyage is continued.
2. That the vessel and her owner are, both by English and American law,
liable to an indemnity for injuries received by seamen in consequence of the
unseaworthiness of the ship, or a failure to supply and keep in order the proper
appliances appurtenant to the ship.
3. That all the members of the crew, except perhaps the master, are, as between
themselves, fellow servants, and lienee seamen can not recover for injuries
sustained through the negligence of another member of the crew beyond the
expense of their maintenance and cure.
4. That the seaman is not allowed to recover an indemnity for the negligence
of the master, or any member of the crew, but is entitled to maintenance and
cure, whether the injuries were received by negligence or accident.
It may be noted that in this synopsis there is incorporated a de
parture from the continental rules in allowing a recovery for damages
beyond the expenses of maintenance and cure in cases arising from
the unseaworthiness of the vessel. Such provision is embodied in a
British statute, but grew up “ in this country, in a general consensus
of opinion among the circuit and district courts.”
As in the common law prior to statutory correction, no recovery
can be had under maritime lav/ for the death of a person. (The
Harrisburg (1886), 119 U. S. 199, 7 Sup. Ct. 140.) However, where
the death is occasioned in waters under the jurisdiction of a State
allowing recovery for fatal injuries, such statute may be availed or
in a proceeding to recover damages for the death (O’Brien v. Luckenbach S. S. Co., (C. C. A. 1923), 293 Fed. 170); but such right of
recovery is subject to the statutory limitations prescribed by the
local law, even though the limitation would not have arisen in a
strictly maritime proceeding (Western Fuel Co. v. Garcia (1921),
257 U. S. 233, 42 Sup. Ct. 89). The same rule applies with regard
to State rules on the subject of contributory negligence (O’Brien
case, supra); so that an action under the death act of New York will
be governed by the doctrine there in force that contributory negli
gence is not measured, as in admiralty, but bars any recovery if
proved (The A. IF. Thompson (1889), 39 Fed. 115).
Important changes have been established by legislation relating
only to seamen proper, so that now injuries causing death “ by
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wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond a
marine league from the shore of any State” (not applicable to the
Great Lakes or other inland waters), give rise to a right of action in
admiralty (1920, 41 Stat. 537); also the same rules of liability that
apply to railroad employees in interstate commerce now apply to
“ any seaman” (1915, 38 Stat. 1164; 1920, 41 Stat. 1007). The
constitutionality of the latter statute has been upheld, though
obviously it is a wide departure from the provisions of the maritime
law. (Panama R. R. Co. v. Johnson (1924), 264 U. S. 375, 44 Sup.
Ct. 391.) Doubtless the death statute is equally valid, though the
other statute is also available in cases of death.
Localized Employments
TTHE inclusiveness of maritime service may he indicated by the
A following quotation:
Whatever is done to operate a ship, to aid her physically in the performance
of her mission, viz, to take freight or passengers, to carry freight or passengers,
to unload freight or passengers, and to preserve her while so doing, is a maritime
service. (Robinson v. T h e C . V a n d e r b i l t (1898), 86 Fed. 785.)
This brings within the maritime law, at least while they are on
navigable waters, all those workers to which reference has been made
as resident at fixed points and in no wise engaged in the actual proc
esses of navigation. Injury due to the fault of another is classed as
a tort, as to which it is said that “ locality is the exclusive test of
admiralty.” In other words, a worker when on the dock is under one
law and when on the vessel is under another. The closeness of con
tact makes it difficult to decide the place of the injury in many cases.
It is said that “ The wrong must originate and the damage must also
consummate on the water.” {The Mary Stewart (1881), 10 Fed. 137.)
However, where a longshoreman was leaving a vessel by means of
a ladder which fell because not securely fastened to the ship’s rail,
admiralty was held to have jurisdiction even though the consumma
tion of the injury took place only on his striking the wharf {The
Strabo (1900), 98 Fed. 998, 39 C. C. A. 375), a finding that seems to
lack harmony with the rule laid down in the Mary Stewart case, and
also with a finding that a repair man injured by a fall from a ladder
removed from a cleat on the wharf by the action of the master of the
vessel was not under admiralty. {The H. S. Pickands (1890), 42
Fed. 239.) Indeed, when the cases are all brought together one is
fully prepared to subscribe to the statement made by the Supreme
Court, to the effect that “ the precise scope of admiralty jurisdiction
is not a matter of ‘obvious principle or of very accurate history.’ ”
(Atlantic Transport Co.v. Imbrovek (1914), 234 U. S. 52, 34 U. S. 733.)
I t is perhaps this fundamental uncertainty that has made the
status of such localized maritime workers as are affected thereby a
matter of active consideration by Congress. Two attempts have
been made, one in 1917 (40 Stat. 395), and one in 1922 (42 Stat. 634),
undertaking to give effect to local legislation of the compensation
type. The earlier amendment undertook to save to suitors not only
the “ common-law remedy where the common law is competent to
give it,” but also to secure “ to claimants for compensation for inju
ries * * * their rights and remedies under the workmen’s
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compensation law of any State.” This amendment was held to be
invalid, in that it conferred upon the States power to enact legisla
tion governing a subject over which they had no control under the
Federal Constitution. (Knickerbocker Ice Co. v. Stewart (1920),
253 U. S. 149, 40 Sup. Ct. 438.) The effect of the varying State laws
would be such as to disturb the uniformity contemplated by the
retention of justice within the jurisdiction power of the United States.
The definite object of the grant was to commit direct control to the Federal
Government to relieve maritime commerce from unnecessary burdens and dis
advantages incident to discordant legislation; and to establish, so far as practi
cable, harmonious and uniform rules applicable throughout every part of the
Union.
The subject was intrusted to it to be dealt with according to its discretion—
not for delegation to others. To say that because Congress could have enacted
a compensation act applicable to maritime injuries, it could authorize the States
to do so as they might desire, is false reasoning. Moreover, such an authoriza
tion would inevitably destroy the harmony and uniformity which the Constitu
tion not only contemplated but actually established—it would defeat the very
purpose of the grant.
The second amendment noted above further undertook to dis
tinguish between maritime workers who are essentially such (as sea
men) and those who have mixed duties, by making the right to claim
compensation applicable to “ persons other than the master or mem
bers of a crew of a vessel.” This amendment was permitted to enjoy
but a brief period of existence, the Supreme Court holding that the
principles necessitating the decision made in the Knickerbocker case
were applicable, despite the attempt to differentiate between local
and seafaring workers. Cases were before the court from the Su
preme Courts of Washington and California, both of which regarded
the amendment of the Judicial Code as invalid, the employments
sought to be affected being actually maritime and not capable of
subjugation to the particular laws of the different States. The
Supreme Court held that “ the exception of master and crew is wholly
insufficient to meet the objections to such enactments heretofore often
pointed out.” The varying provisions of the State compensation
laws, if permitted to operate, “ would bring about an unfortunate
condition wholly outside the legislative intent.” (Washington v.
Dawson & Co. (1924), 264 U. S. 219, 44 Sup. Ct, 302.)
While persisting in its rejection of anything savoring of delegated
legislation, the court here affirmed specifically the power of Congress
to act, saying:
Without doubt Congress has power to alter, amend or revise the maritime
law by statutes of general application embodying its will and judgment. This
power, we think, would permit enactment of a general employers’ liability law
or general provisions for compensating injured employees; but it may not be
delegated to the several States (p. 227).
With this pronouncement of the invalidity of the two legislative
attempts by Congress, the matter stands as at the beginning of the
movement. However, the plain and specific declaration quoted
above may be construed almost as a challenge to Congress to take
the matter thoroughly into consideration and to enact a uniform law
of such scope and effect as may seem to it appropriate. Inasmuch
as the legislation with regard to seamen proper is of quite recent
enactment, and. still more recent interpretation, its actual effect can
hardly be appraised. Such information as is at hand indicates a
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desire at least to test it further before seeking any change. On the
other hand, the longshoremen have indicated a desire for legislation,
of which the attempted amendments to the Judicial Code may he
regarded as in large measure a fruit, bills for a Federal compensation
system having been introduced in the present Congress.
The entire movement for such legislation may be said to have
originated with the adoption of workmen’s compensation laws in
the important maritime States. When the New York, California,
and other commissions administering the compensation laws of their
respective States were called upon to consider the claims of local
workers of the classes indicated, awards were freely made on the
assumption that, as local workers engaged in undertakings that did
not remove them from the local jurisdiction, and becoming, in case
of accident, a potential charge on the community, the same reasons
that existed for charging other local employers with the results of
industrial accidents applied to employers of these workers. This
continued until the constitutionality of such a proceeding was
challenged, the question reaching the Supreme Court in the case,
Southern Pacific Co. v. Jensen, decided May 21, 1917 (244 U. S.
205, 37 Sup. Ct. 524). The person on whose account the claim was
brought in this case was a longshoreman engaged in unloading a
vessel with a small electric freight truck. He was killed while on
the boat, and for this reason admiralty jurisdiction was held to be
exclusive. The application of the workmen’s compensation act
was said to “ conflict with the general maritime law, which con
stitutes an integral part of the Federal law.” It was to remedy
this announced conflict that the amendments to the Judicial Code
were undertaken, with the results already indicated. There were
vigorous dissents in this case, the decision being by vote of five to
four. However, such is the law as it stands, the decisions in the
Knickerbocker and Dawson cases citing the Jensen case as a prec
edent for their conclusions.
The effects of the compensation laws are not entirely dissipated,
however, as cases have arisen repeatedly involving the application
of such laws to workers of the classes named when not within ad
miralty jurisdiction. In other words, the conflict is not now between
the common law and admiralty as to the boundaries between them,
but between admiralty and the compensation system, and the
efforts to draw the lines of division between the two fields have
resulted in a series of decisions hardly less enlightening than under
the older rules. A notable illustration is the case of the New York
Industrial Commission v. The Nordenholt Corn. (1922), 259 II. S.
263, 42 Sup. Ct. 473. Here the Industrial Commission of New
York had granted compensation to a longshoreman injured on a dock.
The appellate division of the supreme court reversed the award on
the authority of prior decisions by the court of appeals of the State,
citing Keator v. Dock Plaster Mfg. Co. (1918), 224 N. Y. 540, 120
N. E. 56, and Anderson v. Johnson Lighterage (1918), 224 N. Y.
539, 120 N. E. 55, which in turn were based on Doey v. Howland Co.
(1918), 224 N. Y. 30, 120 N. E. 53. In both the Keator and the
Anderson cases the employees suffered injuries on land while helping
to unload a vessel lying in navigable waters. In the Doey case
the injured man fell down a hatchway while making repairs on an
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T H E LONGSHOREMAN AND ACCIDENT COMPENSATION
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ocean-going vessel lying at the dock in navigable waters. An award
in this last-named case was set aside on the basis of the maritime
nature of the contract, the commission being without jurisdiction
under the doctrine of the Supreme Court in the case, Southern
Pacific Co. v. Jensen; while in the Keator and Anderson cases it
was said that the contract was maritime, thus giving character to
the employment, so that locality was not controlling, and for reasons
stated in the Doey case there was no jurisdiction in the industrial
commission to make an award. Somewhat later (Newham v. Chile
Exploration Co. (1921), 232 N. Y. 37, 133 N. E. 120) an award in
behalf of a worker injured on the dock while taking freight was set
aside on the authority of the cases already named, the court of appeals
of New York saying “ This is the deduction which we have made
from the cases of Southern Pacific Co. v. Jensen and Knickerbocker
Ice Co. v. Stewart.”
Here it is obvious that there was a continued difference of opinion
between the State industrial commission, which repeatedly assumed
jurisdiction of cases of injury occurring on the dock (and in the Doey
case while on board a vessel), and the court of appeals*, which had
sustained the earlier award in the Jensen case, and which felt itself
bound to follow out what it assumed to be the rule laid down, by
the Supreme Court. But when the Nordenhoit case came before
the Supreme Court it stated in so many words that, “ The court
below has made deductions from [the Jensen and other cases named]
which we think are unwarranted, and has proceeded upon an erron
eous view of the Federal law.” Various cases were then reviewed
in an attempt to clarify the situation, it being pointed out that work
men on the land are without the maritime rule, “ and the local law has
always been applied.” The judgment below was therefore reversed
and the case remanded, with emphasis upon the maritime nature of
the employment of Jensen injured on the vessel and the local nature
of the injury to the workman in the instant case killed on the dock,
the court insisting again that “ locality is the exclusive test of admi
ralty jurisdiction in matters of tort.”
Despite the explicitness with which the assertion was made that
“ locality is the exclusive test of admiralty jurisdiction in matters
of tort,” the courts seem at times to take in connection therewith
some account of the nature of the contract. Thus in the opinion
in the Jensen case the court said, “ His employment was a maritime
contract; the injuries which he received were likewise maritime,”
thus clearly coupling the nature of the contract with the nature of
the injury. The suggestion has been made that in addition to the
question of place it must also be shown that there is a maritime rela
tion between the parties—a proposition that would seem to derive
some support from the above quotation. Still more definitely in
line with this proposition is the ruling in a case decided by the
Supreme Court (Grant Smith-Porter Ship Co. v. Rohde (1922), 257
U. S. 469, 42 Sup. Ct. 157), in which the injured man was a ship’s
carpenter engaged in the construction of a new vessel. The vessel
had been so far completed as to be launched and was lying in navi
gable waters of the United States within the State boundaries of
Oregon. Employer and employee had accepted the provisions of the
State compensation law, but the injured man brought a proceeding
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in admiralty to recover damages. The question of jurisdiction
was certified to the Supreme Court, which found the contract for
construction to be nonmaritime; nor were the activities of the injured
workman in " any direct relation to navigation or commerce.” The
parties had accepted the terms of the State law, and were proceeding
thereunder, so that it could not " properly be said that they conscious
ly contracted with each other in contemplation of the general system
of maritime law.” In other words, since the contract was not
maritime, the injury was not essentially maritime. The conse
quent rights and liabilities permitted the operation of a local rule
which '‘would not necessarily work material prejudice to any char
acteristic feature of the general maritime law.” The assertion
was made that the general doctrine that jurisdiction in contract
matters depends on the transaction, and in tort matters on the
locality, "must now be treated as settled.” It was also said that
"There sometimes is difficulty in distinguishing between matters
going to the jurisdiction and those determining the merits,” citing
The Ira M. Hedges (1910), 218 U. S. 264, 31 Sup. Ct. 17. The
difficulty in this case was solved in favor of the local law, despite
the absolute maritime nature of the locality, the court saying that,
although "the general admiralty jurisdiction extends to a pro
ceeding to recover damages resulting from tort committed on a
vessel in process of construction when lying on navigable waters
within a State * * * in the circumstances stated the exclusive
features of the State law would apply and abrogate” the otherwise
existing right in admiralty.
In support of the opinion in the Rohde case, citation was made of
the decision in the case, Western Fuel Co. v. Garcia, supra, in which
suit for damages was brought on account of the death by accident of
a stevedore in a vessel lying in San Francisco Bay. Action under the
California act was held proper, the subject being "maritime and local
in character” ; and the statute, "following the common law, will not
work material prejudice of the characteristic features of the general
maritime law,” nor interfere with its uniformity. Here both place
and the nature of the contract were distinctly maritime. That the
nature of the contract was determinative was directly held by the
Industrial Commission of Minnesota in a case involving a bridge
worker in the Mississippi River, using a working barge as the place
of his operations, the commission citing the Rohde case as its prece
dent. (Garrity v. Guthrie & Co., Work. Comp. Dec.., Vol. HI,
p. 187.)
The Supreme Court decisions above cited, together with others,
were brought together in the opinion in the Nordenholt case, with the
obvious purpose of showing their congruity with each other and with
the fundamental law. It seems clear, however, that the situation is
hardly less accurately determined than in the days of the Strabo and
Pickands decisions of some decades ago. Indeed, the Strabo case was
quite recently cited in Egan v. Morse Dry Dock & Repair Co.
(1925), 212 N. Y. Supp. 56, in which the Appellate Division of the
Supreme Court of New York had before it a case brought in admiralty
in which a repair worker was attempting to return to the ship after
performing an errand under instructions from his foreman. A ladder,
one end resting upon the dock and the other on the rail of the ship,
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slipped while the workman was ascending it, and he fell and struck the
dock. The case was said to he within the compensation law of the
State rather than under admiralty, the court distinguishing it from
the circumstances in the Strabo case, where, “ the accident com
mencing upon the ship, the known injurious consequences were suf
fered by the fall upon the land.” In the instant case, however, the
injury did not commence on the ship, but commenced and was con
summated on the land. Reference was made also to The Atna (1924),
297 Fed. 673, 675, a case which was said to be “ truly a border-line
case, and, in so far as applicable to its controlling features, it is
difficult to harmonize upon principle” all the cases previously cited
in the opinion, noting especially the Strabo and PicJcands cases. Here
a stevedore leaving the vessel' fell into the water with a portion of
the exit ladder, which broke beneath the weight of the workman
using it. In the fall the ladder struck some object, causing an
impact injuring the workman. The case was said to be maritime,
since such was the status of the injured man while on the ship, and
the change in jurisdiction not taking place “ before he is entirely
free from the ship and has safely reached the shore.”
Without multiplying instances, which could hardly show more
fully the need of a clarification of the existing situation, reference
may be made to a few points of application of the compensation
laws in certain other aspects of the question. Thus, in State ex rel.
Cleveland Engineering Construction Co. v. Duffy (1925), — Ohio
St. —, 148 N. E. 572, the ¡Supreme Court of Ohio had before it an
application of an employing firm to procure the acceptance by the
industrial commission of premiums from it. It was a large corpora
tion employing men in varied classes of work, some on floating der
ricks and floating dredges or floating pile drivers, others employed in
hauling stone, piles, and fuel, or engaged in diving, blasting, and
other activities, besides mechanics engaged in repair work, tug men
operating steam tugs, and stevedores employed in the handling of
materials on the various agencies used by the corporation. The
employees in the various classifications vrere said to “ desire to accept
compensation under the workmen’s compensation law of Ohio, in
lieu of and in preference to their rights under the maritime law in all
cases of injury or loss of life while engaged in said employments.”
It is clear that the employment was not commercial in any aspect,
the business of the organization being the construction and mainte
nance of docks, breakwaters, jetties, and the like, filling or deepening
channels, installing pipe, digging trenches, dredging foundations,
and similar work. However, as much of it was performed on “'float
ing vessels on navigable waters,” at least a part of the employments
were maritime, and the commission declined to accept jurisdiction
on the ground of the construction given the State compensation
laws and the Judicial Code by the Supreme Court of the United States.
The supreme court recognized the validity of the application of the
doctrines in the Jensen and other cases to certain occupations, but
also recognized the impossibility of an advance determination of the
amounts of premiums due the State fund for workmen engaged in
occupations falling within the terms of the State law as distinguished
from the maritime activities. However, it assumed the possibility'
of distinguishing between strictly maritime occupations and those
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
engaged in by the employer in the present instance, “ for the reason
it does not appear by the allegations of the petition that a single one
of plaintiff’s employees will ever come in contact with a vessel
engaged in commerce, foreign or domestic, intrastate or interstate,
or with navigation in its generally accepted meaning.’’
Following the above decision, which required the industrial com
mission to answer to the contentions of the engineering company,
the case was brought up on its merits, the commission conceding its
willingness to receive premiums based on the wages of the men
engaged in nonmaritime activities, but denying its jurisdiction in
the case of maritime employments. The court found it impossible
to declare, upon the record in the case, that some of the employments
might not be at some time “ purely maritime in character and na
ture,” so that they would fall within the jurisdiction of maritime law.
Since the commission had expressed its readiness to accept premiums
on the basis of a recognized division of labor, the mandamus asked
by the engineering company to compel the acceptance of premiums
was held to be unnecessary.
The point was urged in this case that there was nothing in the
conduct of the company’s business that shows the distinctive features
of maritime activities, leading the company to urge vigorously the
doctrine of the Rohde case in regard to local conditions which “ can
not materially affect any rules of the sea whose uniformity is essen
tial” ; and the lawman’s reaction to such a contention would seem
naturally to be in its favor. Such a position would derive a measure
of support from a decision of the Court of Appeals of New York
(Brassel v. Electric Yielding Co. (1924), 239 N. Y. 78, 145 N. E. 745),
in which a repair man working on a vessel in a dry dock suffered
injuries for which he procured, on his own application, an award of
compensation from the State industrial board. Subsequently the
injured man sued to recover damages in admiralty, and the trial
judge held that the State board was without jurisdiction because the
injury was suffered on navigable waters. The court of appeals
reversed this finding, not only on the ground that the employee had
effected an accord and satisfaction by accepting the award, but also
because he had by his own act taken advantage of a law which, by
its terms, was to be “ exclusive and in place of any other liability
whatsoever.” It was an estoppel against pursuing any other remedy,
at least unless he should disaffirm his right to an award and tender
back the amount already received. The court did not go so far as
to decide what might have happened if the employee had been acting
under a mistake; nor did it decide the question as to “ whether the
award has the effect of a binding adjudication.” However, the
practical result of the decision was to the effect that there had been
an election of a remedy in a case of actual maritime tort, and that
recovery thereunder prima facie deprived the beneficiary of pursuing
any other remedy.
In the foregoing case the court, without deciding, entertained an
assumption to the effect that the award by the industrial board was
void and, “ at least while unpaid, it might have been set aside or
disregarded.” However, as appears, accepting the award was held
a bar to other proceedings. The Supreme Court of Oregon went
farther in a number of cases before it involving the same principle.
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In this State, compensation payments are made from a State fund,
and the industrial commission had awarded benefits in a variety of
cases within or bordering upon the admiralty field, The occupations
included shipbuilding work after launching, ferry operation on
navigable waters, stevedoring work on board a seagoing vessel, the
operation of a motor boat on navigable waters, and freight trans
portation including the operation of a steamboat. The court found,
that “ in all of these cases the injuries were the result of accident, and
no questions of maritime tort were involved.” It may be remarked
in this connection that the conclusion is probably not warranted that
there was no negligence, but inasmuch as compensation is due merely
in case of accident, no necessity for pleading negligence existed. The
subject presumably was simply passed over as not being in issue.
Be that as it may, the court found that employer and employee were
in each case working and operating under the provisions of the State
compensation act. The Jensen and Knickerbocker decisions were
analyzed, as well as others in the field, but the court could not
discover “ any possible contingency under which application of a
compensation law [to the cases in hand] might prejudicially interfere
with the application of any of the rules of maritime law.” 1 Since “ it
is not the policy of a law, international or otherwise, to pull parties
into court by the hair when they have agreed between themselves
upon a method of keeping out,” a mandate was authorized directing
the trustee of the fund to make the payments in accordance with the
awards of the industrial commission. (West v. Kozer (1922), 104
Oreg. 94, 206 Pac. 542.)
The point in issue was also involved in a case before the Court of
Appeals of Kentucky (Lee v. Licking Valley Coal Digger Co. (1925),
— Ky. — 273 S. W. 542). Here an employer and an employee were,
by agreement, operating under the State compensation act, and on
presentation of a claim of the widow a death benefit for the loss
of her husband was allowed under the act. The employer resisted'
the award, and it was set aside by the courts as being outside the
jurisdiction of the compensation board on account of the maritime
nature of the employment. The workman was unloading coal barges
on the Ohio River, and in passing from one to the other fell into the
river and was drowned. Numerous decisions were cited to the effect
that “ such causes appertain to admiralty alone. The parties could
not therefore by agreement confer jurisdiction upon a board of com
pensation by accepting the terms, in writing, of the compensation
law.” The Industrial Commission of Virginia took a like view with
regard to a general worker on a dredge in the Potomac River, holding
him to be a member of the crew of a vessel, and a maritime worker.
(Harris v. Arundel Corp., Op. Ind. Com., Vol. V, p. 917.)
Although the foregoing cases are opposed to the idea of a voluntary
substitution of the principle of compensation for the maritime lav/,
the Supreme Court, in line with its decision on the Rohde case, quite
recently (February 1 , 1926) affirmed an award of the Industrial
Accident Board of Texas which involves definite aspects of effective
agreement. (Millers’ Indemnity Underwriters v. Brand, 46 Sup.
Ct. 194.) In this case a workman lost his life while diving from a
floating barge anchored in. navigable waters, his purpose being to
clear a channel of an obstruction to navigation. His dependent
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M ONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
sister procured an award under the terms of the compensation act,
which provided that persons operating under it would be liable to
no other action for damages than the benefits prescribed by the act.
Citing the Rohde case, the Supreme Court found that while “ the
record discloses facts sufficient to show a maritime tort to which the
admiralty jurisdiction would extend,” the provisions of the State
compensation act intervene, in a matter which was “ of mere local
concern and its regulation by the State will work no material preju
dice to any characteristic feature of the general maritime law.”
Under the circumstances it was ruled that “ the act prescribes the
only remedy; its exclusive features abrogate the right to resort to
the admiralty court winch otherwise would exist”—a conclusion
that seems strongly to point to at least a limited privilege of election.
The attorney general of the State of New York in 1921 discussed
the question of the status of employees on the State canals. There
was in his mind “ no doubt that the State canals are navigable water
ways and are under admiralty jurisdiction as to maritime accidents.”
Employees engaged in the running of the boats and tugs and loading
or unloading of freight upon the boats would be considered as under
maritime employment, and as to them “ there could be no compen
sation awarded by the State industrial board if the question of admi
ralty is raised.” If the board should undertake to decide without
raising the admiralty question, such procedure might be possible,
this being “ really a question of policy” ; but if the question was
raised no award would be sustained in the courts. (N. Y. Dept, of
Labor, Spec. Bui. No. 118, p. 217.) Subsequently, the legislature of
the State amended the compensation law so as to bring all employees
of the State within the coverage of that law, which includes all State
employees operating canal boats or otherwise working upon or about
the canals, which are owned by the State. As the State insures all
its employees in the State fund, and it is the policy of the fund not to
contest the jurisdiction of the State department of labor in making
awards,2 it follows that there is a tacit abrogation of the maritime
law in behalf of the workmen, and a substitution of the rule of com
pensation in lieu thereof.
The industrial board of the State has also formulated a rule apply
ing to employers “ any of whose employees are engaged in a maritime
employment or in maritime territory,” providing for a presumed
acceptance of the State compensation act, in the absence of written
notice to the contrary. In a case in which the employer defended by
claiming such acceptance the_ court said that, “ while this question
of waiver has never been adjudicated,” in the absence of positive
election, there clearly could be no waiver created by silence or impli
cation; since neither the State could legislate nor a board promulgate
rules so as to oust the jurisdiction of Federal law in a field in which
it was controlling. (Argentine v. F. Jarka Co. (1925), 214 N. Y.
Supp. 218; citing Erie R. Co. v. Winfield (1917), 244 U. S. 170, 173,
174, 37 Sup. Ct, 556, 557.)
Any attempt to appraise the significance of the foregoing group
of decisions is hazardous, but certain points may be noted. The
Supreme Court of Oregon is apparently more inclined to take advan2 L etter of dep artm en t, M ar 18. 1926.
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fcage of the margin of free action suggested by the recurrent language,
local concern and not necessarily working material prejudice
to the characteristic features of the general maritime law,” and
doubtless finds support from the Supreme Court ruling in the Brand
case; while the Neve York Court of Appeals will not force the undoing
of an arrangement of similar nature," and its attorney general rather
encourages a quiet adjustment under compensation law where the
contacts are not disturbing, an attitude that is indorsed by the action
of the legislature and State fund, as noted. The Kentucky Court of
Appeals, oiq the other hand, and the Ohio Industrial Commission are
severely rigid in their attitude toward compromise. Too much un
certainty obviously attends any such process of amendment by ju
dicial construction to warrant dependence thereon to secure the
desired ends of a statute of repose/’ to “ put an end to litigation
and strife,” such as the situation seems to demand.
“ of
Summary
1 "'Hhl power of Congress to deal freely with maritime workers,
whether on ocean-going vessels or stationed at ports and har
bors, seems to be fully established. Likewise evident is the tendency
to recognize the ocean-going seamen as belonging in a separate class
from the localized workers as, for instance, in the act of 1920 (41
Stat. 537) relating to injuries occurring ‘‘on the high seas beyond a
marine league from the shore of any State.” The status and classi
fication of such workers is relatively simple, as compared with the
wide range of crafts and variety of employments represented by those
classed as harbor workers. The question of jurisdiction as to the
seamen proper is clear; while as to the other group, there is a constant
fluctuation and abiding uncertainty due to the application of the
rule of locality, modified by considerations of limited local effect
ana the probability of working “ material prejudice to the characteris
tic features of the general maritime law.” What facts or conditions
would properly be thus characterized is undetermined and indeter
minate. From the Jensen case one would conclude that stevedoring
at, least was not such an incident, in so far as work on board a vessel
is concerned; but with the permitted operation of local laws in fields
of recognized maritime jurisdiction in a variety of cases, the process
of judicial demarcation has been slow and remains incomplete and
comusing. I he fact that admiralty has never assumed jurisdiction
over longshoremen while on the dock (Nordenliolt case) indicates
definitely that, so far as the courts are concerned, the work of loading
and unloading vessels will continue to be a divided process as regards
work on and off the vessel, unless legislation intervenes.
^ The obvious purpose of the attempted amendments to the Judicial
Code was to make it possible for injured workers to avail themselves
of die local laws, whether oil or on the vessels. This being declared
impracticable, the only inclusive method remaining is for Congress
to assume jurisdiction over the entire subject, either as elements in
the performance of maritime contracts or by virtue of its power
under the commerce clausa of the Constitution. As pointed out
in the L o tta w a n n a case (supra), Congress has authority “ under the
commercial power if no other,” to make necessary changes in the
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M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
maritime law. Admiralty jurisdiction embraces not only those
eases that depend upon locality for jurisdiction, but also those which
depend upon the nature of the contract. A maritime contract is
enforceable in admiralty, and no State statute can defeat such right.
(Union Fish Co. v. Erickson (1919), 248 U. S. 308, 312, 313, 39
Sup. Ct. 112.) The power of regulation of commerce is complete,
and extends to the instruments and agencies by which such commerce
is carried on. (Second Employers’ Liability Cases (1912), 223 U. S.
1, 47, 32 Sup. Ct. 169.) If the work engaged in is actually the carry
ing on of interstate or foreign commerce, or is so closely connected
therewith as to be part of that commerce, including the work of
maintenance and repair, it is within the Federal jurisdiction. (Peder
sen v. D. L. & W. R. Co. (1913), 229 U. S. 146, 152, 33 Sup. Ct. 648.)
It seems derivable from the foregoing citations of opinions that it
is within the power of Congress to legislate for stevedores, longshore
men, repair men, carpenters, riggers, calkers, painters, etc., employed
in or about whatever is done to aid a ship physically in the perform
ance of her mission, i. e., loading and unloading and her preservation
and maintenance as an operative factor in commerce. (Robinson v.
The C. Vanderbilt, supra.)
Physical Examinations in Industry
By
F
rank
trial
P
L.
R
ector,
h y sic ia n s
M. D.,
and
S
Secretary
urgeons,
and
of
E
A
m e r ic a n
A
T
he
ditor
of
sso c ia t io n
N
a t i o n ’s
of
H
I
n d u s
ealth
r P H E physical examination in industry is but one aspect of the
larger subject of physical examinations of the general popula
tion, although the object in view is more directly related to a
specific activity. In general, such examinations are carried out for
the sole purpose of fitting the worker to his employment with the
least danger to his physical or mental health. It may be true that
in years gone by, before the modern conception of the relation of
medicine to industry took form, the medical department and physicalexamination procedures were prostituted to unworthy motives in that
they were used at times to eliminate undesirable workers from an
organization. This was because some employers did not have suffi
cient courage to state their true reason for discharging a worker and
because the physician who would lend himself to such procedures was
of a servile and ignominious type who would fail in honest medical
practice.
But those days have passed and. the motives behind the practice of
physically examining workers and applicants for employment to-day
are such that they are of equal benefit to the worker and the employer.
Physicians engaged in this work are often among the most prominent
in the community, and are well-trained and capable men.
The enactment of workmen’s compensation laws threw upon the
employer the entire responsibility for the care of workers injured while
in his employ, and in order to protect himself and to see that potential
injury cases were safeguarded as far as possible physical examinations
were introduced. Through physical examinations, workers are not
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denied, employment but are selected on the basis of their ability to do
the work for which they apply.
The guiding principle in the application of physical findings has
been epitomized by the Conference Board of Physicians in Industry
in the declaration that, providing there are positions to be filled in the
organization, no one should be denied employment for physical rea
sons unless if employed he would become a danger to himself, tp others,
or to property. To the application of this principle of physical exami
nations, no one, be he employer or employee, can take honest excep
tion. The worker who, for reasons of disability such as contagious
disease, tuberculosis, etc., should not be employed in a given industry,
certainly can not object to his lack of acceptance for employment. If
such an individual should be employed, not only would lie aggravate
his existing condition but his fellow workmen might become infected
as well; and, further, if such an individual were suffering from epi
lepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure, or similar conditions in
which he was subject to fainting or irrational seizures, he would not
only be a danger to himself by physical injury due to falls into machin
ery, but would also endanger the safety of his fellow workmen and
possibly endanger property in the form of machinery or equipment
which he was supervising at the time his disability took an acute form.
Also, if an individual were affected with some mental abnormality
which at times made him difficult to manage, the refusal of employ
ment would be justified.
That such cases as those just described are few is seen from the
experience of those industries which have employed phvsical-examination procedures for many years, In the average industry, probably
not over 2 per cent of the rejections are traceable to the results of
physical examinations. In some selected cases of slight defects in
vision or hearing or cases where marked dexterity or mental alertness
is required, the rejection rate would run higher. In a recent study of
industrial medical practices made by the writer for the National
Industrial Conference Board, 20 of 255 plants reported that they
rejected no worker for physical reasons. These were obviously large
concerns with many varieties of jobs for workers of different capacities.
The State frequently contributes to the rejection rate for workers
by workmen’s compensation decisions which hold employers respon
sible for disabilities or aggravation of existing disabilities for which
they are not to blame. As long as this continues, certain workmen
will be unemployed through no fault of their own or of the employer.
The question is sometimes asked, What is to become of those
rejected for employment on account of their physical condition? If
the principle laid down by the Conference Board of Physicians is
adhered to, there will be very few unemployable workers. The prob
lem of their care becomes one of family responsibility or, if this is
inadequate, one of community responsibility. As the principle of
physical examinations is accepted more and more, there will be Fewer
derelicts in the industrial world, the number of the families now
dependent in whole or in part upon organized charity for assistance
will be much reduced, and the care of those in the unemployable class
will add little, if any, to the burden now being borne in the care of
those partially dependent. The care of the unemployable is a com-
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
munity problem, not an industrial problem, just as is the care of the
blind, the insane, the feeble-minded, and other unfortunates.
In practically every industry there are positions which can be filled
by those who are partially disabled. Even totally blind workers are
employed in certain industries, and there are many positions where
the loss of one eye, a hand, or a foot, or partial deafness would be no
bar to efficient employment. Here, however, industry meets with
the problem of its responsibility under the various workmen’s com
pensation acts for injuries sustained, and, in the case of injuries to
employees already partially disabled, the danger of permanent total
disability is much greater than in the case of similar injuries to normal
individuals. Until the compensation laws and procedures are changed
to relieve the employer of the whole responsibility for permanent and
total disability of such cases, it will be difficult to find proper employ
ment for them. But where such defective persons have been placed in
remunerative employment as a result of physical examinations, they
have been changed from street-corner soap-box orators and potential
radicals into contented and self-respecting members of the community.
When a defective worker has been placed in remunerative employ
ment he is usually more appreciative oi his work than is a sound
worker. His work is usually of a high quality and his output meas
ures up favorably with that of others. It has been the experience in
certain cases that during times of depression, when reduced working
forces were necessary, defective workers were retained while physically sound employees were laid off, the choice being made on quality
and quantity of output alone.
An argument sometimes heard against physical examinations is
that, as they are made by the company physician, the information
disclosed is "always held against workers for purposes of discipline.
In this connection it should be said that the findings of examinations
are in the vast majority of cases held strictly confidential by the
physician making the examination, and the employer knows only in
general terms whether the one examined is fitted to do the work for
which he applied. The examination findings should always be kept
as confidential between the worker and the physician as would be the
case if the worker were examined by the physician in his own private
office. There is an opportunity, however, in the analysis of mass
figures of physical examinations, in which individuals are in no way
identified, to throw considerable light upon the question of the physi
cal status of certain groups of members of a given community. In
other words, the examination of industrial workers furnishes a cross
section of the physical condition of a given group of people, and, next
to the statistics collected by life insurance companies, offers one of
the best sources of public health statistics of this kind.
As stated earlier m tins paper, the physical findings should never
be used for purposes of discipline, and no physician worthy of the
name would to-day consider lending himself to such purposes. Rejec
tion for employment and discharge from employment should rest with
the employment office or the plant superintendent or other executive,
never with the medical department. The prostitution of the medical
department to such purposes will effectually destroy its usefulness
for any purpose, and confidence once shaken can not easily be
restored.
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21
The advantages which industry may derive from physical examina
tions are a healthier working force, greater freedom from injury and
illness, reduced compensation expenses, less labor turnover, and
greater efficiency. The advantages which the one examined derives
are of much, greater importance as they affect not only himself but
his dependents and indirectly the community in which he lives.
It has been shown over and over again that the first indication a
worker had of disability was when he underwent a physical examina
tion for employment. Cases of unsuspected heart disease, tuber
culosis, kidney disease, eye disabilities, and similar conditions have
been found times without number, and through the free advice and
cooperation of the examining physician corrective treatment has
been instituted and what would soon have developed into a per
manent disability has been corrected and the danger obviated.
Men have been saved months and even years of suffering and misery
by learning from the examining physician just what to do with their
disabilities. A timely minor operation, a change in habit of living,
a change in diet and exercise, and similar matters have brought
about a return to full health and efficiency; whereas, if the employee
had continued without medical supervision and particularly without
the physical examination, he would sooner or later have been forced
to relinquish his employment and have become a charge upon his
family or the community.
That physical examinations pay has been demonstrated in many
instances by a reduction in accidents among workers who have
undergone such examinations as compared with groups of workers
who have not been examined. While the differences are not great,
they are sufficiently important to merit the earnest consideration
of all workers. In two investigations made approximately five years
apart, it was found that in the first investigation, covering over 200
plants, workers in 98 plants with physical examinations sustained an
average of 1.56 injuries per worker per year as compared with 1.92
injuries per worker per year for workers in 105 plants without exam
inations; and similar figures for the later investigation among more
than 400 plants were 1.66 injuries per worker per year in 217 plants
with physical examinations as contrasted with 1.72 injuries per year
in 225 plants without.
The time consumed in making the physical examination will
depend both, upon the skill of the examining physician and upon the
type of employment the worker is seeking. It is the experience in
industry that from 5 to 15 minutes is usually occupied in each exam
ination. This, of course, is insufficient to give a thorough examina
tion, but it should be borne in mind that certain types of disability
have no bearing whatever upon a worker’s capacity to do the work
for which he is being hired and, therefore, need little or no considera
tion at such a time. As compared with the thorough physical
examination by a private practitioner, it may be said that in the case
of the worker we are dealing with a person who is well or thinks he
is well and who is being examined for an estimation of his fitness
for doing a particular type of work, while, on the other hand, the
individual who receives an examination by his private physician is
frequently either ill or thinks he is ill and asks as complete an exam
ination as that physician’s ability permits. By this contrast, the
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
impression should not, be created that industrial physical examinations
are in any way superficial, for long practice in this work enables the
physician by his fairly rapid survey to weed out those cases demand
ing further detailed examination, such cases being subjected to a
more searching examination as soon as opportunity offers.
It has been frequently said that labor unions and similar organiza
tions are opposed to the principle of physical examinations for em
ployment. While at one time there may have been grounds for this
opposition, the development of high-class medical work in industry
has eliminated such practices as complained of and there is seldom
objection on the part of anyone at this time to the physical-examina
tion practice. From some experience with physical examination
of workers and in dealing with labor unions I would say that this
reported opposition is more fancied than real. When the matter
has been explained to individual workmen and union leaders, it has
been an easy matter to convince them of the desirability of the
physical-examination practice and their consent has been obtained.
In 250 plants employing over 800,000 workers there are practically
no objections. Physicians in industry report that when an examina
tion alone stands between a man and a job, he usually waives any
objections he may have to the procedure.
There are, in general, two classes of individuals who object to
physical examinations: One, workmen who are diseased or defective
and want to hide it, knowing that if their real condition becomes
known they may be denied employment either temporarily or per
manently, and the other that group whose members are so constituted
mentally that they are opposed to any procedure outside the ordinary
daily routine of their lives. They are the chronic kickers found in
all classes of society. Industry is fortunate in getting rid of both
classes, which, in the aggregate, form a negligible percentage of workers.
That physical examinations in industry are proving their worth
is seen from a survey recently made of some 500 plants in approxi
mately 50 per cent of which physical examinations were in use. Of
this number only 10 had discontinued the practice. Among the
reasons given were change of management, scarcity of labor, war
conditions, reduction of working forces, and lack of sympathy of the
management for such procedures.
While it would be impracticable to list all plants known to employ
physical examination procedures the following firms among others
have employed this practice for many years in the hiring of workers:
Allegheny River Mining Co., K ittanning, Pa.
American Brass Co., Ansonia, Conn.
American Car & Foundry Co., Berwick, Pa.
American C otton Fabric Corporation, Passaic, N. J.
American Engineering Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
American R adiator Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
American Rolling Mill Co., M iddletown, Ohio.
American Steel Foundries (seven p la n ts).
American Sugar Refining Co., Boston, Mass.
Atlantic Refining Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Babcock & Wilcox Co., Bayonne, N. J.
Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Bethlehem, Pa.
S. Blum enthal & Co., Shelton, Conn.
Boston Rubber Shoe Co., Malden and Melrose, Mass.
Bourne-Fuller Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
J. G. Brill Car Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
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Burroughs Adding Machine Co., D etroit, Mich.
Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N. J.
C apital Traction Co., Washington, D. C.
Cham pion Coated P aper Co., Ham ilton, Ohio.
Chapm an Valve M anufacturing Co., Indian Orchard, Mass.
Cheney Bros., South M anchester, Conn.
Chicago Rapid T ransit Co., Chicago, 111.
Clark T hread Co., Newark, N. J.
Cleveland M etal Products Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
J. B. Clow & Sons, Newcomerstown, Ohio.
Com monwealth Edison Co., Chicago, 111.
Continental Motors Corporation, Detroit and Muskegon, Mich.
Wm. C ram p & Sons Ship & Engine Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Crom pton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass.
John Deere Plow Works, Moline, III.
Dennison M anufacturing Co,, Fram ingham , Mass.
Dutchess Bleachery (Inc.), Wappingers Falls, N. Y.
E astm an K odak Co., Rochester, N. Y.
Edison Electric Illum inating Co., Boston, Mass
Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Beloit, Wis.
Firestone Tire & R ubber Co., Akron, Ohio.
Fisk Rubber Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass.
Robt. H. Foerderer (Inc.), Philadelphia, Pa.
General Electric Co.
General Railway Signal Co., Rochester, N. Y.
G raton & K night M anufacturing Co., Worcester, Mass.
Hamm ermill Paper Co., Erie, Pa.
Hom estake M ining Co., Lead, S. Dak.
Hood R ubber Co., W atertow n, Mass.
Knox H at Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Eli Lily & Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
Los Angeles Railway Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif.
,
Nash M otors Co., Kenosha, Wis.
N ational C ity Bank, New York, N. Y.
N orthern Indiana Gas & Electric Co., Hamm ond, Ind.
N orton Co., W orcester, Mass.
Philadelphia Electric Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Proctor & Gamble Co., I vorydale, Ohio.
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.', Winston-Salem, N. C.
J. A. Roebling’s Sons Co., T renton and Roebling, N. J.
Scovill M anufacturing Co., W aterbury, Conn.
Stanley Works, New Britain, Conn.
Thilm any Pulp & Paper Co., K aukauna, Wis.
Tidew ater Oil Co., Bayonne, N. J.
U nited Railway & Electric Co., Baltimore, Md.
W estern Electric Co., Chicago, 111.
W estjnghouse Electric & M anufacturing Co., E ast P ittsburgh, Pa.
W hiting Corporation, H arvey, 111.
W illard Storage B attery Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Yellow Cab Co., Philadelphia, New York, Chicago.
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., Youngstown, Ohio.
Yale & Towne M anufacturing Co., Stamford, Conn.
In summing up, I would say that the industrial physical examina
tion has much to offer to workers. It assures them a lessened risk of
injury and illness in the factory; it enables them to attain a maximum
efficiency with contentment and the least possible strain upon them
selves; it insures more steady employment and more stable earnings.
To the employer, it gives a reduced turnover, a decreased loss in
defective goods and misused equipment and machinery, a better
quality of product, and a more contented and harmonious working
force. To the community, it means more self-respecting, healthier,
and happier citizens with less dependence upon community aid.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[771 ]
IN D U STR IA L R E L A T IO N S A N D L A B O R C O N D ITIO N S
Labor Relations in the Lace and Lace-Curtain Industries
STUDY of labor relations in the lace and lace-curtain
industries in the United States is presented in Bulletin No.
399 of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. These
industries, while small, are of interest because of their importance
in international trade and American tariff problems and because
of certain outstanding features of their labor relations. The indus
tries are of comparatively recent growth, having been transplanted
from Europe and encouraged by tariff protection.
Of the 12 lace-curtain mills, 8 are in Pennsylvania; in the lace
industry Rhode Island is credited with having 215 of the 590 machines
in the country. According to the 1920 census there are over 7,000
wage-earners in the cotton-lace industry.
The lace-curtain plants have no trade association, but cooperate
in labor matters, meeting to discuss labor problems and to negotiate
with the union. The employees in the industries are organized in a
federation of a number of crafts and occupations, divided into three
sections, two of which are composed of skilled operatives while the
other is composed of the semiskilled and unskilled workers, and each
is an independent self-governing unit. The organization is thus
partly a craft and partly an industrial union.
As the industries are affected greatly by changes in styles, which
makes for irregular employment, and as the skilled workers predomi
nate in the industries, the labor policies of the union have naturally
centered in security of employment, effective control of the labor
supply being secured through “ (I) high initiation fees if the circum
stances warranted restriction; (2) length-of-service requirements
in accepting transfer or traveling cards from European lace workers’
trade-unions; (3) regulation of apprenticeship with respect to numbers
allowed, age limits, and length of term to be served; (4) semiofficial
and official action on importation of lace weavers by American
employers under the alien contract labor law; and (5) attainment
of the closed shop.” As a result of these policies the skilled workers
in the industries have occupied a strategic position in bargaining
with their employers because of the scarcity of trained labor and the
necessity of importing men or of training apprentices.
A piecework wage scale, adopted in 1900, which developed from
the old English piecework price lists established in the early years
of bargaining over machine rates, is the basis of the collective bargain
ing as to wages. In the scale an average size and gauge of machine
is fixed, as the standard, with fixed differentials for additional equip
ment and variations in width and gauge. Percentage increases or
decreases of this scale are made in times of prosperity or depression
24
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1772]
WORK OF JO IN T BOARD OF SANITARY CONTROL
25
in the trade, price conferences being held semiannually and a joint
technical committee deciding disputed points. The union secured
a 9-hour day in 1907, but has not as yet obtained the 44-hour week
for which it has been striving.
An elaborate code of shop regulations has been evolved for the
handling of grievances and settling of disputes, which has brought
comparative stability to the industry. A shop committee, composed
of a shop steward and two committeemen, and the foreman handle
disputes in the first instance, those not so settled being referred to
the branch trade committee and a higher authority in the manage
ment, and then, if still unsettled, to the executive board of the union
and the highest authorities in the management of the firm. Most
cases are now settled by the shop committee and the foreman.
To offset the losses due to irregular employment because of the
seasonal nature of the industry and the style changes, the lace workers
have striven for higher wages and unemployment insurance. A
contributory plan for unemployment insurance, which would obviate
the necessity of continually demanding higher wages, has been
proposed by the lace-curtain weavers and while not yet adopted
on a national scale is being gradually adopted in the various local
branches.
Thus in these industries, in which security of employment is de
pendent on tariff protection and style changes, and highly specialized
skill is required of most of the workers, the labor policies adopted
through collective bargaining have made for assurance of tenure
in the job and a satisfactory settlement of grievances.
Work of Joint Board of Sanitary Control in Women’s Garment industries
of New York
N recognition of the fifteenth anniversary of its formation, the joint
board of sanitary control, established in 1910, and having juris
diction at present over the cloak, suit, and skirt, and dress in
dustries in New York City, issued a special report 1 at the end of 1925
giving a review and summary of its work from the beginning. The
board came into being as a result of the strike in the cloak and suit
industry in 1910. During the strike much stress was laid on bad
conditions existing within the shops and public opinion was consider
ably stirred. The employers felt it unfair that the whole industry
should be criticized because of the conditions existing in some shops,
and cast about for some way of remedying this matter. The attorney
of the manufacturers’ association advanced the idea that the industry
might itself take charge of the conditions under which the work was
carried on and assume full responsibility for prescribing and, where
necessary, enforcing standards of health and safety in its work places.
The workers’ representatives welcomed the idea, and when the strike
came to an end one of the conditions accepted by both sides was the
establishment of a joint board which should be “ empowered to
establish standards of sanitary conditions to which the manufacturers
I
i Joint B oard of Sanitary C ontrol in th e Cloak, Suit, and Skirt, and Dress Industries, N ew Y ork.
te e n th ann iv ersary report. N ew Y ork, 1926.
88369°—261-----3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[773]
Fif
26
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
and the unions shall be committed, and the manufacturers and the
unions obligate themselves to maintain such standards to the best of
their ability and to the full extent of their power.”
The board began its work by an investigation into conditions in the
1,243 cloak and suit workshops in Manhattan, the Bronx, and
Brooklyn. The results were submitted to the employers and workers,
who were asked to suggest standards for the industry in the light of
existing conditions. These suggestions were correlated and a set of
standards was adopted to which but few additions have since been
found necessary. In 1913 the dress industry, with 1,500 shops,
affiliated with the joint organization, and at present the board consists
of representatives of the four employers’ associations in the cloak,
suit, and dress industries, and of the International Ladies’ Garment
Workers’ Union.
Early in 1911 the board was organized on the basis of an annual
budget of $7,000, of which half was to be contributed by the manu
facturers’ association and half by the union. When, in 1913, the
dress industry came in, its manufacturers’ association and union each
contributed $2,500 yearly, and the original contributors increased
their quotas to $5,000 making the annual budget $15,000. In 1919
a change was made and contributions were required from manu
facturers who did not belong to the manufacturers’ associations,
a uniform contribution being set of $10 per shop per year. At the
present time, the budget is approximately $28,000 a year, of which
$6,000 is spent for direction, $5,000 for clerical service, $13,000 for an
inspectorial force, $2,340 for rent, and $1,660 for miscellaneous ex
penses.
Inspection has always been regarded as one of the board’s most
important functions, since the discovery and correction of sanitary
defects depend upon it. Detective methods are avoided. The
inspections consist of periodical visits to the shops, undertaken at the
employers’ request and with the full cognizance of the workers. If
undesirable conditions are found, they are discussed with the workers
and the employers, and a united effort is made to find and apply
a remedy. As a rule, semiannual inspections have been made of all
the shops in the industries, with reinspections in individual shops as
conditions seemed to demand. During the year 1925 the board had
supervision over 3,736 shops. Grouping these according to the
excellence of their sanitary condition, 26 per cent were in the highest
grade, 66 per cent in the second grade, and 8 per cent in the lowest,
a showing which, the board feels, indicates that the work carried on
through 15 years has borne fruit.
In addition to its work of inspection, the board has carried on
several cooperative lines of effort. It helped to establish a first-aid
service in the shops and promoted a nursing service which did much
to spread a respect for sanitation and a knowledge of the importance
of health work. It has conducted an extensive educational prop
aganda in regard to health, it initiated and fostered the formation of
the union health center and for some years carried on in cooperation
with the union the medical and dental clinics of this center, it has
issued health bulletins, published health booklets, arranged for talks
and lectures, organized and instructed sanitation committees in over
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1774 ]
REPORT OF NOVA SCOTIA COAL COMMISSION
27
400 shops, and in every way has promoted the development of an
intelligent attitude toward health conditions.
Protection against the special danger of fire in clothing establish
ments has also been an important part of the board’s work. In 1913
a State law was passed obliging all owners of shops in buildings having
25 or more workers above the second floor to carry out a fire drill
each month. Feeling that this would be more effective if carried out
cooperatively by the workers and employers, the board proposed that
all employers wdio cared to do so should pay a yearly fee in return
for which the fire drill division of the board would conduct the
monthly drills. The finances of this division have always been
kept separate from the general budget of the board. At the end of
1925 the division was conducting drills in 1,200 shops, at a yearly
charge to the employers of $10 per shop. The board has also exerted
itself to call attention to existing fire dangers and to rouse a senti
ment which will not permit unsafe conditions.
Probably one of the greatest services the board has rendered has
been in providing a neutral meeting ground for employers and
workers. Its record in this respect is remarkable.
From the beginning, th e joint board of sanitary control and those responsible
for its policies and work have insisted th a t th e board represents a common
ground for employers as well as workers and the public, and th a t while from
tim e to tim e there m ay arise dissensions between th e employers and th e workers,
th e sanitary board is a common ground upon which all warring factions may
meet. Indeed, this fact has frequently proved a boon to th e industry, for during
strikes and other disturbances in the industry the joint board of sanitary control
continued its existence, received the loyal support of employers, workers, as well
as the public. The chairm an of the board and the representatives of th e public
have several tim es acted as arbitrators and as sponsors of the meeting of warring
factions in th e trade.
In th e 1916 strike in the industry, when there was a fear of th e abrogation of
th e protocol, the Cloak, Suit and Skirt M anufacturers’ Protective Association
asked the director of the board to continue th e work of sanitary inspection. This
was done during th e entire period of the strike and sanitary conditions were m ain
tained. This also occurred during the lockouts and strikes of later years in both
th e cloak and suit and dress and waist industries.
Long after th e abrogation of th e protocol, following a strike or lockout in th e
industry, the joint board of sanitary control plank was always reinserted in th e
renewed agreements between employers and workers.
Report of Nova Scotia Coal Commission
A STRIKE growing out of a proposed 10 per cent reduction in
A
waSGS and involving about 12,000 coal miners in Nova Scotia
began on March 6, 1925. After various unsuccessful efforts
to adjust this controversy work was resumed August 10, 1925,
under a tentative settlement which provided that all points of dispute
not disposed of at that time were to be referred to a special com
mission of inquiry, which was appointed early in October, 1925,1
with the following membership: Sir Andrew Rae Duncan (nominated
by the British Government at the request of the provincial govern
ment), who was coal comptroller for the British Government in
1919--20 and at present chairman of the advisory committee of the
British Mines Department; Rev. H. P. MacPherson, D. D., D. C. L.,
1 For an account of th is strik e and its settlem ent, see issues of Ju ly , 1925 (pD. 191-194), and Septem ber,
1925 (p. 179).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
president of St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia;
Maj. Hume Cronyn, K. C., president of the Mutual Life Assurance Co.
of Canada, vice president and genera1 manager of the Huron & Erie
Mortgage Corporation, and general manager of the Canada Trust
Corporation, London, Ontario.
The commission opened its sessions in November.
The matters referred to the newly appointed body for investigation
were published in January, 1926, issue of the Review (pp. 261, 262).
The principal lines of inquiry are indicated in the following summary
of the report of the commission.3 [Except in the section on general
social and domestic conditions, the word “ operators” as used in the
report refers to the British Empire Steel Corporation, which is re
sponsible for 85 per cent of the production in the Nova Scotian coal
districts. In the excepted section the word refers to all operators.]
Causes of friction.—The outstanding causes of friction between the
operators and miners, the commission finds, are—
(1) The opposition which th e operators have offered to th e m en’s desire to
organize themselves in the U nited Mine Workers of America.
(2) The introduction of communistic theories and aims into ordinary industrial
relationships.
(3) The reaction of factions w ithin th e union.
(4) The difficulties experienced in adjusting smaller grievances as they arise
in th e pit.
(o) The difficulties also th a t have been experienced in th e settlem ent of larger
questions, particularly those relating to wage variations.
(6) The abuse of conciliation m achinery and the policy of “ playing ta c tic s”
rath er th an attem pting to understand each other.
(7) The economic distress arising, particularly in certain districts, from very
irregular employment.
The commission holds that understanding and good will can be
brought about if the operators frankly accept the union and the
miners recognize that the unity and strength of their organizations are
dependent upon the confidence they have in their appointed leaders
and the authority and power given to .such leaders to carry on
negotiations for the union “ with a greater sense of continuity,
knowledge, and personal responsibility than can be secured by a
system of annual election of office bearers.” In this connection the
commission also stresses that both the operators and the union should
meet their own problems “ in the light of the facts relative to the
industry and with a common desire to share equitably in the fruits
thereof.”
Wages in relation to the ability of the industry to pay.—No dividends
have been paid on the second preference or common shares of the
British Empire Steel Corporation since its incorporation in May,
1920. The wage fund, therefore, “ has not been adversely affected,
by this aspect of the financial arrangements of the operators.”
In view of “ the financial results of the coal operations, taken by
themselves, for the last 5 years,” however, the commission declares
that the wage reduction in 1922 was not justified at that time but that
there was a sufficient ground for a reduction at some time in 1923.
The wage increase granted in 1924 was not warranted but the de
crease of 10 per cent on the 1924 scale, which the operators proposed
in 1925, “ was amply justified.” (The reduction provisionally put
! R eport of Provincial Royal Commission on coal m ining in d u stry in N ova Scotia. (R eprinted, by
D e partm en t of Labor of C anada and issued as a supplem ent to th e L abor G azette, January, 1826.)
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[776]
REPORT OP NOVA SCOTIA COAL COMMISSION
29
into effect- through the tentative settlement of August, 1925, was esti
mated at between 6 and 8 per cent of the rates under the 1924 scale.)
Based on financial examinations of coal operations at the time of the
commission’s inquiry, that body recommends a 10 per cent reduction
in the 1924 rates, stating that a greater reduction would be warranted.
Taking into consideration, however, the past history of the industry
and the hope of establishing lasting peace and cooperation, the com
mission thinks that the conditions for the coming months may be
better than the present figures on financial status seem to indicate.
The commission also holds that future changes in wages should be
based on the ability of the industry to pay as determined by the pro
ceeds of coal operations rather than on fluctuations in selling prices
or variations in some other factor. It is suggested in the report that
these changes be automatically regulated, say every six months, over
a period, for instance, of at least three years.
The necessary figures should be continuously reported, verified, and
adjusted through some accepted machinery. It should be provided,
however, that under no circumstances should wages be cut below a
jointly specified standard or level. According to the commission it
is reasonable for the men to claim that, in connection with negotia
tions concerning changes in wages, they should have “ knowledge on
pertinent facts in the industry.”
Stabilization of employment.—The outstanding need at the present
time in the Nova Scotia mining industry is regularity of employment,
because of its vital relation to earnings. It was shown, for example,
that while the wage rate in 1924 was higher than in 1923, the average
yearly earnings per man were about $150 lower in 1924 than they
had been in the previous year, because the average number of days
worked per man was less in the latter year.
The check-off system..—The check-off system has been used in con
nection with the payment of rent of company-owned dwellings, sup
plies from company stores, coal, checkweighman, powder, tools, etc.,
benefit associations, church, union dues, and in some instances even
town taxes, deductions being made by the operators from wages for
these purposes. The commission concludes that this system should
be abolished except in matters directly related to the worker’s em
ployment, namely, tools, powder, checkweighman, and contributions
to benefit associations and hospitals, which are made jointly with the
operators.
Procedure for reaching agreements.—A great deal of confusion has
resulted from the lack of well-defined and facile methods for the ad
justment of ordinary industrial differences. For some time the opera
tors and union have been meeting about once a year in an attempt to
come to an agreement on general conditions of service, and to revise
the wage schedule.
During the last four years it was impossible on any one occasion
to come to an agreement on these matters without a cessation of
work, and the stoppage has been followed invariably by a general
settlement which made no pretense whatever of dealing in detail
with the revision of schedule rates. The present procedure under
which such a variety of matters are brought up for consideration at
one time is regarded by the commission as seriously defective. It
also suggests that different kinds of claims and questions should be
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[777]
30
MONTHLY' LABOR REVIEW
handled by different methods and in certain cases through separate
agreements. For example, claims concerning a general increase or
decrease in wages on ground of economic conditions “ should be dealt
with clear of all complications with other questions.”
The commission also calls attention to the impracticability of
doing justice to highly technical questions when the minds of the
negotiators “ are taken up with matters of a more general kind.”
Moreover, the coal properties should be under the control of a
resident executive officer with technical training and mining ex
perience. In brief, the commission holds that well-defined arrange
ments on matters of procedure for the adjustment of ail differences
would make for a better comprehension and a fairer valuation of
the questions at issue.
Inequalities between different classes of miners.—Under this caption
the commission recommends the reestablishment of the recently
discarded “ local contracts” system at “ economic rates for all classes
of workers who are direct factors in the transportation of coal in the
mine and for men employed as brushers.” Furthermore, there
should be greater elasticity in local contracts.
Recommendation is also made that in mines in which radial or
punching machines are used, the two operations of cutting, and
shooting and loading, with a tally for each, should be changed, if
possible, to one tally system which would include both. “ Wherever
practicable, cutting should be done on a different shift from shooting
and loading.”
Conditions affecting mine workers in the course of employment.—
The commission points out that many of the complaints of working
conditions concern matters which the management and the men
might easily adjust “ so long as there is proper procedure for dealing
with the questions ” and declares that the policy pursued in planning
and developing the coal operations generally is sound and redounds
to the credit of the operators’ mining engineering department.
The “ safety first” activities are definitely approved and careful
consideration by the management of the following matters is recom
mended: Manholes in hauling ways, roof protection, and coal dust
in certain mines. Emphasis is laid on the importance of persistent
attention to the mechanical transportation of the miners to their
work places and on the advantage of meeting certain grievances of
the men relative to boxes for loading coal.
Social and domestic conditions.—In general, the rented company
houses in the Cape Breton coal region do not meet reasonable require
ments in the matter of accommodation or repair. In Springhill and
in Pietou County there was not much complaint concerning housing.
The rents paid for company houses,.the commission thinks, are “ dis
tinctly moderate,” and it is estimated that in six years the operators
have lost 94 per cent of the book value of these dwellings.
According to the report, “ it is unfortunate that operators should
occupy the double position of employer and landlord.” It was
suggested that the miners and their families did not do their part in
keeping the company-owned houses in good condition; the homes
owned by the miners themselves, however, showed the results of
attention and care. The commission is strongly in favor of the sale
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7783
REPORT OF NOVA SCOTIA COAL COMMISSION
31
of company houses on moderate terms to as many of the workers as
may be willing to make such purchases.
The provincial government should cooperate with the municipal
and town authorities for the immediate improvement of the roads,
sanitary conditions, and the amenities in general in the mining com
munities, especially at Thorhurn and in Cape Breton.
The commission recommends the formation of a fund to be sup
ported out of the Government royalties from the coal mines and by
the operators for the rapid improvement of the social well-being of
the workers in the mining districts and for the furtherance of mining
education and research.
Costs of production, transportation, etc.—The commission finds that
production costs were fairly balanced, although the total was rather
high. Mine depth, character of the seams, and the inclination of the
strata enter into labor costs. Not only do the Nova Scotia collieries
differ from other competitive collieries in these respects, but even
within the Province the conditions differ, the pits in Cape Breton
being different from those on the mainland.
“ Considerable room for economy” was found in the railway
charges for the transportation of coal, but transportation charges
by sea were “ just enough to cover the cost of operating the company’s
ships without setting aside adequate provision for depreciation.”
In its discussion of distribution and marketing costs the commission
points out that the general public does not fully realize the various
expenses involved in the handling of coal from the producer to the
consumer, but concludes that the retail price of coal in Halifax and
elsewhere in Nova Scotia is high. To effect an all-round reduction
in costs, a more complete cooperation between producers and sellers
is suggested.
Proposal to establish coking plants.—After taking tests, the Domin
ion Fuel Board reported to the commission that “ satisfactory coke
for domestic purposes can be produced from most of the seams
operated in the Cape Breton coal fields,” and suggested the erection
ol coking plants at certain localities in the Provinces of Quebec and
Ontario. The commission recommends that the government of Nova
Scotia enter into active cooperation with the Dominion Fuel Board
to investigate “ the possibility of an immediate development” along
these lines with a view to regularizing employment and bringing
about economies in operation through the steadier operation of the
mines.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[779]
P R IC E S AND C O S T O F LIVING
Retail Prices of Food in the United States
HE following tables are compiled from monthly reports of
actual selling prices 1received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food, February,
15, 1925, and January 15 and February 15, 1926, as well as the per
centage changes in the year and in the month. For example, the
price per pound of butter was 50.6 cents in February, 1925; 55.4
cents in January, 1926; and 54.5 in February, 1926. These figures
show an increase of 8 per cent in the year and a decrease of 2 per cent
in the month.
The cost of the various articles of food combined shows an increase
of 6.6 per cent on February 15, 1926, as compared with February,
15, 1925, and a decrease of 1.7 per cent on February 15, 1926, as
compared with January 15, 1926.
T
T a b l e 1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D F O O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E F E B R U A R Y 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H JA N U A R Y 15,
1926, A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1925
[Percentage changos of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
A rticle
U n it
Feb. 15
1925
Jan. 15,
1926
Feb. 15,
1926
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Sirloin stea k ________________ ____ _
R ound steak_. __________________
R ib roast
Chuck roast ___________________
Plate beef- _______________ _____ -
P o u n d _______
___do ...............
____do _______
____d o _______
____do _______
38. 5
32. 7
28. 4
20.4
13. 2
40. 8
35.0
30.0
22. 1
14.6
40. 6
34.8
29.3
22.1
14.6
Pork chops ____________________
Bacon
_____________________ H am
________________
Lam b, leg of ___________ ________
Hens
- _____________
____do__ ____
____do _______
____do _______
____do...............
........do _______
30.3
40.6
48. 1
38.3
36.1
36.5
48.2
53.3
39. 1
38. 6
36.3
48.9
53.6
38.4
38.9
P er cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Feb. 15, 1926,
com pared w ith —
Feb. 15,
1925
+5
+6
+8
+11
+20
+20
+ 0 .8
Jan. 15,
1926
- 0 .4
-1
-2
0
-1
+1
-2
+1
+20
31.4
37.3
37.6
+1
___ _do_ _____
Salmon, canned, re d __
14.2
+2
0
14.2
13.9
Q u a r t - ______
M ilk, fresh
0
+4
11.6
11.2
11.6
M ilk, evaporated- _______ _____ 15-16 oz. c a n ...
54. 5
50. 6
65. 4
+8
B utter
______
___ P o u n d _______
-0 .3
31.2
4-s
30. 2
31.3
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r substi -_ ---d o .............tutes).
1 In addition to retail prices of food and coal, th e bureau publishes in each issue the prices of gas and elec
tricity from each of 51 cities for th e dates for w hich these d ata axe secured.
—
2
32
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 780]
33
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
T a b l e 1 — A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF I E D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E F E B R U A R Y 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H JA N U A R Y 15,
1926, A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1925—C ontinued
Average retail price on—
U n it
Article
Feb. 15,
1925
Jan. 15,
1926
Feb. 15,
1926
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Feb. 15, 1926,
com pared w ith—
Feb. 15,
1925
Jan. 15,
1926
Cheese
______ ________________
T-prd
____________________
V egetable lard su b stitu te ............
F.e e s, strictly fre s h .. - ........ . ........
Fggs, storage_____________ _______ _
Pound .............
____do. _____
____do. ____
D o zen -............
____d o ..............
36.4
22. 8
25. 8
53.4
60.3
37. 6
22.3
25.6
53.9
42.2
37.5
22.1
25.6
43.8
34.6
+3
-3
-1
-1 8
-3 1
Rread
_____ __________________
Flour
______________________
Corn m eal_______________ ___
Rolled o a t s _____________________
Corn flakes __ ____________ _____
P o u n d _______
____do
___
____do _______
____do. ____
8-oz. p k g _____
9.5
6.4
5.5
9.2
11.0
9.4
6.2
5.2
9.1
11.0
9.4
6.3
5.2
9.1
11.0
-1
-2
-5
-1
0
0
+2
0
0
0
W heat cereal __ _ _________________
IVfaearoni _______________________
Rice
________________________
Roans, n a v y _____________________
Potatoes ________________________
28-oz. p k g ........
Pound . ___
........do _______
. . . _do_ ____
........d o_-_.........
24.6
20.3
10.8
10.4
2.6
25.3
20.3
11.6
9.8
5.8
25. 3
20.3
11. 6
9.6
5.7
+3
0
+7
+119
0
0
0
-2
-2
____d o - - - .........
do. ____
No. 2 c an ., ____do. ____
........do ...............
6.3
5.0
12.6
17. 7
18. 5
5.9
5.6
12.3
16.8
17.8
5.9
6.4
12.2
16.7
17.7
-6
+28
-3
-6
-4
0
+14
-1
-1
-1
____d o .. ____
Tom atoes, canned
_ ____
Sugar, granulated _
P o u n d _______
Tea,
______________________ ____do. ____
Coffee
_ ____________________ ____do ...... .........
13.8
7.7
74.8
52.1
12.6
6.7
76.1
51.3
12.3
6.7
76.2
51.3
-1 1
-1 3
17.1
14.6
36.8
44.7
17.2
14.5
35.8
46.9
17.2
14.6
35.7
46. 5
+1
0
-3
+4
-0 .3
-1
•
Onions - _______________________
Cabbage
____________________
Roans, b a k e d _____________________
Corn, canned __________________
Peas, canned _ __ ______________
P rim e s
Raisins
Ran an as
Oranges
_______________________________ ____d o.
__________________ _______________ ____d o ..
.
.........
_ ________________ D ozen. ____
_ ___________________ ____do ___________
-8
-2
- 0 .3
-1
0
-1 9
-1 8
-2
0
+ 0.1
0
0
- 1 .7
All articles combined
1
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of speci
fied food articles on February 15, 1913, and on February 15 of each
year from 1920 to 1926, together with percentage changes in Feb
ruary of each of these specified years, compared with February, 1913.
For example, the price per pound of potatoes was 1.5 cents in Feb
ruary, 1913; 6 cents in February, 1920; 2.6 cents in February, 1921;
3.3 cents in February, 1922; 2.1 cents in February, 1923; 2.8 cents
in February, 1924; 2.6 cents in February, 1925; and 5.7 cents in
February, 1926.
As compared with February, 1913, these figures show an increase
of 300 per cent in February, 1920; 73 per cent in February, 1921;
120 per cent in February, 1922; 40 per cent in February, ¿923; 87
per cent in February, 1924; 73 per cent in February, 1925; and 280
per cent in February, 1926.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 66.8 per cent in February, 1926, as compared with February, 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[781]
34
M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW
T a b l e 3 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL
P R IC E S O P S P E C IF I E D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
C E N T O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E , F E B R U A R Y 15 O F C E R T A IN S P E C IF I E D Y E A R S
C O M P A R E D W IT H F E B R U A R Y 15, 1913
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent a n d over are given in whole numbers}
Average retail price on Feb. 15—
Article
U nit
P er cent of increase, Feb. 15 of each
specified year compared w ith Feb.
15, 1913
1913 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926
C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts.
P o u n d ._
-__do___
---d o ___
-.- d o .......
--_do___
as.
23.9
20.6
18.8
14.9
11.3
C ts.
Sirloin stea k ______
R ound ste a k ______
R ib roast_________
C huck ro ast.............
Plate beef____ ____
40.6
37.2
31.5
25.1
18.4
38.3 35.2 37.1 38.7 38.5 40. 6
34. 2(30. 2 3L 5 33.0 32.7 34.8
29.3 26. 5 27.5 28.3 28.4 29.3
22. C 18.9 19. 5 20.4 20.4 22.1
15.6 12. 8 12.8 13.3 13.2 14.6
70
81
68
68
63
60
66
56
48
38
Pork chops_______
B acon................ .......
H am _ _ _________
L am b, leg of............
H ens..........................
---d o .......
-__do___
_do___
-__do___
__ do____
18.9
25.5
25.4
18.5
20.7
37.7 32.7 29.3 28. 7 26.7 30.3 36.3
50.3 44. 7 37.9 39.4 36.6 40. 6 48.9
50. 7 48. 2 48. 5 45. 0 44. 4 48.1 53. 6
39.0 34.2 35.4 36.0 35. 7 38.3 38.4
44. 7 42.6 36. 9
35.1 36. 1 38. 9
99
97
100
111
116
73
75
90
85
107
91
78
88
73
48
54
76
37
11
40
22.2 43.3 38.4 32.9 37.5 37.2 36.4 37.5
15.4 32. 3 20. 7 15. 9 17. 4 18 0 99 S 22 1
38.1 25.9 21.7 22. 4 24.5 25.8 25.6
95
110
73
34
48
69
13
31.5 68.5 47.9 48.4 46.2 49.8 53.4 43.8
23.5 59.4 4 4 .4 39.1 42.4 39.3 50.3 34.6
117
153
52
89
54
66
47
80
Salmon, canned, --_do___
i 37.6 39.1 32.9 31.3 31.2 31.4 37.6
red.
M ilk, fresh_______ Q u a rt... 8.9 16.7 15.4 13.2 13.7 14.0 13.9 14. 2
M ilk, ev ap o rated -- 0 ) _______
16.2 14.7 11.6 12. 1 12. 1 11.2 11.6
B u tte r___ ______ - P o u n d . . 41.2 72.6 56.5 45. 9 57.7 60.2 50.6 54.5
Oleomargarine (all ---d o ___
39.7 33.7 27. 9 27.8 29.8 30. 2 31.2
b u t t e r substitutes).
V
Cheese .......... ............. .. --_do___
L a rd . __ ________ __ do___
Vegetable lard sub- -__do___
stitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh _ D o z e n ,.
Eggs, storage_____ . . . d o ____
B read ...........................
F lo u r ___ __________
Corn m eal..................
Rolled o a t s ________
C om flakes _________
P o u n d . . 5. 6 11.1 10.6 8.6
__ do— . 3. 3 8. 1 6. 5 5. 1
-_ .d o ____ 2.9 6. 5 5.0 3.9
-__do___
10.1 10. 4 8.9
14.1 14.0 10.3
c ) _______
W heat cereal _______
M acaroni ...... ........... ..
R ice ____ _____________
Beans, n a v y ________
P otatoes ......... ............
( 0 _______
Pound- .
do
8. 6
___do___
-__do___ Ï . 5
--
O n io n s ........ ........... .... ___do___
C abbage.......... ............ -_do ____
Beans, b a k e d _______ (* )_______
Corn, can n ed _______ 0 _______
Peas, canned _______ c ) _______
8.7
4. 9
4.0
8. 7
9. 7
8.7 9.5 9.4
4 8 8 4 8 3
4.4 5. 5 5.2
8.8 9. 2 9.1
9.7 11.0 11.0
29.3 30.0 26. 2 24 8 24.3 24.6 25.3
20. 0 21.3 20. 2 19. 8 19.6 20. 3 20.3
]1 8
18. 3 10. 5 9. 3 9 4 9J3
12.2 8.6 8.3 11.3 10.0 10.4 9 ! 6
6.0 2.6 3.3 2.1 2.8 2.6 5.7
9.3
9.3
16.9
18.6
19.1
3.9
3.6
15.3
17.1
18.2
10.9 5.3
5.7 4.7
13.3 13.1
15.9 15.4
17.8 17.4
6.0
5.4
12.9
15.7
17.9
Tom atoes, canned. « ......... 15.2 12.2 13.4 12.8 12.9 13.8 12.3
Sugar, g ra n u la te d .. P o u n d ., 5.5 18.8 8.9 6.4 8.7 10.3 7.7 6.7
_________________ __ do
78 9
54. 3 71.4 71 5 o7 8 fis 9 70 8
Coffee____________ _ -do___ 29.8 49.1 37.5 35.6 37.5 38! 8 52.1 51.3
Ail articles
bined.9
__-do___
_-_do___
D ozen.—
- ..d o ___
29.0
25.6
41.0
53.4
55
49
55
53
46
31
13
62
60
51
37
18
61
59
51
37
17
70
69
56
48
29
52
55
41
44
60
59
92
92
95
71
93
70
107
74
108
88
57
56
60
46
23
32
68
17
64
48
69
58
67
70
114
39
47
83
98
89
54
55
55
70
68
124
72
34
38
52
90
79
14
26
35
120
40
87
73
280
113
22
300
73
242
62
16
58
87
40
22
26
19
26
30
75
72
6. 3 5.9
5.0 6. 4
12.6 12.2
17.7 16.7
18.5 17.7
T ea
P runes......................
