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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONTENTS.
Special articles!
pag0_
Labor survey of Cleveland cloak industry, by Boris Emmet, Ph. D .......... 1-29
Second Interallied Conference on After-care of Disabled Men, by N. C.
Adams..........................................................................................................
31_43
Associations of harbor boat owners and employees in the Port of New York,
by Benjamin M. Squires....................................................................
45-62
Labor and the War:
Organization of the War Labor Administration completed........................... 63-71
Basic 8-hour day and minimum wage involved in decisions of National
War Labor Board............................................................................................... 72-75
Government’s position concerning child labor and prison labor................. 75, 76
Constitution and functions of a joint industrial council................................ 76-79
Progress in the establishment of joint industrial councils in Great B ritain .. 80, 81
Operation of works committees in Great B ritain............................................. 81-84
War bonuses for Government employees in Great B ritain............................ 84-89
British reconstruction programs for the electrical, the engineering, and the
iron and steel trades.......................................................................................... 90-93
Reconstruction program for the generation and distribution of electrical
energy in Great Britain.................................................................................... 93-97
New regulation of the war subsidies and cost-of-living bonuses of German
Government employees.................................................................................. 98-100
Suspension of regulations for the protection of labor in Germany during
tlie War........................................................................................................... 100-103
Labor outlook in Austria after the War......................................................... 102-105
Provision for disabled soldiers and sailors:
Work of local war pensions committees in Great B ritain........................... 106-111
Trades for disabled men in Great Britain..................................................... m 112
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States....................................................... 113-125
Price changes, wholesale and retail, in the United States......................... 125-129
Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States, 1913 to June, 1918 130,131
Cost of living in North Atlantic shipbuilding districts................................ 132-135
Maximum prices for certain foods in Uruguay............................................. 135 136
Food control:
Food control in the United States.................................................................. 137-141
Food regulation and the “ fair price list ” in the District of C olum bia.. 141-144
Food situation in E ngland.............................................................................. 144-146
Reduction of the bread ration in Germany................................................... 146-148
War nutrition and public health in Germany..........................................t . 148-151
Wages and hours of labor:
News print paper workers granted wage increase by National War Labor
B o ard.............................................................................................................. 152,153
Hours of work as related to output and health of workers in cotton manu
facturing.......................................................................................................... 153-155
Settlement of wage disputes in British Columbia shipyards..................... 155-160
Wages of women and girls on munitions work in Great B ritain............... 160,161
Wages of Lancashire cotton operatives increased 25 per cent, effective in
June, 1918...........................................................................................................
162
Wages of German building trades workers in December, 1917................. 162,163
Wage increases of German seamen......................................................................
163
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in
IV
CONTENTS.
Women in industry:
Pag0
Training of women for war work: A bibliography, prepared by Mrs. V. B.
Turner................................ - ........................................................................... 164-171
Employment of women on Government war contracts...............................
171
Replacement of men by women in Great B ritain........................................ 172-178
Employment of women and girls in Great Britain in January, 1918........178,179
Agreements between employers and employees:
Nonunion collective bargaining plan, by Boris Emmet, Ph. D ............... 180-184
Employment and unemployment:
Work of public employment offices in the United States and of provincial
employment offices in Canada..................................................................... 185-191
Employment in selected industries in June, 1918...................................... 191-197
Industrial accidents:
An investigation of the factors concerned in the causation of industrial
accidents......................................................................
198-^01
Industrial hygiene and disease:
Executive order regarding public health and industrial hygiene.............
202
Conditions of labor in certain New York City laundries............................. 203-205
Precautions to prevent danger of infection by anthrax............................ 205-208
Labor laws and regulations:
Compulsory work provisions in Montana and Rhode Island..................... 209,210
Compulsory work regulations affectingdraftregistrants...................................
210
Workmen’s compensation legislation in Canada........................................... 210-212
Minimum wage laws of British Columbia and Manitoba............................ 212, 213
Labor organizations:
Rapid progress of trade-union movement in Hungary.............................. 214 215
Trade-union movement in the Scandinavian countries, 1917................... 215 216
Economic demands of the Swiss workmen................................................... 216'217
Welfare work:
Welfare work for civilian employees of the United States, by Augustus P.
. Norton.......................................................... - ................................................ 218-231
Conciliation and arbitration:
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor, June 17 to July 16, 1918. 232-237
Conciliation and arbitration in Great Britain....................................’.......... 237-240
Labor bureaus:
Projected labor bulletin for Brazil............................................................
241
Immigration:
Immigration in May, 1918..................................................................
24? 243
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States........................................................................
244-246
Official—foreign countries.......................................................................
246-°51
inofficial............................................................................................................ 251-256
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V I E W
v o l . v ii- n o
.
2
WASHINGTON
au g u st,
ms
LABOR SURVEY OF CLEVELAND CLOAK INDUSTRY.
BY BORIS EMMET, PH. D.
This brief survey of the Cleveland cloak, suit, and skirt industry
was undertaken by the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the request of
the Cleveland Garment Manufacturers’ Association. The associa
tion was anxious to examine the various labor phases of its indus
try, with particular emphasis upon the following points: (1) The
character of the existing labor supply, with reference to its source
and to occupational distribution by sex, age, and conjugal con
dition; (2) the relative adequacy of the present supply of labor;
(3) labor turnover and length of service; (4) general labor condi
tions, such as the prevailing hours of labor, extent of, and pay for,
overtimework, light, sanitation, etc.; (5) labor costs; (6) regularity
of employment; (7) individual earnings and employment opportuni
ties, and (8) methods of employment regularization.
Aside from the fact that the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of
Cleveland is manufacturing considerable amounts of military gar
ments, and in rapidly increasing quantities, the principal interest
of the bureau in this investigation lies in the fact that Cleveland
appears to be the only women’s clothing manufacturing center of
any significance in which certain methods are said to have been
applied successfully in the regularization of employment.
Employment regularization assumes a national importance because
of the present unsettled condition of the labor supply of the country
and of the imperative necessity therefore to distribute it as efficiently
as possible. Irregular employment and consequent high labor turn
over costs heavily, makes production slow, and decreases the quality
of the output. Furthermore, the regularization of employment in
the women’s garment trades would release a large number of casual
workers for service in war-garment industries where they are now
sorely needed.
Employment regularization is no longer a matter of choice or
preference on the part of the employer. The prewar irregularity of
employment in this industry was due, in a great measure, to the
existence of a surplus labor supply which could furnish large numbers
of casual workers for short-service periods during the seasonal peaks
of the trade. On account of the great curtailment of immigration and
new demands for labor caused by the War, this excessive labor sup
ply no longer exists. The new labor condition is made evident by
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
the fact that, for the first time in the history of these trades, manu
facturers are beginning to experience difficulties in the delivery of
orders. These difficulties are due largely, it is said, to their inability
to get the casual help needed for short-service periods during the
rush seasons of the year.
Effective employment regularization in the women’s garment
trades can be achieved, and is being achieved to some extent in the
city of Cleveland by the pursuance of the following policies: (1) By
extensive advertising of a few specific styles, which advertising
creates a large and permanent demand for a few styles and enables
firms therefore to manufacture in advance of sales without incur
ring great business risks; (2) by the manufacture of so-called fillers,
usually cheap staple garments, the styles of which change only
slightly, making it possible to manufacture such garments in large
quantities for stock; (3) by compelling longer delivery dates which
will not necessitate temporary short-time expansions of the manu
facturing organization; and (4) by engaging in some contract work
for an allied trade during the slack season of the year.
The section entitled “ Methods of employment regularization”
(p. 26) shows the extent to which, and how, each of the abovementioned methods or policies of employment regularization have
been successfully applied in the Cleveland cloak and suit industry.
In this respect the Cleveland experience is instructive and should
be studied by every women’s garment manufacturer who realizes
the necessity of adjusting himself to the new labor conditions created
by the cessation of immigration and our entry into the War.
The investigation covered all the cloak and suit establishments
affiliated with the Cleveland Garment Manufacturers’ Association
and three shops not affiliated with the association, a total of 21 firms.
These employed an average aggregate of 3,335 workers during the
year ending April 1, 1918, which was the period covered by the
study. The total annual sales of all the firms amounted to $14,500,161
in 1917. It is estimated that the last figure represents more than
four-fifths of the total value of the cloaks, suits, and skirts manu
factured annually in the city of Cleveland.
The inquiry did not cover any outside or contractors’ shops. The
relative importance of outside contracting in this city may be judged
from the fact that only a little over 13 per cent of the manufacturing
of the industry was done through contractors.
C H ARA CTER. OF LA B O R S U P P L Y .
The labor supply of the Cleveland cloak and suit industry is largely
local. Less than 25 per cent of the operators, 18 per cent of the
pressers, 15 per cent of the cutters, and 2 per cent of the finishers
ever worked elsewhere in the same industry. In this connection it
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MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW.
3
i
is interesting to note that none of the finishers, only 3 per cent of
the cutters and pressers, and 8 per cent of the operators worked in
a similar occupation prior to their arrival in the United States.
Table 1, which is based upon a census of the industry taken
on April 3, 1918, gives an occupational distribution of the manu
facturing employees, by sex. The tabulation shows that in the
industry as a whole the proportion of males and females is
approximately the same, namely, 48 and 52, respectively. It also
shows that with reference to sex, the principal occupations of the
trade may be grouped into three large divisions. Some occupations
are filled exclusively by Women, others only by men, and in still
others both sexes are employed. To the first group belong all occu
pations requiring a relatively small physical exertion, or a small
degree of skill, such as finishers, button sewers, and cleaners. Occu
pations requiring large amounts of physical effort, such as pressing
and cutting, or an all-round knowledge of the trade, such as sample
making, are manned almost exclusively by male employees. In the
tailoring and operating as well as in the examining departments the
proportion of men and of women is approximately the same.
T abus 1 ^ -N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O F M A N U FA C T U R IN G E M P L O Y E E S , C L A SS IFIE D
B Y OCCU PA TIO N A N D B Y SE X .
Total in in d u stry .
P er eent of to ta l in
occupation.
O ccupation.
N um ber.
*
P er cent.
Males.
Females.
i O perators...................................................................................
Finishers, skilled........ .............................................................
Pressers.......................................................................................
C utters an d p a tte rn graders...................................................
i Finishers, unsk illed................................................................
B u tto n sewers an d m ark ers................... ..............................
| B uttonhole m akers...................................................................
!Trim m ers, assorters, an d assemblers....................................
i E xam iners..................................................................................
Cleaners and label sewers........................................................
Sample m a k e rs...................... .................................................
Bushelers....................................................................................
! Forem en a n d f o r e w o m e n ..................................................
1,192
544
368
245
162
114
78
90
71
39
59
18
91
39.1
17.8
12.1
8.0
5.3
3.7
2.6
2.9
2.3
1.3
1.3
0.6
3.0
54.4
4.8
97.8
99.2
17.4
1.8
11.5
11.2
47.9
94.9
66.7
62.7
45.6
95.2
2.2
0.8
82.6
98.2
88.5
88.8
52.1
100.0
5.1
33.3
37.3
T o tal.................................................................................
3,051
100.0
4a 0
52.0
The above table shows also the numerical importance of each
occupation. About 40 per cent of the workers of the trade are
engaged in the operating occupations—that is, do machine sewing.
The hand sewers or finishers constitute about 23 per cent of the
total employed. The occupations appearing as third and fourth in
numerical importance are those of pressing and cutting. These,
respectively, contain about 12 and 8 per cent of the total manu
facturing employees in the industry.
A compilation based upon the same census, giving an occupational
classification of the manufacturing employees, by country of birth,
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4
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
showed that, for the industry as a whole, the distribution of em
ployees by country of birth was as follows: United States, 28.7 per cent;
Russia, 27.2 per cent; Austria-Hungary, 25.2 per cent; Italy, 10.1
per cent; all other countries, 8.7 per cent. Of the numerically strong
occupations, the largest proportion of native born, to wit, 44.2 per
cent, was found among the cutters. The lowest proportion of
native born was found among the pressers, of whom only 11.6 per
cent was born in the United States. The first four occupations
shown in Table 1, which occupations include more than four-fifths
of all the workers, showed the following percentages of the foreign
horn: Pressers, 88 per cent; tailors and operators, 75 per cent;
finishers, 73 per cent; and cutters, 56 per cent.
The conjugal condition of employees was found to be as follows:
(1) Males: Married, 84.1 per cent; single, 14.9 per cent; widowed or
divorced, 1 per cent. (2) Females: Married, 35 per cent; single, 60.6
per cent; widowed or divorced, 4.4 per cent. This distribution is
interesting to the employers in view of their endeavor to establish a
minimum wage, below which no person in the trade should be hired,
in accordance with the needs of the worker. The conjugal condition
of a person is, of course, some definite indication of the extent of his
needs.
The age distribution of the employees was found by the census
mentioned to be as follows: (1) Males: Under 20 years, 1.4 percent;
20 and under 30, 26.1 per cent; 30 and under 40, 39.9 per cent; 40
years and over, 32.6 per cent. (2) Females: Under 20, 12.2 per
cent; 20 and under 30, 50.5 per cent; 30 and under 40, 24.2 per
cent; over 40, 13.1 per cent. The proportion of employees under
16 in the group denoted as “ under 20” was negligible. The occupa
tion having the larger proportion of members over 40 was that of
bushelers or alteration tailors—one of the really skilled occupations
of the trade. The most unskilled female occupations contained the
largest proportion of workers under 20. These occupations contained
cleaners, trimmers, assorters, and assemblers. More than one-fourth
of the assemblers and assorters were under 20 years of age. As would
naturally be expected, the most skilled and physically difficult occu
pations showed the lowest proportion of workers under 20. These
occupations, with their respective proportions of members under 20
were: Pressers, 0.5 per cent; operators, 0.6 per cent; cutters, 5.3 per
cent. The young members of the cutters’ trade are, as a rule, ap
prentices, assistant and lining cutters—that is, boys or young men
learning the trade.
With reference to length of service in the industry the following
facts were found: (1) Males: Under 5 years in the trade, 11.4 per
cent; 5 years and under 10, 20.7 per cent; 10 years and under 20,
44.5 per cent; 20 years and over, 23.4 per cent. (2) Females: Under
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
5
5 years, 51 per cent; 5 years and under 10, 28.4 per cent; 10 years
and under 20, 17.7 per cent; 20 years and over, 2.9 per cent.
A D EQ U A CY OF LA B O R S U P P L Y .
Of the 21 firms, one-third reported that no shortage of labor of
•any kind was felt recently. The remaining two-thirds stated that
during the busy seasons of the current year there was a real shortage
of unskilled female finishers, at a starting wage of about $9 per week.
A close scrutiny revealed the fact that in some instances the reported
labor shortage was due to the expansion of the activities of the
firms, due to contracts received for military clothing. In other in
stances the shortage was due, in a large measure, to the high labor
turnover, as high, in one or two instances, as 200 per cent, which
figure is much above the average of the trade. It is true, of course,
that the garment manufacturers are losing some of their help to war
industries which offer better earning opportunities. Generally speak
ing, however, there appears to be no real shortage of women’s garment
workers. It is certain that some considerable increase in the minimums
paid to learners, as well as in earning opportunities generally, would
bring forth all the labor needed at the present time by those having a
reasonable turnover, and nothing short of a great and constant inflow
of new workers will help those of the employers who do not know how,
or do not care, to keep their help.
In this connection it is interesting to note the methods of securing
help used by the employers of the industry. Almost universally, ad
vertising is resorted to. Very few, almost none, apply for help to
private employment offices. All of the employers report that a con
siderable proportion of their new employees, from about 20 to 30 per
cent, is secured through their own employees.
The majority of the Cleveland garment manufacturers are not util
izing to any great extent the existing city-State public employment
office. This is unfortunate in view of the fact that the few who do
use this agency are reporting very satisfactory results.
LA B O R T U R N O V E R AND L E N G T H OF SE R V IC E .
Slightly over one-fourth of the firms covered by the survey had
employment records which enabled a computation of their labor
turnover. The turnover figures presented in the following paragraph
were arrived at, in each instance, by dividing the total number hired
to replace employees who left on their own accord, or were discharged,
by the average number employed during the year.
The firms which furnished labor turnover data employed an annual
average of 1,757, or about one-half of the total in the industry. To
maintain this force a total of 1,611 new employees were hired in addi
tion to those who originally filled the positions. This shows a labor
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MONTHLY LABOS BE VIEW.
turnover of about 92 per cent per annum for the industry as a whole.
The specific percentages of labor turnover per annum for each of the
five establishments reporting were found to be: 46.5, 75.8, 86.4,
119, and 204.
Table 2 shows the actual number employed and the equivalent
number of full-time workers, by sex and occupation. The figures
shown are based upon the records of firms which could furnish
data regarding the hours worked by individual employees. The
aggregate employed of these firms amounted to about one-half of
the total in the trade.
T able 8 .—N U M B E R A C TU A LLY E M PL O Y E D AND E Q U IV A L E N T N U M B ER OF F U L L -T IME
W O R K E R S , BY SE X A N D OCCU PA TIO N , Y E A R EN D IN G A P R . 1, 1918.
Occupation and sex.
O perators, m ale.........................................................
Operators, fem ale................ ....................................
Pressers, m ale...........................................................
P attern graders, m ale......... .....................................
C utters, m ale.............................................................
C utters, lining, etc., m ale.......................................
Sample m akers, m a le ..............................................
Finishers, skilled, m ale...........................................
Finishers, skilled, fem ale.........................................
Finishers, unskilled, fem ale...................................
E xam iners, m a le ............................ .........................
E xam iners, female...................... ............................
Bushelers, m a le .........................................................
Bushelers, female......................................................
Trim m ers, assorters, a nd assemblers, m ale........
Trim m ers, assorters, and assemblers, fem ale. . .
B u tto n m akers, m a le ..............................................
B utton m akers, fem ale...........................................
B u tto n sewers and m arkers, fem ale.....................
Cleaners and label sewers, fem ale.........................
F orem en........................................... .........................
Forew om en........................................................... ”
B uttonhole makers, m ale................................] . k
B uttonhole m akers, fem ale.......... .......................]
Excess of
workers
N um Total hours Equivalent N um ber of actually
num ber of
workers
employed
ber of
actually
full-time
actually
over
firms.
worked.
workers .1 em ployed. num ber of
full-time
workers.
4
4
5
4
8
7
6
4
4
6
7
5
4
4
4
8
1
3
4
6
7
6
3
8
Total.
398,673
815,724
246,717
22,421
239,997
45,772
43,033
38,440
631,928
127,161
55,152
22,860
17,142
31,660
8,571
104,709
3,326
10,694
50,322
17,220
115,398
48,239
7,317
45,459
3,147,935
181
371
21
235
701
197
9
198
49
20
22
112
10
109
17
287
58
25
10
iS
4
48
2
5
23
8
52
22
22
531
130
26
13
15
21
15
68
3
9
56
26
50
Per cent.
29.8
88.9
75.9
81.7
133.3
10.0
29.4
85.0
124.1
4.0
30.0
87.5
50.0
275.0
41.6
50.0
80.0
143.5
225.0
20
21
3
4
35
33.3
66.7
1,431
2,455
71.6
The equivalent num ber of full-time workers was arrived at b y dividing the aggregate of hours actually
worked b y all employees by the num ber of hours worked b y one employed all year round, term ed a fullUme worker. The num ber of annual hours of a full-time worker (2,200) was arrived at by m ultiplying
tiie prevailing w eekly hours of labor (48) by the annual num ber of weeks (52) and deducting 56 hours
f » seven legal holidays 18 hours, or one working week, for an annual vacation, 122 hours (about 5 per cent
ot total working tim e) for tem porary disability, and 70 hours, or about nine working days, for the fuelless
days of the past year- Tlie allowance for tem porary disability was based upon the actual record of one of
b 1 T f 8r rm s’ W!i®1 rec°rd showed a per cent of tim e lost by reason of tem porary disability of slightly
This table shows the labor turnover in each occupation. The firms
reporting hired a total of 2,455 different individuals to fill 1,431 full
time positions. This constitutes an annual labor turnover per
centage of 71.6. The specific turnover for each occupation and sex
is shown in the last column. In this connection it is of interest to
note that in the occupations of pattern grader, male, foremen, and
forewomen the numbers actually employed were less than the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2261
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
equivalent numbers of full-time workers. This indicates the absence
of any labor turnover and considerable amounts of overtime work.
The labor turnover was much larger for the females than for the
males, the respective percentages being 85.6 and 49.8.
The relatively low labor turnover shown in the table is accounted
for by the fact that only the large establishments of the industry,
which have the most regular employment, furnished labor turnover
information for this compilation. Generally speaking, the extent of
labor turnover varies greatly with the size of the establishment. The
smaller the shop the larger relatively is its labor turnover. One em
ployer with an average force of 50 workers stated that he was hiring
new employees at the rate of “ at least a dozen?’ per week. This showsan annual turnover of 1,200 per cent. Similar conditions, it is said,
prevail in the other small shops of the trade. The greater labor
turnover in the small shops appears to be -the logical result of the
careless and haphazard methods used in dealing with the labor
phase of their business as well as of the greater irregularity of work
which makes employment with them very undesirable.
