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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON
1928
C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is p u b lica tio n is issu e d p u rsu a n t t o th e
p ro v isio n s o f th e su n d ry c iv il a c t (41 S ta ts
1430) ap p roved M a r ch 4, 1921.
A D D IT IO N A L COPIES
OF TH IS PUBLICATION M AY B E PKOCURED FRO M
THE
S U PE R IN T E N D E N T
OF DOCUM ENTS
U . S. G O V ER N M EN T PRIN T IN G OFFICE
W A SH IN G TO N , D . C.
AT
15 C E N T S P E R COPY
S u b s c r ip t io n P
U
n it e d
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Sta tes,
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e x ic o
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ear
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Contents
►
-
Special articles:
page
Measures to combat unemployment in Europe____________________
1-14
Health and recreation activities in industrial establishments________14-21
Unemployment conditions in the United States:
Unemployment in the United States: Report of Secretary of Labor. 22-31
Survey of unemployment in Baltimore, February, 1928_______ _____ 31-37
Public retirement system s:
Retirement systems for municipal employees_______________________ 38-43
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
Present labor conditions in China, by S. Iv. Sheldon Tso___________ 44-55
Shifting factory workers to new jobs_____________________________ 56-58
Inquiry into changes in economic currents in the United States_____58, 59
Labor conditions in Western Australia____________________________
59
Labor treaty between Belgium and Luxemburg.................. .............. ......
60
Labor turnover:
Labor turnover in American factories, 1927 and 1928______________ 61, 62
Productivity of labor:
Belgium— Production and per capita output in coal mines and coke
ovens________________________________________________________
63
Russia— Labor productivity_____________________________________ 63, 64
Women in industry:
France— Law regarding employment of women before and after child
birth-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65
Germany— Regulation of work of women before and after childbirth. _
65
Massachusetts wage board for the electrical industry______________
66
Industrial accidents:
Coal-mine fatalities in the United States in 1926__________________ 67-69
Indiana—Industrial accidents in 1927____________________________ 69, 70
New York— Cost of infections in industry________________________ 70, 71
Ohio— Accidents in mines and quarries in 1926____________________
71
Health and industrial hygiene:
Mortality experience of International Typographical Union, 1927, by
Frederick L. Hoffman_________________________________________ 72-75
Health record of American and Canadian industrial populations in
1927---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ 75-77
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Legal aid and workmen’s compensation___________________________ 78, 79
Philippine Islands— Workmen’s compensation act_________________ 79, 80
Great Britain— Statistics of workmen’s compensation______________81, 82
Greece— Bill for unemployment insurance introduced______________
82
Cooperation:
Work of the Women’s Cooperative Guild__________________________ 83-85
Move toward formation of central consumers’ organization of Pacific
coast--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------85, 86
Agricultural cooperative associations in the United States__________86, 87
Workers’ education and training:
Aims and methods in vocational guidance________________________ 88-90
Educational activities among the wives of trade-unionists__________ 90, 91
Apprenticeship courses of the electrical workers’ union__________ _ 91, 92
Canada— Lecture course for fishermen____________________________92, 93
Great Britain— Apprenticeship in industry________________________93, 94
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
h i
IV
CONTENTS
Industrial disputes:
Page
Strikes and lockouts in the United States in February, 1928________95-98
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in February, 1928__ 99-101
Canada— Strikes and lockouts in 1927____________________________
102
India— Settlement of Bengal-Nagpur Railway strike____________ 102, 103
Wages and hours of labor:
Hours and earnings in slaughtering and meat packing, 1927______ 104-115
Entrance wage rates for common labor, January 1, 1928_________ 115-118
118
New York— Average weekly earnings in factories, 1914 to 1927____
Ohio— Wages and hours of labor in mines and quarries in 1926____
119
Canada— Wages and hours of labor, 1926 and 1927______________ 120-123
Germany— Wage rates in 1927_________________________________ 123, 124
Great Britain—
Continuance of two-shift system for working women________ 124, 125
Miners’ wages in Northumberland and Durham____________ 125, 126
Great Britain and the hours convention____________________ 126, 127
Japan— Wages in November, 1927__ __________________________ 127, 128
Poland—
Wages in the cotton textile industry in Lodz_________________
129
Wages in the metal industry_________________________________
129
Spain— Hours of work and wages______________________________ 129, 130
Venezuela— Wage rates in 1919 and 1927_______________________ 130, 131
Trend of employment:
Employment in selected manufacturing industries, February, 1928_ 132-144
Employment on steam railroads in the United States____________ 144, 145
Changes in employment and pay roll in various States___________ 146-148
New York City Welfare Council’s unemployment conference_____ 148, 149
Canada— Employment situation, 1927___________________________
150
Wholesale and retail prices:
Retail prices of food in the United States_______________________ 151-163
Retail prices of coal in the United States_______________________ 164-166
Index numbers of wholesale prices in February, 1928____________ 167, 168
Comparison of retail-price changes in the United States and in
foreign countries___________________________________________ 169-171
Changes in meat-consumption habits in the United States______ :__
172
Cost of living:
Canada— Changes in cost of family budget, 1921 to 1927________ 173, 174
Labor awards and decisions:
Awards and decisions—
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers— Southwestern railroads. 175, 176
Railroads— Train-service board of adjustment, Eastern______ 176, 177
Italy— Decision of Labor Court regarding seamen’s wages_____
177
Immigration and emigration:
Statistics of immigration for January, 1928_____________________ 178, 179
Current notes of interest to labor:
Harmon Foundation awards for industrial workers______________ 180, 181
Retirement of California labor commissioner______________________
181
Government pawnbroking establishment in Persia_________________
181
Publications relating to labor:
Official— United States________________________________________ 182, 183
Official— Foreign countries_____________________________________ 183, 184
Unofficial____________________________________________________ 184-186
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
This Issue in Brief
The report of the Secretary oj Labor on unemployment conditions in
the United States, in response to a Senate resolution, explains th a t
complete inform ation is no t available as regards the to tal num ber of
persons ou t of work, and th a t no accurate statistics of this character
can be obtained except by a comprehensive census. From existing
data, however, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics estim ates th a t
between 1925 and January, 1928, there was a shrinkage of 1,874,050
in the num ber of employed wage earners and salaried workers in the
U nited States. No a ttem p t is m ade to estim ate the num ber of un
employed in the base year, 1925, b u t it is pointed out th a t 1925 was
a year in which there was no noticeable unem ploym ent question
(P- 22).
Measures to create work jor the unemployed have been undertaken on
a large scale by several European countries. T he m easures include
no t only the inauguration of public works, such as road building, bu t
also financial help to various m anufacturing and trade enterprises.
Also, considerable attention has been devoted to the training of the
unemployed of little or no skill to render them capable of filling more
skilled and more responsible positions. An article (p. 1) describes
some of the m easures adopted in recent years in G reat B ritain,
G erm any, H ungary, and Estonia.
M unicipal employee retirement systems oj a comprehensive character
are in effect in 9 large cities. In 5 of these 9 cases retirem ent is m ade
compulsory a t 70 (in one case 72), while 4 have no compulsory age.
Six perm it retirem ent a t 60, 1 a t 62, and 2 have no age require
m ent of any kind. Five, including 2 w ith no age qualifications, have
service requirem ents, the required period ranging from 10 to 25 years.
All b u t one of the cities require contributions from the employees.
The system s vary considerably as to am ount of allowance, m ethod of
calculation, retirem ent on allowance for disability, provision lor de
pendents, and other points (p. 38).
There were 15,473 unemployed persons in the city oj Baltimore in
February, 1928, according to a survey m ade under the direction of the
commissioner of labor and statistics of M aryland. The inform ation
was obtained through a house-to-house canvass by the police of the
city. A striking feature of the report is the fact th a t m ost of the un
employed had been w ithout work for a period of several m onths. The
largest single group of unemployed was composed of unskilled labor
(p. 31).
The ordinary wage earner in China averages not over $160 per year,
while the m inim um standard of living calls for a t least $360 per year
for a family. As a result, the women and children of the family
m ust find work if possible. B u t work is very scarce in China, and the
unskilled laborer’s earnings serve merely to ward off starvation. His
diet is maize in some form and salted turnips twice a day. H is
house is of sun-dried, unburned brick, w ith thatched roof, earth floor,
and raised e a rth or brick beds. There are no sanitary arrangem ents
(p. 44).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
v
VI
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The average entrance wage rate fo r common labor was 43 cents per hour
on January 1, 1928, according to a survey m ade by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. G reat variations were found to exist between
industries and between different sections of the country. The lowest
rate reported was 15 cents per hour in general contracting in the
South A tlantic division and the highest was $ 1 .1 2 ^ , also in general
contracting, in the M iddle A tlantic division (p. 115).
Hourly earnings in the slaughtering and meat-packing industry in 1927
averaged 52 cents for m ale workers, as against 50.7 cents in 1925, and
for female workers, 36.4 cents as against 35.9 cents in 1925. The
average full-tim e hours per week in 1927 averaged 49.3 for m ales and
49.1 for females. These figures are from a prelim inary report on the
regular biennial survey of the B ureau of L abor S tatistics (p. 104).
Improvement in health conditions among the industrial populations
of the United States and Canada is shown by a report of the M etro
politan Life Insurance Co. on the m ortality rates among the industrial
policyholders of the company, comprising more th an one-seventh
of the to tal population of the two countries. The death rate in 1927
was 8.4 per 1,000 as compared w ith 8.9 in 1926, and 12.5 in 1911.
Although the reduction between 1926 and 1927 was only a fraction of
1 per cent, when translated into actual savings of lives it is shown th a t
there would have been 8,808 more deaths in 1927 th an did actually
occur if the 1926 rate had prevailed in th a t year (p. 75).
A summary of a bulletin on industrial personnel activities, recently
issued by the B ureau of Labor Statistics, shows the wide range of
these activities carried on by the 430 companies visited in connection
w ith the survey. The personnel work of these firms includes in
m any cases complete and successful medical service, the provision
of lunch rooms, recreation facilities which include all kinds of indoor
and outdoor sports and clubs and clubhouses, educational work,
and the m aintenance of insurance features such as benefit associations
and group insurance. This study, contrasted w ith a sim ilar one
10 years ago, shows the lines of developm ent of these features during
the p ast decade (p. 14).
A workmen's compensation law has been enacted fo r the Philippine
Islands. The law is compulsory, and applies to public as well as to
private employment, and to occupational diseases as well as to
accidents. The maximum award is 3,000 pesos (SI,500) (p. 79).
When a worker is shifted to a new job, the transfer should meet his
need as well as the need of the organization, in the opinion of a recent
w riter on the subject. O pportunity for transfer appeals strongly
to the worker. I t produces a sense of liberty of choice and a conse
quent satisfaction w ith himself and w ith the employing organization.
W hen, however, an employee is transferred w ithout having requested
it, the reasons for such transfer should be clearly and painstakingly
explained to him, for it m ust be remembered th a t “ a m an’s job is
his life” (p. 56).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY
LABOR REVI EW
OF U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
vol.
WASHINGTON
26, n o . 4
a p r .i l ,
1928
Measures to Combat Unemployment in Europe
B y P e t e r A. S pe c k
IN C E the W orld W ar, unemployment has been a very acute
problem in m ost of the European countries. M easures of
relief have taken numerous forms, one of the m ost widespread
being unem ploym ent insurance, which is now in operation in 19
foreign countries, covering about 45,000,000 wage earners. In
surance and other forms of money benefits, however, do n o t solve
the basic problem. They prevent distress b u t they do n o t furnish
work. To m eet this difficulty, m any of the countries affected have
turned their attention to the task of finding or providing rem unera
tive work for the unemployed. The present article reviews briefly
some of the more significant relief measures which have been tried or
are being tried in certain countries. The countries selected are G reat
B ritain, Germ any, Hungary, and Estonia—these being fairly rep
resentative of the different conditions in countries of different size
and different industrial development.
S
GREAT BRITAIN1
IN O R D ER to relieve unem ploym ent distress G reat B ritain has
* practiced and is still practicing the relief paym ent system, con
sisting of out-of-work donations, poor relief, and insurance benefits.
Temporary Measures to Provide Employment
J D E D IS T R IB U T IO N of labor.—A ttem pts have been made to
* * improve the distribution of labor and also, in some cases, to
redistribute labor through labor exchanges. These exchanges try
to find work for the unemployed, not only in their respective trades,
b u t also in other trades, perhaps more flourishing, where more
workers could be profitably employed; for instance, attem pts have
been m ade to divert a num ber of the unemployed factory workers
to agriculture. These attem pts have been attended with a certain
lim ited success. D uring 1920 the labor exchanges placed on an
average about 100 unemployed workers per day in agriculture.
1 Data on which this section is based are from M inistry of Labor Gazette, London, monthly issues from
1918 to 1927, and January, 1928; International Labor Office, Studies and reports, series C (unemployment),
No. 9, Unemployment in its National and International Aspects. Geneva, 1924; International Labor
Review, Geneva, November-December, 1927, and January, 1928; Great Britain, Committee on Industry
and Trade, Survey of Overseas Markets, London, 1925, and Survey of Industrial Relations, London, 1926.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[699]
1
2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Migration of the unemployed.—The empire settlem ent act of 1920
empowers the home Governm ent to cooperate w ith other Govern
m ents or corresponding authorities of the Em pire in assisting suitable
persons in the U nited Kingdom who are willing to settle in any p art
of the Em pire. Schemes for m igration m ay consist of helping with
passage, initial allowances for use overseas, training, or promotion
of land colonization overseas. For this purpose the Governm ent
of the U nited Kingdom has provided a maximum of £3,000,000 2
annually for 15 years.
Up to 1926, 66,103 persons had been assisted in m igration over
seas for settlem ent in various dominions. M igration is especially
resorted to by clerks and other nonm anual workers.
Short-time work.— The M inistry of Labor issued on December 31,
1920, a circular letter to other executive departm ents, local authori
ties, and private employers recommending th a t they adopt shorttim e work in order to relieve the unem ploym ent situation; th a t is,
instead of discharging workers on account of lack of work they keep
them engaged for shorter periods of time. On October 23, 1922,
there were 56,862 short-tim e workers in G reat Britain.
Training of the unemployed.—A comm ittee appointed on July 28,
1924, “ to inquire into and report upon the conditions and prospects
of British industry and commerce,” investigated the personal cir
cumstances and industrial history of nearly 11,000 claim ants to
unem ploym ent benefits (about 1 per cent of the to tal num ber of
unemployed in G reat B ritain). In regard to the apprenticeship and
training of these claim ants the comm ittee reported as follows:
Among the male unemployed 23.7 per cent had been apprenticed,
24.6 per cent trained, and 51.7 per cent neither apprenticed nor
trained; while among the female unemployed 11.1 per cent had been
apprenticed, 53.3 per cent claimed to have had some training, and
35.6 per cent had been neither apprenticed nor trained.
Training of the unemployed and especially of juvenile workers was
taken up in practically all im portant industrial centers. The
M inister of L abor stated in his annual report for 1925 th a t by Decem
ber 31, 1925, more th an 550 men had entered training at the B ir
m ingham center, and more th an 150 who had started the course on
October 20 had left training in order to take up employment. In
the House of Commons on Novem ber 25, 1926, the parliam entary
secretary to the M inistry of Labor stated th a t up to the 10th of
Novem ber of th a t year 1,646 unemployed men had completed a
course of training, of whom 989 had found employment in G reat
B ritain in 30 different occupations and 250 had proceeded overseas.
In 1920 a g ran t of £500,000 3 to the central com m ittee on women’s
training and employment had been m ade by the national relief fund
for the purpose of training women whose earning capacity was seri
ously reduced by the unem ploym ent situation. The training pre
pared for the handicrafts, teaching, massage, nursing, midwifery,
cooking, and other domestic and outside work. About one-third of
the expenses for such courses was paid by the M inistry of Labor. As
it was difficult to find em ploym ent for such trained women their
training ceased, and instead hom e-craft centers were opened for
2
2
Pound sterling at par=$4.8665; exchange rate in 1927 about par.
Pound sterling at par=$4.8665; exchange rate in 1920=13.6643.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[700]
MEASURES TO COMBAT UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE
3
female unemployed workers between 16 and 35 years of age. About
2,000 women and girls were under training in 1924.
Training of juvenile workers was undertaken in 1918, after the
armistice, when daytim e education centers were opened for juvenile
workers who were receiving unem ploym ent benefits. M oney ad
vanced bv the board of education m ade it possible to open about 200
such centers, b u t in 1920 the money support was withdrawn. U nder
the pressure of public opinion, however, financial support was re
newed during the w inter of 1922-23 on the basis of 75 per cent by
S tate and 25 per cent by local governments, and about 100 centers
were reopened under th e adm inistration of local educational boards,
the M inistry of Labor and private organizations, especially the Young
M en’s C hristian Association, cooperating.
Unemployed juvenile workers between 14 and 18, drawing unem
ploym ent benefits, were trained in practical handicrafts, such as
dressmaking, patching and darning, dyeing, housewifery, cooking,
and even domestic carpentry for girls, and household carpentry,
wood and leather work, picture framing, bookbinding, etc., for boys.
The program also included general education, such as English,
arithm etic, history, singing, dancing, and various games. A num ber
of such centers obtained substantial success.
In November, 1923, only 69 of the 100 reopened centers were
operating, and no t more than 25 per cent of the unemployed juvenile
workers attended these training centers. According to the report of
the M inistry of Labor over 80,000 unemployed juvenile workers
between 14 and 18 years of age were registered, b u t it is believed
th a t the actual num ber unemployed was m uch larger. On February
21, 1927, there were 33,091 unemployed boys and 35,974 girls,
altogether nearly 70,000 juvenile workers between 14 and 18 years
of age, on the register of labor exchanges.
Although the training of unemployed adult and juvenile workers
does n o t create employment, it keeps them profitably busy working
for self-development and makes it easier for them to find employ
m ent, as the official reports show. The Scottish comm ittee on edu
cation and industry appointed by the Secretary of State in 1925
recommends in its report of Novem ber 29, 1926, th a t the juvenile
unem ploym ent centers be developed. This comm ittee and a similar
comm ittee for England and Wales both advocated a pem ianent
scheme for juvenile unem ploym ent centers.
Vocational guidance.—Vocational guidance for young persons is
given by the juvenile advisory committees (under the M inistry of
Labor) in 130 districts and by the choice of em ploym ent committees
(authorized by the education act of 1912) in 100 districts. M ost
of their expenses are borne by local authorities, though p a rt is paid
by the M inistries of Labor and Education.
Relief works.—The unemployment grant comm ittee was established
in 1920 for the purpose of aiding local authorities to finance approved
schemes of work for the unemployed.
F irst among these approved schemes are the loan schemes, under
which grants have been made of a percentage of the interest, or of
the interest and sinking-fund charges, on loans raised by local au
thorities for approved nonrevenue-producing works, such as roads,
paths, sewerage, parks, playgrounds, w ater supply, public m stitu
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 701 ]
4
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
tions, sea defense, sanitation, and miscellaneous to the am ount of
£45,656,087; and for approved revenue-producing works, such as
docks, electricity and w ater undertakings, tram ways, gas, sports
fields, land developm ent, cemeteries, conveniences, and miscellane
ous, in the sum of £30,411,716—m aking total grants of £76,067,803
for all loan schemes up to June 24, 1926.
Second are grants on the basis of a percentage of the wage bill, the
total am ount granted on these up to the same date being £17,131,067.
On these schemes about 130,000 unemployed were engaged durum
the fall of 1923.
To encourage the im provem ent of land, fisheries, and other branches
connected w ith agriculture, the corresponding m inistry, when it had
approved a project, paid p a rt of its cost. Up to the first half of
1923 it had approved projects having a cost of £800,000. Similarly,
the forestry commission encouraged reforestation projects by m aking
free grants of up to 60 per cent of the labor cost, in the total am ount
of £200,000 in 1921—22 and 1922—23. To this extent the ordinary
program of reforestation was enlarged in order to give work for
unemployed.
All the Governm ent departm ental offices, especially the A dm iralty,
W ar D epartm ent, and Post Office, increased their contract activities
during the periods of severe depression in order to provide more work
for the unemployed; for instance, during the w inter of 1923-24 addi
tional trunk telephone cables were laid a t a cost of £500,000.
According to official reports about 200,000 unemployed skilled and
unskilled workers were engaged on various relief works undertaken
by local authorities and private concerns and encouraged and finan
cially assisted by the State during the w inter of 1923-24. On Sep
tem ber 24, 1927, 13,094 unemployed skilled and unskilled workers
found em ploym ent on 357 relief work schemes, under authority of
the M inistry of T ransport, and 11,931 workers were employed on 252
schemes under the authority of the unem ploym ent grants committee.
As relief work ordinarily consists in m akeshift undertakings, the
wages paid are somewhat lower than those in norm al work of the
same kind. However, the wages in relief work have to be higher
than the unem ploym ent benefits. A t the beginning of the relief
work in G reat B ritain the M inistry of H ealth ordered th a t the wages
for relief work were to be 25 per cent lower than the regular union
rate of wages. This order caused some dissatisfaction among the
unemployed, especially among the short-tim e workers (three days a
week), and was followed by num erous local strikes. As a result the
G overnm ent raised the relief work wages to 87.5 per cent of the regu
lar union rate of wages. Lately, in m any cases the same wages are
paid for relief work as for regular work of the same type— a full d ay ’s
wage for a full d ay ’s work.
Permanent or Preventive Measures
^ L O S E attention has been and is being given to finding and invent
ing m easures against recurrence of unem ploym ent in the future.
Some of the m easures already applied to relieve the present unem
ploym ent situation by increasing the volume of em ploym ent appear
to be a t the same tim e of a preventive character against recurrence of
unem ploym ent, a t least of such m agnitude as at present.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[702]
MEASURES TO COMBAT UNEMPLOYMENT IN EUROPE
5
The following are a few of such measures:
Stimulating production.—The trade facilities act passed in 1921 ap
propriated £25,000,000 for the purpose of guaranteeing paym ent of
interest and principal of loans raised by any public authority or
private concern to carry out productive undertakings in G reat B ritain
and Ireland. In 1922~ this act was amended and the appropriation
increased to £50,000,000, and in 1924 it was raised to^ £65,000,000.
A dvantage had been taken of this guaranty appropriation to the
extent of £16,000,000 by the end of M ay, 1922, and of £29,469,645
in Septem ber, 1923.
Encouragement oj foreign trade.—The overseas trade act, passed
in 1920, appropriated £26,000,000 for the purpose of granting credits
and of undertaking insurance in order to reestablish and increase
export trade. The guaranty m ight be as large as the total production
cost of the goods for export. W ithin the lim its of the appropriation
for the purpose, the credits are revolving—credits released in one
case are used for the guaranty in another case, etc. Advantage had
been taken of the guaranty on Septem ber 10, 1923, to the extent of
£11,249,394, leaving available £14,750,606.
Increase of efficiency.—In order to avoid waste in time, m aterial,
and hum an energy, the following measures have been recommended
and are being applied in p a rt : Reorganization of industries, renewal
of m achinery, a better training of labor forces, and putting industrial
relations, especially those between employees and employers, on a
conciliatory and cooperative basis through joint industrial and district
councils and work or factory committees. These councils are to
secure better utilization of the practical knowledge and experience of
the workers; to secure for the workers a greater share in and responsi
bility for the determ ination and observance of labor conditions,
including the m ethods of fixing, paying, and readjusting wages, and
a share for workers in the increased prosperity of industries; to estab
lish the greatest possible security of earnings and em ploym ent for
the workers, w ithout undue restriction upon change of occupation or
employer; to develop technical education and training; to provide
for industrial research and for the utilization of its results; to intro
duce im provem ents; to utilize inventions and to safeguard the rights
of inventors and designers of improvements.
Preventing speculation.—F or the purpose of stabilizing the price
level and of preventing speculation, a policy of expansion and con
traction of bank credit, and increase or decrease of rate of interest on
credit, is being recommended and is beginning to be applied. This
policy is intended to do away w ith or a t least to diminish, the socalled “ business cycles.” Experience will show w hether or no t such
m easures are as effective as is hoped for.
Industrial research and investigation.—No other country has under
taken so deep and far-reaching industrial and trade research and
investigation as has G reat B ritain during late years. Perhaps the
m ost conspicuous are the surveys of overseas m arkets and of industrial
relations undertaken by the comm ittee on industry and trade. There
have also been numerous conferences, national in scope, on unem ploy
m ent, industrial education and training, efficiency, relations between
employers and employees, and general economic problems.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 703 ]
6
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
GERMANY4
D O ST W A R Germ any has suffered acutely from unem ploym ent, and
1
has devised various plans to reduce the resulting distress.
Temporary Measures to Relieve Unemployment
J J N E M P L O Y M E N T benefits.—In addition to voluntary and,
^
later on, compulsory unem ploym ent insurance benefits, Ger
m any, like England, has p u t into extensive use benefit paym ents
under various terms. A t the beginning the benefits were paid
entirely from the public treasury—one-half by the Federal Govern
m ent, one-third by the State governments, and the rem aining onesixth by municipalities.
On Novem ber 1, 1925, the num ber of workers in receipt of relief
benefits, including unem ploym ent insurance benefits, regular and ex
tended, was 363,961; on December 1 of the same year this num ber
rose to 673,315; on January 1 , 1926, to 1,498,681; and on M arch 1 ,
1926, to 2,055,928. From the date last nam ed the num ber began to
drop, falling to 1,314,086 on Novem ber 15, 1926, and to 1,002,243 on
December 15, 1927.
Relief works.—An order was issued on January 26, 1920, authorizing
the Governm ent to g ran t subsidies and repayable loans to local
authorities and private employers for relief work for unemployed
workers. _ Such a loan was for one-half the cost of an undertaking
and bore interest a t 53^ per cent for public and 6 per cent for private
undertakings, and the repaym ent of the principal was to be m ade by
annual installm ents. The total am ount of subsidies and loans was
not limited, b u t when the Federal G overnm ent’s g ran t in a single
undertaking exceeded 5,000,000 m arks 5 the approval of the M inis
tries of Finance and Labor was required.
The local financing of relief works took various and sometimes,
unusual forms. F or instance, in the city of H arburg on the River
Elbe, all classes of the population were called upon to contribute to the
expenses of relief works. M anufacturers and artisans paid weekly 1
m ark for each worker em ployed; wholesale traders 1 per cent of their
total wages bill; retail traders from 20 to 100 m arks a m onth; em
ployed workers from one-half to 1 per cent of their wages, depending
upon w hether they were earning less or more than 300 m arks a m onth;
teachers, officials, etc., from one-half of 1 to 1 per cent of their salaries.
These sums were supplem ented by the money saved from unem ploy
m ent benefits through substituting relief work. The m unicipality
added 10,000 marks. In this way 1,700,000 m arks was raised for
relief work from Septem ber 15, 1920, to the end of April, 1921.
The subsidized work took the form first of “ relief y ard s,” consisting
of any kind of useful work, especially of odd jobs, such as cleaning,
painting, repairs, etc. I t was later emphasized th a t relief of all kinds
should be “ productive” ; as, for instance, work on means of com
m unication, such as railways, waterways, highways, etc., the building
of dwellings, barns, sheds, etc., especially in rural districts.
4D ata on which this section is based are from Reichsarbeitsblatt, issues from 1925 to 1927, and Nos. 1-4,
1928; Albrecht, F ., and Wilhelmi, K., D ie produktive Erwerbslosenfursorge, Berlin, 1926; Schmeisser,
Herbert, Handbuch der Erwerbslosenfursorge, Leipzig, 1926; international Labor Review, Geneva,
monthly issues from 1925 to 1927, and January, 1928; M inistry of Labor Gazette, London, issues for 1926
and 1927, and January, 1928.
*Mark at par=23.82 cents; exchange rate in 1920=1.751 cents.
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From April, 1920, to February, 1921, 7,000 enterprises for the
construction of highways and earthworks were subsidized, providing
26,000,000 days of work for 240,000 unemployed workers. A t the
same tim e repayable loans were advanced for 1,800 canal con
struction projects, 1,400 undertakings for electrical installations and
cables, and 600 projects for the erection of buildings. A ltogether
up to A ugust 20, 1922, 15,143 undertakings were subsidized by the
governm ents, central and local, which provided 60,000,000 days of
work for 542,000 unemployed workers. The total expenditures for
these works were 1,300,000,000 marks.
Relief works are subject to the works council act of F ebruary 4,
1920, which requires th a t in all undertakings employing at least 20
workers a works council composed of workers is to be elected to
represent the interests of the workers. The relief yards were p u t
under th e supervision of the labor exchanges.
The m unicipality of Altona introduced a system of relief works
based on cooperative labor sim ilar to the Russian labor ortels.6 The
contract is auctioned to the cooperative groups of unemployed workers.
These closely organized groups appoint their own foremen and spe
cialists and m ake contracts w ith m unicipalities for certain work.
Unem ployed workers for relief works are recruited through labor
exchanges. T he wages paid on relief works are somewhat higher
th an unem ploym ent benefits and usually lower than wages in regular
trades corresponding to the relief work.
A ttem pts have been m ade to provide work for unemployed workers
by rotation of em ploym ent a t regular intervals; th a t is, one group
of unemployed workers on certain relief work for a certain num ber
of days, then another group, etc.
The unemployed workers on these relief works rem ain upon the
lists of the labor exchanges and m ust return to their norm al trades
as soon as they are offered steady work through the labor exchanges.
Later measures fo r relief worlcs.—In the w inter of 1925-26 the
Federal G overnm ent took measures in the direction of finding and
creating new relief work schemes. On Jan u ary 5, 1926, a circular
was issued stating the conditions under which such schemes were to
be p u t into operation; for instance, unemployed workers on relief
works should be periodically changed and no unemployed worker
should be kept on such work longer th an three m onths during the
w inter season. The schemes sanctioned should be of economic value
and be consum m ated within a period of six m onths. Provision was
m ade for additional subsidies proportionate to the savings on un
em ploym ent benefits through relief work. A credit of 100,000,000
m arks was allocated as an aid to repair and construction work on
S tate railways.
Since the depression which began in the fall of 1925 the various
relief work schemes sanctioned and financed by the governm ents—
Federal, S tate, and local—have provided 24,425,000 days’ work with
expenditure of 240,000,000 m arks.7
On July 15, 1927, there were 126,958 unemployed workers engaged
on various relief works, such as land reclam ation, flood control,
highway and street construction, w ater and electrical power plants,
6 A Tartar word meaning friendship, partnership; a sort of labor organization doing contract jobs, each
member of which contributes an equal share of labor and receives an equal share of income.
7 Mark at par=23.82 cents; exchange rate in 1927 about par.
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gas plants, earthworks, and other similar undertakings, out of 674,056
unemployed workers receiving unem ploym ent benefits, regular and
crisis or panic benefits (Hauptunterstiltzunqsempfanger in der Krisenfiirsorge).8
Expansion of Regular Work
HTHE Governm ent soon realized th a t various relief work schemes
alone were n o t adequate to overcome the unem ploym ent distress,
and th a t in order to absorb the largest possible num ber of unemployed
workers into their respective regular trades, measures should be
undertaken to stim ulate the regular industries, especially those
serving as basic or “ k e y ” industries, upon which m any other indus
tries depend. The Reichstag adopted a program of measures for
expansion of certain industries (Arleitsbeschaffungsprogramm). The
principal provisions of this program are as follows:
Railways.—A g ran t of 100,000,000 m arks for S tate railway exten
sions and im provem ents, which would indirectly stim ulate iron, steel,
wire, and lum ber industries. In addition, over 53,000,000 m arks
were appropriated for the completion of those new S tate railways
construction of which had been stopped during the war.
Buildings.—In addition to the unexpended balance of 100,000,000
m arks appropriated in 1926 for new post-office buildings and instal
lations, an additional appropriation of 20,000,000 m arks was made
for new post-office buildings. C ontracts given in October, 1926,
greatly helped subsidiary industries, such as cable, electrical, iron
and steel, mechanical engineering, m otor, tire, and rubber industries.
Highway and canal construction.—New provisions were m ade for
highway construction.
The canal-m aking schemes already in
progress were accelerated by an appropriation of 13,000,000 m arks.
Housing.—On the basis of the law of M arch 26, 1926, the Federal
G overnm ent advanced to the States the sum of 200,000,000 m arks to
guarantee m ortgage loans on newly built small dwellings. The repay
m ent of such loans was required w ithin three years. In connection
w ith the schemes for building small dwellings in rural districts,
means were applied to encourage the m igration of workers from
densely populated cities and industrial centers to the rural districts,
where unem ploym ent was less severe.
The fact th a t when the unem ploym ent distress was m ost keen,
over 2,000,000 workers being unemployed, about 130,000 seasonal
agricultural workers were adm itted into Germ any from foreign
countries a ttrac ted m uch attention from the Governm ent. Upon
investigation it appeared th a t the housing of farm hands was not
such as to encourage the replacem ent of foreign farm hands by German
workers. Therefore, the construction of rural dwellings has been m ade
a, relief work scheme since 1920. Up to 1925 about 30,000 new
small rural dwellings were built. In order further to accelerate this
work, the Governm ent advanced 30,000,000 m arks for the construc
tion of farm hands’ dwellings on those estates the owners of which
were able to provide work for their farm hands during the entire
year, b u t were not able to provide them w ith adequate living quarters.
The new credit plan provides for the building of 10,000 small dwellings
annually for three years.
8 Reichsarbeitsblatt, N o. 36, 1927, pp. ii, 467-470.
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Other Measures
J D R E A K IN G up large landed estates.—A provision has been m ade
for breaking up certain landed estates in the eastern Provinces
of Germ any into small holdings or farms. I t is expected th a t by this
adjustm ent a considerable num ber of unemployed workers m ay be
perm anently settled on the land as small farmers. F u rth er loan
grants have been m ade for the continuation of rural highway con
struction, reclam ation service, etc.
Financing export trade.—-In February, 1926, the Governm ent
adopted a scheme by which the Federal and the State Governments
were to guarantee, up to 60 per cent of the sale prices, long-term
contracts for the export of German-made goods to Soviet Russia.
Such contracts, financed principally by private banks, were concluded
to the am ount of over 300,000,000 m arks, in which sum the Govern
m ent guaranty am ounted to 105,000,000 m arks. In respect to export
to other countries, the Governm ent agreed to m ake good the losses
caused by inability of the purchasers to pay for the goods delivered
or caused by wars or revolutions or natural catastrophes. In this
way the Governm ent insured about 2,000 foreign contracts, having
a to tal value of 25,000,000 m arks. Provision was m ade for the
guaranteeing of foreign contracts of a total value of 175,000,000
m arks for 1927.
On all these trade-revival schemes the Governm ent spent a total
of 630,000,000 m arks during 1926. The hope of the Governm ent
was to create by such measures as those above quoted industrial
confidence for a real trade revival.
HUNGARY9
Measures Against Unemployment
L JU N G A R Y has no unem ploym ent insurance. Practically the only
A * unem ploym ent benefits paid are those by labor unions.
Benefits as a system of caring for unemployed workers have n o t been
very widely practiced. Relief works of a m akeshift character, under
the term of “ repair works,” were undertaken to a certain extent at
the beginning of the severe depression, namely, in 1923 and the first
p a rt of 1924.
The G overnm ent concentrated its m ain attention and efforts on
the increase of the regular activities of industries, and especially
building and engineering—first, because these industries were lagging
m ost; second, they were connected with num erous other industries
producing building equipm ent and m aterials; and, third, buildings,
such as dwellings, plants, bridges, harbors, etc., had become worn
o u t and dilapidated during the long-drawn-out war and the revolu
tions following in the wake of the war.
Reconstruction loans.—A reconstruction loan of 250,000,000 Swiss
francs,10 sanctioned and assisted by the League of N ations, made
<• Data on which this section is based are from Ungarisches Wirtschaft, Jahrbuch, 1927, Budapest, 1927;
Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hungarian Commerce and Industry in the Year 1926,
Budapest, 1927; Budapest Commissar of Harbor Buildings, Die Regalierung des Soroksarer Donauarmes
und der Budapester Handels- und Industrie- H Hofen, Budapest, 1927; International Labor Review,
Geneva, monthly issues from 1925 to 1927.
10 Swiss franc at par=19.3 cents; exchange rate in 1927 about par.
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possible cheaper loans to building and engineering enterprises. There
have been other loans m ade in the New York and London money
m arkets, for instance, the H ungarian m unicipal loan of $10,000,000
from a bank in New York C ity, in 1925; a second m unicipal loan of
$6,000,000 from the same banking firm in 1926; the H ungarian
county loan of £2,500,000 11 from a banking house in London, in
1926; and other foreign loans in 1926 and 1927. F or construction
purposes about 100,000,000 gold crowns 12 were m ade available a t
once in 1924.
Stimulating industries.— In 1925 the sum of 52,000,000 gold crowns
was set aside for the purpose of granting cheaper loans to industries.
This m easure considerably facilitated the renewing of m achinery in
factories, extension of railways, the buying of better tools and equip
m ent, and the undertaking of drainage and irrigation works for
agricultural purposes.
The private building and m anufacturing concerns themselves,
feeling the pressure and even the danger of unem ploym ent to their
very existence, applied measures to revive industries and increase
their output.
The co u n try ’s finances have been p u t in order, the budget is kept
balanced, and the value of currency and exchange has been steadied.
The gold reserve in the bank of issue has been gradually increased till
it covers from 50 to 60 per cent of the note issue. To keep the foreign
trade balance norm al a policy of elastic protective tariff and export
prohibition has been applied.
Highways.— D uring the m onarchy about 437 miles of S tate roads
were built between 1868 and 1890, and 132 miles per annum , on an
average, were added between 1890 and 1914. D uring the w ar no
new highway construction was undertaken, so th a t the present-day
H ungary received a poor and worn-out netw ork of highways as a
war legacy from the m onarchy.
R epair work on public highways was begun in 1921 and continued
to the budget year of 1924-25. No new construction to any appre
ciable extent was undertaken until the budget year of 1925-26, when
a “ utility investm ent c re d it” was m ade available from the proceeds
of the League of N ations’ loan for roads. A to tal of 25,000,000
pengos13 were spent for highway construction in 1926-27. Local
authorities secured a foreign loan of 44,000,000 pengos for the same
purpose. Old roads have been repaired and some of them widened to
facilitate rapidly developing m otor traffic. A bout 480 miles of new
roads have been built and there are now 1,553 miles of new roads
under construction.
Power and harbor and waterway projects.—Quite a num ber of the
unemployed workers have found regular em ploym ent on a project
for developing power from the D anube R iver and the im provem ent
of the harbor a t Budapest. Below B udapest the great navigable
D anube R iver divides into two branches, forming the island Czepel,
one of the largest in the H ungarian Danube. The E astern branch of
the river, Soroksarer, was deepened by dredging along its entire
length. A t the upper end of the branch were built a lock and an
11 Pound sterling at par=$4.8665; exchange rate in 1926 about par.
12 Gold crown at par=20 cents.
13 P en g o = 17.49 cents; exchange rate in 1927 about par.
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inlet sluice, and at the lower end a similar lock and outlet sluice, thus
forming a fall at each place. Two power plants are planned. The
transmission line will carry the energy to B udapest for lighting,
traction, and other industrial uses. The project will be completed
in 1929 or 1930. The harbors a t the upper end of the branch have
recently been enlarged and improved, and new warehouses and cranes
have been added.
In addition, another large-scale project has been introduced by the
Secretary of S tate in the M inistry of Labor and Public Welfare,
namely, the building of a navigable canal between the D anube harbor
a t B udapest and the navigable Theiss River across the G reat H un
garian Plain. This canal would provide an economically im portant
w ater route and would make it possible to regulate the w ater flow in
order to avoid floods, to drain water-logged areas of the plain, and to
provide cheap electrical energy for industrial uses. T he construc
tion of this canal and other works connected w ith it would require
thousands of workers for a num ber of years.
ESTONIA 14
C*STONIA also has suffered from unemployment, caused in part by
the economic depression prevalent in Europe and in p a rt by the
seasonal character of certain industries, such as agriculture, lum ber
ing and building, for E stonia is a northern country where such indus
tries slow down during the winter.
On Jan u ary 12, 1928, President Tonisson called a State-wide con
ference of representatives of industries, city mayors, social workers,
and economists to find means and m ethods for com bating the unem
ploym ent evil in the Republic. In his call the President stressed the
need for puttin g all the forces of the nation into productive motion
for the purpose of overcoming unemployment.
D uring the last three years the appropriations for public works have
been as follows: 1924-25, 820,000 crow ns;151925-26, 420,000 crowns;
1926-27, 530,000 crowns— a total of 1,770,000 crowns for the three
years, of which sum the S tate Governm ent contributed 85 per cent.
A t the beginning of the unem ploym ent distress E stonia adopted,
among other measures, the benefit system. L ater, measures to pro
vide work were adopted.
Municipal Measures for Providing Work for Unemployed
L_IOW work for the unemployed is being found and how it is being
organized and carried on in the city of T artu , w ith a population
of about 60,000 and about 1,800 unemployed this winter, is reported
as follows: 16
Needlework— A sewing establishm ent has been organized under the
control and direction of various local women’s organizations and with
financial aid from the city.
14
Data on which this section is based are from Parliamentary ( JUigihogu) Stenographic Reports and State
Budget for 1924 to 1927; Estonian Yearbook for 1927-28; Bank of Estonia Economic Bulletin, July 31, 1927;
International Labor Review, Geneva, monthly issues from January to December, 1927; Postimees, Jan. 21,
1928; and Waba Maa, Jan. 9 and 14, 1928.
45 Crown at par=26.8 cents.
i« Postimees, Jan. 21, 1928, p. 2: “ An account of the inspection of public works by a committee consisting
of city councilman, city consulting engineer, director of a labor exchange, and city street technician on Jan.
20,1928.”
93675°—28-----2
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Orders are received and work distributed, workshops being pro
vided for those who can not take work home. The work is paid for
at the established rates.
There are sewing, knitting, patching, cleaning, and pressing shops.
All kinds of clothing for adults and children are designed, cut out
and made, and worn and discarded socks, pants, blankets, and coats,
are mended, cleaned, pressed, and in some cases even dyed. From
m ilitary clothing m aterial discarded by the quarterm aster general all
sorts of clothes for m en and women are made.
W ork is furnished for both unskilled and skilled men and women.
If a needed skilled worker, for instance, a special designer, is not
found among the unemployed, such a one is hired from the outside at
the regular rate of pay or a t a higher rate if necessary.
A t first the principal custom ers were public institutions, such as
schools, orphanages, correction houses, prisons. L ater the general
public was appealed to to patronize the establishm ent, so th a t orders
are now coming in also from private persons.
Earthworks.—The banks of the E m a River, which flows through
the city, are being raised as a protection against possible floods, earth
being carted there from a hill near the city lim its which is being
lowered to the general street level in a project for new streets. In
this work of raising the river banks 95 men and 262 women are en
gaged. Poorly clothed workers are given warm overcoats from the
m ilitary stores, and ho t tea is served a t the work places a t all times.
M edical first aid is provided, and all workers are insured against
accident and provided for in case of sickness by the city governm ent.
A num ber of low streets close to the river and often flooded in the
spring are also being raised, providing work for 41 men and 28 women.
Housing investigation.—F or the purpose of giving work to unem
ployed clerks and other nonm anual workers, the city has undertaken
an investigation of the housing situation in the city, in which work
35 persons are engaged.
Public works.—There are 712 workers employed on public works
within the city lim its and 192 workers on public works outside the
city lim its— a to tal of 904 workers being given em ploym ent on such
work. The city industries and individual employers "have been ap
pealed to to engage as m any of the unemployed as possible, the city
offering, if needed, to give them cheap credit or even a subsidy.
These public works, however, have an aspect of charity, and some of
the unemployed prefer to work in private establishm ents even though
they receive a lower wage.
National Schemes to Combat Unemployment
T D E V IV IN G handicraft trades.—H andicraft trades are being re1 v vived throughout the country w ith considerable success in the
effort to provide employment. The m ovem ent is organized and led
by wom en’s organizations, united in a N ational W om en’s League,
substantially assisted by the E stonian Y. W. C. A., and financially
supported, in part, by S tate and local governments. W ork places,
called “ stations,” have been opened in the cities and are soon to be
opened also in the rural districts. The enterprise is organized as a
regular business concern, a stock company having been formed for
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the m arketing of the goods, which advertises and sells the goods
and organizes fairs and exhibitions at home and even abroad.
I t has been found th a t applying certain modern ornam ental fea
tures to ancient folk ornam ent greatly enhances th e sale value of
such goods, and consequently artists are employed as designers. The
goods produced include wearing apparel, leather goods, wood carving,
ceramic and m etal goods, embroidery, etc. Experience has shown
th a t well-to-do people are willing to pay more for hand-m ade th an for
factory-m ade articles. Still, the finding of a m arket for the goods
produced is the greatest problem, and upon its satisfactory solution
depends th e final outcome of the whole enterprise.
A t present the station a t Tallinn, capital of the Republic, employs
about 100 persons, m ostly women, the wages paid being a t the regular
rate. A t the same tim e the workers are being trained in their selected
work.
Harbors and waterways.—A five-year project of im provem ent of
harbors and interior waterways, started by the M inistry of Trans
portation of the Republic and involving an expenditure of 11,380,000
crowns, has been enlarged and its prosecution hastened under the
pressure of the unem ploym ent situation. The harbor a t Parnu has
been deepened, for which work 170,000 crowns has been expended,
and during this year the lengthening of the breakw ater will be
finished, w ith an expenditure of 220,000 crowns. The navigable
E m a River is being straightened at a num ber of places in order to
shorten it for navigation, w ith an expenditure of about 1,500,000
crowns.
Highways.—The county authorities have undertaken improvement
of the highways, such as straightening out sudden turns, leveling steep
hills and filling deep depressions, rebuilding bridges, carting gravel
upon roadbeds, etc. The im provem ent of the highways is especially
necessary now because of the rapid developm ent of cross-country
bus lines and the increasing use of auto trucks and pleasure auto
mobiles. The S tate has appropriated 1,350,000 crowns to be dis
tributed among various counties in order to accelerate the highway
im provem ents and a t the same time relieve the unem ploym ent
pressure.
Although highway construction, like swamp drainage and other
outdoor work, is somewhat retarded by severe w eather in the winter,
still the work is in progress m ost of the time.
Preventive measures.—While the above-noted measures for finding
and creating work for the unemployed are largely of a tem porary and
often of a palliative nature, the Governm ent is also giving attention
to perm anent and preventive measures against the recurrence of
unem ploym ent in the future. These measures, while needed for
the normal economic development of the country, are being hastened
by the pressure of the present unemployment distress.
General measures of a permanent nature.—The S tate budget is kept
balanced, the currency has been stabilized, and foreign trade has been
favorable. D uring 1927 Estonia was added to the countries whose
currencies are on a gold exchange basis. Interest on bank credit was
lowered and wages in the stronger industries were somewhat increased.
In order to reorganize the country’s finances, to reorganize its
industries— to replace worn-out machinery with th a t of m odem type
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to increase shipping facilities, and to improve farm ing and fisheries,
a loan of about $7,000,000, under the auspices of the League of
N ations, was successfully floated in the London and New York
money m arkets, and the proceeds of the loan are being used for pro
ductive purposes.
Special measures of a permanent nature.—Among special measures,
such as the building of new railways and electric power plants and
the more adequate financing of shipping, there is one m easure in
which the Governm ent seems to place great hopes for the combating
of unem ploym ent; namely, the reclaiming of land for new farms.
The sum of 10,000,000 crowns has been set aside in the State L and
Bank as a working colonization fund, ou t of which will be financed
the reclam ation of land, such as swamps by drainage. From this
reclaimed land small farm s will be given additional land in order to
make them capable of sustaining a family, and new farm s will be
prepared on which the surplus farm hands can be settled as perm a
nent farmers. As a result of the rapid m echanization of agriculture,
the surplus of farm hands is becoming increasingly greater in the
rural districts, especially in the winter. These farm hands flock to
the cities in th e fall there to compete w ith the factory workers for
jobs, thus augm enting the ranks of the unemployed in the cities.
A substantial num ber of these m igrants succeed in establishing them
selves as perm anent city dwellers. The President of the Republic,
in his call for the nation-wide conference on unemployment, points
out th a t during the last five years the population of the cities of the
Republic has grown from 279,073 to 301,994, an increase of 22,921.
The reclam ation work, preparation of new farm s (drainage, land
clearing, road making, fences, farm buildings, etc.), and actual settle
m ent on new farms, will absorb, the Governm ent hopes, thousands of
workers in the rural districts for a num ber of years to come, and
thereby reduce a t least the seasonal unem ploym ent to the minimum.
Aside from extending the cultivated area of land, efforts are being
m ade to increase dairy farming, for it is Estonian dairy products,
exported principally to England and Germany, which are helping
m aterially to keep a favorable foreign trade balance.
Health and Recreation Activities in Industrial Establishments
H E nature and scope of the various personnel features contributing to the health and general welfare of employees which are
found in various types of industries formed the subject of a
recent survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accounts of
certain of these activities have appeared in various issues of the
Labor Review during 1927 and the completed study is now available
in bulletin 1 form.
The survey included visits to establishm ents in different sections
of the country, inform ation being secured from 430 companies which
were doing sufficient along personnel lines to w arrant inclusion.
As a sim ilar study was m ade in 1916-17 covering practically the same
1 U . S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 458: Health and recreation activities in industrial establish
ments, 1926. Washington, 1928, 94 pp.
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num ber of companies, m any of them identical, the present study
affords an opportunity to observe the lines along which such work
has developed in the past 10 years. The m ost decided changes
were found in the extent of the provisions for the care of health, the
extension of the vacation movement, and the increase in the num ber
of companies carrying group insurance.
Medical and Hospital Service 2
rT 'H E increased attention being paid to the m aintenance of a
*■ healthy working force is shown by the fact th a t of the 375 plants
which were reported in the 1916 study as having some provision for
treatm ent of sick or injured employees, 110 had first-aid equipm ent
only, consisting usually simply of a first-aid cabinet, while in the
present study 373 companies had a dispensary or emergency hospital
with one or more treatm ent rooms and only 34 had the lim ited
first-aid equipm ent. The im provem ent is further shown in the num
ber of doctors and nurses employed. Thus, in the present study,
* there were 311 establishments employing full-time or part-tim e
doctors or surgeons and 332 employing trained nurses, as contrasted
with 171 employing physicians and 181 having trained nurses at the
time of the former study.
W ith the increase in the num ber of the trained personnel in the
medical departm ents there has naturally been a broadening in the
scope of the services rendered by these departm ents. M aintained
at first largely in the hazardous industries as a result of the work
m en’s compensation laws, the benefits of medical care were so
obvious th a t there has been a decided change in the type of service
rendered by these hospitals. In extrahazardous industries the work
of the hospitals is still directed more especially to the care of injuries,
although m any of them do a considerable am ount of medical work,
and in nonhazardous industries there is a quite general tendency to
provide complete and effective health service.
In industries in which m any accidents occur, the prevention of
infection— a prolific cause of serious trouble—is stressed and em
ployees are required to report to the hospital for the m ost trifling
injury. Frequently severe penalties are imposed for any a ttem p t
by fellow employees to render first aid, such as rem oving foreign
particles from eyes or binding up cuts or scratches. By following
this m ethod the tim e lost from infections has been greatly decreased
in these plants and much suffering has been avoided. Preventive
medical work is carried on in m any industries and includes care of
undernourished employees, periodic physical examinations, dental
prophylaxis, eye examination, and curative treatm ent instituted for
conditions shown by the examinations to be in need of special care.
Visiting nurses follow up m any cases of sickness, usually to see th a t
the employee has proper care, though a num ber of companies provide
free nursing service and in a num ber of instances sanatorium tre a t
m ent is arranged for employees who contract tuberculosis. General
hospitals are m aintained by mining and other companies in the more
isolated sections or in small towns, and frequently members of the
families receive treatm ent in these hospitals. Employees of these
1 For a detailed account see Labor Review, January, 1927, pp. 1-14.
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companies are in nearly all cases charged a medical fee, varying
from $1 to $2.50 per m onth, which is deducted from their pay, and
members of employees’ families are usually charged for m ajor and
sometimes for minor operations, although these charges are much
below the usual rates.
W hen physical examinations were first introduced in industry there
was m uch opposition to them on the p a rt of the workers, who feared
th a t such examinations would be used as the basis for discrim ination.
I t has been shown, however, th a t the percentage of rejections as a
result of the entrance examinations is n o t high unless the nature of
the work is such th a t certain physical im pairm ents entirely disqualify
for employment, and very definite benefit is derived by the employees
in m any plants from the follow-up work done as a result of the en
trance and periodic examinations. I t is the policy of the medical
departm ents of m any firms to provide treatm en t for remediable con
ditions revealed by the physical examinations, to keep employees
who have been ill under observation for a certain length of time,
and to see th a t employees are properly placed from the standpoint
of their physical condition.
Successful industrial medical work is, as a rule, found only in the
larger plants, as the cost of really satisfactory service is prohibitive
for small concerns. As the necessity for caring for the health of
employees is ju st as urgent in the small establishm ents, the provision
of adequate medical care presents a definite problem which m ight
be solved, in cases where a group of industries is located near enough
together to m ake this feasible, by sharing the services of an industrial
physician or by providing a central hospital.
Sick Leave With Pay 3
little has been done as y et tow ard granting sick leave to
workers paid on a piece or hourly basis, although it is quite
generally granted to office workers. The provision for paym ent in
case of sickness or nonindustrial accident is commonly through the
benefit associations or in connection w ith the group insurance system.
A definite plan for paym ents to m anual and nonsalaried workers was
reported by 14 companies and a num ber of others stated th a t cases
are considered on their m erits and th a t compensation is paid in cer
tain cases. There is no uniform ity in the plans, b u t the paym ents
in the m ajority of cases am ount to one-half wages for a period of four
or six weeks which in some instances m ay be extended a t a lower rate
for a considerably longer period. In other cases the paym ents vary
according to length of service from a stated m inimum to full pay.
In all cases a certain num ber of years’ em ploym ent w ith the com
pany, ranging from one to five years, is required before an employee
is eligible to receive the sickness allowance.
Vacations With P a y 4
rT ,H E past 10 years have seen a great extension in the practice of
1 giving vacations w ith pay to factory workers. In 1916 only 16
companies reported th a t they gave vacations to the larger p a rt of
3 For a detailed account see Labor Review, April, 1927, pp. 33, 34.
4 For a detailed account see Labor Review, M ay, 1926, pp. 1-7.
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HEALTH AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES
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the shop or unsalaried force, while in 1926 it was found th a t 133
granted paid vacations. In both studies no companies which re
quired more than two years’ em ploym ent in order to be eligible for
a vacation were included in the count, as it was considered th a t
although m any companies give vacations after periods of employ
m ent ranging from 5 to 25 years, such a waiting period is too long to
have m uch interest for the m ajority of the workers.
The required service period of the 133 companies varied from a
few m onths to two years. Sixty-six firms required less than 1 year,
56 required 1 year or more, and 10 required a t least 2 years, while the
1 rem aining com pany divided the employees into 5 groups, the length
of the vacation being apportioned according to the service period of
each group.
The usual vacation of factory employees on an hourly rate of pay
is one week, although m any firms increase the vacation after 10 or
more years’ em ploym ent as a recognition of continued service, and
office workers and store employees are alm ost w ithout exception
given two weeks’ vacation after their second year of employment.
Lunch Rooms 5
'"THE num ber of companies providing restaurant facilities had also
* increased during the 10-year period. A t the tim e of the earlier
study only a little more than half of the firms visited operated lunch
rooms, while in 1926, 303, or about 70 per cent, provided one or more
meals for their employees. The cafeteria is by far the m ost popular
type of lunch room, both because the service is quicker than in the
restaurants and because there is usually a greater variety of food
served. W here space for a lunch room is lacking or the plant is very
large, booths or stations m ay be installed a t various points throughout
the plant. The lunch rooms are managed either by the employer or
a com m ittee of the employees or, in a few cases, are turned over to an
outsider to run, in which case the m anagem ent expects to m ake a
profit. W hen the employer manages the cafeteria, however, the lunch
rooms, more often than not, are run a t a deficit and in only four cases
was it reported th a t there was any surplus in the operation of the
lunch-room service. In general, it m ay be said th a t the lunch rooms
are not looked upon as a potential money-m aking proposition by
employers, b u t th a t the provision of appetizing and nourishing food
at a reasonable cost is regarded as an im portant factor in m aintaining
the health and efficiency of the working force.
Recreation 6
'"THE activities of employers along recreational lines include among
the indoor features the provision of recreation rooms, clubhouses
and gym nasiums; assistance in the organization of clubs and musical
and dram atic organizations; and the promotion of social activities
among the personnel. The facilities for outdoor recreation include
provision of athletic fields or baseball diamonds, tennis courts, golf
courses, swimming pools, country clubs, etc., and promotion of the
various sports and games.
e For a detailed account see Labor Review, March, 1927, pp. 13-22.
6 For detailed accounts see Labor Review, M ay, 1927, pp. 1-16; and September, 1927, pp. 1-14.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
O f the companies visited, 235 provided clubhouses, club or recrea
tion rooms, rooms for different games such as billiards or pool, bowling
alleys, and gymnasiums, and 316 companies provided lectures,
moving pictures, and concerts, or assisted in the m aintenance of
bands, orchestras, or glee clubs. In the field of outdoor recreation,
319 companies provided facilities for the various sports, m aintained
country clubs or summer camps, or arranged for an annual picnic or
other outings.
Very active clubs of various sorts and athletic associations are
found in m any plants and in nearly all cases recreational and athletic
activities are organized and m anaged by the employees themselves,
the employers assisting by providing rooms for meetings, fields, and
equipm ent for sports, or prizes for different athletic events, or by
cash donations. The general tendency, however, m ay be said to be
one of cooperation on the p a rt of the employer and willingness to
offer any encouragem ent or assistance which the employees need or
are willing to accept, b u t the policy is usually to let the dem and for
any particular activity come from the workers rath er than to try to
force it upon them.
Com m unity recreation for adults, w ith which, in m any cases, the
industries are identified, has been one of the outstanding develop
m ents in the recreation m ovem ent during the p ast decade. A grow
ing num ber of cities are realizing the advantages resulting from the
provision of recreational facilities under trained leadership which are
open to all members of the comm unity. M ore than 20 communities
having organized indoor and outdoor sports and social affairs were
visited in connection w ith the present survey, and it was found th a t
practically every type of activity was represented in m any of these
communities. I t is evident th a t w ith the increasing concentration
of the population in the cities, often in highly congested areas, the
need for recreation facilities and for leadership capable of organizing
and carrying through a recreation program is becoming more and
more essential.
In company towns practically all the personnel work 7 is along
com m unity lines and covers the recreation of adults and children, as
well as health services, education, and club work, and often all this
work is grouped in com m unity centers w ith a staff of trained workers
to organize and supervise the different branches of the work.
Group Life Insurance and Disability Funds 8
ON E feature in the field of industrial relations has had such a
phenomenal growth as the provision of group insurance. This
form of insurance was first w ritten in 1911. A t the end of 1926 more
than 75 companies were writing group insurance, and it was estim ated
th a t the insurance in force am ounted to more th an five and a half
billion dollars. Of the plants visited, 186 had group insurance plans
in effect while 10 reported th a t the plan had been discontinued. The
earlier group life insurance policies provided for the paym ent of a
lump sum in case of death, b u t the trend during the p ast five or six
years has been toward the contributory plan, usually with the addi7 For a detailed account see Labor Review, August, 1927, pp. 90-96.
* For a detailed account see Labor Review, June, 1927, pp. 76-86; and July, 1927, pp. 20-26.
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HEALTH AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES
19
tion of insurance against disability from sickness or nonindustrial
accident.
M utual benefit associations also make provision against the con
tingency of sickness and death, although the paym ents are usually
on a lower scale than those of the group insurance plan.
These associations are frequently m aintained by the employees of
an establishm ent w ithout any assistance from the firm, b u t only those
were included in the present study in which some m aterial assistance
was given by the company, either in the operation of the fund or in
the paym ent of benefits. There were 214 such associations reported,
and in 177 which reported on the membership 76 per cent of the total
num ber of employees belonged to the association. This m ay be con
sidered a high percentage in view of the fact th a t there is, in m any
cases, a w aiting period varying from two weeks to a year after employ
m ent before an employee is eligible for membership. The dues in the
m ajority of the associations range between 25 and 75 cents per m onth.
The average yearly benefits paid by 94 associations reporting on this
point am ounted to $40.93. D isability benefits in m ost cases cover
both sickness and accident b u t usually exclude cases of sickness or
injury which entitle the employee to paym ents under the workm en’s
compensation laws of the different States.
Education
O P P O R T U N IT Y for advancem ent through further study is offered
^
their employees by a num ber of firms. As a general rule the
study courses provided follow the lines of the business and are designed
to give ambitious employees the opportunity to progress in the busi
ness or industry. In several instances employers who do n o t find it
feasible or advisable to furnish the instruction cooperate w ith the
public schools or pay the tuition of employees who reach a certain
standard in their studies or in their attendance a t classes in other
schools or colleges. There is great need for further education among
industrial workers generally as large num bers enter industry w ith a
m inimum am ount of schooling, so th a t w ithout additional opportunity
for study there is little prospect of advancem ent for m any of them .
In spite of the fact th a t m any employers have taken an active interest
in this work and offer in some cases very unusual opportunities for
study it is probable th a t only a small percentage of the workers who
stand in need of further education are reached. One hundred and
fifty of the firms reported th a t educational work was carried on and
48 more th a t financial help was given to those taking work outside
the plant. In addition to the instruction given in subjects relating
more particularly to the industry, several companies organize classes
in subjects having more of a cultural value, and classes in domestic
science and handicrafts are frequently m aintained for the woman em
ployees. In cases where the technical and vocational work is an
im portant feature of the company activities, it is in charge of an
educational director or an educational committee. Libraries which
form a valuable adjunct to the educational activities are reported by
127 establishments.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Encouragement of Thrift 9
A V A R IE T Y of plans are followed in encouraging employees to
system atic saving. These include savings and loan funds,
building funds, profit-sharing plans, sale of company stock to em
ployees, vacation and Christm as savings funds, and cooperative buy
ing and discounts on company goods.
One hundred and ninety-six companies reported th a t the m ainte
nance of a savings fund among employees was encouraged or a sys
tem atic effort was m ade to get employees to p u t something in the
bank each pay day. Loan funds were reported in 72 instances
which were m aintained either directly by the company or as a p a rt
of the savings plan, and 39 companies reported th a t there was a
building and loan association.
Free legal advice is given employees who need assistance in per
sonal, domestic, or business difficulties by a m ajority of the com
panies, although a num ber stated th a t employees were not encour
aged to ask for it. Advice as to investm ents is also given in num erous
instances.
Cooperative stores were found in only 21 instances, although a
large proportion of the companies either prom oted the cooperative
buying of certain commodities or allowed a discount on their own
products or on supplies bought by them, w ith the result th a t con
siderable savings were effected for the employees.
Administration of Personnel Work
A N IM P O R T A N T p a rt of any personnel program is the way in
which the work is administered, as the personality of the per
son who has it in charge, or the extent to which the employees par
ticipate in the m anagem ent, determines largely the degree of success
of such work. In 164 companies the personnel work was reported
to be under the supervision of one person employed for this purpose,
while the work was in charge of one of the company officials in 94
cases, in about the same num ber the em ploym ent m anager directed
the work of both the em ploym ent and personnel departm ents, and in
several cases the work was in charge of the doctor or head nurse.
The cost of the personnel work was secured from 190 firms, b u t as
no pay-roll d a ta were available it was impossible to determ ine w hat
percentage this was of the annual pay roll. The annual cost per em
ployee was determined, however, and it appeared th a t in general it
was not great enough to be prohibitive nor would it be im portant
as an addition to wages. In the different industry groups the range
was from $13 to $67, w ith an average for all industries of $27 per
employee, although in individual establishm ents in some cases the
expenditures were very much higher.
Although definite m easurem ents of the results of these policies
are impossible, opinions from the firms were in quite general agree
m ent th a t the effects were favorable on the stability of the force and
on the time lost because of sickness and other causes. Several com
panies, on the other hand, were no t convinced th a t stability and
steady attendance were m uch affected, b u t thought th a t they de
pended more upon the wages paid than upon the personnel policies.
9 For a detailed account see Labor Review, October, 1927, pp. 78-82.
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21
Conclusion
A R E PO R T of this kind necessarily has m any lim itations. In the
first place so m any subjects are covered th a t the question of
time alone precludes a thorough study of some features, such as the
insurance plans, which would repay a more detailed and critical con
sideration of their m erits and demerits. W hat the report aims to
show is the lines followed in so-called “ w elfare” activities and the
features of the work m ost favored by employers and employees. I t
should not be assumed th a t because no criticism of any of these activi
ties is voiced in the report th a t it is n o t recognized th a t there m ay be
valid objections which could be brought forward concerning them.
To discuss these activities from a critical standpoint, however, would
necessitate approaching such a study from a different angle and, on
subjects which are more or less controversial, it would n o t seem fair
to raise a question as to w hether or not these features are a desirable
p a rt of industrial operations w ithout a thorough consideration of all
the argum ents for*and against them . The study is then, frankly, a
noncritical survey of employers’ personnel activities and should be
accepted as such by the reader.
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[719]
UNEMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS IN THE
UNITED STATES
Unemployment in the United States: Report of the Secretary
of Labor
E SP O N D IN G to a Senate resolution of M arch 6, 1928, the
Secretary of Labor, on M arch 24, transm itted to the Senate a
report regarding the num ber of unemployed wage and salary
earners in the U nited States. The report explains th a t complete
inform ation is n o t available as regards the to tal num ber of persons
out of work, and th a t no accurate inform ation of this character can
be obtained except by a very comprehensive census. From existing
data, however, the Commissioner of Labor Statistics estim ates th a t
between 1925 and January, 1928, there was a shrinkage of 1,874,050
in the num ber of employed wage and salary workers. No atte m p t is
m ade to estim ate the num ber of unemployed in the base year, 1925,
b u t it is pointed o u t th a t 1925 was a year in which there was no
noticeable unem ploym ent question.
The full report follows:
R
D epartm ent of L abo r ,
O ffice of the S ecretary ,
Washington, March 24, 1928.
Hon. C harles G. D a w e s ,
President of the Senate, Washington, D. C.
S i r : On M arch 6, 1928, the U nited States Senate, first session of
the Seventieth Congress, passed Senate Resolution 147, as follows:
R e s o lv e d , That the Secretary of Labor is hereby directed (1) to investigate
and compute the extent of unemployment and part-time employment in the
United States and make report thereon to the Senate, and together therewith
to report the methods and devices whereby the investigation and computation
shall have been made; (2) to investigate the method whereby frequent periodic
report of the number of unemployed and part-time employed in the United States
and permanent statistics thereon may hereafter be had and made available, and
make report thereon to the Senate.
In compliance w ith these requirem ents I imm ediately directed
the U nited States Commissioner of Labor Statistics to make such
report as was possible from available records upon the subject nam ed
in the resolution. I herewith transm it the report which the Com
missioner of Labor Statistics has placed in m y hands.
In reply to the clauses which introduce the resolution, I would
call your attention first, to the fact th a t the volume of employment,
as shown by the reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, published
m onthly, has tended downward, from April, 1927, up to and includ
ing January, 1928. The F ebruary report, ju st published, shows
22
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF LABOR ON UNEMPLOYMENT
23
however, an upward trend in employment. This fact the D ep art
m ent of Labor has done its utm ost to make widely public, and thus
has already fulfilled, so far as it had power to do so, the requirem ent
of the Senate’s resolution, namely, to call attention “ to the proper
tim ing for the inauguration of public works by the Federal Govern
m ent and the encouragement of similar undertakings by the S tates.”
Bearing on this action by the D epartm ent of Labor, I would re
spectfully subm it th a t having had personal experience of former
periods of unemployment, I do n o t recall an instance where there
was “ proper tim ing for the inauguration of public works,” or other
governm ental, State, municipal or county effort to take up shrinkage
of em ploym ent until after it was too late. In the present instance the
D epartm ent of Labor has sounded such warning in ample time.
In reply to another clause in the preamble to the Senate’s resolution,
“ th a t accurate and all-inclusive statistics of employment and unem
ploym ent be had at frequent intervals,” I would call your attention
to the fact th a t the resolution carries no appropriation for this pur
pose. I am informed by the Commissioner of Labor Statistics th a t
to obtain such information and keep it current would require a very
large addition to the am ount of money appropriated for the D epart
m ent of Labor. A statem ent of employment and unem ploym ent
th a t would “ be accurate and all inclusive ” would involve an individual
census of the U nited States, a work physically impossible of perform
ance a t frequent intervals, and of heavy expense.
There is every reason to believe, however, th a t with a m oderate
increase in the annual appropriations for the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, the bureau could m aterially extend its volume of employment
and part-tim e em ploym ent information to include m anufacturing
establishm ents of smaller size, where its information now is obtained
from the larger establishm ents alone. The bureau could also extend
its work to include other industries than those now covered, and
could tabulate its m aterial not only, as now, by geographical divi
sions, b u t by States and principal cities instead. A very careful esti
m ate subm itted to me by Commissioner Stew art indicates th a t, for
$100,000 additional, the division of the bureau now handling this
m aterial could be increased to include a fair proportion of establish
m ents employing as few as 50 persons, and th a t this m aterial could be
presented in detail by industries, States, and cities of 100,000
population.
In addition to this, $20,000 should be added to the present
appropriation for the employment service of the D epartm ent of
Labor to enable it to extend its general nonstatistical reports of
employment opportunities, by cities, to cover States not now included
in its reports, and to increase the facilities for placing jobless men,
especially in its farm -placem ent activities.
I herewith transm it the report on employment conditions which
the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, with the facilities a t hand, has
subm itted to me. I t shows th a t the present slump in employment,
while n o t so extensive or grave as the estim ates which have been
generally circulated, is nevertheless serious. The factors which have
brought it about are m any; among them, the floods in the Mississippi
Valley, in New England, the tornado which swept Florida and its
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
atten d an t losses, the tem porary closing of a p a rt of certain m ajor
industrial plants, and a disturbance in the bituminous-coal fields
which has lasted for m any months. All these have tem porarily
decreased the opportunities for employment and have adversely
affected employment conditions in other lines of industry.
These, and the other influences which have operated in the same
direction, I believe to be passing phases of our economic life. There
are, nevertheless, certain features of the problem which m ust be
considered if approach to constructive remedial measures is to be
made with proper intelligence. For example, in 1927 the total net
imm igration, both inside and outside the quota countries, amounted
to 252,023. A considerable percentage of these were prospective
laborers. In addition to these imm igrants, adm itted during a year
when our own people were losing employment, there was the annual
average influx of 205,000 from the farms to the cities. We, further,
have practically 2,000,000 boys and girls in our own population who
reach the working age each year.
I desire to call your attention also to a distinction which Commis
sioner Stew art makes in his report, to the effect th a t “ employment
as i t exists a t present is composed of two entirely different elements,
namely, those tem porarily out of work a t their regular occupations,
and, second, those displaced by changes in industrial and commercial
m ethods” ; or, as one m ight p u t it, those who are merely suspended,
and those perm anently released from their jobs.
Form er labor depressions have been due alm ost wholly to the first
group nam ed, and, if public work is not furnished quickly enough to
relieve them , they have no recourse b u t to w ait until their own jobs
are again available. Prom pt relief for these is due from the Govern
m ent’s elaborate building program, from similar programs of States,
municipalities, and counties, and from private building and construc
tion.
F or the second class of unemployed, Commissioner Stew art says:
“ I t is n o t unreasonable to believe th a t a considerable percentage of
the employment shrinkage shown in this report is due to new
machines and new mechanical devices. W aiting for industrial de
velopments is of no avail. Their jobs are gone. Inventive genius
m ust devise new industries, commercial agencies m ust create new
wants in order to create new occupations for these people, in so
far as age perm its them to learn new occupations or adapt them
selves to new industries.” This need for new industries and new
occupations daily becomes more pressing. The D epartm ent of
Labor is in constant receipt of reports of acute situations resulting
from the introduction of new machines. I t is believed in m any
quarters, moreover, and w ith good reason, th a t this mechanical
development will probably proceed as rapidly in the imm ediate
future as it has in the imm ediate past.
W ith all these forces tending to cause unemployment, the num ber
a t present unemployed has been found to constitute a very small
percentage of those a t work. The census of 1920 showed th a t 42,000,000 of our people as wage earners or otherwise are gainfully employed.
Of these, 23,348,692 have been found to be a t present employed on
either a wage or a salary basis. B y the m ost careful com putation
m ethods available Commissioner Stew art finds th a t the actual num
ber now out of work is 1,874,050.
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REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATISTICS
The attached report, compiled by M r. E thelbert Stew art, United
States Commissioner of Labor Statistics, which contains these
figures and the m ethods by which they are obtained, is the second
such report which I have been called upon to subm it to your body.
Commissioner Stew art has been connected w ith the statistical work
of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and of the Governm ent for a period
of 41 years, having been first appointed Commissioner of Labor
Statistics by President Wilson, and continued in office by Presidents
H arding and Coolidge. M r. S tew art’s ability and conscientiousness
in this work are thoroughly established and recognized, and his former
report, which I subm itted in August, 1921, showing 5,735,000 fewer
persons on the pay rolls of the country, proved to be accurate. I
therefore subm it this, his second report, with absolute confidence
in its essential accuracy.
You will find this report of the Commissioner of Labor Statistics
on Senate Resolution 147 accompanied by an appendix which gives
the report of Dr. J. Knox Insley, Commissioner of Labor and Statistics
of M aryland, dealing with the same subject and giving the details
of a house-to-house canvass in the city of Baltimore. The results of
this independent investigation are included as further confirming the
accuracy of Commissioner S tew art’s report.
Respectfully,
J ames J. D a v is , Secretary oj Labor.
U. S. D epartm ent
B
u r e a u
o f
L
of
a b o r
L abo r ,
S
t a t is t ic s
,
Washington, March 24, 1928.
Hon. J ames J. D a v is ,
Secretary oj Labor, Washington, D. C.
S i r : In accordance with your instructions of M arch 6, 1928, I
have completed and transm it herewith a report concerning the
volume of unem ploym ent in the United States a t this time and
the am ount of part-tim e employment so far as can be determined
from the records in the possession of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The definition of unemployment as here used is as follows: Per
sons usually employed bu t at present out of employment and h u n t
ing for work. In other words, the first section of this report refers to
persons now totally idle but who have until a reasonably recent
period been employed and who are now seeking employment. This
section does not include those employed p art time nor does it include
those who are unemployable and are and have been for a long period
of time subject to w hat m ight be considered outdoor relief.
The second p a rt of the report deals with such information as we
have on part-tim e employment.
To this I have appended the recent report of the commissioner of
labor and statistics of the State of M aryland, which in addition to
being a very able and interesting document contains the result of
the only actual house-to-house canvass made for the purpose of
determ ining the actual num ber of unemployed th a t has been m ade
in any city so far as I know.
Respectfully,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
E th elber t S tew art ,
Commissioner oj Labor Statistics.
[ 723 ]
26
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Report of Commissioner of Labor Statistics
On M arch 6, 1928, the U nited States Senate passed Resolution 147,
which contains the following language:
R e s o lv e d , That the Secretary of Labor is hereby directed (1) to investigate and
compute the extent of unemployment and part-time employment in the United
States and make report thereon to the Senate, and together therewith to report
the methods and devices whereby the investigation and computation shall have
been made; (2) to investigate the method whereby frequent periodic report of
the number of unemployed and part-time employed in the United States and
permanent statistics thereof may hereafter be had and made available, and make
report thereon to the Senate.
Responding to the requirem ents of the first p a rt of the resolution
quoted, the best estim ate th a t can be made from all sources of infor
m ation available a t this time is th a t the shrinkage in the volume of
wage earners, including m anufacturing, transportation, mining,
agriculture, trade, clerical, and domestic groups, figuring on a basis
of those employed in 1925, is revealed to be 7.43 per cent. Applying
this percentage to the total num ber of employees as of 1925, gives a
shrinkage between the average of 1925 and January, 1928, of 1,874,050
persons.
The m ethod of calculation employed in arriving at this figure is
as follows: First, the census of 1925 is taken as a base, because the
census of 1920 represents a boom year, and while there was a tre
mendous slump between th a t and the census of 1923, nevertheless
between these periods there had been a recovery and the year 1923
brought an up-swing, which from the present point of view m ay be
considered by some at least an incipient boom. Em ploym ent dropped
again in 1924, advanced slightly in 1925, a little more in 1926, and
dropped again through 1927. The year 1925 m ay therefore be
accepted as an average recent year from which to take measurem ent,
and it is herein made the base from which employment shrinkage
has been computed. In m aking 1925 the base or 100, it is under
stood th a t w hatever there m ay have been of unemployment in th at
year is ignored, and it is assumed th a t those who were let out of
industry between 1923 and 1924 had by 1925 readjusted themselves.
I t m ay be said th a t 1925 was a year in which there was no notice
able unem ploym ent question. I t is also used as a base because it
was a year in which the Census of M anufactures was taken.
The foundation of the estim ate here subm itted is the known
figures for 1925 for (1) m anufacturing wage earners, and (2) railroad
employees. These, with the estimates as of January, 1928, are as
follows:
Employed
in 1925
Estimated
employed
January,
1928
8, 383, 781
1, 752, 589
7, 739, 907
i 1, 643,356
643,874
109, 233
_ __ _________________________________ - 10,136, 370
9, 383, 263
2753,107
Industry
M aTiii ffi.nt.nri n g
Railrrmds
Total
______ ______________________________
______________________________________
1 December, 1927.
2 Decrease of 7.43 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 724 ]
Estimated
shrinkage
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATISTICS
27
No figures are available for the groups— agriculture, mining, clerical
workers, domestic service and trade— and it can only be assumed th at
they have been affected in like degree.