R a is in s __________
B ananas_________
Oranges__________
47
47
41
27
13
65
22. 5 18.8 19.9 17.8 17.1 17. 2
31. 9 24.8 18.7 15-8 14.6 14.6
41.0 36.8 36.9 38.1 36.8 35. 7
45.3 48.5 47. X39. 5 44. 7
com-
107.8 62.9 46.2 46.9 52.1 56.3 66.8
1 B oth pink and red.
2 15-16 ounce can.
3 8-ounce package.
4 28-ounce package.
3 No. 2 can.
0 Beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, index num bers showing th e tren d in the retail cost of food have been
composed of th e articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, w eighted according to the consum ption of the average
family. From Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, th e index num bers included th e following articles:
Sirloin steak, round, steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour,
corn meal, eggs, b u tte r, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, a nd tea.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[782]
dj
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail prices of each of 22 arti
cles of food for which prices have been secured since 1913, as well as
the changes in the amounts of these articles that could be purchased
for $1 in specified years, 1913 to 1925, and in January and Febru
ary, 1926.
3.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF S P E C IF I E D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1, IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S, 1913 TO 1925, A N D IN J A N U
A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 192$
T able
Sirloin steak
Y ear
L bs.
25.4
43. 7
38.8
37.4
39. 1
39. 6
40.6
40.8
40.6
3. 9
2.3
2.6
2. 7
2.6
2.5
2.5
2. 5
2.5
Bacon
C e n ts
p e r lb.
1913.....................
1920........ ...........
1921...............
» 2 2 ........ .............
1923...................
1924__________
1925__________
1926: J a n u a r y ..
F e b ru a ry .
L bs.
27.0
52.3
42. 7
39. 8
39. 1
37. 7
46. 7
48. 2
48.9
C e n ts
p e r lb.
15. 8
29.5
18. 0
17. 0
17. 7
19. 0
23.3
22. 3
22. 1
3. 7
1.9
2.3
2. 5
2.6
2. 7
2. 1
2. 1
2.0
C e n ts
p e r lb .
1. 7
6.3
3. 1
2.8
2.9
2. 7
3.6
5.8
5.7
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
22.3
39.5
34. 4
32.3
33.5
33.8
34. 7
35.0
34.8
4.5
2.5
2.9
3. 1
3.0
3. 0
2.9
2.9
2.9
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
6.3
3.4
5.6
5.9
5. 6
5.3
4.3
4. 5
4.5
L bs.
58.8
15. 9
32.3
35. 7
34. 5
37. 0
27.8
17.2
17.5
3. 7
1.8
2.0
2.0
2.2
2:2
1.9
1.9
1.9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C e n ts
p e r lb.
Chuck roast
4. 7
2. 2
2. 5
2.8
2.9
2.8
2. 7
2. 6
2.6
B read
L ozs,
C e n ts
p e r lb.
34. 5
68. 1
50.9
44.4
46. 5
47.8
52. 1
53. 9
43.8
2.9
1. 5
2.0
2.3
2. 2
2. 1
1.9
1.9
2.3
5.6
11. 0
9.9
8.7
8. 7
8.8
9.4
9.4
9.4
Sugar
L bs.
18. 2
5. 2
12. 5
13. 7
9.9
10.9
13.9
14. 9
14.9
L b s.
16.0
26. 2
21. 2
19.7
20. 2
20. 8
21. 6
22. 1
22.1
6.3
3. 8
4. 7
5. 1
5.0
4. 8
4. 6
4. 5
4.5
P late beef
C e n ts
p e r (¡i.
8. 9
16. 7
11.6
13.1
13.8
13.8
14.0
14. 2
14. 2
L bs.
C e n ts
■per lb.
17. 9
3.3
8. 7
8. 1
10. 1
5. 8
11. 5
5. 1
11. 5 ■ 4. 7
11. 4
4.9
10. 6
6.1
10. 6
6.2
10. 6
6.3
Q ts .
11.2
6.0
6.8
7. 6
7.2
7. 2
7. 1
7.0
7.0
L bs.
[7831
1.8
1.4
1.4
1. 5
1. 4
1.4
1.3
1.3
1. 3
C e n ts
■per lb.
29.8
47.0
36.3
36. 1
37. 7
43. 3
51. 5
51. 3
51. 3
L b s.
12.1
18.3
14.3
12. 8
12.9
13; 2
13. 8
14. 5
14. 6
8.3
5. 5
7. 0
7.8
7. 8
7. 6
7. 2
6.9
6.8
Pork chops
C e n ts
p e r lb.
38.3
70. 1
51. 7
47.9
55.4
51. 7
54.8
55.4
54. 5
L b s.
30. 3
12. 3
17. 2
19. 6
21.3
20. 4
16.4
16. 1
15.9
L b s.
3.4
2. 1
2. 8
2. 8
2. 7
2.3
1.9
1.9
1.9
C e n ts
p e r lb.
3.0
6. 5
4. 5
3.9
4. 1
4. 7
5.4
5. 2
5.2
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
2i. 0
42.3
34. 9
33. 0
30.4
30:8
36.6
36. 5
36,3
4.8
2.4
2.9
3.0
3.3
3.2
2.7
2.7
2.8
Cheese
L bs.
2.6
1.4
1.9
2. 1
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.8
C orn meal
Coflee
54.4
73. 3
69. 7
68. 1
69. 5
71. 5
75. 5
76. 1
76.2
C e n ts
p e r lb.
B u tte r
Flour
Tea
C e n ts
p e r lb .
C e n ts
p e r lb.
M ilk
L b s.
21. 3
44. 7
39.7
36.0
35. 0
35.3
36.6
38.6
38.9
C e n ts
p erd o z.
5. 5
19.4
8.0
7.3
10. 1
9. 2
7. 2
6.7
6. 7
5. 1
3.0
3.4
3.0
3. 5
3. 5
3.4
3.3
3.4
;
L b s.
26.9
55.5
48.8
4'8. 8
45. 5
45.3
52. 6
53.3
53.6
C e n ts
■per lb .
L bs.
19. 8
33.2
29. 1
27. 6
28.4
28. 829. 6
30.0
29.3
H ens
Eggs
Potatoes
1913................... .
1920__________
1921__________
1922................
1923................
1924__________
1925__________
1926: J a n u a ry ..
F e b ru a ry .
C e n ts
p e r lb.
H am
Lard
1913...............
1920........ .............
1921__________
1922__________
1923...... ..........
1924__________
1925__________
1926: J a n u a ry ..
F e b ru a ry .
R ib roast
Aver
A ver
A ver
Aver
Aver
A ver
age
Amt.
A m t.
age ■A m t.
age
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
Amt.
age
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
C e n ts
■per lb.
1913.................
1920__________
1 9 2 1 ............ .
1922.......... .........
1923__________
1924__________
1925._________
1920: Ja n u a ry , _
F ebru ary .
R ound steak
L bs.
33.3
15.4
22. 2
25. 6
24. 4
21. 3
18. 5
19. 2
19.2
C e n ts
p e r lb .
■
L b s.
22.1
41. 6
34.0
32.9
36.9
35. 3
36. 7
37. 6
37.5
4.5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.5
2.7
2.7
2.7
Rice
C e n ts
p e r lb.
8. 7
17.4
9. 5
9. 5
9. 5
10. 1
li. 1
11. G
11.6
L bs.
11.5
5.7
10. 5
10. 5
10. 5
9.9
9.0
8.6
8,6
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
36
index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States
TABLE 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
F the
retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1907
to 1925,2 and by months for 1925, and for January and February,
1926. These index numbers, or relative prices, are based on the
year 1913 as 100 and are computed by dividing the average price of
each commodity for each month and each year by the average price
of that commodity for 1913. These figures must be used with
caution. For example, the relative price of rib roast for the year
1923 was 143.4, which means that the average money price for the
year 1923 was 43.4 per cent higher than the average money price
for the year 1913. The relative price of rib roast for the year 1922
was 139.4, which figures show an increase of 4 points but an increase
of slightly less than 3 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2,
weighted according to the average family consumption in 1918.
(See March, 1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January,
1921, the number of food articles has varied, these index numbers
have been so computed as to be strictly comparable for the entire
period. The index numbers based on the average for the year 1913,
as 100.0 are 164.3 for January and 161.5 for February, 1926.
The curve shown in the chart on page 38 pictures more readily to
the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
numbers given in the table. The chart has been drawn on the
logarithmic scale, because the percentages of increase or decrease
are more accurately shown than on the arithmetic scale.
2 F o r index num bers of each m o n th , Jan u ary , 1913, to December, 1920, see F ebruary, 1921, issue, pp.
19-21; for each m onth of 1921 a n d 1922 see F eb ru ary , 1923, issue, p. 69; and for each m onth of 1923 and 1924,
see February, 1925, issue, p . 21.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[784]
T able 4 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S SH O W IN G C H A N G E S IN T H E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , BY
Y E A R S, 1907 TO 1925, A N D B Y M O N T H S F O R 1925 A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1926
[Average for year 1913= 100]
Y ear a n d m onth
Sirloin R ound R ib Chuck Plate Pork
steak steak roast roast beef chops
71. 5
73. 3
76 6
80. 3
80. 6
91. 0
63. 0
71. 2
73. 5
77. 9
78. 7
89. 3
76.1
78.1
81. 3
84. 6
84. 8
93. 6
1913.......... ............................
1914-____ _______ ______
1915___________ ____
1916____ ______________
1917____ _______ _______
1918___________________
1919.____ _____________
1920............ ................ .........
1921___________________
1922___________________
1923.............. ................ .......
1924................ ......................
100.0
102.0
101.1
107. 5
124.0
153. 2
164. 2
172.1
152. 8
147. 2
153.9
155. 9
100.0
105.8
103. 0
109. 7
129.8
165. 5
174. 4
177. 1
154.3
144.8
150.2
151. 6
100.0
103.0
101.4
107.4
125.5
155. 1
164. 1
167.7
147. 0
139. 4
143.4
145. 5
100.0
104. 4
100. 6
106.9
130. 6
166.3
168.8
163.8
132. 5
123.1
126.3
130.0
1925: Average for year___
J a n u a ry __________
F e b ru a ry _________
M a rc h ..................
A p r i l - . .....................
M a y _____________
J u n e ___________
J u ly ________ _____
A ugust___________
Septem ber________
O ctober__________
N ovem ber__ _____
D ecem ber________
159. 8
152.4
151. 6
155. 9
159. 1
160. 6
161. 4
166. 1
165. 4
163.8
162. 2
158.7
158. 7
155.6
147. 1
146.6
150. 7
155. 2
157. C
157.8
163. 7
162. 3
159. 6
158. 7
154. 3
154. 3
149.5
143.9
143.4
147 C
150. C
150. 5
150. 5
153. 5
153. 0
152. 0
151. 5
149.0
149. 0
135.0
128. 1
127. 5
131.3
135.0
138. 1
136. 3
140.0
138. 1
137. 5
137. 5
135.0
135. 6
1926: J a n u a ry ____ _____
F e b ru a ry _________
160.6
159.8
157.0 151.5
156.1 148.0
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
80. 7
80. 5
90. 1
103. 8
88. 4
93. 5
84. 1
86. 1
92. 6
97.7
93.5
98.9
100.0
103. 6
105.0
116. 7
150. 4
162.4
192. 8
188.2
153. 9
148. 9
157. 0
159.7
100.0
98.6
93.4
111. 0
174.9
210.8
233. 5
186. 7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
100.0
102. 3
98.7
108.8
139.4
164.9
182.0
197. 4
147 5
128.7
134.8
138.6
100.0
112. 5
125. 0
130. 4
164. 3
175. 0
178. 6
205. 4
176.8
155.4
155. 4
157. 1
100.0
103. 9
125.8
134.6
211. 2
203.0
218. 2
245. 5
175.8
154. 5
142.4
148.5
100.0
105. 1
108.4
112.6
192. 2
226.7
213.3
216.7
150. 0
130.0
136.7
156.7
166. 1
162. 4
164. 7
165. 2
165. 2
164. 3
165. 2
165. 6
166. 5
167 4
168. 3
169. 2
169. 7
147.5
144.3
144. 3
146.2
146.8
143.0
144.9
148. 7
153. 8
151.9
152. 5
147. 5
143.0
151. 0
204.4
154. 8
113.3
110. 4
113.9
122. 6
133. 9
141. 7
150.4
174.8
201. 2
191.9
167. 9
164. 3
169.6
167. 9
167. 9
167. 9
167. 9
167.9
167. 9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
167.9
184.8 180.0
181.8 180.0
193. 9 183. 3
193.9 183.3
184. 8 183. 3
184. 8 180.0
184.8 180.0
184.8 180.0
184.8 180. 0
184.8 . 180. 0
178.8 176. 7
181.8 176. 7
184.8 173.3
87. 2 85. 3
89. 6 85. 5
91. 3 90. 1
94. 6 93. 8
95. 5 87. 9
97. 4 97. 7
74. 3
76.1
82. 7
91. 6
85.1
91. 2
74. 4
76. 9
82. 9
94. 5
91. 3
90. 5
75.7
77. 6
82 0
91. 4
89. 3
90. 6
81. 4
83 0
88. 5
93. 6
91. 0
93. 5
100.0
104.1
100.0
106.0
129.8
170.2
166.9
151. 2
118. 2
105. 8
106. 6
109. 1
100.0
104.6
96.4
108. 3
151. 7
185.7
201.4
201.4
166. 2
157. 1
144.8
146. 7
100.0
101.8
99.8
106.4
151.9
195.9
205. 2
193.7
158.2
147. 4
144.8
139. 6
100.0
101.7
97. 2
109. 2
142.2
178. 1
198.5
206.3
181.4
181. 4
169. 1
168.4
100.0
102. 2
97.5
110. 7
134. 5
177.0
193.0
209.9
186.4
169.0
164. 3
165.7
100.0
100. 5
99.2
102.2
125.4
156. 2
174.2
187.6
164. (,
147. 2
155.1
155.1
100.0
94. 4
93.4
103.0
127. 2
150. 7
177.0
183. 0
135. 0
125. 1
144. 7
135. 0
114. 1
109.9
109. 1
111. 6
114.1
115. 7
114.0
115. 7
114. 9
114.9
116. 5
116. 5
116. 5
174. 3
146.2
144.3
178. 1
175. 2
171. 4
172.4
186. 7
190. 5
192. 4
186. 2
178. 6
170.0
173.0
149.3
150.4
164. 4
172. 6
171.9
174. 1
180.4
182. 6
183. 0
183. 7
182. 2
180.0
195. 5
177.0
178.8
190. 3
198. 9
197. 0
197.0
202. 2
204. 1
204, 1
201. 9
198.9
197. 4
171.8
168.1
169. 5
173.2
177.9
177.9
173.2
171.8
170. C
171.8
171. 4
168.1
171.4
157. 3
156.2
156.2
155. 1
155. 1
153. 9
153. 9
155. 1
156. 2
159.6
160 7
160. 7
160.7
143. 1
136. 6
132. 1
144.9
139.2
135. 5
137. 6
138. 9
141. 3
145. 7
155.1
155. 9
153.0
138. 1 119.8 173.8 178.5 198. 1 181. 2 159. 6 144. 6
138. 1 120.7 172.9 181.1 199.3 182. 6 159. 6 142.3
170. 1 141.1 150.2
169.7 139.9 127.0
Cof
fee
All
a rti
cles
82.0
84.3
88.7
93.0
92.0
97.6
105. 3
111. 2
112. 3
101. 0
130. 5
132. 1
105. 3
107.7
106.6
109.3
111.4
115.1
100.0
101. 2
104.3
104. 6
119. 0
148.3
173.6
200.0
109.2
109. 2
109. 2
116.1
100.0
108.3
88. 9
158. 8
252. 7
188.2
223. 5
370.6
182. 4
164. 7
170. 6
158.8
100.0
108.2
120. 1
146. 4
169.3
176.4
205. 5
352. 7
145.5
132.7
183. 6
167.3
100.0
101.4
100.2
100.4
106.9
119. 1
128. 9
134.7
128.1
125.2
127.8
131.4
100.0
99.7
100. 6
100.3
101. 4
102.4
145. 3
157. 7
121.8
121. 1
126.5
145.3
100.0
102.4
101.3
113.7
146. 4
168.3
185.9
203.4
153.3
141. 6
146. 2
145.9
127. 6
123.0
124. 1
125. 3
126.4
126. 4
126. 4
128. 7
129.9
129.9
129.9
131. 0
131. 0
211.8
147.1
152.9
147.1
141. 2
158.8
205.9
258.8
258.8
211.8
217. 6
305.9
305.9
130. 9
147.3
140.0
140. 0
136.4
130.9
130.9
129. 1
127. 3
127.3
123. 6
120. C
121.8
138.8
136.4
137.5
138. 1
138. 8
139.0
139. 3
139.3
139. 5
139. 3
139.3
139. 2
139.3
172.8
173.2
174.8
175. 5
174.8
175.2
170. 5
170.5
170.8
171. 4
171.5
171. 8
172. 1
157.4
154. 3
151.4
151.1
150.8
151. 6
155. 0
159.9
160.4
159.0
161.6
167.1
165.5
95.0 87. 6
101. 5 92. 2
109. 4 93. 9
108. 2 94 9
101. 6 94.3
105. 2 101. 6
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
[785]
1907.................... ..................
1908.....................................
1909__________________
1910_.............. - .................. 1911________ __________
1912................................. .
ota Sugar Tea
B a
B u t
Flour Corn Rice Ptoes
con H am H ens M ilk ter Cheese L ard Eggs Bread
meal
167. 9 187.9 173.3 133.3 341. 2 121.8 139.9 172.1 164.3
167.9 190.9 173.3 133. 3 335.3 121.8 140. 1 172.1 161.5
CO
-a
400
375
350
325
300
275
'250
225
200
175
150
[7 8 6 ]
125
100
75
40
Dec.
Sept.
Jnr,e
50
¡9 1 7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
40
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Retail Prices of Food in
AVERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 39 cities
*■ 15, 1926. For 12 other cities prices are shown for the same
not scheduled by the bureau until after 1913.
T a b l e 5 —A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L
[Owing to differences in trad e practices in th e cities included in this report exact comparison of prices in
th e prices shown in this tab le are com puted from reports sent m onthly to th e bureau by retail dealers,
B altim ore, M d.
A tlanta, Ga.
Birm ingham , Ala.
Article
U n it
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
Sirloin steak __ ______
R ou n d s te a k ....................
R ib ro a s t.. .....................
C huck ro a s t....................
P la te beef........ _................
P o u n d _____
____do _____
____do ____...
____do _____
........ d o ...........
22. 6
20.5
17. 0
13. 0
9.8
36. 3
32. 2
27. 3
20. 2
12. 5
38. 6
34. 6
29.6
21. 5
13.2
38. 6
34. 3
28.8
21. 3
13.4
20. 7
19.0
17.3
14.7
11.6
37. 6
33.3
30. 2
20. 5
13.9
38.3
34.6
29. 9
2i. 6
14. 7
38.6
35. 3
30. 2
21. 5
14.7
24. 9
20.1
19.3
15.6
10. 0
37. 5
33.3
27.4
21. 6
13.2
39. 7
34. 7
28.4
22. 7
13.8
39.7
34.7
28.2
22.4
13.9
P ork chops........................
Bacon, sliced...... ..............
H am , s lic e d .._________
L am b, leg of__________
H en s....................................
____d o ___ __
____do _____
____do ______
____do ___ __
____do_____
19.5
30.0
28. 5
20.0
20.0
29.4
38.0
49. 1
35. 7
33.0
36. 1
47.4
54.3
37. 1
38. 1
35.4
47.4
53.6
37. 9
37.4
17.3
21. 3
30.0
18. 0
19.8
29. 5
36. 5
51.0
39. 6
38.7
36.0
42. 5
56. 5
39. 6
39.8
36.2
42.7
57.2
38. 9
40. 1
19.4
31. 3
30.0
18.8
19.3
30.0
41. 4
47. 9
37.8
33.3
36.3
48. 8
53.3
38.6
35.8
36.9
48.4
53. 5
37.0
36.2
Salmon, canned, re d ___
M ilk, f r e s h . . _________
M ilk, e v ap o rated . .
B u tte r .
. . . _____
Oleomargarine (all b u tter s u b stitu tes).
31.9 39.8
____do ____...
Q u a rt______ 10.0 16.0 19. 3
15-16 oz. can.
13. 1 13. 5
P o u n d _____ 41. 7 55. 1 58. 1
31. 4 32.8
........do_____
39.0
27.7 36.3
19.3 8.8 13.0 13. 0
10.9 11.3
13.6
57. 1 42.3 54.8 60. 4
28.0 30.6
31.8
36. 8
31.3
13.0 10.3 19.0
12. 6
11.3
59. 2 44.0 55.8
35.8
31.3
41.1
19. 0
12.6
60.8
36.8
41.2
20.0
12.8
59.5
36.6
C heese................................
L a rd .. ..............................
Vegetable lard su b stitu te
Eggs, strictly fresh ..
Eggs, storage___
____do _____
____do ___ _
_ __do___ _
D ozen.
____do_____
36.0
21. 6
23.6
44. 7
40. 0
23.0 36.9 38.1
15.4 23.6 22. 9
21. 8 22.0
28.8 51.7 57.6
25.0
46.9
37.7
22.6
21.8
41.7
35.0
B read_________________
F lo u r ..
C orn m eal__ _________
Rolled oats____
C o rn fla k e s. .
P o u n d _____
____do __ __
____do______
____do__ ___
8-oz. p k g ___
28-oz. p k g .
W heat, cereal
Pound. .
M acaro n i__
. .. d o ___ _
Rice ___ ____________
Beans, navy__
____do__
P otato es............................. ____do _____
Feb. 15—
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
1913 1925
Feb 15—
25.0 35. 2
14.8 22.8
25. 1
28. 0 46. 5
25. 0
36.4
21.4
23. 3
55. 6
42. 8
6.0 10.3 10.3 10.3
3. 6 6. 9 7. 1 7.1
2.4 4. 6 4. 0 4.0
9. 5 9. 5 9.5
11. 5 11.6 11.5
5. 4
3. 2
2.4
36. 4
20.3
24. 3
54. 0
41.4
36.8
20.3
24. 2
43.9
31.0
9. 1 9.4 9.8
6. 1 5.9 5. 9
4.4 4. 0 4.0
9.0 8.4 8. 5
10.3 10. 1 10. 2
26. 5
22.0
11.5
11. 2
6.7
22.9 24. 1 24. 3
19.2 19. 4 19.4
9.0 10.4 10.8 10.6
9.7 8. 7 8. 6
1. 7 2. 5 6.1 6. 1
8.2 8. 1 7.8
6. 7 7.9 8.8
12.4 12.3 12.2
17. 7 17. 7 17. 7
18.8 19.8 19.5
6. 1 5. 7 5.6
6.0 6.4 7. 1
11. 4 10.8 10.8
17. 1 15. 5 15.8
16.9 15.8 16.0
25. 4
21. 5
8.6 10. 1
12. 3
2.0 3.2
26.4
22.0
11.0
li. 0
7.3
23.3 36. 1
13. 5 21.0
25. 1
27. 1 55. 2
23.0 51.0
5.0 10.4 10.3 10.3
3.8 7.2 7. 1 7.2
2. 1 4.6 4.3 4.3
9. 7 10. 1 10.1
12.4 12. 2 12.3
25.9
19.5
8.2 11. 2
12.3
1.9 3.7
26. 3
19.0
12.1
11. 5
6. 7
26.5
19.0
12.3
11.4
6.7
7.6 7.9 7.6
6. 1 6.7 7.8
13.3 12.7 12. 7
18.8 18. 1 18.1
22.6 21. 8 21.7
O nions..
C abbage. _
Beans, b a k e d . . . .
C orn, can n ed . .
Peas, c an n e d .. .
____do _____
_ . _do _
N o. 2 can _.
____do ____
____do_____
T om atoes, canned____
Sugar, g ran u lated ______
T e a ......................................
Cofl'ee___________ _____
12.2 10. 6 10. 6
13.0 11. 9 11.6
........ do__
13. 6 11. 9 11. 7
P o u n d _____ 6.0 8. 5 7.2 7.2 5.0 7.0 6.0 6.0 5.3 8.5 7.3 7.3
_ __.do___ _ 60.0 96.0 10. 35 10.35 56.0 71.3 73.0 73. 2 61.3 90.6 92.4 92.9
____do_____ 32.0 51. 7 51.0 51.8 25.2 49.5 48.4 47.4 28.8 54. 5 54. 1 54.0
Prunes
Raisins _ _
B ananas
Oranges.
____do __
_ __do____
D ozen___
____do _____
16. 9
15. 4
27. 2
32.8
17.4
15. 7
28. 6
38.2
18.1
15.8
29.1
36.8
16.0
13. 1
27. 5
44. 3
15.0
13.5
25. 1
46. 2
14. S
13.9
25. 0
45. 3
19. 5
15.9
38.6
40.9
19.3
15.4
39. 7
44.0
19.3
15.4
39. 5
43.3
1 T h e steak for which prices are here q u o ted is called “ Sirloin ” in this city, b u t in m ost of the other cities
included in th is rep o rt it w ould be know n as “ p orterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[788]
41
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
51 Cities on Specified Dates
for February 15, 1913 and 1925, and for January 15 and February
dates with the exception of February, 1913, as these cities were
A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S
one city w ith those in another can not he made for some articles, particularly m eats and vegetables. Also,
and since some dealers occasionally fail to report, the n um ber of quotations varies from m onth to m onth]
B ridgeport,
Conn.
Boston, M ass.
Feb. 15—
1913
1925
Jan.
15,
1926
Charleston, S. C.
B utte, M ont.
Buffalo, N . Y.
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb. Feb.
Feb. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15,
15, 15,
15, 15, 15,
15,
1926 1926 1925
1926
1926 1925 1926
1913! 1925
Jan.
15,
1926
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb.
Feb.
15, 15,
15.
1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
C ts . Cts. Cts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
1 34. 5 1 60. 6 1 65.1 1 64. 1 46.6 49.0 48. 5
32.4 48. 0 52. 4 50.1 39.3 41.5 41. 1
23.4 37.8 39.8 38.9 34.9 36.9 37. 1
17.0 24.5 28.0 26.2 25. 2 27.5 27. 1
16.5 20. 2 20.3 10. 7 12.0 11.9
Cts.
20.3
18.3
17.0
14. 7
10.7
Cts.
36.8
31. 1
28.3
21. 6
12.6
Cts.
40.5
35.0
29.6
22.9
14.0
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
39. 7 28.0 30. 4 30.0 21.0 32.7 32.5
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42
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
T a b le 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R I N C I P A L A R T I
Chicago, 111.
Article
Unit
! Feb. 15-
Jan.
C incinnati, Ohio
Feb. 15—
.
C ts .
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
15, 15.
1913 1925 11926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
15,
1913 11925 1926
C ts .
I
J
Cleveland, Ohio
1
C ts.
Sirloin steak .
R ound steak .
R ib ro ast___
C huck roast..
P late beef___
P o u n d _____
___ do_____
___ do_____
___ do_____
<___do_____
20. Ö 40.6 44.1
C ts .
C ts.
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1
9
4
2
5
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29. 7
20. 7
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14. 7
10. e
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18. 6 30.3 34.7
18.1 31. 5 34.7
13.9 20. 7 24.8
11. 0 12. 4 14. 5
36. 5
29. (
26.2
20. 2
11. 6
37.0 36.8
31.0
26.9 27.3
22.2 22. 0
13. 5 13.8
P ork c h o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
H am , sliced__
Lam b, leg of.
H e n s .............
___ d o ...........
___ d o ......... .
----- do______
___ do............
----- do______
16.3
29.0
29.5
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39.0
Salmon, canned, re d ___ ---- do______
32.9
M ilk, fresh____________ Q u a rt______
14. 0
M ilk, e v ap o rated______ 15-16oz. can.
10.
B u tte r________________ P o u n d _____ 39.9 47.0
Oleomargarine (all b u t . . . . d o _____
27.6
ter su b stitu tes).
38. 2
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______
8.0
Cheese........... .............. .......
..d o _____
L a rd _________________
..d o ___
Vegetable lard substitute. ____do___
Eggs, strictly fresh_____ D ozen__
Eggs, storage................. . ___ do___
B read_____ ____ _
F lo u r__________
Corn m eal______
Rolled oats_____
Corn flakes_____
P o u n d _____
___ do______
___d o ...........
---- d o ......... .
8-oz. p k g ___
6.1 10.1
2.8 5.9
2.9 6. 5
8.6
W heat cereal__________ 28-oz. p k g ...! ___
M acaroni__________
P o u n d ___
R ice______ _______ __
----- do____
Beans, n a v y ................
----- do____
Potatoes____________
----- do____
...
21.6 36.7 36.0
13.7 20.9 20.0
25. 6 25.9
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19.0 45.5 38. 1
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3. 4
2. 5
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O nions______
C abbage____
Beans, b a k ed .
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned..
----- d o ___
___ do___
No. 2 c an .
----- do____
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Tomatoes, canned____
Sugar, granulated____
- . .. d o ____ _
15.0 14. 1 U . 5
13.7 12.6 12.6
P o u n d _____, 5.0 7. 4 6.5 6.5 5. 2 7. 6 6.8 6.8 5.5 14.4
7.9
---- do_____ 53.3 73.4 72. 2 73.9 60.0 75.0 77.3 77. 3 50.0 68.
------do______ 30.0 53.1 51. 6 52.0 25.6 46.3 46. 5 46. 7 26.5 53.45
---- do_____
18. 6 18. 1 18.1
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15.8 15. 3 15. 2 ______ ; 14.3 14.3 14. 8
14. 7
D ozen____
41. 0 43. 1 43.
38. 6 37.3 38 5
— do____
49.0 51.3 50.4
40. 0 41.3 42.0
49. 5
T e a __________________
Coffee........................
P ru n es___
Raisins__
Bananas..
Oranges...
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
5.9 5. 7
5.2 5. 3 6.7
12. 7 12.8 12.
18.1 17. 1
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25.5 25.4
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14. 2 13.9
6.9 6. 9
78.8 79.0
54.1 53.9
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48.9 48.4
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43
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
C L E S O F F O O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Continuaci
Feb. .Tan. Feb.
15, 15, 15,
Feb.
15—
Detroit Mich.
Denver, Colo.
Dallas, Tex
Columbus, Ohio
Jan. Feb.
15, 15,
Feb.
15—
Jan. Feb.
15, 15,
Feb.
15—
Jan. Feb.
15,
Fall River, Mass.
Feb.
15—
Jan. Feb.
lo,
15,
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 19* 1926 1926 1913 1925 1920 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
Cts. Cts. Cts.
Cts. Cts. Cts.
Cts. Cts.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
37.2 37. 3 19.6 33. 7 33.8 33.8 22. 5 29.0 31.3 32.6 22.8 37.4 41.0 40. 5131.0158.3 i 60.9160. 1
31.3 32.8 32.8 18. 3 30.4 30. 7 31.0 18.4 24.8 27.6 28.4 18. 2 30.3 33.5 32.8 24.0 42.9 46.1 45.4
29. 1 29. 6 29. 4 17.6 27.8 26.6 26. 7 15.9 21. 1 23.2 23.4 18.2 27.4 30. 1 29.8 22.6 27.9 31.6 31.4
21.3 23. 5 23. 2 15. 4 21. 4 21. 4 21. 2 14. 5 16. 4 18. 2 18.2 14.5 19.8 22.5 22.8 17.0 21. 7 22.9 22. 5
13.0 13.3 13.2
14.8 15.4 15. 0 11.8 15. 9 15.0 15. 2 9.1 9.4 11.1 11.6 10. 3 12.2 14.2 91.0
29.2 34.1 34.4 20.4 32.3 34.7 34.8 16.5 27.3 33. 4 34. 2 10.8 29.7 39.4 37.5 17.7 31.1 36.7 36. 3
42.4 47. 6 47. 4 36.0 40. 2 46. 1 45. 8 26.3 42. 8 49.3 49. 1 22. 4 40.6 50.7 50.6 24. 8 38.5 45.4 45.1
47. 2 52. 2 54. 1 28. 8 51. 5 56. 4 55. 9 27.0 49. 6 54. 5 53. 6 24. 0 51. 5 0/. / 58.3 28. 7 46.9 51.8 53.2
40. 6 43. 3 42.6 20. 5 41.3 43. 0 44.3 15.5 34.9 36.2 35.5 16. 7 39.3 42. 0 41.3 10.0 40.7 41.3 42.1
3,0. 7 39.1 38.8 18. 7 30. 8 32. 5 32.4 20.0 28.8 31.8 32.6 20.0 39.5 42.0 41.9 24.8 41.3 42.8 42.6
32.8 41.2 41.2
33. 1 37.8 38.3
30.6 39.6 39. 6
31.3 38.0 37.8
32.1 39.4 39.4
11. 0 12. 0 12.0 10. 0 15. 0 15. 0 15.0 8.4 12.0 12.0 12. 0 8.8 14.0 14. 0 14. 0 9. Ö 14. 0 14,0 14.0
10. 5 11.2 11. 2
10. 7 11. 2 11. 2
12. 4 12. G 12.6
13. 4 13. 4 13. 4
10. 7 11. 5 11. 5
47.8 52.6 51. 1 39. Ò 52.3 55. 7 54.5 40.0 46.3 50.6 49.2 40.4 50. 4 54.8 54.4 38. 4 49.3 55.7 55. 0
33.3 34. 1 34.1
29. 8 29.8 28.5
29.6 31.2 31.3
29.1 30.3 30.4 ----- 31. 6 30.4 30.4
SG.3
—
—
—
37.4 38.3 38.2 20.0 35.9 37. 5 37.5 26. 1 38.2 39.3 38.6 21.3 36. 7 37.5 37.5 23.6 37.9 39.1 39.0
21.1 19. 3 19.3 16. 0 24. 7 26.9 26.4 16.3 23.8 23. 7 22.0 15.9 23. 1 23. 0 22.7 14.8 21.8 21.7 21.4
26. 4 27.0 27.6
23. 6 23. i 23.5
25.6 23.4 23.2
26.5 27.2 27.2
25.9 20. 1 25. 9
49. 0 48. 6 37.8 26.3 40. 7 53.9 35. 0 29.0 42.0 49.4 37.3 31.2 55.8 57. 1 45. 6 37.7 74.1 70.9 60.5
41. 0
30.0 33. 9 30.6 24.8 55.0 42.3 29. 2 25.0 52.7 47.3 37.9
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8. 1 8.1 8. 1 5.6 8.8 8.6 8.5 5.3 8.3 8.4 8.3 5.6 8.8 8.7 8.7 6.2 8.8 9.3 9.2
6.4 6.2 6.4 3.3 6.3 6.0 6.0 2.7 5. 5 5.4 5.4 3. 2 6. 1 6.0 6. 1 3.3 6.5 6.4 6.5
4. 5 3.8 3.8 2.6 5.4 4.7 4.9 2.5 4.5 4.3 4.3 2. 7 5.5 5. 6 5. ,8 3.4 7.7 7.6 7. 1
10. 7 10. 1 10. 1
9. 0 8.9 8.8
9. 2 9.4 9.4
9. 5 9. 4 9.3
9.6 9.7 9.-8
11.2 11.1 11. i
11.9 11.8 11.8
10.4 10.7 10.7
11.2 11.6 11.6
10.6 10.8 10.8
24. 6 26. 0 25. 8
24. 3 25.8 25.8
23.9 24.3
26. 7 27.3 27.1
26. 1 26.1 25.8
21.4 21.2 21.3
19. 4 19. 1 18.9
20. 7 21.9 21.8
20. 9 23. 3 22.4
23.9 24.4 24.6
10.9 13. 3 13. C 9.3 13. 1 13. 1 13.2 8.6 10.3 11.6 11.9 8.4 10.7 12.0 12.2 IÒ.0 10.8 12.2 11.9
9.2 8. 9 8.7
12. 2 11.4 11.3
10. 9 10. 2 30. C
9. 5 8. 7 8.6
10. 4 10. 6 10. 5
2.2 5.8 5.9 2.0 4.6 6.3 6.1 1.1 2.3 4.8 4.8 1.3 1.7 5.7 5.2 1.8 2.2 6.3 6.2
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6.0 7.7 7.3
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12. 1 11.9 11. 9
14.3 14.3 14.3
14.2 13.3 13.2
13. 3 12. 5 12.6
12.6 12.0 12.3
19.2 18. 4 18.3
17.9 15.6 15.4
17. 7 15.9 15.8
17.4 17.1 17.1
17.3 15.8 15. 5
22. 0 21. 4 21.1
17.8 16. 6 16. 4
17. 2 15. 4 15.4
18.9 10. 1 16.1
19.1 18.4 18. 6
14.4 14.2 13.6
14.7 12.6 12. i
14.6 13.9 13.9
13. 7 13.2 12.6
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7. £ 6. 9 7.1 5.9 8.3 7.6 7.5 5.4 8.5 6.7 7.0 5.1 7.6 7. C 7.0 5.3 7.7 6.7 6.9
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62.9 51.3 49.5 36.7 61.2 59.6 59.7 29.4 52.0 52.3 52.2 29.3 52.2 52.0 52.1 33.0 53.7 53.2 53.4
18.6 18.0 17.7
20.6 21. 1 20.6
18.8 18.4 18.8
19. 1 18. 5 18.4
15. 0 15.6 ,15.7
14. 7 14. 7 15.0
14.4 14.3 14.4
14.9 15.5 15. 1
16. 1 16.7 16.7
14.5 14.4 14.3
30.4 38. i 37.8
33.0 38. i 36.7
D 3.8212. 1212.5
210. 3 210. C 210. 4
35.6 35.0 35.0
45.7 49.3 49.9
47.0 57.0 52.4
44.8 43.9 44.8 ......... 51.0 40.9 48.1
41.3 49.6 46.6
—
—
—
2Per pound,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
—
—
—
—
44
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
H ouston, Tex.
Article
Sirloin steak.
R ound steak.
R ib ro ast___
C huck roast..
P late beef___
Pork chops..................................
Bacon, sliced..............................
H am , sliced.............................
Lam b, leg o f.........................
H e n s . .. ........................................
U nit
In d ianapolis, Ind.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Feb. 15—
Feb. 15—
F eb . J a n . F eb .
J a n . Feb.
J a n . Feb
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1925 1926 H)26
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Pound.
___ do.
___ do..
___ do..
___ do.
Cts.
29. 8
29. 1
23. 2
18. 0
15. 9
Cts.
31.7
30.0
25.0
19. 0
16. 2
_do.
_do_
_do.
_do.
_do.
27.9
41.6
47.7
33.3
34. 0
34.6 . 33. 6
48.9 49.2
50.8 50. 8
36. 0 36. 0
37.4 38.8
31. 1
16. 3
Il.fi
51.8
35. 1
17.3
11. 5
54.9
Cts.
32.9
31. 7
26.0
19.8
17. 8
%.
Cts.
23. 5
8
16. 5
14. 6
11. 2
Cts.
35. S
32.8
26.6
22.4
13.9
Cts.
36.4
35. 1
28. 8
24.4
15. 3
Cts.
37.3
35. 4
28.4
24. 2
15. 2
Cts.
25.8
20 3
22. 5
14. 3
10. 3
Cts.
34. 5
28. 8
26. 3
18. 4
11.5
37.8
32. 2
27.6
19.8
11.8
12.1
18.0
28. 1
29.5
17. 7
21.0
28.5
38.3
49. S
42. 5
34.0
34.6
44.6
55. 2
42. 5
38. 7
34. 4
44. 8
55.0
40.0
40.5
23.0
25. 6
26.3
19. 5
22.0
30. 4
35.5
46. 1
41.0
36. 7
36.1
48.7
52. 2
41.7
39.9
35.6
48.7
52. 2
41.0
39.6
35.4
17.3 8.0
11. 5
54.6 41.8
31. 9
11. 0
10. 5
48.7
35.6
12.0
10. 8
53.9
35. 6
30 8
12.0 12.5 19.3
10. 8
11. 8
52. 6 43.8 53.5
Cts. Cts.
36.7
32.8
28.3
20.3
Salmon, canned, re d ________ ___ d o _____
M ilk, fresh........ ..................... .. Q u a rt......... .
M ilk, e v ap o rated ___________ 15-16 oz. can
B u tte r_____________________ P o u n d ____
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
s u b stitu te s )........................... . ___ do_____
31.6 31.5 31. 5
Cheese..................................... .
L a rd ___________ ____ ______
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te .......
Eggs, stric tly fresh..................
Eggs, storage........ ................. ..
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
Dozen.
----- do.
34.2
23. 3
18. 7
36. 5
35. C
B re a d .........
F lour_____
Corn m eal..
Rolled oats.
Corn flakes.
P o u n d ___
........do____
___ do____
___ do____
8-oz. pkg._
8.9 9.0 9.0
6.4 6.0 6. 1
5.3 4.2 4. 1
9.3 9. 1 9. 1
11.6 11.8 11.8
5.1
3.2
2.6
W heat cereal .
M a c a ro n i.....
Rice________
Beans, n a v y ..
P o ta to e s ......
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
___ do____
___ do____
___ do........
25.1 25.7 25.8
18.9 18.9 18.3
9.6 9.8 9.6
10. 9 10.0 10.0
4 3 6.3 5.9
24. 6 24. 6 24. 8
20. 1 18.9 18. 5
9.2 10.7 11. 3 11.9
9.5 8.9 8. 5
1.3 2.0 5.9 5.3
O n io n s...........
Cabbage____
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned.
Peas, can n ed .
___ do___
___ do___
N o. 2 can .
___ do___
___ do___
7.0 6.3 6.2
5.5 7.0 6.3
12.8 12.4 12.3
18.6 15.8 15.5
17.8 14.6 14.6
6.0 6. 2 5. 9
4. 3 5. 5 5. 5
12.5 11. 2 11.3
17. 1 15. 2 15. 0
16.9 15. 6 15.2
Tom atoes, can n ed .
Sugar, g ranulated .
T e a . . . . _________
C offee.....................
.....d o ..
Po u n d .
___ do..
___ do..
13. 6 10.8 10.6
14.7 13. 5 13. 2
12. 4 11.2 11.0
7. 5 6. 8 6.9 5.9 7.9 7.0 7.0 6. 1 8. 1 7.2 7.0
78.9 83.0 81.6 60.0 81.1 82.9 85.8 60.0 96.4 96.7 96.7
47.9 45.5 45.6 31.3 52.4 50.8 51.0 34.5 51.5 51.6 51.6
P ru n e s ..
R aisin s..
B ananas.
O ranges.
... .. d o .
___ do.
Dozen.
___ do.
17.3
15.3
29.5
40.9
34.5
24. 7
17.4
49.4
40. 5
16.7
14.6
29.0
44.4
34.4
24. 3
17. 7
30. 7
28.5
16. 7
14. 8
27.0
41. 6
30.6 32. 2 32. 1
20.5
15.8
31. 2
39.2
20. 0
16. 4
30. 9
44. 4
19.7
16. 3
30. 9
45.1
22.0 2 2 .0
12.5 12.6
58.6 57.8
30 5 32.2 32.2
21.0 36.9 37.1 37.9 22. 5
15.0 21. 1 19.8 19.5 15.3
26. 5 26.4 26.6
29. 0 43. 9 50. 6 40.2 32.5
24. 0
42. 7
8.5 8.1 8. 1
6. 1 5.9 5.9
4.8 4. 2 4.3
7.9 8.1 8. 1
10. 1 10. 1 10. 2
38.4 38.4
34.4
22. 6
24.7
54.1
48 0
35.3
23.8
24.4
66.4
45.3
35.2
23.7
24.5
49.6
32.0
6.5 11. 1 11.0 11.0
3. 7 6.9 6.9 6.9
2. 8 4.4 4.2 4.2
9. 7 9.6 9.8
11. 6 11.3 11.4
24 9
20 8
9.9
10. 7
2.2 3.1
6.6
24.7 24.7
20.4 20.3
11.2 11.3
11. 2 10.5
7.7 7.4
7 5 8.3 8.3
4 4 7.2
11. 8 11.3 11.0
20 9 19. 2 19. 2
20 2 19.9 20.0
8.2
17.9
15. 5
26 9
24.8
18.4
16.5
32.0
35.0
18.4
16.5
29.2
39.1
* The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin ’’ in this city, b u t in most of the other cities
included m this report, it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[792]
45
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
K ansas C ity, Mo.
Feb 15—
L ittle Rock, Ark.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, K y.
M anchester, N . H .
Feb. 15—
Feb 15—
Feb 15—
J a n . F eb .
J a n . Feb.
J a n Feb.
J a n . Feb,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
J a n . F eb .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts . C t s .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
21.9
20.0
16. 7
13.8
10. 5
36. 5
30. I
25. 6
18. 1
11. 4
37. 7
31. 1
26. 4
19. 5
12.9
37.5
31.4
26. 5
19.9
13.1
23.8
19.4
IS. 4
15.0
12.0
32.2
28.8
24. 6
18. 7
15.2
33.8
30.4
26. 5
18. 2
14.8
33.8 22.8
29.8 20.4
27.5 18.6
20. 5 16.0
15.0 12.4
35. 9
28.3
28. 3
18. 7
13. 7
36. 4
29. 6
28.8
20. 3
14. 7
36. 5 20.1
30. 0 18.0
28. 7 17. 1
19.8 13.3
14.4 11. 4
32. 3
28.2
23.8
17.8
14.2
33. 2
28.8
24. 7
18.3
15.2
33.8 134.0
29. 0 27.6
25. 1 18.4
19.0 15.8
15. 5
17.3
28.4
27.5
16. 3
16. 1
27.0
42. 3
48. i
35. 1
31.2
34. 1
49. 0
54. 3
33. 9
34.4
34.2
49.3
54.3
33.5
34.4
19.0
34.0
28.8
18.8
17.6
28. 2
38. 9
46.8
42. 1
28.8
34.2
48.2
50.0
40.0
30. 5
34.2 24. 4
48.9 33.8
50. 7 35.0
39. 3 19.2
30.7 28.3
38.3
49. 4
58.9
38.0
41.9
41.9
57.0
67. 1
37. 7
42.9
44.0 17.4
57.0 26. 6
65. 7 26. 1
37.0 17. 6
43. 5 21. 5
26. 6
35.6
42. 5
37. 5
36.6
32.8
46. 1
47. 9
39.0
38.8
33. 2
46. 9
47.9
38.6
38.0
18.2
22.2
27.2
17.8
23.0
30. 9
37.3
41.0
38.3
42.3
35.9
42.0
44.0
38.3
42.1
34.5
42.6
44.0
37.7
42.7
34. 4
8. 7 13. 0
___ 11.9
41. 5 50.6
37. 5
13.0
11. 8
54.0
38.6
13. 0 Ì0. 0
11.8 __
52.8 45.0
31. 9
15. 3
12. 0
51. 9
38.0
15. 0
12. 4
56. 1
38. 5
30.8 34.8 34.8
15. 0 10. 0 15. 0 15.0 15. 0 8. 8
12. 4
9. 9 10. 2 10. 1
55.1 43. 5 54.8 54.3 55.2 43.2
29. 7
12.3
11.6
51.8
36. 1
13.8
11. 9
55. 6
37. 1
13.0 8. Ö
11.9
54.2 41.8
30. 5
13.0
12. 7
52. 5
39. 1
14.0
13.1
57.2
39.1
14.0
13.0
56.8
---- 28.1 28.0 27.9 —
21.5 37. 5
16. 1 22. 8
27. 2
25.4 46. 2
17.0
5. 9
3.0
2. 6
___
36.4
21.9
27 2
47.4
37.7
37.2 21. 7
21.5 15.0
27.0
35. 8 25.0
25.0 . . . .
C ts .
30.3 31. 1 31. 1 —
37.8
23. 1
23.6
42. 6
45.0
37. 2
23.4
23. 6
49. 1
42.3
C ts .
30.8 34.0 33.1 —
37.5 19. 5 38.4
23.1 17. 9 23.4
23. 7
25. 7
34.3 26. 0 39.1
25.0 . . . . —
30.1 34.5 33.4 —
40.0 40. 1 20.8 36.6
24. 4 23.9 15.2 21.1
25. 7 25.8
28.0
42. 9 34.8 25. Ò 43. 8
20.1 ......
36. 5 —
38. 1 38. 5
21.2 21.0
28.2 28.4
50. 7 38. 9
43. 7 —
9.6 9.9 10.0 6.0 8. 7 8. 7 9.4 6.2 9.4 8.6 8.6 5. 7 9.4 9.3 9.3
6.4 6.2 6.3 3. 6 6. 6 6.8 0.8 3.6 6.4 5.9 5.8 3. 6 7.0 7. 1 7.2
5.9 5. 1 5. 2 2.4 4. 5 4. 2 4. 1 3.4 5. 9 5.2 5.4 2. 2 4. 5 4. 1 3.9
9. 3 9. 2 9. 3 ___ 10. 4 10.2 10. 4
9.8 9.7 9.8
8. 7 8. 6 8. 5
11.7 12. 2 12.3 . . . . 12. 0 12. 5 12. 2 . . . . 10.2 10.2 10. 1
10. 6 10. 7 10. 7
25. 3 26.9 26.9
21.8 20. 1 20. 4
8. 7 10.6 11.0 10. 7 8. 3
10.4 9. 7 9.4
Ï. 4 2.4 5. 6 5. 5 1.7
7.9 6.8 6.6
4. 5 6.4 6.4 __
13.9 13. 5 13. 3
16. 9 15. 4 15. 0
---- 16. 2 15. 7 15.8 —
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
!55.1 156.8
43.8 45.2
28.0 28.3
20. 9 22.9
14.8 16.2
28.7 27.5 28.0
21.3 36.6 36.9
16. 0 21. 9 21.3
26.1 26.3
34. 6 65.9 58. 5
25.0 54.0 44.6
5.9
3.4
3.6
C ts.
156. 4
44.6
27.9
22.4
15.5
37.1
21.4
25.9
54.9
36.9
9.2 8. 7 8.7
6. 7 6. 5 6.6
5. 7 5.2 5.2
8.8 9.0 9.0
11.2 11.4 11.1
24.8 24.8 24.8
21. 4 20.8 20. 5
10. 0 10.0 10. 3 7. 7
10.4 9.9 9. S
3. 1 6.3 5.9 Î. Ö
23.4 24. 7 24. 7
24.3 24.3 24.0
24.6 25.2 25.1
17. 7 17. 5 17. 5
24.4 24. 5 24.5
19. 6 19. 5 19. 5
10. 7 11. 1 11. 3 8. 1 10.8 11. 2 11.4 8. 5 10.3 11.1 10.9
10. 3 9.8 9. 5
9. 6 8. 4 8.3
9.8 9. 3 9.4
3. 9 5.5 5.6 Ï. 5 2. 2 6.0 5.8 1.4 2. 1 5.9 5. 7
7.8 7.2 6.9
5.8 6. 9 6.9
12. 5 11. 9 11. 4
20. 1 16. 9 16.8
19. 6 18. 7 18. 2 . . . .
8.8 6.3 6. 4
5. 1 4.9 5.3
12. 2 11. 6 11. 7
17. 7 16. 2 16.0
19. 1 18.0 17.4 . . . .
5.9 5.8 5. 7
4.9 6. 4 7. 2
11.9 11.0 11. 1
17. 7 17. 5 16.9
17.6 16. 1 16.1 —
5.6 5.3 5. 2
4. 1 4. 6 5.5
14. 2 14. 1 14.1
18.5 18.1 17.6
20.8 19.4 19.3
14.4 12.4 11.9
216.0 215.6 315. 6
14.0 12. 2 11.4
12.8 12.0 10. 5
14.2 13. 5 13.0
5. 6 8.2 6.9 7. 1 5. 5 8. 4 7. 5 7. 5 5.4 7.6 6. 6 6. 6 5.2 7.9 7. 1 7. 1 5.4 7.8 6. 7 6.8
54.0 S2. 3 79.4 81. 3 50.0 99. 9 103. 9 102.9 54. 5 76.0 73.9 75.3 60.0 75. 3 80. 4 81. 3 45.0 61.2 63. 7 63.7
27. 8 55.0 53.6 53. 5 30.8 56.3 .56.2 56.2 36.3 54. 2 54.6 54.7 27. 5 53. 4 50. 7 50. 7 32.0 52.9 52.5 52.5
17. 5
16.0
12. 8
— - 52.1
__
17.8
15.4
11. 5
47.8
17.3
18.1
15.3
16. 6
1J. 5
310. 3
48.0 . . . . 43.9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3 N o.
18.5
15.7
3 8. 9
45. 1
2]^
18.3
16. 5 16.6 16.8
16. 7
15. 7
14. 5
11. 7 12.5 12. 7
»11. 1 2 9. 8 3 9. 6
35. 0
3 9. 3
44.7 . . . . 45. 5 43.1 43.9 . . . . 38. 1
can.
16.9
14.8
35. 8
40.3
3 Per pound.
[793]
17.6
16.6 15.7 15.7
14.4 14.5 14.4
15. 5
35. 8
310. 3 3 9. 9 3 9 5
43.1 ........ 44.8 45.7 44.4
M O NTH L Y LABOR BE VIEW
46
T a b le » .-A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
M em phis, T enn.
U nit
Article
M ilw aukee, Wis.
M inneapolis, M inn.
Feb. 15—
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
•Tan. Feb.
15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
1913 ! 1925
Feb. 15—
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Sirloin s t e a k . . ............ . . P o u n d _____
R ound stea k __________ ____d o _____
R ib roast______________ ____do ___
C huck ro ast_________ _ ____do ____
P late beef____________ j ____do_____
20.0
10. 8!
18. 2|
13. 9
10. 2
32. 7
29. 1
24. 2
16.8
13.7
35. 3
31.7
28.4
19.2
14.6
35. 3
32. 1
26. 4
18.7
14. 6
20. 5
18. 5
17. 3
15. 0
10. 8
36. 0
31.6
25. 9
22. 0
13. 1
37.3
33. 5
28. 2
23. 5
14. 1
36. 9
33. 0
.28. 3
23. 5
14. 2
20. 0
18. 0
17. 7
14. 5
8. 7
29. 2
25. 1
23. 1
17.6
9.9
30.9
27.8
24.7
19.4
11.2
31. 2
28. 1
25. 1
18.8
11,6
____d o _____
____d o -------____do ------____do ___
........d o --------
18. 6
29. 1
26.4
20.4
19.6
24.8
35.8
46. 1
37. 5
31.4
31.1
42.8
49.6
39. 6
33. 5
30.8
43.0
50.8
38.6
33.9
15. 3
26. 3
26.8
19. 5
18.8
26.8
39. 2
44. 5
37.9
33.9
33.9
46.7
49.8
40. 5
36.8
33. 5
47. 1
49.0
39.4
37. 1
16.8
25.0
27. 5
15. 0
19.0
27.9
43. 7
47.0
35,6
32.9
33.2
48.4
50.4
36. 0
35.9
33.1
48.8
50. 7
34.9
35.3
33. .1
15.0 7.0
11. 5
53. 6 40. 2
27.7 ____
33.0
10.0
10. S
46. 6
28.6
32. 2
10.0
11. 3
50.5
29. 2
32. 1
10.0 7. 0
11. 3
50.0 39. 1
29. 2 ____
31.4
11. 0
11. 2
4.4,3
27.9
39.2
11.7
12. 1
50.0
29.0
39.0
11.0
12. 1
49. 1
29.2
20.8 33.9 35.4
15. 2 21.6 20.9
27. 5 27.4
28. 1 46.4 48. 1
21.7
38.3
34.9
20.9
27.4
37. 5
24.0
Pork chops__ ... ______
Bacon, sliced_____ ___
H am , sliced______ ___
Lam b, leg of___________
H ens............. .............. „ . a
36. 6 33.8
Salmon, canned, red . . ____d o _____
M ilk, fresh_________ _
Q u a rt_____ 10.0 15.3 15. 0
11. 5 11. 6
M ilk, evaporated
15-16 oz. can.
B u tte r.
. ________ Pou n d . . . 42.1 47. 3 55. 1
29. 1 27. 2
Oleomargarine (all but- ____do _____
te r s u b stitu tes).
C heese___ ______ ____
L a rd .. .
.. .. .. .
Vegetable lard su b stitu te
Eggs, strictly.frosh_____
Eggs, sto rag e..____ ____
____d o _____
__ __do_____
____do _____
D ozen_____
. . . . . d o _____
P o u n d _____
B r e a d . ____________
d o .. . ..
Flour
C orn m eal. ______ . . . ____do_____
Rolled oats
do
Corn flakes. . ________ 8-oz. p k g___
W heat cereal________
M a c a ro n i._____ ______
R ice________________
Beans, n a v y _______ _
Potatoes
__________ _
28-oz. p k g ...
P o u n d _____
do ___
___do ___
___d o _____
20.0 33.4 34.4 33.9
15. 2 20. 5 20. 1 19. 4
23. 5 23.7 23. 7
29. 3 43.6 48.9 37.8
38. 3 —
20.0 —
6.0
3. 6
2. 1
9.4
7. C
4.4
9. 7
11..2
9.7 9. 7
7. 1 7. 1
3.7 3.8
9. 4 9. 5
11.0 11. 1
24.6 25.9 25.9
19. 5 19. 5 19. 5
9. 7 10.3 10.4
9,6 9. 6 9. 6
1.6 3. 0 6. 2 6. 0
7. 5
22. 7 34.3 35.3
15. 1 22. h 22. 3
26. e 26.9
29. Ö 48.8 48. 4
22. 0 40.7 38.7
5. 6
3. 1
3.3
34. 7
22. i
26.6
37.5
28. 3
9. 2 9. 0 9.0
5. 8 5. 7 5. 8
5.8 5.6 5. 6
8. 8 8. 7 8. 6
10. 3 10. 5 10.4
5.7 10.0 9.9 9.9
2. 9 5.9 5.8 5.8
2.4 5.7 5.4 5. 5
8. 6 8. 4 8. 7
11.7 10.9 30.8
24.0 .24. 5 24. 5
18. 6 18. 1 18. 2
9.0 11. 1 11. S 11. 9
9. 6 8.8 8.7
1. 2 1.9 4.9 4.8
24. 7 25.8 25.8
18. 6 19. 4 19.3
8. 6 10. 7 11.9 11.9
9. 4 9,3 9. 3
I. 0 1. 6 5. 1 5.0
5. 7 5.1 5. 0
6. 3 5.4 5.7
4. 5 5. 1 6. 1 ____ 3. 4 4. 9 5. 7
11. 6 11. 3 1 1 .4 ____ 13.6 13.4 13.2
17. 7 16. 5 16. 2
16. 3 16. 0 15.9
17.3 17.1 16.8
16.9 16.2 16. 1
Onions______ .
C abbage__________
Beans, b a k e d .......... .......
Corn, canned____ _____
Peas, can n ed__________
___do ____
6. 1 5. 4 5.0
___do...........
4. 3 5.8
12.2 12. 1 11.9
N o. 2 can __
____do ____
17. 7
16.6
____do_......... ........ 18.9 17.7 18. 1
Tom atoes, canned_____
Sugar, g ra n u lated........ .
T e a . __________ _____ _
Coflee____________ ____
____d o _____
12.6 11.5 11.3
15.2 14.0 14. 1
P o u n d _____ 5. 5 7,f 6.9 7.0 5.4 7. c 6. 3 6. f 5.6
____do ___ 63. 8 92.f 94. 4 94.4 50. f 71. ( 71. 3 71.4 45. C
____d o _____ 27.5 52.8 51. 7 51.3 27. 5 49.0 47.0 47.0 30.8
P ru n es_______________
R aisins______ _________
B an an as_____________
Oranges_______________
........ d o _____
___do ___
D ozen_____
____ d o . ___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16.3
14. i
34.0
42.9
17.7
15. 3
35. 0
41.7
i Whole.
18.0
15. 9
34.0
45.
17. C
14. 5
210.
49. 4
17.4
14. 8
2 9. 8
47.1
1 P e r pound.
1791]
17.3
14. 8
2 9. 8
46. 3
14.8 14. 5 14.5
8. 1 6.8 6.9
62. 5 61. i 61.8
54. 7 54.3 54.3
17.0 17. 2 16. 7
14. 7 15. 3 15. 2
2 12.6 2 11.3 2 11.5
45. 7 49.8 49. 5
47
BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
N ew ark, N . r.
M obile, Ala.
N ew l rork, N . Y.
N ew Orleans, La.
New H aven, Conn.
Feb. 15—
Feb. 1.5—
Feb. 15—
Feb. 1,5Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb.
Feb. Jan. Feb.
15. 15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, < 15, 15,
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
31.5
30.0
25.6
20.0
15.5
Cts.
33.3
32.1
27.3
21.7
17.2
Cts.
34.2
33.3
27. 5
23.3
17. 7
Cts.
25.2
24.8
19.6
16.8
11.6
Cts.
42.8
40.8
34. 6
22.6
12.6
Cts.
44. 8
42. 7
36. 0
24.8
14.0
Cts.
43. 2
40. 7
35.5
24.5
13.4
Cts.
30.0
26.2
23.0
17.6
-
Cts.
51.3
42.0
34.2
25.6
14.0
Cts.
54.1
43.9
37.0
27. 5
15.2
Cts.
53.6
43.9
35.2
26.9
15.1
Cts.
19. 5
17.5
18.8
13.8
10.8
Cts.
32.8
29.3
28.4
19.6
16.7
Cts.
34. 6
30. i
29. 0
20.4
18.3
Cts.
34.9
30.4
29.3
21. 2
18.0
Cts.
24.7
23. 1
21.1
15.1
14.0
Cts. Cts. Cts.
43. 0 45.6 44.8
40.9 43.4 42.6
37.3 38. 9 38.5
23. 3 24.9 24. 6
18.0 21.0 .20.5
34.6
39.3
44.2
37.5
34.4
38.3
48.4
50.0
41.3
37.6
37.5 19.6
48.8 22.0
49. 61 18.6
41.3 20.8
38.3 21.8
29.8
38.3
48. 2
39.4
36.9
36. 1
44.6
57. 6
39.4
39.6
35.5
43.9
53.4
38. 1
39. 1
18.4
26.2
30. 0
18.8
22.2
29.1
41.9
54.1
38. 1
39.9
36. 6
49.9
57. 7
39. 9
42. 4
35.6
49.6
58. 3
39.6
42.7
20.1
29.3
26.0
20. 1
20.7
29.0
39.4
48. 7
39. i
37.1
35.2
45.2
49.3
39.5
39.8
35. 2
45.9
50.4
39.8
38. 5
19.8
23. 1
27.8
16.5
20.4
33.2
40.4
53. 5
35. 8
37. 0
39. 1
49.8
59. 0
37.5
39.7
38.5
50.4
59. 1
36.3
40.6
29. 5
20.0
11.6
52.9
30.5
39. 0
17.8
11.7
58. 8
.31.3
38.8
18.5 9.0
11.7
58.8 44. 0
31.0 ........
26. 3
16. 0
10. 6
50. 7
30.9
15. 0
11.3
55. 8
31. 1
36. 3
15.0 9. 0
11.2
54. 6 38.7
30.4 —
30.5
16.0
11.9
49.9
32. 1
34.1
16.0
12. 3
56. 3
33.1
37.5 37.7
35.5
16.0 10.0 14.3 14.0
10.9 11. 1
12.1
56.0 4Î.S 50.5 56. 6
33.5 ........ 31.2 32. 1
38.1
14.0 9.0
11.1
55.2 41. 5
32. 1 —
29.3
15.0
10.7
49.9
29. 7
35. 8
15. 0
11.1
54.4
31.0
35. 7
15. 0
11.2
54.4
30.9
36.0
23.2
21.8
46.7
43.0
38.0
22.3
21. 5
50.6
44.1
36.7
22.0
21. 5
39.7
32.5
20.0 37.0
15.7 22.9
26.0
38. 0 65.9
26.0 57.5
38. 5
23.2
25.9
61.6
46.3
38.8
23.2
26.0
55.9
42.9
9.8 9. G
7. 1 6.8
4. 7 4. 1
8. 7 8.8
11.1 11.2
24. 5 37.9 39. 5
15.7 21.9 22. 0
25. 0 26. 3
43. 0 67.2 63. 2
25.3 53.0 43.6
9.6 5.6
6.8 3. 5
4.1 3.6
8.8
11.2 .........
40.0
22. 8
26.4
54.4
35.7
22.0 37.7 39.4
14.7 22. 3 22.3
25. 2 25.8
38.0 71.5 70.2
24.8 55.6 46.4
39.0
22.3
25.9
62.2
37.0
9. 1 9.3 9.3 6.0 8.3 9.0 9.1
6.4 6.0 6. 1 3. 2 6. 5 6.3 6.3
6. 7 6.8 6. 7 3.2 6.6 7.0 7.0
9. 5 9.4 9.4
8.4 8.4 8.3
10.9 10.9 10.7
9.7 10.1 10.1 —
22.0 36.1 35.4
14.7 21. 4 22. 1
23.9 22.6
29. 1 46. 4 53.2
40.7
23.0 —
5.1
3.8
2.6
—
8.9 8.9
7.4 7. 6
4. 6 4.0
9. 2 9. 1
10. 6 10.7
35.6
21.7
22.1
38.0
28.4
8.9
7.7
3.9
8.9
10.4
6.0
3. 2
3.4
................
9.6
6.7
G. 8
8.9
10. 1
9. 6 9.6
6.3 6.3
6. 4 6. 1.
8. 7 8.6
10. 0 10. 0
23.0
21.1
8.0 10.3
11.0
2.5 3.0
6.2 6.7
5.4 5. 1 5.1
5.7 6.6
4. C 5.2 5,5
11.6 11.6
12.3 11.4 11.3
17.5 15.3 14.7
18.6 18.6
19.9 19.8 ......... 17.8 16.4 16.7
5.9
4.1
11. 5
16.8
17.3
5.9 5.9
5. 4 6.2
11.2 11.4
15.1 15. 3
15.7 15. 5
13. 1
13.2 11.2 10. 7
13.9 12.4 12.0
12. 1 11.2 11.2
12.7 11. 4 11.2
7.9 6. 7 •6.8 5.3 7.2 6.0 6. 1 5.2 7.8 6.5 6.5 5.3 6.9 6.1 6. 1 4.9 7.0
79. 2 80.0 80.0 53.8 61.4 64.2 63.7 55. ( 59.1 59.5 59. £ 62. 1 82.6 82.4 82.-1 43.3 62. 6
51. 5 49.4 50.9 29.3 50.0 49.7 50. 2 33. 8 54.4 53.3 53.4 26.4 43.4 37.6 36.4 27.5 48.6
11.0 10.9
5.8 6.0
64.7 64.9
48.0 48.3
24.8 25.3
20. 6 20. 6
11.2 11. 1
10. 1 9. 5
6.4 6.3
6. 1 5. 5 5.8
4.8 5. 7 5.9
11. 5 11.0 11.0
17.3 16. 8 17.0
17.4 16.3 16.7
16. 0
15.4
20.7
34.2
16.9
14. 5
24. 0
40.9
16.5
14.8
24.0
41.5
23.5
20.8
9.5 10. 4
10. 5
2.5 2.7
—
24. 1 24.2
21.1 21. 1
11.2 11.2
10.0 9. 8
6.3 6.0
24.3 25.1 25.3
22. 7 22.9 23.2
9.3 11.4 12. 1 12.4
10. 1 9.8 9.8
1.7 2.4 6. i 6.-0
5.9
6.4 6.2 6.2
5.C
5.0 5.4 6. 1
11. 4 11.6 11.3
12. C
18.8
17.7 17. 5 16.8
18.8 17.2 16.6 ----- 20.8
15.7
13.6
37.5
42.2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16.3
14. 0
36.9
51. 1
15.7
14. C
37.5
48.8 —
17.2
14.1
35. 0
49.7
16.2
14. 1
34. 1
50.8
[795]
16.3
14.2
.34. i
51.2
18.2
14. 5
20. 0
41.8
18.1
14.2
17.9
41.5
—
18.1
13.8 ____
16.0
44.4 ........
24.0
20. S
10.7
11.0
6.4
23.9
21. 1
10.3
10.8
6.4
24.3 24.8 24.6
10. 1 9.3 9.4
7.4 9.8 10.5 10.4
9.7 9. 1 9.0
1.9 3.4 6.1 6.1
24.2
19.9
10.0
10. 4
3. 1
16. 2 16.1 16.2
14. 6 14. .5 14.6
42.6 .37.1 39.2
49.9 54.9 57.0
48
M ONTHLY LABOR EE VIEW
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Norfolk, Va.
Unit
Article
Feb.
15,
1925
Jan .
15,
1926
Feb.
15,
1926
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
O m aha, N e b r.
Feb. 15—
1913
1925
C ts.
C ts.
Peoria, 111.
Jan .
15,
1926
Feb.
15,
1926
Feb.
15,
1925
Jan.
15,
1926
Feb.
15,
1926
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
Sirloin s t e a k . . .................
R ound steak .....................
R ib ro a st_____ ____ ___
C huck ro ast__ ................
P la te beef___________ __
Pound.
___ do.
___ do.
___ d o.
___ d o.
38.0
32.0
30.1
20. 7
14. 3
40.1
34,1
31.3
22.3
14.9
39.9
33. 5
31.2
22. 3
15. 3
23.0
19.2
16.7
13. 5
9.5
35. S 36.6
31. 1 32.8
24. E 26. 1
19. £ 21. 7
10.9 12. 1
36.4
33. 1
26. 1
21.8
12.0
31. 6
29.1
23.2
19.6
12. 3
33.6
32.1
23.7
20.4
13.8
33. 1
31.8
23.9
20.4
13.6
P ork chops..........
Bacon, sliced_____
H am , sliced..............
Lam b, leg of______
H ens.........................
____do.
____do.
____do.
____d o.
........ do.
29. 1
36.9
40. 2
38.3
35.8
34.9
44.5
46. 8
41.3
38.4
34.8
44. 2
47.2
40.4
39.3
16.5
25. 5
27. t
16. 5
16.9
28.0
35.7
43. a
51. 1
50. 5 54. 7
39. C 37. 7
30.9 33.4
35. 1
52. 4
54. 7
37.8
33. 7
27. 1
43. 3
47.7
38. 2
31.5
33.3
50.0
52. 1
36. 2
34.8
33.7
50.0
53. 6
36. 7
35.1
Salmon, canned, re d ____ ____do _____
M ilk, fresh____________
Q u art........ .
M ilk, ev ap o rated ______
15-16 oz. can.
B u tte r .________________ P o u n d ____
Oleomargarine (all b u t ____d o _____
ter su b stitu tes).
30.6
17.0
10.9
51.8
28.8
36.7
17.5
11.4
58.6
28.9
36.5
17.5
8. 2
11. 4 ________
56.8 40. 0
28. 5 —
33, 3
11.4
11.4
46.6
29.9
38. 1
11. 6
11.9
51. 4
31. 3
38. 3
11.4
11.9
49. 7
31. 1
32. 2
12. 0
11.6
46. 5
30.8
38.4
11. 7
11.6
51. 7
31. 2
38.7
11. 7
11. 5
49. 6
31.0
C heese............................
.d o .
L a rd ________ ____ _
Vegetable lard su b stitu te . ___ do.
Eggs, strictly fresh........ .. D ozen.
Eggs, storage.................
___ d o.
33. 1
21. 8
22. 6
53. 9
52. 5
34. 5
20. 9
21. 6
55. 5
44. 5
34. 1 22.9
21. 5 16.4
22. 0 ________
44.0 25. 0
35.2
35.9
24. 3
28. 2
41. 2
37. 5
24.9
27. 0
47. 1
39. 8
37.5
24. 5
27. 7
35.4
32.0
35.8
23.3
27.4
46.8
50. 0
35.9
22. 5
27. 2
48.3
40. 4
36.2
22. 5
27.1
37.7
B read_____
F lo u r_____
Corn m e a l..
Rolled oats.
C orn flakes.
P o u n d ___
___ do ____
___ do ____
....... do ____
8-oz. pkg__
9.4
6. 5
4.8
9.0
10.8
9.5
6.3
4. 7
8.5
10.4
9. 5
6.4
4.5
8. 5
10.3
9.8
5.8
5.3
10.8
11.9
10. 1
5. 7
5.0
10.3
12.0
10. 1
5.6
5.0
10. 3
12.5
10.0
6.4
5. 1
9.4
12.0
10.0
6. 1
4.9
9.0
12.0
10. 1
6. 1
4. 8
9.0
12.0
W heat cereal .
M acaroni___
R ice....... .........
Beans, n a v y .
Potatoes__ _
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
___ do____
___ do____
----- do____
24.1
19. 3
11.7
9.9
2.6
23.9
19.3
11.6
9. 1
6. 4
23,9
19.3
12.1
8.8
6.5
24.6
21.2
10. 1
10. 3
2.2
28.3
21. 3
11.4
10. 3
5.7
28.0
21. 2
11. 5
10.2
5.5
25.5
21.4
10. 7
10.1
2.1
25.4
20.8
11.8
9.0
5.6
25.4
20. 5
11. 5
9.0
5.4
O nions______
C abbage____
Beans, b ak ed .
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned..
___ d o ___
___ d o ___
N o. 2 can .
........ d o ___
..d o ___
6.1
4. 5
10.1
17.3
22.1
6.6
6.5
5.1
5.8
10. 1 ' 10.1
15.6 15.3
20.3 19.5
6.8
4.5
14. 7
16.8
16.6
5.9
5.7
14. 6
16. 5
17.4
5.9
6.4
14.6
16. 1
16.8
7.3
5.5
12.1
16.3
19.2
6.1
5.9
11. 7
15.9
18.0
6.4
6.4
11,9
15.9
17,8
Tom atoes, c a n n e d ...........
Sugar, gran u lated _______
T e a ___________________
Coffee............................ .......
........ d o ..
Pound.
---- d o .___ d o ..
12. 1
7.1
93.3
52. 1
10.2
6.2
89. 5
50.4
10.6
6.3
89. 5
49.9
14.8
8.2
76.8
57.3
14.3
6.9
78. 5
57.4
14.3
6.9
78.2
57.4
15.6
8.9
64. 1
51.9
14. 5
7.3
64.8
52. 1
13.8
7.4
64.8
52.2
P ru n es...
R a isin s ..
B ananas.
O ranges..
----- do.
___ do.
D ozen.
___ do.
16.0
14.2
33.3
43. 3
17.0
14. 1
33. 5
49. 2
16.6
14.2
32.3
45. 6
5.2
2.9
2.4
8. 5
1.3
________
5.7
56.0
30.0
16.8 17.3 17.7 20.1 20.5 20.4
16.6 15.3 15.5 15. 1 14.8 15.0
4 13.5 4 11. 8 4 11. 8 4 12. 0 4 9. 9 4 10.2
42.8 43.9 43.3 40.0 41.2 44.6
J ^ e stejjk: for w hich prices are here quoted is called “ sirlo in ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of th e other
cities included m th is report, it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
49
RETAIL PRICES OE FOOD
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsb u rg h , Pa.
Portland, Me.
Portland, Oreg.
Providence, R. I.
Feb. 15— Jan. Feb. Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb. Feb. Jan. Feb. Feb. 15— Jan. Feb Feb. 15— Jan. Feb,
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
i 28. 5 i 48.9 i 55.6 i 55.1
23.4 37. C 41. 7 40.6
21.4 33. 5 37.2 36. 6
16. 5 20. S 23.8 24. 7
11.3 10.2 12.3 12.6
24. 8
21.4
20.6
15.6
11.0
44.4
36. 5
33.2
22.6
11.6
46.6
38. 3
35.0
24,8
12.6
Cts. Cts. Cts.
45.8 i 59.2 i 60.9 i 60.5
37. 1 44. 4 45.9 45. 5
33. 5 28.4 29.6 29. 5
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4 72.3 1 71.5
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2 N o. 3 can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18.9
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46.9
18.1
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40. 0
48.5
18.4 15.6 15.8 16.0
14. 13.6 13. 1 13.3
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[797]
11.6 14.3 14.5
13.6 13.8 13.7
4 12.8 4 13.7 4 13.6
44.8 46.4 41 1
4 P er pound.
17.8
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32. 9
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51.3
50
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
T a ble 5 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Richmond, Va.