About seven-tenths of the labor turnover of the industry was
caused by voluntary separations, to accept positions which offered
better earning opportunities or more desirable conditions of
employment.
On the assumption that regular employment is conducive to a
lower turnover an effort was made to correlate the extent of labor
turnover with the employment regularity in establishments with
varying degrees of labor turnover. A comparison of two large
establishments—one with the largest and the other with the small
est labor turnover in the industry—204 per cent and 46.5 per cent,
respectively, per annum—showed that the establishment which had
the more regular employment had a much lower labor turnover.
This result, although not very conclusive, because of the small
number of firms it is based upon, is, however, instructive.
About one-fourth of the firms covered by the investigation were
in a position to furnish data regarding the length of service of the
’employees. This information is given, for six large establishments,
in Table 3.
T able 3 .—L E N G T H O P SE R V IC E O F E M PL O Y E E S , BY SE X .
Par cent of total in each classified service group.
Sex.
Male
......................................................
Fomalp.________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 and
3 and
6 and
3 and
U nder
under 6 under 12 under 3 under 5
3
years.
m onths. m onths. m onths. years.
7.9
17.0
» 4.2
7.9
[227]
10.0
14.0
21.1
25.5
19.6
19.0
5 years
and
over.
37.2
16.6
Total.
100.0
100.0
8
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
The six firms which furnished length of service data employed
874 men and 1,141 women, an aggregate of over 2,000 workers, or
about three-fifths of the total in the trade. About 25 per cent of
the female employees and only about half as large a proportion of
the males were in the service of the companies which employed
them under six months. Seventeen per cent of the females and
slightly less than 8 per cent of the males were in service under three
months, mostly over one month. As might naturally be expected,
the male employees remain longer in the service than do the females,
who frequently leave to marry. The longer service of the male
employees is-shown by the fact that the proportion of males in serv
ice over three years was 56.8 per cent as against 35.6" per cent in
the female groups.
G EN E R A L LA B O R C O N D ITIO N S.
As is well known, the Cleveland cloak and suit industry is not
unionized. With the exception of three of the larger establishments
which have nonunion collective bargaining schemes,1 the industry is
still on an individual bargaining basis. Repeated attempts of the
International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union to secure the recog
nition of its organization have had the effect of educating the em
ployers to the needs of the workers and of anticipating employees’
demands by the voluntary granting of concessions. Many a valuable
concession, such as a 48-hour week, time and one-half for overtime
W ork, etc., was thus obtained.
With a few minor exceptions, the general physical conditions of
work in the Cleveland cloak and suit industry, such as light, venti
lation, drinking facilities, safety, etc., are more satisfactory than
those found in many of the other principal women’s garment manu
facturing centers, such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, or
Chicago. The weekly rates of pay in the principal occupations are,
however, lower. This disadvantage in rates is offset, to a slight
extent, by a somewhat greater regularity of employment in Cleve
land.
The prevailing hours of labor in Cleveland do not differ from those
found in the other garment manufacturing centers. About threefifths of the firms have a 48-hour working week. The remainder of
the firms have a working week of from 49 to 51 hours. The extent
of overtime work in Cleveland is not as great as in the other women’s
garment manufacturing centers, particularly New York City. In
the great majority of instances overtime work is paid for at the rate
of one and one-half times the regular rate.
1 One of these schemes of nonunion collective bargaining is described in detail on pp. 180 to 184 of
this issue of the Monthly L abor R eview .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[228]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
9
The cloak and suit industry of Cleveland is concentrated. About
one-fifth of the firms employ about two-thirds of the total employed
in the industry. The methods used in dealing with employees vary,
generally speaking, with the size of the establishment. As a rule,
labor questions are handled carelessly and haphazardly in the smaller
establishments. The larger firms, however, have well organized em
ployment and service departments whose functions are to look after
the welfare and comfort of the employees. Some of the larger estab
lishments endeavor to readjust wages in accordance with the changes
in the cost of living by paying so-called cost of living bonuses.
LA B O R COSTS.
By labor costs in this report are meant the costs of the wages paid
to workers actually engaged in the manufacturing processes, such as
sample making, cutting, pressing, operating, finishing, etc., exclu
sive of the overhead or indirect manufacturing expenditures repre
sented by the salaries of foremen, supervisors, and factory clerical
employees. Table 4 gives for each of the firms the total labor cost
and the specific costs of the separate principal processes, in terms of
a percentage of the total value of the annual product.
T able 4.—TO TA L LA B O R COST AND LA B O R COST OP S P E C IF IE D PR O C ESSES SHOW N
IN PE R C E N T A G E S OF V A LU E OF T H E PR O D U C T .
Firm No.
3....................................................
4....................................................
5....................................................
6....................................................
8....................................................
10....................................................
11....................................................
12....................................................
13....................................................
14....................................................
15....................................................
16....................................................
17....................................................
18....................................................
19....................................................
20................. ..................................
21....................................................
22....................................................
All labor.
Cutting.
Sample
making.
Pressing.
(x)
0)
0)
(‘)
(l)
(')
(2)
C)
(l)
22.4
18.2
24.2
22.2
17.1
18.7
21.8
25.0
21.7
26.6
22.2
20.3
21.9
20.9
26.0
29.5
22.3
18.4
] Not reported.
2 Included in column “ All other processes.”
3 Includes finishers.
l.S
C1) „
1.7
2.5
1.7
2.7
3.6
3.8
2.2
2.5
3.2
(O
0)
4.2
3.2
2.2
0)
(2)
(l)
(2)
(2)
(')
1.4
1.0
1.7
1.5
2.3
1.7
1.6
2.3
2.1
2.4
2.5
3.2
3.3
2.2
3.3
3.7
. 3.2
(2)
(O
0)
3.9
2.7
1.5
Tailoring
and
operating.
(0
0)
(2)
0)
10.1
3 10.4
10.9
< 19. O'
3 12.7
« 18.0
3 11.6
3 12.7
(2)
(2)
(0
3 15.5
3 15.2
10.0
All other
processes.
(i)
(i)
20.
(l)
(S)
2.
1.
5.
1.
( 1)
2.
18.
19.
0)
3.
1.
4,
* Includes cost of all other processes.
6 Included in column “ Tailoring and operating.”
The percentage cost figures shown in the column entitled '‘All
labor,” were arrived at, in each instance, by dividing the annual
amounts expended on direct manufacturing labor by the annual
sales value of the product. The average labor costs were as follows:
All labor (18 firms), 21.6 per cent; cutting (13 firms), 2.5 per cent;
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[229]
10
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
pressing (12 firms), 3.1 per cent; tailoring and operating, inclusive of
finishing (6 firms), 12.4 per cent; tailoring and operating, exclusive
of finishing (3 firms), 11.2 per cent; sample making (8 firms), 1.6 per
cent.
Table 5 shows, by firms, the labor costs of the specific principal
manufacturing processes, in terms of a percentage of the total labor
cost:
T able 5 .— LA B O R COST OF S P E C IFIC PR O C ESSES, SH O W N IN PE R C E N T A G E S OF TO TA L
LA B O R COST.
Firm No.
Total labor
cost.
5....................................................
7....................................................
9....................................................
10....................................................
11....................................................
12................................ ....................
13....................................................
14....................................................
15....................................................
16....................................................
17....................................................
18....................................................
2 0 ...» .............................................
21....................................................
22....................................................
Cutting.
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100,0
100.0
1 Included in column “ All other processes.”
! N ot reported.
* Includes finishers.
7.4
12.1
9.9
13.6
7.9
10.6
16.7
14.3
10.1
12.1
14.4
(2)
14.3
14.2
12.0
Sample
making.
0)
(2)
C1)
Pressing.
Tailoring
and
operating.
8.9
(*)
13.9
13.3
14.8
13.5
10.3
12.3
16.6
15.8
(2)
(2)
13.1
12.0
8.4
(l)
(2)
58.9
3 55.7
49.9
‘ 75.9
»58.5
4 67.5
»52.2
3 61.9
(2)
(2)
*52.5
*68.1
54.9
7.7
4.4
C1)
f )
10 1
8.2
(2)
7.6
7.9
(')
C1)
All other
processes.
83.7
87.9
17.3
9.7
23.0
(6)
(»)
6.7
10.6
2.0
85.6
92.4
12.2
5.7
24.7
4 Includes cost of all other processes.
4 Included in column “ Tailoring and operating.”
More than one-half of the total labor cost was expended on machine
and hand sewing. The average costs of the principal manufacturing
processes were as follows: Tailoring and operating, inclusive of
finishing (6 firms), 56.8 per cent; tailoring and operating, exclusive
of finishing (3 firms), 51 per cent; pressing (12 firms), 14.3 per cent;
cutting (14 firms), 11.2 per cent; and sample making (8 firms),
7.5 per cent.
R E G U L A R IT Y O F EM PLO Y M EN T.
The relative regularity of employment is measured in this study by
the weekly pay-roll amounts expended on productive labor, and not
by the number employed or total labor hours. Because of the ab
sence of labor-hour records in the majority of the firms, the regu
larity of employment was measured by the weekly pay-roll amounts.
This method of measuring employment, although not so accurate
as the one based upon the labor hours, was, however, preferable to
any measurement based upon numbers ^employed for the reason
that it is not customary in this industry to discharge workers during
the dull seasons of the. business. Instead of being discharged the
employees are retained on a part-time basis.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[230]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
11
No comparative analysis of employment regularity is possible of
course, without a definite, more or less mathematically sound, com
mon basis of comparison. Theoretically, full all-year-round employ
ment should constitute such a basis. Unfortunately, full all-yearround employment is an unknown condition in the garment trade.
A more practical base of comparison would therefore be the so-called
normal amount of employment, which may in this industry be said to
be the amount shown by the average pay-roll period of the year.
The relative regularity of employment is shown throughout this
report in terms of a percentage of the average pay-roll amount of the
year, which amount is derived by taking the total annual pay roll for
all productive labor and dividing it by the number of pay-roll periods,
usually 52. The result arrived at in this manner, that is, the average
weekly amount of the year, is then taken as the unit of comparison
in terms of which all the weekly pay-roll amounts are expressed.
The aggregates of weekly percentage variations from the annual
average, whether above or below it, represent, it is believed, a satis
factory measurement of the extent of irregularity of employment.
Table 6 and Chart A show the comparative regularity of employ
ment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of Cleveland in 1913 and
in 1918. The figures for 1913 are based upon data published by this
bureau in 1916 in Bulletin 183. They relate to the 52 weeks begin
ning August, 1912, and ending July, 1913. For purposes of com
parison it was necessary to rearrange them, so that in both the table
and chart they run as follows: April to July, 1913, August to Decem
ber, 1912, January to March, 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
T able 6 .—C O M PA R A TIV E R E G U L A R IT Y O F E M PL O Y M E N T IN 1913 A N D 1918, S H O W N
B Y T H E P E R C E N T A G E T H A T T H E AM OUNT O F EACH W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IS MORE.
OR LE SS T H A N T H E A V E R A G E W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L F O R A LL P R O D U C T IV E
LA B O R .
W eek No.
1..........................
2..........................
3 ..........................
4..........................
5..........................
6..........................
7..........................
8..........................
9........................
10..........................
11..........................
12..........................
13..........................
14..........................
15..........................
16..........................
17..........................
IS..........................
Per ent of
deviat on each
week f rom the
averag e for the
yeai•in —
1913
1918
- 0.3
+ .8
- 5.5
—21.6
-2 7 .3
-3 5 .2
-2 0 .1
-1 4 .5
- 7.5
— 4.5
+ 4.4
+ 11.3
+10.5
+ 8.2
+ 16.0.
+ 22.6
+33.3
+32. 4
+22.7
+11.7
+ 3.8
— 9.0
-1 2 .4
-2 3 .3
-2 0 .8
-1 4 .9
-1 8 .0
- 9.4
- 1.9
+ 5.3
+ 5.6
+ 7.1
+ 19.5
+26.6
+25.7
+13.7
W eek No.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Per Cent of
deviation each
week from the
average for the
year in—
1913
1918
+ 7.8
+ 16.8
+ 14.4
+ 7.4
- 5.2
-1 2 .1
— 5.6
- 9.2
- 9.1
+ 4.5
+ 9.1
+14.5
+12.2
+ 5.0
- 5.1
-2 1 .2
-3 4 .6
-3 9 .1
+ 8.2
+ 10.2
+21.4
+ 17.9
+ 5.0
+ 6.4
- 8.5
- 1.2
+ 5.2
+ 4.9
- 2.4
- 7.5
-1 1 .0
-1 7 .9
—24. 2
-3 3 . 0
-3 3 .9
-2 2 .2
W eek No.
Per cent of
deviation each
week from the
average for the
year in—
1913
37........................ -3 0 .6
38........................ -2 5 .1
39........................ -3 7 .7
40........................ -3 6 .5
41........................ -3 4 .3
12........................ -1 2 .8
43........................ + 3. 4
44........................ + 17.2
45........................ + 18.1
46........................ + 28.1
47........................ + 31.1
48........................ +33.9
49.....................
+35. 0
50........................ +32.1
+ 25.4
52........................ - 1.7
T o ta l1. . .
911.9
1918
-2 6 .2
-2 7 .3
-2 5 .4
-2 1 .9
- 5.2
- .6
-2 6 . 7
+ 5.5
+ 12.2
+ 18.8.
+ 26. 2+ 27.5
+ 24.9
+ 24.4
+2?. 3
+22. 3.
809.8
1 In arriving a t the total am ount of the deviation all the deviations for the 52 weeks are added together,
whether they are above ( + ) or below (—) the average (100).
The annual aggregates of weekly deviations from the average for
the year (100) were 911.9 in 1913, and 809.8 in 1918. This shows
that in the industry as a whole employment was about 11 per cent
more regular in 1918.
Table 7 (pp. 14 and 15) shows the seasonal fluctuations of employ
ment in each of the establishments covered by the survey, as well as
the combined figures of employment regularity for all shops.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1232]
[A verage weekly p a y roll for each year=100. ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Chart A.—Comparative regularity of employment in 1913 and 1918, shown in percentages of average weekly
pay roil, for all productive labor.
Oo
14
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 7 —C O M PA RA TIV E R E G U L A R IT Y OF E M PL O Y M E N T IN TW E N T Y -O N E ESTA B
PA Y R O L L IS M ORE OR LESS TH A N T H E A V E R A G E W E E K L Y PA Y
Per cent of deviation each week from th e average for th e year, in specified establishm ents.
Week
No.
1
2
3
4
51
6
7
8
9
+28.1 + 60.0
+ 36.1
+ 39.4
+ 34.1
- 15.2
- 42.0
- 24.9
- 31.0
- 40.4
- 26.5
-1 3 .2 — 15.3
+ 32.1
+27.2 + 50.9
............. + 29.7
+58.8 + 93.4
+ 92.0
+37.5 +101.1
+ 30.3
-1 6 .5 + 32.1
+ 29.3
+37.1 + 7.1
+ 9.0
+41.9 — 41.7
- 61.8
+24.5 - 21.1
- 12.8
+34.8 - 5.2
..............
- 9.6 - 24.9
- 56.2
-5 0 .2 - 6 2 . 8
- 49.8
-4 6 .1 - 40.6
— 32.6
-4 2 .8 — 32.3
- 33.5
-3 1 .1 - 38.1
-2 3 .3
- 2.3 - 37.2
— 23.0
-3 2 .7 - 5.5
- 1.6
-2 6 .5 — 31. 6
______ + 5.7
-1 0 .9 - 12.8
+ 1.4
+ 1.0 + 34.7
............. + 19.9
+ 1.9 + 12.8
+ 27.8
- 1.4 + 16.5
........ + 46.7
+55.6
+37.9
+22.2
-2 6 .7
-5 2 . 8
-2 5 .2
+10.0
+ ao
-1 6 .6
+12.6
+24.2
+23.2
+15.2
+ 17.5
+29.2
+58. 8
+60.5
+ 9.9
-4 5 .0
-2 4 .3
+ 6.9
+ 11
-1 4 .9
-1 9 .4
-5 1 .0
-3 9 .1
-2 9 .8
-2 1 .7
- .3
+ 4,1
+ 6.3
- 3.6
- 7.1
-3 1 .4
—50.0
—26.0
-1 1 .3
-1 3 .4
-1 7 .8
—29. 6
-3 1 .4
— 5.3
-3 7 .0
+14.7
+ 18.1
+31.8
+43.9
+38.1
+41.4
+15.2
+16.1
+ 7.3
-1 6 .7
-1 9 .2
-1 1 .9
-1 5 .8
-2 3 .4
-2 2 .5
-2 8 .0
-4 4 .9
-4 3 .2
—31. 5
- 2.9
+39. 8
+20.4
+20.1
+33.2
+41.3
+39.2
+43.8
+ 14.5
+28.1
+25.0
+25. 2
+ .2
+28.7
-2 8 .7
- 3.7
-2 2 .4
- 4.1
- 1 4 .2
-1 7 .0
-1 0 .4
—12.3
-2 2 .1
-4 7 .7
-5 6 .5
—38.9
-5 3 .7
—18.9
-2 4 .7
.7
+31.9
+26.5
- 9.7
+22.1
+11.0
+26.8
+53.0
+35.9
+19.5
+3&5
+22.8
+ 1.2
+301
+12.5
+ 9.5
-3 5 .1
+24.5
-6 0 .9
-4 4 .6
-2 3 .9
-3 4 .7
—33.5
-1 7 .2
+ 72.7
+13.9
+ 9.7
+ 8.8
+40. 5
+40.6
+22.5
+34.7
+ 10.9
- 4.8
—83
- 1.9
+ 6.1
-3 1 .1
- 5.2
- 3.3
- 7.6
+ 3.1
+16.6
+ 7.1
—17.0
-4 5 .1
-5 2 .2
-4 8 .2
+56. 7
-4 4 .9
—51.8
-4 2 .1
Total * 1,809.3 1,147.0 1,428.9 1,774.9 1,287.8 1,685.8
1,261. 5
1 + 19.8 - 5.6 +43.3 + 19.4
2 + 4.2 + 17.1 +30.3 - 5.6
3 - 1.8 +38.4 +37.5 + 1.0
4 -4 0 .0 + 18.2 +32.3 - 31.9
5 —61.1 -1 8 .0 +33.0 - 34.0
6 -6 6 .4 -2 5 .1 -1 4 .4 - 40.6
7 -5 9 .0 + 2.0 -2 8 .4 - 47.0
8 -4 6 .3 - 7.7 -3 0 .3 - 40.8
9 -3 1 .7 -2 9 .3 -3 3 .3 - 24.9
10 -3 3 .2 —27.2 -2 7 .2 - 18.5
11 - 6.3 -2 1 .1 -1 7 .7 - 31.1
12 — 1.5 —10.8 + 2.5 - 12.3
13 +28.9 +11.4 -1 7 .3 +
.8
14 + 11.0 +24.2 + 13.2 - 4.6
15 +37.8 + 6. 8 + 7.8 + 28.5
16 +42.4 - 4.5 + 15.1 + 18.2
17 + 17.5 - 1.0 +18.8 - 3.6
18 + 2.2 - 5.2 + 8.1 - 7.6
19 + 5.8 - 1.7 +36.5 - 41.6
20 +31.3 -2 9 .9 + 19.6 - 2 8 . 4
21 - 3.1 -1 6 .6 +34.6 + 68.7
22 +26.0 -1 0 .2 +22.1 + 125.8
23 + 10.8 - 7.4 +24.4 + 77.1
24 +22.5 - 8.8 +25.7 + 92.7
25 -2 6 . 7 -1 4 .1 - .3 + 45.5
26 -2 8 .4 - 2.1 +20.1 + 22.9
27 - 1 . 2
-1 9 .1 + .4 + 31.6
28 -1 1 .2 -1 2 .3 - 3.7 - 12.9
29 -2 1 .4 -1 2 .7 -3 8 .4 - 12.7
30 -4 1 .0 - 6.7 -3 2 .7 - 25.1
31 -4 1 .0 - 3.1 - 8.2 - 34.4
32 -4 2 .5 + 5.0 - 7.0
(3)
33 -6 8 .6 -1 0 .6 - 7.2 - 31.3
34 -5 2 .6 - 9.5 - 6.5 - 31.5
35 -3 9 .2 -2 4 .4 -1 8 .9 - 50.5
36 -3 7 .8 -2 0 .9 -1 8 .1 - 44.7
37 -3 6 .3 - 1.7 - 4 2 .9 - 42.5
38 -4 1 .2 -4 1 . 1 -4 7 .2 - 30.1
39 —16.0 -6 3 .4 -4 6 .3 - 59.2
40 + 2. 1 -6 8 .8 -1 6 .1 — 46.6
41 + 18.2 + 2.9 - 6 7 .8 - 4 6 . 6
42 +21.7 -2 9 . 4 -5 8 .1 — 42.9
43 -3 4 .5 + 3 3 .1 - 4 5 .0 .5
44 +37.1 + 11.8 -3 6 .2 + 22.3
45 +65.1 + 14.6 -2 4 .2 - 3.4
46 +62.8 + 8.9 +24.2 + 44.2
47 +92.7 +53.6 -2 1 .1 + 67.4
48 +86.5 +65.3 +16.5 + 77.1
49 +66.4 +72.8 +57.4 + 42.6
50 + 6 1 .1 +61. 8 +68.7 + 39.1
51 +67.2 +83.0 +72.4 + 31.8
52 +78.2 +46.1 +49.9 + 30.8
+ 17.1
........