The change in m anufacturing employment is determ ined from the
change in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index of employment in
m anufacturing industries. The railroad figures are exact for Class I
railroads, om itting general and division officials. The num ber of
employees in 1925 is estim ated from the population census taken as
of January, 1920, as recast in the July, 1923, issue of the M onthly
Labor Revieiy, arid from the percentage of change in em ploym ent as
known for m anufacturing and railroads.
The num ber of employees in 1925 used in this calculation—th a t is,
persons working for wages or salaries for others—is estim ated at
25,222,742. This figure does n o t include any persons operating their
own business or professions. The calculated num ber of employees
as of January, 1928, upon the same basis, was 23,348,692, leaving a
shrinkage between the two periods as indicated above of 1,874,050.
The table shown below, which gives the changes in employment
from m onth to m onth, has been recast upon a basis of the average
of 1925, to conform to the m ethod adopted in the general estim ate.
However, it is im portant to show th a t m ost of this shrinkage took
place in 1927, beginning practically in April, and continuing through
January, 1928. The index for February, ju st issued, shows an up
ward trend as against January or December.
I N D E X OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , B Y G EO G R A PH IC
D IV ISIO N S, 1925, 1926, 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1928
[M onthly average, 1925=100]
West
North
Cen
tral
South
Atlan
tic
East
South
Cen
tral
West
South
Cen
tral
Moun
tain
94.6
96.1
98.4
99.8
100. 6
98.7
98.2
99.8
101.4
104.4
104.4
103.0
98.8
100.1
99.6
98.4
97.6
99.5
100.0
101.2
101.3
101.9
100.8
100.4
97.7
100.2
101.5
101.6
98.7
97.7
96.0
97.7
99.5
101.6
103.0
104.6
99.6
100.9
100.7
100.7
98.3
98.1
95.7
98.9
100. 2
101.7
102.8
102.4
101.0
102.5
101.2
101.1
96.9
97.4
98.1
98.9
100.2
100.3
100.6
101.6
94.0
94.3
95.5
98.7
101.7
103.9
104.8
102.9
101.1
100.5
99.0
103.0
94.8
96.3
95.1
97.8
101.0
103.4
101.8
101.5
104.4
103.9
101.8
98.5
98.7
100.4
101.2
101.0
99.7
98.8
97.9
98.6
99.7
101.2
101.4
101.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.2
102.6
103. 2
101.0
99.0
97.3
92.6
94.3
97.9
99.5
99.4
98.3
102.0
102.5
102.3
101.1
100.0
99.4
97.6
97.8
99.9
100. 7
99.9
99.1
103.0
104.6
105.4
103.9
101.9
101.7
100.2
102.1
102.7
101.9
98.0
95.8
98.9
99.1
98.4
98.3
98.2
99.5
99.0
100.6
101.3
101.8
99.8
97.6
103.8
104. 7
106.0
104.3
102.4
101.9
100.7
101.4
104.5
105.4
105.4
105.3
100.9
101.5
100.9
100.7
98.2
96.8
97.0
97.9
96.9
95.7
95.4
95.4
99.8
100. 5
100.1
100.7
100.3
101.9
102.0
103.5
102.6
102.3
101.5
101.1
98.6
96.0
94.4
94.9
98.1
101.8
99.3
98.5
102.1
101.5
101.0
99.2
96.5
96.6
97.8
101.7
105.0
103.9
103.3
103.6
103.2
103.4
102.0
99.2
101.2
102.3
102.7
101.8
100.5
100.1
98.5
99.5
101.1
101.4
100.2
99.7
98.9
100.2
101.8
99.4
103.8
98.1
101.4
98.8
101.4
100.8
East
M id
North
dle
Atlan Cen
tral
tic
Year and month
New
Eng
land
1925
January___________
February....................
M arch...... ..................
April______________
M ay______________
June_________ ____
July....... ......................
August____________
September________
October___________
November..................
December_________
101.9
102.9
103.2
102.0
100.5
98.0
95.6
96.9
96.7
100.5
101. 2
100.5
99.4
101.2
101.7
100.8
99.6
98.8
97.6
97.0
99.2
100.6
101.1
102.4
Average for y e a r ..
100.0
1926
January.......................
February............ . .
M arch____________
April______________
M ay______________
June______________
July_________ _____
August......... ..............
September________
October___________
N ovem ber_________
December_________
Average for y e a r ..
93675°—28------ 3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 725 ]
Pa
cific
United
States
28
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
I N D E X OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , B Y G E O G R A PH IC
D IV ISIO N S, 1925, 1926, 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1928—Continued
Year and month
New
Eng
land
M id
East
North
dle
Atlan Cen
tic
tral
West
North
Cen
tral
South
Atlan
tic
East
South
Cen
tral
West
South
Cen
tral
M oun
tain
Pa
cific
United
States
1927
January___________
February_____ ____
March.........................
A pril._____________
M ay______________
June______________
July............. ................
August........................
September________
O ctober__________
November_________
December_________
97.5
98.7
98.2
96.9
95.7
94.2
93.0
92.4
94.4
94.1
92.8
90.9
97.0
98.0
98.0
96.3
94.8
94.2
92.7
92. 7
93.8
93.6
92.0
90.8
94.7
99.1
100.7
100.8
100.6
99.4
96.1
97.4
96.2
95.5
92.2
93.1
95.7
96.2
96.0
95.9
96.7
98.9
98.0
98.3
98.3
97.6
94.3
92.7
104.5
106.0
106.9
107.1
105.4
104.8
103.7
103.2
105.7
105.4
104.7
103.8
93.1
94.1
93.6
92.9
91.5
91.2
89.5
90.6
90.8
91.4
90.2
90.3
99.3
99.9
98.8
97.6
96.0
96. 1
94.4
95.2
96.6
94.9
93.4
92.0
96.4
93.0
91.9
93. 1
96.2
97.8
99.5
98.1
97.0
95.4
96.4
92.3
95.4
95.6
98.3
99.5
101.3
103.1
102.1
102.4
102.1
101.7
99.1
95.8
98.0
99.8
100.2
99.3
98.4
97.7
95.7
95.8
96.5
96.1
94.2
93.3
Average for y e a r ..
94.9
94.5
97.2
96.6
105.1
91.6
96.2
95.6
99.7
97.1
1928
January________ _
February....................
90.4
91.0
88.9
89.4
94.9
99.5
92.0
94.9
102.0
. 102. 3
89.2
90.3
90.4
90.6
87.5
88.1
91.7
92.3
92.3
93.7
I t is also interesting to note th a t while the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics’ figures are based upon 10,772 establishm ents employing in
January, 1928, 2,907,700 employees, or an average of slightly over
271 employees each, the percentage of change from January, 1927,
to January, 1928, corresponds exactly with the figures for the State
of New York, which include a m uch larger proportion and take in
very m any smaller establishments.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is working cooperatively with a
num ber of States in this m atte r of em ploym ent record. In the
beginning the bureau formed its own contacts with the original
establishm ents and necessarily picked the older and larger establish
m ents so as to get a more formidable num ber of employees for com
parative purposes. L ater on a num ber of States began this work,
b u t secure inform ation from a vastly larger num ber of establishments
within each State, and the State bureaus furnish to the United
States bureau schedules from such establishm ents as are agreed upon.
The figures of percentage of change in employment show a great
variation in geographical districts, which the Bureau of Labor
Statistics interprets to mean th a t unem ploym ent is not universal
nor in all places or industries is it acute, b u t th a t it is spotted by
geographical sections and by industries, and th a t in actual num bers
it is not more than one-third of the m agnitude of the labor depres
sion of 1921, which caused a shrinkage in the num ber on the pay roll
according to the estim ates of this bureau of 5,735,000, from the
peak of 1920 to July, 1921.
The spottedness of the unem ploym ent situation is brought out by
a list showing the percentage of change in employment between a
given m onth in 1928 and the same m onth in 1927, except in the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 726 ]
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATISTICS
case of Wisconsin where December is used.
centage are shown in the following table:
29
These ranges in per
Y E A R L Y C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T
State
Period
IT. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics _________________
Oklahoma
__
_ _____________
Wisconsin (factory w o r k e rs)..___________________
Illinois
____________ ____ ___________________
California
________ _________________________
N ew York_____________ _______________________
Maryland
___________________________________
M assachusetts__________________________________
January, 1927-January, 1928________
February, 1927-February, 1928_______
December, 1926-December, 1927______
February, 1927-February, 1928_______
January, 1927-January, 1928_________
___ do..............................................................
____do_____________________________
February, 1927-February, 1928_______
Per cent
of change
in employ
ment
-5 .8
-1 9 .7
-3 .9
-6 .5
-7 .8
- 5 .8
-7 .8
- 9 .7
As further indication of such spottedness, the employment report
from the State of California indicates th a t the average of employ
m ent in all industries carried was 7.8 per cent lower in January, 1928,
than in January, 1927. The details show the same spotted conditions
there th a t have been noted elsewhere. For instance, canning and
packing of fish has dropped off 67.8 per cent while other food pro
ducts showed an increase of 19.3 per cent. M en’s clothing dropped
11.3 per cent while millinery advanced 11.6 per cent. Iron foundries
and machine shops fell off 16.6 per cent while glass advanced 18.7
per cent. Sugar fell off 21.6 per cent while agricultural implements
advanced 30.1 per cent.
PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT
In the pam phlet on Em ploym ent in Selected M anufacturing In
dustries for January, 1928, percentage figures were given as to the
num ber of establishments operating full-time or part-tim e and
establishm ents idle. Such figures were based on the reports of estab
lishments, w ithout taking into consideration the size of the several
establishments.
These percentage figures have since been recom puted and weighted
by the num ber of employees. In other words, due weight has been
given to the size of the establishm ent in computing the average per
cent.
Reports on percentage of full-time employment were received
from b u t 9,095 of the 10,772 establishm ents reporting other facts to
the bureau in the pay period ending nearest January 15, 1928. Of
these 78.8 per cent were working full time, 20.2 per cent were work
ing p a rt time and 1.1 per cent were working overtime.
Of the total num ber of employees reported, 1,876,367 employees
(78.7 per cent) were working in establishm ents operating full tim e;
482,354 employees (20.2 per cent) were employed in establishm ents
working p a rt tim e; and 25,598 employees (1.1 per cent) were em
ployed in establishm ents working above normal full time.
In the establishm ents reporting p a rt time operation, the weighted
tim e worked by the 482,354 employees was 80.7 per cent of full
time. T he weighted average per cent of time worked by the 25,598
employees in those plants operating in excess of normal full tim e
was 111.3 per cent of full time.
The following table shows a classification of the employees by
groups, according to per cent of normal full time worked.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 727 ]
30
MONTHLY LBBOR REVIEW
N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OF E M P L O Y E E S IN E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G
E A C H S P E C IF IE D P E R C E N T OF R E G U L A R F U L L W O R K IN G T IM E
Persons in group
Persons in group
Per cent of employment
Per cent of employment
Number
Over 100 per cent (overtime).._
25, 598
100 per cent (regular full tim e).. 1,876, 367
99 to 93 per cent____________
56, 291
92 per cent______________ .
88, 956
91 per cent_______________ _
31, 697
90 to 84 per c e n t ............ ...........
31, 742
83 per cent____________ .
47, 509
82 per cent____
54, 833
81 to 74 per cent_____________
46, 724
Per
cent
1.1
78.7
2.4
3.7
1.3
1.3
2.0
2.3
2.0
Number
73 per cent__ _____________
72 to 61 per cent_____________
60 per cent___ ___________ _
59 to 51 per cent_______ ____ _
50 per cent
49 to 25 per cent____ _________
24 to 9 per cent
Total. _________ ____ _
Per
cent
33, 534
37,102
23, 371
10, 692
12, 744
6,731
428
1.4
1.5
1.0
.4
.5
.3
VO
2, 384, 319
100.0
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
This tabulation shows th a t 79.8 per cent of all employees were in
establishm ents th a t worked full time or over and th a t 87.2 per cent
of all employees were in establishm ents th a t worked more than 90
per cent of full time, while less than 1 per cent of the employees were
in establishm ents working half tim e or less.
In the great m ajority of establishm ents six days constitute a full
week. In some of the iron and steel establishm ents seven days con
stitu te a full week. Five and one-half days make a full week in a
few establishments and five days in some others.
Employees working less than their regular full time m ay be roughly
grouped as follows:
Idle over one-half day and under 1 day, 1.3 per cent.
Idle one day, 5.3 per cent.
Idle over one day and including one and one-half days, 3.4 per cent.
Idle over one and one-half days and under three days, 2.9 per cent.
Idle three days or more, 0.8 per cent.
In addition to the 9,095 establishm ents in operation th a t reported
their per cent of full-time employment, 108 establishm ents definitely
reported th a t they had recently become tem porarily idle. These
establishm ents were smaller than the average and several of them
were in their slack season. W hen last operating they employed
14,126 persons. Thus, about six-tenths of 1 per cent of m anufactur
ing industry employees became tem porarily idle because of recent
shutdow n of plants in which employed.
In this statem ent of part-tim e em ploym ent the bureau confines
its report strictly to the d a ta in hand and does not apply the per
centage obtained therefrom to m anufacturing industries as a whole,
for the reason th a t there is no inform ation at hand upon which to
base an opinion as to w hether the same percentage found to exist in
the establishm ents reporting to this bureau, which are adm ittedly
larger than the average establishm ent, could fairly be applied to
m anufacturing industries as a whole. There is no m aterial available
upon which to base an opinion as to w hether averages from the
selected industries now reporting to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
should be applied to clerical and domestic labor, or to any of those
classes which are not covered in these reports.
I t m ay not be out of place here to call attention to the fact th a t
unem ploym ent as it at present exists is composed of two entirely
different elements, namely, those who are tem porarily out of work a t
their regular occupation and in their regular industry, and second,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[728]
UNEMPLOYMENT IN BALTIMORE
31
those who have been displaced by the changes in industrial and
commercial methods—or as one m ight say, the suspended and the
displaced. W hat proportion of those a t present entirely idle applies
to each one of these classes it is impossible to tell. The m an who
has been entirely displaced by a new m ethod of doing work or a new
machine m ust seek new contacts, it m ay be change his occupation
and his industry entirely. In other words, in one class a m an is
waiting for his old job with reasonable assurance th a t the plant which
is now idle will resume operation and he will be restored to his em
ployment. In the other class the job is gone. The work formerly
done by hum an energy is now performed by mechanical devices.
The chances are th a t not only in the establishm ent from which he
was dropped b u t in all other similar establishments he will face the
same situation— th a t he m ust s ta rt anew. I t is n o t unreasonable,
as has been estim ated by a writer in the Annalist, th a t one-half of
the em ploym ent shrinkage shown in this report is due to new machines
and new mechanical devices. All th a t is definitely known is th a t
taking it for all in all the total displaced labor is largely of the unskilled
type. The conveyor, the m otor hoist truck, changes in placement
of machines so th a t the process is continuous and the m aterial
goes from machine to machine by the force of gravity, are schemes
th a t have displaced much labor, and this labor is m ostly unskilled
and common labor.
In conclusion I beg to subm it as an appendix1to this report a state
m ent recently issued by the M aryland Commissioner of Labor and
Statistics, D r. J. Knox Insley. This is interesting from several
points of view. First, it is a striking comment on the value of esti
m ates wdiich are based upon nothing a t all as to the num ber of un
employed. The M aryland S tate Federation of Labor m ade an esti
m ate of 75,000 people ou t of work in Baltimore. The cham ber of
commerce of th a t city im m ediately replied with an estim ate of 33,000.
A house-to-house canvass m ade by the police departm ent of B alti
more for the M aryland Commissioner of Labor and Statistics devel
oped th a t there were 15,473 such unemployed persons.
Another exceedingly interesting feature of this M aryland report
is a classified statem ent as to the length of time which the unem ploy
m ent had lasted. I t is interesting to note th a t there was little or no
pick-up work and th a t in times of labor depression even no more
severe than the present one the general opinion th a t a m an can fill
in with “ odd jo b s” is not found true in practice.
Survey of Unemployment in Baltimore, February, 1928
SURVEY of the volume of unem ploym ent in the city of
Baltimore was made in February, 1928, by the Commissioner
of Labor and Statistics of M aryland. His report on the results
of this study reads as follows:
A study and survey of the facts obtained show th a t in Baltim ore
C ity there are a t the present tim e approxim ately 15,500 unemployed
A
1 See article imm ediately following.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[729]
32
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
persons who usually are engaged in some gainful occupation. These
figures are based on inform ation secured by a house-to-house canvass
conducted by the members of the city police force, through the cour
tesy of their commissioner, upon the request of the commissioner of
labor and statistics.
While this total num ber is smaller than any of the various and scat
tered estim ates of the am ount of unem ploym ent in Baltim ore, several
factors m ust be taken into consideration before arriving a t a conclu
sion of its general effect. In m aking the canvass, consideration was
given only to those who usually work for wages or on their own
account in some business and who are now entirely w ithout gainful
employment of any kind. No effort was made to secure inform ation
for the apparently large num ber of persons who are employed for
only p a rt time. This is a separate and distinct study in itself and
m ust be approached, we believe, from a different angle and by a
different m ethod. In addition, every precaution was m ade to elimi
nate those men and women who either could n o t or would n o t work
if em ploym ent were available for them. To have included either or
both of these groups would have clouded our problem, and would,
perhaps, have greatly increased our figures.
Thus, then, if we m ay legitim ately assume th a t the num ber of
those usually engaged in gainful occupations in Baltim ore C ity has
increased a t the same rate as the estim ated population, we find
approxim ately 4 per cent of these men and women, who can work
and who w ant to work, unable to secure em ploym ent a t the present
time. Of the 15,473 persons found unemployed, by far the larger
group, 13,468 in fact, is composed of men. Only 2,005 women, of
whom 1,279 are white and 726 are colored, are included. M ore
than 10,000 of these unemployed are white.
While more than 25 per cent of these men and women have worked
in connection w ith the various m anufacturing industries, the indi
vidual industry in which the survey shows unem ploym ent to be the
m ost severe is building. Here alone we find about one-sixth of the
total num ber of persons. The textile industry, involving m ostly
clothing, is the m ost outstanding of the m anufacturing industries,
w ith food products and iron and steel competing for second place.
In considering the regular occupations of those unemployed, we
find th a t the largest single group is composed of unskilled labor.
The second largest num ber are found in the semiskilled operatives
and factory workers, b u t of the individual building and hand trades
carpenters lead in actual numbers.
The individual reports subm itted by the police departm ent indi
cate that, through the unem ploym ent of these 15,473 m en and
women, alm ost 13,000 of an approxim ate num ber of 175,000 families
are involved, and th a t a t least 64,000 individuals are either directly
or indirectly affected, a situation the seriousness of which is no t to be
minimized.
The existence of a group of almost 15,500 totally unemployed per
sons who are usually gainfully employed in a city of Baltim ore’s
size is in itself a serious problem. The situation in this city, however,
has become acute in th a t a large proportion of these individuals have
been w ithout em ploym ent for relatively long periods of time. Gen
erally speaking, the findings show periods of unemployment, n o t in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 730 ]
UNEMPLOYMENT IN BALTIMORE
33
days or weeks as we m ight have reasonably expected, b u t rath er in
m onths. According to the results of the survey, less than 2,000 of
the total num ber have been w ithout employment of any kind for
less than one m onth and alm ost tw o-thirds have been unemployed
for periods varying between one and five months.
Herein lies the worst danger: the exhaustion of savings and family
resources and credit to the point of reduced buying and spending,
and in a great m any cases of the entire depletion of all family re
sources so th a t actual w ant and misery enter in. Professional and
business men and women begin to feel the pinch of the lost spending
power on the p a rt of the public and in their tu rn pass on restricted
buying power to the larger enterprises and thus the depression, is
spread so th a t all classes of our people feel its baneful effects. The
facts revealed by the survey, then, and the further possibility of an
appreciable am ount of part-tim e em ploym ent are, we believe, the
basis of the unrest in regard to unem ploym ent in general and are
responsible for the reported increased work done by the various
social organizations of the city.
Furtherm ore, analysis of the m aterial shows th a t only a negligible
num ber of individuals reported even pick-up jobs secured since they
found it necessary to leave the irregular occupations, and we feel th a t
we m ay conclude th a t employment has no t been available for them.
The results of the survey would indicate th a t the three sections of
the city in which unem ploym ent is m ost severely felt are the cen
tral, southern, and eastern districts.
U nfortunately, there is no accurate basis of comparison of the
present am ount of unemployment in Baltim ore C ity w ith th a t existent
in previous years. We can, w ith a fair degree of certainty, state,
however, th a t it is more severe than it was one year ago. While a
report of em ploym ent can not be used legitim ately as an exact
measure of unemployment, it m ay, however, be used to indicate the
trend. In support, then, of our statem ent th a t unem ploym ent is
more severe in Baltim ore this year than last, we quote the following
from the annual report of the commissioner of labor and statistics
for 1927 (not ready y et for distribution):
Combined employment in manufacturing industries in Maryland decreased
7.8 per cent during the 12-month period from January, 1927, to January, 1928,
while weekly pay-roll totals, for the same industries, decreased 10.9 per cent for
the same period. * * * While practically all of the industries involved are
subject to seasonal fluctuations, the general tendency of employment and com
bined weekly pay rolls for manufacturing industries in Maryland, taken month
by month during the year 1927, has been unquestionably downward. * * *
The manufacturing industries reported increased employment in only four
months, February, April, August, and September. It is interesting to note,
however, that the pay-roll increases for these months are larger than the employ
ment increases. December showed a slight decrease of nine-tenths of 1 per
cent as compared with November, but for the same month the combined pay
rolls increased eight-tenths of 1 per cent.
Maryland, it seems, is not at all unique in reporting decreased employment
and pay rolls for a 12-month period covering the year 1927. According to an
official report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of
Labor, issued early in January, 1928, there was a decrease of 6.4 per cent in
employment in manufacturing industries throughout the United States, and a
decrease of 6.6 per cent in the combined pay rolls, in December 1927, as com
pared with December, 1926.
_
.
Each geographic division, according to this report "shows a falling off in
employment from December, 1926, to December, 1927, the greatest decreases
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[731]
34
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
being in the West, South Central, Middle Atlantic, and New England divisions
and much the smallest decrease being in the South Atlantic States.”
The following outline of the general facts revealed by the survey
and the accompanying tables set forth in detail the distribution of
the 15,473 unemployed persons in Baltim ore according to sex, color,
regular industry, regular occupation, and num ber of m onths during
which they have been w ithout gainful em ploym ent of any kind.
The total num ber of families in which one or more cases of unem
ploym ent were found, was 12,739: N um ber of private families, 12,217;
num ber of boarding houses, 289; num ber of lodging houses, 170;
num ber of unclassified families, 63. The total num ber of persons
included in the 12,739 families was 64,306. The total num ber of
persons who usually are engaged in gainful occupations in these
12,739 families, was 29,099.
T a b l e 1 .—N U M B E R OF R E G U L A R L Y E N G A G E D PE R SO N S IN B A L T IM O R E W HOLLY
U N E M P L O Y E D , C L A SSIFIE D B Y SE X , COLOR, A N D R E G U L A R O C C U PA T IO N
Males
Regular occupation
Total
unem
ployed
White Colored Total White Colored Total
Apprentices in building and hand trades________
132
B la ck sm ith s._________ _____________________
39
B oilerm akers-........ .............................. .........................
56
_________ .
Brick and stone masons
209
Building industry........................... . . . ...........
135
Other industries .............................................
5
C ontractors.. _________ ____ _ . . .
69
Carpenters-. . ............................................. ....................
852
Building industry_____________ ______ _____
588
Other in d u stries__________________________
59
Contractors-. ________________________ ____
205
Electricians- ___________ _______ _______ _____
131
Building industry______________ ___________
25
Other industries_____________________ _____ _
24
Contractors, _____ ______________ _________
82
Engineers (stationary) and cranemen _______ ____
101
Building industry_______________ ________ _
19
Other industries______________________ _____
37
Contractors__________________________ _____
45
Factory workers (not otherwise classified)_______
926
Food and kindred products............... ....................
122
Textiles and their products________ ________ _
47
Iron and steel, not including machinery. ___
165
Lumber and allied products........ .................. .......
70
Leather and its manufactures...
11
Rubber products......................................................
4
Paper and printing. _____________ ____ _____
12
Chemicals and allied products_________ ____ _
47
Stone, clay, and glass'products _____________
37
M etal and metal products, other than iron
and steel. _. . . .
. . . ____
__________
42
_________ _____
Tobacco manufactures
4
Machinery, not including transportation
equipm ent. ___________ ______ _____ . . .
95
Musical instrum ents. ___ ____ ____________
4
Transportation equipm ent__________________
69
Railroad repair shops____________ ____ ______
20
Otlier industries____________________________
177
Firemen (not locomotive or fire departm ent). ___
67
Laborers (not otherwise classified) ______ ______ 1,501
Building industry________ _ ___________ ___
' 204
Other laborers ._ _ __________________ . .
1,297
M achinists___ ___________ __________ __________
237
Mechanics (not otherwise classified)........ ..................
89
Painters _ .
_________ ___________________ .
451
Building in d u stry .. _______________________
229
Other industries __________ ______ ___________
22
Contractors. _____________________________
200
Paper hangers. . . . ____________________ .
78
Building industry__________________________
16
Contractors....... .................................................. .......
62
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Females
[732]
22
1
7
111
81
154
40
56
218
140
5
73
876
605
60
211
131
25
24
82
106
20
37
49
1, 597
215
64
252
126
18
4
19
158
118
42
2
84
6
35
130
4
97
25
277
89
4,095
L 086
3^ 009
240
98
484
236
34
214
86
18
9
5
4
24
17
1
6
5
1
4
671
93
17
87
56
7
28
5
100
22
2,594
' 882
1, 712
3
9
33
7
12
14
8
2
6
68
1
7
1
154
40
56
218
140
5
73
876
605
60
211
131
25
24
82
106
20
37
49
1, 727
251
77
275
127
21
4
20
165
119
2
3
2
3
86
9
]
1
131
4
97
25
316
89
4, 095
1, 086
3', 009
' 240
98
484
236
34
214
86
18
68
117
33
11
22
1
3
1
7
33
13
3
2
1
1
6
130
36
13
23
1
3
39
35
UNEMPLOYMENT IN BALTIMORE
T a b l e 1 .—N U M B E R OF R E G U L A R L Y E N G A G E D PE R SO N S IN B A L T IM O R E W HO LLY
U N E M P L O Y E D , C L A SSIFIED BY SEX , COLOR, A N D R E G U LA R O C C U PA T IO N —Con.
Males
Females
Total
unem
ployed
White Colored Total White Colored Total
Regular occupation
Plasterers and wmfint finishers
Building industry
Contractors
______
Plumbers gas fitters and steam fitters
Building industry
Other industries
Con tract nrs
- ______
Semiskilled operatives (not otherwise classified) —
Food and kindred products----------- --------------Textiles and their products--------------------------Iron and steel and their products (not including
7T)ach in ery)
_______________
Lumber and fdlied produets
_____
Lumber and its manufactures
Pubber products
_ _ _ ______
Paper and printing
_ ________
Stone, clay and glass products---------------------M etal and metal products, other than iron and
steel
_ _______ ______
Tobacco manufactures
______ ____
Machinery, not including transportation equips
145
84
61
305
71
48
186
934
135
222
16
9
7
7
135
76
27
4
118
9
33
8
1
3
32
19
13
6
M usical instruments
____
33
Transportation eequipment
6
Bail read repair shops
66
Other industries___________ ___ _____ - -618
Other manufacturing and mechanical occupations..
Total, manufacturing and mechanical--------- 6, 871
36
2
22
377
38
208
161
93
68
312
71
48
193
1,379
189
452
23
10
4
1
18
1
2
2
23
10
4
1
18
1
4
166
87
34
5
137
12
42
1
37
6
1
43
34
62
161
93
68
312
71
48
193
1,002
151
244
341
36
186
143
77
30
4
119
11
38
1
33
19
2
13
6
35
6
7
68
16
22
1
2
5
73
7
647
29
3, 521 10, 392
22
61
519
4
15
64
26
76
583
13
6
35
6
99
723
10, 975
4
1
1
1
367
209
125
66
18
795
665
120
10
86
35
51
16
5
12
1, 106
6
13
4
23
50
497
85
632
229
30
259
4
2
6
233
32
265
50
730
117
897
----------
59
5
64
23
1
24
88
Servants------- ---------------- ------- -------------------Other domestic and personal service------------------Total, domestic and personal service------- --
25
150
175
112
247
359
137
397
534
50
69
119
578
71
649
628
140
768
765
537
1,302
Bookkeepers, cashiers, accountants------ ------ -------Clerks (office)------ -- ------------- -- ------- --------Stenographers and typists -------------------------------Other clerical occupations- -------------- -------- ----- -Total, clerical occupations-------------------------
51
240
11
157
459
1
3
1
16
21
52
243
12
173
480
37
110
112
27
286
1
1
2
4
38
111
114
27
290
90
354
126
200
770
Clerks unclassified 2
_ __________
Other occupations---------- ------------------------ --------Total, other occupations------------------ ------ -
66
165
231
20
20
66
185
251
14
22
36
2
2
14
24
38
80
209
289
4,316 13, 468
1,279
726
2,005
15,473
others
____________
Express, post, telegraph and telephone ------- . . .
Telephone operators
_ ______________
Others_______ ____ __________ . . .
-----------Total, public utilities
_ ____________
136
111
7
18
506
426
73
7
82
35
47
15
4
11
739
Bet ail dealers
Salesmen________________________________ ___
Others__ __________________________ __________
Total, trade. . . . ---------- -- -------- - ---------
44
484
81
609
Water transportation 1
_ _______
Sailors and deck" hands
_ ____________
Stevedores
__- ___________
others
______
Boad and street transportation
Chauffeurs
_____________________
Draymen teamsters
_________
others
Bail road transportation
173
14
59
289
239
47
3
4
... ...
All occupations—------- ------- ---------------------- 9,152
1
1
36
36
36
36
37
37
1
9
9
9
Professional service. ________
1
209
125
06
18
796
666
120
10
86
35
51
52
41
12
1,143
1 Including 89 occupants of two seamen’s lodging houses who may or may not be usual residents of
Baltimore.
2 Unclassified as to whether sales or office clerks.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[733]
36
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The statem ent below classifies the unemployed according to the
length of tim e during which they have been entirely w ithout em
ploym ent of any k in d :
Less than 1 month_________
1 month and under 2 months
2 and under 3 months______
3 and under 4 months______
4 and under 5 months______
5 and under 6 months______
6 and under 7 months______
7 and under 8 months______
8 and under 9 months______
9 and under 10 months_____
10 and under 11 months____
11 and under 12 months____
12 months and over_________
Time not reported__________
1, 981
2, 373
3, 041
2, 643
1, 657
901
1, 229
275
320
122
46
26
778
81
Total.
15, 473
T able 2 .—D IS T R IB U T IO N OF T O T A L L Y U N E M P L O Y E D IN B A L T IM O R E , B Y SE X ,
COLOR, A N D R E G U LA R IN D U S T R Y
Males
Females
Total
unem
White Colored Total White Colored Total ployed
Regular industry
Manufacturing
Food and kindred products............................
Beverages_________________________
Bakery products.___ ______ _____
Canning and preserving (fruits and vegetables).
Canning and preserving (oysters and crabs).
C onfectionery.. ...... ......................
I c e c r e a m ..................................
Ice (manufactured)______
_______
Slaughtering and meat packing.._ ________
Other food products________________________
Textiles and their products.______________
Clothing__________________ ___________
Cotton goods_______ ____ _________
Other textiles______________
Iron and steel and their products, not including
machinery. _______________
Iron foundries__________________
Plumbers ’ supplies_____________________ .
Steel works and rolling mills........................
Tinware______ _________ _____
Other iron and steel products____________
Lumber and allied products___________ . .
B oxes1_________________ ________
Furniture __________ _______ _
Lumber, planing-mill products______________
Other lumber products______________
Leather and its m anufacture_______________
Boots and shoes_______ ____ _________
Other leather products ______________
Rubber products. . . __________ ____
Paper arid printing________________________
Boxes, paper 2_______________________
Printing and publishing, jo b ... _______ ____
Printing and publishing, newspaper_________
Other paper products and printing ________
Chemicals and allied products______________ . .
Fertilizers___________ _____
Oils_______________________
Other chemicals_____________ ___________
Stone, clay, and glass products. ________________
B rick s... . . . ___________
Glass products........... .............. .......
Marble, slate, stone___________
Other p r o d u cts...________ _________________
375
19
104
23
6
50
8
43
64
58
400
324
50
26
128
6
21
7
9
7
2
17
17
42
56
47
1
8
503
25
125
30
15
57
10
60
81
100
456
371
51
34
405
100
31
75
169
30
216
48
71
52
45
49
38
11
7
159
9
99
17
34
111
8
54
49
93
107
39
512
139
31
119
183
40
282
61
81
90
50
61
48
13
15
172
11
103
18
40
234
74
73
87
186
8
59
14
12
1 M ay include some paper boxes.
2 Some of these may be. included under wooden boxes.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 3 4 ]
44
14
10
66
13
10
38
5
12
10
2
8
13
2
4
1
6
123
66
19
38
93
36
24
25
8
82
5
11
5
3
39
2
3
6
11
244
195
38
1
1
26
23
a
3
5
87
5
U
8
3
39
2
7
12
270
218
38
14
590
30
136
38
18
96
12
60
88
112
726
589
89
48
49
49
561
2
1
14
8
6
2
1
45
1
14
8
6
8
5
3
1
28
9
10
8
5
3
1
28
9
10
33
120
928
41
296
69
87
90
50
69
53
16
16
139
l 1
45
9
17
1
1
15
3
1
4
9
18
1
1
16
7
2
4
6
1
44
83
39
20
1
1
200
20
113
18
49
252
75
74
103
193
44
89
39
21
37
UNEMPLOYMENT IN BALTIMORE
T a b l e 2 .— D IS T R IB U T IO N OF T O T ALLY U N E M P L O Y E D
IN B A L T IM O R E , B Y SE X ,
COLOR, A N D R E G U L A R IN D U S T R Y —Continued
Females
Males
Total
unem
ployed
Regular industry
White Colored Total White Colored Total
Manufacturing—Continued
M etal and metal products, other than iron and
Steel
B rass, b ro n ze an d copper
Stamped and enameled ware
________________
_ ___________
______________
O th e r m e tal p ro d u c ts
____ _______
Tobacco manufactures----------------- -------------------Cigars and cigarettes_______________________
Other tobacco manufactures_______ _______
Machinery, not including transportation equipm ent
_________________
108
48
29
31
27
23
4
3
3
2
2
1
51
42
9
46
40
3
3 3
1
2
154
88
32
34
30
24
6
7
58
1
12
45
6
l
45
40
5
6
64
1
12
51
161
25
349
149
187
13
61
428
35
23
370
48
601
4,165
4
9
4
19
8
28
2,465
56
2, 485
13
23
36
2,521
Other manufacturing industries -----------------------Brooms and brushes
___________________
U m b re lla s
_ _ _ __________
Other manufacturing industries...........................
105
160
25
349
149
187
13
61
364
34
11
319
Total, manufacturing industries------- ---------
2,747
817
3, 564
553
Building____________________________ __________ 1,520
14
Laundries...... .................. .................. ........................... .
937
14
2,457
28
Total, mechanical industries.............................. 1, 534
951
M o to r vehicles (in c lu d in g repairs)
S h ip b u ild in g
_ _ __________
Other transportation equipment
B ail road re p air shops (steam )
44
15
27
2
4
107
2
1
1
153
25
305
134
160
11
57
257
32
11
214
M u sical in s tru m e n ts
6
2
4
157
88
34
35
81
66
15
Mechanical
Mercantile
Wholesale establishments____________ _____ _____
Retail establishments.................................... ................
Department stores....................................................
Other retail stores...................................................
Other mercantile establishments.............................. .
75
551
169
382
84
19
184
28
156
5
94
735
197
538
89
8
285
199
86
23
1
24
3
21
9
309
202
107
23
103
1,044
399
645
112
Total, mercantile industries....................... .......
710
208
918
316
25
341
1,259
27
50
37
265
9
8
204
2
45
20
139
29
95
57
404
9
11
302
2
1
37
2
29
95
57
406
10
48
304
Public utilities
Busses and taxicabs
_________________________
Gas and electric supply ___
Railways, electric
Railroads, steam 3______________ ^______________
____________
__ .
__________
Telegraph
Telephone _______ _ __________ _
. _________
Water transportation 4_______________________
Total, public utilities____________ _____ ___
600
Unclassified by industry 8.................................. ........... 3, 561
Total, all industries___________ ______ ___ _ 9,152
3
98
2
1
37
2
307
907
40
2
42
949
2,033
5,594
357
628
985
6,579
4,316 13, 468
1,279
726
2,005
15,473
3 Probably includes some who might be classified under “ railroad repair shops.”
4 Includes 89 occupants of two seamen’s lodging houses, who may or may not be usual residents of
Baltimore.
8 Includes laborers, contractors, professional, domestic and personal service, etc., not classified according
to industry.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[735]
PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Retirement Systems for Municipal Employees
A S' A generalization it is probably safe to say th a t there is not a
city in the U nited States which does not have a retirem ent
system for at least some of its employees. R etirem ent
systems for firemen and the police are practically universal, retire
m ent system s for teachers are common, and in m any cities it will be
found th a t there are several other schemes, each covering a special
group of employees. W ithin recent years, however, various cities
have concluded th a t it is fairer and more effective to provide for the
retirem ent of all city employees, and have established retirem ent
system s of varying degrees of inclusiveness. Among the cities having
a population of 400,000 or over there are nine w ith inclusive systems.
These, w ith the date at which the comprehensive system went into
effect, are as follows: Baltim ore, 1926; Boston, 1923; Chicago, 1922;
D etroit, 1923; M inneapolis, 1922; New York C ity, 1920; Philadel
phia, 1915; P ittsburgh, 1915; San Francisco, 1922.
Ordinarily these systems are organized under State laws applying
to all cities of a given class, in addition to which there m ay or m ay
not be a city ordinance authorizing the establishm ent of a system
under the term s of the law.
Scope of Systems
A COM M ON m ethod when introducing a m unicipal retirem ent
system is to m ake it apply to all employees not covered by some
existing pension scheme. The police and firemen alm ost universally
have schemes of their own, which they often prefer to m aintain, so
th a t it is rather unusual to find them included in a general scheme.
Teachers also frequently have their own established plans. In some
cities it is optional w ith such employees to come into the general
system or to rem ain under their own, so th a t there is considerable
variation in the inclusiveness of the m unicipal systems. The Boston
plan includes both police and firemen, and the Baltim ore plan covers
firemen, b u t elsewhere these two groups are outside of the general
system. In Boston, Baltim ore, and San Francisco the teachers have
elected to come under the city plan, b u t in the other cities they either
have their own retirem ent scheme or are included in a State system.
The tendency is to m ake the m unicipal system as inclusive as pos
sible, w ith the idea of substituting one efficient and well-managed
plan for a num ber of small schemes covering lim ited groups and offering
widely varying benefits to the different classes of city employees.
Ordinarily employees in the service at the tim e a system is adopted
are given their choice of entering or rem aining outside, b u t for those
entering the service thereafter membership is compulsory.
38
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[736]
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
39
Employee Representation in Management
C IX of the plans are adm inistered by boards on which the employees
are represented, the other members usually being city officials
who hold the position ex officio. In the Boston plan one of the three
board m embers is chosen by the other two from among the employees
covered by the system. In Baltimore, M inneapolis, and Pittsburgh,
two, and in Chicago, three of the five board members are employees
elected by their fellows. In San Francisco, where the board consists
of seven members, three are elected by the employees from their own
num ber.
In the other three cities the employees have no direct representa
tion, the system being adm inistered in D etroit by the city controller
and th e civil-service commission, in New York C ity by the board of
estim ate and apportionm ent, and in Philadelphia by a board of five,
of whom three are city officials and two are elected by the city councils
from their membership.
Character of Plans and Source of Funds
/~ \F T H E nine cities, D etroit, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh have
^
cash disbursem ent and the others actuarial reserve schemes.
D etroit stands alonein having a noncontributory system. In the other
eight cities, the employees are required to m ake specified contributions,
w hicharedeductedfrom theirsalariesorw ages. In P ittsburgh thecontribution is 2.5 per cent of the salary, w ith am axim um of $72ayear, in
Philadelphia 4 per cent w ith a yearly m aximum of $48, and in Boston 4
per cent w ithout any maximum. Elsewhere the contribution is calcu
lated on asavings-bank basis to insure a certain annuity after specified
conditions as to age and length of service have been fulfilled, and
therefore varies w ith the age a t entrance and, in some cases, w ith
sex and kind of work done, the clerical group, for instance, having a
lower rate of contribution than employees in more hazardous occu
pations. M inneapolis exempts from contribution all employees,
m ostly laborers, who do not earn as m uch as $750 a year, classing
these as noncontributing members, and m aking special provisions
for their retirem ent allowances, period of service, and the like. Chi
cago has rath er a complicated contribution plan. Any am ount over
$3,000 a year is exempt, b u t on salary up to th a t am ount the employee
contributes 3.25 per cent for his own annuity, 1 per cent for his
widow’s annuity (female employees do not m ake this contribution),
and one-tenth of 1 per cent for expenses of adm inistration. In
addition he contributes annually one-half of 1 per cent of two m onths’
salary to provide his share of the allowance for ordinary disability.
The cities having cash disbursem ent systems appropriate such
am ounts as are required to m aintain pension paym ents. As D etroit
bears the whole cost of the allowances, appropriations have been
made annually since the plan was started. Philadelphia did n o t con
sider any appropriation until 1924, when it devoted $50,000 to the
purpose, and Pittsburgh made its first appropriation in 1925, to cover
a deficit in the 1924 operations. The cities having actuarial reserve
systems make annual appropriations to cover their share of the
liability for current service, and also to m eet the accrued liability for
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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40
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
service before the plan went into effect. In general, the city bears
the cost of extra benefits, such as special allowances for disability
incurred in the performance of duty, and special provision for the
widows and children of employees killed in the service.
In the actuarial reserve systems, interest on the accum ulating
contributions of the employees and the city forms an im portant p a rt
of the revenue. In the New York C ity system , for instance, the
interest on the fund for the year 1926 was $1,136,080, while from the
establishm ent of the fund up to the end of 1926 it was $3,354,600.
In M inneapolis, which has com paratively a small system , covering
1,739 members as against the 31,000 to 32,000 of New York, interest
for 1926 am ounted to $26,745, or very nearly one-fifth as much as
the city ’s contribution.
Conditions for Retirement
of the systems recognize a t least three kinds of retirem ent on
anowance: For service or superannuation, for ordinary dis
ability, and for d u ty disability. For. service retirem ent the two fac
tors of age and length of service are fequently linked together. One
purpose of a retirem ent system is to relieve the employing agency
of employees too old to give the best service, so there is a tendency
in the newer systems to fix an age at which retirem ent is compulsory.
The following statem ent shows the conditions for service or super
annuation retirem ent in the systems considered:
C o n d i t i o n s f o r S u p e r a n n u a t i o n o r S e r v ic e R e t ir e m e n t
Baltimore: Optional at 60 years of age, compulsory at 70; no service require
ment.
Boston: Optional at 60 years of age, compulsory at 70; no service requirement.
Chicago: No age requirement; at least 10 years’ service required.
Detroit: No age requirement; 25 years’ service required, unless employee
reaches 70 first, when 15 suffice.
Minneapolis: Optional for women at 60, and for men at 62; compulsory for
women at 70, and for men at 72; no service requirement.
New York City: Optional for clerks at 60; mechanics, 59; laborers, 58. Com
pulsory for all at 70, with possible extensions for 2-year periods; no service
requirement.
Philadelphia: Optional at 60; no compulsory age; 20 years of service required.
Pittsburgh: Optional at 60; no compulsory age; 20 years’ service requiredRetirement may be permitted with less, in which case contributions must be
continued to close of 20 -year period.
San Francisco: Optional at 62 (at 60, after 30 years’ service) and compulsory
at 70; 10 years’ service required.
I t will be noticed th a t of the three cash disbursem ent systems, one
ignores age altogether, and the other two, while setting a fairly early
optional age, do not m ake retirem ent compulsory a t any time. All
three, however, have a definite service requirem ent—20 years in
two cases, 25 in the third. Of the actuarial reserve systems, on the
other hand, four m ake no service requirem ent, and the other two
call for only 10 years of service. In an actuarial reserve system,
of course, it is of no im portance from a financial standpoint how
early an employee retires. E ach year the contributions he makes
and the contributions the city makes on his behalf are credited to
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[738]
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
41
his account, the interest they draw is also credited to the same
account, and it is of no possible im portance, financially, to anyone
but himself w hether he withdraws early and takes the small allow
ance his account would then purchase, or rem ains late and secures
a larger allowance. B u t from the standpoint of the work to be done,
it is im portant both th a t employees should not be leaving in the
prim e of life after they have served their full apprenticeship, and th a t
they should not rem ain after they have become less efficient through
age, so five of these six cities set an age below which employees m ay
not retire on allowance and another beyond which they m ay not
rem ain in the service a t all. In general, 60 seems to be the accepted
age for voluntary and 70 for compulsory retirem ent.
Conditions for Disability Retirement
i^ R D IN A R IL Y two kinds of disability retirem ent on allowance
^
are perm itted—retirem ent for ordinary disability which arises
in the norm al course of life and is not due to the sufferer’s fault or
wrong living, and retirem ent for duty or accident disability, arising
from some condition or accident to which the employee was exposed
in the actual performance of his duty. M edical examination and
certification are required before retirem ent is perm itted for either of
these causes, and in m any cases periodic reexaminations are required
as long as the disability allowance is drawn.
The D etro it system makes no provision for disability retirem ent of
any kind, and the Philadelphia and' San Francisco systems provide
simply for disability retirem ent, m aking no distinction between the
two kinds. The other six cities perm it retirem ent on allowance for
d uty disability w ithout regard to age or length of service, the only
essential being th a t the disability results from the direct performance
of duty.
F or ordinary disability retirem ent all the cities except Chicago
have a service requirem ent, ranging from 5 years in Baltim ore to
20 in Philadelphia. New York, M inneapolis, Pittsburgh, and San
Francisco require 10 years of service. Chicago safeguards its lack
of a service requirem ent by providing th a t for ordinary disability
the allowance will be paid only for a period n o t longer th an one-fourth
the length of service, and not, in any case, exceeding five years.
Retirement Allowances
I N T H E cash disbursem ent systems the allowance for service or
* superannuation retirem ent is very simply calculated. In D etroit
it is one-half the annual salary received a t the tim e of retirem ent,
with a m aximum of $900 a year, and in Philadelphia and P itts
burgh, one-half the average annual salary received during the last
five years of service, w ith a maximum of $1,200 a year. Under the
actuarial reserve systems the allowance consists of two parts— an
annuity purchased by the re tira n t’s accum ulated contributions, and
another, called a pension, purchased by the city ’s accum ulated con
tributions to his credit. The contributions have been so calculated
th a t for each year of service the allowance will be a specified fraction—
the service fraction—of the average annual compensation received
during either the last 5 or the last 10 years of service. T he service
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 739 ]
42
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
fraction m'ay vary w ith the class to which the worker belongs. In
the New York system, for instance, the service fraction for clerical
workers is one-seventieth; for mechanics, one sixty-eighth; and for
laborers, one sixty-sixth of the average final compensation. As a
result the retirants from these groups receive an allowance of approxi
m ately one-half their average final compensation after term s of
service of 35, 34, and 33 years, respectively. U nder all the actuarial
reserve systems the city pays the whole allowance for years of service
rendered before the system was adopted.
The custom varies as to setting minimum and m aximum limits.
M inneapolis sets a m aximum of $500 a year for noncontributing
members—i. e., those who have earned less than $750 a year and
have consequently been freed from the obligation to contribute to the
retirem ent fund—b u t has no lim its on allowances for contributing
members. Baltim ore and New York C ity have no limits, b u t Boston
and San Francisco both provide th a t allowances m ay not be less than
$480 a year—in San Francisco this provision is confined to those,
already in the service when the system was adopted, who are forced
to retire on account of reaching the age of 70— and Chicago has a
minimum of $600. Boston provides th a t no retira n t w ith credit for
prior service m ay draw an allowance of more than one-half his average
annual salary for the last five years, and Chicago sets a maximum of
$1,800, beyond which no allowance m ay go. W ith these exceptions
the am ount of the allowance is determ ined by the am ount of the
accum ulated contributions to .the re tira n t’s credit, including the
double contribution m ade by the city for his years of prior service,
and by his age a t retirem ent, the la tte r factor determ ining the
am ount of the annuity which the contributions will purchase.
Allowances for Disability Retirement
n rH E R E is the same difference between the two kinds of systems
1 concerning disability allowances as in regard to the allowances
for service retirem ent, the cash disbursem ent systems paying a fixed
am ount, usually half of the last salary received, while under the
actuarial reserve system s the allowance is m ade up of annuity and
pension in varying proportions, the pension being enlarged to m eet
the needs of the situation. The following table shows the allowance
for ordinary and for duty disability retirem ent under each of the
city plans:
D ISA B IL IT Y R E T IR E M E N T A LLO W A N C ES
City
Ordinary disability
B altim ore______
D uty disability
A nnuity plus pension sufficient to bring Annuity, plus pension of two-thirds of
allowance up to nine-tenths of what
retirant’s average final compensation.
superannuation allowance would be;
minimum, one-fourth of average final
compensation.
Boston___________ A nnuity, plus pension of nine-tenths of A nnuity, plus pension sufficient to bring
what it would have been had retirant
allowance up to three-fourths of salary
remained in service at same salary up
during last year of service.
to 60.
C h ic a g o .________ One-half salary received at tim e of retire Three-fourths of salary at time disability
ment, to be paid for period not longer
was incurred, w ith $10 per month for
than one-fourth retirant’s length of serv
each child under 18, total not to exceed
ice, but in no case for over 6 years.
90 per cent of full salary.
Detroit
_______ No allowance .
No allowance.
M inneapolis______ A nnuity, plus pension to bring allowance A nnuity, plus pension to bring allowance
up to what contributions to retirant’s
up to w hat it would be if employee’s
credit would purchase if kept at com
and city’s contributions were continued
pound interest until earliest date at
up to earliest date at which service
which service retirement would be per
retirement would be permissible.
missible.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[740]
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES
43
D IS A B IL IT Y R E T IR E M E N T A L L O W A N C E S—Continued
City
D u ty disability
Ordinary disability
N ew York C ity —. Annuity, plus pension to bring allowance
up to nine-tenths of service allowance
at same date, w ith minimum, if retirant
entered service under 40, of one-fourth
of average final compensation.
One-half of average final compensation,
Philadelphia..
with maximum of $1,200 a year.
Pittsburgh—
1.25 per cent of average final compensa
San Francisco
tion multiplied by number of years of
service.
Annuity, plus pension of three-fourths of
average final compensation.
One-half of average final compensation
with maximum of $1,200 a year.
Do.
1.25 per cent of average final compensa
tion multiplied by number of years of
service.
Refunds
A LL of the systems considered make some provision for returning
•CY the employee’s contributions in case he dies or leaves the
service before retiring on allowance. Philadelphia and P ittsburgh
return the contributions, w ithout interest, to the employee or to
his estate. The other cities retu rn them w ith interest, usually 4 per
cent, compounded annually. In the systems in which the employee
is required to m ake specific contributions for expenses of adm inistra
tion or other nonannuity purposes, it is usually provided th a t only
contributions intended to apply to the purchase of an annuity are
to be returned.
Provision for Dependents
A Y /IT H the exception of Chicago, all the cities having actuarial
W
reserve system s so arrange th a t on retirem ent an employee
m ay either receive his straight allowance or m ay take one of several
options under which he will receive a smaller allowance, b u t on his
death it will be continued to a beneficiary he has nam ed or some other
benefit of sim ilar actuarial value will be paid. If an employee, on
retirem ent does n o t choose to take one of these options, the city does
not assume any responsibility for his dependents in case of his death.
Chicago does no t offer options, since under its system allowances are
provided for the widows and in some cases for the m inor children of
employees. The cash disbursem ent systems do not m ake any
provision for the dependents of a retired employee.
Upon the death of an employee before retirem ent, all the cities
return to his heirs his contributions, usually w ith interest. If the
death was due to norm al causes, Baltim ore, New York C ity, and San
Francisco pay to the dependents a lump-sum benefit equal to the
decedent’s salary for the last six m onths of his life. If death was
due to accident or injury incurred in the performance of duty, Boston,
Baltim ore, and New York C ity pay to the widow, the children
under 18, or to dependent parents a pension of one-half the decedent s
annual salary or one-half of his average final compensation, accord
ing to the city, while San Francisco pays w hatever am ount is due
to the heirs under the S tate compensation law. Chicago, under the
same circumstances, increases the pension paid by the city to the
widow so as to bring her to tal allowance up to 60 per cent of the
employee’s salary a t the tim e of death. M inneapolis pays a deat
benefit of $150 to the heirs of a noncontributing m em ber who dies
before retirem ent, while D etroit, Philadelphia, and P ittsburgh m ake
no provision for dependents.
93675°—28----- 4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1741]
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR
CONDITIONS
Present Labor Conditions in China
By S. K. S heldon T so , LL. B., M. A., Ph. D.
IN C E western influences introduced the factory system into
China, a great m any industrial evils sim ilar to those which
existed a hundred years ago in the western countries have
come into being. The present decade is witnessing the demise of
the prim itive system, forced as it is to compete w ith the cheaper
goods of the Occident, produced by m achinery. N aturally the hand
worker can not m eet the prices of machine-m ade commodities, and
is gradually being forced out of business.
A t the same time the cost of living continues to increase; m any
farmers are forced to join the urban m ovem ent, as farm ing can no
longer support the teeming millions of unemployed, and they are
crowding the slums of already overpopulated industrial cities. The
whole social organization is thus disrupted. As a result of the over
supply of labor, a contract system is commonly in use, and employers,
under the lure of greater profit, repeat the errors of the early m anu
facturers in western countries, including long hours, low wages, bad
housing, and the extensive em ploym ent of women and children.
S
Classes of Labor
D R O A D L Y speaking, Chinese laborers can be classified into four
m ain divisions, as follows:
1.
Independent laborers, i. e., those who work on a small scale for
an independent livelihood, usually buying their own m aterials, m anu
facturing their own goods, and selling the finished products directly
to the consumers. Sometimes m asters or employers m ay furnish
them w ith m aterials, b u t they have no definite employer, nor do they
have definite working places. Their wages are calculated either on
the time basis, or on piecework if under contract w ith an employer.
The workmen in this class include masons, sawyers, carpenters,
coppersmiths, firecracker makers, bean-cake m akers, cloth weavers,
tailors, brewers, tobacco planters, blacksm iths, stonem asons,. and
others.
2.
Industrial laborers. Since the factory system in China is still
in its infancy in contrast w ith th a t of the industrialized countries of
the W est, industrial workers are m ainly machine operators in various
industries and workers in textile mills.
3.
Agricultural laborers. As China is prim arily an agricultural
country, this class of workers constitutes a great m ajority of the
44
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 742 ]
PRESENT LABOR CONDITIONS IN CHINA
45
working population. They are divided into four groups: (a) F arm
ers doing their own work on their own land and therefore receiving
no direct wage; (b) husbandmen, so called because they have no
fields of their own, b u t are tenants of a landlord to whom they ordina
rily tu rn over tw o-thirds of the crop, reserving the rem aining one-third
for themselves; (c) “ long-period” laborers with some experience in
farm ing b u t possessing no land of their own, who sign an agreement
w ith their employer to work for him for a period of one year or longer;
(d) “ short-period ” laborers who have had no special training in farm
ing and who sign no agreement with employers. To-day they m ay
be hired by one m aster to hoe the fields and to-morrow another mas
ter m ay hire them to pound his rice. They earn their wage by the
day and have no steady employment or definite habitation.
4.
Coolie laborers. The word “ coolie ” in Chinese signifies “ sweat
ing. ” These laborers are m ostly unskilled and earn a bare subsistence
by very strenuous work. China is replete w ith this class of workers.
They can be divided into three ty p es: F irst, those who are gathered
by employers a t one definite place, such as mine workers, road builders
and repairers; second, those who work under the contract system,
such as haulers and carriers at jetties; third, those who have neither
definite employers nor contracting foremen, such as jinrikisha and
wheelbarrow coolies, sedan-chair bearers, and m uleteers, and who
wander about from one place to another seeking work.
Unemployment
ost im portant problem th a t the Chinese laboring classes
TH Earemfacing
is unemployment, which not only has been a burning
question in industrial welfare, b u t recently has become a very serious
social problem. M ost western countries have already given much
attention to the study of this vital problem, bu t it is an unfortunate
fact th a t the Chinese public remains indifferent to it. Although
accurate inform ation on the extent of unem ploym ent is not available,
if the 400,000,000 people in China are classified and the groups care
fully studied, it will be found th a t the extent of unem ploym ent among
the working classes is tremendous.
According to the report m ade by a group of Japanese statisticians
who recently completed a census of the interior farm ing districts,
agricultural workers constitute 20 per cent, or 80,000,000, of the
whole population of China proper. Independent laborers, according
to General M a, chief of the Labor Bureau a t Nanking, form 2 per cent,
or 8,000,000, of the entire population. As to the industrial laborers,
the num ber is com paratively easy to obtain. In 1914, the M inistry
of Agriculture and Commerce m ade an investigation and p u t the
figure a t 630,000 persons. Now more th an 10 years have elapsed, and
considering the fact th a t during these 10 years there has been m arked
progress in the business of the factories, it can be seen th a t the num ber
of industrial laborers has also been proportionately increased as a
m atte r of course. After numerous calculations from the data
obtained in 1914, the conclusion is reached th a t there are about
1,260,000 industrial laborers in China at the present time. E stim at
ing the num ber of coolies is found to be a hard task. Since factories
in China are poorly developed as compared w ith those in the western
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46
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
countries, it is evident th a t the num ber of sweated laborers, or coolies,
m ust be very great. _According to an investigation m ade by Japanese
statisticians, the Chinese coolies constitute 8 per cent of the whole
population of China. Taking this percentage as a basis for calcula
tion, there are about 32,000,000 laborers under the sweating system
in China.
The following statem ent brings together the estim ates of the
num ber of workers in the four groups described:
Agricultural laborers_____________________________
Independent laborers_____________________________
Industrial laborers_______________________________
Coolie laborers___________ _____ __________________
Total---------------------------------------------------------
80, 000, 000
8 , 000 , 000
1
,
26oj 000
32, 000, 000
121 ,
260, 000
From these figures it will be seen th a t the num ber of -Chinese
laborers in em ploym ent to-day would not exceed 121,260,000 persons.
General C. T. M a estim ates the to tal working population of China
as 280,000,000, or 70 per cent of the to tal population of the country.
On this basis the present num ber of unemployed would be greater
th an the num ber employed.
However, this proportion of unemployment, as m aintained by
General M a, appears incredibly high. The error m ay lie in estim ating
70 per cent of the population as members of the working classes. In
W oytinsky’s “ Die W elt in Zahlen” it is shown th a t while in m any
countries probably 70 per cent of the gainfully engaged persons are
wage workers, n o t more th an one-half of the to tal population in most
countries are engaged in gainful occupations. Even on the m ost
conservative m ethods of estim ating, however, the num ber of unem
ployed in China a t present m ust run into the tens of millions.1
Causes of Unemployment
C IR S T and m ost im portant, the replacem ent of handicraft produc
tion by m odern machines has deprived the handicraftsm en of
their work. Second, the rapid growth of population is a fundam ental
factor contributing to the present oversupply of labor. Third, there
is a lack of adequate facilities with which to fit workmen for modern
m ethods of production, and the workmen, skilled in their handicraft
alone, can not change their m ethods of work in a short period of time.
Fourth, the increase of seasonal trade which the industrial system
has brought with it requires a large num ber of workers a t certain
periods, after which they are discharged. This is a vital factor in
producing unemploym ent, for under the old regime of production a
worker often worked for the same employer all his life and the
employer never discharged him unless the employee m erited dis
charge. F ifth, civil wars have been a potent cause of unemploy
m ent. Since 1913 alm ost every year has witnessed the outbreak of
1That there is such a huge proportion of persons out of work in China is, of course, astounding to the West
ern mma. B ut as one examines Chinese social conditions it will be found that the family system still
prevails in China and is largely responsible for this tremendous proportion of the unemployed. For it is
a common practice for one gainfully employed person to support 6 or 7, sometimes more, dependents of
the family. 1 he reason for this parasitism is due to scarcity of jobs. It is such a hard task to find a job
that not only unskilled workers, but highly skilled laborers and even educated students graduated from
American universities have to fall back upon nepotism to secure a poorly paid position.
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PRESENT LABOR CONDITIONS IN CHINA
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a new war. As a result, not only has the progress of commerce and
industry been halted again and again bu t also the devastation of the
land has m ade the cultivation of crops impossible. Sixth, unstable
economic conditions are inevitably followed by unemployment.
U nder the present foreign domination, the economic structure of
China is m ost insecure. Foreign competition, m ade possible by the
custom s restriction, m ay bring about the collapse of national industry
a t any m oment. Seventh, strikes, increasing in num ber eanh year,
are a m ost significant factor. In a num ber of cases, recognizing the
oversupply of labor, employers have discharged the strikers on the
slightest pretense. In addition, there are m any other factors, such
as physical incapacity, laziness, lack of education, famine, and other
n atu ral causes.
In the m ain, Chinese industries have n o t developed in proportion
to the decline of the old mode of living. D ue to the fact th a t the
custom s are foreign controlled and the m arket is full of foreign goods,
m any of the unemployed have been forced into banditry and m any
others are compelled to travel hundreds of miles in pursuit of work,
only to find themselves subjected to the exploitation of contractors
and employers in the industrial centers. In some of the densely
populated Provinces like Shangtung, stream s of men d epart into
Chihli and M anchuria where industries are better developed. The
contractors provide them with lodging and board bu t impose a heavy
commission on them. Stricken by poverty, the workers are silenced
with little more than their native villages offered, and are lodged in
m ost insanitary slums and fed solely upon maize.
Woman and Child Labor
TTHE industrial development of China, like th a t of other countries,
1 has brought to the fore the problem of the em ploym ent of women
and children in factories. The burden imposed upon them has
aroused considerable attention from hum anitarians, y et nothing in
the way of definite reform has been accomplished. The deplorable
effects of the new régime are not as yet recognized by employers in
China.
In the textile industry a large proportion of the operatives are
women and children. A decade ago women were engaged largely m
domestic production, such as silk-worm culture, spinning and weav
ing, needlework, the m aking of straw braid, and tea picking, and
occasionally boating and fishing. Since the factory system was
introduced, the silk reeling, spinning, cotton-textile work, and k n it
ting has been done entirely by women. The long hours, low wages,
and bad working conditions exceed those of Emgland a century or
more ago, for there is no organization among women to strengthen
their bargaining power, and also the old Chinese family system binds
them to one locality regardless of wages offered elsewhere.
The average wage received by women in the industrial cities like
Shanghai, Wusih, Changsha, and C anton varies from 20 to 40 cents
per day. According to an investigation made by the M-inistry ot
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Agriculture and Commerce in 1915, daily wages in different sections
of the country were as follows:2
Maximum
wage
(cents)
Chin Tsao (special district)_______________________
Chihli___________________________________________
Mukden_________________________________________
Chilin___________________________________________
Shantung_______________________________________
Honan_________________
Shangsi_________________________________________
Kiangsu-------------------------------------------------------------Anwhei_________________________________________
Kiangsi--------------------------------------------------------------Fucianan__________
Chikiang________________________________________
Hupeh---------------------------------------------------------------Hunan__________________________________________
Shensi__________________________________________
Kansu__________________________________________
Sinkiang------------------------------------------------------------Szechuan___________________
Kwantung______________________________________
Kwansi_________________________________________
Quachow________________________________________
9
27
Minimum
wage
(cents)
7
14
15
13
24
24
20
10
14
9
11
37
22
7
20
15
23
24
20
16
13
10
12
11
13
14
10
12
6
8
20
16
13
14
25
27
14
15
(?)
12
According to the above statem ent, the highest wages were paid in
Kiangsu and the lowest in Chin Tsao. B u t more than 10 years have
elapsed since this investigation and a num ber of strikes have occurred
in the larger cities. As a result, the wage level has been raised from
time to time, although the total increase is probably not more than
60 per cent. The length of the working-day for women varies in
different localities and factories. As a rule, it consists of 12 hours,
usually from 5 in the morning to 6 o’clock in the evening, with an
hour’s intermission a t noon. They work seven days in the week.
These women react all too quickly to the excessively long hours
and the relatively low wages, both of which tend to im pair their physi
cal well-being. In M ay, 1922, the woman workers in Shanghai
subm itted a petition to the Provincial Assembly of K iangsu asking
for a 10-hour working-day, an increase in wages of 5 cents per day,
and an unconditional weekly and m onthly bonus. The assembly
referred the m atter to the Chinese m agistrate bu t no satisfactory
settlem ent was reached, and as the num ber of workers increased,
their discontent became more manifest.
In 1922, it was reported th a t there were 60,000 woman workers in
Shanghai. Overcrowding, poor ventilation, excessive heat, and un
sanitary conditions were the rule. Comfortable seats, dining rooms,
first aid, and rest rooms were unheard of luxuries. On August 6,
1922, the first strike of woman workers was declared, 20,000 women
of the Chapei filatures striking. They paraded the streets with
banners and placards in order to win sym pathy from the public, and
particularly from the men. As m artial law was then in force, some
of the strikers were arrested. M eanwhile other women in industry
staged dem onstrations in the International Settlem ent, and they were
likewise arrested and held for trial. After a week the strikers went
2 The wage data in this article are given in Chinese silver currency, which is of half the value of the
corresponding U nited States currency.
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PRESENT LABOR CONDITIONS IN CHINA
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back to work under a promise of a wage increase, which did not
materialize. Thus the first strike engineered by women was listed as
a failure, whose only gain was experience.
The obstacles in the way of success were: (1) Loose organization,
and therefore no concentrated power to m eet the emergency; (2) lack
of enlightened leadership; and (3) inexperience and ignorance of the
labor movement.
Since th a t time various attem pts have been made to form organi
zations of woman workers. In 1924, the U nited Silk and Cotton
Women W orkers’ Association was started, w ith a threefold purpose—
to establish friendship, to promote education, and to study the health
conditions of the workers.
In surveying the field of women in industry, one can not escape a
pessimistic outlook, because of the dearth of legislation protecting
their interests. Their wants and desires have greatly multiplied, b u t
their wages have become more and more disproportionate to m eet
these demands.
The employment of children is another evil effect of the industrial
system. W ith the increasing cost of living, children are often pre
m aturely placed in the factories in order th a t their scanty earnings
m ay add to the family budget. In fact thay are often sent to the
factory as soon as they can be of use.
Although there are no accurate statistics to show the num ber of
working children in China, recent inform ation on those of Shanghai
throw s some light on the subject. According to the report of the
Shanghai M unicipal Council, 168,885 children are gainfully employed
in the factories of th a t city.
Of this num ber, 44,173 boys and 103,241 girls (a total of 147,414)
are below the age of 13, while 3,766 boys and 17,705 girls (a total of
21,471) are below the age of 12. Of the grand total of 168,885,
47,939 are boys and 120,946 are girls. These figures include factory
workers only, the coolies working in the streets not being included.
According to the census made by the M aritim e Customs, the popula
tion of Shanghai is 1,500,000. Thus, the child workers in Shanghai
represent considerably more than 10 per cent of the population,
especially if the children who work outside of the factories be included.
Aside from Shanghai, sections like Tientsin, Hankow, W uchang,
Changsuam Canton, Hong Kong, Hangchow, Soochow, Wusih, and
N antung are also well industrialized. The total num ber of child
laborers in China is probably well over 1,000,000. Owing to the large
size of Chinese families child workers are very easy to obtain.
The industries th a t commonly employ children are textile and
tobacco mills, candy factories, straw -hat factories, toy shops, and
bookbinding shops. Their wages are far below those of the adult
workers, the maximum being 20 cents per day and the m inimum being
6 cents, or an average daily wage of about 13 cents.
The reason for this unusually low wage is the lim ited am ount of
work which they can obtain, and the fact th a t they are forced to
accept w hatever the employers offer them. The num ber of hours
th a t they work varies from 12 to 16 per day, and according to a report
made by a commission appointed by the municipal council of Shanghai
m any children not more than 6 years of age work both day and
night.
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In one of the glass works it was found th a t children were working
from 6 o’clock in the morning until 11 at night and under the m ost
unsanitary conditions, exposed to fumes and high tem perature, and
were receiving only $1 per m onth and their food. The commission
made recommendations based upon these reports, b u t at the second
m eeting called for the purpose of considering them , there was not a
quorum of the rate payers present. Since th a t time the conflict be
tween the Chinese masses and the B ritish police resulting from the
dissension of M ay 30, 1925, has made further effort impossible.
A child-labor reform m ovem ent was started by Y. W. C. A. work
ers, who called on the governors of Iviangsu and neighboring Prov
inces, as well as upon the M inister of Agriculture and Commerce,
and asked for regulations for the im provem ent of working conditions,
b u t the lack of cooperation between the Chinese authorities and the
municipal council of the International Settlem ent stood in the way of
effective legislation. The recommendations presented by the Y. W.
C. A. workers involved very reasonable and practicable principles:
(1) No industrial employment of children under 12; (2) observance
of one day of rest; and (3) safeguarding of the health of workers by
shorter hours, sanitary improvements, and the installation of safety
devices.
However, all attem pts at application or adoption of these recom
m endations failed.
The factory regulations prom oted by the M inistry of Agriculture
and Commerce in M arch, 1923, are as y e t merely provisional and
have not the force of law, although the Peking Governm ent has never
relaxed its effort to make them effective. The greatest difficulty to
their application is the question of jurisdiction over the foreignowned industries. Since the latte r possess special privileges which
would exempt them from regulations, Chinese employers are unwilling
to handicap themselves by regulations not applicable to foreign fac
tories. In 1926, various Chinese employers’ associations, particu
larly the Chinese Association of Cotton Spinners, addressed a request
to the Peking Governm ent that, in pursuance of section 2 of the regu
lations of M arch 29, 1923, the provisions thereof should be extended
to foreign-owned factories.
In addition to the provisional factory regulations, there are in
force certain decrees of 1923 relating to work in mines. Their en
forcement seems more practicable for the mining industry in China
is a t present confined to a few districts, such as the coal mines of
Kail an and Chingshang in the Province of Chihli, and of ChunYuan and the Peking syndicate in Honan, and the iron mines of
H an-Yeh-Ping in H upeh and Y u-Fan in Anhwei, other minerals
being worked only on a very small scale. The inform ation a t hand
suggests th a t these undertakings comply more or less closely with the
mining regulations of 1923.
Hours of Labor
IN T H E case of independent hand workers, such as tailors and
blacksmiths, working hours per day range from 14 to 16. In
dustrial workers’ hours differ in the various industries. Those em
ployed in factories of the Chinese Governm ent work from 9 to 12
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51
hours and those employed in factories owned by private capitalists
work from 10 to 16 hours per day. Agricultural workers also have
long working hours, varying from 12 to 18 per day. Coolie laborers
work as m any as 18 hours per day.
M oreover, the evils of long hours are intensified by the night work
common in textile factories. The workers in these factories work
day and night by turns. O ther leading industries in China, like
tobacco, m atch, and silk works, also have adopted night work. The
laborers on the day shift work from daybreak to evening and those
on the night shift work from evening until dawn of the next day.
The inevitable result is fatigue and m any serious accidents.
In connection w ith working hours, attention should be directed to
the hours for rest. In China there is no definite rule for lunch or rest.
Generally speaking, only half an hour is allowed for each and in some
of the factories the tim e allowed for lunch does not exceed 20 m inutes.
In m any of the textile factories, women often bring meals into the
factories for the workers, and the la tte r eat beside the machines.
Holidays are very few, especially in those industries owned by
foreign capitalists. Strangely enough, these foreign capitalists forget
their h a b it of observing Sunday, and no holiday is allowed. Among
the factories owned by Chinese, the holidays for the New Y ear festival
range from 12 to 15 days. Holidays of one or two days are also given
for the Chinese spring-summer solstice, M ay 15 or dragon festival,
mid year, m id autum n, September, double ten or national holiday,
w inter solstice, etc.
Wages 1
'""THE wage-paym ent systems in China are very complicated and
* no concrete statem ent can be m ade regarding them . Generally
speaking, there are two kinds, namely, paym ent in goods and paym ent
in money. In the less developed sections of China, the former m ethod
is in use, paym ents consisting of clothes, rice, and other commodities
in place of money. In sections where m odern means of communica
tion are provided, this practice is rarely found except in the case of
m asters giving goods to apprentices in a few small shops in country
villages. W herever the m ethod of paym ent in goods is used, the old
harmonious spirit between employers and employees still prevails and
there is as y e t no labor problem.
Paym ent of wages in money is made on both a tim e-rate and
a piece-rate basis. In industries like the silk, cloth-weaving, m atch,
iron, and electric-light industries the tim e-rate system is in general
use; in tanneries, coal mines, etc., the piece basis is used, while in
other industries, such as tobacco factories, both piece and tim e rates
are used.
Broadly speaking, wages, however paid, are exceedingly low,
because of the oversupply of labor and the fact th a t these povertystricken wage earners have to accept w hatever their employers
offer them . In recent years the continuous rise in the cost of living
has forced the raising of wages from time to time. Table 1 shows
the average tim e and piece rates paid to the various classes of workers.
i The wage data are given in the silver Chinese dollar which is equivalent to 50 cents in American
currency.
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T a b l e 1 .— A V ER A G E D A IL Y E A R N IN G S U N D E R T IM E A N D PIE C E R A TE S, B Y VARIOUS
*
CLASSES OF W OR K ER S IN C H IN A
Time rates
Piece rates
Class of workers
Adults
Industrial workers__________ _______
Independent workers_________ .
Coolie workers_______ _______
$0. 40-$3. 60
. 20- 1. 20
.40- .80
Children and
apprentices
Adults
$0.15-$0. 30
.06- .20
.10- .40
$0. 60-$5. 00
. 30- 2. 50
. 50- 1.00
Children and
apprentices
$0. 20-$0. 50
.10- .25
.15- .60
The above table shows a com paratively high m aximum in certain
cases. This is due to the extraordinary conditions existing in China.
In addition to the wide variations from one place to another, due
to the lack of communication, even in the same factory it is often
found th a t while a m ajority of workers get 40 cents a day, a m inority
of the “ Lau T a ” or “ headw orkers” receive $3.60 daily. The
la tte r group of workers usually have worked in the factory longer
th an their fellow workers and have some knowledge of m achinery.
In m ost Chinese factories there is no m achinist, and these “ Lau T a ”
often discharge his duties. To the western m ind it m ay seem queer
th a t an employer would atte m p t to run a factory w ithout a m achinist.
The explanation is th a t the high-paid American engineers or m achin
ists are beyond the reach of Chinese employers w ith small capital,
and the Chinese students who have been educated in Europe and
America often have only a book knowledge which is of no practical
value.
Similar extreme variations m ay occur in the case of the wages of
independent workers. Thus, it is often found in China th a t an
automobile driver m ay get $5 or $6 a day, while the ordinary rick
sha puller gets only 20 or 30 cents per day.
I t is also to be observed th a t lack of comm unication in China
causes a great variance in wages paid in different localities. For
instance, in C anton, boys receive up to $6 per m onth, according to
their length of service, unskilled laborers $ 8 , skilled machine workers
$ 12 , highly skilled splitters $ 20 , and women and unskilled casual
laborers $ 12 . In Shansi, where copper currency is still largely used
as a medium of paym ent, the m onthly wages of skilled workers
average only from $7 to $9; those of other classes of laborers, including
carters, carpenters, bricklayers, from $4 to $ 8 ; those of unskilled
workers from $4 to $ 6 ; and the boy workers get only from $2 to $3.
The worst-paid group is probably the rural coolie group near the
interior cities. I t is reported th a t men carry loads of w heat of over
170 pounds for 800 miles a t a wage of 10 cents a day.
In connection w ith the question of wage paym ent, m ention should
be m ade of the bonus system, which has been in use in China since
time immemorial. A t the end of each year the workers receive a
certain percentage of their wages, b u t it is understood th a t in a year
of business depression no bonus can be expected. A rew ard or
gratu ity is also given (a) for obeying the rules and regulations of
the establishm ent, (b) for increasing their productivity, (c) for pro
ducing goods of better quality, and (d ) for continuous service over
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PRESENT LABOR CONDITIONS IN CHINA
53
a long period. Such rewards differ from the bonus in th a t they are
given irrespective of the business condition of the factory.
W hen a laborer’s work is found to be unsatisfactory, his wages
for 1 day, 5 days, or even 10 days m ay be withheld by his employer.
This practice often creates bad feeling among the wage earners.
This m ay be done for such offenses as disobeying orders, creating a
disturbance in the factory, starting strikes or kindred activities
detrim ental to the progress of work, playing tru a n t or dawdling in
factory or workshop, failing to observe the working hours assigned,
breaking a machine, wasting raw m aterials, or violating rules or
regulations.
Increase in Cost of Living
SHOW N in later tables, there have been very im portant in
creases in retail food prices in recent years. A factor accentu
ating the burden of higher prices upon the worker has been the de
preciation in the copper money, widely used in the paym ent of wages.