Rochester,
N . Y.
St. Louis, Mo.
Feb. 15—
A rticle
U n it
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P o u n d ____
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____ do _____
____d o _____
____do _____
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33.8
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38. :8
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15.9
39. 1
34. 7
31. 5
22. 7
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38.9
31.9
29.9
22. 6
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Sirloin steak ________________
R ound steak
R ib ro ast__________ ______
C huck ro a s t________________
P la te beef__________________
40. 1
34. 1
30.6
24. 7
13.9
39,8
34. 1
30.0
24.9
13.6
22.8
20. 4
17. 6
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32. 6
29. 1
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36.9
34. 7
30.6
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36. 2
34. 3
30.3
20. 5
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P ork chons ________ _____ ___
Bacon, sliced- ___________ H am , sliced________________
L am b, leg of________________
H e n s__ _________________ __
____d o _____
____d o _____
____do_____
____d o _____
___ do_____
18. 4
23.4
23.3
18. 7
20. 0
29.9
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39. 1
44. 2
35. 2
36.4
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44.6
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39.9
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39.4
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39. 5
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52. 1
39. 5
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39. 2
43.8
52.9
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43.9
17. 1
23. 0
26. 7
17.8
17. 4
26. 1
40. 0
45.9
38.8
33. 6
32. 3
46. 2
49.6
37.8
32.2
46. 1
50. 4
38.6
36. 6
Salmon, canned, re d ________
M ilk, fresh ________________
M ilk, ev ap o rated _______
B u tte r ..................... -------O leomargarine (all b u tte r substitu tes).
32.8 36. 5
____do_.........
Q u a rt._____ 1Ö.0 14.0 14.0
12. 7 12.3
16-t6.oz.can.
P o u n d ___ - 43. 4 56. 6 62. 4
30.9 31.9
____do _____
37. 0
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13. 2 18. 0
26.0
24. 4 49. 1
20.0 47. 0
36. 1
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26. 6
47.7
36. 4
35. 6
17.9
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27. 0
Cheese ......... ........................
. .d o _____
L a rd ____________ ______
_:dO—__
V egetable lard su b stitu te __ ____do ___
Eggs., stric tly fresh __ ____ B ozen_____
Eggs, storage ..... .............. .... ___ do............
B re a d ______________ P o u n d ----F lo u r __ __ __ __________
__do____
C orn m eal ..... ... ........................
.d o .......
Rolled o a ts ....... .............. __ d o ___
C orn flakes ....... .............. 8-oz. p k g __
W b e at cereal _
M acaroni ....... ........... .... P o u n d ___
R ice______________________ ____do............
Beans, n a v y _______ ______ ___ do_..........
P otatoes-..................... ..........
__do_-__
O n io n s, ..... ..................
. d o ......
do
C abbage _______ __ __
Beans, b a k e d ... ........... .... N o. 2 c a n _
Corn, c a n n e d .. ......... .
..... d o .jt___
Peas, c an n ed ............................... ___ do...........
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb.
Jan. Feb. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1925
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
22. 3 36. 5
15. 0 22. 3
25.3
26.8 50.8
20. 0
&. 4
3. 3
2. 0
36. 7
22. 1
26. 2
55. 7
9. 6 9.5 9. 5 8. 7 8.9 8.9
6. 1 6. 1
6. 3 6. 3 6. 4
5. 1 5.0 5.0 6. 3 6. 4 6. 4
9.5 9. 2 9.0 9.6 9. 5 9. 5
11.1 11. 2 11. 1 10. 7 10. 5 10. 4
25 fi
20. 8
9. 8 12. 4
11. 4
1.7 3. 1
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20.6 20. 7 22.6 2 3 ! 2 2 3 ! 1
12. 7 13.0 11.2 1 1 . 1 1 1 . 5
10. 0 9. S 10. 0 9 . 7 9 . 7
7. 0 6. 8 1. 5 5. 6
7. 1 6. 9 7.1 5. 2 4.9 5 . 1
5. 1 6. 5 7. 7 2. 4 3.9 5. 1
10.9 10.7 10.7 11.2 10.9 1 0 . 9
15. 8 16.0 15.4 17.6 16. 5 16.9
20.4 20. 7 20. 8 19.9 18 9 18. 9
5. 5 9. 5 9.9 9.9
3. 0 6. 2 5 8 6. 0
2. 1 4. 8 4. 7
8.9 8 8 8 8
10. 2 10. 1 10 1
93 8
91 7
21. 6 21.2
8. 6 10, 4 1 0 . 7
9. 4 8 4
1. 5 2. 6 5 7
6. 0
3. 8
1 1 .2
6 1
5 4
10 .9
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2 1.4
10 .7
8 2
5. 6
5 7
5 7
10 .8
16. 8 16.2 16. 1
16. 6 16 9 lfi 9
T om atoes, can n ed .....................
__do_____
12 7 11. 0 10 5 15 4 14 3 14 3
13 4 12 2 12 3
Sugar, g ran u lated ...................... P o u n d .......... 6.3 7.4 6.6 6.6 7. 2 6.2 6.2 5 . 1 7.5 6 . 7 6.8
T e a ............................................
.d o . .
56 0 90 8 91 8 89 8 67 6 ■67 4 67 1 55 0 72 3 73 fi 74 8
C o fle e ..................................
........ do........... 27. 4 50.3 49.9 49. 6 50. 0 48 9 48.9 24.3 50. 0 48 0 48 0
P ru n e s.......................................... ____do...........
R aisins......................... ............... ___ do ..........
Dozen
B anan as....................................
O ra n g e s......................... .
........ do____
1 N o.
2%
19. 4
14. 3
38. 6
38.6
can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[793]
18 2
14. 4
35.8
45.3
18. 3
14 3
36. 4
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18 7
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43. 3
49.4
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46.3
BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
51
C L E S -OF F O O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
St. Paul, M inn.
Salt Lake C ity, U tah
Feb. 15—
San Francisco,Calif.
Savannah,
Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
1
Feb. 15—
Feb. Feb. Jan. ,Feb.
Jan. Feb.
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926
1913 1925 1926 1926
Feb. 15—
Feb.
Jan.
Feb.
.1925
1926
1926
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38. 9
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27.0
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28. 3
22. 2
13. 2
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19.5
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15. 0
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29.7 29.6
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8.9
9.8 9.5
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10.7 10.5
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0.2 4. 1 3. 6 3. 5
7. 6 7. 6
9. 5 9. 1 9. 1 9.1
9.8 10. 2 10 1
10.5 10.3 10. 5 10.4 ................ 10.8 11.1 11.2
24. 8
18. 9
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25.9 ___ 24.9
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8. 3
74.3
53. 5
14. 2
7.1
69. 6
52. 0
6.5 ____
6. 5
13.8 ----15. 3 ____
16.3 ........
13.6
7.1 6.2
70. 2 65. 7
52.1 35.8
15.9
8.3
84.7
57.6
15.7
7.4
85.3
57.4
15.4
1 15.9 1 15.5 1 15. 5 11. 9 10.3 10.4
14. 0 12.8 12.6
7.5 5.3 7.3 6.4
6.6 7.2 6. 6 6.6 6. 1 7. 7 6. 7 6. 7
85.0 50.0 68. 1 68.8 68.0 76.1 77. 1 76.7 52. 5 66. 3 65. 9 65. 4
57.7 32.0 52.7 52.8 52.8 49.3 49.1 49.9 31. 3 53. 5 52.8 52.8
1913 j 1925
C ts .
18.4 17.1 17.1
15. 5 15. 6 15. 7 —
2 12. 4 2 11. 9 2 12. 1 —
51. 2 51. 6 51.8
C ts .
Jan.
1926
C ts .
Feb.
24. 3
14.3
8. 5 10.9
10. 4
1. 0 3. 5
6.7
25.2
14. 8
11.7
10.1
5.2
4.5
14. 1 13. 5
18.8 18. 5
19.2 18.7
16. 2 16.3 16.1
13.3 13. 9 14. 2 ____
2 16.8 2 15. 5 2 15. 5 ----40. 1 42.6 42.0
15.6
13.3
36.7
48.8
2 P er pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Jan.
LW i
15. 0
12. 5
35. 6
47.5
31.8
12. 0
11. 6
49. 3
C ts .
50.9
42. 7
37. 4
28. 5
13.0
49. 5
41 8
37. 0
28. 3
13.4
36.1
12. 0
12. 1
56. 4
32.0
32.0
18.8 34.9
15. 8 23. 2 23.2
26.1 26. 4
32. 5 C6. 9 57. 8
23. 5 52.0 41.6
35.8
22. 7
26. 2
51.1
36.9
25. 6
23.5
8. 5 10. 7
12. 4
1.7 2. 2
25. 6
23. 7
11. 5
12.3
5.7
36.3
12. 0
12.1
25. 8
23. 3
li. 5
11. 8
5.8
4.4 6.8 6.8 7.0
6.0 5.8 6. 4
4 fi
4 8 6 2 7 1
13.4 12.4 11.6 11.6
11.9 11. 5 11.4
18.6 19.6 16. 5 16.3
17. 6 17. 5 17. 5
18.4 18. 5 17.2 16.4 ........ 18.5 18.4 18.0
14.9
12. 6
32.2
45.4
15. 2
13.6
31.4
36.2
15.4
13.5
30.9
39.1
15.7
13.9
32.3
37.9
17. 7
14. 6
35. 0
48.0
18.6
14. 4
34. 0
51.8
18.4
14. 2
34. 0
51.2
52
T
a b i .e
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
5 —A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F F O O D IN
51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF I E D D A T E S —C ontinued
Springfield, 111.
Seattle, W ash
U n it
Article
Feb 15—
—
Jan.
15,
1926
1913 1925
Sirloin steak
Ben mi steak
n ib roast
C hunk roost
P lato beef
____ Pou n d . . . .
___ _do ___
____ do ___
____ d o ____
______ ____ do _____
P ork oh ops
Bacon, sii nod
TTam, sliced
B am b, leg of
Pons
_______
Salmon, canned, red
M ilk, fresh
M ilk, evaporated ____
B u tte r
_ _____ Oleomargarine (all b u tter s u b stitu te s ).
Cheese
_______
Bard
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh_____
____ do ___
___do ____
____ do ____
____ do ____
____do -------_ __do ___
Q u art___ . .
15-16 oz. can.
P o u n d ___ .
........ do _____
___do -------.. ___do _ __
_ ___do-------Dozen ._
do
P o u n d _____
B read
______
_ __. do ___
Plour
____do ___
Corn meal
_do
polled oats
Corn flakes
8-oz. p k g ___
W heat cereal_________ - 28-oz. p k g ..
P o u n d ____
M aoaroni
____ d o ____
Biee
____do ___
Beans, n av y
Potatoes
_ ________ ........ do ______
____ do ___
Onions
____do ___
Cabbage
N o. 2 c an __
Beans, baked
____do
C orn, canned
Peas, canned..................... ........ do____ T om atoes, c a n n e d _____ ____ d o _____
Sugar, gran u lated.......... P o u n d ___ .
_
T ea
_______ ____do
Coffee
__________ ........ do _____
P runes
_________ ___ „do ___
____ do ___
Baisins
B ananas
D ozen_____
Oranges
_ _ _____ ____d o ____
Feb.
15,
1926
Feb.
15,
1925
■Tan.
15,
1926
Feb. 15—
Jan. Feb.
Feb.
15, 15,
15,
1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
25.9
21.8
20.0
15. 6
10. 7
Cts.
42.8
36.6
’33. 1
22.1
12. 5
Cts.
45.6
38.9
34. 2
24. 0
13. 4
Cts.
45.4
38. 6
34.6
24. 2
13.0
33.2 19.3
46.3 23.3
51.8 28.2
39. 1 21.0
37.0 21.3
41.6
12. 5 9. Ò
11.9 ____
52.0 44. 0
31.9 .........
32.5
39. 1
54. 3
42. 0
39. 4
28.5
14. 0
11. 7
54. 1
29. 6
39.5
46.2
58.3
43. 4
41.0
37.6
15.0
12. 0
59. 2
31. 3
39.5
46.7
58.9
40. 7
43.9
38.4
15.0
12. 0
58.1
31.2
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
22.0 31. 7 33. 1 33.3 30.5 33.6 33.9
20.0 26. 5 28. 6 28.8 30. 1 32.9 33.4
18.4 25. 8 25.9 26. 3 21. 7 23.7 23.5
15. 0 17. 3 18. 6 19. 2 19. 1 21. 2 21.0
11.4 13.9 14.5 14.8 11.8 13.8 13.8
34.6
49.0
52. 5
36. 6
32.3
32.2
9. 1 12.0
10.3
42.6 52. 2
____ 30.2
38.3
55.6
57.5
37.3
35. 5
37.2
12. 7
10. 8
54.7
32.1
38.9
55.7
57.9
37.1
35.2
38. 1
12.7
10. 7
55. 4
31. 9
26.4
39.6
47.8
40. 7
33.7
33.6
12.5
11.8
48.3
31.8
33. 1
46.5
51.3
39. 1
35. 1
40.5
12.5
11. 9
51.7
32.8
34. 2
23. 9
28. 6
41. 3
37.0
24.2
28.6
41. 1
36.6
24.3
28. 5
36.3
36.8
22. 7
28. 6
48. 3
37.3
21.9
28.3
52. 1
42.5
10. l'
6.4
5.0
10. 2
11.6
27. 2
19.2
11.2
9.3
6.1
5.9
6. 3
11.9
16.2
17.5
13.7
7.2
78.7
53.2
17.0
15. 2
* 10. 6
49(5
23.4
30.0
29.2
18.3
24.3
21.6
17.9
30. 0
22. 5
5.4
3. 0
3. 1
7.7
0.9
......
6. i
50.0
28.0
10.3
9. 7
9. 7 10.9
6.8
5.4
6.3
5. 5
5. C 5.9
5.8
5.3
9.2 10.3
9. 1 9. 1
12. 1 12. 0 12. 1 11.5
26.0 26.8 27.0 26.5
17.8 18.4 18.3 21. 0
12.2 12.8 12.8 10. 9
9.9
11. 1 10.5 10. 2
2.4
4. 2
3.0
4.1
7.9
4. 7
4.6
6. 8
5. C
4.8
7. 1
3.3
14.5 14.2 14.2 11.8
19. 7 19.3 19.0 17.5
21.4 20.6 20. 5 18.9
>18.1 18.2 >18.0 15.6
8.6
7.0
7. 0
8. c
80. 5 78. ( 77.5 74.5
53.8 52. ( 52. f 54A
14.8 15.2 15.3 16.0
14. 7 14. 1 14.1 15.8
> 12. 7 2 13.3 2 13. ‘ 2 12. ]
48. 6 45.0 44. 7 44.3
> N o. 2V i can.
W ashington, D C.
36.8 23.5 40. 3
21.9 14.4 2.1. 8
28.5 ........ 24. 7
36. 8 3Ö. 3 61. 4
20.5
10.1 5.5 8.8
6.4 3.7 6. 6
5.0 2.5 5.4
10. 1 ___ 9.3
10.5
11. 9
27.0 ___ 23.8
22. 1
19.2
11.2 9.6 11. 3
9. 8
9.0
6. 1 1.5 2.5
6. 0
5.8
5.9
6.8
11.2
11.8
17.4
15.7
16.9
17.2
13.6 ____ 12. 5
7. 4 5. 2 /. 3
78. 2 57. 5 82. 4
53.9 28.8 48.7
19.1
17. 1
13.9
15. 1
38.6
2 10.3
i 44.3
49.5
39.0 38.9
20. 5 21.1
24,7 24.9
59.1 47.1
44.6 45.0
8.2 8.2
6. 7 6. 7
5.3 5.3
9.3 9.3
10.6 10.7
24.6 24.7
23. 7 23. 8
12. 2 13.0
9. 1 9. 1
6.6 6.3
6.6 6.1
7.3 9.6
11. 1 10.9
15.6 15. 4
16.9 16.8
11.3 10.8
6. 5 0. 5
87. 7 88.0
48.7 48.8
17.4 18.0
14.2 14.1
34.7 35.9
49.3 48.2
------- -
2 Per pound.
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 5 I Cities
HTABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food 3 in February, 1926, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in February, 1925, and in January, 1926.
For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and the onemonth periods. These cities have been scheduled by the bureau at
different dates since 1913. The percentage changes are based on
actual retail prices secured each month from retail dealers and on the
average family consumption of these articles in each city.4
8 For list of articles see note 6, p. 34.
....
, .,
__
4 T he consum ption figures used from Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, for each article m each city were
given in th e N ovem ber, 1918 issue, pp. 94 and 95. T he consum ption figures which have been used for each
m on th beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, were given in the M arch, 1921 issue, p. 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 800 ]
53
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
T a b l e 6 . — P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL CO ST O F FO O D IN F E B R U A R Y
1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H T H E CO ST IN JA N U A R Y , 1926, F E B R U A R Y , 1926, A N D W IT H
T H E A V E R A G E CO ST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C IT IE S
Percentage increase,
February, 1926,
com pared w ith —
C ity
1913
A tla n ta ______ ___
B altim o re.-.......... .
B irm ingham _____
B oston______ ____
B ridgeport_______
B uffalo__________
B u tte ................. .
C harleston, S. C___
Chicago ________
C in cin n ati_______
64. 6
68. 5
68.9
63. 6
6 8 .2
6 6 .8
71.6
62. 5
C leveland ...........
C o lu m b u s-..........
D allas..................... .
D e n v er__________
D e tro it__________
54. 8
43. 9
71. 2
F all R iv e r________
H o u s t o n - . ___ _
Indianapolis___ _
Jac k so n v ille _____
K ansas C ity ______
57. Ü
62. 6
59. 9
L ittle R ock _______
Los Angeles______
Louisville________
M anchester_____
M em phis______ __
M ilw aukee_______
51.9
46. 4
57.4
59.2
52.9
61.0
1
61. 7
61.2
Percent
age
decrease,
Febru
ary, 1926,
compared
F ebru
w ith
ary, 1925 January,
1926
Percentage increase, Percent
February, 1926,
age
compared w ith— decrease,
February, 1926,
compared
F
ebru
w ith
1913
ary, 1925 January,
1926
C ity
9. 4
6. 7
5.0
7. 1
7.9
.6
1. 7
2.0
M inneapolis
M obile
N ew ark
New FTaven
N ew Orleans
.8
2.4
7.7
8. 1
9. 4
1. 7
1.0
1.5
1.4
1. 3
N ew York
N orfolk
O m aha__________
Peoria
Philadelphia
64 5
9.4
9. 6
1. 4
6. 1
10. 3
1. 1
1. 3
3. 4
2. 2
2. 7
Pittsb u rg h
Portland, M e
Portland, Oreg
Providenee
Ri eh mend
40 8
65 6
71 2
8.3
3. 0
10.3
11.4
7. 0
1. 7
3. 1
2.6
2. 7
1. 6
R ochester______
St. Louis
St. P a u l___ .
Salt Lake C itv
San Franeiseo
5.4
1.9
0.9
2.3
1. 1
Savannah..............
S c r a n to n ,______
Seattle____ ______
Springfield, 111
W ashington, D . C .
8
1.6
7.1
6.3
5.8
6.7
2. 5
1.0
1
2 .0
Q1
5 0
5 2
8 5
3 3
61.0
53. 4
63 7
57 4
7
7 5
9.4
7 3
7 5
65. 5
6
60.6
7 3
50
38
8 3
6 9
64 0
7. 2
7 8
9 0
64.9
35. 7
53.3
1.7
1 1
8
3 1
9 7
6.4
67.4
48.0
1.8
7 0
7. 1
69.6
2
0
0
8
2 5
1
2
2
6
0 7
17
2.3
1
7
19
2
1
n
8
0
Q
0
6
2 4
1 7
1
6
15
0 3
1
8
14
1.0
0.7
1
6
1.6
Decrease.
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have perfect
reporting cities. For the month of February 99 per cent of all the
firms reporting in the 51 cities sent in a report promptly. The
following were perfect reporting cities; that is, every merchant in
the following-named 45 cities who is cooperating with the bureau
sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in the city
averages: Atlanta, Boston, Bridgeport, Buffalo, Butte, Charleston,
Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fall River, Houston,
Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little Rock, Los Angeles,
Louisville, Manchester, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mobile,
Newark, New Haven, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Omaha,
Peoria, Pittsburgh, Portland (Me.), Portland (Oreg,), Providence,
Richmond, St. Louis, St. Paul, Salt Lake City, San Francisco,
Savannah, Scranton, Seattle, Springfield (111.), and Washington.
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in February, 1926:
R E T A IL P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E IV E D F O R F E B R U A R Y , 1926
Geographical division
Item
Percentage of reports re c e iv e d -_______ __
N um ber .of cities in each section from
w hich every report was received
___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
U nited
States
N orth
A tlantic
South
A tlantic
N orth
C entral
South
C entral
99
99
99
99
99
45
12
7
13
7
[8011
W estern
99
6
54
M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW
Retail Prices of Bituminous Coal in the United States
HE following table shows the average retail prices of bituminous
coal on January 15 and July 15, 1913, February 15, 1925, and
January 15 and February 15, 1926, by cities, and for the
United States. These prices are the averages of the several kinds
sold for household use.
Because of insufficient data due to the coal strike, anthracite prices
are not published in this report.
T
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F B IT U M IN O U S C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 P O U N D S IN
S P E C IF I E D M O N T H S OF 1913, 1925, A N D 1926, B Y C IT IE S A N D F O R T H E U N IT E D
STA TES.
1925
1913
1926
C ity
J a n . 15
U n ite d S ta te s - ____________ _______
A tlan ta, G a ------------------------ --------- ------B altim ore, M d
______________ _____
B irm ingham , A la_______________
_____
B u tte, M ont
__ _____________________
C harleston, S. C _________________ — --
Ju ly 15
Feb. 15
¿an, 15
Feb. 15
855. 48
S5.39
*9. 30
S9. 74
$9. n
5. 88
4.83
4 .2 2
4. ÔÏ
7.35
7. 50
7.77
11.13
11.00
8.47
8.00
7. 62
11. 04
11.00
8.48
7.90
7.72
11.07
11.00
8.50
7.21
8.38
6. 61
14. 22
9. 48
7.77
9.47
7. 69
13.83
e. 3 4
7. 77
9.56
7. 67
13.83
10.68
10. 59
12.75
7.53
14.00
10.68
10.53
12. 50
7.45
11.50
i 6. 75
2 6. 75
Chicago, 111_______ . ....................................
C incinnati, Ohio ----------------------------- C leveland, Ohio______ _ ___________ C olum bus, Ohio ____________________
D allas, T ex............... .....................................
4.97
3. 50
4. 14
4. 65
3.38
4.14
8. 25
7.21
D enver, Colo_____________ ___________- D etroit, M ich _____________ ______ _____
H ouston, Tex
______________________
Indianapolis, In d ______________ _______
Jacksonville, F la . ................- ..........................
5. 25
5. .20
4.88
5.20
3.81
7.50
3.70
7.00
9. 46
8. 96
12. 63
7. 20
12. 00
K ansas C ity, M o -------------------------------- L ittle Rock, A r k ......... ................... ................
Los Angeles, C alif_____ ___ ---------- -------Louisville, K y __________________________
M em phis, T e n n ..................... - ------------------
4. 39
0. 00
13. 52
4. 20
2 4. 34
3.94
5.33
12. 50
4.00
2 4. 22
8.18
11.00
16.31
7.38
8.03
7.98
11.27
15.94
7.43
7.84
7.98
11. 20
15.94
7.41
7.84
M ilw aukee, W is___ ____________ _______
M inneapolis, M in n _____________ _ -----M obile, Ala _ - _________ _______ ____
__________
N ew Orleans, L a _________
Norfolk, V a .......................................................
6. 25
5. 89
5.71
5.79
2 0.06
2 6.06
9.80
10. 92
9.87
11. 19
9. 27
11.42
11.35
9. 62
11.14
10. 52
11.42
11.17
9.81
11.11
10.52
O m aha, N e b r........... ..........................................
Peoria, 111
__________ _ _ - _
P ittsb u rg h , P a ____________ ____ - -- --P ortlan d , Oreg---------- ------------ ---------------
6. 63
G. 13
3 3. 16
9. 79
3 3.18
9.66
10. 07
6.64
6.83
13.62
10. 33
7.11
6.13
13. 24
10.31
7. 07
6.13
13.12
R ichm ond, V a _________________________
St. Louis, M o ____ _______________ _____
St. Paul, M in n ________ ____ _ --------------Salt Lake C ity, U ta h ....................................
5. 50
3. 36
6. 07
5.64
4.94
3.04
6.04
5.46
8.75
6.68
11.58
8.36
11.39
6. 62
11.66
8.43
11.34
6. 02
11.47
8.42
San Francisco, Calif- ___________________
Savannah, Ga
• _____
Seattle, W ash .
- _____________
Springfield, 111 ____
_____
12.00
12.00
7.63
7. 70
17. 33
4 11. 50
10. 15
4.35
17.06
4 12. 75
9. 96
4.38
17.06
4 12.75
9.92
4.38
2 11. 50
18. 88
i 7. 44
1 13.83
1 9.88
1 8.19
i 13.83
i 9.88
1 8.06
W ashington, D . C.:
Prepared sizes, low vo latile__________
Prepared sizes, high vo latile________
R u n of m ine, m ixed______ _ _ __ _
1 P er ton of 2,240 pounds.
2 Per 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).
3 P er 25-bushel lot (1,900 pounds).
4 A lleoalsold in Savannah is weighed b y th e city.
charge has been included in th e above prices.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A charge of 10 cents per to n or half-ton is m ade.
[ 802 ]
T h is
r^
5-0
M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in February, 1926
SLIGHT decline in the general level of wholesale prices from
January to February is shown by information gathered in
leading markets by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
United States Department of Labor. The bureau’s weighted index
number, which includes 4G4 commodities or price series, registered
155.0 for February, compared with 156.0 for the preceding month.
Compared with February, 1925, with an index number of 160.6, there
was a decrease of 3 Yi per cent.
Farm products and foods declined appreciably below the level of
January. Slightly lower prices were reported also for clothing mate
rials, metals, building materials, chemicals and drugs, and house-fur
nishing goods. In the group of miscellaneous commodities, due to
reduced prices of cattle feed and rubber, there was a decrease of 1%
per cent. Fuels, on the other hand, averaged higher than in January.
Of the 404 commodities or price series for which comparable infor
mation for January and February was collected, increases were shown
in 53 instances and decreases m 160 instances. In 191 instances no
change in price was reported.
A
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES, BY GROUPS OF COMMODITIES
[1913=100.0]
1920
Commodity group
February,
1925
Jan u ary
February
Farm products............ ......
Foods________________
Clothing materials______
Fuels_______ ____ ____
Metals and metal products
Building materials..............
Chemicals and drugs_____
House-furnishing goods___
Miscellaneous.... ................
161. 5
156. 9
191. 0
177. 5
135.6
182. 8
134. 5
172. 5
124. 5
151. 8
156. 2
185. 5
176. 5
128. 9
177. 9
133. 2
164. 9
135. 3
153. 2
133. 9
179. 4
128. 4
177.1
132.3
103. 9
132. 9
All commodities.-...............
160.6
156.0
155.0
149.9
Comparing prices in February with those of a year ago as measured
by changes in the index numbers, it is seen that fuels were 1 per cent
higher and miscellaneous commodities, due mainly to the rise in rub
ber, were 6 % per cent higher than in the corresponding month of
last year. On the other hand, house-f urnishing goods were 5 per cent
lower, metals 5 fh per cent lower, and farm products 7 M per cent lower
than in February, 1925, with smaller decreases for foods, clothing
materials, building materials, and chemicals and drugs.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
56
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Comparison of Retail Price Changes in the United States and in
Foreign Countries
HE principal index numbers of retail prices published by foreign
countries have been brought together with those of this bureau
in the subjoined table after having been reduced in most cases
to a common base, namely, prices for July, 1914, equal 100. This
base was selected instead of the average for the year 1913, which
is used in other tables of index numbers compiled by the bureau,
because of the fact that in numerous instances satisfactory informa
tion for 1913 was not available. A part of the countries shown in
the table now publish index numbers of retail prices on the July,
1914, base. In such cases, therefore, the index numbers are repro
duced as published. For other countries the index numbers here
shown have been obtained by dividing the index for each month
specified in the table by the index for July, 1914, or the nearest
period thereto as published in the original sources. As stated in the
table, the number of articles included in the index numbers for the
different countries differs widely. These results should not, there
fore, be considered as closely comparable with one another. In
certain instances, also, the figures are not absolutely comparable
from month to month over the entire period, owing to slight changes
in the list of commodities and the localities included at successive
dates.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 0 4 ]
57
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES
I N D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN O T H E R
C O U N T R IE S
C o u n try —
U nited
States
N um ber of
localities,.
51
Austria
C anada (Vienna)
60
C om m odi
ti e s i n 43 foods
c lu d e d ..
1
July,
1914
Czecho
slovakia
D en
m ark
59
22
100
23
56
29 foods 16 foods
(foods, etc.) (17 foods)
C o m p u t B ureau D e p art P a rity
Com
ing agen of L abor
m ent
cy—
Statistics of Labor mission
Base=100._
Belgium
July,
1914
Ju ly ,
1914=1
M inistry
of In d u s
try and
Labor
Foods
F inland
21
36 foods
France
(except
Paris)
France
(Paris)
320
1
13
13
(11 foods) (11 foods)
G overn
ent
C entral
Office of S m
ta tisti B ureau of M inistry M inistry
Statistics
cal D e Statistics of Labor of Labor
p artm en t
April,
1914
July,
1914
July,
1914
Ja n u a ry - A ugust,
June, 1914
1914
July,
1914
Year and
m o n th
1922
J a n . .. __
F e b _____
M a r........ .
A p r______
M ay _____
Ju n e _____
J u ly ______
A ug______
Sept______
O ct_____
N o v ______
D ec______
139
139
136
136
136
138
139
136
137
140
142
144
149
143
142
138
138
137
138
141
139
138
139
140
748
871
904
1043
1374
2421
3282
7224
13531
11822
11145
10519
387
380
371
367
365
366
366
366
371
376
384
384
1467
1461
1414
1415
1444
1475
1430
1290
1105
1016
984
961
197
1923
J a n ______
F e b ............
M ar............
A p r _____
M ay _____
Ju n e _____
Ju ly ______
Aug _____
Sept_____
O ct______
N ov ___ _
D ec___ _
141
139
139
140
140
141
144
143
146
147
148
147
142
142
145
143
140
138
137
142
141
144
144
145
10717
10784
11637
12935
13910
14132
12911
12335
12509
12636
12647
12860
383
397
408
409
413
419
429
439
453
458
463
470
941
934
926
927
928
933
921
892
903
901
898
909
180
1924
Jan ............
Feb
M ar______
A p r__ ___
M a y _____
June _ ___
Ju ly ______
A ug______
Kept
Oct _____
N ov ______
D ec______
146
144
141
138
138
139
140
141
144
145
147
148
145
145
143
137
133
133
134
137
139
139
141
143
13527
13821
13930
13838
14169
14457
14362
15652
15623
15845
16198
16248
480
495
510
498
485
492
493
498
503
513
520
521
917
917
908
907
916
923
909
897
908
916
922
928
194
1925
J a n ______
Feb _____
M a r______
A pr _____
M ay
June ___
Ju ly ___
Aug ___
Sept ___
Oct _____
N o v _____
Dec
151
148
148
148
148
152
156
157
156
158
164
162
145
147
145
142
141
141
141
146
146
147
151
156
16446
16618
16225
15830
521
517
511
506
502
505
509
517
525
533
534
534
1 899
i 911
i 904
i 901
i 894
i 914
i 916
i 894
1 884
875
1 863
866
1R evised index (29 foods) since Jan u ary , 1925.
88360°—26t---- 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[805]
1
1
184
1151
1145
1124
1127
1132
1139
1144
1165
1166
1157
1140
1122
188
1108
1103
1096
1047
1016
1004
1003
1087
1103
1140
1133
1112
200
215
1089
1070
1067
1035
1037
1040
1052
1125
1125
1156
1160
1160
315
312
314
331
337
349
373
400
393
400
426
1130
1120
440
1101
1222
434
1152
1137
1097
210
323
1145
1187
1165
1164
1138
451
471
319
307
294
304
317
307
297
289
291
290
297
305
309
316
321
320
32«
331
321
328
339
349
355
365
376
384
392
380
378
370
369
366
374
383
396
404
408
410
415
408
418
422
421
423
431
433
444
463
M O NTH LY LABOR EE VIEW
58
I N D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN O T H E R
C O U N T R IE S —C ontinued
C o u n try ---
Ita ly
U nited
N eth er N orw ay Sweden Switzer K ing
land
lands
dom
South
Africa
India
(Bom
bay)
A ustra
lia
New
Zea
land
N um b er of
localities—
Com m od
i t i e s i n 21 foods
cluded__
C om puting
agency.
Base=100_.
29 (27
foods)
M inistry C entral
of N a Bureau
tional
of Sta
Econo tistics
my
1913
Jan u ary June,
1914
Foods
40
(foods,
etc.)
Foods
21 foods 18 foods 17 foods 46 foods 59 foods
C entral
B ureau
of S ta
tistics
Social
Board
Labor
Office
Office
M inistry of Cen
sus and
Labor
Statis
tics
Ju ly ,
1914
July,
1914
June,
1914
of
L abor
Office
Bureau
of Cen
sus and
Statis
tics
Census
and
S tatis
tics
Office
July,
1914
July,
1914
July,
1914
July,
1914
Year and
m o n th
1922
J a n ____
F e b ___
M a r___
A p r___
M a y __
J u n e __
J u ly —
A ug----S e p t___
O c t___
N ov___
D ec___
190
189
185
182
178
179
179
181
180
178
170
168
185
173
162
159
152
153
157
152
153
153
155
155
185
179
177
173
172
170
180
175
172
172
176
178
121
155
154
156
158
161
165
164
162
163
162
166
167
175
173
171
168
162
160
162
165
168
172
173
176
117
117
117
117
118
118
116
115
115
117
226
166
165
166
163
161
161
160
161
165
165
164
164
150
151
152
152
151
151
150
150
152
154
156
157
230
234
241
240
241
240
248
257
261
264
269
274
163
162
162
159
159
158
159
163
165
172
172
172
168
167
167
165
165
168
168
166
166
169
170
170
175
177
176
167
163
160
162
164
166
172
179
180
120
156
157
157
155
154
152
152
152
152
149
149
155
277
283
284
276
265
261
260
254
241
228
223
170
170
171
170
169
169
169
170
168
166
165
163
168
168
168
166
165
167
167
165
165
163
163
163
178
176
176
170
167
166
167
168
170
172
172
174
120
577
5G0
546
524
531
530
527
531
537
555
562
557
165
164
164
163
159
158
157
155
154
149
146
147
257
245
238
234
230
227
233
232
228
148
149
149
149
147
145
145
143
142
145
149
149
214
214
214
Dec___
542
527
524
530
535
532
518
512
514
517
526
528
1924
J a n ____
F e b ___
M a r___
A p r___
M a y __
J u n e ___
J u ly ----A ug----S e p t___
O ct____
N ov___
D ec___
527
529
523
527
530
543
538
534
538
556
583
601
1925
J a n ..
F eb ..
M ar.
Apr_.
M ay.
June.
Ju ly .
Aug..
S ep t.
Oct —
N ov.
D ec..
609
609
610
606
600
602
605
619
642
645
1923
J a n -----F e b ........
M a r.......
A p r___
M a y __
J u n e . ..
Ju ly —
A ug----Sept
O ct___
N ov___
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
220
216
215
212
214
213
218
220
218
217
221
221
[800]
119
ne
121
120
118
116
116
117
119
120
118
120
118
122
122
122
122
120
117
177
117
120
122
121
120
121
124
123
122
120
119
118
119
117
116
169
160
161
157
158
158
160
159
161
158
155
157
142
140
141
143
146
146
148
149
149
146
145
146
147
145
141
144
145
143
144
141
139
139
139
138
151
150
149
150
148
146
148
149
149
147
147
152
145
144
145
152
156
162
164
165
161
157
157
156
139
140
141
142
143
142
142
143
145
146
147
147
154
151
147
143
143
147
151
156
156
156
157
156
155
153
152
150
151
149
148
147
146
146
147
148
150
149
150
150
150
150
148
146
145
145
148
150
152
152
155
153
151
149
152
147
146
148
149
151
148
149
151
152
154
155
156
156
156
157
156
155
147
146
149
149
150
149
151
152
153
155
156
RETAIL PRICES 11ST MADRID, SPAIN
59
Changes in Cost oi the Canadian Family Budget, 1921 to 1925 1
HE figures given below show the cost per week, in specified
months from 1921 to 1925, of the family budget in terms of
average retail prices of certain classes of commodities in 60
Canadian cities.
T
C O ST P E R W E E K O F F A M IL Y B U D G E T IN C A N A D A IN JA N U A R Y A N D JU L Y , 1921 TO
1925 i
Y ear and m o n th
All foods
1921—Ja n u a ry .
J u ly ________________________ _____
1922—Ja n u a ry _________
J u ly _______________________
1923—Ja n u a ry _________
J u ly . __________
___ ____
1924—Jan u a ry ________
J u ly __________________
1925—J a n u a ry ................
F e b ru a ry ____
M arch ____
A p ril___
M a y __________
J u n e . . ____ .
J u ly ____________________
August . ____ _
Septem ber__________
O ctober___________
N ovem ber________
D ecem ber____
$14. 48
10.96
11. 03
10. 27
10. 52
10. 17
10. 78
9.91
10. 77
10. 93
10. 74
10. 56
10.48
10. 44
10.49
10. 84
10.81
10. 89
11. 23
11. 56
Starch,
lau n d ry
$0.049
.044
.042
.040
.040
. 040
.041
.041
.041
.041
.041
.041
.042
.041
.041
.042
.042
.042
.041
.042
Fuel and
lighting
R ent
$4.17
3. 70
3. 53
3.41
3. 61
3. 48
3. 49
3. 37
3. 37
3.34
3. 34
3.33
3. 30
3.28
3. 28
3. 29
3. 30
3.31
3. 37
3. 40
T otal
$6. 60
6.83
6. 92
6. 95
6. 96
6. 97
6. 92
6. 98
6. 91
0.88
6. 88
6. 90
6. 90
6. 90
6.89 ■
6. 88
21. 53
21. 52
20. 67
21.13
20. 65
21. 23
20. 30
21. 09
21. 19
21. 00
20. 82
20. 73
20. 67
20. 70
21. 05
6.88
21. 02
21.11
6.87
6. 87
6. 87
21. 51
21.87
1 T his b u d g et is in ten d ed to show th e changes in th e cost of item s included, not to show th e m i n i m u m
cost for an average family.
Retail Prices in Madrid, December, 1925
A
"REPORT from the American consul at Madrid, dated January
15, 1926, gives the following table of retail prices of the
principal articles of food in Madrid, on December 27, 1925:
R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S IN M A D R ID , D E C E M B E R , 1925
[Peseta a t par=19.3 cents; exchange rate varies; kilogram =2.2 pounds; liter=1.06 quart]
Article
U n it
R etail price,
December,
1925
Article
U nit
P e s e ta s
R etail price,
Decem ber,
1925
Pesetas
1.00- 2. 50
. 80- 1. 50
2. 40- 3. 60
1. 20- 2. 00
.80
3. 50-10. 00
. 65
. 22- . 30
7. 00-12. 00
.15- .20
.45- .65
Beef___ ___________ K ilogram __
P o r k _________ . . . . . . . ..d o ___
V e a l . _______
. . . ____do_____
Sausage____ _____ _ ____d o ___ _
H a m ____________ _ ____do____
B acon. ______ . _
__ do___
Olive oil________ __ L iter______
Giives______________
_ do_____
ilic e _______ _____
K ilogram __
Sugar_______________ ____ do_____
Codfish_____________ ____do____
4. 00- 5. 50
2. 75- 6. 00
2. 25-10. 00
6. 00-12. 00
6. 00-20. 00
4. 00- 4. 50
2. 00- 2. 60
1.00- 3. 00
. 90- 1. 60
1. 60- 2. 60
2. 25- 2. 30
1
C anada. D e p artm e n t of Labor.
G azette of Ja n u a ry 1926.
O ttaw a, 1926, p p. 14, 15. Issued as a supplem ent to the L abor
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Chick peas
Flour, w heat
Eggs
String beans
M ilk
B u tter
Bread
Potatoes
Cheese _
S a lt__
Wines, w hite
[807]
K ilogram ___
do
Dozen
K ilogram __
L iter
K ilogram __
do
do
do
do
L iter
W A G ES A N D H O U R S O F LA B O R
Wages and Labor Conditions in Alaska, 1924-25
T
HE report of the Governor of Alaska for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1925, includes sections on wages and labor conditions
from which the following information is taken:
Labor Conditions
principal industries of Alaska are fishing and mining.
Of the labor employed in the industries of Alaska, aside from that engaged by
the three railroads that are operating in the Territory, the fishing and mining
industries together absorb 96 per cent, computed on the basis of oOO workingdays per man per year. The fishery industry employs 70 per cent and the
mining industry 26 per cent of the total. The Federal roaa-b uilciing organiza
tions and the lumber and logging industry of southeastern Alaska represent the
only other large employers of labor in the Territory.
The fishing industry is carried on almost entirely in the coastal
districts of the first and third judicial divisions. The work season
lasts from four to eight months, being dependent upon tne nature
and situation of the fishery.
In the first judicial division, which includes all of the southeastern
part of the Territory, from 35 to 50 per cent of the labor supply is
secured from the residents of the Territory, 10 per cent of those so
secured being native Indians. Further labor needs are met by im
portation from the States for the fishing season only. About 45 per
cent of these imported workers are employed under the so-called
u oriental contract system.”
In the third judicial division, where the largest percentage of the fishery labor
is employed, only from 15 to 20 per cent of the total labor supply is secured
locally, owing to the remoteness of many of the large canneries and the sparsity
of the resident population. The balance is imported from the States. Of the
labor secured locally in the third division from 50 to 80 per cent are native
Indians.
.
. . ..
From 35 to 45 per cent of the labor imported into the third division during the
fishery season is contract labor.
Wages
P
1924 wages per day for general fish-canning labor resident in the
Territory were as follows:
Judicial division:
First______
Third.........
Males
Females
$3.50-$5.00
2.00- 5.00
$2.00-$3.50
1.50- 2.50
All other labor in the fishing industry was remunerated on a
monthly or seasonal basis on the average scale indicated below,
with board in addition in most cases:
60
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[808]
61
WAGES AND LABOR CONDITIONS IN ALASKA
A V E R A G E W A G E S P E R M O N T H IN T H E F IS H E R Y IN D U S T R Y
F irst ju d i T h ird ju d i
cial division cial division
F irst ju d i T h ird ju d i
cial division cial division
Occupation
Occupation
1923
1924
1923
1924
Forem en_______________ $215
Outside foremen ______ 195
B oat c ap tain s_________
140
B oat crews, deck hands,
e tc __________________
90
B oat engineers________
130
M achinists____ ________ 155
M achinists’ helpers_____ 105
C arpenters_____________
125
C arpenters’ helpers__ __
95
$225
200
145
$215
185
145
$230
180
150
100
130
185
105
125
90
80
130
175
90
125
80
80
130
185
105
135
90
Pile-driver crews_______
B lacksm iths ________.
Firem en ___________
T rapm en______________
Cooks
Flunkeys __________
Iron chink m e n ________
R etort m e n ___________
Storekeepers-___ _ _
M iscellaneous laborers__
1923
1924
1923
$85
100
100
90
110
70
100
110
$90
130
100
90
115
80
115
115
110
85
$80
100
95
80
120
70
105
100
95
80
no
80
1924
$90
100
100
80
120
70
110
110
no
80
Mining industry
Labor conditions in the mining industry in Alaska differ greatly
according to the location of the mines and the character of the
work. It is, therefore, not easy to make a general report on wages.
General labor in placer mining received board and from 50 to 80
cents per hour, 8 to 10 hours constituting a shift. The cost of board
per man per day was from $1.50 in the Cook Inlet region to $4 in
remote parts of the Territory such as Koyukuk and Shushana.
The coal miners’ wage scales were quite uniform.
Underground coal miners and timbermen receive $8.60 per day; underground
laborers, trammers, and rope-riders $7.80 per day; and outside labor $5.50 per
day. Fire bosses are paid $250 per month and foremen from $250 to $300 ner
month. Deductions from the above wages are made for board at rates of from
$1.50 to $2 per day.
With the exception of small drift-mining operations, prospecting,
and development work, Alaskan placer mining is restricted" to five
or six months “ from M ayor June to the freeze-up in September or
October.”
Lode mining is carried on mainly in the coastal districts of the
first and third judicial divisions and absorbs about 1,500 men through
out the year.
The following table shows the wage scales for the more important
lode mines in the coastal districts in 1924;
Wages per 8-hour
shift
Wages per 8-hour
shift
Machine drillmen______$4. 60-$5. 50
Blacksmiths__________ $5. 75-$7. 00
Machine helpers_______ 4. 005.00 Carpenters’ helpers____ 4. 00- 5. 00
Muckers_____________ 4. 105.00 Blacksmiths’ helpers___ 4. 00- 5. 50
Timbermen___________ 5. 006.00 Hoisting engineers_____ 4. 00- 5. 75
Trackmen____________ 4. 505.25 Cagers_______________ 4. 35- 5. 25
Pipemen_____________ 5. 005.50 Laborers_____________ 3. 50- 5. 00
Carpenters___________ 5. 507.00
From these wages deductions are made of $1 to $1.50 per day for
board and of $1.50 to $2.40 per month for hospital and medical
expenses.
Letting contracts for a considerable part of the underground work
is a prevalent practice both at the larger lode mines and at the coal
mines.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[800]
02
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
California Order Regulating Hours and Working Conditions of Women
in the Motion-Picture Industry
HE Industrial Welfare Commission of the State of California
evidently finds it possible to continue at least a portion of its
functions as a minimum wa^e board despite the adverse
decisions by the courts as regards the laws of other States. _ Carrying
the date of January 8, 1926, an order was issued to he effective March
16. Though not actually naming a wage rate, the order applies to
all women and minors in the motion-picture industry, prescribing
working conditions, the standard working-day (8 hours exclusive of
meals), and proportionate rates for overtime. The employment of
“ extras” is regulated, and payment of at least one day’s wage is
required for such workers if they are called upon to try on and fit
costumes whether or not employed; they are to be paid on the com
pletion of each day’s work.
Work beyond the standard day is to be paid for as follows: Work
after 8 hours and up to 10 hours at a rate not less than one-fourth
of the daily wage paid; after 10 and up to 12 hours, not less than half
the wage; after 12 and up to 14 hours, not less than three-fourths of
the wage; and after 14 hours not less than double the daily rate.
T
Earnings of New York Factory Employees, 1914 to 1925
HE following statistics on earnings in the factories of New York
State are taken from The Industrial Bulletin of January, 1926
_(pp. 104 and 107), issued by the New York State Industrial
Commissioner :
T
AVERAGE W EE K L Y
E A R N IN G S IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E
T O R IE S , 1914 TO 1925 i
NEW
Y O RK STA TE
FA C
[Includes all employees, b o th office and shop]
Year
1914...................................... ..............................
1915_____________________________ ______
1916...__________ _____ _________________
1917_________ _____ ____________ ________
1918...................................................... .................
1919_____ _________________________ ____
1920__________________________ ____ ____
1921_____ ______ _______ ________________
1922____________________________ ______
1923._______ __________________ _________
1924.................... ................................. ................
1925___________ ____________ ____________
Jan u ary
$12. 44
13. 53
15. 28
16.81
23.03
26. 52
27.61
24. 43
26. 21
27.81
28. 30
June
$12. 70
12. 81
14. 41
16. 20
20.44
22. 51
28. 77
25.71
24.91
27. 87
27. 21
27. 94
December
$12. 50
13. 49
15.51
17.71
23. 18
26. 32
28. 35
24.91
26. 39
27. 98
28.25
29. 05
Average
for year
$12.48
12.85
14.43
16. 37
20. 35
23. 50
28.15
25. 72
25.04
27. 24
27. 68
28. 26
Index for
year (June,
1914=100)
98
101
114
129
160
185
222
203
197
214
218
223
1 T he average weekly earnings are obtained b y dividing to tal weekly pay roll b y the total num ber of
employees on the pay roll for the given week. R eports cover the week including the 15th of th e m onth.
The above table shows that not only were the average weekly
earnings for the year 1925 higher than for any year since 1914, but
that both in January and December, 1925, such earnings were
larger than those in either of these months in any of the preceding
10 years. In June, 1920, however, the average weekly earnings were
828.77, or 83 cents above the average in June, 1925.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 810]
NEW WAGE LAW IN ARGENTINA
63
Hours of Work in Buenos Aires 1
r T -H E statistical division of the Argentine Department of Labor
conducted a special investigation to ascertain the average length
°f the working-day in the Federal capital during the year 1925.'
The outcome of this investigation showed that 8 hours constituted
the average working-day for the 154,193 individuals investigated,'
or whom 115,362 were manual workers and 38,831 were salaried
employees. The table below shows the average daily hours of labor
in 1925 of 115,362 manual workers in Buenos Aires, by industry
group:
A V E R A G E D A IL Y H O U R S O F W O R K O F 115,362 M A N U A L W O R K E R S IN
A IR E S , IN 1925, BY IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S
H ours of labor
H ours of labor
.
In d u s try group
M en
BUENOS
In d u s try group
W omen
M en
Women
|
F o o d ________
Beverage. ______
T o b a c c o _______
Chem icals an d m edicine________
r o x t i i o ___________
Ciothing _______
L um b er_____ . . .
M etallurgy........ ...........
8.1
8.2
8
8.3
S. 3
8. 1
7.5
8
8. 4
7. 48
8
8.6
8 6
8
8
8
Bleetroteehmeal
Light and m otor power
Building and construction
Glass, gypsum , and p o tte ry ____
Paper arid pasteboard
Leather
Polygraph y
Others
Q
O
g
g
7. 54
Q
O
Q
O
Q. 11
O
g
7.59
7. 59
8
Q
O
Q
O
ft
O
New Wage Law in Argentina 2
HE following are the principal provisions of the new wage law
(iNo. 11278) which became effective in Argentina on Decem
ber 15, 1925:
. All wages, whether of manual or nonmanual workers, must be paid
in the national currency (paper). Pay periods must not exceed two
weeks for work done by the day, nor one month for services rendered
for a fixed wage. All wages must be paid on workdays, during work
ing hours, and on the premises on which the work is executed) It is
strictly forbidden to pay workers in places where merchandise or
alcoholic beverages are sold. In no case mav the payment of wages
be delayed, nor may any portion be deducted or withheld from the
total amount to be paid. Deductions on the pretext of fines and pay
ments made in kind or accommodation are expressly included in
this prohibition. Exception is made to the above, however, in the
case of "workers who have intentionally caused damage to the
tools or materials in the workshop.
Employees shall not be liable to fines other than those prescribed
m Government regulations; such fines may in no case exceed one-fifth
of the total monthly or bimonthly wage.
Violators of this law are punishable by fines of from 20 to 100
pesos 3 per person concerned, which will be doubled for second
offenses. The revenue derived from these fines will be paid to the
National Education Council.
T
1
D epartam ento N acional del Trabajo.
pp. lbbO, 1661.
2Idem , Ju ly , 1925, p p . 1605, 1606.
2 Peso a t par=96.48 cents; exchange rate varies.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 811]
Crónica M ensual, Buenos Aires, October. 1925,
’
M O NTH LY LABOE. REVIEW
64
Prohibition of Night Work in Tucuman (Argentina) Bakeries1
N OCTOBER 26, 1925, the Legislature of the Province of
Tucuman, Argentina, enacted a law forbidding night work m
bakeries and similar undertakings between 8 p. m. and 6 a. m.
in winter and 9 p. m. and 6 a. m. during the other seasons of the
year The provincial executive may authorize work during these
hours provided it is necessary to the public interest. This permit
may not be extended beyond the time the necessity for it ceases.
Violations of this law are punishable by a fine of from 100 to oOO
O
Wages and Hours of Labor in Canada, 1925
HE following statistics are taken from a report on wages and.
hours of labor in Canada, 1920 to 1925 (pp. 6—10, lo, and 23),
issued as a supplement to the January, 1926, issue ol the
Canadian Labor Gazette (Ottawa):
T
T a ble 1 .— IN D E X N U M B E R S O F R A T E S O P W A G E S F O R V A R IO U S C LA SSES O F L A B O R
IN C A N A D A , 1920 TO 1625
[1913=100]
1925
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
B uilding tra das
_ __ ___________ ____
____________ ___
M etal trades
P rintin g trades
_______ — ------Electric railw ays
________________
Steam railw ays
____________ —
C o alm in in g , _____________________ _________
180.9
209. 4
184.0
194.2
186. 6
197. 7
170.5
186.8
193.3
192. 1
165. 3
208.3
162. 5
173. 7
192. 3
184.4
155.1
197.8
166.4
174. 0
188. 9
186. 2
157.4
197. 8
169.7
175. 5
191. 9
186.4
157.4
192.4
170.4
175.4
192.8
187.8
157.4
165.1
Average............................ ...................................
192.1
186. 1
176.8
178.4
179.3
174.8
190. 6
202.0
152.6
183.0
189. 1
158.7
181. 7
196. 1
170.4
183.2
197. 6
183. 1
186.3
195.5
178.7
In d u stry group
O oni m on factory labor_____________ _________
__________ M iscellaneous factory trades
Lodging and sawrnilliTig
_______________
215.3
216.8
202.7
-Tart F 2 - R A T E S O F W AGES P E R H O U R A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R P E R W E E K IN V A R IO U S
TABLE 3 .
lN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C IT IE S IN 1924 A N D 1925
JPAnCCmC
Occupation
H ours
Wages
H ours
Wages per
H ours
Wages per
per week per hour per week
hour
per week
hour
B uilding trades:
Bricklayers—
$0.90
1924
..................... ...........
1925
...................................... - 0. 90-1. 00
C arpenters—
. 45-. 60
1924
....................................
. 4.5-, 55
1925
..................- .............
Electrical workers—
. 45-, 60
1924
.................................. . 45- 55
1925
........................................
Painters—
. 42-, 60
1924
.......... ......................... 42-. 60
1925
....................................
Plasterers—
.85
1924
______________
.85
1925_______ ________ — ...........
i A rgentina. D epartam ento Nacional del Trabajo.
54
54
$1.00
1.00
44-50
44-50
$1.10
1.10
44
44
54-60
54-60
0. 65-, 75
. 65-. 75
44-60
44-60
.75
.75
44
44
54
54-47
. 60-. 75
. 60-. 70
44-50 0. 70-, 80
44-46H . 70- 80
44
48-54
48-54
. 60-, 70
.60-. 70
44-50
44-49H
.65
.65
44
54
54
1.00
1. 00
.85
.85
44
44
44
Crónica M ensual, B uenos Aires, October, 1925, p.
a Peso a t par=96.48 cents; exchange rate varies.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
O ttaw a
M ontreal
Quebec
[812 ]
65
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN CANADA
T a b l e 2 . — R A T E S O F W A G E S P E R H O U R A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R P E R W E E K IN V A R IO U S
O C C U P A T IO N S IN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C IT IE S IN 1924 A N D 1925—Continued
Quebec
O ccupation
B uilding trad es—C ontinued
Plum bers—
1924.______________ ________ _
1925_____________ ___________
Stonecutters—
1924................................................
1925................................................
Laborers—
1924..................... ...........................
1925..................... ...........................
M etal trades:
Blacksm iths—
1924________________________
1925__________________ ____ _
Boiler m akers—
1924________________________
1925........................................................ .............
M achinists—
1924_____________ __________________
1925_______________ __________ ___
Iron molders—•
1924________________________
1925_________________ __________
Sheet-metal w orkers 1—■
1924.. _____________ _______________
1925... ___________ ______________________________
P rinting trades:.
Compositors, m achine and hand,
news—
1924________________________________________________
1925________________________
Pressm en, cylinder, job—
1924________________________
1925________________________
Street railw ays:
Conductors and motorm en, maxi
m um rates—
1924_____ _____ ________________
1925________________________
Linem en—
1924________________________
1925...______ ______________________________
Shedm en—
1924________________________
1925________________________________________________
Electricians—
1924________________________
1925________________________
T rackm en an d laborers—
1924..________ ___________ ________________
1925........................................ .................
M ontreal
Wages per
H ours
Wages per
H ours
Wages
H ours
hour
per week
hour
per week per hour per week
. 45-, 65
. 45-. 60
50-54
54-57
. 70-. 80
. 70-, 75
. 45-, 60
. 45-, 60
54
54
.75
.75
44
44
1.00
1.00
44
44
. 35-. 45
. 35- 45
48-60
54-60
. 35-. 40
. 30-. 40
50-60
50-60
. 45-, 50
. 45- 50
44-50
44-54
. 50-. 66
. 50-. 60
45-54
45-54
. 52J4-. 70
. 5234- 70
44-58
44-58
. 51-, 70
. 51- 65
50
44-50
. 50-, 70
50- 7234
47-58
47-58
. 61- 75
. 61- 75
50
44-50
.
50-. 65
50-. 65
44-50
44-50
.50-, 60
50- 60
44-50
50
80-. 88
80~. 88
44
44
463*
463*
. 40-. 65
. 40-. 75
.
.
49342
493*
.
49j*-60
45-60
.
.
50-, 7734
50-, 75
44-58
44. 58
373*-. 57
373*-. 67
60
60
.
60-, 75
60-. 75
40-50
40-50
.
45-. 55
45-, 55
55
55
.
60-. 70
50-. 70
44
44
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
44
44
3 29. 00
2 29. 00
48
48
2 38. 00
2 38. 00
48
48
2 41.00
2 41.00
27. 00
2 27. 00
48
48
2 36. 00
2 36. 00
48
48
2 35.00
2 35.00
44-48
44-48
.45
.45
60
60
.51
.51
60
60
3.49
3.50
54
54
.
.
43-, 45
43-, 45
60
60
.51
.51
60
60
.49
.50
54
54
.
35-, 53
35-. 53
5334-77
533*-77
34-, 52
34- 52
60-70
60-70
31-, 49
32-, 50
54
54
2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
45-, 48
45-, 48
533*
5334
. 49-. 60
.49-, 60
50
50
.51
.52
54
54
.40
.35
5334
5334
.33
.33
60
60
.43
.44
54
54
W innipeg
V ancouver
44
44
1.10-1. 25
1.25
44
44
80-. 90
80-. 90
44
44
.85
.85
44
44
.80
.80
44
44
.85
.85
44
44
65-. 75
65-. 75
44
44
.75
.75
44
44
.75
.813*
44
44
1. 25
1. 25
44
44
44
44
1.06Î-1.12-3
1 .1234
44
40
1.25
1 . 12 3 *
.
.
.
1.0734
1. 0734
1 Sheet-metal w orkers engaged in building construction as well as shops.
2 Per week.
3 One-man car operators, 5 cents extra per hour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
44-50
. 80-, 85
44-4934 . 85-, 90
. 50-. 60
.50-, 60
Toronto
B uilding trades:
Bricklayers—
1924.......................... .................... ............................
1925___________ _____________________
Carpenters—
1924________________________
1925___________ _____________________ _
Electrical w orkers—
1924.......................... ...................................
1925.......................... ........................ .....................
Painters—
1924... __________ ______ _______________
1925........................ ... ....................
Plasterers—
1924________________________
1925................... ................ .............................. ...
O ttaw a
[813]
1
1
.
.1233
. 12 3*
44
44
811-. 873
•873*
< 0
.85-, 90
85-, 90
44
44
.
44
66
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T ablk 2 —r a t e s o f w a g e s p e r h o u r a n d h o u r s o f l a b o r p e r w e e k i n v a r i o u s
O C C U P A T IO N S IN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C IT IE S IN 1924 A N D 1925—C ontinued
'Winnipeg
Toronto
O ccupation
B uilding trades—C ontinued.
Plum bers—
1924.......................................... .
1925................................................
Stonecutters—
1924_____________________ _
1925 ______ ______ _____ ______
Laborers—
1924___________ ______ ______
1925...... ...........................................
M etal trades:
B lacksm iths—
1924_______________ _______ _
1925.................................. .............
Boiler m akers—■
1924.................................... ............
1925____________ ___________
M achinists—
1924_______________ ____ ____
1925........ ........................................
Iro n molders—•
1924__________ ________ _____
1925____________ _______ ____
Sheet-metal w orkers—
1924________________________
1925................................................
P rin tin g trades:
Compositors, m achine and hand,
n ew s1924____________ ___________
1925________________ _______ _
Pressm en, cylinder, job—
1924______________ __________
1925____________ ____ _______
Street railw ays:
Conductors a n d m otorm en, maxi
m um rates—
1924_________ ____ __________ _
1925________ ____ _____ ____ _
Linem en—
1924...... .........................................
1925................................. ............
Shedmen—
1924................. ...............................
1925.............................. .................
Electricians—
1924.................................................
1925.......... .......................................
Trackm en and laborers—
1924.......... ................ .....................
1925.......... .............. .....................
Wages per
Hours
Wages per
H ours
Wages
H ours
per week per hour per week
hour
hour
per week
1.00
1. 00
44
44
1.00
1. 00
44
44
1. 00
1.00
44
40-44
44
44
.95-1.00
1.00
44
44
.93 M
1. 00
40
44
. 40-, 65
. 35-, 65
44-60
44-60
. 40-, 50
.35- 50
50-60
50-60
. 45-, 5614
. 45-. 5oj4
44
44
. 50- 65
. 50- 65
44-50
44-50
. 60- 80
. 60-. 80
50
44-50
.68M--87H
.71M-.87H
44
44
. 60-, 75
. 60-, 75
44-48
44-48
. 57M r . 72
. 60-, 72
50
50
■68?4-.88
.71M--88
44
44
. 50-, 70
. 50-, 70
44-54
44-54
. 60-. 80
. 60- 80
48-50
44-50
.68M--81J4
•71M-.81K
44
44
. 50-, 75
. 50-, 70
44-54
45-54
. 55-, 70
. 55-. 70
50
50
•71M-.8H4
•71J4-.81J4
44
44
. 50-, 80
. 50-, 80
44-50
44-50
. 60-, 85
. 60-, 80
44-50
44-50
1.00
1. 00
44
44
46)^
46^
2 42. 32
2 42. 32
46
46
2 45. 00
2 45.00
45
45
48
48
2 39. 60
2 39. 60
44
.44
2 42. 00
2 42. 00
44-48
44-48
.60
.60
48
48
.56
. 56
50
50
4 .62
4 .62
48
48
. 72-, 78
. 72-, 78
44
44
. 89-, 91
. 89-, 91
48
44
. 54-, 56
. 54-. 56
48
48
. 50y 2- 58
. 50y 2- 58
44
40
. 55-, 60
. 55-, 60
44
44
. 60-, 64
. 61-. 62
48
40
.93M
.93M
44
44
. 45-. 59
. 45-. 59
48
48
. 40-, 50
. 40-. 50
44
44
.47-.5U-.56
.47-.51J-.56
44
44
1. 00
1. 00
2 41. 00
2 41. 50
2 36. 00
2 36.00
2 Per week.
4 B. C. Electric R ailw ay, one-man car operators, 6 cents extra per hour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Vancouver
.93^4
. 93J4
. 55-, 65
. 55-, 65
44
44
44-48
44-48
67
WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOE IN CANADA
T able 3 .—D A IL Y W A G E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R IN C O A L M IN IN G IN C A N A D A ,
N O V E M B E R , 1924, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1925
1
j
N ovem ber, 1924
Occupation
H ours
per day 1
Wages
N ova Scotia:
TTan m iners 2
__________________
H oisting engineers
______ __________________
d riv e rs
_____________________ ____
B rattieem en
- _____________________
P um pm en
_______ - _____________
Laborer0 underground
______ __________
Laborers surfa.ee
_ ___________ ______
M achinists
_______ _______ - -----------_____ _ __________________
Harp enters
__________________ —
TUaetrsm iths
A lb e rta :3
C ontract m iners
_____________ ______
__ _________________
M achine m iners 2
B a n d m iners 2
____________________
H oist in«* e n ^ n ee rs
___________________
D rivers
- ______ — ------—
B rattieem en
______ _______ - —
Pum pm en
_______ ______________
Laborers underground
______________ —
Laborers surfs.ee
________ _____ - —
M achinists
__________________
O arpen ters
_______________________
_______________________
Blaelrsmiths
V ancouver Is la n d :5
M achine m iners 2
_ ------- ----- ----------H a n d m iners 2
_ _______________ _— ----H oisting engineers
___________________
D rivers
________________ _____
Brattice.men
______ - ______________
Pum pm en
___________ __________
Laborers underground
__ _______________
Laborers surface
- ------------- ---------------M a eh in ist, s
__ _____ - -------------------B lacksm iths__________________________ _______
H ours
per d a y 1
Wages
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
$4.60
4.60
3. 90
4. 05
4.30
3. 65
3. 50
4.60
4.25
4. 35
Septem ber, 1925
m
8H
8/4
8)4
8
8
8
8
8
8
8)4
8)4
8)4
8)4
$4. 30
4.35
3. 60
3.7,5
4.00
3.35
3.25
4. 35
4.00
4. 10
4 8. 33
7. 02
6.56
6. 47
6.31
6. 56
6. 03
6.03
5. 76
7.12
7.12
7.12
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
4 7.06
5.65-7.00
5.00-5. 40
5. 50-6. CO
4. 70-4.90
5. 20-5. 40
4. 25-4. 75
4.25-4. 45
4.00-4. 20
4, 70-5. 50
5. 30-5. 50
5. 30-5. 50
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
4 7. 09
5. 34
5. 05
5. 92
4.58
4. 87
4. 38
4.36
4. 11
5.95
5. 37
5. 64
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
4 6. 49
4.81
4. 52
5.39
4.13
4. 35
3. 96
3. 97
3.76
5. 40
4. 83
5.11
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
' Some engineers, pum pm en, nrem en, eic., woijs. seven
2 M inim um ra te p er d ay w hen n o t w orking on contract, per to n , yard , etc.
3 Including also th ree mines in Southeastern B ritish Colum m a.
4 E stim ated.
. . . .
3 N o figures for Chinese employees included.
T able 4 —R A T E S O F W A G E S A N D H O U R S O F L A B O R O F E M P L O Y E E S ON C A N A D IA N
T a ble 4 . K A lL b u
R A IL R Q A D S IN S E P T E M B E R , 1924 A N D 1925
Septem ber, 1924
Occupation
C onductors, passenger-------------C onductors, freight (irregular) . . .
B rakem en, passenger----------- —
B rakem en, freight (irregular)----Baggagemen, passenger-----------Engineers, passenger---------------Engineers, freight, (irregular)---Firem en, passenger--------------. . .
Firem en, freight (irregular)------D espat chers-------------- ------------T elegraphers------ , . -----------------M aintenance of w ay employees:
Forem en on lin e ......................
Sectionm en on lin e ..................
C ar an d shop trades:
B lack sm ith s........................ .
Boiler m ak ers..........................
M ach in ists...................—-,----M o ld ers........... .......................
C arpenters, freight------------Painters, freight......................
R epairs, freight-----------------Cleaners---- --------- -------------
U nit
100 m iles.
...d o ____
.C IO .
..d o —
..d o —
..d o __
. .d o __
..d o —
. .d o —
M o n th .
...d o __
Day.
...d o .
H o u r.......
...d o ____
... d o . — _
..d o ____
...d o .........
...d o ____
...d o ____
...d o -------
W ages
$4. 27
5.80
2. 93
4. 48
3.04
6.00
6. 64
4.48
4. 88
230. 00-238.00
117. 00-128. 00
Septem ber, 1925
$4.27
5. 80
2.93
4. 48
3.04
(0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
[8153
H ours
per
week
Wages
6.00
6.64
4. 48
4. 88
230. 00-238. 00
117. 00-128. 00
0
0
0
0
0
(0
0
0
0
48
48
4. 40
3.04
4. 40
3. 04
48
48
.70
.70
.70
.70
.63
.63
.63
.38
.70
.70
.70
.70
.63
.63
.63
.38
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
a Basis of 12)4 miles per hour.
i Basis of 20 miles per hour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Hours
per
week
68
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
English Regulation of Agricultural Wages
HE English. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has recently
issued a report of proceedings under the agricultural wages act
of 1924, covering the period from the passage of the act in
August, 1924, t o the end of September, 1925.1 Under the terms of
the act, wages in agricultural districts may be set by a local committee
made up of an equal number of farmers and laborers with the addition
of two impartial members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture
and Fisheries and a chairman chosen by the committee. Should the
committee fail to agree upon a minimum rate, a central bodv, the
wages board, may take over the matter and fix, cancel, or vary
existing rates as it deems best. On appeal, also, from members of the
local board, the central body may take action, varying the local award
as may seem necessary.
At first the local committees, of which there are 47, were inclined to
make rates for a very brief period, “ being apparently unwilling to
commit themselves for a long period without knowing what action
would be taken by other committees and what the effect of the general
fixing of minimum rates would be.” This tendency diminished as the
system became better established, and on September 30, 1925, of the
orders in force, 14 had fixed rates for about a year, 8 were for undefined
periods, and only 4 were for periods up to 6 months.
In general, the orders set a minimum rate for the ordinary worker
for a week of so many hours, all work over this time limit to be paid for
as an extra. Special rates are set for those working with stock or
whose duties call for longer hours or greater skill than the average.
.he minimum weekly rates in the 48 districts for which data are
given, range, for adult male workers, from 29s. to 37s. 6d.2 Fifteen
districts have 30s. as a minimum, three have less than this, the rate in
20 ranges from 30s. 6d. to 33s., and 10 are in the higher ranges.
Wages for women are much lower, their pay usually being fixed on an
hourly basis and ranging from 3d. to 6d. per hour.
One important feature of these rates is, that so far as men are
concerned, they represent guaranteed m inima..
T
The orders for male workersin every area include what is commonly known as
i WA'antccd week clause— .e., a clause providing a whole-time worker em
ployed by the week or longer with the guaranty that he shall receive the full
minimum weekly wage apart from any arrangement with the employer to work
lesser hours than the standard.
I he minimum wage is based on a week, of a specified number of
hours, ranging in the different districts from 48 upward. Taking the
country as a whole, the average week is about 52 hours in summer and
50 in winter, or on an average 51 for the year round.
The rates have been used extensively to promote a weekly half
holiday for agricultural workers. Forty-two committees have, in the
case of male workers, provided that overtime rates shall apply on one
day of the week to all hours worked over a specified number. Generally speaking, the particular day to which this provision shall apply
is left to be settled between the employer and the worker, and the
number of hours which may be worked ranges from 5 up to 6 3^.
G reat B ritain . M in istry of A griculture a n d Fisheries. R eport of proceedings under th e agricultural
^ .(re g u la tio n ) act, 1924, for year ending Sept. 30,1925. London, 1926.
Shilling a t par=24.33 cents, penny=2.03 cents; exchange ra te varies.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[816]
WAGES IN SPECIFIED INDUSTRIES IN JA PA N
69
As is usual in tlie case of minimum wage fixing, the committees have
discretion to grant an exemption from the normal figures in the case of
workers who through physical or mental deficiency are not able to do
a normal day’s work, and this provision has been used freely. During
the period covered 8,946 such exemptions were granted, the largest
number, 3,371, being for infirmities due to age.
Taking the wages set throughout the country, it is reckoned that the
average weekly wage in the summer of 1925 was 31s. 5d. This showed
an increase of 75 per cent above the average for 1914, which is practi
cally the same as the increase in the cost of living.
Agricultural Wages in Guatemala 1
N GUATEMALA the wealth-producing crop is coffee and it is
estimated that 63,000 workers are employed regularly in the coffee
districts. The country’s economic condition depends upon the
quality and price of the season’s crop which usually averages about
8,000 short tons a year.
There are three classes of coffee workers, the first two being called
colonists and the third known as the volunteer class.
The first and most important is composed of those who live on the
plantations and give half of their time to cultivating and harvesting
the coffee crops belonging to the landlords. They are allowed to
cultivate for themselves the ground on which they live, as part of
their wages, and receive in actual pay from 1.6 cents to 5 cents a
day without rations. The second class differs from the first only
in that less land is allowed for cultivation and more time required of
them for the plantations, usually three weeks for the landlords and
one week for themselves. They receive from 5 to 10 cents a day and
rations of com and beans while working for the landlord. The third
class, known as the volunteer class, is composed of those living in
villages, on the plantations, and those in the larger towns whose
labor is contracted for during the cultivating and picking seasons.
These workers receive from 20 to 25 cents a day and rations for
themselves and families.
In 1924 it was estimated that 426,000 acres in Guatemala were
used for raising corn. The average wage paid by the corn planters is
30 cents a day including rations of corn and beans.
On the sugar plantations workers are paid 28.3 cents a day and
rations of corn and beans. During the harvesting and milling sea
sons 30 cents a day and rations are paid.
I
Wages in Specified Industries in Japan, 1924 and 1925
HE average daily wages of Japanese workers in various industries
are published in the Financial and Economic Annual of Japan,
1925 (Tokyo), pages 73 to 75, for the years 1920 to 1925, inclu
sive. In the following table the wages and index numbers are shown
for the different occupations for 1924 and the last half of 1925. The
T
1 Report, from th e A m erican consul a t G uatem ala, d ated N ov. 6, 1925.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[817]
70
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
index numbers of these wages are based on the average wages paid
in the three years, 1921 to 1923.
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S IN JA P A N , 1924 A N D L A S T H A L E O F 1925
[Yen a t par=49.85 cents; exchange rate varies]
Wages
Index n u m b e rs 1
In d u s try an d occupation
1924
Textile in d u stry :
Silk reelers, female_________________________ __. . . . _____
C otton spinners, female______________________ ________
Silk throw ers, fe m a le __________________________________
C otton weavers, m achine, female_______________________Silk weavers, h an d , female . _ _ _ ...... .............................. .........
H osiery k n itters, m ale____ _ _______________ ___________
Hosiery knitters, female___ _________ _____ ______ _______
M etal, m achine a n d tool m anufacturing:
L ath e h a n d s.................................................... ...............................
Finishers________ __________________ _ _________________
Founders _ ____________________ ________ _____________
B lacksm iths___________________________________________
W ooden-pattern m akers.................................................................
Ceram ic in d u stry :
Potters _________ ________ _____________________________
G lassm akers_____ ___________________________________
C em ent m akers_______ _______ _______ _________________
B o o k m a k ers__________________________________________
Tile m akers. ....................... .............. .......................................... .
Chemical in d u stry :
M edicine workers ____________________________________
M atchm akers, m a le .......... .............. .........................................
M atchm akers, female _______________________ ________
Oil pressers. .1 ____ ________ ____ __ ____ ______________
Japanese paper m akers______________________ _________
Foreign paper m a k e r s _________________________________
L eather m akers...... ................................. ................ .............. .........
Food in d u stry :
Flour m ill w orkers________ ______ ______ _____ __________
Saké m akers_____ _____ _____ ______________________ . . .
Soy m akers__ . . . ___________________________ _________
Sugar refinery w orkers___________ ___________
C o n fectio n ers__ ______________ ___ ____
C an n e rs... .
C lothing m anufacturing:
Tailors (E uropean dress)_____ _____ _ ___________ _____
_________ __________________ ______
Shoemakers _
Wooden-clog m akers ______
Engineering an d construction:
C arp en ters... ___________________ _____ ______________
P la ste re rs.. _____________
____ ___ ______________
Stonecutters
Bricklayers________ _______ _______ ________ __
Tile roofers________________________ . . . _______________
P ain ters_________ ______________ ________________ . . .
Wood and bam boo works:
Sawyers, m achine_____________ ____ ____ _________ _____
Joiners
. . _________ ____ ______ ' . . . ____ _________
Lacquerers.
______________________________
Rope m akers______________________________________
Floor m at m a k e r s .___ _____ ____ ______ ________ _______
P rin tin g and bookbinding:
Com positors_______ _______________ ____ _____ __________
Bookbinders
______________________ _______
Stevedores and d ay laborers:
Stevedores___ . . _______________ _____________________
D ay laborers, m ale________________________ ______ _____
D ay laborers, female__________________________________
Fishing:
Fisherm en _________________________________________
D om estic service:
Servants, m ale______________________________ _________
Servants, female___________ __________________________
i 1921 to 1923 average=100.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i
L ast half of 1925.