+ 11.3
........
-1 2 .7
.............
-2 6 .7
1,294.4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 2.5
- 5.9
- 2.1
+Î7. i
11
+
+
+
-
+ 6.4
-
- 4.8
-
-
+
+
—
—
—
.3
+31.2
+ 10.1
82.8
32.0
10. 6
7.3
31.4
16.3
22.7
48.2
79.7
60 6
60.6
57 4
18.8
18 8
30.8
33 1
2.1
31.9
67.5
74.3
/>. 6
+29.0
- 2.3
- 1.8
- A1
- 1.4
—21.9
-4 3 .9
-3 6 .0
- 7.7
- 3.6
— 0 6
+ 6.5
- 21.3
+ 4.2
+ 47.9
+ 49.0
+ 28.2
- 22.6
— 4+2
31 4
- 31.4
- 50 6
— 78.8
75 7
— 67.1
69 9
- 68.3
+ 3.5
+29. 8
-1 4 .7
+32.1
+28.1
+29.6
+22.3
+15.5
+10.9
+13.8
+24.7
+27.1
+ 7.3
+ 14.6
- 2.8
+ 39 9
+ 5.7
+ 64.5
+ 30.6
+ 73.1
+ 97.3
+ 90.4
+ 97.4
+ 108.5
+ 133.9
+ 149.1
1,327.1
292.9
2,464.3
1 This establishm ent has a biweekly pay-roll period.
* This establishm ent has a sem im onthly pay-roll period.
[234]
10 2
- 4.3
+ 14.0
+ 16. 6
15
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
L ISH M E N T S, SH O W N B Y T H E P E R C E N T A G E TH A T T H E AM OUNT O F EACH W E E K L Y
R O L L FO R A L L P R O D U C T IV E L A B O R , FO R Y E A R E N D IN G A P R . 1, 1918.
Per cent of deviation each week from the average for th e year, in specified establishments.
12
13
All
estab W eek
lish
No.
ments.
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
+53.2
+ 19.4
+11.4
-3 5 .5
-4 4 .4
-4 2 .8
-4 4 .9
-3 7 .1
-1 5 .8
-3 0 .0
-1 9 .6
-4 8 .4
-1 8 .5
+19.1
+ 8.3
+ 1.5
- 3.6
- 7.7
- 3.5
-2 0 .5
-1 9 .3
-1 4 .2
-1 5 .2
- 1.9
+ .5
+ .4
+ 7.2
- 3.4
- 9.2
- 3.1
-1 7 .5
-3 4 .9
-2 5 .5
-1 0 .6
- 4.2
- 3.0
-1 1 .4
-5 .2
+ .3
+77.1
+53.0
+39.9
+ 8.7
-1 6 .4
- 9.1
-1 4 .2
+ 1.4
+ 8.7
+ 3.1
- 8.5
+13.0
+ 2.7
+16.1
+ 22.7
+ 11.7
+ 3.8
- 9.0
-1 2 .4
-2 3 .3
-2 0 .8
-1 4 .9
-1 8 .0
- 9.4
- 1.9
+ 5.3
+ 5.6
+ 7.1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
1 1 .6
1 0 .2
1 5 .3
1 6 .3
1 7 .8
1 6 .8
1 4 .9
1 3 .8
1 .4
13. 6
3 .9
2 .4
5 .7
5 .7
.1
.3
.5
4 .0
8 .3
1 9 .1
2 3 .0
2 4 .8
2 7 .6
4 8 .4
7 .1
1 8 .7
9 .4
7 .3
1 6 .1
4 .6
1 0 .2
1 5 .6
3 .8
2 7 .1
2 4 .1
1 9 .0
1 8 .7
2 1 .5
+ 4 .5
+ 2 .7
+ 2 2 .1
+ 1 8 .3
+ 1 9 .9
+ 2 4 .4
+ 7 2 .5
+ 2 3 .0
+ 2 0 .7
+ 1 7 .1
- 4 .0
.1
- 4 .2
- 1 2 .5
- 1 5 .5
- 1 6 .8
- 8 .3
- 6 .5
- 1 0 .3
- 1 4 .8
- 7 .9
- 7 .9
- 1 3 .3
- 2 3 .7
- 1 9 .7
- 1 9 .4
- 5 .6
- 9 .9
- 3 0 .3
- 6 .3
+ 6 .3
+ 15. 6
+ 3 4 .4
+ 3 6 .9
+ 3 4 .2
+ 2 0 .3
+ 1 .0
- 5 .5
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
1 9 .5
2 6 .6
2 5 .7
1 3 .7
8 .2
1 0 .2
2 1 .4
1 7 .9
5 .0
6 .4
8 .5
1 .2
5 .2
4 .9
2 .4
7 .5
1 1 .0
1 7 .9
2 4 .2
3 3 .0
3 3 .9
2 2 .2
2 6 .2
2 7 .3
2 5 .4
2 1 .9
5 .2
.6
2 6 .7
5 .5
1 2 .2
1 8 .8
2 6 .2
2 7 .5
2 4 .9
2 4 .4
2 2 .3
2 2 .3
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
6 1 5 .9
7 5 9 .5
8 0 9 .8
Total.
+37.9
+21.1
+11.4
-1 0 .4
-1 1 .9
+ .4
+ 9.0
+ 11.2
-6 1 .6
- 3.4
+13.9
+ 19.3
+ 19.6
+20.5
+ 18.0
+21.8
- 1.3
+16.8
-2 6 .4
-6 6 .4
-7 0 .0
-4 6 .8
-3 7 .2
-2 8 . 5
-2 0 .0
-3 0 .5
+ 8.4
+23.8
+36.2
+32.2
+13.4
+ 2.1
- 1.7
-2 5 .6
-2 5 .1
-4 1 .2
-4 8 . 7
-3 3 .1
-1 9 .6
- 9.5
+ 9.5
+ 5.8
+ 8.2
+ 13.0
+26.0
+35.2
+10.0
-4 1 .7
-3 2 .0
-4 0 .4
-5 5 . 8
-2 0 .2
+ 5.8
- 3.3
+ .8
+25.8
+15.9
+ 6.5
+ 1.0
+43.6
+54.9
+25.8
+16.0
-2 3 .1
-1 0 .1
- 7.7
- 5.6
-5 2 .3
-5 9 .0
-3 3 .2
+ 1.0
+18.6
+ 3.0
- 7.1
- 2.8
+15.6
+13.5
+11.0
+14.1
- 2.9
-1 1 .1
-1 9 .3
-1 5 .2
-1 4 .5
+ 3.1
- 7.1
- 1.8
+ 1.5
+ •1
+ 1 .1
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
1 2 .9
1 8 .5
26. 4
5 9 .7
5 8 .1
16. 2
+ .8
+ 4 .0
+ 2 0 .7
- 9 .1
+
.6
+ 2 5 .2
+ 4 1 .7
+ 3 4 .6
+ 1 7 .6
- 1 2 .7
- 4 6 .3
- 4 9 .5
- 6 2 .6
- 3 7 .0
- 3 3 .0
- 2 7 .9
- 2 0 .1
- 2 9 .4
- 2 6 .7
- 1 1 .0
- 1 1 .9
- 3 7 .6
+ 13. 6
+ 3 4 .3
+ 3 2 .4
+ 5 1 .0
+ 4 0 .8
+ 3 8 .3
+ 3 0 .4
+ 23. 2
+ 2 2 .2
58. 8
5 4 .9
3 8 .6
5 3 .7
4 6 .8
3 8 .1
+ 8 .0
.4
+ 4 .9
- 1 9 .6
+ 4 0 .8
+ 4 1 .5
+ 4 3 .0
+ 2 1 .7
- 1 5 .0
- 1 1 .1
- 45. 5
- 7 1 .5
- 7 4 .7
- 5 6 .8
- 4 4 .8
- 3 2 .2
- 1 5 .2
- 1 3 .6
.1
- 2 8 .8
- 1 3 .4
- 4 3 .4
- 1 0 .4
+ 3 1 .0
+ 3 2 .6
+ 3 5 .7
+ 38. 6
+ 2 8 .6
+ 2 5 .0
+ 2 7 .9
+ 1 6 .2
2 9 .1
3 2 .0
2 4 .0
3 1 .6
2 9 .0
2 8 .0
+ 1 6 .4
- 1 4 .4
- 2 2 .6
- 3 2 .7
- 1 4 .9
+ 2 .7
+ 1 .8
+ 3 .0
+ 2 .0
+ 1 1 .4
+ 7 .9
+ 2 6 .3
- 2 6 .8
- 3 6 .3
- 3 2 .8
- 2 2 .1
- 3 8 .7
- 4 3 .1
- 2 9 .7
+
.2
+ 2 1 .4
—6 5 .7
+ 1 5 .9
+ 2 2 .8
+ 2 4 .1
+ 3 4 .6
+ 3 4 .0
+ 2 6 .4
+ 1 4 .7
+ 1 7 .5
+ 1 2 .2
+ 5 0 .2
+ 4 0 .4
+ 4 .6
+ 9 .7
+ 4 6 .3
+ 4 9 .6
+ 4 4 .3
+ 2 0 .1
+ 1 1 .3
- 1 5 .0
- 1 0 .6
+ 1 .0
+ 5 .5
- 7 .2
- 2 2 .9
- 2 8 .7
- 3 3 .9
- 6 4 .9
- 6 0 .1
- 5 6 .8
- 5 5 .0
- 4 1 .2
- 4 9 .8
- 5 6 .1
- 6 5 .9
- 3 4 .2
- 1 7 .5
- 3 4 .1
+ 6 .1
+ 3 9 .6
+ 4 9 .1
+ 5 8 .7
+ 5 4 .8
+ 5 2 .2
+ 5 0 .0
+ 4 8 .0
+ 4 8 .3
5 .3
2 8 .0
4 0 .5
4 7 .4
2 2 .4
+ 1 8 .3
+ 3 4 .3
- 8 .0
+ 1 2 .8
+ 5 3 .0
+ 4 8 .4
+ 7 4 .0
+ 9 5 .0
+ 5 2 .7
+ 2 9 .5
+ 2 1 .4
— 4 2 .4
- 5 8 .7
- 2 8 .0
- 4 6 .7
+ 2 0 .7
- 1 8 .0
- 4 5 .5
- 7 3 .0
- 5 1 .2
- 2 .7
- 2 .2
- 7 3 .1
+ 1 7 .9
+ 4 .9
+ 9 .0
+ 2 1 .2
+ 2 1 .2
+ 2 6 .5
+ 2 4 .5
+ 4 0 .7
+ 4 3 .1
1, 3 0 7 .6
1, 649. 2
1, 0 9 1 .3
1 , 6 8 1 .7
1 , 5 8 5 .4
8 No change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.1
3 .5
5 .0
+ 4 .6
+ 5 .4
+ 1 5 .5
+ 1 0 .6
+ 8 .1
+ 9 .5
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .6
+ 2 .7
+
.8
.4
- 2 .8
- 4 .5
- 1 0 .2
- 1 0 .4
- 8 .3
- 4 .8
.4
+
.6
+ 1 .1
.2
- 6 .1
+ 1 0 .2
+ 7 .7
- 4 2 .8
- 2 .0
+ 3 .0
- 2 .5
- 2 .2
+ 4 .3
+ 4 .2
+ 9 .9
- 2 .8
+ 5 .9
3 5 0 .5
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
4 6 .6
2 7 .6
3 0 .5
3 6 .1
1 5 .4
8 .9
15. 6
1 3 .0
3 7 .8
4 0 .2
1 1 .7
2 .3
2 9 .4
2 7 .0
2 9 .7
3 .5
1 0 .7
2 3 .4
2 6 .1
3 2 .3
1 0 .3
1 .1
2 4 .5
56. 0
6 3 .2
5 7 .9
2 0 .3
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
2 0 .0
3 2 .6
2 6 .6
2 1 .1
1 5 .5
2 5 .7
2 1 .7
1 8 .5
3 3 .8
4 1 .2
+
1, 3 9 8 .4
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
5 .6
- 5.0
- 7.6
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
1 9 .6
2 9 .9
56. 2
3 1 .0
6 .6
3 9 .9
4 9 .0
3 0 .7
9 .8
7 .0
2 3 .3
3 4 .0
1 0 .1
1 4 .9
3 6 .8
5 1 .8
4 7 .6
5 0 .8
5 2 .4
4 1 .0
3 7 .7
3 1 .5
1 8 .5
.1
8 .7
9 .7
5 .5
1 0 .1
1 5 .8
5 .1
1 4 .6
1 3 .5
1 7 .1
1 2 .7
1 6 .2
6 8 .9
7 0 .7
6 4 .1
1, 3 3 4 .8
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
* The to tal is th e sum of all the deviations ho th + and —.
[235]
16
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
This table shows that the extent of variations in the regularity
of employment in individual establishments is great. By far the
most regular employment was found in establishment No. 17
which showed an aggregate of deviations from the annual average
of only 350.5, while establishment No. 19, which had the next lowest
rate, showed the aggregate of employment deviations to be 615.9, or
about 76 per cent greater than that of establishment No. 17. The
most irregular employment was found in establishment No. 11
which showed an aggregate of deviations from the average of 2,464.3,
or an employment irregularity over seven times larger than that
of firm No. 17. In comparing these totals attention is directed to
footnotes 1, 2, and 4.
Table 8 and Chart B show the comparative regularity of emplovment in selected groups of large and small shops.
T able S.—CO M PA R A TIV E R E G U L A R IT Y O F EM PL O Y M EN T IN L A R G E AND SM ALL
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S, SH O W N B Y T H E P E R C E N T A G E T H A T T H E AM OUNT OF EA CH
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IS M ORE OR LESS TH A N T H E A V ER A G E WTE E K L Y PA Y R O L L
F O R A L L PR O D U C T IV E LA B O R FO R EA C H G R O U P, F O R T H E Y E A R E N D IN G A P R
I, 1918.
P er cent of
deviation each
week from th e
average for th e
year in —
W eek No.
1..........................
2..........................
3..........................
4..........................
5..........................
6..........................
7..........................
8..........................
9..........................
10..........................
11..........................
12..........................
13..........................
14..........................
15..........................
10..........................
17..........................
18..........................
Per cent of
deviation each
week from the
average for the
year in—
Per cent of
deviation each
week from the
average for the
year in—
W eek No.
Large
estab
lish
m ents.
Small
estab
lish
m ents.
+ 19.7
+ 9.4
- .4
-1 0 .4
- 9.4
-3 0 .4
-2 8 .6
-1 7 .7
-1 7 .5
- 7.2
+ .6
+ 11.1
+ 3.6
+ 4.4
+ 15.2
+20.0
+22.5
+ 13.3
+47.2
+22.8
-1 0 .8
-3 0 .2
-3 4 .0
-2 7 .6
-3 1 .8
-2 7 .6
-2 2 .1
-1 6 .2
+ .8
+ 9.8
+ 16.2
+34.1
+36.2
+33.6
+ 13.3
19........................
20........................
21........................
22........................
23........................
24........................
25........................
2 6 .......................
27........................
28........................
29........................
30........................
31........................
32...................... .
33........................
34........... ............
35......................
36........................
W eek No.
Large
estab
lish
m ents.
Small
estab
lish
m ents.
+19.3
+20.4
+26.4
+ 16.6
+ 4.8
+ 3.9
—12.7
— 3.4
+ 1.4
— .1
— 4.1
+ 4.8
— .8
+ 5.2
+ 17.5
+ 4.2
+ 8.2
+ 5.5
+ 10.8
+25.9
+26.3
+ 7.8
—15 6
—20.3
—35. 5
-4 5 .7
-3 8 .7
-3 6 .9
-1 8 .8
— 3.1
— 8.9
—12.4
—24.5
—25. 5
-1 2 .4
Large Small
estab estab
lish
lish
m ents. m ents.
37
38
30
40
41
42
48
44
45
46
47
48
40
50
51
52
T otal1........
-2 0 .7
-2 8 .9
-2 6 .7
-2 4 .5
- 6.5
+ 4.5
-3 0 .9
+ 6.9
+ 13.2
+ 19.8
+ 19.8
+25.3
+25.3
+ 23.7
+20.3
+20.0
-2 4 .9
-3 0 .4
-4 1 .3
-3 4 .3
-1 3 .1
- 6.5
-2 5 .6
+ 10.7
+ 11.8
+ 17.8
+29. 6
+30.6
+20.5
+34.1
+39.6
+ 41.3
763.8
1,177.4
1 The to tal is th e sum of all th e deviations both + and —.
. Each of the two groups of shops shown in the above table con
tained seven establishments. The combined annual pay roll for
all productive labor was $1,535,819, for the seven large shops and
$282,462 for the seven small shops, giving an average annual ex
penditure on labor per large and small shop, of $219,402 and $40,352,
respectively. The aggregates of percentage deviations from the aver
age for the year were 763.8 for the large shops and 1,177.4 for the small
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[236]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
17
ones. The employment deviations may thus be said to have been
about 54 per cent greater in the small than in the large shops.
As just shown, the regularity of employment is greater in the
larger establishments. Inasmuch as the few large shops employ
tne major part of the workers of the industry, it seemed interesting
to compile a summary table showing the proportion of workers
employed in certain groups of firms having each classified amount of
deviation from employment regularity. Such a summary is pre
sented in Table 9.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[237]
18
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 9.—P R O P O R T IO N OF W O R K E R S E M P L O Y E D IN C E R T A IN G R O U P S OF FIR M S
H A V IN G EA CH C L A SS IFIE D A M OUNT O F D EV IA T IO N S FR O M E M PL O Y M E N T R E G U
L A R IT Y , Y E A R E N D IN G A P R . 1, 1918.
Proportion of employees.
Classified am ount of weekly deviations from th e yearly
average (100).
N um ber of
firms.
N um ber.
P er cent.
U nder 700..........................................................
700 a n d un d er 900.................. .....................................
900 and under 1,100...........................................
1,100 and under 1,300..............................................................
1,300 and under 1,500..............................................................
1,500 and under 1,800.............................................
1,800 and o v e r...............................................................
3
1
1
6
3
5
2
1,548
125
a>3
631
190
355
103
46.5
3.7
11.5
18.9
T o tal....................................................................
21
3,335
100.0
lo! 6
3.1
About one-half of the workers of the industry were employed in
establishments which, as indicated by the aggregates of deviations
from the average, had the more regular employment. The deviations
in these shops were less than 900 points. Slightly less than one-third
of the total employed worked in establishments which had a lesser
regularity, namely, from 900 and under 1,300 deviation points.
About one-fifth of the workers were subjected to a very irregular
employment, as indicated by annual aggregates of deviations from
the average of 1,300 points or more.
The causes responsible for the relatively greater regularity of em
ployment in the larger shops are apparent. Their management is,
as a rule, more efficient and far-sighted. They realize more clearly
the disadvantage of irregular employment which diminishes the
efficiency of the organization by causing a high labor turnover and
increases the burden of overhead costs. Furthermore, being finan
cially stronger, they are not at the mercy of the retailer as are the
little employers who, for the fear of losing orders, seldom endeavor
to exact reasonably long delivery dates.
Table 10 shows the comparative regularity of employment in four
of the principal occupations of the industry.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
19
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 10.—CO M PA R A TIV E R E G U L A R IT Y OF EM PL O Y M E N T IN F O U R OF T H E P R IN
C IPA L OCCUPATIONS OF T H E IN D U S T R Y , SH O W N B Y T H E P E R C E N T A G E T H A T T H E
AM OUNT OF EA C H W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IS M ORE O R LESS TH A N T H E A V E R A G E
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L F O R A LL PR O D U C T IV E L A B O R , F O R T H E Y E A R E N D IN G A PR .
1, 1918.
Per cent of deviations each week from
th e avefage for th e year of—
Per cent of deviations each week from
th e average for the year of—
Week No.
Week No.
Sample
Cutters. makers.
1 ...................
9
3 ...................
4 ...................
5 ...................
6 ...................
7 ........ ........
8 ...................
9 ...................
10...................
11...................
12...................
13...................
14...................
15...................
16...................
17...................
18...................
19...................
20...................
21...................
22...................
23
.
24
.
25
.
26
.
27...................