An investigation of the rate of exchange, m ade by M r. Meng,
showed th a t in 1900 a dollar equaled 76.4 coppers; in 1908, 120 cop
pers; in 1915, 135 coppers; and from 1920 to 1926 the rate rose from
140 to 311 coppers. This was due to the fact th a t the central govern
m ent failed to control the m ints, which are in the hands of the pro
vincial governm ents, and the latter, under the lure of profit, issued
an unusual am ount of additional and debased coins. This has caused
a continuous rise in copper exchange, together w ith the depreciation
and instability of the currency. Still another elem ent in the rise of
the price level is the civil wars. B u t the employers seem ignorant
of these facts and object to the workers’ demands for wage increases.
M isunderstandings have developed into a state of irreconcilable con
flict and have led to repeated strikes, and the question of the real
wage has become uppermost.
Real Wages
A S COM M ONLY understood, the real wage is the com parative
am ount of goods the workers are able to buy w ith w hat they
receive for their labor. This is figured by dividing the index num ber
for silver wages by the cost-of-living index num ber. H ere another
difficulty confronts us because of the fact th a t inform ation is difficult
to obtain, since wages vary in different districts and the value of
the copper currency in which wages are paid also varies. M oreover,
there is no common system of weights and measures. As a result,
estim ates of real wages can be attem pted only for Peking, for which
there is available the findings of D octor M eng’s investigation of
wages.
M asons, carpenters, and sawyers have been chosen to represent
the group of skilled workers, and coolies and other handworkers
have been taken as representative of the unskilled workers. All of
the m en connected w ith these trades belong to guilds which deter
mine wages for the workers. The investigation showed th a t the
wages of the skilled men were 34.1 cents (silver) a day in 1900,
38.4 cents in 1911, and 37.2 cents in 1913 ; those of unskilled laborers,
23.6 cents a day in 1900, 23 cents in 1911, 22.4 cents in 1913, 26.1
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
cents in 1924, and 35 cents in 1925. From 1913 to the spring of 1924
the increase for skilled workers was 11 per cent and for the unskilled
17, b u t a t the end of 1924 there was a great increase in wages, and
as a result, the percentage of increase as compared w ith the wages
of 1913 is 47 per cent for skilled and 34 per cent for unskilled.
Table 2 shows the money and real wages paid to skilled and to
unskilled workers in China from 1900 to 1925. For purposes of
comparison the index num bers of food prices in the U nited States
as well as in Peking are given.
T
able
2 .—M O N E Y W AGES OF SK IL LE D A N D U N SK IL L E D W O R K ER S IN C H IN A A N D
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF M O N E Y A N D R E A L W AGES, 1900 TO 1925
M oney wages (in silver)
Index numbers
of retail prices
of food
Rate per day for—
United
States
Peking
U n
Un
Skilled
Skilled skilled
Skilled skilled
workers
workers workers
workers workers
69
72
75
75
76
76
79
82
84
89
93
92
98
100
102
101
114
146
168
186
203
153
142
146
146
81
68
75
84
78
75
83
87
89
89
90
100
102
100
93
88
96
102
97
88
114
117
113
118
126
Year
Cents
1900 ..............................................
1901 ...........................................
1902 ___________ _________
1903 _________ _____ _______
1904______ _______ _________
1905
..................... ..................
1906
__________________
___________________
1907
1908
___________________
1909 _____________________
1910 _______________ _____
1911______ _________ _______
1912 ____________ ________ _
1913___________ ___ ______ _
1914
___________________
1915 ______ ______________
1916_______________________
1917
___________________
_________________
1918
1919_______________________
1920___ ________ ___________
1921.........................__..................
1922 ........ ....................................
1923............................................
1924______________ _________
1925 ..........................................
J 34.1
\ 140.1
36.8
35. 2
33.6
32.1
31. 8
31. 6
28. 3
30. 6
28.8
28.2
38.4
36.9
37.2
37.9
36.9
37.6
40. 3
37. 3
36.2
42.5
39.4
37.6
38. 6
/
41.2
1 155.0
60.0
Index numbers
(1913=100)
Index numbers
of real wages
(1913= 100)
U n
skilled
wokers
Cents
23.6
130.3
27.2
26.2
25.0
23.8
23. 6
23.4
21. 0
20. 6
19.4
19.1
23.0
22.1
22.4
22.7
22.1
22.6
24. 2
22.4
21.8
28.4
26.2
25. 4
25.0
26.1
130.0
35.0
92
109
99
95
90
86
86
85
85
76
82
78
76
103
100
102
99
101
108
100
97
114
106
101
104
111
1 147
161
1
105
135
121
117
112
106
105
104
94
92
87
85
103
99
100
102
99
101
108
100
97
127
117
113
112
117
1 134
156
1
114
135
145
124
108
111
114
103
88
92
88
85
103
97
100
110
112
106
106
103
111
100
91
89
88
91
1 106
112
1
1
130
167
177
154
133
136
140
122
108
103
98
95
103
95
100
109
111
105
105
103
111
111
100
100
95
95
1 96
108
1 Fall of year.
The low prices of 1919 raised real wages, bu t famine prices and the
beginning of the rapid increase in the copper exchange rate in 1920
reduced the real wages of the skilled workers 10 per cent although
they m eant an increase in copper wages. The next year real wages
were lowered an additional 10 per cent and stood at 90.5. The 1920
increase in the wages of the unskilled workers was sufficient to offset
the famine prices and the increase in copper exchange, and the real
wage stood at 111 , as in 1919. From 1920 to 1923, real wages
dropped from 111 to 95, the wages of the unskilled being relatively
higher than those of the skilled workers.
W hen, in the fall of 1924, the guilds fixed the wage rates in term s
of silver, rath er than copper, the skilled workers secured a 16 per
cent increase in real wages. I t was not until the spring of 1925 th a t
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PRESENT LABOR CONDITIONS IN CHINA
a similar increase was given the unskilled, and even a t the end of
1924 the wages for skilled workers stood a t 106, while those of the
unskilled averaged only 95. If we use the wages of 1925, and the
lowest available prices, those of December, 1924, we find real wages
had increased in 1925 to 112 for skilled labor and 108 for the unskilled.
In Peking if prices, wages, and exchange are such th a t the workers
can m aintain their custom ary standard of living, no attem p t is made
to increase wages. Since the guilds include all those connected with
the trade, both employers and employees, there is no group th a t is
in a position to reduce wages if a decrease in prices gives the workers
some increase in their real wages. However, if increasing prices
bring the real wage down to the point where the custom ary standard
of living is threatened, then the guild calls a meeting and raises wages.
The close personal relations th a t exist between employers and em
ployees m ake it possible for the former to recognize the needs of
their men, and this explains the fact th a t there have been fewer
strikes in Peking than in other sections, and th a t some of the m ost
significant strikes have been due wholly to national feeling. This is
not to say th a t laborers in Peking earn fair wages or receive ju st
treatm ent, b u t only th a t the workers in Peking are more accustomed
to and more satisfied with the above-described wage system based
on real wages than with any other system of pay.
Average Annual Income in China
YY/’H IL E a statistical average is not possible owing to varying
**
conditions, it is evident th a t the ordinary wage earner in China
does not receive more than $160 for a full y ear’s work.
I t is a puzzle to western observers how the wage-earning classes get
along with such an exceedingly low income, especially when it is con
sidered th a t the family system prevails among the working people in
China, and the average breadwinner has to provide for a family of
five persons. This requires approxim ately $30 a m onth, the items
of expenditure being about as follows:
Amount
Per cent
R ent____________________________________________ $6
Food____________________________________________ 12
Fuel______________________________________________
2
Clothing__________________________________________
4
Miscellaneous__________________________________ _
6
20.
40.
6.
13.
20.
Total_____________________________________
100. 0
30
0
0
7
3
0
Evidently, then, the average annual income of $160 is far below the
am ount required for the subsistence of the family, and the women and
children therefore have to find some work in order to help the family
eke out a bare living. Unskilled workers’ expenditures serve merely
to ward off starvation. Their diet is maize in some form and salted
turnips twice a day; their houses are built of sun-dried, unburned
bricks w ith roofs thatched w ith the products of the peasants’ land,
earth floors, and raised earth or brick beds. There are no sanitary
arrangem ents.
As already stated, the workers’ position since 1914 has been rendered
doubly hard by another factor which has disturbed the price level and
has tended to depress even the meager income shown above. T h a t
factor is the depreciation of copper money.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[753]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
56
Shifting Factory Workers to New Jobs
N LA RG E industrial organizations m ethods m ust be worked out
for adjustm ent not only to the continuous change in am ount, kind,
and location of work done b u t also to the constant variations in
the interest, ability, and effectiveness of the workers in their jobs.
These and other m atters concerning the transfer of rank and file
workers are discussed by Franklin J. M eine in the February, 1928,
issue of the Personnel Journal. Some of the findings in th a t article
are given below.
In any a ttem p t to understand the problem of transfer the following
three viewpoints should be kept in m ind: ( 1) Cost of labor turnover;
(2) individual hum an viewpoint; (3) adm inistrative considerations.
I
Reasons for Transfer
'"TO E M PH A SIZ E the im portance of the problem under discussion,
A M r. M eine gives figures showing th a t in a large factory employ
ing some 2,000 persons the employees transferred in four years ranged
from 22 to 45 per cent of the total force. Of the transfers about 23 L2
per cent were m ade for the purpose of advancing the employee, while
about 30 per cent were m ade for purposes of training the worker trans
ferred. An analysis of the transfer figures other than those for pro
m otion indicates, as do also the records from other establishm ents,
th a t “ transfer functions prim arily to m eet the needs of the organiza
tion rather th an the needs of the individual, i. e., as to the la tte r’s
ability or preference.” A t the same time, however, the individual
benefits by not losing his job or through the opportunities afforded
him in other jobs or departm ents where he frequently finds work for
which he is better fitted and people with whom he m ay get along
more harmoniously. A change in jobs also makes him more versatile
and more valuable to his employers.
Problem of Unadaptability
A C C O R D IN G to the writer, unadaptability should be considered
from two angles, th a t of the job and th a t of the worker. U n
adaptability to the job m ay mean the worker’s unadaptability to
the job itself, to .the physical working conditions or to the social
working conditions; th a t is, relations with the m an above him or
his fellow employees; or it m ay be the result of some outstanding
defect in the_ worker’s physical, m ental, or trade equipment.
In m any instances it is no easy m atter to consider the worker
ap art from his work. W hen practicable, however, the two should
be considered separately in order to determ ine the proper pro
cedure—w hether the conditions should be changed or w hether the
worker should be transferred. U nadaptability m ay be due to
im proper placem ent from the s ta rt or from changes in the job or in
the worker. I t is im portant to find the real cause.
The character of the work m ay change and call for higher skill
and greater physical or m ental effort. On the other hand, the
worker’s point of view, his liking for his job, and his ability m ay
also change.
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[754]
SHIFTING FACTORY WORKERS TO NEW JOBS
57
When, the worker can not adapt himself to the job, his transfer is
very much like the term ination of em ploym ent and adds somewhat
to the cost of turnover when the employee m ust be trained for new
work. However, the transferred worker can be placed more intelli
gently than a new m an. Furtherm ore, he is acquainted w ith the
spirit and atm osphere of the establishm ent, and in some cases when
p u t on another job is grateful and makes a great effort to do well.
When the unadaptability is due chiefly to the employee’s physical
working conditions or to the persons under whom or w ith whom he
has to work, the transfer does not mean an added expense if such
employee can be p u t on a similar job in a different environm ent.
To the individual, unadaptability is a serious matter. It means constant
worry. He is unhappy because he is not enjoying that satisfaction which comes
from knowing that he is doing good work. He does not fit with the other em
ployees and things are not “ right.” He, therefore, welcomes transfer to a job
where he can be in a more harmonious relation.
Worker’s Preference
/\
T R A N SFE R , the author holds, should m eet the worker’s need
as well as the need of the organization. O pportunity for trans
fer appeals strongly to the worker. I t produces a sense of liberty of
choice and a consequent satisfaction with himself and the employing
organization. The worker’s consciousness th a t he can get a transfer
if he so^ desires greatly decreases the num ber who leave w ithout giv
ing notice and increases the num ber of those who are satisfied with
their jobs because they can change their work if they wish to do so.
The worker’s privilege of transfer m ay be given publicity in the
employee’s handbook and in the p lan t paper, on bulletin boards,
and through the works council. Opportunities for transfers should
be announced. Available jobs m ay be listed on bulletin boards
throughout the factory.
Transfer Procedure
’T 'H E ordinary routine in transferring is for the production depart1 m ent to notify the employment departm ent th a t it needs more
workers or th a t it desires to reduce its force. The em ploym ent
departm ent then finds out w hat workers can be transferred or w hat
departm ent requires help or would be willing to add to its staff.
When “ nri ad apt a b ility ” is given as a reason for changing a job, the
application m ight come either from the worker as a grievance or
through the foreman of the production departm ent. “ R equest of
em ployee” would come direct from the worker or from him through
the foreman.
The em ploym ent departm ent functions as an initiator and also as
a clearing house and should not effect transfers w ithout the consent
of the production departm ents concerned. A production d epart
m ent should no t a ttem p t to transfer its workers to other depart
m ents w ithout the consent and understanding of these other d epart
m ents and of the employment departm ent; nor should a departm ent
scout around the establishm ent seeking for workers and seizing them
“ w ithout the consent and understanding of the other departm ent
chiefs.” All changes should be made through the regular channels
for transfer.
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[755]
58
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W hen a worker’s services are required in another departm ent, he
should be informed as to the reasons for transfer. If not, he will
probably conclude th a t he is “ slipping” on the job and the company
wishes to “ lose” him. When a worker is no longer needed in a
certain departm ent, the situation should also be explained. When
the worker is himself principally a t fault he should, if possible, be
led to acknowledge it.
The author emphasizes the im portance of keeping in mind th a t
“ a m an’s job is his life; and fear of loss of job through any possi
bility of getting a ‘bum jo b ’ or of failing in another job, and suspi
cion of m anagem ent for the reason of the change are so strong th at
the employee should always be given clear and painstaking explana
tions ju st why the transfer was m ade.”
In the case of transfers the pay-roll departm ent should carefully
keep a record of changes, and see th a t all the financial adjustm ents
connected therew ith are correctly entered on the books of the
company.
Wages
A T T IM E S the wage question becomes quite problem atic with
reference to transfers; and the practice in different companies
is by no m eans uniform. Exam ples of these problems are: If a
worker requests a transfer to a lower-paid job should he stand the
loss? If the employer transfers a m an to a lower-paid job in a d epart
m ent when he is needed should the m an’s wages be reduced? Should
an employee w ith special ability who requests a transfer to a higherpaid job be a t once paid the higher rate or should his raise be post
poned until he has m ade good in his new work?
In transferring workers to other jobs due consideration m ust be
given to individual differences and idiosyncrasies.
W hen an employee is transferred instead of being discharged,
it tends to underm ine the morale of the p lan t and “ defeats the very
purpose for which the transfer plan was established. ” In this con
nection M r. M eine stresses the advisability of not losing sight of the
production m an’s angle of vision.
Inquiry into Changes in Economic Currents in the United
States 1
H E U nited States Secretary of Commerce has recently appointed
a comm ittee of experts in business and economics to super
vise a wide-reaching investigation into the changes in economic
currents in the U nited States. Funds have been subscribed by private
individuals to pay the expenses of the New York Bureau of Economics
which is “ to m ake the fact-finding background” for the study.
The purpose of the inquiry is to determ ine facts regarding such
m atters as changes in m ethods of production in agriculture and indus
try and in distribution; fluctuations in employm ent; variations in
relative price levels and profits; the trend of the business cycle;
T
1 U. S. Department of Commerce.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Press releases, Jan. 26 and Feb. 11, 1928.
[ 756 ]
LABOR CONDITIONS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
59
changes in living standards; foreign trade and foreign credits; and
other related questions involved in an understanding of the general
business situation of the U nited States.
The personnel of the com m ittee is as follows:
Chairman, Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, Washington, D. C.;
Walter F. Brown, Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Washington, D. C.; William
Green, president of American Federation of Labor, Washington, D. C.; John
Lawrence, president of New England Council, Staffer Building, Boston, Mass.;
Max Mason, president of University of Chicago, Chicago, 111.; Adolph C. Miller,
vice governor of Federal Reserve Board, Washington, D. C.; Lewis E. Pierson,
president of Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Washington, D. C.;
John J. Raskob, vice president of General Motors Corporation, New York City;
A. W. Shaw, president of A. W. Shaw Co., Chicago, 111.; Louis J. Taber, master
of the National Grange, Columbus, Ohio; Daniel Willard, president of Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, Baltimore, Md.; George McFadden, of George H. McFadden
& Bro., Philadelphia, Pa.; Clarence M. Wooley, chairman of board of American
Radiator Co., New York City; Owen D. Young, chairman of board of General
Electric Co., New York City; secretary, Edward Eyre Hunt.
The first m eeting of the com m ittee was called for February 21 ,
1928, in New York City.
Labor Conditions in Western Australia
H E third annual report of the W estern A ustralia D epartm ent
of Labor, covering the year ending June 30, 1927, shows the
prevalence of the 44-hour week in the G overnm ent service, as
well as in industry generally. Of 16,553 G overnm ent employees,
1.1 per cent (mostly office cleaners) had a week of less than 44 hours,
84.8 per cent had the 44-hour week, 4.7 per cent had 48 hours, and
9.4 per cent had a week of over 48 hours or no t definitely prescribed.
This la tte r week was found m ainly among the police, m edical officers,
employees in the railway and tram w ays departm ent, and those en
gaged in the S tate shipping service, who had a 48-hour week in port
and a 56-hour week a t sea.
D uring the year 359 apprentices were registered in 22 different
industries or trades. Tailoring took the largest single group of these,
72; engineering came next w ith 68 , followed by furniture m aking
w ith 43, carpentry w ith 42, and bootm aking w ith 21 . In addition
to those registered as entering the separate trades, 62 were registered
by the commissioner of railways in various trades carried on in the
railway workshops.
The figures concerning factories and factory em ploym ent show
th a t small establishm ents predom inate. Of 2,149 registered factories,
1,022 employed under 4 persons each, 696 employed 4 and under 10,
and only 4 employed 300 and over. T he average num ber employed
in registered factories during 1926 was 24,936, an increase of 785 over
the preceding year. This increase appeared m ainly among the young
workers. The num ber of girls under 18 was larger by 257 than in
1925, and the num ber of lads under 18 increased by 946. On the
other hand, the num ber of girls aged 18 b u t under 21 decreased by
229. and the num ber of men over 21 by 336.
T
93675°—28-----5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[757]
60
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Labor Treaty Between Belgium and Luxemburg
LAW was passed in Belgium, July 25, 1927, approving the
labor tre a ty concluded between Belgium and Luxemburg
October 20, 1926.
By the term s of the tre a ty the two G overnm ents agree n o t to p u t
any obstacle in the way of their nationals who wish to go to the
other country to work and such workers and their families have the
right to go freely from one country to the other for this purpose.
I t is provided, however, th a t when the state of the labor m arket
during certain periods, in certain regions, or for certain occupations
is such as to m ake the em ploym ent of im m igrants inadvisable, the
Governm ent concerned will give the other country notice of the fact
through diplom atic channels before any restrictive m easures are p u t
into effect.
Im m igrant workers will receive pay equal to th a t of the same
class of workers among the nationals of the country who are employed
in the same enterprise, or in the same class of work in th a t region,
and the G overnm ent of the country concerned undertakes to see
th a t this rule is enforced. Im m igrant workers in either of the two
countries will also have the same advantages enjoyed by the nationals
of the country in which they are employed in regard to legislation
or custom s governing working and living conditions. Any claims by
workers regarding these conditions m ust be m ade through the diplo
m atic or consular representative of their country.
The workers have the right to acquire or sell property in the country
in which they are employed, b u t they are not entitled to bonuses
for the construction of cheap dwellings, w ar grants, etc., and they
are excluded from certain zones or places which are reserved in the
interest of national security.
W orkers of the two countries are entitled to representation on
com m ittees of arbitration and conciliation and to any allowances
paid because of unem ploym ent. They are also assured equality of
treatm ent regarding the application of present or future laws regu
lating working conditions and insuring the health and safety of the
workers.
The tre a ty is to become effective upon ratification by the two
countries and will be tacitly renewed from year to year unless it is
denounced by one of the signatories n o t later than three m onths
before its expiration.
A
1Belgium. ‘ Ministère de l ’Industrie et du Travail.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Revue du Travail, January, 1928, pp. 131-133.
[758]
LABOR TURNOVER
Labor Turnover in American Factories, 1927 and 1928 1
H E following table shows the labor turnover in American facto
ries during the year 1927 and the first two m onths of 1928,
the table being based on the experience of more than 300 facto
ries reporting to the M etropolitan Life Insurance Co. and local bodies
associated in this project. Together, the reporting companies
employ over 6^2 per cent of the country’s factory workers. Corre
sponding data, by m onths, for the year 1926 were published in the
Labor Review for January, 1928.
T
A V ER A G E T U R N O V E R R A TES D U R IN G 1927 A N D 1928 IN S E L E C T E D
FA C TO R IES i
AMERICAN
[Each monthly rate is stated on an equivalent annual basis]
Accession
rate
Total separa
tion rate 2
Voluntary
quit rate
Lay-off rate
Discharge
rate
Month
January 3.......................................
February 3____________ _____
M arch_________ ______ _____
April_________ ______ ______
M ay............................................ .
J u n e.___________ ___ _______
July_______________ ________
August_____________________
September__________________
October___________ _________
November _______ ________
December_______ ___ _______
1927
1928
1927
1928
1927
1928
1927
1928
1927
36.3
41.7
43.2
47.5
48.0
45.0
37.8
39.6
43.6
40.8
31.6
23.7
33.4
30.5
40.8
36.9
42.5
48.3
44.7
43.9
35.7
36.4
46.2
39.6
31. 5
27.2
27.8
26.5
23.1
21.8
29.8
32.4
31.9
29.1
24.4
23.0
33.8
25.3
18.0
14.8
15.9
13.6
12.3
9.6
6.4
9.7
7.6
8.0
6.0
8.5
6.4
8.5
9.3
8.6
8.3
8.6
5.4
5.5
6.3
6.2
5.2
6.8
5.3
4.9
6.0
5.8
4.2
3.8
1928
3.6
4.3
1 N ow numbering over 300. The form of average used is the unweighted median of company rates,
except for the total separation rate, which is the sum of the median rates for voluntary quits, lay offs and
discharges.
2 Arithmetic sum of voluntary quit, lay off, and discharge rates.
* Preliminary figures for 1928 subject to revision.
Several new developments are reported by the various agencies
cooperating w ith the M etropolitan Life Insurance Co. in the develop
m ent of their joint project for currently measuring the labor-turnover
experience of m anufacturers. Altogether more th an 500 employers
of factory labor report each m onth, in a comparable form, to one or
another of these agencies; the M etropolitan, however, has used for
its national sample fewer than th a t num ber of returns (actually, a
little over 300) in order to avoid the overweighting of particular
sections of the country. Thus, the Bureau of Business Research at
the U niversity of M ichigan now secures returns from about 100
i These quarterly reports on labor turnover appearing in the Labor Review are prepared by W. A. Berridge, economist, Metropolitan Life Insurance Go., for the policyholders’ service bureau.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 759 ]
61
62
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
m anufacturers in th a t S tate; of these, only a fraction can properly
be used in constructing the national averages.
O ther collecting agencies are likewise expanding the scope and
im proving the accuracy of their canvasses. The Connecticut Indus
trial Council is prom oting and federating city-wide m onthly surveys
of several of its constituent bodies, located in Bridgeport, New Haven,
H artford, M eriden, W aterbury, Derby, etc. The Associated Indus
tries of M assachusetts is contem plating a division of the State into
six or eight labor-m arket areas, w ith separate turnover indexes for
each as soon as the num ber of reporting m anufacturers becomes
adequate. Brown U niversity is about to expand its activities in
labor-turnover research.
The U niversity of P ittsburgh is contem plating the inauguration of
a local project for th a t labor m arket, analogous to those already
being conducted by the U niversity of Denver, the Em ployers’ Asso
ciation of Philadelphia in cooperation with the U niversity of Pennsyl
vania, and Ohio State University.
The U niversity of M ichigan expects soon to hold its second annual
conference of reporting companies, probably in M ay. The U niversity
of Chicago is about to enter the field of labor turnover investigation,
working w ith the N ational M etal Trades Association.
A special census of length-of-service distributions in factory work
forces is now being completed by some of the above-mentioned agen
cies, together with the New Jersey Bureau of Labor Statistics and the
Wisconsin Industrial Commission. This rather unique project has
the support of the comm ittee on governm ental labor statistics of the
American Statistical Association. A sum m ary of the results will
probably be published in the near future.
Earlier data than those shown in the table (p. 61) were tabulated
and charted in the Labor Review of M arch, 1927 (pp. 9-13), for the
only variable thus far extended backward—namely, the voluntary
quit rate. Com putations for a similar extention of the four other
variables back a t least to 1923, and possibly to 1919, like the volun
tary quit rate, are now in progress. A prelim inary classification by
industries, etc., from about 1926 on will also probably be ready for
announcem ent by the policyholders’ service bureau of the M etropoli
tan Life Insurance Co. a t an early date.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[760]
PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR
Production and Per Capita Output in Belgian Coal Mines and
Coke Ovens
H E Revue du Travail (Brussels), January, 1928, contains data
(pp. 33-35) concerning the operation and o u tput of Belgian
coal mines and coke ovens from which the following table is
ta k e n :
T
TO T A L P R O D U C T IO N A N D O U T PU T P E R W O R K ER IN B E L G IA N COAL M IN E S A N D
COKE OVENS, 1913 A N D 1924 TO 1927
Coal mines
Year
1913______
1924_______
1925........ .
1926.......... .
1927.......... .
Coke ovens
Average
produc
tion per
month
Aver
age
days of
opera
tion
per
month
Average
days
worked
per
month
Average output per
day of—
Aver Aver
Average
age
age
Average num
number
month
produc ber of ly
of work Work
Under
out
Under
tion per work
ers per
put
at ground ground
month ers per
month 1 ers
and
per
W o rk
the
month worker
surface
seam
e rs 2
workers
Tons 8
2, 098,184
2,144, 780
2,124, 970
2, 325, 813
2, 532, 865
24
24
24
25
25
3, 622, 402
4, 209,161
4, 027, 654
4, 070,170
4, 449, 010
146,084
169, 518
161, 868
160, 022
175, 544
Tons 3
Tons 3
3. 48
3. 86
3. 96
4. 31
4.34
0. 81
.74
.78
.83
.82
Tons 3
0.58
.51
.53
. 57
.57
323, 613
382,112
377, 370
(*)
494,800
4,292
5,384
5,345
5,824
5,969
Tons 3
75.4
71.0
70.6
82.9
1 Underground and surface.
3 Including workers at the seam.
• 2,000 pounds.
4 Figures given in the Revue are evidently incorrect.
Labor Productivity in Russia
H E M onthly Statistical Bulletin for April, 1927, published by
the Higher Soviet of Peoples Econom y of the Union of Socialist
Soviet Republics, contains tables on the num ber of m an-days
for workers in the various industries during 19 m onths, beginning
October 1 , 1925, and on production for the im portant commodities
of these industries during the same period. In addition, the average
hours per day in certain of the basic industries were furnished by an
official of the Am torg Trading Corporation.
From the above d a ta m an-hour production has been computed for
10 basic commodities. The results are shown in the accompanying
table. The table was prepared by m ultiplying the to tal num ber of
m an-days by the average num ber of hours worked daily, to obtain
the total num ber of m an-hours worked. Dividing the total produc
tion by the total m an-hours resulted in the am ount produced per
man-hour.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 761 ]
63
64
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The production was next converted to m easurem ents as used in
the U nited States, which were used in similar m anner as for the R us
sian m easurem ents to determ ine production per m an-hour, and the
to tal production was then divided by the total m an-days to get the
production per m an-day.
PR O D U C T IO N OF S E L E C T E D C O M M O D IT IE S P E R M A N -H O U R IN T H E U N IO N OF
SOCIALIST SOVIET R E PU B L IC S FR OM O C TO BER 1, 1925, TO A PR IL 30, 1927
[As used here Russian ton=2,232 pounds; United States ton=2,000 pounds, long ton=2,240 pounds;
case=l,000 small boxes; centner=220.46 pounds; cubic meter=35.314 cubic feet]
*»
Commodity
Total
mandays
worked
(thou
sands)
A v
erage
hours
work
ed
per
day
Coal_____ ____
80, 974
Mineral oil............ ._ 17, 609
Salt. ____________
2; 625
Cement . ______
7, 690
Pig iron and steel 79, 960
ingots.
M a tch es_________
6,282
Vegetable oils_____
4, 072
7.6
Beet sugar.............
8, 374
L u m b er.................... 17, 925
7. 6
7.6
Paper and
board.
7.7
card-
13,002
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7.4
7.9
7.5
7.5
7.7
7.5
Production, in Russian
measure
Unit
Ton____
__do___
___do___
___do___
___ do___
Amount
Per
man
hour
Production, in United States measure
Unit
42,926, 000 0. 072 Ton
21, 206, 932 . 152
do
2, 254', 051 . 114 ___do_____
2,136, 475 .037 ___do__8, 912, 015 .014 Long to n ...
Amount
Per
Per
man manhour day
47, 905, 416
23, 666, 936
2, 515, 521
2, 384, 306
8, 880, 186
0 080
. 170
. 128
.041
.014
0 59
1 34
.96
.31
.11
Case___ 6, 643, 900
Centner. 3, 856, 644
. 141
. 125
Ton __
858,815
Cubic
9, 847; 407
meter.
Ton____
443, 943
. 013
.072
Gross, boxes
46,138,194
.979
7. 34
H un dred 8, 502, 357
.275
2.09
weight.
Ton
958, 438
015
11
Board-feet.. 4,173,015, 970 30. 632 232.80
.004
T o n ............
[762]
495, 440
. 005
.04
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
French Law Regarding Employment of Women Before and After
Childbirth 1
N D E R a French law of June, 1913, women were allowed to leave
work for a period of four weeks before and four weeks after
childbirth, during which period the employer could not break
the em ploym ent contract. By a law dated January 4, 1928, this
leave of absence is extended to 12 weeks in the period preceding and
following confinement, and during this tim e the employer can not
dismiss such workers under penalty of the paym ent of damages to
the women concerned if he has been notified of the cause of absence.
The leave of absence m ay be extended to 15 weeks in cases of inca
pacity resulting from confinement, duly attested by medical certifi
cate.
U
Regulation of Work of Women Before and After Childbirth in
Germany 2
LAW passed in Germany, July 16, 1927, which became effective
the following m onth, regulates the em ploym ent before and
after childbirth, of women subject to compulsory insurance
against sickness. Women who are employed in agricultural, for
estry, or fishing enterprises, or in related undertakings which do not
employ more than three persons, and household servants are not
covered by the law.
P regnant women who can furnish a doctor’s certificate th a t their
confinement will take place within six weeks m ay refuse to work
though under a labor contract, and they m ay not work during the
six weeks following confinement. This period m ay be extended
another six weeks if they can show by means of a medical certificate
th a t as a result of their confinement they are unable to work. The
employer is not required to pay such workers during the period of
leave unless the labor contract expressly provides therefor. M others
who nurse their babies are allowed to stop work for two half-hours
or one hour a day for six m onths following confinement and the em
ployer m ust pay such workers for this time.
An employer m ay not break the labor contract during the time a
woman is on leave, up to a maximum of 18 weeks. The law provides
for the paym ent of a fine in case a woman is dismissed and for a second
offense within a period of three years the penalty is im prisonm ent for
six m onths or longer.
A
1 Comité Central des Houillères de France. Circulaire No. 5805, January, 1928.
2 Belgium. Ministère de l ’Industrie et du Travail. Revue du Travail, January, 1928, pp. 111-113.
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66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Massachusetts Wage Board for the Electrical Industry
E
ARLY in January the M assachusetts D epartm ent of Labor and
Industries announced the establishm ent of a board to recom
mend minimum wage scales for women and girls employed in
the m anufacture of electrical supplies and equipm ent. The board,
which is composed of 15 members, 6 representing the employers,
6 the woman employees, and 3 the public, began its work on January
12 , its field including the m anufacture of such products as incan
descent lamps, insulated wire, radio and radio parts, mica, signal
and protective systems, and various kinds of electrical equipm ent
and appliances for household and office use.
The establishm ent of this board follows an investigation into the
wages of women and girls in the occupation, m ade by the minimum
wage commission in 1925-26. This is the tw entieth occupation to
be brought within the scope of wage-board action.
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INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Coal-Mine Fatalities in the United States in 1926
A LTH O U G H the num ber of men killed in the coal mines of the
country in 1926 was greater by 280 (12.5 per cent) th an in
* *■ 1925, the fatality rate, as measured by the num ber of tons of
coal produced, was 1.3 per cent less. In fact, the recent report on
coal-mine fatalities in the U nited States in 1926, issued by the Bureau
of M ines as its Bulletin No. 283, states th a t “ the coal th a t was mined
during the year cost less in hum an life than in any previous y e a r”
except 1923, 1920, and 1916.
W ith a production of 663,290,000 short tons, there were 2,514
men killed, giving a death rate of 3.79 per million tons as compared
with a rate of 3.84 for the preceding year. Bitum inous mines alone
had a higher rate th an in 1925, being 3.56 as against 3.53, but the
anthracite mines reduced their rate from 6.47 to 5.33, thus affecting
a reduction in the rate for all classes of coal mines. Owing to incom
plete reports on num ber of men employed in the various mines of
the country, the fatality rates based upon'exposure are not included
in this report.
Table 1 shows the num ber of workers, average days of operation,
num ber of men killed, fatality rates per thousand 300-day workers,
and production in coal mines, by five-year periods from 1906 to 1920,
and by years from 1921 to 1926:
T a b l e 1 .— COA L-M IN E F A T A L IT IE S A N D PR O D U C T IO N OF COAL, 1906 TO 1926
Year or period
Actual
number
1906-19101 (a v era g e)..___
1911-191 5 (average)
1916-1920 ( a v e ra g e )
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
392fi
____________
_______________
....................... .........
...... ........................
...... ..........................
675,067
739,169
760, 381
823, 253
844, 807
862, 536
779, 613
748, 805
2 742, 000
Average
days
of
Equiva opera
um
lent in
tion Nber
300-day
workers
484,454
541,489
599, 781
474, 529
405, 056
560, 646
499, 896
480, 227
Average
production
per man
Men killed
M en employed
215
220
237
173
144
195
192
192
2, 658
2,517
2,419
1,995
1,984
2,462
2,402
2,234
2,514
Rate
per
1,000
300day
work
ers
5.49
4. 65
4. 03
4.20
4.90
4. 39
4. 80
4. 65
Produc
tion per
death
(short Tons
tons)
per
year
169, 719
210, 253
258,944
253,832
240, 399
267,223
227, 974
260, 461
8 263,943
668
716
824
615
565
763
733
777
894
Tons
per
day
3.10
3.26
3.48
3.56
3.92
3.91
3.81
4.'04
Deaths
per
million
tons
6.89
4.76
3.86
3.94
4.16
3.74
4.20
3.84
3. 79
1 Figures for 1906-1909 included in the average relate only to States under inspection service, and figures
for 1909 as to average days of operation were estimated by the Bureau of Mines.
2 Number of employees based on estimates of State mine inspectors.
8 Estimated.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
F atalities and fatality rates per million tons mined in 1925 and
1926 are shown by cause in Table 2 :
T a b l e 2 .—FA T A L A C C ID E N T S A N D R A TE P E R M IL L IO N TO N S OF COAL P R O D U C E D ,
1925 A N D 1926, B Y CAUSES
Number killed
Rate per million tons
Cause
1925
Underground:
Falls of roof or face...........................................................
Mine cars and locomotives...... .............
Explosions of gas or coal dust—
Local explosions_ ______________________ ____
Major disasters . . . . _ _____________ _______
Explosives____ ________ j ____________ _______
Electricity________________________ ..
M ining machines _______________________ ______
Mine fires ................................................
Miscellaneous............................ ........................... ...........
1926
1925
1926
1,080
361
1,213
431
1.86
.62
1.83
.65
84
261
102
84
35
10
56
74
348
96
95
26
1
77
. 14
.45
. 17
. 14
.06
.02
.10
.11
.52
.15
.14
.04
Total _______________________________________
2,073
2,361
3. 56
3. 56
Shaft. _______ _____________________________________
34
35
.06
.05
Surface:
Haulage _____________________________________ _
Machinery _ ............................ .............. ................
M iscellaneous.................... . .............................. ............
40
9
78
50
9
59
.07
.02
.13
.08
.01
.09
T otal. ________________________ ____ _________
Grand total_________ _______ _____ ___ ______ _
(i)
.12
127
118
.22
. 18
2,234
2,514
3.84
3.79
1 Less than 0.005,
D eath rates per million m an-hours worked, 1911 to 1925, are
shown by cause in Table 3. The rates for 1926 can not y et be
computed.
T a b l e 3 .—D E A T H R A T E S P E R M IL L IO N M A N -H O U R S W O R K E D , 1911 TO 1925, B Y CAUSES
Cause
Average,
1911-1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
Underground:
Falls of roof or coal....... ............................
Haulage. .............................................. .
Gas or dust explosion ............................
Explosives____ ___________ _________
Electricity________________ _________
All other underground.............................
1.000
.347
.246
. 125
.071
. 101
1.076
.358
.133
. 149
.084
.131
1.120
.422
.384
. 114
.092
.095
1.034
.369
.331
. 101
.067
.104
1.053
.351
.531
.098
.079
.103
1. I ll
.372
.355
. 105
.086
.104
T otal....................................................... .
1.890
1. 931
2. 227
2.006
2. 215
2.133
S h a f t ___ ________ _____________ ______ _
Surface. ______________________ ____ _
.049
.720
.038
.620
.051
.803
.041
.677
.029
.694
.035
.673
Grand total.............................................
1.716
1. 740
2. 019
1. 813
1. 989
1.925
Table 4 gives the fatality rates for each kind of mine by five-year
periods from 1891 to 1925 and by years from 1921 to 1926. The
1926 rates are not complete and as given are subject to revision.
This table affords a comparison of the hazards in bitum inous and
anthracite mines.
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69
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN INDIANA
T
able
4 .—A V E R A G E F A T A L IT Y R A TE S B Y FIV E -Y E A R P E R IO D S, 1891 TO 1925, A N D
B Y Y E A R S , 1921 TO 1926, B Y K IN D OF M IN E
Average fatality rates in—
Bituminous mines
Year or period
1891 to 1895................................
1896 to 1900- __________
1901 to 1905.......... .................... .
1906 to 1910............................
1911 to 1915........ ........................
1916 to 1920................................
1921 to 1925................................
1921 _ ___________ ______ 1922................................. ...........
1923 - _______ ___________
1924- .........................................
1925.................. ............................
1926
Anthracite mines
Both types of mines
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
Per
1,000 million
1,000 million
1,000 million
1,000
1,000
1,000
300300300em
tons
tons
tons
em
em
day
day
day
mined
mined ployed workers
mined ployed workers
ployed workers
2.69
2. 90
3. 49
4.01
3. 37
3.05
2. 70
2.18
2. 45
2. 77
3. 08
3.12
3.54
4. 02
4. 06
4. 81
5. 57
4. 75
4.03
4. 87
4. 38
5.16
4. 65
5. 39
4.79
4. 84
4. 46
5. 17
5.50
4. 31
3.48
3. 67
3. 48
3. 99
3. 46
3. 94
3. 53
3. 27
3.03
3. 36
3. 70
3. 52
3. 70
2. 83
3. 43
1.91
3. 23
3.10
2. 50
2. 83
4. 99
5. 58
5. 38
5.25
4. 37
4. 06
3. 71
3.80
3.81
3. 62
3. 39
4.12
8.12
7.94
7. 69
7.67
6. 95
6. 07
5.80
6. 05
5.49
5. 45
5. 64
6. 47
2.91
2. 95
3. 45
3.94
3. 40
3.18
2. 73
2. 42
2. 35
2. 85
3.08
2. 98
3. 39
4. 38
4. 50
4. 95
5. 48
4. 65
4.03
4. 58
4.20
4.90
4. 39
4.80
4. 65
5. 87
5.34
5. 67
5.89
4.76
3.86
3.96
3.94
4.16
3.74
4.20
3.84
Industrial Accidents in Indiana in 1927
A C C ID E N T statistics and compensation adjustm ents are noted
ZA
in the annual report of the Industrial Board of Indiana for
the year ending Septem ber 30, 1927, b u t the d ata on these
subjects are not correlated, so th a t it is impossible to show the am ount
of compensation by industry, by nature or cause of injury, by extent
of disability, or by sex of worker.
D uring the year covered by the report 21,624 compensation adjust
m ents were m ade by agreement, which under the law require
approval by the industrial board. The contested cases heard and
settled by the board num bered 2,475. The total compensation
paid in cases closed during the year was $2,706,887 and $334,600
was paid in burial benefits in 3,346 cases.
A to tal of 40,539 industrial accidents are reported (2,599 or 6 per
cent less than the preceding year), of which the largest num ber,
3,931 or 9.7 per cent including 75 fatalities, occurred in the mining
industry. Considering all forms of contracting, however, this in
dustry recorded 5,431 accidents, or 13.4 per cent of the whole. N ext
in order was automobile m anufacturing, with 2,586 or 6.4 per cent.
N oting the causes of injury, we find 5,971 (14.7 per cent) accidents
due to dropping and handling objects and 5,065 (12.5 per cent) due
to falling objects. This situation is not unusual, as accidents reports
generally disclose. Flying objects caused 7.3 per cent (2,976) and
striking against sharp objects caused 6.1 per cent (2,461) of all
accidents.
Of the workers injured, 6,057, or 14.9 per cent, suffered injuries on
account of cuts, the parts involved in 2,507 of these cases being the
fingers.
There were 266 fatalities reported, 658 dismemberments, and
2,821 (7 per cent) eye injuries. Among those injured, 306 minors
and 1,794 females are included. Of the former, 26 were injured in
telephone and telegraph operations, and of the females, 157 or 8.8
per cent were injured in dry goods or general m erchandising estab
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70
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
lishm ents. Striking against objects produced 205 or 11.4 per cent
of the injuries to women.
Cost of Infections in New York Industries
H E January, 1928, issue of the Industrial Bulletin, published
by the New York Industrial Commissioner, shows th a t nearly
13.5 per cent of all industrial accidents reported in New York
State during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1927, resulted in infec
tions. There were 13,304 such cases, which are about twice as m any
as were reported during the year 1924, b u t this very great increase
is ascribed chiefly to more complete descriptions of accidents in the
reports subm itted and to the fact th a t the waiting period was re
duced from two weeks to one week under legislation adopted in 1925,
thus adding m any cases, lasting from one to two weeks, of disability
from slight wounds th a t subsequently became infected.
The location of m ost of these infections was on hands and fingers
(70.9 per cent), followed by legs and feet as the parts next m ost
frequently involved (16.8 per cent). A bout 44 per cent of the
infections resulted from wounds received in handling objects, with
74 per cent of these classified as “ sharp and rough objects.”
An indication of the cost of infections is given in a table classi
fying, by kind of object handled, the 4,355 cases of infection resulting
from handling sharp and rough objects. This table shows th a t a
total of $820,020 in compensation was involved, or an average of
$188 per case, whereas the average cost of 2,010 cases of injury so
caused b u t not infected was only $93, the total compensation being
$187,793. The causes given in this table indicate the little things
which m ay produce m ost serious results—slivers of wood, nails, wires
and m etal straps, slivers of m etal, sheet m etal, glass, and bones.
The first-nam ed heads the list, with 21.4 per cent of all infected
cases.
The com parative severity of infected cases appears from a table
showing, for both infected and noninfected cases, the average weeks
lost in a selected group of causes resulting in injury to the hands and
fingers only.
T
R ELA TIV E S E V E R IT Y OF IN F E C T E D H A N D S A N D FIN G E R S, B Y C H IE F CAUSES
Permanent par
tial disability
Death
cases
Cause
Sewing machines:
Infected.........................................................................................
N oninfected........................................................................ ™ '
Striking against objects:
Infected. .......................................................................................
Noninfected—......................................................................
Handling sharp and rough objects: "
Infected.........................................................................................
Noninfected........ ................................................
Continued wear from handling, friction burns, biist"ers)"ete.:
Infected........................................................................................
N oninfected.......................................................................
Hand tools in hands of injured worker:
I n fe c te d ......................................................................................
Noninfected...............................................................
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[768]
Temporary
disability
N um
ber of
cases
Aver
age
weeks
lost
N um
ber of
cases
35
33
19.7
16.2
280
531
3.2
2.8
2
101
91
38.6
18.3
668
466
2.9
2.3
18
813
223
36.9
19.3
3,273
1,513
3.0
2.3
42
44.1
318
31
2.8
2.8
223
548
34.3
22.2
1,045
2,071
3.1
2.5
2
8
Aver
age
weeks
lost
ACCIDENTS IN MINES AND QUARRIES IN OHIO
71
There were 339 eye infections, this num ber being 2.5 per cent of
all infection cases and 11.6 per cent of all eye injuries.
The tables presented in the report appear to indicate th a t infections
occur m ostly in simple injuries from th e m ost ordinary causes, to
which all workers are constantly exposed and which have had com
paratively little attention in accident prevention.
Concluding, the report makes the following statem ent as to cost
of this type of injury:
The 13,304 cases of infection for which awards were made in 1926-27 included
2,180 permanent partial disabilities and 94 deaths or permanent total disabili
ties. The awards in all these cases amounted to about $3,000,000. Assuming
that infection approximately doubles the cost of injuries, $1,500,600 in compensa
tion could have been saved if the infection could have been prevented.
Accidents in Mines and Quarries in Ohio in 1926
E P O R T N o. 14 of the division of labor statistics of the Ohio
D epartm ent of Industrial Relations includes statistics of acci■ dents in mines of the State during the year 1926, w ith particular
reference, however, to coal mines. I t is stated th a t there were 80 fatal
accidents in th a t year, or 1 to every 524 men employed (based on
the week of greatest employment, num bering 41,924), and 1 to every
350,489 tons of coal mined.” Over 61 per cent of these fatalities was
due to falls of roof, and 18.8 per cent was due to mine cars and motors.
These percentages represent approxim ately the average of a series of
years, for a table is presented showing the record from 1905 to 1926,
in which falls of roof are shown to have caused 63.5 per cent of the
total fatalities arid mine cars and m otors, 16.1 per cent. In addition
to the 80 fatalities noted, there were 8 fatal accidents in clay mines
and 1 fatality in a gypsum mine.
T he average num ber of days worked in pick mines was 162; in
machine mines, 151; arid in stripping mines, 242. These figures com
pare with averages of 170, 162, and 178, respectively, in 1925.
R
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[769]
HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Mortality Experience of International Typographical Union,
1927
m
B y F r e d e r i c k L. H o f fm a n
N C O N TIN U A T IO N of the health survey of the printing trades,
1922-1927, the results of which were published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics in Bulletin No. 427, the following statistics for
1927 will be interesting to those concerned with health conditions in
American industries. The experience for 1927 represents 989 tabulatable deaths from all causes. The following table shows the deaths
from certain specific causes on a proportionate basis to the m ortality
from all causes by divisional periods of life for the three vears, 19251927.
I
T able 1.—M O R T A L IT Y FR OM SP E C IF IE D C A USES A M O N G M E M B E R S OP T H E IN T E R
N A T IO N A L T Y PO G R A PH IC A L U N IO N , 1925 TO 1927, B Y AGE GROUPS
Tuberculosis
Cancer, all
forms
Pneumonia
Bright’s
disease
All
Age group
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
causes
Per
cent
1925
15 to 19 years____________
20 to 24 years _____________
25 to 29 years __________ . 30 to 34 years ________
35 to 39 years______________
40 to 44 years_____ ________
45 to 49 years__________ _ _
50 to 54 years___ ____ ______
55 to 59 years _____________
60 to 64 years...... ......................
65 to 69 years
___________
70 to 74 years-, ___________
_________
75 to 79 years
80 to 84 years_ - . ____ _____
85 to 89 years . ______ ____
90 years and oyer__________
All ages... _____ _
3
11
11
12
7
10
12
10
7
37. 5
47.8
35. 5
26. 1
14.0
13.5
13.0
7.4
6.0
2
2
2.2
3.5
87
10.1
2
7
8
13
19
8
14
6
6
2
2
15.4
31.8
27. 6
31.7
33.3
10.4
13.2
4.8
4. 1
1.9
2.3
2
5
4
5
14
9
9
8
5
2
2
1
66
4.3
10.0
5.4
5.4
10.3
7.7
8. 2
8.9
8.8
7. 4
18. 2
25.0
7.5
1
1
7. 7
4. 5
1
3
2
5
10
12
13
6
10
2.4
5. 3
2.6
4. 7
8. 1
8.3
12. 1
6.8
16. 4
1
2
1
2
5
3
2
10
14
10
12
7
1
2
100. 0
25. 0
4. 3
6. 5
10.9
6.0
2.7
10.9
10.3
8.5
10. 9
7.8
1.8
7. 4
1
73
25. 0
8.3
1
2
4
5
4
8
4
10
19
7
8
7
4
7. 7
9. 1
13. 8
12.2
7. 0
10. 4
3.8
8. 1
13. 1
6. 5
9. 1
11. 5
13. 3
83
9. 1
3
2
1
4
6
3
10
11
7
6
1
1
9. 7
4.3
2.0
5.4
6.5
2.2
8.5
10 0
7.8
10.5
3 7
9.1
55
6.3
1
4.5
1
8
23
31
46
50
74
92
136
117
no
90
57
27
11
4
877
1926
15 to 19 y e a r s ...___________
20 to 24 years________ ____
25 to 29 years_________
30 to 34 years___________ .
35 to 39 years ________ . . .
40 to 44 years__________ . . .
45 to 49 years______ ________
50 to 54 y ea rs.. . . _______
55 to 59 y e a r s--................ .......
60 to 64 years______________
65 to 69 years_____________
70 to 74 years___________
75 to 79 years______________
80 to 84 years__________ _ _
85 to 89 vears__________
90 years and over__________
All ages............................
72
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87
9.5
64
[770]
7.0
i
2.4
4
5
4
4
8
6
2
5.2
4.7
3.2
2.8
7. 5
6.8
3. 3
3
10. 0
38
4. 2 1
—
13
22
29
41
57
77
106
124
145
107
88
61
30
n
2
913
73
MORTALITY EXPERIENCE OF THE I. T. U.
T able 1 .— M O R T A L IT Y FROM SP E C IF IE D CAUSES AM O N G M E M B E R S OF T H E IN T E R
N A T IO N A L TY PO G R A PH IC A L U N IO N , 1925 TO 1927, BY AGE G R O U PS—Continued
Tuberculosis
Cancer, all
forms
Pneumonia
Bright’s
disease
All
causes
Age group
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
1927
15 to 19 yea rs...................... .
20 to 24 years______________
25 to 29 years______________
30 to 34 years______________
35 to 39 years____ __________
40 to 44 years............ .............
45 to 49 years____ __________
50 to 54 years--------------------55 to 59 years______________
60 to 64 years___ ___________
65 to 69 years_____________
70 to 74 years____ __________
75 to 79 years______________
80 to 84 years______
85 to 89 years__ ____ _______
90 years and. over.
All ages_____________
3
3
6
19
3
4
6
5
3
3
1
56
21.4
14.3
17.6
34.5
6.4
6.3
4.9
3.9
2.0
2.4
.9
5.7
2
9.5
2
1
5
13
16
19
20
11
7
3.6
2.1
7.8
10.6
12.5
12.7
15.3
9.6
11.5
96
9.7
2
14.3
4
2
7
5
17
7
16
9
9
4
3
11.8
3.6
14.9
7.8
13.8
5.5
10.7
6.9
7.9
6.6
10.0
85
8.6
3
3
1
7
7
6
5
5
4
5
8.8
5.5
2.1
10.9
5.7
4.7
3.3
3.8
3.5
8.2
1
7.7
47
4.8
i
14
21
34
55
47
64
123
128
150
131
114
61
30
13
3
989
This table shows th a t the proportionate m ortality from tubercu
losis has diminished from 10.1 per cent in 1925 to 9.5 in 1926 and 5.7
in 1927. This extraordinary decline is prim arily to be attrib u ted
to improved personnel generally, in th a t higher wages, shorter hours,
and better shop conditions are the principal causes responsible for
increased disease resistance.
The proportionate m ortality from cancer was 7.5 per cent in 1925
and 7 per cent in 1926, b u t increased to 9.7 per cent in 1927. This
proportionate increase in the m ortality from cancer is consistent
w ith the increase in cases throughout the general population and
throughout practically the entire country.
T he proportionate m ortality from pneum onia was 8.3 per cent in
1925, increasing to 9.1 per cent in 1926, b u t diminishing to 8.6 per
cent in 1927. This disease, therefore, practically rem ains stationary.
B right’s disease had a proportionate m ortality of 6.3 per cent in
1925, decreasing to 4.2 per cent in 1926, slightly increasing, however,
to 4.8 per cent in 1927. M ortality from B right’s disease can partly
be controlled by periodic urinary examinations, which are now being
m ade a t a minimum cost by qualified laboratories throughout the
country. E arly and qualified treatm ent is of the first importance.
There were two deaths from chronic lead poisoning in 1927, and
the same num ber in 1926. Chronic lead poisoning in fatal form is
now of decidedly m inor im portance, b u t the potential risk in nonfatal
form rem ains inherent in m any of the processes inseparable from the
printing trades, and demands at all times the utm ost care in adequate
protection of the workers.
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[771]
74
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 2 .— M O R T A L IT Y E X P E R IE N C E OF IN T E R N A T IO N A L T Y P O G R A P H IC A L U N IO N
05
Tp
O
O
Tp
o
Tp
1 I
0 1 £*
Typhoid fever ________ ______
1
3
Malaria ........................... ..................
~~i
1
D iphtheria-. ................... ..............
1
4
Influenza, w ithout pulmonary complications specified______
1
16c D ysentery, cause unspecified . .
1
21
E ry sip ela s______ __________
3
31
Tuberculosis of the respiratory system
56 3 3 6
38
Syphilis _ _ . _________ ______
1
41
Purulent infection, septicemia
7 1 2
44
Cancer of the stomach or liver. .
8
45
Cancer of the peritoneum, intestines,
or rectu m ...........................
2
48
Cancer of the skin________ ______
3
49
Cancer of other or unspecified organs. _.
83
2
50
Benign tumors and tumors not returned
as malignant___ _____
2 1
52
Chronic rheumatism, osteoarthritis,
gout-------------------------------- -------- ----1
57
Diabetes m ellitus. . . .
14
58a Pernicious anemia_______
1
6
58 b Other anemias and chlorosis . .
2
60 b Diseases of the thyroid gland other
than exophthalmic goiter
4
1
64
Diseases of the spleen..
1
1
65a Leukemia.............. .
_
1
65b Hodgkin’s disease___ . . .
1
66
Alcoholism (acute or chronic)_________
1
67a Chronic lead p o iso n in g ___ ___________
2
70
E ncep halitis____________
2 1
71
M eningitis___________ . _
2
7
1
72
Tabes dorsalis (locomotor ataxia).
2
73
Other diseases of the spinal cord. _____
3
74
Cerebral hemorrhage, apoplexy
1 19
144
74a Cerebral hemorrhage________ .
1
74 b Cerebral embolism and throm bosis.. .
3
75a Paralysis, hemiplegia____________
3
75b Paralysis, other.. ___________ _
2 53
1 1
76
General paralysis of the insane.
7
79
Convulsions (nonpuerperal 5 years and
o v er).. _________________ .
1
84
Diseases of the nervous system
5 31
1
86
Diseases of the ear and of the mastoid
process_______________ _
1
87
Pericarditis___________ _____
1
89
Angina pectoris..
_______ _____
1
16
90
Other diseases of the heart_____
1 164
1 4
91b Arteriosclerosis................ .............
2 36
91c Other diseases of the arteries..........
1
92
Embolism and thrombosis_____
12
96
Other diseases of the circulatory system
4
99a Bronchitis, acute . ____
1
99 b Bronchitis, c h r o n ic ____ _
1
100a Bronchopneumonia...................
6
101a Pneumonia, lobar . ...............
2
101b Pneumonia, unspecified . .
83 2
4
103 Congestion and hemorrhagic infarct of
the lung. . . . ______ .
2
105 A shtm a. . _________
5
107 Other diseases of the respiratory system .
1
109 Diseases of the pharynx and tonsils . . .
1
111a Ulcer of the stomach
4
112 Other diseases of the stomach
10
114 Diarrhea and enteritis (2 years and over)
1
117 Appendicitis and typhlitis_____ ______
9 1 1 2
118a Hernia ______
3
118b Intestinal obstruction .
2 5
119 Other diseases of the intestines _______
3
122b Cirrhosis of the liver, not specified as
alcoholic_____________ ____
8
123 Biliary calculi................................................
2
1 N ot including 2 cases in which the age was not reported.
2 N ot including 1 case in which the age was not reported.
2 In age group 15 to 19.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
O
44>
»O
JO
CO
0
0
CO
05
CO
O
JO
CO
O
O
tP
1
00 05
00
O
0
O
00 0
00
2
10
lib
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05
j 90 and over
■*«
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75 to 79
CO 05
CO
0 O
4-3
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o
CO C
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TP
50 to 54
05
<N
O
-M
o
<M
1
20 to 24
All ages
Cause of death
j
International
list number
||
1927, B Y CAUSE A N D AGE GROUP
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
6
1
5
1
1
1
1
2
1
1 1
1
2
4 10 14 16 17
I
19
3
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
3
2
7
11
1
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
4
4
1
3
1
4
7
1
1
2
2
4
1
4
0
1
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
7
1
2
6
1
12
1
1
1
3
5
1
8
2
6
3
7
9
1
5
1
1
8
1
1
1
1
1
1 1 3 5
2 1 20 31 27 26 1 2
3 5 /1 8 8
2
1
2
1
1
5
2
8
4
2
7
5
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
16
1
1
3
2
9
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
9
2
1
2
?
2
3
1
1
3
11
1
3
1
6
4
3
1
1
1
1
16
4
•
1
1
75
HEALTH RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL POPULATIONS
T
able
2 — M O R T A L IT Y E X P E R IE N C E OF IN T E R N A T IO N A L T Y P O G R A P H IC A L U N IO N ,
133
135
151
153
151
164
174
175
181
182
188a
188c
201
202
204
205a
205b
1
9
4
1
5
3
5
16
1
1
1
2
2
7
2
7
1
3
6
1
1
3
1
2
1
5
4
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
5
1
1
2
5
5
2
1
1
1
i
T o ta l................................................... 4 989 615 21 34 55 47 64 123 128 150 131 114 61 30 13
3
6
4 1
1 1
29
2
2 18 1
1
2 70
2 37 . . .
2
1
85 to 89
11
1
5
90 and over
75 to 79
o
o
80 to 84
65 to 69
[|
||
o
o»0
60 to 64
3
o
o
55 to 59
35 to 39
3
45 to 49
i
||
20 to 24
1
9
47
30 to 34
Diseases of the pancreas______________
Peritonitis w ithout specified cause_____
Chronic nephritis____________________
Other diseases of the kidneys and annexa________________________ _____
Diseases of the bladder ........ ..................
Diseases of the prostate_______________
Gangrene____ " ...... .............. ...................
Acute abscess..
. . . . . . . ...........
Other diseases of the skin and annexa...
Senility_________ . . _
_________
Suicides_________________ ______ _____
Poisoning by food______ . . . . .
Accidental absorption of irrespirable,
irritating, or poisonous gas__________
Accidental drowning _______ ________
Accidental traumatism, railroad _____
Accidental traumatism, automobile___
Fracture (cause not specified)............. .
Other external violence_______________
Sudden death _____________________
Cause of death ill-defined ...... .............
Cause of death not specified or unknown.
25 to 29
125
126
129
131
Cause of death
All ages
International
list number
1927, B Y CAUSE A N D A G E G R O U P—Continued
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2 >2
1
2
4
6
2
3 13
4
1
3
8
2
2
1
9 Í0
5 3
7
2
1
2
3
3
3
6
6
1
5
2 N ot including 1 case in which the age was not reported.
4 N ot including 13 cases in which the age was not reported.
8 Including 1 death in age group 15 to 19.
Health Record of American and Canadian Industrial
Populations in 1927
EA L T H conditions among the industrial populations of the
U nited States and C anada were better in 1927 than in any
previous year according to a recent report of the M etropolitan
Life Insurance Co. on the m ortality rates among the more than
18,000,000 policyholders of th a t com pany.1 As the num ber of indus
trial policyholders is so large, comprising more than one-seventh of
the total population and more than one-quarter of the urban popu
lation of the two countries, the figures for this group are regarded
as an accurate index of health conditions in the two countries.
The actual num ber of deaths occurring in 1927 among the indus
trial holders of policies at ages 1 year and over was 147,520 and the
death rate was 8.4 per 1,000. The corresponding death rate for
1926 was 8.9 and for the years 1924 and 1925 it was 8.5, which
represented the form er minimum. W hen translated into actual
savings of lives it is seen th a t this fractional reduction in the death
rate stands for a great improvem ent, as there would have been
8,808 more deaths in 1927 than did actually occur if the 1926 rate had
prevailed in th a t year. If the 1924 and 1925 rates had prevailed— a
difference of only one-tenth of one point— the saving in lives would
still have am ounted to 1,782. In 1911 the death rate for the policy
holders in both countries was 12.5 per 1,000 and the rate of 8.4 in
H
1 Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Statistical Bulletin, January, 1928, pp. 1-9: A new health record in
American,and Canadian industrial populations.
93675°—28
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-6
[773]
76
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
1927 amounts, therefore, to a reduction of 33 per cent in the 16-year
period.
The latest comparable m ortality d ata for the general population
are for the year 1926. The death rate for persons in the same age
range (1 to 74 years, inclusive) declined only 11.7 per cent from
1911 to 1926, while th a t for industrial policyholders for the same
period was reduced 29.3 per cent. According to these figures there
were 278,395 fewer deaths in the industrial group during the period
than would have occurred had the m ortality among them declined
a t the same rate th a t prevailed in the general population of the
United States.
The expectation of life has increased considerably as a result of the
im provem ent in the m ortality figures. Among wage earners and
their families the increase in the expectation of life am ounts to 8.39
years over the average for the years 1911 and 1912, and for the
general population there is an average increase in the expectation of
life for the same period of 4.70 years.
The m ost im portant feature of the public health situation for 1927
was the great reduction in the m ortality from tuberculosis to a new
minimum for all time. The death rate from this disease in 1927
was 93.5 per 100,000, which was 4.8 per cent lower than the previous
m inimum of 98.2 established in 1925. Since 1911 the death rate
has declined 58.4 per cent, the m ortality rate in th a t year being 224.6
per 100,000. The im provem ent in the tuberculosis situation has been
shown to have applied to all sections of the country and to all classes,
but the greatest im provem ent has taken place among the industrial
workers and their families in the cities where the tuberculosis situa
tion has always been the worst. The gains which have been made
in controlling the ravages of this disease indicate th a t in a relatively
short period of years this scourge of early adult life and middle age
should be placed among the m inor causes of death.
In addition to the im provem ent in the death rate from tuberculosis
there was m arked im provem ent with respect to measles, scarlet fever,
and whooping cough, and there was an unprecedentedly low m ortality
rate from pneumonia, an im portant factor in establishing the new
m inimum for pneumonia being a decided drop in the m ortality from
influenza. There was a slight increase in the m ortality from diph
theria, due to the fact th a t during the year there was a m arked
increase in the prevalence of this disease which was quite general
over the U nited States as well as in various other p arts of the world.
There was also an unusual prevalence of poliomyelitis in the U nited
States which resulted in an above-average death rate for this disease.
In contrast to the great im provem ent shown in the tuberculosis
situation the cancer rate continues to rise and while the rate for 1927
was only fractionally higher than for 1926 it sets a new maximum
figure for this disease. D iabetes also shows no im provem ent in the
m ortality rate particularly among the colored policyholders, b u t the
effect of the use of insulin is believed to be shown by the fact th a t the
average age a t death of diabetics has increased in recent years.
H eart disease in 1927 was again the leading single cause of death
among these insured wage earners, as it has been each year since
1922.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[774]
HEALTH RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL POPULATIONS
77
While there is m arked im provem ent on the whole shown in the
public health during the year, particularly in the preventable dis
eases, there has been no im provem ent in the field of public safety.
The death rates for accidental burns, drownings, falls, and accidents
on steam railroads have all been reduced bu t accidents on the streets
and highways have increased. In 1927 there were 3,266 deaths from
automobile accidents among the industrial policyholders, an increase
of 9.4 per cent over the accidents from this cause in the preceding
year. The toll is heaviest among the children, who for the m ost
p art are killed while at play in the streets or when crossing the
streets. From 35 to 40 per cent of the automobile fatalities occur
among children under 15 years of age and alm ost as m any wage
earners’ children lost their lives from this cause in 1927 as from
measles, scarlet fever, and whooping cough combined.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[775]
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
•
Legal Aid and Workmen’s Compensation
N C R EA SIN G cooperation between legal-aid organizations and
officials administering workm en’s compensation law has become
more evident during the past few months. Probably the m ost
notable event representative of this growing cooperation is the
decision of the Supreme C ourt of the U nited States rendered on
February 20, 1928, in the case of B ountiful Brick Co. and United
S tates Fidelity & G uaranty Co. v. Elizabeth W. Giles, as widow and
as guardian, etc., and the Industrial Commission of U tah, upholding
the award in favor of the widow as argued in the brief filed by
Samuel B. Horovitz of the Boston Legal Aid Society. The progress
and developm ent m aking possible this cooperation are of interest in
this connection.
The possibilities of cooperation between legal-aid organizations and
w orkm en’s-compensation bodies were first brought up a t the 1924
m eeting of the International Association of Industrial Accident
Boards and Commissions, by John S. Bradw ay, secretary of the
N ational Association of Legal Aid Organizations. T h a t m eeting
im m ediately authorized the appointm ent of a com m ittee to m eet
w ith a similar comm ittee of the N ational Association of Legal Aid
Organizations for the purpose of considering m utual problems.
These com m ittees held their first m eeting in W ashington, D. C.,
on F ebruary 19, 1925.
The com m ittees have been continued from year to year since
th a t time, and cooperation between the two organizations has been
growing.
The report of the joint committees, presented to the 1926 m eeting
of the I. A. I. A. B. C. pointed out th a t the cooperation of the local
organizations of the two associations could be helpful a t four stages
of a w orkm en’s-compensation case—in the establishm ent of the first
contact; in giving advice in cases w ithout litigation; in cases going
to litigation; and in the disposition of the funds awarded— and
suggested th a t “ some duly authorized representative of each legal
aid society communicate and hold a m eeting w ith representatives of
the w orkm en’s compensation bureau, board or commission, point
out to them the points of contact, the sanction of cooperation given
by the two national bodies and arrange a plan which shall be adequate
for local needs.”
A t the 1927 meeting, the report of the joint committees, containing
a table showing the num ber of cases handled by various leg^l-aid
organizations in the field of w orkm en’s compensation, recommended
I
78
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[776]
PHILIPPINE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT
79
th a t during the next year all legal-aid organizations and w orkm en’scompensation authorities be requested to keep more accurate records
of cases of this kind, called attention to the plan of cooperation
between the M assachusetts State Industrial Accident Board and the
Boston Legal Aid Society and recommended th a t a t an early date a
joint conference on the subject be arranged by the legal-aid organiza
tions and workm en’s-compensation authorities in the Various States
and th a t the results of these joint conferences be reported for further
consideration.
One of the interesting developments of this cooperation was the
retaining of M r. Horovitz, of the Boston Legal Aid Society, to represent
a widow, M rs. Giles, and the Industrial Commission of U tah before
the Supreme C ourt of the U nited States in the case above m entioned.
The husband, Giles, while crossing the tracks of a railroad company
on his way to work on June 17, 1925, and after taking the shortest
route over the land of a third person instead of following the public
road, was struck and instantly killed by a train. This occurred
before he had entered the premises of the employer. T he Industrial
Commission of U tah m ade an award to the dependents of the deceased.
The case was taken to the Supreme C ourt of U tah, which affirmed
the award on Novem ber 23, 1926 (251 Pac. 555). I t was then taken
to the Supreme C ourt of the U nited States on the ground th a t the act,
as construed in this case, contravened the due process clause of the
Federal C onstitution. Counsel representing the employer and the
insurer filed a brief. The chairm an of the Industrial Commission of
U tah comm unicated w ith M r. H orovitz and the la tte r n o t only filed
a brief, but argued the case. On F ebruary 20, 1928, M r. Justice
Sutherland delivered the opinion of the court affirming the judgm ent
of the Supreme C ourt of U tah. The distinction between the case
of an employee killed while on a public road crossing railroad tracks
on his way to work, and the case of an employee killed while crossing
railroad tracks on his way to work after taking a shorter route over
the land of a third person, was not sustained. (Bountiful Brick Co.
et al. v. Giles e t al., 48 Sup. C t. Rep. 221. See also C udahy Co. v.
Parram ore, 263 U. S. 418.)
The award of the Industrial Commission of U tah was also affirmed.
The first workm en’s-compensation case in the Supreme C ourt of the
U nited States, argued by legal-aid counsel, has been won.
Philippine Workmen’s Compensation Act
H E Philippine Legislature recently passed a workm en’s com
pensation act (No. 3428) which was perm itted to become a
law w ithout th e signature of the Governor General in accord
ance with section 19 of the organic law of the Philippine Islands (39
U. S. S tat. L., p. 545).
T he law is compulsory, applies to public as well as private employ
m ents, and appears to be very liberal in its coverage. Awards are
based upon wages, and fairly large percentages are allowed. The
m aximum award is only 3,000 pesos ($1,500), b u t this m ay be due
to th e lower scale of wages existing in the islands. Injuries covered
include illness as well as those resulting from accidents. The Bureau
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[777]
80
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
of Labor m ust be notified of accidents and certified copies of all
agreements for compensation m ust be forwarded to the bureau for
filing. The provisions as to the adm inistration of the act, concerning
security of the award by insurance, and the perm itting of lump-sum
settlem ent agreements freely could be improved upon.
The act is analyzed below, following the m ethod used in previous
articles and reports, perm itting an easy comparison with other acts
as well as presenting the substance of the law in convenient form.
A n a ly s is o f act
D a te o f e n a c tm e n t .— D ecem ber 10, 1927; in effect
I n j u r i e s c o m p e n s a te d .— P erso n al in ju ry from a n y
Ju n e 10, 1928.
a c cid en t due to a n d in th e
pu rsu an ce of th e em p lo y m en t, or a n y illness c o n tra c te d a n d d ire c tly cau sed by
such em p lo y m en t or resu ltin g from th e n a tu re of such e m p lo y m en t. C o m p en
satio n shall n o t be allow ed fo r in ju ries c a u se d (1) by th e v o lu n ta ry in te n t of
th e em ployee to inflict such in ju ry upo n him self o r a n o th e r perso n ; (2) by
drunk en n ess on th e p a r t of th e lab o rer who h ad th e ac c id e n t; or (3) by n o to rio u s
negligence of th e sam e.
I n d u s t r i e s c o v e r e d .— AM exercised for gain, th e gross incom e of w hich was n o t
lesjs th a n 40,000 pesos, except ag ricu ltu re, c h a rita b le in stitu tio n s, a n d dom estic
service.
P e r s o n s c o m p e n s a te d .— All em ployees ex cept th o se whose em p lo y m en t is p u rely
casual o r is n o t for th e p urposes of th e o ccu p atio n or business of th e em ployer,
or whose rem u n eratio n p a id by a n y em ployer, exclusive of o v ertim e p ay , is in
excess of 42 pesos a week. P ublic em ployees a re covered, b u t public officers
elected by p o p u la r v o te a n d persons p aid m ore th a n 800 pesos p er v ear a re n o t
covered.
C o m p e n s a t i o n f o r d e a th . — (a) B urial expenses n o t to exceed 100 pesos.
(b) F o rty -fiv e p e r c e n t of av erag e w eekly w ages to d e p e n d e n t w idow or
w idow er; 50 p er c e n t if one or tw o d e p e n d e n t ch ild ren ; 60 p er c e n t if th re e or
m ore. If th e re is no d e p e n d e n t w idow or w idow er, 30 p e r c e n t to one or tw o
o rphans, w ith 10 p e r c en t for each o rp h a n over tw o up to m ax im u m of 50 p er
cent. If no consort or child b u t o th e r d ep en d en ts, from 25 p er c en t to 40 p er
cent.
(c) P a y m e n ts to w idow cease on d e a th or rem arriag e; to w idow er p av ab le
only d u rin g in cap a c ity ; to a son o r d a u g h te r u n til 18 y ears of age; to a p a re n t
or g ra n d p a re n t, grandchild, b ro th e r or sister d u rin g dependency.
(d) N o p a y m e n t for m ore th a n 208 weeks. A verage w eekly w ages, m ax im u m
30 pesos, m inim um 4 pesos. A ggregate com p en satio n n o t to exceed 3,000
pesos.
C o m p e n s a tio n f o r d i s a b i l i t y ,
(a) Such m edical, surgical, an d h o sp ital services
an d supplies as th e n a tu re of th e in ju ry m ay require.
(b) F o r to ta l d isab ility , excluding th e first seven days, a w eekly su m eq u al
to 60 p e r c e n t of av erag e w eekly wages b u t n o t m ore th a n 18 pesos a n d in som e
cases n o t less th a n 4 pesos, for n o t m ore th a n 208 weeks n o r in excess of 3,000
pesos.
(c) F o r p a rtia l d isab ility , 50 p er c e n t of th e loss of earn in g c a p a c ity from th e
d ay of d isab ility b u t for n o t m ore th a n 208 w eeks, n o t m ore th a n 10 pesos p er
week, a n d n o t m ore th a n a to ta l of 3,000 pesos.
(d) F o r p e rm a n e n t p a rtia l d isab ility , 50 p er c e n t of av erag e w eekly w ages for
th e periods fixed in a schedule b u t in no case for m ore th a n 208 w eeks o r 3,000
pesos.
(e) F o r serious disfigurem ent, n o t exceeding 3,000 pesos or 50 p er c e n t of loss
of earn in g ca p a c ity for n o t longer th a n 208 weeks.
(f) P a y m e n ts in lu m p sum allow ed w henever th e p a rtie s co n sid er it m ost
ad v an ta g eo u s an d convenient.
I n s u r a n c e .— T he em ployer m ay insure.
S e c u r ity o f p a y m e n ts .
C om pensation h as th e sam e p rio rity as wages. No
claim is tra n sfe ra b le a n d all co m p en satio n is e x em p t from c re d ito rs’ claim s.
S e ttle m e n t o f d i s p u t e s .— On re q u e st th e B ureau of L ab o r shall a c t as referee,
a n d if its efforts fail i t shall su b m it th e claim to th e p ro p e r co u rt, b u t cla im a n ts
m ay go d irectly in to c o u rt w ith o u t th e prev io u s in te rv e n tio n of th e b u reau .
• ■»
- s in ” i s » i s i •'
i
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Statistics of Workmen’s Compensation in England
H E English Home Office annually issues a report on the pro
ceedings under the workm en’s compensation and the employ
ers’ liability acts, giving data concerning the workers in seven
large groups of industries—mines, quarries, docks, railways, factories,
construction work, and shipping. In the report for the year 1926/
which has recently appeared, attention is called to the fact th a t owing
to the prolonged stoppage in the coal industry, conditions were
abnorm al throughout the greater p a rt of the year, and th a t the
statistical value of the figures concerning accidents and industrial
disease has been much impaired thereby. I t is perhaps on this account
th a t the death and accident rates per 1,000 persons employed have
been om itted, and only the num ber of fatal and nonfatal accidents
given.
The aggregate num ber of persons coming within the provisions of
the acts who were employed in 1926 in the seven industrial groups
was 7,001,795, as compared with 7,541,014 in 1925 and 7,512,359 in
1924. The following table shows the num ber of fatal and nonfatal
cases compensated, and the am ount spent in compensation for each
class for the period 1919 to 1926, inclusive:
T
N U M B E R OF C O M PE N SA T E D CASES OF IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN G R E A T B R IT A IN
A N D P A Y M E N T S FOR C O M PE N SA T IO N , 1919 TO 1926
[Pound at par=$4.8665; average exchange rate for 1926 was $4,858.]
Number of cases
Payments for compensation
Year
Fatal
1919...........................................
1920.............................................
1921______________ _______ _
1922.............................. ..............
1923...........................................
1924...... .......................................
1925.................................. ...........
1926.............................................
3, 293
3,531
2,385
2,489
2,657
2,878
3,030
2, 345
Nonfatal
Total
365,176
381, 986
283, 361
390, 423
477, 378
487, 442
473, 055
368, 563
368,469
385, 517
285, 746
392, 912
480, 035
490, 320
476, 085
370, 908
Fatal
£687, 477
755, 657
518, 064
546, 889
591,164
786, 444
864, 726
674, 611
Nonfatal
£3, 929, 246
5, 222, 352
4, 991, 331
5,948, 839
6, 542, 932
5,888, 594
5, 778, 204
5, 332, 310
Total
£4,616,723
5,978,009
5, 509, 395
6, 495, 728
7,134,096
6, 675, 038
6, 642,930
6, 006, 921
T h e g re a t re d u ctio n in 1926 in th e n u m b e r of cases a n d in th e to ta l a m o u n t of
th e com pensation p aid m u st be a ttrib u te d to th e coal stop p ag e, th e n u m b er of
cases in th e m ining in d u stry alone falling from 214,405 in 1925 to 131,231 in 1926.