[818]
Yen
1925 2
Yen
0.90
1.10
.91
.94
1.16
1. 75
.92
2. 31
2. 33
2.21
2.18
2. 34
0.95
1.13
.88
.97
1.15
1. 76
.91
2.29
2. 33
2. 20
2. 20
1924
1925 »
101
101
103
99
98
104
108
103
104
101
101
106
99
100
96
104
107
102
104
100
2. 36
103
103
104
104
2.11
1.95
100
110
102
99
98
97
109
97
91
97
1.41
1.60
.71
1.45
1. 53
96
95
90
99
92
1.50
1.67
. 20
1.93
1.40
1.62
2.24
103
107
104
103
97
105
106
107
103
113
108
104
118
113
1.93
2. 15
2. 03
1. 73
2.09
2.10
2
1.99
1.69
2.04
.66
1. 76
111
86
1.74
2.15
1. 70
1.92
. 71
. 01
2.10
1
2
1.80
1. 93
1. 79
111
2.10
108
106
2. 76
2.44
2.03
2. 57
2. 39
. 00
107
2
104
3. 09
3. 32
3.55
3. 45
3.72
105
104
2.86
3. 00
3. 26
3.46
3. 33
3. 44
2.87
110
110
101
103
111
2. 48
2. 78
2.15
1. 59
2. 59
2.40
2. 65
2.16
1.59
2.61
106
113
109
Ì2
104
110
2.20
2.26
2. 04
2.10
102
102
105
105
2. 69
2.16
1.16
2. 55
2.13
1.14
103
103
106
105
110
109
110
1
110
111
101
108
102
106
109
103
103
108
113
106
99
102
1. 54
1.63
94
98
3 21.27
3 18.82
« 21.91
3 19.11
105
105
14)8
110
a Per m onth, w ith rations.
71
SUNDAY REST LAW OT PARAGUAY
Wages in the Mexican Textile Industry
r y iH E Mexican Department of National Statistics has published
the following figures in regard to the textile industry in 1924:1
■*" Total number of factories in operation, 116; value of plants
and machinery, 74,228,890 pesos;2 total number of operatives, 37,732
(men, 27,903; women, 6,550; children, 3,279); and value of goods
sold, 96,435,036 pesos.
The following table shows the average daily wages paid for an
8-hour day in the textile industry in the various Mexican States:
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S IN M E X IC A N C O T T O N M IL L S IN 1924
[Peso a t pax=49.85 cents; exchange rate varies]
State
O hi apas
P /h ih n a .h n a.
O n a h iiila,
Onli-rna
T)i] r a n g o
Federal D istric t___
O n ann.pi a tn
CrJiPrrPrn
TTi ri a 1go
Jalisco........ ...............
M en
W omen
C hildren
P esos
P esos
P esos
1.32
1. 55
1. 81
1. 20
1. 42
2. 11
2. 00
1. 50
2. 19
2. 52
0. 71
1.00
1.44
.60
.94
1.87
1. 21
.42
2. 50
1. 82
0. 56
.85
. 60
1.17
.61
1.12
.94
State
M en
W omen
C hildren
P esos
P esos
P esos
Mexico.................... M ichoacan_______
N a y a r i t ...... .............
N uevo Leon__
P u e b la --.................Q ueretaro________
Sinaloa___________
Sonora...............
_
Tlaxcala__________
Vera C ruz________
1.98
1. 50
1.61
1. 76
2.06
1. 28
2. 50
1. 75
2. 00
2. 53
1. 59
1.37
1.16
1.28
1.27
.90
1. 50
1.00
1. 70
1.04
.87
.57
.82
.94
.50
.72
.95
Sunday Rest Law of Paraguay ,!
N OCTOBER 25,1925, the new Paraguayan law (No. 242) estab
lishing obligatory Sunday rest became effective throughout
the Republic. According to the provisions of this law
business houses must close on Sundays and on legal holidays, and the
sale of alcoholic beverages is forbidden on these days, except that
wines and beer may be sold by hotels and restaurants during the
luncheon and dinner hours from 11a. m. to 1 p. m. and from 7 to
9 p. m.
O
i M exico. D epartam ento de la E stadística Nacional.
1925, p p . S', 17.
2 Peso a t par=49.85 cents; exchange rate varies.
3 E l Diario, A suncion, Oct. 26, 1925.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[819]
Estadística N acional, Federal D istrict, Sept. 30,
P R O D U C T IV IT Y O F L A B O R
Railroad Labor Accomplishment, 1922 to 1924
R
AILROAD labor accomplishment, as measured in ton and pas
senger miles per man-hour, was computed from the reports of
the Interstate Commerce Commission for the years 1922 and
1923 and the results published in the Labor Review for March, 1925.
Data for the year 1924 have since become available, and the purpose
of this article is to continue the comparison to include the figures for
that year. While, as stated in the previous article, the Interstate
Commerce Commission reports are not in sufficient detail to permit
of a searching study of railroad labor accomplishment, they do furnish
a basis for yearly comparison. The figures for any one year may not
be mathematically exact, yet, as the same methods are applied to
the figures for each year, this does not seriously affect the comparison
as between the years.
Also, it must be remembered in studying these data that the
efficiency of many employees engaged in railroad work does not
depend to any great extent upon their own efforts. This is especially
true of those employed in the actual transportation of freight and
passengers. Empty freight cars must be transferred from point to
point, switching other than that by terminal companies must be
done, passenger trains must be run on schedule although employees
have no control over the number of people who wish to ride, and
many other things must be done which enter into hours worked but
not into production.
The two tables following present the basic material upon which
the study is made. The figures for 1922 and 1923 have been re
printed from the March, 1925, Labor Review and the 1924 figures
were compiled from the annual report of the Interstate Commerce
Commission for 1923 supplemented by preliminary wage reports for
1924. The first table shows the number of employees by occupation
groups and the hours actually worked by each group. The original
data for some employees, such as executives, officials, professional
men, etc., are shown on a daily instead of an hourly basis, and in
such cases the days given were reduced to hours by using the stand
ard workday of eight hours.
The group of transportation employees has been subdivided into
train and engine service; yardmasters,switch tenders, etc.; and “ other
transportation” employees. “ Other transportation” employees in
clude station agents, telegraphers, baggage agents, etc. Train and
engine service employees have in turn been subdivided into passen
ger, freight, and other employees. The passenger subdivision in
cludes the following occupations: Road passenger conductors and
assistants, brakemen and flagmen, engineers and motormen, and fire
men and helpers. Baggagemen have not been included, as they
perform no work in connection with operating the train. Freightservice employees include the road conductors, brakemen and flag
men, engineers and motormen, and firemen and helpers. Other train
and engine employees include conductors, brakemen, engineers, and
firemen in the yard.
72
[820 ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
73
RAILROAD LABOR ACCOM PLISHM ENT
N U M B E R OF R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S A N D H O U R S W O R K E D , 1922 TO 1924, BY
O C C U P A T IO N G R O U P S
N u m b er of employees
H ours actually worked
Occupation group
1922
1923
1924
1922
1923
15, 502
281, 254
16, 334
286,460
16,283
282,331
39,010,016
700, 006, 452
41,129,888
702,171,387
362, 788
401, 723
389, 069
899, 882, 881 1,002, 457, 787
961, 384, 483
455, 313
589, 879
534,981 1,199,011,373 1, 515, 268, 571
1, 318, 404, 599
302,083
50,931
141, 879
109, 273
343,382
52, n o
163, 292
127, 980
321,379
51, 750
149, 764
119, 865
781, 827, 842
116, 580, 775
387,105,836
278,141, 231
915, 084, 769
120,194, 995
460, 561, 367
334, 328, 407
828, 472,904
118,178, 780
401, 340, 033
308, 954, 091
23, 592
204,712
26, 317
215, 675
24, 729
208,619
66, 641. 440
556,024,804
74,198, 268
586,677, 351
69, 384, 575
566,495,372
530, 387
585, 374
554, 727 1, 404, 494,086 1, 575,960, 388
1, 464, 352,851
G rand to tal __________ 1, 645, 244 1, 879, 770 1, 777, 391 4, 242, 404, 808 4, 856, 988, 021
4, 472, 048,894
Executives, officials, etc______
Professional, clerical, e tc _____
M aintenance of w ay and stru c
tures. _ _______________ .
M aintenance of e q u ip ftie n t
and stores___________ _____
Transportation:
T rain and engine service..
Passenger 1__________
F r e ig h t ..___________
O th e r_______ _
Y ardm asters, sw itch te n d
ers, etc____. . . ______
O ther tra n sp o rtatio n........ .
T otal tra n sp o rtatio n ___
1924
41,111,264
686, 795, 697
1 N ot including baggagemen.
P A S S E N G E R A N D F R E I G H T M O V E M E N T , 1922 TO 1924
Item
1922
1924
1923
Freight ton-m iles (revenue and nonrevenue)_______ 375,952,000, 000
Freight car-miles .
__________ _______________ 20, 824,291, 000
Revenue passenger-miles_________________________
35, 513, 782, 000
Passenger car-miles________________ _____________
3,404, 560, 000
457, 590,000, 000
24,993,105, 000
38, 005, 922, 000
3, 575,443,000
429,453, 000, 00«
24,448,926,000
36,125, 685, 000
3,632, 032,000
The following table shows the output, in ton and passenger miles,
per man-hour, by specified groups of employees. The averages are
computed from the basic data in the preceding tables.
The business of the railroads is to transport freight and passengers
and the productive accomplishment of these two departments is
therefore treated separately. Freight ton-miles, freight car-miles,
revenue passenger-miles, and passenger car-miles, are the accepted
units of production. These are given in round numbers. From
the nature of the industry a very large number of the employees
engaged in railroad work do not actually contribute directly to the
ultimate production. For this reason, in addition to computing the
production per man per hour for all employees combined, special
attention has been paid to those employees actually engaged in
transportation work.
A C C O M P L IS H M E N T , IN T O N A N D P A S S E N G E R M IL E S P E R M A N -H O U R , 1922 TO 1924»
B Y S P E C IF I E D G R O U P S OF E M P L O Y E E S
Em ployee group
Freight
to n miles
All em ployees__________ ______
T ransportatio n em ployees_____
T rain and engine em ployees___
R oad freight employees
R oad passenger employees
88369°—2Gt----6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1924
1923
1922
Passengermiles
88.62 and 8.37
267.68 a n d 25.29
480.86 and 45.42
971.19
304.63
[821]
Freight
ton-miles
Passengermiles
94.21 and 7.82
290.36 a n d 24.12
500.05 a n d 41.53
993. 55
316. 20
Freight
ton-miles
Passengermiles
96.03 a nd 8.08
293.27 a nd 24.67
518.37 a nd 43.60
1,070. 05
305.69
74
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Admittedly, the above figures do not give the output per individual
in all the exactness of detail that could he desired or that would be
developed in a true time-cost study of a single railroad company.
The business of transporting freight and passengers is, of course,
carried on continuously, but no information is available as to the
number of hours worked by those employees not engaged all of their
time in one service or the other which should be charged to freight,
and the number which should be charged to passenger operations.
Considering all employees engaged in railroad work—executives,
officials, professional men, clerks, and all employees »doing railroad
work of whatever nature—96.03 tons of freight and 8.08 passengers
were moved a distance of one mile per man per hour in 1924, as
compared with 94.21 tons of freight and 7.82 passengers in 1923,
and 88.62 tons of freight and 8.37 passengers in 1922, Eliminating
executives, professional men, clerks, and all employees except those
actually engaged in transportation 293.27 tons of freight and 24.67
passengers were transported one mile per man per hour in 1924 as
compared with 290.36 tons of freight and 24.12 passengers in 1923,
and 267.68 tons of freight and 25.29 passengers in 1922. Con
tinuing the process of elimination and using only employees engaged
in train work the results were 518.37 tons of freight and 43.60
passengers in 1924 as compared with 500.05 tons of freight and 41.53
passengers in 1923, and 480.86 tons of freight and 45.42 passengers
in 1922. There is no way of apportioning aggregate hours in the
above groups as between freight and passenger movement; hence the
accomplishment of one hour covers both freight and passengers.
Road freight employees, those employees actually handling the
trains, not including yardmen, moved 1,070.05 ton-miles of freight
per man per hour in T924 as compared with 993.55 ton-miles in 1923
and 971.19 ton-miles in 1922. The figures for this group of employees
represent the actual average freight ton-miles produced by them as
no employees are included in the group whose* time or any part of
it is chargeable to the passenger department. The same is true of
road passenger employees. They produced 305.69 passenger-miles
per man per hour in 1924 as compared with 316.20 passenger-miles
in 1923, and 304.63 in 1922.
While the production per man-hour as shown in the above table
has been computed on the basis of freight ton-miles and passengermiles, wdiich are undoubtedly the best measures of the production of
the employees, yet there are other accepted units of production in
use. Thus freight cars and passenger cars were hauled a certain
number of miles during the year, and this of course represents pro
ductive work by employees. The following table shows output per
man per hour in freight and passenger car-miles:
A C C O M P L IS H M E N T IN C A R -M IL E S P E R M A N -H O U R , 1922 TO 1924, B Y S P E C IF I E D
G ROU PS OF E M PL O Y E E S
1922
Em ployee group
All em ployees........ ........... .
T ransp o rtatio n em ployees...
T rain and engine employees.
R oad freight em ployees____
R oad passenger em p lo y ees..
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Freight
car-miles
Passenger
car-miles
4.91 and 0.80
14.83 and 2.42
26.64 and 4.35
53. 79 |_________
29.20
[822 ]
1923
Freight
car-miles
Passenger
car-miles
5.15 and 0.74
15.86 and 2.27
27.31 and 3.91
54. 27 I_________
______
29.75
1924
Freight
car-miles
Passenger
car-miles
5.47 and 0.81
16.70 a nd 2.48
29.51 and 4.38
60. 92 I....................
30.73
- ........
75
PRODUCTION IN JAPANESE COAL M IN ES
The following figures showing revenue and expenses for the years
1922, 1923, 1924, and 1925, compiled by the Bureau of Railway
Economics, are of interest in connection with the above analysis of
productive accomplishment:
O P E R A T IN G E X P E N S E S A N D R E V E N U E O F R A IL R O A D S , 1922 TO 1925
O perating revenue
T o tal operating
expenses
Y ear
Passenger
Freight
1922........ ...................... ....................
1923........ ...................... ....................
1924.................................................
1925.___ ________________ ____
$4,009, 251, 951
4,625,786,003
4,349,036,142
4, 553, 065,290
$1,076,314, 793
1,147,577, 634
1,076, 688,006
1, 055,913,165
T otal
$5,620,401, 722
6,360, 423, 213
5,987,662, 226
6,186,608, 567
$4, 457,622, 473
4,945,135,398
4, 559, 794, 409
4, 583, 255,610
Production and Per Capita Output in Japanese Coal Mines, 1914 to
1923
HE Financial and Economie Annual of Japan, 1925 (Tokyo),
contains statistical information (pp. 63, 64) relating to the
operation of the coal mines of the country. The following table
showing the number of employees, days worked, total production, and
average output per worker has been compiled from these tables.
Although there was a steady decline in the per capita output from
1914 to 1920 the production per man per day increased in 1921 and
1923. The average daily output per employee was not computed for
1922 as the number of employees was not reported for the entire
country in that year.
T
N U M B E R O F W O R K E R S , N U M B E R OF D A Y S W O R K E D , P R O D U C T IO N , A N D P R O D U C
T IO N P E R M A N P E R D A Y IN JA P A N E S E C O A L M IN E S , 1914 TO 1923
Y ear
1914________________________________
1915.................................................................
1916 .................................... ........................
1917________________________________
1918___ ____ _______________________
1919 ________________ ______________
1 9 2 0 -........................................ ....................
1921.............. ..................................................
1922____________________ ________ _
1923 ___________ ____________ _____
N um ber of
employees
N um ber of
days worked
182,637
193,142
197,907
250,144
287,159
348,240
342, 873
267, 614
1 249, 022
278, 771
1 Exclusive figures of th e prefecture of K anagawa.
2 N ot com puted.
8 Production for th e entire country.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[823]
44,106, 992
42,386, 897
47,238,338
57,679, 769
69,193,103
83,860, 075
81,129,349
63, 751,499
1 60,111,505
60, 063,425
Average
num ber
of days
per m an
242
219
239
231
241
241
237
238
(2)
215
Production (tons of 2,000
pounds)
Total
24, 574, 036
22,586,950
25,244, 412
29, 058,193
30. 896, 835
34,470,126
32, 237,187
28, 902, 986
8 30, 535, 596
31, 910,284
Average
per m an
per d ay
0.56
.53
.53
.50
.45
.41
.40
.45
(2)
.53
W OM EN IN IN D U STR Y
Wage-Earning Mothers in Philadelphia
NDER the title “ Mothers in Industry” has recently appeared
a study of wage-earning mothers in Philadelphia/ undertaken
‘‘to determine whether the employment of the mother is vital
to industry on the one hand, whether her wage-earning activity inter
feres with home life on the other hand; whether the question is one of
industry or one of the family or one of society at large.” The finan
cial responsibility of the investigation and the supervision of the work
were shared by the Seybert Institution and the Carola Woerishoffer
graduate department of Bryn Mawr College. To secure a represen
tative group of working mothers, a survey was made in six industrial
sections of Philadelphia, and brief schedules covering the composition
of the household, the age of the children, and the number of wage
earners were obtained from 10,838 households. Through this survey
588 wage-earning mothers were discovered, and the names of 140
others were secured through three social organizations and four em
ployers. In making the canvass, sections which were largely Jewish
or Italian were avoided on the assumption that mothers of these
racial groups do not work outside their homes. No colored women
were included.
The survey was intended only to determine where wage-earning
mothers were to be found, and alter its conclusion an intensive study
was undertaken of the 728 whose names had been secured. All of
them had at that time children under 16, and all were employed out
side their homes when the study was made or had been so employed
within the year previous. The intensive study was begun November
20, 1918, and was ended August 28, 1919.
One of the first facts brought out by the study was that the work of
these women was financially necessary to the family welfare. State
ments as to the reason for beginning work outside the home were
obtained from 725, showing the following grouping:
U
N um ber
Per cent
Insufficient wage of husband______
208
28. 7
Death of husband_______
164
22. 6
Illness of husband___________________________ 101
13. 9
Desertion of husband_______________________
94 13. 0
Nonsupport by husband_______________________ 79
10. 9
Personal preference___________________________
79
10. 9
725
100. 0
1 H ughes, G w endolyn S .: M others in In d u s try —Wage earning b y mothers in Philadelphia.
New R epublic (Inc.), 1925.
76
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 2 4 ]
New York,
WAGE-EARNING MOTHERS IN PH ILAD ELPH IA
77
It will be seen that in three-fifths of these cases, owing to the
husband’s illness, death, desertion, or refusal to support, there was
no income at ail from that source, and that in nearly one-third the
husband’s earnings were insufficient for the family support. In II
per cent of the cases the family could have been self-supporting
without the mother’s earnings, but she was working to give the chil
dren better educational advantages, or to help pay for a home, or for
some similar family advantage. Making all due allowances for these
cases, it is still apparent that in general the wage-earning mother, as
seen in this study, was such from necessity.
The wage-earning mother is forced into industry. The husband’s wage is not
a family wage but husband and wife are jointly responsible for providing the
money income of the family. The exclusion of the mother from industry is not
the solution of the family’s problem. If she does not work, the family can not
support itself. There are no other sources of income within these families which
could be substituted for the wage-earning ability of the mother.
A second feature of the situation which the study showed was that
the mother who became a wage earner did not cease to be the home
maker for her family, but rather added another job to her original one.
Various methods were adopted to make this possible. Sometimes
she secured part-time work outside the home. This usually meant
that she went into some form of domestic or personal service, in which
part-time work is most easily procurable. About 30 per cent (215)
of the mothers were in such work, 79 of them being office cleaners,
while the remainder were in home cleaning, restaurant work, and mis
cellaneous occupations, and the majority of these 215 mothers did
part-time work. When she had full-time work she usually had
help within the home from relatives, members of her own family,
hired helpers, or neighbors. Sometimes philanthropic agencies were
brought into play, as-when children were left at day nurseries during
the mother’s absence at work, but in general these families made little
appeal for help from such sources. Pennsylvania, for instance, has
a mother’s pension law, yet only 38 of the more than 200 widows or
deserted wives studied had applied for aid under its provisions, and
only 9 were receiving such help at the time of the investigation.
Working mothers, the study seemed to show, are not often applicants
for public aid in any form.
It might be supposed that the effect of the double task upon the
women would be seen in the condition of the household, the children,
and the mother herself. As to the first, no particular difference
was found between the houses of mothers who did and who did not
work outside.
These women are a part of the wage-earning population living in the industrial
sections of a large city. Their houses look like those of their neighbors, their
ideal of health, education, child care, and family responsibilities does not seem
to vary largely from those which prevail in their communities, although no
norm has yet been established. The conditions which exist in their homes,
therefore, can not be charged exclusively to wage earning. They are a part and
parcel of the environment of the workingman’s family.
Whether the children suffer, it is difficult to say. There were 1,352
children living in these homes, of whom 23 per cent were under five
years old. Provision was made for the -care of ail the children in
this younger group during the mother’s absence, 23 per cent being
cared for in nurseries or the homes of neighbors and relatives, while
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[825]
78
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
77 per cent were at home. Usually those in the latter group were in
the charge of some relative or other person actually living in the house
hold, but for 32 per cent there was no supervision beyond that given by
a relative or neighbor living in the same building or on the same street.
As far as health is concerned the children did not seem to have fared
badly.
Health defects seem to be comparatively infrequent among children in these
households, since in only 117 (16 per cent) of 728 households was one child or
more reported as suffering from a health disability at the time of the visit.
From an educational standpoint, matters were less satisfactory.
There was an undue amount of absence from school and of retardation.
Of 923 children between 7 and 16 years old, 72 were not attending
school and apparently had not even been enrolled. Of those in school,
too large a proportion were in the elementary grades, and in lower
grades than their ages justified.
Eighty-three per cent (863) of the children who are in school are included within
the ages of 6 and 15, and should therefore be in the elementary grades. But
instead of 83 per cent, 94 per cent (980) are actually in the grades. * * *
It is impossible to state how much of this retardation is due to the fact that certain
public schools in Philadelphia are so crowded that the children are allowed to
attend only half a day.
An effort was made to trace the effect of wage earning upon the
capacity of the women to bear and rear healthy children, but the
results were indecisive.
The experience of these 728 working mothers throws but little light upon the
relation between wage earning and successful maternity. The number of cases
is comparatively small, the data are meager and unsupported by clinical records.
Furthermore, no comparable body of facts relating to mothers who are not, and
never have been, so employed are available. The most serious obstacle perhaps
is the very great difficulty of isolating wage earning as a factor. Employment is
so closely associated with economic insufficiency and the whole problem of poverty
that it can not be treated apart from these conditions. * * * In the experience
of these 728 mothers prenatal deaths were more frequent after the mother entered
industry than before, while the proportion of postnatal deaths shows practically
no change.
An inquiry into the health of the women, apart from their experi
ences of maternity, showed that their general record during the year
covered was above that of the housewives generally. Forty-four
per cent reported an illness within the last year, as against 63 per
cent of the housekeepers in a health study made in Kensington for a
Pennsylvania commission, covering 734 households.
Either the wage-earning mothers have failed to report all of their illnesses or
they are physically stronger than the women who stay at home. It is probable
that women with greater resistance work in industry because they consider
themselves physically fit to stand it. It is also likely that they have less time
to think about their health than the mothers who are not in industry.
In discussing the general results shown by this study, it is pointed
out that the married woman in industry is likely to be permanent.
Two ways of avoiding her presence have been discussed, the family
wage to men and the endowment of motherhood, but neither can be
said to be making rapid progress in this country at present. I t is
suggested that the situation might be improved by the provision of
better group supervision of little children during their mother’s
absence, but that this is not an ideal solution. Legislation as a
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[828]
WAGE-EARNING MOTHERS IN PH ILA D ELPH IA
79
means of improving conditions for such women is considered, but not
deemed effective.
T h e Tightening of th e ir b u rd en s does n o t lie in a n y d irect legislative a ctio n
affecting th e ir in d u stria l sta tu s, as d istin c t from t h a t of o th e r w orking w om en.
As long as th e re is a n alm o st u n lim ited su rp lu s of cheap w om an labor, th e very
law s designed to aid m ig h t h an d ic a p th e m in securing a n d holding a jo b . A ny
alleviation of th e ir lo t m u s t be fo u n d alo n g o th e r lines.
One way toward improvement may be opened up by a recognition
of the facts of the situation by women themselves. It is believed
that in the past their attitude toward industry has been considerably
affected by the belief that their presence there is only temporary,
ending with their marriage. This no longer seems to be the ease, and
as this fact becomes known it may well lead to a modification in the
attitude of woman workers.
W hen it is recognized b y all w age-earning w om en t h a t th e y a re n o t te m p o ra ry
w orkers, t h a t m arria g e does n o t p u t a n en d to th e ir in d u s tria l experience, th e
p rin cip al obstacle to th e ir so lid arity will h av e been rem oved. Once fully con
scious of th e ir te n u re in in d u stry , w om en will be able to safeg u ard th e g ainfully
em ployed m other.
x But to do so they must have a much more definite and extensive
knowledge of the facts of the case than is now possessed, and through
out this study emphasis is placed on the need for careful investigation
and research to lay sound foundations of accurate knowledge on which
alone gane social progress can be based.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8271
CHILD LABOR
Rural Child Labor on the Northern Pacific Coast
HE Children’s Bureau of the United States Department of
Labor has recently issued (as Bureau Publication No. 151) a
study of the employment of children in the berry fields of the
Puyallup Valley, Wash., and in the orchard and hop-raising districts
of the Willamette Valley, Oreg., and the Yakima Valley, Wash. Child
labor is used extensively in these districts in the harvesting of berries,
hops, and some kinds of orchard fruits, because such work is done by
hand, and is, except in the case of some of the fruits, unskilled. At
the same time it is sufficiently light to permit the employment of even
young children. The investigation included an intensive survey of
several school districts in each area.
A fter th e nam es of th e child ren enrolled in th e schools h a d been o b ta in e d , a
T
house-to-house canvass w as m ad e, a n d in terv iew s w ere h eld w ith local children
u n d er 16 years of age w ho h a d w orked on fru it o r h o p crops a t le a s t 12 d a y s
d u ring th e previous 12 m o n th s, a n d w ith m ig ra to ry ch ild ren u n d e r 16 w ho h a d
w orked a t le a st 6 days. * * * D etailed in fo rm a tio n w as o b ta in e d fo r 1,006
m ig ra to ry children, w ho re p re se n te d only a sm all p ro p o rtio n of th o se w orking in
th e selected areas, b u t all th e ch ild ren w hose hom es w ere in th e selected school
d istric ts w ere interview ed .
In both the Willamette and the Yakima Valleys children do much
the same kind of work, being mainly employed in harvesting fruits
and hops. In the two valleys 1,164 children under 16 were studied,
517 being children of local parents, and 647 children of migratory
laborers. The local children worked to a large degree on the home
farm, though it was customary for them to hire themselves on occa
sion to other fruit or hop growers of the neighborhood. The majority
(64 per cent) were under 14 years, and nearly one-third (32.5 per
cent) were under 12 years; 12 per cent were under 10 years of age.
The migratory children showed a lower age level, 69.4 per cent being
under 14 years, 38.2 per cent under 12 years, and 15.2 per cent under
10 years.
Lor the local children, hours varied from less than 6 to over 10 a
day, according to the kind of work done. The number of days
worked during the year varied from 12 up to 120 and over, 73 per
cent of the group having worked fewer than 60 days. Earnings
ranged from under $1 to $4 and over a day. School terms had been
adjusted to the needs of the locality, so that the children lost com
paratively little time from school through their farm work.
The children of migratory families showed about the same condi
tions as to hours, earnings, and kinds of work done as the local chil
dren, but since their families moved from place to place, following
the harvest, their school attendance suffered. Housing conditions,
also, presented a serious problem. For the most part, the migratory
families lived in labor camps, finding shelter in tents or row houses.
80
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[828]
RURAL CHILD LABOR OH NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST
81
Overcrowding was very common and sanitary conditions varied from
fair to very poor«
In the Puyallup Valley of Washington, where berry picking is the
great child-employing industry, a study was made of 280 local and
220 migratory children. In general, hours for children were shorter
here and earnings less than in the hop and the fruit fields of the other
places studied.
I t is pointed out that the conditions of child labor here diff er con
siderably from those found in the eastern sections studied.
U nlike th e child w orkers in th e tru c k a n d sm all-fru it grow ing sections of th e
A tlan tic coast, th e children w orking on th e W ash in g to n a n d O regon farm s, even
th o se in m ig ra to ry fam ilies, are chiefly of n a tiv e w h ite p a re n ta g e . T h e fa th e rs
of less th a n o n e-th ird of th e children in clu d ed in th e C h ild re n ’s B u re a u stu d y
w ere of E u ro p e a n b irth , a n d th ese h a d been in th e U n ite d S ta te s a n u m b e r of
years a n d w ere as a ru le E n glish-speaking; only 3 p e r c e n t of th e fam ilies in c lu d e d
in th e s tu d y w ere Jap an ese, a n d even few er w ere In d ian .
C hildren in th is section do n o t go to w ork so yo u n g no r do th e y do such v a rie d
o r difficult w ork as children w ho w ork on th e tru c k fa rm s of th e E a ste rn S ta te s.
Of th e 1,803 children in clu d ed in th e stu d y , how ever, 12 p e r c e n t w ere u n d e r 10
years a n d 34 p e r c e n t w ere u n d e r 12 years. T h e w ork of b o th local a n d m ig ra
to ry children of all ages is confined usuaffy to picking sm all fru its o r hops or h a r
v estin g prunes. * * * Some of th e older children liv in g on farm s h elp in th e
tillage of orch ard s or b e rry fields, o r th in fru it, a n d a few older b oys do gen eral
farm w ork, b u t i t is n o t so c u sto m ary as on th e tru c k farm s of N ew Jersey , M a ry
lan d , a n d V irginia for child ren to plow , harrow , a n d c u ltiv a te or even to help
w ith p lan tin g , w eeding, a n d hoeing.
A lthough m o st of th e w ork w as n o t in itself difficult th e -working h o u rs w ere
long d u rin g th e h a rv e s t seasons. T h e g re a t m a jo rity of th e child ren w ho w ere
em ployed in hop y a rd s o r o rch ard s w orked m ore th a n 8 h o u rs a d ay . On a
sam ple d ay of th e h a rv e st season, 67 p e r c en t of 967 local a n d m ig ra to ry child
w orkers in th e W illam ette a n d Y ak im a V alleys who re p o rte d th e le n g th of th e ir
w orking-day w orked m ore th a n 8 h o u rs, a n d 43 p e r cen t, 10 h o u rs or m ore. A
larg er p ro p o rtio n of child ren w orking as h ired lab o rers th a n of ch ild ren w orking
fo r th e ir p a re n ts re p o rte d th e s e long hours.
T h e school a tte n d a n c e of local w orkers is little affected b y th e w ork th e y do
on h ops o r fru it. P a re n ts w ho live in th e areas su rv ey ed a p p e a r to h av e h igh
sta n d a rd s w ith reg ard to th e ir ch ild ren ’s ed u catio n , a n d m a n y of th e lo cal school
b o ard s a rran g e th e school te rm s so t h a t child ren can w ork d u rin g th e p ru n e,
apple, a n d hop h a rv e sts a n d still a tte n d school th e e n tire tim e it is in session.
A bsences fo r fa rm w ork of lo cal children living in th e th re e d istric ts w ere few
co m p ared w ith th o se of child ren w ho w ork on A tla n tic co a st tr u c k farm s. F o u r
p e r c e n t of th e 492 child w orkers of th e Pacific co a st d istric ts w ho re p o rte d on
th is q u estio n h a d been a b se n t from school 10 d ay s o r m ore fo r fa rm w ork, com
p a re d w ith 44 p e r c e n t a n d 27 p er c en t, resp ectiv ely , of th e lo cal child w orkers
includ ed in th e N ew Jersey a n d M a ry la n d stu d ies m ad e b y th e C h ild ren ’s B u reau .
O n th e o th e r h a n d , th e irre g u la r a tte n d a n c e of ch ild ren in m ig ra to ry fam ilies
of th e Pacific co ast is a p a rtic u la rly difficult p roblem . M an y ch ild ren leave
P o rtla n d fo r th e hop-p ick in g season ju s t before school opens a n d do n o t re tu rn
u n til a fte r th e season is over, th re e o r fo u r w eeks la te r. A lth o u g h children
them selves seldom p ick ap p les or tr a in hops, ch ild ren in m ig ra to ry fam ilies lose
a large p a r t of th e school y e a r because th e y m ig ra te w ith th e a d u lt m em bers of
th e fam ily, leaving th e ir hom es fo r th e h o p tra in in g in M arch a n d n o t re tu rn in g
u n til a fte r th e ap p le season in N ovem ber. T h e m o st difficult p h ase of th e p ro b
lem is t h a t re la tin g to child ren who “ follow th e f r u i t ” fro m one c o u n ty or S ta te
to a n o th e r, sta y in g o nly a sh o rt tim e in a n y one place. T h e p ercen tag e of
re ta rd a tio n am ong som e of th ese ch ild ren w as o v er tw ice th e av erag e am ong
city school children. A lthough m an y schools in th e fru it a n d hop grow ing
d istric ts of W ashingto n a n d O regon en ro ll ch ild ren w ho a re te m p o ra rily u n d e r
th e ir ju risd ictio n , no sy stem of in te re o u n ty o r in te rs ta te c o o p eratio n , w ith th e
o b ject of keeping tra c k of th e m ig ran ts, h as been developed. In th e d istric ts
su rv ey ed th e re ap p eare d to be no need fo r se p a ra te schools fo r child ren of seasonal
w orkers such as th e schools p ro v id ed fo r b y th e C alifo rn ia school a tte n d a n c e
law , th o u g h special classes fo r th ese ch ild ren in th e local schools m ig h t be
desirable.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[829],
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Children in Pennsylvania Canneries
A RECENT report published by the Department of Labor and
/2k Industry of Pennsylvania1 contains a resume of conditions
found to exist in fruit and vegetable canneries of that State in
the autumn of 1925. The investigation, begun in September,
covered 50 canneries, and dealt with such questions as the source of
the labor supply, the employment of children, and the observance of
laws respecting safety, sanitation, and the employment of women.
In 18 of the canneries, migratory labor was used, families being
brought out from Baltimore or Philadelphia and housed in labor
camps near the plant. This practice interfered with the school
attendance of the children, as they often left the city before the end
of the school term and did not return until after the school sessions
had begun in the fall. Approximately 250 children of school age
but not attending school were found in the labor camps. None of
these would return to school before the end of September, and some
of them not until the beginning of November. The country schools
near which their families might be living were not prepared to receive
them, and the general sentiment seemed to be that they would leave
the vicinity so soon that there was no necessity for doing anything
about their tuition. The presence of the children in the camps also
tended to produce violations of the employment laws. In 41 can
neries children were at work, and of these 119 were illegally employed.
I t seem ed likely t h a t th e n u m b er of children a c tu a lly w orking was co nsiderably
larg er th a n re p o rte d , as in v e stig a to rs re p e a te d ly saw little figures fleeing from
th e canneries a n d d isap p earin g in to th e w oods. M an y of th ese sm aller children
w hen q uestioned a d m itte d t h a t th e y did “ s k in ” to m a to e s or h u sk corn. B ean
snipping, a n o ccupatio n pecu liarly a d a p te d to child lab o r, w as re p o rte d fre
q u en tly as h av in g been done by children, a lth o u g h th e b ean season w as o ver
before th e in v estig atio n to o k place.
None of the migrant children at work had employment certificates,
and the “ proof of age” cards required for working children aged 16
and 17 were almost as scarce as employment certificates. The re
quirements as to hours of work were likewise very generally disre
garded.
T he legal w orking-day of 8 or 9 h o u rs w as n o t in force fo r m inors u n d e r 16.
P ractically all of th e children w orked 10 or 11 h o u rs a d ay a n d often six full
d ay s; n o r w as th e ir w ork alw ay s finished a t six in th e evening. In a t le a st th re e
of th e canneries th e children w ere re q u ired to w ork occasionally u n til 9 o r 10
o ’clock a t n ig h t, a n d in one can n ery 15-year-old boys h a d w orked u n til 1 o ’clock
in th e m orning. P ra c tic a lly no schedules of ho u rs fo r m in o rs w ere fo u n d posted.
Violations of the laws governing the employment of women were
fewer but still numerous. Seventeen of the canneries worked more
than 10 hours daily for at least part of the time, 8 employed women
after 10 p. rn., only one-fifth of them had posted schedules of the
women’s hours, and instances were found of startlingly long hours.
In more than three-fourths of the canneries the guarding of the
machinery was inadequate, and conditions as to cleanliness were
frequently unsatisfactory. The labor camps presented the highly
objectionable features made familiar by other studies. One room
1
P ennsylvania. D e p artm e n t of L abor and In d u stry .
burg, 1925, pp. 3-17.
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L abor and In d u stry . Vo!. X II, N o. 12, H arris
CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA CANNERIES
83
to a family and one bunk to a room regardless of age and sex was the
common allotment. Overcrowding, poor ventilation, little or noth
ing in the way of facilities for cleanliness, lack of privacy, neglected
and insanitary toilets, poor drainage, and unclean surroundings were
general. Conditions in the camp, as well as in the factory, were
frequently in violation of the laws.
T he 50 canneries in v e stig a te d ra n a w hole g a m u t in th e n u m b e r of v io latio n s
found. T he b est one h a d only 2 violations, th e w o rst 33, a n d th e av erag e n u m b e r
of violations fo r all 50 canneries w as a b o u t 15.
T h e frequency of violatio n s fo u n d seem ed to d ep en d on c ertain facto rs, such as
p ro d u c t packed, size of can n ery , a n d source of labor. F o u rte e n of th e 15 c a n n e r
ies w ith th e m o st violatio n s p ack ed to m a to e s o r corn. On th e o th e r h a n d all of
th e corn-drying estab lish m en ts were relativ ely free from violatio n s. T he m e d iu m
sized canneries w ere w orse offenders th a n th e v ery larg e or th e v e ry sm all ones.
T h e presence of foreign h elp a n d a la b o r cam p m ad e a strik in g difference in th e
n u m b e r of violations. T h e canneries w ith o u t la b o r cam ps h a d a n av erag e of
a b o u t 7 or 8 violations, w hile th o se w ith im p o rte d la b o r av e ra g e d 11 in th e
can n ery p ro p er a n d 14 m ore in th e la b o r cam p. T h e g re a te st d iv ergence w as
fou n d in v iolations of th e ch ild -lab o r law . Twice as m a n y child ren w ere illegally
em ployed in labor-cam p can n eries as in canneries w ith no la b o r cam ps, a n d th re e
tim es as m a n y children Under 16 y ears of age w ere illegally em ployed in la b o rcam p canneries as in canneries h av in g only local help. T h e w o m a n ’s a c t, th e
reg u latio n s fo r canneries, a n d th e re q u irem en ts for m ach in e g u ard in g w ere all
m ore fre q u en tly v iolated in canneries im p o rtin g foreign lab o r th a n in th o se h a v
ing local help a n d no lab o r cam p.
The report closes with an account of the steps taken to remedy
conditions at the time, and to prevent their recurrence in the coming
season.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS
AGREEM ENTS
Molders—Continuation of National Agreement
nference agreement between tlie International Molders’
HE conference
Molders?
Union and the Stove Founders’ National Defense Association
in effect during 1925 has been continued without change
through 1926.1 The name of the latter body has been changed to
Manufacturers’ Protective and Development Association.
T
Newspapers—Los Angeles
No. 174 of the International Typographical Union made
¿in agreement with three newspapers for one year from Decem
ber 12, 1925. The provisions relating to arbitration and appren
tices are as follows:
S e c t i o n 1. Immediately after the execution of this agreement, a special stand
ing committee of four members shall be appointed, two members of said com
mittee to be named by the party of the first part and two members by the party
of the second part. Immediately after the members of the special standing
committee have been named, the party of the first part shall send the names and
addresses of its representatives on the special standing committee to the party
of the second part, and the party of the second part shall send the names and
addresses of its representatives on the special standing committee to the party
of the first part. In case of a vacancy on said special standing committee from
any cause, said vacancy shall be filled immediately by the appointment of a
new member by the party in whose representation on the special standing com
mittee the vacancy occurs. Each party shall notify the other party imme
diately of any change in its representation on the special standing committee.
If at any time either party desires that one of its representatives on the special
standing committee shall appear in the capacity of advocate before the board
of arbitration provided for in this section, said representative shall resign from
the committee and a new representative shall be appointed in the manner herein
before provided.
To the special standing committee shall be referred for settlement all dis
putes arising under this agreement, all disputes regarding the interpretation of
any portion of this agreement, all disputes between any office and its chapel,
all disputes regarding discharged men (in accordance with the prodecure herein
after set forth), and any and all disputes between the parties hereto, except as
in this section provided. The special standing committee must meet within
five days from the date on which either party hereto, through its authorized
representative, notifies the other party in writing that a meeting is desired, and
shall proceed forthwith to attempt to settle any question raised by either party.
Except that the special standing committee shall have no jurisdiction over the
settlement of a new wage scale and a new contract to become effective at the
expiration of this agreement, as hereinafter provided, said committee shall
1
T h e term s of th e 1S24 agreem ent, v/hieh were th e same as those in effect in 1825, w ere given in B ureau
of L abor Statistics B ui. N o. 393 (pp. 72-74).
84
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[8 3 2 ]
AGREEMENTS----NEW SPAPERS
85
otherwise have complete power to determine its jurisdiction. Such jurisdic
tion, if in dispute, shall be subject to arbitration in the manner in this section
provided.
The general laws of the International Typographical Union in effect on the
first day of January, 1924, shall not be subject to arbitration.
Cases of discharge may be taken up by the chapel, if the chapel meets on the
case within 48 hours after the discharge. If the chapel does not meet within
48 hours after the discharge, the member discharged has lost the right of appeal
as herein provided and shall be considered to be legally discharged, and can not
be reinstated except at the option of the foreman. If the chapel takes up a
discharge case, as hereinbefore provided, and reinstates the discharged member,
said member shall be immediately reinstated by the foreman, provided that
the foreman or the office may appeal from the decision of the chapel to the
special standing committee. The special standing committee shall have power
to confirm the reinstatement or to reverse the chapel and order the discharge
of the member. If the chapel uphold the foreman in the discharge of a member
and does not reinstate, such member shall have the right to appeal from the
decision of the chapel to the special standing committee. The special standing
committee shall have power to confirm the discharge or to reverse the chapel
and order the reinstatement of the discharged member. In the case of any
appeal by a discharged member to the special standing committee, pay for
time lost by such member is an arbitrable point. The special standing com
mittee shall have power to decide what is due such member for time lost, but
in no case shall the amount exceed what the member would have earned at
straight time rated, in the position from which discharged, had such member been
employed full time during the settlement of the case. Notice of intention to
appeal to the special standing committee from the decision of the chapel in a
discharge case must be given to said special standing committee within 20 days
from the date of the decision of the chapel. If such notice of intention to appeal
is not given within said 20 days, the right of appeal in such discharge case shall
be lost and the decision of the chapel in such discharge case shall be final.
It shall require the affirmative votes of the four members of the special standing
committee to decide the issues, and the decision of the special standing committee
in ail cases shall be final and binding on the parties hereto. If the special
standing committee can not reach an agreement on any dispute, including dis
putes regarding discharged men, within 10 days (this time may be extended by
unanimous agreement) from the date on which a dispute is first considered by it,
at the request of either party hereto, the members of the committee shall form a
board of arbitration and shall select a fifth member, who shall be a disinterested
party and who shall act as chairman of the board. The board of arbitration thus
formed shall proceed with all dispatch possible to settle the dispute. It shall
require the affirmative votes of three of the five members of the board of arbitra
tion to decide the issues, and the decision of the board of arbitration in all cases
shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.
All expense of the board of arbitration shall be equally divided between the
party of the first part and the party of the second part.
S e c . 18. Journeymen members of Los Angeles Typographical Union, No. 174,
may serve as apprentice machinists, their apprenticeship to be completed in one
year. Each newspaper shall be entitled to one apprentice machinist on the day
shift and one on the night shift. The wages of a journeyman member of the Los
Angeles Typographical Union, No. 174, serving as an apprentice machinist shall
be fixed by the office during the first six months of the term of apprenticeship;
during the last six months he shall receive 50 per cent of the minimum journey
men’s scale. Apprentice machinists who are not journeymen may be employed
in lieu of journeymen. Their wages shall be the same as those fixed by section 11
of this agreement for apprentices. They shall not be considered in calculating
the number of apprentices an office may employ. They may work at any work on
the machine. Boys (not apprentice machinists) may be employed to wipe and
clean machines and to fill metal pots.
S e c . 19. Apprentices shall serve an apprenticeship of five years, the time to be
divided as follows:
First year: Apprentices shall assist on proof press, on battery, and distribute
heads.
Second year: Apprentices shall assist on battery, distribute and set heads.
Third year: Apprentices shall distribute and set heads, and work at least
one-half the time in ad room.
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M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW
Fourth year: Apprentices shall work in ad room and may be employed for not
more than two hours per day in proof room.
Fifth year: Apprentices shall work in ad room and on make-up, and shall
serve an apprenticeship of the last six months on typesetting machines.
S e c . 20. E ach n ew sp ap er em ploying five o r less th a n five re g u lar jo u rn ey m en
shall be e n title d to one ap p re n tic e . F o r ev ery 10 jo u rn ey m en reg u larly em ployed
abo v e 5, one a p p re n tic e sh all be allow ed; pro v id ed , five ap p re n tic e s shall be th e
m axim um n u m b e r allow ed.
S e c . 21 . No office shall be entitled to an apprentice unless at least one journey
men, aside from the proprietor, shall be regularly employed in the composing
room.
S e c . 22. One office boy (not an apprentice) shall be allowed to work on proof
press, carry proofs and copy, and type on galleys, but shall not be allowed other
wise to handle type, proofs, copy or any printing material in any other manner
whatever.
S e c . 23. Beginning with the third year, apprentices shall be enrolled in and
complete the International Typographical Union course of lessons in printing
before being admitted as journeymen members of the union. They shall pay to
the secretary-treasurer of Los Angeles Typographical Union, No. 174, the sum of
$1 per month until the tuition of the course is paid.
Stereotypers—Youngstown, Ohio
A N AGREEMENT made September 11, 1925, by the Youngstown
1 1 Vindicator and Youngstown Telegram with the Stereotypers
and Electrotypers Union No. 112, relative to stereotypers, contains
the following provisions:
S e c t i o n 1. The employers agree to employ only members in good standing
with the Youngstown Stereo typers and Electrotypers Union No. 112 as foreman,
assistant foreman, and journeymen stereotypers,"excepting when the Youngstown
Stereotypers and Electrotypers Union No. 112 is unable to furnish sufficient men
to fill the required number of positions to get out editions on time.
S e c . 2. That on and after April 18, 1925, until October 18, 1925, the wages of
journeymen stereotypers shall be not less than $46 per week, and from October
18, 1925, until April 18, 1926, the wages of journeymen stereotypers shall be not
less than $47 per week, and from April 18, 1926, to April 18, 1927, the wages of
journeymen stereotypers shall be $48 per week.
S e c . 3. Six days or nights shall constitute a week’s work. Eight hours shall
constitute a day or night’s work.
S e c . 4. That all day work over 8 hours shall be paid for at the rate of time
and one-half.
S e c . 5. One apprentice shall be allowed to each newspaper office when three
or more journeymen are employed.
S e c . 6. That in the absence of a journeyman no apprentice shall take his place
without the consent of the shop chairman, except through the inability of the
Youngstown Stereotypers and Electrotypers Union No. 112 to furnish competent
card man to fill the situation.
S e c . 7. That the foreman shall hire and discharge all stereotypers.
S e c . 8. This agreement to be in force for two years from the 18th of April,
1925, and to continue thereafter from year to year until terminated by written
notice given 60 days in advance by either party to the other party hereto.
S e c . 10. In the event that the employers and the Stereotypers and Elec
trotypers Union No. 112 fail to negotiate a new contract within 60 days after the
expiration of this present agreement the matter shall be referred to arbitration.
The arbitration board shall consist of five members, two to be chosen by the
employers, two to be chosen by the Stereotypers and Electrotjrpers Union No.
112, and the fifth to be agreed upon by the above-mentioned four, and their
decision when rendered shall be retroactive and binding on both parties.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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AGREEMENTS----STREET RAILWAYS
87
Street Railways—Clinton, Davenport & Muscatine Railway
ry V IS IO N 312, consisting of members of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees connected
with the interurban division of the Clinton, Davenport & Musca
tine Railway Co., made an agreement with that company June 1,
1925, to be in force for one year and including all interurban workers
for the company who are or who may become members of the
union. Some of the more interesting sections of the agreement are
as follows:
S e c t i o n 3. The company agrees that it will not oppose any of its employees
joining the division, and the division agrees that it will not coerce or use undue
influence to compel any such employees to join. That is, it is understood that
the men are free in their selection to join the division, and it shall not be construed
as using undue influence for any member to endeavor by argument or persuasion
to influence any employee to join the division.
S e c . 4. T h e com pany agrees to recognize a n d tr e a t w ith d u ly a u th o riz e d a n d
a ccred ited rep re se n ta tiv e s o r co m m ittee of th e division w ho a re em ployees of
th e com pany, in ad ju stin g all q u estio n s a n d differences p e rta in in g to th is ag ree
m e n t t h a t m a y arise d u rin g th e life of th e c o n tra c t.
S e c . 5. (A) In case any member of the division who is an employee of the
company is elected to an office of the division or association, which will require
his continued absence from the company for more than one year he shall lose
his seniority rights. In case employees of the company who are members of the
division are called upon to transact business for the division which will require
their absence from duty, such employees shall make a formal application in
writing for leave of absence from duty for a sufficient period of time to transact
such business, which leave of absence the company agrees to grant, provided,
that the number of employees who are on leave of absence or applying for leave
of absence at any one time is not so great as to be detrimental to the service
of the company.
Officers of the division shall be given preference for such leaves of absence,
provided, that they state in their application that such absence is for the purpose
of transacting business for the division.
(B) Should an employee accept an official position with the company which
requires him to enforce the rules and regulations, he shall, upon retirement from
such position be reinstated to his place in the employ of the company, according
to his seniority, if the company shall elect.
S e c . 6. Should a n y tra in m a n or o th e r em ployee covered b y th is c o n tra c t
desire to la y off from d u ty , he shall be allow ed to do so in case sufficient e x tra
m en a re av ailab le a n d th e service will n o t be im p aired .
Employees desiring a vacation of not more than 30 days in any 12 months will
be allowed the same when extra men are available in sufficient numbers to care
for all cars. Application for leave of absence of more than 30 days must have
the approval of the general manager.
A bsence in case of sickness o r em ergency is conceded, b u t th e division su p e rin
te n d e n t m u s t be notified if th e em ployee leaves th e cities, a n d be given a n e x p la
n a tio n as to his possible re tu rn . If th e em ployee is a b se n t m ore th a n 10 d ay s,
a fu rth e r re p o rt m u s t be m ad e to th e division su p e rin te n d e n t explaining his
in a b ility to re tu rn .
S e c . 7. W hen tra in m e n who h av e been in th e service of th e co m p an y a n d who
for a n y reason h av e left th e service are re in sta te d th e y sh all receive th e re g u la r
scale of w ages to w hich th e y w ould be e n title d b y reaso n of th e ir p rev io u s te rm
of service.
S e c . 8 . The preference of runs shall be given to the trainmen in accordance
with their seniority in the service of the company, provided, however, that the
company shall have the right to exercise its judgment in placing men whose
age or other disability might render them undesirable for difficult runs. It is
further understood that if a temporary run, or runs, are created, the older men
in service shall be entitled to such run, or runs, and when such run or runs are
discontinued the men shall be returned to their previous positions according
to seniority.
S e c . 9. It is agreed that all regular trainmen on Clinton Division shall have
every seventh day off duty, and all regular trainmen on the Muscatine Division
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
88
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
shall take one day off in 15 to be arranged so that one such day will fall within
the first half of each month and the other within the last half of each month.
Should a majority of the trainmen on either division desire to change the fore
going provisions of this paragraph, they may do so, such change, however, to
be made with the approval of the company.
S e c . 13. All regular-run employees in train service shall be paid from the time
they are required for work until they are relieved from duty. Operators of
one-man cars shall be allowed 15 minutes and conductors of "freight and twoman passenger cars will be allowed 5 minutes at regular rate for turning in.
S e c . 15. Any motorman or conductor taken from his regular run and called
for extra service and who reports for same, but who does not work the time
called for by his regular run shall be paid for the time called for on his regular
run and overtime for all time over his regular run.
S e c . 18. Tickets will be issued to employees for transportation on city lines
in Davenport or Muscatine, good only for the individual to whom issued. This
ticket must be signed and turned over to the conductor as a fare. It is agreed
that abuse of the free-ticket privilege will be sufficient cause for dismissal.
Transportation over the interurban lines will be granted on application to all
employees covered by this agreement, and to the dependent members of their
families.
Trainmen in interurban service who have been in continuous service for a
period of 3 years shall be allowed annual passes for themselves and the depend
ent members of their families on any interurban division of the Clinton, Daven
port & Muscatine Railway Co.
S e c . 19. It is agreed that a working-day shall consist of not less than 9 hours
and not to exceed 10 hours in the passenger service. It is also agreed that a
working-day shall consist of not less than 9 hours and not to exceed 10 hours
in the freight service, and not less than 9 hours’ pay shall be paid for such work,
in either freight or passenger service.
Should the company, by reason of lack of traffic, be compelled to curtail service
on its regular operating schedules so that the 9-hour minimum day can not be
consistently applied, it shall have the right to make the minimum day
hours
instead of 9 hours, and^ men on regular runs shall be paid for the SRbfiour day
even though the actual working hours may be less than
hours.
Overtime for trainmen shall be paid for at the rate of time and one-half, the
overtime rate to begin only when trainmen have worked 30 minutes in excess of
the time required by their regular runs, and then to apply to all time worked in
excess of the time required by their regular runs.
. Should the company require trainmen to work on their regular days off such
time worked shall be paid for at the regular rate, except that should such day fall
on holidays and days of exceptional events, overtime rate shall be paid.
S e c . 20. Work-train crews shall consist of two men.
The motorman shall
have been in the service a sufficient length of time to be fully acquainted with
schedules and operating rules so as to properly protect his train and so as not to
delay regular and extra trains. The position of conductor will be filled by extra
men or such others as the company may deem fit.
Street Railways—Philadelphia
SEPTEM BER 8, 1924, the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued an order permitting the Phila
delphia Rapid Transit Co., which controls the street railways in the
city of Philadelphia, to increase its fares temporarily. The following
April hearings were begun to determine whether the new rates should
be made permanent. January 12, 1926, the commission issued an
order in Application Docket No. 11, 417-1924, in re “ Application of
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. for approval of new tariff changing
rates hereto approved by the commission/’ permitting the company
to make the new tariff schedule effective.
The report of the commission is long and touches the various points
considered in the hearings. The following remarks were made on
the subject of wages:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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AGREEMENTS— STREET RAILWAYS
89
Running through many of the items of the company’s operating budget is the
question of the proper wage allowance. It will therefore be dealt with at the
outset.
The company has included what it claims to be its full wages, typified by the
77-cent maximum wage to its trainmen, it offered voluminous evidence to sup
port the reasonableness of this maximum rate. Neither the city nor any other
protestant offered any evidence in support of a contrary conclusion. _ The criti
cism of the city and other protestants is not that the 77-cent rate is excessive,
but that, to the extent of 7 cents, it is not in law a wage. •
In our view some consideration of the reasonableness of the wage in fact is
necessary to a proper discussion of the question of law thus raised. _ On the
question of reasonableness the company concedes that the 77-cent wage is to-day
the highest wage paid to street-railway trainmen throughout the country. It is
pointed out, however, that this is the first year under the company’s estab
lished wage policy that this has occurred. In 1924 the total wage (including the
so-called wage dividend, discussed hereafter) was 3 A cents less than the Chicago
wage and V A cents less than the Detroit wage. In 1925 it is 2 cents over Chicago.
It is thus urged that the average of the last two years, 1924-1925, has been less
than Chicago.
The company frankly avows that its policy is one of high wages and good labor
rather than low wages and poor labor. It points to the notable cooperation and
loyalty of its men and its total absence of strikes for nearly 15 years.
A study of the 77-cent wage from the viewpoint of economics and sociology
shows that it produces annual earnings but little if any higher than the minimum
budget necessary to maintain an average family on the basis of living costs in
Philadelphia.
The foregoing evidence, and much more of like tenor, leads us to the conclusioif
that the wages paid by the company are not unreasonable or excessive compensa
tion for the labor performed.
With this conclusion in mind we pass to the legal question already indicated.
This question arises from the following circumstances.
Prior to 1925 the company’s wage arrangement included a contingent payment
limited to 10 per cent of the “ base wage” and designated a_“ wage dividend.’*
The bargain with the men provided that they should receive a certain base
wage on each payday and at the end of the year an additional payment up to
10 per cent, but payable only after payment of the current dividend to stock
holders. All payments of this wage dividend were made to trustees for the men,
who invested the money in the stock of the company almost exclusively.
The company in the past treated this “ wage dividend” precisely like all
other wage payments; viz: As an. operating expense. The lawfulness of this
course was first questioned upon the appeal from our temporary order in the
present case. In brief and argument upon that appeal the city ’urged that the
contingent feature of this payment placed it subordinate to dividends upon the
company’s stock and therefore made it in law a payment out of profits, and not
an operating expense. The superior court sustained this contention saying as
to the wage dividend:
“ We agree with the contention of the city solicitor, that it is not a proper
charge against operating expenses, and constitutes no element to be considered
in fixing a schedule of rates or tariffs, but must be provided for, if at all, out of the
company’s fair return on investment.”
This commission does not interpret the foregoing as containing any expression
of opinion by the court as to the amount of a proper wage. It is clear that the
wage dividend was removed by the court from operating expenses solely because
of its contingent feature.
Subsequent to this decision, the company, in April, 1925, abolished the “ wage
dividend” and raised the base wage to 77 cents, which it undertook unqualifiedly
to pay to its men.
_
Unquestionably this action removed the contingent feature above discussed
from any portion of the 77-cent wage and no argument to the contrary has been
advanced. Concededly this action was taken in view of the superior court’s
decision and in our view it fully met the requirements of that decision.
The fact that a part of the resulting total wages is, by the men’s direction, paid
to trustees designated by them and invested in the stock of the company does not
render such payment any the less a wage. Such arrangements are not uncom
mon in our industrial life. In the present case the records show that the men
have unanimously authorized the arrangement and further that upon retirement
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from the service or upon death every man or his personal representative, as
the case might be, received from the trustees the proportionate share of the funds
in their hands. In the meantime they and they alone received the income.
The 77-cent wage is now an absolute commitment by the company to the men.
It is paid entirely to them or to their trustees and can not be diverted from their
ultimate use and benefit. It is not unreasonable in amount. The commission
therefore concludes that there is no basis for a ruling disallowing any portion
of the company’s wages, in considering the items of the operating budget in which
wages appear as a factor.
A W A R D S A N D D E C IS IO N S
Clothing industry—New York
Q A SE No. 154 in the New York Clothing Industry, decided January
4, 1926, related to children’s long pants. It seemed that one
firm had been sending its children’s long pants, known as “ longies,”
to be made up in men’s pants shops, believing the men’s pants’con
tractors better qualified to make longies than were the children’s
knee pants shops, as the latter do not have “ the requisite machinery
nor the properly trained workers to make the longies,” and the firm
hilt that the quality of the product would suffer if made by the latter.
The union claimed that children’s work, longies as well as knee
pants, should be sent to children’s knee pants shops, where the workers
are in need of employment. The children’s knee pants contractors
expressed themselves as willing to install the necessary machinery
and produce the goods at a slight increase over the present cost, the
quality of the work to be equal to that turned out in men’s pants
shops. Whereupon the impartial chairman ruled:
It is decided that the firm will send the longies to a children’s knee-pants
contractor at a price satisfactory to the firm. The contractor will install what
ever machinery may be necessary and will maintain the present quality of the
garment as made in the men’s pants shops.
Railroads—Decisions of Railroad Labor Board
Absence Due
to
Illness of Child
|N DECISION No. 4027, February 2, 1926, the Railroad Labor
“ Board placed an interpretation upon the meaning of the follow
ing statement quoted from a letter by the assistant general manager,
dated July 22, 1922.
Time lost as a result of illness. Employees will be allowed compensation for
time lost account of personal illness or for other good and sufficient reasons,
subject to the approval of supervising officer, provided the work is kept up with
out additional expense to the carrier on the following basis:
(a) Employees in the service less than one year, no allowance.
(b) Employees in service one year and less than two years, one calendar week.
(c) Employees in service two years or more, two calendar weeks.
The case was that of a freight clerk who had been off duty four
hours on March 17, 1924, due to illness of his child. No com
pensation was allowed him for that time. The reason seemed “ good
and sufficient” to the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks and they
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objected to the decision of the assistant general manager to the
contrary.
The opinion and decision of the board are as follows:
O p i n i o n .—The Railroad Labor Board believes that sickness of his child was
reasonable justification for the short absence of this employee under the rule
above quoted, and since such absence did not entail additional expense to the
carrier, the board therefore decides:
D e c i s i o n .—Claim of the employee is sustained.
Express Delivery
I N D E C I S I O N No. 4021, January 29, 1926, the Railroad Labor
* Board had a complaint before it that the American Railway
Eixpress Co. had improperly abolished the position of driver at
Gilroy, Calif., and contracted the delivery service to a party not an
employee of the carrier. The employees contended that the carrier
had no right to abolish an established position in this way.
The carrier states that Gilroy is a small station, as there is not enough busi
ness to warrant the employment of a driver, and that its action in discontinuing
the position and contracting for its hauling is in accordance with what has been
its practice ever since the express business has been in existence.
The carrier also states that it has no objection to reestablishing the position
when the volume of traffic and revenue warrants the maintenance of an exclusive
position of driver at that station.
D e c i s i o n .—'The action taken in this case is in accordance with a well-established
and long-existing practice in express business.
Under the facts and circumstances of this particular case, the claim is denied.
Extension of Leave
IN DECISION No. 4045, March 1, 1926, the Railroad Labor Board
1 considered a request for extension of leave of an officer of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Station Employees at work for the Portland
Terminal Co.
The carrier had an agreement with the Brotherhood of Railway
Clerks, of which rule 35 reads as follows:
When conditions of the service will permit and proper reasons are advanced,
leave of absence not exceeding 90 days will be granted. In case of physical dis
ability or for other proper reasons, leave of absence in excess of 90 days will be
given consideration. An employee who fails to report at the expiration of leave
of absence shall be considered out of the service, except when failure to report
on time is the result of unavoidable delay.
A checker whose “ position is included within and subject to the
agreement” with the Railway Clerks was also grand president of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Station Employees, which organization also
had an agreement with the carrier, of which paragraph (c), rule 10,
reads as follows:
Employees serving on committees on sufficient notice shall be granted leave
of absence and such free transportation as is consistent with theyegulations of
the railroad for the adjustment of differences between the railroad and its
employees.
This checker applied for and received a leave of absence for 90
days, but a request for an extension of the leave in order that he
might carry on the duties of grand president of his organization was
refused, after conference with the Railway Clerks committee, as one
not contemplated in the agreement with the last-named organization.
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I t was felt that leave for such purpose as requested was to carry out
duties not directly connected with his relations to the carrier and
that the checker “ in requesting leave of absence from a clerical
position, should be controlled by the intent of the agreement with
the clerks’ organization.”
The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express
and Station Employees state that there is no argument on the part of that organ
ization against granting the leave of absence to Mr. F. as long as his duties are
confined to the handling of matters affecting the employees of his organization
on the particular property where his jurisdiction as general chairman extends,
but their refusal to concur in the requested leave of absence and argument
against it is based upon the fact that Mr. F. has been elected a grand lodge
officer of his organization and that his jurisdiction is not confined solely to the
Portland Terminal Co.
The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express
and Station Employees further state that it was the understanding of the clerks’
committee and the carrier that the leave-of-absence rule contained in the clerks’
agreement did not contemplate that an employee would be granted leave of
absence to assume a grand lodge office, and that if such a condition were con
templated leave would only be granted to allow the employee to assume an office
with the organization representing the employees involved by virtue of the agree
ment covering such employees. They also contend that as the position occupied
by Mr. F. is covered by the clerks’ agreement he must subscribe to the rules of
the employees covered by that agreement and can not change the rules which
might most comfortably apply to any conditions he wished to meet.
O p i n i o n .—Prior to 1923 the position occupied by Mr. F. was included in the
agreement between the Brotherhood of Railroad Station Employees and the
carrier. In 1923 a dispute arose out of the claim of the Brotherhood of Railway
and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees that
their agreement should be extended to cover all clerical positions, on the ground
that the majority of such employees desired that organization as their representa
tive. This dispute was submitted to the board and decided by Decision No. 1994
(IV, R. L. B., 700) which sustained the contention of the clerks’ organization,
and subsequently the jurisdiction of that organization extended to all clerical
positions. The Brotherhood of Railroad Station Employees retained their agree
ment covering certain other classes of station employees. Mr. F. continued in
the position of general chairman, and was subsequently elected to the position
ol grana president, but he retained and continued to carry on the position and
the duties of general chairman. It is a well-established practice of carriers to
allow representatives of employees necessary leave of absence to carry on their
duties, and the board does not believe that rule 35 of the clerks’ agreement was
intended to operate in such a manner as to prohibit the granting of such leave
of absence. Under principle 15 of Decision No. 119 (II, R. L. B., 87), Mr. F.
unquestionably has the right to represent all those clerical employees that wish
it, even though the positions are subject to the clerks’ agreement.
-The carrier has stated that it is not adverse to granting the leave of absence
requested, and after a review of all the circumstances the board is of the opinion
that the granting of such leave is not in violation of or contrary to the provisions
of the clerks’ agreement.
D e c i s i o n .—Request for extension requested by F. is sustained.
Relieved from Duty
IN DECISION No. 4033, February 10, 1926, the question when
employees were relieved from duty was considered by the Railroad
Labor Board. The position of the members of the Order of Railway
Conductors and Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen on the Kansas
City Southern Railway was as follows:
Article 7 of the agreement provides that in all classes of freight service, train
men s time will commence at the time they are required to report for duty, and
shall continue until the time they are relieved from duty. For many years prior
to February 1, 1925, conductors were paid for all time consumed between time of
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arrival of their train on the designated track and the time they completed their
duties by registering in and delivering waybills. On the date noted, instructions
were issued to discontinue such payment.
The employees contend that inasmuch as it has been the practice to allow
payment for this time, it should be continued as provided by Supplement 25.
The position of the carrier was as follows:
During the month, of January, 1925, it was discovered that time returns
rendered by some conductors for individual trips were being made so as to include
the time between the arrival of a train on a designated track and the time the
conductor reached the yard office with waybills and registered the arrival of train.
For instance, a train would come to rest in the yard at 4 p. m. The conductor
would reach the yard office with his bills at 4.15 p. m. Under the heading
“ finally went off duty” on the time slip, he wmuld show 4.15 p. m. instead of
4 p. m.
The superintendent took the position that the pay of trainmen stopped when
a caboose came to rest on a designated track, except when necessary to double
over, in which case pay would stop when movement was completed.
The employees contend that it has been the j:>ast practice to allow this time.
We contend there has been no such practice authorized, and that if any such
payments have been made by timekeepers they have been without the knowledge
and authority of the superintendent.
O p i n i o n .—The question involved in this dispute is what is meant by the term
“ relieved from duty.” This term is variously construed by the practices of
various carriers throughout the country, it being the practice of some roads to
make payment up until the time conductor registers in and waybills are delivered,
while other roads pay only to the time train is put on designated track or caboose
is in the clear, etc.; still other roads provide specifically by rule what is meant
by the term “ relieved from duty ” and fix it at the time that waybills are delivered,
or the conductor registers in, or they make time allowance for registering in and
delivering waybills.
D e c i s i o n .—In view of the fact that for many years it has been the practice on
this carrier to pay conductors until they registered in and delivered their waybills,
the board sustains the contention of the employees as to conductors. This
decision, however, is not to be taken as construing the term “ relieved from duty,”
as employees and carriers can by appropriate rules fix definitely what is meant
by that term.
Railroads—Decisions of Train Service Board of Adjustment for the
Eastern R.egion
IN DOCKET No. 317, the Train Service Board of Adjustment for
*■ the Eastern Region on March 3, 1926, decided a case of holding
conductor and crew away from their home terminal beyond 16
hours. A freight crew completed its trip from. Seneca to Wesleyville
on the New York Central Railroad—West, and was relieved from
duty at 2 p. m., Wesleyville being the “ away-from-home ” terminal for
Erie Division crews. The crew was called for return trip to Seneca
the next morning at 4.55, but the call was canceled and the crew was
allowed three hours pay under the called-and-not-used rule and con
tinued to stand first out. The crew was later called for duty at 2
p. m. the same day, 24 hours after going off duty at Wesleyville.
The management used the three hours paid for under the called-andnot-used rule to extend the free period under the held-away-fromhome-terminal rule and placed this crew under pay at 9 a. m., 19
hours after the relief from duty on the westbound trip.
Committee contends that crew should have been placed under pay at 6 a. m.,
16 hours after being relieved from duty on westbound trip, and that no extension
of the free period can properly be made because of allowances under the calledand-not-used rule. The called-and-not-used rule in effect on the New York
Central—West for conductors and trainmen reads as follows:
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“ If a conductor or b ra k e m a n is called fo r d u ty a n d is notified before leaving
his place of calling t h a t he is n o t w a n te d no tim e will be allowed. If n otified
a fte r leav in g his place of calling b u t n o t la te r th a n tim e he is re q u ired to re p o rt
for d u ty , he will be allow ed th re e h o u rs’ p a y a t p ro r a ta ra te s fo r th e call a n d
s ta n d first o u t. If n o t notified u n til a fte r tim e he is re q u ired to re p o rt fo r d u ty ,
a m inim um d a y ’s p a y will be allow ed a n d he will go to foot of lis t.”
T h e th re e h o u rs’ p a y earn ed u n d er th e called -an d -n o t-u sed ru le should be a n
en tirely se p arate c o m p u ta tio n of tim e from th e held -aw ay -fro m -h o m e-term in al
rule. T he th re e h o u rs’ p a y w as a n estab lish ed earn in g before th e crew h a d been
in th e te rm in a l 16 hou rs a n d th e h eld-aw ay-from -hom e tim e did n o t begin u n til
a fte r th e th re e h o u rs’ p a y h a d been earned.
T h e m an ag e m en t co n ten d s it w as w ith in its rig h ts in using th e th re e h o u rs p aid
for u n d e r th e called-an d -n o t-u sed ru le to ex ten d th e free tim e a t th e foreign
term in al. T h e u n d erly in g p u rp o se of th e held -aw ay -fro m -h o m e-term in al ru le
is to in su re th e em ployees ag a in st loss of tim e o r o p p o rtu n itie s to w ork, th ro u g h
d e ten tio n a t o th e r th a n th e ir hom e te rm in a l w here, in a d d itio n , th e y a re u n d e r
ex tra expense. T he em ployees h a v e co n sisten tly arg u ed t h a t th e y did n o t w a n t
th e p e n a lty pro v id ed b y th e rule, b u t w a n te d th e o p p o rtu n ity to w ork. T h e
ru le provides t h a t in th e e v e n t em ployees are called fo r service a fte r p a v u n d e r
th e held-aw ay-from -h o m e-term in al ru le com m ences, th e tim e will be c alc u lated
from th e tim e crew goes u n d e r p a y u n d e r th e ru le; th is recognizes t h a t th e ru le
is n o t in ten d ed to pro d u ce double com pensation.
If a crew lying a t a foreign te rm in a l is called a n d n o t used, th e called -an d -n o tused ru le provides th a t if notified before leaving p lace of calling no allow ance will
be m ade. If notified a fte r leav in g p lace of calling, b u t p rio r to th e tim e req u ired
to re p o rt, th re e h o u rs’ p a y is allow ed a n d crew sta n d s first o u t. If a c tu a lly
re p o rt for d u ty , a m in im u m d a y ’s p a y is allow ed a n d crew goes to th e foot of th e
list.
U n d er th e co n ten tio n of th e co m m ittee a crew called a n d n o t used could receive
g reater com pensation th a n a crew w hich a c tu a lly w as re q u ired to p erfo rm se r
vice.
T he held-aw ay-from -hom e-term inal ru le for co n d u cto rs a n d tra in m e n w as
first in tro d u ced as a re su lt of th e 1913 aw ard. T h e ru le a w ard ed a t t h a t tim e
is th e rule in effect to -d a y , excepting as it w as m odified to m eet th e ch anged
conditions b ro u g h t a b o u t b y th e ad o p tio n of th e 121^ m iles p e r h o u r speed basis
for calcu latin g ov ertim e a n d fu rth e r m odified as a re su lt of th e g ra n tin g of tim e
a n d one-half in freig h t service. Allow ances u n d e r th is ru le h av e n ev er been
unqualified. I t has been th e p ra c tic e generally in th e L a s t to e x te n d th e free
period u n d er th is rule b y th e tim e eq u iv a le n t of m on ey allow ances u n d e r th e
called-and-not-used rule. A specific case w as discussed w ith th e g ran d lodge
officers of b o th of th ese org an izatio n s in 1915, a n d th e y agreed t h a t w here b o th
rules cam e in to p la y th e y should n o t be com bined so as to pro d u ce a con d itio n
n o t co n tem p lated w hen e ith e r was a d o p ted .
I t is th e co n ten tio n of th e m an ag e m en t t h a t i t has follow ed p a st p ractices in
ex tending th e free period, t h a t such p ractices w ere concurred in by th e executives
of th e organizations p a rtie s to th e a rb itra tio n w hich resu lted in th e original
h eld-aw ay-from -hom e-term in al rule, a n d u n d e r th ese practices, C o n d u c to r 13.
a n d his crew w ere pro p erly p aid .
D ecision.— T he b oard decides th a t th e th re e (3) ho u rs p aid fo r call-an d -n o tused is a n agreed allow ance to m en fo r re p o rtin g a n d n o t being used a n d should
have no connection w ith a n o th e r ag reem en t w hich p rovides fo r co m pensation
for being held-aw ay-fro m -h o m e-term in al beyond 16 hours. E v en th o u g h th e
crew w ere called a n d p a id th re e h ours, th e y still rem ain ed a t th e aw ay-from hom e-term inal. C laim su stain ed .
Railroads—Decisions of Train Service Board of Adjustment for the
Western Region
IN DECISION No. 1729, November 3, 1925, the Train Service
1 Board of Adjustment for the Western Region decided a question
relative to baggagemen on the Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad Co.
The distance between the termini of the road is 784 miles. Between
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Salt Lake and Las Vegas, Nev., 450 miles, there is little local travel,
the limited trains make few stops and handle no local baggage.
Hence, in the interest of economy, between those points baggage
men were dispensed with and the conductors were furnished keys to
baggage cars, which were locked between those stations and opened
where stops were made to permit station employees to enter and load
or unload baggage as occasion required, stated by the carrier to have
been two or three times in 10 months. The Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen requested that baggagemen be assigned to these trains in
accordance with paragraph (g), article 7 of the agreement of March 1,
1925, reading: “ Between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City eight men
shall be assigned to single service, 16 men to double service, etc.”
The decision of the board was as follows:
I n view of th e evidence developed a t th e hearing, th e b o ard d ecides t h a t on
such d istricts or ru n s b etw een Los Angeles a n d S alt L ak e w here o n a n y trip
local baggage is p u t on or off a n d w hen necessary for an y o n e to care fo r d u ties
usually assigned to baggagem en, a b aggagem an should be em ployed.
Shirt industry—New York
Lockout or Strike
""THE difficulty in deciding whether a stoppage from work is a strike
or lockout is shown in case No. 88 decided by the Board of
Arbitration, Shirt Industry of Greater New York, September 5, 1925.
The union charged that in a certain shop the pressers had been locked
out and reimbursement for the time lost was requested.