+14.5
+ 5.5
+ 2.6
+ 2.0
- 2.3
- 1.4
- 4,4
-1 .6
- 1.1
+ .8
+ .4
+ 2.5
+ 5.1
+ 12. 1
+ 12.0
+ 16.3
+ 11.9
- 6.4
— 1.2
- 4.4
- 2.9
— 1.5
+ 2.1
- .8
-1 4 .1
— 5.1
+ 4.8
+39.0
+ 1.4
+ 8.5
+10.7
+ 9.3
+12.1
+ 8.3
+ 7.0
+ 9.9
+ 5.0
+ 3.1
- 2.1
-7 .7
+ 8.0
-1 8 .2
-1 8 .9
-1 5 .5
- 8.6
-1 3 .7
-1 4 .3
-1 2 .1
-1 1 .0
-1 3 .0
-1 2 .3
-2 5 .1
—18. 9
-1 3 .0
Press
ers.
+25.9
+ 3.2
- 7.4
-1 1 .3
-2 8 .1
-2 4 . 7
-2 4 .1
-2 1 .9
-2 0 .0
-1 3 .7
-9 .7
+ 1.0
- 4.3
+ 7.9
+ 19.6
+ 13.9
+27.7
+ 5.0
+ 19.6
+ 12.1
+ 16.9
+22.3
+ 13.1
+ 10.8
-1 8 .5
— 2.4
+ 4.3
Oper
ators.
+32.5
+ 12.2
— 7.6
-3 8 .8
-2 9 .1
—59.0
-4 4 .9
-2 5 . 8
—33. 3
-1 9 .4
+ 4.4
+22.8
+ 13.6
+ 5.9
+35.5
+46.8
+45.9
+28.3
+24. 7
+29.4
+32.3
+23.3
- 1.4
-1 3 .0
-2 3 .0
- 4.6
+ 9.7
Sample
Cutters. makers.
Press
ers.
Oper
ators.
28...................
29...................
30............
31...................
32...................
33............
34...................
35...................
36...............
37...................
38...................
39...................
40...................
41............
42...................
43............
44...................
45
.
46
.
47...................
48...................
49...................
.
50
51
.
52...................
-1 .2
— .8
+ .2
- 3.5
— 9.1
-1 2 .0
- 9.3
-1 2 .3
— 8.9
-1 1 .9
-1 6 .3
- 6.9
+ .2
+ 8.4
+ 2.2
+ .5
+ 5.1
+ 5.1
+ 3.9
+ 2.0
+ 4.5
+ 2.0
+ 4.7
+ 6.1
+ 4.2
- 9.2
— 2.6
+ 7.4
+20.7
+ 19.6
+25.2
+32.4
+29.3
+24.6
+ 13.6
+ 1.9
+ 3.0
+ 1.0
- 1.7
+28.3
-2 2 .1
-2 0 .3
-1 4 .2
-1 3 .9
- 9.3
- 8.3
- 8.3
-1 0 .4
- 7.6
+ 1.3
- 1 .0
- 7.2
-1 2 .3
-1 3 .1
-1 9 .4
-2 5 .2
-2 5 .8
-2 8 .3
-2 4 .7
-2 7 .3
-3 5 .9
-3 4 .4
-1 7 .1
- 6.3
- 3.6
-1 4 .0
+20.5
+24.3
+ 28.8
+36.8
+40.2
+36.0
+30.0
+33.4
+23.4
+51.9
+44.0
+43. 0
+43. 6
+41.8
T o ta l1.
281.1
662.9
963.4
1,560.5
+ 12.9
+ 5.3
- 7.0
-7 .7
-1 8 .4
-4 6 .0
-6 0 .9
-6 4 .2
-3 5 .5
-4 5 . 4
-5 2 .2
-5 0 .6
-5 0 .2
-1 2 .0
+ 11.3
-3 0 .0
+23.4
+36.2
+45.0
1 The to tal is th e sum of all th e deviations b o th + and —.
The figures for cutters, pressers, and operators shown in the table
above were based upon the pay-roll records of 10 identical establish
ments. The figures for the sample makers were based upon the
records of 7 firms each of which was included among the 10 estab
lishments upon whose pay-roll records the figures of the extent of
employment regularity in the other occupations wore based.
Of the four occupations, the cutters, with an aggregate of percentage
deviations of 281.1 from the average, appear to have had the most
regular employment. With the cutters as a basis of comparison100 per cent—the relative irregularity of employment was 236 per
cent in the sample making department, 343 per cent in the pressing
department, and 555 in the operating branches of the establish
ments. It may thus be seen that of the occupations enumerated
the operators had the least regular employment.
The causes of these differences in the regularity of employment of
the various occupations within the same establishments lie in the
following facts: (1) The cutters, pressers, and sample makers are, as
a rule, employed by the week, and are therefore not laid off as readily
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[239]
20
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
as are the operators who, as a rule, are pieceworkers; (2) the first
three occupations require a relatively greater amount of skill, and
employees engaged in them are therefore not so easily replaced as
are the operators.
IN D IV ID U A L E A R N IN G S AN D O P P O R T U N IT IE S F O R EM PLO Y M EN T.
Table 11, which is based upon the hours actually worked and wages
earned, shows the average hourly, weekly, and annual earnings for
each of the occupations, by sex.1 The table is based upon the records
of the larger shops of the trade which were able to furnish data
regarding the actual hours worked by each of their employees.
These shops employed approximately one-half of the total of the
workers of the industry. Inasmuch as the larger shops pay, as a
rule, somewhat better rates of wages than the smaller shops, the
figures presented in the table may be considered slightly above the
average.
T able 1 1 .—ACTU A L A V ER A G E E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , W E E K , AND Y E A R F O R T H E
Y E A R E N D IN G A P R . 1, 1918, C L A S S IF IE D B Y O C CU PA TIO N S A N D SE X .
—
Average earnings per—
um ber
N um ber N
of firms. of work
ers.
Occupation and sex.
Operators, m a le ....................................................
Operators, female.........................................................
Pressers, m a le ................................................ ............
P a tte rn graders, m a le ...................................................
Cutters, m ale................................................
C utters, lining, etc., m ale............................
Sample m akers, m ale.......................................
Finishers, skilled, m a le .........................................
Finishers, skilled, fem ale..............................
Finishers, unskilled, female...........................
E xam iners, m a le .............................................
E xam iners, female...............................
Bushelers, m a le ...........................................
Bushelers, female................................. ........
Trim m ers, assorters, and assemblers, male . . .
Trim m ers, assorters, and assemblers, fem ale...
B utto n m akers, m a le .......................... .............
B utton m akers, fem ale.........................
B utto n sewers and m arkers, female.................
Cleaners and label sewers, fem ale.....................
F orem en ................................................................
Forew om en............................................................
B uttonhole m akers, m ale............................
B uttonhole m akers, fem ale............................
4
4
5
4
8
7
6
4
4
6
7
5
4
4
4
8
1
235
701
197
198
49
22
22
531
139
26
13
15
21
15
68
3
4
6
7
6
3
8
56
26
50
20
35
H our.
$0.435
.274
.446
.590
.470
.376
.546
.396
.252
.224
.578
.326
.222
.210
.203
.260
.187
.481
.243
W eek
(48
hours).
« o n Oo
QQ
«¡pZU.
IQ . 1i 0r;
lO
0¿ 11 . 4A 11
OC QO
18.04
Oft
ZO. 01
io m
iy. ui
12.10
in 1 0
1U .
z0 7f .
1C
10.
oz u
n.
1O
7/ 4A
17
11
4a 0c
ft7
O/
1Z.
15.65
10.66
in
no
1U. Uo
O 7/4
A
y.
12.48
8
QQ
o. yo
ftQ
öQ1l . Oo
110.
ft 0fti1
oq
zo. no
uy
11
ftft
11. oo
Y ear
(2,270
hours).2
$987.45
621.98
1.012.42
1,339.30
1,066.90
853.52
1.239.42
898.92
572.04
508.48
1,312.06
717.32
599.28
503.94
460.81
590.20
424.49
1,498.20
785.42
1,091.87
551.01
1 Since th e completion of th is investigation increases in wage rates am ounting to from 10 to 12 ner cent
have been granted to th e employees.
*
2 The num ber of annual hours of labor was arrived a t b y m ultiplying th e prevailing hours of work ("481
by the annual num ber of weeks (52) and deducting 56 hours for seven legal holidays, 48 hours or one
working week, for an annual vacation, and 122 hours (about 5 p er cent of total working tim e) for tem porary
disability. The allowance for tem porary disability was based upon th e actual records of one of th e larger
firms, w hich record showed a percentage of tim e lost by reason of tem porary disability of slightly below 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[240]
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
21
Of the numerically strong male occupations the cutters had the
most favorable earning opportunity, the average earnings being
$1,066.90 per annum. Pressers showed an annual income of $1,012.42.
Male operators earned $987.45. The average annual income of
female operators was $621.98, which is considerably below the earn
ings of male workers in the same occupation. Female skilled finish
ers, the second largest group of female workers in the trade, earned
an average of $572.04 per year. The annual incomes of all of the
other principal occupations are shown in the last column of the table.
Table 12 shows, for 21 establishments, the number and per
cent of workers earning each classified amount per annum. These
figures represent the actual earning opportunities offered by the
industry, inasmuch as the earnings of identical individuals appear
ing in different shops were combined.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 241]
22
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T apt.E 1 2 .—N U M B ER AND P E R C EN T O F W O R K E R S E A R N IN G EA C H C L A SS IFIE D
1918 (21
N um ber of w orkers earning each classified am ount.
Occupation.
U n $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 $900 $1,000 $1,200 $1,400 $1,600
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
and
der to
to
$100 $199 $299 $399 «499 $599 $699 $799 $899 $999 $1,199 $1,399 $1,599 over.
Males .
O perato rs...... .................. 202 104
54
P ressers............................ 123
36
C u tte rs.............................. 73
5
Sample m ak ers............... 10
3
F orem en ..........................
Inning, canvas, and
assistant c u tte rs. . . .
12
19
2
Finishers, sk illed ...........
19
FiXaminers........ _ ___
2
2
B nshelers..............
(V 3
P a tte rn graders.........
Trim m ers,
assorters,
A.nd assem blers. . .
9
2
B utton m ak ers. . . .
2
9
B uttonhole makers . . . .
2
i
71
38
29
9
1
60
26
26
2
1
45
28
9
3
2
5
5
3
3
4
3
1
1
1
2
1
2
54
24
10
2
2
5
2
1
41
22
]0
1
1
56
25
9.
1
1
70
22
13
2
3
71
54
22
2
6
2
5
3
3
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
95
98
55
12
4
56
40
37
20
14
45
5
7
2
10
40
0
3
8
6
2
1
5
1
8
1
8
1
10
9
'4
80
86
1
1
1
1
1
474
226
168
124
94
102
85
102
118
159
288
O perators....................... 389
Finishers, sk illed__ _ 407
B u tto n ' sewers and
m a rk e rs..........
179
Finishers, u n sk ille d ___ 88
Cleaners and label sewers 61
Trim m ers,
assorters,
and assem blers..........
30
B uttonhole m ak ers___
12
E x a m in e rs....................... 10
Forew om en.....................
B utto n m ak ers............... 13
6
B ushelers.........................
159
134
87
79
59
86
97
104
109
130
87
70
46
37
19
9
13
9
9
6
1
28
19
13
26
24
8
8
17
5
27
15
8
21
13
5
3
1
2
1
1
1
6
7
6
2
3
4
7
4
1
17
3
2
1
3
3
19
7
3
2
3
5
7
6
2
3
1
2
2
2
3
6
1
9
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
6
6
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
T o tal...................... 1,195 3S1
239
195
280
317
186
98
46
27
20
Grand to ta l.......... 1,669 607
407
319
374
419
271
200
164
186
308
T o tal......................
F
em a l e s
2
i
25
1
2
186
.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[242]
1
4
3
186
83
86
23
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
AM OUNT IN S P E C IF IE D P R IN C IP A L O CCUPATIONS D U R IN G T H E Y E A R E N D IN G A P R . 1,
FIR M S).
Total for year.
P er cent of w orkers earning each classified am ount.
Un- $100 $200 $300 $400 $500 $600 $700 $800 $900 $1,000 $1,200 .$1,400 $1,600
to
to
der to to to to to to to to to
to
and
$100 $199 $299 $399 $499 $599 $699 $799 $899 $999 $1,199 $1,399 $1,599 over.
7.0
9.6
6.5
6.7
1.5
9.5
17.4
16.2
16.0
5.9
5.5
7.1
11.0
26.7
20.6
3.2 7.9 4.8 4. 8
30 1 19 0 7.9 4.8 4.8
9.6 11.6 5.8 1.9 1.9
36.6 3.8 9.6 7.7
4.8
4.8
4.8
7.1
4.8
3.5 10.3 3.5
20.6 10.3 17.2 3. 5 3.5 3.5
6.7
9. 5
5.8
19.0
20.6
3.2
1.9
11.9
3.5
53.3
20.0
22.1
21.5
13.3
10.3
9.6
10.7
6.7
4.4
7.0
6.8
8.8
12.0
1.5
60 0 IS s 13.3
75.0 16.7
18.2 9.1
5.9
4.6
7.7
2.7
1.5
4.5
5.0
2.7
3.9
2.9
5.3
4.3
2.9
2.7
2.9
4.1
3.7
2.9
1.3
1.5
5.5
4.5
2.7
1.3
1.5
6.9
3.9
3.8
2.7
4.4
6.7
8.3
18.2 9.1
20.7 9.9 7.3 5.4 4.1 4.5 3.7 4.5 5.1 6.9
36,2 14.8 8.1 5.5 9. 0 10.2 8.1 4.3 1.8 1.2
38.0 12.5 7.3 8.2 9.5 12.1 6.5 3.4 1.0 .8
59.8 9.4 8.7 2.7 9.0 7.1 1.7
48.6 10.5 13.2 9.4 8.3 7.2 1.6
61 C13 C 8. C 5.0 8. C 5. C
30 6 6.1
25 5 14.9
30.3 18.1
6.9
46.5 10.7
23.1 15.4
4. 5
.9
2.0
2.7
14.7
4.0
.5
.6
1.3
36.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1,010
68
$624,174.00 1617.99
328,835.39 585.12
202,007.37 597. 63
58,228.59 776.38
95,390.21 1,402.80
1.9
19.0
100.0
1.9 100.0
23.8 100.0
100 0
26.7 100.0
63
52
42
29
15
25,832.15 410.03
22,660.68 435.78
49,916.99 1,188.49
15,298.05 527.52
20,837.78 1,389.18
100.0
100.0
100.0
15
2,796.10 186. 41
1,265.27 105.44
6,728.82 611.71
13.3
6.7
9.1 9.1 9.0
.3
.7
.6
18.2
3.7 100.0
.8
.6 ..........
.1
100.0
100.0
1,074
1,072
311,999.41 290.50
301,308.53 281.07
.3
.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
299
181
51,531.30 172.35
35,715.39 197.32
13,765.32 137.65
7.2 6.1 17.3 19.4 7.2 2.0 4.1
8.5 12.8 6.4 14.9 12 8 4. 2
3.0 6.1 6.1 9.1 6.1 9.1 3.0 3.0
3.5 3.5 6.9 10.3 20.7 31.0 6.9
3. 6 14.2 10.7 10.7 3.6
7.7 3.8 11.6 19.3 7.7 3.8 3.8 3.8
6.1
6.9
.9
12
11
3.5
.....
31.6 11.5 7.7 6.0 7.1 8.0 5.2 3.8 3.1 3.5
562
338
75
8.1
12.6
.6
40.0 12.8 8.0 6.5 9.4 10.6 6.2 3.3 1.5
W ork
Earnings.
ers.
Averaga
an
nual
earn
ings.
3.4
.7 .........
5.9
3.5
......
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.1
100.0
1.5
1.6 100.0
2,292 1,453,971.40 634.37
100
33,354.83
15,299.56
12,250.37
21,840.02
6,276.42
9,813.93
340.36
325.52
371.22
753.10
224.16
377. 46
813,155.08 272. 23
2,267,126.48
Only 27.9 per cent of the male employees and 0.8 per cent of females
actually earned $1,000 or over per annum. The respective percent
ages of males and females who earned $800 per annum or over
were 39.9 and 3.2. The great demand of the industry for casual labor
is shown by the fact that 37.9 per cent of the males and 60.8 per cent
of the females earned less than $300 per year.
Table 13 is similar to the one last presented, hut shows the number
and per cent of workers employed each classified number of weeks.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[243]
24
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T able 13.—N U M B ER AND P E R C EN T O F W O R K E R S E M PL O Y E D EA CH C L A SS IFIE D
E N D IN G A P R . 1,
N um ber of w orkers em ployed each classified num ber of weeks.
Over Over Over Over
19
4 and 9 and 14
and
up up and
up
up
to 9 to 14
inel. inel. to 19 to 24
inel. inel.
Occupation.
2
1
4
3
Over
24
and
up
to 29
inei.
Over Over Over Over Over
29
34
39
44
49
and and and and and
up up up up up
to 34 to 39 to 44 to 49 to 52
inel. inch inel inch inch
MALES.
O perators.................................
P ressers....................................
C u tte rs.....................................
Sample m ak ers.......................
F orem en ..................................
Lining, canvas, and assista n t cu tters...........................
Finishers, sk illed ...................
E xam iners..............................
B ushelers.................................
P a tte rn graders......................
Trim m ers, assorters, and
assemblers............................
B u tto n m a k e rs......................
B uttonhole m ak ers..............
47
31
11
2
49
15
21
4
38
16
11
2
42
26
11
82
67
33
8
65
28
28
9
3
65
23
17
2
4
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
12
9
2
4
8
3
2
3
i
4
3
i
2
4
2
3
3
T otal..............................
100
94
72
89
221
158
117
81
66
77
70
84
35
61
24
12
6
36
53
30
12
6
26
40
14
9
4
21
43
13
6
1
83
146
64
30
8
42
90
19
25
6
45
60
3
13
1
21
28
8
3
3
27
43
10
10
31
43
7
12
25
40
1
10
1
42
47
5
12
4
2
2
3
3
2
7
2
i
9
3
2
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
6
2
4
i
2
3
2
43
13
13
3
1
35
19
6
3
1
3
2
1
2
43
17
9
1
42
12
8
2
2
2
3
i
i
i
1
i
50
17
7
3
i
108
25
8
5
i
136
140
99
29
43
6
&
1
l
l
11
9
22
1
1
2
13
2
1
1
2
158
515
FEMALES.
Operators.................................
Finishers, skilled...................
B utton sewers and m arkers.
Finishers, unskilled..............
Cleaners and label sew ers. . .
Trim m ers, assorters, and
assemblers........... ................
B uttonhole m ak ers...............
E x am in ers..............................
Forewomen.............................
B utton m ak ers......................
Bushelers.................................
1
1
1
3
32
l
1
1
1
43 136
66 159
9
15
91 18
15
]|
2
8
T otal..............................
144
141
97
89
347
197
125
65
97
95
84
113
136
416
Grand to ta l..................
244
23-5
169
178
568
353
242
146
163
172
154
197
294
931
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 244]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
N U M B E R O F W E E K S IN S P E C IF IE D P R IN C IP A L OCCUPATIONS, D U R IN G T H E Y E A R
1918(19 FIRM S).
Total.
Per cent of w orkers em ployed each classified num ber of weeks.
1
2
3
Over Over Over
Over Over Over
29
14
19
24
4 and 9 and and and and and
4 up up up up up up
to 9 to 14 to 19 to 24 to 29 to 34
incl. incl. incl.
incl. incl. incl.
5.8 4.5 4.9 9.7 7.7
6.9 3.3 3.6 5.8 14.9 6.2
3.9 7.5 3.9 3.9 11.7 10.0
11.4 12.8
2.9 5.7 2.9
5.6
6.8 1.7 3.4 3.4 20.3 13.5
7.7
5.1
6.0
2.9
2.5 7.5 5.0 5.0 22.5 7.5
3.2 ? 2 6 5
3! 6 14.2 10.7
3.6 3.6
6. 7
26.6 13.3 20.0
20.0
7.5
3. 2
22.2
6.8
5.1
2.9
4.6
4.3
1.9
5.1
3.8
5.1
5.1
3.8
3.2
1.4
3.4
5.0 5.9 12.8
2.7 3.8 5.6
2.8 2.5 2.8
2.9 4.3 7.1
3. S 1.9 1.9
10.2
1.7
3.6
16.1
31.2
35.1
41.4
81.1
18.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
845
449
2S2
70
53
59
21,843
12,302
7,806
2,239
2,500
1,350
25.8
27.4
27.6
32.0
47.2
22.9
40
31
28
15
15
912
1,232
781
726
194
22.9
39.7
28.0
48.4
12. S
3.6
3.6
6.7
6.7
2.5 22.5 100.0
3.2 71.0 100.0
3.6 32.1 100.0
86.6 100.0
6.7 100.0
11.2
25.0 100.0
22.2 22.2 100 0
4
9
86
292
21.5
32.4
7.5
2.5
7.1 7. i
75.0
4.1
4.2
2.1
Aver
age.