The total cost of compensation per person employed varies widely
in the seven industries, ranging from 8s. 8d. per person in factories
to 70s. 3d. in the mines, where, w ith an aggregate force of 772,883
persons, compensation to the am ount of £2,716,279 was paid. This
considers only the actual am ount paid to workmen or their depend
ents as compensation, om itting the adm inistrative expenses, medical
and legal costs of employers, and the like. “ I t is estim ated th a t if
all the charges and expenses referred to above are taken into account,
the total am ount paid in the seven great industries in 1926 hi respect
of w orkm en’s compensation was approxim ately £7,850,000.”
Com pensation am ounting to £5,943 was paid in 27 cases in which
death was due to industrial disease, and am ounting to £599,393 in
1 Great Britain. Home Office. Statistics of compensation and of proceedings under the workmen’s
compensation acts, and the employers ’ liability act, 1880, during the year 1926. London, 1928. [Cmd. 3005.]
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14,751 disablem ent cases arising from disease. The 27 fatal cases
included 9 of lead poisoning, 1 of anthrax, 1 of poisoning by nitrous
fumes, 1 of derm atitis, 10 of epitheliomatous cancer, 4 of nystagm us,
and 1 of beat knee.
As in previous years th e b u lk of th e cases occurred in th e m ining in d u stry ,
b u t as a resu lt of th e coal-m ining stoppage, th e n u m b e r of cases in th e m ining
in d u stry fell from 15,782 in 1925 to 13,192 in 1926. T h e m a jo rity of th e cases
were due to m in e r’s n y stag m u s, b e a t h an d , a n d b e a t knee. T hese diseases,
together w ith b e a t elbow a n d inflam m atio n of th e syn o v ial lining of th e w rist
jo in t a n d ten d o n sh eath s, n u m b ered 13,270 o r 89.8 p e r c en t of th e to ta l n u m b er
of cases. Of th e rem ain d er, 837 or 5.7 p er c en t were cases of d e rm a titis p ro d u ced
by d u st or liquids, 346 or 2.3 p e r cen t were cases of lead poisoning, a n d 227 or
1.5 p er cen t w ere cases of sk in or o th e r ulceratio n or cancer. T h e rem aining
98 cases, or 0.7 p e r cent, in cluded 43 cases of various form s of in d u stria l poisoning
a n d 30 cases of an th ra x .
Bill for Unemployment Insurance Introduced in Greece
C C O R D IN G to a report from Consul Edw in A. P litt, Athens,
Greece, dated January 13, 1928, a bill has been introduced by
the M inister of N ational Econom y which provides for the
insurance of workers against unem ploym ent, and for the organization
of em ploym ent offices throughout Greece.
The bill provides for the form ation of a council under the direc
tion of the M inistry of N ational Economy which will adm inister
the law and organize the em ploym ent centers. The funds for imme
diate relief will be provided by a loan of 7,000,000 drachm as by
the N ational B ank of Greece. Insurance in the unem ploym ent fund
is compulsory and workers will be entitled to 45 d a y s’ relief during
the year b u t will lose the right to benefits if they refuse to accept
em ploym ent provided by the em ploym ent offices. T he am ount of
benefit wilf be determ ined annualiy b u t m ay n o t be fess than onethird or greater than one-half of the basic wages of the insured.
A
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COOPERATION
Work of the Women’s Cooperative Guild
LTH O U G H the consumers’ cooperative m ovem ent as we know
it to-day had its beginning in 1844, the organization of woman
cooperators was not thought of until about 1883. A book
recently issued 1 describes the foundation arid growth of the women’s
organization, the W omen’s Cooperative Guild.
The organization is one of wives of workingmen, and m any of them
are themselves employed. The guild has been of particular signifi
cance in G reat B ritain, where formerly when the woman m arried
the nation thereafter felt no responsibility for her personal welfare
or the conditions under which she performed her tasks. “ W ithout
money of her own, with no right even to her housekeeping savings,
w ithout adequate protection against a husband’s possible cruelty,
with no legal position as a m other, with the conditions of m aternity
totally neglected, m arried women in the home had existed apart,
voiceless and unseen.”
Theoretically women have always been received as members into
cooperative societies. In actual practice, the lim itation found in
some societies, adm itting to membership only one m em ber of a
family, either husband or wife, tended to bar women from full partici
pation as did also “ the social and economic inequalities between men
and women, which up to a very recent period existed as p a rt of our
social system .” The men were asked to come to cooperative m eet
ings, to criticize, vote, and participate in the m anagem ent of the
society, b u t the women were asked only to buy. Some of the women,
however, felt th a t there were other ways in which they could help,
and so, at a m eeting in 1883 an association was organized whose
purposes were to be the dissemination of knowledge of the advantages
of cooperation, the stim ulation of greater interest in the movement,
and the im provem ent of the conditions of women generally.
I t was emphasized by the leaders th a t this should be done quietly
b u t in a practical m anner, in order to avoid prejudicing the cause in
the public mind. Even so, a good deal of tacit opposition had to be
m et from the husbands of the members and from the officials of socie
ties. “ M en who had themselves hitherto carried all the responsi
bility of public and social organization were a little dubious as to the
possible results of women’s active ‘interference’ in the m anagem ent
of concerns over which they had ruled so long.”
N ot the least of the difficulties, it is said, came from the women
themselves, for m ost of them were “ pathetically ignorant of business
A
1 Webb, Catherine: The Woman with the Basket—The history of the Women’s Cooperative Guild,
1883-1927. London, W omen’s Cooperative Guild, 1927.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
methods, or of any ideas of cooperation beyond criticizing the cost of
goods, and appreciating the ‘d iv i.’ ” Also, the members of the new
organization had few models to follow, b u t had to feel out their way,
adapting to their needs w hat examples they could find. A t th a t time
practically the only form of meetings open to working women were
the “ iqpthers’ m eetings,” whose programs usually consisted of
“ reading from some ‘im proving’ book, and a short talk by a ‘lady,’
to which the ‘mothers ’ listened dum bly while they sat round sewing.”
As the membership grew and local branches began to be established
various activities were undertaken at different places. “ Help-in
need ” funds were established in some places, one branch took steps
to establish a sick fund; others took up such things as coal clubs,
clothing clubs, visits to the sick, provision of m aternity outfits, etc.
Later, classes of various sorts were started, to teach not only the
members b u t also the children the principles of cooperation. Progress
was “ continuous and gratifying,” and by 1887, 29 branches had been
formed w ith some 1,400 members. By the end of the first decade of
existence of the guild it had 137 branches w ith 6,412 members. In
1927 its membership num bered 57,825.
Purpose of the Guild
'T 'H E aims and purposes for which the guild was formed are
described in the report as follows:
W e do n o t aim a t m erely passing im p ro v em en ts or reform s ju s t on th e surface.
W e aim a t a fu n d a m e n ta l re co n stru ctio n of th e w hole of o u r social a n d in d u stria l
life. T h e G u ild ’s pu rp o se is to help in build in g u p th ro u g h th e co o p erativ e
m ovem ents a n en tirely new social order, from w hich p ro fit m aking, w ith all its
evils, has been abolished, a n d w here th e re is t h a t re a l e q u a lity betw een m an a n d
m an, betw een m an a n d w om an, a n d betw een n a tio n a n d n a tio n , w hich is a t once
th e resu lt a n d th e fo u n d a tio n of all tru e cooperation.
Work of the Guild
W I T H the idea th a t the guild should represent prim arily the
**
m arried woman, voicing her needs and rights, the guild very
early began to direct its meetings tow ard subjects of interest to the
m arried woman, beginning with subjects dealing w ith the home and
its problems and generally widening the scope to include social and
economic subjects, including the industrial revolution, the duties of
citizenship (though not a t th a t time being able to exercise such
duties), public health, etc. G radually the attention of guildswomen
was turned “ more and more definitely tow ard specialized studies
in practical social reforms, and gently, bu t persistently, pushing
into the background the popular domestic subjects and occupations.”
A central educational comm ittee was set up. Bearing in m ind th a t
the members are both cooperators and m arried working women,
and th a t in these two capacities they desire to secure reforms and
participate in cooperative work and the work of the N ation, the
comm ittee selects for study a small num ber of special subjects on
which it seems possible to take im m ediate action. Lecturers on
these subjects are sent to the various districts and the members
are informed, and the whole question is studied and discussed by the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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FORMATION OF A COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION
85
membership. “ When, for instance, the guild asks for m aternity
centers, it does so because 50,000 working women have studied the
m atter and are convinced th a t the reform is necessary.”
One of the first campaigns of the guild was carried on to secure
actual open membership and recognition of the right of women to
hold office. Both of these have been attained, but the attaining of
the office itself has not been so easy. “ I t is always said th a t there is
equality of opportunity for men and women in the movement.
Certainly m ost of the doors are open. B ut the seats are full, and
possession is nine-tenths of the law, so th a t in reality the opportunity
is not equal, and seats are hard to w in.” Some progress has never
theless been made. Three sections of the Cooperative Union
central board each have at least one woman member, one guildswoman is a member of the board of directors of the Cooperative
Wholesale Society, and four members of the guild serve on advisory
comm ittees of the N ational Cooperative Publishing Society. In
M arch, 1927, there were 337 women on the m anagem ent committees
of 194 societies, while some 675 guild members represent the guild
on various public bodies.
The guild has done much to increase the sales of cooperatively made
and union-made goods and to improve the conditions of employment
of cooperative employees. The adoption of a m inimum scale for
the woman employees of the movement was the result of the guild
representations. Equal suffrage, medical inspection of school chil
dren, legislation to prevent sweatshop conditions in factories, and
the national m aternity insurance bill are among the measures actively
supported by the guild. The inclusion in the m aternity insurance
bill of a provision specifying th a t the benefits payable under the act
should be paid to and be the property of the m other unless she
expressly authorized the husband to receive it, was due, it is said, to
the evidence and inform ation presented to the parliam entary com
m ittee by the guild.
B ut the outstanding accomplishment of the organization is declared
to be “ the emergence of the m arried working woman from national
obscurity into a position of national im portance.”
In th e cooperative m ov em en t, th e effect of th e guild h as been to give w om en
th e ir rig h t place in th e p ictu re. T he pow er of th e ir rev o lu tio n a ry w eapon— th e
m a rk e t b a sk e t— has been m ad e clear. W om en h a v e been tra n sfo rm e d from
buyers, ig n o ran t of th e econom ical resu lts of th e ir acts, in to in tellig en t coopera
to rs, conscious th a t th e y can u n d erm in e capitalism , a n d m ak in g good th e ir rig h t
to share in th e control of th e m ovem ent.
Move Toward Formation of Central Consumers’ Organization
of the Pacific Coast
H E Cooperative Pyram id Builder (Superior, Wis.), in its issue of
February, 1928, states th a t on January 8, 1928, a conference
of representatives of various types of cooperative organiza
tions on the northern Pacific coast was held a t Astoria, Oreg. The
meeting was called for the purpose of considering the form ation of a
central purchasing organization. Inasm uch as the discussion re-
T
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
vealed the need of such a society a committee of seven was elected
to map out plans of organization, to undertake educational work in
behalf of the proposed new society, and when the tim e is ripe to call
another conference for the purpose of establishing the organization.
Agricultural Cooperative Associations in the United States
R E PO R T ju st issued by the Bureau of Agricultural Econom ics1
gives the latest data available as to the farm ers’ cooperative
organizations, both m arketing and purchasing. I t is estimated
th a t there are nearly 69,000 agricultural organizations in the United
States, classified as follows:
A
Number
E d u catio n al associations (fairs, exhibits, e tc .)__________________________
5, 000
P ro d u ctio n associations (im p ro v em en t associations, colonies, e tc .)--------- 6, 000
B usiness associations:
C re d it____________________________________________________________ 5, 065
M u tu a l in su ra n c e _________________________________________________ 2, 049
Public u tility (telephones, light, pow er, e tc .)______________________ 40, 000
M ark etin g a n d p u rc h a sin g ________________________________________ 10, 803v
D uring the 10-year period, 1915 to 1925, a “ phenomenal develop
m e n t” occurred in several branches of the agricultural cooperative
m ovement. The num ber of organizations practically doubled, the
largest gain being m ade in the five E ast N orth Central States. The
greatest gain in membership occurred in the South C entral States,
due almost entirely to the form ation of large-scale associations
for the m arketing of tobacco and cotton. The membership of the
10,803 cooperative m arketing and purchasing associations listed by the
United States D epartm ent of Agriculture was estim ated a t 2,700,000
in 1925, although the total num ber of farmers served by these organi
zations is considerably smaller, due to the fact th a t m any farmers
belong to from one to four organizations.
The greatest num ber of members of cooperative m arketing and
purchasing societies occurs in the W est N orth C entral States (31.5
p e rc e n t of the to tal), followed by the E a st N orth C entral States
(21.3 per cent), E a st South Central States (10.9 per cent), and South
A tlantic States (10.4 per cent). M ore than half the cooperators are
found in the N orth Central States. Among the States, M innesota
leads in both membership (217,400, or 8 per cent of the total) and
estim ated annual business ($223,980,000); on the la tte r point, how
ever, California runs a close second, w ith $223,960,000 business
per year.
Prior to 1920 m any associations were formed which carried on
several types of business. Since th a t time, however, the tendency is
toward organizations which serve b u t a single purpose.
1 United States. Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Agricultural Economics. Technical Bui.
No. 40: Agricultural cooperative associations, marketing and purchasing, 1925, by K. H. Elsworth, Wash
ington, 1928.
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AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS
N U M B E R , M E M B E R S H IP , A N D Y E A R L Y B U SIN E SS, IN 1925, OF A G R IC U L T U R A L
M A R K E T IN G A N D P U R C H A SIN G A SSO CIATIONS OF EA CH T Y P E , B Y G E O G R A PH I
CAL D IV ISIO N
Cotton and cotton
products
Geographic division
N ew England________________
Middle Atlantic _ ___________
East North Central, .............. .....
West North Central__________
South Atlantic _____ ________
East South Central___________
West South Central.....................
M ountain .
. _____________
Pacific
___ ________
United States__________
Dairy products
Busi
ness
(in
thou
sands)
Asso
cia
tions
M em
bers
Busi
ness
(in
thou
sands)
$70
1,050
37,110
43,130
65, 300
3, 340
80 36, 360 $52,100
143 113,800 111, 700
906 130, 500 165,180
874 131, 480 126, 030
23
7, 220 10, 650
37 11, 280
4, 350
8
770
940
33
6,290
7, 250
93 22, 300 56, 800
45
109
153
116
162
82
147
76
347
2,470
11, 870
14,800
12, 390
24, 540
9, 660
13, 020
19, 760
71, 490
$6, 470
14,150
19, 350
6,590
60, 370
5,240
8, 530
8, 700
150, 600
121 300,000 150,000
2,197 460, 000 535,000
1,237 180, 000
280,000
Asso
cia
tions
Mem
bers
i
30
5
1,000
25 102, 600
18 59,100
68 136, 700
4
570
Busi
ness
(in
thou
sands)
Asso
cia
tions
United States_____ _____
15
no
100
1,055
2,560
40
l
450
3
674 147, 230
1,005 236, 650
4, 300
30
22
4, 600
7
1, 360
21
2, 670
7
2, 700
10
4,000
132,000
164, 800
3,100
2,240
2,550
3,220
8,080
4, 000
3, 338 520,000 750, 000
1, 770 400, 000
320, 000
200
160
2
2
2
3
5
200
450
20
500
1,630
16
3,000
Poultry and poultry
products
Nuts
33
7, 200
United States______ ____
39
20,000
4
1
1
12, 570
200
30
14, 040
3
3
5
20
2
8
11
8
11
800
1,000
3,100
25,100
' 350
700
3,400
3,150
12, 400
630
610
730
10, 240
50
80
415
1,930
25, 315
16, 000
71
50, 000
40, 000
1, 725
200
35
Wool and mohair
N ew England............ ................
M iddle Atlantic______________
East North Central- __ - __
W est North C e n tr a l.-_______
South Atlantic _____________
East South C en tra l.....................
West South Central _
M ountain......................... ....... ...
P a c ific _____________________ United States. ________
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Livestock
3
160
410
7
1,290
2, 200
924 144, 700 189, 000
2,090 302. 560 463, 000
5
920
780
3
170
240
112 33, 700 41, 000
132 31, 030 35, 870
62
5,470 17, 500
2
N ew England_____ ___________
M iddle Atlantic______________
East North Central ________
West North Central
South Atlantic__ _____ _______
East South Central___________
West South C en tra l.......... .........
Mountain
Pacific
M em
bers
Grain
Forage
N ew England __ ________ ___
M iddle Atlantic______________
East North Central _____
West North Central__________
South Atlantic ................... .....
East South Central-,, _______
West South Central________ .
M ountain ....................................
Pacific........................................ .
Fruits and vegetables
3
40
12
13
3
7
560
2,400
18,400
19, 700
2,500
1, 800
60
470
2,370
940
290
230
10
3
610
4,030
2,660
2,980
91
50,000
10,000
[785]
Miscellaneous selling
27
45
190
203
48
65
45
42
17
4, 050
7, 400
35, 320
40, 530
11, 110
16, 920
44, 790
7, 390
2, 490
3, 770
3, 750
18, 250
26,100
3, 360
3,150
5, 360
4, 760
1,500
682 170,000
70,000
Tobacco
3
5
6
5,040
600
13, 000
7, 250
90
3,150
4 102, 800
5 178, 500
1
60
25, 920
53, 580
10
24 300, 000
90, 000
Miscellaneous buying
94
165
204
499
77
27
52
34
65
25, 520
20, 990
67, 920
80, 590
10, 890
11, 620
16,150
3,030
10, 290
14,470
15, 950
28,170
37, 880
8, 955
4, 720
4,390
2,165
18, 300
1, 217 247,000
135,000
WORKERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Aims and Methods in Vocational Guidance 1
N E OF the sections of the annual convention of the American
Vocational Association a t Los Angeles last December was
devoted to the discussion of vocational guidance. The con
tributions to th a t section were from experts in their line and fre
quently epitomized conclusions resulting from valuable first-hand
experience in pioneer fields.
L. H . Dennis, deputy superintendent of schools of Pennsylvania,
stressed the fact th a t the “ square peg and square hole” theory is on
the wane, and m any feel th a t each person is capable of being m oder
ately successful in a great variety of different positions.
Vierling Kersey, assistant superintendent of schools of Los Angeles,
declared th a t the part-tim e pupil has no interest in school, and if
his interest in academic things is to be aroused the school m ust begin
w ith his actual interests and show their values and relationships w ith
academic subjects. The pupil’s “ m ost accessible m ajor in te re st” is
his job. The part-tim e schools of Los Angeles have, therefore,
decided to take “ a very definite interest in the pupil’s job.” Accord
ing to this plan the pupil’s m ethod of getting his job is discussed first
and then he is led to judge his own job and also other jobs. In this
way he finds th a t “ he is really m arketing his ability and services,”
which logically leads to the im provem ent of his ability and service,
so th a t they will be in greater dem and in the m arket, attention being
directed to m ethods of increasing earning ability on the specific
job held. Furtherm ore, considerable attention is given to “ job
m anners.”
This procedure m ay lead the pupil to think of changing his job.
In this connection the local com m unity is considered.
O
The Los Angeles part-time schools have prepared a set of 150 photographs of
boys and girls from the part-time school group. All of these photographs were
taken on the job and not in the school. The pictures were selected because they
illustrated jobs which required reasonably extensive education. These pictures
have been made into lantern slides and have been arranged into groups illus
trating related types of jobs. They show to the inquiring mind of youth a wide
distribution of opportunities which the community offers for juvenile workers.
The pupil is then induced to make an adm inistrative chart of the
establishm ent by which he is employed, showing his own work in
relation to the whole undertaking. The teacher helps him to analyze
his own job, bringing out its advantages and drawbacks. He also
makes an analysis of the next job to which he m ay reasonably hope
to be prom oted. H e then subm its the ch art to his employer or fore
m an and after adapting it to the forem an’s point of view obtains th a t
officer’s signature. The introductory vocational guidance program is
1 Thie Vocational Guidance Magazine, Cambridge, Mass., February, 1928, pp. 194-217.
88
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89
thus completed and the school feels th a t the pupil is prepared “ for
related vocational instruction.”
William J. Cooper, superintendent of schools of California, also
insisted on the need in vocational education of cultivating “ the work
atm osphere as distinguished from the school atm osphere.”
Miss Pickett, of the San Diego Board of Education, stated th a t in
th a t city an effort is being made to create the impression th a t parttime school is “ a privilege or an extension of education and not an
enforcem ent.”
The individual work plan of the M an h attan Trade School was
described by Miss Florence M arshall. Under the scheme girls m ay
enter the school whenever they wish, “ they progress according to
their ability and leave school when they finish.” No diploma is
given by the school until after a girl has proved herself successful in
trade, when she receives a diploma a t the regular annual graduating
exercises.
In the judgm ent of D r. E. K. Strong, professor of psychology at
Stanford University, the pressure brought to bear to m ake vocational
courses more general and more cultural is vitiating the vocational
character of the curriculum. H e suggested the possibility and
desirability of classifying vocations into 6, 20, or 30 groups relatively
distinct from one another so th a t the occupations in any given group
“ will require and will olfer openings for individuals of certain defi
nitely understood characteristics.” I t was reported in this connec
tion by D octor B ennett, of the U niversity of Southern California,
th a t th a t institution was m aking an attem p t to classify 600 occupa
tions into a reasonable num ber of groups.
A com plaint was m ade by Frederick Horridge th a t in m ost of the
junior high schools of the U nited States shop work is still in its earliest
stage, in which the purpose is only m anipulative skill, and shop
teachers are so burdened w ith duties th a t they find no tim e to attend
group conferences, to keep in touch w ith outside m atters, for coopera
tive work w ith the other members of the teaching staff, for individual
counseling, or indeed even for an adequate am ount of advisable
individualized shop instruction. He also rem inded th a t “ the function
of the try-out courses is not only to determ ine which courses the
pupil should pursue b u t also to determ ine those he should not pursue.”
A report was m ade by H erbert F. Clark, assistant director of
vocational education of Los Angeles, on the m onthly observation
trips m ade by Los Angeles pupils under the auspices of the Vocational
Guidance Association of Southern California. These trips included
some of the outstanding industrial establishm ents of California.
One of the factors for vocational guidance th a t the junior high
school provides is the occupations class, ordinarily held in the ninth
grade. Miss E dythe K. B ryant, counselor of the M cKinley Junior
High School of Pasadena, declared th a t “ at no other point in the
junior high school curriculum is there such rich opportunity to present
the student w ith inform ation which will stim ulate his thinking along
vocational lines.”
We see vocational guidance in these years as a necessary part of a deeper, more
basic thing—guidance for the development of the individual that he may be able
to make vocational choices; not that he will merely have had the information
furnished him, but that he will achieve within himself the power to make
decisions.
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Virgil E. Dickson, director of bureau of research and guidance,
Berkeley, Calif., stated his belief th a t “ the m ost outstanding prin
ciple of m odern philosophy in secondary education” is th a t “ educa
tion m ust adapt itself to individual differences and individual needs
of adolescent pupils.” While nearly all junior high schools and
senior high schools of any im portance in the U nited States have some
scheme of guidance for their students, such schemes vary greatly,
some being good, others indifferent, and others actually bad. Igno
rance and haphazard m ethods are dangerous.
Scientific procedures h av e alre a d y been developed w hich a re of trem en d o u s
im portance in securing g re a te r safety in guidance. T h e pressing need to -d a y is
to have these procedures b e tte r know n a n d b e tte r used b y th o se w ho are coun
seling. W hile o th e r helpful m eans a re being ra p id ly p erfected by scientific
stu d y , we can well afford to sp en d o u r efforts in sp read in g th e effective use of
th e good tools we alre a d y possess.
After a brief review of various kinds of tests being used or developed
for vocational guidance, M r. Dickson concluded th a t the m ost
im portant fact for vocational guides is the emphasis placed “ on the
necessity of scientific cum ulative records for each child. * * *
F acts rath er than opinions are needed if one is to predict a safe step
ahead, and this is the function of vocational guidance.”
Educational Activities Among the Wives of Trade-Unionists
N E W experiment in workers’ education is described by Grace
B. Klueg, chairm an of the educational com m ittee of the Ladies’
Auxiliary of the International Association of M achinists, in
the February, 1928, issue of The American Federationist. This auxil
iary, the w riter reports, was so strongly convinced th a t trade-union
ists’ wives should play a significant p a rt in the prom otion and encour
agem ent of trade-union principles th a t it undertook to educate its
own members to perform this function.
A m odest program was inaugurated including the publication of a
pam phlet giving the history of the m achinists’ union and a prim er
on trade-unionism . T he auxiliary also distributed reprints of certain
articles which it was thought would be of interest to wage-earners’
wives.
These efforts were so successful th a t the organization decided to
follow them up w ith a one-week in stitu te in July, 1927, a t Brookwood
Labor College. Among the subjects discussed at this educational
conference were:
A
T he w orker’s wife as p u rch asin g a g e n t fo r th e hom e, th e source a n d a m o u n t
of her incom e, its d istrib u tio n , th e housing p ro g ra m in th e cities; th e use of
electricity, w h a t it m eans to th e w orkers in te rm s of cost fo r th e services of p u b
lic utilities a n d leisure fo r th e w o rk er’s wife; th e p ro b lem of th e children in th e
hom e; th e sto ry of th e In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation of M ach in ists a n d o th e r unions
rep resen ted a t th e in s titu te , th e la b o r m o v em en t as a whole, th e A m erican F ed
e ratio n of L abor, w h a t th e m o v em en t m eans to th e w orkers, how th e auxiliaries
can help; w om en w orkers in in d u stry , how th e y affect m en w orkers, how th e y
can be organized; th e lad ies’ auxiliaries, how th e y can be m ore effective.
Twenty-five women were in attendance from seven organizations,
including the ladies’ auxiliaries of the international unions of ma-
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APPRENTICESHIP— ELECTRICAL WORKERS
91
chinists, printers, lithographers, carpenters, and post-office clerks.
Ten States and C anada were represented.
Upon the return of the delegates to their homes a m ovem ent was
started for the form ation of classes among various local auxiliaries,
the educational departm ent of the m achinists’ auxiliary assisting them
in securing suitable instructors to tre a t the selected subjects from the
trade-union point of view. A California auxiliary carrying on a class
on the question, “ W hy are trade-unions necessary in present-day
society?” had originally intended to have one lecture per m onth
b u t later decided to give two evenings a m onth to the educational
program .
Some of the local auxiliaries are becoming greatly interested in the
subject of public schools and w hat they are doing for the workers’
children and are supplementing the inform ation sent them by the
educational departm ent by studying local conditions.
Classes in parliam entary law have also been organized to m eet the
needs of members who desire training in conducting their own activi
ties.
While a t the outset the work of the educational departm ent of the
ladies’ auxiliary of the m achinists’ union was intended for the wives
of the members of th a t organization, the auxiliaries of other unions
are now being aided by the departm ent in the development of their
educational programs.
According to Airs. Klueg it has been “ dem onstrated conclusively
th a t women can be interested in the labor m ovem ent and can be
educated to work constructively for the advancem ent of the welfare
of the workers.” The educational departm ent of the auxiliary of the
m achinists’ union hopes to become increasingly useful not only to its
own international union but to the labor m ovem ent as a whole.
Apprenticeship Courses of the Electrical Workers’ Union1
O N V IN C ED th a t all schools established to develop knowledge
and skill in the crafts alone fail to include a very significant
subject in their curricula, Electrical W orkers’ Union No. 98
of Philadelphia and the Labor College of th a t city have inaugurated
an apprenticeship night course along new lines. The classes are
being attended by 50 young students who wish to become electrical
workers.
None of the m any other trade-union organizations which offer
instructions to apprentices goes beyond training the boys in craft
skill. While realizing clearly th a t skill and intelligence in applying
one’s self to a chosen craft are of immense im portance, the initiators
of this recent experiment in education hold th a t “ knowledge about
the labor m ovem ent, the economic factors of present-day society,
and the social significance of labor as a leading force toward progress
is ju st as necessary if these young men entering the m ovem ent to-day
are to do their p a rt in the future. * * * In other words, the
young apprentice learning to become a better mechanic should also
C
’ The Journal of Electrical Workers and Operators, Washington, February, 1928, p. 68.
93675°—28----- 7
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
be given an opportunity of learning how to become a better informed
and more intelligent trade-unionist.”
The preservation of the entity of this class of apprentices under
the direction and supervision of its own union will, the educational
comm ittee of Local No. 98 believes, m ake these coming recruits to
the ranks of labor always m indful of trade-union affiliations— a result
which would no t be so easy to bring about in a regular technical or
vocational school.
As 50 students are too m any to instruct satisfactorily a t one time
they have been divided into two groups, each m eeting once a week.
The educational procedure is rather informal. T he education
com m ittee of Local No. 98 and the labor instructor are slowly develop
ing a course especially adapted to the needs of the class. The regular
instructions are given by an electrical engineer who has had years
of practical experience in his work combined w ith a theoretical
knowledge of the subject. Simple laboratory work is already under
way and it is hoped later on to have a real workshop. Plans are
being m ade to have the students take trips to electrical plants.
The classes' are given periodic talks on labor, its history and
problems, and a representative of the American Federation of Labor
explains the purpose and functions of th a t body and _the details
of its organization. In brief, “ the apprentices are growing into the
labor m ovem ent as well as into their c ra ft.”
T his y ear th is course is com pulsory fo r first-y ear a p p ren tices only, because
those in charge fe lt t h a t n o t enough a b o u t p ro p er m eth o d a n d pro ced u re was
know n to include th e a p p ren tices of all fo u r years. Second, th ird , a n d fo u rth
y ear ap prentices, how ever, a re given th e privilege of a tte n d in g th ese classes
if th e y so desire. M an y h av e ta k e n th is privilege. If it should p ro v e successful,
a n d from p resen t in d icatio n s th e re can be no d o u b t a b o u t its resu lts, th e o th e r
groups of ap p ren tices will be in cluded u n d er th e com pulsory fe a tu re in su b se q u e n t
years.
Lecture Course for Canadian Fishermen 1
N IN S T R U C T IO N course for bona fide fishermen, the first
ever carried on in Canada, was conducted a t the fisheries experim ental station a t Halifax. The daily lectures, which began
January 18, 1928, and covered a period of 6 weeks, were attended by
20 fisherman students, ranging in age from 17 to 35 years.
Besides the instructions and dem onstrations by the director and
members of the experimental station staff, lectures were given on
cooperation and m arketing by Professor Longley, of the Agricultural
College; on navigation by C aptain O ’H ara, of the N ova Scotian Tech
nical College; on economics by Professor W alker, of K ing’s College;
and on other pertinent subjects by other professors. Lectures on
boat engines and dem onstrations were also given.
Complete dem onstrations in fish curing were held, fresh fish being
brought to the station and under expert direction and supervision p u t
through the curing processes by the fisherman students, so th a t they
would have practical illustration of the success of the curing m ethods
taught. The students were also tau g h t fish salting, drying, pickling,
boneless preparation, etc.
i Canadian Labor Gazette, Ottawa, Feb., 1928, pp. 170, 171.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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APPRENTICESHIP IN ENGLISH INDUSTRIES
93
The students are reported to have followed this novel course with
“ the m ost striking attention.”
Apprenticeship in English Industries
N 1925 and 1926 the English M inistry of Labor made a series of
investigations into methods of apprenticeship and training for the
skilled occupations in G reat B ritain and N orthern Ireland, and the
results of these inquiries are now appearing in successive reports.
The M inistry of Labor Gazette, in its issue for February, 1928, gives
a sum m ary of the latest volumes published, dealing w ith conditions
in the building, woodworking and allied industries, and in mining,
quarrying, m etal extraction, and chemical, glass, pottery, and allied
industries.
The sum m ary shows th a t a condition fam iliar in this country pre
vails also in England, in th a t while there is much com plaint of tradeunion restrictions upon the num ber of apprentices, employers are
failing to use even the num ber perm itted by these restrictions. In
the group of building, woodworking, and allied industries a consider
able num ber of employers reported th a t they employed neither ap
prentices, learners, nor improvers. The largest proportionate use
of trainees was found in the electrical trades, where 77 per cent of the
514 firms reporting had either apprentices or learners or both. Of
360 firms in the furniture and allied trades, 54.4 per cent had trainees.
In building and public works construction, returns were received
from “ nearly 7,500 employers, of whom, however, three-fifths were
employing neither apprentices nor im provers.” In vehicle building
replies were secured from 115 firms, of whom 32.2 per cent employed
trainees, and in sawmilling, machine joinery, and the m anufacture
of wooden boxes and packing cases from 531 firms, of whom only 91
(17.1 per cent) had any apprentices or learners.
The details given concerning the building and construction indus
tries show a tendency on the p a rt both of the large cities and of the
large employers to get their skilled workers already trained, instead of
developing their own apprentice systems.
I
In L ondon only 15.7 p e r cen t of th e em ployers m akin g re tu rn s h ad a n y boys
in train in g , eith e r as ap p ren tices or as im provers, as ag a in st 63.5 p er c en t in Scot
land a n d nearly 60 p er c en t in th e n o rth e rn counties of E ngland. Again, in L on
don 53 p er cent of th e train ees w ere im provers, as a g a in st 3.9 p e r c en t in S cotland
an d th e n o rth e rn counties, 3.4 p er c en t in N o rth e rn Irelan d , a n d a n av erag e of
18.1 p e r cen t for all districts. L ondon has only 1 a p p re n tic e to every 15 jo u rn e y
m en, a n d only 1 tra in e e to every 7 journ ey m en , as com pared w ith 1 to 2.7 a n d
1 to 2.4, respectively, in th e n o rth e rn counties. L ondon, in fact, ten d s to recru it
her building tra d e s from am ong im provers a n d y oung jo u rn ey m en tra in e d in th e
Provinces, or to em ploy only fully skilled craftsm en.
A m ong firm s ta k in g a p p re n tic e s 'it is th e sm aller firm s w hich, in p ro p o rtio n to
th e ir size, do m ost in th e w ay of tra in in g boys for th e skilled occupations.
In the building trades the age for beginning apprenticeship ranges
from 14 to 16, inclusive, and the usual period of apprenticeship is five
years. This, however, varies according to trade and locality, periods
of six and seven years being common. Wages in the first year of
apprenticeship range from 8s. to 15s. per week, the commonest rate
being 10s. In the last year the range is from 20s. to 47s. 8d. per week.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The m ajority of the employers, it was reported, gave active encour
agement to their apprentices to attend technical classes, though 12
per cent reported th a t there were no local facilities for this purpose.
M any employers allowed time off for attending such classes, paying
wages for this time as well as any necessary fees. M ost classes of
this kind, however, are held in the evening, although in some of the
large towns there are part-tim e day classes. In the electrical trades,
“ attendance a t technical schools is frequently a condition of appren
ticeship, and it is a common practice for employers to allow tim e off
for attendance a t day classes.”
Apprenticeship is unusual in mining and quarrying operations.
Boys may be assigned to work with an experienced m iner or quarrym an, or they m ay be kept a t various jobs about the place until they
reach a suitable age and are looked upon as having enough general
knowledge of the processes to commence hewing or quarrying, them
selves. In the m aintenance operations connected with mines and
quarries apprenticeship is more common, bu t is usually of an informal
nature, verbal agreements rather than indentures being the custom ary
m ethod.
The productive processes of iron and steel m anufacture do not
lend themselves to the apprentice system. The work is apt to be
too heavy for im m ature employees, and though workers under 21
m ay be employed as assistants and general helpers, they have no
certainty of advancem ent. “ There is no system atic course of train
ing, and progress depends on the speed a t which they ‘pick u p ’ the
various jobs of the departm ent to which they have been assigned.”
In the m anufacture of glass, apprenticeship is common, and it is
estim ated th a t of those from 16 to 20, inclusive, in the industry
about 23 per cent are apprentices. Em ploym ent of boys under 16
on night work is illegal, and as the processes are as a rule continuous
this prohibition restricts their employment in skilled occupations.
In pottery making, apprenticeship is common in N orth Stafford
shire, b u t not so usual elsewhere. The age for beginning ranges
from 14 to 18, and the length of apprenticeship varies according to
the occupation, 5 years being the commonest for boys and 7 years
for girls. Wages vary with the period of apprenticeship.
T he w age agreem en ts for ap p ren tices provide, in m a n y cases, for a n in itial
period of p a y m e n t a t a fixed tim e ra te , follow ed b y a p erio d of p a y m e n t a t so
m uch of th e lu ll jo u rn e y m a n ’s or io u rn ey w o m an ’s ra te . T h is is_ p a rtic u la rly th e
case w ith girl appren tices, of w hom tw o-fifths are piecew orkers in th e first y ear,
as com pared w ith four-fifths in th e la s t y ear of ap p ren ticesh ip .
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INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Strikes and Lockouts in the United States in February, 1928
D
ATA regarding industrial disputes in the U nited States for
February, 1928, with comparable data for preceding m onths
are presented below. Disputes involving fewer than six
workers and lasting less than one day have been om itted.
The bureau has no m achinery for the prom pt and full reporting of
strikes and lockouts. M any of the im portant industrial disputes
come to the attention of the Conciliation Service of the D epartm ent
of Labor, and through its courtesy, this bureau has access to all such
reports. Otherwise, the bureau m ust depend largely upon news
papers, trade journals, and labor periodicals for prelim inary reports
of disputes. These prelim inary reports are followed up by corre
spondence with the various parties concerned and when necessary by
personal visits of representatives of the Conciliation Service or of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For these reasons, the data here presented do not pretend to be
absolutely complete or fully accurate. I t is believed, however, th a t
practically all the more significant strikes or lockouts are recorded
and th a t the inform ation subm itted is sufficiently accurate to give a
fair presentation of the situation in the U nited States in the m atter
of strikes and lockouts.
Table 1 is a sum m ary table showing for each of the m onths—June,
1927, to February, 1928, inclusive—the num ber of disputes which
began in these m onths, the num ber in effect at the end of each m onth,
and the num ber of workers involved. I t also shows, in the last
column, the economic loss (in m an-days) involved. The num ber of
workdays lost is com puted by m ultiplying the num ber of workers
affected in each dispute by the length of the dispute m easured in
working-days as normally worked by the industry or trade in ques
tion. I t is to be noted th a t the figures given include only those
disputes which have been verified by the bureau.
T able 1.—IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN A N D IN E F F E C T A T E N D OF EA CH
M O N T H , JU N E , 1927, TO JA N U A R Y , 1928
Number of disputes
Number of workers
involved in dispute
M onth and year
June, 1927............................................... _ _ .
July, 1927______________________________
August, 1927___________________________
September, 1927____ ________ _ _________
October, 1927___________________________
November, 1927_ ___________ _________
December, 1927_________________________
January, 1928 L ______ ________________
February, 1928 1_____ ___ _ __________
Beginning
in month
In effect
at end of
month
Beginning
in month
In effect
at end of
month
75
02
53
46
48
26
26
40
31
82
62
50
49
56
50
52
61
64
18, 585
33, 763
8,066
12, 514
12, 695
4,089
4, 243
20, 287
34,115
196,047
199, 087
198, 367
197, 588
81, 766
82, 207
81,191
82, 652
110, 510
Number of
man-days
lost during
month
4, 859,468
5,307,089
4,998, 596
4, 960, 249
2,722,110
2,031, 740
2,128, 721
2,130,916
2,207,044
1Preliminary figures subject to revision.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Occurrence of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
H r ABLE 2 gives by industry the num ber of strikes beginning in
December, 1927, and in January and February, 1928, and the
num ber of workers directly involved.
T able 2 __ IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN D E C E M B E R , 1927, JA N U A R Y A N D
F E B R U A R Y , 1928
Number of disputes beginning in—
Number of workers involved
in disputes beginning in—
Industry
Decem
ber
Bakers
__ __ __
___ _ ___
_
__
_ _ __
Barbers__ ___
Building trades________________________
Chauffeurs and teamsters_______________
__
_________
Clothing workers. .
Electrical and gas supply workers_______
Furniture ....
.... ....... ...............................
Iron and steel workers ________________
Leather workers _________ ________ _
Longshoremen and freight handlers______
. . . ________
M etal tr a d e s ___
M ine workers___
..
______
M otion picture and theatrical w orkers.. .
Oil and chemical workers
________ . .
Paper and paper goods workers _________
Printing and publishing.
____ _____
Slaughtering and meat packing . . ____
Stationery engineers and firemen . _____
Street railway em ployees. _____________
Textile workers. . . . _______ ________
Miscellaneous_________________________
Total ___________________________
January February Decem
ber
1
2
1
4
1
4
1
1
5
1
8
12
1
1
21
850
150
303
93
161
January February
62
8
83
200
13, 435
28, 256
19
7
1
1
3
4
8
3
1
71
2
1
600
51
1,500
266
2, 720
200
1
2
2
26
1, 500
125
1
1
1
8
2
2
7
3
189
40
31
4,243
2,425
65
700
28
200
2, 297
406
31
1,458
165
20, 287
34,115
Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
'T'A B LE 3 gives the num ber of industrial disputes beginning in February, classified by num ber of workers and by industries:
T able 3 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN F E B R U A R Y , 1928,
C L A SSIFIED B Y N U M B E R OF W O R K E R S A N D B Y IN D U S T R IE S
Number of disputes beginning in February, 1928,
involving—
Industry
Bakers_____ ._
. . . _____________ . .
Building trades__________ _ . _______
Clothing workers_______________________
Iron and steel workers____________ . . . .
Mine workers____
...
______
Motion-picture and theatrical workers__
Paper and paper-goods workers
______
Slaughtering and meat packing__________
Textile workers____________ _______ ____
M iscellaneous__________ _______________
T otal. ......................... .............................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6 and
under
20
workers
20 and
under
100
workers
100 and
under
500
workers
500 and
under
1,000
workers
3
1
2
4
1,000 and
5,000
under
workers
5,000
and
over
workers
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
9
6
[794]
1
4
1
9
4
2
1
97
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS IN THE UNITED STATES
In Table 4 are shown the num ber of industrial disputes ending in
February, by industries and classified duration:
T able 4 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN F E B R U A R Y , 1928, B Y IN
D U ST R IE S A N D C L A SSIFIED D U R A T IO N
Classified duration of strikes ending in February, 1928
Industry
Carpenters_______________ _
Clothing workers_ ________
Furniture workers. _______
Iron and steel workers______
Leather w o r k e r s ________
M etal tr a d e s............................
M iners... _______ ____ ____
Slaughtering and meat pack
ing—
Textile workers__________
Miscellaneous______________
Total
__________ .
Over
One-half one-half 1 month 2 months
month and less and less and less
than 1 than 2 than 3
or less
month months months
5
1
3 months
and less
than 4
months
4 months
and less
than 5
months
5 months
and less
than 6
months
8 months
and less
than 9
months
1
1
1
1
1
6
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
12
3
7
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in February, 1928
L E A N IN G and dyeing, New York.—A strike was begun on Feb^
ruary 20, fostered by the Allied Council of Cleaners and Dyers,
which centered principally in the five boroughs of New York City,
but also included some adjacent districts. A bout 25,000 workers of
both sexes were reported as involved, also 15,000 retail and 90 whole
sale plants. The strike was inaugurated for purposes of “ organiza
tion, to end cu tth ro at competition, and stabilize the in dustry.”
This strike was reported as partially successful by M arch 5, b u t as
still in effect against those wholesalers and retailers who had not
settled on the term s demanded.
Peaceful relations were restored and the strike was about over, it is
understood, by M arch 10, through the signing of an agreement by
several large groups in the cleaners and dyers’ trade, establishing
conditions satisfactory to employees.
Payer box makers, New York.—M embers of the Paper Box M akers
Union in New York City, num bering about 1,500, struck on Febru
ary 29 for union recognition and the establishm ent of a fixed weekly
wage scale, which, it was claimed, does not now exist in the industry.
The demands as reported in the press included—
1. Recognition of the union and none bu t union workers to be
employed.
2. Time and a half for overtime and all legal holidays to be con
sidered overtime.
3. A m inimum scale of wages. M ales: Drivers, $32; chauffeurs,
$35; scorers, $46.50; glue table men, setters up, enders, $37.50;
finishers, $36; tiers up, $29. Females: Strippers,. $26; top labelers,
finishers, $27; turners in, $18.
By M arch 2 it was reported th a t a num ber of m anufacturers had
made settlem ents with the union on the terms demanded.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
98
Clothing workers, New York.-—Workers in the washable sailor-suit
industry of New York City, num bering about 900, of both sexes,
conducted a successful strike from February 15 to February 24,
against 55 contractors, for the registration of contractors and the
sending of all work to union shops, the purpose, as reported, being to
protect wage standards and working conditions.
Coal miners, Pennsylvania.—The Susquehanna Collieries Co.,
W ilkes-Barre, was affected by a strike of 2,300 miners on February
23, because of working conditions. The trouble grew out of a m iner’s
objection “ to work his cham ber in accordance w ith orders of the
officials” and is reported to have ended on February 24, w ith condi
tions as formerly.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into February, 1928
JD ITU M INO U S coal strike.—A strike condition still continues in
certain S tates as explained in former issues of the Review.
The Senate Com m ittee on In terstate Commerce began its hearings
on M arch 7, under Senate Resolution 105, on conditions in the bitu
minous coal fields of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and W est Virginia.
John L. Lewis, president of the U nited Mine W orkers of America,
appeared as the first witness. In presenting the case of the strik
ing miners he suggested a program of reform, which was about as
follows:
(1) T h at Congress take steps to correct alleged “ abuses” in the
issuance of injunctions in the Federal courts in labor disputes.
(2) T h a t Congress amend the interstate commerce act so as to
prevent railroads from practicing methods said to be designed to
exploit the bitum inous industry, further depress wages, and destroy
the m iners’ unions.
(3) T h at stabilization of the bitum inous industry be encouraged
through substantial consolidations of operating units, along the
lines recommended in the report of the U nited States Coal Com
mission, in pursuance of economic laws and w ithout harassm ent
under tbe Sherman Act.
(4) T h a t constitutional rights of citizens in the nonunion fields,
such as freedom of speech and of gathering, be restored by the elimi
nation of “ private governm ent rule,” and th a t the right of the miners
to organize be recognized.
Unsuccessful conferences have been held between representatives
of the operators and miners in Iowa, Indiana, and the southwestern
district with a view to reaching an agreement to become effective
April 1, following the term ination of the present so-called truce agree
m ents in those States.
The subcom m ittee of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee,
which had been appointed to investigate the coal fields around
Pittsburgh and in central Pennsylvania, subm itted its report to the
full committee on M arch 10.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
99
Conciliation Work of the Department of Labor in February,
1928
B y H ugh L. K e r w i n , D ire ct or
of
C onc ili at ion
H E Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 28 labor disputes
during February, 1928. These disputes affected a known
total of 18,359 employees. The table following shows the name and
location of the establishm ent or industry in which the dispute oc
curred, the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or con
troversy not having reached the strike or lockout stage), the craft or
trade concerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the term s
of settlem ent, the date of beginning and ending, and the num ber of
workers directly and indirectly involved.
On M arch 1, 1928, there were 45 strikes before the departm ent for
settlem ent, and, in addition, 15 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. The total num ber of cases pending was 60.
T
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1797]
LABOR 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 TES D E P A R T M E N T OP LABOR TH R O U G H ITS CON C ILIA TION SE R V IC E , F E B R U A R Y , 1928
o
o
Workers in
volved
Duration
Company or industry and
location
Phillips & Jones Shirt Factory,
Pottsville, Pa.
Eagle Construction Co., Knoxville,
Tenn.
Threatened
strike.
Strike_____
Threatened
strike.
Lockout
Strike.
_ _
Craft concerned
Button makers .
Underwear makers.
Plumbers, lathers,
sheet-metal workers, plasterers.
Shirt and pajama
makers.
Steel workers...
[798]
Penn Upholstered Furniture Co., ___do___
Employees
Philadelphia, Pa.
Ladies’ garment workers, Boston, Threatened Garment workers.. .
JVI8/SS
strike.
Phillips & Buttorff, Nashville, Strike
M olders... .
Tenn.
Gray & D udley Co., Nashville,
___ _do_ _
do
Tenn.
Pioneer Waist Co., Philadelphia,
__ do__
Waist makers
Pa.
Thos. Kay Woolen Mills, Salem,
__ do__
Weavers . .
Oreg.
Miesch Manufacturing Co., Pater
Silk workers
do
son, N . J.
Press telegraphers, Kansas City, Controversy Telegraphers (press).
Mo.
Peace Dale Mills, South Kingston, Strike
W eavers. _
R. I.
Painters and decorators, Chatta ____do_____
nooga, Tenn.
M ay Hosiery Mills, Nashville, ____do _ _
Tenn.
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Cause of dispute
Present status and terms of settle
ment
Adjusted. After 30-day test prices
were fixed satisfactorily.
Asked union recognition; Unable to adjust. Open shop effective; further conferences refused.
working conditions.
Nonunion labor employed__ Adjusted. Remain at work pending
arbitration.
Wages and conditions.
Begin
ning
Ending
1928
Jan. 28
1928
Feb. 8
Jan.
13
Feb.
Feb.
1
48
1
100
Feb. 17
61
Lack of w ork...
..................... Adjusted. Company agreed to take Jan. 24 Feb. 3
workers back when convenient.
Unclassified. Part returned without Jan. 28 Jan. 31
increase; others employed else
where before arrival of commis
sioner.
Working c o n d itio n s.______ Unable to adjust. Cooperative oper Feb. 7 Feb. 28
ation effective.
Wage increase asked; renew- Adjusted. Terms arranged; general Feb. 3 Feb. 18
strike averted.
al of agreement.
__ Unable to adjust. Nothing could be Jan. 15 Feb. 15
Wage cuts ._
_____
done by commissioners.
__ do___
do
__
_ _____ ____do___________________________
55
Asked 20 cents per hour in
crease—$1 per hour.
12
Asked recognition of waist
makers’ union.
Wage cut__
....
Proposed wage cut of $4 to $5
per week.
Working conditions. ----------
Adjusted. Recognition of union al Jan. 29
lowed.
Unclassified. Accepted 5 per cent Feb. 1
cut before arrival of commissioner.
...... ............ ........... .......... Jan. 2
Pending
Pending. Commissioner acting as Feb 9
arbitrator.
Adjusted. Concluded agreement on Feb. 10
Hours and overtime pay.
overtime pay; 48-hour week in
effect.
Painters, decorators. Nonunion painters employed. Adjusted. All union employees___ Feb. 11
Knitters . ...............
Direct Indi
rectly
ly
Changed working conditions. Adjusted.
Conditions
all satisfied.
restored;
Feb.
1
22
4
10
3,000
127
84
47
20
5
Feb.
6
30
Feb.
2
45
16
400
(!)
Mar. 7
500
Feb. 13
6
Feb. 16
26
200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Hawkeye Button Co., Keokuk,
Iowa.
Arlington Underwear Co., New
York City.
Building trades, Iowa City, Iowa..
Nature of
controversy
I
Allen A. Knitting, Co., Kenosha, Lockout__
Wis.
Hendee Motor Cycle Co., Spring- ___ do____
field, Mass.
Duttenhofer Sons (Inc.), Buffalo, S tr ik e ......
N . Y.
Phil, EL Quinto (Inc.) (also six C o n t r o
other firms), New York City.
versy.
Hosiery_______
Building trades, Seattle, Wash___
-5
Feb. 15
----- d o ...
Feb. 18
Shoe workers__
Changed working conditions.
3
Feb. 15
50
Unorganized labor on con
tracts.
Feb.
7
Feb. 11
500
Asked increase and 5-day
week for carpenters.
Payment of union dues_____
Adjusted.
N ew conditions ac
cepted; some increase in wages.
Unclassified. Companies agreed to
comply with contract before ar
rival of commissioner.
Pending_______ ____ _____ ________
Feb.
Ladies’ g a r m e n t
makers.
___ do____
Building crafts____
P a c k in g -h o u se
workers
Molders and la
borers.
Susquehanna Coal Co., Nanticoke, ___ do____
Pa.
Nature’s Rival Co., Chicago, 111__ Lockout___
T otal.
1 N ot reported.
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Strike____
Contro
versy.
Strike____
325
Pending.
(>)------------------------
Metal polishers .
Shamokin Packing Co., Tharp- Strike____
town, Pa.
Sanitary Plumbing Co., Linfield, ___ do____
Pa.
Main Cloak Co., Passaic, N . J ___
Golden Rule Bakery, Seattle,
Wash.
Cloak makers, Boston, M a s s .......
Working conditions; ques
tion of operating 2machines.
I
Wage cut of 10 per cent.
_do.
Feb. 20
85
Feb. 23
Feb. 23
2, 400
25
Feb. 24
Feb. 29
50
700
Employment considered dan
gerous to 1 miner.
Organization and alleged dis
crimination.
Cloak makers_____ Union dispute_____________
Bakers and salesmen Asked union recognition____
Cloak makers.
Adjusted.
Feb. 27
Asked 42-hour week.
21
Feb. 20
Feb.
Coal miners_____
Allowed 42-hour w e ek ...
300
7,000
Feb. 17
Unclassified. Accepted cut and re
turned before arrival of commis
sioner.
Adjusted. Returned; foreman and
miner to decide issue.
Adjusted.
Organization allowed;
other terms fixed later.
Pending_________________________
___ do_________ __________________
Garment workers.
1, 200
0)
7
40
80
Feb. 23
Feb. 15
Mar.
1
700
15, 346
3, 013
O
e
•n
►
3
O
102
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Strikes and Lockouts in Canada, 1927
H E statistical record given below of strikes and lockouts in
C anada from 1913 to 1927 is taken from the Canadian Labor
G azette, February, 1928 (p. 121):
T
ST R IK ES A N D LOCKOUTS IN C A N A D A , 1913 TO 1927
Number of disputes
Year
1913........................................ ...................................
1914_______________________ ____ _________
1915.-.____ ______________________________
1916____ _________________________________
1917_____________________________________
1918____ _________________________________
1919_____________________________________
1920_____________________________________
1921 ____________________________________
1922
. . . . ___________________________
1923 ____ ________________________________
1924
. - _____________________________
1925____________ ____ _______ ____________
1926
- ______________________________
1927_____________________________________
Disputes in progress during year
Begin Employ
In prog
ers in
ress each ning in
year
each year volved
113
44
43
75
148
196
298
285
145
85
91
73
83
77
79
106
40
38
74
141
191
290
272
138
70
77
63
81
73
72
1, 015
205
96
271
714
766
1, 913
1, 273
907
569
419
415
510
598
652
Employees
involved
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
24, 142
22, 683
Time loss in
working-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
296,811
165, 288
The above table shows th a t in 1927 the time lost in lockouts and
strikes in C anada was less than in any year listed except 1915, and
the num ber of employees involved was less than in any year since
1916. There were no strikes in 1927 involving more than 5,000
employees or causing over 50,000 days’ loss of time. A relatively
high num ber of disputes occurred, however, in the building trades for
the first time since 1921. There were also m any brief m ining strikes
in 1927.
Settlement of Bengal-Nagpur Railway Strike
H E Bom bay Labor Gazette, in its issue for December, 1927,
gives an account of the settlem ent of a railway strike which
attracted considerable attention, both because of its extent
and because of the m ethods adopted.
Throughout the year 1926 there was much unrest among the staff
of the Bengal-N agpur Railway, the men feeling th a t the m anagem ent
ignored their grievances, and in February, 1927, a strike broke out
in the railway workshops, which soon extended^ to the railway
generally. The m anagem ent was able to carry on its passenger and
freight service, b u t not w ithout some dislocation and delay. The
trouble was finally settled on M arch 10, b u t apparently left an
afterm ath of bitterness and suspicion.
E arly in June a report became current th a t the railroad had
discharged 200 men of the K haragpur workshops in pursuance of a
policy of victim ization because of the strike. The railway authorities
denied any such policy, b u t stated th a t the road was overstaffed,
th a t it was necessary to reduce the num ber of workers, and th a t the
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 800 ]
SETTLEMENT OF BENGAL-NAGPUR RAILWAY STRIKE
103
company was doing this by weeding out the less desirable employees
and those for whom there was no work. In August they followed this
with a notice th a t further reductions were necessary, and th a t special
bonuses would be given those who would resign voluntarily before
Septem ber 7. Some 300 men resigned, bu t as this was insufficient,
notices of discharge were served on about 1,250 men on Septem ber 7.
The next day the employees went to their places as usual, b u t for
the m ost p a rt merely remained there, doing no work. This policy,
they notified the m anagem ent, they would keep up until the discharge
notices were withdrawn. To this the m anagem ent replied by ordering
a general lockout, effective Septem ber 12, to be continued until the
“ m en’s leaders” should give an assurance th a t the men were willing
to work.
The lockout continued for a m onth, and then the shops wTere
reopened. The men again came in and continued in their places, not
working, so the shops were closed the next day. Both sides issued
manifestoes, and the Governm ent of India, after a consultation w ith
the agent of the Bengal-Nagpur Kailway, gave out a statem ent
containing figures to prove th a t the reduction of force was necessary,
and had no connection with a policy of victim ization. As to the dis
charges which had taken place, about 850 of the 1,250 on whom
notices had been served had accepted the situation and left for their
homes, so th a t only about 400 were now concerned. The m anagem ent
promised an inquiry into any cases among these concerning which the
men were dissatisfied, and since the charge of victim ization had been
made, a representative of the Governm ent would be associated with
the inquiry. Moreover, the Governm ent would depute two officers
to examine into schemes of reduction which m ight be likely to take
effect in the near future, including those contem plated a t K haragpur.
The men were not satisfied with these concessions, demanding
among other things, th a t all who had been locked out should receive
their wages for the entire period of the lockout and th a t all necessary
facilities should be given them to present their case through their
union before the promised commission of inquiry. They also de
m anded the reinstatem ent of those who had not accepted their
discharge.
There were various negotiations, with threats on the m en’s side
of a possible general strike on the railways, bu t a compromise was
finally reached. The demand for the reinstatem ent of the discharged
men was dropped, the demand for representation before the com
mission of inquiry was granted, and after some m isunderstandings, the
request as to wages was conditionally agreed to.
The Government of India has now decided that on certain conditions the fufi
pay for the period of the closure of the workshops should be given in place of the
subsistence allowance referred to by the agent in his communique. These
conditions are that the men resume work not later than December 13, and show
by their conduct and behavior for a period of two months that they accept the
action taken by the Government and the railway administration as the final
settlement of this dispute.
In view of this concession the labor leaders advised the men to
resume work forthw ith. Accordingly, on December 8, 1927, after a
stoppage of almost three m onths, normal working was begun again
in the workshops of the Bengal-N agpur Railway.
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[801]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Hours and Earnings in Slaughtering and Meat Packing, 1927
H IS article presents summaries for 1927 of averages of hours and
earnings by occupations and departm ents for 50,207 males
and 7,146 females of 86 slaughtering and m eat-packing plants
in the U nited S tates.1 The d a ta were collected from the pay rolls
and other records of representative establishm ents for a representative
weekly pay period in October, November, or December, 1927. The
averages are therefore as of those m onths, and cover every operation
in each of the 13 departm ents included in the study. The work in
these departm ents begins with the driving of live cattle, hogs, and
sheep from the local stockyards, covers all operations and processes
necessary to convert the animals into the various m eat products and
by-products, and ends w ith the loading of the finished products into
delivery trucks and refrigerator cars for distribution. The depart
m ents included in the present study are as follows: O attle killing,
hog killing, sheep and calf killing, offal, hide, casing, cutting and trim
ming of fresh beef, cutting and trim m ing of fresh pork, lard and oleo
oil, sausage, cured m eat, canning, and m aintenance and repair. No
figures are shown for officials, office clerks, salesmen, power-house
employees, nonworking foremen, employees of departm ents or shops
in which tubs, tierces, cans, boxes, or brushes are m anufactured, nor
for employees of butterine, m incemeat, produce, extract, soap,
curled hair, wool, bone, and fertilizer departm ents.
Sum m ary d a ta of hours and earnings are shown in Table 1 for males
and females separately and for the industry as a whole for 1921, 1923,
1925, and 1927. Average earnings per hour are shown for 1917, but
as a considerable num ber of plants included in the 1917 study had
no regular schedule of working hours per week full-time earnings per
week could n o t be com puted for th a t year. I t is seen in the table
th a t the average hourly earnings for the ind u stry as a whole were
higher in 1927 (50.1 cents) than in any of the previous years. The
hourly earnings of the male workers were higher in 1927 th an in any
other year, b u t those of the women workers were slightly higher in
1921 than in 1927.
An approxim ate 8-hour day, or 48-hour week, was established in
1918. In July, 1922, the hours were increased to a 9-hour day, or
54-hour week, by m any of the plants th a t were included in the 1921
study. Since then, however, a considerable num ber of plants have
returned to the 8-hour day and 48-hour week. T he average full
tim e hours in the industry in 1927 were 49.3 per week, as compared
with 50.1 in 1925.
Full-tim e weekly earnings in the industry in 1927 averaged $24.70.
This also was a higher figure th an those for previous years.
T
1These figures in detail will be available later in bulletin form.
104
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[802]
SLAUGHTERING AND MEAT PACKING
105
T able 1.—A V ER A G E H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, ALL O C C U PA TIO N S, 1917, 1921, 1923, 1925
A N D 1927, B Y SE X A N D Y E AR
Number Number of
of estab
lishments employees
Sex and year
Average
full-time
hours
per week
Average
earnings
per hour
Average
full time
earnings
per week
M ALES
______
1917
1921______ _______ _____ __________________
1923_______________ ____ _________________
1925___________________ ________ _____ ____
1927_____________________________________
66
34
38
86
86
55, 089
30| 075
45, 083
52, 702
50, 207
48.4
52.2
50.2
49.3
$0. 271
.511
.499
.507
.520
$24.39
25.42
25.45
25.64
51
31
37
78
78
6, 576
3, 329
6, 112
6, 595
7,146
48.3
52.8
49.4
49.1
.178
.365
.361
.359
.364
17.48
18.80
17. 73
17. 87
66
34
38
86
86
61, 665
33,404
51,195
59, 297
57, 353
48.4
52.3
50.1
49.3
.262
.497
.484
.492
.501
23. 67
24. 63
24. 65
24. 70
FEM ALES
1917
_______ _______
1921_____________________________ ________
1923_____________ ____ ___________________
1925____ ______________ ________ ________
1927_____________________________________
M ALES AND FEM A LES
1917______ __________________ ______ ____
1921_______________________________ ______
1923_____________________________________
1925_____________________________________
1927_____________ _______ ________________
Guaranteed Hours of Pay
T H E 86 plants covered in the 1927 study, the employees in
^
all occupations in 45 plants and those in some of the occupa
tions in 16 plants operate under a plan whereby they are guaranteed
their pay for a specified num ber of hours per day or week. This
assures to these employees pay at their regular rate for the specified
num ber of hours whenever the hours of work are less than the guar
anteed hours of pay. To be entitled to pay, it is necessary for the
employee to report for d uty and work all the hours the p lan t or
departm ent operates on each day or in each week. A guaranty of
40 hours’ pay per week is m ade by 57 plants, a few of which guar
antee 6% hours’ pay for each day the employee reports for duty
and does any work. One plant gives a guaranty of 35 hours, one of
37}/£, one of 45, and one of 48 hours per week. There is no guar
anty, however, in 25 of the 86 plants included in the study.
Overtime
(''Y V ER TIM E is generally understood to mean any time worked by
^
employees on any regular workday or in any full week in excess
of the regular or custom ary full-time hours per day or per week as
determ ined by the regular time of beginning work on each day,
m inus the regular time taken for lunch. Of the 86 plants covered in
1927, 52 pay time and a half for all overtime. One p lan t pays time
and one-fourth for overtime to employees in the m aintenance and
repair departm ent only. The regular rate is paid for overtime in
33 plants.
Work on Sunday and Holidays
IN T H IS industry work on Sunday and holidays is lim ited to a very
1 small per cent of the employees of a plant and usually to only a
small per cent of the mechanics in the m aintenance and repair depart
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[803]
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
m ent who repair buildings and equipm ent. W ork on holidays is not
frequent. Provision is m ade for paym ent of double the regular rate
for this work by 32 of the plants covered, of one and one-half times
the regular rate by 21 plants, and for paym ent of the regular rate by
33 plants.
Statistics of Wages and Hours
A V E R A G E S of full-time hours per week, earnings per hour, and
_
full-time earnings per week are shown in Table 2, by occupa
tion, for the various occupations of the cattle-killing, hog-killing,
casing, sausage, and canning departm ents, for all occupations com
bined in each departm ent, and for a group of “ miscellaneous em
ployees” of all departm ents.
In 1925 the average earnings per hour of males ranged from 41.7
cents for washing and painting machine tenders in the canning
departm ent to 96.3 cents for head holders in the cattle-killing depart
m ent; those of females ranged from 30.1 cents for wipers of filled cans
in the canning departm ent to 41.2 cents for cooks in the sausage
departm ent. In 1927 hourly earnings of males ranged from 39.1
cents for passers and pilers of cans in the canning departm ent to
$1.06 for head holders in the cattle-killing departm ent; those of
females ranged from 30.2 cents for wipers of filled cans in the canning
departm ent to 43.9 cents for stuffers in the sausage departm ent.
The average earnings per hour for laborers (male) in the casing
departm ent was 43.3 cents in 1925 as compared with 45.4 cents in
1927; for splitters (male) in the cattle-killing departm ent, 85.5 cents
in 1925 as compared w ith 87.6 cents in 1927; for kidney pullers, etc.
(female), in the hog-killing departm ent was 34.3 cents m 1925, com
pared with 35.8 cents in 1927; and for stuffers (female) in the sausage
departm ent, 37.9 cents in 1925 as compared with 43.9 cents in 1927.
T able 2 .—H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N
C a ttle -k illin g d e p a r tm e n t
Sex and occupation
Year
Number Number
Average
Average Average
of es
full-time
of em earnings
hours
tablish
earnings
ployees per hour per week
ments
per week
M ALES
Drivers and penners____
Knockers....... .................
Shacklers or slingers____
Head holders.... .......... .
Stickers__ ______ ____
Headers______ _______
Droppers and pritehers up.
Foot skinners.................
Leg breakers...................
Rippers-open...................
Gullet raisers... ................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
[804]
58
57
53
59
41
37
3
3
25
28
51
51
40
38
44
45
55
55
9
11
14
10
178
194
79
80
90
64
3
3
33
37
120
119
75
78
117
111
181
152
17
13
21
15
$0. 473
491
.537
. 542
. 543
. 535
.963
1.054
.591
.733
.641
.662
. 512
.517
.515
. 535
.558
.556
. 559
.558
.491
.476
51.7
51.4
49. 2
49. 3
49.7
49. 7
48. 0
48. 0
50. 7
48. 6
50.0
49.0
50.0
48.8
49.6
48.9
49.9
49. 1
49.8
48. 5
49. 4
48.1
$24.45
25. 24
26. 42
26. 72
26.99
28. 59
46.22
50.59
29. 96
35. 62
32.05
32.44
25.60
25. 23
25. 54
26.16
27. 84
27. 30
27. 84
27.06
24.26
22.90
SLAUGHTERING AND MEAT PACKING
T
able
107
2 . —H O U R S A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, BY D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N —Continued
C a t t l e - k i l l i n g d e p a r t m e n t — Continued
Year
Number
of es
tablish
ments
1925
1927
1925
1927
Breast or brisket breakers and sawyers____
1925
1927
Crotch breakers ___. . . _______________ . 1925
1927
Hoisters__________ ____ . . . . _ __________
1925
1927
Tail rippers and pullers.. ____________ _ _ 1925
1927
Rumpers. _______
______ ________
1925
1927
Fell cutters . . . ___ _________________ 1925
1927
Fell pullers and beaters______ ___________
1925
1927
Backers_________________
____________
1925
1927
Gutters and bung droppers______ _______
1925
1927
Shank skinners ___________________ ____ _ 1925
1927
Hide droppers__________________________ _ 1925
1927
Tail sa w y e r s... ______________ _________
1925
1927
Splitters .......... ................................................. .
1925
1927
Chuck splitteis______ _______ ____________
1925
1927
Scribers... _______________________ ______
1925
1927
Trimmers (bruises, rounds, skirts, and tails). 1925
1927
U tility m en______________________ _______ 1925
1927
Washers and w ip e is .................. ......................
1925
1927
Tonguers________________________________
1925
1927
Laborers_______ _______________________
1925
1927
Truckers__________________ ____ ___ _____
1925
1927
32
28
62
65
40
42
20
22
40
33
29
32
49
57
31
31
24
23
51
54
55
63
17
11
54
58
46
48
57
65
38
43
36
39
35
40
46
48
61
58
34
28
63
74
45
34
Sex and occupation
Number Average Average Average
full-time
of em earnings
hours
ployees per hour per week earnings
per week
males—continued
Caul pullers__________________ _________
94
87
65
51
108
115
121
125
34
25
139
134
114
94
149
150
63
66
42
51
152
161
147
137
264
230
53
29
949
874
121
90
$0. 545
.569
.856
.877
. 534
.552
.524
.530
.494
.525
.531
.540
.749
.761
.598
.637
.488
.501
.782
.800
.575
.587
.532
.538
.655
.684
.547
.592
.855
.876
.593
.608
.521
.520
.496
.509
.604
.598
.440
.459
.509
.533
.442
.451
.455
.476
49. 7
49. 2
49.9
49. 2
49. 7
49. 6
49. 7
48. 3
49.4
48. 5
49.8
48.8
50. 1
49.6
49. 5
48.6
49. 1
49.0
49.8
48.9
50. 1
49.0
49.3
49. 4
49.8
49. 3
50. 2
49. 2
50. 0
49. 1
50.0
49. 9
49. 9
49.2
49. 5
48.8
52.5
51.6
50. 1
48.8
49. 9
50.0
50.2
49.4
50.4
49. 5
$27. 09
27.99
42. 71
43.15
26.54
27.38
26.04
25. 60
24. 40
25. 46
26. 44
26. 35
37. 52
37. 75
29. 60
30.96
23.96
24. 55
38.94
39. 12
28. 81
28. 76
26.23
26. 58
32. 62
33. 72
27. 46
29.13
42. 75
43.01
29. 65
30. 34
26.00
25. 58
24.55
24. 84
31. 71
30. 86
22.04
22.40
25. 40
26. 65
22.19
22.28
22.93
23.56
25
23
.348
.357
49.2
48.3
17.12
17.24
65
829
$0. 433
68
818
.442
63
143
.548
59
142
.557
Stickers...... ............................. ...............................
65
79
.627
68
.631
61
Scalders 2 .......... ....................................................
304
.514
68
65
291
.521
Hookers-on 3______________ ______________
59
214
.470
55
159
.493
Shavers and scrapers_____________________
.523
66
705
65
567
.535
Headers__ _____ _____________ _______
61
102
.592
.594
105
60
1 Includes drivers, penners, steamers, singers, washers, and aitch-bone breakers.
2 Includes tubmen, droppers, gamb cutters, polemen, and duckers.
3 Includes hockers-ofl, hangers-ofl, straighteners, and chain feeders.
51.7
51.0
52.0
50. 2
51.8
50. 3
51. 9
50. 5
51.6
50. 6
51.4
50. 6
52. 0
50.2
$22.39
22.54
28.50
27.96
32. 48
31.74
26.68
26.31
24. 25
24. 95
26.88
27. 07
30.78
29.82
Floormen or siders____________
._ ____
55
48
272
280
74
61
28
36
158
91
48
45
97
to o
FEM ALES
Carcass wipers, bruise and tail trimmers,
neck rag inserters, and laborers.
1925
1927
4
8
H o g - k illin g d e p a r tm e n t
MALES
Laborers 1_______________________________
Shacklers.............................................................. .
9 3 6 7 5 ° — 2 8 ------- 8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
[8 0 5 ]
108
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 2 .—H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N —Continued
H o g - k i l l i n g d e p a r t m e n t —Continued
Sex and occupation
males—continued
Gutters 4------- --------------------- ------ ------------
Ham facers___________________ _____ ____
Splitters------------------------------------------------Leaf-lard pullers_________________________
Leaf-lard scrapers------------------------- --------Bruise trimmers, head removers, and kidney
pullers----- ----------------- --------------------U tility m en---------------------------- ------ T ruckers,,................. ....... ..........
-----
. -----------
Year
Number
of es
tablish
ments
Number
of em
ployees
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
64
65
52
49
68
63
57
59
36
26
242
219
68
65
170
169
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
50
52
54
52
35
23
1925
1927
17
12
Average
Average Average full-time
hours
earnings
earnings
per hour per week per week
$0. 590
.589
.581
.589
.635
.630
.512
.509
.451
.449
51.9
50.4
51.4
49. 5
51. 5
50. 1
51. 9
50. 8
51. 6
51.0
$30. 62
29.69
29.86
29.16
32.70
31. 56
26.57
25. 86
23.27
22.90
193
109
79
.494
. 513
.575
.588
.436
.426
51. 6
50.7
51.7
50.7
52.4
50.9
25.49
26. 01
29.73
29.81
22.85
21.68
88
49
.343
.358
50.5
51. 4
17. 32
18. 40
50. 1
49. 4
50.3
49. 2
50.0
48.8
49.9
48.9
49.8
48. 7
50.3
49.0
49.9
48.8
50.1
49.0
49. 1
48. 7
49.9
50.9
49.7
49.7
49. 1
50. 2
48.2
$26.10
26. 77
25. 10
24.85
27.80
27.13
24.45
24.69
24. 35
26. 15
26.11
25.87
25.00
25. 86
25.60
26.41
24. 35
22.79
24. 45
25.70
28.03
21.52
22. 29
22. 39
23. 38
51.0
49.4
50.8
48.3
48.5
51. 0
49.2
48.3
49. 1
48. 1
49.6
48.8
50. 3
48. 8
48. 7
48. 3
49.9
49. 7
19. 69
19. 32
19.05
18. 93
15.96
21.73
17.91
18. 55
18. 76
16.16
19.64
18. 35
19.42
19.81
19. 72
19. 32
18.01
18.54
101
100
62
39
135
118
200
FEM A LES
Kidney pullers, shavers, singers, neck brushers, and spreaders
------ -- --
C a s in g d e p a r tm e n t
M ALES
Casing pullers or runners----- ------- --------Strippers -
---------
- ------------------------
Fatters and slimers____ _________________
Turners,,
------- ---------------
------------- -
Blowers, graders, and inspectors___________
Measurers and bunchers
______
Salters and packers.
---------------------
Trimmers of casings. _ -------------- ------------Blowers and tiers of bladders and weasands
Cleaners of casings_______________________
General w orkers-_
------- ------------------Laborers.
.
_______
_ -----------------------
Truckers ______________________________
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
69
67
55
53
61
61
44
47
45
51
42
37
51
45
55
51
14
21
49
63
39
41
33
28
18
620
609
270
279
558
626
173
143
164
182
81
219
197
240
233
34
29
204
377
92
217
133
59
46
$0. 521
.542
.499
.505
.556
.556
.490
.505
.489
.537
.519
.528
.501
.530
.511
.539
.496
.468
.490
.505
.564
.433
.454
.446
.485
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
10
14
8
6
6
2
29
27
17
14
75
59
18
18
30
4
197
221
62
57
22
22
75
40
34
18
143
204
.386
.391
.375
.392
.329
.426
.364
.384
.382
.336
.396
.376
.386
.406
.405
.400
.361
.373
100
FEM A LES
Casing pullers or runners------Strippers.
___ ----------
____ . ................... ...................
T urners... ___________________ _____ ____
Blowers, graders, and inspectors___. . .
_
Measurers and bunchers--------- --------------Salters and packers------------------------- -------Trimmers of casings __ ----------------- --------Blowers and tiers of bladders and weasands.
General workers__ ._ ------- ----------------------
4 Includes bung droppers*and rippers open.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[806]
10
8
15
14
9
8
20
25
SLAUGHTERING AND MEAT PACKING
109
T a b l e 2 .— H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, BY D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N —Continued
S a u s a g e d e p a r tm e n t
Sex and occupation
Year
Number
of es
tablish
ments
1925
1927
46
38
300
194
$0. 421
.440
50.6
49.7
$21.30
21.87
1925
1927
75
76
418
402
.510
.513
50.5
49.6
25.76
25.44
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
32
36
74
77
25
22
14
107
77
406
417
172
132
20
49.5
49.6
50.8
49.5
51.2
51. 1
49.5
49.0
50.2
49.4
50.8
50.3
51.2
51.5
22.28
22.52
28. 75
27. 97
23.91
23.76
21.19
24.50
21.34
21.69
25.35
24.85
26.47
27.40
Number Average Average
hours
of em earnings
ployees per hour per week
Average
full-time
earnings
per week
MALES
Truckers and forkers._______ ____________
Machine tenders (choppers, grinders, mixers,
curers, feeders, and cu tters)........... .............
Casing workers (washers, turners, returners,
measurers, cutters, tiers, and tatters)._ „
Stuffers__________________________ _______
Linkers, twisters, tiers, and hangers_______
Ropers, wrappers, and tiers_______________
Laborers 5_________ ________________ _____
C ooks..______________________ __________
Smokers.................................... ............................