The evidence given in the case was conflicting. I t appears that
the foreman in the shop discharged four pressers for alleged bad
workmanship. He finally consented to their return but wanted them
instructed to do better work, which instruction the union representa
tive failed to give. Words followed between the foreman and the
representative of the union. What they were is uncertain. The
representative of the union testified that the foreman said: “ These
workers will do as I please or they can get out.” The foreman testi
fied that he said: “ If they don’t do better work there is no use put
ting them back.” A cessation from work resulted.
The chairman’s opinion is as follows:
T h e te stim o n y of th is case does n o t su p p o rt th e c o n ten tio n of e ith e r p a rty .
I t is n o t show n t h a t th is w as e ith e r a lock o u t or a stop p ag e. I t w as a disagree
m en t. T h e cessation of w ork seem s to have com e a b o u t th ro u g h th is d isagree
m en t. T h e forem an testifies t h a t he him self said, “ If th e y d o n ’t do b e tte r w ork,
th e re is no use p u ttin g th e m b a c k .” A nd it is n o t denied t h a t [the business a g e n t
of th e union] said, “ 1 a m n o t ta k in g o u t N ’s people, b u t I a m ta k in g o u t (the
fo rem an ’s) people.” F u rth e r, M r. [th e union re p re se n ta tiv e ] says w h a t could
th e y do a fte r w h at th e fo rem an said. In view of all th e evidence, th e co n te n tio n
of b o th p a rtie s is denied a n d th e case is dismissed.
Stoppage
IN ANOTHER case, No. 98, decided December 2, 1925, the stop* page was the act of the contractor who refused the work of a
certain firm, claiming that the firm was not paying the market prices
and refusing to resume work on its goods until a certified check for
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$1,000 had been drawn by the firm as a guaranty that the difference
between the market price and what he had received would be paid
him.
The representative of the manufacturers’ association, after investi
gation, requested that the union officials be instructed to direct the
contractor to finish the work for this firm. The union officials
objected to giving such order on the ground that to enforce it might
require more drastic action than they would like to take. The
chairman’s opinion is as follows:
T h e b o ard of a rb itra tio n decides t h a t u n d e r th e provision of A rticle IX of th e
ag reem en t betw een th e U n ite d S h irt M a n u fa c tu re rs’ A ssociation a n d th e A m alga
m a te d C lo th in g W orkers of A m erica i t becom es th e d u ty of th e unio n to p re v e n t
stoppages in c o n tra c to rs’ shops. In view of th is provision, th e b o ard of a rb itra
tio n in s tru c ts th e union officials to see t h a t th is c o n tra c to r co n tin u es th e w ork
of his registered m an u fa c tu re r.
Collective Agreements in Sweden, 1924 1
URING 1924, 775 collective agreements, covering 4,502 estab
lishments and 120,477 workers, were concluded in Sweden.
At the end of the year 1924, 2,214 such agreements were in
force, covering 12,614 establishments and 413,181 workers. At the
end of 1923 the agreements in force numbered 1,975, the establish
ments covered 11,437, and the workers covered 391,197.
In 413 agreements covering 49,536 workers it is provided that
disputes shall be settled by negotiations between the parties and, if
no agreement is reached, between their organizations. In 231
agreements covering 49,243 workers provision is made for the settle
ment of disputes by conciliation and arbitration boards.
With the exception of 39 agreements covering 6,764 workers, all
the agreements concluded in 1924 provide for extra compensation
for overtime, night work, and work on Sundays and holidays. In
the majority of the agreements the extra compensation for overtime
is fixed at between 25 and 35 per cent of the regular rates, for night
work at between 50 and 100 per cent, and for work on Sundays and
holidays at 100 per cent.
In 488 agreements covering 64,644 workers, provision is made for
an annual vacation. In 199 agreements covering 24,330 workers,
less than a week is allowed; in 230 agreements covering 22,636
workers, a week is the period granted; in 38 agreements covering
11,534 workers, 7 to 11 working-days are allowed; and in 21 agree
ments covering 6,144 workers, two weeks or more are provided for.
Employers’ liability regarding accidents occurring during working
hours is provided for in 263 agreements covering 29,247 workers.
In 53 agreements covering 13,150 workers, compensation is provided
in case of accidents happening otherwise than in connection with
work. In the other agreements the employer is made liable, in the
case of accident, for an amount usually greater than the amount
laid down by the law on accident insurance. In 263 agreements
covering 36,425 workers, the employer guarantees a money pay
ment during sickness. In 17 agreements covering 1,422 workers,
1 Sweden. Socialstyrelsen. Sociala Meddelanden, Stockholm, 1925, No. 11, pp. 886-892.
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membership in a sick fund is made compulsory. In 302 agreements
covering 65,696 workers, provision is made for free medical attend
ance. In 119 agreements covering 25,024 workers, the employer is
required to pay for the necessary medicines and medical requisites.
In 149 agreements covering 23,382 workers the employer obligates
himself to defray hospital charges.
Clauses concerning apprenticeship are to be found in 98 agree
ments covering 6,419 workers. The most important refer to the
wages of apprentices and the duration of apprenticeship; 87 agree
ments contain clauses relating to these matters.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1845]
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Employment in Selected Industries in February, 1926
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries in February in
creased 1.1 per cent and employees’ earnings increased 4.2 per
cent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index of employment
for February is 94.3 as compared with 93.3 for January, and the
index of pay-roll totals for February is 98.9 as compared with 94.9
for January.
February is the seventh consecutive month showing increased
employment, the total increase since July, 1925, being 5.6 per cent;
the increase since February, 1925—a period of 12 months—is 2.9 per
cent. Pay-roll totals in February were 10.4 per cent higher than
in July, 1925, and 4 per cent higher than in February, 1925. The
increase in employees’ earnings in February has considerably more
than overcome the seasonal decrease in January due to annual
inventories.
These February figures are based on reports received by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics from 9,540 establishments, covering
2,952,165 emplojmes, whose combined earnings in one week were
$79,793,644.
E
Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll T otals in January and February, 1925
’’T H E volume of employment increased in February in 8 of the 9
A geographical divisions, the one exception being a decrease of
2.6 per cent in the Mountain States, and employees’ earnings increased
in each of the 9 divisions. The upward trend in employment was
most marked in the New England and East North Central States.
The one very large increase in pay-roll totals was 10.8 per cent in the
East North Central division, although the increases in 4 other divi
sions ranged from 3.5 per cent to 4.1 per cent.
Ten of the 12 groups of industries show increased employment in
February, the greatest increase (4.7 per cent) being in the tobacco
group, the smallest (0.3 per cent) being in the textile and the lumber
groups. Nine of the 12 groups show increased pay-roll totals, the
vehicle group leading with a gain of 13.5 per cent, while the smallest
gain was 0.6 per cent in the chemical group.
The food and paper groups each lost approximately 1 per cent of
their employees, with corresponding decreases in pay-roll totals, the
tobacco group being the third industry showing a falling off in
employees’ earnings.
Thirty-eight of the 53 separate industries show gains in employ
ment, the seasonal fertilizers leading with an increase of 13.8 per
cent. Other large gains were in cane-sugar refining (10.9 per cent),
stoves and chewing tobacco (approximately 8.5 per cent each), and
women’s clothing, carriages, cigars, and pottery (over 4 per cent each).
Millinery and lace goods gained 3.8 per cent; steel shipbuilding, 3.5
per cent; foundries and machine shops, 2.9 per cent; automobiles,
2.2 per cent; and iron and steel, 1.5 per cent.
98
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[846]
99
EM PLOYM ENT AND U N EM PLOY M ENT
Woolen and worsted goods, owing largely to labor troubles, show
decreased employment of 7 per cent, and the slaughtering and meat
packing industry shows its regular February decline of about 4 per
cent.
The recovery in pay-roll totals, from the decline in January caused
by inventory taking, is most pronounced in automobiles which
gained over 22 per cent. Forty-one other industries also show
increases in pay-roll totals, while 11 industries show decreases.
Rubber boots and shoes and woolen and worsted goods each show
decreased employees’ earnings of 8 per cent.
For convenient reference the latest figures available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are given at
the foot of the first and second tables.
C O M P A R IS O N O P E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B
L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1926
[The per cents of change for each of th e 12 groups of industries, and for th e total of all groups, are w eighted]
In d u stry
N um ber on p ay roll
E sta b
Per
lish
cent of
m ents January, February, change
1926
1926
A m ount of pay roll
January,
1926
February,
1926
Per
cent of
change
Food and kindred products__
1,370
84
260
193
357
460
16
203,370
81, 242
32. 362
8,072
15, 655
55, 349
10, 690
201,078
77,965
32, 610
8,202
15,219
55, 221
11,853
- 1 .0
- 4 .0
+ 0 .8
+ 1.6
- 2 .8
- 0 .2
+10.9
$5,123,689
2, 064, 942
589, 741
270, 648
410, 087
1, 478, 403
309, 868
$5,087,033
1,947, 258
599, 536
274, 775
397,012
1,491,163
357, 279
—i .3
- 5 .7
+ 1 .7
+ 1 .5
-3 .2
+ 0 .9
+15.3
Textiles and their products__
1,729
355
254
202
186
31
89
267
83
185
77
573,561
198,875
83, 429
62,365
67, 628
21, 694
30, 253
58, 305
22,017
17, 784
11,211
572,799
199, 730
84, 256
61,936
62,882
21, 649
30, 260
59, 687
22,148
18, 619
11, 632
+ 0 .3
+ 0 .4
+ 1 .0
-0 . 7
-7 . 0
+ 0)
+ 2 .4
+0. 6
+4. 7
+ 3 .8
11.449,015
3,274, 921
1, 512,169
1,336,492
1. 508, 279
581, 497
732, 721
1,429, 529
368, 226
458,337
246,844
11,585,939
3,312, 977
1, 598, 832
1, 347, 893
1,388, 272
564, 521
746, 583
1,488, 671
367, 550
509,627
261,003
+ 3 .4
+ 1 .2
+ 5 .7
+ 0 .9
-8 .0
-2 .9
+ 1 .9
+ 4.1
-0 .2
+11.2
+ 5 .7
213
157
279,979
22,183
284, 277
22,585
+ 2 .3
+ 1.5
+ 1 .8
18,805,933
8, 478,171
606,145
19,535,604
8, 725, 035
-659, 512
+ 4 .1
+ 2 .9
+ 8 .8
833
64
166
210. 586
35,047
31, 660
216,658
35,192
31, 783
+ 2 .9
+ 0 .4
+ 0 .4
6, 233, 789
874, 005
975,161
6,573,115
882,155
980, 995
+ 5 .4
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .6
117
91
41, 909
15,169
42, 728
16, 458
+ 1 .9
+ 8 .5
1, 217, 597
421,065
1, 247, 339
467, 513
+ 2 .4
+11.0
1,000
193,751
104,600
+0.3
4,169,435
4,377,839
Slaughtering and meat packing.
Confectionery_____________
Ice cream __________________
F lour______________________
B aking __________ ____ _____
Sugar refining, c a n e ________
C otton goods_______________
Hosiery an d k n it goods______
Silk goods__________________
Woolen a n d w orsted goods__
C arpets and ru g s___________
D yeing and finishing textiles.
C lothing, m en’s .......... ..............
Shirts a n d c o lla rs............ .........
Clothing, w om en’s __________
M illinery and lace goods____
Iron and steel and their prod«
nets. ___ _____ _________
Iron and steel_______________
S tru ctu ral ironw ork ______ .
F o u n d ry a n d machine-shop
products_________________
H ardw are......................... ...........
M achine tools______________
Steam fittings a n d steam and
hot-w ater heating apparatus.
Stoves................... ........................
Lumber and Its products___
1,641
Lum ber, saw m ills__________
Lum ber, m iilw ork._________
F u r n itu r e ............. .....................
377
249
374
Leather and its products....... .
365
L eather___________ _________
Boots a n d shoes.........................
Paper and printing__ ______
Paper and p u lp _____________
Paper boxes___ ____________
Printing, book and jo b ______
Printing, n e w sp a p e rs.......... .
Chemicals and allied products.
Chem icals__________________
Fertilizers____________ _____
Petroleum re fin in g ...................
142
223
101,968
33, 294
58,489
121,708
27, 689
94,107
101, 728
33, 365
59, 509
-0 .2
+0. 2
+ 1 .7
123,996
+1.8
27, 898
96,098
+ 0 .8
+ 2 .1
885
210
177
290
208
168,123
55, 829
19, 267
46, 588
46,439
167,081
55, 943
19, 024
45, 566
46, 548
+ 0 .2
- 1 .3
-2 .2
+ 0 .2
351
96
81,847
23, 733
8,283
49, 831
83,340
23, 753
9. 422
50,065
+ 2 .6
+ 0 .1
+13. 8
+ 0 .5
99
56
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
649,879
-0 .2
[8 4 7 ]
-0 .8
2, 017,174
780, 578
1, 362,683
2,738,439
2,126, 206
810, 039
1,441, 575
3,876,355
+5.3
+ 3 .8
+ 5 .8
+4.8
687, 451
2,050,688
707, 353
2,168,902
+ 2 .9
+5. 7
5, 350,962
5,338,585
-0 .3
1,511,436
417, 989
1, 561, 252
1, 847, 908
+ 1 .4
-0 .3
-2 .4
1,490, 852
419, 252
1.599, 848
1,841,010
3,393,590
608, 882
159, 434
1, 624, 274
3,376,084
612, 818
173, 966
1, 589, 300
+0.4
+0.S
+ 0 .5
+9. 1
-2 .2
100
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B
L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1926—Con.
A m ount of p ay roll
N um ber on pay roll
Per
E stablishcent of
ments January, February, change
1926
1926
In d u stry
Stone, clay, and glass products.
C e m e n t__ _______
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta .. .
P o ttery ____________ . . . . . .
Glass______________________
Metal products, other than
iron and steel
___ .
Stam ped and enam eled w are.
Brass, bronze, and copper
p roducts________ _________
Tobacco p r o d u c ts ...__ ___
Chewing and smoking tobac
co and sn u ff____ . . . . .
Cigars and cigarettes------------
Vehicles for land transporta
tion_____________________
A u to m o b ile s_______________
Carriages and wagons__ ____
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad _______
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad____________
F ebruary,
1926
Per
cent of
change
588
80
336
60
122
109,961
22, 060
27, 387
12, 865
38, 649
101,799
21,753
27. 070
13, 396
39, 490
+ 0 .9
- 1 .4
-1 . 2
+ 4.1
+ 2 .2
$3,589,827
597, 723
691, 590
325, 072
975, 442
$2,668,388
609, 568
691,157
356, 523
1, Oil, 140
+ 3.2
+ 2 .0
- 0 .1
+ 9 .7
+ 3.7
182
44
47,586
15, 534
48,398
15,856
+ 1.6
+ 2.1
1,295,525
390,109
1,333,761
418,188
4-2.7
+ 7 .2
138
32,052
32,543
+ 1 .5
905, 416
915, 573
+ 1.1
179
49,961
42,124
+ 4 .7
725,148
719,816
-2.1
33
146
8,449
31,612
9.156
32,968
+ 8 .4
+ 4 .3
132,196
592, 944
152, 538
567, 278
+15.4
- 4 .3
954
203
71
593,085
334, 967
1, 945
512,619
342,347
2, 034
+ 1.7
+2. 2
+ 4 .6
14.077, 576
9,456, 014
42,026
16,499,922
11, 556,338
45, 353
+22.2
+ 7 .9
+ 13.5
189
17, 553
17, 508
- 0 .3
507,869
528,822
+ 4.1
491
148, 600
150, 730
+ 1 .4
4,071, 667
4, 360, 409
+ 7 .1
386
92
253,855
28, 859
254,859
29,273
+1-4
+ 1 .4
7,286,865
827, 746
7,433,397
850, 645
+ 2 .8
139
40
11
64
40
111, 247
8,648
19, 202
58,345
27, 554
110, 932
8, 487
18, 720
58,916
28, 522
- 0 .3
-1 .9
-2 . 5
+ 1 .0
+3. 5
3, 201,427
244, 367
479,131
1, 742, 710
791,484
3, 245, 864
247, 305
440,807
1, 841,196
797, 580
+ 1 .4
+ 1 .2
-8 .0
+ 5 .7
+ 0 .8
9,549 2,924,509 2,952,165
+L1
75,995,996
79,798,644
+4.2
Miscellaneous In d u str ie s..__
A gricultural im p lem en ts.. . . .
Electrical m achinery, appa
ratus, and supplies --------Pianos and organs__________
R u b b er boots a n d shoes_____
A utom obile t i r e s ......................
Shipbuilding, steel......... ....... ...
Total....................... ...........
January,
1926
+1.6
R e c a p itu la tio n by G e o g ra p h ic D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew England . __...........................
M iddle A tla n tic .. _____________
E a st N o rth C en tral_____________
W est N o rth C en tral.........................
South A tlantic ................ ...............
E ast South C entral_____________
W est South C en tra l____________
M o u n ta in ______________ _______
Pacific...................... .........................
T o t a l __ _________________
1,308
2, 366
2, 529
894
951
400
351
154
587
421, 553
852, 204
956,105
151, 282
247, 562
96, 483
71, 283
25, 442
102, 595
426,887
856, 318
971,121
151,637
249, 898
97, 043
71,817
24, 772
102, 672
9,540 2,924,509 2,953,165
+1. 3 $10, 339,454 $10,426, 447
+0. 5 23, 733, 316 24,008,984
26, 754, 415 29, 645,126
+0.2 3, 676, 713 3, 827, 681
+0.9 4, 723,134 4, 890, 718
+0. 6
1, 872, 398 1, 940, 247
+0.7
1, 517, 237 1, 561, 873
-2. 6
677, 862
680,432
-j-0. 1
2, 701, 467 2, 812,136
+ 1 .6
+1.1
75,995,998
79,793,644
E m p lo y m e n t on C la ss I R a ilr o a d s
D ecem ber 15,1925.
Jan u a ry 15, 1926...
i
1,736, 548
1,713, 332
Amount of pay roll for one month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[848]
1 $237,405, 384
1 232,367, 744
+ 0 .8
+ 1 0 .8
+4.1
+3.5
+3.6
+2.9
+0.4
+4.1
+4.2
101
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT
Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in February, 1925, and February,
1926
EM PLOYM ENT in manufacturing industries was 2.9 per cent
greater in February, 1926, than in the same month of 1925, and
pay-roll totals were 4 per cent greater.
In this comparison over an interval of 12 months very substantial
gains are shown both in employment and in employees’ earnings in
the East North Central and South. Atlantic geographic divisions.
Lesser gains occurred in both items in the Middle Atlantic, East
South Central, and Mountain States. The New England States
show a small decrease in each item, while the three remaining divisions
show a small increase in one item and a small decrease in the other.
Seven of the 12 groups of industries show marked improvement
both in number of employees and in employees’ earnings in the year’s
time, the most pronounced improvement being in the chemical,
vehicle, iron and steel, other metal, and miscellaneous industry
groups. The food, textile, lumber, leather, and tobacco groups all
show less satisfactory conditions in February, 1926, than in February,
1925.
The separate industries showing the most notable gains in this
12-month period both in employment and in pay-roll totals are
automobiles (approximately 26 per cent in each item), fertilizers and
machine tools (approximately 23 and 29 per cent in the two items),
agricultural implements, carriages, stamped ware, and electrical
machinery.
The greatest decline is shown in the woolen and worsted goods
industry—14.8 per cent in employment and 19.9 per cent in pay
roll totals. Millinery and lace goods and flour also fell off largely in
both items.
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S —F E B R U A R Y , 1926, W IT H
F E B R U A R Y , 1925
[The per cents of change for each of the 12 groups, and for th e to tal of all groups, are weighted]
Per cent of change,
February, 1926,
com pared w ith
F ebruary, 1925
Per cent of change,
February, 1926,
compared w ith
F ebruary, 1925
In d u stry
In d u stry
N u m A m ount
ber on
of pay
roll
pay roll
N u m A m ount
of pay
ber on
roll
p ay roll
Food and kindred products.
Slaughtering a n d m e a t
p a ck in g .................................
C onfectionery____________
Ice cream ___________ _____
F lo u r..________ __________
B a k in g .........................
Sugar refining, can e...............
Textiles and their products..
C otton g o o d s .......... ..............
H osiery a n d k n it goods-----Silk goods----------------- ------Woolen and worsted goods..
C arpets and ru g s_____ ____
D yeing and finishing textiles__....................... - ...........
Clothing, m en’s ____ ______
Shirts an d co llars......... .........
C lothing, w om en’s ................
M illinery a n d lace goods----
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 3 .1
- 7 .6
+ 2 .4
+ 4 .2
- 9 .7
-
2.2
+ 3 .7
- 2 .3
-2 . 5
+ 5 .3
+8. 7
-1 4 .8
-
2.1
—
1.8
-
6.8
-3.3
-
2.0
+ 9 .9
+ 9 .8
-1 9 .9
- 5 .9
- 5 .7
+ 6 .9
- 5 .4
- 9 .8
6.2
-1 1 .9
Lumber and its products----
+ 4 .8
- 0.1
+ 5 .9
+ 6 .3
+ 7 .7
+ 1 .3
+ 10.8
+ 4 .2
+28.9
+ 6 .5
- 2 .3
+ 3 .8
- 3 .7
- 4 .1
- 6 .7
+ 1.7
+ 0.6
Leather and its products----
- 2 .9
+ 0. 6
[849]
L e a th e r................ ...................
Boots and shoes__________
+ 0 .3
+ 9 .7
+ 22. 8
Lum ber, s a w m ills................
Lum ber, m illw ork.................
F u rn itu re .................................
1.2
-
- 2. 1
-
Iro n and steel..........................
Structural iro n w ork ---------F o u n d ry and machine-shop
p ro d u cts...............................
H a rd w a re .--------- ------------M achine tools........ ...............
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s.............................
Stoves.............................- .........
+ 2 .3
+10.5
-1 0 . 5
+ 3 .1
+ 5.1
- 0 .4
+ 5 .6
Iron and steel and their
products....... .......................
- 4 .0
— 9.7
-2 .9
+ 2.6
+ 4.0
- 4 .9
- 0 .4
-6 .7
102
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S —F E B R U A R Y , 1928, W IT H
F E B R U A R Y , 1925—C ontinued
Per cent of change,
F ebruary, 1926,
com pared w ith
F ebruary, 1925
Per cent of change,
F ebruary, 1926,
com pared w ith
F ebruary, 1925
In d u stry
In d u stry
N u m A m ount
ber on
of pay
pay roll
roil
N u m A m ount
ber on
of pay
pay roll
roll
P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g . . . ...........
Paper and pulp
Printing, book and job__
P rinting, new spapers............
+ 1 .6
+1. 2
+0. 2
—0. 9
+ 5 .3
+ 5.1
+2. 6
4-5. 4
+4. 3
+ 7 .9
C h e m ic a ls a n d s h ie d p ro d n e ts
.
________
C h em ica ls... __ ________
Fertilizers
P etroleum refining___ ____
+ 8 .9
+ 3 .0
+24. 7
+ 9 .4
+ 7 .2
+30. 2
+ 5 .5
S to n e , d a y , a n d glass p ro d n e ts
C em en t____
_________
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta ..
P o ttery __________________
Glass
+ 2 .9
- 2 .5
+ 3 .6
- 2 .9
7
+ 2.8
- 5 .5
+ 2 .2
+0. 5
+ 7 .0
M e ta l p ro d u c ts , o th e r t h a n
iro n a n d s te e l______ ____ _
Stam ped and enam eled w are.
Brass, bronze, and copper
products______________
+ 0 .8
+11.7
+ 6 .6
+16.7
+ 4 .5
+ 2 .6
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts
____
Chewing and smoking tobacco a n d snuff.
Cigars and cigarettes ........
- 4 .1
- 3 .8
- 1 .4
+3. 3
-4 . 8
V ehicles fo r l a n d tr a n s p o r ta tio n
. _ _ _ _ _______
Autom obiles______________
Carriages and w agons_____
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad_________
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad__________
+ 8.0
+26. 6
+18.0
+ 5.7
+25. 9
+10. 1
+ 2 .4
+ 1 .9
- 4 .6
- 8 .0
M isc e lla n e o u s I n d u s tr ie s ____
A gricultural im plem ents___
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and s u p p lie s--........
Pianos and organs________
R ubber boots and shoes___
Autom obile tires .................
Shipbuilding, steel________
+ 6.8
+19.0
+ 6 .1
+26.1
+10. 2
-1 . 0
+ 2 .5
+7. 2
+ 3 .8
+10.2
+0. 5
-0 .4
+ 9 .7
+ 1. 1
T o t a l........ ........................
+ 2.9
+ 4 .9
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew E n g lan d ________________
M iddle A tla n tic __________ ___
E ast N o rth C entral ...................W est N o rth C e n t r a l...... .............
South A tla n tic ...............................
E ast South C entral—..................W est South C en tra l_____ _____
M o u n tain ____________________
Pacific_______________________
- 0 .3
+8. 8
- 1 .0
+4. 5
+ 0 .6
- 1 .9
+ 1 .7
+ 0 .3
-0 .5
+2. 1
+10. 2
+ 0 .5
+ 7 .6
+ 3 .0
+0. i
-1-0. 4
- 1 .1
T o t a l __ ____ ___________
+ 2.9
+ 4 .9
E m p lo y m e n t on C la ss I R a ilr o a d s
M o n th and year
N u m b er on p ay roll
Jan u a ry 15, 1925 _____________
Jan u a ry 15, 1926______________
1, 711,902
1, 713, 332
P er cent
of change
+ 0.1
A m ount of pay roll
i $236,154,031
i 232, 367, 744
Per cent
of change
- 1 .6
1 A m ount of pay roll for one m onth.
Per Capita Earnings
O'ER CAPITA earnings in February, 1926, were 3.1 per cent
higher than in January, 1926, and 1.1 per cent higher than in
February, 1925.
Forty of the 53 separate industries showed increased per capita
earnings in February as compared with January. The automobile
industry led with an increase of 19.6 per cent, having fully recovered
from the effect of inventory taking in January. Other industries
showing marked improvement were structural ironwork, smoking
tobacco, women's clothing, sawmills, car building and repairing,
pottery, stamped ware, hosiery, tires, sugar refining, furniture, and
boots and shoes.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[850]
EM PLOYMENT AND UNEM PLOY M ENT
103
The pronounced decreases in per capita earnings were in the cigar
and the rubber boot and shoe industries.
Thirty-one industries showed increased per capita earnings in
February, 1926, as compared with February, 1925, the greatest
increases having been in the paper box, agricultural implement, and
ice cream industries. Conditions in the woolen and worsted goods
industry still being unsettled, per capita earnings continued to show
a decline.
COMPARISON OP PER CAPITA EARNINGS, FEBRUARY,
A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1925
In d u stry
Per cent of
change Feb
ruary, 1926,
compared
w ith—
Jan
uary,
1926
A utom obiles_________ ______ ___ +19.6
S tructural iro n w o rk____________
+ 6 .9
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff____________________
+6. 5
Clothing, w om en’s _______ _____ _ + 6.2
Lum ber, saw m ills______________
+5. 7
C ar building and repairing, steamrailroad............... ............................
+ 5 .6
P o ttery _____ _____ ____________
+ 5 .3
Stam ped and enam eled w are____
+ 5 .1
Hosiery and k n it goods_________
+4. 7
A utom obile tires_______________
+4. 6
C ar building and repairing, electrie-railroad_______ ___________ + 4 .4
Sugar refining, c a n e ._ ............ ......... + 4 .0
F u rn itu re ________________ _____
+3. 9
Boots and shoes________________ + 3 .6
Lum ber, m illw ork_______ _____ _ + 3 .5
C em ent_____________ _____ ____
+ 3 .4
Carriages and w agons___________ +3. 2
Pianos and organs______________ +3. 1
F oundry and m achine-shop produ c ts _________________________
+ 2 .5
+2. 3
Stoves________________________
L eather_______________________
D yeing and finishing textiles____
+ 1.9
M illinery and lace goods________
+ 1.9
Clothing, m en’s _____ _____ _____
+ 1. 7
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies_________________
+ 1.7
.+2. 1
1926,
WITn JANUARY,
-
0.6
+ 3 .1
+ 4 .2
+ 0.8
+ 4 .0
- 4 .0
+ 3 .5
+ 4 .4
+ 4 .5
+ 2.1
0.2
+ 1.6
-
+ 3 .2
-
2. 1
+ 0.8
- 2.8
- 6 .3
+ 1 .4
+ 3 .1
-
1.8
- 0 .9
- 0 .9
+ 2 .5
- 3 .3
+ 0. 1
Per cent of
change F eb
ruary, 1926,
compared
w ith —
In d u stry
Feb- I
ruary, !
1925
Jan
uary,
1926
Silk goods..........................................
Glass______ ____ _________ _____
Iron and steel................................... .
A gricultural im plem ents________
Paper and p u lp _________ _____
B aking________________________
Brick, tile and terra c o t t a - . ..........
Paper boxes_________ ________
C onfectionery____________ ____ _
C otton goods________ ________
Chem icals_____________________
H ard w are___________ _•________
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heating ap p aratus______
M achine tools_________________
Printing, new spapers___________
Ice cream ________ _____________
Printing, book and jo b _________
Brass, bronze, and copper produ c ts __________
F lour___________
Shirts and collars.
Woolen and worsted goods______
Slaughtering and m eat p a c k in g ...
Petroleum refining__ ___________
Shipbuilding, steel_____________
C arpets and rugs_______________
Fertilizers______________________
R ubber boots and shoes________
Cigars and cigarettes.......................
1926,
+ 1 .5
+ 1 .4
+ 1 .4
+1.3
+
+
+
+
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.0
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .7
+0. 5
+ 0. 5
F eb
ruary,
1925
+ 0.8
+ 0 .5
+0. 5
+ 6. 1
+ 0 .9
+ 5 .5
-1.0
+ 7 .3
-
0. 2
+0.2
(')
+ 3 .0
+0. 5
-
+ 0. 2
+ 0. 2
2.2
0.2
+4. 9
+2. 4
+ 6 .3
+ 5 .4
-0 .4
-0 .4
-0 . 7
+ 1.1
-1 .7
+ 1.0
2.0
- 3 .5
-2 . 5
-3 .6
+4. 6
-2 .9
-0 .5
-0.1
-
-1.0
-
2.6
-2 . 7
- 1. 1
5. 6
-
-8 . 3
- 1 .9
-1 . 5
-5 .9
>N o change.
Wage Changes
UTFTY-SEVEN establishments in 19 industries reported wage-rate
A increases in the month ending February 15. These increases,
averaging 7.4 per cent, affected 9,143 employees, or 34 per cent of the
total employees in the establishments concerned. More than onehalf of the employees affected by these increases were in one depart
ment of the iron and steel industry, and more than one-fourth of the
establishments concerned were in the printing industries.
Wage-rate decreases were reported by 9 establishments in 8 in
dustries. These decreases, averaging 10 per cent, affected 1,095
employees, or 59 per cent of the total employees in the establishments
concerned.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[851]
104
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W A G E A D JU S T M E N T O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N JA N U A R Y 15 A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1926
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rates
E stablishm ents
In d u stry
N um ber
Total reporting
n u m increase
ber
or de
report crease in
wage
ing
rates
Em ployees affected
Per cent of em
ployees—
Range
Average
Total
num ber
In estab
lishm ents
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
In all
estab
lish
m ents
report
ing
Increases
Slaughtering and m eat packing.
Confectionery ...............................
B ak in g __________ ______ _____
Silk goods___________________
Woolen and w orsted goods____
Iron and steel ..........
...... . . .
F ou n d ry and machine-shop
products.......................................
M achine to o ls .. _____ ________
Lum ber, saw m ills____________
F u rn itu re .........................................
L eather . _________________
Printing, book and jo b .. _____
Printing, n ew sp ap ers...................
C hem icals........ .............. ............
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta .........
Stam ped and enam eled w are__
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad.. ...... ................
A gricultural im p le m e n ts ..____
Electrical m achinery, apparatu s, and s u p d ie s ____________
84
260
460
202
186
213
1
2
3
2
1
8
6
10
6- 8.5
5- 6
7
4- 9
6.0
10.0
7.2
5.5
7.0
7.5
81
1, 760
38
66
8
5,069
5
93
11
10
10
50
833
166
377
374
142
290
208
96
336
44
1
3
1
5
1
10
5
1
2
1
3.5
3- 5. 6
10
5-10.4
9.3
0. 5-12
3- 8
10
12-16
10
3.5
4.0
10.0
6.6
9.3
4.2
4.9
10.0
14.2
10.0
49
46
100
119
69
501
266
130
67
10
36
27
74
12
16
12
34
8
36
6
0)
(>)
(>)
«
(0
491
92
1
2
3.
5-12
3.5
7.2
515
38
78
7
(')
(>)
139
7
1-10
3.5
211
8
(0
«
«
(0
0)
5
2
1
1
1
(>)
(0
Decreases
C otton goods______ _____ _____
C lothing, m en’s ..............................
Lum ber, s a w m ills...................
L um ber, m illw o rk ___________
F u rn itu re . ____________ _____
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta _____
Brass, bronze, and cooper produ c ts. __________ _____ _____
Cigars and c ig a re ttes.. ..............
355
267
377
249
374
336
1
1
2
1
1
1
25
1
10
10
6
10
25.0
1.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
10.0
90
31
475
16
12
71
54
74
68
14
7
78
0)
0)
0)
«
(>)
(■)
138
146
1
1
10
7
10.0
7.0
50
350
43
76
(>)
1
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
Indexes of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in Manufacturing Industries
¡NDEX numbers for February, 1926, and for January, 1926, and
A February, 1925, showing relatively the variation in number of
persons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 53 industries
surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, together wuth general
indexes for the combined 12 groups of industries, appear in the
following table.
The general index of employment for February, 1926, is 94.3, this
number being 1.1 per cent higher than the index for January and 2.9
per cent higher than the index for February, 1925. The general
index of pay-roll totals for February, 1926, is 98.9, this number
being 4.2 per cent higher than the index for January and 4 per cent
higher than the index for February, 1925.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[852]
105
EM PLOYM ENT AND UNEM PLOYM ENT
In computing the general index and the group indexes the index
numbers of separate industries are weighted according to the im
portance of the industries.
IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S , F E B R U A R Y , 1925, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1926
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
1925
In d u stry
General Index ______________
1926
Feb ru ary
Jan u ary
February
E m ploy Pay-roll
totals
m ent
E m ploy Pay-roll
m ent
totals
E m ploy Pay-roll
m ent
totals
91.6
95.1
93.3
94.9
94.3
98.8
89.4
83.3
87.1
85.1
86.4
97.4
101.9
92.9
85.0
93.6
91.9
88.3
102.9
104.7
_____
92.8
90.2
85.1
81.7
95.7
99.6
98.3
94.6
91.2
91.5
83.2
98.7
99.8
99.6
90.3
86. 7
86.4
83.8
88.9
97.6
91.9
84.1
90. 1
92.0
90.6
91.2
102.0
90.8
Textiles and their products
______
C otton goods _
- ________________
92.2
88.2
96. 5
98.6
94.0
97. 7
101.8
90.6
85.6
90.9
92.8
96.1
88.2
104.1
105. 6
97.2
97.3
107.9
91.0
87.4
102. 1
96.6
89.8
85.6
100. 6
108. 0
86. 1
95.8
101.4
86.6
89.8
81.5
78.8
90.8
85.4
108.2
114.9
84.7
94.4
104.6
82.5
93.6
86.9
82.4
90.1
86.0
101.6
107.2
80. 1
95.6
101.4
88. 7
90.4
85.3
81.8
93.0
86.4
114.4
116.0
77.9
91.6
106.6
85.8
93.4
96.6
87.1
Iron and steel and their products___
88.2
100.0
87.9
80.2
92. 3
83.5
93.1
105. 3
93.0
82.2
98.7
88.6
90.3
98.4
91.8
84.0
93.1
102.1
94.7
102.6
93.7
86.4
101.9
113.6
92.4
99.9
93.4
86.4
93.5
102.5
98.6
105.6
102.0
91.1
102.8
114.2
95.4
87.3
103.1
90.7
99.7
78.6
104. 4
78.6
101.6
85.3
107.0
87.3
Inyriher and Sts products ___________
93.3
89.7
99. 5
101.7
96.4
92.6
103.8
104.6
89.2
83.9
100.9
100. 5
90.9
85.3
102.6
102.8
89.5
83.7
101.2
102.2
95.7
89.9
106.5
108.8
Leather and its products___________
95.4
92.7
96.3
95.8
96.7
95.4
91.0
92.6
90.5
86.9
93.6
84.2
92.6
93.3
92.4
91.1
96.3
89.0
100.8
94.2
99.8
103.7
104.5
104.4
100. 7
102.2
106. 1
107.0
103.2
95. 1
101.3
105.1
109.8
110.0
101. 9
108. 1
113.4
115.0
102.4
95.3
100.0
102.8
110.0
109.7
103.3
107.7
110.7
115.4
Food and kindred products
Slaughtering and m eat packing _
Confectionery- _ ____________________
Ice C ream ___________________________
Flour
_________ ___ ___________
Baking
________________________
Sugar refining, cane
_ ____________
Hosiery and k n it goods, ____________
Silk goods
- __________________
Woolen and w orsted goods____________
C ar pets
______________ __
D yeing and finishing textiles__________
C lothing, m e n ’s
__________________
Shirts and collars
_ _______________
Clothing, w o m en ’s. _
___
_______
M illinery a n d lace goods______________
Iron and steel________________________
S tructural ironw ork__________________
F ou n d ry a n d machine-shop products---H ardw are
____________________
M achine tools
_________________
Steam fittings and steam and hot-w ater
heating a p p a r a tu s __________________
Stoves _____________________________
Bum her, sawmills
___________
Tuímher, mill w o rk ____________________
Furnitu re
________________ _
L eather
___________ ___________
Boots and shoes
_________ _____
Paper and printing________________
Paper and p u lp ______________________
P aper boxes ____________________ ___
P rinting, hook and job ____________
Printing, newspapers
____________
Chemicals and allied products______
92.3
94.0
98.0
Chemicals __________________________
Fertilizers
________________ ___
Petroleum refining _ ______________ __
92.5
98.0
89.6
98.7
92.9
89.2
95.3
107.4
97.6
el ay 5 and glass products. ____
C em ent
- _________________________
Brink, tile, and terra c o tta ____________
P o tterv _ __________________________
Glass
_ _________________________
91 6
98. 0
93. 5
87.4
86. 7
110.3
91.1
89.8
90. 5
118.3
100.9
86.4
90.9
102.9
95.1
Metal products, other than Iron and
steel
_ __ ____ ______
95.5
98.1
100.2
,
Stam ped and enam eled w are__________
Brass, bronze, and copper p roducts ------
Tobacco products
___ ___________
Chew ing an d sm oking tobacco and
snuff
»_ __________________
Cigars and cigarettes...... .............................
88369°—2Ct
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8
97.7
94.3
100.8
83.3
92.6
108.4
104.1
101.3
85.2
89.8
107.1
97.2
101.8
84.9
92. 5
118.9
108.0
104.0
102.8
104.4
85.0
87.7
89.0
85.8
90.3
84.3
95.1
86.8
97.9
87.9
109.8
83.1
99.4
100.5
92.8
89.3
[853]
101.8
121.0
94.1
101.5
102.0
88.1
101.8
106. 3
87.3
100.8
95.3
122.2
98.0
95.9
103.3
90.9
97.6
99.3
92.0
100.2
100.5
101.2
111.0
96.2
106
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S , F E B R U A R Y , 1925, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1926—Con.
1925
1926
F ebruary
January
F ebruary
E m ploy Pay-roll
m ent
totals
E m ploy Pay-roll
m ent
totals
E m ploy Pay-roll
ment,
totals
In d u stry
Vehicles for land transportation _____
87.3
91.1
82.6
A utom obiles_______ ____ ____________
Carriages a n d w agons...... .........................._
C ar building a n d repairing, electric-railro ad______ ________________________
C ar building and repairing, steam -rail
ro a d .-...................... .....................................
Miscellaneous industries............ .............
A gricultural im plem ents____ __________
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and
supplies___________________________
Piano’s and organs......................................
R ub b er boots and shoes..................... .........
A utom obile tir e s ...........................................
Shipbuilding, steel................................. .
92.3
97.0
87.3
92.7
112. 8
93.2
86. 0
99.9
89.1
94.4
115.3
97.5
87.6
122.1
96.1
92.5
86.9
90.7
89.3
88.9
89.0
85.1
89.5
80.0
76.9
81.2
82.3
92. 1
90.4
90.1
97.9
97.0
106.1
100.4
120.1
98.4
107.6
102.0
123. 5
90.0
97.6
88.2
106. 1
88. 7
94.8
104. 2
96. 7
109.8
92.1
99.5
98.5
92. 7
112.6
89.0
103.1
103. 4
104. 7
114.0
92.4
99.2
96.6
90.4
113.7
92.1
104.5
104. 7
96. 3
120.4
93.1
The following tables show the general index of employment in
manufacturing industries from June, 1914, to February, 1926, and the
general index of pay-roll totals from November; 1915, to February,
1926.
G E N E R A L IN D E X O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D O F P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R
IN G IN D U S T R IE S
E m p l o y m e n t { J a n e , 1 9 1 4 , to F e b r u a r y , 1 9 2 6 )
[M o n th ly average, 1923=100] '
M o n th
1914
1915
Jan u a ry ____
91.9
F e b ru a ry ___
92.9
M arch ........... ............ 93.9
A p ril............. ______ 93.9
M a y ...............
94.9
J u n e . . ___ 98.9
95.9
J u ly ...... ......... 95.9
94.9
A u g u st_____ 92.9
95.9
S ep tem b er... 94.9
98.9
O ctober____
94.9 100.8
N o v e m b er... 93.9 103.8
D ecem ber__ 92.9 105. 9
A v e ra g e ... i 94. 9
97.0
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
104.6 117. 0 115. 5 110 1
107.4 117. 5 114. 7 103. 2
109. 6 117. 4 116. 5 104. 0
109.0 115. 0 lf5. 0 103. 6
109. 5 115. 1 114. 0 106, 3
110.0 114. 8 113. 4 108. 7
110. 3 114. 2 114. 6 110. 7
n o . o 112. 7 114. 5 109. 9
111. 4 110. 7 114. 2 112. 1
112.9 113. 2 111. 5 106. 8
114. 5 115. 6 113. 4 110. 0
115. 1 117. 2 113. 5 113. 2
115. 6
116.9
117. 1
117. 4
117. 9
110. 0
109. 7
107. 0
102. 5
97. 3
91. 1
82. 3
83.9
84.0
84. 5
84. 9
84. 5
85. 6
87. 0
88.4
89. 4
89. 9
87. 7
83. 2
82.4
84. 3
87. 1
86.8
88. 0
90. 6
92. 6
94. 5
96. 6
99.6
101. 8
101. 8
101. 8
101. 9
100. 4
99. 7
99.8
99. 3
98. 7
96.9
96. 6
96. 4
94. 5
90. 8
87. 9
84. 8
85.0
86. 7
87. 9
87. 8
89.4
90.0
91. 6
92. 3
92. 1
90. 9
90. 1
89. 3
89. 9
90 9
92 3
92. 5
92. 6
110.4
109. 9
85.1
88.4
100. 0
80.3
01.2
115.0
114.2
108. 2
i
1928
93.3
94. 3
2 93.8
P a y - r o l l t o t a l s { N o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 , to F e b r u a r y , 1 9 2 6 )
M o n th
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
J a n u a ry .............
F e b ru a ry _____ —
M arch ________
A p ril............ .
M .ay_________
J u n e _________
J u l y . . . ..............
A u g u st..........
Septem ber____
O c to b e r______
N ovem ber.
53.8
D ecem ber_____ 56.0
52. 1
57.8
60.0
59. 7
62. 1
62. 5
58. 7
60. 9
62.9
65. 5
69. 2
71.0
69.8
70. 5
73. 6
69. 4
75.8
76. 1
73, 1
75 0
74. 4
82. 2
87. 4
87.8
79.6
79. 8
88. 2
88. 8
94. 5
94. 3
97. 5
105 3
106! 6
104.2
95. 0
95. 4
94. 5
96. 7
100. 2
102. 5
126. 6
124. 8
133. 0
130. 6
135. 7
138. 0
124. 9
80. 6
82. 4
83.3
82. 8
81. 8
81.0
76.0
91.8
95.2
100. 3
101.3
104.8
104. 7
99.9
6 128. 2
5 123. 0
3 111. 3
5 102. 4
77.8
76. 8
77.2
81. 5
71. 5
76.7
74. 2
72. 6
76.9
82.0
74. 1
/y. o
82. 7
86. 0
89. 8
92.9
100. 0
102. 3
101. 0
98. 9
94. 5
99. 4
99.0
96. 9
92. 4
87.0
80. 8
83. 5
86. 0
88. 5
87 6
91. 7
94 9
90.0
95. 1
98.9
96. 6
94. 2
94. 4
91. 7
89. 6
91.4 —
90 4
96. 2
354.9
61.9
76,3
80.0
79.9
100.0
90. 6
93. 6
A verag e____
no. 3
104. 1
111. 2
96.7
1 Average for 7 m onths.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
111.
105.
111.
121.
103. 6
125.9
[854]
a A verage for 2 m onths.
1926
9
97. 3
2 36,0
M O N TH LY AVERAGE
1923=100.
1S O
*40
130
l£0
1*0
KJO
SO
80
70
60
SO
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
GENERÄL INDEXES OF EMPLOYMENT ÄND PAY-ROLL TOTALS
IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
8
The following table shows yearly averages of index numbers of employment and of pay-roll totals in each of the
53 industries studied, together with yearly averages for each of the 12 groups of industries, for each complete
calendar year since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began its expanded survey of the volume of employment in
manufacturing industries of the United States:
g
oo
AVERAGE INDEXES OF EMPLOYMENT AND PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES-1923, 1924, AND 1925
Food and kindred products
General index
Confectionery
Ice cream
Sugar refining,
cane
Baking
Flour
Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll
ment
ment
ment
totals
ment
totals
totals
totals
ment
ment
totals
ment
totals
totals
ment
totals
[856]
1923 average_____
1924 average..... .
1925 average........
100.0
90.3
91.3
100.0
90.0
93.6
100.0
95.6
90.9
100.0
97.9
93.7
100.0
93.7
85.0
100.0
94.4
86.7
100.0
88.7
84.4
100.0
93.4
90.1
J00.O
96.5
97.5
100.0
97.2
102.6
100.0
94.7
90.4
100.0
97.6
92.5
100.0
101.3
99.5
100.0
103.8
102.4
100.0
97.9
97.8
100.0
100.8
100.0
Textiles and their products
Group index
Cotton goods
Hosiery and knit
goods
Woolen and worsted
goods
Silk goods
Carpets and rugs
Dyeing and finishing
textiles
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
100.0
88.3
89.3
100.0
86.8
89.5
100.0
83.0
84.0
100.0
80.7
81.9
100.0
90.7
98.1
100.0
90.9
105.6
100.0
94.3
103.3
100.0
94.3
109.4
100.0
91.0
88.9
100.0
90.1
87.2
100.0
92.1
94.6
100.0
86.4
91.8
100.0
92.1
99.5
1923 average1924 average..
1925 average..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
91.9
102.4
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Slaughtering and
meat packing
Group index
Year
A V E R A G E IN D E X E S OE E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —1923, 1924, A N D 1925—C ontinued
Iron and steel and their products
Textiles and their products—Continued
E m ploy
m ent
1923 averag e..........
1924 average____
1925 averag e..........
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
87.1
84.8
. ____
F o undry and machineshop products
00
CT
ill!
E m p lo y
m ent
1923 average........__
1924 average_____
1925 average............
E m p lo y
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
91.9
91.4
100.0
78.8
81.8
100.0
80.6
80.7
100.0
91.9
97.4
100.0
91.0
91.8
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
83.6
87.5
100.0
93.9
96.6
M
100.0
93.9
99.1
.......
^
S
5
Kj
100.0
93.5
95.9
90. 6
87.3
Pay-roll
totals
- - ---- -----
^
. . . . . . .
H
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
apparatus
M achine tools
H ardw are
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
...
E m ploy
m ent
100. 0
86.6
100. 0
86.3
100.0
87.9
87.0
Iron a n a steel
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Iron and steel and their products—C ontinued
Structural ironwork
Group index
M illinery and lace goods
100.0
87.3
87.9
100.0
88.7
83.6
100.0
83.3
88.2
100.0
84.6
86.9
100.0
86.4
82.4
100.0
90.1
86.9
Clothing, women’s
Shirts and collars
Clothing, m en’s
Year
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
95.4
96.8
100. 0
84.7
94.4
Stoves
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
97.3
99.3
100.0
86.3
84.1
î>
«
Ü
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
88.7
85.9
Leather and Its products
Lumber and its products
Cj
fei
fed
B
B
O
kj
Ki
&
«-a
Group index
E m ploy
m ent
1923 average_____
1924 average_____
1925 average...........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
94.8
93.1
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
97.3
98.1
Lum ber, sawmills
Lum ber, millwork
Group index
F urniture
Em ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
93.9
90.0
100.0
96.5
95.5
100.0
99.7
101.5
100.0
102.7
106.6
100.0
94.8
98.7
100.0
96.3
101.5
100,0
90.6
92.0
Pay-roll
to ta ls
100,0
88.3
89.4
Boots and shoes
L eather
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
100,0
88.4
90.0
100.0
89.5
91.2
100.0
91.4
92.6
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
87.9
88.6
----------------
g
o
Paper and printing
Group index
Paper and p u lp
Paper boxes
Chemicals and allied products
Printing, book and
job
Group index
Chemicals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
ment
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
ment
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploy
ment
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
100.3
100.8
108.0
102.2
102.9
100.0
94.3
94.4
100.0
96.8
99.2
100.0
99.3
99.9
100.0
102.2
104. 7
100.0
102.0
101.5
100.0
103.5
106.0
100.0
104. 1
106.7
100.0
106.1
110.1
100.0
91.8
94.3
100.0
92.7
95.9
100.0
91.7
92.7
1923 average_____
1924 average...........
1925 average_____
Fertilizers
Petroleum refining
Group index
Brick, tile, and
terra cotta
Cem ent
[8 5 8 ]
Pay-roll
totals
E m p lo y
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
Pay-roll
totals
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
90.3
98.8
100.0
91.0
98.6
100.0
92.1
94.3
100.0
89.8
93.2
100.0
96.7
97.6
100.(
tot.;
103.,
100.0
99. 9
96.6
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
103.6
100.7
E m ploy
m ent
Stam ped a n d enameled
w are
E m ploy
m ent
1923 average..........
1924 average............
1925 average...........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
93.7
96.7
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
91.6
89.8
E m p lo y
m ent
100.0
90.1
94.2
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
98.1
99.6
100.0
85.3
91.7
100.0
94.0
97.9
Em ploy
ment
100.0
103. 6
104.2
Glass
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
107.5
104.9
100.0
110.9
112.2
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
90.4
93.4
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
95.2
100. 9
Tobacco products
Brass, bronze, and cop
per products
E m ploy
m ent
Pottery
Pay-roll
totals
Metal products other than iron and steel
Group index
100.0
95.8
97.6
Stone, clay, and glass products
E m ploy
m ent
1923 average.........
1924 average...........
1925 average...........
Pay-roll
totals
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
93.9
100.2
Group index
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
94.0
92.0
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
95.6
93.7
Chewing and smoking
tobacco and snuff
Cigars and cigarettes
E m ploy
m ent
E m ploy
m ent
100.0
99.9
92.0
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
101.1
98.2
100.0
93.3
92. 1
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
94.9
92.0
M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW
Chemical and allied produets—Contd.
i—i
00
cr
2
Printing, news
papers
A V E R A G E IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —1923, 1924, A N D 192.5—C ontinued
Vehicles for land transportation
Group index
Y ear
Automobiles
E m ploym ent Pay-roll totals Em ploym ent Pay-roll totals
100.9
100.0
87.5
93. 5
88.8
»1.0
100.0
93.6
106. 5
E m ploym ent
100.0
91.1
111. 3
Pay-roll totals
100.0
83. 5
92. 1
E m ploym ent
100.0
87. 7
92. 6
Pay-roll totals
100.0
88. 7
88.4
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad
E m ploym ent
Pay-roll totals
100.0
85. 5
81.3
100.0
88.8
91.3
100. 0
85.0
82.2
Miscellaneous industries
Group index
[859]
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
Pianos and organs
Em ploym ent
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploym ent
Pay-roll
totals
Employment
100.0
87.8
91.6
100.0
100.0
80.1
92.4
100.0
83.8
101.1
100. 0
95! 8
90.9
100.0
97.7
95.0
100.0
94.9
94.0
90.6
94.6
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
101.8
103. 1
R ubber boots and
shoes
A utom obile tires
Shipbuilding, steel
Em ploym ent
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploym ent
Pay-roll
totals
Em ploym ent
100.0
70.9
83.3
100.0
71.5
91.2
100.0
97.3
112.2
100.0
99.9
113.9
100.0
83.1
85.3
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
86. 2
87.7
fill
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
machinery,
A gricultural im ple Electrical
apparatus and sup
ments
plies
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT
1923 average.
1924 a verage.
1925 average.
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad
Carriages and wagons
112r !
M ONTHLY LABOR BEVIEW
Proportion of Time Worked and Force Employed in Manufacturing Industries in
February, 1926
D EPO R T S in percentage terms from 7,125 establishments indicate
that in February the plants in operation were working an
average of 94 per cent of full time and employing an average of 87 per
cent of a normal full force of employees. These percentages show
an increase of 1 per cent in the average percent of full time worked
and an increase of 2 per cent in working force.
One per cent of the reporting establishments were idle, 71 per cent
were operating on a full-time schedule, and 28 per cent on a parttime schedule, while 48 per cent had a normal full force of employees,
and 51 per cent were operating with reduced forces.
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G F U L L A N D P A R T T IM E A N D E M P L O Y IN G F U L L A N D
P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN F E B R U A R Y , 1926
Per cent of
Per cent of es
1 establishtablishm ents
j m ents oper Average
operating
per cent
ating—
w ith—
of full
tim e op
erated by
P a rt
e sta b lish Full
Per
normal normal
Full P a rt
m ents
cent || tim
force
of
force
of
e tim e o p eratin g
idle
em
em
ployees ployees
E stab lish
m ents re
porting
Industry
Total
num
ber
Food an d kindred products........... 1,054
Slaughtering and meat packing........
70
Confectionery...................... .............
202
Ice cream ...................... ...................
106
Flour.................................................
302
Baking.............................. .............
365
Sugar refining, cane_____ ________
9
1
1
w
Textiles an d their products............. 1,198
Cotton goods.....................................
291
Hosiery and knit goods_____ ____
157
Silk goods.........................................
155
Woolen and worsted goods___ ___
160
Carpets and rugs.............................
22
Dyeing and finishing textiles............
77
Clothing, men’s___ ____ ________
174
Shirts and collars...............................
47
Clothing, women’s___ ________
77
Millinery and lace goods..................
38
Iron and steel an d their products . 1,286
Iron and steel....................... ............
168
Structural ironwork...___ ______
118
Foundry and machine-shop products.
653
Hardware.............................. ..........
48
Machine tools............................. ......
140
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus.............. .
88
Stoves.............................................
71
Lum ber and its products................
Lumber, sawmills______ ________
Lumber, millwork............................
Furniture..........................................
785
301
186
298
Leather an d its products....... .........
Leather.............................................
Boots and shoes________________
96
168
Paper and p rin tin g .........................
Paper and pulp.................................
Paper boxes.___ _______________
Printing, book and job......................
Printing, newspapers........................
133
105
187
126
1
1
2
1
1
0)
2
w
2
264
551
01
0)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
69
80
95
56
27
67
52
48
86
74
83
66
83
72
64
45
73
91
77
45
26
16
34
17
26
36
55
26
9
22
55
97
94
99
94
92
91
95
98
96
82
72
73
72
70
SI
89
26
28
30
19
11
97
93
94
98
98
43
31
31
33
23
56
69
69
67
77
89
78
79
85
70
70
44
30
56
95
86
47
31
53
69
88
82
71
96
96
96
52
88
87
90
89
53
87
85
88
28
2
67
86
57
11
41
82
86
61
80
100
[860]
55
31
18
4
44
73
33
95
94
99
70
94
90
27
26
27
28
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
44
29
37
5
71
24
44
70
71
72
1
87
71
61
94
29
76
56
4
2
2
2
0)
38
Average
per cent
of norm al
full force
em ployed
by estab
lishm ents
operating
30
17
13
39
20
95
95
96
92
98
89
97
98
92
96
100
69
43
48
40
50
36
52
60
57
18
33
46
44
48
46
45
41
47
30
57
52
58
50
63
47
40
42
81
67
52
50
54
57
51
70
30
66
44
70
95
33
56
30
5
87
79
65
84
96
81
89
94
88
89
84
87
85
91
89
88
76
80
94
95
88
93
99
113
EM PLOYM ENT AND UNEM PLOY M ENT
ESTABLISHMENTS WORKING FULL AND PART TIME AND EMPLOYING FULL AND
PART WORKING FORCE IN FEBRUARY, 1926—Continued
E stablish
m ents re
porting
In d u stry
Total Per
n u m cent
ber
idle
Per cent of
Per cent of es
establish
tablishm ents
m ents oper Average
operating
per cent
ating—
w ith—
of full
tim e op
erated by
Full
P a rt
e sta b lish normal
norm al
Full P a rt
ments
force
of
force
of
tim e tim e o p erating
em
em
ployees ployees
201
70
30
95
51
Chemicals ___
Fertilizers._
_ _________________
Petroleum refining __
68
92
41
65
74
68
35
26
32
95
96
96
66
34
63
Stone, clay, and glass produets__
478
Chemicals and allied products
C em en t....... ................. .........................
B rick, tile, a n d terra c o tta ________
P o ttery . ___ ___________________
Glass '
.................................. .......
65
249
51
111
Metal products, other than iron
and steel
_
__________
147
Stam ped and enam eled ware
Brass*, bronze, and copper products .
32
115
Tobacco products_________________
121
Chew ing and sm oking tobacco and
snuff _
________________ ____
Cigars and cigarettes.......... ................ .
25
96
Vehicles for land transportation.._
760
54
40
89
48
46
43
52
43
70
55
37
57
30
91
88
87
93
52
44
47
54
46
45
53
46
75
„
86
92
79
92
87
87
85
89
88
25
95
42
ob
86
78
74
38
26
97
95
44
63
57
86
1
62
37
92
46
53
86
1
64
61
36
38
93
91
44
47
56
52
87
85
81
(>)
22
1»
20
96
61
38
89
89
86
43
97
89
63
39
85
15
98
75
83
17
96
59
41
87
282
70
30
94
41
59
61
67
33
95
28
72
83
103
31
9
49
29
79
95
96
85
87
97
47
58
44
45
21
53
42
56
55
79
87
91
33
49
86
21
23
67
51
14
71
28
94
48
51
87
415
industries _______ .
A gricultural im plem ents........ .............
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies ___________________
Pianos and organs
_ _________
Ttnbher boots and shoes.
_______
_______________
A utom obile tires
Shipbuilding, steel..................... - .........
157
Total................................ ................ 7,125
0)
77
1
37
61
87
80
57
132
56
Automobiles . _ _________________
Carriages and wagons
C ar building an d repairing, electric
railroad
_________________
C ar building and repairing, steam
railroad .......... .......................................
M is c e l la n e o u s
6
2
11
49
34
66
37
Average
per cent
of norm al
full force
em ployed
by estab
lishm ents
operating
96
77
85
89
66
1 Less th an one-half of 1 per cent.
Employment and Earnings of Railroad Employees, January, 1926, and
January and December, 1925
*"pH E following table shows the number of employees and the
earnings in various occupations among railroad employees in
^
January, 1926, in comparison with employment and earnings in
January and December, 1925.
The figures are for Class I roads—that is, all roads having operating
revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[861]
IM
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS OF RAILROAD EMPLOYEES JANUARY, 1926, AND
JANUARY AND DECEMBER, 1925
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more important
occupations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the items under the respective
groups; the grand totals will be found on pp. 100 and 102]
Professional, clerical, and general
M o n th and year
Clerks
Stenogra
phers and
typists
Total for
group
M aintenance of way and structures
Laborers
(extra gang
and work
train)
Track and
roadw ay
section
laborers
T otal for
group
Number of employees at middle of month
January, 1925- ................
December, 1925 ................
January, 1926....................
166,632
167,108
166, 030
280, 630
283,331
282,001
25,067
25, 222
25,151
37,180
49,178
43, 723
169, 728
182,310
176,157
330, 420
362, 224
347,362
$2,860, 560
3,545,001
3, 089, 039
$12, 806,725
13,121,680
12, 459, 204
$31,801, 725
33, 262,018
31, 732,599
Total earnings
January , 1925-.............. . $21, 545, 825
21, 788, 895
December, 1925 _........ .
January, 1926.................... 21,352, 503
$3, 069,049
3,105,166
3, 063, 960
$38,213,342
38,914, 554
38, 338,162
M aintenance of e q u ip m en t and stores
C arm en
M achinists
Skilledtrade
helpers
Laborers
(shops,
engine
houses,
power
plants,
and stores)
Common
laborers
(shops,
engine
houses,
power
plants, and
stores)
T otal
for group
Number of employees at middle oj month
January , 1925 ..................
December, 1925- ______
January, 1926-............ .
119,993
116, 554
115, 052
62,975
60,933
61, 482
119, 473
115, 229
115, 493
47,193
43, 820
44, 391
62,117
59,334
60, 973
542,905
524,652
526, 639
$4. 581, 699
4, 207, 664
4,244, 669
$5,072,683
4,789,890
4, 873, 686
$70, 570, 071
67, 771,963
67, 418, 930
Total earnings
January , 1925__________ $17,362, 524
D ecember, 1925 ................ 16, 749, 921
Jan u ary , 1926_____ ____ 18, 326, 743
$10, 056, 717
9, 570,899
9, 603,106
$13, 155, 373
12, 580,191
12, 521, 583
Transportation other than train and yard
Station
agents
Truckers
Teleg
(stations,
raphers,
telephoners, warehouses,
and
and
towermen
platforms)
Crossing
and bridge
flagmen
and gatemen
T otal for
group
Transporta
tion (yardm asters,
sw itch
ten d ers,
and
hostlers)
Number of employees at middle of month
January, 1925-................December, 1925 _______
January , 1926 ..................
331,101
30,736
30, 817
26,355
25, 898
25, 729
22, 783
22,321
22, 317
204, 251
209, 068
204,172
24, 755
24,140
24, 209
$1,708, 821
1, 684, 240
1, 675,380
$24, 962,126
25,750, 794
24,877,292
$4, 572,815
4, 538, 716
4, 530, 794
36, 914
40, 260
37,138
Total earnings
January , 1925. - ................
D ecember, 1925--..........January , 1926....................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$4, 835, 409
4,826,910
4, 739, 707
$3, 931, 885
3, 937,439
3, 916,826
$3,409, 845
3, 745, 798
3, 350,297
[862]
EMPLOYM ENT AND U N EM PLOY M ENT
M 5
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D
JA N U A R Y A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925—C ontinued
Transportation, train and engine
M onth and year
Road
conductors
Road
engineers
and
m otorm en
Y ard
brakem en
and
yardm en
Road
brakem en
and
flagmen
Road
firemen
and
helpers
T otal for
group
N u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s a t m i d d l e o f m o n t h
54,307
55, 787
55,312
75, 544
75,600
74,316
36, 771
37, 275
36, 881
January, 1925 _______
December, 1925 ........ . .
January, 1926 ............--
44, 238
44, 447
43,866
46,184
46,095
45, 473
328,941
333,133
323, 949
$11, 834, 460
12, 055,589
11,837,072
$8 , 820, 623
8,984, 722
8 , 816,502
$66,033,952
67.167, 339
65,469,967
T o t a l e a r n in g s
January, 1925____ _____
December, 1925..... ..........
January, 1926--................
$8,831,089
8,911.662
8,699,248
$9,489,318
9,742,827
9, 442, 427
$13, 206,916
13,193,912
12,813, 862
Recent Employment Statistics
Public Employment Offices
Illinois
r T",IIE Labor Bulletin of the Illinois Department of Labor in its
January, 1926, issue shows the activities of the Illinois free
employment offices for the month of December, 1924 and
1925, as follows:
A C T IV IT IE S OF IL L IN O IS F R E E E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN D E C E M B E R , 1924 A N D 1925
December, 1925
D ecember, 1924
Item
Males
N um ber of registrations_________________
H elp w an ted . ______ __ _____________
Persons referred to positions,.........................
Persons reported p la c e d ,.. ...................
Persons registered for each 100 places open.
Females
, 660
6,884
6,902
5,871
11
Total
5,946
4,929
4,849
4,234
17, 606
11, 813
11, 751
10,105
149. 0
M ales
13, 086
8,064
8,213
7,358
Females
5,941
4,970
4, 942
4, 330
T otal
19,027
13,034
13,155
11 ,6 8 8
145.9
Iowa
The data given below on the placement work of the publicemployment offices of Iowa in February is from the Iowa Employment
Survey for February, 1926, issued by the bureau of labor of that
State.
A C T IV IT IE S O F T H E P U B L IC -E M P L O Y M E N T S E R V IC E O F IO W A IN F E B R U A R Y , 1923
R egistra
tion for
jobs
Sex
M e n .................................................................................. ...........
W o m e n ....................................... .................................- ...........
T o tal........... ..................... .............. ..............................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[803]
Jobs
offered
N um ber of
persons
referred to
positions
N um ber
placed in
em ploy
m ent
4,063
1,399
968
760
1,042
706
959
679
5,462
1, 728
1, 748
1,638
M O NTH LY LABOE KEVIEW
Massachusetts
The Department of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts has
supplied the following data on the work of the four public employ
ment offices of the State in January, 1925 and 1926:
A C T IV IT IE S O F F O U R P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S IN
JA N U A R Y , 1925 A N D 1926
Applica
tions for
positions
M o n th and year
38, i l l
37,241
Janu ary , 1925 _____________________________________
Jan u ary , 1926______________________________________
M A S S A C H U S E T T S IN
H elp
w anted
2,816
2, 787
Persons re
ferred to
positions
3,399
3,625
Persons
reported
placed
2,443
2,451
Ohio
The Ohio Department of Industrial Relations has furnished the
following data on placement work of the State-city employment
service of Ohio in February, 1926:
O P E R A T IO N S OF S T A T E -C IT Y E M P L O Y M E N T S E R V IC E O F O H IO , F E B R U A R Y , 1926
N um ber of
applicants
G roup
H elp
w anted
Persons re
ferred to
positions
Persons re
ported
placed in
em ploy
m ent
7,176
150
6,468
89
M ales:
N onagricultural________________________________
F a rm and d a iry ________________________________
32,375
333
7,124
134
T o ta l________________________________________
32, 708
7, 258
7,326
6
F em ales________________________________ __________
14, 216
6,284
C, 133
5,292
G rand to ta l____ _____ _______ _____ ___________
46,924
13, 542
13,459
11,849
, 557
Pennsylvania
The Department of Labor and Industry of Pennsylvania reports
as follows on the activities of the State employment offices of Penn
sylvania for December, 1924 and 1925, and January and February,
1926.
A C T IV IT IE S
O F P E N N S Y L V A N IA P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S , D E C E M B E R ,
1924, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925, TO F E B R U A R Y , 1926
December, December,
1924
1925
Persons applying for positions:
M e n . . . __________________________ ____ _________
W o m en ..................................... ................................. .........
T o ta l............ ....................................................................
Persons asked for by employers:
M e n _________ _____ ___________________________
W om en__________________ _____________________
January,
1926
February,
1926
, 564
2,737
7,427
3, 328
6,885
3,363
11,301
10, 755
10, 248
4,844
1,552
5,082
1,878
3,816
1,711
4,499
1,833
7,918
3,104
11 ,0 2 2
8
, 396
6,960
5, 527
6,332
Persons placed in em ploym ent:
M e n .................................. ...................................................
W o m e n .................................... .........................................
4, 379
1,224
4,816
1, 598
3, 621
1,390
4,233
1,474
T o ta l............................... ........................... .....................
5,603
6,414
5,011
5,707
T o ta l..................................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[864]
6
07
EM PLOYMENT AND UNEM PLOY M ENT
Wisconsin
The Industrial Commission of Wisconsin in a mimeographed report
gives the following data respecting placement work of the Wisconsin
Federal-State-munieipal employment service in January, 1925 and
1926:
A C T IV IT IE S
OF F E D E R A L -S T A T E -M U N IC IP A L E M P L O Y M E N T
C O N S IN IN JA N U A R Y , 1925 A N D 1926
S E R V IC E
O F W IS
January, 1926
Jan u ary , 1925
Item
M ales
A pplications for w o r k . .. .................................
H elp w anted_______________ ____________
Persons referred to positions-------------------Persons placed in em ploym ent.....................
Females
3,294
2, 214
2, 504
1, 790
6,145
4, 592
4, 381
3, 599
T otal
M ales
9,439
6,806
6,885
5,389
6,018
4,018
3, 959
3, 213
Females
3,436
2,261
2, 516
1,818
T otal
9,454
6,279
6,475
5,031
State Departments of Labor
California
J H K California Labor Market Bulletin for February, 1926, pub•*L lished by the bureau of labor statistics of that State, reports as
follows on variations in volume of employment and pay roll from
December, 1925, to January, 1926, in 697 California establishments:
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R S O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T
O F W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 697 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S B E T W E E N
D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1926
W eekly pay roll
Em ployees
19
5
1,747
2,169
2, 582
739
- 6 .6
+ 2 .6
-2 . 7
- 1. 1
$48, 645
62, 275
63,075
24, 639
-1 7 .0
-5 .4
- 9 .8
-3 .6
43
7, 237
-
198, 634
-9 .7
5
15
9
+13.5
-2 4 .1
+. 4
-h 7
+3. 5
+ 1.0
+ 2 .9
—. 4
+ 7 .0
26,109
99, 690
33, 483
44,377
65, 680
132, 780
161, 537
46, 502
218, 577
28, 548
254, 060
+ 8 .2
-3 8 . 1
+ 1.8
16
944
3,887
1 , 186
1,402
2, 075
4, 534
4, 769
1, 761
7, 890
1, 597
8 , 738
172
38, 783
+ .4
1, 131, 343
N um ber
of firms
report
ing
In d u stry
Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral p ro d u cts-----Lime, cem ent, p la ster---------------------------------B rick, tile, p o tte ry ________ ____ - ..................
Glass_________________ ________________ ____
T o ta l-------- ------ - ..................................................
M etals, m achinery, and conveyances:
A gricultural im p le m e n ts-------------------. --------Automobiles, including bodies a n d p a rts -------Brass, bronze, and copper p ro d u cts.....................
Engines, pum ps, boilers, and ta n k s__________
Iron and steel forgings, bolts, n uts, etc_______
Structural a n d ornam ental steel ----- ....
Ship an d boat building an d naval r e p a i r s ----T in can s. --------------------------------------- --------O ther iron-foundry and machine-shop products.
O ther sheet-m etal products ---------------- --------Cars, locomotives, a n d railw ay repair shops----T o tal.........................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um ber
in Janary, 1926
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) as
com
pared
w ith
Decem
ber,
1925
1865]
11
8
12
7
14
6
2
65
21
2 .0
■4-8. 5
- . 8
A m ount
in Jan
ary, 1926
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) as
com
pared
w ith
D ecem
ber,
1925
- . 2
—3. 5
-
10 .1
+ 5 .1
+ 6.8
- 6 .2
+2. 3
-j~i. 0
- 6 .3
im
M O NTH LY LABOE EEVIEW
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E I N N U M B E R S O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T
O F W E E K L Y P A Y R O L L IN 697 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S B E T W E E N
D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1926—C ontinued
Em ployees
W eekly p ay roll
P er cent
of in
crease
N u m b er
(+ ) or
of firms
rep o rt N u m ber decrease
( - ) as
in J a n
ing
com
uary, 1926 pared
w ith
Decem
In d u str y
A m ount
in Jan
uary, 1926
ber
P er cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) H3
com
pared
w ith
D ecem
ber,
1925
1925
W ood m anufactures:
Sawmills a n d lo g g in g -.-............-.............................
Planing mills, sash a n d door factories, e tc ..........
O ther wood m anufactures.......... ............................
24
49
45
9,912
9, 875
5,254
-1 3 .2
-7 .0
-.7
265,467
273, 941
142, 488
- 11 .0
-1 0 .5
-3 .7
T o ta l............................................. ... ........................
118
25,041
-8 .4
681, 896
- 9 .3
7
9,187
80, 399
L eather and ru b b er goods:
T anning
______________________ _________
F inished leath er p ro d u cts. - ....................... ...........
R u b b er p ro d u cts.......................................................
8
782
504
2, 796
_ .7
-1 7 .0
+ 3 .9
T o ta l..................................................................... .
21
4, 082
-.
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
Explosives _______________ ______ _________
M ineral-oil refining__________________ ____
P ain ts, dyes, and colors .......... ............................
M iscellaneous chemical p ro d u cts.................. .......
10
466
13,165
702
- 1 .9
- 2 .6
+ 1.5
+ 16.0
6
4
7
1
2 1,0 2 2
+1-4
-2 8 .1
+ . 8
, 608
-2 .4
12, 733
488,843
16, 941
50,183
- 1 0 .5
-4 .0
- 1. 1
+ 9 .3
110
11
2 ,0 12
T o tal . . ........ ......................................................
32
16, 345
-.5
568, 700
-3 . 1
P rin tin g and p ap er goods:
P ap er boxes, bags, cartons, e tc _______ _______
P rin tin g ..................... ...............................................
P u b lish in g ______________ __________________
O ther paper p ro d u c ts..............................................
36
16
9
2,128
2, 017
3, 990
1,027
- 8 .3
- 4 .4
+
1.8
50, 071
72,845
144, 053
23, 783
-1 5 . 1
-4 . 7
—.7
-3 .9
T o tal.........................................................................
69
9,162
-
2 .6
290, 752
-4 .7
Textiles:
K n it goods ................................................................
O ther textile p ro d u cts..............................................
7
6
748
1,633
+ .3
-3 . 1
15, 977
35, 549
+
-
T o ta l. ........................... ........................................
13
2, 381
-
.1
51, 526
-3 .9
21
- 5 .4
- 1 .3
-4 , 5
+ 2 .1
57, 980
17, 664
11, 355
81, 740
-4 . 5
+ 2. 3
—1 2 . 0
+ 1.4
8
+ . 6
2
1.2
6 .0
Clothing, m illinery, and laundering:
M en’s clothing....................... ...................................
W om en’s clothing...... .............
M illinery_____________
L aundries, cleaning, and d y e in g ...........................
23
2, 569
910
614
3, 531
T o ta l..............................................................
60
7,624
-1 . 5
168, 739
-2 5 . 3
+60. 1
-1 8 .0
-6 .4
- 2 .0
+ 2 .0
9
7
14
3, 502
1.178
1, 716
453
3, 263
2,960
2, 930
828
502
2,301
1,198
1,037
979
71, 136
14,195
42, 964
8,828
94, 428
81,247
86,831
15, 909
11, 221
74, 986
30, 609
33, 597
21, 595
152
22, 847
-7 .4
587, 546
-6 .9
5
12
8,947
2,062
-3 . 2
+ 6 .9
268, 461
54, 493
-8 . 5
+ 4 .0
697
144, 511
4,112, 698
-5 .9
Foods, beverages, and tobacco:
Canning and preserving of fruits and vegetables.
C anning a n d packing of fish___________ _____
Confectionery and ice cream _________________
Groceries not elsewhere specified
B read and bakery products- ........ ...............
Sugar. ______ _____________ __________
Slaughtering and m eat p roducts.......... ................
Cigars an d other tobacco p roducts.......................
Beverages
____________
D airy p ro d u cts......................................
F lour and grist m ills________ ____ ___________
Ice m anufacture......................................
O ther food p ro d u cts........ .....................
T o ta l.....................................................
W ater, light, a n d p o w e r................................
M iscellaneous.............. ............