Over Over Over Over
weeks
34
44
49
39
per
and and and and To Workers. Weeks.
worker.
up up up up tal.
to 39 to 44 to 49 to 52
incl. incl. incl. incl.
22.2
6.2 4.3 3.5 4.0
7.5
3.2
3.6
6.7
3.7
4.4
8.3 27.1 100.0
1,900
52,263
27.5
4.1
4.4
.5
5.5
2.0
1.3
6.9
5.1
2.2
6.6
7.0 22.2 100.0
7.2 17.3 100.0
4.0 6.7 100. 0
5.0 10.0 100.0
29. 4 100.0
3.8 40.5 100.0
613
919
222
181
51
' 79
16,032
21,476
2,984
3,734
1,067
2,495
26.1
23.4
13.4
20.6
20.9
31.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
30
9
15
13
14
960
394
758
475
384
32.0
43.8
50.5
36.5
27.4
5.8 3.0 4.5 4.4 3.9 5.3 6.4 19.4 100.0
6.7 6.6 4.5 4.1
6.0 3.6 4.0 4.3 3.8 4.9 7.3 23.0 100.0
8/7
4.2 4.4 14.0
6. 0
2,146
50,759
23.7
4,046
103,022
25.5
5.3 4.9 3.8 4.7 11.6
4.2
4.2
6.3
5.0
2Q
5.1 2.5 3. 8
5.7 5.9
6.6 5.8
10.8 13.5
6.6 6.6
3.3 6.7
7. 7
7.1
8.2
7.3
1.4
7.2
2.0
3.8 8.9 11.4 2.5
6.7 6.7 10.0 3.3
11.1
15.4 7.7
3.4
4.7
5.9
3.3
20
13.5 6.9
15.9 9.8
28.8 8.6
1G.6 13.8
15 7 11 7
28.6 14.3
16.2
9.2
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6. 5
3.4
3.1
3.6
1.7
5.9
1.2
4.4
4.7
4.5
5.5
6.3
1.3
3.3
3.3
6.7
3.3 10.0
11.1 ii. i 11.1
6.7
6.7
7.7
Ü.
3
........
7.1
5.1
4.7
3.2
6.6
7.6
36.7
55.6
86.6
61.5
28.6
26
MONTHLY LABOE B,EVIEW.
The great demand for short-time workers is clearly shown by the
fact that 30.3 per cent of all males and 38.1 per cent of all females
were employed nine weeks or less.
Table 14, which is based upon the detailed figures presented in
Tables 11 and 13, shows the number and per cent of each occupational
group more or less permanently employed (from 44 to 52 weeks)
and average annual incomes based upon average hourly earnings.
T able 14.—N U M B ER A N D P E R C EN T O F M ALES A N D FE M A L E S IN EA C H
OCCUPA
T IO N W HO A R E P E R M A N E N T L Y E M PL O Y E D AN D A V ER A G E A N N U A L INCOMES
B A SED U PO N A V ER A G E H O U R L Y EA R N IN G S.
Males.
Occupation.
Em ployed
44 to 52
weeks.
Average annual
earnings.
Num Per
ber. cent.
O perators.................................................
Pressers....................................................
C u tte rs.;................................................
Sample m akers.......................................
T rim m ers.........................................
Lining and canvas cu tters...................
Finishers, skilled...................................
Finishers', u n sk illed ..............................
E xam iners..............................................
B ushelers................. * ............................
P a tte rn graders................................
Trim m ers, assorters, assem blers........
B utto n m akers...................................
B uttonhole m ak ers...............................
Cleaners, label sew ers.......................
B utto n sewers an d m ark ers...............
T otal............................................
Females.
Average annual
earnings.
Num Per
ber. cent.
244
165
107
34
44
17
10
28.9
36.8
37.9
48.5
83.0
28.8
25.0
$920 to
943 to
994 to
1,154 to
1,395 to
795 to
837 to
23
10
13
1
1
4
74.2
35.7
86.6
6.7
25.0
44.4
1,222 to
901 to
1,247 to
690 to
445 to
1,017 to
673
Em ployed
44 to 52
weeks.
$1,086
179
1,113
1,173
1,363
1,647
225
884
989 ^~24
27
1,442
15
1,063
35
1,473
814
13
524
6
1,201
14
8
6
29.2
$580 to $684
93.3
732 to 864
24.5
15.0
66.7
42.9
533 to
474 to
668 to
558 to
629
559
789
659
44.3
61.5
43.4
29.4
10.7
470 to
430 to
514 to
396 to
550 to
554
506
608
467
649
—
552
Among the male employees 37.9 per cent of the cutters, 36.8 per
cent of the pressers, and 28.9 per cent of the operators were perma
nently employed. The respective maximums of .average annual earn
ings of each of these occupations were $1,173, $1,113, and $1,086; 29.2
per cent of the female operators were permanently employed and
earned a maximum annual average amount of $684. About onefourth of the male and female skilled finishers were permanently
employed. The maximum average earnings were $989 for male
and $629 for female skilled finishers.
M ETH O D S OF EM PL O Y M EN T R E G U L A R IZ A T IO N .
Because of their comparatively greater employment regularity, a
brief inquiry was made of the manufacturing and selling policies of
firms Nos. 10, 17, and 19. The relative importance of this small
group of firms may be judged by the fact that its aggregate employed
was more than two-fifths of the total of the entire industry.
i he figures showing the relative regularity of employment of
each of these establishments are given in Table 7. In any analysis
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27
of those figures, however, one must keep in mind the extent of “ out
side” manufacturing, or contracting, resorted to. To minimize the
inconvenience and cost of frequent short-time expansions of their
permanent manufacturing organizations each one of the firms em
ployed contractors during the few rush weeks of the year. Thirtyfour per cent of the manufacturing labor of firm No. 17, 17 per cent
of firm No. 19, and 7 per cent of firm No. 10, was done in outside shops.
The weekly labor expenditures of the outside shops were not in
cluded in the corresponding pay-roll period amounts which, for the
purpose of the survey, constituted the measure of employment
regularity. Such an inclusion, although very desirable, was im
possible because of the total lack in the contractors’ shops of reliable
weekly pay-roll records. Had such outside amounts been included
the regularity of employment of each of these firms, but particularly
of firm No. 17, would have been far less than that shown in this
report.
Generally speaking, four distinct methods or policies are resorted
to in Cleveland for the regularization of employment. These are: (!)
The creation, through extensive advertising, of a permanent demand
for a few styles, the steadiness of which demand permits manufac
turing in advance of orders; (2) the manufacture of fillers, such as
Wash skirts, during the slack seasons of the year; (3) the insistence
upon reasonably long delivery dates, which will not necessitate
extensive employment of casual help; (4) engaging in some contract
work for an allied trade, such as that of men’s clothing, during the
dull seasons of the year.
The precise extent to which each of the regularization methods
mentioned are resorted to by each of the three firms is shown imme
diately below.
F irm N o . 10 .—The principal methods employed by this firm for
the regularization of its employment are: (1) Careful planning of its
manufacturing activities with a view to the average capacity of its
manufacturing force; (2) the organization of sales in a manner
enabling some manufacturing in advance of orders; (3) the making
of wash skirts, as an employment filler, during the dull periods which
follow the busy spring season of the year.
The following is a concise outline of a statement furnished by this
company, indicating its principal employment regularization policies:
The fundamental principle of employment regularization in our factory is that of
planning the work so that we may know sufficiently long in advance how much work
there is to do, how much material is needed, and how many persons will be neces
sary to accomplish the scheduled task.
Our materials are purchased fully six months before the official opening of the sea
sons, after first determining the ability of the sales organization to sell a given num
ber of garments and of the manufacturing division to make these garments within a
given space of time.
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28
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
About six weeks before the opening of the spring season, about December 1, and
of the fall season, about April 1, the exact number of models and approximate prices
are determined upon. The style committee then adopts garments to conform with
the schedule laid out, each adoption carrying with it the manufacture of the neces
sary duplicates.
1he preparatory work before the actual beginning of the season engages approxi
mately 50 per cent of the employees of the factory. During the slack period following
the fall season the remaining 50 per cent receive their yearly vacation of one week
with full pay and a lay off of from one to two weeks. The slack period following the
spring season is occupied by the manufacture of wash skirts and there is therefore
no lay off whatever during this dull period of the year.
We plan in advance when to begin the fall season and are able to see approximately
v hen the spring season will draw to a close. We plan, therefore, on manufacturing
just enough wash skirts during the slack period to occupy our manufacturing division
to capacity, with a definite understanding that we shall make so many wash skirts
and no more, also that these garments must be in the cutting room, and completed,
by a certain date, in order to give way to the fall production which follows immediately
after.
As soon as we are able to observe the reception of the various numbers of the line
by the retailers, we anticipate by manufacturing in advance, placing into work
enough garments of each style to make possible then' being manufactured economi
cally. This makes it possible for us to start the season earlier than we would had we
been waiting for the orders to come in.
F irm No. 17 .—The main employment regularization policy of this
firm consists of extensive advertising of a few styles with the con
sequent creation of a demand, the steadiness of which permits con
siderable manufacturing in advance of sales. Tins policy was
begun in 1915 and resulted in the popularization of what was
then a $10 coat and $16.75 suit, now sold at $18.75 and $25.50,
respectively. The development of these specials was accompanied
by a significant decrease in the number of styles.
The firm uses comprehensive planning methods for the purpose of
arriving at reliable estimates of the probable popularity of certain
styles. These estimates are arrived at by a close study of the sales
records of the past seasons. The manufacture of definite quantities
of certain styles is thus decided upon before the commencement of
each season. The output decided upon is then apportioned among
the members of the sales force in accordance with the actual sales
of each pprson during the past seasons. Members of the selling
organization are instructed to refuse orders the delivery dates of
which do not fit in with the normal weekly or monthly output ca
pacity of the manufacturing branch of the business. The develop
ment and popularization of specials, in the manner indicated above,
enables the firm to exact satisfactory delivery dates.
During the dull seasons of the year the firm manufactures fillers
of its own and does some contract work for allied trades. During
the slack period of 1915-1917 it produced about 60,000 wash skirts
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29
and made some men’s overcoats. Recently it began to manufacture
considerable amounts of military clothing. The latter kind of work,
however, requires the organization of special shops and can not
therefore serve as an employment filler for the regular working force.
The establishment uses the ordinary annual vacations of the
employees as an employment regularizer. Instead of granting vaca
tions indiscriminately throughout the year an endeavor is made to
confine individual vacations to the dull periods of the business.
F irm No. 19 .—Realizing the advantages of a permanent and steady
working force, this firm, during the dull seasons of the past year,
manufactured men’s overcoats for one of the men’s clothing firms
of this city. It also made some clothing for the Army. Thus the
principal reason for its regularity of employment was the doing of
contract work for allied trades.
During the coming year it plans on developing an employment
filler in its own line, preferably wash skirts, which can be manufac
tured in large quantities for stock, when business is dull.
The establishment makes special efforts to educate its sales force
to a realization of the necessity of insisting upon properly long
delivery dates, which will not require any frequent short-time ex
pansions of the manufacturing personnel.
71795°—18----- 3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SECOND INTERALLIED CONFERENCE ON AFTER-CARE OF DISABLED
MEN.
BY N. C. ADAMS.1
The second annual meeting of the Interallied Conference on the
After-care of Disabled Men was held in the Central Hall, Westminster,
London, May 20 to 25, 1918, and was attended by upward of eighty
delegates in addition to the large number of official representatives
of the British Government. The foreign delegates were from Bel
gium, France, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Siam, Canada, Australia,
South Africa, New Zealand, India, Newfoundland, and the United
States. The conference and connected exhibition aroused much
public interest and also was daily attended by the King and Queen,
or other members of the royal family.
The conference was divided into four sections: I. Pensions and
allowances; II. Training; III. Medical treatment; IV. Surgical treat
ment.
Sections III and IV were attended almost exclusively by the army
physicians and surgeons, and Section I by the representatives of the
various nations who are concerned with the financial appropriations
of the Governments. Section II was the one of most general interest
to all delegates, and it is the proceedings of this section to which this
report largely refers. The section was presided over by Sir Charles
Nicholson, M. P., chairman of the disablement subcommittee of the
London War Pensions Committee.
Delegates were impressed at every session of the conference, first by
the undeniably serious effort on the part of every nation concerned to
solve the problem of rehabilitation in the most just and most humani
tarian way, and second, by the humility with which each country
acknowledged that as yet, after four years of war, no one was satis
fied that an ideal system had been attained, but that makeshifts
were better than waiting for an ideal which was certain to be devel
oped.
No unity of practice could be expected among countries differing
so widely in tradition, customs, and general characteristics, and
while conditions in the United States resemble those in Canada and
England, there are still so many points of difference that the
individual experiences of those countries probably can benefit our
people in a general way only. There are, however, various points
1 Mr. N . C. Adams was th e representative of th e U nited States D epartm ent of Labor a t the second
annual meeting of the Interallied Conference on After-care of D isabled Men, held in London, May 20 to
25,1918.
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32
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
on which all the delegates seemed to agree, and these will be briefly
stated. It may be well, however, first to make a general statement
as to the course pursued with a wounded or maimed man.
The army surgeons, of course, consider each man brought before
them with a view to estimating how soon he can be so restored as
to be able to return to active service. This is war, and, if the victory
is to be won, every man must be utilized to the utmost extent. If
the surgeon decides that the wounded man can be put back into the
line in a comparatively short time he is retained in the hospital
nearest the place where he may be used, or perhaps sent nearer his
home; but in either case all his treatment is curative, in order to
restore his functions at the earliest moment; it is occupational only
for the purpose of awakening his interest, in order that the successful
outcome of the curative treatment may be hastened. There is no
thought of training his mind or body for any future professional or
industrial developments. On the other hand, if the surgeon decides
that there is no chance of a man ever being put back into active
service, or if the chance is remote, or if, at best, a long course of
treatment must be given, the man is sent as far away from the front
as possible, where he will be sure of the best treatment and care.
Here the man is given every curative treatment, and, as soon as
possible, is transferred to one of the orthopedic hospitals, where
almost miraculous work is being done. With this orthopedic treat
ment occupational work is offered, together with every stimulating
mental aid which may be safely used. There are many remarkable
cases where mental development so acted upon the physical well
being that men who were considered hopelessly invalided have been
restored to active service by these modern hospitals. The men
who have lost an arm or a leg, or have received wounds which
incapacitate them for further army service, are considered with
a view to their future welfare, even while undergoing the most inten
sive medical treatment. And here begins the real “ after-care of the
disabled.” Practically all nations agree that this is the beginning
of the crucial period in the treatment of the man who has a new life
to face. The greatest care must be taken to prevent the patient
from giving up hope of ever again taking his place as a man among
men in the battle of life, and it is of the utmost importance that
those coming in contact with the men in the hospitals should have
developed in the highest degree the faculty of dealing with the
individual. Indeed, all the speakers at the conference put the
strongest emphasis upon the importance of the psychology of the
individual. Even the surgeons seem to be in favor of encouraging
the patient to take an interest in his future too soon, that is, while he
is still hardly conscious of his real condition—in preference to run
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33
ning the risk of waiting until the shock caused by full realization
shall have sown the seed of despair in his mind. In the young man
there is greater hopefulness and less danger of despondency than in
the men in the late thirties or the forties, with whom the utmost care
must be exercised.
Men convalescing in hospitals are in a peculiarly impressionable
state of mind and above all must not be permitted to become depressed
and hopeless by being left in idleness. The occupational work which
is being done in the hospitals, to avoid this condition and for its
curative effect, may develop a latent ability which would suggest
to a man some work for which he is really suited. It is frequently
found that, left to himself, the man’s choice of a vocation after con
valescence would be quite an unsuitable one. Hence careful thought
and guidance are demanded of those about him. Most men who
find themselves disabled appear to have a repugnance for their for
mer trade or profession. The thought of having lost their old-time
skill probably makes them feel helpless, but an effort is usually made
by advisers to make the men realize that their knowledge of the result
to be obtained will quickly enable them to devise new ways of han
dling tools, or suggest some new way of doing their old work. Much
is gained by utilizing the former knowledge and experience of the men.
Forty-six per cent of the men fitted with artificial legs or arms at
Roehampton Hospital have returned to their old trades or businesses.
Again, it is frequently found that a man who may have always
had a strong desire to follow some vocation here finds an opportu
nity to gratify it. In such cases the gratification experienced is sure
to stimulate the man both mentally and physically and to hasten
both the return of strength and the obtaining of sufficient skill to
pursue the vocation.
Reports from every country indicate that the problem of the onearmed man is the most serious which confronts those who are in charge
of the training. The man who has lost one or even both of his legs
finds innumerable opportunities for work. In fact the modern arti
ficial legs are so remarkable that many men find themselves handi
capped very little, even when they wear two of them. But despite
the even more marvelous mechanical construction of some of the
artificial arms there are greater limitations to their use, and flexi
bility of fingers can not be gained, hence the field of work open to
men wearing these artificial arms is a narrow one. It has been sug
gested that occupations suitable for arm cripples be restricted by
law to their use so long as there is a sufficient number of men so
handicapped to fill them. Accounting work in nearly all its branches
is adapted to their capabilities, as is switchboard work and the run
ning of certain machines.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Compelling or forcing a man to choose a certain vocation is to be
avoided, although it is often possible to influence him in making his
choice while leaving him in the belief that he has chosen of his own
volition. Each individual case may be studied in apparently casual
interviews. The power of suggestion is recognized as being of great
importance in these cases. The effect of example upon men with a
tendency to be discouraged is very marked, and at Roehampton
there is a group of “ post graduates” who have developed the use of
their new limbs to a remarkable degree and who by exhibiting their
prowess stimulate the men who are timid or so oppressed by their
misfortune as to be disinclined to effort.
In the case of young fellows who joined the forces before they had
a chance to take professional training much may be done, and in
many instances the boy’s chosen career need not be disturbed.
The American Y. M. C. A. already has in England an educational
secretary who with his staff will do as much educational work as
possible with our men while they are resting or training in England
before going to France. The association hopes to be able to keep
the soldiers thinking about their future under any condition in which
they may find themselves. The aim is to follow up this educational
work later, and for this purpose the resources of the association have
been placed at the disposal of the Army medical authorities.
M. Alleman, chief of the Belgian educational staff at Port Yillez,
and Surg. Maj. Ferreiro, director of the Portuguese Institute for
Disabled Soldiers and Sailors, laid special emphasis upon the psycho
logical treatment. It was agreed by those who participated in
the discussions that all the wonderful appliances in existence for
helping the maimed man will be of little value if his spirit has
not been rejuvenated. It was reiterated that those who do work
in hospitals and in the training schools must develop a fraternal
spirit of the best kind and that the disabled men should never be
permitted to gain the impression that they are objects of pity or of
j charity. Too much sympathy may be as bad as too little. On the
| other hand, the fact remains that many of these men will never be
able to meet their fellow workmen on common ground and will need
encouragement and advice carefully administered so long as they
live. This work must for a large part come from voluntary workers
who should, however, be in close cooperation with the boards or
committees administering the men’s affairs.
Just now sentiment is aroused to a high degree, but it is realized
that when demobilization comes there will be problems of such impor
tance in determining the economic courses of each country that
I disabled men will be left to shift for themselves unless the greatest
| effort is made immediately to establish most satisfactory opportuni| ties for treating, training, and employing them. No effort should be
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35
spared to try out feasible plans and as quickly as possible to find the
system which seems most nearly to approach the ideal which all
nations are striving to attain.
As to the administration of the various official boards and commit
tees provided for looking after the funds and men, the unanimous
opinion expressed at the conference was that the best results probably
come from centralization of control and unity of authority. As one
delegate remarked, “ There is danger in too many advisory committees,
who may let the poor man slip between them while they are discussing
his case.”
So far as can be ascertained the American authorities have decided
to provide hospital care and treatment and training in England,
France, or Italy for every wounded American soldier whose disa
bilities are of such a character that there is even a remote likelihood
of his being in reasonable time restored to active service on the firing
line, or of his being retrained so that he may take one of the innumera
ble positions behind the lines, where many maimed men (even ampu
tation cases) can be employed, thereby releasing for the front line
many physically fit men who are now occupying these clerical or
other positions. Only the man who probably can never do active
work or for whom a long course of treatment is in store will be sent
to America.
In many instances it has happened, in European countries, that
when men have been discharged from hospitals where amputations
are performed there were no vacancies in the hospitals where artificial
limbs are fitted and the men have had a long period of waiting, either
at home or in boarding houses, where their surroundings were not
such as to encourage them to think in the right way of their future.
This course is universally condemned', and an effort should be made
to make it unnecessary.