Inspectors, packers, scalers, shippers, and
nailers________________________________
U tility men, assistant foremen, straw bosses,
sub-foremen, handy men, small-order men,
and all-round m en____ ___________ ____
8
24
72
75
65
69
989
995
168
196
170
165
.450
.454
.566
.565
.467
.465
.428
.500
.425
.439
.499
.494
.517
.532
1925
1927
65
62
418
405
.454
.482
50.5
49.5
22.93
23.86
1925
1927
55
55
166
169
.534
.539
50.5
49.9
26.97
26.90
1925
1927
18
28
22
32
.350
.338
49.5
48.8
17.33
16.49
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
57
55
18
11
75
75
29
24
3
3
360
382
61
41
1,105
1,175
183
221
3
5
.348
.358
.379
.439
.372
.364
.352
.388
.412
.375
49.9
48.5
51.7
48.5
49.9
49.2
49.9
48.0
52.0
48.0
17. 37
17. 36
19.59
21.29
18.56
17.91
17.56
18.62
21.42
18.00
1925
1927
1925
1927
56
57
38
35
616
549
170
185
.319
.336
.329
.359
49.4
48.8
49.2
49.2
15.76
16.40
16.19
17. 66
68
68
FEMALES
Machine tenders (choppers, grinders, mixers,
curers, feeders, and cutters)____ ___. . .
Casing workers (washers, turners, returners,
measurers, cutters, tiers, and fatters)_____
S tu ffe r s...________ ________________ _____
Linkers, twisters, tiers, and hangers_______
Ropers, wrappers, and tiers__________ ____
C ooks..__________ ______________________
Packers (wrappers, inspectors, labelers, tag
gers, tiers, and packers’ helpers)_________
General workers (box makers, labelers, laborers, sorters, and utility workers).
C a n n in g d e p a r tm e n t
MALES
9
$22. 09
1925
49.2
20
$0. 449
12
1927
.488
47.5
23.18
26
1925
9
25
48.5
22.70
.468
1927
10
37
23.18
.477
48.6
Passers and pilers, c a n s ......................... .......... 1925
8
40
.467
47.5
22.18
4
1927
10
.391
18. 77
48.0
Trimmers, meat (by hand)_______________
1925
5
8
.462
49. 1
22. 68
4
.445
50.6
22.52
1927
7
Machine tenders (preparing and stuffing
1925
27
112
49.2
23.42
.476
meat into cans).
39
1927
137
.493
49.0
24.16
Stuffers (meat into cans, by hand).................. 1925
7
19
.473
50.2
23.74
8
24
1927
.460
50.3
23.14
1925
13
74
22.74
Packers and nailers______________________
.467
48.7
1927
15
83
.442
48.3
21. 35
49. 7
23.16
16
69
.466
Cappers_______________________ _______ _
1925
1927
15
58
.461
47.6
21.94
1Including roustabouts, ham-cylinder washers, cleaners up, ham pressers, hangers, cooks’ helpers, and
smokers’ helpers.
Cooks________ ___________ ___________
Steam tenders, process men, and retort men.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 0 7 ]
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 2 .—H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, BY D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N —Continued
C a n n i n g d e p a r t m e n t — Continued
Average
full-time
earnings
per week
Number
of es
tablish
ments
Number
of em
ployees
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
5
3
9
19
15
7
38
96
63
29
238
115
196
398
$0. 417
.488
.547
. 505
. 491
.495
.447
.438
.443
. 442
48.4
47.6
47.7
47.6
47.2
48. 2
47.6
47.8
49.6
48.1
$20.18
23.23
26.09
24.04
23.18
23. 86
21.28
20.94
21.97
21.26
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
10
17
6
5
31
43
6
9
13
14
17
12
4
62
49
62
55
387
849
41
23
145
134
101
.355
.369
.311
. 348
. 337
.351
.350
.365
.386
.385
.358
.332
.301
.302
.311
46.5
48.4
51.2
46.6
49.3
49.3
46.3
47.7
47.9
46.3
47.8
49. 9
47. 2
48.0
48.9
16. 51
17. 86
15.92
16. 22
16. 61
17. 30
16. 21
17. 41
18.49
17. 83
17.11
16. 57
14. 21
14. 50
15. 21
Year
Sex and occupation
Average Average
earnings
hours
per hour per week
males—continued
Machine tenders, washing, and painting----General w orkers.. __________________ . . .
Inspectors_____________________ ____
Truckers ______________________________
Laborers-------------- ------------- --------------------
8
7
13
17
13
22
FEMALES
Machine tenders (preparing and stuffing
meat into cans).
Staffers (meat into cans, by hand)— ------Packers (sliced bacon and chipped dried beef
into cans, glass jars, or cartons, by hand).
Cappers____
. ___________________
Labelers and wrappers_____________ . ----Weighers (filled cans)_____________ _______
Wipers (filled cans)______________________
Cap setters. __ _ ___________ ________ ____
Washers of empty c a n s ._______ : _________
Passers and pilers, cans......................... .............
Trimmers, meat (by hand)___ __________
General workers............................ ................
-
3
4
33
11
7
7
2
9
.338
50.0
16.90
5
4
6
5
8
18
90
61
64
62
252
.335
.389
.381
.368
.369
.350
46.3
48.0
47.3
48.2
48.0
47.7
15. 51
18.67
18.02
17. 74
17. 71
16.70
20
A l l o c c u p a t i o n s c o m b in e d
Cattle-killing department:
Males............ .......... ................. ......... - Females............... ....................................
Hog-killing department:
Males..................... ............................... ...........
Fem ales..................................................... .
Sheep-killing department:
Males_____________ __________________
Offal department (other than hides and
casings):
M ales............................... ...............................
Females......... ............... ................................
Hide department:
M ales................. ..............................................
Casing department:
M ales___________________ ________ _
Females________________ ____________
Cutting or fresh beef department:
M a le s ______ _____ _________ _____ ___
Females............. ........................................... .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1925
1927
1925
1927
72
74
4
8
4, 261
3, 946
25
23
$0. 557
.578
.348
.357
50.1
49.4
49.2
48.3
$27.91
28. 55
17.12
17.24
1925
1927
1925
1927
71
71
17
12
3, 463
3,132
88
49
.512
. 521
.343
.358
51.7
50. 6
50.5
51.4
26.47
26.36
17. 32
18.40
1925
1927
41
49
1,429
1,266
.536
.568
49.2
48.9
26.37
27. 78
1925
1927
1925
1927
89
81
35
35
3, 176
3,007
344
330
.499
.512
.341
.364
49.9
49. 6
50.7
50.0
24.90
25. 40
17.29
18. 20
1925
1927
67
71
1,404
1, 331
.470
.497
49.8
49.3
23.41
24.40
1925
1927
1925
1927
78
76
41
46
3, 031
2,854
656
643
.510
. 529
.373
.379
50. 1
49. 1
49.7
48.9
25. 55
25.97
18. 54
18. 53
1925
1927
1925
1927
75
72
9
7
5,430
5, 326
36
40
.514
.516
.335
.330
50.0
48.8
52. 2
49.7
25. 70
25.18
17. 49
16.40
[808 ]
111
SLAUGHTERING AND MEAT PACKING
T able 2 .—HO U R S A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, B Y D E P A R T M E N T , SE X , A N D
O C C U PA T IO N —Continued
A l l o c c u p a t i o n s c o m b i n e d —Continued
Sex and occupation
Cutting or fresh pork department:
Males____________
Females____________
Lard and oleo oil department:
Males________________
Females_______ . . .
Sausage department:
Males______ ____ ___
Females________________
Cured-meat department:
Males_______ ____ ____
Females______ _____ ___
Canning department:
Males__________ ____ _
Females________ __________
Maintenance and repair department :
M ales,___________________
Miscellaneous employees, except maintenance and repair:
M ales_______ ____________
Females____________________
Total, all departments:
Males____________
Fem ales.............. .................
Grand total, males and females..
Year
Number Number
Average Average Average
of es
full-time
of em earnings
hours
tablish
ployees per hour per week earnings
ments
per week
1925
1927
1925
1927
76
75
43
46
5, 290
4, 821
887
902
$0. 503
.509
.424
.418
50.8
49. 8
50.2
49. 5
$25. 55
25. 35
21.28
20. 69
1925
1927
1925
1927
83
81
42
40
2,561
2,299
255
220
.463
.468
.314
.325
50.4
49. 8
49.4
49. 3
23. 34
23.31
15. 51
16. 02
1925
1927
1925
1927
78
79
75
77
3, 334
3,176
2,520
2,590
.474
.487
.351
.359
50.5
49.8
49.8
48. 9
23. 94
24.25
17. 48
17 56
1925
1927
1925
1927
81
80
57
58
7, 463
7,184
647
697
.467
.472
.335
.339
50.7
49.8
49.6
50 0
23. 68
23.51
16. 62
16 95
1925
1927
1925
1927
34
44
32
43
917
1,027
1,038
1, 486
.462
.460
.349
.355
48.6
48. 2
47.3
48. 6
22. 45
22. 17
16. 51
17 25
1925
1927
86
86
8,445
8, 867
.568
.571
49.1
49.1
27. 89
28.04
1925
1927
1925
1927
84
83
34
34
2,498
1,971
99
166
.448
.458
.342
.354
50.5
49. 6
49.4
48.9
22. 62
22. 72
16. 89
17.31
1925
1927
1925
1927
86
86
78
78
52, 702
50, 207
6,595
7,146
.507
.520
.359
.364
50.2
49. 3
49.4
49.1
25.45
25.64
17. 73
17. 87
1925
1927
86
86
59, 297
57, 353
.492
.501
50. 1
49.3
24. 65
24. 70
Table 3 shows 1927 averages, by departm ent and district, for
four of the representative occupations in the cattle-killing, hog
killing, casing, and sausage departm ents, and for two of the repre
sentative occupations in the canning departm ent. The districts are
8 in num ber, as follows:
D istrict 1 includes 11 plants in Chicago.
D istrict 2 includes 16 plants in Kansas City, Omaha, St. Joseph,
E a st St. Louis, and St. Louis.
D istrict 3 includes 16 plants in Kansas, Iowa, M innesota, South
D akota, and Wisconsin.
D istrict 4 includes 7 plants in Oklahoma and Texas.
D istrict 5 includes 13 plants in Indiana, M ichigan, Ohio, western
New York, and western Pennsylvania.
D istrict 6 includes 9 plants in Connecticut, M assachusetts, eastern
New York, and eastern Pennsylvania.
D istrict 7 includes 5 plants in Florida, Georgia, and M aryland.
D istrict 8 includes 9 plants in California, Colorado, Oregon, and
W ashington.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[809]
112
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
3 .—A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E HOURS PE R W E EK , A V ER A G E E A R N IN G S P E R
H O U R , A N D A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S, 1927, BY D E P A R T M E N T ,
SE X , O C C U PA T IO N , A N D D IS T R IC T
T able
C a ttle -k illin g d e p a r tm e n t
Floormen or siders, males
Leg breakers, males
District
Aver Aver Aver
N um N um age
full age age full
ber of ber of
earn
time
time
estab
em
ings weekly
hours
lish ployees per
per
earn
ments
week
hour
ings
Aver- Aver Aver
N um N um age
full- age age full
ber of
earn
time
of
time
estab ber
ings weekly
em
hours
lish
per
per
earn
ments ployees week
hour
ings
1__________
_____
2_
3 ________
4 _________
5 _______
6
7- ______
8- _______
6
14
12
4
8
2
2
7
26
51
32
14
13
5
2
9
49.4
48.8
49.1
48.0
49.9
48.0
57.5
49.7
$0. 535
.537
.557
.547
.626
.883
.395
.567
$26. 43
26. 21
27. 35
26.26
31. 24
42. 38
22. 71
28. 18
8
15
13
5
9
3
3
9
58
100
45
23
20
13
4
17
48.4
49. 5
49. 6
48.8
50. 3
48.0
56. 3
48.4
$0. 864
.874
.847
.850
.852
1.482
.673
.825
$41.82
43.26
42. 01
41.48
42.86
71.14
37.89
39.93
T otal________
55
152
49.1
.556
27.30
65
280
49.2
.877
43.15
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
Laborers, males
Splitters, males
I ...... .........
2
3 ________
4_ _______
5 - ______
6 ________
7 ________
8 . _______
8
15
14
5
8
3
3
9
32
48
25
13
10
10
3
9
48.5
49.2
49.2
48.5
50.3
48.0
56.7
48.3
$0.844
.862
.862
.850
.824
1.473
.644
.852
$40. 93
42.41
42.41
41.23
41.45
70. 70
36. 51
41. 15
8
15
15
7
12
3
5
9
162
329
139
92
73
28
20
31
48.3
49. 5
49.0
49.2
51.3
49.3
56.3
48. 7
$0.462
.466
.456
.396
.430
.605
.292
.460
$22. 31
23.07
22. 34
19. 48
22.06
29.83
16.44
22.40
T otal________
65
150
49.1
.876
43.01
74
874
49.4
.451
22.28
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
H o g - k illin g d e p a r tm e n t
Shavers and scrapers, males
Laborers, males
2
6
47
91
175
9
152
55
12
26
49.3
49.0
49.8
48.0
51.9
52.9
56.3
48.8
$0. 560
.528
.512
.593
.532
.559
.507
.615
$27. 61
25.87
25.50
28.46
27. 61
29.57
28.54
30.01
65
567
50.6
.535
27.07
1__________
2_ .................
3 ________
4 ...............
5__________
6_ .................
7 ........ .........
8 - ..................
6
16
16
4
13
6
2
5
58
197
260
33
159
84
14
13
50.1
48.6
50.4
52.9
52.8
54.6
56.4
49.6
$0. 474
.453
.428
.307
.440
.493
.361
.444
$23. 75
22. 02
21. 57
16. 24
23. 23
26. 92
20.36
22.02
6
15
16
T o ta l............. .
68
818
51.0
.442
22.54
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
4
11
5
Gutters, males
Splitters, males
I - . ................
2 . . ................
3 - . ................
4- _______
5 ________
6 ______
7 _______
8 __________
6
14
16
4
12
5
2
6
26
39
75
5
41
22
3
8
49.6
48.5
49.7
48.0
52.0
54.3
58.3
49.4
$0. 584
.576
.566
.612
.623
.581
.567
.692
$28. 97
27. 94
28. 13
29. 38
32. 40
31.55
33. 06
34. 18
6
15
16
3
12
5
2
4
26
42
49
3
32
11
2
4
48.6
49. 1
50.1
48.0
51.6
54.0
57.5
47.3
$0. 644
.639
.623
.642
.618
.588
.621
.736
$31.30
31.37
31. 21
30.82
31.89
31.75
35. 71
34.81
T o ta l--............
65
219
50.4
.589
29.69
63
169
50.1
.630
31.56
District
District
District
District
D istrict
D istrict
District
District
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 810 ]
113
SLAUGHTERING AND MEAT PACKING
3 .—A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K , A V ER A G E E A R N IN G S PER
H O UR, A N D A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S, 1927, B Y D E P A R T M E N T ,
SE X , O C C U PA T IO N , A N D D IS T R IC T —Continued
T able
C a s in g d e p a r tm e n t
District
Casing pullers, males
Strippers, males
Aver Aver Aver
N um N um age
full age age full
ber of ber of
earn
time
time
estab
em
ings weekly
hours
lish ployees
earn
per
per
ments
ings
week
hour
Aver Aver Aver
N um N um age
full age age full
ber of ber of
earn
time
time
estab
em
hours
ings weekly
lish ployees per
earn
per
ments
week
hour
ings
District 1- ............. .
District 2 __________
D istrict3 . ........... .
District 4 . . ______
District 5...............
District 6 _______
District 7 ________
District 8________
5
16
14
5
8
8
2
9
92
161
161
35
47
79
6
28
48.2
48.9
49.7
48.2
50.4
51.3
55.0
48.5
$0. 548
.551
.530
.495
.530
.570
.576
.544
$26. 41
26.94
26. 34
23.86
26. 71
29.24
31. 68
26.38
3
13
8
6
6
8
1
8
59
81
59
21
20
26
1
12
48.0
49.3
49.8
48.6
49.9
50.8
0)
48.0
$0. 481
.512
.538
.456
.486
.499
(0
.513
$23. 09
25.24
26. 79
22.16
24. 25
25.35
(>)
24.62
T otal________
67
609
49.4
.542
26. 77
53
279
49.2
.505
24. 85
Fatters and slimers, males
Blowers, graders, and inspectors, females
1. _______
2 __________
3__________
4
..............
5 _______
6 ...........
7 . ..................
8______ . . . .
4
15
12
6
7
7
1
9
131
242
89
41
37
59
3
24
48.0
49.2
48. 5
48. 3
49.8
49.2
(i)
48.0
$0,544
.564
.551
. 528
.528
.595
(i)
.577
$26.11
27. 75
26. 72
25. 50
26.29
29. 27
(i)
27.70
T otal. ______
61
626
48.8
.556
27.13
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
3
9
7
71
73
59
48.0
48.6
48.3
$0. 397
.375
.383
$19.06
18.23
18.50
1
2
1
11
0)
48.0
(0
.352
0)
16.90
5
6
47.5
.379
18.00
27
221
48.3
.384:
18. 55
S a u s a g e d e p a r tm e n t
Machine tenders, males
Stuffers, males
District 1__________
District 2__________
District 3__________
District 4 . _______
District 5 . ...............
District 6_______ ._
District 7 _______
District 8__________
8
15
15
7
13
6
3
9
56
104
96
33
55
29
10
19
47.9
48.5
49.4
48. 7
50.6
54. 2
57.0
48.6
$0. 522
.513
.488
.488
.538
.541
.464
.579
$25. 00
24. 88
24. 11
23. 77
27. 22
29. 32
26. 45
28.14
8
15
16
7
13
6
2
9
79
112
75
17
61
41
9
23
47.6
48.5
49.3
49.4
50.7
54.1
55.0
48. 7
$0. 572
.587
.534
.616
.570
.550
.484
.565
$27. 23
28. 47
26.33
30.43
28.90
29.76
26. 62
27. 52
T o ta l..
76
402
49.6
.513
25. 44
77
417
49.5
.565
27.97
____
Linkers, males
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
District
1__________
2__________
3 ________
4 _ ____ .
5__________
6 ____ ____
7 ________
8__________
Total ______
Linkers, females
2
2
7
7
24
30
48.0
48.0
50.0
$0. 447
.453
.426
$21. 46
21. 74
21. 30
5
5
20
50
48.8
54.6
.541
.464
26.40
25. 33
0)
(')
51.1
.465
1
1
22
132
1 Data included in total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 811]
0)
23. 76
8
14
16
7
13
5
3
9
192
268
247
88
183
73
58
66
47.7
48. 1
49.4
49. 8
49.1
49.5
58. 9
48.3
$0. 398
.412
.344
. 361
.328
.327
.297
.372
$18. 98
19.82
16.99
17. 98
16.10
16. 19
17. 49
17.97
75
1,175
49.2
.364
17.91
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
114
3 .— A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E H OURS P E R W EEK , A V ER A G E E A R N IN G S PE R
H O UR, A N D A V ER A G E FU L L -T IM E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S, 1927, BY D E P A R T M E N T ,
SE X , O C C U PA TIO N , A N D D IS T R IC T —Continued
T able
C a n n in g d e p a r tm e n t
Labelers and wrappers, females
Packers, females
District
Aver Aver Aver
N um N um age
full age age full
ber of ber of
earn
time
time
estab
ings weekly
em
hours
lish ployees
earn
per
per
ments
ings
week
hour
Aver Aver Aver
N um N um age
full age age full
ber of ber of
earn
time
time
estab
ings weekly
hours
em
lish ployees per
earn
per
ments
hour
ings
week
176
211
154
98
109
68
23
47. 8
50.4
50.3
48.2
50.0
49. 5
48.0
$0. 411
.367
.324
.298
.317
. 316
.346
$19. 65
18. 50
16. 30
14. 36
15.85
15.64
16. 61
4
1
2
3
2
District 8____ _____
4
6
13
5
9
3
3
2
4
T otal. ______
43
849
49.3
.351
17. 30
14
134
District
District
District
District
District
1___
2 . ________
3 __ _____
4_ _ ............
5__ _______
$0.405
(0
.280
.324
.373
$18. 55
(>)
13. 44
15. 55
17.90
48. 0
.341
16. 37
46.3
.385
17. 83
45.8
(')
48.0
48.0
48. 0
101
2
14
5
8
1 Data included in total.
Table 4 presents 1925 and 1927 averages for all males and females
separately, and for both sexes combined, for each S tate and for all
States or the industry as a whole.
The average full-time hours per week in 1927 for males in all
States are 49.3 and for females 49.1 The averages by States for
males range from 47.6 to 58.8, and for females range from 46.8 to 56.8.
The average earnings per hour in 1927 for males in all States is 52
cents and for females 36.4 cents. The average by States for males
range from 34.4 cents to 60.2 cents, and for females from 28.1 cents
to 41.2 cents per hour.
Average full-timO earnings per week in 1927 for males in all States
are $25.64 and for females $17.87. Full-tim e earnings per week by
States for males range from $20.23 to $30.22 and for females from
$13.54 to $20.68.
T a b l e 4 .— A V ER A G E H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, B Y SE X A N D STATE
Sex and State
Number
of estab
lishments
Number of
employees
1925
1925
1927
1927
Average
full-time
hours per
week
1925
1927
Average
earnings
per hour
1925
1927
Average
full-time
weekly
earnings
1925
1927
MALES
47. 6 $0. 575 $0. 569 $27. 31 $27. 08
47. 5
668
591
3
3
California............................ .......
25. 56
.528 25. 25
.496
50.9
48. 4
396
423
2
2
Colorado____ ____ — ----- , , ,
27. 07
.494 27. 07
55. 7
54. 8
.486
4 1, 591 1,668
4
Connecticut and M assachusetts1
3
20. 23
22
33
2 70 3 161 2 57. 5 3 58. 8 2. 325 3. 344 218. 69
Florida and Georgia___________
25. 35
. 527 25. 54
49. 3
48. 1 . 518
14 14, 594 14, 448
16
Illinois,. , ..............................
22.
36
.461 21. 74
.453
48. 5
48. 0
2,476 1,870
2
2
Indiana____ _____
_______
24. 50
. 472 23. 77
.468
51. 9
50. 8
7
7 4. 929 4,888
Iowa
_____ ____________
25.
39
. 514 25. 60
49. 4
. 505
50. 7
8 6,735 6,046
8
Kansas . . .
...... ..............
27. 50
.497
. 501 27.48
55. 3
54. 9
510
2
636
3
Maryland _____ , , , ----------29.
87
. 544 33. 42
54. 9
. 557
847
60. 0
878
3
3
M ichigan___ ________ ____ . . .
25. 20
. 525 24. 86
. 518
48. 0
48. 0
4
4 5,107 4, 341
Minnesota and South D akota1, ,
25.
10
24.
40
. 508
49. 4
.499
48. 9
4 2, 932 2, 434
4
Missouri ______ _______ ____
26. 31
. 525 24.19
. 503
48. 2
48. 1
4 2, 953 3, 195
3
Nebraska.....................
, , , -,
30. 22
.602 28. 59
.553
50.2
51. 7
7
7 2,516 2, 558
New Y ork________ ____ ______
1 Shown together to avoid presenting data for 1 plant in 1 State.
2 Florida.
3 Florida and Georgia.
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[ 812 ]
ENTRANCE WAGE RATES FOR COMMON LABOR
115
T able 4 .—A V ER A G E H OURS A N D E A R N IN G S, 1925 A N D 1927, B Y SE X A N D S T A T E Continued
Number
of estab
lishments
Sex and State
Number of
employees
Average
full-time
hours per
week
Average
earnings
per hour
1925
1927
Average
full-time
weekly
earnings
1925
1927
1927
1925
1927
1925
1927
3
3
2
2
4
3
4
4
3
5
2
675
826
666
695
1,949
1,460
801
899
706
712
1,849
1,210
50. 8
48. 1
50. 0
52. 5
49. 1
51. 6
51. 3 $0. 523 $0. 510 $26. 57
.479 22. 51
.468
48. 0
. 534
.570 26. 70
50. 4
. 560
. 510 29. 40
51. 0
.468
.485 22. 98
50.0
. 549
. 555 28. 33
48. 2
$26. 16
22. 99
28. 73
26. 01
24. 25
26. 75
86
86 52, 702 50, 207
50.2
49.3
.507
. 520
25.45
25. 64
3
2
3
4
12
2
7
8
3
4
4
3
5
3
2
4
3
4
2
3
2
3
4
11
2
7
8
3
4
4
4
4
3
2
4
3
1925
m a l e s — continued
Ohio___ - - ________ -- -- Oklahoma____ ________ . . .
Oregon and Washington ---- -Pennsylvania_______ _______
Texas______________________ Wisconsin . .. . ____________
Total
_________________
2
FEMALES
2
94
63
243
114
1,976
330
638
813
211
603
203
376
220
77
109
70
62
248
145
122
73
264
138
2, 050
289
708
924
220
564
234
502
241
110
131
71
63
289
153
47.8
48. 0
49. 3
55. 4
48. 9
48. 0
50. 7
51. 1
54.0
48. 0
49. 8
48. 0
52. 1
48. 4
48.0
49. 8
49. 3
48. 8
51. 2
47.9
48.0
49. 4
56. 8
47. 6
48. 0
52. 3
49. 8
54. 0
48. 0
50. 2
48. 1
47. 8
50. 1
48. 0
48. 3
46. 8
49. 5
48. 0
.353
. 296
. 311
. 300
. 382
.282
.325
.380
.359
.358
. 385
.366
.347
. 369
.302
.353
. 360
. 321
.446
.378
.339
.316
. 281
.396
.282
. 320
. 383
. 342
.374
.412
. 382
. 358
.352
.298
. 350
.354
. 311
. 373
16. 87
14. 21
15. 33
16. 62
18. 68
13. 54
16. 48
19. 42
19. 39
17. 18
19. 17
17. 57
18. 08
17. 86
14. 50
17. 58
17. 75
15. 66
22. 84.
18. 11
16. 27
15. 61
15.96
18. 85
13. 54
16. 74
19. 07
18. 47
17. 95
20. 68
18. 37
17. 11
17. 64
14. 30
16. 91
16. 57
15. 39
17. 90
78
78
6, 595
7,146
49. 5
49. 1
. 359
. 364
17. 77
17. 87
California_________ ____ ______
Colorado_______________ . . . . .
Connecticut and M assachusetts1.
Florida and Georgia___________
Illinois_____________ __________
Indiana.. _ ____ . . . . ____
Iowa_____
______ _________
Kansas_________ _______ ______
M aryland________ ______ _____
M ichigan____________________
Minnesota and South Dakota 1 _
M issouri____ . . _ __________
N ebraska.................................... .
N ew Y ork___________________
Ohio_________________________
Oklahoma____________________
Oregon and Washington 1--------Pennsylvania. . ---------- --------Texas _____ . . .
...............
Wisconsin____ ____ _________
3
2
4
22
16
2
7
8
3
3
4
4
3
7
3
2
4
3
4
2
3
685
790
486
469
2
4 1,834 1,932
2 79 3 172
33
14 16, 570 16,498
2 2,806 2,159
7 5, 567 5, 596
8 7,548 6,970
741
637
2
3 1,089 1,067
4 5, 710 4,905
4 3,135 2, 668
4 3, 329 3, 697
7 2,736 2,799
911
752
3
935 1,030
2
777
736
4
757
775
3
5 2, 197 2, 138
2 1,605 1,363
47.6
47. 7
50.4
48. 3
54. 1
54. 8
2 57.8 3 58. 9
49. 3
48.0
48.4
48.0
50. 8
52.0
50. 7 49. 5
55. 3
55. 2
58. 8
54.8
48.0
48.0
49. 4
49.0
48. 1 48. 2
51.8
50.0
51. 2
50. 6
48. 1 48.0
50.0
50. 2
50. 7
52. 3
49. 1 49. 9
48. 2
51.6
.546
.472
.465
2. 311
.503
.433
.453
. 492
.473
.524
.502
.492
.489
. 537
.510
.450
.518
.545
.452
.541
T otal___ ____ _________=_
86
86 59, 297 57, 353
49.3
.492
California____________________
Colorado------ -----------------------Connecticut and Massachusetts
Florida, Georgia, and MarylandIllinois......... - ................ -- -----Indiana__ .
- -- ---------I o w a ...................
Kansas - - ______ ______
M ichigan_____________________
Minnesota and South Dakota U.
Missouri____________ -- ------N ebraska.---------- -----------------New Y o r k ... ________________
Ohio____ ______ ____ ____ _____
Oklahoma______ _ ---------------Oregon and Washington 1__ ---Pennsylvania__ . . . . Texas. . ..
_________ . .
Wisconsin____________________
T otal____ . . .
_______
5
MALES AND FEMALES
50. 1
25. 81
.541 25. 99
24. 25
. 502 23. 79
.470 25.48
25. 43
3. 339 217. 98 3 19. 97
. 512 24. 80
24.58
.439 20. 78
21.25
. 454 23.01
23. 61
.498 24. 94
24.65
.458 26. 16
25.28
.507 30. 81
27. 78
24. 43
. 509 24. 10
24. 70
.500 24. 11
. 508 23. 52
24.49
29. 05
. 581 27. 82
.492 25. 81
25. 19
.458 21.65
21.98
27. 71
.552 25.90
.499 28. 50
25. 30
.464 22.19
23. 15
25.84
.536 27. 92
.501
24.20
24.70
i Shown together to avoid presenting data for 1 plant in 1 State.
2 Florida.
3 Florida and Georgia.
Entrance Wage Rates for Common Labor, January 1, 1928
N O R D E R th a t a report m ay be made of strictly comparable
common labor wage rates the data here presented are lim ited to
common labor entrance rates alone, th a t is, they are based on
rates of pay per hour given unskilled adult male common laborers
when first hired.
I
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[813]
116
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
As in previous reports on common labor wage rates this survey is
restricted to 13 im portant industries, which require considerable
num bers of common laborers.
Some establishm ents have reported two rates—for example, one
for the 10-hour day and one for the 8-hour day, or one for white and
one for colored or M exican workers, b u t these distinctions have not
been m aintained in the tabulation, although it is apparent th a t the
lowest rates are shown for those geographic divisions where there are
large num bers of colored or Mexican workers, while the highest rates
are shown for localities where an 8-hour day is more or less prevalent.
The industries included in this survey and the num ber of common
laborers in the establishm ents reporting in each specified industry,
employed a t entrance rates, January 1, 1928, are as follows:
Automobiles------------------------ ---------------------Brick, tile, and terra cotta-------------------------Cement________________________________ _
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies
Foundry and machine-shop products-----------Iron and steel_____________________________
Leather___________________ _______________
Lumber (sawmills)________________________
Paper and pulp-----------------------------------------Petroleum refining_________________________
Slaughtering and meat packing-------------------Public utilities____________________________
General contracting_______________________
T o ta l.._______________________________________
8,
2,
298
775
1, 839
3, 052
8 , 262
18, 455
3, 015
12, 199
8 , 278
2, 956
9, 686
9, 667
32, 358
120,840
The num ber of common laborers in the establishm ents reporting,
in each of the nine geographic divisions of the U nited States, employed
a t entrance rates on January 1, 1928, was:
New England------------------------Middle Atlantic______________________________________
East North Central____________ ‘---------------------------------:
West North Central__________________________________
South Atlantic-------------East South Central___________________________________
West South Central__ _______________________________
Mountain____________________________________________
Pacific______ ______ _________________________________
Total_________________________________________
7, 850
27, 021
33, 940
11, 111
11, 798
6 , 799
7, 256
3, 572
11,493
120,840
The weighted average hourly common-labor entrance rate for the
several industries combined on January 1, 1928, was 43 cents. Both
the highest and lowest rates reported were in general contracting, the
lowest, 15 cents, in the South A tlantic division, and the highest,
$ 1 . 123/ 2, in the M iddle A tlantic division. The lowest rate, 15 cents,
was also reported in both the leather and sawmill industries from
the South A tlantic division.
The highest average rate per hour for anj^ industry, 50.5 cents,
appears in the automobile industry, followed by 48.2 cents, in general
contracting, and more than 44 cents each in the electrical m achinery,
petroleum refining, and paper and pulp industries; the lowest average
rate, 31 cents, appears in the sawmill industry.
The highest average rate in. any geographic division, 48.7 cents,
appears in the M iddle A tlantic division, followed fairly closely by
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[814]
117
ENTRANCE WAGE RATES FOR COMMON LABOR
the E a st N orth Central, New England, and Pacific divisions; the
lowest average rate, 2(3.7 cents, appears in the E ast South Central
division.
The weighted average entrance rates per hour for all industries
covered, including general contracting, have been as follows: July 1,
1926, 42.8 cents; October 1, 1926, 43.4 cents; January 1, 1927, 43.2
cents; July 1, 1927, 42.6 cents; January 1, 1928, 43 cents.
O m itting the d a ta for general contracting, which was first included
in these compilations on July 1, 1926, average entrance rates per hour
for the periods studied were: January 1, 1926, 40.2 cents; April 1,
1926, 40.5 cents; July 1, 1926, 40.9 cents; October 1, 1926, 40.9 cents;
January 1, 1927, 41 cents; July 1, 1927, 40.4 cents; January 1, 1928,
41.1 cents.
The table following shows, for each industry included, the high,
low, and average common-labor entrance rates per hour in each
geographic division and in the United States as a whoie.
H O U R L Y W AGE R A TE S PA ID FO R C O M M O N LABOR, JA N U A R Y 1, 1928
[The rates on which this table is based are entrance rates paid for adult male common labor]
Geographic division
Industry
United
id East West South East
States New Mdle
North
Eng At North
At South
land lantic Cen Cen lantic Cen
tral
tral
tral
Automobiles:
Cents Cents
L o w ..............................
33.3
High______ __________________ 62. 5
Average___________ _______
50. 5
Brick, tile, and terra cotta:
L ow .................................... . .......
17.5 40.0
High............... .................. ................ 60.0 50.0
A verage,-...............- _____ ______ 38.0 44.1
Cement:
L ow ______ ________ ______ . .
25.0
H igh_____ _____ _____________
51.0
Average _ ___________________
38.3
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies:
L ow .............. ................ ....... 35.0 35. 0
High_________________________ 51. 0 48. 0
Average— .......................
44.9 44.9
Foundry and machine-shop products:
L o w ,_____ ____________ _
17. 5 27.0
High-------------------------------------- 56.0 55.0
Average__________ ______ _
.
38.1 39.4
Iron and steel:
Low ______ _____ _____ ______ _
20. 0 40. 0
High_________________________ 50. 0 45. 0
Average_____________________
42. 6 41. 4
Leather:
L o w .........................................
15. 0 47. 9
High_________________________ 54. 2 54. 2
Average - ______ ____ ________ 42.1 50. 5
Lumber (sawmills):
L ow _____ _______________ ____
15.0 33.3
High_________________________ 62.5 36.0
Average_______ _____________
31.0 34.4
Paper and pulp:
L ow ___________________ ____ _
22. 5 36. 0
High________________ _______ _ 55.0 50.0
Average. . .............................. ....... 44. 2 47.0
Petroleum refining:
L ow ____ ____ ________________
30. 0
High______ __________________ 62. 0
Average... ................. ................... 44. 5
Slaughtering and meat-packing:
L ow ...............................................
35.0 38. 0
High. _______________________
50. 0 50. 0
Average._____ _______________
41.8 42.6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cents Cents
West
South M oun Pa
Cen tain cific
tral
Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents
40. 0
62. 5
42.8
35. 0
62. 5
51.3
33.3
58.3
46.5
30.0
50.0
38.6
27.0
40.0
31.1
35. 0
45. 0
43. 9
35. 0
44. 0
38. 4
35.0
51. 0
36.6
38. 0
51. 0
43. 2
40. 0
50. 0
48. 2
35.0
40. 0
36. 2
40. 0
40. 0
40. 0
30.0
55.0
40.4
35.0
50.0
42.3
33.0
50.0
40.3
30. 0
50. 0
42. 4
35. 0
50. 0
44.1
35. 0
40. 0
37.4
33. 3
50.3
45. 5
35.0
52.0
42.9
30.0
40.0
37. 1
27.5
62.5
37.6
35. 0
50. 0
41.9
33. 3
62. 5
39.2
50 O
55 O
52.5
17. 5
36.0
25.0
22.5
37.5
28.4
26 0
40 0
31.3
25 0
28 O
27.3
17.5
43.8
26.5
25.0
37.5
29.6
20.0
31.3
28.4
20 0
44 0
36.8
22 5
31 0
27.4
15. 0
40. 0
32. 2
25. 0
33. 0
29. 7
32.5
35.0
34.3
15.0
35.0
21. 6
19. 5
25.0
22.7
32. 5
55. 0
44. 8
35. 0
45. 0
39. 3
30. 0
38. 3
36.4
22. 5
30. 0
25.8
37. 0
53. 0
45. 9
50. 0
50. 0
50.0
50 0
50. 0
50.0
30 0
50 0
44.2
30 0
51 0
38.1
40 0
56 5
55!9
53 1
62 O
58.2
40. 0
45. 0
41. 9
35.0
45. 0
41.9
37. 5
45. 0
42.1
40. 0
40. 0
40.0
37 5
37. 5
37.5
40 0
40 0
4CI. Ö
40 0
45 0
42.4
[815]
17.5
40.0
27.4
38. 5
40. 0
39.2
40.0
60.0
44.1
34 0
50 0
4 5 .4
35.0
42.0
39.1
56.0
49.8
41 0
49 O
48.8
42 5
50 O
46! 0
4 4 .0
48 8
50 0
4 9 .9
20.0
32.5
23.7
25.0
42.5
37. 1
31.0
50.0
42.6
40 0
51 3
42.1
118
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
H O U R L Y W AGE R A T E S P A ID FO R C O M M O N L A BO R , JA N U A R Y 1, 1928—Continued
Geographic division
United
id East West
East
States New M
dle North North South
Eng A
A t South
Cen
t
Cen
Cenland lantic tial
tral lantic tral
Industry
Public utilities:1
Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents
Low _ ________ _____ _________ 20.0 35.0 30.0
32. 5
30.0 20. 0 25.0
High------------------------- --------75.0 59. 5 60.0
75.0
40.0 45. 0 40.0
Average.. ________ ____ ______ 41.2 47.6 47.0
47. 7
35. 7 31.6 28.8
General contracting:J
Low............................................ ....... 15.0 40.0 30. 0
35.0
30.0 15. 0 17. 5
High------------------------- ------------ 112.5 79.0 112. 5
92. 5 100. 0 75. 0 35. 0
54.8
42. 5 29. 8 28. 2
Average______________________ 48. 2 53.8 61. 9
Total: L o w .. . ..................... 15.0
High-------- ---------------- 112. 5
A v era g e.............. ........... 43.0
27.0 30.0
79.0 112.5
47.3 48.7
27.5
92. 5
47.4
27.0
100. 0
41. 1
15.0
75. 0
29. 4
17. 5
40.0
26.7
West
South Moun Pa
Cen tain
cific
tral
Cents Cents Cents
28. 0
35. 0
29. 6
35.0
40.0
37.6
33.0
59.4
50.3
20.0
50. 0
32.9
35.0
62. 5
46.5
31.3
75. 0
48.3
20.0
51. 0
30.9
25.0
62. 5
43.7
31.0
75.0
46.6
1Including street railways, gas works, waterworks, and electric power and light plants,
in c lu d in g building, highway, public works, and railroad construction.
Average Weekly Earnings in New York State Factories, 1914 to
1927
T
H E following table -showing the average weekly earnings in
New York S tate factories is taken from the January, 1928,
num ber of the Industrial Bulletin, Albany, N. Y.
AVERAGE
W EEKLY
E A R N IN G S IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E N E W Y O R K ST A T E FA C
T O R IE S, 1914 TO 1927
[Includes all employees in both office and shop. The average weekly earnings are obtained by dividing
the total weekly pay roll by the total number of employees on the pay roll for the given week. Reports
cover the week including the 15th of the month.]
Month
January..........
February____
March........ .
April.................
M ay________
Ju n e..
. ..
July_________
August______
September___
October_____
N ovem ber___
December____
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
$12. 44 $13. 53 $15. 28 $16. 81 $23. 03 $26. 52 $27. 61 $24. 43 $26. 21 $27. 81 $28. 30 $29. 05 $29. 52
12.41 13. 77 15. 31 17. 66 22. 07 26. 47 26. 77 24. 17 25. 87 27. 73 27. 96 28.61 29. 39
12. 65 13. 96 15. 79 18. 71 22. 20 27. 87 26. 97 24. 57 26. 92 28.16 28. 45 29.04 29.78
12. 54 14.15 15.50 19. 25 22. 11 27. 80 26. 20 24. 15 27.00 27. 70 27. 67 28. 85 29.17
12. 74 14. 24 16.08 19. 91 22. 23 28. 45 25. 86 24. 59 27. 63 27. 56 28. 07 28. 69 29.18
$12. 70 12. 81 14.41 16. 20 20. 44 22. 51 28. 77 25.71 24. 91 27. 87 27. 21 27.94 28. 99 29.17
12. 54 12. 66 14. 11 16. 17 20. 78 23. 10 28. 49 25. 26 24. 77 27. 54 27. 06 27. 98 28.81 28. 95
12. 53 12. 89 14. 44 16. 44 21. 23 23. 85 28. 71 25. 43 25. 10 27. 12 27. 40 28.16 28.86 29. 29
12. 48 12. 86 14. 87 16. 97 22. 31 24. 83 28. 73 25.07 25. 71 27.41 28. 05 28. 33 29. 31 29. 57
12. 26 13. 30 14. 95 17. 33 22. 34 24.41 28. 93 24. 53 25.61 27. 72 27. 53 28. 57 29. 35 29.28
12. 32 13. 45 15.16 17.69 21.60 25. 37 28. 70 24. 32 26.04 27.64 27. 66 28. 67 29.15 28. 75
12. 56 13. 49 15. 51 17. 71 23.18 26. 32 28. 35 24.91 26. 39 27. 98 28. 25 29. 05 29. 47 29. 57
Average. 12.48 12.85 14. 43 16. 37 20. 35 23.50 28.15 25. 72 25.04 27. 24 27. 68 28.26 29. 02 29. 30
I t will be noted th a t the average weekly earnings for the calendar
year 1927 were higher than in any of the 14 years presented, 134.8
per cent above the average for the 6 m onths of 1914, and 13.9 per
cent above the average for 1921. While the average weekly earnings
in 1927 were higher than in 1926 in every m onth except October and
November, the average for the 12 m onths in 1927 was only about 1
per cent higher than the average for the 12 m onths of 1926.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 816 ]
119
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Wages and Hours of Labor in Mines and Quarries in Ohio in
1926
H E table below presents the num ber of wage earners in Ohio
mines and quarries receiving each classified weekly wage
during the year 1926, as given in report No. 14 of the division
of labor statistics of the Ohio D epartm ent of Industrial Relations.
T he 876 mines reported an aggregate pay roll of $42,791,878, of
which $41,182,024 w ent to the wage earners. From this table it is
seen th a t the wage classes in which the largest num ber of wage
earners were found in each of the various classes of mines or quarries
were as follows: Limestone quarries, $20 and under $25 (39.9 per
cent); sandstone quarries, $25 and under $30 (45.2 per cent); fire
clay mines, $30 and under $35 (27.7 per cent); gypsum mines, $35
and under $40 (33.7 per cent); and coal mines, $40 and under $45
(28.3 per cent).
T
N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S IN M IN E S A N D Q U A R R IES OF OHIO R E C E IV IN G E A CH
C L A SSIFIED W E E K L Y W AGE IN 1926
$5
U n bu t
der un
$5 der
$10
Item
Coal mines:
Pick m in e r s .______- _______
Machine runners and helpers.
Loaders (including drillers and
shooters)___. . . _________ 13
Tnside day employees.
Outside day emplovees __
3
Office employees__________
Fire-clay mines:
Wage earners, inside __ ____
Wage earners, outside_______
2
22
14
$10
bu t
un
der
$12
$12 $15
but but
un un
der der
$15 $20
$20
but
un
der
$25
$25
but
un
der
$30
$30
but
un
der
$35
$35
but
un
der
$40
291
54
471
93
545
103
289
241
183
314
26 100
18 16
65 250 1,137 2,433 2,853 4, 016 5, 234
319
292
516 1,312
81
7
3
483
853
460
387
126
11 39
38
32
33
22
14
5 17
5
1
1
4
3
56
26
1
$40
but
un
der
$50
$50
and
over
To
tal
104
294
909 1, 445
2, 305
3,183
5, 436 2, 826 24, 285
3, 370 1,075 6, 975
752 4, 907
1, 796
45
269
46
217
46
1
93
158
22
1
42
46
7
39
463
84
2
90
3
1, 476
499
6
276
770
45
355
16
241
23
80
33
4, 963
201
570 1,002
11
6
209
7
77
1
80
2
97
17
2,217
54
234
156
293
154
9
Gypsum m in es..................................
Limestone quarries:
W age earners _____________
Office employees____________
Sandstone quarries:
Wage earners_______________
Office employees-----------------
2
4
4
5
3
36
6
365 1,982 1,125
21
35
13
3
15
3
4
1
31
1
129
5
T otal------ ------------------------
21
64 138 510 2,298 6, 703 6, 944 7,248 8, 740 12, 420 6,530 51, 616
The m aximum and minimum employment reported in the middle
of each m onth by the various mines of Ohio, also the average num ber
of hours worked per week by the largest num ber of mines or quarries,
and the percentage of the plants working such hours are shown in
the following sum m ary, compiled from the report :
M A X IM U M A N D M IN IM U M E M P L O Y M E N T , P R E D O M IN A N T H O F E S OF LA BO R P E R
W E EK , A N D PR O P O R T IO N OF P L A N T S W O R K IN G SU C H H O U R S, 1926
Number of employees
Mine or quarry
Maximum
r oal mines
Fire-clay mines
mines
Limestone quarries
Sandstone quarries
G y p su m
_______ _______________
_ __________________
______ ___________________
_____________________
_____________________
i Reported by 879 of the 935 coal mines.
3 Average hours for all mines.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[817]
i 36,819
1,754
281
4,397
2,075
Minimum
i 20, 702
1, 560
222
3,134
1,530
Predomi
nant
weekly
hours
(2) 48
„„
3 54
60
54
2 Data not available.
Per cent
working
predomi
nant hours
(2)
0)
59. 6
54.6
34.1
-----—----
120
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Wages and Hours of Labor in Canada, 1926 and 1927 a
H E following statistics are taken from a report on wages and
hours of labor in Canada, 1920 to 1927, published as a
supplem ent to the January, 1928, issue of the Canadian
Labor G azette:
T
T a b l e 1,— R A TE S OF W AGES PE R HO U R A N D H O U R S OF LA BO R P E R W E E K IN VARIOUS
O C C U PA TIO N S IN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C ITIES, 1926 A N D 1927
Montreal
Quebec
Ottawa
Occupation
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Hours per
week
Wages per
hour
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Building trades
Bricklayers:
1926_____ _________________________
1927............. .............................................
$ 0.
1.10
1. 20
44
44
44-60
44-60
.75
.85
44
44
.70
.75
44- 463^
44-46
.80
.80
44
44
.70
.75
44- 49H
44- 49J-2
.65
.65
44
44
44- 493^
44- 49Y t
.90
1.00
44
44
.80
.80
44- 49y 2
44- 491-2
.85
.90
44
44
.75
.75
44
44
1.00
1.00
44
44
. 40
.4 0
50-60
50-60
.
.
45- . 50
45- , 50
44-54
44-54
5234- . 70
55 - .70
4-4-58
44-58
.
.
51- 65
51- . 65
44-50
50
.7 5
47-58
47-58
.
- .75
.
61- 75
61- . 75
50
50
.50 - .75
. 50 - .75
44-60
44-60
.
50- . 65
55- . 65
44-50
44-50
- .75
- .7 5
♦
40-55
40-55
.
.
50- . 65
55- . 65
44-50
44-50
90
.90
54
54
0 . 45 - . 55
.45 -.5 5
54 -60
54 -60
0.65
.65
-
.75
.75
-.5 5
-.5 5
54
54
.60
.65
-
40 - . 60
.40 -.6 0
48 -54
48 -54
.60
.60
-
.85
.85
54
54
1. 00
1.00
.45
.45
-.6 0
-.6 0
54 -60
54 -60
. 65
.65
.45
.45
-.6 0
-.6 0
48
$
Carpenters:
1926___________ _______ ___________
1927______________ ___________ _
1.00
1. 12H
50
50
$
Electrical workers:
1926............. .............. .......................... ..
1927..................................... .......................
.45
.45
Painters:
1926.................................. ..........................
1927______ ______________ _______ _
.
-
Plasterers:
1926______ _____________ _______
1927. . ___________ ________________
Plumbers:
1926______________________________
1927______________________________
Stonecutters:
1926______________ _______ ________
1927_________ ____________________
Laborers:
1926
1927________ _______ ______________
-
54
-54
1. 12}4
1. 12 3^
. 30 - . 40
.30 -.4 0
54 -60
54 -60
.30
.30
.50
.50
-.6 0
-.6 0
50 -54
50 -54
.
.40
.40
-.5 5
-.5 5
.40
.40
-.5 5
-.5 5
45 -54
50 -54
37H- 57
57
60
60
-.5 5
-.5 5
54
54
.7 0
.70
44-50
44-50
.83
.85
44
44
. 45
.45
60
60
.51
.51
70
70
2.50
2 .5 0
54
54
.43
.43
-.4 5
-.4 5
60
.51
.51
60
60
.50
.50
54
54
.30
.30
-.5 3
-.5 3
53^ -77
53J^-70
.34
.34
-.5 2
-.5 2
63-70
63-70
39- . 51
39- . 51
54
54
.43
.43
-.4 8
-.4 8
5SV2
53 H
.51
.51
- . 63
-.6 3
50
50
.
.52
55
54
54
.30
.35
53K
60
44-. 46
39- . 46
54
54
-
Metal trades
Blacksmiths:
1926______________________________
1927______________ _____________ _
Boilermakers:
1926..................................... ................... ...
1927. . . ....................................................
49V2
49M
Machinists:
1926_________________ _____________
1927______________________________
Tron molders:
1926______________________________
1927. . ________ ___________________
.
.
373^
-.
Sheet-metal workers:
1926______________________________
1927______ ________ _______________
.45
.45
.
.50
.50
.60
.60
-
.
Street railways
Conductors and motormen:
1926 1____________________________
1927 i _____________________________
Linemen:
1926______________________________
1927______________________________
Shed men:
1926_____ . ' _______________________
1927____________________ __________
Electricians:
1926_______________ ______________
1927______________________________
Trackmen and laborers:
1926......................... ....................................
1927.............................................................
55
.35
.35
1
60
60
.
.
.
.
1 Maximum rates.
5 One-man car operators, 5 cents extra per hour.
» Index numbers of rates of wages for various classes of labor in Canada were published in the March,
1928, issue of the Labor Review.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 818 ]
121
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN CANADA
T a b l e 1 .—R A T E S OF W AGES PE R HOU R A N D H O U R S OF LABOR PE R W E E K IN VARIOUS
O C C U PA T IO N S IN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C IT IES, 1926 A N D 1927—Continued
Occupation
Wages per
hour
Ottawa
Montreal
Quebec
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Wages per
hour
48 $38.00-42.00
48 38.00-42.00
48
48
$42. 00
43.00
Hours per
week
Hours per
week
Printing trades
Compositors, machine and
hand, newspaper:
1926__________ ______ ___
1927____________________
Compositors, machine and
hand, job:
1926____________________
1927.... ..................................
Pressmen, newspaper:
1926____________________
1927..........................................
Pressmen, job:
1926.......... ..............................
1927___________ _________
Bookbinders:
1926_______________ ____ 1927___________ _______
Bindery girls:
1926____________________
1927__________ ____ _____
;
$29. 00
29.00
46%
46%
29.00
29.00
48
48.
36.00
36. 00
44-48
44-48
35.00-40.00
35.00-40.00
44-48
44-48
28.00
28.00
48
48
36.00
36.00
48
48
40. 00
41.00
48
48
27.00
27.00
48
48
36.00
36.00
48 35.00-38. 00
48 35. 00-40. 00
44-48
44-48
26. 50
26. 50
48
48
36. 00
36.00
48
48
34.00
34.00
48
48
8. 00
8.00
48
48
15.00
15. 00
48
48
13. 50
13. 50
48
48
Occupation
Wages per
hour
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Toronto
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Hours per
week
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
44
44
$1.35
1.35
44
44
$1.12^
1.25
44
40
44
44
1.00
1.00
44
44
• 93%
.93M
44
44
44
44
1.00
1.00
44
44
44
44
.85
.85
44
44
.87%
• 87J/2
44
44
44
44
1.25
1.25
44
44
1 . 18%
1. 25
40
40
44
44
1.12^
1.12J4
44
44
1.05
1 .12J^
40-44
40. 44
1.00
44
44 1.00 -1.12 Vi
4 0-44
40-44
Building trades
Bricklayers:
1926_________ _________
$1.12^
1927_______ ______ ____
1. 25
Carpenters:
1926...................................... 0. 80- . 90
1927........ .............................
.90
Electrical workers:
.80
1926____________ ____
.90
1927................................
Painters:
1926...... ............................... . 65- . 75
1927_______ _______ _
. 65- . 80
Plasterers:
1. 25
1926......................................
1.25
1927...________________
Plumbers:
1.00
1926_____________ _____
1.00
1927_________ _________
Stonecutters:
1.00
1926__________________
1.12^
1927....................................
Laborers:
1926____________ ______ .3,5- .65
1927...................................... . 35- . 65
44 1.10 - 1 . 1214
44 1 10 -1 .1 2 ^
.90 -1.00
1.00
44
44
44-60
44-60
40 - . 50
40 - . 50
50-60
50-60
.45 - . 56%
.50 - . 62^
44
44
. 50- . 65
. 55- . 65
44-50
44-50
60 - . 80
60 - . 80
44-50
44-50
.75 - . 87%
.75 - . 82%
44
. 60- . 75
. 60- . 75
. 44-48
44-48
60 - . 72
60 - . 72
50
50
.75 - . 87%
.75 - . 82%
44
44
. 50- . 70
. 50- . 70
44-54
44-54
60 - . 70
60 - . 70
44-50
44-50
.75 - . 81%
.75 - . 81%
44
44
. 50- . 70
. 55- . 70
45-54
44-54
55 - . 70
55 - . 70
45-50
45-50
.75 - . 81%
.75 - . 8 1 %
44
44
.85
.90
44
44
.90
.90
44
44
Metal trades
Blacksmiths:
1926..................... .............
1927..................... ................
Boiler makers:
1926--.-_______________
1927................... .................
Machinists:
1926...... ...............................
1927.................... ............
Iron molders:
1926.......................... ...........
1927........ ................ ............
Sheet-metal workers:
1926__________________
1927................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[819]
1.00
1.00
44
44
44
122
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 1. — R A T E S OF W AGES P E R H O U R A N D H O U R S OF LA BO R P E R W E E K IN VARIOUS
O C C U PA T IO N S IN S P E C IF IE D C A N A D IA N C IT IES, 1926 A N D 1927—Continued
Toronto
Winnipeg
Vancouver
Occupation
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Wages per
hour
Hours per
week
Street railways
Conductors and motormen:
1926 i_________________
$0.60
19271______ ____ ______
.60
Linemen:
1926_________ ____ ____ 0. 72- . 78
. 72- . 78
1927__________________
Shed men:
1926___________________ . 54- . 56
1927___________ _______ . 54- . 56
Electricians:
. 55- . 60
1926__________________
. 55- . 60
1927__________________
Trackmen and laborers:
.45- .59
1926__________ ____ ___
. 45- . 55
1927.................. ................
48
48
3 $0. 57
3 .58
50
50
44
44
.89
.90
44
44
48
48
. 503^- . 58
. 51J4- . 59
40
40
.55 - . 65
.55 - . 65
44-48
44-48
44
44
.60
.61
40
40
.74
. 74
44
44
48
48
.35 - . 50
.36 - . 51
44
44
. 51}4- . 56
. 5134- . 56
44
44
* $0. 62
< .62
48
48
.93*4
.93M
44
44
Printing trades
Compositors, machine and
hand, newspaper:
Per week
42. 50
1926___________ ____
43. 50
1927_^_________________
Compositors, machine and
hand, job:
1926-_-________________ 35. 20-36. 00
1927_______ ____ ______ 35. 20-36. 00
Pressmen, newspaper:
41. 50
1926__________________
42.50
1927-.__________ _______
Pressmen, job:
36.00
1926............... ......................
36.00
1927__________________
Bookbinders:
36. 00
1926__________________
36.00
1927__________________
Bindery girls:
16.80
1926__________________
16.80
1927__________________
Per week
46}^
46M
Per week
44.00
45.00
46
46
45.00
48.00
45
45
44-48
44-48
39. 60
39. 60
44-48
44-48
42.00
42.00
44-48
44-48
48
48
43. 75
43. 75
48
48
45.00
48.00
48
48
48
48
39. 60
39. 60
44-48
44-48
42.00
42.00
44-48
44-48
48
48
35. 20-42. 00
35. 20-42. 00
44-48
44-48
42.00
42.00
44-48
44-48
48
48
12. 00-18. 00
12. 00-18. 00
44-48
44-48
21.00
21.00
44-48
44-48
1 Maximum rates.
3 One-man car operators
cents extra per hour.
4 One-man car operators, 6 cents extra per hour.
T a b l e 2 .— R A TE S OF W AGES FOR C A N A D IA N ST E A M R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S, 1926
A N D 1927
Train service
(cents per mile)
Engine service
(cents per mile)
Occupation
Occupation
1926
Conductors:
Passenger __ _ __________
Freight _ ________
Brakemen:
Passenger. _ __________
Freight_________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1927
1926
4. 27
5. 80
4. 47
6. 16
2. 93
4.48
3. 13
4. 84
Locomotive engineers:
Passenger. _ __________
Freight _________
Locomotive firemen:
Passenger. __ __ -_ - . .
Freight..................................
[ 820 ]
1927
5. 92
6. 48
6.16
6.84
4. 32
4.64
4. 56
5.00
WAGE RATES IN GERMANY
123
T a b l e 3 .— W AGES A N D
HOURS OF LA BO R OF E M P L O Y E E S IN COAL M IN IN G IN
C A N A D A IN S E P T E M B E R , 1926 A N D 1927 1
September, 1926
September, 1927
Occupation
Hours Daily wages Hours
D aily wages per
day2
per day 2
Nova Scot ia
Contract* miners______________________ ____ ________ . .
Hand miners ___________________ _____ _______________
Hoisting engineers. _ ______________________ _____ ______
Drivers____ _____ _____________________________________
Bratticem en. .......................
........
. . . . . . . _________
Pum pm en.......... .......... _ _ _ ___ . ...........
...............
Laborers, underground.. --------------------------- ------------- .
Laborers, surface_________ ______ . . ____________ ____
M achinists. __________ ____ ____ _ _____________ ____ _
C arpenters_________________ _________________ ______
B lacksm iths-................... ....................... ................... ..................
3 $6.25
1 4.15
4.15
3. 60
3. 65
3.90
3. 35
3. 25
4.15
3. 85
4.00
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
m
m
m
m
3 $6. 62
4 4.15
4.15
3. 60
3. 65
3.90
3. 35
3. 25
4. 15
3. 85
4.00
8
. 8
8
8
8
8
8
m
m
8
8
Alberta 4
Contract miners_______ _______ _ ___________ ______ .
3 7 .10
Machine miners_________ _____ ____________________
4 5. 65-7. 00
Hand miners. . _________ ______ _
______________ _ . 4 5. 00-5. 57
Hoisting engineers _______ _______ _________ _______ . . 5. 50-6. 00
Drivers_______________ _____ ..._____ ______________ ____ 4. 70-5. 25
Bratticemen ____ __________ ____ _ _________________ 5. 20-5. 57
Pum pm en____________ . . ___________ _____________ __ 4. 25-4. 75
Laborers, underground __________________ _ ______. . .
4.25-4. 67
4. 00-4. 20
Laborers, surface______________________________________
M achinists______________ ______________ ___________
4. 70-5. 71
5. 30-5. 77
C arpenters__________ _____________ ______ _____ _____ _
Blacksm iths_____________________________________ _____ 5. 30-5. 77
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
3 7.74
4 5. 65-7. 00
4 5. 00-5. 57
5. 50-6.00
4. 70-5. 25
5. 20-5. 57
4.25-4. 75
4. 25-4. 67
4. 00-4. 20
4. 70-5. 71
5. 30-5. 77
5. 30-5. 77
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Vancouver Island 6
Contract m iners......... . ..............
................... .............
Machine miners___ _ ______ . . ____________________
Hand miners. . __________ ____ ______________________
Hoisting engineers ______________ . . _________________
D rivers_____________ __________________________________
Bratticemen ____ . . . _ ____ _______________ _ _. . . . .
Pum pm en__ . .
. . . .
. . .........................
Laborers, underground ____ __________ _____ _____ ____
Laborers, surface _ ___________________________________
Machinists___ _ ______ _____ _ ________ _______ ____
Carpenters—........ .......... . _________________________ ___
B lacksm iths. _________________________________________
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
» 6. 76
4 4. 81
4 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
8
» 6. 99
4 4. 81
4 4. 52
5. 39
4. 13
4. 35
3. 96
3. 97
3.76
5. 40
4. 83
5.11
1 In some cases these figures differ from estimates published in the April, 1927, Labor Review (p. 108).
2 Some engineers, pumpmen, firemen, etc., work 7 days per week,
s Average earnings per day on contract, per ton, etc.
4 M inimum rate per day when not working on contract, per ton, yard, etc.
e Including also 3 mines in Southeastern British Columbia.
6 N o figure for Chinese employees included.
Wage Rates in Germany in 1927 1
TA BLE presented in the German official organ, W irtschaft
und S tatistik, shows an increase in wages during 1927 in 12
of the principal industries. The inform ation given is based
on wage rates fixed by collective agreement and includes family
allowances paid in mining, m etal, textile, and chemical industries,
and by the Federal railways.
A
i Germany.
Statistisches Reichsamt.
93675°—28----- 9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Wirtschaft und Statistik, Berlin, Dec. 15, 1927, p. 1021.
[821]
124
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W AGES OF SK IL L E D A N D U N SK IL L E D W OR K ER S IN G E R M A N Y , JA N U A R Y 1 A N D
D E C E M B E R 1, 1927
[At par, mark=23.8 cents, pfennig=0.238 cent; exchange rate was about par in 1927]
Skilled workers
Industry
Unskilled workers
Average hourly
wage
Average weekly
wage
Average hourly
wage
Average weekly
wage
Jan. 1,
1927
Jan. 1, Dec. 1,
1927
1927
Jan. 1,
1927
Jan. i; Dec. 1,
1927
1927
Dec. 1,
1927
Pfennigs Pfennigs Marks
Mining -------------- - ........................
Metal ______ -- ----------------Chemical- ____________________
Building
------ -- ----------------Woodworking.......... .......... .............
Paper manufacturing----------------Textile (males) __ --------------------Textile (females)----------------------Brewing----- -------------------- ------Baking and confectionery---------Printing------------- -------------------Cardboard box making (males)—
Cardboard box making (females).
Federal railways....................... .......
106.3
91.4
85.2
115.2
97. 1
68.1
66.3
51.5
103.5
84.9
95.9
77.4
50.9
82.2
112.5
98.3
92.3
123.8
107.4
75.3
73.4
57.9
114. 7
90.8
104.9
84.3
55.8
90.8
51.00
45. 58
40. 90
55.03
46.14
32. 69
31.82
24. 72
49. 69
40. 75
46.05
37.15
24.43
44. 39
Average (weighted)----------
94.9
102.1
46. 36
Dec. 1,
1927
Marks Pfennigs Pfennigs Marks
Marks
54. 00
48.13
44. 30
59.13
51.04
36.14
35.23
27. 79
55. 04
43. 58
50. 36
40. 46
26.78
46. 68
60.9
62.3
72.0
93.4
84.4
61.3
55. 5
41.0
90.9
73.3
83. 7
65.8
42.0
64.9
69.7
68.3
77.8
101.3
92. 7
67.7
60.9
45. 1
101.4
78.4
91.3
71.6
46.2
73.2
36.18
31.09
34.56
44. 62
40.15
29. 42
26.64
19.68
43.65
35.18
40. 16
31.58
20.16
35. 05
38.04
33.44
37.34
48.37
44.03
32.50
29.23
21.65
48.68
37.63
43.84
34. 37
22. 18
37. 62
49.42
66.7
73.9
34.46
37. 01
The average hourly wage for skilled workers D ecem ber 1 was 102.1
pfennigs and for unskilled, 73.9 pfennigs. The average weekly wage
was 49.42 m arks and 37.01 m arks, respectively. Com pared with
January 1, 1927, hourly wages have increased 7.6 per cent for skilled
and 10.8 per cent for unskilled workers. T he year before the increase
was only 0.9 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively.
Continuance of Two-Shift System for English Working Women
N D E R an English law passed in 1920 (see Labor Review, April,
1921, p. 92), it is possible, under certain conditions, to employ
women and young persons aged 16 and upw ard in factories
and workshops a t any tim e between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m. (2 p. m. on
Saturday). T his permission was to be operative for only five years,
b u t it has been continued by successive enactm ents. T he provision
was embodied in the so-called “ expiring laws continuance bill,” and
came up for discussion in the House of Commons on Decem ber 13,
1927. An am endm ent to the bill was proposed, striking out this
provision. T he argum ents against continuing the permissive clause
were th a t it had been enacted as an emergency m easure to facilitate
the working of the two-shift system in the period of readjustm ent,
th a t there was now no need for such an extension of the hours within
which these classes m ight be employed, th a t though the tim e of
em ploym ent rem ained only eight hours a day, there was real hardship
involved for one shift in beginning so early and for the other in
ending so late, and th a t although the permission to use the system
could be granted only a t the jo in t request of workers and employers,
the workers were sometimes, and m ight always be, coerced by the
employers into signing the request.
U
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MINERS’ WAGES IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM
125
The Home Secretary resisted the amendm ent. He said th a t 680
orders authorizing the use of the two-shift system for women and
young persons had been m ade since the act w ent into effect, th a t these
had been granted only after full and careful inquiry, th a t he had evi
dence th a t the workers really desired these orders, and th a t he sa w no
reason for refusing the use of the plan where it was needed. The
hardship of beginning early was, of course, compensated by the
advantage of getting through early, and those who worked on the
late shift had the da}r to themselves up to 2 p. m. W herever an
order for the use of the two shifts had been granted, full welfare
conditions were imposed, and where necessary employers were re
quired to provide transportation so as to m eet any difficulty about
reaching the place of work or returning to the home a t unusual hours.
The m otion to strike out the permission was lost w ithout a division,
so th a t the law rem ains unchanged for another year.
Miners’ Wages in Northumberland and Durham
N D E R the agreements which term inated the coal stoppage of
1926, wages in the different coal fields m ight be reviewed from
time to time, and adjusted according to the ascertained proceeds
of the industry. In N orthum berland and D urham reviews of this kind
took place early in February, 1928; and resulted in serious reductions
in wage rates. In D urham the m inimum percentage addition to the
base rates is cut down to 65, as against the 89 prevailing since the
stoppage, and the subsistence allowance for day workers is reduced
from 6s. 83^d. to 6s. b ^ d . per shift.1 In N orthum berland the sub
sistence allowance rem ains unchanged a t 6s. 93^d. per shift, b u t the
minimum percentage addition to base rates is cut down to 40 as
against 80 since the resum ption of work in 1926. The new rates
Were to become effective M arch 1.
The severity of these cuts is apparent when the new rates are
contrasted w ith earlier standards. In N orthum berland the per
centage addition to base rates was 50 in 1914, and 100 before the
stoppage of 1926, and has been 80 since then. In other words, the
wages of skilled coal miners, even if they have steady employment,
will now be lower than in 1914, although the cost-of-living index is
66 points higher than it was then. Expressed in money, the hewers’
Wages will now average 7s. 8d. a shift, and o u t of this the men m ust
pay for their explosives. In D urham the m inimum percentage addi
tion is less th an 5 per cent above the standard for July, 1914. A t the
same tim e the m en are working longer hours th an they were then.
The d a ta published by the M ines D epartm ent show th a t, taking
these fields as a whole, there will be no profits for the owners, and m ay
be losses, even w ith these reductions in force. A t the same time it is
adm itted th a t the wages which will be earned under the new rates
are entirely insufficient. The London Econom ist sums up the
situ a tio n :
U
The position is tragic from all aspects, since apart from the inadequacy of the
future earnings of the 165,000 miners employed in these two districts, there is
reason to fear that one effect of the awards may be to bring so many hewers
down to the level of the “ subsistence allowance” minimum that there will be
1 A t par shilling=24.3 cents and penny=2.03 cents; exchange rate about par.
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[823]
126
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
lessened incentive to maintain output, while the complete breakdown in coal
mining of the system of “ proportionate division of proceeds” as a method of
securing a fair wage may tend to discredit in the eyes of labor at large a principle
of wage regulation which has so much to commend it for wide application.
Great Britain and the Hours Convention
N FE B R U A R Y 2,1928, the Governing Body of the International
Labor Organization, m eeting a t Geneva, devoted the whole
day to the discussion of the W ashington hours convention.
The B ritish representative of the workers had appealed to the
British G overnm ent representative, M r. B etterton, to give some
assurance of a speedy ratification of the eight-hour convention, and
M r. B etterton in his reply gave warning th a t the G overnm ent did
no t intend to ratify a t all unless the form of the convention were
changed.
O
Mr. Betterton’s speech was sensational, because his proposal, made on behalf
of the British Government, was that the question of revision of the hours con
vention should be included in the agenda of the International Labor Conference
of 1929, and the motives for the proposal made it quite clear that the British
Government no longer considers ratification of the convention in its present form
as a possibility. Mr. Betterton said that the British Government prefers as a
solution of the problem “ the framing of a new text rather than to still further
attempt to settle this vital question on the basis of the old text overlaid with a
mass of glosses [clauses] and interpretations.” * * *
Mr. Betterton finally withdrew his own proposal for an immediate decision on
the revision of the Washington convention at the 1929 conference, and agreed to a
resolution, proposed by the French Government delegate, that the governing
body at its April session should fix general rules for the revision of conventions,
and thereupon consider whether revision of the Washington convention in 1929
is desirable.1
The proposition was strongly criticized and condemned by the
w orkers’ representatives from France, G reat B ritain, Canada, H ol
land, and Germ any, b u t was supported by the representatives of the
employers.
I t will be recalled th a t the disputed convention was drawn up in
W ashington in 1919, fixing the hours of work a t 8 per day and 48 per
week, w ith provision for exceptions under certain conditions, and th a t
on instructions from the B ritish G overnm ent the B ritish delegates
participating in the conference voted in favor of it. Since then,
however, G reat B ritain has postponed ratifying the convention, and
her failure to act has led to delay or a qualified acceptance on the
p a rt of other countries. In 1924 the L abor M inisters of Belgium,
France, Germ any, and G reat B ritain, m eeting a t Bern, considered
in w hat way the common adoption of the convention by their coun
tries could best be facilitated, and for a tim e the prospects of united
action seemed good. T he political overturn in G reat B ritain of th a t
year, however, delayed m atters, and the new G overnm ent hesitated
to sign, m ainly on the ground th a t the agreem ent under which the
English railways were operating did no t conform literally to the
term s of the convention, and th a t consequently there were difficulties
in the way of its adoption.
In 1925, however, the prolonged depression brought the question
of hours to the front again, and the M inister of Labor declared th a t
i Manchester (England) Guardian, Feb. 3, p. 6.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[824]
WAGES IN JAPAN
127
“ it was very vital * * * th a t we should aim a t getting hours of
work to decent length, and really endeavor to get similar hours of
work adopted in those countries which competed against us.” In
pursuance of this policy, early in 1926 a conference was called of the
Labor M inisters of Franee, Belgium, Germ any, and Ita ly to discuss
w ith the English M inistry some of the difficulties in the way of
adopting the convention. This conference closed upon an optim istic
note. The five countries, it was announced, had come to an agree
m ent upon the interpretation of the convention, and it was supposed
th a t it would therefore be adopted. For a long time, however, G reat
B ritain was too m uch preoccupied w ith the coal controversy to take
any steps tow ard ratification, and when a t last th a t difficulty was out
of the way, she appointed a committee to consider the situation
once more.
M eanwhile, Belgium has ratified the convention unconditionally,
G erm any is considering legislation embodying clauses to carry i t out,
and France has ratified conditionally upon similar action being taken
by G reat B ritain and Germany. Italy had ratified it provisionally
some tim e previously .
Wages in Japan, November, 1927
H E Im perial D epartm ent of Commerce and Industries has pub
lished a prelim inary report showing the average wages pre
vailing a t the close of November, 1927, in the 13 principal
cities of th a t empire. The following figures from th a t report were
transm itted under date of January 20, 1928, by J. W. Ballantine,
U nited S tates Consul a t Tokyo:
T
A V ER A G E D A IL Y W AGES IN JA PA N IN N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S FOR
N O V E M B E R , 1928, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927
[Yen at par=49.85 cents; exchange rate for November, 1927 = 45.98 cents]
Average daily wages,
November, 1927
Industry and occupation
Yen
Textile industry:
Filature operatives, female-. . __________________
0. 92
Spinning-mill operatives, female_____ __________
1.15
Silk throwing operatives, fem a le...... ...... ................
.87
Cotton power weaving operatives, female— ___._
1.03
Silk hand weaving operatives, female___________ _
1.15
Knitting-mill operatives, male___ ________ . .
1.72
Knitting-mill operatives, female_____________ . .
.90
Average...................... ....... ......................... . . . ___ __________
United
States
currency
Index numbers (average
for 1921-1923 = 100)
Novem
ber, 1926
Novem
ber, 1927
$0. 42
.53
.40
.47
.53
. 79
.41
99
114
106
106
100
104
94
103
90
106
98
106
102
103
104
101
M etal industry:
Lathe workers_______________________ _______ .
Finishers________________ ___ _
F o u n d e r s..____ ________ ____________________
B la ck sm ith s.__________ _______
_ ________ _
Wooden-mold workers_________________ ________
Average...... ..................... . . . _________________
2. 31
2. 36
2. 33
2. 32
2.44
1.06
1.09
1.07
1.07
1.12
101
101
102
101
106
102
100
101
104
106
105
103
Ceramic industry:
Potters _ ____________________________________
Glass workers .
............................................................
Cement workers. _____________________________
Brickmakers___________________________________
Tile makers........ ... ............ ............................... ....... .........
Average___________________________ __________
2.03
2.09
1.99
1.79
1.94
.93
.96
.92
.82
.89
106
107
98
101
96
102
101
108
97
111
95
102
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W AGES IN J A P A N IN N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D I N D E X N U M B E R S FO R
N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927—Continued
Average daily wages,
November, 1927
Index numbers (average
for 1921-1923=100)
Industry and occupation
Yen
Chemical industry:
Drug makers_______________
Matchmakers, male_________
Matchmakers, female..______
Oil pressers________ ________
Makers of Japanese paper___
Makers of foreign style paper.
Leather makers_____________
1.55
1.43
.67
United
States
currency
N ovem
ber, 1927
$0.71
117
.66
88
108
84
101
98
106
103
91
.31
1.86
.86
1.51
2.03
.69
.76
.93
1.90
1. 90
1.80
1.98
1.62
1.68
.87
.87
.83
.91
.74
.77
1. 66
Novem
ber, 1926
78
105
106
97
86
Average.
Food industry:
Flour-mill workers___
Sake m a k ers...............
Soy makers__________
Sugar-mill workers___
Confectionery makers.
Canners..........................
108
97
115
97
121
112
118
114
99
90
101
97
Average.
105
Wearing-apparel industry:
T a ilo rs...___________
Cobblers____________
C logmakers..................
2. 57
2. 32
1.80
1.18
1. 07
.83
Average.
Building industry:
Carpenters____
Plasterers_____
Stonemasons.. .
Bricklayers___
Tile layers.........
Painters............
2.89
3.16
3. 40
3. 21
3. 35
2. 76
1.33
1. 45
1.56
1.48
1. 54
1. 27
Average.
Woodworking industry:
Sawyers___________
Joiners____________
Lacquer workers___
Bamboo-net makers.
M at makers...........
2. 33
2. 38
2. 06
2. 59
1.07
1.09
.95
.77
1.19
2. 27
2.03
1.04
.93
1.68
106
94
104
105
94
100
101
100
102
107
102
99
102
106
101
98
102
110
100
104
102
100
100
97
98
104
102
110
107
121
105
107
107
103
106
103
Average.
Printing industry:
Type makers...
Bookbinders...
Average.
105
D ay laborers:
Stevedores_________
D ay laborers, m a le...
D ay laborers, female.
2. 45
1.98
1.04
1.13
.91
.48
96
98
101
Average.
95
Fishermen___
102
Domestic service:
House servants, m ale...
House servants, female.
1 16. 54
1 12. 27
1 7.61
1 5.64
103
108
103
104
Average...............
104
General average.
102
i Per month, including food and lodging.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[826 ]
129
HOURS OF WORK AND WAGES IN SPAIN
Wages in the Cotton Textile Industry in Lodz, Poland 1
AGE rates, as established by collective agreement, for certain
occupations in the cotton textile industry of Lodz, Poland,
are presented in the following table, for December, 1926,
and October, 1927 :
W
D A IL Y WAGE R A TES IN T H E C OTTO N T E X T IL E IN D U S T R Y IN LODZ
[Zloty at par ==19.3 cents; exchange rate for October, 1927=11.2 cents]
October, 1927
December,
1926
(zloty)
Occupation
Cotton weavers.......... ..............................................................