T otal, all in d u stries..............................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 866]
10
6
20
8
32
4
19
7
14
4
4
10
-1 7 . 0
-3 . 3
- 1.0
- 8 .8
-3 . 1
-3 1 .4
-3 .2
-
1.6
- 2 2 .0
+ 51.9
—16. 6
-1 9 . L
-3 .1
—4. 1
+ 8 .0
-1 5 .0
- . 8
—3.2
- 8 .0
-3 . 1
-2 8 .1
H9
EM PLOYM ENT AND UNEM PLOYM ENT
Illinois
The data given below from the Labor Bulletin of January, 1926,
published by the Illinois Department of Labor, shows changes in
employment in representative factories of that State in December,
1925:
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN D E C E M B E R , 1925, AS C O M P A R E D W IT H
N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1924
Decem ber, 1925
P er cent of change
ovem ber, December,
N u m b er of N u m b er of N 1925,
to
1924, to
firms
December,
reporting employees D ecember,
1925
1925
In d u stry
Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral products.................
Lime, cem ent, and plaster______________ ________
B rick tile and p o tte ry ........ ...................................... .......
G lass............. ........................................... ................. .........
25
7
34
18
1,703
433
5,535
5,039
-K 2
+ 1.7
-0 .9
+24.9
-f-5. 6
+31.4
T o t a l . . . ............................... ..........................................
84
12,710
+ 0. 1
+ 14.8
+ 1.7
+ 1.3
+ 10 .8
14
36, 560
9, 776
1,790
4, 571
3,089
7, 206
12, 258
18,128
34,032
9,715
1,913
7,913
+ . 2
+2. 3
+15.3
+ 5 .2
*4"5. 4
+ 1 .3
-4 3 . 9
+52.0
4" 11* 5
_25. 4
+ 2 0 .0
+ 16.4
+3. 8
388
146, 951
+ .9
+ 2. 2
7
7,035
3, 334
2,714
673
- 2 .6
+ 1.4
-. 1
- .4
-3 .7
+ 8 .4
+ 7 .7
-. 1
+ 4 .7
120
16, 424
-.
1
+ 3 .4
2, 320
69
, 180
1 , 621
+• 6
-2 2 .5
-. 6
+ 7 .0
+ 15.4
- 2 .1
+ 4 .0
+205.1
M etals, m achinerv, conveyances:
Iro n and steel. _ . . . . ...............................................
Sheet-m etal w ork and hardw are................... ..............
Tools and cu tle ry ____ ______ ______ __________
Cooking, heating, v entilating a p p a r a tu s ............. .
Brass, copper, zinc, b a b b itt m etal . . ____ _ ___
C ars and locom otives___________________________
Autom obiles and accessories_______ _______ ______
M achinery.
_______ ____ _____________________
Electrical a p p aratu s. ______ . . ............................. .
A gricultural im plem ents__ . ____________ ___
In stru m en ts and appliances _.
. ___________
W atches, w atch cases, clocks, and jew elry.................
T o ta l________________ _______________________
W ood products:
Sawmill and planing m ill p ro d u cts_______________
F u rn itu re and cabinet w o rk .. „ .............
........ ...
Pianos, organs, and other musical in stru m en ts____
M iscellaneous wood p ro d u cts___ . . . . . . . ____
Household furnishings__ : _________________ _____
T o ta l___________________________ ____________
121
34
16
22
23
14
29
51
26
30
8
31
45
15
22
2 ,6 6 8
F u rs and leather goods:
Leather _________ _____ ________________________
F urs and fur goods . __________ _______________
Boots and shoes_______ ________________ _____
M iscellaneous leather goods_____ _____ __________
7
30
9
12
T o ta l_____ _______________ ________ ___________
56
16, 190
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
D rugs and chem icals._ ............................................. .
P aints, dyes, and colors___ _____________________
M ineral and vegetable o il____ _______ ___ ______
M iscellaneous chemical p roducts...... .......................
T o ta l.................. .................................................... .........
P rin tin g and paper goods:
P aper boxes, bags, and tubes_______ ______ _____
M iscellaneous paper goods................................. ...........
Job p rin tin g .... . . .
. . . . . __________________
N ew spapers and periodicals____ ______ ________
E dition bookbinding
T o ta l_________________ __________________ ____
Textiles:
C otton and woolen goods_________ ______________
K n it goods, cotton and woolen hosiery----------------T h read and tw in e ...------------------------- ---------------T o ta l____ _________________ ____ _____________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[867]
10
-4 . 1
- . 2
2
- 1. 2
- 8 .0
+ .9
+ •5
+ 2. 2
+ 4 .0
-1 1 .5
+ . 1
- . 6
+ 6 .4
9
2,039
2, 552
5,468
3,963
64
14, 022
39
16
73
- 2 .0
-|-2. 4
+ 4 .3
+ 1.5
—4. 9
+33.8
+• 4
+ 3 .3
+ 3 .7
9
4, 327
1,123
8,406
3, 702
1, 506
148
19, 064
+ 1.4
+ 3 .5
9
6
1,423
2, 725
530
- 2. 2
+4. 5
4-3. 5
+ 11.4
+14.4
-1 0 .9
23
4, 678
+ 2 .3
+ 9 .6
21
24
10
11
8
- 1 .3
+ •1
+ 3 .7
-. 1
+ 8 .6
+26.4
+ 7 .9
+
+
1.2
- . 8
11.0
120
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN D E C E M B E R , 1925, AS C O M P A R E D W IT H
N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1924
Decem ber, 1925
In d u stry
Per cent of change
N um ber of N um ber of November, D ecember,
1925, to
1924, to
firms
reporting employees D ecember, Decem ber,
1925
1925
Clothing, m illinery, laundering:
M en ’s clothing............... .................................................
M en ’s shirts and fu rn ish in g s.........................................
Overalls and w ork c lo th in g ........................ ..................
M en ’s h ats and caps____________________________
W om en’s c lo th in g ............................................................
W om en’s underw ear....................... .................................
W om en’s h a ts ._________________________ ________
Laundering, cleaning, and dyeing.................................
7
5
9
2
22
9
8
36
10,401
1,197
660
67
1, 141
588
616
2,721
+ 6 .3
+ .5
+ .3
+11.7
+ .8
-1 7 .8
+ 10.8
0.0
-8 .4
-1 9 .5
-2 .3
+132. 5
+ 4 .8
+ 41.8
-1 8 .7
+ 4 .9
......................... ...............................
98
17, 391
+ 3 .4
-3 .2
Food, beverages, and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and other cereal p ro d u cts.......................
F ru it and vegetable canning and preserving______
M iscellaneous groceries............... ....................................
Slaughtering and m eat p ack in g __________ _______
D airy p ro d u c ts..________ _____ _________________
B read and other bakery p ro d u cts______ __________
C o n fectio n ery ....................... ............................... .........
Beverages.............. ....................... .......... ........................
Cigars and other tobacco products................................
M anufactured ic e ..
________ ______ ___________
Ice c re a m ......................................................
24
15
30
18
10
19
17
20
13
22
15
991
454
4, 747
22, 413
3,640
2,886
2, 206
1,359
1,254
172
664
- 4 .3
-1 3 .4
-5 .6
- 1 .7
-. 3
- 1 .9
-.3
- 2 .9
-.6
-1 5 .3
-. 7
- 3 .5
-3 2 .0
+ 1.7
-1 0 .7
+ 5 .2
—.2
+ 6 .4
+ 5 .7
+ 1 .1
-1 .0
T o ta l................ .
T o ta l___________________________ __________ _
203
40, 786
- 2 .3
+ -2
T o tal m anufacturing in d u stries________________
1,184
288, 216
+ .5
+ 2 .3
T rade, wholesale and retail:
D ep artm en t stores............................................................
W holesale d ry g o ods................. ................. ............... .
W holesale groceries....... .................................... ..............
M ail-order houses...... .......................................................
29
6
6
5
4,159
476
794
16,079
+11. 2
- 7 .6
- 8 .6
- 1 .5
+ 5 .4
-2 0 .3
-3 .2
-1 7 .9
T o ta l................ ................................................................
46
21, 508
+ .3
-1 3 .9
P ublic utilities:
W ater, light, and power____________ _____ _______
T elephone....................................................................... .
Street railw ays................................ ....................... .
..
R ailw ay car repair sh o p s................................... .............
6
9
27
25
14, 763
28; 236
27, 370
12, 290
+ 2 .4
+ .9
-. 1
+ 1.1
+ 8 .4
+ 4 .2
-5 .5
T o ta l............................. ............................. .....................
67
82, 659
+ 1 .2
+ 3 .1
Coal m ining........... ............................................................. .......
54
16,915
-. 2
+ 26.4
B uilding and contracting:
B uilding construction.......................................................
R oad construction.............................................................
Miscellaneous contracting............................................ .
114
11
27
6, 984
328
1, 607
- 9 .3
-3 4 .9
-1 5 .2
+ 31.4
-1 7 .3
+ 4 .1
152
8,919
-1 1 .7
+23.8
1,503
418, 217
+ .3
+ 2 .4
T o ta l................................... ..............................................
T otal, all industries................................ ................. .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 868]
121
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT
Iowa
The following figures from the February, 1926, issue of the Iowa
Employment Survey, published by the bureau of labor of that State,
show changes in volume of employment in Iowa from January to
February, 1926:
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN IO W A , JA N U A R Y TO F E B R U A R Y , 1926
Employees on
pay roll F ebru
ary, 1926
N um
Per cent
ber of
of in
firms
crease
re
p o rt N u m (+ ) or de
(—)
ing
ber crease
compared
w ith
January,
1926
In d u stry
Food a nd k indred products:
M eat packing_________
Cereals______ _____ ___
F lour......... __................ .
C onfectionery..................
P oultry , produce, b utter, e tc ............................
Sugar, sy ru p , starch,
glucose, etc____ _____
O ther food pro d u cts___
Total
Em ployees on
pay roll F eb ru
ary, 1926
... .
7
3
3
7
7
o, 870
1, 226
97
7fig
362
- 6 .3
+ 1.7
0.0
- 40
+ 2 .5
11
963
- 9 .8
2
9
586
340
- 4 .9
-.3
49 10, 212
—4. 9
Textiles:
Clothing, m en 's_______
8
2
789
175
+ 5 .5
2 8
Clothing, w om en’s, and
woolen goods . ___
Hosiery, aw nings, e tc .. .
B uttons, p e arl_________
3
7
6
483
664
395
-3 .0
-.5
+14.2
Total ____________
26
2, 506
+2. 7
Iron and steel works:
F oundry a n d m achine
25
In d u stry
L eather products:
Shoes...............................
Saddlery and h a rn e ss .. .
F u r goods and ta n n in g ..
Gloves and m itte n s____
2
7
5
3
212
350
136
257
+14.6
+ 9 .4
0.0
+20.7
T o ta l...........................
17
955
+11.8
Paper products, printing,
and publishing:
Paper and its p ro d u c ts..
Printing and publishing.
4
14
201
2,003
-1 3 .0
+ .9
Total _____ __
18
2, 204
-.6
P aten t medicines and
com pounds .................
7
339
+ 1 .5
Stone and clay products:
C em ent, plaster, gypsu m ________ ________
Brick and tile (clay)___
M arble a n d granite,
crushed rock, and
6
13
1, 191
428
-.8
+16.9
74
+ 7 .2
.......................
22
1,693
+ 3 .5
Tobacco and cigars..............
5
172
+ 1 .2
5
3, 120
+11.0
5
3
7
2
178
152
1
l ’ 120
+ 8 .5
+ 1.3
23
8
22
1, 109
215
2,216
-2 .6
+ 1.4
+ 3.1
73
7, 133
+ 2 .5
Total
1 844
-H 8
B ra ss a n d b ro n z e
products, p lum bers’
snnnlies.
_
6
316
- 7 .6
R ailw ay car shops . . . ___
engines______________
Furnaces______________
P um ps
__________
A gricultural im plem ents
W ashing m achines. . .
5
6
3
10
6
2, 277
534
329
1,295
580
-1 8 .3
+2.1
+ .6
+ 7 .0
+ 8 .0
Various industries:
A utomobile tires and
tu b e s .. ___________
Brooms and bru shes___
Laundries........... ...............
61
7,175
-4 . 8
T otal
.
_____
L um ber products:
M illwork, interiors, e tc ..
Furniture, desks, e t c ___
U ndertakers’ su p p lie s...
Carriages, wagons, e tc ...
T o ta l...........................
17
7
3
5
4
36
88369°—26t---- 9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3, 519
852
174
148
4,854
N um
ber of
Per cent
firms
of in
re
crease
p ort N u m (+ ) or de
ing
ber crease (—)
compared
w ith
January,
1926
+ 1.9
+ 2 .8
+ 10 3
+. 5
+ 8 .8
+ 2 .4
[S69]
Public s e rv ic e ______.
Wholesale houses______
Commission houses____
O ther in d u s trie s ........... .
Total
...................
319 40, 363
—l] 3
122
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Maryland
The following report on volume of employment in Maryland in
February, 1926, covering 45,062 employees and a pay roll totaling
$1,142,935.99, was furnished by the commissioner of labor and
statistics of Maryland:
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 IN M A R Y L A N D
IN F E B R U A R Y , 1926
E m ploym ent
In d u s try
E sta b
lishm ents N u m b er
reporting of em
for both ployees,
m onths
F eb ru
ary, 1926
B akery ................................ ............. _
Beverages and soft d rin k s___________________
Boots a n d shoes___________
Boxes, fancy and p ap er_____ ________
Boxes, w oöden.................................
Brass and bronze___ _______ _ _
Brick, tile, etc........ ..................
B rushes__ ___________
Car building and repairing. _____ ______
Chem icals_________ _
_ ____ _
Clothing, m en ’s outer garm ents___
Clothing, w om en’s outer g a rm e n ts ,.........
C onfectionery.......... .............. ................... ... _
C otton g oods.. ______ .
Fertilizer . _ ...................
Food p re p a ra tio n ..
Foun d ry
______
Furnishing goods, m en ’s_______ . . .
F u rn itu re _______________
Glass________________ .
Icecream .
...
Leather goods________________ ____ _
L ith o g ra p h in g __________ _____ .
L um ber and m ill w ork_______ . . . . . .
M attresses and spring beds_______ . . .
P a te n t m edicine_________________ . . .
Pianos______ ____ _
Plum bers’ s u p p lie s.. ................. ._ .
P rin tin g _______________ . .
R ubb er tire m anufacture_______ ____ ______
S h ip b u ild in g _______ ______ _________ .
S h i r t s ___ _______ ____ _________ . . .
Stam ping a n d enam eling w a re ._______________
T i n w a r e .. _________________________________
Tobacco........ ................ ...............................................
M iscellaneous.......................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4
3
6
9
3
4
5
tf
4
5
4
6
5
4
5
4
10
4
10
4
4
6
5
9
4
3
3
4
9
1
3
4
4
4
8
19
[870]
244
111
997
499
199
2,637
701
1,145
4 ,478
1,169
2,349
899
780
1,079
632
137
1,157
718
835
1,245
270
703
577
576
128
882
936
1, 304
1,166
2, 600
911
639
821
2,742
1,020
4,503
P a y roll
Per cent of
increase (+ )
or decrease A m ount,
F e b ru
( —) com
pared w ith ary, 1926
January,
1926
+ 0 .4
-.9
-.8
+ 3 .7
- 3 .4
- 4 .2
+ 2 .6
-.5
-1 .9
+ .9
+ .4
+ 2 .3
-3 .3
+ 3 .4
+ 1 .4
+ 1 .6
+ 1 .2
-12. 0
-1 . 1
+ 7.3
-1 0 .3
-1 4 . 7
-.3
+2. 0
+ 4.3
+ 2.3
+ 1 .6
+ 18.0
+ 8 .8
+ 7 .6
+ 3.3
-2 .6
-.5
$6,079
3,055
17,349
7, 461
3,895
59,215
18, 531
22, 297
14?; 106
32,166
60, 349
11, 669
10,067
19, 321
13, 930
3, 487
28,776
10, 338
22, 530
27, 755
8 988
14^ 972
16, 174
13, 699
3, 021
15, 565
27, 352
36, 847
41, 978
146, 966
25, 301
8,471
16,115
59, 585
15, 032
100,304
Per cent of
increase (+ )
or decrease
(—) com
pared w ith
January,
1926
+ 1 .2
+ 1 .0
- 2 .6
+ 5 .6
- 1 .6
- 5 .3
+ 7 .2
-f-11 3
- 2 .7
- 3 .6
- 7 .2
+ 1.9
+ 3 .5
+ .6
+ 7 .0
+ 2 .6
+ 4 .8
+ 2 .4
+6.1
-3 .0
q
+ 9!1
—3 . 8
- 12 .4
- 9 .9
+ 9 .9
+. 1
+ 4 .5
+ 3 .2
+41.5
—11.4
+ 1 .7
+ 3 .8
+ 1 .6
- 7 .2
+ 6.4
123
E M P L O Y M E N T AND U N E M P L O Y M E N T
Massachusetts
A press release from the Department of Labor and Industries of
Massachusetts shows the following changes in volume of employ
ment in various industries in that State from December, 1925, to
January, 1926:
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN 999 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN MAS
SACHUSETTS, WEEK INCLUDING OR ENDING NEAREST TO DECEMBER 15, 1925,
AND JANUARY 15, 1926
N u m ber of wage-earners employed
N um ber
of estab
lish
m ents
D ecember,
reporting
1925
In d u stry
Automobiles, including bodies and p a rts______ _
B ookbinding_______________________________
_
Boot a nd shoe cut stock and fin d in g s..
Boots a nd shoes___ __________ _________ _____
Boxes, p a p er...............
...
. ...
......
Boxes, wooden packing. . . .
..
.
_____
Bread and other bakery p ro d u cts_______ _ _____
C arpets an d rugs_____ ____ _ _. ______________
Cars and general shop construction and repairs,
steam railroads_____ _____________ __________
C lothing, m e n ’s.......................
. . . . . _____
C lothing, w om en’s __ _____________ _____ _____
...
....
Confectionery____ . .
Copper, tin , sheet iron, e tc ___ _. __________ ___
C otton goods________________________________ .
____ ____ _ __________
C utlery a n d tools____
D yeing an d finishing, te x t i l e s . ..___ ___________
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s, and supplies _ .
F oundry products .
. . .
. . . .
F u rn itu re
______ ... . . . __________ _________
Gas and b y -p ro d u c ts.. . . .
... . . . .
H osiery a n d k n it goods_______ _____ _______ . . .
Jew elry_______________________________________
L eather, tan n ed , curried, and finished. _
M achine-shop products______ ___________ ____
M achine to o ls ..
____ . . . . . . . .
M usical in stru m e n ts___________________________
___
P aper an d wood p u lp ___ . . . _ .
P rin tin g an d publishing, book and job. . . . . .
P rin tin g an d publishing, new spaper
. . . ..........
R ubber footwear . .
.
. _____
R u b b er goods ______ ____ ___________ . . . _ . . .
Silk g oods._____ ___ ___________ . . . _ ______
Slaughtering an d m eat packing________ _______
S tationery goods ________ ___ _____
Steam fittings a n d steam and hot-w ater heating
ap p aratu s . .
............................
Stoves and stove linings. _ .i. __________________
T extile m achinery an d p a rts_____ , _____________
Tobacco____ _______________ ____ . . . ... ............
Woolen an d worsted goods______________________
All other in d u stries_____ ______________ _______
T otal, all industries_____ ________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 7 1 ]
Jan u ary , 1926
Full
tim e
Part
tim e
Total
18
15
46
70
27
12
51
5
3, 937
980
2,104
19,196
2, 291
1,183
3,845
3,738
1,194
558
1,081
6, 294
1,407
910
3,677
3,607
2,682
388
959
14,857
820
196
197
160
3,876
946
2,040
21,151
2,227
1,106
3,874
3, 767
4
30
35
13
16
55
25
8
14
27
33
13
12
37
25
44
23
12
21
39
19
3
7
10
5
8
2, 867
3, 868
1,482
3, 340
506
41,565
5,154
6, 736
11, 597
2,930
3, 757
1, 241
5| 262
3,040
4, 039
8,125
2,146
1,311
6,049
3, 368
2, 397
9,835
2,997
4,006
1,676
1, 736
2, 695
2,105
1,005
1,647
408
22, 640
4,940
921
11,999
2, 591
3,449
1,247
ÿ 071
2,615
2,960
7, 217
2, 092
1,229
4,813
2,382
2, 340
10,665
2, 847
1,779
307
1, 367
162
1, 798
583
1. 552
36
18, 440
264
5, 903
2,857
3,903
1,588
3,199
444
41,080
5,204
6,824
11, 999
2, 972
3,667
1,247
5,217
: 2, 9 4 1
4,082
8,182
2, 092
1,291
. 5,999
3,250
2, 340
10, 605
2, 929
3,982
1,740
1,367
9
5
14
56
128
2, 149
L 862
5, 098
744
19,871
30, 558
1,817
645
3, 084
616
10,135
17, 913
739
2, 117
109
9, 509
12, 438
1,817
1,384
5,20!
725
19,644
30, 351
999
238, 586
154, 269
84, 901
239,170
5
381
218
2,146
326
1,122
965
62
1,186
868
82
2,203
1, 433
124
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
New York
i
The New York State Department of Labor has furnished the
following tabulation of changes in employment and pay rolls in New
York State factories in January, 1926. The table is based on returns
from a fixed list of approximately 1,700 factories. The weekly pay
roll for the middle week of January was $14,867,989.
CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLL IN NEW YORK STATE FACTORIES
FROM JANUARY, 1825, AND DECEMBER, 1925, TO JANUARY, 1926
Per cent of increase (+ ) or decrease (—)
December, 1925, to
Jan u ary, 1926
In d u stry
E m ploy
m ent
C em en t____ ______________________________ ____ ____
B rick _____________________________________________
P o tte rv .......... ....... ............................. _.......................................
Glass______________________________________________
Pig iro n ___:_____________ ____________ ______ ____
S tructu ral iro n __________ _________________________ H a rd w are.. ................................................................................
Stam ped w are____ ____ _________ ____ _____ _____ ___
C u tle ry .. . . . _______________ _____________________ .
Steam and h o t w ater_______ ________ ________ ______ _
Stoves_____________ ______________________________
A gricultural im p le m e n ts ______________________ ____
Electrical m achinery, etc...................... .................................
F o u n d ry .________ _______ _______ _________ _______
A utos a n d p a rts _______________ _____ ________ ______
Cars, locomotives, e tc ___ _________________________
R ailw ay reuair sh o p s_______________ ___________ . .
M illw o rk______ ________
. _____________ . _____
Satvmills _____
_
__ ______________ ____
F u rn itu re an d cab in et w o rk . ________ ______ _____
F u rn itu re ____________ __ _
________________ _____
Piano s__ _____________ . . _____________ ____ _____
L e a th e r...
____ _ .
_____________________
Boots an d shoes___________________ _______ _____ ___
D rugs...... .................................................................................. i
P etro leu m . ___ a t ________________________________
P aper boxes
. . . ___________ ____________
P rintin g : N ew spapers
_______ _____ _____________
P rintin g : Book *and jo b .......... ................ .............. ................
Silk goods________ ____________ _______ ____________
C arp ets_______ ________ __________________________
W oolens__________________________________ _______
C otton goods______________________________________
C otton a n d w o o le n ______ . ________ . . __________
D yeing.
__ _______________ ____ ___________
M en ’s clothing
_____ ________ . . __________
Shirts and collars _________________________ ________
W om en’s clothing ________________________________
W om en’s headwear
. . ____________________
Floiir . . . ....................................................................... .........
Sugar
__ __ ___________________________
Slaughtering
_______ - .........................................
B read
_____________________________________
Confectionery _
_ _______________ _____
Cigars
____________________________
T o t a l ...............................................................................
- 5 .3
—28.6
+ .4
- 2 .5
+ 1 .7
- 1 .6
-.9
- 4 .1
-3 . 7
+ .7
+5. 2
+ 2 .9
- .7
-1 .3
- 2 .5
+ 8 .7
- 2 .4
-2 .2
- 6 .4
- .7
-. 1
- 2 .7
+ .8
+ .4
-.6
-. 1
- 2 .1
- 2 .1
+ 2 .2
+ .6
+ .3
-8 .7
+ 1 .1
- 1 .8
-.9
+10.7
-3 .0
+ 1 .3
-.9
+ .2
- 2 .4
-2 .0
- 2 .7
-7 .8
- 1 5 .6
-.8
P a y roll
- 9 .1
-3 1 .4
+ 1.1
-4 .0
+ .4
- 1 .9
-3 .6
- 4 .3
-4 .2
+ 1 .5
- 1 .9
+ 4 .0
+ .3
- 1 .7
- 2 .7
+10. 8
- 7 .7
-2 .6
-5 .2
-5 .2
-5 .6
-1 0 .1
+ 4 .2
+ .6
+ .3
-.9
- 4 .1
- 1 .3
+ 2 .1
-.3
+ 2 .0
-9 .2
+ 4 .6
-1 .2
—2.8
+21.1
- 4 .3
+ 3 .8
+ 9 .7
+ 3 .4
-2 .0
-.6
-3 .6
-1 0 .7
-1 2 .1
-.8
January, 1925, to
Jan u ary , 1926
E m ploy
m ent
P a y roll
+57.1
-.8
+ 7.3
+ 5.1
+ 3 .8
+14.8
+ 8 .4
- 4 .4
+15.8
+31. 2
+19.7
+11.2
+ 1.1
+16.3
- 2 .4
- 7 .6
- 2 .1
-2 0 .2
+ 3 .2
+ 3 .0
+ 1 .2
- 4 .7
+ 1 .7
+ 2 .9
- 8 .1
+ 1 .3
+10.2
-.6
+14.8
-.2
-5 .6
-1 0 .1
+ 8 .9
-5 .1
+ 9 .2
+ 2 .8
+ 6 .2
-6 .6
+ 1 .7
+28.7
- 5 .7
- 2 .4
+ 1 .4
-2 5 .0
+21.9
+83.7
+ 2 .4
+10.1
+ 6 .2
+10.3
+ 11.7
+11.8
+ 3 .4
+ 5 .9
+ 31.2
+20.4
+17.3
+ 6.1
+23.7
+ 1 .9
-5 .6
+. 2
-1 7 .7
+ 5 .8
+ 5 .2
+. 5
-1 .4
—2.6
+ 4 .2
-5 .4
+ 3 .8
+20.4
+ 1 .7
+18.4
—2.9
-1 1 .8
-1 1 .9
+ 8 .3
—8.0
+15. 0
+11.7
+ 4 .4
-3 .9
+ 3 .4
+25.9
-6 .2
-.9
+ 3 .1
-2 0 . 0
+ 3 .1
+ 5 .8
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Labor Market for January and February, 1926, is
sued by the State Industrial Commission, contains the following data
on volume of employment in Wisconsin industries in December, 1925,
and January, 1926:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[872]
125
E M PL O Y M E N T AND U N E M P L O Y M E N T
P E R C E N T OF C H A N C E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T OF
PA Y R O L L IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN W IS C O N S IN IN D U S T R IE S F R O M
D E C E M B E R , 1924, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1925, TO D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D F R O M JA N U A R Y
A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925, TO JA N U A R Y , 1926
Per cent of increase (+ ) or decrease ( —)
K in d of em ploym ent
N ovem ber to
D ecember,
1925
December,
1924, to D e
cember, 1925
December,
1925, to J a n
uary, 1926
Jan u ary , 1925,
to January,
1926
Em
ploy
m ent
Em
ploy
m ent
P ay
roll
Em
ploy
m ent
Em
ploy
m ent
-.6
+ 2 .7
+13.1
-1 2 .2
+7. 8
+ 3 .8
-8 .9
+5. 1
+5. 2
-1 . 2
- 5 .9
-3 . 7
+25. 5
+42.2
-8 . 0
+ 1. 1
+6. 1
—2. 5
+21.3
-9 . 7
+ 10.9
-4 . 4
+15.4
+ 14. 0
-8 . 7
+16. 2
-2 . 5
+41. 6
+ 1 .8
+ 8 .0
+2. 0
-4 . 5
—15. 7
+ 12. 8
+ 9 .9
+ 4 .5
+ .3
+ .3
-.3
+9. 1
-9 . 9
+ 1 .7
+ 1.7
+2. 1
-2 . 6
+ 4 .1
+5. 4
+ 3 .7
+11.1
+. 8
+5. 0
-3 . 1
-.8
-6 .2
+26.6
+45.8
-1 9 .4
+39.6
+17. 5
+ 9 .4
+ 3 .9
+50. 8
+43.8
+72. 1
+1.1
+24.3
+9. 1
+3. 4
+25. 5
-1 .8
+12. 5
-7 . 5
+29. 0
+28. 7
-6 . 7
+10.1
+8. 7
+49. 2
-1 7 .3
+ 4 .3
+ 7 .0
-. 3
-1 9 . 7
+18.4
+13. 8
+ 9 .4
+ 8 .6
-4 . 9
+2. 5
+16. 5
-1 5 . 4
+15. 5
+9. 0
+ 10. 3
-4 . 2
+14. 2
+9. 1
+ 11. 3
+5. 0
+11. 0
+2. 4
-1 9 . 5
+• 1
+7. 7
+50.1
+25. 6
-1 6 . 1
+34. 0
+ 19. 5
+17. 5
+ 2 .8
+4. 8
-K 8
+ 1.8
-2 . 5
-4 . 8
-. 4
-6 . 3
-2 3 .0
+ .6
+ .9
+ .7
-11. 2
+3. 0
-3 . 0
+4. 0
+• 3
-4 . 6
+5. 6
+4. 7
+4. 3
+ 12.6
+2. 0
+ 7 .0
+. 2
—. 7
-.4
+ 2 .9
-3 . 2
- 1 .5
- 6 .9
-. 1
+• 3
+ 1. 6
-6 . 2
+ .6
-1 . 3
-.9
-4 . 7
+4. 5
-1 0 . 0
—15. 4
-3 . 8
+6. 4
-42. 8
- 2 .6
+26.3
-2 6 . 6
-8 . 9
-2 . 7
- 2 .0
-7 .2
+6. 5
+6. 8
-.4
Pay
roll
P ay
roll
P ay
roll
M anual
A griculture ...............
Logging-M ining ______ _ ________ _ _______ + 6 .5
Lead and zinc
_ . . . . _________
+7. 1
Iro n -- _____________ _ -_
+ 4 .6
Stone crushing an d q u a r r y in g __________ -20. 7
M anufacturing__________________________ + .9
Stone and allied industries
-5 . 2
Brick, tile an d cem ent blocks ___ [—36. 8
Stone finishing_______ _________ +19. 1
M etal______________________________ + 1. 8
Pig iron a n d rolling-mill products ___ +3. 3
S tru ctu ral-iro n w o rk
. . . . - 3 .9
Foundries a n d m achine shops_____ + 3.1
R ailroad repair sh o p s. .
Stoves_____ _____ _______________ +6. 6
A lum inum an d enam elw are______ + 3 .0
M achinery______________________ +4. 2
A utom obiles________ ._ _____ __ - 6 . 4
O ther m etal p ro d u c ts____ ________ + 4 .8
W ood. . _________
+• 1
+ .8
Sawmills a n d planing m ills______
Box factories____________________ - 1 .7
Panel and veneer m ills.. _________ + 1 .6
Sash, door, a n d interior fin ish -. . . .
F u rn itu re ________________ ______ + 1.0
O ther wood p ro d u c ts.:___________ -4 . 3
R ubber ____________________ ______ -1 . 6
L eather ............................................. _ _ + 1.5
T a n n in g _____________ ___________ +4.1
Boots an d shoes__________ ______ - 2 .3
O ther leather p ro d u c ts. _________ + 3.3
P aper. . . ________________
—1. 7
—. 7
Paper a n d p u lp m ills_________ . . .
Paper boxes___________ ____ _ . - 4 .3
O ther paper products _____ ______ +4.1
Textiles _________ ___________ __
+• 7
H osiery an d o th er k n it goods........... + 1 .0
C lothing
............... ...
-. 2
O ther textile p ro d u cts____________ + 1.5
F o o d s ... . .
____■._
+2. 8
M eat packing...... .............................. . +20.2
B aking an d confectionery ______ - 3 . 2
M ilk products .......... ...............
-.7
C anning an d preserving____ ___ -1 3 .6
Flour m ills _____________________ +17. 9
-.9
Tobacco m an u factu rin g___ ____;
O ther food p ro d u c ts.. ___________ + 4 .6
L ight and power _______ _____________ +1.1
Printing an d publishing ............... - -. + 1 .2
L aundering, cleaning, and dyeing_____ + .2
Chem ical (including soap, glue a n d exp lo siv e s)........................ ............. ............ - 5 .7
C onstruction:
B uildin g ..................... ................................. -1 0 .6
H ighw ay_______
—29. 4
R ailroad____ ____ _______ ______ . . . -1 7 .0
M arine, dredging, sewer-digging ____ +25. 7
Com m unication:
Steam railw ays _______ __________ . . . -1 5 .0
Electric railw ays_________ _______ - - 3 .5
Express, telephone, and teleg rap h -. . . • - . 8
W holesale tra d e __________ _______ ______ - 5 .4
-3 . 2
H otels and re stau ran ts.
+16.7
+14.8
+22.0
-1 2 .8
+1. 1
—12. 5
-2 9 . 5
-5 . 6
+. 8
+8. 2
-7 . 9
+4. 5
+1. 0
-2 .2
+ 4 .1
+9.1
-1 1 .3
- 7 .3
+ 1 .0
-1 .9
- 9 .0
+ 7 .1
-.4
+ 9 .1
- 2 .3
+9. 2
+ 1.6
+ 5 .3
-6 . 2
+9. 7
+ .5
+ .9
-3 .8
+ 1 .4
-1 . 6
-1 . 0
-4 . 1
+ 1.9
-3 . 0
-1 6 . 6
- 1 .4 +25. 3
- 1 .8 +42.3
-.4
- 9 .8
-1 5 .9
+2. 1
-3 . 1
+ 4.7
-3 . 7
-3 . 1
-2 8 . 2 +25.3
-9 . 5
+ 3 .7
+ .2
+ 9.7
- .9
-9 . 2
-1 3 .3
- 4 .0
- 3 . 1 +13. 5
- 7 . J -10. 2
- 5 . 3 +25. 1
-1 3 .9
-5 . 1
-1 4 .0 +31.3
+32. 7
+ 8 .8
+16. 7
+ 7 .0
-3 . 3
+ 1 .6
+ 9 .7
+• l
+2. 6
-9 .0
- 1 . 9 +11. 2
-9 . 7
+ 5 .9
-11. 2
-. 1
-9 . 5
- 2 .6
+4. 5
-1 . 6
- 8 .7
- 6 .7
- 2 .6
+ 3 .5
-18. 1 -2 0 .9
-6 .0
+ 4 .5
-4 . 1
+1. 7
-3 . 8
+ 2.3
-4 .0
- 4 .8
- 5 .3
+ 4 .7
-3 . 5
+ 2.3
- 6 .8
+ 3.1
+ 2 .4
-.3
-.2
+ 1.5
-9 . 3
+3. 2
- 3 .9
- 5 .3
-4 . 8
+ .8
-3 . 6
-5 . 2
-4 8 . 0
- 6 .6
- 2 . 1 +39.3
+ 6 .8 +30.3
-1 8 . 2 +13.0
-1 1 . 5 +16.9
- 9 .3
+7. 5
+ 1 .5
+ 1 .6
+18.4
+ 1.7
+ .5
-5 . 8
+ 8 .0
+. 5
+ 6.7
-2 .0
—1. 7
-1 1 .8
-1 .6
-2 9 .3
+ 4 .5
+6. 5
+ 6 .9
- 2 .5
+ 12. 2
+ 6 .9
+ 18. 2
-7 . 1
+8. 4
+5. 4
+ 6 .4
+ 1.8
-3 . 1
-6 . 4
+29.7
+21. 0
+14.4
+ 14. 2
+10. 5
+ 3 .0
+5. 8
+ 10.7
+14.9 - 7 . 0 -1 9 . 1 +18.7
-1 4 . 2
-1 4 . 9 -65. 2
-1 . 4
-1 3 .1 - 7 . 3 -1 2 . 6
-2
1
.3
+100.0
+66. 4 -26. 1
+ 4 .5
-2 2 .3
-1 .6
+ 195.4
+ 2 .6 +3. 5
-3 .3 .- 1 . 6
- 6 . 6 - 3 .8
-2 . 9 -7 . 1
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .5
- 1 .8
- 9 .4
-4 .0
-1 .8
+. 3
+ 3 .2
-1 1 .2
- 7 .7
- . 2 +2. 1 + 5 .9
+ .6
- 1 . 4 -1 2 .8 - 6 .3
+ .7 + 1 .8
- 3 . 6 + 4 .7 + 6 .6 1-7-1. 3 + 2 .4
+1. 0 +6. 2 +13. 2 - 1 .6 -1 4 .6
+ 8 .6 +24: 3 +22.3 -1 9 . 4 -1 5 .1
- 7 .7 +11. 4 -1 1 .8 - 1 . 8 +19. 8
-3 . 4
-5 .9
-1 0 .7
+ 3 .7
+4. 7
+12.9
+ 6 .1
-8 .2
-1 4 .2
+ 6 .2
+• 5
-1 0 .8 - 2 . 9
+35.3 -3 8 .6
-1 4 .4 - 3 .5 - 3 . 5
+ 1 .6 - 6 . 1 + 4 .6
- . 8 -1 0 .6 -1 0 . 5
-5 .2 -4 .2 -4 .8
-6 . 9
-. 2
-18. 6
-2 . 2
+42.0
+56. 7
+ 14.6
+16.3
+ 7 .0
+ 2 .4
+21.0
-.8
+13. 2
-7 .5
+10.5
+19. 6
-j. 8
+40.7
-6 . 0
+30. 5
N onm anual
M anufacturing, mines» arid quarries
-.8
C onstruction__________ ____ ___________ + 2 .0
C om m unication.......................... ... ..................
-1 . 6
W holesale tra d e ____ - . _______ ________ + 3 .0
R etail trad e—sales force only. .
______ _ +13.4
M iscellaneous professional services___ _
+ 2 .8
H otels a nd restaurants
- .3
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[873]
+ 2 .8
+ 2 .2
+ 8.1
+ 3 .3
+13, 2
-1 2 .8
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
126
Austrian Law Restricting Employment of Alien Workers 1
N VIEW of the extensive unemployment prevailing in Austria, the
Austrian Parliament on December 19, 1925, passed a law re
stricting the employment of alien manual and nonmanual work
ers, and effective during the period of unusual unemployment.
Beginning January 1, 1926, no employer may, without official per
mission, give employment to a manual worker, salaried employee,
domestic servant, or apprentice who is not an Austrian citizen and who
has not resided continuously in the Republic since January 1, 1923.
Aliens who came to Austria after January 1, 1923, may retain their
present positions, but if after January 1, 1926, they lose their positions
and seek other employment, their new employers must obtain the
permission of the proper authorities before employing them. The
Federal chancellery has power to grant such permission, consulting, if
necessary, with the Federal ministries interested. In the case of
employment of alien agricultural or forestal workers the Federal
chancellery may, in agreement with the Ministry for Agriculture and
Forestry, authorize the governor of a Province to grant permits. As
regards' other workers the chancellery may delegate to the industrial
district commissions the right to grant permits for the employment
of aliens.
The Federal chancellery may, in agreement with the Federal
ministries interested, decree by ordinance that the provisions of
the present law shall not be applicable to certain groups of employees,
to wit:
I
(a) Employees in international transportation service.
(b ) Agricultural laborers and farm servants.
(c)
Certain groups of persons to w h °se occupation the law of July 13, 1922,
relating to theatrical contracts applies (theater directors, actors with speaking
parts, solo singers, dramaturgists, and band masters).
( d)
Certain occupational groups of alien workers, especially in new branches of
industry, if their employment appears possible in view of the situation of the labor
market and desirable in the interests of national economy.
The provisions of the present law are applicable to citizens of those
States with which international agreements concerning the employ
ment of alien workers have been concluded only in so far as no pro
visions to the contrary are contained in such international agreements.
If another State treats Austrian nationals more unfavorably in the
matter of employment than the present law, the Austrian Federal
Government ma;y decree that the regulations of the present law be
also applied to citizens of the State in question even if they would
otherwise be excluded from the effects of the law by reason of the
fact that they have been residing and employed in Austria for a period
antedating January 1, 1923, and if permission has already been
granted them to work in Austria, such permission may be revoked.
The working classes in Austria desired that during the present
serious unemployment all classes of alien workers should be barred
from employment, but the agricultural interests desired an exemption
permitting the seasonal immigration of harvest hands, large numbers
of Slovaks being employed every year at harvest work in the agri
cultural districts of Austria. In accordance with the law the Federal
chancellery issued on December 31, 1925, an order exempting from
! A rb eit u n d W irtschaft, V ienna, Jan . 1, 1926, p. 19, and Jan. 15, 1926, p. 63.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[874]
127
E M P L O Y M E N T AND U N E M P L O Y M E N T
its provisions employees of international carriers, agricultural workers
and farm servants, theater directors, actors, solo singers, dramatur
gists and band masters.
Increase of Unemployment in Germany and New Regulation of Unem
ployment Relief
N JULY 1, 1925, the totally unemployed persons in Germany
who received pecuniary unemployment relief numbered only
195,099. Since then unemployment has steadily increased
from month to month, due to decreasing consumption, shortage of
capital, and increasing difficulties in obtaining credit. These factors
have for a considerable time exercised an adverse influence upon busi
ness, but their influence upon the labor market began somewhat
later and at first was hardly noticeable. On October 1 the unem
ployed in receipt of relief numbered only 266,078. Beginning with
that date, however, unemployment increased rapidly and since
December it has increased by leaps and bounds. On January 15,
1926, the number of unemployed in receipt of relief had reached a
total of 1,762,305, not including 40,781 persons employed at emer
gency works.
The following table compiled by the German Statistical Office 1
illustrates the growth of unemployment from July 1, 1925, to Janu
ary 15, 1926:
O
NUM BER
OF T O T A L L Y U N E M P L O Y E D P E R S O N S R E C E IV IN G
R E L IE F , JU L Y 1, 1925, TO JA N U A R Y 15, 1926
D ate
Males
Fe
males
Total
Ju ly 1, 1925___________
Ju ly 15, 1925__________
Aug. 1, 1925__________
Aug. 15, 1925_________
Sept. 1, 1925__________
Sept. 15, 1925_________
Oct. 1, 1925___________
172,896
175,622
175, 555
187, 886
208,895
229, 740
244,132
22, 203
22,400
21, 693
21, 789
21, 832
21, 790
21,946
195, 099
198, 022
197, 248
209,675
230, 727
251, 530
266, 078
D ate
UNEM PLO Y M EN T
Males
F e
males
T otal
298,872
Oct. 15, 1925_____ ----- 273, 573 25,299
363,961
N ov. 1, 1925__________ 333,065 30, 896
473,4.54
N ov. 15, 1925_______ _ 432,469 40, 985
673,315
Dec. 1, 1925__________ 613,712 59, 603
Dec. 15, 1925_________ 967, 245 93,152 1,060,397
Jan . 1, 1926.- ________ 1,325,052 160,879 1,485,931
Jan. 15, 1926__________ 1,550,706 211, 599 1, 762,305
A more recent report ( Wirtschaft und Statistik) shows that by
February 15, 1926, the number of totally unemployed in receipt of
unemployment relief had increased to 2,058,853, and that 32.5
persons out of every 1,000 of the German population were in receipt
of unemployment relief on February 1, 1926. In Greater Berlin
alone the totally unemployed persons in receipt of relief numbered
138,304 on that date.
The total cost of unemployment relief during December, 1925,
was 60,500,692 marks,2 according to provisional returns.
Returns from trade-unions show that at the end of January, 1926,
22.6 per cent of the trade-union members were totally unemployed
and that 22.6 per cent worked short time. The corresponding
figures on December 31, 1925, were 19.4 and 19.1, respectively, and
on January 31, 1925, they were 8.1 and 4.7.
1G erm any. Statistisches R eich sam t.
2 Gold m a rk =23.8 cents.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W irtschaft u n d S ta tistik , Berlin, Jan. 15, 1926, p. 21.
[875]
128
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
New Regulation of Unemployment Relief
A S A result of the great increase of unemployed the German
1 Government issued three orders 3 amending the unemployment
relief order of February 16, 1924. The first of these orders, dated
January 18, 1926, deals with unimportant administrative details.
The second order, with the same date, provides for the establishment
of a Federal adjustment fund (Reichsausgleichskasse) for distributing
the financial burden of unemployment relief over the whole country.
The third order, dated January 21, 1926, but effective January 1,
1926, brings nonmanual workers with salaries not exceeding 6,000
marks per annum within the scope of the unemployment relief scheme
and requires them and their employers to pay contributions. Previ
ously only those nonmanual workers who were subject to obligatory
sickness insurance (those having salaries up to 2,700 marks) were
eligible for relief.
The second order referred to above provides that the contributions
of employers and workers to unemployment relief are, in future, to
serve two purposes: (1) The relief of unemployment within the
individual States, and (2) the equalization of the financial burden
over the whole country, for which purpose a part of the contributions
levied in the different States is to be paid into a Federal adjustment
fund at the Federal employment department. (The basic order of
February 16, 1924, made permissible the establishment of a State
and Federal adjustment fund, but not all the States took advantage
of this provision, and no Federal adjustment fund was set up.)
The total contribution of emplovers and employed, except under
certain conditions, may not exceed 3 per cent of the basic wage as
fixed for sickness insurance. The amount of the contribution (to be
fixed by the administrative council of the Federal employment
department) which is to be paid into the Federal adjustment fund
is not to exceed one-half of 1 per cent, of the basic wage, except in
certain circumstances (mentioned below) and with the special sanction
of the Federal Council. This contribution to the Federal adjustment
fund is to be levied even in States where it has not been found neces
sary to levy contributions for the relief of unemployment.
if in any calendar month the funds raised by a State employment
office for unemployment relief are inadequate to cover the total
expenditure, and if for a period of at least a month the maximum
contributions have been paid over the whole district, the Federal
employment department is to make up the deficit from the Federal
adjustment fund, or if its resources are inadequate to make up the
whole deficit, a proportion thereof is to be paid.
The Federal adjustment fund is to be maintained at an amount
sufficient to cover the relief payable to 200,000 unemployed workers
for three months. If, however, the amount available should fall
below this level. or if the Federal Government, with the approval
of the Federal Council, should decide that the fund is in danger of
falling below this level, the administrative council of the Federal
employment department must fix a uniform unemployment relief
contribution for the whole of Germany. Advantage "has already
been taken of this clause. On January 25, 1926, the unemployment
8 G erm any.
R eichsarbeitsm inisterium .
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R erehsarbeitsblatt, Berlin, Jan. 24, 1926, pp. 22, 23.
[876]
E M P L O Y M E N T AND U N E M P L O Y M E N T
129
relief committee appointed by the administrative council of the
Federal employment department ordered that from February 1, 1926,
a uniform rate of contribution of 3 per cent of the basic wage should
be fixed for all Germany and that the Federal share should be 1 per
cent, or one-third of the total contributions. The amount thus
levied is still to be divided into two parts, one for the relief
of unemployment in the State and the other to be paid into the
Federal adjustment fund; but any surplus remaining in the hands
of the State after the State’s needs have been met (less an amount
equal to the expenditure of the two previous weeks) is to be remitted
monthly to the Federal fund. This uniform contribution is to be
abolished as soon as the reason for establishing it ceases to exist.
The provisions of the order of March 16, 1924, relating to subsidies
for the relief of unemployment to be paid by the Federal and State
Governments, do not come into force until the Federal adjustment
fund is exhausted.
The second order of January 18, 1926, came into force on
February 1, 1926. It is to be repealed when the unemployment
insurance bill at present pending has been enacted into law and
becomes effective, or at latest on March 31, 1927.
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[877]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE
Accident Rates in Underground Work in Metal Mines in the United
States, 1922 to 1924
T
HE United States Bureau of Mines in its review of mine fatali
ties in January, 1926, publishes the following very interesting
table:
S E V E R IT Y A N D F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S , U N D E R G R O U N D A N D S H A F T A C C ID E N T S ,
IN U N IT E D S T A T E S M E T A L M IN E S
Code
1
num ber of mine,
order of severity
. 66
.75
.76
.82
.86
1.02
1. 16
1. 37
1. 67
2. 78
3.03
3.04
3. 16
3.39
3. 48
3. 62
4. 65
4. 73
4. 77
4. 84
4. 96
5.00
5.04
_.
2.
3..
4..
5.
0-
7_.
8
Severity Frequen
cy rate
in I rate (per
(per
1,000
1,000,000
! hours ex
hours
ex
posure)
posure)
.
9..
10.
11 .
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
97. 3
50. 4
66. 6
49. 6
65.0
24 7
193. 5
112. 1
46. 6
126. 7
217.3
139. 7
69. 8
61. 5
321. 9
259. 4
244. 8
364. 5
188. 3
115. 4
89. 6
302. 1
107. 7
Code num ber of m ine in
order of severity
24_____
25____________ . .
26__________
27_________
28__________________
29______
30_____________
31____________
32____________________
33___________
34__________
35_____________
....
36___________
37______________ . . .
38__________
39______________ . . . .
..
40_____________
41___________
42___________
4 3 ......... ................
......
Average, 43 m ines_____
Average, all m etal m in e s ...
Severity Frequen
ra te
rate (per cy(per
1,000
1
,
000,000
hours ex
posure) hours ex
posure)
5 10
5. 10
5 12
5, 19
5. 24
6. 05
6. 06
6 24
6. 42
6. 57
6. 75
6.81
6. 94
7. 27
7.31
7. 56
7. 57
7. 63
7. 74
7.92
87. 6
167. 6
178. 7
96. 8
115. 5
401. 5
248. 6
100. 7
103.5
51. 5
139.9
5. 64
14. 97
138. 3
151.9
46. 7
252. 2
181.3
31. 5
149. 0
139. 4
469. 7
466. 1
122. 2
The above table covers 43 mines chosen because of the excellent
safety work which has been done in them. The man hours of ex
posure number 65,090,896, the accidents 9,004, and the injuries are
équivalent to a loss of 366,822 days.
It may be remarked (1) that the rates shown for the best of these
selected mines are high compared with other industries; that is, the
inherent hazards of mining are high and the successful meeting of
them is a very worthy achievement.
(2) While there are many irregularities it is broadly true that the
mines with the lowest accident severity rates are also those with the
lowest frequency rates.
(3) In these 43 mines the influence of active safety work may be
inferred from the fact that in them the average severity rate is 5.64,
while for all metal mines in the United States it is 14.97.
130
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[878]
IN D U ST R IA L ACCIDENTS AND H Y G IE N E
131
Sickness Among industrial Employees 1
TATISTICS of the extent of disabling illness among industrial
employees have been furnished to the United States Public
Health Service by a number of industrial mutual benefit
associations and company relief departments and by plant medical
departments2 for the years 1920 to 1924, and a series of articles on
the frequency of disabling illness among industrial workers, based on
these data, have been published in the Public Health Reports. The
present report gives the sickness frequency rates for the year 1924
for disability which rendered employees unable to work for eight
consecutive days or longer.
The reports furnished to the Public Health Service do not include
industrial accidents nor do they include all disabling illness, since
most of the associations reporting refuse benefits for certain diseases
and for illness resulting from the violation of any civil law or from
willful or gross negligence. There are certain other rules also govern
ing payment of benefits and eligibility to membership which operate
to exclude other cases of sickness and to keep the older employees
out of the associations, so that the statistics presented are probably
understatements of the amount of serious sickness.
_
During the year 1924 there were 10,948 cases causing disability
of 8 days or longer in a group of 114,065 male industrial workers
employed in different industries. The leading cause of serious
disability was influenza and grippe, accounting for 18 per cent of all
the sickness claims. During recent years, the report states, no other
disease has been so disastrous from the standpoint of interrupted
production, wages lost, and cost to sick-benefit associations, and
any considerable reduction in its frequency even in nonepidemic
years would mean the elimination of thousands of days of disability
for American wage earners. For the five years ending December
31, 1924, the frequency rate for this disease was 6.6 times the fre
quency of the epidemic, endemic, and infectious diseases against
which health work is so largely directed. . . .
1 1
The next most important cause of disability in 1924 and. a^so m
the two preceding years was nonindustrial accidents. It appears
from the rates for these years that the trend of nonindustrial acci
dents is upward, due, without doubt, to the increasing number of
automobile accidents. Acute and chronic rheumatism, diseases of
the stomach and diarrhea, and diseases of the pharynx, all having
practically the same frequency, formed the next most important
groups; while appendicitis was more frequent than pneumonia, fhe
rate for pulmonary tuberculosis was not much above the general
death rate for this disease, due probably to the fact that many of
those who are tubercularly inclined either do not get into industry
or leave before they are actually incapacitated.
A compilation of the annual incidence rates for different diseases
and disease groups for the five years ending December 31, 1924,
shows that respiratory diseases, including influenza and grippe,
pulmonary tuberculosis, and diseases of the pharynx, accounted mi
47 per cent of all the cases of sickness. The respiratory diseases
S
1U n ite d States P u b lic H ealth Service. Public H ealth Reports, Jan . 22, 1926, pp. 113-131: “ Sickness
among in d u strial employees.”
2 See L abor Review, issues of M ay, 1921, p. 126; April, 1923, p. 123, a n d January, 1925, pp. 150-152.
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132
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
also account chiefly for the seasonal variation in the incidence rate
of sickness since the nonrespiratory diseases as a group show slight
seasonal variation.
A comparison of the sickness frequency according to sex shows that
the women who were members of the sick-benefit associations had
44 per cent more sickness than the men during the three years ending
December 31, 1924, although these reports cover, in'm ost cases,
benefits paid only for diseases which are common to both sexes.
When the waiting period for sickness benefits is less than one week
the difference is even more marked and the records of industrial
medical departments indicate that the disability rate for women
may be nearly twice the male rate when all sickness causing absence
from work for one day or longer is included.
d he frequency of different diseases and groups of diseases is shown
for men in the iron and steel industry, in public utilities, and in a
group of miscellaneous industries. The highest disability rate was
found among the men in the public utilities. In this industry the
rate was high for practically all ailments, there being no one specific
disease or disease group which stood out as accountable for the
high frequency rate. The lowest rate was found in the iron and
steel industry, where the frequency rate was especially low for
diseases of the nervous system and the digestive system and for
bronchitis, influenza, and grippe. Because of the heavy nature
of the work in this industry there is evidently a selective process
of recruitment and dismissal which results in the employment of
physically stronger workers. The pneumonia rate was so high
among these workers, however, that it suggested the desirability
of a special study of pneumonia morbidity and mortality in this
industry.
Severity rates were computed for those reporting associations
which had the same benefit period and while the number was too
few to be conclusive it showed that certain disease groups are much
more important from the standpoint of the amount of time lost than
from their frequency of occurrence. These groups included diseases
of the nervous system, of the circulatory system, and of the genito
urinary system, while “ influenza and grippe” were important from
the point of view both of frequency and of severity.
T uberculosis as an Industrial Health Problem
hi address delivered at the twenty-first annual meeting of the
National Tuberculosis Association, 1925, by Dr. Emery R.
H ayhurst1 stresses the importance of tuberculosis as an
industrial health problem. The health of the forty-odd million
workers in the United States is of the highest importance to our
national welfare and the loss of an average of nine days by each
worker on account of sickness means an unnecessary amount of
disablement and economic loss, as it has been shown by various
analyses that probably half of this disability could be prevented by
utilization of the means and knowledge now at hand.
A
1
H ay h u rst, E m ery R..: W hy industrial health is a tuberculosis problem . (R eprinted from N ational
1 uberculosis Association, Transactions of tw enty-first annual meeting, 1925, pp. 4 3 4 -4 4 1 .)
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[8 8 0 ]
IN D U ST R IA L ACCID EN TS AND H Y G IE N E
133
The recognition by many industrial establishments of the impor
tance of workers’ disability as a factor in production is shown by a
recent study by the National Industrial Conference Board, in which
255 plants out of 446 covered by the survey were found to be giving
physical examinations to applicants for employment, the examina
tions in most cases being used as a guide in selecting and placing
workers. In only 11 establishments were the physical examinations
found to have been discontinued, while there has been an extension
of the medical supervision furnished by the medical departments of
the plants covered by the survey into the fields of plant hygiene and
sanitation as well as safety, general welfare, home visiting, and
health education.
Tuberculosis cases varying from 0.2 to 2.5 per cent of those ex
amined have been reported in a number of large establishments.
These percentages approximate the average of 1 per cent active
cases and 1 per cent arrested cases which were found in the typical
population by the Framingham Demonstration. In one textile
mill where physical examinations were in force the results of the
examinations were said to be a 14 per cent increased production by
6 per cent fewer workers than were employed previously. In this
case also the hours were reduced from 56 to 48 per week and there
was an improvement in the quality of work as well as in the quantity.
In another instance quoted by the writer much less time was lost
by a group of 100 arrested tuberculosis cases having had sanitarium
treatment, who were employed by a large public utility company,
than bv 100 others in a control group. “ Its members had learned
the secret of healthful living in the hard school of experience while
those of the other group had not.”
There is said to be a tendency on the part of workers who are
conscious of a possibility of developing tuberculosis to avoid places
where a physical examination is given and to seek work in other
establishments, particularly small ones, where there is no such health
supervision. Doctor Ilayhurst holds that while industry can not be
held responsible for the development of tuberculosis during employ
ment in predisposed persons, the employer is responsible who gives
employment to such individuals without physical examination or
subsequent medical care.
Small industrial establishments, that is, those employing 500 or
less workers, employ over 60 per cent of all the wage earners, and yet
these plants are largely without medical service. The Philadelphia
Health Council and Tuberculosis Committee has made a survey of
industrial medical services and has given physical examinations in
small plants 1 in that city. Of 873 plants which answered the ques
tionnaire sent out by the committee only 46 reported ‘complete
medical service, consisting of a dispensary, a physician, and a nurse.
The physical examination of employees m the smaller plants which
has been carried on by this committee showed a rate of 1.7 per cent
tuberculosis among 1,807 workers examined. The examinations so
far show that factory workers have more defects, especially of a
serious character, than office and other workers, and in some instances
the tuberculosis rate is twice as great among the factory employees.
Various other studies confirm these findings and a recent analysis of
1
Sec L abor R eview , issues of Jan u ary , 1925, p p . 155, 156, and Septem ber, 1925, pp. 134, 135.
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[ 881 ]
134
M O N T H L Y LABOE REVIEW
absenteeism in a large establishment showed that sickness caused
20 times as many cases of absenteeism as accidents and 7 times as
much loss of time from work.
It has been pointed out by different authorities in the last few
years that the check in the general decline of tuberculosis is due to
the fact that workers’ rates for tuberculosis are not decreasing in
the same proportion as those for other classes. The reasons for this
condition are summed up by Doctor ITayhurst as follows: The indis
criminate hiring and placing of individuals without physical exami
nation; failure to investigate remote causes of illnesses and absences;
the placement of juveniles in quiet indoor jobs during their years of
adolescence, resulting in a lack of healthful exercise, risk of infections
from adults, etc.; widespread ignorance of the nutritive values of
food so that a large percentage of the working population subsists
on a diet lacking in vitamins and other necessary elements; and the
growth of quasiscientific health supervision as a result of the absence
of medical supervision in thousands of plants, together with the re
course to nostrums, to quacks, and to irregular practitioners of various
cults. Although the responsibility for unhealthful working conditions
rests upon the State, the control of the official machinery for super
vising the health of the workers is usually in the hands of untrained
persons, it is political in nature, and the number of inspectors is
usually so limited in number that they can not cover the field. In
this connection Doctor Hayhurst says:
Thirty-one States, including many of the great industrial States, are to-day
practically oblivious of the subject of industrial hygiene in official practice.
That which is being done in the remaining 17 States will bear very little scrutiny,
likewise, since no standards are set, as a rule, and practically every decision is
left to opinion or to “ adequate” provisions. Such provisions do not stand in
law and can never be enforced in respect to any employment. Statutes and
regulations must offer definite measurements to guide the employer. Further
more, in only 8 States are sanitary engineers employed; in only 6 States, industrial
or accident physicians; in only 2 States, chemists; while some 6 States only have
other trained inspectors for certain types of hygienic supervision. I found that
occupational diseases are presumed to be reported to labor departments in 9
States and to health departments in 21 States, representing a total of 25 States
altogether, since four were overlapping situations. In hardly a handful of these
States is anything done with or about occupational diseases after they are re
ported. Only 8 States reported occupational diseases to the Public Health
Service during the first quarter of 1924 and of the total of 313 cases reported, 182
or considerably over half came from the State of Ohio alone.
The methods of prevention of individual tuberculosis in industry
are summed up as follows:
(1) A constant lookout for the common environmental hazards to health which
usually requires only a simple check-up or observational survey using accepted
standards for comparison; (2) a rapid extension of the physical examinations of
employees, the nature and scheme for which the Philadelphia Health Council
and Tuberculosis Committee has explained so as to render it both ethical and
unobjectionable on the part of all concerned; and (3) a constant inquiry into the
causes of ordinary health complaints, such as headache, dyspepsia, tiredness, etc.,
which are really the forerunners of diseases like tuberculosis, and should have
their individual natures determined. The question is not one of tracing industrial
tuberculosis back from the dispensary to the workplace, but preferably one of
tracing industrial and personal health hazards forward into health complaints
and nipping both before tuberculosis develops.
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[882]
W O R K M E N ’S C O M PE N SA TIO N A N D SO CIA L IN SU R A N C E
Arizona Compensation Law Held Constitutional
S BRIEFLY indicated in an item in the March, 1926, issue,
the Supreme Court of Arizona has sustained the constitution
ality of the act of the legislature of 1925 (Ch. 83) enacting a
new compensation law for that State. As set forth in the October,
1925, issue (pp. 107-109), the act of 1912, enacted in accordance with
the terms of the then newly adopted State constitution, was of such
a limited nature that the desirability of new legislation was keenly
realized. An attempt to accomplish this end by legislative action
was made in 1921, but on account of its conflict with the constitution
it was held invalid in the case of Industrial Commission v. Crisman,
199 Pac. 390. In this case the judge said that: “ It seems regrettable
that, owing to its constitutional restrictions, Arizona is barred from
adopting a just and uniform compensation law, such as exists in 43
or 44 States of the Union.” The judge further suggested an amend
ment to the constitution as a way out of the difficulty.
The legislature of 1925 carried out this suggestion by adopting a
resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution and at the
same time enacting a bill to become a law in case of adoption of the
constitutional amendment at a special election set for September 29,
1925. Unfortunately, in formulating this amendment, the legislature
fell into the same snare as did the convention in formulating the
original constitution, incorporating various details of purely legisla
tive type, so restricting legislation in the field as at least to affect,
possibly seriously, the power of the legislature to meet changes in
conditions or to profit by experience; or, as was said in the account
given in the October issue, “ In other words, the same form of pro
cedure that made this amendment necessary is pursued, with added
complications, in the propositions set forth.”
As already stated, the act was to become effective in the event of a
favorable vote, recourse to referendum thereafter being expressly
denied. On the announcement of the favorable vote, the governor
was prepared to appoint the administrative commission, but was
restrained by injunctive proceedings and an attack on the constitu
tionality of the law. The Superior Court of Maricopa County sus
tained the law as valid, but an appeal was taken to the supreme court,
whose decision, rendered January 7, 1926, sustained the law as valid
with the exception of a single feature found to be in conflict with one
of the details embodied in the new constitutional amendment above
referred to. The court held, however, that the offending provision
could be omitted without affecting the remainder of the statute, and
with the elimination indicated it was declared valid law. (Alabam’s
Freight Co. v. Hunt, 242 Pac. 658.)
Judge Lockwood, who prepared the unanimous opinion of the
court, noted first that the complaint ‘ raised every possible constitu
tional point that could be imagined,” embodying some 24 objections,
A
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135
136
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
which, however, counsel for the plaintiff frankly admitted were for
the most part trivial. Five specifications were stressed, and these
alone were discussed in the opinion.
The first related only to procedure, claiming that the legislature
was without power to enact a valid law which the constitution did
not at the time authorize, its effectiveness being contingent upon the
adoption of an amendment in the future. The court found precedents
for denying this contention, as well as one that was based on the
State law as to the right to a referendum. Such referendum might
be taken within 90 days after the legislature closes, and not within 90
days after the measure under consideration becomes effective. Since
this time had long since expired at the time the statute came into
operation, no possibility existed for an attack by this method.
The third point raised was that “ executive and judicial powers
are united in the commission established by the act, and that there
is an unlawful delegation of judicial power to it,” in violation of the
State constitution. It was admitted that “ many and great adminis
trative powers” are devolved upon the commission; but a considera
tion of those powers as set forth in the statute renders the charge
that there was any intent on the part of the legislature to establish
a court “ the height of absurdity.” A court was defined as “ a tri
bunal established for the public administration of justice.” (Butts
v. Armor, 164 Pa. 73, 30 Atl. 357.) Powers of administration and
investigation, enforcement of laws for health and safety of employees,
the conduct of free employment agencies, promotion of arbitration
of labor disputes, collection of statistics of employment, and
investigation of dangerous establishments—none of these suggests
a judicial function, and the act was therefore declared not obnoxious
to the provision of the constitution relied upon in this contention.
But granting that the commission was not actually a court, it
was still maintained that “ it has delegated to it many judicial
powers which * * * can be exercised only by a court” within
the terms of the constitution.
No definition was attempted
of the term “ judicial power,” the opinion quoting from an Ohio
decision where it was said th a t:
What is judicial power can not be brought within ring fence of a definition.
It is, undoubtedly, power to hear and determine; but this is not peculiar to the
judicial office. Many of the acts of administrative and executive officers involve
the exercise of the same power.
Other departments of the Government must engage in some of
these activities of ascertaining facts and applying the law thereto,
the discussion in Borgnis v. Falk Co., 147 Wis. 327, 133 N. W. 309,
where identical subject matter was under consideration, being
quoted from at length. The act there under consideration was
elective and not compulsory, “ but many States have reached the
same conclusion where the act was compulsory.” The fact that
the industrial commission makes decisions based on its investigation
of questions of fact and the application of the law thereto does not
preclude proper judicial action, since “ they must be open to review
in some court of competent jurisdiction.” The Arizona statute
contains ample provision for such review, both as to lawfulness and
reasonableness, even a review of the evidence being permitted on
an appeal to the Supreme Court. “ We conclude there is no improper
delegation of judicial power.”
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w o r k m e n ' s c o m p e n s a t io n
and
SOCIAL INSURANCE
137
The fundamental, but well-worn, objection to such statutes as
depriving employers of property without due process of law and
denying equal protection of the law was next raised. On this point
the court quoted extensively from a decision of the Supreme Court
of the United States in the case Ward & Gow v. Krinsky, 259 U. S.
503, 42 Sup. Ct. 529, in which the law of New York was under con
sideration. It was said that this opinion “ summarizes the argument
against the law, and the fallacy thereof, so completely that we can
not do better than to quote therefrom.” The conclusiveness of the
argument was held to establish the point that the statute of Arizona
under consideration does not violate the fourteenth amendment to
the Federal Constitution. The contention was based largely on the
alleged lack of power to provide compensation for occupations gen
erally, instead of those only which present “ inherent hazards.”
Originally the New York law related to so-called “ extrahazardous
occupations” but was amended afterward so as to be of general
application, with a numerical basis of “ four or more workmen or
operatives regularly in the same business.” The court quoted, with
emphasis, an expression of the Supreme Court to the effect that the
presence of “ inherent hazard” in the occupation there under con
sideration “ is conclusively shown by the fact that, in the course of
it, he received a serious and disabling personal injury arising out of
it.” It was concluded that, while the Arizona legislature did not
use the words “ inherent hazards of the occupation,” it was evident
that “ any accident arising out of and in the course of an employ
m ent” must necessarily be caused by an “ inherent hazard,” as the
phrase is construed by the Supreme Court.
The final objection was that the statute conflicted in terms with
the constitutional amendment. The point involved is in brief that
the constitution provides for the enactment of a law covering “ such
private employments as the legislature may prescribe,” but adding
that an option to elect the right to sue must be preserved. The
statute, on the other hand, limits the right of such election to
“ employees engaged in occupations now declared by section 46
hereof to be hazardous,” making compensation the exclusive remedy
for all other employees. The court found here,on the face of things,“an
irreconcilable conflict” ; nor was the argument of the State sufficient
to overcome the difficulty raised. The right to sue for damages for
injuries is granted in the State constitution, with a provision that
it “ shall never be abrogated,” nor the amount of recovery limited by
statute. (Art, 18, sec, 6.) However, section 8 of the same article, in
its recently amended form, provides that this option may be exercised
in advance of the receipt of the injury, compensation becoming the
remedy in case of the employee’s “ failing to reject the provisions
of such workmen’s compensation law prior to the injury.” This was
regarded as an adequate compliance with the limitations of section
6, but no warrant was found for limiting such option to persons
engaged only in the occupations declared by the compensation law
to be hazardous. Striking out this restriction would make the law
of uniform application to all employees in all classes of industry,
leaving it “ just as effective and enforceable as before,” with the
condition of the right of election fully preserved. No reason ap
peared for assuming that the invalid provision was “ the considera
tion and inducement of the act as a whole,’ since it would not affect
88369°—2 6 t-----10
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
the general purpose of the amendment and the act to broaden the
compensation law as it previously existed, and providing an election
in advance of rather than after the injury; nor could it be assumed
that the legislature would not have passed the law with this provi
sion omitted, since the constitution was a positive mandate for the
enactment of a compensation law of the nature that survives with
this provision eliminated. “ Such being the case, since the law,
alter striking out the invalid portions, fulfills in a singular degree
the three requirements set forth above, and is no way obnoxious to
either the vState or Federal Constitutions, it is in all other respects of
full force and effect.”
P
With this confirmation of the validity of the law it became imme
diately operative with the following commission appointed by the
governor, corresponding to that named in the November issue with
the exception ot the third member, the roster now standm«-; Mr.
Cleve W. Van Dyke, Mr. R. B. Sims, and Mr. Burt Clingan.
Unemployment Insurance in the Cloak, Suit, and Skirt industry of New
York City 1
HE so-called unemployment-insurance plans in this country
are of two kinds. A few are undertaken by individual firms
and are limited to their own employees, generally unorganized,
under various restrictive conditions and usually do not stand dis
tinctly alone as a plan but are part of a general personnel policy
subject to change at the option of the employer. They cover
relatively few workers and tackle the real problem only in an inci
dental way. They are hopeful signs, however, denoting progressive
management s recognition of the need of some method of assuring' to
the worker some income during the entire period in which he must
care for his family and meet the necessary current expenditures.
The second method is for an entire industry in a given locality to
be covered by the plan in force. To date this has been done only in
organized industries, but there is no practical reason why it could not
also be attempted and executed in groups that are not collectively
dealing with their employees through a labor union. Of course
when jointly carried out it has a firmer foundation and greater
certainty of enforcement.
1 wo major instances of plans embracing voluntary organization of
such industry funds are now in operation—one in the cloak, suit and
. 11^ industry of New Y.ork City, and the other in the men’s clothin0,
mdustry of Chicago.2 They are the leading experiments, and much
of the future course of unemployment-insurance development will
be guided by the experience and success of these plans. (The dress
industry and the cloth cap makers of New York City have also
instituted funds, but they have not been long in operation.' The latter
is not a joint-contribution arrangement.)
Before going into the plan established in the cloak and suit industry
■" w. | necessary to sketch briefly certain conditions underlying
t ie industi \ itself. All know that the needle-trade industries for
T
International Association of Public Employment Services, held at Rochester N Y Sent 15-17 1025 T he
proceedings of th is m eeting w ill be published as B ulletin 414, of th e U S B u r e a u ’of Labor Statistics
3 bee L abor Review , N ovem ber, 1925 (p. 133), for a description of th e ChRago plan
ICS'
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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w o r k m e n ' s c o m p e n s a t io n
and
SOCIAL INSURANCE
139
several years have been known for the intensity and number of
strikes. The New York cloak industry has been no exception.
The industry is the largest in the city of New York. About 1,600
shops have agreements with the union and are included under our
plan, covering upward of 35,000 employees. These shops, although
concentrated in sections, cover a wide area of the city.
The industrial relationship is usually considered a fairly com
plicated matter in the ordinary situation where we have only the
employers and the union workers represented. In the cloak and
suit industry, however, we have four different factors with conflict
ing interests. The inside manufacturers, who correspond to the
ordinary conception of manufacturer, are those conducting manufac
turing operations on their own premises and selling their products
directly to retailers. In addition, we have jobbers or wholesale stock
houses, who differ from the ordinary jobber in other industries
inasmuch as they are more intimately connected with production. The
jobbers in the "cloak and suit industry give out cloth or so-called
piece goods and other materials such as fur trimmings to submanu
facturers, who make up garments in accordance with styles or de
signs dictated by the jobber. We also have the submanufacturers,
who are manufacturers producing, for the most part, not directly for
retailers but for the jobbers in the wholesale stock houses from
material furnished by the latter in accordance with styles which the
wholesaler dictates. Lastly, representing the workers, we have the
International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.
The outstanding characteristics of the industry are its extremely
seasonal nature, the number of small proprietary units, and the
heavy turnover among the smaller employers, many of whom are
irresponsible.
The unemployment fund originated in the cloak industry through
a demand made by the union in its negotiations for a new agreement
in 1924. The renewal of the agreement between the parties in the
industry was not effected without the intervention of Governor
Smith, who appointed a special commission of mediation to consider
the many grave matters then in dispute. The recommendation of
the governor’s commission for the establishing of such a fund was
accepted by all parties in the industry, and the fund began to function
in August, 1924. Under the agreement, the workers contribute one
per cent of their pay each week, which is deducted at the source by
the manufacturer and forwarded with his own contribution of two
per cent of the weekly pay roll. A special pay-roll report is forwarded
weekly to the insurance fund office. This arrangement works well
with the manufacturer, but in the case of the submanufacturer who
is working for a jobber it was deemed best to have the cost of the
unemployment insurance absorbed by the jobber but paid in the
first instance by the submanufacturer.
In other words, the cost of insurance was not to be an item subject
to bargaining at the time of the setting of the contract price, and was
to be shown as a separate item in the billing of the submanufacturer
to the jobber. This practice was an unusual one and required some
time to become well established, and it led to many of the difficulties
of collection in the early days of the fund. This system, under
which the submanufacturer paid the two per cent employer’s con
tribution and was reimbursed by liis jobber, has been changed by
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
the governor’s commission, which decided that the charge shall he
paid directly into the fund by the jobber. The submanufacturer
simply serves as the agent for making deductions from the workers’
wages and forwarding the employees’ contribution to the fund office.
With the greater financial responsibility of the jobber, this method
should result in the fund securing the full amount due on employers’
contributions. The governor’s commission by a recent ruling has
increased the charge to the jobber to three per cent. This increase
was made because it was believed that the jobber-submanufacturer
system of production created greater unemployment than existed
under the inside manufacturing method.
All four parties in the industry are represented in the board of
trustees, the governing body of the fund. Each organization has a
trustee and two alternates to represent it, and the board is presided
over by a neutral chairman, who is the actual administrator of the
fund. It is provided that such chairman be a party outside the
industry. The fund office is impartially operated, and performs all
collecting, auditing, and disbursing of moneys received.
The board of trustees functions under a separate agreement, which
is supplemental to the labor agreement and runs concurrently with
it. I t is empowered to make all reasonable rules and regulations for
the proper operation of the fund and may vary the same as experience
dictates. I t is also authorized to secure such information and records
as may be necessary for the proper performance of the work of the
fund. I t is responsible for the investment of the moneys received,
which, incidentally, are placed only in Government securities and
other securities which are legal investments for trustees in New
York State.
With four different organizations represented in the trusteeship,
the question of voting power becomes important, and it is provided
that each organization, irrespective of the number of representatives
present at the meeting, shall vote as a unit, and that on matters of
routine or ministerial nature a majority vote is sufficient. In mat
ters of fundamental importance, however, a unanimous vote is
required, and the question of whether or not the particular matter is
of ministerial or fundamental importance is for the chairman to
decide.
I am not going into the routine detail of mechanics of operation
and collection. Although important, they are involved and lengthy.
In this connection, however, I may say that the handling of delin
quency m payments by firms has been intrusted to the association
of which they are members, and to the union for the independent
firms not members of an association. The insurance fund itself has
no enforcing power, and where it is necessary to resort to stringent
measures to effect collection the enforcement is largely performed
through the union.