In selecting occupations in which men may be trained, great care
should be used to avoid blind alleys—that is, to be certain that there
will be jobs waiting for the men in the trades in which they have been
trained. In that respect each countryTias its own particular diffi
culties and must plan its own work. Much emphasis was laid upon
the undesirability of training a man for an immediate job, such as
munitions work, under the lure of large wages. He should be led to
choose a vocation which will provide for his whole future life. Here
again another point must be considered: Each country needs the
services of men for work that will cease soon after the War ends.
The relative value of the large and the small training schools was
frequently referred to during the discussions, but no speaker cared to
make a decisive statement. Certainly in a large school much dupli
cation of appliances and instructors is avoided. On the other hand,
it was considered advisable to avoid permitting a disabled man to be
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
cut off from the rest of the community, and to avoid, if possible,
letting him think of himself as of a class apart from his fellow workers.
The small training school is sure to furnish more opportunity of
mingling with people outside than the large one.
The English and the Italian delegates both bore witness to the
difficulties experienced in persuading men to take up training for an
agricultural life. Even the men who had come from such pursuits
showed a strong disinclination to resume such a quiet existence after
the excitement of army life. The Scotch have been rather more
inclined than the English to return to the land; especially is this true
of the Highlanders.
In England a very determined effort is being made to develop new
industries, and especially such as were in prewar time largely con
trolled by the central powers. The most ambitious attempt at this
sort of thing has been made at Brighton, where Mr. Bernard Openheimer is establishing a diamond-cutting factory on a large scale.
This is entirely a private enterprise, but has the enthusiastic approval
of the Minister of Pensions and other Government authorities.
England’s control of diamond mining makes this industry of especial
interest. At present accommodations have been provided for several
hundred men, nearly all of whom have lost a leg, and soon there will
be room for 2,000 men, with which number the establishment
will become a paying enterprise. Preparations are under way for
taking on several thousand men as the industry develops. It is
hoped that this will permanently establish this lucrative industry in
England. The men start their training with their Government
pension supplemented by nearly 50 per cent more from the pro
prietor, and after a few months their wages begin to be materially
increased, so that some men are already earning £3 or £4 ($14.60 or
$19.47) a week, which is more, in most instances, than their prewar
earnings.
In another locality the growing of certain medicinal herbs has
been successfully started, the work being done by disabled men.1
Hie French and Belgian “ estropié” is “ toujours militaire,” which
means that the disabled man is given a choice of trades and the
authorities see that he takes training in the trade he chooses. In
England he chooses his vocation, or he may elect to learn nothing
whatever and to disappear, after convalescence, from the view of
everybody in authority but the local pension committee. Tins
power of free choice has hindered somewhat the work of those
engaged on reeducation work, but increasing success seems to be
following their efforts of late.
i
F or details of this scheme, see p . 205 of th e rep o rt of th e Second A nnual M eeting of the Interallied Conference on th e After-care of Disabled Men. London, 1918.
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PL A C E M E N T O F M EN A F T E R TR A IN IN G .
The authorities may give the men the best of training, but the fact
remains that the men themselves must decide what they can or will
do, and employers have the last word to say as to what they can or
will allow men to do. Just now in the glamour of war sentiment
employers may think a handicapped man can do sufficiently well,
but later on the employer may become impatient at having his output
restricted by slower or less perfect work than he feels his product
demands. Hence much depends on the attitude of capital, not only
now but particularly after the War.
Nearly every speaker in the section of the conference devoted to
training cautioned those in charge of training to keep constantly in
mind the placement of men in satisfactory jobs after they are trained.
To do this includes the consideration of opportunities for work in every
trade—not only immediate work but permanent work which affords
opportunities for advancement; that is, there should, as much as
possible, be an opportunity for the man, by his individual efforts in
increasing his skill, to increase his earning power, thereby adding an
incentive to employers to give him work. This means that as far as
possible men should be trained for trades in which their pecuniary
reward is in proportion to their skill, always, however, keeping in
mind the man’s physical limitations as well as his intelligence. It
would be not only useless but unfair to the disabled man to train
him for a job in which he might be tempted constantly to exert
himself beyond his physical endurance.
In England the employment exchanges are largely concerned with
placement of disabled men after training, and a very decided differ
ence of opinion developed during the conference as to the advisa
bility of this method of procedure. Apparently the members of the
local pensions committees, who have to do with the training of dis
abled men, feel that the employment exchange, perhaps through no
fault of its individual members, and quite without realization, but
owing to its original purpose, is more concerned with filling vacant
jobs and supplying men with work than with considering the men’s
capabilities. Several speakers bore witness to the fact that trained
disabled men have frequently been placed in positions which were
far heyond their strength, and that in many instances these men had
broken down physically and completely lost heart for keeping on
with the struggle to help themselves. Of course these were purely
local affairs, and while the employment exchange may be to some
extent, as one speaker declared, “ a soulless place,” it would seem to
be possible to develop a sufficient number of local advisers and a
sufficient amount of cooperation between those training and those
placing men to avoid the catastrophe cited. It is quite possible that
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
an employment exchange left to itself would be unable to give each
individual the proper consideration and to follow up each disabled
man for any considerable period, but cooperation and a sufficient
number of trained and judicial “ aides” could accomplish this.
The experience of England, so far as one may judge from a limited
study, is that these “ aides” are chosen almost entirely from volun
tary workers, who must be selected with the utmost care from the
large number offering their services.
It must be understood that this conference was entirely under the
direction of the Minister of Pensions, and while the Minister of Labor
furnished a few speakers there was no opportunity for them to reply
to any implied criticism. There seems to have been developed a
feeling that employment exchanges in their desire to assist the Gov
ernment are tempted too often to place men in what is only tem
porary employment—in munitions plants, for example. The lure of
big pay makes the men very willing to accept employment which
may be beyond their strength, and is utterly without a future. Men
are often confined to one job (very simple in itself, though of vital
importance to the work as a whole) which does not give any real
training or preparation for permanent work after the War.
The Minister of Labor has in a public address made the statement
that something like 63 per cent of the men in the army had the
promise of reinstatement in their original employment, and that of
the variously estimated number (about 500,000) already released
approximately 60 per cent had had that promise fulfilled. No state
ment is available as to how many retained their old employment
after having returned to it disabled, or as to how many have been
given positions proportionate to their depleted strength by their old
employers, after it has been found that they could not continue their
prewar work. The hundreds of thousands of men who have been
discharged from the army have formed federations, which in a number
of instances have displayed antagonism to the training of men and
to the local committees in charge of such training. This is but an
example of the “ agin the Government” spirit encountered in every
country. However, no one can overlook the fact that much wisdom
and tact must be displayed in dealing with these questions of the
treatment of the ex-soldier. There may be a distinct menace in a
federation of dissatisfied, discontented men, with wounded pride and
spirit as well as maimed bodies.
H O S P IT A L S V IS IT E D B Y T H E D E L E G A T E S.
Four afternoons during the week were devoted to visits to various
hospitals in and around London. At the Royal Pavilion in Brighton
there are accommodations for 800 men who have suffered amputations
of one or more limbs. The men come to this hospital as soon as they
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are able to leave the base hospital, but while they still have need of
medical treatment, and for the most part they recuperate rapidly
in the invigorating sea air. The climate of Brighton is similar to
that of Atlantic City. In connection with the Royal Pavilion are
the “ Queen Mary’s Workshops,” provided by the Queen to combine
training with treatment for the curative effect of industrial work,
and here the men have an opportunity to try out almost any vocation
which they may fancy or which may be suggested to them by those
in charge. In many cases unsuspected latent talent has been devel
oped. The motto of the workshops, “ hope welcomes all who enter
here,” was suggested by Queen Mary at the time of the opening, and
certainly the men seen there have every indication of its being a
pertinent one. One-armed men, even those whose right arm was
gone, were for the most part fitting themselves for bookkeeping or
other commercial pursuits, while legless ones were taking preliminary
mechanical or electrical training, tailoring, joinery, cabinetmaking,
boot and shoe repairing, or rubber work. Mechanical drafting,
carving, stained-glass work, designing, etc., are taught in connection
with an art school. The workshops tide over that difficult period
when a man’s wound has so healed that he can be up and about but
before the stump has shrunk or assumed its final condition sufficiently
to enable him to have even a temporary arm or leg adjusted. From
Brighton the men go, as soon as they have reached the stage last
mentioned, or as soon thereafter as there is an opening for them, to
Roehampton, in the suburbs of London, and there their first artificial
limbs are fitted and tried out. It is an anxious time both for those in
charge and for the disabled men themselves, as much depends upon the
success of these first attempts at using these strange appliances. Much
experimenting is crowded into the two, three, or four weeks of a man’s
stay. The power of example being well recognized, there are usually
men assisting at Roehampton who have suffered amputations of vari
ous kinds and who have been peculiarly successful in the use of their
artificial limbs; these men stimulate the desire and will of the new
patient to equal or surpass some other man. Men with their right
arm s off at the shoulder were playing golf with a sure aim, or chopping
wood; men with both arms off were easily guiding a bicycle; and
men with both legs gone were having no difficulty in going up and
down flights of stairs, and one was riding a bicycle. As one chap who
was minus an arm remarked, “ here you can always see someone
much worse off than yourself.” This particular man called my
attention to another who was minus a leg as well as an arm. Many
of these men had already determined upon their future employment,
although the wonderful adaptability discovered in the use of their
new limbs frequently leads to a new choice of occupation. The
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secretary, Mr. Dudley Myers, is tremendously in earnest in helping
the men to make a wise decision. Those who continue the training
started at Brighton have here an opportunity of trying out their
new limbs in their old work under the guidance of experienced
instructors. As the accommodations at Roehampton do not equal
the demand, men can remain only until their artificial limbs are
found to be working satisfactorily, hence many of them are sent on to
other colleges and schools for the further training they may require.
The Richmond Hospital, given over for the most part to South
African patients, is more general in its character; and here was seen
the treatment of wounds by continuous baths.1 Occupational work
for its curative value is used at this hospital as is also vocational
training.
The great military orthopedic hospital at Shepherds Bush, under
the control of the War Department, with Col. Sir Robert Jones at
its head, was shown to the delegates in all its detail.2 The War
Office had expressed a very natural anxiety at the prolonged reten
tion of men at the orthopedic centers, but when it was realized that
over 70 per cent of the cases were returned to military life it was
evident that the patient care that had been devoted to them was
justified. The orthopedic hospital is one of the agencies which make
it possible for the Ministry of Pensions to make a useful citizen of a
disabled soldier. The chief regret is that so many of the deformities
which have to be rectified might be avoided if surgeons were more
generally instructed in mechanical principles.
The Manor House Orthopedic Hospital at Hampstead has recently
been put under the control of the Ministry of Pensions. This hospital
is doing for discharged men what the military hospitals do for those
still in the service, curative occupational work being continued there.
It is privately supported and is equipped with the most modern
appliances.
The hospital for shell-shock cases, located at Golders’ Green,3 is
in charge of Sir John Collie, who is also at the head of the Medical
Service Department of the Ministry of Pensions, and who has greatly
developed the system of restoration of the disabled. The hospital
has lately been the subject of some controversy, as it is proposed to
remove shell-shock patients to some other part of the country,
where they will not be exposed to the disturbing effects of air raids,
and to use Golders’ Green for some other purpose.
1 Described in th e papers of Maj. Sandes (p. 435 of th e report of th e Second A nnual M eeting of the
Interallied Conference on th e After-care of D isabled Men).
2 T h is h o s p ita l h a s b ee n co m p le te ly d escrib ed in th e p a p e r b y S ir R o b e r t Jo n es on p . 519 of th e re p o rt
of th e Second A n n u a l M eeting of th e In te ra llie d C onference on th e A fter-ca re of D is a b le d M en.
3 Description of th is hospital is to be found on p. 242 of the report of the Second A nnual Meeting' of
the Interallied Conference on th e After-care of Disabled Men.
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One afternoon was devoted to an inspection of St. Dunstan’s,
the home for the blind, which is under the charge of Sir Arthur
Pearson, who is himself blind. St. Dunstan’s was the London home
of Mr. Otto Kahn, the New York banker, who gave it over to Sir
Arthur for the duration of the War. So much has been written
concerning this justly celebrated home that very little remains to
be said. The men and women aides are for the most part voluntary
workers, who are bringing about astonishing results with their work
for the blinded men returned from the War.
All these hospitals are so situated that the disabled men have the
benefit of ideal surroundings, being for the most part large estates
turned over to the Government by their owners for this purpose.
The grounds are so large that the temporary buildings, which are
always in keeping with the general character of the place, in no
way disturb the effect of being in the country. In no one of these
places did one have the impression of an “ institution.” America
has perhaps much to learn as to the beneficial effects of beautiful
surroundings, which will often accomplish what purely utilitarian
methods and appliances can not. The value of a judicious mingling
of beauty and utilitarianism is distinctly recognized here. The out
look from the windows invariably is one to cheer the patient, and
when helpless men are out of door their cots are always so placed
that their eyes enjoy cheerful scenes. In a dozen cases the men
referred to the encouragement they got from the beauty before
them. Cheerfulness, bravery, and hope were the unfailing impres
sions created by these hospitals. Not a down-hearted man was seen.
On the last day of the conference in the pensions and allowance
section, the paper read by Lieut. Col. Laghezza lifted the problem
into an international atmosphere. Col. Laghezza advocated the
systematizing of international protection before events caused the
jiroblem to become of too great urgency.1
T H E IN T E R A L L IE D E X H IB IT IO N .
The exhibition of appliances for caring for the wounded and maimed,
and of the artificial aids provided for those who have lost arms, legs, or
even faces in part, was indeed painful to behold. Every turn brought
reminders of the sufferings war has brought on the world; but the
exhibition furnished ample evidence of man’s indomitable spirit.
The disabled have found some compensation for the loss of limbs or
of sight in new interests and in a vast capacity to learn. The various
hospitals of the United Kingdom and of the colonies as well had on
exhibition not only specimens of the products of their workshops
for the disabled but also some of their work in actual process of
1 See p. 87 of th e report of th e Second A nnual Meeting of the In terallied Conference on the After-care
of D isabled Men.
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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
making by the men themselves. Italy, France, and Belgium were
also represented in the same manner. The exhibition was so success
ful and aroused so much interest that it was arranged to continue it
for a fortnight and afterwards to take it to Glasgow, Manchester,
Birmingham, and Cardiff.
CONCLUSION.
The views expressed by the speakers at the conference seemed quite
generally to agree that in order to win this War it is absolutely neces
sary to keep each available man in general service just as long as he
can be used there in any way. Therefore it becomes the chief duty
of all concerned so to restore a wounded or maimed man that he
may be returned to such general service with the least possible
delay. But the very moment it becomes apparent that a man can
not be so restored his education and training should be developed
with a view to his future life as a citizen. Giving due regard to the
experience of other countries each country must settle for itself the
problem as to how long military supervision of the disabled man should
continue. In the case of wounded men unfit for further service, the
consensus of opinion was that the surgeons and medical corps generally
should be unhampered while they exhaust every known means of
orthopedic training and restoration.
As to the relative merits of voluntary or enforced training, after
a man has so far convalesced as no longer to require a hospital life,
each country must decide for itself. The general supposition is that
American youths of 21 and over will already have made a start in a
chosen trade or profession before entering service.
One other point often emphasized by the speakers was that great
care should be exercised to circumvent any possibility of a disabled
man losing his grip, either through mistaken sympathy of oversolicitous relations and friends, or through unavoidable periods of
lack of attention due to an arresting of convalescence or to absence
of training facilities. In other words, those in charge of a disabled
man must never “ let u p ” until they have done all they can in the
way of encouraging a vocational decision, of training him for the
work chosen, and of placing him where he may be self-supporting.
In the matter of placing men in employment, there should be
every precaution taken in choosing trades and professions in which
disabled men are to be trained. This can be successfully accomplished
only by the closest kind of cooperation between those in charge of
vocational training, both associated and individual employers, and
associations of employees.
The discussions at the conference and the exhibition of what has
actually been done for the disabled suggest two questions: In view
of the vastness and intricacy of the problem and of its profound
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moral issues, lias enough been done, or even attempted, for the
crippled and mutilated men? Are the results accomplished propor
tionate to the huge funds available for the benefit of these men, or
to the devoted energies which are helping now or might be made
available in many ways? Generous pensions and artificial limbs
should be given as a matter of course. But there is a higher duty in
rebuilding and refitting the broken men for suitable occupations.
Lastly, though the most perfect system in the world may be developed
and the most adequate equipment provided, the success of the entire
scheme depends upon the sympathetic ability of those who administer
it, their keen insight, and their understanding of the mental attitude
of the maimed men under their care.
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ASSOCIATIONS OF HARBOR BOAT OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE
PORT OF NEW YORK.
BY BENJAMIN M. SQUIRES.1
IN T R O D U C T IO N .
On October 8, 1917, a concerted demand for higher wages and
better working conditions for harbor employees was made upon the
boat owners of New York harbor. The demand came from the
Marine Workers’ Affiliation of the Port of New York, comprising
the following unions: Consolidated Marine Engineers’ Beneficial
Association No. 33; American Association of Masters, Mates, and
Pilots, Harbor No. 1; Harbor Boatmen’s Union; and Tidewater
Boatmen’s Union. Subsequently two other harbor unions, the
Lighter Captains’ Union and the International Union of Steam and
Operating Engineers, Local 379, joined the Affiliation. Inasmuch as
this was the first expression of a united effort on the part of New York
harbor employees toward a standardization of wages and working
conditions, the economic conditions and issues that brought the
Marine Workers’ Affiliation into existence and led to the above
concerted demand are significant.
In 1916, according to figures compiled by the Bureau of Census,
United States Department of Commerce, there were 6,117 harbor
craft engaged in carrying on the commerce of the port of New York.
These were roughly divided into 684 self-propelled and 5,433 nonselfpropelled. The self-propelled may be further divided into tugs or
other towing vessels, steam lighters, ferry boats, and passenger
steamers; the nonself-propelled into coal boats, grain boats, scows,
dumpers, covered barges, lighters, and car floats.2
The ownership of these harbor craft varies from individual to
corporate and from municipal to Federal. It is estimated that from
30 to 40 per cent of the harbor craft are operated by railroads in the
transfer of freight and passengers. The terminal companies and
many of the steamship lines have their own harbor marine floating
equipment. The city of New York, the State of New York, and the
Federal Government operate ferry boats. The Departments of War
and Navy and the Shipping Board have become operators of harbor
craft in connection with the overseas transportation of men and sup
plies. In addition to these there are a large number of private
owners or companies engaged exclusively in harbor transportation.
Owing to incomplete registration of harbor craft, the number of such
1 In collecting th e m aterial on which th is article is based, Mr. Squires was assisted b y Mr. E m il Frankel.
For a description of the various types of h arbor boats, see M onthly L abor R ev ie w , July, 1918, pp.
to 20. .
1
2
71795°—18----- 4
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private owners or companies is not readily determinable, but infor
mation available places the number in excess of 400. Some of the
owners operate one or two boats, others several hundred; some oper
ate independently, others are organized into associations. The in
terests represented by the several owners’ associations are indicated
in the following:
Associations.
R epresenting—
New Y ork B oat O w ners’ Association (In c .)...........
New Y ork Tow B oat Exchange (In c.).......................
Lighterage Association of th e P o rt of New Y o rk ___
N ational Board of Steam N avigation......................... \
A merican Steam ship A ssociation................................ /
Long Island Barge O perators'A ssociation............... \
New Y ork Coal Barge O perators................................. /
A ll classes of harbor m arine work.
Towing interests.
Lighterage interests.
A ll classes of h arbor m arine work; b u t n o t restricted
to h arbor craft or to the p o rt of New York.
Coal boat in terests organized prim arily for coopera
tion w ith th e Government.
The number of men employed on harbor craft in the port of New
York in 1916, according to United States Bureau of Census figures,
was 12,632, of which number 5,656 were on self-propelled and 6,876
on nonself-propelled craft. The occupations of these employees and
the jurisdictional claims of the unions with respect to the different
classes of harbor craft and employees are as follows:1
Type of boat.
Occupation.
Union.
fMasters or captains, mates and American Association of Masters, Mates,
pilots.
and Pilots.
Engineers and assistant engi Consolidated Marine Engineers’ Beneficial
Self-propelled boats: Tugs,
neers.
Association.
steam lighters, ferry boats. F irem en..........................................
Oilers..............................................
Deckhands...................................
Cooks.............................................. H arbor B oatm en’s Union.
Nonself-propelled boats:
1. Car floats..................... F lo atm en ................................
2. Lighters (w ith m ast [Hoisting engineers (boats w ith In tern ational U nion of Steam and O perat
1 steam hoist).
ing Engineers.
and boom).
(C aptains.........................................
3. Covered barges.......... C aptains..................................... j-Lighter C aptains’ U nion.
4. Coal boats, grain C aptains......................................... T idew ater B oatm en’s Union.
boats, scows,
dum pers.