Cotton spinners, male___________________________
Cotton spinners, female. _________________________
Helpers___________________________________________
6.73
7. 26
4. 33
3.44
Zloty
Index
numbers,
October,
1927. (D e
United
States cur cember,
1926=100)
rency
7.20
7. 77
4.81
3.85
$0.81
.93
.54
.43
107.0
107.0
108.8
111.9
Wages in the Metal Industry of Poland
A ILY wage rates fixed by collective bargaining in the m etal
industry in three districts of Poland, as of December, 1926,
and October, 1927, are shown in the following table:2
D
D A IL Y W AGE R A TE S IN T H E M ET A L IN D U S T R Y OF W ARSAW , PO SE N , A N D U P P E R
SILESIA ON T H E LAST D A Y OF D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D OF O C TO BER , 1927
[Zloty at par=19.3 cents; exchange rate for October, 1927=11.2 cents]
October, 1927
December,
1926
(zloty)
Locality and class of worker
Warsaw:
Skilled ................................................................................
Semiskilled_____________________________ _______
Unskilled______________________________________
Posen:
Skilled
.....................................................................
Semiskilled __________________________________
U nskilled______________________________________
Upper Silesia:
Skilled .
_______________ _______________ _____
Semiskilled __________________________________
Unskilled______________________________________
Zloty
Index
United
number
States cur
(December,
rency
1926=100)
(cents)
8. 50
5.04
4.40
7.68
5.68
5.04
86.0
63.6
56.4
90.4
112.7
114.5
6.40
4.80
4.64
7.04
5.28
5.12
78.8
59.1
57.3
110.0
110.0
110.3
6.08
5.28
4.40
7.08
6.18
4.90
79.3
69.2
54.9
116.4
117.0
111.4
Hours of Work and Wages in Spain
H E Spanish D epartm ent of Labor recently published the results
of an official investigation concerning wages and working hours
in Spain.3
The following table, compiled from this report, shows the num ber
and percentage of workers employed 42, 48, 54, 60, and 66 hours a
T
1 Germany. [Reichswirtsehaftsministerium.] Statistisches Reichsamt. Wirtschaft und Statistik,
Berlin, Jan. 1, 1928, p. 30.
2 Germany. Statistisches Reichsamt. Wirtschaft und Statistik, Berlin, Jan. 1, 1928, p. 30.
3 Spain. Ministerio de Trabajo, Comercio e Industria. Estadística de los Salarios y Jornadas de
Trabajo, referida al periodo 1914-1926. Madrid, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[827]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
130
week, respectively, during the years 1914, 1920, and 1925. A com
parison of the figures for 1920 and 1925 shows th a t there is a m arked
tendency toward the spread of the eight-hour day. In 1920 the
eight-hour day was worked by 85.92 per cent of the employees; in
1925 the percentage had risen to 94.11.
N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OF W O R K ER S H A V IN G E A CH S P E C IF IE D W E E K L Y HO U R S,
1914, 1920, A N D 1925
[Percentages are based on those whose hours are reported]
42 hours
54 hours
48 hours
60 hours
66 hours
Total
Year
N um Per Number
ber cent
Per N um Per N um Per N um Per Number
cent
ber
cent ber cent
cent
ber
Per
cent
602 0.06
152, 549 14.75 114,105 11.03 715, 352 69.18 51,480 4.98 1,034,088
1914_____________
1920- _____ _____ 41, 738 3.17 1,131,828 85.92 79, 928 6.07 56, 546 4.29 7, 258 .55 1, 317, 298
1925 ____________ 38,711 2.95 1, 236,080 94.11 17,301 1.32 19, 992 1.52 1,289 . 10 1,313, 373
100
100
100
A table showing the average hourly wages of skilled workers in
certain specified industries, for the years 1914, 1920, and 1925, is
reproduced below:
A V ER A G E H O U R L Y W AGES OF SK IL LE D W O R K ER S IN SP E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S ,
1914, 1920, A N D 1925
[Peseta at par=19.3 cents; average exchange rate in 1920 was 15.94 cents, and in 1925, 14.34 cents]
1925
1925
1914 1920
(pe (pe
setas) setas)
Industry
M ines and quarries____ 0.41
Metallurgical _________ . 54
Iron and other m etals. _ .47
C h e m ic a l.--........ ........... .41
T e x t ile ____ _____ ____ .37
Forestry and agricul
tural._____ _________ .40
Construction_________
.42
Electrical____
____ .44
Food
.41
Pe
setas
United
States
cur
rency
0. 76
.95
.84
.76
.69
0.87
1.11
.98
.89
.79
$0. 12
. 16
. 14
.13
. 11
.57
.79
.81
.75
.76
.98
.96
.86
.11
. 14
. 14
.12
Industry
1914 1920
(pe (pe
setas) setas)
Book_________________ 0.52
Paper, box, etc__ ___ .37
.40
Clothing- . _________
.41
Hides and leather_____
Lumber______________
.47
Transportation_______
.48
.49
Furniture __________
.46
Decorative arts_______
.37
Pottery.------- ------------Glass_____ __ ............... .56
0. 90
.84
. 71
.69
.87
.86
.87
.85
.69
1.02
United
Pe States
setas cur
rency
1.15
.94
.85
.84
1.00
1.03
1. 11
1.05
. S4
1.28
$0. 16
. 13
. 12
. 12
.14
.15
.16
.15
.12
.18
Wage Rates in Venezuela, 1919 and 1927
H E prevailing wage rates for a selected list of occupations in
Venezuela in November, 1927, compared w ith those paid eight
years ago, are given in a communication from the American
M inister, Willis C. Cook, at Caracas, dated Novem ber 23, 1927.
The following table was taken from this report:
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[828 ]
WAGE RATES IN VENEZUELA
131
D A IL Y W AGES IN SP E C IF IE D O C C U PA TIO N S IN V E N E Z U E L A , 1919 A N D N O V E M
B E R , 1927
[Bolivar at par = 19.3 cents; average exchange rate in N ovem ber, 1927=19.2 cents]
D aily wages—
November, 1927
Occupation
1919
(bolivars)
Bolivars
Masons and bricklayers, foremen
___________ _____________
Masons and bricklayers .
- __________________________
Laborers, brickyard
_____________ _____ ____ _____________
Carpenters, foremen
............................................... - - _____
Carpenters
_
______ ________________________
Plumbers, foremen
.
_______
_____ - ____
Plumbers
. ............... ................ ................... .................
Painters, foremen
............... ......................................................... Painters_______________________ - - ___ ____ ______ ____ ____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
10
7
4
12
8
10
6
10
6
26-36
16
7-8
25-30
16
20-25
16
20
14
United States
currency
$4. 80~$6. 91
3. 07
1. 3-1-1. 54
4.80-5. 76
3. 07
3.8-4-4. 80
3.07
3.84
2.69
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment in Selected Manufacturing Industries in February,
1928
M PL O Y M E N T in m anufacturing industries increased 1.5 per
cent in February, 1928, as compared w ith January, 1928, and
pay-roll totals increased 4.9 per cent.
These increases more than overcame the decreases in both items
reported in January, which were due m ainly to inventory taking and
repairs, so th a t em ploym ent in F ebruary stood a t a higher level than
it had since Novem ber while pay-roll totals were greater than a t any
time since October.
The Bureau of Labor S tatistics’ weighted index of em ploym ent for
February, 1928, is 85.5, as compared w ith 84.2 for January, 1928,
85.1 for December, 1927, and 91.0 for February, 1927; the weighted
index of pay-roll totals for February, 1928, is 90, as com pared with
85.8 for January, 1928, 89.3 for December, 1927, and 96.4 for Febru
ary, 1927.
Em ploym ent and pay-roll totals in February, 1928, were 6 per cent
and 6.6 per cent lower, respectively, than in February, 1927.
The d a ta for F ebruary, 1928, are based on reports from 10,807
establishm ents in 54 of the chief m anufacturing industries of the
United States. These establishm ents in February had 2,984,424
employees, whose combined earnings in one week were $80,904,364.
E
Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in January and February,
1928
H T H IR T Y -N IN E of the 54 separate industries had more employees
in February than in January and 39 industries reported increased
pay-roll totals, although the two lists of industries were not in every
instance identical.
N otable increases in em ploym ent were 9.5 per cent in the auto
mobile industry, 3.3 per cent in iron and steel, 16.5 per cent in fer
tilizers, 13.8 per cent in stoves, and 4.1 per cent in automobile tires.
O ther industries showing m arked im provem ent in em ploym ent were
slaughtering and m eat packing, sugar refining, silk goods, clothing,
foundry and machine-shop products, pottery, stam ped ware, car
riages, agricultural implements, and pianos.
Decreases in em ploym ent were n o t of great size in any industry.
C otton and woolen goods both fell off slightly as did sawmills, paper
and pulp, cement, and electrical m achinery and supplies. Ship
building showed a decrease of over 5 per cent.
132
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[830]
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
133
Substantial gains in employment were shown in February in 9 of
the 12 groups of industries, the vehicle group leading w ith a gain of
4.4 per cent; the lum ber group showed no change, the paper group a
slight decrease, and the group of miscellaneous industries a loss of
1.6 per cent.
T he vehicle and iron and steel groups of industries reported
gains in pay-roll totals of 13.8 per cent and 9.6 per cent, respectively.
E ach of the nine geographic divisions reported both increased
em ploym ent and increased pay-roll totals in February. The increases
were especially m arked in both the E a st N orth C entral and the W est
N orth C entral divisions and also in the E a st South C entral division.
T a b l e 1.—C O M PA R ISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
E ST A B L ISH M E N T S D U R IN G ONE W E E K E A CH IN JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1928
Industry
Number on pay roll
EstabPer
lishcent of
ments January, February, change
1928
1928
Amount of pay roll
January,
1928
Per
cent of
February, change
1928
Food a n d k in dred p r o d u c ts__
Slaughtering and meat packm g ........ ....... .............................
Confectionery______________
Ice cream—............ - --------------Flour_____________________ _
Baking........ __.............................
Sugar refining, cane—...............
1, 705
218, 398
221, 372
0)
$5, 594, 559
$5, 708, 337
190
311
223
344
621
16
85,090
34,048
8,572
15, 674
65, 303
9,711
87, 327
34,207
8,599
15, 710
65, 304
10,225
+ 2 .6
+ 0 .5
+ 0 .3
+ 0 .2
+ ( 2)
+ 5 .3
2,205, 350
621,531
292, 015
425, 323
1, 758, 763
291, 577
2,289, 697
628, 735
286,200
417, 318
1, 776,857
309, 530
+ 3 .8
+ 1 .2
-2 .0
- 1 .9
+ 1 .0
+ 6 .2
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts___
Cotton goods_______________
Hosiery and knit goods______
Silk goods-------------------- -----Woolen and worsted goods___
Carpets and rugs___________
D yeing and finishing textiles.
Clothing, m en’s ____________
Shirts and collars___________
Clothing, w om en’s _________
M illinery and lace goods____
1,886
470
247
192
188
29
101
288
96
201
74
603, 939
229, 596
80, 605
55, 584
64,005
24,057
32, 562
63,413
20,590
22,047
11,480
607, 970
227, 060
81, 679
57, 574
63, 524
24, 342
32, 953
64,840
20, 541
23,171
12,286
0)
- 1 .1
+ 1 .3
+ 3 .6
-0 .8
+ 1 .2
+ 1 .2
+ 2 .3
-0 .2
+ 5 .1
+ 7 .0
11, 754, 628
3, 566, 731
1, 520, 881
1,141, 797
1,432, 339
635, 514
776, 716
1, 529, 002
320,168
573, 830
257, 650
12, 021, 624
3, 506, 325
1, 555, 554
1,261, 832
1,425, 305
628,018
815, 901
1,590, 607
332, 534
619, 281
286,267
(0
- 1 .7
+ 2 .3
+10.5
- 0 .5
-1 .2
+ 5 .0
+ 4 .0
+ 3 .9
+ 7 .9
+11.1
1,770
199
37
161
611,188
252,261
11,818
23,902
628, 633
260, 609
11, 522
24,010
(*)
+ 3 .3
-2 .5
+ 0 .5
17, 461, 145
7,430, 652
241, 394
682,060
19, 151, 355
8, 312, 582
270, 333
712, 256
(>)
+11.9
+12.0
+ 4 .4
950
72
148
216,968
31,513
27,763
222, 420
31, 827
28, 497
+ 2 .5
+ 1 .0
+ 2 .6
6,218,129
759, 623
853,249
6, 647, 302
826, 565
907, 610
+ 6 .9
+ 8 .8
+ 6 .4
107
96
33, 277
13, 686
34,169
15, 579
+ 2 .7
+13.8
911, 952
364,086
1,025,180
449, 527
+12.4
+23.5
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts_____
Lumber, sawm ills__________
Lumber, millwork__________
Furniture________________
1,152
460
264
428
204, 391
112, 435
29, 633
62, 323
204, 499
111, 883
29, 754
62,862
(>)
- 0 .5
+ 0 .4
+ 0 .9
4, 300, 986
2,188, 369
663,822
1,448, 795
4, 510, 755
2,252, 251
705,055
1, 553, 449
0)
+ 2 .9
+ 6 .2
+ 7 .2
L eath er a n d its p r o d u cts_____
Leather ___________________
Boots and shoes....................... .
355
132
223
120, 403
28,830
91, 573
122, 461
29,024
93, 437
G)
+ 0 .7
+ 2 .0
2, 714, 424
718, 946
1,995,478
2, 883, 790
733, 391
2,150,399
(>)
+ 2 .0
+ 7 .8
Paper a n d p r in tin g __________
917
Paper and pulp_____________ * 215
Paper boxes. ......................... . * 184
Printing, book and job _____
310
Printing, newspapers...... .........
208
175,778
57, 584
19, 415
49,889
48, 890
174,860
56, 992
19, 108
49, 959
48, 801
0)
-1 .0
-1 .6
+ 0 .1
-0 .2
5,731,099
1, 528,160
433,438
1, 761, 440
2,008,061
5,695,851
1, 542, 492
424, 111
1, 724, 583
2,004, 665
(0
+ 0 .9
-2 .2
- 2 .1
-0 .2
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir produ c ts _________________________
Iron and steel_______________
Cast-iron p ip e______________
Structural ironwork_________
Foundry and machine-shop
products.........
- _______
Hardware------ - - -----------Machine tools. . . ___________
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-water heating apparatu s_____________ ____ ____
Stoves_____________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(See footnotes at end of table)
1831]
(')
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
134
T
l.-C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O TALS, IN ID E N T IC A L
E S T A B L ISH M E N T S D U R IN G ONE 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 ,
1928—Continued
able
Number on pay roll
Estab
Per
lish
cent of
ments January, February, change
1928
1928
Industry
Amount of pay roll
January,
1928
Per
cent of
February, change
1928
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u cts.
Chemicals_______ ____ _____
Fertilizers___________ _____ _
Petroleum refining........... .......
361
127
177
57
87,121
31, 227
11,362
44, 532
9,771
32, 091
13, 233
44,447
0
+ 2 .8
+16.5
-0 .2
$2,552,553
865, 959
216,185
1,470,409
$2,591,926
889, 949
237, 688
1,464, 289
(i)
+ 2 .8
+ 9 .9
- 0 .4
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p ro d u cts.
Cement ___________ ______
Brick, tile, and terra cotta___
Pottery.------------- --------------Glass........ ............................ .......
647
94
369
69
115
99,887
22,310
27, 570
13,813
36,194
100,304
21, 784
27,456
14,473
36, 591
0
- 2 .4
- 0 .4
+ 4 .8
+ 1.1
2,575,446
653, 024
678, 335
352, 354
891, 733
2,621,762
619,185
680,163
384, 546
937,868
0
-5 .2
+ 0 .3
+ 9.1
+ 5 .2
M etal p ro d u cts, oth er th a n
iron a n d s t e e l . . ................. .......
Stamped and enameled ware.
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_________________
222
69
47, 946
17,345
50. 050
18, 716
0
+ 7 .9
1,271,468
402, 366
1,380,229
481, 807
(i)
+19.7
+ 2 .4
869,102
898, 422
+ 3 .4
734,636
736,920
(0
T ob acco p ro d u cts________ . . .
Chewing and smoking tobac-co and snuff___________
Cigars and cigarettes. _____
V ehicles for la n d tra n sp o rta t io n _________________________
Automobiles_______________
Carriages and wagons_______
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad ___________
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad....................... .
M iscella n eo u s In d u stries.
Agricultural implements ___
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies_______
Pianos and organs... ______
Rubber boots and shoes___ _
Automobile tires___ _______
Shipbuilding____________
.
AH in d u str ies_____
153
30, 601
31,334
172
42,581
44,351
28
144
8, 600
33, 981
8, 776
35, 575
+ 2 .0
+ 4 .7
136,829
597, 807
141,124
595, 796
+ 3.1
-0 .3
1,215
202
59
470,004
313,581
1,376
499,907
343,490
1,541
0
+ 9 .5
+12.0
13,985,873
9,442,665
29,905
16,572,909
11, 883, 079
34,653
0
+25.8
+15.9
0
394
25, 560
25, 603
+ 0 .2
793, 029
780, 582
- 1 .6
560
129,487
129, 273
-0 .2
3, 720, 274
3,874, 595
+ 4.1
405
93
240,073
27, 641
240,246
28, 600
0
+ 3 .5
6,945,920
806, 053
7,028,906
852, 937
0
+ 5 .8
168
39
12
55
38
108,964
6, 365
20, 247
51, 598
25, 258
107, 700
6, 560
19, 787
53, 692
23, 907
-1 .2
+ 3.1
-2 .3
+ 4.1
-5 .3
3,101,977
179, 639
509, 037
1,592,387
756, 827
3,100, 319
181, 473
476, 790
1, 740, 636
676, 751
- 0 .1
+ 1 .0
- 6 .3
+ 9.3
-1 0 .6
75,622,737
80,904,364
10,807 2,921,709 2,984,424
0
0
R e c a p i t u l a t i o n b y G e o g r a p h ic D i v i s i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew England____________
M iddle Atlantic__________
East North Central..............
W est North Central_______
South Atlantic___________
East South Centrai..............
W est South C en tra l............
M ountain____________ ___
Pacific...........................
AH d iv isio n s.-...........
1,397
2,533
2,905
991
1,176
530
443
185
647
397,057
399,843
804,826
810, 803
959,125 1,005, 000
150, 873
155, 610
282,973
283, 713
112, 094
113,603
82, 643
82,857
24,896
25,059
107, 222
107,936
10,807 2,921,709 2,984,424
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .7
+ 4 .8
+ 3.1
+ 0 .3
+ 1 .3
+ 0 .3
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .7
0
$9, 552, 961
22, 330, 066
27, 298, 651
3, 745, 884
5, 254, 739
2, 030, 660
1, 778,144
688, 428
2,943, 204
$9, 704, 575
23,116, 504
30,982, 807
3,971, 924
5,439, 410
2,165, 820
1, 789, 675
695, 351
3, 038, 298
75,622,737
80,904,364
+ 1 .6
+ 3 .5
+13.5
+ 6 .0
+ 3 .5
+ 6 .7
+ 0 .6
+ 1 .0
+ 3 .2
0
1 The per cent of change has not been computed for the reason that the figures in the preceding columns
are unweighted and refer only to the establishments reporting; for the weighted per cent of change, wherein
proper allowance is made for the relative importance of the several industries, so that the figures may
represent all establishments of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[832]
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
135
T a b l e 2 .— P E R C E N T S OF C H A N G E , JA N U A R Y TO F E B R U A R Y , 1928—12 G R O U PS O F
IN D U S T R IE S A N D TOTAL OF ALL IN D U S T R IE S
[Computed from the index numbers of each group, which are obtained by weighting the index numbers
of the several industries of the group, by the number of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of changes,
January, 1928, to
February, 1928
Per cent of changes,
January, 1928, to
February, 1928
Group
Food and kindred products...
Textiles and their produ cts...
Iron and steel and their produ cts____ _________ ______
Lumber and its products____
Leather and its products____
Paper and printing_________
Chemicals and allied products.
Stone, clay, and glass products.
Group
Number
on pay
roll
Amount
of pay
roll
+ 1 .2
+ 1 .3
+ 2 .0
+ 3 .2
+ 2 .9
(0
+ 1 .6
-0 . 5
+ 4.1
+ 0 .7
+ 9 .6
+ 4 .3
+ 5 .9
- 0 .7
+ 2 .5
+ 3 .0
M etal products, other than
iron and steel..........................
Tobacco products___________
Vehicles for land transportation..............
Miscellaneous industries____
All in d u s tr ie s ____ .
Number
on pay
roll
Amount
of pay
roll
+ 4 .0
+ 4 .2
+ 7 .2
+ 0.3
+ 4 .4
- 1 .6
+13.8
- 3 .3
+ 1 .5
+ 4 .9
1 N o change.
Comparison of Employment and Pay-roll Totals in February, 1928, and
February, 1927
'T 'H E level of em ploym ent in m anufacturing industries in February,
A 1928, was 6 per cent below the level of em ploym ent in February,
1927, and pay-roll totals were 6.6 per cent lower.
Com paring conditions in February, 1928, w ith February, 1927,
decreased em ploym ent is shown in each of the 12 groups of industries.
The outstanding decreases occurred in the miscellaneous, iron and
steel, stone-clay-glass, and lum ber groups, and the smallest decreases
in the food, paper, tobacco, textile, and vehicle groups.
The food group of industries, as a whole, reported an increase of
1.7 per cent in pay-roll totals, b u t the rem aining 11 groups reported
decreased pay-roll totals ranging from 0.3 per cent in the paper group
to 15.8 per cent in the group of miscellaneous industries.
The notable increases in separate industries over this 12-month
period again were m ade in the automobile industry— 6.4 per cent in
em ploym ent and 14.1 per cent in pay-roll totals—followed by agri
cultural implements, rubber tires, rubber boots and shoes, fertilizers,
flour, slaughtering and m eat packing, and silk goods, w ith substantial
though smaller increases.
The pronounced decreases in em ploym ent from February, 1927, to
February, 1928, appeared in the shipbuilding (29 per cent), petroleum
refining (18 per cent), piano, steam -railroad car building and repair
ing, cast-iron pipe, foundry and machine-shop products, steam fit
tings, and stove (10.6 per cent) industries. The iron and steel in
dustry had dropped 6.9 per cent of its employees, and woolen and
worsted goods and sawmills each had 8.3 per cent fewer employees.
The E a st N orth C entral geographic division showed a slight in
crease in em ploym ent over this 12-month period, b u t the remaining
8 divisions had fewer employees a t the end of the period than a t
the beginning, the losses having been greatest in the W est South
C entral, M iddle A tlantic, and New England divisions and smallest
in the W est N orth Central, South A tlantic, and Pacific divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[833]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
136
T
able
3 ,—C O M PA R ISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O LL TO TALS, F E B R U A R Y , 1928,
W ITH F E B R U A R Y , 1927
[The per cents of change for each of the 12 groups of industries and for the total of all industries are weighted
in the same manner as are the per cents of change in Table 2]
Per cent of change
February, 1928,
compared with
February, 1927
Per cent of change
February, 1928,
compared with
February, 1927
Industry
Industry
Number Amount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
Number Amount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll
Food a n d kin dred p r o d u c ts,.
Slaughtering and meat
packing.;_________ ____ _
Confectionery____________
Ice cream,...............................
Flour,_____ ______________
B aking___________________
Sugar refining, cane_______
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts ,.
Cotton goods_____________
Hosiery and knit goods____
Silk goods________________
Woolen and worsted goods,.
Carpets and rugs_________
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles ____________________
Clothing, m en’s .....................
Shirts and collars,...............
Clothing, women’s________
Millinery and lace goods___
- 0 .2
+1 .7
+ 1 .5
- 2 .3
-5 .7
+ 2 .0
-0 . 6
-2 .6
+ 6 .1
- 3 .8
- 3 .5
+3. 5
-0 .8
- 0 .3
- 2 .9
-3 .7
-1 .3
+ 1 .3
-8 .3
-1 .1
- 6 .3
-1 0 .8
-2 .5
+ 1 .5
-9 .7
-8 .6
+ 1 .7
-4 .7
-0 .6
-2 .9
-1 . 7
- 0 .7
- 8 .3
-2 .0
-4 .8
-4 .6
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
p r o d u c ts .................... ...............
Iron and steel......................
Cast-iron pip e___________ _
Structural ironwork_______
Foundry and machine-shop
products________________
Hardware...........................
Machine tools____________
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus_______ _______
Stoves.............................. .........
-1 2 .5
-1 0 .6
-1 2 .8
-1 2 .6
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u cts___
Lumber, saw m ills.................
Lumber, millwork.................
Furniture.................................
-7.5
- 8 .3
- 7 .8
- 4 .6
- 7 .2
- 7 .9
- 7 .1
- 5 .5
L eather a n d its p ro d u cts___
Leather__________________
Boots and shoes__________
-4.8
- 3 .8
- 5 .1
-6.7
-4 . 2
- 7 .9
-1.1
-4 .3
-2 .8
+ 0 .6
+ 0 .7
-0.3
- 3 .8
- 2 .0
-0 .5
+ 3 .2
Paper a n d p r in tin g _________
Paper and p u lp .__________
Paper boxes______________
Printing, book and job____
Printing, newspapers............
- 9 .2
-6 .9
-1 4 . 6
-4 .9
- 8 .8
-4 .9
-1 6 .9
-3 .2
-1 1 . 1
- 7 .3
- 9 .4
-1 3 .1
-7 . 1
- 5 .6
C h em icals a n d allied produ c ts _____ _______________
Chemicals________________
Fertilizers _____________
Petroleum refining__ ____
- 6 .4
- 0 .6
+ 3 .3
-1 8 . 2
-7.4
+ 0 .4
+ 0 .6
-1 8 .5
S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ c t s _______________________
C em ent_____ ____________
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta .,
Pottery__________________
Glass___________ _______
- 7 .8
-7 . 0
-9 . 2
- 3 .9
-8 . 1
- 8 .8
-7 .2
-1 4 .9
-3 .0
-6 .9
M etal p rod u cts o th er th a n
iron a n d s te el____________
Stamped and enameled
ware____ ___________ Brass, bronze, and copper
products_______________
T obacco p r o d u cts__________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes___ . .
V ehicles for la n d tran sp orta t io n _____________________
Automobiles______________
Carriages and wagons_____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad_________
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad__________
- 6 .2
- 5 .8
- 4 .6
-2 .8
- 6 .7
-6 .8
- 2 .6
-1.6
+ 0 .4
- 3 .1
-0 .5
- 1 .8
-3.«
+ 6 .4
-8 .4
-0.6
+14.1
-7 .0
-2 .2
- 1 .9
-1 1 .2
-1 2 .4
M iscella n eou s in d u str ie s___
Agricultural implements___
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies____
Pianos and organs____ ____
Rubber boots and shoes___
Automobile tires--------------Shipbuilding______ ____ _
-1 4 . 4
+ 5 .8
-1 5 . 8
+ 8 .0
-7 .3
-1 5 .4
+ 3 .9
+ 4 .9
-2 8 .9
-6 .7
-1 8 .8
+ 1 .6
+ 5 .9
-2 9 .2
All in d u str ies___ ______
-6.0
-6,6
-4 . 1
- 9 .3
-5 . 3
-3 . 5
- 5 .8
- 7 .4
- 6 .5
- 2 .6
- 6 .0
- 6 .6
R e c a p i t u l a t i o n b y G e o g r a p h ic D i v i s i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew England
M iddle Atlantic
West North Central
South A tlantic............................. .
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-7 . 7
-8 . 8
+ 0 .4
-1 . 4
-3 . 5
-9 . 6
-9 . 6
+ 3 .3
-0 . 7
- 5 .2
East South C entral.............. .......
West South Central _________
M ountain____________________
Pacific_______________________
[8 3 4 ]
All d iv isio n s______ ____
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
137
Per Capita Earnings
D E R C A PITA earnings in February, 1928, for the 54 industries
* combined were 3.3 per cent higher than in January, 1928, and
0.6 per cent lower than in February, 1927.
Increases in per capita earnings in February, 1928, as compared
w ith January, 1928, appeared in 39 industries, and there was no
change in one other industry. The outstanding increases—nearly
15 per cent each—were in the automobile and the cast-iron pipe
industries. The greatest decrease in per capita earnings in Febru
ary—5.6 per cent—was in the fertilizer industry, which was ap
proaching its peak season and had employed a large num ber of
common laborers.
Employees in 25 industries were averaging greater earnings in
February, 1928, than in February, 1927, the automobile industry
leading w ith an advance of 7.4 per cent. The greatest falling off
in per capita earnings also was 7.4 per cent—in the cotton goods
industry.
T able 4 .—CO M PA R ISO N OF P E R C A PITA E A R N IN G S, F E B R U A R Y , 1928, W ITH JA N
U A R Y , 1928, A N D F E B R U A R Y , 1927
Per cent of
change Febru
ary, 1928, com
pared with—
Per cent of
change Febru
ary, 1928, com
pared with—
Industry
Industry
Janu
ary,
1928
Febru
ary,
1927
A utom obiles.................................... . +14.9
Cast-iron pip e_______ ____ _____ +14.8
Stamped and enameled w are------ + 10.9
Steam fittings and steam and hot+ 9 .5
water heating apparatus______
+ 8 .5
Stoves....................... ...........................
Iron and steel........... ....................... . + 8 .3
+ 7 .7
H ardw are...................................... .
Silk goods.......................................... . + 6 .7
F u rn itu re......................................... . + 6 .3
Lumber, mill work......................... . + 5 .8
Boots and shoes____ ______ ____ _ + 5 .6
Automobile tires............................. . + 5 .1
Car building and repairing,
+ 4 .3
steam-railroad.............................
Foundry and machine-shop prod
u c ts_____________ ____________ + 4 .3
+ 4 .2
Pottery____________ ____ ______
+ 4 .1
Shirts and collars._____________
+ 4 .0
Glass________ _________________
+ 3 .9
Structural ironwork____________
+ 3 .8
D yeing and finishing textiles___
+ 3 .8
M illinery and lace goods........... .
+ 3 .6
M achine tools_________________
+ 3 .5
Carriages and wagons__________
Lumber, sawm ills........................... . + 3 .4
+ 2 .7
Clothing, w om en’s _____________
+ 2 .3
Agricultural im plem ents...........
Paper and pulp___________ _____ +2. 0
+ 1 .7
Clothing, m en ’s ...... ........................
+ 1 .3
Leather............................................ .
+ 7 .4
- 2 .6
+ 1 .8
- 0 .4
-2 .2
+ 2 .4
+ 0 .2
+ 0 .1
- 0 .7
+ 0 .7
- 2 .8
+ 1 .1
- 1 .1
- 2 .4
+ 1 .1
-0 .9
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .8
- 2 .3
-3 .0
+ 4 .3
+ 1 .4
+ 0 .6
-2 .0
+ 2 .0
+ 0 .4
-4 .0
-0 .6
Slaughtering and meat packing.. .
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff______ _____________
Electrical machinery, apparatus
and supplies--------- ---------------B aking------------------- ---------------Brass, bronze, and copper products . . . . .
. . . __
Hosiery and knit goods_________
Sugar refining, cane . . . ---------Brick, tile, and terra cotta _____
Confectionery_______ _________
Woolen and worsted goods______
Printing, newspapers___________
Chemicals _______ . ________
Petroleum refining----- ------------Paper boxes-----------------------------Cotton goods___________________
Car building and repairing, electrie-railroad__________________
Pianos and organs______________
Flour . . . . . . .
_________
Printing, book and job------------Carpets and rugs_______________
Ice c re a m _____________________
C e m e n t... ----------- -------------Rubber boots and shoes------------Cigars and cigarettes---------------Shipbuilding___________________
Fertilizers............................................
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
Janu
ary,
1928
Febru
ary,
1927
+ 1 .2
+ 4 .5
+ 1 .1
-1 .2
+ 1 .1
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .4
0)
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .8
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .3
+0)
(2)
-0 .2
- 0 .5
-0 .6
- 0 .4
-1 .2
+2. 2
-6 .5
-1 .6
-1 .4
+ 2 .7
+ 1 .0
- 0 .7
+ 0 .7
-7 .4
-1 .7
-2 .0
- 2 .1
-2 .2
- 2 .3
- 2 .3
-2 .9
- 4 .1
-4 .8
- 5 .5
-5 .6
+ 0 .4
-4 .2
+ 1 .7
-0 . 9
- 7 .3
+ 2 .3
-0 .2
- 2 .3
+ 1 .3
- 0 .5
- 2 .6
2N o change.
Wage Changes
r \ U R I N G the m onth ending F ebruary 15, 1928, 28 establishm ents
in 15 industries reported wage-rate increases. These increases
averaged 10 per cent each and affected 1,260 employees, or 16 per
cent of the total employees in the establishm ents concerned.
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[885]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
138
D uring the same period 62 establishm ents in 19 industries reported
wage-rate decreases. These decreases averaged 8.8 per cent each
and affected 18,102 employees, or 86 per cent of the total employees
in the establishm ents concerned.
T hirty-four of the 62 establishm ents reporting wage-rate decreases
were in 7 textile industries, and their decreases affected more than
15,000 of the 18,102 affected by all wage-rate decreases reported.
T
able
5 .—W AGE
A D JU ST M E N T S O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N
F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rates
Establishments
JA N U A R Y
15
AND
Employees affected
!
Per cent of employees
Industry
Number
reporting
Total increase
num
or de
ber re
porting increase
wage
rates
Range
Average
Total
number
In estab
In all
lishments
reporting
estab
lish
increase or
ments
decrease
in wage
reporting
rates
Increases
Confectionery........................... .
Baking___________
_______
Silk goods----------------------------Foundry and machine-shop
products_________ _________
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-water apparatus_______
Lumber, millwork__ ___ _____
Boots and sh o e s.. . . _ --------Paper boxes-------------------------Printing, book and job . . . .
Printing, newspapers ---------Chemicals________
________
F e r tiliz e r s..------ ----- . . . .
Stamped and enameled ware. . Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad-----------------Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies......................
311
G21
192
1
1
2
7.8
7.0
5. 0-10. 0
7.8
7.0
5.1
18
51
42
950
2
4. 5-25. 0
13. 6
135
15
0
107
264
223
184
310
208
127
177
69
1
1
1
1
5
5
3
1
2
5.0
10.0
25.0
10.0
1. 8-11. 0
2. 0- 5. 0
5.0-11. 0
11.0
10.0-21.0
5.0
10.0
25.0
10.0
4. 3
3.5
7.7
11.0
14.5
60
46
193
8
164
175
163
6
100
47
50
100
6
19
14
8
8
56
0
0)
0
0
0
0
394
1
2.0
2.0
65
29
0
168
1
5.0
5.0
34
8
0
8
8
6
0
0
0
0
1
I
Decreases
Confectionery...............................
311
621
B aking---- ---------------------------Cotton goods------------------------ ■ 470
Hosiery and knit goods_______
247
192
Silk goods_____________ _____
W oolen and worsted goods___
188
29
Carpets and rugs------------------Dyeing and finishing textiles.. .
101
288
Clothing, m en’s . ------ -----------199
Iron and steel ---------------------37
Cast-iron p ip e ... — ------ —
Foundry and machine-shop
950
products— . .
. . . -- 96
Stoves------- -----------------------460
Lumber, sawm ills------------- -428
Furniture _________ . ------177
Fertilizers_____________ . . -369
Brick, tile, and terra c o tta ...
144
Cigars and cigarettes. . . .
55
Automobile tires. . . . ----
1
2
9
7
5
3
7
2
1
5
2
10.0
5. 0- 8. 0
10.0
2. 5-10. 0
6. 7-10. 0
5.0-10. 0
10. 0
10. 0-15. 0
5. 0-10. 0
2. 4-20. 0
10.0
10.0
7.6
10.0
7.8
9.7
5.8
10.0
10.4
7.5
5.2
10.0
50
50
4,887
4,706
1,191
837
3,033
677
80
735
145
76
48
100
92
81
100
99
100
84
34
76
0
0
2
1
4
5
1
3
1
1
5. 0-10. 0
10.0
5. 0-10. 0
5.0-10. 0
12.5
7. 0-13. 0
5.0
8.0
7.1
10.0
6.0
8. 5
12.5
8.1
5.0
8.0
260
43
604
424
28
140
27
185
85
51
89
67
68
67
69
100
0
0
1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[836]
0
0
0)
0
0
2
6
2
1
12
2
1
1
1
1
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
139
Indexes of Employment and Pay-roll Totals in Manufacturing Industries
IN D E X num bers for February and January, 1928, and for December
and February, 1927, showing relatively the variation in num ber
of persons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 industries
surveyed by the B ureau of Labor Statistics, together w ith general
indexes for the combined 12 groups of industries, appear in Table 6.
The general index of employment for February, 1928, is 85.5, this
num ber being 1.5 per cent higher than the index for January, 1928,
0.5 per cent higher than the index for December, 1927, and 6 per
cent lower than the index for February, 1927. The general index
of pay-roll totals for February, 1928, is 90, this num ber being 4.9
per cent higher than the index for January, 1928, 0.8 per cent higher
than the index for December, 1927, and 6.6 per cent lower than the
index for February, 1927.
6 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL T O TALS 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 A N D D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D
F E B R U A R Y , 1928
[M onthly average, 1923 = 100]
T able
Employment
1928
1927
Industry
Pay-roll totals
Febru D ecem Janu
ary
ary
ber
1927
1928
Febru Febru D ecem Janu
ary
ary
ber
ary
Febru
ary
G eneral in d e x ________ ______
91.0
85.1
84.2
85.5
96.4
89.3
85.8
90.0
Fond a n d kin dred p ro d u cts . . . .
Slaughtering and meat packing...
C onfectionery_________ ____ ___
Ice cream____________ _________
Flour... ______ ________________
Baking______ ___________
Sugar refining, cane.........................
88.1
82. 7
81.4
80. 9
85.8
100.0
84.3
89.9
82.4
89.5
78.0
87.2
101. 8
84.7
86.9
81. 7
79. 1
76.1
87.3
99.4
78.0
87.9
83.9
79. 5
76.3
87.5
99.4
82.1
92.1
84.0
90.6
86.0
87.4
106.2
87.7
94.6
86.8
100.6
84.5
92.0
106. 4
86.1
91.9
85.8
86. 1
84. 7
92.3
104.3
82.3
93.7
89.1
87.2
83.0
90.5
105.4
87.4
Textiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts ...........
Cotton goods__________ _____ _■ .
Hosiery and knit goods_________
Silk goods................. ..........................
Woolen and worsted goods_____
Carpets and rugs_______________
Dyeing and finishing textiles____
Clothing, men’s_________ ______
Shirts and collars__
Clothing, wom en’s................. .........
M illinery and lace goods................
89.7
87.4
98.3
99.4
85.2
98.4
99.4
86.7
82.2
90.2
74. 7
86.6
86. 2
97.8
98.2
80.1
97. 7
100.7
79.6
82.8
81.7
67.9
86.0
85.1
95.7
97.2
78. 7
96. 2
99.9
80. 7
81.8
83.4
68.6
87.1
84.2
97.0
100.7
78. 1
97.3
101.1
82.6
81.7
87.6
73.4
94.0
89.0
115. 1
109. 5
85. 6
99.4
106.4
84. 1
83.4
99.9
80.2
87.9
86.0
115.9
107.8
80. 5
97.4
105.4
71. 5
86.2
84. 1
70.3
85.4
80.8
109. 7
100. 5
77.7
92.0
100. 7
74.2
78. 6
88. 1
68.8
88.1
79.4
112.2
111.1
77.3
90.9
105. 7
77.1
81.7
95.1
76.5
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir p r o d u cts.
Iron and steel..................................
Cast-iron pipe____ ____ _____ _
Structural ironwork........................
Foundry and machine-sh op prod
u c ts .................................................
Hardware___
Machine tools____ _
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus
S t o v e s ..................................
89.8
94. 4
96. 6
94. 1
79.7
84.7
87.3
90.6
79.2
85.1
84. 6
89.0
81.5
87.9
82. 5
89. 5
96.4
100.9
96. 6
100. 5
82.8
86.9
84. 1
100.9
80.2
85.8
71. 7
93. 2
87.9
96.0
80.3
97.3
86.2
84. 7
102.0
74.9
78.6
90.2
74.8
77.8
90.0
76.6
78. 5
92.4
91.6
96.0
112.7
76. 7
85. 5
101.8
74.4
82.0
100.0
79.6
89.2
106.4
91.9
80.0
80.7
75.4
78.2
62.8
80.4
71.5
99.3
83.1
81.8
75.8
77.0
58.8
86.6
72.6
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u cts. _
Lumber, sawmills..........................
Lumber, millwork________
Furniture....................................
83.2
78.1
88.8
97.3
79.8
74.6
82.9
96.2
77.0
71.9
81. 5
92.0
77.0
71.6
81.9
92.8
89.3
83. 7
91.7
107.3
88.0
82.9
88.2
105.7
79.5
75.0
80. 2
94.6
82.9
77.1
85.2
101.4
L eather a n d its produ cts
L eather...
Boots and shoes___
92.1
94.7
91.3
82.9
88.8
81.0
86.3
90.4
84.9
87.7
91.1
86.6
92.3
97.2
90.4
76.5
91.4
70.5
81.3
91.3
77.3
86.1
93.1
83.3
93675°—28-----10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[837]
140
T
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
6 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O LL TO 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 A N D D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y A N D
F E B R U A R Y , 1928—Continued
[M o n th ly average, 1923 = 100]
able
Employment
1927
Industry
Pay-roll totals
1928
1927
1928
Febru Decem Janu Febru Febru Decem Janu Febru
ary
ber
ary
ary
ary
ber
ary
ary
Paper a n d p r in tin g ___ _
Paper and pulp _. __________
Paper boxes________________
Printing, book and job_______
Printing, newspapers.... ..........
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u cts___
Chemicals___ ___________
Fertilizers_________________
Petroleum..___________ ___ _
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u c ts___
Cement..___ __________ . .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_____
Pottery___________________
Glass___________ _________
M etal p ro d u cts, o th e r th a n iron
a n d ste el ...... ............
Stamped and enameled ware___
Brass, bronze, and copper products............ ............. ..............
T ob a cco p r o d u cts.
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff______ ____ _____
Cigars and cigarettes_________
V ehicles for la n d tr a n s p o r ta tio n ..
Automobiles. ____________
Carriages and wagons______
Car building and repairing, electrie-railroad.......................... .
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad_______ _____
M isc e lla n e o u s in d u s tr ie s ____
Agricultural implements... __
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies___ ___ _____ _
Pianos and organs___________
Rubber boots and shoes.......... .
Automobile tires_______ ___
Shipbuilding_____________
104.4
105.4
94. 5
97.0
105.9
115.8
103.8
92. 3
100. 6
107.2
118.3
103.3
113.3
91.3
95.8
106.4
116.9
90. 4
94.3
106.5
116.6
117.0
102. 1
106.3
117.8
121.5
113.8
99. 9
113.3
122. 1
129.2
113.0
97. 4
106. 6
119.8
125.7
98. 2
104.2
117.2
125.4
100.0
90.4
89.9
93.6
96.3
105.7
102.4
95.5
89.0
84.1
106.0
93.1
93.7
84.0
98.2
95.8
95.7
109.2
83.8
107.9
110.6
102.6
98.2
111.3
99.1
83.6
105.3
101.3
83.9
108.3
111.3
83.6
91.1
88.8
83.4
84.0
80. 1
84.5
109.2
94.7
80.8
84.3
103.9
90.4
76.4
77.0
100.1
86.0
98.2
94.7
87.0
74.5
76.7
104.9
87.0
81.5
89.7
122.9
103.7
89.6
83. 5
85.8
117.3
99.0
79.8
76.1
109.3
91.7
75.6
76.3
119.2
96.5
92.5
86.0
83.5
86.8
86.1
95.2
81.8
76.1
87.1
83.7
82.1
86.4
79.4
89.7
70.2
84.0
91.8
95.4
87.9
86.9
89.0
98.5
90.0
88.7
83.6
84.5
78.1
81.4
80.6
87,9
79.1
79.3.
98.9
81.6
94.2
83.3
97.3
75.6
99.3
79.1
105.1
77.7
97.2
86.8
101. 5
76.5
104. 6
76.3
88.8
102.9
77.0
80.8
77.6
88.3
93.8
75.0
93.3
61.8
117.4
71.6
88.9
85.3
77.5
79.2
101.7
73.4
82.7
91.0
74.8
98.8
60.0
108.2
67.2
89.1
88.4
86.9
87.1
90.6
93.4
90.3
75.0
68.2
66.8
66.6
80.0
71.9
67.3
70.1
102.5
90.4
89.1
96.6
87.7
109.2
94.7
99.8
95.1
98.7
102.2
92 0
112.2
110.1
114.6
121.' 2
95.1
90.2
89.4
104.3
109.6
92.0
85.0
98.6
89.3
74.0
95.1
105. 1
82.3
88.2
76.3
92.9
109.4
77.9
100.1
93. 7
100.0
112.2
113.2
98.2
97. 3
111. 8
103. 6
97.5
93.5
75. 3
108. 4
108. 7
89.6
101 6
118.8
80.1
99.7
85.1
93.4
7fi 1
Table 7 shows the general index of em ploym ent in m anufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals, by m onths, from
January, 1923, to February, 1928.
Following Table 7 is a ch art representing the 54 industries com
bined and shows, by m onths, the course of pay-roll totals as well
as the course of employment. I t includes the years 1924, 1925, and
1926, as well as 1927, and Jan u ary and February, 1928.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1838]
141
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
T
able
7 .—
G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U
F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO F E B R U A R Y , 1928
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Employment
Pay-roll totals
M onth
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
98.0
99. 6
101.8
101. 8
101.8
101.9
100.4
99.7
99.8
99.3
98.7
96.9
95.4
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
92.3
93.3
93.7
92. 8
91. 7
91.3
89.8
90. 7
92.2
92. 5
91.4
90.9
89.4
91.0
91.4
90.6
89. 7
89. 1
87.3
87. 4
88.0
87.6
85.9
85.1
84.2
85.5
91.8
95.2
100.3
101. 3
104. 8
104. 7
99.9
99. 3
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
90.0
95.1
96. 6
94. 2
94.4
91. 7
89.6
91.4
90.4
96. 2
96. 2
97.3
93. 9
97.9
99. 1
97. 2
95.6
95. 5
91. 2
94. 6
95.1
98. 6
95.4
95.6
90.9
96.4
97.7
96. 6
95. 6
93. 3
89. 1
91.0
90. 1
91. 2
87.8
89.3
85.8
90.0
A verage. 100.0
90.3
91.2
91.9
88.5
» 84.9
100.0
90.6
93.6
95.8
92.4
1 87.9
January______
F ebruary.- . _
M arch______
April_________
M ay_________
June ________
July__________
August______
September____
October ............
November.
December____
1 Average for 2 months.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[839]
1928
142
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
MANUFACTURING
MONTHLY
MONTHLY
IN D U S T R IE S .
INDEXES,
AVERAGE.
I9Z4-I9Z8.
1923 = 1 0 0 .
EMPLOYMENT.
100
1924
95
90
1927
I92A
95
SO
PAY-ROLL TOTALS.
1924. : r '
/ s'
s\ 7 / >
i L \ 93 5
4927/
V
/
V
100
A
.^1921
/
S r - —A
. \
\
'
\ \
NN
/
/"
V
A w //
\S
'
•
/
\
r
/
-v _
■“ \ \ —
----
i '" ''
90
\
*1928
, v
\
:
\
/
65
\
/
IV
JAN.
FEB.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
95
\
MAR. A P R . MAY
JUN.
JU L.
[840]
AUG. SEP.
OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
SO
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
143
Proportion of Time Worked and Force Employed in Manufacturing Indus
tries in February, 1928
D E P O R T S from 9,463 establishm ents in February show th a t 1 per
1 ^ cent of these establishm ents were idle, 78 per cent were operat
ing on a full-time schedule, and 21 per cent on a part-tim e schedule;
31 per cent had a norm al full force of employees and 69 per cent were
operating w ith reduced forces.
The establishm ents in operation were employing an average of
85 per cent of a norm al full force of employees and were operating
an average of 96 per cent of full time. The percentage of full time
operated is unchanged since the January report, while the percentage
of full force employed indicates an increase in employment of 1.2
per cent.
T
able
8 .—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G FU L L A N D PA R T T IM E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
FU L L A N D P A R T W ORKING FO R C E IN F E B R U A R Y , 1928
Ope rating esta blishments onl y
Establish
ments
reporting
Industry
Total Per
num cent
ber
idle
F ood a n d kin dred p r o d u c ts................... 1,478
Slaughtering and meat packing . . . _
149
Confectionery_____ ______________
264
Ice cream ... _____________ ________
172
Flour_______________________ ______
306
Baking__________ _________________
574
Sugar refining, cane________________
13
Textiles a n d th eir p r o d u c t s . ........
1,547
Cotton goods______________________
403
Hosiery and knit goods_____________
192
Silk goods____________ . . . ________
166
Woolen and worsted g o o d s_________
171
Carpets and rugs.
_________
24
Dyeing and finishing textiles________
95
Clothing, m en’s ____ _______________
222
Shirts and collars______________ ____
76
Clothing, women’s __ __ __________
142
Millinery and lace goods... ________
56
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir p ro d u cts.
1,649
Iron and steel_____ ______________
175
Cast-iron pipe____ _
____________
31
Structural ironw ork..
. . . . ______
153
Foundry and machine-shop products.
891
Hardware
___________________ .
58
Machine tools____________________
142
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus__________
106
Stoves_______ _______ _
.
93
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts
Lumber, sawm ills_____________
Lumber, mill work___________ . .
Furniture_________________ _____
1,016
410
226
380
L eath er a n d its p r o d u c ts ___
Leather... _ . _____________ _____
Boots and shoes_____________
324
115
209
Per cent of
establish
Average
ments
per cent
operating
of full
with—
time
operated
in estab
lishments Full
Part
Full Part operating normal normal
time time
force force
Average
per cent
of nor
mal full
force
employed
by estab
lishments
operating
82
93
68
94
70
89
77
18
7
32
5
29
11
23
96
99
94
99
90
98
91
38
61
13
5
39
53
8
62
39
87
95
60
47
92
87
94
74
62
90
91
86
79
66
82
87
77
88
69
85
82
92
89
20
33
17
13
22
13
29
15
17
8
9
96
93
97
99
95
96
94
97
97
99
99
35
32
32
43
28
38
40
36
43
43
25
64
68
67
57
70
63
59
64
55
57
73
90
91
89
94
83
98
93
89
93
92
88
68
77
52
74
67
57
77
32
21
48
26
33
43
23
94
94
85
96
95
92
97
21
19
23
18
20
14
25
78
79
77
82
80
86
75
82
84
76
82
79
83
84
1
63.
60
37
39
94
90
26
33
74
66
81
84
2
4
2
1
72
83
53
73
25
13
46
26
96
97
93
96
25
23
15
33
72
72
83
66
81
78
75
89
83
91
78
17
9
22
98
98
97
35
35
35
65
65
65
90
88
91
0)
1
(D
1
1
1
2
1
(»)
1
2
(>)
2
(»)
1Less than one-half of 1 per cents
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent of
establish
ments in
which
employees
worked—
[841]
144
T
able
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
8 . — E ST A B L IS H M E N T S
W O R K IN G FU L L A N D PA 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 FO R C E IN F E B R U A R Y , 1928—Continued
Ope rating esta blishments onl y
Establish
ments
reporting
Industry
Total Per
num cent
ber
idle
Paper a n d p r in t in g .__ _________ . . .
Paper and pulp........................ ................
Paper boxes . _
______________
Printing, book and job___ __________
Printing, newspapers.______________
C h em ica ls a n d allied p ro d u cts_______
Chemicals_________________________
Fertilizers_________________________
Petroleum refining___ ____________
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u cts______
Cement___________________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta__________
Pottery _______ ______ ___________
Glass__________ ____ ______ _____ _
M etai p ro d u cts, o th er th a n iron a n d
steel
. . . . . . . . _ ____
Stamped and enameled w a r e ___. . .
Brass, bronze, and copper produ cts...
T ob a cco p r o d u c ts ___________________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and
. _ __________
s n u f f ___
Cigars and cigarettes_______________
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r ta tio n _____
Automobiles___________________
Carriages and wagons _____ _____
Car building and repairing, electricrailroad ___ _______
Car building and repairing, steamrailroad.......................... ...........
M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s _____
Agricultural im plem ents... ________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
supplies.
__________________ _
Pianos and organs ..................... ..............
Rubber boots and shoes__ _________
Automobile tires__ ____ ___________
Shipbuilding.................................... .......
All in d u s tr ie s .________ _________
792
179
168
297
148
C1)
1
Per cent of
Per cent of Average
establish Average
establish
per cent
ments in
per cent
ments
of nor
which
of full
operating
mal full
employees
tim e
with—
force
worked— operated
employed
in estab
b
y
estab
Part
Full Part lishments Full normal
lishments
time time operating normal
operating
force force
89
11
89
72
92
100
10
28
8
98
96
99
100
35
29
42
81
64
71
58
19
93
86
100
101
98
45
55
96
319
1
84
15
98
32
67
81
109
170
40
2
1
92
76
98
6
24
3
99
96
100
56
20
15
42
79
85
93
68
79
505
5
75
20
96
20
75
81
261
66
97
2
7
2
5
83
66
80
89
15
28
18
6
97
94
97
98
19
13
41
27
79
81
58
68
81
75
207
67
140
158
27
131
76
94
83
77
23
97
27
73
85
81
75
19
25
98
96
28
26
72
74
85
85
1
66
33
94
27
72
90
2
89
61
11
37
99
93
48
23
52
76
97
89
1 ,1 1 2
88
78
170
56
71
12
98
29
71
82
22
29
97
95
19
13
81
88
84
69
363
96
4
100
48
52
94
523
88
12
98
21
79
78
356
73
27
95
27
73
84
86
70
30
95
27
73
92
144
35
11
53
27
77
51
55
75
89
78
23
49
45
25
ii
97
91
93
94
99
31
20
45
19
22
69
80
55
81
78
82
75
98
90
66
21
96
31
69
85
9 ,4 6 3
1
iL ess than one-half of 1 per cent.
Employment on Steam Railroads in the United States
H E m onthly trend of employment from January, 1923, to
January, 1928, on Class I railroads— th a t is, all roads having
operating revenues of $1,000,000 or over—is shown by the
index num bers published in Table 1. These index num bers are
constructed from m onthly reports of the In terstate Commerce
Commission, using the m onthly average for 1923 as 100.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
EMPLOYMENT ON STEAM RAILROADS
145
T a ble 1 .— IN D E X OF E M P L O Y M E N T ON CLASS I ST E A M R A IL R O A D S IN T H E U N IT E D
ST A T ES, JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO JA N U A R Y , 1928
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Month
January...........
February____
M arch..............
April________
M ay________
June.............. .
July..................
A ugust______
September___
October............
Novem ber___
December___
Average.
1923
94.6
94.8
96.6
98.0
100.9
102.9
104.0
105. 1
103.6
103.1
101.1
95.5
100.0
1924
1925
93.1
93.2
93.6
95.0
95.3
94.2
94.3
95.1
95.8
96.9
95.1
92.3
94.5
91.9
91.7
91.5
92.8
94.0
94.8
95.5
95.8
96.0
96.8
95.2
93.3
94.1
1926
1927
92.1
92.3
92.9
95.0
96.3
97.6
98.9
98.7
98.8
99.4
97.3
94.4
96.1
91.8
91.6
92.1
93.6
95. 5
97.0
97.1
95.6
95.2
95.0
92.0
88.3
93.7
1928
85.8
(»)
1 1 month only.
Table 2 shows the total num ber of employees on Class I railroads
on the 15th day, each, of January, 1928, December, 1927, and
January, 1927, and the pay-roll totals for each of the m onths
considered, by principal occupational groups and various im portant
occupations.
In these tabulations the d a ta for the occupational group reported
as “ executives, officials, and staff assistan ts” are om itted.
T a ble 2.—E M P L O Y M E N T A N D T O T A L M O N T H L Y E A R N IN G S OF R A IL R O A D
EM
PL O Y E E S— JA N U A R Y A N D D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y , 1928
[From m onthly 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]
Number of employees
middle of month
at
Total earnings
Occupation
January, Decem January, January,
1927
ber, 1927
1928
1927
Decem January,
ber, 1927
1928
Professional, clerical, and general____ 283,344 275,361 272,741 $39,055,220 $39,605,470 $38,954,987
Clerks________ ________ ______
165,421
158, 632
156,743 21, 523,476 21, 645, 341 21,174,452
Stenographers and typists..................
25,497
24, 914
24, 790 3,147,162 3,207, 228 3,166,143
Maintenance of way and structures. .. 351,591 358,153 332,969 33,199,584 33,667,019 31,743,591
Laborers, extra gang and work train...
46, 464
48, 752
38, 390 3,393,083 3, 596, 744 2,818,080
Laborers, track and roadway section.. 176,376 180, 058 171,153 12,896,077 12,987, 233 12, 372,249
Maintenance of equipment and stores. 509,664 474,711 468,198 68,043,506 61,803,788 61,883,093
Carmen............................... ...........
108, 756
101,140
99,667 16,320, 993 14, 733,986 14,805,143
Machinists.................. .................... .
60, 255
57, 701
56,800 9,841,972 8, 953, 477 8,988,056
Skilled trades helpers........................
112,400
104, 281
102, 514 12,829, 071 11,445, 419 11,482,658
Laborers (shops, engine houses, power
plants and stores)..........................
43, 555
40,054
39,764 4, 240, 771 3, 895, 493 3,872, 979
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and stores)__
59, 413
53,617
52, 905 4, 836,072 4, 252, 780 4, 265,244
Transportation, other than train,
engine, and yard................................ 203,952 199,707 194,697 25,060,017 25,199,984 24,417,919
Station agents...................................
30, 557
30,182
30,125 4, 743, 074 4, 838,971 4, 757,963
Telegraphers, telephoners, and towermen............... ................................
25, 479
23,912
23, 746 3, 923, 962 3, 762,122 3, 733,406
Truckers (stations, warehouses, and
platforms).................. ............. .....
35,802
35,329
32,068 3, 204,940 3, 315,330 2,951,807
Crossing and bridge flagmen and gatemen................................................
22, 023
21, 539
21,477 1, 681,483 1,664, 516 1,655,763
Transportation (yardmasters, switch
tenders, and hostlers)..................... .
24,279
22,725
22,520 4,588,563 4,462,203 4,422,128
Transportation, train and engine....... 334,442 312,699 306,133 66,995,202 62,938,399 61,709,214
Road conductors..._____ ________
37,243
35,-238
34, 636 8, 975, 822 8, 390, 996 8, 220,925
Road brakemen and flagmen..............
75, 862
70, 617
69,409 13,187, 721 12,125, 488 11,814,469
Yard brakemen and yard helpers........
56,173
52, 357
50,779 9,898, 638 9, 324,802 9,148,164
Road engineers and motormen...........
44,953
42,021
41,405 11,927,062 11, 218, 273 11,019,304
Road firemen and helpers_________
46,086
43, 272
42,689 8,868, 894 8,419, 264 8, 255,132
Total............................................. 1,707,272 1,643,356 1,597,258 236,942,092 227,676,863 223,130,932
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[843]
146
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Changes in Employment and Pay Roll in Various States
H E following d a ta as to changes in em ploym ent and pay roll
have been compiled from reports received from the State labor
offices:
T
P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y ROLL IN S P E C IF IE D ST A T ES
M o n t h l y 'p e r io d
Per cent of
change, Decem
ber, 1927, to
January, 1928
E mploy ment—
index numbers
(1919-1927=100)
State and industry group
State and industry group
Em
ploy
ment
Illin o is
Stone, clay, and glass produ cts.Metals, machinery, and convey
ances................. ...................... .......
Wood products.............................. .
Furs and leather goods..................
Chemicals, oils, paints, e tc ...........
Printing and paper goods______
Textiles______________________
Clothing, millinery, and launder
in g ...................... ; ------------------Food, beverages, and tobacco___
All manufacturing industries.
- 6 .7
- 5 .6
- 2 .4
- 8 .2
+ 2 .7
-. 1
-.7
+ .1
- 5 .4
-1 5 .9
+ .6
- 4 .5
-1 4 .2
- 7 .4
+ 1 .6
- 2 .9
- 2 .1
+ 5 .4
- 3 .0
- 5 .6
Trade—wholesale and retail____
Public utilities.................................
Coal mining.................................. .
Building and contracting..............
-1 1 .0
- .3
+ 5 .7
-1 7 .3
-1 0 . 9
+ .3
-.2
-5 .2
All industries.........................
-2 . 2
- 4 .1
January to
February, 1928
Io w a
Food and kindred products..........
Textiles..............................................
Iron and steel w o rk s.....................
Lumber products............................
Leather pi oducts______________
Paper products, printing, and
publishing.._________________
Patent medicines, chemicals, and
compounds............................ .......
Stone and clay products...............
Tobacco and cigars_________ _
Railway car shops..........................
Various ind u stries....................... .
All industries...........................
M a ry la n d
Food products..................................
Textiles.............................................
Iron and steel and their products.
Lumber and its p r o d u cts...........
Leather and its products_______
Rubber tires...................................
Paper and printing___________ _
Chemicals and allied products__
Stone, clay, and glass_________ _
Metal products other than iron
and steel......... ...............................
Tobacco products....... ....................
Machinery (not including trans
portation equipment)________ _
Transportation equipment______
Miscellaneous.......... ........................
All industries______________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Jan
uary,
1928
Pay
roll
M a ss a c h u s e tts
Boots and s h o e s ..______________
Bread and other bakery products.
Cars and general shop construc
tion and repairs, steam railroads
Clothing, men’s and women’s ___
Confectionery_____ _____ ______
Cotton goods_____________ ____ _
Dyeing and finishing textiles____
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies___________ ____ _
Foundry and machine shop prod
ucts_________________________
Furniture_____________________
Hosiery and knit goods_________
Jewelry______ _____ ___________
Leather, tanned, curried, and
finished________ ________ _____
Paper and wood pulp......................
Printing and p u b lish in g...............
Rubber footwear_______________
Rubber goods, tires and tubes__
Silk goods.............. ................ ...........
Textile machinery and parts____
Woolen and worsted goods.............
All industries.»_____________
+2. 9
+ 1 .5
+ 1 .9
+ 5 .2
+ 4 .0
Feb
ruary,
1928
68.9
98.1
73.2
99.2
75.1
92.7
80.3
65.3
102.9
75.2
96.6
76.8
68. 5
102.5
103.7
102.6
64.8
106. 1
88. 6
102.2
64.6
105.4
89.6
100.9
87.8
92.6
103. 6
108. 0
97.2
115.5
62. 1
86.2
88.8
93. 1
104.0
104. 9
95. 1
115. 9
62.1
82.6
82.3
83.3
Per cent of
change, Decem
ber, 1927, to
January, 1928
-5 .7
-2 .2
-6 .7
- 3 .3
- .8
.0
New Jersey
+ .9
+ 9 .0
+ 1 .6
+ 1 .2
- 5 .1
+ 9 .3
+ 1 .4
+ 3 .9
+ 4 .0
+ 6 .5
+ 3 .3
+ 7 .4
+ .9
- 1 .7
+ 5.1
+91.9
+1.1
+4. 2
+ 3 .5
+ .4
+14.4
+ 4 .9
+11.4
- 1 .3
- 2 .9
- 1 .7
- 1 .0
+ 3 .7
-1 0 .4
+ 2 .3
+ 7 .7
Food and kindred products_____
Textiles and their products_____
Iron and steel and their products
Lumber and its products_______
Leather and its products________
Tobacco products______________
Paper and printing_____________
Chemicals and allied products__
Stone, clay, and glass products__
Metal products other than iron
and steel_____________________
Vehicles for land transportation. .
Miscellaneous................................. .
All industries............................ .
New York
Stone, clay, and glass...... .............. .
Metals and machinery....................
Wood manufactures____ _______
[844]
147
CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT AND PAY ROLL
P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y ROLL IN SP E C IF IE D ST A T E S—
Continued
M o n t h l y p e r i o d — C o n tin u ed
Per cent of
change, Decem
ber, 1927, to
January, 1928
Per cent of
change, Janu
ary to Febru
ary, 1928
State and industry group
State and industry group
Em
ploy
ment
Em
ploy
ment
Pay
roll
N ew Y ork—Continued
P e n n sy lv a n ia —C on tinued
Furs, leather, and rubber goods..
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc______
Paper. ..................................................
Printing and paper gooes_______
T extiles.______ ______ __________
Clothing and millinery_________
Food and tobacco_____ ______ _ .
Water, light, and power_________
- 1 .0
- 1 .1
+ 1 .6
- 1 .3
-2 . 0
+ 1.3
-5 . 1
-1 . 1
-2 . 6
-1 . 7
- . 9«
-.8
-5 . 7
+ 3 .4
-4 . 2
-2 . 7
All industries_________ _____
-2 . 1
- 3 .3
+35. 6
+ 19.8
-8 . 1
-0 8 . 1
-1 3 .3
+18.0
+81.0
- 6 .2
+6.8
-6 8 .8
-2 3 . 0
+17.7
+78.0
- 5 .5
+ 11.4
- 4 .6
+ 7 .4
-2 4 .2
-1 .9
+48.5
-4 4 .3
+39. 0
-2 2 .7
- 5 .9
-1 . 5
-1 5 .5
+15. 2
+5.4
-4 . 1
+17. 1
- 8 .2
+ 6 .0
- 7 .3
- 6 .6
- 3 .4
- 1 .4
—71. 3
- 3 .1
- 9 .6
+ 6 .8
-7 8 .0
+ 7 .3
+16.9
+ 4 .6
- .8
-1 1 .0
-2 0 .7
-1 5 .4
+41. 6
+ 4 .3
+30.7
+ 1 .9
- 4 .7
+ 1 .7
Lumber products........................... . + 3 .4
+ .4
Chemical products ____________
Leather and rubber products____ + 1.1
Paper and printing,. ____ ______
- 1 .4
Construction and contracting____ -1 5 .5
All industries.........................
All industries..........................
M etal products..................................
Transportation equipment- ........
Textile products............ ..................
Foods and tobacco.. . .......................
Stone, clay and glass products___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-. l
+2.8
+. 0
+ 1 1 .3
+ 1 1 .8
+ 5.2
+ 3 .3
+ 7 .6
- 1 .7
+• 1
+ 8.3
Wisconsin
M anual
Agriculture________ _______
Logging.. ..............................
Mining____________ _______
Stone crushing and quarrying__
Manufacturing:
Stone and allied industries__
Metal......................... ..........
Wood................. ........ ........
Rubber.................................
Leather. ___ ___________
Paper.._______________
Textiles-___ _______ ___ _
Foods............... ...................
Light and power_________
Printing and publishing____
Laundering, cleaning, and
dyeing....... .......................
Chemical (including soap,
glue, and explosives) ____
All manufacturing_____
Construction:
Building...............................
Highway..............................
Railroad____________ ___
Marine, dredging, sewer digging...................................
Communication:
Steam railways ....................
Electric railways_________
Express, telephone, and telegraph ............ ........... .......
Wholesale trade... _____ ____
Hotels and restaurants________
January to
February, 1928
P e n n sy lv a n ia
+ 1 .8
+ 7 .6
+ 8.4
+ .0
+ 1 .8
- 4 .6
November to
December. 1927
O k la h o m a
Cottonseed oil m ills...............; ___
Food production:
B akeries........... .........................
Confections.................................
Creameries and dairies______
Flour m il ls ...............................
Ice and ice cream.......................
Meat and poultry.....................
Lead and zinc:
Mines and m ills-----------------Smelters_________ __________
Metals and machinery:
Auto repairs, e tc .......................
Machine shops and foundries.
Tank construction and erect ion _ ........................................
Oil industry:
Producing and gasoline manufacture _ ...................... ..
Refineries__________________
Printing: Job w o r k ........................
Public utilities:
Steam railway sh o p s..............
Street railways______ ______
Water, light, and power_____
Stone, clay, and glass:
Brick and tile _______ ____ _
Cement and plaster_________
Crushed stone .......................
Glass manufacture....................
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile manufacture.................
Laundries, etc...........................
Woodworking:
Sawmills. ___ _____ ________
Millwork, etc..............................
Pay
roll
-27.6
-. 3
-3.3
-31.1
-8.4
+1.0
-2.3
+1.3
+.2
-1.5
+2.6
-2.8
-1.3
+.4
-1.4
-4.5
-.3
-18.6
-42.4
-20.8
-14. 6
-4.8
+8. 0
+5.1
-2. 2
-1.8
-35.3
-3. 2
-4. 2
-50.1
-20.1
+1. 9
-8.2
+1.8
+3.4
-3.5
+4.9
-3.6
-2.9
+.9
+.7
-7.8
-.9
-24. 9
-42. 4
-21.3
-16. 1
-5.0
+5.1
+4.9
-6.0
N onm anual
Manufacturing, mines, and quar
r ie s....................... ..........................
-.2
Construction...................................... - 3 . 8
Communication................................
- 1.8
Wholesale trade_______________
+• 4
Retail trade—Sales force only........ +15.2
Miscellaneous professional serv
ices..................... .......................
+ .2
Hotels and restaurants....................
- 1 .5
[845]
+ 1 .5
-
2.2
-3 . 1
-
8.0
+11.9
+8
148
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
PER CENT
OF C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D
ST A T E S—Continued
PA Y ROLL IN S P E C IF IE D
Y e a r l y p e r io d
Per cent of
change Janu
ary, 1927, to
January, 1928
Per cent of
change Janu
ary, 1927, to
January, 1928
State and industry group
State and industry group
Em
ploy
ment
Em
ploy
ment
Pay
roll
C alifornia
Stone, clay, and glass pro d u cts...
Metals, machinery, and convey-
N ew York
- 5 .1
-1 0 . 0
-2 . 1
Wood m anufactures.. . ------------Leather and rubber goods........... . - 4 . 0
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc
—23. 0
Printing and paper goods............. - 1 . 6
-3 . 3
Textiles
Clothing, millinery, and laun- .3
dering
_____ _ _ __ ____
- 9 .8
Foods, beverages, and tobacco___
Water, light, and power________
+• 3
Miscellaneous
_ ____________ -1 7 . 9
All industries_______________
Pay
roll
- 7 .8
- 1 .4
-8 . 9
- 3 .4
+ 1 .1
-2 0 . 9
+ 1 .3
-5 . 8
- 4 .3
-4 . 2
- .3
-1 2 . 7
-9 .4
Stone, clay, and glass................... .
-8 . 2
Metals and m achinery................ .
#Wood m anufactures.. _________ -1 2 . 6
’ Furs, leather, and rubber goods... - 3 . 6
- 1 .7
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc______
-.9
Paper__ . _
__
_______
Printing and paper goods_______
-2 .6
Textiles _ . ___________________ - 4 . 5
Clothing and millinery........ ........... - 5 . 2
-2 .9
Food and tobacco.______________
-. 1
Water, light, and power_________
All industries..
___________
-5 .8
- 8 .7
-1 0 .0
-1 5 .3
- 7 .2
-. 1
-.6
- 1 .1
-5 .8
-4 .7
-2 .7
+ .4
- 6 .8
-6 .7
New York City Welfare Council’s Unemployment Conference
H E gradual decline in the volume of em ploym ent has placed a
heavier burden on the welfare agencies of New York C ity. The
weight of this additional responsibility has pressed particularly
on the city W elfare Council’s sections on family service, seamen, and
em ploym ent and vocational guidance. These three m em ber agencies
of the council decided, therefore, to call a conference on unemploy
m ent, which was held on February 7, 1928, and was attended by the
166 persons representing 73 agencies.
A brief review of the general industrial situation and a sum m ary
of unem ploym ent conditions in New York City were presented at
this m eeting.1
In discussing the decrease in registrations of applicants for jobs at
S tate em ploym ent offices in 1927 as compared w ith 1926 such decrease
was explained by the fact th a t in periods of severe unem ploym ent
m en swarm around the em ploym ent offices b u t when they find there
is no chance for a job they do not register. W hen the labor m arket
conditions are fair and some jobs are available a higher percentage
of men who call a t the office m ake form al registration. The highest
proportion of registrants is noted when there are num erous jobs
obtainable since the workers take advantage of the favorable labor
m arket and try to secure b etter positions. M oreover, space in one
of the New York C ity offices is so circumscribed th a t when it becomes
very crowded m any would-be applicants tu rn away at once, which
still further reduces the num ber of registrations.
Among the suggestions m ade at the conference were the following:
T
1.
C all u pon th e m a y o r to a sk th e resp ectiv e cham bers of com m erce a n d re p
resen tativ es of all in d u s try in N ew Y ork to agree to find w ays a n d m eans to
i The Welfare Council of New York City. A brief summary of the meeting on unemployment called
the family service, seamen, and employment and vocational guidance sections of the Welfare Council,
Feb. 7, 1928. (Mimeographed.)
by
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[846]
WELFARE COUNCIL’S UNEMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE
149
increase em ploym ent in th e in d u stries of N ew Y ork C ity b y 5 p e r cen t during
th e n ex t tw o m o n th s as a su itab le charge u pon th e consum ers rep resen ted by
these industries.
2. C all u pon th e m a y o r to ad v an ce im m ed iately a n d w ith g re a t energy th e
public co n stru ctio n w ork fo r w hich a p p ro p ria tio n s a re a lread y m ade.
3. C all upo n th e m ay o r a n d b o ard of e stim a te a n d a p p o rtio n m e n t to consider
m aking av ailab le a t once a su m of n o t less th a n $1,000,000 to u n d e rta k e stre e t
im p ro v em en ts n o t now co n tem p lated t h a t can be im m ed iately s ta rte d ; 16 cents
p e r capita.
4. C all upo n th e legislatu re a n d th e governor to p re p a re p lan s fo r p e rm a n e n t
m easures of p rev en tio n including stren g th e n in g th e p re se n t in ad eq u a tely su p
p o rted em p lo y m en t b u reau s a n d th e consideration of th e p ra c tic a b ility of em
p lo y m en t com pensation in N ew Y ork S ta te .
5. C all upo n th e p riv a te citizens of N ew Y ork to increase b y 10 p e r c en t th e
volum e of d o n atio n s to fam ily w elfare organizations a n d o th e r social service
organizations dealing in a n y w ay w ith relief problem s affecting p re se n t increased
load placed u pon th em .
6. C onsideration of fa c ts on em p lo y m en t by all social agencies affected a n d
jo in t actio n in devising b o th rem edial a n d p rev e n tiv e m easures.
7. P ro te st a g a in st th e Jo h n so n D e p o rta tio n Bill now before C ongress w hich
will p re v e n t alien seam en fro m being legally em ployed d u rin g th e ir 60 d ay s on
shore a n d th u s th ro w th e b u rd e n of th e ir su p p o rt on th e w elfare agencies.
8. C o n tin u o u s s tu d y over a long period of tim e of u n em p lo y m en t a n d plan n in g
to p re v e n t it. T rouble is t h a t no th o u g h t is given to p roblem betw een periods of
depression a n d we are alw ays u n p re p a re d fo r crisis.
9. In a period of depression do n o t s e t u p new m ach in ery to deal w ith p roblem ;
utilize existing agencies a n d coord in ate th e ir efforts.
10. E nforce child lab o r laws a n d reduce n u m b er of cases w here children 14 a n d
15 are p e rm itte d to e n te r in d u stry a n d com pete w ith older people fo r such jobs
as a re available.
11. E ncourage in stru c tio n fo r w orking people in su p p lem en tal tra d e s so th a t
w hen seasonal occupatio n s cease, a n o th e r tra d e can be followed.
12. Since u n em p lo y m en t is p a rtly due to scientific m an ag e m en t a n d th e in
creased use of m achinery w hich a re beneficial to em ployers, urge u p o n th e m
obligation to consider w ays a n d m eans of safeguarding rig h ts of em ployees a n d
m eth o d s w hich will p re v e n t th e ir being th ro w n o u t of em p lo y m en t. M ake
in d u stry p a rtly responsible th ro u g h a sy stem of u n em p lo y m en t in su ran ce.
13. U rge in d u s try to keep on m ore m en th a n are a c tu a lly needed ra th e r th a n
c o n trib u te to relief funds.
14. Social agencies m ig h t well p u t a c ertain n u m b er of m en to w ork in public
p ark s, etc., a n d p a y th e ir wages. T his is to som e e x te n t a p re se n t p ra c tic e of th e
A. I. C. P.
15. P u sh p ublic w orks d u rin g periods of declining em p lo y m en t.
A m otion was carried th a t a perm anent com m ittee representative
of New York C ity ’s private and public agencies as represented in the
sections of the W elfare Council be appointed by th a t council to study
further the existing unem ploym ent conditions, to form ulate programs
for “ action to relieve the present emergency situation, to cooperate
w ith the New York S tate Commissioner of Labor, to consider any
other steps recommended at this meeting, and to take steps of pre
vention for future sim ilar situations.”
The conference also approved the Jones Bill (S. 2475) introduced
in the U nited States Congress Jan u ary 11, 1928, creating a prosperity
reserve of 8150,000,000 to be available for public work in times of
depression and unemployment.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18471
150
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Employment Situation in Canada, 1927 1
H E R E was a greater volume of em ploym ent in Canada, as a
whole, in 1927 than in any other year since 1920, according to
the combined reports of Dominion employers in m anufacturing,
logging, mining, communication, transportation, construction and
m aintenance, services, and trade. The large-scale expansion was
almost uninterrupted from the first p a rt of January, 1927, up to the
first of Septem ber when the index num ber reached the peak— 109.7.
On Jan u ary 1, 1928, the index was 99.5.
I t will be noted in the table th a t in each m onth of 1927 the index
num ber of volume of em ploym ent was higher than in the correspond
ing m onth of 1926. M oreover, the m onthly indexes of 1926 were
considerably above those of the corresponding m onths of 1925.