The trustees, in formulating rules and regulations to govern dis
bursement of benefits, realized that the industry could not hope to
assume or pay for full unemployment in the industry under the collec
tions made on the one and two per cent arrangement. They there
fore decided to divide the year into two seasonal periods—the spring,
beginning on February 1, and the fall, beginning on August 1—and
established in each of such periods a normal working period and a
normal slack period.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WORKMEN S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
Iff 1
The unemployment payment benefit is $10 per week, irrespective of
the wages earned by the worker. Six weeks’ maximum benefit is fixed
as proper for each season, subject to a provision allowing for a carry
over of the unexpired portion of a seasonal benefit not utilized. A
maximum amount of $120 per year can be secured by a worker.
Underemployment during the working time is cumulated and combined
with the weeks of total unemployment to make up the necessary 390
hours that the worker must lose in a season before becoming eligible for
benefit payments. All lost time except that occurring through strikes
or stoppages is compensated. In order to receive benefits, workers
must have been members of the union for one year, have been em
ployed in the New York market for one year, have been registered at
the registration office maintained by the fund, and have reported
regularly during their unemployment.
In order properly to carry out these rules, it was necessary to estab
lish and to maintain individual ledger accounts with each worker in
the industry. Such an account shows the weekly hours worked, over
time hours, the wages earned, the weekly unemployment, if any, and
a running balance of total unemployment in the season. An idea of
the work entailed by this can be gained if you realize for a moment
what a weekly posting of 35,000 accounts means. Not many business
houses have such a problem.
Our rules require weekly payment by those eligible during the
periods of their unemployment beyond the minimum slack period.
Payments are made by check and must be called for by the worker.
All unemployed workers not attached to shops are personally regis
tered and must report weekly during their idleness. Workers at
tached to shops temporarily shut down report to the shop chairman,
usually in the shop which they visit regularly during lay-off periods.
They must individually sign a weekly registration sheet maintained
by the shop chairman, which he turns over to the fund office. A new
sheet is issued to him with the delivery of each weekly report. The
registration and disbursing office is impartially operated by the
insurance fund trustees.
The fund in the cloak industry has certain outstanding features.
It is the first of its kind in America. It covers the greatest number of
workers and by far the largest number of shops. It is the first jointcontribution fund established on the market principle; i. e., all con
tributions going into one common pot for distribution to any workers
in the industry qualifying under the rules. It is the first to be
operated under impartial auspices, and also to have the registration
and disbursement functions undertaken by the fund. Through the
distinction between normal work and slack periods within seasons,
it has recognized the principle of need as the underlying basis of
distribution of benefits. No other joint fund has set the employers’
contributions in excess of that made by the workers. The basic idea
of insurance—of “ spreading the risk”—is more nearly attained under
a market fund arrangement. All workers exposed to the possibilities
of unemployment contribute, although, as in insurance, it is practieallv
certain that under our rules some will not draw any benefits except in
extreme cases, such as unusual depression.
I t may he asked how well has the fund worked. In the first year
of our existence we collected $1,350,000. Payments of benefits to
workers began promptly, as scheduled, on June 8, 1925. Unemploy
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ment was based on all time lost by workers subsequent to February
1, 1925. The seasonal period extended to August 1. Unemploy
ment benefits paid to workers on lost time in the spring season
totaled approximately $1,050,000. More than 25,000 individual
workers received benefit checks, a considerable proportion receiving
the maximum seasonal benefit of $60. The bulk of the payments
were concentrated into a seven-week period. At the height of such
period we were preparing and making daily payments of three to
five thousand individual checks. All these figures exceeded even
our liberal estimates, and the administration in the first season (as
was to be expected) was therefore not without a certain amount of
“ grief.” Inadequate office facilities hampered the effective carrying
on of the work and resulted in our having to resort to several tem
porary measures for handling crowds, paying off, etc. vis a result of
this first year of experience our rules and regulations will probably
be changed in many respects, tending to a stricter interpretation
and control. It was necessary in the first payment in an industry
of this nature to interpret all rules liberally. It is doubtful also if
a 3 per cent contribution will suffice fully to pay the unemployment
bill even on the limited and conservative basis under which the fund
was inaugurated. This has been partially recognized by the gover
nor's commission in increasing by 50 per cent the employers’ contri
bution under the jobber-submanufacturer system through the change
from 2 to 3 per cent.
There are at present no central employment facilities in the cloak
industry maintained by either the employers or the union. It is
the hope of all connected with the fund that in the near future
definite steps will be taken to authorize the establishment of such a
central labor bureau. From the standpoint of the fund it is a neces
sity and the only measure that will give an effective control of the
large floating population constantly existing in this industry.
We can see that, although it must be considered in the experimental
stage for several years, indications point to the fund being successful.
However, aside from the direct benefit to the industry of such an
institution, several what may be termed “ by-products” are devel
oped in the operation. The first of these is the installation of uni
form pay-roll records. While the uniformity is valuable, the keeping
of any pernianent records in many of the small shops is a big advance.
We have installed and distributed free a uniform pay-roll book for
the purpose of securing our reports promptly. The pay-roll data
secured relative to actual hours, wages, employment, etc., of the
various crafts will provide statistical figures not heretofore available
and do much to clear up the conflicting claims usually made in regard
to them. Combined with the actual unemployment experience, after
a few years they will provide a basis for actuarial study, and it may
be possible to establish experience-rating basis (similar to the com
pensation idea) for assessing the cost burden of the industry unem
ployment. In addition, the fund serves as a place where the leading
factors in the industry can meet without always having to consider
controversial questions. Working for the common end of the success
of the fund should contribute toward promoting a more harmonious
relation and better understanding between the representatives of the
parties that could be carried over into the handling of their regular
daily problems.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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Recent Compensation Reports
North Dakota
HE Workmen’s Compensation Bureau of North Dakota presents
in its sixth annual report data for the fiscal year ending.Iune 30,
1925. The bureau administers the State insurance fund, which
is exclusive. The report covers mainly its administration of this
fund and but little accident data is given. Assets at the end of the
year amounted to $1,468,771.06 and liabilities to $984,739.01, leaving
a surplus of $484,032.05.
Receipts for the year totaled $457,184, of which $386,632.91 was
premiums and $64,393.07 was interest. Compensation paid amounted
to $182,356.64, besides medical benefits to the amount of $79,641,86.
Total expenditures amounted to $329,655.27. The administrative
expense for the year was $52,866.14, or 13.67 per cent of the premiums
collected.
The practice of the previous years in declaring a 15 per cent divi
dend “ on all classifications in which the experience justified the pay
ment of a dividend” was varied this year. Three different groups
were paid according to the experience of the classifications composing
them. The first group was allowed a dividend of 30 per cent; the
second, of 20 per cent; and the third, of 10 per cent. Other classifi
cations received no dividends, the arrangement being a recognition of
the merit rating to which different classes were entitled. The end
of the year showed an increase of assets of approximately $135,000,
and in claims reserve of approximately $78,000, the increase of
surplus being nearly $111,000. .
Failure on the part of an employer to carry insurance does not
exclude his employees from the privilege of making accident claims
to the bureau. Eight claims of this sort were submitted during the
year, four of which were settled by awards, three were pending, and
one was amicably settled with the approval of the bureau.
Of the total number of 2,110 claims, the largest number was due
to injuries from objects being handled (620); falls of persons came
next with 252 cases, followed by hand tools, 23/, and vehicles, 229.
Total number of days lost was given at 53,298, objects being handled
being responsible for 11,371 and falls of persons for 10,015. There
were 15 cases of death and permanent total disability, for which
$89,547.02 was awarded. In 66 cases of permanent partial disability
the awards totaled $41,617.29; and in 1,089 cases of temporary dis
ability the awards were $82,674.58. Total awards were $280,168.14,
including medical benefits of $56,613.72 in compensable cases and
$9,715.53 in 940 cases in which only medical aid was given.
A table is given showing an average of the cost of all fatal cases
during the six years of the bureau’s operation. The total number of
deaths was 61, besides 9 cases of permanent total disability. Taking
both groups together the average award was $7,210.47; for death
cases with dependents, $9,170.49; for death cases in which a widow
and children survived, $10,311.18; and for permanent total disability
cases, $17,811.18. The largest amount awarded in any individual
case was $25,819.32. It is not indicated whether this was for death
or permanent total disability.
T
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Virginia
rTvHE second biennial report of the Industrial Commission of Vir1 ginia covers the fiscal years ending September 30, 1924, and
September 30, 1925, data for the most part being combined. Prior
to the commencement of the biennial series annual reports were
issued for the years 1919 to 1921, inclusive, the first report covering
10 months.
The number of accidents reported for the first year of the biennium
covered was 9,604, and for the second, 11,211. The commission
regards the increase which has taken place since the beginning of the
administration of the act as an indication of increased activities in
the industries of the State. More efficient reporting following
acquaintance with the law and diligent administrative effort also
usually cause an apparent increase in the number of accidents.
The number of hearings held by the commission has also increased
rapidly, from 397 for the first full year (1919-20) to 747 for the final
year covered.
The commission feels that effective supervision is being maintained
with regard to insurance and that the medical examiner has the
confidence of employers and employees, resulting in increasing
efficiency in this important matter.
Compensation is paid only for injuries causing disability of more
than seven days’ duration, and noncompensable accidents are not
considered in the statistical reports.
The following table shows some of the important points in the
accident experience, by industries, for the biennium:
N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T C A SES, D U R A T IO N , A N D C O M P E N S A T IO N
O C T O B E R 1, 1923, TO S E P T E M B E R 30, 1925, B Y IN D U S T R Y A N D E X T E N T O F D ISA -
T em porary total
disability
Industry
Cases
D ays
Agriculture........ . ......... .........
43
1,920
Mining.................................... 2,887 119, 012
Quarrying........................ .......
200
7,543
Manufacturing_______ _____ 6,672 236, 776
Construction____ _________ 2,087 89,341
Transportation and public
u tilitie s ....................................
Trade. .......................... ..........
Service_____________________
1,091
802
281
42,126
26, 800
14, 602
Perm anent par- Perm anent
tial disability 1 d > ^ ty
F atalities
:
Com
C om pen
om pen Cases Com
Cases Csation
pensa Cases pensa
sation
tion
tion
$1,805.16
153, 570. 00
7, 325. 73
237,342.82
100, 798. 27
47,337.83
28, 736. 94
16,917. 29
5 $2, 907. 80
335 207,839.85
39 18, 548. 90
931 365, 735.14
270 159,198. 33
55
63
28
28,454. 20
38, 980. 16
13, 220. 25
Total..... ......................... 14, 063 539, 020 593, 834. 04 1, 726 834,884. 63
2 $9,000
4 17,500
2 9,000
145 $359,931
8
14,463
85 188, 080
59 123,008
4, 500
27
20
16
65.854
53,449
41.854
9 40,000
360
846,639
1
In addition to the compensation for fatalities, the sum of $36,500
was paid as funeral expenses—an average of a little above $100 per
case.
It is of interest to note the approximation of compensation benefits
in temporary cases to an amount just above $1 per day in some cases
(less in two industries), the average for all industries being; almost
exactly $1.10.
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WORKMEN S COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL INSURANCE
145
Of the number of persons suffering temporary total disability
13,664 were males and 399 were females. Of the 360 fatal cases 118
were single, 71 having partial dependents, 9 total dependents, and
38 none. The number of dependents of married decedents ranged
from one (54 cases) to eight or more (13 cases). Ages of the de
cedents ranged from 16 to 75 years, there being 15 at the age of 16
years and one at the last age named. The death benefit for the
decedent aged 75 was $3,600. Other tables show immediate causes
of death, ages of workmen suffering temporary total disability,
classified duration of temporary total disability, experience by
insurance carriers and by counties and principal cities, anatomical
location of nonfatal injuries, and causes of injuries, mechanical and
nonmechanical. Of the injuries to the upper extremities, 5,431
caused temporary total and 1,179 permanent partial disability,
the time lost due to temporary total disability being 170,964 days.
The number of injuries to lower extremities, 5,246 temporary total,
and 291 permanent partial, show an interesting contrast as compared
with injuries to the upper extremities, the days of temporary total
disability being 224,718, as against the smaller time loss for the larger
number of injuries to the upper members. The compensation cost
varies even more largely, compensation for temporary total disability
of upper extremities aggregating $171,052.01 as against $255,112.60
for the lower extremities, indicating the greater severity of injuries
of the latter group. The same ratio appears as regards permanent
partial disabilities, the average for the upper extremities being
$358.79 per case and for the lower extremities, $715.76. The average
compensation per case of temporary total disability for the biennium
was approximately $42.25, very nearly that of the previous period,
$42.50, the commission being of the opinion that a “ normal level’7
has apparently been struck.
State Pension Act of Victoria
HE Railways Union Gazette (Melbourne) gives in its issue for
December 10, 1925, a summary of the state service superannu
ation act, passed in 1925 and effective January 1, 1926. The
act establishes a compulsory contributory pension system for all state
employees, including the railway workers. The maximum age for re
tirement. is set at 65 ; female employees may if they so elect, retire at 60.
The pension is reckoned in units of £26 1 each, and every employee
must contribute for at least two units. If he is under 30 he must
contribute for an assigned number of units proportioned to his salary,
but if he is over 30, he may choose for himself whether to contribute
for more than the required minimum of two but not exceeding the
number of units set for his salary group. If he is under 30 at entrance
and his salary does not exceed £234 per annum, he may, if he wishes,
contribute for a larger number of units than that set as the proper
number for his salary, up to 4 units. For two units the fortnightly
contribution varies according to age and sex. For men, it begins at
2s. 3d. for those entering the scheme at 16, and rises to £1 19s. 7d.
for those aged 59. For those entering at from 60 onward, the con-
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1
Pound at p ar = $4.8665; exchange rate varies.
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tributions are large and increase rapidly, being £10 5s. 7d. for those
between 64 and 65. For women the fortnightly contribution is Is. 9d.
for those entering at 16, while for those between 59 and 60 it is
£11 2s. 9d.; for those who from their entrance plan to remain in
service until 65, the rates are lower.
The minimum pension to any superannuated employee under this
plan is £52 a year. The plan includes provision for disability>
and for care of dependents in case of death.
A contributor who retires upon the ground of invalidity or incapacity not
due to his own fault is entitled to the full pension for which he was contributing.
If his invalidity or incapacity is due to his own fault, he will receive a pension
which is the actuarial equivalent of his contributions only, or he may receive a
lump sum.
On the death of a male contributor before retirement or on the death of a
male pensioner, his widow receives half her husband’s pension, and a pension of
£13 per annum in respect of each of her or her late husband’s children under
the age of 16 years. If the widow remarries her pension ceases. If a pensioner
marries after retirement, no pension is payable to the widow or in respect of
children of that marriage. * * *
On the death of a female contributor before retirement, her personal repre
sentatives will receive a sum equal to the actual amount of contributions paid
by her to the fund. * * *
Where a contributor resigns or is dismissed, or is discharged (i. e., whose
services have been compulsorily terminated except through invalidity with less
than 10 years’ service), he will receive a refund of his contributions only.
Provision is made for those who have retired or been retired before
the coming into effect of the act, and for those who though in the
service are too old to acquire full rights before retirement. The act
is to be administered by a board of four, one of whom must be a
railway worker elected for a five-year term by the railway workers,
one must be an actuary, and one must be elected by the State em
ployees outside of the railway service. Any dispute arising under
the act is to be determined by this board, subject to an appeal to a
county court judge.
Effect of Unemployment Insurance upon the Worker in England
HE group of Englishmen 1 who in 1923 published a study of
unemployment, “ The Third Winter of Unemployment” (see
Labor Review, December, 1923, pp. 145-148), undertook in
1925 a study of the economic effects of unemployment insurance.2
The aim was to learn whether the system diminishes the incentive
to find work, whether it lessens the willingness of the worker to
change his occupation or to move from one place to another to find
work; whether it affects his desire to hold his job and thus has an
influence upon his efficiency; whether it affects the rate of wages
for which he will work; and whether it makes the.men unwilling to
take temporary jobs or casual labor by which they might help them
selves out when unemployed at their regular occupations.
To get light on these points, investigators were engaged to make
a survey of the situation in eight industrial districts—Birmingham,
Bolton, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Reading, Shoreditch, and Tyneside.
T
1
2
J. J. Astor, A. L. Bowley, J. H . Jones, W . T . L ayton (chairm an), P. J. P ybus, D . Spring Rice, B. S.
R ow ntree, F . O. Stem , and F . D . Stern.
U nem ploym ent insurance in G reat B ritain: A critical exam ination. London, M acm illian & Co.,
(L td .), 1925.
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IN S U R A N C E
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These were selected as giving a wide variety of industrial conditions
and presenting varying degrees of unemployment, possibility of
transferring from one occupation to another, and the like. In each
district a study was made, not only of the unemployed and of the
effect upon them of unemployment, hut also of the machinery for
administering the plan, with a view to seeing how carefully the
insurance fund is protected against fraudulent claimants. Stress
is laid on the fact that it is an insurance, not a relief, fund.
In view of the widespread misapprehension that exists as to the character of
the unemployment insurance fund, we can not emphasize too strongly the fact
that it is an insurance fund, and not a scheme for scattering relief broadcast.
Of the money paid out in benefit during the four weeks ending June 27th of this
year (1925), 39 per cent was contributed by the employers, 35 per cent by the
workers, and 26 per cent by the State. During the year ending July, 1924, the
contributions paid by employers and workers together equaled the sum paid out
in benefit, the State contribution going toward the deficit from previous years.
A brief review is given of the requirements to be met before unem
ployment insurance benefits can be drawn. The applicant must
have been out of work for three days; 3 he must have paid a certain
number of contributions into the insurance fund within a specified
period; he must present himself at the local employment exchange,
submit to full investigation, and report there as frequently as directed;
he must be capable of and available for work; and he must satisfy
the officials that he is genuinely seeking work but is unable to obtain
suitable employment. Having met these requirements, he is eligible
for insurance benefits at the rate of 18s.4 a week for men aged 18
and over, 15s. for women aged 18 and over, 7s. 6d. for boys 16 but
under 18, and 6s. for girls in the same age group.
The results of the local studies are given in some detail, after
which their bearing upon the main points of the inquiry is discussed.
The question of whether the insurance system diminishes the normal
incentive to find work is considered at some length.
Although many employers expressed the view that it did, actual cases of refusal
to work which stood the test of investigation could very rarely be cited. No
doubt there is a class to whom unemployment insurance presents a possible
method of getting something for nothing; but the great volume of the evidence
shows that frauds are quickly detected and eliminated. In the Shoreditch
report, which deals with a district that offers special facilities for evasion of the
regulations, it is stated that any case of fraud detected has very rarely been
successful for more than a month. Public opinion, however, is influenced by
the press notice of the prosecution, and ignores the comparative infrequency
and the speed}' elimination of fraud.
More cases came to light of persons ceasing actively to seek work. It must
not, however, be assumed that they are beginning to prefer “ doles” to employ
ment. The Glasgow investigation points out that the longer a man remains
out of work the more reluctant employers are to engage him, and since the scheme
throws the burden of seeking work on the unemployed person, his search becomes
more and more futile, and is finally a mere effort to produce the evidence on which
to base a claim for benefit. Yet the evidence which the local investigators have
collected shows that the least real hope of a job brings scores of applicants of
this type. Their disheartenment must not be confused with unwillingness to
work.
Furthermore, it is pointed out, the benefits are too small to keep
people from seeking work. Single men without dependents, married
men whose wives are working for wages, and widowers without
3
4
B y an act of 1925, th is w aiting period was increased, October 1, 1925, to six working-days.
ber, 1925, issue, p. 176.
Shilling=24.33 cents; p en n y =2.03 cents; exchange rate varies.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[895]
See N ovem
148
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
dependents made up 52 per cent of those receiving benefit in a list
of nearly 11,000 unemployed claimants taken as a sample in Novem
ber, 1924. For claimants in these classes, the benefit is only 18s. a
week.
Against this, employment offers not only a wage which is rarely lower than
30s. a week for an adult, but also as the local reports frequently show, a feeling
of greater security and higher social worth. Only in the case of young people
whose wages are low, or whose prospects of advancement are zero,~ is there any
suggestion in the evidence produced that the genuine working class is less eager
for employment because of unemployment benefit.
The willingness of the worker to change his occupation or his
locality depends, it was found, more on other considerations than on
the insurance benefit. As regards changing locality, housing presents
a serious difficulty. The chance of finding a house in a new locality
is small, and if the worker must live away from his family, the cost
of maintaining them in one place and himself in another is usually
more than the wage offered. As to changing from one occupation to
another, it is found that “ restrictions imposed by trade-unions have
more to do with lack of mobility between trades than considerations
of benefits.”
Another question was as to whether the insurance benefit lessens
the employee’s desire to retain his job, thus diminishing his efficiency.
The evidence was decidedly against this point of view.
Except in the case of youths in occupations which hold out no attractive
prospect, whose wages are low and who are entitled to the adult rate of benefit,
the evidence points rather to the influence of the fear of unemployment, than
of the hope of benefit upon the worker. Particularly after a recent experience of
unemployment, men are only too thankful to work hard and retain their jobs.
The Tyneside report makes this clear.
The investigation threw no light upon the question of whether the
scheme affects the rate of wages for which a man will consent to
work. The rates most easily ascertained—the trade-union rates and
the trade board rates—do not seem to have been affected by it. In
cases of individual bargaining between worker and employee the
rates paid “ were so low that again the desire for employment rather
than for benefit appeared to be the determinant,” but these cases
were too few to justify a conclusion.
Considerable attention is paid to the methods by which the unem
ployment insurance fund is protected from abuse, and the conclusion
is reached that this work is very effective, and that it is the rare
exception for anyone to succeed in getting benefit to which he is not
fairly entitled.
The following are the more important of the conclusions reached
as a result of the study:
1. The alleged evil effect of unemployment insurance benefit on the willingness
of the worker to accept employment has been greatly exaggerated.
2. The administration of the scheme is efficient enough to check any possibility
of substantial or widespread abuse.
3. The application of the word “ dole” to “ standard” benefit is wholly mis
leading, and even “ extended” benefit is very different from poor law relief.
4. The success of the safeguards against abuse which the scheme provides
depends largely upon the extent to which employers are willing to cooperate.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[89G]
W O R K M E N 'S
C O M P E N S A T IO N
AND
S O C IA L
IN S U R A N C E
149
Swiss Referendum on Introduction of Invalidity, Old-Age, and Life
Insurance 1
WITZERLAND is a confederation of States (Cantons) which,
like our own States, retain legislative power unless such power
is specially delegated to the Confederation. The power to
establish, a Federal system of insurance was delegated to the Con
federation by an amendment to the Federal constitution voted on
in 1890. Under this authorization a system of accident and sickness
insurance was provided for by an act of June 13, 1911.
The Swiss accident insurance law applies compulsorily to all
industrial workers. The administration of the system is intrusted
to an autonomous institute, operated on the principle of a mutual
benefit society under the supervision of the Federal Council. In the
case of sickness insurance, however, the law provides merely for the
encouragement of such insurance by means of Federal subsidies, and
not for its organization by the Confederation. The Federal law does
not make sickness insurance compulsory, but permits the Cantons
to do so and some Cantons have made use of this right.
This legislative system was enlarged by a Federal act of October
17, 1924, providing for subsidies to cantonal unemployment funds.
Individual Cantons are given the right to initiate legislation in this
matter also.
Until the public referendum of December 6, 1925, the Cantons re
tained the right to legislate in the matter of invalidity and life insur
ance. One Canton only, Glarus, inaugurated compulsory invalidity,
old-age, and life insurance. The Canton of Appenzell recently
adopted a, social insurance act, but this act will not come into force
until 1926. The Cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel have confined
themselves to encouraging individual social welfare institutions.
Swiss legislation on invalidity, old-age, and life insurance is little
developed. To remedy this state of affairs the Federal Council
in 1919 submitted to the chambers a bill which would, by amend
ment of the Federal constitution, grant the Confederation the right
to legislate on the question. This bill provided for the simultaneous
introduction of invalidity, old-age, and life insurance. The Federal
Council thought at the time that it would be desirable to fix the rate
of old-age pensions at 600 francs per annum and to include the whole
population. In order to meet the financial burdens thus incurred,
the Council proposed the indirect taxation of such articles as tobacco
and alcohol, and a special tax on inheritances and gifts. The wide
spread unemployment of 1920 and 1921, however, which involved
heavy financial burdens for the Confederation and the Cantons,
made it impossible to pursue this bill.
On July 23, 1924, the Government submitted to the chambers a
new constitutional amendment containing the main elements of the
bill of 1919 in a somewhat restricted form. The text of the proposed
amendment was as follows:
S
The Federal constitution of May 29, 1874, is to be modified by the following
articles:
A r t i c l e 34 (d). The Confederation will introduce legislation concerning
old-age and life insurance. It may later introduce invalidity insurance.
1 Internatio n al L abor Office.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In d u strial and L abor Inform ation, Geneva, Jan . 11, 1926, pp. 35-38.
18971
150
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
The Confederation may make such insurance compulsory for the whole popu
lation or for classes of the population to be subsequently determined.
Such insurance shall be carried out with the assistance of the Cantons. Re
course may also be had to the assistance of public or private insurance funds.
The two branches of insurance first mentioned will be introduced simul
taneously.
The contributions of the Confederation and of the Cantons may not in all be
more than half the total expenses of the system.
Any revenue which the Confederation may secure from an extension of the tax
on distilled liquors will be eaiunarked for old-age and life insurance.
A r t ic l e 41 (c). The Confederation is authorized to raise taxes on raw and
manufactured tobacco.
This amendment was ratified on December 6, 1925, by the Swiss
people by a vote of 406,000 for and 213,000 against, and by the
Cantons, by a vote of 16^ for and 5 ^ against. This ratification
merely allows the Confederation to legislate and does not necessarily
mean the immediate introduction of invalidity, old-age, and life
insurance. No exact indication can, therefore, be given of the future
Swiss social insurance system.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8981
HOUSING
Bayonne Experiment in Industrial Housing
DISCUSSION of industrial housing has recently been issued,1
in which the work of the Bayonne Housing Corporation is
used as an illustration of the possibility of providing excellent
housing accommodations for wage earners at prices which they can
afford to pay.
At the close of the war Bayonne found itself in the situation of
many other American cities, having a greatly increased population
without a corresponding increase in its housing accommodations, and
with little or no prospect that the housing needed would be provided
at prices within the reach of those who needed it. Under the circum
stances, a group of citizens undertook to deal with the problem in
an effective way, and for this purpose the Bayonne Housing Corpora
tion was formed in 1918, though it was not incorporated until the
following year. It has a capital of $2,000,000, all in common stock,
dividends on which are limited to 6 per cent. From the beginning
it had a clear-cut purpose in view.
A
In essentials, the ideal is this: A home of five or six rooms and bath and modem
conveniences, set in a beautiful environment of architecture and gardens; this
home to be produced and operated on sound business principles and to be
rented to yield a moderate return on the capital invested, and at a figure which
the average thrifty wage earner could reasonably afford to pay.
The present high cost of housing, it was decided, springs from the
inefficiency and disorganization of the housing industry itself. An
analysis of the various factors making up the cost—“ land, site
utilities, building construction, finance, taxes, municipal assessments,
household furnishings, maintenance, operation of the completed
home”—showed that there has been an enormous increase in price
in respect to every item, and as a result the system, or lack of system,
which worked moderately well while everything was cheap is now
failing utterly. Housing is not being produced at prices which the
average worker can afford to pay, and the housing problem is acute.
Some of these costs can be reduced only by community effort, but
two factors, economical planning with a view to securing the greatest
possible returns from a given site, and the cost of financing the enter
prise, the corporation felt, might be controlled by its own action.
Of these two, financing the enterprise was felt to be the more
important.
Important as are these well-known factors of land; municipal and site improve
ments, building construction and house furnishings, it is a striking fact that
they do not influence housing costs to nearly the same extent as does the cost of
finance. What makes a workingman’s home almost prohibitive to-day is the
price paid for the capital employed in building the house. More capital is re
quired to-day, and is paid for at a higher rate. * * * The effect of this
increase is, roughly speaking, that the small home owner needs at least double
the capital to-day that he formerly required, and pays for the use of it at a rate
about half as much again; that is, for every $100 capital for which he formerly
paid $6 or $7 interest, he now requires $200 and pays $17 to $20 or more for it.
1 Thom as, A ndrew J.: In d u strial housing.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Bayonne, N .J ., B ayonne H ousing C orporation, 1925.
[8991
151
61pp.
152
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
Through its capital stock the corporation was enabled to keep the
cost of financing down to a moderate figure, and the question of
planning was met by enlisting the services of the best architectural
ability which could be procured. The first group of buildings under
taken, the garden apartments, which were finished in 1925, consist
of five buildings with accommodations for 149 families. These apart
ments are so planned as to cover but 36 per cent of the area of the
site, '‘whereas the older types of tenement usually cover 70 or 80 per
cent or even more.” The space thus saved is used to provide a large
garden, lawns, and a playground for the children, and while serving
these purposes it also increases the amount of air and light available.
The same careful planning is carried into the apartments them
selves, and no waste space is allowed. "As compared with other
types of apartment houses, particularly the kind usually produced
by the speculative builder, these garden apartments show a saving
in floor space per family housed of a fifth to a quarter at least.”
This renders it possible to give more than is customary in the way
of equipment and amenities, and yet keep the price at a moderate
figure. The rent per room per month is $10.25 on the first three
floors, $9.75 on the fourth, and $9 on the fifth. This rent includes
bathrooms, steam heat, hot water, and janitor service. This rental
brings the apartments within the reach of the better-paid wage
earner, and furnishes him with a better type of dwelling than has
hitherto been available to him. An incidental but highly important
feature is that the dwellings thus furnished are beautiful architec
turally, and satisfactory in every detail of finishing. Moreover, the
provision of a large playground gives the children all the advantages
of open-air play, free from the dangers of the streets. "In Bayonne
the young wage earner can grow up knowing that in this world there
are actually such things as birds and lawns and trees and flowers.”
All these results, it is pointed out, have been obtained by putting
on a sound and well-organized basis only two of the numerous factors
entering into the cost of housing.
It should be emphasized that the experiment of this first group had, however,
distinct limitations, in that a number of the biggest factors which enter into
housing costs could not be controlled, except in the traditional manner. These
were taxes, rates of labor, prices of materials, and the traditional system of land
division, which obtains in Bayonne as well as elsewhere. Only two of the biggest
items were dealt with to the full in accordance with the principles of business
efficiency. These were architecture and finance. The surprising success which
was obtained from the proper (Control of these two factors of housing costs alone
holds out promise of great future progress when the remaining cost factors in
their turn are placed on a sound basis.
One other feature contributing to the success of the experiment
deserves special mention—the cooperation of labor. Not only is the
workmanship of the best, but the workers remained on the job in the
face of offers of higher wages elsewhere.
In order to induce men to come to Bayonne, it was necessary to pay bonuses
to the building craftsmen in certain trades, to cover the cost of their transporta
tion from other cities to Bayonne. As an example, the masons received $14 a
day. Notwithstanding these premiums, even higher rates were offered by con
tractors who were bidding for labor at the height of the building boom. A serious
situation developed in the Bayonne housing, which threatened to wreck the
project. The architect stepped in and at a meeting held at the site of the build
ings with several labor leaders present, he made a personal appeal to the work
men to remam at their tasks. He told them how the sponsors of the undertaking
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[900]
H O U S IN G
153
were making an experiment to prove that ideal housing could be brought within
the reach of the workers. Such a demonstration, said Mr. Thomas, meant every
thing to the welfare of all American labor, and the experiment would fail if the
Bayonne Housing Corporation were compelled to pay extravagant wages.
The workmen heeded the architect’s appeal and, almost without exception, they
stuck to their jobs, and gave their best efforts to produce. Labor, therefore,
deserves a full share of credit for the success of the undertaking.
Extension of New York Emergency Rent Law
N FEBRUARY 9, 1926, according to the New York Record and
Guide in its issue for February 13, the New York Legislature
passed a bill, later signed by the Governor, extending to May
31 the emergency rent law which would otherwise have expired on
February 15 of this year. On May 31 the law is to lapse so far as
the higher rental apartments are concerned, but from June 1, 1926,
to June 1, 1927, the present restrictions are to continue to apply to
apartments in New York City renting for less than $20 per room per
month, and in Yonkers, Albany, and Buffalo to those renting for less
than $15 per room per month. The rate at which apartments were
rented on December 31, 1925, is taken as the basis for the application
of the law.
. . . .
There has been considerable discussion as to whether this discrimi
nation will make the new law unconstitutional. There is general
agreement, however, that so far as the higher-priced apartments are
concerned, there is now abundant accommodation available and hence
no emergency exists in respect to them. The new law is based on
the findings of the housing commission that there is still an emer
gency in the matter of lower-priced housing, and it is felt that this
may justify special legislation for the benefit of those seeking such
accommodation.
O
88369°—26f----- 11
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9011
C O O P E R A T IO N
Size and Business of Credit Unions
HE small size of the credit union has always been regarded as
one of the main characteristics of this type of cooperation,
and one which has usually been looked upon as essential,
the mutual knowledge and trust existing among the members of a
small group being a prerequisite of the “ loans on character” which
are one feature of the credit union.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is making a statistical study of the
various types of cooperative societies in the United States "Xexcept
farmers' marketing associations), and has sent out* questionnaires
to all the societies which could be located. Only a part of the
returns have come in as yet, but some of these are of decided interest.
The returns which have been coming in from the credit unions of
the country show that many have grown beyond the small group.
One such society, a credit union whose members are the employees
of one of the largest cities, was started nearly 10 years ago, with
19 members who subscribed and paid in $570 in share capital. Both
membership and share capital have grown steadily from year to
year since that time, until at the end of 1925 there were 9,212 mem
bers and the paid-in share capital amounted to. $935,720.
Although the by-laws of the association allow the making of de
posits none have been made, the funds of the society being the share
capital, interest on investments, guaranty fund, and the surplus
or undivided profits. On December 31, 1925, these amounted to
$1,130,028.91.
Loans are made only to members and only for “ useful purposes or
urgent needs.
To obtain a loan of $100 or less, the borrower must
hold at least one share in the society, and for loans in excess of this
amount at least two shares; loans must be repaid in monthly install
ments. Loans during 1925 numbered 5,870 and reached the sum of
$1,383,921, an average of $236 per borrower.
During the nine years in which the society has been in operation
it has made loans aggregating $5,855,528. ‘in that time only one
borrower has defaulted on his loan, the loss being $40; on the basis
of the nearly six millions loaned this $40 is so small as to constitute
only a “ trace.”
Interest of 4.8 per cent for a term of ten months is charged on
ordinary loans; on long-term loans for building or buying homes,
9.6 per cent; and on loans against shares, 8 per cent. The profits so
made are, after deduction of the 25 per cent required by law to be paid
into the guaranty fund, returned in dividends on stock held, at the end
ot each year. In 1925, the sum of $50,196.36 was so returned, and
during the nine years of operation dividends have totaled $192,826.60.
During the first three years of its life the clerical work of the society
was done almost entirely by volunteers. As the business increased,
however, permanent help became necessary. At the close of 1925
nine persons were employed by the union. Although a credit union
may do an amount of business that would do credit to any bank,
it has no high-paid officers arid no luxurious offices and its cost of
operation is therefore low. On the basis of loans made during each
T
154
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 902 ]
COOPERATION
155
year, the percentage that labor cost and total operating expenses
were each year, was as follows:
T otal operatLabor cost ing expenses
(per cent)
(per cent)
1917 ________________________________________________ 0. 4
1918 _______________________________________
.5
1. 3
1 9 1 9 .:______________________________________________
1920 _
.3
.8
.6
1.0
.7
1921 __ _______ _______________________
1922________________________________________ 1. 1
1.0
1923.________________
1924__ _•_____________________________________ 1.3
1925_________________________________________ 1.2
1.01.1
1. 3
1.3
1.5
1.4
A credit union in another State has as its members 6,200 persons
employed in one industry. This society has been in operation about
the same length of time as the one described above. Its ‘paid-in
share capital amounted, on October 31, 1925, to $482,484.11, and
its reserves, guaranty fund, and undivided earnings to $35,050.50.
Deposits of 4,916 members amounted to $225,017.06. During the
year ending October 31, loans were made to 3,540 borrowers totaling
$560,016.57, or $158 per borrower. Dividends returned for the year
reached the sum of $24,788.02.
On the $3,209,977.35 which has been paid out in loans to members
during the life of the society, losses have amounted to $8,045.90, or
one-fourth of 1 per cent.
These two societies are the largest for which data have so far been
obtained. One can not judge of thje good done by a credit union, in
the way of help to the wage-earner member harassed by sickness,
unemployment, or other difficulties, simply by the size of the society,
however. The other societies which have so far reported range in
membership from 11 to 4,200, and 25 of these have fewer than 150
members each. Altogether these societies made loans during 1925
aggregating $9,990,722.49.
Statistics of Leading European Cooperative Societies
HE Peoples’ Year Book for 1926 contains (p. 61) the following
table showing the membership and sales in 1924 of the leading
retail cooperative societies in the various European countries:
T
M E M B E R S H IP A N D SA LES OF L E A D IN G E U R O P E A N R E T A IL C O O P E R A T IV E
S O C IE T IE S
C ountry
E ngland
Scotland
Ireland
A ustria
Belgium
C zechoslo vakia.
Finland
France __
_____ _
G erm any
Holland
Italy
N orw ay
Sweden
Sw itzerland____________________
Society
M embership in
1924
London S o c ie ty >... _____
.
___
St. C u th b e rt’s, E d in b u rg h ,. ............
...................
Belfast Society
,
Vienna S o c i e t y ........... ........
Liege Society.
, , ___ ______
M . O strau Society, ......................... ..
E lanto Society (Helsingfors) ..............
U nion of Cooperators (P aris),,
H am burg Society , _. _ _ _ _____
Vollharding Society (T he H ag u e)___
Trieste Society
,
. ___
Oslo Society__ . , ...... ...................... ...
Stockholm "Society 2, , , . . ____-Basle Society 2____________ ____ _ , ,
117, 266
66, 765
28, 700
167, 698
70, 678
60, 109
30, 754
83,849
115, 407
14, 440
42,360
9,414
19, 279
41, 436
Sales in 1924
£2,874, 305
£4, 024,002
£1,033,962
Kr. 210, 801,330, 000
Fr. 103,181, 755
Kr. 158, 262, 401
F. mk. 192,413, 052
Fr. 84, 356, 289
M k. 13, 395, 055
Lire
Kr.
Kr.
Fr.
59, 520, 345
11, 408,900
16,967, 771
47,910,376
1A lthough th e London Society is th e largest society in E ngland in point of m em bership, the Leeds
Society, w ith 94,299 members, has a larger turnover, viz., £3,873,328.
2 Figures for 1923.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[903]
156
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
Cooperation in Foreign Countries
Austria 1
A T the end of 1924 the Union of German-Austrian Consumers’
Societies had in affiliation 128 consumers’ societies, 43 workers’
productive societies, 10 credit societies, 6 marketing associa
tions, 5 federations, 20 housing societies, 8 labor homes, and 7 miscel
laneous consumers’ societies, a total of 227 societies. Of the 128
retail consumers societies, 118 reported a combined membership of
475,520 or an average of 4,030 per society.
Belgium
T H E Belgian Cooperative Office has recently issued a report2 on
Socialist cooperation in that country in 1924. The report deals
with the 54 societies which are affiliated with the Cooperative Office,
and contains the data given below:
ST A T U S O F S O C IE T IE S A F F IL IA T E D W IT H T H E B E L G IA N C O O P E R A T IV E O F F IC E
E N D O F 1924
’
Item
C onsum ers’
societies
W orkers’
productive
societies
N um b er of societies affiliated w ith Cooperative Office
N um b er of m em b ers,..................
Sales_____________________
.fran cs..
E m ployees.
Value of m erchandise on h a n d ............. ..........
........ " francs
C apital
"■ do___
Savings and deposits of m em bers..........
........ do"
Borrowed m oney...................................................................IZU IdoI.
D ividends on patronage or services..................... .............. .".U doII
54
270,189
416,820,351
5,230
80,704, 612
9, 730, 802
191,156,898
19
3,472
15, 086,527
806
2, 695,665
1,586, 825
6
887
159, 626,974
273
2,980,537
7,470,443
12,651,892
3,352, 779
242,522
2,398, 069
188, 386
N ational
societies 1
m o m tiu u u a i m ù u ia iiL C
three n ational consum ers’ societies.
Hie following are the goods handled or kind of business done bv
the consumers’ societies, arranged in the order of frequency: Gro
ceries; bakeries; dry goods, candy, etc.; household articles;'' bever
ages; coal yards; pastry shops; breweries; pharmacies; butcher shops
and butcheries.
As to size the societies are distributed as follows:
N u m b er of
societies
Societies having—
100 members or less__
101-500 members____
501-1,000 members___
1.001- 2,000 members. _
2.001- 5,000 members. _
5.001- 10,000 members.
10.000- 20,000 members
20.001- 50,000 members
50,001 and over______
6
10
14
9
5
2
4
2
2
Total
! People’s Y ear Book, 1926, pp. 107, 108.
*
Coopératif Belge. La Coopération Socialiste Belge, 1924.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[904]
Brussels, [1925?].
23 pp.
157
COOPERATION
Denmark 3
A T the end of 1924 there were in affiliation with the Danish
Cooperative Wholesale Society 1,804 societies. The sales of
the wholesale to these societies during the year amounted to 169,585,369 kroner,4and on this business a net surplus of 11,656,484 kroner
was realized, the largest in the history of tlie society, llie whole
sale’s share capital amounted to 1,382,956 kroner, reserves to
18,639,190 kroner, and its production during the year was valued at
46,186,675 kroner.
France
A CCOR DING to the People’s Year Book for 1926 (pp. 121-123),
TA 1 5 6 1 societies were affiliated with the French Cooperative
Wholesale Society at the end of 1924. The sales of the society in
1924 amounted to 353,986,123 francs,5; the net surplus to 1,056,147
francs, and the production by the society was valued at 23,718,876
francs.
Hungary fi
"THE “ Hangya,” which is the central union and wholesale of the
Hungarian cooperative societies, had a membership in 1923 of
1,962 societies and of 18,000 individual persons;7 these societies had
sales during that year of 135,000,000,000 kronen.8 In 1923 the
Hangya’s business amounted to 62,352,004,000 kronen and in 1924
to 548,025,392,693 kronen. As is pointed out in the report, these
figures reflect the enormous inflation of the currency and give no
real indication of the relative sales in the two years.
Japan
T H E table below, taken from the Twenty-fifth Financial and
Economic Annual of Japan, 1925 (p. 88),, issued by the Japanese
Department of Finance, shows the number of cooperative societies
of each type in that country on December 31 of each year, 1922 to
1924:9
N U M B E R OF C O O P E R A T IV E S O C IE T IE S OF E A C H T Y P E IN JA P A N ON D E C E M B E R
31 OF E A C H Y E A R , 1922 TO 1924
1922
T y p e of society
C redit societies
__________________
____
M arketing societies
- __________________________
Purchase societies
- ______________________ - P roductive societies
________________________
- M arketing and purchase societies
_ _______________________
ATarketing and productive societies
____________________
Purchase and productive societies
_____________________
M arketing purchase and productive, societies
_ _______
____________ ______
C redit and m arketing societies
C redit and purchase societies
__ _________________
C redit and productive societies
__________ _____
C redit m arketing and purchase societies
____________________
C redit m arketing and productive societies
______ ___ _____
C redit purchase and productive societies
___________ ____
C redit m arketing, purchase» and productive societies________________
T otal
______________ ____ -
— --
1923
1924
2,442
275
449
99
372
135
41
198
209
3,019
89
4, 197
101
168
2, 253
2,491
259
425
124
357
140
46
202
182
2. 902
95
4, 106
110
236
2,584
2, 536
282
379
162
332
140
63
222
169
2, 777
109
3,992
97
284
2, 900
14, 047
14, 259
14,444
______ _____ ----------
3 People’s Y ear Book, 1926, pp. 116-118.
* K rone a t par=26.8 cents; exchange ra te varies,
s F ranc a t par=19.3 cents; exchange ra te varies.
# People’s Y ear Book, 1926, pp. 128,129.
. J .
,
.. . . . .,
i T h e H angya differs from m ost central organizations in th a t it adm its to m em bership individuals as
well as societies.
3 K rone a t p a r=20.3 cents; exchange ra te varies.
.
, , T ,
,, .
9 Sim ilar d a ta for th e years 1911 to 1921 w ere given in th e A ugust, 1923, issue of the L abor Review.
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158
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
Netherlands
"THERE are two consumers’ federations in the Netherlands, the
. larger of which is the Central Union of Dutch Consumers’
Societies and the other the Federation of Roman Catholic Diocesan
Societies, which is composed of about 100 societies with somethingover 20,000 members.
Hie Central Union was established in 1920 by the amalgamation
of the Dutch Cooperative Union and the Union of Dutch Workers’
Cooperative Societies. Despite this, according to the People’s
1 ear Book for 1926 (pp. 127, 128), separatist tendencies are still
evident in the reduction of the membership which has taken place
since the amalgamation. Whereas there were in 1920, 155 affiliated
societies, with a combined membership of 191,573, in 1925 there
were only 132 affiliated societies with a membership of 117,702, a
reduction in membership of 38 per cent. It is believed by the’union,
however, that this downward movement has now been checked.
The wholesale society had in affiliation at the end of the year 345
societies with a total membership of 151,808. Its sales in that year
amounted to 11,304,306 florins,10 its net surplus to 125.635 florins,
and the value of its production (of soap) to 427,560 florins.
Rumania
T 'H E Central of the Producers’ and Consumers’ Societies of Rum ania
has recently issued a report 11 on the cooperative movement in
that country, in which the development of the various branches of
the movement are traced from the time of their first appearance in
Rumania. Similar data showing the operations and development
of the three principal types of societies from 1919 through 1924 have
already been given m the Labor Review.12 The report under review
however, gives some interesting and new facts relating to thé
“ central.’
I he cent ral or wholesale was established by decree of Decomber o l7 1918, &s & section in tbe Centr&l jB&nk tor Cooperative
Societies and for Distribution of Land to the Peasants. The State
supplied capital of 8,000,000 lei 13 and 4,000,000 lei was subscribed
by the cooperative societies. The central is governed by an admin
istrative council of seven members, of whom three are appointed by
tne State and three are elected for terms of three years bv the coopei ative societies. The director oi the central is the seventh
member.
The central, being half a public and half a cooperative body, is
able to serve both State and cooperative societies by supplying goods
and foodstuffs to the army and to the societies. I t has also aided
materially in the housing work undertaken by the Government. In
the two frontier Provinces 4,200 dwellings for the peasants have
been built, the lumber for which was furnished by the cooperative
forestrv societies through the central
f ) ()r' rl P p a r—40.2 cents; exchange ra te varies.
o n é ra tlfd e n r o d U & p l ^ i VeS de R u c t i o n et de Consomm ation de Roum anie. Le m ouvem ent co
A ugust,P1925?p^182 * ^
S0Imllati0n en R oum am e. Bucharest;, 1925. 73 pp., folders, charts.
13 Leu a t T)ar=19,3 cents; exchange rate varies.
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159
COOPERATION
The number of cooperative societies affiliated to the central and
the sales of the central to the retail consumers’ cooperative societies
during the 6-vear period 1919 to 1924 were as follows:
N u m b er of
affiliated
societies
1919______________
1920
_______
1921 ____________
1922
1923 ___________
1924______________
___
Sales to consum ers’ societies
(lei)
208
308
367
448
711
837
47, 160, 000
74, 050, 000
95, 060, 000
131, 600, 000
74, 164, 000
Cooperative production, it is said, is very rarely organized into
specialized productive societies, the societies usually performing
many functions, such as cooperative purchase of farm supplies and
machinery, working up of farm products, marketing of produce, etc.
Data on consumers’ and supply and sale societies of Rumania for
1924, given in the People’s Year Book for 1926 (pp. 140, 141), show
that Of 2,650 such societies, 1,737 reported a combined membership
of 231,933, sales for 1924 of 805,364,128 lei, capital of 72,599,905 lei,
and reserves of 13,635,072 lei.
Of the 314 productive societies, 115 had sales of 32,102,218 lei.
There were also 922 forestry societies, 416 of which had a membership
of 57,652, and annual business of 182,892,400 lei.
In Transylvania (an agricultural territory which formerly belonged
to Hungary but was annexed to Rumania after the war) there are
over 500 productive and consumers’ societies affiliated with the
Hangya of Hungary. Nearly 1,500 societies in Bessarabia (which
formerly belonged to Russia), with about 300,000, members, are
affiliated in their own central union and wholesale.
Switzerland
'“THE following figures, taken from the January, 1926, issue of the
International Cooperative Bulletin (p. 9), show the number of
each of the various types of cooperative societies in existence in
Switzerland on December 31, 1924. For purposes of comparison
similar figures for 1923 are also given.
N U M B E R OF C O O P E R A T IV E S O C IE T IE S IN S W IT Z E R L A N D , D E C E M B E R 31, 1923 AN D
1924, BY T Y P E O F S O C IE T Y
T ype of society
W orkers’ societies---------------------General consum ers’ societies------A gricultural consum ers’ societies..
H otel a n d re stau ran t societies.......
Housing a n d construction socie
ties__________________ ________
W ater su p p ly s o cie tie s...----------E lectricity and gas sup p ly socie
ties________ _____ ____________
O ther consum ers’ societies-----. . . .
A gricultural supply societies------Cheese factories----- ------------------O ther agricultural producers’
societies.................................. .........
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1923
56
669
191
118
52
668
191
119
230
404
237
407
400
155
770
2, 714
393
156
772
2, 736
1924
T ype of society
1923
Land-im provem ent societies. . .
C attle-breeding societies -----------Societies for joint use of m achinery, etc_______________________
Pasture societies------------------------Raiffeisen societies--------------------O ther credit, savings, a nd banking societies---------------------------Insurance societies---------------------M utual-aid societies. . ........ .......
M iscellaneous--------- --------- --------
111
1, 545
112
1, 539
347
86
347
353
86
365
199
243
608
2, 065
186
241
598
2^32
T o ta l_______________ . ____
11,459
11,443
1924
201
[907]
160
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
United Kingdom
■"THE following data, taken from the People's Year Book (published
1 jointly by the English and Scottish Cooperative Wholesale
Societies) for 1926 (pp. 18-26) show the development of the Coopera
tive Union and its members at the end of 1924:
A C T IV IT IE S
OF M E M B E R S
OF T H E
C O O P E R A T IV E U N IO N IN 1924, B Y T Y P E OF
S O C IE T Y
[£ a t par=$4.8665; exchange rate varies]
T y p e of society
N u m N u m b er
ber of of m em
socie
bers
ties
C onsum ers’ retail socie
ties:
E ngland and W ales. 1,021
S c o tla n d ..._______
258
Ireland _________
35
Share and
loan capital
Sales
N et surplus
3,995, 534 £79, 623, 334 £138,966,328 £14,257,494
13, 666, 798
661, 752
34,428,938
4,594, 291
45, 582
763,809
1,682, 559
95, 663
N u m A m ount
ber of
paid in
em
wages and
ployees salaries1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
T o tal___________
1,314
4, 702,868
94, 053, 941
175,077,825
C onsum ers’ federations.
Productive societies___
Supply associations____
Special societies............
10
105
4
8
80
37, 699
8,389
1,469
49, 880
3,071,873
492, 057
70, 592
282, 677
5,425, 660
1, 679, 217
2,524,829
16,363
3 363, 734
66, 802
« 52,087
42
11, 368
1,399
3, 041
6, 276
1,338,353
216,846
187, 610
Wholesale societies:
E nglish.................
Scottish__________
Irish .......................
E. & S......... ............
1
1
1
1
7 1,187
7 266
7 676
72
31,551,203
7,313,233
293, 673
3,874, 224
72, 888, 064
17,312,194
440, 275
6,320,160
1.213,345
411, 729
« 14, 460
325,088
34, 227
9,762
117
12,836
4,814,147
1,227, 892
22,234
248, 647
T o ta l.....................
4
7 2,131
43,032, 333
96, 960, 693
« 1,950,162
56, 942
6,313, 010
G rand to tal: 1924. 1,445
1923. 1,441
4, 752, 636
4, 618, 819
140, 770, 676
126, 903, 883
281,950, 901
258,449, 666
21,396,596 207,211
17, 521, 001 186,500
25, 596,987
24, 218, 709
3 18, 947, 448 134,419
4
£17,534,892
1 In addition th e following sum s were paid in bonuses on wages: B y consum ers’ societies, £57 404- by
£rA U G,t lve socletles>£45,598; b y su p p ly associations, £2,173; and b y special societies, £170—a total of
£i05,345.
2 N o t reported.
3 N et surplus of societies showing such; th e losses of societies am ounted to £33,651
4 Before deducting loss of £147.
* Before deducting loss of £8,344.
6 Before deducting loss of £40.
7 M em ber societies.
8 Deficit.
8 Before deducting loss of £14,460.
The English and Scottish Cooperative Wholesale Societies, as is
well known, are wholesalers for the consumers' societies only; the
Irish Agricultural Cooperative Wholesale Societv, however, caters to
the agricultural societies and is therefore on a different footing from
the other two. The “ E. & S. Cooperative Wholesale Society” in the
above table is the joint wholesale established by the English and
Scottish wholesales to take the place of the former Joint Tea Com
mittee. At the end of 1924 these societies owned jointly 35,574
acres of tea plantations in Ceylon and India.
The number of housewives organized into the Women's Cooperative
Guild in 1924 reached 53,664, an increase of 1,580 over the previous
year.
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1908]
VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE
Statistics of Public Vocational Guidance in Germany, 1922 to 1924
NDER the law of July 22, 1922, regulating public employment
offices in Germany, communal (municipal) public employment
offices are authorized and may even be obligated through the
national employment office or through the highest State authorities to
undertake vocational guidance and the placement of apprentices.1 In
order to show the development of public vocational guidance work
since the enactment of the above law, the National Employment
Service (.lle ic h sa rb e itsv e rw a ltu n g ) has recently published statistics
relating thereto and covering the period 1922 to 1924.2 These sta
tistics are briefly summarized below.
U
N U M B E R OR P U B L IC V O C A T IO N A L G U ID A N C E O F F IC E S A N D V O C A T IO N A L A D
V IS E R S IN G E R M A N Y , 1922 A N D 1924
K in d of office or adviser
Independ en t vocational guidance
offices_______ ______ _______ _______
Vocational guidance offices operated
in conjunction w ith —
A n em ploym ent office. ................
A public welfare office_______ _ .
A juvenile co u rt_____________ .
A school.. ____________________
A n office for th e care of survivors
of w ar victim s _________ _____
O ther public offices.........................
T o tal........ .....................................
1922
1924
71
10
397
79
14
14
556
9
1
2
K ind of office or adviser
V ocational advisers, male:
Full himp. ( h fiu p tfl.r n tlir h )
P a rt tim e ( n e b e n a m tl ic h ) _
H onorary_____ _ __ . 1 . . . ............
Vocational advisers, female;
F ull tim e (h a u p t a m t l i c h )
P a rt t.imA (n e h e n a in t li c h )
H o n o rary .. .
1922
(2)
(2)
49
72
1924
489
549
82
1KO
123
12
5
1
592
1 597
1 18 offices failed to make returns.
* N o t reported.
The preceding table shows that the number of vocational guidance
offices was practically the same in 1924 as in 1922. The mainte
nance of this number, or rather its slight increase, however, was due
to the opening of new vocational guidance offices in non-Prussian
States. In Prussia the number of vocational guidance offices de
creased from 448 in 1922 to 429 in 1924, in spite of the fact that the
public employment offices were obligated to include vocational guid
ance in their activities. The decrease in Prussia, was, however, more
than offset by increases in Bavaria, Saxofty, and Württemberg.
A noteworthy fact is that in 1924, as a result of the law of July 22,
1922, nearly all the vocational guidance offices were operated in con
junction with public employment offices, while in 1922 nearly onethird of the existing offices were operated either independently or in
conjunction with public offices other than employment offices.
The National Employment Service considers it a gratifying fact
that the number of full-time (h a w p ta m tlich e) vocational advisers,
i. e., advisers who are exclusively employed in that capacity, has
increased so greatly in 1924, as compared with 1922, for only real
1 F o r th e provisions of th is law see October, 1922, issue, pp. 185-191.
2 Reichsarbeitsm inisterium . R eicbsarbeitsblatt, Berlin, Sept. 1, 1925, pp. 536*-541*.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
|9 0 0 |
161
162
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
experts in vocational guidance who give all their time to such work
can carry out efficiently the duties assigned to them by the law.
The data relating to salaried advisers who in addition to vocational
guidance, attend to other duties in the employment offices and to
those advisers who officiate without pay are not comparable because
these two classes of advisers were not enumerated in 1922.
The table indicates that while the number of vocational guidance
offices had reached its highest level in 1922, public vocational guid
ance work has improved in quality during 1924 owing to the greater
number of qualified advisers engaged in the work.
Of the 597 vocational guidance offices in existence in 1924, 385
made complete returns usable in the compilation of statistics. In
1922 the number of usable returns was 383.
The applicants for vocational guidance at the 385 offices making
complete returns numbered 250,560 (144,162 males and 106,398
females), as against 235,013 (134,813 males and 100,200 females) in
1922. Of the total number of applicants in 1924, 228,553, or 91
per cent, were boys and girls leaving the elementary schools ( Volk
schuler). The corresponding figure for 1922 was 208,589, or 89 per
cent. Students leaving intermediate and higher schools who applied
for vocational guidance in 1924 numbered 21,818, as against 26,424
in 1922. No data are available as to the educational training of
the remaining few applicants.
The results of vocational guidance are shown in the following table:
R E S U L T S OF P U B L IC V O C A T IO N A L G U ID A N C E F O R T H E TW O Y E A R S E N D IN G
J U N E 30, 1923 A N D 1924
Year ending Ju n e 30, 1923
Y ear ending June 30, 1924
Item
M ale
Applicants for vocational guidance ______
___ 134,813
Vacancies for apprentices and learners rep o rted — 88,979
A pplicants entering vocations w ith aid of vocational guidance officers
________ . 63,439
60, 689
A pplicants placed as apprentices or learners. . .
\ pplicants directed to trad e schools
A p p lic a n ts directed to colleges
A pplicants sent to public em ploym ent offices
fnr p l a c e m e n t as unskilled workers -
Fem ale
T otal
M ale
Female
T otal
100, 200
48, 626
235,013
137, 604
144,162
88,643
106,398
45,397
250, 560
134, 040
38, 214
32, 956
101,653
93,645
64, 019
61,494
2,108
417
40,384
34, 880
5, 390
114
104, 403
96, 374
7,498
531
11, 553
8,965
20, 518
From the preceding table it will be seen that while the number of
applicants for vocational guidance increased in the fiscal year 1923-24,
as compared with 1922-23, the number of vacancies for apprentices
and learners decreased, especially for females. It should, however,
be kept in mind that the fiscal year 1923—24 falls within the period of
the great economic crisis in Germany, the period of boundless in
flation and of subsequent stabilization of the currency and of large
unemployment. In view of this fact the decrease of 2.5 per cent m
the number of vacancies is not large. In spite of the decrease in
vacancies the number of applicants for vocational guidance who
were placed as apprentices or learners in the fiscal year 1923-24
shows an increase over the preceding year.
The data as to the number of applicants directed to trade schools
confirm the well-known fact that it is much easier to induce girls than
boys to go to such schools. The number of applicants directed to
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[910]
VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE
163
colleges, as shown in the table, looks rather small. The actual num
ber is without doubt much larger, since the entrance into a college
generally takes place without direct cooperation of the vocational
guidance offices.
The National Employment Service has also compiled a table
showing by industry groups the number of male and female appli
cants for vocational guidance grouped by the vocation of their own
choice, the vacancies for apprentices and learners reported, the
number of applicants advised who entered a vocation with the co
operation of vocational guidance office, the number placed as
apprentices or learners, and the number directed to trade schools
and colleges. This table is too large to be reproduced here; it can
therefore only be stated that it indicates plainly the preference of
the boys and girls entering economic life for certain "favorite”
occupations which are already overcrowded, while on the other hand
it shows a disinclination on their part to enter other occupations in
which the demand for apprentices and learners is greater than the
supply. Among the boys’ favorite occupations, machinist comes
first, then automobile mechanician, and then carpenter. Girls show
special preference for occupations in the clothing industry and for
work as clerks, salesladies, and typists.
Upon the vocational guidance offices devolves the important task
of guiding the young people not only into a vocation for which they
are best fitted physically and mentally but also into one which is
not overcrowded. That the vocational guidance offices are making
every possible effort to fulfill this task is indicated by the statistics
on their activities, which show that in a number of occupations the
number of applicants for vocational guidance placed exceeds the
number of applicants who expressed the wish to be placed in such
occupations. These statistics show also how important a factor
vocational guidance, if efficiently administered, may become in the
combating of unemployment.
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ST R IK E S A ND L O C K O U TS
Strikes and Lockouts in Belgium in 1925
SUMMARY of the strikes and lockouts occurring in Belgium
during 1925, classified by industries and by causes, is given
in the Belgian Revue du Travail for January, 1926 (pp.
30-32).
There were 108 strikes settled during the year, which affected
84,217 workers, 81,422 of whom were strikers, the remainder,
2,795, being forced out of employment by the strikes. Four lockouts
also occurred during this period, affecting 566 workers. The 108
strikes involved 733 establishments and the 4 lockouts, 52.
The following table shows the number of strikes occurring in the
various industries, the number of establishments affected, the num
ber of strikers, and the number of other workers unemployed because
of the strikes:
A
S T R IK E S IN B E L G IU M D U R IN G 1925, BY IN D U S T R IE S
N u m b er of
strikes
In d u stry
B u ild in g s
.
___ . ___
Chem ical . .
__
.
................
C loth in g . .
____ . ...................
.
. .....................
Food___________ ______ _
Glass_____ ____ ____ - _______ _____ _ _____ ____
H ides a n d skins____
....................... .
............... .
In stru m e n ts of precision__________ . . _ _____ ____ _
M eta l.-_ . . . _ ___ ______ .- . ____ _
M ines ___
.
. . . .
.
..
............... ...
.
__ _
P aper, ____ P ottery ____________
_ . .
......................... ... , . . .
P ublish in g___________________ ______ ____ - ____ __
Q uarries. ............. ................................. _ __ .
. ___
Textile_____
- _ ................
T ran sp o rt___
W oodworking and fu rn itu re___ _ _ _ - - - - - -
2
3
3
4
4
5
1
21
7
2
7
2
8
25
3
11
N um ber of
establish
m ents
affected
2
3
3
4
4
17
1
324
8
40
253
11
25
3
28
N um ber of w orkers
involved
D irectly
Indirectly
268
389
119
145
250
320
200
61, 069
5,698
544
1,447
5,258
1,505
2,982
77
30
1,976
668
7
15
70
9
236
192
190
The most important cause of strikes was demands for wage in
creases, which caused 65 strikes and involved 69,853 workers. The
causes next in importance were protests against the dismissal of
workers and demands for reinstatement of discharged workers,
which led to 20 strikes with 1,969 strikers, and the question of labor
organization, which caused 13 strikes and involved 2,484 workers.
Of the remaining 10 disputes affecting 7,116 workers, 6 had to do
with the labor contract, 2 with a revision of the collective agreement
and wages, 1 with trade-union questions, and 1 with dismissal of a
worker and the organization of the workers. The 4 lockouts were
over the question of wages.
Twenty-three strikes, with 2,491 strikers, were settled in favor of
the workers, 52, with 10,442 strikers, in favor of the employers, and
33, with 68,489 strikers, resulted in a compromise. Two lockouts
involving 320 workers ended in success for the employers and 2 with
246 workers ended in a compromise.
164
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[9121
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
165
Strikes and Lockouts in Canada, 1925
HE following statistics on strikes and lockouts in Canada in
1925 are taken from the February, 1926, issue of the Canadian
Labor Gazette (pp. 102,103):
T
S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S IN C A N A D A , 1913 TO 1925
N u m b er of disputes
Year
D isputes in existence in th e year
In exist Begin E m ploy
ning in
ence in
ers in
th e year th e year volved
1913.................... ................................................
1914____________ . . . ____
1915__________________ _______
1916_____ ___ __________________
1917..................................... .
1918____________________ . „
1919__________ . . . . . . _
1920_____ ___ ____ __________ . . .
1921........................... .............. ...... .
1922................ ..................... .
. .
1923___ _______ ____________________
1924________________ _______
1925________ ________ _
113
44
43
75
148
196
298
285
145
85
91
73
83
106
40
38
74
141
191
290
272
138
70
77
63
81
1,015
205
96
271
714
766
1, 913
1,273
907
569
419
415
510
E m ploy
ees in
volved
39, 536
8,678
9,140
21,157
48, 329
68,489
138, 988
52,150
22,930
41,050
32, 868
32,494
25, 796
T im e loss
in w ork
ing-days
1, 287, 678
430, 054
106,149
208, 277
1,134, 970
763,341
3, 942,189
886, 754
956, 461
1, 975,276
768,494
1, 770,825
1, 743,996
The majority of the controversies in 1925 were of comparatively
short duration, as is shown by the following statement of the number
of disputes and of employees involved, classified by working-days
lost:
W orking-days lost
D isputes
100.000 days and over_______
50.000 and under 100,000 days.
25.000 and under 50,000 days..
10.000 and under 25,000 days..
5.000 and under 10,000 days___
2.500 and under 5,000 days__
1.500 and under 2,500 days__
1.000 and under 1,500 days__
500 and under 1,000 days____
250 and under 500 days_____
100 and under 250 days_____
Under 100 days____________
__
Total_______________
Em ployees
involved
1
11, 463
__ 3
6
_. 1
6
... 11
8
6
8
... 14
__ 19
2, 880
4, 632
1, 090
1, 442
1, 583
725
375
375
793
438
... 83
25, 796
The one strike which was responsible for 1,478,727 working-days
lost, or nearly 85 per cent of the total, occurred in the coal mines of
Nova Scotia and lasted from March to August (see pp. 27 to 31 of
this issue).
Of the 83 disputes, 19 occurred in the clothing manufacturing in
dustry, 19 in various kinds of construction work, and 14 in mining,
nonferrous smelting, and quarrying.
The majority of these controversies (56) were settled by negotia
tions between the parties in dispute and in 6 cases through the medi
ation of outside parties. In one case the strikers returned to work
on the employer’s terms, in 15 cases the places of the strikers or
locked-out employees were filled by others, and 5 disputes were un
terminated or not definitely settled. In no case was a settlement
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[913]
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
166
brought about through arbitration or by referring the dispute to a
board under the industrial disputes investigation act of 1907. In
the Nova Scotia coal miners’ strike and the Quebec boot-factory
dispute work was resumed as a result of mediation, with a partial
revision of wages, but the questions at issue were left to boards of
inquiry.
Strikes and Lockouts in Rumania, 1924 1
URING 1924, 385 collective labor disputes were recorded in
Rumania, covering 74,777 workers. Of these disputes, 88
(85 strikes affecting 11,453 workers and 3 lockouts affecting
296 workers) resulted in stoppages of work. The establishments in
which these disputes occurred employed in all 103,564 workers, so
that the proportion participating in the disputes in question amounted
to 72.19 per cent of those employed.
Of the 385 disputes, 352, covering 71,287 workers, occurred in
industrial establishments, and 33, covering 3,490 workers, in com
mercial establishments. There were no agricultural disputes.
Of the 103,564 workers employed at the time when the disputes in
question took place, more than half (56,398) were organized. Nearly
all the organized workers (53,131 or 94.21 per cent) took part in the
disputes.
The number of working-days lost in consequence of collective
disputes was 212,365—208,488 due to strikes and 3,877 to lockouts.
Of the disputes recorded during the year under.review, 73.77 per
cent took place in Transylvania and Banat, i. e., in former Hun
garian Provinces. The industries most affected were the wood
working (66 disputes) and the food industries (42 disputes).
Wages were the chief cause of dispute, 58.74 per cent of the total
number having this origin. It is worthy of note that among the
other causes of disputes (working conditions, 21.12 per cent; hours
of labor, 5.12 per cent; dismissal of workers, 5.44 per cent; mis
cellaneous causes, 9.58 per cent) no mention is made of any disputes
arising over questions of organization.
The results of disputes show a very large percentage of successes
gained by the workers. In not fewer than 282 disputes (73.25 per
cent) this was the outcome of negotiations or stoppages of work.
In 70 disputes the workers were unsuccessful in their efforts, and 33
disputes were compromised.
In 277 cases (71.95 per cent) the settlement of the dispute was
arrived at with the aid of conciliators of the Ministry of Labor;
in 64 cases (16.62 per cent) by voluntary or compulsory arbitration;
in 42 cases (10.91 per cent) by direct negotiation between the parties
concerned; and in two cases by the voluntary resignation of the
workers who were discontented with the conditions proposed by the
employers.
The number of disputes in 1924 was considerably lower than in
the previous year, having fallen from 491 with a loss of 291,045
working-days, to 385 disputes and 212,365 days lost.
D
1 R um ania. M inisterul M uncii, Cooperatiei si A sigurarilor Sociale.
.Tune-September, 1925, pp. 185-196
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1914]
B uletinul M uncii, Bucarest,
CO N CILIA TIO N A N D A R B IT R A T IO N
Conciliation Work of the Department o( Labor in February, 1926
By
H
ugh
L. K
e k w in
, D
ir ecto r
of
C
o nc il ia t io n
n p H E Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 24 labor disputes
during February, 1926. These disputes affected a known total
of 23,616 employees. The table following shows the name and
location of the establishment or industry in which the dispute oc
curred, the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or contro
versy not having reached strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade
concerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of
settlement, the date of beginning and ending, and the number of
workmen directly and indirectly affected.
On March 1, 1926, there were 51 strikes before the department
for settlement and, in addition, 10 controversies which had not
reached the strike stage. Total number of cases pending, 61.
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£0151
167
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O F LA B O R T H R O U G H IT S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , F E B R U A R Y , 1926
D uration
Com pany or in d u stry and location
N atu re of
controversy
C raft concerned
Cause of dispute
Present status and term s of settlem ent
Begin-
Ending
1926
1926
Q uinlan F erry Boat, Rock Island,
111.
60 clothing shops, N ewark, N . J __
B otany W orsted Mills, Garfield,
N . J.
H otel W orth, Buffalo, N . Y ............
M aspeth H a t W orks, M aspeth, L .I.
[916]
U m brella and stick makers, New
Y ork C ity.
K night Textile Co., N atick, R. I . ..
H ebert K nitting M ills, W oon
socket, R. I.
E hrlich Co., Chicago, 111................. .
Nash-Paige M otor Co., Pittsburgh,
Pa.
B uhl M alleable Co., D etroit, M ich. ___ do _____
E ast Penn Electric Co., Pottsville, Controversy
Pa.
Ohio collieries, Hocking Valley, Strike_____
Ohio.
D ressmakers, New Y ork C ity____ Controversy
0
Clothing in d u stry __
Feb.
3
Feb.
6
H untington B ank and K . of P.
Building, Columbus, O hio.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Lockout.
Feb.
1
0
0
(9
0
Feb. 16
Feb.
8
1
8
1
Unclassified. Satisfactorily settled be
fore arrival of commissioner.
C lothing tr a d e ......... . 0 ---------- ----- ----- Pending___________________________
M in in g ______ _____ _ M ethod of paying w ag es.. A djusted. Satisfactorily adjusted___
Feb.
W orking conditions; idle
ness of M ine N o. 281.
U nion dispute relative to
visiting representatives..
W orking conditions_____
D ressm aking_______
B u ild in g ........ ............ . Jurisdiction of iron and
carpenter work.
L a th and
plaster N onunion lathers em
w ork.
ployed.
A djusted. R eturned.
adjusted later.
A djusted. R eturned.
conditions.
3
Feb. 19
Feb.
M in in g ____________
Feb.
0)
Jan.
Jan .
Wage cut of 30 per c e n t ..
D raw ing of wage contract
F ranklin A uto Co., Syracuse, N . Y. Strike______ P a in tin g of autos___
Goodman & Suess, Rochester, N. Y.
Columbia Afine, St. Clairsville,
Ohio.
B ism ark H otel, Chicago, 111............ ___ do __
Jan. 28
Pending. Open shop effective______
A djusted. All questions subm itted
to arbitration.
A djusted. Agreed to start M ine 281
at once.
Pending.................................... ................
M olding___________
Street railw ays_____
In d i
rectly
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
F u r workers, New York C ity ____
D i
rectly
43
B u ild in g ..____ _____
N onunion carpenters em Unable to adjust. Union carpenters
w ould not work on boat.
ployed.
Wage cuts of $2 to $3 per Unclassified. Settled w ithout aid of
commissioner.
week.
T h rea te n e d F u r in d u stry ............. . Asked agreem ent w ith 44 P ending___________________________
hour week, unem ploy
strike.
m ent insurance, etc.
Textiles....................... S ym pathy w ith Passaic; ___ d o _____ __________ ____________
10 per cent increase.
N onunion m en w ith
B u ild in g___________ N onunion iron w ork.......... A djusted.
draw n; union steel m en employed.
Asked shorter hours w ith P ending_______ ______________ _____
H a t tra d e ...... ............
same pay.
Conclude satisfactory
H andle m ak ing____ Division of w ork in slack A djusted.
agreement.
times, and wages.
Textiles____________ W age cut of 10 per cen t__ A djusted. Accepted 10 per cent wage
cut.
against U nable to adjust. Owner refused to
___ do _____ ___ d o . ......................... D iscrim ination
m eet strikers.
union men.
T h rea te n e d L eather tra d e ______ Violation of agreem ent___ A djusted. Agree to abide b y con
tra c t providing week work instead
strike.
of piece work.
Pending......................................................
Strike_____ A utom obile industry. 0 ...... ...............
M en involved
Feb. 16
Feb. 11
0
60
M ar.
2
Feb. 17
175
2,048
0
8
Feb.
9
(9
6)
Feb. 15
Term s to be
(9
M ar. 10
No change in
Feb. 19
Feb. 24
500
J. V. M cN eil Co., P . J. W alker Co.,
R . E . M illsap Co., J. C. B an
nister Co., H ooten C onstruction
Co., contractors, Los Angeles,
Calif.
T o ta l_____________ _______ _
1 N o t reported.
[91T T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
S trik e ...........
Brick w ork................ . S ym pathy w ith m arble
and tile workers; fight
for recognition.
(»)
M ar. 2
430
5
A djusted. Accepted $1 per week in
crease and union recognition.
Feb. 18
Feb. 26
175
5
A djusted. C om pany agreed to pay
overtim e since Jan u ary 13, 1926, as
contracted.
Pending.
C ontractors promoting
open shop.
0)
M ar. 4
15
73
116
200
20,102
3,514
A djusted.
T erm s not reported
Jan.
9
CO N C ILIA TIO N AND ARBITRATION
88369 °— 2 6 t ------ 12
Leon Ferenbaeh Silk Co., Parsons, Strike............ Textiles......................... Wages and working con
Pa.
ditions.
C entury Throw ing Co., H udson, ____do_ ___ ____d o ______________ Claimed wages lower th a n
Pa.
com pany’s mill at Parsons.
E g y p t i a n T ransportation Co., T hreatened M achinist work . __ Asked overtime for SunM arion, 111.
strike.
day and holidays.
05
CO
170
M ONTHLY
LABOR
R E V IE W
Industrial Conciliation in Germany, 1924
ONCILIATION of labor disputes is governed in Germany by
the decree of October 30, 1923, the provisions of which were
discussed in the February, 1924, issue (pp. 233-235). Ac
cording to this decree there are now three kinds of conciliation
authorities: Conciliation boards, individual conciliators, and the
Federal Minister of Labor. The conciliation boards (Schlichtungs~
ausschlisse) are State authorities created for specified districts.
The conciliators are appointed by the Federal Minister of Labor,
either permanently for certain large economic districts, or for indi
vidual cases where the dispu te is of great importance. The permanent
conciliators are also to decide whether awards made by the concilia
tion boards within their district shall be declared binding for the
whole district. Formerly the Minister of Labor was authorized by
law either to act himself as conciliator in important disputes or to
appoint some other conciliator. Under the decree of October 30,
1923, he may no longer settle such disputes personally, but has the
right to appoint special conciliators for their settlement. He gen
erally appoints high officials of the Ministry of Labor, but sometimes
also appoints other suitable nonpartisan persons. The Minister of
Labor is also competent to declare awards legally binding which have
been made by a conciliation board presided over by a permanent or
special conciliator, or which cover a district extending beyond the
jurisdiction of a permanent conciliator.