The affiliation of the above unions with national and international
organizations is shown in the following:
N ational H arbor American U nited H arbor No. 1 ..
Association of Masters,
Mates, and Pilots.
N ational Marine Engi Consolidated No. 3 3 ...
neers’ Beneficial Asso
ciation.
'T idew ater Boatm en’s
Union, Local 847.
A merican Federation of
Boatm en’s ■Marine W orkers’ Affilia
International Longshore H arbor
Labor.
Union, Local 847,
tion of the P o rt of New
m en’s Association.
Series 1.
Y ork.
Lighter C a p t a i n ’s
U nion, Local 847,
Series 2.
International U nion of Local 379........................
Steam a n d Operating
. Engineers.
1
For a description of these occupations and th e wages and w orking conditions of employees, see M onthly
L abor R ev ie w for July, 1918, pp. 1 to 20.
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It will be observed tbat some of the owners’ associations represent
specialized interests; others represent all types of harbor craft,
though not necessarily all owners. Each of the employees’ asso
ciations, with the exception of the Harbor Boatmen’s Union, is
organized along occupational lines. A brief consideration of each
of the associations of employers and employees will indicate the
development of concerted action and the problems to which such
action gives rise.
BO AT O W N E R S’ A SSO C IA TIO N S.
From the foregoing brief description of diversified harbor interests
it will be apparent that conditions are not particularly favorable
for any close association of boat owners. Municipal, State, or
Federal agencies, although competing in a measure with private
interests, can not be expected to affiliate with them. The harbor
transportation work of railroads and steamship lines is unlike that
of companies engaged exclusively in commercial harbor work in
that the work of the former is restricted to the handling of com
modities from or to their own lines and is not strictly competitive.
Moreover, the railroad rates for harbor lighterage are governed
by Interstate Commerce regulations, whereas the rates of private
operators are governed almost solely by the law of supply and
demand. The result has been more or less aloofness on the part
of railroad and steamship lines and a jealously guarded independence
on the part of private operators.
N
a t io n a l
B
oard
of
S team
N
a v ig a t io n
.
The National Board of Steam Navigation, although not restricted to
owners of harbor craft or to the port of New York, may be regarded
as the first association to represent owners of marine equipment in
the port. The association was formed in 1871 and incorporated in
1905. Its objects as stated in the preamble to its constitution are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Improved safeguards for life and property.
Fixed and permanent rules for navigation.
Belief from tire exactions of private right vendors.
Protection from unwise legislation and excessive liability.
To these may be added the “ advantages that maybe secured from
time to time by cooperation and concert of action whether pecuniary,
judicial or legislative.”
As the name implies, the association is national in scope. In 1917
it had 229 members from 31 of the principal inland and coast ports.
Of the entire membership, 140 were from the port of New York,
all the railroads with marine equipment and the most important of
the river, coastwise, deep sea, and harbor transportation companies
operating from or in the port being members.
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Am
e r ic a n
Stea m
s h ip
A
s s o c ia t io n
.
Somewhat akin in purpose and scope to the National Board of
Steam Navigation is the American Steamship Association. As
first organized in 1905, it included in its membership the coastwise
steamship lines of the Atlantic seaboard. In 1913 it was reor
ganized and now includes the most important lines of both the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In 1917 the association had 42 mem
bers from 10 coast ports. Of the total membership, 27 were from
the port of New York.
The purpose of the association is to formulate and present evidence
before the various governmental departments in order “ to protect
the legitimate interests of all steamship operators.” It cooperates
at the present time with the Navy Department and with the United
States Shipping Board in negotiating with steamship companies to
furnish adequate facilities aboard their ships and in working toward
increasing the merchant marine. It was instrumental in securing
the recent agreements between steamship companies and seamen
in the matter of wages and working conditions.
Neither of the above associations is concerned primarily with
harbor craft in the port of New York. The predominating number
of members are from this port, however, and many of these members
operate harbor craft. As the need for concerted action in harbor
matters develops it is to be expected that both associations will
serve as a means of expression of such action.
N
ew
Y
ork
B
oat
O
w n ers’
A
s s o c ia t io n
.
The first association purporting to represent exclusively the
interests of all New York harbor boat-owners was the New York Boat
Owners’ Association. This association was the outgrowth of trade
difficulties between owners of harbor craft, and was hastened by a
threatened strike of the tidewater boatmen in 1914 and the expected
need of cooperation on the part of boat owners.
The purposes of the association as set forth in its constitution are
“ to protect and improve the interests of those engaged in the business
of operating, owning, managing, or controlling all classes of scows,
dredges, coal boats, canal boats, lighters, barges, tug boats, and other
vessels, whether propelled by power or not; to reform and correct
abuses relating to the business of its members; to secure freedom
from unjust or unlawful exactions; to acquire, preserve, and dissemi
nate accurate and valuable business information as to all matters
affecting its members and their business and to obtain, preserve, and
diffuse reliable information as to the standing of merchants or other
matters; to preserve uniformity and certainty in the custom and
usages of trade and commerce relating to the business of the members
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
of this association; to adjust and settle differences arising between
the members; to promote a more enlarged and friendly intercourse
between its members and to devise and put into operation such legal
methods as may be necessary to effect the objects aforesaid.”
At one time attempts were made by the association to establish a
central registry of all men employed on craft owned by members of
the association and to record the quality of the services rendered. The
purpose of such a record was to give information to members, if re
quested, enabling them to determine the desirability of applicants
for jobs. The association reports that the plan was short lived as
the enormous shipping expansion made it impracticable to carry it
out as originally intended.
The association has a membership of more than 150 boat owners,
but does not include any of the railroads or steamship lines. Approx
imately 3,500 men are employed by the members of the association,
and it is by far the strongest association representing exclusively
harbor interests. With the recent organization of the New York
Towboat Exchange, the New York Boat Owners’ Association now
represents chiefly the interests of the owners of nonself-propelled
harbor craft.
N
ew
Y
ork
T
ow boat
E
xchange.
The New York Towboat Exchange represents specialized harbor
interests. Its members are members of the New York Boat Owners’
Association, but their towing interests are represented by the Tow
boat Exchange, organized in January, 1917.
As stated in its certificate of incorporation, the objects of the New
York Towboat Exchange are “ the fostering of the trade, commerce,
and interests of those owning or operating tug boats in and about
the port of New York and waters tributary thereto, and those towing
vessels for hire in and about said port and waters tributary thereto.;
to inculcate just and equitable principles in said business among
those engaged therein; to reform abuses relative thereto; to secure
freedom from unjust or unlawful exactions; to diffuse accurate and
reliable information as to the standing of those engaged in said
business and other matters; to settle differences between its members
and others engaged in said business.”
The New York Towboat Exchange includes in its membership
about 30 of the more important towing lines operating in the port of
New York, but like the Boat Owners’ Association it does not include
railroads or steamship lines.
L
ig h t e r a g e
A
s s o c ia t io n
of
the
P
ort
of
N
ew
Y
ork
.
The need for legislation regarding wharfage facilities for inde
pendent operators of lighters in the port of New York led in 1910 to
the organization of the Lighterage Association of the Port of New
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York. With the accomplishment of its purpose the association
became inactive and virtually ceased to exist until the fall of 1917,
when the concerted demands of harbor employees made it necessary
for the lighterage interests to decide upon a course of action. As a
consequence the association was revived. It now has a membership
of 30 and represents exclusively the lighterage interests of its mem
bers.
Other B
oat
O
w ners’
A
s s o c ia t io n s .
Two other associations of harbor-boat owners have been formed
recently as a result of a need for specialized cooperation to meet
Government needs. Formed primarily as a war emergency, they are
of concern in connection with a study of labor problems only as they
indicate the trend toward associations of specialized interests and
in so far as the associations may continue beyond the emergency
creating them.
The Long Island Barge Operators’ Association was formed at the
request and works under the direction of the United States Shipping
Board. It is made up of coal-boat owners operating between coal
ports on the Jersey side of the harbor and points along Long Island
Sound. Its purpose is*the more efficient use of boats in the distribu
tion of coal to meet shipping needs.
The New York Coal Barge Operators was formed in May, 1918,
“ to expedite and centralize the distribution of coal barges” at the
port of New York, “ mainly on the suggestion of the Deputy Marine
Director of Eastern Railroads.” The association “ will receive emer
gency orders to furnish coal barges to any department of the Govern
ment, or in fact stand ready to do its part in relieving any emergency
that may arise for the movement of coal in New York Harbor.”
The association has no recorded membership. Every owner who
has a coal boat is regarded as a member and may be called upon to
help the Government in case of need. The association thus acts
primarily as a clearing house for coal barges.
E M PL O Y E E S’ A SSO C IA TIO N S.
The diversity of harbor transportation interests and the more or
less independent attitude of individual operators have served to
determine the character of the associations of harbor-boat employees
and to delay the development of concerted action on the part of these
associations. The operation of harbor boats permits the employ
ment of a large number of unskilled men readily recruited in the past
from the water front. To these each boat owner in the past paid
what he found to be necessary. For labor of this class, organization
is difficult and can be brought about only by a control of the supply
or by the assistance of skilled labor. In striking contrast with the
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unskilled harbor-boat employees is a comparatively small number of
highly skilled licensed officers on self-propelled boats who stand
virtually in the position of master workmen or foremen. For these,
organization for the purpose of bettering wages or working conditions
is less imperative, and, when accomplished, is weakened by individual
interests and by the prospect of becoming owners and operators or of
attaining administrative positions with their employers. Between
these two groups is a class of harbor employees having more or less
skill and experience but possessed of a roving and independent spirit
characteristic of boatmen. As a rule these men are not sufficiently
settled in employment to take favorably to organization. The prob
lems of concerted action on the part of harbor-boat employees are
thus even greater than among boat owners, for to the diversity of
occupations and interests is added a sharply defined class distinction.
M a sters, M
ates, and
P
il o t s .
The burning of a passenger steamer at one of the New York Harbor
piers in 1880 resulted in the arrest of the captain and engineer who were
charged with neglect of duty but who were not permitted to appear
before the local board of inspectors of steam vessels in the investiga
tion that followed. This event, together with a growing dissatisfac
tion with steamship-inspection laws affecting licensed officers, gave
impetus to a movement among licensed pilots to organize nationally.
The American Brotherhood of Steamboat Pilots, Harbor No. 1, was
formed January 12, 1887. Locals were formed in New York and
other harbors and finally in 1900, in order to include in its membership
licensed masters and mates, the name of the organization was changed
to the American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots.
At first the organization tended to become highly specialized along
distinct linos of shipping interests. Five locals, or harbors as they
were called, were organized in the port of New York. These were
consolidated in 1903 into what is known as Harbor No. 1, and a
business manager was elected.
Only one strike of consequence has been called in the harbor. Late
in 1909 the masters, mates, and pilots employed by the marine depart
ments of railroad and terminal companies in the port requested a con
ference with their employers to take up the question of an eight-hour
day. Subcommittees made up of a master and pilot from each of the
railroads, with the business manager of the association as chairman,
were appointed to deal with the railroads. The terminal employees
were given authority to deal directly with their employers. Several
conferences were held by the subcommittees with representatives
of the railroads but no agreement was reached and on March 15,
1910, the men threatened to tender their resignations effective as of
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March 31, 1910. Soon afterwards several of the railroad repre
sentatives submitted a counterproposal of one day off each week
and seven days’ vacation each year with pay. This was refused by
the subcommittee which, however, receded from the eight-hour day
demand and proposed one day off each week with 10 days’ annual
vacation. The 10-day vacation demand was subsequently changed
to seven days and an additional demand was made for a slight wage
increase.
Several of the railroad companies and all of the terminals succeeded
in making individual agreements with their men prior to March 31,
1910. Four of the railroad companies, however, stood out, and 91
men went on strike April 1, 1910. Efforts at mediation on the part
of the State bureau of mediation and arbitration failed and the rail
roads. proceeded to fill the places of the strikers. On April 17, 1910,
the strike was called off by the union. The consequences of the strike
were probably more serious to the union than to the employers,
though it taught the union the lesson that partial strikes are apt
to be unsuccessful. It is probable, too, that the first seeds of affilia
tion with other harbor employees were sown at this time.
The association has also suffered reverses from internal dissension.
Because of dissatisfaction with the progress of a wage dispute in the
summer of 1908 a number of members withdrew from the association
and formed an organization known as Independent Harbor No. 1.
Again, after the strike in 1910, a large number of members left the
association because of dissatisfaction with the method of conduct
ing the strike. The general manager in particular was severely criti
cised and shortly afterward he resigned, organizing the “American
Steamship Licensed Officers’ Association, Incorporated.” A number
of the members of the American Association of Masters, Mates, and
Pilots who had supported the general manager went over to the new
association, the purpose of which as expressed in the preamble of its
constitution is to have its members deal directly with their employers
and not through the affiliation or union. In this is seen the shadow
of the methods used in the 1910 dispute.
Another organization of licensed deck officers was started in March,
1912, as the “ Neptune Association of Masters and Mates of Ocean
and Coastwise Steam Vessels.” This association was organized “ to
unite into one great body the licensed masters and mates of ocean
and coastwise steam vessels, and thus enable them to demand and
obtain a voice in the making of laws and regulations under which
they are governed ; to improve the condition and status of the profes
sion, generally; to furnish assistance in professional matters, and at
the same time to promote cordial relations with employers.” None of
the three associations formed subsequent to the American Associa
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tion of Masters, Mates, and Pilots have agreements or affiliations with
any labor union and for the most part their membership is composed
of licensed deck officers on ocean and coastwise vessels, and as such
are not of especial interest in the harbor situation.
In one very important respect the American Association of Masters,
Mates, and Pilots differs from other crafts unions. Its members are
looked upon as the direct representatives of the employers’ interests.
The master, or the pilot or mate when acting for the master, is in
charge of the boat. Even the licensed engineer takes orders from
him. He has the power of discipline over at least the deck crew and,
in many instances, has the power of hiring and discharging. As in
dicated previously, his position is somewhat analagous to that of a
foreman in a factory, and as such the probability of any close affilia
tion with his subordinates has seemed remote. His position of au
thority in the capacity of master has undoubtedly been responsible
for the independent action on the part of the American Association of
Masters, Mates, and Pilots in demands for wage increases and its
former aloofness from other harbor employees in their demands.
Indeed, it is not unlikely that the masters, mates, and pilots felt
their interests to be different from those of their subordinates or of
other labor organizations and therefore made no effort to affiliate with
them.
The affiliation of the American Association of Masters, Mates, and
Pilots with the American Federation of Labor did not take
place until 1916 though it had been under discussion for several
years. As early as 1910 the Seamen’s International Union offered
a resolution at the American Federation of Labor Convention
inviting licensed deck officers and marine engineers on merchant
vessels to affiliate with the American Federation of Labor. The
affiliation was probably hastened by the rival organizations estab
lished and the desire to prevent such organizations from being recog
nized by the American Federation of Labor. At the 1917 convention
of the American Federation of Labor the American Association of
Masters, Mates, and Pilots introduced a resolution stating that the
American Steamship Licensed Officers’ Association, Incorporated, is
an organization “ maintained principally by and for the employers”
and that it was instituted for the purpose of destroying the American
Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots. The American Federa
tion of Labor was requested to regard this organization as “ inimical to
the best interests of labor” and it was urged that “ all true friends
of organized labor refrain from identifying themselves with it.” The
resolution further asked that the Neptune Association of Masters
and Mates of Ocean and Coastwise Steam Vessels “ be considered as
detrimental to organized labor.”
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M a r in e E
n g in e e r s .
The marine engineers were organized in the early seventies, though
it was not until 1882 that a local was established in the port of New
York. This was known as Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association
No. 33 and was short lived. It was succeeded by Marine Engineers’
Beneficial Association No. 50, the membership of which consisted
largely of ferryboat engineers. Locals were formed in Brooklyn and
in Jersey City. Engineers on ocean and coastwise steamships were
admitted to membership in these locals, but they felt their interests
were radically different from those of engineers employed on harbor
boats, and finally, in 1888, another local was formed, known as Ocean
Marine Engineers Association No. 69. Three of these locals finally
united in Consolidated Marinp Engineers’ Beneficial Association No.
33. The other locals in New York harbor gradually disintegrated.
Only two strikes of any consequence have been called by the Con
solidated Marine Engineers Beneficial Association No. 33. In April,
1903, approximately 200 marine engineers employed by 6 of the
railroads with terminals at the port of New York made demands for
increased wages, a 12-hour working-day, compensation for overtime,
traveling expenses when relieved or required to report at other than
regular points, and uniform regulations regarding meals and meal
allowances.
A board of arbitration composed of a representative of the en
gineers and a representative of the railroads heard the case, but since
they were unable to agree upon an award, an umpire was chosen. A
decision was rendered June 20, 1903, fixing a wage rate somewhat
below the scale demanded. No decision was made on the hours per
day and the question of meals was left to be arranged between each
company and its employees. The men were allowed two days off
each month and one week’s vacation each year with pay, with double
compensation for work performed in lieu of days off. The demand
for traveling expenses when reporting for or relieved from duty at
irregular points was granted.
At the same time that demands were made upon the railroads,
1,300 engineers employed by other harbor interests demanded an
increase in wages. The demands were granted to all but 150 men
who went on strike May 12. About 400 firemen, oilers, and coal
passers also went out in sympathy with the engineers, the result
being considerable interruption to harbor traffic. No united front
was put up, however, and the places of the strikers were gradually
filled.
The second strike of the marine engineers occurred in 1916. Early
in April of that year demands for increased wages were made through
a circular letter issued by the Association. The demands were ignored
and on May 1 a strike was called. The harbor boatmen supported
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the engineers and on May 3 it was reported that 450 tugs were tied
up, 40 steamships were unable to leave their piers, and 1,500 engineers
were idle. An -effort was made by the United States Department of
Labor to bring about an adjustment, but it did not meet with success.
Boat owners, however, began to make individual agreements with
their own employees, and by May 12, the strike was virtually ended,
the men having obtained by individual agreement substantially what
had been asked through the association.
It has been stated previously that the engineers on ocean-going
vessels are inclined to regard their interests as different from the
interests of engineers on harbor boats. Shortly after the 1916 strike
the question arose again and 15 ocean marine engineers, members of
Consolidated Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association No. 33, applied
for a charter which was granted by the national president in July,
1916. The opposition from Local No. 33 was so strong, however,
that the charter was revoked. Another charter was granted to a
different group of engineers in August, 1916, but this also was revoked.
Finally, an independent organization, known as “ Ocean Association
of Marine Engineers,” was formed February 1, 1917. Like two of
the associations of licensed deck officers described previously, this
association claims not to be a labor union but ‘‘ essentially and ex
clusively a society for engineers bearing ocean certificates.” Simi
larly, too, it is charged with being supported by and in the interests
of steamship companies.
What has been said of the aloofness of masters, mates, and pilots
applies in much the same degree to the marine engineers. They, too,
represent the interests of the employer and are subject only to the
orders of the captain. They have more or less disciplinary authority
over firemen, oilers, and other employees of the engine room, and in
some cases have the power to hire and to discharge. As a conse
quence, the idea of affiliation with other harbor employees or labor
unions has been of almost as tardy growth as with the masters, mates,
and pilots. As early as 1903, however, the question of affiliation
with the American Federation of Labor was discussed at the con
vention of the National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, but
because of jurisdictional claims raised by international associations
of allied trades, such as boiler makers, steam fitters, and plumbers and
machinists, the matter was dropped. The question was raised again
in 1911, and finally in 1916 a charter was granted by the American
Federation of Labor. Because of obj ections again raised by other inter
nationals and by locals of the National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial
Association, who felt that local autonomy might be lost, the charter was
not accepted at this time. With our entrance into the War, however,
conditions of employment changed and in order “ to check the move
ment by unscrupulous ex-members to further extend the activity of
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clandestine organizations of licensed marine engineers,” and to be in
a position to secure recognition from Government departments in the
adjustment of important matters, affiliation with the American
Federation of Labor was considered to be imperative. A charter
was granted and accepted in November, 1917.
H
arbor
B
o a t m e n ’s
U
n io n
.
As explained previously, the Harbor Boatmen’s Union is the onlyone of the harbor unions that does not follow craft lines. The
Harbor Boatmen’s Union was organized in 1906 and claims juris
diction over cooks, deck hands, firemen, and oilers on self-propelled
boats and floatmen on car floats. Shortly after the union was
formed it became affiliated with the International Seamen’s Union
of America.
Four strikes have been called, one in 1906, one in 1908, one in
1910, and the last in 1914. In addition to these, sympathetic sup
port was given the engineers in the 1916 strike. From a union
standpoint, the strikes have not been very successful. The 1906
strike involved about 250 employees, employed by five companies.
Four companies granted substantially the wage increases demanded,
but the fifth company refused, and the places of the strikers were filled.