The percentage of unem ploym ent in trade-unions does n o t indi
cate such a striking im provem ent in 1927 over 1926 in the organized
labor m arket as is shown by the volume of em ploym ent indexes. In
only six m onths of 1927 (January, February, M arch, April, June, and
September) was the percentage of unem ploym ent in trade-unions less
than in the corresponding m onths in 1926. On the other hand, in
1926 the percentage of trade-union unem ploym ent was lower each
m onth than in the same m onth in 1925.
T
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF E M P L O Y M E N T ON T H E 1ST OF E A C H M O N T H A N D P E R C E N T
OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN T R A D E -U N IO N S AT E N D OF E A CH M O N T H , 1925 TO 1927
Index numbers of employ
ment (1920 = 100)
Per cent of trade-unions mem
bers unem ployed
Month
1925
January.......................... ............................... .
February _________ ____ ______ __________
M arch__________________________ ______
A p r il......... .............. ............................. .............
M a y .................................. .................................
June....................................................................
July___________________________________
A u g u s t ...____________________________
September______________ ____________
October _ ..................... .................................
November _____ ____________ ____ ___
D ecem b er.................. ......................................
83.9
86. 1
87.0
87. 2
90. 8
94. 5
96.8
96.3
96. 6
98.3
97. 1
95. 3
1926
89.6
90. 7
91. 5
91. 4
94.3
101. 0
103. 7
104. 2
104. 9
105. 2
102. 8
101. 1
1927
94.8
95.4
96.3
96. 2
100.6
105. 9
108.4
109.2
109. 7
109.0
107.5
106.8
1925
10.2
9. 5
8.5
8.7
7.0
6. 1
5.2
4.4
5.7
5.1
5.7
7.9
i Labor Gazette, Ottawa, January, 1928, pp. 58, 59, and February, 1928, pp. 184, 189.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[848]
1926
8.1
8. 1
7.3
7.3
4.9
4. 1
2.3
2.5
3.3
2.6
4.7
5.9
1927
6.4
5.7
6.0
5.2
3.2
3.3
3.7
3.1
3.9
5.2
6.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
Retail Prices of Food in the United States
H E following tables are compiled from m onthly reports of actual
selling prices 1 received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from
retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the U nited States retail prices of food on February
15, 1927, and January 15 and February 15, 1928, as well as the per
centage changes in the year and in the m onth. For example, the
retail price per dozen of strictly fresh eggs was 44.2 cents on February
15,1927; 55.9 cents on January 15, 1928; and 43.1 cents on February
15, 1928. These figures show decreases of 2 per cent in the year and
23 per cent in the m onth.
The cost of the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
of 2.8 per cent on F ebruary 15, 1928, as compared with F ebruary 15,
1927, and a decrease of 2.2 per cent on February 15, 1928, as compared
with January 15, 1928.
T
T
1. — A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF S P E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC L ES A N D PE R
C E N T OF IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE , F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928, C O M PA R E D W ITH JA N U
A R Y 15, 1928, A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1927
able
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
Sirloin steak.
Round steak
Rib roast___
Chuck roast.
Plate beef__
Pork chops.
Bacon_____
Ham ______
Lamb, leg o
Hens...........
Unit
Feb. 15,
1927
Jan. 15,
1928
Feb. 15,
1928
Cents
Cents
Cents
Pound.
---- do.
___ do.
---- do.
___do.
40.9
35.4
30.4
22. 7
14.9
44.4
38. 6
32. 7
25.4
17.2
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
35.9
48.5
56.7
37.3
38.5
Per cent increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Feb. 15, 1928,
compared with—
Feb. 15,
1927
Jan. 15,
1928
44.8
38. 9
33. 1
25. 7
17.5
+13
+17
+1
+1
+1
+1
+2
31.3
44.6
51. 7
37.4
36.8
29.5
43.7
51. 2
37.5
37.2
-1 8
-1 0
-1 0
+1
-3
-6
-2
-1
+ 0.3
+1
+10
+10
Salmon, canned...................................
M ilk, fresh___________ _____ ______
M ilk, evaporated____________ ____
B utter_____ _____________________
Oleomargarine (all butter substi
tutes.)
C heese.________ _______ _________
Lard____________________ _____ _
Vegetable lard substitu te..................
Eggs, strictly fresh______ _____ ___
Eggs, storage......................... ...............
____do_____
Q uart..____
15-16 oz. can.
Pound_____
____do_____
33.2
14. 1
11.4
58.8
29.0
35.3
14. 3
11.5
57.8
27.6
35.4
14.3
11.5
56.3
27.6
+7
+1
+1
-4
-5
+ 0.3
____do_____
____do_____
____do_____
Dozen_____
........ do...........
37.6
19. 6
25.2
44. 2
37. 7
39.2
18.9
25.0
55.9
44.7
39.2
18.3
24.9
43.1
41.4
+4
—7
-i
-2
+10
0
-3
- 0 .4
-2 3
-7
Bread_____
Flour_____
Com meal.
Rolled oats.
Corn flakes.
P o u n d ..
___ d o ...
___ d o ...
___ d o ...
8-oz. pkg.
9.4
5.6
5.1
9. 1
10.9
9.2
5.3
5.2
9.0
9. 7
0
-3
0
9.2
-2
0
5.3
-5
0
5.2
+2
0
9.0
-1
0
9. 7
-1 1
0
1 In addition to retail prices of food and coal, the bureau publishes the prices of gas and electricity from
each of 51 cities for the dates for which these data are secured.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[849]
151
152
T
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
1. — AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC L ES A N D P E R
C E N T OF IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE , F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928, C O M PA R E D W ITH JA N U
A R Y 15, 1928, A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1927—Continued
able
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
Unit
Feb. 15,
1927
Jan. 15,
1928
Feb. 15,
1928
Cents
Cents
Cents
Per cent increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Feb. 15, 1928,
compared with—
Feb. 15,
1927
Jan. 15,
1928
Wheat cereal.-..........
Macaroni...................
R ice______________
Beans, n a v y ..............
Potatoes______ ____
28-oz. pkg.
Pound___
___ do___
___ do___
___ do___
25.4
20. 1
10.8
9.2
3.8
25.6
20.0
10.2
9.5
3.0
25.6
20.0
10.2
10.1
3.0
+1
- 0 .4
-6
+10
-2 1
0
0
0
+6
0
Onions____________
Cabbage_____ _____
Beans, baked______
Corn, canned______
Peas, canned______
___ do___
___ do___
No. 2 can.
___ do___
___ do___
5.7
4.9
11.7
16.1
17.1
5.1
4.2
11.4
15.8
16.8
5.2
4.5
11.3
15.8
16.8
-9
-8
-3
-2
-2
+2
+7
-1
0
0
Tomatoes, canned...
Sugar............ ..............
Tea_______________
Coffee_____________
___ do___
Pound___
___ do___
___ do___
12.2
7.5
77.4
49.9
11.7
7.1
77.4
48.5
11.8
7.1
77.3
48.6
-3
-5
- 0 .1
-3
+1
0
-0 . 1
+0. 2
Prunes____________
Raisins___________
Bananas__________
Oranges.......................
___ do___
___ do___
Dozen___
___ do___
15.8
14.4
34.7
47.1
13.6
13.7
34.6
51.0
13.6
13.6
34.8
51.0
-1 4
-6
+ 0 .3
+8
Weighted food index
—2. 8
0
-1
+1
0
-2 . 2
Table 2 shows for the U nited States average retail prices of specified
food articles on F ebruary 15, 1913, and on February 15 of each year
from 1922 to 1928, together w ith percentage changes in F ebruary of
each of these specified years, compared w ith February, 1913. For
example, the retail price per pound of b u tte r was 41.2 cents in Feb
ruary, 1913; 45.9 cents in February, 1922; 57.7 cents in February,
1923; 60.2 cents in February, 1924; 50.6 cents in February, 1925;
54.5 cents in February, 1926; 58.8 cents in February, 1927; and 56.3
cents in February, 1928.
As compared w ith February, 1913, these figures show increases of
11 per cent in February, 1922; 40 per cent in February, 1923; 46
per cent in February, 1924; 23 per cent in February, 1925; 32 per
cent in February, 1926; 43 per cent in February, 1927; and 37 per
cent in February, 1928.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 56.5 per cent in February, 1928, as compared with February, 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[850]
153
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
T
3 .—A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IF IE D FOOD A R T IC L E S A N D PE R
C E N T OF IN C R E A SE F E B R U A R Y 15 OF C E R T A IN SP E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M PA R ED
W ITH F E B R U A R Y 15, 1913
able
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on Feb. 15—
Article
Unit
Per cent of increase Feb. 15 of
each specified year com
pared w ith Feb. 15, 1913
1913 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
Sirloin steak.......... . .............Round steak........ ..................
Rib roast....... ................ .........
Chuck roast______________
Plate beef _____________
P ou n d ..
-__do___
do___
_ do__
__do____
23.9 35.2 37.1
20.6 30.2 31.5
18.8 26.5 27.5
14.9 18.9 19.5
11.3 12.8 12.8
40.9
35.4
30.4
22.7
14.9
44.8
38.9
33.1
25.7
17.5
47
47
41
27
13
55
53
46
31
13
62
60
51
37
18
Pork chops_____ ________
Bacon
______
Ham
. _______ _____
Lamb, leg of__............... _ _
Hens
_ _______
__ do___
__do____
__ do___
___do.......
__do____
18.9 29.3 28.7 26.7 30.3 36.3 35.9
25. 5 37.9 39.4 36.6 40.6 48.9 48.5
25.4 46.5 45.0 44.4 48.1 53.6 56.7
18.5 35.4 36.0 35.7 38.3 38.4 37.3
20.7 36.9 35.5 35.1 36.1 38.9 38.5
29.5
43.7
51.2
37.5
37.2
55
49
83
91
78
52
55
77
95
71
41 60 92 90 56
44 59 92 90 71
75 89 111 123 102
93 107 108 102 103
70 74 88 86 80
Salmon, canned, rod
M ilk, fresh_______________
M ilk, evaporated
Butter _ _ _________ _ _.
Oleomargarine (all hotter
substitutes).
Cheese . . .
. _________
L a r d ___________ ___ ____
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh____. . .
Eggs, storage_____________
do
32.9 31.3 31.2 31.4 37.6 33.2 35.4
Quart-.. 8.9 13.2 13.7 14.0 13.9 14.2 14.1 14.3
(i)
11. 6 12.1 12.1 11. 2 11.6 11.4 11.5
Pound. . 41.2 45.9 57.7 60. 2 50.6 54.5 58.8 56.3
27.
9 27. 8 29. 8 30.2 31. 2 29. C27.6
. ..d o ___
do
___do___
do
D o z e n ..
___do___
38.7 38.5 40.6
33. C32.7 34.8
28.3 28.4 29.3
20.4 20.4 22.1
13.3 13.2 14.6
22.2 32.9 37.5 37.2 36.4 37.5 37.6 39.2
15.4 15.9 17.4 18.0 22.8 22.2 19.6 18.3
21. 7 22. 4 24. 5 25. 8 25. 6 25. 2 24.9
31.5 48.4 46.2 49.8 53.4 43.8 44.2 43.1
23.5 39.1 42.4 39.3 50.3 34.6 37.7 41.4
B read ..______ __________ P ou nd.. 5.6 8i6 8.7 8.7 9.5 9.4 9.4
Flour____________________ __ do___ 3. 3 5.1 4 . 9 4 . 6 6 . 4 6. 3 5.6
Corn meal___ _____ ____ _ ---d o ___ 2.9 3.9 4.0 4.4 5.5 5.2 5.1
Rolled oats
do
8.9 8. 7 8.8 9. 2 9. 1 9. 1
(2 )
Corn flakes
10.3 9.7 9.7 11.0 11.0 10.9
(3 )
Wheat eereal
Maearoni
Pound
___do___
R ice____ ______________
Reans, navy
do
do
Potatoes_________________
Onions
Cabbage
Reans, baked
Corn, canned
Peas, canned
do
do
(4 )
(4 )
(4 )
26.2 24.8
20. 2 19.8
8.6 9.3 9.4
8.3 11.3
1.5 3.3 2.1
24.3
19.6
9.8
10.0
2.8
10.9 5.3 6.0
5.7 4. 7 5.4
13. 3 13.1 12.9
15.9 15.4 15.7
17.8 17.4 17.9
9.2
5.3
5.2
9.0
9.7
do
do
do
71
72
62
52
32
87
89
76
72
55
54
57
56
60
58
61
11
40
46
23
32
43
37
48
3
69
13
68
17
64
48
69
44
69
27
77
19
54
66
47
80
58 70
67 114
39
47
40
60
37
76
54
55
34
55
48
55
39
52
70
94
90
68
91
79
68
70
76
61
35
26
19
38
64
79
9
14
26
40
87
73 280 153 100
58
27
26
87
30
30
40
38
75
5.2
4.5
11. 3
15.8
16.8
(4 )
Tomatoes, canned
13.4 12.8 12.9 13.8 12.3 12.2 11.8
Sugar, g r a n u la te d ..______ Pound... 5.5 6.4 8.7 10.3 7.7 6.7 7.5 7.1
T ea................. ..... ................ __ do__ 54.3 67.8 68.9 70.8 74.8 76.1 77.4 77.3
Coffee ...............
.......... __do___ 29. 8 35. 6 37.5 38.8 52.1 51.3 49.9 48.6
Prunes
Raisins
Ran an as
Oranges
70
69
56
48
29
48
24.6 25.4 25.4 25.6
20.3 20.3 20. 1 20.0
8
10.8 11.6 10.8 10.2
10.4 9.6 9.2 10.1
2.6 5.7 3.8 3.0 120
6.3 5.9 5.7
5.0 6.4 4.9
12.6 12.2 11.7
17.7 16. 7 16.1
18. 5 17.7 17.1
61
59
51
37
17
16
25
19
22
40
72
36
43
67
29
42
63
18.8 19.9 17.8 17.1 17.2 15.8 13.6
24. 8 18.7 15.8 14.6 14. 5 14.4 13.6
36. 8 36.9 38.1 36.8 35.7 34.7 34.8
48. 5 47.1 39. 5 44. 7 46. 5 47.1 51.0
46.2 46.9 52.1 56.4 66.8 61.1 56.5
Weighted food index
1 15-16 ounce can.
2 8-ounce package.
3 28-ounce package.
4 No. 2 can.
5 Beginning with January, 1921, index numbers showing the trend in the retail cost of food have been
composed of the articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consumption of the average
family From January, 1913, to December, 1920, the index numbers included the following articles: Sirloin
steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, lard, hens, flour, corn meal,
eggs, butter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[851]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
154
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States
IN TA BLE 3 index num bers are given which show the changes in
* the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1913 to
1927,2 and by m onths for 1927 and January and February, 1928.
These index num bers, or relative prices, are based on the year 1913
as 100 and are computed by dividing the average price of each com
m odity for each m onth and each year by the average price of th a t
commodity for 1913. These figures m ust be used with caution.
For example, the relative price of sirloin steak for the year 1926 was
162.6, which means th a t the average money price for the year 1926
was 62.6 per cent higher than the average money price for the year
1913. As compared w ith the relative price, 159.8 in 1925, the figures
for 1926 show an increase of nearly 3 points, b u t an increase of 1.75
per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 3 are given index num bers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index num bers 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 Review
of M arch, 1921, p. 25.) Although prior to January, 1921, the num ber
of food articles has varied, these index num bers have been so com
puted as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index
num bers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 155.1
for January, and 151.6 for February, 1928.
The curve shown in the chart on page 155 pictures more readily to
the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
num bers given in the table.
T
3 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL PR IC ES OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FOOD,
B Y Y E A R S, 1913, 1920 TO 1927, A N D B Y M O N TH S FOR 1927 A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U
A R Y , 1928
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
able
Round Rib Chuck Plate
Year and month Sirloin
steak steak roast roast
beef
Pork
chops
Ba
con
Ham
Hens
Milk
B ut Cheese
ter
1913___________
1920___________
1921___________
1922___________
1923,-_________
1924___________
1925___________
1926______ ____
1927___________
100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162.6
167.7
100.0
177.1
154.3
144.8
150.2
151.6
155.6
159.6
166.4
100.0
167.7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145. 5
149.5
153.0
158.1
100.0
163.8
132. 5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
140.6
148.1
100.0
151.2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1
120.7
127.3
100.0
201.4
166.2
157.1
144.8
146.7
174.3
188. 1
175.2
100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
186.3
174.8
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169. 1
168.4
195.5
213.4
204.5
100.0
209.9
186.4
169.0
164.3
165.7
171.8
182.2
173.2
100.0
187.6
164.0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157. 3
157.3
158.4
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143,1
138. 6
145.2
100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1
165.6
170.1
1927: January.,.
February..
M a rc h ___
April_____
M ay ___
J u n e ____
July______
August___
September.
O ctober.._
November.
December.
160.6
161.0
161.8
164.6
166.5
166.9
171.7
172.0
172.4
172.0
171.3
172.8
158.3
158.7
159.6
163.2
165.5
165.9
170.0
170.9
170.9
170.0
169.5
171.3
153.0
153.5
153.5
156.1
157.6
157. 1
160.1
160.1
160.6
161.1
161.1
163.6
141.9
141.9
142.5
145.6
146.9
146.9
149.4
149.4
150.0
151.9
153.1
156.9
124.0
123.1
123.1
125.6
125.6
125.6
126. 4
126.4
128.1
130.6
133.9
138.0
174.3
171.0
174.3
175.7
173.3
165.2
166.2
179.5
193.8
197.6
172.9
156.2
181.1
179.6
179.3
178.2
176.3
174.4
172.6
172.2
172.2
172.6
171.5
167.8
211. 2
210.8
210.0
210.8
209.3
206.3
203.0
201.9
200.0
199.3
197.0
192.9
180.8
180.8
181.7
182.6
180.3
170.4
167. 1
166.2
166.2
167.6
167.1
167.6
158.4
158.4
158.4
157.3
156.2
156.2
157.3
158.4
158.4
159.6
159.6
160.7
152.5
153.5
154.6
152.5
139.4
135.2
134.2
134.2
139.4
145.4
147.3
152.5
170.1
170.1
168.8
167.9
167.4
167.4
167.0
167.4
170.6
173.3
174.7
176. 5
173.1 165.2
174.4 167.2
158.8
160. 6
142.1
144.6
149.0
140.5
165.2
161.9
192.2
190.3
172.8
174.6
160.7
160.7
150.9
147.0
177.4
177.4
1928: January.. 174.8
February.. 176.4
2 For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1926, see Bulletin No. 396, pp. 44 to
61; and Bulletin No. 445, pp. 36 to 49.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[852]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
T
155
3 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL P R IC E S OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FO O D ,
BY Y E A R S, 1913, 1920 TO 1927, A N D B Y M O N T H S FO R 1927 A N D JA N U A R Y A N D F E B R U
A R Y , 1928—Continued
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
able
All
Coffee arti
cles 1
Year and month
Lard
Eggs
Bread Flour
Corn
meal
Rice
Pota Sugar
toes
1913__________________
1920___ _____ ___ ____
1921___ ____ ___ ____
1922................................ .
1923____ ______ ______
1924__________________
1925_________________
1926__________________
1927_________________ _
100.0
186. 7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138.6
122.2
100.0
197.4
147.5
128. 7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6
131.0
100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
167.9
166.1
100.0
245.5
175.8
154.5
142.4
148.5
184.8
181.8
166.7
100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170.0
173.3
100.0
200.0
109. 2
109.2
109.2
116. 1
127.6
133.3
123.0
100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2
223.5
100.0
352.7
145.5
132.7
183.6
167.3
130.9
125. 5
132.7
100.0
134.7
128.1
125.2
127.8
131.4
138.8
141.0
142.5
100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1
162.1
100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160,6
155.4
1927: January_________
February________
M arch__________
April___ ____ ___
M a y ___________
June____________
July------------------August__________
September_____
O ctober_______
N o v e m b e r ...___
December...............
126.6
124.1
122.8
120.9
120.3
119.0
119.0
119.6
121.5
124.1
123.4
121.5
162.0
128.1
102.6
98.3
97.4
97. 1
107.0
121. 7
141.2
164.1
178.8
172. 8
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
166.1
166.1
166.1
166. 1
166.1
166.1
164.3
169.7
169.7
166.7
166.7
166.7
166.7
166.7
169.7
166. 7
166.7
163.6
163.6
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
126.4
124.1
124.1
123.0
121.8
123.0
123.0
123.0
121.8
120.7
119.5
118.4
235.3
223. 5
217.6
217.6
264.7
352.9
247.1
200.0
188.2
176.5
176.5
176.5
136.4
136.4
134.5
132. 7
132. 7
132.7
134.5
132.7
130.9
130.9
130.9
129.1
142.5
142.3
142.6
142.6
142.3
142.1
142.5
142.6
141.9
142.5
142.5
142.1
168.5
167.4
165.4
163.8
161.7
160.7
159.7
159.1
158.7
159.1
160.4
161.4
159.3
156.0
153.8
153.6
155.4
158.5
153.4
152.4
154.0
156.1
156.5
155.9
1928: January_________
February_______
119.6
115.8
162.0
124.9
164.3
164.3
160.6
160.6
173.3
173.3
117.2
117.2
176.5
176.5
129.1
129.1
142.3
142.1
162.8
163.1
155.1
151.6
Tea
1 22 articles in 1913-1920; 43 articles in 1921-1927.
T R E N D OF R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD
[1913 = 100]
160
HbO
140
93675°—28-----11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[853]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
156
Retail Prices of Food in 51
T
able
4 .—A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF TH E PR IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
[Exact comparisons of prices in different cities can not be made for some articles,
Baltimore Birming
ham
Atlanta
Boston
Bridge
port
Buffalo
Article
Unit
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
42.0
38.3
33.1
25.6
42.3
39.3
33.2
24.8
43. 1
39.2
33.0
24.9
42.5
36.8
30.7
23.9
Cts.
Cts.
42. 1
38.3
32.6
25.6
Cts.
Cts.
Pound----___do-------___do_____
. . . d o ...........
Cts.
Sirloin steak......................__
Round steak........ ...........
Rib roast...............................
Chuck ioast—........ ..............
43.0
37.8
30. 5
24.5
172. 9
56. 1
42.4
31.7
173.2
55.3
42.7
31.1
54.5
47. 5
41. 2
31.8
53. 9
47.5
41. 6
31.8
44.3
37.7
33. 3
26.8
44.8
37.7
33.4
26.8
Plate beef_______________
Pork chops______________
Bacon, sliced____________
Ham, sliced ..........................
___do..........
___do-------_._do..........
-_-do..........
15.6
31. 1
44.2
52.1
16.9
29.9
43.3
50.8
17.3
28.6
39.7
52.0
18.0
26.3
39. 5
52.7
15.3
31 4
44.0
51.3
15.5
29.1
43.0
51.3
21.8
31.8
43.2
56.4
21.9
30.5
42.5
55.1
13.0
33.2
49.0
55.4
13. 5
31.8
49.1
55.0
16.7
33.0
39.8
48.6
17.1
31.4
39.6
48.6
Lamb, leg of---------- -------Hens___________________
Salmon, canned, red_____
Milk, fresh______________
__-do--------__do_____
___do_____
Quart____
38.3
36.4
34.6
18.0
37.9
36.6
34.0
18.0
37.3
38.5
32.9
14.0
36.9
39.4
33.3
14.0
39.8
33.2
36.8
18.7
38.5
33.5
37.1
18.7
37.5
39.5
34.8
16.0
38.2
40.2
34.4
15.5
36.7
39.5
32.9
16.0
36.7
40.1
32.9
16.0
33.3
39.1
34.5
13.0
34. 1
39.3
34.7
13.0
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15.
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
M ilk, evaporated............... 15-16 oz. 13.5 13.8 11.4 11.3 12.3 12.3 12.0 12.0 11.6 11.6 11.4 11.4
can.
Pound___ 57.8 57.0 62.9 61.2 58.4 57.9 58.7 58.7 57.4 57.2 58.6 56.0
-__do_____ 26.9 27.2 27.3 27.5 32.2 32.5 28.2 28.4 25.8 25.8 27.7 27.4
B utter, ______ _______
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese__________________
Lard
_
_____
Vegetable lard substitute-.
Eggs, strictly fresh______
-_-do_____
__do
-__do_____
Dozen
Eggs, storage____________
Bread- ________ ________
Flour___________________
Corn m eal.............................
-__do_____ 46.5 49.0 43.4 41.3 45.3 29.0 50.6 48.2 48.7 43.0
Pound___ 10.8 10.8 9.6 9.6 10.1 10.1 8.6 8.6 8.8 8.8
___do_____
6.3 6.3 5.0 5.0 6.5 6.5 5.8 5.8 5.5 5.4
..- d o ........... 4.0 4.0 4.1 4.0 4.1 4.1 6.5 6.7 7.3 7.3
Rolled oats______________
Corn flakes______ _____ __
Wheat cereal......................
Macaroni.............. ................
___do_____
9.9 9.6 8.1 8.2 10.0 9.6 9.0 9.0 8.3 8.5 8.8 8.8
8-oz. pkg_ _ 9.7 9.7 9.1 9.1 10.1 10.1 9.8 9.8 9.6 9.6 9.4 9.3
28-oz. pkg. 26.6 26.6 24.3 24.4 27.4 27.4 24.9 24.9 24.7 24.6 24.8 25.0
---d o........... 21.3 21.3 19.1 19.5 18.4 19.0 21.8 21.9 22.4 22.4 21.4 21.4
R ice____________________
Beans, n a v y ..................... .
Potatoes________________
Onions....................................
__ d o ..........
-__do_____
---d o _____
-__do....... .
38.0
18. 7
21.9
56. 7
37.8
17. 9
21.5
43. 3
9.0 8.9
10.3 10.7
4.1 4.1
6.9 7.4
38.3
17.1
22.8
56. 6
38.1
16. 8
23.2
46. 3
39.3
18. 5
20.5
58. 7
38.6
18. 0
19.3
39. 7
40.8
18. 9
25.3
69. 8
40.6
18. 6
24.9
59. 9
42.8
18. 2
25.5
72. 3
43.5
17. 7
25.5
57. 4
39.3
18. 0
25.8
55. 6
39.8
17. 4
25.9
47. 3
4 3 .6
8 .7
40.5
8.7
4.8
5.1
4 .8
5 .1
9. 5 9. 5 10.1 10.3 11.9 11. 8 10. 9 10. 5 10 0 10.1
8.9 10.0 10.3 10.5 10.0 10.4 9.7 9.7 9.3 9.5
2.9 3.0 4.3 4.3 2.9 3.2 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.8
5.0 5.0 6.7 6.9 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.2 5.6 5.9
Cabbage........ .................... . ___do__........ 5.3 5.0 3.6 4.6 5.3 5.4 5.2 6.0 5.2 5. 5 3.2 4.2
Beans, baked___________ No. 2 can.. 11.0 10.7 10.9 10.9 11.2 11.2 12.6 12.7 11.5 11.5 9.9 9.9
Corn, canned___________ ___do_____ 17.5 17.5 14.8 14.8 16.7 17.0 17.4 17.5 19.1 19.1 15.6 15.8
Peas, canned____________ —-do—........ 18.9 18.9 14.7 14.6 19.8 19.8 19.9 20.0 21.0 21.0 15.7 16.1
Tomatoes, canned_______ ___do_____ 10.3 10.3 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.3 11.8 11.8 13.4 13.4 12.8 12.7
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound___ 7.4 7.4 6.5 6.5 7.4 7.4 7.2 7.1 6.9 6.9 6.8 6.8
T ea___________________ -__do_____ 105.9 106. 1 72.5 72.9 98.5 99.7 72.5 72.3 63.2 61.0 66.6 66.6
Coffee..................................... _-_do........... 48.9 48.8 44.2 44.3 50.7 50.7 52.5 53.0 47.2 46.9 46.3 46.2
Prunes__________________
Raisins_______________ .
Bananas ___________ __
Oranges. ______________
-__do_____
_ _do_ ____
Dozen___
-__do_____
13.7
15.4
28.1
41.8
14.1
15.4
28.8
42.3
11.2
12.7
25.1
49.4
11.5
12. 7
25.2
47.5
16.2
15.0
38.2
47.4
16.5
15.0
37.7
48.2
13.6
12. 7
48.0
54.5
13.3
12. 7
48.0
52.9
14.5
14.1
38.3
60.1
14.5
14.1
39.2
56.7
13.2
12.9
42.9
57.1
13.4
12.9
42.6
56.5
i
The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[854]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
157
Cities on Specified Dates
OF FOOD IN 51 C ITIES, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928
particularly meats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Butte
Charles
ton, S. C.
Chicago
Cincin
nati
Cleveland
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan.
15,
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Colum
bus
Dallas
Denver
Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan.
15, 15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Detroit
Jan.
15,
1928
Feb.
15,
1928
Feb. Jan. Feb.
15,
15, 15,
1928 1928 1928
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
34. 5
33.2
29.9
22.5
33.0
30.0
27.3
20.2
33.2
30.5
28.3
20.7
48.2
38.8
37.3
28.6
48.7
39.2
37.7
28.6
41.1
37.1
33.3
24.3
Cts.
41.3
37.3
33.4
24.5
42.6
36.0
30.2
26.4
43.0
36.7
30.5
27.0
42.8
37.8
31.8
26.8
43.5
37.9
32. 4
27. 1
38.6
34.5
29.3
24.8
39.1
35.0
29.7
25.0
Cts.
33.2
30.6
28.7
21.3
36.4
32.7
26.9
21.4
Cts.
36.8
33.6
27.4
22.2
45.2
37.4
33.5
26.1
46.0
38.4
34.3
26.4
14.4
31.8
52.9
56.3
15.7
30.5
51.7
56.7
15.0
31.0
37.7
46.1
15.1
30.5
37.5
45.3
17.3
28.8
49.0
52.5
17.7
27.8
48.2
51.0
18.4
26.8
38.5
50.6
18.3
24.8
37.8
49.7
16.3
30.6
43. 2
51.9
17.1
28.7
42.9
52.0
17.9
30.5
45.6
51.7
18.8
28. 1
45.0
50.7
19.5
33.6
46.2
53.2
19.5
32.7
44.8
53.6
13.6
29.0
44.1
52.6
13.6
27.6
44.0
51.9
17.0
31.5
45.7
54.6
16.6
28.1
45.3
54.2
35.7
34.4
32.4
14.0
35.6
36.1
32.7
14.0
38.8
35.8
34.2
19.0
40.7
35.5
34.2
19.0
37.4
37.4
37.0
14.0
37.6
38.4
37.4
14.0
37.5
38.2
36.2
14.0
39.8
39. 1
36. 1
14.0
35.8
39.4
34.9
13.7
35.8
39.5
35.3
13.7
43.0
37.0
37.3
12.0
43.0
37.7
37.2
12.0
44.3
32.4
38.9
13.0
43.6
32.5
39.3
13.0
35.1
29.6
37.6
12.0
34.9
30.4
37.4
12.0
37.9
39.5
36.4
14.0
38.7
38.9
36.1
14.0
11.1
10.9
11.9 11.8 11.4 11.3 11.2 11.1
11.4
11.4 11.7 11.5 13.7 13.5
10.6
10.6 11.4 11.0
55.5
53.7
..........
54.9 55.1 56.0 54.1 58.9 57.3
29.2 29.2 27.0 26.9 28.3 28.2
60.1
28.4
58.3 57.1 55.3 58.8 57.6
28.6 27.5 27.4 29.2 29.0
53.6
24.5
52.6 58.3 56.8
24.3 26.7 25.8
36.8
22.8
30.6
55.3
36.6
22.2
30.4
48.8
37.4
20.1
21.6
54.4
39.9
20. 5
26.8
60.5
40.4
19.9
26.8
45.6
38.5
16.2
26.3
55.3
38.2
15.6
26.2
38.1
39.4
23. 1
24.8
55.4
39.0
22.1
24.4
35.6
39.7
19.0
22.2
53.0
39.8
18.2
21.1
31.6
38.6
9.8
5.3
6.2
37.1
9.8
5.4
6.2
40.6 40.0 47.6 42.5 43.8 36.7 42.8
10.9 10.9 9.6 9.6 8.6 8. 1 7.7
6.8 6.8 4.9 4.8 5.5 5.5
5.4
3.9 3.9 6.7 6.8 4.4 4.4
5.3
39.0 41.0
7.7 7.3
5.4 4.9
5.4 4.1
7.2
4.9
3.9
9.4
5.5
4.5
9.3
5.7
4.4
43.6
8.3
4.4
4.5
25.0 43.7 36.0
8.2 8.1 8.1
4.4 5.1 5.0
4.5 6.0 5.9
7.8
10.5
28.5
19.0
7.9
10.3
28.3
19.4
9.5 9.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9
9.9 9.9 9.5 9.5 9.6 9.6
25.7 25.6 25.7 25.7 25.1 24.8
18.5 18.5 19.1 19.1 18.6 18.4
9.3
10.1
25.8
21.4
9.4 9.5 9.6
10.0 10.1 10.2
25.9 26. 1 26. 1
21.4 19.4 19.4
10.6
10.6
27.8
22.0
10.6
10.5
27.7
22.0
7.4
9.6
24.4
19.6
7.4 9.5 9.5
9.5 9.8 9.9
24.6 26.0 26.0
19.5 21.9 22.1
10.7
10.1
1.7
4.8
10.7
9.8
1.7
5.9
7.2 7.2 10.6 10.5
10.1 10.3 9.7 10.3
3.3 3.4 3.0 2.9
5.9 5.7 5.4 5.5
9.5
9.5
3.6
5.2
10.6
8.8
3.1
4.5
10.6 11.7 11.6 12.3 11.9
9.3 8.8 9.2 11.4 11.7
3.1 2.7 2.7 4.6 4.4
4.6 4.7 5.1 6.9 6.6
9.2
9.7
2.1
4.0
9.3 11.5 11.5
10.2 8.8 9.5
2.0 2.5 2.4
4.3 4.3 4.6
6.2
13.5
14.6
14.1
6.2
13.5
15.6
14.1
4.1 4.3 5.1 5.6 3.9 5.0
9.8 9.8 13.0 12.8 10.4 10.3
14.9 14.8 16.1 16.0 15.3 15.3
16.2 16.1 16.5 16.6 17.1 17.1
3.6
12.9
17.5
18.0
4.5 3.9 4.2 5.4 5.0
12.6 11.7 11.8 12.4 12.4
16.9 14.8 14.5 18.8 18.7
17.6 14.8 14.8 21.6 21.6
3.8
11.2
14.2
15.4
4.2 3.6 4.4
11.4 11.5 11.1
14.1 15.6 15.5
15.3 16.5 16.3
12.8
8.7
81.6
54.2
12.8
8.6
82.0
54.4
9.8 9.8 13.8 13.9 11.9 11.9
6.7 6.7 6.9 6.9 7.3 7.4
80.7 80.7 69.9 69.5 80.1 79.6
43.8 44.4 48.9 48.8 44.0 44.1
13.7
7.6
78.7
50.8
14.0 12.6 12.6 12.7 12.5
7.6 7.7 7.7 8.0 8.0
80.0 87.9 87.9 107.1 107.1
50.8 48.0 48.3 57.7 57.7
11.8
7.6
69.9
49.5
11.9 12.4 12.3
7.5 7.3 7.4
69.4 73.9 75.2
49.5 47.9 47.0
14.2 14.5
14.6 14.6
2 13.8 2 14.0
54.0 51.7
10.8
12.9
23.2
32.5
36.7
20.2
21.6
42.3
10.8
12.9
26.0
34.2
43.4
19.5
26.7
59.4
15.4
14.4
40.4
56.6
43.7
18.7
26.5
47.6
15.2
14.3
40.4
54.9
40.1
16.5
26.2
37.7
9.4
8.3
3.1
5.1
13.3
14.2
41. 1
46.0
40.3
15.9
25.7
39.9
13.7 14.0 14.0
14.2 13.5 13.6
41. 1 2 11. 1 2 11.1
48.3 54.3 53.8
2Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[855]
15.4
13.9
39.2
51.4
16.1
13.9
37.5
50.9
17.0
15.5
36.3
50.8
17.5 14.3 14.2
15.4 13.7 13.2
36.3 2 11.0 2 11.8
52.4 51.7 50.1
41.0
18.7
27.0
59.3
13.8
13.8
36.9
54.3
40.5
18.0
26.8
43.6
14.0
13.7
35.7
54.0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
158
T a b l e 4 . — A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OP T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
Fall
River
liuUbtuLi
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Kansas
City
Little
Rock
Article
U nit
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts. Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Sirloin steak____________
Round steak........ ..............
Rib roast_______________
Chuck roast..........................
Pound___
___do_____
___do_____
-.-d o ...........
36.3
36.0
28.5
23.0
42.3
40. 0
31.1
26.9
41.9
39.6
30.3
26.4
35.4
30.8
27.3
21.2
36.2
31.5
27.7
20.4
40.5
35.4
28.5
22.3
40.5
35.5
27.9
22.3
38.1
35.0
30.7
23.3
38.8
35.6
30.8
23.5
Plate beef_______________
Pork chops______________
Bacon, sliced____________
Ham, slic e d .........................
-__do_____ 16.0 17.3 20.0 20.3
___do_____ 30.6 28.7 33.0 29.0
--_do_____ 42.5 41.3 44.2 42.1
-__do........... 51.1 50.2 48.2 47.2
17.0
29.2
40.4
50.4
17.1
27.8
40.0
50.4
13.1
30.1
39.3
45.8
13.3
28.7
38.6
45.8
16.2
27.1
44.8
48.9
16.0
25.4
42.2
49. 1
18.8
28.6
43.5
49.7
19.0
27.1
41.8
48.2
Lamb, leg of____________ ___do_____ 40.5 40.7 33.3 32.9
Hens___________________ _.-do_____ 43.5 42.5 33.2 32.4
Salmon, canned, red_____ ___do_____ 36.3 36.0 33.9 34.3
M ilk, fresh____ ____ ____ Quart........ 15.0 15.0 15.6 15.6
39.0
38.4
35.3
12.0
40.0
38.2
36.0
12.0
37.6
34.2
35.8
20.3
37.6
33.5
34.6
20.3
35.4
32.5
36.5
13.0
34.8
33.4
37.2
13.0
37.0
29.8
35.2
15.0
37.0
29.9
35.6
15.0
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Cts.
M ilk, evaporated..............
1 67.9
52.4
35.9
27.3
Cts. Cts.
1 68.4
52.1
35.6
27.5
36.8
36.0
28.7
23.8
15-16 oz. 12.9 12.5 11.7 11.5 10.7 10.8 11.8 11.7 11.5 11.6 12.0 12.2
can.
Pound___ 56.4 56. 1 56.0 55.0 56.9 56.0 57.5 ,54. 9 56.1 54.9 55.9 55.2
-__do ____ 26.9 27. 1 26.5 25.8 29.3 29.7 30.3 30.8 25.5 25.7 28.0 28.0
B utter___________ ______
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese__________________
Lard.............................. .........
Vegetable lard substitute. Eggs, strictly fresh_______
_--do_____
___do_____
___do_____
Dozen.......
Eggs, storage____________
Bread_____________ ____ _
Flour___________________
Corn m eal.............................
__ do ____ 49. 3 44.6 43.3 28. 5 41.3
Pound___ 8.9 8.8 8.7 8.7 8.0
-__do_____
5.7 5.7 5.2 5.2 5.4
_._do........... 6.9 6.9 4.2 4.1 4.0
Rolled oats______________
Corn flakes______________
Wheat cereal____________
Macaroni...............................
_-_do_____
9.5 9.6 8.8 8.7 8.7 8.7 9.5 9.6 8.9 9.0
8-oz. p k g .. 10.0 10.0 8.9 9.1 9.4 9.4 9.9 9.9 9.8 9.8
28-oz. pkg. 25.3 25.3 25.5 25.5 26.4 25.7 24.8 24. 2 26.9 26.9
...d o ___ _ 23.5 23.4 17.9 18.1 18.8 19.1 19.1 19. 1 20.2 19.9
R ice................ ...................... .
Beans, n a v y ____________
Potatoes.................................
Onions. ..................................
__do ___
...d o _____
-__do_____
-.-d o _____
41.8
18.2
26.6
68.8
41.9
17. 5
26.6
55.9
11. 3 11. 3
9.8 10.2
3.1 3.2
5.3 5.2
36. 1
20.3
16.4
54. 7
36.0
19.9
15.9
29.4
40.0
16. 4
27.0
54.7
38.7
17.5
27.0
37.0
48. 0 45.0 38. 9
8.0 10.1 10.1 9.7
5.5 6.5 6.5 4.9
4.0 4.2 4.1 5.5
9.8
5.0
5.3
7. 5 7. 3 10.4 10. 5
9.8 10.2 8.9 10.1
4.2 4.0 2.7 2.6
5.1 5.1 5.3 5.3
37.5
20. 1
21.2
57.3
36.9
18.6
21. 9
38.1
39.7
18. 3
27.0
50.7
40.0
15.3
26. 5
35.9
8.1 7. 5
9.9 10.4
3.9 3.8
6.2 6.5
9. 5 9. 6
9. 7 10.3
2.6 2.6
6.0 6.3
39.6
21. 7
20. 7
56.2
40.4
21.2
20.2
33.8
49.0 25.0
9.3 9.3
6.0 6.0
3.9 3.8
10.4
10.6
27.6
20.6
10.5
10.3
27.8
20.4
7.9 8.1
9.6 10.5
3.5 3.5
5.9 6.1
Cabbage........................... ___do_____
6.3 6.9 5.0 4.8 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 3.9 4.1 4.6 4.5
Beans, baked..................... No. 2 can.. 11.9 11.9 10.5 10.5 9.7 10.2 10.4 10. 7 11.8 11.8 10.2 10.5
Corn, canned_____ ______ -_-do_____ 17.3 17.3 13.7 13.9 13.7 14.0 18.3 17.8 14.0 14.2 16.6 16.8
Peas, canned....................... .- - d o ...___ 19.0 19.5 13.9 13.5 14.2 14.2 16.6 16.6 14.9 15.4 17.5 17.6
Tomatoes, canned_______ ...d o _____ 12.8 12.3 9.7 9.8 12.2 11.8 9.9 10.0 11.2 11.5 10.0 10.0
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound___ 7.2 7.3 6.9 6.9 7.3 7.3 7.5 7.4 7.5 7.5 7.7 7.7
T ea______ _____ ________ __do _ .
59. 5 60. 7 83. 6 82. 8 88. 3 88. 3 98. 9 98. 9 92. 9 91. 4 106. 3 107. 2
Coffee___ ___________
_ do.
49. 8 49. 8 42. 0 41. 9 47. 8 46. 4 47. 7 47. 5 51.1 51. 0 52.0 53.2
Prunes__________________ ..-.do_____ 14.4 14.7
Raisins _______. . . . . .
_do._
13. 5 13. 6
Bananas__________ _____ Dozen___ <10.2 <10. 2
Oranges________ ____ ___ __ d o ...___ 51.7 53.3
13.0
12. 9
26.3
40.5
12.6
12. 5
26.7
46.4
14.6
14. 2
31. 7
49.4
14.6
14. 5
31.1
51.4
15.3
15. 0
26.4
32.6
15.6 13.8 13.8
15. 0 14. 5 14. 0
28. 6 <11.2 < n .i
39.2 53.5 52.5
15.3
15. 1
< 9.5
49.4
15.1
15. 0
<9.3
49.6
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ rum p” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[856]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
159
OF FOOD IN 51 C IT IES, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928—Continued
Los Angeles
Louisville
Manchester Memphis
Milwau
kee
M inne
apolis
Mobile
Newark
New
Haven
Jan.
15,
1928
Feb.
15,
1928
Jan.
15,
1928
Feb.
15,
1928
Jan.
15,
1928
Feb.
15,
1928
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts .
Cts.
41.3
34.1
32.5
24.0
41.6
34.2
32.4
24.4
39. 7
36.2
29.3
23.3
39.3 2 59.7 2 60.7
36.4 46.5 46.5
29.1 30.1 30.9
23.5 25.4 26.1
17. 2
39.3
53.3
66.6
17.6
34.0
50.4
64.2
19.5
26.1
44.5
49. 2
19.4
25.2
45.0
48.5
18.2
28.8
37.4
42.2
18.6 19.8
27.8 25.9
36. 1 36.3
42.2 48.2
18.4
24.1
36. 1
48.6
16.3
27.9
45.9
47.0
16.9
26.5
43.8
46.3
15.5
31.3
46.2
48.3
15.6
29. 8
46.9
46.8
18.3
36. 5
44. 4
50.0
18. 5
34. 5
43.3
49.2
17. 6
31. 7
43.4
52.3
18.7
30.9
43.6
52.1
16.6
30.6
44.8
56.7
17,0
29.6
44.3
56.7
37.3
43.8
34.1
15.0
37.4
43.1
33.9
15.0
36.7
36.3
34.5
13.0
36.7
36.4
35.2
13.0
35. 7
41.8
34.9
15.0
36.8
41.9
35.0
15.0
35.6
31.0
32.6
15.0
37.3
32.8
35.3
11.0
37.5
35. 1
34.9
11.0
33.7
35.0
36.7
12.0
34.1
35.9
36.7
12.0
40. 8
34.4
35. 1
18.0
39.2
33.8
34. 8
18.0
37.0
36.2
33.6
16.0
37.4
37.3
33. 5
16.0
37.7
40.6
34. 6
16.0
38.2
41.3
35.0
16.0
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Cts.
40.0
35.7
28.8
23.1
36.3
30.9
32.9
15.0
C ts. Cts. Cts. C ts. C ts. Cts. C ts. Cts. Cts. Cts. C ts.
39. 8 40.8 40.8 36.8 38.4 36. 5 38.0 49.5 50.5 58.6 58.6
35.8 36. 1 36.5 32.7 33.4 36.0 37.5 47.2 47. 6 46.2 48.3
28.8 30.6 31. 1 29.0 29. 4 29.5 30.5 38.7 39.6 39.2 39.0
22.7 26.7 27.1 24.5 24.8 25.0 24.0 29.6 30.1 28.8 29.3
10.0
9.9
11.8
11.9
12.9
12.8
11.7 11.7 11.4 11.3 11.8 11.9 11.5 11.4 11.1 10.9 12.1 12.1
56.4
25.8
54.2
25.3
58.3
27.0
57.6
27.0
59.2
24.0
57.9
24.6
57.7 56.5 55.1 53.5 54.3 51.7 58.4 57.7 61.2 58.0 56.2 56.3
24.3 24.3 27.0 26.7 25.8 25.2 28.6 29.5 30.5 30.3 29.1 30.0
38.5
20.9
23.5
43.3
38.4
19.3
23.9
33.7
40.1
16.7
27.2
54.9
40.8
15.7
28.0
38.4
39.2
18.1
26.3
59.4
39.2
17.7
26.3
56.1
38.3
15.4
21.8
49.6
37.9
14.7
22.0
35.0
41.0
8.7
5.1
5.6
28.0
8.7
5.2
5.6
9. Ï
6.1
3.9
9.Ì
6.5
4.0
47.9
8.6
5.5
5.2
45.3
8.6
5.4
5.2
42.8
9.4
5.9
3.6
9.4
6.0
3.5
9.9
9.4
24.9
18.3
9.9
9.4
24.9
18.3
8.3
9.7
26.7
18.9
8.5
9.6
26.7
18.7
9.1
9.7
25.9
23.7
8.8
9.5
25.7
23.6
9.0 9.0 8.3 8.3 7.9 8.0 8.6 8.4 8.2 8.0 9.1 9.1
9.8 9.8 9.3 9.4 10.0 9.7 9.5 9.5 9.2 9.2 10.1 10.0
25.6 25.6 24.7 24. 5 25.5 25.6 24.4 24.4 24.7 24. 7 24. 5 25.0
19.7 19.5 18.0 17.7 18.2 18.5 20.9 20.9 21.4 21.4 21.8 22.3
10.0
9.4
2.8
5.1
9.9
10.2
2.6
5.4
10.8
8.4
3.1
5.7
10.6
9.9
3.1
5.7
9.4
9.2
2.7
5.0
9.2
9.5
2.8
5.0
4.6
10.7
16.1
16.8
4.1
10.4
16.0
16.8
4.9
10.2
15.3
15.2
5.0
10.4
15.3
15.2
3.3
13.3
16.4
18.2
3.4
13.2
16.1
18.1
3.9 3.8 3.6 4.6 3.1 3.5 4.7 4.8 4.5 5.3 4.3 5.4
11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 12. 1 12.2 10.3 10.2 10.1 10.2 11.6 11.5
14.6 14.8 15.9 16.1 14.2 14.4 15.9 16.0 15.2 16.2 17.8 17.8
15.7 16.1 16.0 16.1 14.6 14.6 15.8 15.9 17.8 17.8 19.2 19.6
3 14.5 3 14.5
6.8
6.8
72.6 72.6
52.3 52.4
10.6
7.4
92. 7
49.2
10.6
7.4
29. 7
49.5
12.1
7.3
64.5
50.1
12.3
7.3
64.2
50.4
9.7 9.7 13.4 13.0 12.9 13.4 9.8 10.1 10.3 10.8 12.8 12.8
6.9 7.0 6.8 6.8 7.2 7.2 7.1 7.0 6.7 6.5 7.0 7.0
97.2 97.9 71.7 72.1 59.0 61.7 79.4 78.5 58.8 58.8 59.6 59.6
48.9 48.7 43.4 44.0 50.9 51.4 48.2 48.3 48.5 48.4 51.5 51.6
12.4 12.1 14.3 14.4 12.7 12.8
11.5 11.9 13.8 14. 1 13.4 13.4
4 9. 2 4 9. 6 4 10.0 4 10.0 4 9. 5 4 9. 5
48.8 48.4 39.6 42.9 51.4 48.8
37.3
19.2
26.4
52.0
38.1
18.7
26.4
38.0
36.3
18.5
27.3
46.6
37.3
17.4
27. 1
38.5
13.5
14.4
4 9.1
47.2
38.3
19.3
20.8
32.7
40.7
19.4
25.5
65.6
39. 7
18.7
25.6
54.5
40.3
17.6
26.2
71.1
40.4
17.5
26.1
63.6
39.9 32.5 38.0 37.5 46.2 40.0 47.5 44.9 51.3 49.2
8.8 8.8 8.9 8.9 10.1 10.1 9.1 9.1 9.2 9.2
4.8 4.8 5.0 4.9 6.1 6.0 5.1 5.1 5.3 5.3
5.9 5.9 5. 7 5.7 4.1 4.0 6.8 6.9 7.0 6.9
8.6 8.5 10.4 10.6 10.2 9.5
9.6 10.2 8.9 10.1 9.9 10.4
3.3 3.3 2.4 2.5 2.2 2.2
5.3 5.2 4.6 4.7 4.3 4.9
14.3
14.1
49.1
43.6
38.5
19.6
21.1
50.3
13.2
14. 1
4 9.8
53.2
13.4 14.4 13.8
14.0 14.3 14.4
4 9. 7 411. 7 412.0
52.3 56.0 49.3
9.3
9.4
3.8
5.1
12.4
13.4
24.4
46.0
8.9
9.6
3.8
5.2
12.9
13.5
25.0
46.2
9.8 9.5 10.5 10.3
9.9 10.0 9.6 9.9
3.3 3.6 3.2 3.2
5.1 5.3 5.5 5.5
12.8
14.3
38.0
54.0
12.7
13.7
38.0
54.3
14.0
13.7
33.2
53.5
13.8
13.9
33.5
53.7
2 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
3 No. 2J^ can.
4 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[857]
160
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 4 .—A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OP T H E P R IN C IP A L A R TIC L ES
New
York
New Or
leans
Norfolk
Omaha
Article
Unit
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Sirloin steak____________
Round steak- __________
Rib roast ______________
Chuck roast..........................
Pound___
____ do___
____ do___
........ do____
37.2
32.9
31.3
22.3
38.4
33.4
32.8
22.4
49.8
46.9
42.3
28.2
49.7
47.0
42.7
28.9
42.3
36.2
33.9
25.0
42.7
37.8
33.2
24.1
38.4
36.7
26.5
22.9
Plate beef _______ _____
Pork chops
Bacon, sliced____ ____
Ham, sliced_____________
____do___
____do___
___ _do___
........ do___
19.0
31.3
42.9
48.7
19.4
30.5
41.0
47.1
23.2
35.1
45.2
55.2
23.9
34.4
45.0
55.6
17.7
29.8
41.7
45.3
17.0
29.2
42.6
45.0
Lamb, leg of_ - _ ____ ____do___
____do___
Hens _ ____ .
____do___
Salmon, canned, redQuart____
M ilk, fresh _ ______ -
38.0
36.8
36. 5
14.0
38.6
36.0
36.5
14.0
35.1
38.2
34.3
16.0
36.2
39.4
34.3
16.0
40.0
37.7
37.1
18.0
39.7
37.9
36.6
18.0
M ilk, evaporated _
Peoria
Philadel
phia
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Cts.
Cts. Cts. Cts.
38.9
36.2
26.6
23.0
35.5
34.2
25.0
22.6
36.3
34.8
26.0
23.5
160.0
46.3
39.3
29.8
159.7
46.2
40.6
30.9
14.5
28.8
46.6
48.4
14.4
27.2
45.9
46.8
15.3
28.0
45.4
49.6
16.1
25.4
44.2
47.7
17.4
33.7
42.9
52.8
18.0
31.7
40.5
53.2
36.7
30.8
36.3
11.3
35.9
31.1
35.8
11.0
38.3
32.2
35.7
13. C
36.7
32.7
35.9
13. C
39.0
40.7
34.0
13.0
39.3
40.5
33.0
13.0
Cts.
___ 15-16 oi. 11.2 11.1 11.2 11.1 11.5 11.7 11.8 11.8 11.4 11.3 11.8 a 7
can.
Pound___ 58.8 57.5 60.1 56.9 60.1 59.9 54.2 53.9 54.6 51.6 62. 5 60.5
____do____ 29.1 29.1 27.0 27.7 25.0 24.5 25.9 25.8 28.6 28.4 28.9 28.6
__B utter___ _____
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese. - ..................... .
Lard
- ---Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh
____do_ __
____do____
____do____
Dozen___
40.4
19.3
19.9
54.0
40.4
18.1
19.5
38.2
40.5
19.8
25.8
66.6
40.3
19.2
25.8
54.2
36.9
18.5
23.2
54.1
37.4
17.9
22.4
45.1
39.2
19.4
25.9
46.2
38.3
18.6
25.2
34.0
39.2
18.5
27.7
52.9
38.9
17.9
27. 1
36.5
42.3
17.9
25.2
63.8
42.9
16.8
25.0
51.5
43.8 33.0 48.1 40.7 46.8 47.7 38.7 35.0 43.0 38.0 46.0 42.4
Eggs, storage - _____ _ _ d o ___
Pound___ 8.7 8.7 9.1 9.1 9.9 9.9 9.7 9.7 10.0 10.0 9.4 9.4
Bread- --______
_ _ d o ____
6. 6 6.6 5.3 5.2 5.5 5.5 4.3 4.3 5.0 5.1 4.9 4.8
Flour
__4.1 4.2 6.7 6.6 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.5 4.8 4.8 5.2 5.3
Corn meal______________ ___do_____
Rolled oats______________
Corn flakes._ ________ Wheat cereal__________ M acaroni-.............................
-__do_____
8.9 8.8 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.5 10.1 10.0 9.0 9.0 8.6 8.5
8-oz. pkg-- 9. 7 9.6 9.2 9.2 9.7 9.7 9.8 9.9 9.7 9.7 9.4 9.4
28-oz. pkg, 24.9 24.9 23.9 24.1 24.8 25.0 28.4 28.0 26.3 26.3 25.3 25.0
--.d o _____ 10.8 10.8 20.9 20.8 19.0 19.0 21.2 21.2 18.6 18.6 20.9 20.8
Rice
Beans, navy_____ _____
Potatoes_____ ____ ______
Onions
_______ __
___do_____
-__do_____
-__do_____
__.do_____
Cabbage . . - __________
Beans, baked
________
Corn, canned_________Peas, canned-.......................
...d o _____
No. 2 can.
--.d o _____
--.d o _____
5.4 4.1 4.0 4.5 4.3 5.0 3.7 4.4 3.4 3.4 3.2 3.8
11.1 10.9 10.9 10. 7 9.9 9.9 12.9 13. C 11.1 10.4 10.6 10.8
14.7 14.7 14.5 14.8 14.8 14.8 16.2 16.2 15.3 15.3 14.7 14.4
17.8 17.0 15.2 15.2 17.8 17.6 15.8 15.8 17.3 17.3 15.3 15.5
Tomatoes, canned_______ ...d o _____
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound__
Tea_ _
. - ______ __do_____
Coffee __do. __
10.9 10.6 11. 1 11.0 9.7 9.7 13.4 13.4 12.8 13.0 11.3 11.5
6.6 6.5 6.3 6.3 6.7 6.8 7.1 7.3 7.8 7.9 6.6 6.6
80.7 79.6 66. 7 68.1 94.5 96.7 77.7 77.1 67.0 68.2 68.0 68.9
35.2 36.1 47.0 46.8 49.4 49.8 53.7 53.7 45.8 48.6 42.9 42.6
Prunes _ ___________ _ _do_____
Raisins___________
. . . --.d o _____
Dozen.
Bananas________
Oranges_______ _______ __do _____
14.2
12.9
16.4
51.3
9.4
9.2
3.7
4. 6
9.3 10.2 10.0 11.3 11.1
9.3 10.3 10.9 8.8 9.1
3.6 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.9
4.9 5. 1 5.4 5.3 5. C
13.8
12.9
16.4
51.3
12.6
13.1
40. 2
60.3
12.1
13.2
39.3
60. 1
13.9
13.6
34. 5
51.2
13.6
13.8
34.4
50.2
10.5 11.0 10.9 10.4 10.9 10.9
9.8 10.0 9.0 10.1 9.1 9.9
2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 3.6 3.5
5.6 6.0 5.3 5.0 4.5 4.6
13.9 14. 5 15.9 16.0
14. 7 14.7 13.8 14.0
212. C212. C 210. 5 210.C
47.1 45.8 49.6 48.6
12.8
13.3
30.6
48.3
12.7
13.1
30.7
46.4
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other
cities included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[858]
161
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
OF FOOD IN 51 C ITIES, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928—Continued
Pitts
burgh
Portland,
Me.
Jan. Feb. Jan.
15, 15,
15,
1928 1928 1928
Rich
mond
Portland,
Oreg.
Providence
Feb.
15,
1928
Jan.
15,
1928
Feb.
15,
1928
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
Cts.
Rochester St. Louis
St. Paul
Salt Lake
City
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
49.8
41.3
36. 8
28.3
50.3 i 66.1 i 65.7
41.9 49.4 49.6
37.2 32.9 32.9
29.4 23.4 24.3
34.5
32.4
29. 1
23.8
35.1 1 77.2 i 78.3 43.3 44.3
32.4 51.5 51.8 38.7 39.0
29.8 41.4 41.8 34.1 34.0
23.9 32.2 33.2 24.8 25.5
45.0
37.5
33.0
27.9
45.4
37.9
33.0
28.3
39.2
38.3
32.4
23.8
39.2
38.3
32.4
23.9
38.1
33.7
31.7
25.8
39.1
33.8
32.3
26.5
33.4
31.9
26.4
21.7
35.4
32.8
26.6
22.4
16.6
31.9
48.6
57.1
17.0
29.8
47.5
57.9
19.5
31.2
42.5
49.1
19.4
28.6
40.4
49.4
18.2
35. C
52.8
55.6
18.4
31.8
50.6
54.4
20.8
32.1
41.4
54.2
20.7
30.9
40.2
54.1
17.6
31.5
41.6
45.0
18.2
29.9
41.6
44.6
16.0
33.7
40.2
51.6
16.9
32.7
39.4
51.6
17.0
26.6
41.7
49.5
17.1
24.0
42.1
49.3
15.3
27.6
43.9
45.8
15.6
26.8
42.6
44.7
15.5
32.1
46.5
53.8
16.6
32.3
45.0
52.7
39.7
44.5
34.1
14.8
40.0
44.0
34.4
14.0
35.4
40.7
35.8
15.0
36.4
41.2
35.9
15.0
35.8
34.3
36. 1
12.0
36.9
34.2
36.1
12.0
37.9
40.3
33.4
15.7
38.9
41.3
33.3
15.7
43.7
36.2
35.3
14.0
43.4
36.3
35.3
14.0
37.3
39.6
36.7
13.5
37.9
40.3
36.7
13.5
35.2
33.1
35.8
13.0
35.4
34.2
35.8
13.0
32.6
33.4
38.9
12.0
31.9
32.9
39.6
12.0
34.5
30.5
34.9
10.0
34.9
30.9
35.4
10.0
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
11.0 11.0
12. 6
12.6
10.5
10.4
12.1
12.0 12.4 12.4 11.3 11.3 10.8 10.6 12.0 12. 1
10.5 10.4
60.7 58.5
29.2 28.7
59. 1
26. 7
59.1
26.9
57.2
25.2
55.3
25.5
55.4
25.6
54.8 61.3 60.6 56.6 55. 5 59. 5 58.3 53. 1 51.0
25.7 30. 7 30.0 28.6 28.7 27.2 27. 1 24.6 24.6
53.4 51.0
27.3 26.9
42. 0
18. 8
27. 6
61.4
39.
18.
26.
58.
1
1
1
1
39.7
17. 8
26.2
55.4
38. 5
20.4
28. 7
45.8
38.6
19. 9
28.8
34.8
38.6
18.2
26.3
64.1
38. 7
17. 7
26. 3
55.3
38.9
18.3
28. 5
47.3
38.2
18.0
28. 5
39.2
31.3
21.2
29.3
43.5
31.3
20.9
29.3
36.2
44.1 37.0
8. 5 8.6
5.0 4.9
6.0 5.9
47.0
10. 1
5.0
5.1
46.7
10.1
5.3
5.0
9.2
4.8
6.1
9.2
4.8
6.2
45.1
9.0
5.5
5.1
43.0 42.5 35.0 43.6 34. 5 39.4 33.5 39. 8
9.0 9. 1 9.0 9. 1 9. 1 9.8 9.8 9.3
5. 5 5.3 5.2 5.1 5. 1 5. 1 5. 1 5. 1
5.1 4.7 4. 8 6.2 6.1 4.2 4. 2 5. 3
9.3
5. 1
5.4
40.0
9.8
4. 1
5.5
9.8
4.2
5.3
9. 1 9.1
10. 1 9.9
25.2 25.2
23.0 23. 1
7. 7
9.8
25.9
23.9
8.0
9.9
25.6
23.9
10.7
9.6
27. 1
18.3
10. 7
9.6
27.2
18.3
9.0
9.6
24.7
22.9
9.0 8.6 8.6 9.4 9.4 8.2 8.1
9. 5 9.7 9.8 9. 5 9.4 9.0 9. 1
24.7 26.2 26. 1 25. 5 25. 5 24.8 24.8
22.9 20.9 20.2 21.1 21.3 19.7 19.6
11.2 11.1
9.0 9. 7
3.0 3. 1
5.4 5.4
11.9
10. 1
2.7
4.9
11.9
10.4
3.0
5.1
9.9
9.6
2.3
5.0
10.2
10.0
2.2
4. 8
10. 1
9. 7
2. 8
4.8
10.5 11.6 11.3
10.0 9. 5 10. 3
3.0 3. 5 3. 6
5.2 5.6 5.3
4. 3 4.9
12. 7 12.4
16.4 16.3
17.2 17.2
2. 5
15.0
14.6
17.8
2.4
15.2
14.4
17. 5
4.6
11. 7
18.6
18.6
4.8
11. 7
18. 4
17. 5
4.5
10.6
17.2
18. 5
5.4 4.2 4.9 1. 7 1.9 3. 6 3. 7 3.5 3.9
10.8 10. 1 10. 1 10.2 10.2 10.1 10.2 13.4 13.4
17.0 15. 1 15.0 16. 2 15.9 15.7 15.3 14.6 14. 6
18.6 17.6 18.4 17.9 17.9 15.3 14.9 15.0 15.0
3.0 3.3
12. 7 13.6
14.4 14.7
15.8 15.3
11.6 11. 7
7.3 7.4
82.4 82.9
47.8 47. 7
12.3
7.2
62. 2
50.9
12.4
7. 1
62.2
50.9
16. 8
7. 1
80.3
52.6
16.8
7.0
80.3
52.6
13.0
6.9
60.4
49.9
13.1 10.6 10. 5 14. 5 14.2 11.0 11.0 13. 7 13.6
6.9 7.0 7.0 6.4 6. 6 7.0 7.0 7.2 7.2
59. 7 90.6 92. 1 69.0 69.0 74. 3 74.9 66. 0 63.9
50.6 45.7 46. 5 46.0 46.4 46.2 46.4 52.2 52.2
13.8 13.9
8.0 7.9
84.2 83.4
54.5 54.8
13.4 11. 7 11.7 10. 8 10.8
13. 5 13.0 12. 9 12.9 12.9
38.9 2 11. 7 2 11. 7 2 12. 6 2 12.6
50.2 57.8 60.2 49.5 48. 6
12.5
13. 5
31.4
59. 7
12.6
13. 4
32.9
58.8
13.8
13.8
41.2
49. 9
42.0
18.4
27.3
47.7
37.8
18.6
25.7
52.3
14.3
13.1
39. 0
47. 5
2 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[859]
37.8
18.6
25.9
45.9
13. 8
13.3
40.0
50.4
40.1
17.9
26. 1
56. 5
9.8
9.2
2. 5
4.5
12.9
13.8
39.2
55.0
39.1
17. 1
26.0
45.4
9.7
9. 5
2. 5
4.6
13.0
13.9
38.3
55.2
38.9
15.2
25.2
53.8
9.8
9.0
3.0
5.1
14.5
13.4
33. 3
48. 8
38. 6
14. 1
25. 1
38.6
10. 1 9.7
10. 1 10. 1
26. 5 26.3
18.5 18. 5
9.8 10.7 10.7
9.6 9. 5 10. 1
3.3 2.0 2.0
5.0 4. 1 4.2
14.4 14.0
13. 3 14.9
33.8 212.0
49.2 60.9
8.6 8.3
10.9 10.7
25.9 25.9
20.2 19.8
8. 8
8.8
1.8
3. 1
9.0
9.4
1.6
3.1
13.9 12.6 11.7
14. 5 12.9 13.0
212. 1 2 12. 7 212. 7
57.4 49.9 49.1
162
T
able
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
4 .—A V ER A G 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 OF FOOD IN 51
C IT IES, JA N U A R Y 15 A N D F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928—Continued
San Fran
cisco
U nit
Article
Savan
nah
Scranton
Seattle
Spring- Washing
field, 111. ton, D . C.
Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928 1928
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
37.3
34.4
33.9
23. 7
36.9
35.4
33.7
23.4
35.0
28.6
26.8
18.7
36. 1
28.9
27.8
18.9
55. 2
46. 2
39.2
31.2
55.7
46.8
39.4
30.7
38.6
35.7
31.6
25.7
39.3
35.9
31.7
25.4
37.5
36.7
25.0
23.3
38.1
37.5
25.3
23.6
49.2
43.0
35.7
26.6
48.5
41.7
36.1
26.7
Plate beef... _
______
Pork chops. ___________
Bacon, sliced____________
Ham, sliced_____________
-__do_____ 19.1 19.1 15.8
--_do-------- 39.3 36.8 30.0
-__do_____ 56.6 55.5 40.6
___do-------- 61.1 60.2 43.3
16.9
29. 8
39.7
42.5
15.3
34. 5
46.5
54.5
15.5
32. 1
45.6
55.5
19.7
38.4
56.2
59.6
19.4
35. 2
54.4
57.7
16.4
26. 7
43.8
48.8
16.7
26.0
43.2
47.1
15.9
32. 8
42. 1
55.8
16.0
30.0
41.6
56.3
Lamb, leg of___ _______ _
Ham
_____ _________
Salmon, canned, red_____
M ilk, fresh______________
___do_____
___do_____
__ do __ __
Quart____
38.0
30.9
34.3
17.0
42.3
43.5
36.2
13.0
42.7
44. 1
36.9
13.0
36.7
32.9
35. 5
12.0
36.6
32. 2
35. 8
12.0
36.7
34.5
35. 4
14.4
36.8
34.4
36.4
14.4
38.9
40. 1
34.0
15.0
39.8
39.6
34. 5
15.0
M ilk, evaporated . ___
Butter________ ______ _
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese__________________
Lard____________ _______
Vegetable lard substitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh_______
15-16 oz.can 9.9 9.9 11.5 11.2 11.9 11.9 10.5 10.4 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0
Pound___ 57.4 55.8 59.2 57.4 57.6 56.8 56.8 55.9 57.0 54.4 61.0 59.9
___do_____ 25.5 25.4 31.5 31.5 27.8 27.8 25.7 25.3 28.5 28.3 27.4 27.7
Sirloin ste a k .........................
Round steak--------------- __
Rib roast______ ._ . . . . .
Chuck roast
Pound___
___do_____
_._do_____
__ do_____
39.9
43.2
32.9
14.0
___do-------___do-------__do_ __
Dozen___
39.8
23.1
27. 8
44.9
Eggs, storage____________ -_do —
Bread___________________ Pound___
Flour
d o __ _
Corn meal—. ......................... . .. d o ......... .
9.5
5. 6
6.2
39.4
43.0
32. 2
14.0
40.2
22.8
27. 5
33.5
37.5
31.4
36.3
17.0
38.5
18.4
17.5
53.6
38.2
17.5
16.9
36.3
37.6
19.3
26. 1
64.0
38.0
19.1
26.2
53.0
36.7
21.2
27. 2
42.9
44.2 45.0 44.0 42.5 37.5
9.5 10.7 10.6 10.6 10.6 9.7
5. 6 6. 6 6. 5 5.8 5.8 4.8
6.8 3.8 3.6 7.5 7.7 5.5
36.3
21.4
27. 2
36.4
38.9
18.2
27. 5
55. 9
38.9
17.5
27. 5
38.9
41.2
17.0
23. 7
59.5
40.7
16.6
23. 5
47. 5
43. 7 32. 5 48. 3 45.7
9.7 10.3 10.3 9.0 9.0
4.8 5. 2 5. 2 5. 6 5. 5
5.5 4.8 4.6 5.1 5.2
Rolled oats______________
Corn flakes______________
Wheat cereal____________
Macaroni........................ .......
-__do_____
9.9 9.9 8.7 8.8 9.8 9.8 8.6 8.6 9.6 9.7 9.3 9.3
8-oz. pkg._ 10.0 9.9 9.6 9.6 10. 1 10.1 10. C 10.0 10.1 10.1 9.6 9.7
28-oz. pkg. 25.3 25.3 24.8 24.4 25.5 25.7 26.6 26.8 27.9 27.7 25.0 24.9
___do-------- 15.9 15.8 18.1 17.8 23.1 23. 1 18.1 17.9 19.2 19.0 22.7 23.1
Rice.
.
. . _____
Beans, n avy_____________
Potatoes_________________
Onions...................................
_ _ d o ___
---d o _____
_-_do_____
-.-d o .........
Cabbage .. . . . . . . _____
Beans, baked____________
Corn, canned____________
Peas, c a n n e d ___________
_ _ d o ____
5.3 5. 2 3. 5 4.3 4.6 4.9 3. 5 3. 6 5. 3 5.3
No. 2 can _ 12.7 12.7 11.9 11.6 11.2 11.2 11.6 11.4 10.3 10.3 10.2 10.4
-__do_____ 18.0 18.0 15.0 14.6 16.9 16.9 18.0 17.7 15.0 15.5 16.1 15.8
__do_____ 18. 2 18.1 16.6 17. 3 17.3 17.4 19. 3 18. 7 16. 1 16. 2 15.1 15. 3
Tomatoes, canned_______
Sugar, granulated . . . ____
Tea. ______ ___ _
Coffee.......... ............. ............
-- .d o _____ 14.9 14.7 9.8 9 . 9 12.4 12.2 1 15.8 1 16.0 13.7 13.7 10.8 10.8
Pound___ 6.8 6.8 7.0 6.7 7.0 7. 1 7.0 7.0 7.7 7.6 6.7 6.8
__do_____ 71. 4 71. 7 83.1 78. 3 71. 6 71. 5 76 4 76 7 82 7 82 7 95 9 95 7
. .. d o ........... 52.5 52.7 45.7 43.9 49.9 50.0 50.2 50.5 51.4 51.6 45.7 45! 5
P run es.____ ____________
Raisins__________________
Bananas.._____ __________
Oranges_______ ______ ___
---d o _____
-__do_____
Dozen___
. ..d o _____
10. 5 10. 6
9.6 10.5
2.9 2.9
4.5 5.0
11.8
12.1
30.0
52.9
11.8
12.0
30.6
54.1
9. 5 9. 7 10.4 10. 6 10.9 10. 9 10. 6 10. 6 11. 2 11 1
9.8 10.2 10.6 10.8 10.4 11.3 9.4 11.0 9.2 9.6
3.6 3.5 3.6 3.6 1.9 1.8 2.6 2.6 3.5 3.7
6.3 6.2 4.8 5.2 4.3 4.8 4.8 5.0 4.7 5.1
13.1
13.7
30.0
41.3
1 No. 2]^ can.
12.7
13.8
30.8
40.8
15.2
13.8
32.3
57.5
14.8
13.7
32.5
58.8
11.7 12.0
13.2 13.0
2 12.6 2 12.9
49.0 48.4
13.9
14. 2
2 9. 3
53.5
14.1
14. 1
2 9.8
53.9
14.9
13.8
36.1
50.6
14.9
13.6
35.9
52.5
2 Per pound.
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 51 Cities
""FABLE 5 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
A in the retail cost of food 3 in February, 1928, compared with
the average cost in the year 1913, in February, 1927, and January,
1928. For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year
and the one-m onth periods; these cities have been scheduled by the
bureau a t different dates since 1913. The percentage changes are
based on actual retail prices secured each m onth from retail dealers
and on the average family consumption of these articles in each city.4
8 For list of articles see note 5, p. 153.
1 The consumption figures used from January, 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city are
given in the Labor Review for November, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. The consumption figures which have been
used for each month beginning with January, 1921, are given in the Labor Review for March, 1921, p. 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 860 ]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
163
T a b l e 5 .—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 COST OP FOOD IN F E B R U A R Y ,
1928, C O M PA R E D W ITH T H E COST IN JA N U A R Y , 1928, F E B R U A R Y , 1927, A N D W ITH
T H E A V ER A G E COST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C ITIES
Percent Percentage decrease,
age in
February,
1928,
compared with—
crease,
Febru
ary, 1928,
compared Febru January,
with 1913 ary, 1927
1928
City
.
Percent Percentage decrease,
February, 1928,
age in
compared w ith—
crease,
Febru
ary, 1928,
compared Febru January,
with 1913 ary, 1927
1928
City
A tlanta...................
Baltimore. . . . . . .
Birmingham_____
Boston
......
B ridgeport.............
54. 8
58.0
56. 4
55. 3
2. 6
2.4
3.8
1. 3
1.2
2.4
1.7
2.8
1. 5
2.5
Minneapolis
Mobile _________
Newark_____
N ew Haven
N ew Orleans______
Buffalo....................
Butte . ................. .
Charleston, S. C . . .
Chicago . _______
C in c in n a ti.._____
56. 2
2.8
2.9
4.3
3.5
2.5
1. 7
.7
1.6
2.1
3.4
N ew York
N orfolk..
______
Omaha.......................
Peoria.
___ _
Philadelphia______
4.2
4.4
.9
3.4
4.0
2.1
2.9
3. 6
4.4
3.0
Pittsburgh
Portland, M e_____
Portland, Oreg
Providence. ______
Richmond________
Cleveland____ .
Columbus. ______
Dallas
D enver................. _
D etroit___________
52.8
62.0
52.3
49.5
51. 3
34.6
56.3
Fall River _______
Houston ________
Indianapolis______
Jacksonville............
Kansas C ity.......... ..
44.9
40. 6
46.6
1.0
4.8
3.4
7.9
3.9
2.1
5.1
3.4
3. 7
2.2
R ochester_______
St. Louis.. . .
St. Paul__________
Salt Lake City
San Francisco
Little Rock_______
Los Angeles. .
Louisville.. _____
M an ch ester__ _
Memphis .
M ilwaukee__ .
43.4
37.6
50.2
51.0
42. 2
52.3
3.8
3.9
.6
1.7
2.0
3.0
3.4
3.0
2.1
.6
2.7
1.8
Savannah_______
Scranton
Seattle____
Springfield, III
Washington, D . C_
52.6
50. 3
48. 9
55. 3
49.7
57. 6
43.5
57.3
53.4
38. 0
54. 2
60.1
54. 2
29. 2
47. 5
61. 0
42.1
59.4
1. 8
2.8
.7
1.0
3.2
1.4
2.8
1.5
.7
3.1
1.0
.8
6.4
6.3
1.8
2.2
1.2
2.2
2.5
2.5
4.2
.2
.9
.8
2.1
2.9
0
2.8
.7
1.0
.2
3.2
3.3
2.3
2.4
1.9
2.0
1.5
2.0
2.4
4.3
1.2
1.8
5.2
1.6
4.0
1.5
1.7
2.5
2.1
Effort has been made by the bureau each m onth to have all sched
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the m onth of
F ebruary 99 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the
51 cities sent in a report prom ptly. The following-named 41 cities
had a perfect record; th a t is, every m erchant who is cooperating
w ith the bureau sent in his report in tim e for his prices to be included
in the city averages: A tlanta, Birmingham , Boston, .Bridgeport,
Buffalo, Charleston, S. C., Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas,
D etroit, Fall River, H ouston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, K ansas C ity,
Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, M anchester, M emphis, M il
waukee, M inneapolis, Mobile, Newark, New H aven, New York,
Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, M e.,
Portland, Oreg., Providence, Richmond, Rochester, St. Louis, St.