A recent issue of the Eeichsarbeitsblatt1 contains the following
statistics of industrial disputes dealt with by the conciliation author
ities in 1924:
Of 16,480 disputes brought before boards of conciliation, 1,634 were
settled prior to the setting of a date for their discussion and 2,319 were
adjusted during the preliminary proceedings (Vorverfahren) ; in
11,533 the boards brought about agreements between the parties or
rendered formal decisions; the remaining 994 cases were settled other
wise. In 208 disputes the conciliation boards intervened on their
own initiative. In all Germany there were in existence 119 concilia
tion boards and 21 branch boards.
The total number of disputes settled by individual conciliators or
with the assistance of the Minister of Labor was 2,095. Of these,
278 were settled prior to the setting of a date for a hearing or during
the preliminary proceedings; in 449 cases agreements were arrived
at; in 1,102 cases awards were rendered; the remaining disputes were
settled by other methods.
The conciliators and the Minister of Labor dealt with 3,559 pro
posals to make agreements or awards binding generally throughout
given trades and districts, They were disposed of as follows:
C
Number
of cases
Agreement between the p arties__________________ 1, 365
Decisions made generally binding_______________
839
Refusal to make decisions generally binding______ 1, 070
Proposals w ithdraw n__________________ ________
285
Per cent
38. 4
23. 6
30. 0
8. 0
* Germany. Reichsarbeitsministerium. Reichsarbeitsblatt, Berlin, Sept. 1, 1925, pp. 525*, 526*.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[918]
C O N C IL IA T IO N
AND
A R B IT R A T IO N
171
Conciliation Plan for English Shipbuilding Industry
HE Manchester Guardian for February 18, 1926, announces that
the unions in the Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades’ Fed
eration have adopted by a vote of four to one an agreement
with the Shipbuilding Employers’ Federation, providing machinery
for conciliation in any differences which may arise between them.
The agreement has been worked out by representatives of the two
sides in a joint committee.
Questions concerning general fluctuations of wages are not included
_ in the scope of the scheme. For other questions, except those relat
ing to piecework, the, first step in case of a disagreement is an inter
view between the employer and the workers concerned, which is to
take place within two days after the request for an interview is
made. If agreement is not reached at this meeting, a more formal
interview is held at which the workers may be accompanied by their
official delegate. Next, the matter may be referred to a conference
between the local employers’ association and the local representatives
of the union, and from this it may go to a central conference between
the representatives of the employers’ federation and the union. If
not settled here the question may go to arbitration or to a general
conference between the employers’ federation and all the unions
which are parties to the agreement.
For questions concerning piecework the procedure may be short
ened. If the matter can not be settled by the employer and workers
concerned, it goes to a joint committee of three employers and three
union representatives. If they can not agree, it is sent to a local
conference, from which it may be referred at once to arbitration, or
may, if preferred, go to the central and general conferences.
N o stoppage of work is to take place unless the conferees fail to
settle a question at an adjourned general conference, in which case
each side is to have entire freedom of action. The agreement is to
last for three years.
The shipbuilding industry has suffered severely during the indus
trial depression, and in 1925 the employers put forward a program
for improving matters which involved indirectly a reduction of
wages and directly a breaking down of the distinctions between skilled
and semiskilled work and a greater interchangeability of workers
among jobs. The workers were extremely opposed to such a plan,
and a joint committee was appointed to examine the whole ship
building situation and agree upon what steps were necessary for its
recovery. This joint committee has not yet made its final report,
and there is some doubt as to what its character will be. The estab
lishment of this conciliation machinery is felt to increase the likelihood
of a harmonious adjustment of relations in an industry which has
already been too hard hit to contemplate with any calmness the
prospect of serious industrial trouble.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9 1 9 ]
172
M ONTHLY
LABOR
R E V IE W
Icelandic Law on Mediation in Labor Disputes ]
URING the last 10 years, as the fishing industry of Iceland
has developed, labor disputes in the industry have increased,
especially in Reykjavik, which is the center for the trawling
fleet. In several disputes the Government has intervened.
Trade-unions have been organized at most of the fishing grounds
and have formed a general federation. The employers have formed
several associations but have no general association corresponding
to that of the workers.
The numerous disputes led to the submission of various measures
designed to remedy the situation. Among these was the measure
enacted into law on June 27, 1925 (Law No. 55), which met with
approval of both employers and trade-unions.
The law specifies that the Icelandic Confederated Trade-Unions
and the Icelandic Employers’ Association, or until this is formed,
the Icelandic Trawlers’ Association, shall each appoint five members
and the supreme court an arbitrator. This commission of 11 mem
bers is in turn to choose, subject to approval by the Ministry of In
dustry, a conciliator for 3 years. If no person receives at least
seven votes for the position of conciliator, the place is to be filled
by appointment by the ministry. The conciliator, who may inter
vene whenever he thinks a labor dispute threatens, is paid by the
State.
A copy of any collective agreement arrived at and all necessary
information must be furnished to the conciliator.
D
Work of Official Conciliators in Sweden, 1924 2
HE labor disputes in Sweden in which the official conciliators or
conciliation boards intervened in 1924 numbered 243, as com
pared with 194 in the preceding year and an annual average
of 200 during the period 1915-1923.
In 118 of the disputes dealt with, a stoppage of work occurred.
Negotiations before a conciliator affected 2,591 employers and 187,829 workers. The disputes involving stoppage of work affected
629 employers and 16,608 workers. During the year the conciliators
and conciliation boards intervened in 47 per cent of the stoppages of
work, affecting 70 per cent of the total number of workers involved.
In 158 cases the initiative was taken by the conciliators themselves,
in 12 cases by employers, in 8 by workers, and in 27 by both parties.
Of the 205 disputes coming before the conciliators, 124 were due to
demands for wage increases, 8 to reduction of wages, 24 to other
wage questions, 12 to the interpretation of an agreement, and 6 to
hiring or discharging workers. Demands for collective agreements,
other questions of organization, and working conditions were also
matters of controversy involving conciliation procedure.
Of the 205 cases dealt with, 171 were settled during the course of
the year. In 34 cases the parties themselves took in hand the conduct
of negotiations, or the dispute remained unsettled. In 151 cases the
conciliation resulted in a compromise, in 11 in a settlement favorable
to the workers, and in 8 in a settlement in favor of the employers.
T
1Denmark. Socialministeriet. Social Forsorg, December, 1925, pp. 409-411.
2 Sweden. Socialstyrelsen. Sociala Meddelanden, Stockholm, 1925, N o . 11, pp. 898-900.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[920]
IMMIGRATION
Statistics of Immigration for January, 1926
By J. J.
K
u n n a
, C
htef
St a
t is t ic ia n
U
n it e d
St a t e s
B
ureau
of
I
m m ig r a t io n
n p H E alien population of the United States in January, 1926, was
increased by 14,652, a total of 29,733 aliens having been
admitted and 15,081 having departed.
During that month 1,662 aliens were refused admission to the
United States, but only 220 were rejected at the seaports of entry,
the other 1,442 having been turned back at the border-land stations.
The number of aliens arrested and deported was 532.
The principal races contributing immigrant aliens in January, 1926,
were the German (3,981), English (3,101), Irish (2,109), Scotch
(2,026), Mexican (1,767), French (1,584), and Hebrew (1,029). The
other races or peoples furnished less than 1,000 each.
As to the character and business of the aliens admitted under the
immigration act of 1924 during January, 10,072 came in as natives
of nonquota countries and their wives and children; 9,688 as immi
grants charged to the quota; and 4,251 as residents of the United
States returning from a temporary sojourn abroad. Those here tem
porarily for business or pleasure numbered 3,066, and 1,320 were in
continuous passage through the country on their way elsewhere.
Eight hundred and seventeen aliens were admitted as wives and
children of United States citizens, and the remaining 487 as Govern
ment officials, students, ministers, professors, etc.
During the seven months from July, 1925, to January, 1926, a
total of 163,220 immigrant aliens was admitted. After deducting
67,924 reported as having “ no occupation” (including women and
children), or 42 per cent of the total, only 31 per cent of the remainder
(who are working immigrants) were skilled and 51 per cent unskilled,®
the other 18 per cent being of the professional and commercial classes.
Omitting those among the emigrant aliens departed during this period
who had “ no occupation,” nearly three-fourths of the remainder
were unskilled.
T a b l e 1. — INWARD
AND OUTWARD PASSENGER MOVEMENT, JULY 1, 1925, TO JAN
UARY 31, 1926
Inward
Period
1925
July_________
August... __
September _
Octobei.. .. ...
November. ...
December____
1926
January_____
Total___
Outward
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
United
United
Aliens
departed
barred
ported
States
States
citi Total from
citi Total after
Non
enter Emi Nonland
zens
zens
Immi immi
ing 1 grant emi Total depart
ing 2
grant grant Total ar
grant
rived
ed
Aliens admitted
18, 590
22, 421
26, 721
28. 685
26, 642
21, 089
14,177
17, 052
23, 081
19, 427
14, 860
11, 216
32, 767
39,473
49, 8C2
48,112
41, 502
32, 305
26,326 59, 093
49, 922 89,395
68, 500 118, 302
35, 413 83, 525
23,118 64, 620
18, 027 50, 332
2,000
1,774
1, 429
1, 965
1, 951
1, 932
8, 784
7, 539
7, 200
7, 674
6, 555
8, 840
17, 715
12, 978
12, 485
13, 264
11,915
12, 663
26, 499
20, 517
19, 685
20, 938
18, 470
21, 503
66,136
37,185
24, 369
24, 227
18, 039
19, 274
92, 635
57, 702
44, 054
45,165
36, 509
40, 777
919
940
855
909
835
595
19, 072 10, 661 29, 733 19, 695 49, 428 1,662 5,286 9, 795 15, 081 25,987 41,068
532
163, 220 110,474 273,694 241,001 514,695 12, 713 51,878 90,815 142,693 215, 217 357,910 5,585
1These aliens are not included among arrivals, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2 These aliens are included among aliens departed, they having entered the United States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
®This term includes draymen, hackmen and teamsters, farm laborers, farmers, fishermen, common
laborers, and servants.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[921]
173
174
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
T a b l e 2 —L A S T P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O P IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO ,
A N D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1925, TO
JA N U A R Y 31, 1926, B Y C O U N T R Y
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as p erm anent residence]
Im m igrant
C ountry
January,
1926
A lb a n ia .... ................................ . . . ....................... - ............ ..
A ustria
. . ________ ____ _______________________
___ ____ ______________________________
Belgium
B ulgaria
________________________________________
Czechoslovakia___ _________ 1- - __________________
Danzig, Free C ity of ................... ........................... - __
D enm ark
_____ _________ - ___________
E sthonia _______ _____-_____ __ ________ _____
F in l a n d - ___________________ _____________________
France, including C o rs ic a ___
-___ ___ __
G erm any
_____ . _____ - - - ..........- ___________
G reat B ritain a n d N orthern Ireland:
England
............................ ............................. 1...........N o rth ern Irelan d____ __________________________
Scotland
_____________________ ______ ________
■ W ales.
____________ . __________ ___ ______
Greece
.................................. ..................... - ______ ______
H u n g a ry __________ _______________ ________________
Irish Free State ______________________ ___ ________
Italy, including Sicily a n d Sardinia__________________
L atv ia
...... ... ................................. ..... ....... ........................
L ith u an ia . ________________________________________
Luxem burg ■_______ ______ ___________ ________ __
N etherlands
.............................. . ...............................
N orw ay . . __ ___ __ _______________ __________
P o la n d ......................................... ........ ............... ........ -Portugal, including Azores, C ape Verde, a n d M adeira
Isla n d s.. _________________ ____ . . ._ ________
R u m an ia. .. _______________ _______ ____________
-Russia
. . . _______________________ ___
__ ______
Spain, including C anary and Balearic Islands. ______
Sw eden _________________________________________
Sw itzerland____________ ___________________________
T u rk ey in E u r o p e __ ___ . . . _____ ___________
Y ugoslavia.. . _________________ ____ _____ _________
O ther Europe
.
________ ___ __________- ___
Total, Europe
.
____
A rm enia
.............................................. .. . .
...........
C h in a___________________________ _ _____ . . . . .
In d ia ____________________________ ____ ____ ________
J a p a n _______ _________________________ __________
P alastine________________________ . . . __________
P e rs ia ..____ ______ __________ ___________ _________
:S yria________________________ ______ ____ __________
T u rk ey in A sia____ ____ ______ ________________ ____
O ther A s i a ______ _________________ ______________
Em igrant
July, 1925,
to Ja n u
ary, 1926
January,
1926
July, 1925,
to Ja n u
ary, 1926
79
63
8
231
11
117
5
24
275
3,333
75
663
444
107
2,043
135
1,208
74
288
2, 574
27,601
3
25
21
9
157
23
4
21
33
124
184
269
275
46
1,155
1
461
11
249
570
2, 06S
691
19
927
104
81
48
629
668
29
53
5
89
103
696
5,835
183
7,335
'734
668
540
13,374
i 942
227
465
71
975
2,873
4,349
332
12
58
6
218
64
49
2,076
3
10
1
21
85
98
3,152
164
955
26
3,553
499
557
15,280
29
226
4
244
1,390
l', 901
72
97
184
14
405
139
15
84
6
382
714
1,064
214
4.364
1,161
153
677
143
61
103
16
134
24
22
2
165
2,328
878
83
1,791
614
263
21
1, 598
31
9, 304
86, 655
3,980
40,882
1
136
3
39
8
4
50
1
12
6
1,158
62
363
140
25
274
4
66
6
214
13
89
8
1
4
2
4
30
1,942
88
725
118
24
179
85
36
................... .
2.54
2,098
341
3, 227
C anada . . . - _________ _________ __ ______
N ew foundland ________ ____________________ ___
Mexico . _______________ ________ _ ____ _
. ..
C uba
. _____ _____________ ____ _ ___ . . .
O ther W est Indies
__________ ______________ ____
C entral America _________________________________
B r a z i l . _________ __________________________________
O ther South America
___________________________
O ther America ____________________________________
7,155
75
1,816
131
28
36
58
130
2
54,041
1,239
14, 067
1,223
' 579
821
637
1,301
6
150
13
202
179
224
41
11
102
1,289
196
1,892
1, 323
1,418
352
130
789
1
___________
9,431
73,814
922
7, 390
E g y p t... - _______________ _ __ ________________
O ther Africa
________________ __________________
A ustralia
____ _________________________________
N ew Z e a la n d ______________________________________
O ther Pacific Isla n d s_______________________________
18
18
28
19
148
157
221
110
17
4
15
18
4
31
61
182
90
15
_______________________
83
653
43
379
G rand total, all countries______________________
19, 072
163, 220
5,286
51,878
Total, Asia__________ _____
.
Total, A m erica_____ ___________
T otal, other countries
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 922 ]
2
17o
IM M IG R A T IO N
T able 3 .—IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1925, TO
JA N U A R Y 31, 1926, B Y R A C E OR P E O P L E , S E X , A N D A G E G R O U P
Im m ig rant
E m igrant
R ace or people
Jan u ary ,
1926
A M ean (black)_______________ _______________ _____
A rm enian_______ _________________ _____ _
_____
B ohem ian and M oravian (C zech)___________________
Bulgarian, Serbian, a n d M o n te n e g rin _____ . . . . . .
C hinese___ ____ _________________________ __________
C roatian and Slovenian..............................
..........
C u b a n ...................
. . ______ . . . . . . _____ . . . . . .
D alm atian , Bosnian, and Herzegovinian . . . . . . . .
D utch and F lem ish ________________________________
E a st In d ia n ______ _________________________________
E nglish________________________________________ . .
F in n is h ._______________________________________ . . .
F ren ch ____________________________________________
G erm an______ _________________________________ .
G reek______________________________ _____________
H ebrew _________________________________________
Irish ______________________________________________
Italian (n o rth ). .
. . . . . ____ _ . . _____ ____
Italian (so u th )________ ____ ______________________ .
Japanese ____________ ___________________________
K orean....... ....... ............
. . .....
L ith u an ia n .................................. ................. .........................
M agyar-----------------------------------------------------------------M exican__________ . . ______ _ _______ _
Pacific Isla n d er_____________ _____ _
Polish___________________ . ______________ ______
Portuguese________ _____ _______ ________________ .
R u m a n ian _____ ___________________________________
R u ss ia n ...
...............
. . ___
R u th en ian (R u ssn iak ). ____ __________
Scandinavian (N orw egian, D ane, an d S w e d e )______ _
Scotch__ ___________________ _______ ____________
S lo v a k ... ________________ __ __________________ .
Spanish_______ __ _____________________________ _
. __________ ________ . . ._
Spanish-A m erican___
S y rian ______________________ ____________ . . . _. .
T u rk ish ___ _____________ ___________ _________
W elsh____ _____ _________________________________
W est In d ia n (except C u b an )________________________
O ther peoples_______ . . __________________________
T o tal. ____ . . . _____
40
65
209
45
120
55
70
9
203
2
3, 101
41
1,584
3,981
91
1, 029
2,109
120
634
36
3
23
70
1, 767
Ju ly, 1925,
to January,
1926
January.
1926
107
8
108
140
206
27
136
22
68
11
473
27
47
149
217
10
66
180
1,911
89
226
74
20
62
35
873
2,026
25
24
98
42
110
10
12
28
513
472
1,643
325
900
472
763
39
1, 763
33
25,924
419
13,134
32, 502
819
6, 409
23, 522
828
4,682
331
20
252
672
13, 715
2
1, 710
453
184
592
305
10, 056
15, 841
389
397
1, 538
285
165
721
211
219
10
78
200
100
68
101
37
1
149
112
51
160
99
8
5
8
80
17
Ju ly , 1925,
to Jan u ary ,
1926
694
61
621
1,080
1,867
426
926
307
594
54
4, 394
266
698
2,484
3,580
233
851
2,129
13,163
716
16
238
635
1,871
1
1,819
2, 372
787
389
42
2, 627
1,302
578
2, 118
866
212
129
66
446
220
19, 072
163, 220
5,286
51, 878
M a le ... ...............................
.
____ . _ . . . ___
Fem ale___ ______ _____ ______ _ _________ ____ _
10, 705
8,367
84, 734
78, 486
4, 347
939
38, 370
13, 508
U nder 16 years________________________________ ____
16 to 44 years. ____________ ______________________ _
45 years and over________ _____ _____________________
2,960
14, 325
1. 787
27,835
119, 072
16, 313
184
4, 079
1, 023
2,285
39, 225
10, 36»
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[923]
176
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 4 .—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924, D U R IN G JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1925, TO JA N U A R Y 31, 1926,
B Y C O U N T R Y OR A R E A O F B IR T H
tQuota immigrant aliens are charged to the quota; nonimmigrant and nonquota immigrant aliens are not
charged to the quota]
Admitted
C ountry or area of birth
A lban ia____________________________
A ndorra____________________________
A ustria_____________________________
B e lg iu m ______ ___________________
B ulgaria _ _ _______________________
C ze c h o slo v ak ia .___________________
Danzig, Free C ity of
_____________
D enm ark _____ ___________________
E s th o n ia .. _______ ________________
F in la n d . __________________________
F ran ce__ _______ __ ________________
G e rm a n y __________________________
G reat B ritain an d N o rth ern Ireland:
_________________
E n g lan d ___
N o rth ern Irela n d ______ _________
Scotland_______ _____ ____ ______
W a le s .. . . ____________________
Greece ._ ____________ . . _______
H u n g a ry ____________ _____________
Iceland ______ ________ ____________
Irish Free State _____________ ______
I t a l y . _____ __________________ ____ _
L atvia ________________________ . . .
Liechtenstein _____________________
L ith u an ia ______ ________ _________
Luxem burg . ._ ____________ ______
M o n ac o .. ___________ ____ ______ _
N etherlands______________________ .
N o rw ay ____________________________
P o la n d ____ ________________ _______
P o r tu g a l.____ ________ __________
R um an ia_______ ______ ____________
R ussia. _______ _____ __ _________ .
San M arin o________________________
_______________
Spain _______ .
Sweden . ________________________
Sw itzerland_____ _______________ ___
T u rk ey in E u r o p e ... ______________
Y ugoslavia............................... ...................
O ther E u ro p e................ .............................
A nnual
quota
100
100
785
• 512
100
3,073
228
i 2,789
124
471
1 3,954
51, 227
T o tal, A s ia .__________________
100
100
124
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
( ‘)
(')
1,424
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
G rand
total,
Total
Ju
ly 1,
during
January,
1925,
to
Ju ly 1,
July 1,
1926
Jan. 31,
1925, to Jan u ary , 1925, to January,
1926
1926
Jan . 31,
Jan . 31,
1926
1926
1926
55
1
522
306
70
2,073
139
1,328
72
276
2,217
27,856
( 7.125
492
34, 007 1I 7,930
l
764
75
100
473
363
100
32
28,567
14,821
2,477
1 3,845
142
96
100
6
344
245
47
100
2
100
1 1,648
872
6,453
3,088
5,982
4,104
314
» 503
412
603
i 2,248
1,262
100
2
1131
97
9,561
4, 757
2,081
1,094
1 100
77
671
369
143
(■)
T otal E u r o p e ____________ ____ 1 161,422
A fghanistan__
A r a b ia ____ ______________________
A rm enia__________ ___________
B h u ta n ____ ___________________ _
C h in a ..____________________________
India-------- _ . _______ ___ __________
Iroo (M esopotam ia)________ ______
J a p a n ______ _______________________
M u s c a t......................................... ............
N e p a l........ ....................... . . ___________
P alestin e........................... ............ . ____
P ersia.............................................................
Siam ..............................................................
S y ria ..
.
...........................................
T u rk ey in A sia_____ ________________
O ther A sia. ............ . ........ .................... .
Q uota im m igrant
85,981
3
316
2
909
1,025
94
l, 788
24
1,222
50
853
3,846
7,079
21
24
83
97
9
1.83
3
91
3
43
282
672
150
144
16
428
22
216
8
66
532
4,077
15,109
255
5,135
617
1,716
951
17
3,420
14,681
141
1,142
30
367
51
167
84
1
159
1,498
8
53
3
125
97
378
157
84
188
208
266
1, 006
219
145
396
4
468 '
155
4
44
6
439
65
7
1,428
1,713
3,109
1,327
804
1, 928
1
2,993
2, 156
1,450
680
1,394
95
2,070
101
1,435
158
178
121
8
1,024
l | 833
14
1
87
375
119
122
101
146
8
379
587
277
105
190
14
2,300
4,801
7,213
1,641
1,276
3,190
3
3,090
6,913
2,544
757
1,763
238
9, 560
78,899
6, 950
16, 510
164,880
2
2
1
1
2
7
131
67
47
7
245
19
125
5
23
250
3,405
928
71
1,068
107
11
37
7
865
335
6
1
34
2
83
169
628
62
61
208
5
5
22,234
747
13,065
1,381
1, 791
1,314
49
18, 241
17,158
237
6
684
112
9
41
5
90
7
12
97
63
17
16
3
4
1
6
3,940
301
10
3,172
1
440
18
443
51
80
2
18
64
11
135
1
59
31
15
168
62
11
604
200
135
7
580
62
8, 698
950
7
2
371
3
1,431
L 331
164
3,861
163
2,550
122
1,129
6,063
34, 935
360
19
7
1
365
4,037
364
27
3,188
1
21
25
1
66
33
22
219
142
11
668
211
270
1,012
9, 278
22
1Annual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in Other Europe, Other Asia, Other Africa,
Other Pacific, and in America, is included with the annual quota for the European country to which they
belong. Quota for Turkey in Asia is included with that for Turkey in Europe.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[924]
177
IM M IG R A T IO N
T a b l e 4 .—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924, D U R IN G JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1925, TO JA N U A R Y 31, 1926,
B Y C O U N T R Y OR A R E A O F B IR T H —C ontinued
A dm itted
Q uota im m igrant
C o u n try or area of b irth
A nnual
quota
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
G rand
Total
total,
during Ju ly 1,
January,
,1925,
to
July 1,
Ju ly 1,
1926
Jhn. 31,
1925, to Jan u ary , 1925, to January,
1926
Jan. 31,
1926
Jan. 31,
1926
1926
1926
Cam eroon (B ritish )_________ ________
Cam eroon (F re n ch )____ _______
E g y p t. . ..
. . . . . ------------------------E th io p ia___ _______________________
Liberia _____________ . . . .................
Morocco_____________ _______ _____
R u an d a a n d U ru n d i... ......... .. .
South Africa_______________________ _
South W est A frica... ..............
T a n g a n y ik a .. .............................. ........ . .
Togoland (British) _ . ............. ..................
Togoland (F re n ch )__________________
O ther A frica... . ..................... ................
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
(>)
22
4
59
13
17
81
T otal, A f r ic a ..________________
1,200
177
22
336
34
56
513
A ustralia..................... .................................
N a u ra ____ . ______________________
New Zealand ________ ______ ________
N ew G uinea........................ .......................
Samoa_____________ ________ ______
Y a p ___ ________ ____ ____ __________
O ther Pacific...................................
121
100
100
100
100
100
I1)
92
14
1,748
142
156
1,840
70
9
606
46
55
676
2
85
3
3
2
92
Total, Pacific______________ . . .
621
169
C anada...... ...... ...........................................
N ew foundland. ___________________
M exico___________ _______ _____ ____
C uba___________________ _____ _____
D om inican R epublic . ________ . .
H a iti__________________________ ____
B ritish W est Indies_________________
D u tc h W est In d ies_________ . . . . . .
F rench W est Indies............................. .
B ritish H onduras___________________
C anal Zone . .. . . . __________ _____
O ther C entral A m erica__________ ___
B razil_______ . .......................... .............
B ritish G u ian a_________________ ____
D utch G uiana. _________ ____ _______
French G u ian a. ___________________
O ther South A m erica..............................
G reenland________
.
_______
M iquelon and St. Pierre_____________
70
1
2
8
12
77
1
9
12
3
3
147
2
11
20
73
1
6
176
2
16
1
22
1
249
3
7
23
(')
(i)
(•)
357
10
16
14
(■)
31
1
(')
(i)
(>)
(’)
(0
Total, A m erica.. _____________
G rand total, all countries_______ 164, 667
44
2
7
4
1
1
1
13
2,441
191
214
2,610
54,157
2, 265
24; 289
6,177
'514
126
2,619
86
32
7, 013
161
3,316
635
49
1
277
11
5
7,013
161
3,316
635
49
1
291
11
9
54,157
2, 265
24' 289
6,177
514
126
2,976
96
48
58
10
1, 770
3
4
92
92
89
10
1, 770
697
83
7
74
4
74
5
697
127
9
2,888
247
247
2,888
1
4
27
4
20
467
21
95,802
11,888
11,909
96, 269
87,374
9,688
186,176
20, 013
29,701
2 273, 550
>A nnual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in O ther Europe, O ther Asia, O ther Africa,
O ther Pacific, and in America, is included w ith th e annual quota for th e E uropean country to w hich they
belong. Q uota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk ey in Europe.
* Does not include 144 aliens ad m itted under court decision.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
178
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
T a b l e 5 .— A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924, D U R IN G JA N U A R Y , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1925, TO JA N U A R Y 31 1926 BY
S P E C IF IE D C LA SSES
‘
’
[The number of immigrants appearing in this table and in Table 4 is not comparable with the number of
statistical immigrant aliens shown in the other tables, by races, etc.]
January,
1926
Admissible class
July, 1925,
to January,
1926
Nonimmigrants under section S
G overnm ent officials, th eir families, atten d an ts, servants, and employees
Tem porary visitors for—
B usiness________ ___ ___ _______________________ _
P leasure_____________________________ ______ ______________
In continuous tra n sit through th e U nited States_____ ._ _______
To carry on trade u n d er existing tre a ty ........... ......................... ..............
288
3,4.54
1,377
1,689
1, 320
37
10,342
20,859
12,662
249
4, 711
47, 566
493
324
4,251
3,939
2,456
51, 218
i 9,983
79
10
26
15
27
5
2
4
83
1 77,806
551
123
404
151
286
116
29
20
1,511
T o ta l__________________________________________ ..
15,302
138,610
Quota im m igrants u n d er section 5 (charged to q u o t a ) . ____
9, 688
87,374
29,701
273, 550
T o tal-
__________________________________
_
Nonquota immigrants under section 4
W ives of U nited States citizens__ • _____________________ _________
Children of U nited States citizens_______ _____________ ____ . __
R esidents of th e U nited States returning from a tem porary visit abroad . .
N atives of C anada, N ew foundland, Mexico, Cuba, H aiti, D om inican R epublic,
C anal Zone, or an independent country of Central or South America _ _.
T heir w ives___________ _____________ ______
T heir ch ild ren________ _____ __________ __. ___________
M inisters of religious denom inations____________________ . . .
W ives o f m in isters___________ ___ _____ ________________ ______
Children of m inisters___ . . . ______________ _____
Professoj-s of colleges, academies, seminaries, or universities. _______ .
Wives of professors__________________ ________________________
C hildren of professors___________ _______ _______ _________ _
S tud en ts_______ __________ ____ ___________
G rand total a d m itte d . . ______________________ . . .
1Does not include aliens born in nonquota countries who were admitted as Government officials, visitors
transits, etc.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[926 Î
FACTORY INSPECTION
Mississippi
"THERE are 211 establishments listed in the eighth biennial report of
* factory inspection to Mississippi State Board of Health, 19231925, from which publication the following data are taken. In
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1925, these Mississippi factories em
ployed about 11,500 persons.
*
It is the duty of the State factory inspector to register all the
manufacturing establishments in the State and to visit each of these
plants at least three times per year. He is also expected to visit
any plant when requested to do so by any one complaining of condi
tions therein. Furthermore, he is charged with the enforcement of
the child labor law and the women’s employment law.
In 1924 the minimum age limit at which children may be employed
in Mississippi was raised from 12 to 14 years. The present State
factory inspector who took the position July 1, 1924, has found boys
and girls under this age employed in many places in the State both
in manufacturing and business establishments. During the fiscal
year 1924-25, however, there has been improvement along this line
and also in the matter of safety and sanitary conditions. The work
of the inspector is declared to be very much hampered because of the
meager appropriation for his office.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
|927]
179
WHAT STATE LABOR BUREAUS ARE DOING
AMONG tlie activities of the labor offices of the various States the
following, reported either directly by the offices themselves or
through the medium of their printed reports, are noted in this issue :
A la s k a . —Wages and labor conditions, page 60.
C a lifo r n ia . —Order regulating hours and working conditions of
women and minors in the motion-picture industry, page 62 ; changes
in volume of employment in the various industries in the State,
page 117.
Mr. Warren H. Pillsbury has resigned the attorneyship of the
California Industrial Accident Commission.
I llin o is . —Activities of public employment offices of the State,
page 115; and changes in volume of employment in the various in
dustries, page 119.
Io w a . —Placement work of the public employment offices of the
State, page 115; and changes in volume of employment, page 121.
M a r y la n d . —Changes in volume of employment, page 122.
M a ssa c h u se tts. —Placement work of the public employment offices,
page 116; and report on changes in number of people employed,
page 123.
M is s is s ip p i. —Factory inspection, page 179.
N e w Y o r k . —Average weekly earnings of factory employees,
page 62; changes in volume of employment in the various industries
in the State, page 124; and extension of the emergency rent law
page 153.
"
N o rth D a k o ta . —Report of operations under the workmen’s com
pensation act, page 143.
O h io . —Placement work of public employment offices, page 116.
Mr. T. J. Duffy, chairman of the Industrial Commission of Ohio,
has severed his connection with the commission, effective February
15, 1926. His successor is Mr. P. F. Casey, of Cleveland.
P e n n s y lv a n ia . —Study of child labor in canneries, page 82; and
activities of public employment offices, page 116.
V ir g in ia . —Report of operations under the State workmen’s
compensation act, page 144.
W is c o n s in . —Placement work of public employment offices,
page 117; and changes in volume of employment in the various indus
tries in the State, page 124.
180
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[928]
CURRENT NOTES OF INTEREST TO LABOR
Industrial Accident Conference
T 'H E Secretary of Labor, James J. Davis, is planning to call a
1 three-day industrial accident conference in Washington in July,
probably the 14th, 15th, and 16th.
The call will be issued to the governors of the States, requesting
that the States be represented by the industrial accident expert of
that State. The call will also be issued to the principal insurance
carriers and industrial associations, as well as to the larger selfinsurers.
It is hoped that the conference will develop the best methods of
accident prevention, of reporting accidents, and of establishing a
clearing house for definite statistical data which can be made usable
by all in the work of accident prevention.
Profit Sharing in the Austrian Postal and Telegraph Service 1
I J N D E B an agreement concluded with the State authorities on
December 2, 1925, the employees of the Austrian Postal, Tele
graph. and Telephone Administration will share in the net profits
from the operation of these public utilities. The share they will
receive has been fixed at 1.8 per cent, a minimum of 120 schilling per
employee per year being guaranteed. This minimum is to be paid
quarterly and any surplus will be paid before Christmas.
The employees originally asked for 2.11 per cent, but the authorities
were unable to go beyond 1.8 per cent. This system of profit sharing
replaces the previous “ bonus on results” system.
Joint Ownership of Land by Landlord and Tenant in China
A N ACCOUNT is given in a recent number of the Chinese Economic
T * Bulletin2 of an unusual type of land ownership which is in force
in Wuhu, the rice center of China.
In the vicinity of Wuhu, particularly within a radius of 5 li (about
1p2 miles) the soil is very rich and two crops a year can be grown
without the use of fertilizers. It is a custom in this locality to con
sider fertility as a separate element of the land which belongs to the
tenant, while the indestructible part of the land only is considered
the property of the landlord. The fertility commands a higher value
than the part which belongs to the landlord. For example, a mow
(one-sixth of an acre) of the best land sells for only about $30, while
the fertility of the soil, known as “ fei-tu,” brings more than $50.
1International Labor office. Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, Jan. 18, 1926, p. 61.
* Chinese Government Bureau of Economic Information. The Chinese Economic Bulletin. Jan. 30,
1926, pp. 54, 56.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[029]
181
182
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
A new tenant has to pay this amount to an outgoing tenant, and to
obtain complete ownership a landlord must pay the working tenant
$50 or more for the “ fei-tu. ” Since few landlords make such
payment, their ownership is really limited to three-eighths of the value
of the land while the tenant owns the other five-eights. In the divi
sion of the crops between the landlord and the tenant, the latter also
usually has the larger share. The rice crop is divided in the propor
tion of 4 parts for the landlord to 6 for the tenant. All other crops
reaped belong to the tenant, who furnishes his own seeds, fertilizers,
and implements.
Although the quantity of rice to be turned over to the landlord is
fixed in the contract, the amount actually delivered depends upon
the condition of the crop. The landlord is invited by the tenant to
the farm to look over the crop just before the harvest time and is
feasted and treated with every mark of consideration. After the
crop is harvested, the landlord in turn invites the tenant to a feast,
where his agent presents a statement to the tenant showing the quan
tity of rice to be collected as agreed upon at the earlier meeting.
The Wuhu tenants are said to enjoy more favorable treatment than
many others, although the relations between landlord and tenants
are sometimes similar to this in other parts of China.
Continuation of Miners’ Welfare Fund, Great Britain
’’"THE Labor Gazette (London) for February, 1926, announces the
1 passage of an act continuing, for another period of five years,
the provision for a welfare fund for miners, first established under
the mining act of 1920 (see Labor Review, May, 1922, p. 231).
The present act, which received the royal assent on December 22,
1925, provides for the levy of a penny a ton on the output of each
coal mine, the funds thus secured being used for the social well
being, recreation, and improvement of living conditions of miners in
and about coal mines, as well as for the advancement of mining
education and research.
Abolition of Portugal Ministry of L ab o r3
Q N NOVEMBER 25, 1925, the Portuguese Ministry of Labor,
which was created in 1916, was abolished by a ministerial de
cree and the various services of the ministry were distributed among
other ministries as follows: The bureau of public assistance and the
bureau dealing with public hospitals were transferred to the Ministry
of the Interior; the public health service, to the Ministry of Public
Education; the bureau of compulsory social insurance and general
welfare, to the Ministry of Finance; and the bureau of industry and
of mines and geological service, to the Ministry of Commerce.
A new body was created and placed under the Ministry of the
Interior, to be called the Social Institute of Labor and to deal with
national labor questions. It is to be composed of (1) the social
labor policy division and the labor statistics division and (2) the
superior council of labor. All matters relating to woman and child
3 Portugal.
D iario do Governo, Lisbon, N ov. 25, 1925, pp. 1619-1627.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[930]
C U R R E N T NOTES OF IN T E R E S T TO LABOR
183
labor, hours of labor, night work, the weekly rest, minimum wage,
employmen t offices, labor contracts, labor disputes, conciliation and
arbitration, and workers’ education along social lines will be handled
by the social labor policy division.
Among other duties the labor statistics division will gather sta
tistics of labor, publish the Labor Bulletin, and cooperate with the
International Labor Office and similar institutions.
The superior labor council will give advice on questions dealt
with by the institute, will study existing legislation, and propose
necessary legislative reforms.
Recent Origin of Labor Problems in Spanish America
A N abstract of an address by Moisés Poblete Troncoso, assistant
secretary of the Chilean Ministry of Health, Assistance, Social
Welfare and Labor, delivered before the Madrid (Spain) Academy of
Law and Jurisprudence on July 16, 1925, appears in the February,
1926, issue of the Pan American Union Bulletin.
In referring to the labor problem, the author stated that this
problem developed in Latin America much later than in the older
European countries, which explains why official action for the pro
tection of the workers was taken only within recent years. He said
that this delay was due primarily to the fact that industrial develop
ment is of very recent growth in Latin America, and even to-day
large industries having enormous capital and up-to-date machinery
exist only in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Uruguay.
In Latin America along with industrialism there has come about a
radical change in public opinion as regards labor matters arid the
social policy of the Government. Latin America is passing through
a period of economic readjustment, the author asserted, based on
new standards which recognize the rights and just claims of labor.
The five Latin American countries which have enacted advanced
social legislation are Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, and Chile.
The most important labor laws of Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile
are listed and commented on.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[931]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
Official—United States
.— M ine In sp e c to r.
Fourteenth annual report fo r the year ending N o
vember 30, 1925. [Phoenix, 1926?] 81 pp.
D uring th e 12 m o n th s covered by th is re p o rt 112 m ines were in sp ected a n d
262 m ine inspectio n s m ade. A t th e la s t inspection 13,985 m en were fo u n d to
be em ployed in th e m ines of A rizona, 4,147 a t th e surface a n d 9,838 u n d erg ro u n d .
T h ere w ere 40 fa ta l acc id e n ts a n d 724 n o n fa ta l accid en ts in th e p eriod u n d e r
review .
A
r iz o n a
D
is t r ic t
of
C
o l u m b ia
.— R e n t
Com m ission.
Report.
W ashington, M ay, 1925.
vi, 96 pp.
I
.— D e p a rtm e n t of M ines a n d M inerals.
Forty-fourth annual coal report
of Illinois, 1925. [Springfield, 1926?] 364. PP-
l l in o is
.— In d u s tria l Com m ission.
W orkm en’s compensation decisions. Vol
um e 3. [St. Paul, 1926?] 287 pp.
T his volum e p resen ts th e decisions ren d ered by th e S ta te suprem e c o u rt an d
by th e in d u strial com m ission fo r th e calen d ar year 1925; also c ertain decisions
of th e U n ited S ta te s Suprem e C o u rt a n d one m a ritim e decision by th e
in d u stria l com m ission in 1924. T h ere w ere 15 decisions of th e S ta te suprem e
co u rt a n d 108 decisions of th e in d u stria l com m ission ren d ered d u rin g th e
y ear 1925. D igest headings a n d a n an a ly tic a l index a n d ta b le of cases ren d er
th e volum e conven ien t fo r reference. T h e th re e volum es of th is series, to g e th e r
w ith a n earlier bu lletin issued by th e d e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d in d u s try (N o.
17), give a com plete record of im p o rta n t com pensation decisions ren d ered since
th e w orkm en’s com pensation law becam e effective in th is S tate.
M
in n e s o t a
M
is s is s ip p i.
N
orth
V
— D e p a rtm e n t of S ta te F a c to ry In sp ectio n . Eighth biennial report
of factory inspection, J u ly 1, 1923, to J u n e 30, 1925. Jackson, [1925?] 14 pp.
C ertain d a ta from th e ab o v e p u b licatio n are given on page 179 of th is issue.
D a k o t a . — W orkm en’s C om p en satio n B ureau.
S ix th annual report, for
the fiscal year ending J u n e 30, 1925. [Bismarck, 1925?] 11 pp.
A su m m ary of th is re p o rt a p p ears on page 143 of th is issue.
.— In d u s tria l Com m ission.
B iennial report, fo r the years ending S ep
tember 30, 1924, and September 30, 1925. Richm ond, 1926. 35 pp.
D a ta from th is re p o rt are pu b lish ed on page 144 of th is issue.
ir g in ia
S t a t e s .— D e p a rtm e n t of A griculture.
B u reau of A g ricu ltu ral Eco
nom ics. A gricultural economics bibliography N o. 10: Research in rural
economics and rural sociology in the Southern States since 1920— a list of the
published, unpublished, and current studies. W ashington, Ja n u a ry, 1926.
iv, 44 VP- (M imeographed.)
Includes references to stu d ies of negro m ig ratio n , living conditions a n d cost
of living on farm s in v arious sections of th e U n ited S tates, co o p erativ e m ark etin g ,
child lab o r on farm s, etc.
U
n it e d
•------ D e p a rtm e n t of L abor. C h ild ren ’s B ureau. Publication No. 151:
labor in fr u it and hop growing districts of the northern Pacific coast.
ington, 1926. v, 52 pp.
A sum m ary of th is re p o rt is given c n page 80 of th is issue.
Child
W ash
•—— ------ E m p lo y m e n t Service. In d u stria l, agricultural, and general em ploy
ment prospects fo r 1926, based on inform ation received fro m Federal-State
directors of the U. S . E m ploym ent Service and. com missioners o f labor. W ash
ington, 1926. Hi, 17 pp.
184
[932]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PU B LIC A TIO N S R ELA TIN G TO LABOR
U
S t a t e s .—
n it e d
D e p a rtm e n t of th e In te rio r.
A la s k a f o r fis c a l y e a r en d ed J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 5 .
185
A n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e G o v e r n o r o f
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 5 . v, 1 2 4 P P G m a p .
A résum é of th e section of th is re p o rt w hich deals w ith wages a n d lab o r c o n d i
tio n s is published on page 60 of th is issue.
Official—Foreign Countries
A
u s t r a l ia
(N
ew
So u th W
ales
).—
D e p a rtm e n t
of
L abor a n d In d u s try .
o n th e w o r k in g o f th e f a c to r ie s a n d s h o p s a c t , 1 9 1 2 , d u r in g th e y e a r
S yd n ey, 1925.
4 4 PP-
R e p o rt
1924-
T h ere w as an increase in b o th factories a n d w orkers d u rin g th e y ear covered,
th e n u m b er of em ployees risin g from 131,561 in 1923 to 134,716 in 1924. C hil
dren u n d er 16 form ed 6.5 p er cent of th e to ta l w orking force, th e girls decidedly
o u tn u m b erin g th e boys, being 3,893 to 2,949. A ccording to d a ta covering th e
period from 1912 onw ard, th e n u m b er of boys u n d er 16 h as show n a ten d e n c y to
flu ctu ate, w hile th e n u m b e r of girls has show n a slight b u t ste a d y increase.
------ ( Q u e e n s l a n d ) . — E conom ic C om m ission on
R e p o r t.
B r is b a n e , [ 1 9 2 5 ].
th e
Q ueensland Basic Wage-
96 pp.
A m ong th e p rin cip al reco m m en d atio n s of th e com m ission w ere th e follow ing:
T h a t th e cap acity of th e in d u stry to p ay w ages should be th e chief guide in
d eterm in in g “ a s ta n d a rd basic wage for in d u strie s of ‘av erage p ro s p e rity ,” '
a n d t h a t th e question of cost of living should n o t be ta k e n up u n til th e a b ility to
pay has been ascertained.
T h a t cap acity to p ay should be based on figures show ing changes in Q ueensland
in p er cap ita incom e an d p a st a n d fu tu re p roduction.
T h a t in a d d itio n to th e calculation of th is cap acity -to -p a y index, a tte n tio n
should also be given “ to such m a tte rs as p ro d u c tiv e efficiency, u n em p lo y m en t,
and ra te s of wages in neighboring S ta te s.”
T h a t piece ra te s should be given consideration as a m eth o d of su stain in g or
au g m en tin g cap acity to pay.
T h a t th e principle of child en d o w m en t or, as th e com m ission prefers to express
it, “ th e principle of discrim in atio n in w age p a y m e n ts according to fam ily n ee d s,”
should be followed th ro u g h th e creatio n of a fu n d , p resu m ab ly su p p o rte d by
em ployers, o u t of w hich p a re n ts would be p aid an allow ance for each d e p e n d e n t
child. T h e g reat a d v a n ta g e of th is schem e is declared to be th e assu ran ce of a
“ higher sta n d a rd of com fort for all fam ilies w ith m ore th a n one d e p e n d e n t
child w ith o u t ad d in g a b u rd en to in d u stry or infringing th e H a rv e ste r eq u iv a le n t
for single or childless m e n .”
C a n a d a .— D e p a rtm e n t of L abor.
P r ic e s i n C a n a d a a n d o th e r c o u n tr ie s , 1 9 2 5 .
O tta w a , 1 9 2 6 .
1926.
30 pp.
I s s u e d a s a s u p p l e m e n t to th e L a b o r G a z e tte o f J a n u a r y ,
C ost-of-living figures from th is re p o rt are pu b lish ed on page 59 of th is issue.
------- ----
W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r r e p o r t N o . 9 .
W a g e s a n d h o u rs o f la b o r in
C a n a d a , 1 9 2 0 to 1 9 2 5 .
O tta w a , 1 9 2 6 .
45 pp.
I s s u e d a s s u p p l e m e n t to
L a b o r G a z e tte f o r J a n u a r y , 1 9 2 6 .
D a ta from th is re p o rt are given on page 64 of th is issue.
( N o v a S c o t i a ) . — R oyal Com m ission on C oal M ining In d u s try in N ova
Scotia. R e p o r t. O tta w a , 1 9 2 6 . 3 1 p p . (R e p r i n t e d b y th e D e p a r tm e n t o f
— _
L a b o r o f C a n a d a a n d i s s u e d a s a s u p p le m e n t to th e L a b o r G a z e tte , J a n u a r y ,
1 9 2 6 .)
F
A su m m ary of th is re p o rt is published in th is issue, page 27.
.— M inistère d u T ra v a il de l ’H ygiène, de l ’A ssistance e t de la P rév o y an ce
Sociales. B ureau de la S ta tistiq u e G énérale. S t a t i s t i q u e a n n u e lle d e s
rance
i n s t i t u t i o n s d ’a s s is ta n c e , 1 9 2 3 .
P a r is , 1925.
I, 6 7 p p .
S ta tistic s of various form s of relief, such as m edical assistance, fam ily allow
ances, old-age an d in v a lid ity pensions, etc., in F ran ce fo r th e y ear 1923.
S83690—261------13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[933]
186
G
M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
B r i t a i n . — H o m e O ffice.
S t a t i s t i c s o f c o m p e n s a tio n a n d o f p r o c e e d in g s
u n d e r th e w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a tio n a c ts , 1 9 0 6 a n d 1 9 2 3 , a n d th e e m p l o y e r s ’
l i a b i l i t y a c t, 1 8 8 0 , d u r i n g th e y e a r 1 9 2 4 .
London, 1926.
38 pp.
\ C m d . 2 5 6 7 .)
reat
D u r i n g t h e y e a r 1 9 2 4 c o m p e n s a t i o n w a s p a i d i n 2 ,8 7 8 f a t a l a n d 4 8 7 ,4 4 2 n o n f a t a l a c c i d e n t c a s e s , t h e p a y m e n t s a m o u n t i n g t o £ 7 8 6 ,4 4 4 ( p o u n d a t p a r = $ 4 .8 6 6 5 )
in t h e f a t a l a n d £ 5 ,8 8 8 ,5 9 4 i n t h e n o n f a t a l c a s e s .
T h e fa ta litie s sh o w e d a n
i n c r e a s e i n n u m b e r o f 8 .3 p e r c e n t o v e r t h e p r e c e d in g y e a r a n d a n i n c r e a s e o f
33 p e r c e n t i n t h e a m o u n t p a id .
N o n f a t a l c a s e s s h o w e d a n i n c r e a s e o f 2 .1 p e r
c e n t i n n u m b e r a n d a d e c r e a s e o f 10 p e r c e n t i n a m o u n t p a id .
T h e r e p o r t d e a ls o n ly w i t h s e v e n l e a d i n g i n d u s t r i e s , i n w h ic h i n 1 9 2 4 t h e
a v e r a g e n u m b e r e m p l o y e d w a s 7 ,5 1 2 ,3 5 9 .
T h e n u m b e r of f a ta l a n d n o n fa ta l
c a s e s i n e a c h o f t h e s e , p e r 1 ,0 0 0 p e r s o n s e m p l o y e d , w a s a s fo llo w s :
F a ta l
S h i p p i n g ___________
F a c t o r i e s __________
D o c k s _____________
M i n e s . _ ___________
Q u a r r i e s ________ , _ _
C o n s tru c tio n w o rk
R a i l w a y s __________
1. 4
. 2
.7
1. 1
.8
.7
.5
T o t a l - - -----------------------------------------------------------------
.4
N o n fa ta l
31.
38.
88.
191.
85.
78.
41.
5
3
4
0
2
2
3
6 4 .9
T h e n o n f a t a l c a s e s a r e t h o s e i n w h ic h d i s a b i l i t y l a s t s f o r m o r e t h a n t h r e e d a y s .
T h e r a t i o i n r e g a r d t o f a t a l c a s e s h a s s h o w n n o c h a n g e f o r fiv e y e a r s , e x c e p t in
1 9 2 1 , w h e n i t s a n k t o 0 .3 p e r 1 ,0 0 0 e m p l o y e d , b u t t h e r a t i o o f n o n f a t a l c a s e s h a s
r is e n m a r k e d l y s in c e 1 9 2 0 , w h e n i t s t o o d a t 4 5 .8 .
T h i s is a s c r i b e d l a r g e ly t o a n
i n c r e a s e in t h e n u m b e r o f a c c id e n t s i n f li c ti n g d i s a b i l i t y l a s t i n g le s s t h a n f o u r
w eeks.
------- M in e s
D e p a rtm e n t.
S a f e ty i n M in e s R e s e a r c h B o a r d .
P a p er N o . 18:
S to n e d u s t a s a p r e v e n tiv e o f c o a l- d u s t e x p lo s io n s — c o m p a r a tiv e te s ts , b y G . S .
R ic e a n d R . V . W h e e le r .
London, 1925.
15 pp.
T h i s r e p o r t g iv e s t h e r e s u l t s o f c o o p e r a t i v e t e s t s c a r r i e d o u t b y t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s B u r e a u o f M in e s a n d t h e B r i t i s h M in e s D e p a r t m e n t t o d e t e r m i n e t h e
p r o p o r t i o n s o f s t o n e d u s t n e c e s s a r y t o r e n d e r c o a l d u s t i n m in e s u n i n f la m m a b le .
I n t h i s e x p e r i m e n t a 1 0 - to n s a m p le o f A m e r ic a n c o a l w a s s e n t t o E n g l a n d a n d o n e
of B ritis h c o a l w a s s e n t to th is c o u n tr y in o rd e r to g e t s tr ic tly c o m p a ra b le d a ta ,
a s t h e r e s u lts o f p re v io u s t e s ts c a rrie d o u t in th e tw o c o u n trie s d id n o t a g re e ,
t e n t a ti v e ie c o m m e n d a tio n s a r e m a d e a s to th e a m o u n t of ro c k d u s t n e c e ssa ry
t o p r e v e n t e x p lo s io n s .
-------M i n i s t r y
o f A g r i c u lt u r e a n d F is h e r ie s .
R e p o r t o f p r o c e e d in g s u n d e r th e
a g r ic u ltu r a l iv a g e s (r e g u la tio n ) a c t, 1 9 2 4 , f o r th e y e a r e n d in g S e p te m b e r SO, 1 9 2 5
L ondon 1926.
62 pp.
A s u m m a r y o f t h i s r e p o r t is g i v e n o n p a g e 6 8 o f t h i s is s u e .
I
L a b o r O f f i c e .— S t u d i e s
c o o p e r a tiv e m o v e m e n t i n S o v ie t R u s s i a .
n t e r n a t io n a l
a n d r e p o r ts , s e r ie s H , N o .
G eneva, 1 9 2 5 .
x, 862 pp.
8:
The
A c i r c u m s t a n t i a l a n d d o c u m e n t e d a c c o u n t o f t h e t h r e e p h a s e s o f c o o p e r a ti o n
u n d e r t h e S o v i e t s y s t e m : D u r i n g t h e p e r io d o f c o m m u n i s m ; d u r i n g t h e p e r io d of
t r a n s i t i o n t o t h e n e w e c o n o m ic p o l ic y ; a n d u n d e r t h e n e w e c o n o m ic p o lic y .
T h e d e v e l o p m e n t s d u r i n g 1 9 2 3 a n d 1 9 2 4 a r e a ls o c o v e r e d .
T h is is a c a r e f u lly
w o r k e d o u t s t u d y , e x p l a i n in g t h e t h e o r i e s w h ic h le d t o t h e v a r io u s m e a s u r e s
a d o p t e d b y t h e S t a t e a u t h o r i t i e s a n d t h e i r e f fe c t o n t h e c o o p e r a t i v e m o v e m e n t.
A l i s t o f t h e s o u r c e s c o n s u l te d is a p p e n d e d .
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[9 3 4 ]
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PU B LIC A TIO N S RE LA TIN G TO LABOR
J a p a n .— D e p a r t m e n t o f F i n a n c e .
J a p a n , 1925.
T o k y o , [1 9 2 5 ? ]
T w e n ty - f if th f i n a n c i a l a n d e c o n o m ic a n n u a l o f
v i, 2 1 5 p p . ; c h a r ts .
T h is y e a rb o o k c o n ta in s s ta tis tic a l in fo rm a tio n r e la tin g to a g ric u ltu re a n d in d u s
t r y , i n c l u d i n g r a t e s o f w a g e s , i n d e x n u m b e r s o f w a g e s , t h e n u m b e r o f e m p lo y e e s
in d i f f e r e n t e n t e r p r i s e s c la s s ifie d a c c o r d in g t o o c c u p a t i o n , a n d t h e n u m b e r a n d
k in d o f c o o p e r a ti v e s o c ie tie s .
D a ta fro m th is r e p o r t o n w a g es in d iffe re n t
i n d u s t r i e s , o n p r o d u c t i o n i n c o a l m in e s , a n d o n c o o p e r a t i o n a r e g iv e n o n p a g e s
6 9 , 7 5 , a n d 1 5 7 o f t h i s is s u e .
N
E
etherlands
C e n tra a l
In
ast
.— D e p a r t e m e n t v a n L a n d b o u v v , N i j v e r h e i d e n H a n d e l .
v o o r d e S ta tis tie k .
M e d e d e e lin g e n N o . 1 9 : P r i j z e n ,
d ie s
K a n to o r
in d e x - c i jf e r s e n w is s e lk o e r s e n
x x v i i i , 7 7 p p . , c h a r ts .
op
Java,
1 9 1 3 —1 9 2 4 -
W e lte v r e d e n ,
1925.
A r e p o r t o f t h e C e n t r a l S t a t i s t i c a l O ffice o f t h e N e t h e r l a n d s E a s t I n d i e s o n
t h e m o v e m e n t o f w h o le s a le a n d r e t a i l p r i c e s a n d i n d e x n u m b e r s a n d o n t h e c o u r s e
o f r a t e s o f fo r e ig n e x c h a n g e in J a v a f o r t h e p e r io d 1 9 1 3 -1 9 2 4 .
----- -------------- M e d e d e e lin g e n
N o . 3 1 : K o s t e n v a n le v e n s o n d e r h o u d d e r in la n d s c h e
b e v o lk in g o p J a v a e n M a d o e r a , 1 9 2 0 - 1 9 2 4 .
W e lte v r e d e n , J a n u a r y , 1 9 2 6 .
12
p p . , 5 f o l d e r s , c h a r ts .
A b u l l e t i n o f t h e C e n t r a l S t a t i s t i c a l O ffice o f t h e N e t h e r l a n d s E a s t I n d i e s
c o n t a i n i n g d a t a o n t h e c o s t o f l iv i n g o f t h e n a t i v e p o p u l a t i o n i n J a v a a n d M a d u r a
f o r t h e p e r io d 1 9 2 0 -1 9 2 4 .
T h e in d e x n u m b e rs p re s e n te d a re b a s e d o n a g g re g a te
e x p e n d i t u r e a n d r e p r e s e n t t h e r a t i o s b e tw e e n t h e t o t a l a g g r e g a t e c o s t o f d e f in i t e
q u a n t i t i e s o f a n u m b e r of c o m m o d itie s a t a g iv e n d a t e a n d t h e p r i c e o f t h e s a m e
q u a n t i t i e s o f e a c h c o m m o d i ty a t s o m e o t h e r d a t e s e l e c te d a s b a s e .
T h e in d e x
n u m b e r s h a v e b e e n w e i g h te d a s f a r a s p o s s ib le b y t h e a l l - J a v a a v e r a g e d a il y
c o n s u m p t i o n o f t h e p r i n c i p a l v e g e t a b l e a n d a n i m a l f o o d s tu f f s , s a l t, k e r o s e n e ,
m a t c h e s , a n d t e x t i le s , a n d b y t r a n s p o r t c o s ts .
N
orthern
I
reland
.— M i n i s t r y o f L a b o r .
I n t e r i m r e p o r t.
B e lf a s t, [1 9 2 2 ? ].
--------- --------- F i n a l
r e p o r t.
A
ear
C o m m i t t e e o n t h e C o s t o f L iv in g .
16 p p .
B e lf a s t, [1 9 2 2 ? ].
[ C m d . 1 2 .]
46 pp.
[ C m d . 2 0 .]
Unofficial
m e r ic a n
Jew
8, 1926.
621 p p .
is h
Y
B
ook
P h ila d e lp h ia ,
5686.
J e w is h
V o l. 2 7 , S e p te m b e r 1 9 , 1 9 2 5 , to S e p te m b e r
P u b l i c a t i o n S o c ie ty o f A m e r i c a , 1 9 2 5 .
x,
C o n t a i n s c o m p i l a t i o n s r e g a r d i n g J e w i s h i m m i g r a t i o n i n t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , in
a d d itio n to m u c h o th e r in fo rm a tio n .
A
M a n a g e m e n t A s s o c ia t io n .
A n n u a l c o n v e n tio n s e r ie s , N o . 2 9 :
H o w s o m e m a n u f a c tu r e r s h a v e m e t s e a s o n a l u n e m p lo y m e n t, b y E r n e s t D r a p e r .
N e w Y o r k , 2 0 V e s e y S tr e e t, 1 9 2 5 . 5 p p .
m e r ic a n
----A
P r o d u c tio n e x e c u tiv e s ’ s e r ie s , N o . 2 8 : G r a p h ic c o n tr o l i n la b o r b u d g e tin g , b y
E u g e n e J . B e n g e . N e w Y o r k , 2 0 V e s e y S tr e e t, 1 9 2 5 . 1 4 P P -
n t h r a c it e
1925.
B
oard
---------------- FoZ. X I V .
B
ayonne
of
C
o n c il ia t io n
.
R e p o r t.
V o l.
XII.
W ilk e s -B a r r e ,
x ix, 334 PP(N .
T h om as.
J .)
S c r a n to n , [1 9 2 5 ? ].
H
o u sin g
C
B ayonne, 1925.
x iv , 271 p p .
o r p o r a t io n
.
I n d u s t r i a l h o u s in g , b y
A n drew
J.
61 p p .
A s h o r t r e v ie w o f t h i s s t u d y is g iv e n o n p a g e 151 o f t h e p r e s e n t is s u e .
B
C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e . B u r e a u o f C o m m e r c ia l a n d I n d u s t r i a l A ffa irs .
C o m m itte e o n N e w E n g la n d In d u s trie s .
T h e sh o e m a n u f a c tu r in g i n d u s t r y
o sto n
o f N e w E n g la n d .
B o s to n , 1 9 2 5 .
8 0 p p . ; c h a r ts .
A s t u d y o f t h e v a r i o u s f a c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g l a b o r c o s t, a f f e c ti n g t h e p r o d u c t i o n
c o s ts o f sh o e s in N e w E n g la n d a s c o m p a re d w ith o th e r d is tric ts .
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B
M O N T H L Y LABOE REV IEW
ureau
op
No. 1.
y g ie n e a n d T r o pic a l D is e a s e s .
B ulletin o f H ygiene.
London, 23 E ndsleigh Gardens, W . C. 1, January', 1926.
H
Volum e I
82 pp.
’
This is the first number of a journal published by the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, which contains summaries and reviews of publications
on all branches of public health and preventive medicine. One section is devoted
to industrial hygiene. In the main the bulletin will be restricted to publications
in the English language, although in the section on hygiene in the tropics publica
tions in various languages will be reviewed.
C a r n e g ie -S t if t u n g f ü r I n t e r n a t io n a l e n F r ie d e n .
Abteilung für Volks
wirtschaft und Geschichte. D ie Kohlenversorgung in Österreich während des
Krieges, von E m il H om ann-H erim berg.
V ienna, H ölder-P ichler-Tem psky
A . <?., 1925." [V arious paging.] ( W irtschafts- u n d Soziol-Geschichte des
Weltkrieges; Oester reichische und Ungarische Serie.)
One of a series of historical monographs on the World War published by the
Carnegie Foundation for International Peace. The present monograph has as its
subject the provision of Austria with coal during the war. A preface describes
pre-war conditions in the Austrian coal-mining industry and the insufficiency
of Austrian coal production for domestic requirements. Subsequent chapters
contain statistics on production, import, export, and consumption of coal during
the period 1914-1918, and give data on administrative measures for the preserva
tion and increase of coal production, on working conditions in coal mines, on the
coal requirements of the most important groups of consumers, the measures for
supplying the consumers, the organization of distribution, the movement of coal
prices, and the exploitation of coal mines in occupied territories.
C o h e n , J o s e p h L.
F am ily income insurance: A scheme o f fa m ily endowment by
the method o f insurance.
London, P. S . K in g & S o n (L td.), 1926.
xv, 47 pp.
The author proposes the institution of a form of family endowment through
family income insurance, or insurance against the increased burden of expenditure
due to dependents. The family income would include the competitive wage and
in addition the benefits accorded under such an insurance scheme. Such in
surance, the author holds, would tend to reduce the workers’ fear of falling into
destitution; could be made to include the same people now covered by health
and unemployment insurance, with funds secured in the same way, i. e., through
a contributory system, and could be operated under similar cheap administrative
methods.
C
G enekale del L avoro.
Resoconto stenograftco ed atti del
X I congresso della resistenza, V I della Confederazione Generale del Lavoro
M ilano, 10-13 Dicembre, 1924. M ila n , [1925?] 214 VP-
o n f e d e r a z io n e
„The minutes of the sixth congress of the Italian General Confederation of
Labor, held at Milan, December 10 to 13, 1924.
D
C a r n e g ie po u r la P a ix I n t e r n a t io n a l e .
L ’industrie française
'pendant la querrey par A rth u r Fontaine. P a ris, Les Presses Universitaires de
Francej [1925?] x ii, 504 P P - i m a p . (H istoire économique et sociale de la
guerre mondiale, série française.)
o ta tio n
This volume is one of the series of studies which is being compiled in the coun
tries chiefly affected by the war and which, when completed, will form an eco
nomic and social histon' of the World War. In the first part of this work a
general account is given of the condition of French industries at the outbreak
of the war, of the immediate effects of mobilization, and of the general conditions
among the workers, such as cost of living, wages, etc., and the difficulties relative
to raw materials and markets during the period of the war. This section con
cludes with a résumé of the permanent economic and social changes resulting
from the war, including the developments in manufacturing methods, such as the
increasing use of machinery and improved management methods. In the second
part of the volume there is an account of the fluctuation in production, exports,
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PU B LIC A TIO N S RELA TIN G TO LABOR.
189
and imports, and the labor supply during the war and of present conditions in the
principal manufacturing industries, in the transportation industry, and in com
mercial enterprises.
D
C a r n e g ie po u r la P aix I n t e r n a t io n a l e .
L ’industrie textile en
Fr mice pendant la guerre, par Albert A f talion. P a ris, Les Presses Universi
taires de France, [1925?] x ii, 264 P P - (H istoire économique et sociale de la
guerre m ondiale, série française.)
o t a t io n
This historical account of the effects of the war on the French textile industry
shows the condition of the industry at the outbreak of hostilities, the effects of
mobilization on the personnel and of the enemy occupation of important textile
districts on production, as well as the general effects of the war on markets and
on prices of raw materials and of manufactured products. Conditions prevailing
in each of the textile industries are shown in detail.
, E mery R.
W hy in dustrial health is a tuberculosis problem. [New
York, 1925?) 8 pp. [Reprinted fro m Transactions o f the tw enty-first a n nual
meeting o f the N ational Tuberculosis A ssociation, 1925, pp. 434-441.)
H
ayhurst
H
ughes,
A summary of this address is published on page 132 of this issue.
G w e n d o l y n S.
Mothers in in d u stry, wage-earning mothers in P hiladel
phia.
N ew York, N ew Republic [Inc.), 1925.
x x ix , 265 pp.
A summary of this study will be found on page 76 of this issue.
of E c o n o m ic s.
Investigations in international economic reconstruc
tion: The R uhr-Lorraine industrial problem, by G uy Greer.
N ew York,
M acm illan Co., 1925. x x , 328 pp.
I n st it u t e
A study of the industrial interdependence of the coal of the Ruhr and the iron
ore of Lorraine. The problem is analyzed from three points of view—the French
national, the German national, and the essentially economic point of view.
in g s, W alter W .
A history of economic progress in the United States.
N ew York, Thom as Y . Crowell Co., 1926. xvi, 819 p p .; m ap.
Jenn
Devotes considerable space to the development of labor organization and to the
economic condition of labor at various periods in the history of the United States.
J
o in t
I
B
oard of
n d u st r ie s,
S a n ita r y C ontro l in t h e C lo a k , S u it , a n d S k ir t , a n d D r e ss
N ew
Y ork.
Fifteenth anniversary report. N ew Y ork, 31
U nion Square, 1926.
[Various paging.]
A summary of this report is given on page 25 of this issue.
K
, W alter.
Arbeitsrecht. Zweite Auflage. E nzyklopädie der Rechts und
Slaatswissenschaft, Abteilung Rechtswissenschaft, Vol. X X X I .
Berlin, J u liu s
Springer, 1925. x x , 352 pp.
askel
This volume represents an attempt at compilation of the entire German labor
legislation on a juridical-scientific basis. It gives, systematically arranged, the
principles of the labor laws and explains their connection with other civil laws,
public laws, and court procedure. An extensive subject index makes the volume
a valuable reference work and handbook not only for the law student but also
for the layman.
K
ulem ann
Teil.
1925.
W.
Die G enossenschaft bewegung. Zweiter Band: System atischer
D ie K ueturbedeutung der Genossenschaften.
Berlin, Otto L iebm ann,
xii, 373 pp.
,
The second volume of a handbook on the cooperative movement. The first
volume dealt with the history of the movement. The second volume discusses
the nature and conception of the cooperative movement; the laws to which it
is subject; the various systems under which it is carried on; the forms of coopera
tive societies (workers', productive, consumers’, building, credit, settlement, etc.),
and their economic importance in general and to small tradesmen, workers,
agriculturists, and the middle class; the hostile attitude of certain classes to the
cooperative movement; the attitude of the State; the attitude of socialism and
communism; the relations of the cooperative movement with the trade-unions;
and guild socialism.
[937]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
190
L
M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
, F red G.
Handbook of safety and accident prevention.
neering M agazine Co., 1926. xxiv, 512 pp.
ange
New York, E n g i
A compilation of approved safety methods, including the subject of occupa
tional health hazards, and containing statistical data on accidents.
M ess H. A. Factory legislation and its adm inistration, 1891-1924. London,
P. S. K ing & Son, 1926.
x ii, 228 pp.
An outline of the progress made during this period in regulating factories, as
distinct from workplaces in general. During these years, the author points out,
the principle of laissez faire, even in regard to adult men, has been given up,
children have been practically taken out of the factories, much has been done to
render the unhealthful trades less dangerous to the worker, and new industries
have been brought within the scope of the factory acts. On the other hand,
legislation concerning hours has been given little attention and the legal standards
are now much behind the general custom. He states that safety, apart from
health conditions, has been neglected, and it is considered probable that industry
is distinctly more dangerous to the worker to-day than in 1891. Stress is laid
on the need for reducing accident rates, and the entire practicability of bringing
them down is discussed.
N
I
atio n a l
n d u st r ia l
C
onference
B
oard
B ulletin No. 16: Ind u stria lN ew York, 247 Park Avenue,
( I n c .).
economic conditions in the United States.
Ja n u a ry, 1926. 47 pp.
One of the two chapters comprising this bulletin is devoted to labor and em
ployment, covering labor supply, employment, wages, hours of labor, and rela
tions between employers and employees.
O ffic e
C
o o p é r a t if
B
elge
.
La coopération socialiste Belge, 1924■
Brussels
[1925?]. 23 pp., folder.
The data contained in this pamphlet are given on page 156 of this issue.
O
l iv e r
, S ir
T
The health of the workers.
226 pp.
hom as.
(Ltd.), 1925.
London, Faber and Gwyer
This is a general résumé of the principal medical and social problems con
nected with industrial occupations. It includes accounts of both American and
British experience in the development of sanitary and medical provisions for
workers as well as discussion of the hazards met with in the most important
industries and of the methods of protection from the effects of poisonous sub
stances, from diseases incidental to industry, and from industrial accidents.
P
ehotsky
, B
P
Olga.
e ssie
W hite, 1925.
The Slavic im m igrant woman.
C incinnati, Powell &
117 pp.
Y e a r B o o k , 1926.
A n n u a l of the E nglish and Scottish cooperative
wholesale societies. Manchester, E ngland, Cooperative Wholesale Society (L td .),
1 Balloon S t., [1926?] 336 pp.
e o p l e ’s
This is the ninth yearbook printed by these societies. It contains information,
statistical and otherwise, on the cooperative movement not only of the United
Kingdom but for some 35 other countries; also articles on various subjects of
general interest, though many of these are not related to cooperation. Certain
data from this yearbook are given in the cooperative section of this issue of the
Labor Review.
P
, R ené.
Les ouvriers de l ’agriculture anglaise depuis la guerre.
Librairie Dalloz, 1925. 183 pp.
leven
Paris,
A study of the effect of the war and Government intervention in the agricul
tural industry on English agricultural workers. Agricultural conditions at the
outbreak of the war are summarized and there is an account of the corn pro
duction act and its influence on the development of trade-union organization
among these workers and of the economic results of the establishment of the
Agricultural Wages Board and the Whitley councils. A bibliography is appended.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[938]
PU B LIC A TIO N S RELA TIN G TO LABOR
R et , A.
1925.
La question des assurances sociales.
408 pp.
191
P a ris, Librairie F élix A lcan,
A study and appeal by a propagandist of the French General Confederation of
Labor (C. G. T.) in behalf of the extension of social insurance in that country
which is declared to be behind the majority of other nations in this matter.
According to the author, the workers wish no longer for social assistance as a
dole to be asked for, but insurance as a recognized right based on productive
effort.
The volume includes a brief résumé of social insurance systems in various
countries and a detailed discussion of the French Government social insurance
bill of 1921. Among other subjects taken up are: Principles of legislation and
opinion concerning the country’s obligation, the possible effects of the extension
of social insurance on French social and economic life, the estimated costs of
such insurance and its administrative organization.
Schutz, H
ans
Unser Z iel und unser Weg.
.
verlag, 1924■
Z w ittau, Christlicher Gewerkschafts
PP-
The text of a lecture on the aims of the Christian trade-unions given at the
third congress of the Federation of Christian Textile Workers of Czechoslovakia.
S t atistical
S
and
o c ia l
I
n q u ir y
S o c ie t y
tion in Ireland, by R . J . P . Mortished.
1926. ] [n. p.], 1926. 16 pp.
Ireland.
Trade-union organiza
[Read before the Society, J a n u a ry 7,
of
Gives a brief historical review of the development of Irish trade-unionism
with an account of the present make-up of the national federation, known as the
Irish Labor Party and Trade Union Congress. About one-third of the Irish
trade-unionists belong to organizations having their headquarters in England,
At the end of 1924 the membership, so far as it could be definitely ascertained,
stood as follows: Unions with headquarters in Ireland, 101,309; unions with
headquarters in England, 47,190; total membership, 148,499. The skilled workers
have shown a disposition to extend their organization from the craft to the in
dustry, and among the unskilled workers the industrial union is the common
form. The largest organization noted is the transport and general workers’
union, with a membership of 61,000.
T u g w e l l , R e x f o r d G., M u n r o , T h o m a s , a n d S t r y k e r , R o y E.
A m erican
economic life and the m eans o f its im provem ent.
Co., 1925. xiv, 633 pp.
N ew York, Harcourt, Brace &
An analysis of modern social problems, with particular reference to methods
by which the levels of living of the wage earners may be raised.
U
nem ployment
I
nsurance
in
G
reat
don, M acm illan & Co. {Ltd.), 1925.
B
r it a in
.
A critical exam ination.
L on
68 pp.
A summary of this survey is given on page 146 of this issue.
U
K ie l .
K ieler Vortrage 14: Probleme der internationalen Arbeits
statistik, von K arl Pribram . Jen a , Gustav Fischer, 1925. 16 pp.
n iv e r sit ä t
A brochure reproducing a lecture on the problems of international labor
statistics, given at the scientific club of the Institute for World Economics and
Maritime Traffic at the University of Kiel by the director of the statistical
division of the International Labor Office of Geneva. The lecturer points out
the necessity of avoiding political coloring of statistics, discusses the proceedings
of the two international conferences on labor statistics (1923 and 1925), recom
mends uniformity in the classification of industries and occupations, enlarges
upon the difficulty of making international comparisons of real wages and of
obtaining reliable statistical data on per capita production, and enumerates
other problems of international labor statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[939]
192
U
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
n iv e r sit ä t
K
ie l
.
liches A rchiv, 22.
ous paging.]
Institut für Weltwirtschaft und Seeverkehr.
W eltwirtschaft
Band, H eft 2. Jena, Gustav Fischer, October, 1925. [V ari
The Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv is one of the leading nonpartisan journals in the
sphere of world economics as well as comparative political economy, being devoted
to scientific research into international economics and the economic relationship
between all countries of the world. It studies the actual international phe
nomena and their complex reactions upon one another as manifestations of one
world-wide organism. At the same time it extends its province especially to the
theory of social science. The journal appears quarterly, each issue containing
about 500 pages. The contents are divided into articles, bibliography, chron
icles, and surveys. In the division entitled "Chronicles and Surveys” appear
separate researches about facts and figures, also statistical investigations and short
papers on recent economic developments.
Economic history, immigration, emigration, seasonal work, social conditions,
production, consumption, prices, cost of living, economic organizations (trusts,
cooperative societies, workers’ and employers’ organizations), and arbitration
are among the subjects covered which are of special interest to labor.
U n iv e r sit ä t
L eipzig .
Institut für Arbeitsrecht. Schriften, 8. Heft: Das
Recht der T a rif Schiedsgerichte, von P aula M othes-Günther.
Deichertsche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1926. viii, 6J+ pp.
Leipzig,
A.
One of a series of juridical monographs published by the Institute for Labor
Legislation of the University of Leipzig. The present monograph deals with
the legal status of the arbitration boards provided for in collective agreements.
In order to appreciate the importance of this subject it should be noted that in
Germany the great majority of collective agreements contain clauses providing
that all disputes arising in the application of the agreements shall be settled by
special arbitration boards and not by the courts or public boards or arbitrators.
The author of the monograph discusses first the legal bases for the operation of
such arbitration boards, then their competence in various kinds of disputes, and
finally their composition and procedure.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
[940]
@FedFRASER