Paul, Salt Lake City, and Scranton.
The following sum m ary shows the prom ptness with which the
m erchants responded in February, 1928:
R E T A IL PR IC E R E PO R T S R E C E IV E D FO R F E B R U A R Y , 1928
Geographic division
Item
Percentage of reports received___________
Number of cities in each section from
which every report was received____ _
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
United
States
North
Atlantic
South
Atlantic
North
Central
South
Central
99.0
100.0
98.0
99.4
99.0
97.0
41
14
5
12
7
3
[ 861 ]
Western
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
164
Retail Prices of Coal in the United States a
H E following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, February 15, 1927, and January
15 and F ebruary 15, 1928, for the U nited States and for each
of the cities from which retail food prices have been obtained. The
prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, bu t do not include
charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an extra
handling is necessary.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales for
household use.
The prices shown for bitum inous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds sold for household use.
T
A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC E S OF COAL P E R T O N OP 2,000 P O U N D S, FO R H O U SEH O LD
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JULY 15, 1913, F E B R U A R Y 15, 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y 15 A N D
F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928
1927
1913
City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
July 15
Feb. 15
1928
Jan. 15
Feb. 15
U n ited S ta te s:
P e n n sy lv a n ia a n th r a c ite —
S to v e$15. 65
$15.44
Average price______
$7.99
*7.46
$15.44
In d ex (1913=100)___
103.4
202.6
96.6
199.8
199.9
C h e s tn u t—
A verage price______
$8.15
$7.68
$15.44
$15. 08
$15.09
In d ex (1913 = 100)___
103. 0
97.0
195.0
190.6
190.6
B itu m in o u s —
$5.48
$9. 86
$9. 30
A verage price................
$5. 39
$9.28
In d ex (1913=100)..............
99.2
100.8
181.4
171.1
170.8
Atlanta, Ga.:
Bitum inous.................................
$5. 88
$4. 83
$8.62
$7.93
$7.92
Baltimore, M d.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
17. 70
17.24
1 16.00
1 16. 00
Stove................. ....................
1 16.00
1 15. 50
Chestnut......................... .
1 7. 93
1 7. 49
1 15. 25
1 15. 25
Bitum inous.................................
8. 32
8. 07
8.11
Birmingham, Ala.:
4. 01
4.22
8.06
Bitum inous________________
7. 72
7.67
Boston, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
8. 25
7.50
16.50
16.25
Stove_________ ______ _
16.25
8.25
7. 75
16. 25
16.00
Chestnut__________ ____
16.00
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14. 88
Stove__________________
16.00
14. 88
16.00
C hestnut...............................
14.88
14. 88
Buffalo, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
6. 75
6.54
13. 74
14.01
Stove...... .................. .............
14.03
6.99
6.80
13. 37
C h estn u t...........................
13. 61
13.63
Butte, Mont.:
10.94
10.89
B itu m in o u s..............................
10.89
Charleston, S. C.:
16.75
1 6.75
11.00
11.00
B itum inous.................................
11.00
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
8. 00
17.00
Stove._______ __________
7. 80
16. 95
16.95
8. 25
16.80
C hestnut..............................
8.05
16.46
16.46
4. 97
4. 65
B itu m in o u s...............................
9.64
9. 21
9.21
Cincinnati, Ohio:
3.50
B itu m in o u s.............................
7.84
3.38
7.08
7.10
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
15. 40
Stove......................................
7.50
7.25
15.20
15.15
C h e stn u t........................ ..
7. 75
15. 05
7.50
14. 80
14.75
4. 14
B itum inous-......................... .
4.14
9. 69
9. 00
8.98
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
° Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September issues
of the Labor R eview. Since July, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[862]
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL
165
A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF COAL P E R T O N OF 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H O U SE H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y IS A N D JU LY 15, 1913, F E B R U A R Y 15, 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y 15 A N D
F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928—Continued
1927
1913
1928
City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
Columbus, Ohio:
B itum inous. ______________________
Dallas, Tex.:
Arkansas anthracite—
__________________
Egg
Bituminous
. ________________
Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed__________
Stove, 3 and 5 mixed __________
Bituminous
_______________
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_________________
C hestnut_______________________
Bitum inous________________________
Fall River, M ass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_________________
Chestnut ______________________
Houston, Tex.:
B itum inous. ______________________
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bituminous
________________
Jacksonville, Fla.:
Bituminous
__________________
Kansas City, Mo.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Furnace.
___________________
Stove No. 4 _ ________________________
Bituminous
_________________
Little Rock, Ark.:
Arkansas anthracite—
E gg _
. ..
July 15
Feb. 15
$7. 74
$7.21
$7. 24
$7. 21
16.00
13. 22
15. 75
12.70
15. 50
12. 70
8. 88
8. 50
5. 25
9. 00
8. 50
4. 88
16. 00
16.50
10. 70
16.00
16.00
10. 50
16.00
16 00
10. 47
8.00
8. 25
5. 20
7.45
7.65
5. 20
16.00
15.67
10. 22
16.00
15. 50
9.31
16.00
15.50
9.31
8. 25
8.25
7.43
7. 61
16. 75
16.25
16. 75
16. 25
16.75
16.25
13.50
12.80
12.60
3. 81
3. 70
7.56
7.27
7.23
7. 50
7.00
14. 00
14.00
14.00
4.39
3.94
14.50
15.83
7. 85
14.10
15. 33
7. 50
14.10
15. 33
7. 54
6. 66
5. 33
14. 00
10.90
13. 50
10.60
13.50
10.60
13. 52
12. 50
16. 50
16. 50
16.50
4. 20
4.00
7.82
7. 46
7.49
10.00
10. 00
8. 50
8.50
17. 50
17. 50
17.50
17. 25
17. 50
17.25
2 4. 34
24. 22
8.78
8. 33
8.32
8.00
8.25
6. 25
7.85
8.10
5.71
16. 80
16. 65
10. 49
16. 65
16.20
9.48
16. 65
16.20
9. 48
9. 25
9. 50
5.89
9.05
9. 30
5. 79
18.10
17.95
11.75
18.15
17.70
11. 72
18.15
17. 70
11.69
9.92
9. 54
9.46
•
6. 50
6 . 75
6.25
6.50
14.00
13. 50
14. 00
13. 50
14.00
13.50
7.50
7.50
6.25
6.25
15. 35
15.35
15.10
15.10
15.10
15.10
2 6.06
2 6.06
11.29
11. 29
11.29
7.07
7.14
6. 66
6.80
14. 75
14.50
14. 75
14.42
14.75
14.42
16.00
16.00
9. 73
15.00
15.00
9.05
15.00
15.00
9.09
* Per 10-barrel lot G,800 pounds).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Jan. 15
$8. 25
_____________________
Bitum inous________________________
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bituminous
____________________
Louisville, Ky.:
B itum inous. ______________________
Manchester, N . H.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
___________________
Chestnut .
______ _______________
Memphis, Tenn.:
Bituminous _______________ ____________
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite ___________ _
Chestnut
_ _ ___________ __
Bitum inous ________________________________
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
___
_____ _______
C h e stn u t ______ ________ ______________
Bitum inous ________________________________
Mobile, Ala.:
Bitum inous____
_____________________
Newark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
______ __
Stove
Chestnut
__ ______________
N ew Haven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
. . .
__________________
C hestnut ______________________________
N ew Orleans, La.:
Bitum inous _____ __________________________
N ew York, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.. . . . . . ___________________
C hestnut ______________________________
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_______________________
Chestnut _____________
___________
Bitum inous _________________ ____________ _
Feb. 15
[863]
166
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC E S OF COAL P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S, FO R H O U SEH O LD
USE, ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, F E B R U A R Y 15, 1927, A N D JA N U A R Y 15 A N D
F E B R U A R Y 15, 1928— Continued
1927
1913
1928
City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
Omaha, Nebr.:
Bitum inous________________ ______
Peoria, 111.:
Bitum inous.................. ...............................
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
____
__ .
C h e s t n u t ..___ _________________
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C hestnut.. . .......................... .........
Bitum inous____ . .............. ................ .....
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ._ ________ ____ ________
Chestnut_______________________
Portland, Oreg.:
Bitum inous___ _____________________
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_____________
Chestnut . . ___________________
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove........................ .............................
Chestnut...... ........................................
Bitum inous_______ _____ _____ ______
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e... ___________ ___________
Chestnut___ ________ __________
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove. . .
_ ________________
Chestnut. . . . ________________
Bitum inous________________________
St. Paul, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____
_ _______________
Chestnut.
................. ....................
Bitum inous....... ................................. .
Salt Lake City, Utah:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed__________
Stove, 3 and 5 mixed_____________
Bituminous ________________ ____
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite—
Cerillos egg
_________________
Colorado anthracite—
Egg
____ _________________
Bituminous________________________
Savannah, Ga.:
Bitum inous___
__________________
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracitestove
. . . ______________ . .
Chestnut . ____________________
Seattle, Wash.:
Bitum inous___
____ ___ _
Springfield, 111.:
Bitum inous___ _
. . . ____________
Washington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
. . . . . . . . . _______ .
C hestnut______ _______________
B itu m in o u sPrepared sizes, low volatile.
Prepared sizes, high volatile_____
Run of mine, mixed.................. .........
$6. 63
July 15
$6.13
Feb. 15
J a n .15
Feb. 15
$10.19
$10. 26
$10.16
7.18
7.10
6.94
i 7.16
i 7. 38
i 6.89
i 7.14
i 15. 79
i 15. 54
i 14. 93
l 14. 43
i 15.00
i 14. 50
4 8.00
3 3.16
i 7. 44
3 3.18
15. 88
6.24
14.88
5. 65
14.88
5. 51
16.98
16.98
16.80
16.80
16.80
16.80
9. 79
9.66
13. 49
13. 32
13. 21
4 8. 25
4 8.25
4 7.50
4 7. 75
4 16. 50
4 16. 50
4 16. 25
4 16.00
4 16.25
4 16. 00
8.00
8.00
5. 50
7.25
7. 25
4.94
16.50
16.50
11.70
15. 50
15.50
9. 70
15. 67
15. 67
9.73
14.60
14.15
14.60
14.15
14.60
14.15
8. 44
8. 68
3. 36
7. 74
7.99
3.04
17. 45
17.20
7. 44
16. 90
16. 45
7.02
16.90
16.45
7.02
9.20
9. 45
6.07
9.05
9.30
6.04
18.10
17. 95
12.21
18.15
17. 70
11.98
18.15
17.70
11.98
11. 00
11. 00
5.64
11.50
11. 50
5.46
18. 00
18.00
8. 47
18.00
18.00
8. 34
18.00
18.00
8; 36
17.00
17.00
26. 50
26. 50
26. 50
17.00
12.00
17. 00
12.00
25. 75
17. 06
25. 75
17. 25
25.75
17.25
3 13. 25
» 11.13
3 11.13
4. 25
4. 50
4.31
4.56
11.00
10. 67
10. 75
10. 50
10.75
10.50
7.63
7.70
10. 47
10.18
10.12
4. 35
4. 44
4.44
> 15. 81
‘ 15. 54
1 15. 51
1 15.01
i 15.51
i 15.01
i 11. 75
1 9. 75
i 8. 10
1 11 00
l 8. 75
1 7.88
1 10 75
l 8. 75
1 7.88
i 7.50
‘ 7.65
1 7. 38
i 7.53
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
3 Per 25-bushel lot (1,900 pounds).
4 The average price of coal delivered in bin is 50 cents higher than here shown. Practically all coal is
delivered in bin.
8 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made.
This additional charge has been included in the above price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[864]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
167
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in February, 1928
RA CTICA LLY no change in the general level of wholesale
prices from Jan u ary to February is shown by inform ation
collected in representative m arkets by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the U nited States D epartm ent of Labor. The B ureau’s
weighted index num ber, computed on prices in the year 1926 as the
base, and including 550 commodities or price series, stands a t 96.4
for February compared with 96.3 for January, an increase of onetenth of 1 per cent. Compared w ith February, 1927, w ith an index
num ber of 95.9, an increase of one-half of 1 per cent is shown.
F arm products as a group declined
Per cent from the January
level, due to price decreases for beef steers, hogs, cotton, eggs, hay,
and tobacco. Corn, oats, rye, calves, lambs, potatoes, and wool, on
the other hand, were higher than in January.
P
>
T R E N D OF W H O LESA LE PR IC ES
[1926=100]
Foods as a whole advanced slightly in price, while hides and leather
products again advanced sharply. Small price increases are shown for
fuel and lighting m aterials, m etals and m etal products, and building
m aterials, while small decreases are shown for textile products,
chemicals and drugs, and house-furnishing goods. In the group of
miscellaneous commodities price reductions in crude rubber caused a
decline of almost 2 per cent in the group level.
Of the 550 commodities or price series for which comparable infor
m ation for January and February was collected, increases were shown
in 134 instances and decreases in 139 instances. In 277 instances no
change in price was reported.
Comparing prices in February w ith those of a year ago, as m easured
by changes in the index num bers, it is seen th a t farm products and
hides and leather products were considerably higher, while foods and
textile products were somewhat higher. Slight increases are shown for
m etals and m etal products and house-furnishing goods, while slight
decreases are shown for building m aterials, chemicals and drugs,
and miscellaneous commodities. Fuel and lighting m aterials, owing
to large decreases in bitum inous coal, coke, and petroleum products,
were 153Y per cent cheaper than in February, 1927.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[865]
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W HOLESALE PR IC ES BY G R OUPS A N D SU BG R O U PS OF
C O M M O DIT IE S
[1926 = 100]
1928
February,
1927
Commodity groups
January
Farm products.- _____ ______ _ _ ________ ________
Grains
_ _______ __________________________
Livestock and poultry___ _____ ___ _____________
Other farm products.......... ................ _................ ...........
_______ - __ __________
Foods
Butter, cheese, and m ilk________________________
M eats--- - ___
- - - - - - ________ ___
Other foods - _
_______ ____ _ _________
Hides and leather products_________________________
Hides and skins.
____________________________
Leather _ _ __ _ _________ ______________
Boots and shoes . ______ __________________
Other leather products. ________________________
Textile products _________________________________
Cotton goods - __________ ___ _________ _ ____
Silk and rayon___ __ ___________ ____________
Woolen and worsted goods._ ___________________
Other textile products___________________________
Fuel and lighting __ ______________________________
Anthracite coal _______________________________
Bituminous coal________________________________
________ __________ . _____
Coke
-.
Manufactured g a s _____________________________
Petroleum products_______ _____ _______________
Metals and metal products_________________________
Iron and steel. . ______________________________
Nonferrous metals___ __________________ ______
Agricultural implements________________________
A utom obiles.. _ __ _ __________________________
Other metal products__ ________________________
Building materials___ ______________________________
Lumber . . . _______ ________________________
Brick
_ ________________ __________ ______
C em ent. . . ___________________________________
. . . . . .
Structural s t e e l_____ .
Paint materials___
______________ _______ .
Other building materials___________ ___________
Chemicals and drugs_______________________________
Chemicals
________
______________________
Drugs and pharmaceuticals_______ ______________
Fertilizer materials_____________________________
Fertilizers_____ ________________________ ______
Housefurnishing goods.. ______________________ . . .
Furniture . _ ________ . . . . __________ .
F u r n ish in g s..______ ____ _______ ______________
M iscellaneous-____. . . - . . ___________________ . . .
Cattle feed ______ __________________________ _
Paper and pulp____ _. _______________________
Rubber. ______ ______________ __________________
Automobile tires. . . . . _________________________
Other miscellaneous____________________ _______ _
All commodities_____________________________
1 D ata not yet available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[866]
February
Purchasing
power of
the 1926
dollar in
February
(cents)
95. 4
95. 3
99. 4
92. 6
95.9
107.1
89. 6
95. 7
100. 2
101.5
99. 7
99.8
101.2
94.6
92.6
90.9
98.9
97.9
95.8
98.9
101.5
96.1
99.0
90.9
98.0
97.7
93.6
99.4
99.9
99. 5
96. 2
96.0
96.0
96. 5
99.6
94.5
96.6
97. 6
98. 2
90.2
99.6
100.0
97.9
97.8
98.9
90. 6
115.8
92. 9
78.3
78.7
100.3
106. 1
104.7
100. 2
110.7
98. 5
108. 6
91. 6
99.0
121. 0
151. 4
123.8
108.4
108.4
96.7
102.3
83.7
99. 0
90.4
80. 8
94.8
94.9
86.0
95.9
65.6
98. 1
93.9
91.7
98.8
104.3
98.2
90.8
88.5
92.4
96.5
91. 9
88.0
92. 7
96.3
102. 4
72. 6
94.8
97.0
98.6
98. 2
98.8
89.0
133.1
90. 9
82.2
69.7
98.8
104. 5
108.4
100. 1
106. 1
98. 7
106.4
97.8
96. 2
124. 1
158. 7
129. 3
109. 2
108.4
96.6
101.4
84.8
99.9
88.2
81.2
95.3
94.7
84.4
0)
66. 6
98.3
94.9
90.5
98.8
104.3
97.9
91.0
88.9
92. 5
96. 5
94. 5
85.9
93. 2
95.8
102. 1
71.7
94. 0
96. 5
98.4
98.0
98.7
87.3
139.1
90. 9
64.7
69.8
99.2
150. 2
101.7
105.4
110.5
101.2
95.9
102.1
109.9
112.5
108.1
103.6
105. 8
116.4
107.3
104.4
97.9
139.5
106.4
103.6
101.6
102. 0
101.3
114.5
71.9
110.0
154.6
143.3
100.8
95.9
96.3
96.4
103.7
95. 7
92. 3
99.9
94.3
101.3
94.0
102. 2
104. 0
80. 6
63. 0
77.3
91.6
92.3
103.5
98.6
117.9
100.1
113.4
123. 2
104. 9
105. 6
118.5
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
169
Comparison of Retail-Price Changes in the United States and
in Foreign Countries
H E principal index numbers of retail prices published by foreign
countries have been brought together w ith those of this bureau
in the subjoined table after having been reduced in m ost 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 num bers of retail prices compiled by
the bureau, because of the fact th a t in numerous instances satisfac
tory inform ation for 1913 was n o t available. Some of the countries
shown in the table now publish index num bers of retail prices on the
July, 1914, base. In such cases, therefore, the index num bers are
reproduced as published. For other countries the index num bers here
shown have been obtained by dividing the index for each m onth
specified in the table by th e'in d e x for July, 1914, or the nearest
period thereto as published in the original sources. As stated in the
table, the num ber of articles included in the index num bers for the
different countries differs widely. These results, which are designed
merely to show price trends and not actual differences in the several
countries, should not, therefore, be considered as closely comparable
w ith one another. In certain instances, also, the figures are not
absolutely comparable from m onth to m onth over the entire period,
owing to slight changes in the list of commodities and the localities
included on successive dates.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
170
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S A N D IN O T H ER
C O U N T R IE S
C ountry...
United
States
Canada
Belgium
Czecho
slovakia
Den
mark
Finland
France
(except
Paris)
France
(Paris)
Germany
Number of
localities.
51
60
59
Entire
country
100
21
320
1
71
29 foods
Foods
36 foods
13 (11
foods)
13 (11
foods)
Foods
Commodi
ties in 43 foods
cluded...
29 foods 56 (foods,
etc.)
Govern
ment
Central M inistry M inistry
C o m p u t Bureau Depart Ministry
Indus Office of Statising agen of Labor ment of of
of of Labor of Labor
try and Statistics cal D e Bureau
Statistics
cy—
Statistics Labor
Labor
partment
Base=100.. July, 1914 J u ly ,1914
1923
J a n . _____
Feb______
M a r ..........
Apr______
M ay_____
June .. . . .
July______
A u g . . ___
Sept_____
Oct______
N o v .........
D ec______
1924
Jan _____
F eb______
M a r _____
Apr______
M a y...........
June_____
July______
A u g . . ___
Sept_____
Oct______
N o v ______
D ec______
1925
J a n . _____
Feb______
M a r ..........
Apr______
M ay_____
June ____
J u ly ...........
A ug______
Sept______
Oct______
N o v _____
D ec___ _
1926
Jan______
Feb______
Mar______
Apr______
M ay_____
June___ . .
July______
A ug______
Sept______
Oct______
N o v _____
D ee______
1927
J a n ______
F eb______
Mar ___
Apr___ _
M ay_____
June_____
July______
A u g . . ___
Sept......... .
O ct.......... .
N o v______
D ec______
April,
1914
January- August, J u ly ,1914 October,
J u ly ,1914 July, 1914 June,
19131914
1914
July, 1914
141
139
139
140
140
141
144
143
146
147
148
147
142
142
145
143
140
138
137
142
141
144
144
145
383
397
408
409
413
419
429
439
453
458
463
470
146
144
141
138
138
139
140
141
144
145
147
148
145
145
143
137
133
133
134
137
139
139
141
143
480
495
510
498
485
492
493
498
503
513
520
521
836
838
830
829
825
833
837
842
853
867
889
891
151
148
148
148
148
152
156
157
156
158
164
162
145
147
145
142
141
141
141
146
146
147
151
156
521
517
511
506
502
505
509
517
525
533
534
534
899
911
904
901
894
914
916
894
884
875
863
866
161
158
156
159
158
156
154
152
155
157
158
158
157
155
154
153
152
149
149
150
147
147
148
151
527
526
521
529
558
579
637
681
684
705
730
741
854
845
832
832
837
861
876
878
878
888
902
912
156
153
150
150
152
155
150
149
151
153
153
153
153
151
149
146
145
146
147
147
146
148
149
151
755
770
771
774
776
785
790
787
794
804
809
812
914
914
915
923
931
949
962
919
910
907
905
913
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Federa
Statis
tical
Bureau
18C
188
[868]
194
200
215
210
177
159
156
152
153
152
1108
1103
1096
1047
1016
1004
1003
1087
1103
1140
1133
1112
1089
1070
1067
1035
1037
1040
1052
1125
1125
1156
1160
1160
1130
1120
1152
1137
1097
1101
1145
1222
1187
1165
1164
1138
1090
1106
1100
1085
1078
1090
1105
1153
1137
1126
1114
1110
1092
1095
1086
1069
1058
1072
1102
1159
1146
1156
1175
1171
331
337
349
373
400
393
400
426
440
434
451
471
503
523
610
647
586
572
553
526
309
316
321
320
325
331
321
328
339
349
355
365
376
384
392
380
378
370
360
366
374
383
396
404
127
117
190
193
126
120
190
\2 2
125
134
135
135
408
410
415
409
418
422
421
423
431
433
444
463
137
145
146
144
141
146
154
154
153
480
495
497
503
522
544
574
587
590
624
628
599
143
142
141
142
142
143
145
146
145
145
148
150
592
585
581
580
589
580
557
539
532
520
500
523
147
146
1 51
15°
i1 0511
"L5A
1 5i
101
1 5Q
1
5*7
10/
1
Kf\
10U
1
51
101
1 50
1
L o50
Z
153
COMPARISON OF RETAIL PRICE CHANGES
171
I N D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL PR IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T ES A N D IN O T H E R
C O U N T R IE S—Continued
C ountry..
Italy
Number of
localities.
447
Commodi 20 foods
and
ties in
c lu d ed .. char
coal
Nether Norway Sweden Switzer United
King
lands
land
dom
6
29 (27
foods)
31
49
33
Foods
50 (43
foods, 7
fuel and
light)
Foods
Ministry
Comput of N a Central Central
ing
tional Bureau Bureau
agency.. Econo of Sta of Sta
tistics
tistics
my
Base = 100.
1923
Jan _____
Feb______
Mar_____
Apr______
M ay_____
June..........
July_____
Aug-------Sept. ___
Oct______
N ov _____
D ec--------1924
J a n ._ ........
Feb_____
Mar_____
Apr_____
M ay. ___
June_____
July_____
Aug-------Sept_____
Oct______
N ov_____
D e c ..........
1925
Jan___ . .
Feb______
Mar_____
Apr______
M ay _____
June_____
July-------Aug-------Sept_____
Oct______
N ov__ _
D e c ..........
1926
J a n ...........
Feb______
Mar_____
A p r _____
M ay ..........
J u n e.........
July_____
Aug-------Sept. ___
Oct______
N ov_____
D ec______
1927
Jan______
F e b ...........
Mar____
Apr _____
M ay_____
June____
July_____
Aug-------Sept_____
O ct______
N o v __ . .
D ec____
1913
JanuaryJune,
1914
July,
1914
Social
Board
July,
1914
630
South
Africa
India
(Bom
bay)
Aus
tralia
New
Zea
land
9
1
30
25
21 foods 24 foods 17 foods
Office
Labor
of Cen
Office Ministry sus and
of
(re
Statis
Labor
vised)
tics
July,
1914
July,
1914
1914
46 foods
and
59 foods
groceries
Labor
Office
(re
vised)
Bureau
of Cen
sus and
Statis
tics
Census
and
Statis
tics
Office
July,
1914
July,
1914
July,
1914
542
527
524
530
535
532
518
512
514
517
526
528
148
149
149
149
147
145
145
143
142
145
149
149
214
214
214
212
214
213
218
220
218
217
221
226
166
165
166
163
161
161
160
161
165
165
164
164
160
158
159
161
164
166
166
166
167
167
171
172
175
173
171
168
162
160
162
165
168
172
173
176
117
117
117
117
118
118
116
115
115
117
120
118
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
527
529
523
527
530
543
538
534
538
556
583
601
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
173
172
171
169
169
170
170
170
170
174
175
175
175
177
176
167
163
160
162
164
166
172
179
180
120
122
122
122
122
120
117
117
117
120
122
121
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
609
609
610
606
600
602
605
619
642
645
652
653
156
157
157
155
154
152
152
152
152
149
149
148
277
283
284
276
265
261
260
254
241
228
223
221
170
170
171
170
169
169
169
170
168
166
165
164
172
172
171
169
168
169
169
169
170
168
168
167
178
176
176
170
167
166
167
168
170
172
172
174
120
120
121
124
123
122
120
119
118
119
117
116
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
154
658
649
636
633
643
647
645
648
656
662
655
622
148
147
147
146
146
146
146
146
149
148
148
146
216
212
205
198
195
194
198
196
193
191
186
184
162
160
159
158
157
157
156
156
157
157
158
157
165
163
161
161
159
159
159
157
158
160
159
159
171
168
165
159
158
158
161
161
162
163
169
169
116
117
118
119
119
118
117
117
117
120
119
117
151
150
151
150
150
152
155
153
153
153
152
154
155
154
159
163
163
162
159
157
155
153
155
158
154
153
152
151
151
151
149
150
148
147
146
149
629
615
610
606
599
558
540
532
525
147
146
146
145
145
145
144
143
143
146
148
148
180
177
173
169
169
172
175
175
174
173
171
171
156
153
151
151
150
151
151
152
156
155
155
160
158
157
156
156
156
157
157
157
159
159
161
160
167
164
162
155
154
154
159
156
157
161
163
163
116
117
118
119
121
120
119
118
117
119
119
119
155
152
152
151
150
151
154
155
151
148
147
149
158
153
151
151
152
153
152
155
157
159
157
155
148
146
146
145
145
144
144
143
143
143
144
146
93675°—28----- 12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[869]
172
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Changes in Meat Consumption Habits in the United States
H E Bureau of Animal In d u stry of the U nited States D epartm ent
of Agriculture has recently published d a ta giving the per
capita consumption of m eat, by kinds, from 1900 to 1927.
These figures show certain changes in the American habits of m eat
consumption. T he changes are not so evident when the individual
yearly figures are examined, as there are certain yearly variations
due to tem porary conditions. W hen, however, comparison is made
by five-year periods the change in consuming habits becomes quite
apparent. This is brought out in the table, which gives the average
per capita m eat consumption, by kind, for the five-year periods 1900
to 1904, 1915 to 1919, and 1923 to 1927.
T
A V ER A G E A N N U A L P E R C A PITA C O N SU M PT IO N OF D R E S SE D M EA T S IN T H E
U N IT E D ST A TES, B Y S E L E C T E D F IV E -Y E A R P E R IO D S
Kind of meat
Beef ______ ____ ______________ _______________________________
________________ _____________________________
Veal ______
Lamb and mutton ___________________________________________
Pork (excluding lard)______ ___________________________________
Total
_____________________________ ____ _______________
1900-1904
1915-1919
1923-1927
Pounds
Pounds
Pounds
70. 98
4. 32
6.94
61.52
58. 92
6.24
5. 50
55. 70
61.26
8.04
5.30
70.24
143. 76
i 126. 54
144. 84
1 Includes 0.18 pound goat meat.
Com paring the earliest period with the latest, it is evident th a t
there has been no im portant increase in the per capita consumption
of m eat, the average being 143.76 pounds in the earliest period as
compared w ith 144.84 in the latest period. Between these periods,
however, there was a decline in per capita beef consum ption from
70.98 to 61.26 pounds and a counterbalancing increase in pork con
sum ption from 61.52 to 70.24 pounds. The consumption of veal
increased notably—from 4.32 pounds per capita to 8.04 pounds.
The per capita consumption of lam b and m utton, however, decreased
from 6.94 to 5.30 pounds. The d a ta for the five-year period 1915
to 1919 represent roughly the w ar era and are of significance only
as showing the great decline in domestic m eat consumption during
th a t period.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1870]
COST OF LIVING
Changes in Cost of the Canadian Family Budget, 1921 to 1927 1
H E table below shows the cost per week, in specified m onths,
from 1921 to 1927, of the family budget in term s of average
retail prices of certain classes of commodities in 60 C anadian
cities:
The following items are included in the budget.
T
C A N A D IA N FA M IL Y B U D G E T
Item
Foods (29):
Beef, sirloin s te a k ........... . .pound s..
Beef, shoulder roast............... ___do___
Veal, shoulder roast__ ____ ___do___
M utton, leg roast_________ ___do___
Pork, fresh roast, ham _____ ___do___
Pork, salt, mess _ ______
do
Bacon, breakfast__________ ___do___
Lard, pure, leaf___________ ___do___
Eggs, fresh________________ ..dozen .
Eggs, storage___ ____ _____ ___do___
M ilk_____________________ ..q u a rts..
Butter, dairy, so lid ......... .. .pound s..
Butter, creamery, print____ ___do___
Cheese, o l d . _____________ ___do___
Cheese, new ______________ ___do___
Bread, plain, white____ . . . ___do___
Flour, fam ily........................... ___do___
Rolled oats_____ __________ ___do___
Rice, good, medium _______ -__do___
Quan
tity
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
6
2
1
1
1
15
10
5
2
Quan
tity
Item
Foods (29)—Continued.
Beans, handpicked___ . . . ..p o u n d s..
Apples, evaporated_______ ____do___
Prunes, medium size_____ ____do___
Sugar, granulated________ ____do___
Sugar, yellow ___________ ____do___
Tea, black, medium______ ____do___
Tea, green, m edium ____ _____do__ _
Coffee, medium__ _______ ____do__ _
Potatoes_________________ ____bags..
Vinegar, spirit
Starch, la u n d ry ........................... ..p o u n d s..
Fuel and lighting:
Coal, anthracite................ ___ ton s..
Coal, b itu m in ou s_______ ____do___
Wood, hard_____________ ___ cords..
Wood, soft___ ____ ____ ____do___
Coal oil_________________ ..gallon s..
R ent..................... ................ . . ..m o n th s..
2
1
1
4
2
Ji
M
M
lfr
A
l
A
W hile this budget serves to indicate the rise or fall from tim e to
tim e in the cost of the included item s it is n o t intended to show the
m inimum cost of food and fuel for an average fam ily in C anada or
in any one of its Provinces. T he quantities of m eats, cereals, dairy
products, etc., in this budget were adopted as constituting a liberal
allowance for the healthy fam ily of a m an engaged in hard physical
labor. An average family, however, with an income sufficient to
do so would purchase less m eat, etc., b u t m ore fresh and canned
vegetables, fruit, etc., so th a t there would be little change in the
to tal am ount of expenditure for food.
For the average family of five the expenditure for the item s in
this budget would perhaps be equivalent to 65 per cent of the total
income. I t is estim ated th a t an allowance for clothing and sundries
would increase the cost of the given totals about 50 per cent.
1 Canada. Department of Labor. Prices in Canada and other countries, 1927. Ottawa, 1928. Issued
as a supplement to the Labor Gazette, January, 1928, pp. 4, 5, and Labor Gazette, Ottawa, January, 1928,
p. 84.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[871]
173
174
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
COST P E R W E E K OF FA M IL Y B U D G E T IN C A N A D A IN S P E C IF IE D M O N TH S,
1921 TO 1927
[This budget is intended to show the changes in the cost of items included, not to show the minimum cost
for an average family]
Year and month
1921: January,.________ _____ __________
July______________________________
1922: January, _______________________
J u l y , , ________ ____ _________ . . .
1923: J a n u a ry _________________ _____
Ju ly ,, _____ ________________ _____
1924: January...... .............................................. .
J u l y ___________ .
.......................
1925: Janu ary,,................... ................. ............
J u l y , , ___________________ _______
1926: January__________________
July............. .................................... ......
1927: January_________________
. . . ..
July______________________________
December, ................... ........... .
All (29)
foods
$14. 48
10. 96
11.03
10. 27
10. 52
10. 17
10. 78
9.91
10.77
10.49
11.63
11.07
11.37
10.92
11.17
Starch,
laundry
(.H pound)
$0. 049
.044
. 042
.040
.040
.040
. 041
. 041
.041
. 041
. 041
. 042
.041
.041
.041
Fuel and
lighting
$4.17
3. 70
3. 53
3. 41
3. 61
3.48
3. 49
3. 37
3. 37
3. 28
3. 44
3. 32
3. 33
3. 28
3.29
Rent
(M month)
$6. 60
6. 83
6. 92
6. 95
6. 96
6. 97
6 92
6. 98
6. 91
6. 89
6. 86
6. 87
6. 85
6. 86
6.87
’An allowance for clothing and sundries would increase the total cost about 50 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[872]
Total1
$25. 30
21. 53
21. 52
20. 67
21.13
20. 65
21. 23
20. 30
21. 09
20.70
21.96
21. 30
21. 59
21.10
21.37
LABOR AWARDS AND DECISIONS
Awards and Decisions
B r o th e r h o o d o f L o c o m o tiv e E n g in e e r s— S o u th w e s te r n R a ilro a d s
D E C ISIO N by a board of arbitration consisting of J. J. Pelley
and W. J. Jenks representing the carriers, A. Johnston and
S.
H. Huff representing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engi
neers, and Leslie M. Shaw and W. P. Stacey appointed by the
U nited States Board of M ediation, handed down a decision F ebruary
4, 1928, relative to a controversy between the members of the B roth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers and their employers, The A tlantic
Coast Line R ailroad Co., C entral of Georgia Railway Co., Charleston
& W est Carolina Railway Co., Chesapeake & Ohio Railw ay Co.,
Clinchfield Railroad Co., Florida E a st Coast Railway Co., Georgia
R ailroad Co., Louisville & Nashville R ailroad Co., Louisville, H en
derson & St. Louis Railway Co., Nashville, C hattanooga & St. Louis
Railway Co., Norfolk Southern R ailroad Co. (steam service only),
Norfolk & W estern Railway Co., Richmond, Fredericksburg & Poto
m ac R ailroad Co., W inston-Salem Southbound Railway Co., and
Jacksonville Term inal Co.
The men had m ade four demands upon the carriers as follows:
A
1.
A request for an increase of 15 per cent in all classes of service including
differentials, arbitraries and special allowances, and that the present minimum
guaranty in passenger service be increased 15 per cent.
2. A request for Mallet rate for three-cylinder steam and electric locomotives.
3.
A request that there be added to the freight locomotive classification the
following: Mallet engines and engines carrying Mallet rates of over 275,000
pounds on drivers, a differential of 25 cents for each additional 50,000 pounds on
drivers and on other engines a differential of 25 cents for each 50,000 pounds
over 350,000 pounds on drivers.
4.
A request that when boosters are attached to tenders, the weight of the
tender be added to the weight on drivers of locomotives and the total weight so
produced shall fix the rate for the respective classes of service.
The board awarded the men an increase of 63^ per cent, disallowed
the second and third demands, and spoke as follows relative to the
fo u rth :
Fourth: With respect to the request that when boosters are attached to tenders
the weight of the tender be added to the weight on drivers, it is adjudged that
when a locomotive leaves a terminal with booster in condition to operate, the
weight on drivers shall be determined by adding the tractive effort of the booster
to the tractive effort of the locomotive, and establish new weight on drivers pro
portionate to the increased tractive effort.
Example: Locomotive without booster weighs 224,000 pounds on drivers, with
tractive effort of 47,500 pounds. Tractive effort equals 21.2 per cent of weight
on drivers. Booster adds 10,000 pounds to the tractive effort, making total
tractive effort 57,500 pounds; 57,500 pounds is 21.2 per cent of 271,000 pounds,
the new weight on drivers.
The representatives of the men did not sign the above award but
signed a dissenting opinion reading as follows:
In dissenting from this award, we realize that we could hardly have hoped for
a unanimous agreement granting all that we had requested. But when we
agreed to submit our request to a board of arbitration we did believe that an
award would be handed down which would give due consideration to the increased
responsibility, the increased productivity, and the increased efficiency of the
engineers. We certainly expected also that it would take into consideration the
[873]
175
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
176
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
wage discriminations the engineers were subjected to during the period of Federal
control of the railroads, at which time some of the transportation employees
received 3 9 ^ per cent increases, while the engineers received only \ V / i per cent
in passenger service and 151^ per cent in freight service.
While we do not feel the increase granted the engineers in the eastern territory
was an adequate compensation considering their added responsibility and earning
power for the railroads, we could not conceive a lesser increase being awarded
for the engineers in the southeast than that granted the men in the east.
We want also to state that we do not consider this a settlement. It merely
causes us to pause in our efforts to secure for the engineers in the southeastern
territory a wage compatible with their duties.
R a ilr o a d s— T r a in S erv ice B oard o f A d j u s t m e n t , E a ste r n
Cancellation of Trip
'"THE facts in docket No. 441, decided by the train service board of
A adjustm ent (eastern) F ebruary 8, 1928, were as follows: A run
extending from Woodsville to Concord, N. H., on the Boston & M aine
Railroad one day w ith a return run the next, was canceled one day,
bu t an extra train w ith an extra crew ran over the same route th a t
night a t m idnight. The comm ittee contended th a t the regular crew
should not have been annulled b u t should have been used on the
extra trip, and not having been used should be paid for the round
trip. The m anagem ent contended th a t the crew was properly can
celed in accordance w ith rules and th a t no agreement existed for an
extra train to be operated by a regular crew of a canceled train.
The board, however, decided th a t the regular brakem an making
the above claim should be paid his claim.
Seniority
A Q U ESTIO N as to w hat extent seniority rights should be observed
* * was settled in docket No. 426 of the train service board of
adjustm ent (eastern) F ebruary 6, 1928. I t is the custom for a
Baltim ore & Ohio engine crew to leave Rossford at 7.05 a. m., pro
ceed “ lig h t” over the tracks of the New York C entral to Toledo,
2 miles distant, and there get a train at the passenger station at
8 o’clock. One morning a t 6.30 the regular fireman was reported
sick. The crew dispatcher a t Rossford, stating th a t there was not
time to call a m an off the extra board th a t was m aintained at Toledo
w ithout delaying the train, sent out a m an available a t Rossford.
The fireman who was first on the extra board and lived within the
recognized calling district laid claim to the pay on the ground of
seniority under rule 11, paragraph “ a ” of the firemen’s contract.
The carrier felt th a t the call was an emergency one and th a t the crew
dispatcher acted properly. The board, however, sustained the claim
of the fireman.
Switching
T H E claim of a conductor and train crew of a train on the Boston
A & M aine Railroad for extra compensation for one hour each
day for disposing of train at a station where they handled cars for
other than their own trains was settled by the board in docket No.
443, F ebruary 7, 1928.
According to rule 28 of the conductors’ agreement, conductors are
not required to do switching at points where switch engines are on
duty, b u t are required to pick up a car ahead on one track or to
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 7 4 ]
LABOR AWARDS AND DECISIONS
177
set out a car from one place in a train. An order was issued to a
certain conductor on arriving a t a station at a time when no switch
ing crew was on du ty to “ set over the parlor car and baggage car
onto next track so to leave parlor car first o u t” for train the next
morning to pick up.
The conductor and crew based their claim on the ground th a t
“ they were handling cars for other than« their own tra in ” ; th a t
when they set off their train “ on siding they had completed their
run, and the placing of the parlor car on another track for train to
pick up was done to avoid a sw itch” by the other train and there
fore constituted “ handling cars for another train and entitled the
crew ” to one hour’s pay each day th a t service was performed.
The m anagem ent said:
4. That if the contention of the committee is sound, then if a car is set out
anywhere, which is subsequently moved by another crew regardless of condi
tions, the crew setting out the car would be entitled to one hour’s extra com
pensation. The rule never contemplated any such thing; it was known that
there would occasionally be cases where a road crew might be called upon to
do work for some other crew involving handling cars that had not been and
were not to be a part of train of crew who were to handle, and when they did
such work they would be paid under the emergency rule.
The board sustained the claim of the men.
Decision of Italian Labor Court Regarding Seamen’s Wages
D ISPA T C H from W arren D. Robbins, chargé d ’affaires ad
in te rim in R o m e , I ta ly , c o n ta in s in fo rm a tio n co n c e rn in g an
im portant decision made by the new Labor C ourt as regards
a proposed reduction in seam en’s wages.
U nder the new labor laws passed in December, 1925, the officers
and seamen of the Italian m ercantile m arine have formed a Fascist
syndicate as have also the shipowners’ associations. U nder the pro
visions of the laws collective agreements establishing rates of wages
become law and can be changed only by the m utual consent of the
parties or by appeal to the arbitration tribunal. Strikes and lockouts are forbidden and the decision of the Labor Court, consisting
of special judges, is final.
Alleging a “ general m ovem ent for a reduction of the cost of living,”
the reduction of wages in m any industries, and also decreased earn
ings in the shipping trade, the shipowners of Genoa and other ports
proposed a 20 per cent reduction in the wage scale of ships’ officers
and ordinary seamen, to be guaranteed by a contract w ith the sea
m en’s union. The officers and men refused to agree, and the case
was appealed to the Labor Court.
W hen the case came up for hearing late in January, 1928, the
men showed th a t Italian officers and seamen were still earning less
than British seamen, and th a t a reduction therefore was not justified.
The court decided th a t the wages of seamen should rem ain unchanged
until the end of June of the current year and th a t thereafter the
conditions of labor for seamen would be autom atically reviewed each
half year unless either side expressed a desire for their revision two
m onths before the expiration of the contract.
This, it is stated, is the first im portant labor decision under the
new law.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[875]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
Statistics of Immigration for January, 1928
B y J. J. K u n n a , C h ie f S t a t is t ic ia n , U n it e d S ta t e s B u r e a u
of
I mm igration
H E statistics for January, 1928, show a total of 26,725 aliens
a d m itte d a n d 20,955 d e p a rte d .
O f th o se a d m itte d , 18,146
were im m igrants or newcomers for perm anent residence in
this country and 8,579 were visitors or persons passing through the
country. N early three-fourths, or 15,632, of the aliens departing
in Jan u ary were here on a visit or intend to return after a short
stay abroad. The other 5,323 outgoing aliens were of the em igrant
class, intending to settle perm anently in a foreign country.
C anada and Mexico were the principal sources of imm igration,
5,635 im m igrant aliens coming from the former and 3,392 from the
latter. Germany, w ith 2,750, sent the largest num ber of im m igrants
from Europe this m onth, while 1,211 came from G reat B ritain, 876
from Italy, 821 from the Irish Free State, and 523 from the Scandi
navian countries. Com pared w ith January, 1927, the above figures
show a decrease in all cases except C anada and Italy. In January,
1927, C anada sent 5,409 im m igrants; Mexico, 3,436; Germany,
3,547; G reat B ritain, 1,310; Italy, 755; the Irish Free State, 842;
and the Scandinavian countries, 820.
The Italians, w ith 1,462, lead the list of em igrants leaving during
Jan u ary to m ake their homes abroad. Practically all of these returned
to their native land. Among the total emigrants leaving the U nited
States during the m onth, the men outnum bered the women by about
4 to 1, and the largest group, nearly two-thirds of the total, were
between the ages of 22 and 44 years. The men also outnum bered
the women among the im m igrants adm itted in January. Of the
total imm igrants, 10,216 were males and 7,930 females.
The single im m igrants num bered 11,205, m arried 6,353, and
widowed and divorced 588.
Over two-thirds of the im m igrants were going to States in the
N orth A tlantic and N orth Central divisions, New York leading the
list w ith 4,873, followed by M ichigan w ith 2,353. Texas received
2,043 of these imm igrants, m ostly Mexicans coming across the Rio
Grande, and California was the destination of 1,500 imm igrants,
a large proportion of whom were of the Mexican race.
D uring the m onth, a to tal of 1,348 aliens were debarred from enter
ing the U nited States, 1,225 having been rejected a t the land border
ports and 123 a t the seaports. In the same period, 808 aliens were
deported from the U nited States for various causes under the immi
gration laws, m ainly for entering w ithout im m igration visas.
A bout three-fifths (16,261) of the 26,725 aliens adm itted to the
U nited S tates were natives of Europe; while 9,106 were born in
countries in the W estern Hemisphere, principally C anada and
Mexico; 1,056 were born in Asia, and 302 in Africa, Australia, and
the Pacific Islands.
178
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T a b l e 1 .— INWARD
179
AND OUTWARD PASSENGER MOVEMENT FROM JULY 1,1927, TO
JANUARY 31, 1928
Inward
Period
1927
July..............
August_____
September__
October____
November__
December___
Outward
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
Aliens admitted United
barred Aliens departed United
ported
States
States
from
after
citi
citi
enter
land
Non
zens Total ing i Emi Nonzens Total ing 2
Immi immi
ar
Total
emi
Total2
de
grant grant
grant2
rived
grant2
parted
23,420
28,418
31, 000
31,719
27, 758
22,350
15, 973
19,011
25, 619
21, 578
13,841
10,452
39, 393
47,429
56,619
53, 297
41, 599
32,802
29,935 69, 328
57, 701 105,130
75, 557 132,176
50, 254 103, 551
24,325 65, 924
18,922 51, 724
2,002
1, 574
1, 600
1,567
1,723
1,679
9,230
6, 322
7, 625
6, 402
5,871
9,085
18, 509
17,014
16, 885
16, 424
16, 886
21,418
27, 739
23, 336
24, 510
22, 826
22, 757
30, 503
65,686
43, 039
39, 748
24, 396
22, 612
25, 209
93,425
700
66, 375 1, 346
64, 258
901
47, 222
932
45, 369 1,030
55,712
99
1928
January____
18,146 8,579 26, 725 19,909 46, 634 1, 348 5,323 15, 632 20, 955 27,126 48,081
808
Total__ 182,811 115,053 297,864 276,603 574,467 11,493 49,858 122, 768 172, 626 247,816 420, 442 6,716
1Not included among inward numbers, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2Deported aliens are included among the emigrant or the nonemigrant aliens.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 7 7 ]
CURRENT NOTES OF INTEREST TO
LABOR
H a r m o n F o u n d a tio n A w a rd s fo r I n d u s tr ia l W ork ers 1
'""THE H arm on Foundation was organized in New York in 1922, by
William E. H arm on, as a membership corporation. The
foundation’s activities include—
1. Assistance in establishing playgrounds. A bout $350,000 has
been contributed to this departm ent.
2. Lending money to students on business principles. I t was
reported in December, 1927, th a t approxim ately $400,000 had been
so loaned.
3. Social research, for which more than $100,000 has already been
expended.
4. The recognition of distinctive achievement. A bout $125,000
had been involved in this function tow ard the close of 1927.
The foundation endeavors “ to seek out and encourage the
meritorious b u t unknown, or com paratively so, rath er than to place
more laurels on those who have already achieved success.”
The range covered at present includes awards for constructive and creative
production among negroes, a home improvement competition among farm wives
in a county in South Carolina, awards for outstanding leadership among Girl
Scouts, recognition of outstanding character among the Eagle Scouts of the
Boy Scout organization, selection of authors of published articles and manu
scripts each year which make distinct contributions to the civic, social, or
industrial welfare of the country.
An award is m ade each year to the person who, in the judgm ent of
the judges, has during th a t 12-month period “ rendered or been
responsible for an outstanding social contribution. ”
The foundation has recently inaugurated awards to distinguish
and encourage unknown workers in the rank and file of industry who
m ake beyond their job requirem ent some definite and exceptional
contribution through their labor to the welfare of their fellow work
men, to industry, and to the comm unity. The principal honora
riums are $1,000 w ith a gold m edal and $500 with a silver medal.
The foundation will also confer 100 bronze medals.
Only the workers themselves are eligible. Industrial adminis
trators are excluded. Nom inations m ust be indorsed by at least
two fellow employees. The detailed statem ent on eligibility reads
as follows:
Any person employed in the United States in any of the following branches of
manufacturing— automotive, building, electrical, metal, textile (including
clothing)—may be proposed. Such a person must either through the regular
performance of his work, or through an outstanding act or acts, have shown
beyond the normal call of duty unusual skill, devotion to his work, inventiveness,
heroic self-sacrifice or other service which has either promoted the success of
1Harmon Foundation, News Bulletin, New York, December, 1927.
180
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8 7 8 ]
NOTES OF INTEREST TO LABOR
181
the product of his employment, or contributed to the mutual welfare of the
community, the manufacturing organization and its employees.
Nominations may be received from: (a) The general public, (b) newspapers,
periodicals, and house organs, (c) employing organizations, (d) fellow employees,
(e) invited nominators, (f) judges of the awards.
All persons wishing to make nominations must write to the honor men in
industry awards, Harmon Foundation, 140 Nassau Street, New York, N. Y.,
for a nomination blank. Each inquiry shall be accompanied by a stamped,
addressed envelope. Only those nominations submitted on the required form
containing complete data will be considered.
The period for the acceptance of nom inations began December
15, 1927, and will expire October 15, 1928. The names of those
who receive the awards will be publicly announced on or about
December 1, 1928.
A comm ittee of live men and women who have knowledge of the
labor requirem ents in the respective employments under considera
tion in the awards will act as judges.
R e t ir e m e n t o f C a lifo r n ia L a b o r C o m m is s io n e r
M R . JO H N A. M cGILVRAY , for four and one-half years chairm an
of the California Industrial Accident Commission and later
director of the new D epartm ent of Industrial Relations, has resigned
to resume private law practice in Sacram ento. M r. Will J. French
has succeeded M r. M cGilvray as director of the D epartm ent of
Industrial Relations.
G o v e r n m e n t P a w n b r o k in g I n s t it u t io n in P er sia
A PA W N B R O K IN G institution to be conducted by the Governm ent was authorized in Persia by a law of Novem ber 2, 1926,
and opened its doors on January 21, 1927, according to a report
dated Jan u ary 17, 1928, from Consul Orson N. Nielsen at Teheran.
The purpose of the institution was to enable persons of small or
m oderate means to secure loans quickly and at a reasonable rate of
interest. The report states th a t the project m et w ith im m ediate
success, and within eight m onths after it began operating the space
given over to the storing of pledges had to be greatly increased. N ot
more than 12 per cent interest per annum m ay be charged and
during 1927 the rate asked was only 9 per cent. This is said to
have had the effect of reducing the private paw nbrokers’ rates,
which were often extortionate. The w riter comments th a t “ in a
country in which a large p a rt of the population lives from hand to
m outh, a well-conducted pawnbroking establishm ent supplies a
real need. ”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[879]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
Official—United States
I n d ia n a .— Industrial Board.
30, 1927.
A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e f i s c a l y e a r e n d i n g S e p t e m b e r
[In d ia n a p o lis , 1927?]
70 pp.
Contains reports on the activities of the State free employment service, of the
factory and building inspection department, of the department of women and
children, and of the compensation department.
That portion of the report dealing with industrial accidents and compensation
is reviewed on page 69 of this issue.
K a n s a s .— Public Service Commission. Women’s division (and child labor).
S e c o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r y e a r e n d i n g D e c e m b e r 3 1 ,1 9 2 6 .
T opeka, 1927.
29 pp.
M is s o u r i .— Bureau of Labor Statistics.
e n d in g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 2 6 .
F o r ty - s e v e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r y e a r
J e f f e r s o n C i t y , [1 9 2 8 ? ] .
2 6 6 p p ., illu s .
Contains statistics on manufacturing in three of the principal cities of the
State and in rural districts in various counties, and on wages, industrial accidents,
and employment offices.
O h io .— Department of Industrial Relations. Division of Labor Statistics. R e p o r t
N o . 1J+: S t a t i s t i c s o f m i n e s a n d q u a r r ie s i n O h io , 1 9 2 6 .
C o lu m b u s , 1 9 2 7 .
60 pp.
Brief summaries of the data on fatal accidents and on wages and hours are
given, respectively, on pages 71 and 119 of this issue.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .— Department of Labor and Industry. S p e c i a l b u l l e t i n N o . 1 8 :
O p p o r tu n itie s a n d c o n d itio n s o f w o r k f o r m in o r s u n d e r 1 8 i n
in d u s tr y .
H a r r is b u r g , 1 9 2 7 .
43 pp.
th e g la s s w a r e
A study based on an investigation of 20 plants, employing 4,457 workers, of
whom 703, or 15.8 per cent, were under 18 years of age. The occupations at
which these young people were employed are described, and careful consideration
is given to the conditions under which they worked, the strains and hazards of
the work, and the methods of guarding against these. The sanitation and serv
ice facilities of the work places are discussed, and also the opportunities for
advancement offered to young workers.
------ Department of Welfare. B u l l e t i n N o . 1 , r e v is e d e d i t i o n : M a n u a l o f th e
M o th e r s ’ A s s is ta n c e F u n d .
P
orto
R
i c o .— Mediation
year 1 9 2 6 -2 7 .
H a r r is b u r g , 1 9 2 7 .
98 pp.
and Conciliation Commission.
S a n J u a n , 1927.
67 pp.
A n n u a l r e p o r t, f i s c a l
{ I n E n g l i s h a n d S p a n i s h .)
During the fiscal year 1926-27 there occurred in Porto Rico 43 strikes, involv
ing 10,915 workers. Thirty-eight of these strikes were settled through the good
offices of the commission. The report contains accounts of the principal strikes
that occurred during this period.
V ir g in ia .— Department of Labor and Industry. T h i r t i e t h a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r th e
y e a r e n d in g S e p te m b e r 3 0 , 1 9 2 7 .
R ic h m o n d , 1 9 2 8 .
123 pp.
Contains detailed statistics of wages and hours in the various industries of the
State, and reports of the activities of the divisions of women and children, of mines,
of the State public employment service, and of factory inspection. Figures on
accidents in mines are included.
U n it e d S t a t e s .— Department of Agriculture. T e c h n i c a l b u l l e t i n N o . 4 0 : A g r i c u l
t u r a l c o o p e r a tiv e a s s o c i a t i o n s , m a r k e t i n g a n d p u r c h a s i n g , 1 9 2 5 , b y R . H . E ls w o r t h ,
B u r e a u o f A g r ic u ltu r a l E c o n o m ic s .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 8 .
9 7 p p . ; m a p s , c h a r ts .
Reviewed on page 86 of this issue.
------ Department of Commerce. Bureau of Fisheries.
D ocum ent N o. 1025:
F i s h e r y i n d u s t r i e s o f th e U n i t e d S t a t e s , 1 9 2 6 , b y O s c a r E . S e tte .
W a s h in g to n ,
1928.
{ A p p e n d i x V to th e r e p o r t o f th e U n i t e d S t a t e s C o m m is s i o n e r o f F i s h
e r ie s f o r 1 9 2 7 , p p . 3 3 7 - 4 8 3 . )
Includes figures showing number of persons engaged in the fishing industry in
various parts of the United States and in Alaska.
182
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[880]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
U n it e d S t a t e s .— D e p a rtm e n t of C om m erce.
183
B u reau of Foreign a n d D om estic
C om m erce.
T r a d e i n f o r m a t i o n b u lle tin N o . 5 1 6 : T h e G u ia n a s — c o m m e r c ia l
a n d e c o n o m ic s u r v e y , b y M . J . M e e h a n .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 7 .
2 9 p p .; m a p .
In clu d es d a ta re la tin g to la b o r su p p ly a n d w ages.
-------------- B u reau of M ines. B u l l e t i n 2 8 3 : C o a l- m in e f a t a l i t i e s i n th e U n i t e d
S ta te s , 1 9 2 6 , b y W illia m
W . A dam s.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 7 .
121 p p .
R eview ed on page 67 of th is issue.
-------------- B u re a u of th e C ensus.
C e n s u s m o n o g r a p h s V I I : I m m i g r a n t s a n d th e ir
c h ild r e n , 1 9 2 0 , b y N i l e s C a r p e n te r .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 7 .
431 p p .
T his m o nograph covering v arious aspects of th e im m ig ra n t pro b lem em phasizes
th e significance of im m ig ratio n in n a tio n a l life in th e U n ited S ta te s; th e eth n ic,
language, a n d religious divergencies b etw een th e n a tiv e a n d foreign p o p u latio n s,
a n d th e large p ro p o rtio n of single im m ig ra n t m en, o r im m ig ra n t m en se p a ra te d
from th e ir fam ilies, w ho are in th e p h y sical p rim e of life; th e deep -ro o ted differ
ences existing am ong th e v ario u s elem ents in th e im m ig ra n t p o p u la tio n itself;
an d th e in ad eq u a cy of th e p re se n t a v ailab le in fo rm atio n on im m ig ratio n as
“ a p ro p er sta tistic a l b ack g ro u n d fo r a p e rm a n e n t im m ig ratio n p o lic y .”
Official—Foreign Countries
A u st r a lia (N e w S outh W a les ).-—R eg istry of F rien d ly Societies.
th e 1 2 m o n th s e n d e d J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 6 .
S ydn ey, 1927.
R ep o rt fo r
22 pp.
T h e re p o rt show s t h a t th e societies w ere in a sa tisfa c to ry co n d itio n a t th e
close of th e y e a r covered. T h e re w as a to ta l m em b ersh ip of 234,699, w hich w as
an increase of 3.61 p e r c e n t over th e preceding year. T h e a m o u n t sp e n t in
benefits av erag ed £ 3 Os. 6d. (a t p a r, p o u n d = $4.8665, sh illin g = 2 4 .3 3 cents,
p enny = 2.03 cents) p e r a d u lt m em ber, a n d reached a to ta l of £643,061, of w hich
n early half, £307,380, w e n t fo r m edical a tte n d a n c e a n d m edicines, £269,768 fo r
sickness p ay , a n d £65,913 fo r fu n eral d o n atio n s. T h e to ta l expenses of m an ag e
m e n t w ere £146,695, or a n av erag e of 12s. l i d . p er m em ber.
------ (W e s t e r n A u s t r a l ia ). — D e p a rtm e n t of L abor. T h i r d a n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r
th e y e a r 1 9 2 6 - 2 7 .
P e r th , 1 9 2 8 .
50 pp.
S ta tistic s on la b o r co n d itio n s in W estern A ustralia, ta k e n from th is rep o rt,
are show n on page 59 of th is issue.
C a n a d a .— D e p a rtm e n t of Im m ig ra tio n a n d C olonization. R e p o r t f o r th e f is c a l
yea r ended M arch 3 1 , 1927.
O tta w a , 1 9 2 8 .
83 pp.
------ D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r.
O tta w a , 1 9 2 8 .
R e p o r t f o r th e f i s c a l y e a r e n d in g M a r c h 3 1 , 1 9 2 7 .
1 6 4 P P G c h a r ts .
T h e 15 sections of th is a n n u a l re p o rt deal, respectively, w ith th e follow ing su b
je c ts: In d u s tria l d isp u tes in v e stig a tio n a c t; conciliation w ork; fa ir w ages; sta tistic s
of strik es a n d lockouts, w ages a n d h o u rs of lab o r, prices a n d co st of living, an d
fa ta l in d u s tria l accid en ts; th e L ab o r G a z e tte ; la b o r o rg an izatio n s in C a n a d a ;
organ izatio n in in d u s try , com m erce, a n d th e professions in C a n a d a ; la b o r legisla
tio n in C a n a d a ; d e p a rtm e n ta l lib ra ry ; com bines in v e stig a tio n a c t; G o v ern m en t
a n n u ities a c t; old-age pensions a c t; e m p lo y m en t offices c o o rd in atio n a c t; te c h
nical ed u catio n a c t; a n d th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r O rganization.
------ D e p a rtm e n t of T ra d e a n d C om m erce. B u reau of S tatistics. C o a l s t a t i s t ic s
f o r C a n a d a f o r th e c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 2 6 .
O tta w a , 1 9 2 7 .
1 0 6 p p . ; c h a r ts .
---------------------- S i x t h c e n s u s o f C a n a d a , 1 9 2 1 .
1927.
551 p p .
V o lu m e I I I — P o p u l a t i o n .
( i n E n g l i s h a n d F r e n c h .)
O tta w a ,
P a r t 1 of th is volum e co n tain s d a ta on dw ellings, co n ju g al con d itio n of fam ily
heads, children, a n d o rp h a n h o o d ; P a r t 2 relates to w age earners.
------ (Q u e b e c ). — D e p a rtm e n t o f P u b lic W orks an d L ab o r. G e n e r a l r e p o r t f o r
th e y e a r e n d i n g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 7 .
Q u ebec, 1 9 2 7 .
1 4 7 P P -, U lu s .
Includes th e re p o rts of th e p ro v in cial em p lo y m en t b u re a u s a n d th e first re p o rt
of th e W om en’s M inim um W age C om m ission.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[881]
184
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
G r ea t B r it a in . — H om e Office.
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 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 6 . L o n d o n , 1 9 2 8 . 8 1 p p . ( C m d . 8 0 0 5 .)
R eview ed on page 81 of th is issue.
------ In d u s tria l F a tig u e R esearch B o ard a n d th e Illu m in a tio n R esearch C o m m ittee.
T h e e ffe c t o f d if f e r e n t s y s t e m s o f lig h tin g o n o u t p u t a n d a c c u r a c y i n f in e w ó r k
(ty p e s e t t in g b y h a n d ) . L o n d o n , 1 9 2 8 . 9 p p . ; d ia g r a m s .
------ M in istry of H e a lth .
R e p o r ts o n p u b lic h e a lth
A n i n v e s ti g a t i o n i n t o th e a lle g e d h ig h m o r t a l i t y
r e s p i r a t o r y s y s t e m a m o n g s la te q u a r r y m e n a n d
r u r a l d is tr ic t, b y D r . T . W . W a d e .
London,
c h a r ts .
a n d m e d ic a l s u b je c ts , N o . 8 8 :
r a te f r o m tu b e r c u lo s is o f th e
s la te w o r k e r s i n th e G w y r f a i
1927.
8 8 p p .; illu s tr a tio n s ,
T his stu d y of th e m o rta lity fro m tu b ercu lo sis am o n g w orkers a t slate q uarries
in one d is tric t in W ales show ed t h a t th e d e a th ra te s w ere v ery high, p a rtic u la rly
a fte r th e age of 35. T h e exposure to sla te d u st, w hich consists of silica in th e
form of q u a rtz a n d m ica, w as g re a te r in th e dressing m ills or sheds th a n in th e
q u arries a n d it w as am o n g th e w orkers in th e sheds t h a t th e h ig h est m o rta lity
occurred. I t w as considered b y th e in v e stig a to r t h a t th e v e ry h ig h m o rta lity
d u rin g th e la te r periods of life am o n g th e se w orkers w as due m ain ly to in h a la tio n
of th e slate d u st b u t t h a t poor housing a n d food »were also fa c to rs in th e high
d e a th ra te .
H u n g a r y .— Office C e n tra l R oyal H ongrois de S ta tistiq u e . A n n u a i r e s ta t i s t iq u e
h o n g r o is , 1 9 2 3 , 1 9 2 4 , 1 9 2 5 .
B u d a p e s t, 1 9 2 7 .
353 pp.
C o m p ilatio n of sta tistic s on population,, p ro d u ctio n , prices, wages, in d u stria l
accidents, ed u catio n , etc., in H u n g a ry fo r th e y ears 1923, 1924, a n d 1925.
J a p a n .— M in istry of A g ricu ltu re a n d F o re stry . T h e s t a t i s t ic a l a b s tr a c t, 1 9 2 6 .
[T o k y o ? ] , 1 9 2 7 .
165 pp.
Contains data on number of persons engaged in fishing, accidents to fisher
men, statistics of agricultural production, and data as to cooperative associations.
N o r w a y .— [D e p a rte m e n te t fo r Sociale Saker.]
S ta tistisk e C en tra lb y rá .
lin g s i n s t i tu s j o n e n s
v ir k s o m h e t.
T a r i f f a v ta le r
og
a r b e id s k o n f lik te r ,
O s lo , 1 9 2 7 .
27 pp.
( N o r g e s o ffis ie lle s t a t i s t i k k V I I I , 3 8 .)
M eg1926.
R ep o rt, by th e N orw egian C e n tra l S ta tistic a l B ureau, on collective agreem ents
an d in d u s tria l d isp u tes in N orw ay in 1926.
S p a in .— M inisterio de T ra b a jo , C om ercio e In d u s tria .
D irección G eneral de
T ra b a jo y A cción Social.
E s t a d í s t i c a d e lo s s a l a r i o s y j o r n a d a s d e tr a b a jo ,
r e f e r id a a l p e r ío d o 1 9 1 4 - 1 9 2 5 .
M a d r id , 1 9 2 7 .
c c ix x ii, 1 5 9 p p . ; m a p s , c h a r ts .
A com prehensive p re se n ta tio n of d a ta re la tin g to wages a n d w orking hours
in Spain, b y P rovinces a n d in d u stry . D a ta from th is re p o rt are given on page
129 of th is issue.
Unofficial
A m er ica n F e d e r a t io n
op L a b o r .
R e s e a r c h s e r ie s N o . 8 : A s t u d y o f a c tu a l
e a r n in g s i n P h i l a d e l p h i a T y p o g r a p h i c a l U n i o n N o . 2 , b y J u r g e n K u c z y n s k i .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 8 .
3 0 p p . ; c h a r ts .
B a co n , C o r in n e , C om piler.
S t a n d a r d c a ta lo g u e , s o c ia l s c ie n c e s s e c tio n .
A bout
1 ,8 0 0 t i t l e s o f th e m o s t r e p r e s e n ta tiv e a n d u s e f u l b o o k s o n s o c ia l, e c o n o m ic , a n d
e d u c a tio n a l q u e s tio n s .
N e w Y o r k , H . W . W i l s o n C o ., 1 9 2 7 .
160 pp.
2d
e d i t i o n , r e v is e d a n d e n la r g e d .
E ach e n try is acco m p an ied by a brief descrip tio n of th e p u b licatio n .
B la nsh a r d , P a u l .
L a b o r i n s o u th e r n c o tto n m i l l s .
p u b lic { I n c .) , 1 9 2 7 .
88 pp.
N ew
Y o rk ,
The
N ew
R e
A n in te restin g discussion of th e c o tto n tex tile w orker of th e S outh, a n d of
co nditions u n d er w hich he lives a n d w orks, as co m p ared w ith th e cond itio n s of
sim ilar w orkers elsewhere.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[882]
185
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
D e r u l l e , C.
L a s id é r u r g ie .
P a r i s , L i b r a i r i e O c ta v e D o i n , 1 9 2 5 .
348 pp.
T his stu d y of th e iro n a n d steel in d u s try co n tain s a h isto rical su m m a ry of th e
dev elo p m en t of th e in d u s try , a n d acco u n ts of m a n u fa c tu rin g processes a n d of
th e organ izatio n of th e in d u s try from th e econom ic sta n d p o in t. T h e la s t sectio n
deals w ith th e in d u s try from th e social p o in t of view a n d covers em p lo y ers’ a n d
w orkers’ organizations, a p p ren ticesh ip , w ages, hygiene, a n d p a rtic ip a tio n in
m an ag em en t; a n d outlin es th e im p ro v em en ts in w orking conditions w hich could
be m ade w ith o u t delay.
D o u g h a r ty , H .
e m p lo y e e s .
P e n s io n , e n d o w m e n t, l i f e a s s u r a n c e , a n d o th e r s c h e m e s f o r
L o n d o n , S i r I s a a c P itm a n & S o n s { L td .) , 1 9 2 7 .
136 pp.
A careful discussion of th e principles u n d erly in g in d u stria l pension schem es,
w ith full d etails, p a rtic u la rly as to th e financial featu res, a n d briefer d escrip tio n s
of en dow m ent a n d grouip life insurance plans. A ppendixes c o n tain m odel plans.
F am ily E n d o w m en t S o c iety .
S i x a s p e c ts o f f a m i l y a llo w a n c e s .
1 , 2 4 T u f to n S tr e e t, W e s tm in s te r , 1 9 2 7 .
23 pp.
London, S. W .
A collection of addresses m ad e a t th e first p ublic conference on fam ily allow
ances, held a t th e L ondon School of E conom ics in O ctober, 1927, u n d e r th e
auspices of th e F am ily E n d o w m e n t Society. A brief re p o rt on th is conference
was p ublished in th e M arch , 1928, L ab o r R eview (p. 106).
L i b r a r y b u lle tin , N o . 1 , J a n u a r y ,
1 8 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
I n d u st r ia l R el a t io n s C o u n selo r s (I n c .).
1928.
N e w Y o rk , 1 65 B ro a d w a y .
T his first n u m b er of a b u lletin w hich th e In d u s tria l R elatio n s C ounselors (Inc.)
plan s to issue periodically lists a n d describes briefly th e m ore significant lite ra tu re
on in d u stria l relatio n s pu b lish ed in 1927. I t also c o n tain s a b ib lio g rap h y on
th e five-day w eek an d a sh o rt list of bibliographies on v ario u s to p ics of in te re st
to em ployers a n d w orkers.
I n t e r n a t io n a l F e d e r a t io n
of T r a d e - U n io n s .
R e p o r t o f p r o c e e d in g s a t th e
f o u r t h o r d i n a r y c o n g r e s s , P a r i s , A u g u s t 1 to 6 , 1 9 2 7 , to g e th e r w ith r e p o r ts o f
th e c o n fe r e n c e s o f th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l T r a d e S e c r e t a r i a t s a n d th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l
T r a d e -U n io n W o m e n .
A m s te r d a m , 1 9 2 7 .
275 pp.
T he 1927 C ongress of th e In te rn a tio n a l F e d e ra tio n of T rad e-U n io n s w as
rep o rted upon in th e O cto b er (pp. 84, 85) a n d N o v em b er (pp. 12-16), 1927,
issues of th e L ab o r R eview .
J a co bso n , E li B.
E n g lis h f o r w o rk e rs.
N ew
Y o rk ,
I n t e r n a t i o n a l P u b lis h e r s ,
1928. 112 pp.
T his is said to be th e first tex tb o o k of E nglish p re p a re d en tire ly fo r w orkers
w hich has ap p eared in th e U n ite d S tates. T h e su b ject m a tte r c o n tain s in fo rm a
tio n for w orkers, a n d is so a rra n g e d th a t it can be used in class in stru c tio n o r fo r
self-teaching.
J e n k i n , A. K . H a m ilto n .
{ L td .) , 1 9 2 7 .
T h e C o r n is h m in e r .
351 p p ., illu s .
L o n d o n , G eorqe A lle n & U n w in
A h isto ry of th e C ornish tin m ining in d u stry , m iners, a n d m ining custom s,
w ritte n w ith a keen ap p re c ia tio n of th e rom ance a n d histo ric in te re st of th e
subject.
K enyon,
D or oth y . T h e m a n u f a c tu r e r s ’ c h ild
N a t i o n a l C o n s u m e r s ’ L e a g u e [1 9 2 8 ? ].
19 p p .
la b o r
p rogram .
N ew
Y ork,
T h e m a n u fa c tu re rs’ p ro g ram is com pared, p o in t b y p o in t, w ith th e law s gov
erning th e em p lo y m en t of children in v ario u s p a rts of th e U nion, a n d th e con
clusion is d raw n t h a t w hile th e sta n d a rd s it em bodies a re in ad v a n c e of th o se
existing in som e S tates, in o th ers th e y w ould m ean no im p ro v e m e n t, a n d in still
o th ers w ould involve a d is tin c t giving u p of gains alre a d y m ade.
T h e p a m p h le t co n ta in s a series of tab les, g iving w ith re g a rd to each p o in t of
th e m a n u fa c tu re rs’ p ro g ra m th e legal p o sitio n of each S ta te in t h a t p a rtic u la r.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
L a n e , M ay R o g e r s .
O c c u p a tio n a l s t u d ie s — s u r v e y o f th e ir u s e s , c o n te n t, a n d
v o lu m e , a n d b i b l io g r a p h y , h is to r y , a n d r e v ie w s o f r e s e a r c h - p a m p h le t s e r ie s ,
1 9 2 0 -1 9 2 6 .
S c r a n to n , I n t e r n a t i o n a l T e x tb o o k C o ., 1 9 2 7 .
81 p p .
T his volum e brin g s to g e th e r a su rv ey m ad e by th e W hite-W illiam s F o u n d a
tio n of P h ilad elp h ia in 1925 a n d a b ib lio g rap h y originally com piled for a m eeting
of th e V ocational G u id an ce A ssociation of P h ila d e lp h ia a n d v icin ity in A pril,
1925, w ith som e a d d itio n a l in fo rm atio n w hich w as a d d e d fo r th e m eetin g of th e
N a tio n al V ocation al G uidance A ssociation in F e b ru a ry , 1927.
N a tio na l M e ta l T r a d e s A sso c ia t io n . C o m m itte e on In d u s tria l E d u c a tio n .
F o r e m a n s h ip .
C h ic a g o , 1 9 2 7 .
[ V a r i o u s p a g in g .]
A collection of 52 lessons se ttin g fo rth th e fu n d a m e n ta l p rinciples of p ra c tic a l
forem anship, p rep a re d as a tra in in g course by th e N a tio n a l M etal T rad es Asso
ciation.
-------------- F o r e m a n s h ip : C o n fe r e n c e le a d e r ’s m a n u a l. I n tw o p a r t s . C h ic a g o ,
1927.
54, 85 pp.
D esigned to assist conference leaders in p resen tin g th e te x t m a te ria l of th e
fo rem anship tra in in g course listed above.
-------------- F o r e m a n s h ip : T h e in t r o d u c t i o n a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f f o r e m a n t r a i n
in g — i n f o r m a t i o n f o r m a n a g e m e n t.
C h ic a g o , 1 9 2 6 .
P e o p l e ’s Y e a r b o o k .
A n n u a l o f th e E n g l i s h
1928.
M a n c h e s te r , C o o p e r a tiv e W h o le s a le
S tr e e t [ 1 9 2 8 ? ].
312 pp.
12 p p.
a n d S c o ttis h w h o le s a le s o c ie tie s ,
S o c i e t y (L t d .) , N o . 1 B a llo o n
C o n tain s d etailed in fo rm atio n concerning th e v ario u s o rg an izatio n s of th e
cooperative m o v em en t of G re a t B rita in , sta tistic a l d a ta reg ard in g th e m o v e
m e n t in o th e r coun tries of th e w orld, a n d articles on various la b o r a n d econom ic
subjects.
R a yn a ud , B arthélem y.
S u p p l é m e n t a u c o d e d u t r a v a il { 1 9 2 6 - 2 7 ) .
P a r is ,
S o c ié té A n o n y m e d u R e c u e il S i r e y , 1 9 2 8 .
62 pp.
( P e t it s c o d e s C a r p e n tie r .)
C o n tain s th e te x t of co n v en tio n s b etw een F ra n c e a n d B elgium re la tin g to th e
n ig h t w ork of w om en a n d children, u n em p lo y m en t, w eekly rest, a n d th e G eneva
co nvention (1921) upo n th e use of w hite lead in p ain tin g .
W anger, R uth.
W h a t g ir ls c a n d o .
N e w Y o r k , H e n r y H o lt & C o ., 1 9 2 6 .
293
p p ., illu s .
In te n d e d for use in v o catio n al guidance, suggestive ra th e r th a n com prehensive.
A lim ited n u m b er of o ccu p atio n s in different fields a re a n aly z ed w ith resp ect to
th e ir a d v a n ta g e s a n d d isad v an tag es, a n d sources a re given fro m w hich fuller
in fo rm atio n m ay be secured, th e o b ject b eing to develop a m e th o d b y w hich girls
m ay le a rn how to in v e stig a te fo r th em selv es p u rsu its in w hich th e y m ay becom e
in terested .
W a r b a s s e , J am es P e t e r .
1927.
W h a t i s c o o p e r a tio n ?
N ew
Y o rk , V a n g u a rd P ress,
170 pp.
A discussion, b y th e p re sid e n t of th e C o o p erativ e L eague of th e U n ite d S tates,
of th e consum ers’ co o p erativ e m o v em en t, its principles, m eth o d s, a n d accom plish
m en ts, sim ply a n d briefly se t fo rth .
W e b b , C a t h e r in e .
T h e w o m a n w i t h th e b a s k e t— th e h is to r y o f th e W o m e n ’s
C o o p e r a tiv e G u ild , 1 8 8 3 - 1 9 2 7 .
L o n d o n , W o m e n ’s C o o p e r a tiv e G u ild , 1 9 2 7 .
205 pp.
R eview ed on page 83 of th is issue.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
[884]
@FedFRASER