In the 1908 strike about 60 men employed by five companies struck
against a reduction in wages. The employers refused to meet union
representatives, but agreed to pay the same rate of wages as before
the strike, and the men returned to work. The 1910 strike occurred
at the same time as the strike of masters, mates, and pilots. About
750 of the harbor boatmen were affected, but the employers refused
to confer with representatives of the union and filled the places of
those strikers who would not return to work under individual agree
ment. In the 1914 strike only 90 employees were affected and
these returned to work under the former conditions without the
consent of the union.
This failure on the part of the Harbor Boatmen’s Union to obtain
wage increases and working conditions comparable with those ob
tained by other harbor unions was held to be due to the competition
of shore unions of cooks and firemen whose members were employed
on harbor craft and to insufficient support from the International
Seamen’s Union. The latter union, in turn, charged “that certain
local officials of the International Longshoremen’s Association have
quietly but energetically sown the seeds of disruption among the
members of the Harbor Boatmen’s Union. ” At any rate, the harbor
boatmen withdrew from the International Seamen’s Union in
December, 1916, and affiliated with the International Longshore
men’s Association as Local 847, Series 1.
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L
ig h t e r
C a p t a i n ’s U
n io n
57
.
Nonself-propelled boats other than those classed as tidewater
boats or car floats may be designated as lighters and barges. The
Lighter Captains’ Union claims jurisdiction over the captains of these
boats. This is the most recent of the harbor unions and was first
organized in 1913 as the Lightermen’s Brotherhood Association.
The objects of the association were purely social and benevolent
and it existed as a fraternal insurance organization until 1917,
when a desire to improve the wages and working conditions of its
members led to its organization as a labor union. The new organiza
tion was chartered as Local 847, Series 2 of the International Long
shoremen’s Association in October, 1917, and took the name of
Lighter Captain’s Union. It did not, however, become a member
of the Marine Workers’ Affiliation of the Port of New York until
after the concerted demand of October 8, 1917.
S t a t io n a r y M a r in e H
E
o is t in g
n g in e e r s .
A considerable number of the harbor craft designated as lighters
are equipped with hoisting gear—steam, gasoline, or hand—for load
ing and unloading cargo. Those equipped with steam hoisting gear
carry an engineer in addition to the captain. The International
Union of Steam and Operating Engineers claims jurisdiction over
these lighter engineers through Local No. 379, organized about 1906.
Prior to this, however, the hoisting engineers on harbor craft were
organized into an independent union of harbor engineers. This
union later became a local of the International Longshoremen’s
Association, retaining its affiliation until 1906.
The members of Local No. 379 have had one strike of consequence.
In 1915 the union demanded a wage increase which was refused.
About 350 men were on strike for five weeks but were unable to secure
their demands. It is charged that the engineers did not receive the
support of other harbor unions and that the places of some of the
strikers were filled by members of allied trade-unions. Some of the
employers substituted gasoline hoisting gear for steam and were
able to get their lighter captains to operate the gasoline hoist.
Local No. 379 is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
through its international affiliation, and in February, 1918, became
a member of the Marine Workers’ Affiliation of the Port of New York.
T
id e w a t e r
B
o a t m e n ’s
U
n io n
.
Certain types of one-man nonself-propelled boats, namely, coal
boats, grain boats, scows, and dumpers are designated as tidewater
boats. In the fall of 1902, a number of the captains of these boats
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organized what is known as the Tidewater Boatmen’s Union. By
September, 1903, a membership of nearly 1,500 was claimed. The
members became dissatisfied, however, with the union officials, charg
ing mismanagement and misappropriation of funds, and in 1905 the
union went out of existence. The union was later reorganized and
by September, 1907, a membership of 1,800 was claimed.
A wage increase was demanded in October, 1907, which was refused
by the employers. As a result of this refusal, a strike was called No
vember 1, 1907, affecting 1,800 employees and 88 boat owners. The
owners refused to arbitrate or to meet union representatives. Indi
vidual employers, however, negotiated with the union and wage
increases were granted to all but 180 men employed by two owners.
Trouble with union officials was again the cause of dissatisfaction
among members and is assigned as the reason for the decline in mem
bership following the 1907 strike. By September, 1909, there were
less than 250 members in the union. During 1910 the membership
began to increase and by the fall of 1913, when new wage demands
were presented to the employers, the union claimed nearly 2,000 mem
bers. Practically all of the 2,000 members are reported by the union
as having been on strike January 2,1914, to enforce the 1913 demands.
Conferences were held between employers and union officials and wage
increases were granted to about 1,900 of the men on strike.
After the strike the membership again declined, this time to about
half the number before the strike, and did not increase again until
1917 when plans were made for new demands.
The rise and fall of membership in the Tidewater Boatmen’s
Union is characteristic of any local union of unskilled employees
which is not guided in its policies and activities by the officials of a
stronger and more stable parent organization. This the Tidewater
Boatmen s Union did not have until 1913 when it was chartered as
Local No. 847 of the International Longshoreman’s Association.
M
a r in e
W
ork ers’
A
f f il ia t io n
of the
P
ort
of
N
ew
Y
ork
.
It will be evident from the foregoing brief history of the various
harbor unions that each has worked more or less independently of
the other. Prior to 1917, there had been no concerted demand, and
the support accorded to a union on strike by other harbor unions
fell far short of being whole hearted. This was particularly true in
the attitude of the licensed officers and engineers toward other
harbor employees. Thus in the strikes of the harbor boatmen, the
engineers and captains continued to operate the boats with such
help as the owners were able to provide. Even between the cap
tains and engineers there were often grievances and a lack of cordial
cooperation due in a measure to the feeling on the part of the engin-
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eers that the captains stood closer to the boat owners and worked
hand in hand with them.
After the strike of the masters, mates and pilots in 1910, however,
the Consolidated Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and the
American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots began to plan for
closer cooperation and appointed a committee to “ devise a means of
connecting the two associations to the extent of being able to support,
advance and safeguard the economic interests of both organizations
and their members collectively and individually.”
Finally in March, 1914, a joint committee, made up of the presi
dent, first vice president, and business manager of each of the two
associations, and a member of each association from each branch of
the steamboat service—that is, steamboat, ferryboat, independent
tug, passenger steamboat, and yacht—was permanently organized as
the Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation, Nos. 1 and 33. The reason
assigned for this action was that this was a “ day of combinations
of industrial and professional organizations for the better security and
advancement of their like interests . . . and because the masters,
mates, and pilots and marine engineers’ interests are so closely identi
fied that contrary action on the part of either is injurious to the other
and assistance by either is beneficial to both.”
The constitution of the Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation pro
vided that regular meetings should be held once a month and in the
matter of disputes that:
First. All reports of grievances arising between a master, mate, or pilot and an
engineer shall be submitted to their respective associations, and, if accepted, the
other association shall be so notified and the matter adjusted at the next earliest
meeting, regular or special, of the Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation.
Second. Reports of grievances arising between the members of either association
or agents shall be made to their respective association, and if cooperation be desired,
the president of each association shall appoint the requisite number of members of
the Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation, who shall form a joint committee to adjust
such grievance. The association whose grievance is to be adjusted shall have a major
ity on such committee. No member (shall be) required to serve on a committee
appearing before his employers.
Third. No member of either association affiliated shall be permitted to sign any
petition detrimental to the interests of any other class of organized labor.
Except for the third provision above, there was no suggestion
in this affiliation of cooperation with other harbor employees. At
the 1915 convention of the American Federation of Labor, however,
the International Longshoreman’s Association requested the con
vention to arrange for conferences of representatives of the inter
national unions of the marine trades for the purpose of discussing
the formation of a marine trades department within the American
Federation of Labor in order to combat the increased strength of the
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shipping companies. This did not have especial reference to the
port of New YorJs, and nothing further was done toward coordinating
the unions of New York harbor employees until the 1916 strike of
the marine engineers. During this strike the engineers received
the active support of the harbor boatmen, and a general understand
ing was reached with the Harbor Boatmen’s Union wnich, though not
admitting the union to membership in the Marine Officers’ Working
Affiliation, paved the way for mutual support. It was not until
June of the following year, however, that the Harbor Boatmen’s
Union was represented at Affiliation meetings.
Early in 1917 the Affiliation began making plans for a concerted
effort to better wages and working conditions. On May 29, 1917, the
Marine Engineers’ Association took the initiative in a letter to the
New York Boat Owners’ Association requesting a conference for
the purpose of adjusting wage rates. The New York Boat Owners’
Association referred the matter to the New York Towboat Exchange
composed of towing interests and a conference was agreed upon for
June 20, 1917, on which date the marine engineers submitted to the
New York Towboat Exchange a formal demand for a flat increase
of $25 per month to engineers on harbor vessels, a 12-hour day, and
an overtime rate of $1 per hour. On the same-date, the masters,
mates, and pilots met in conference with the Towboat Exchange
and submitted demands identical in most respects with those of the
engineers. In the meantime, the Harbor Boatmen’s Union had
written to the Towboat Exchange on June 19, requesting that they
be considered in the conference with the engineers and the masters,
mates, and pilot's. This request was refused, as was also a subsequent
request from the engineers to the same end. The consequence of
this refusal was that negotiations with the engineers and masters,
mates, and pilots were discontinued, the engineers charging the
Towboat Exchange with an arbitrary attitude inimical to the best
interests of the harbor, and the Exchange charging the engineers with
violation of the agreement for a conference with only the licensed
officers and with an attempt to force the members of the Exchange
to recognize the Harbor Boatmen’s Union.
Telegrams requesting intervention and investigation were sent
to the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor by the marine engineers.
Mediation was attempted by the United States Department of Labor
and by the State board of mediation and arbitration, but without
success.
In the meantime, at the July, 1917, convention of the International
Longshoremen’s Association, delegates from the Harbor Boatmen’s
Lhiion and the Tidewater Boatmen’s Union introduced a resolution
stating that “ the condition of the marine organizations of New
York and vicinity are more or less uncertain with regard to their
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work and organization, mainly because they do not work together
as they should, ” and that such conditions would be improved by
meetings of the officers of the various organizations at least once a
month to discuss matters of general interest. The convention was
requested to take steps to bring about an organization in the nature
of a marine council in the port of New York. At the same con
vention it was requested that a special organizer be appointed from
the ranks of the boatmen and men of other harbor craft eligible to
membership in locals of the International Longshoremen’s Associa
tion to work in conjunction with masters, mates, and pilots and the
marine engineers, and “ to assist in maintaining harmony and close
cooperation between the above-named organizations.”
The unsuccessful attempt on the part of State and Federal agencies
to bring about a settlement, together with the representation on
Government boards and councils accorded to labor in other indus
tries, undoubtedly strengthened the harbor employees in their deter
mination to act concertedly and to obtain recognition. This feeling
was aggravated, too, by the attempt on the part of owners to make
individual agreements with their employees. On August 30, 1917,
representatives of the Marine Engineers, the Masters, Mates, and
Pilots, the Harbor Boatmen’s Union, and the Tidewater Boatmen’s
Union met for the purpose of effecting closer relations and gaining
united support. The result was a working agreement and the forma
tion of the Marine Workers’ Affiliation of the Port of New York.
Demands were formulated, and on October 8, 1917, these were sent
to the various boat owners by the newly created Affiliation. The
demands specified that none but members of the four associations
forming the Affiliation should man harbor boats, and that the wage
schedule and rules should take effect at 6 a. m. of November 1, 1917.
Immediately thereafter steps were taken by the Marine Engineers’
Beneficial Association and by the American Association of Masters,
Mates, and Pilots to secure the resignations required by law of
licensed officers before they can quit work.
Before the strength of the Affiliation could be put to the test, how
ever, representatives of employers and employees were requested to
appear before the United States Shipping Board, and on October 20,
1917, an agreement was secured whereby all disputes affecting wages
and working conditions, which could not first be adjusted by em
ployers and employees, were to be submitted during the period of the
War to a strictly Government board of arbitration. It was further
provided that “ This Government board shall have no authority to
pass upon the question of open or closed shop or the recognition of
unions, but there shall be no discrimination of any kind against union
men, and the board shall have power to determine questions of
discrimination.” 1
i The adjustm ent of wages and working conditions of h arbor employees will be discussed in a subse
q u ent article.
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With the subsequent addition of the Lighter Captains' Union and
the local union of Steam and Operating Engineers, the Marine
Workers’ Affiliation includes in its membership all classes of labor
employed on harbor craft. Each of the unions now comprising the
Affiliation has increased enormously in membership since the demands
of October 8, 1917, and a combined membership is now claimed of
approximately 80 per cent of the harbor employees. Moreover,
powerful support is afforded through the affiliation of three of the
unions with the International Longshoremen’s Association.
Except for the admission of the two unions named above, no action
has been taken toward perfecting the Affiliation. Neither constitution
nor by-laws have been adopted. The business manager of United
Harbor No. 1, American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, is
the present chairman; the business manager of No. 33, Consolidated
Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, is the present secretary of the
Affiliation. The Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation, replaced tem
porarily if not permanently by the new Affiliation, was made np of nine
members from each of the two associations of licensed officers. The
Marine Workers’ Affiliation works through an executive committee
composed of two representatives from each of the six unions. As with
the Marine Officers’ Working Affiliation, any action of the Marine
Workers’ Affiliation must be referred to the different unions.
CONCLUSION.
The Marine Workers’ Affiliation was admittedly brought about in
part by the strategic position of labor in the port and in part by the
uncompromising attitude of many boat owners toward harbor unions,
particularly tbe unions of unlicensed men employed on the harbor
craft. In spite of the provision that the question of unionism should
not come before the board of arbitration, Government intervention
has unavoidably brought representatives of employers and employees
together and lent encouragement to organization.
With the large increase in the membership of individual unions,
the support of the longshoremen, and the assurance of the Govern
ment that union members shall not be discriminated against, the
Marine Workers’ Affiliation is in a position to exert a large influence
in questions affecting harbor employees. Whether this influence
will be used wisely in welding together hitherto antagonistic and com
petitive groups of harbor labor and in establishing standards of wages
and working conditions that will survive the strain of economic read
justment after the War, or as a convenient means of enforcing tem
porary concessions without any thought of the permanent solidarity
of labor, will depend in large measure upon the leadership in the differ
ent unions.
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LABOR AND T H E W A R.
ORGANIZATION OF THE WAS LABOR ADMINISTRATION COMPLETED.
Early in January, 1918, the President inaugurated the war labor
administration by designating Hon. W. B. Wilson, Secretary of Labor,
as labor administrator. Tire Secretary at once appointed an advisory
council, composed of representatives of capital and labor and the
public, with the Hon. John Lind, of Minnesota, as chairman, to
formulate a plan for the reorganization of the Department of Labor
in order that it might handle more efficiently the multitude of prob
lems affecting labor which are being emphasized by war conditions.
This council submitted a program,1 which was approved by the Sec
retary on January 28, recommending the creation of several new
agencies to supplement the work being done by the newly established
employment service, the conciliation division, and the investigation
bureaus of the department. The plan contemplated the centraliza
tion of labor administration under the Secretary of Labor, assisted by
a policies board 2 made up of representatives of the production depart
ments of the Government, together with the heads of the various
bureaus and services of the Department of Labor, the purpose being
to secure “ centralization of control together with a wise decentraliza
tion of administration by agencies which come into direct touch with
the problem at issue.” •
The program has been modified somewhat as the exigencies seemed
to require, and during the recent months the work of the Department
of Labor, greatly expanded by war conditions, has been gradually and
systematically coordinated and its activities, as they have been devel
oped, have been concentrated and organized into bureaus or agencies,
each under the direction of an administrator, enjoying equal rights in
the cabinet of the Secretary of Labor. On July 15 the completion of
the war labor administration cabinet was announced by the Secretary,
the organization of each division being practically completed on that
date. The cabinet is as follows:8
Secretary of Labor: W. B. Wilson, Labor Administrator.
Assistant Secretary of Labor: Louis F . Post.
Solicitor: John W. Abercrombie.
*War Labor Policies Board: Felix Frankfurter, Assistant to th e Secretary, Chairman.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Royal Meeker, Commissioner.
Bureau of Immigration: Anthony Caminetti, Commissioner General.
1T his program was published m th e M onthly R ev ie w for February, 1918, pp. 79-81.
* See M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for Ju ly (pp. 23-27) for an account of th e organization and functions
of this hoard. See also M o n t h l y R e v i e w for June, 1918, p p. 56, 57.
3T he new agendas established since Jan . 1,1918, a re in d icated b y an*. Provision for five of these serv
ices was contained in th e sundry civil bill approved b y th e President on Ju ly 1,1918.
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Bureau of Naturalization: Richard K. Campbell, Commissioner.
Children’s Bureau: Miss Julia C, Lathrop, Chief.
♦Employment Service: John B. Densmore, Director General.
inform ation and Education Service: Roger W. Babson, Director.
♦Labor Adjustment Service: Hugh L. Kerwin, Director.
♦Training and Dilution Service: Dean Herman Schneider, Director.
♦Working Conditions Service: Grant Hamilton, Director.
investigation and Inspection Service: Ethelbert Stewart, Director.
♦Women in Industry Service: Miss Mary Van Kleeck, Director.
♦Bureau of Industrial Housing and Transportation: Otto M. Eidlitz, Director.
♦Civilian Insignia Service: Charles T. Clayton, Director.
Chief Clerk: Samuel J. Gompers.
T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S EM PL O Y M EN T SE R V IC E .
The work of the United States Employment Service, which was the
first of the above new agencies to be organized and developed, was
described in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for May, 1918 (pp. 191-205), and
further noted in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w for July (pp. 133-135).
The most recent plan adopted by the Employment Service for the
effective recruiting and placement of labor includes the organization
of State advisory boards, community labor boards, and State organi
zation committees, each composed of representatives of employers
and workers, and of the United States Employment Service. The pur
pose is to give employers and employees in each State and com
munity a voice in the operation of the labor recruiting and distrib
uting machinery of the Government and also to afford the Employ
ment Service the full benefit of the knowledge and experience of the
leaders in industrial management and of labor.
State federations of labor and associations of employers were asked
to designate representatives in their respective States to act as or
ganization committees to assist the State director of employment
in organizing the State advisory board, which is composed of the
director of employment and two representatives each of labor and
of management appointed by the Secretary of Labor. This advisory
board assists the State director of employment in choosing his
own staff and the officials to be placed in charge of the main local
offices. The functions of this board are to determine the locality in
which recruiting shall be permitted for local war industries, and to
advise the State director on all questions of policy for the State gen
erally. The purpose of this joint supervision of employment activi
ties is to make sure that no influence of any sort, other than that of
ifficiency, shall affect the choice of personnel in any of the 48 States.
The community labor boards, composed of one representative each
M employers and of workers, and the employment director, are organ
ized in industrial communities to decide all questions concerning
recruiting and distributing labor within certain boundaries prescribed
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by the State organization committee. They are to assist in protecting
local employers against unfair or unnecessary drafts on labor and to
accomplish the greatest good with the least harm.
W A R LA B O R P O L IC IE S BOARD.
The organization and functions of the War Labor Policies Board
were described in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for July, 1918 (pp.
23 to 27). Its purpose is primarily to outline policies to govern the
administration of the labor program through the several agencies
which now constitute the Department of Labor and also through the
other executive departments of the Government having to do with
war production. Opportunity, however, should here be taken to
correct a misunderstanding that has arisen as to the attitude of the
policies board toward proposed wage increases in view of its adoption
in June of a resolution requesting the Government departments to
withhold contemplated wage changes pending action by the board’s
committee on standardization of wages.1 It appears that currency
has been given to the report that any action by the National War
Labor Board resulting in increases of wages would be nullified by the
policies board. It was not intended that the resolution should have
this effect. The War Labor Policies Board did not recommend that
changes in wage scales should not be made but did urge upon the
various Government departments and boards “ to refrain from mak
ing changes in present standards pending the standardization now
under consideration.” This does not invite in any way requests
that wages which are now below the present standard set by any of
the various wage adjustment boards should not be increased to the
level of such standards. Rather, it is the expressed desire of the
policies board that wages that are between standards should be
brought up to that point. Concisely, the policies board intended to
convey the thought that the standards themselves should not be dis
turbed where they are in force and that they should be applied where
they are not in force. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that
the policies board on July 12 definitely adopted the principles and
policies of the National War Labor Board as its own guiding principles
and policies. These principles include the following:
1 . The right of the workers to organize into trade-unions and to bargain collectively
with their employers.
2. The continuance of existing union standards where they have heretofore applied,
plus the right of the workers to obtain improved conditions, wages, or hours of work
through decisions of the National War Labor Board or any umpire it may select in
specific cases.
3. Equal pay for equal work, whether performed by men or by women.
i See M onthly L abob R e v ie w for July, 1918, p. 27.
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4. Recognition of the basic eight-hour day where a law requires it and settlement of
the question of hours in other cases with due regard to governmental necessities and
the welfare, health, and proper comfort of the workers.
5. Maintenance of the maximum of production.
6 . Due regard for the labor standards, wage scales, and other conditions in particular
localities in fixing wages, hours, and conditions of labor.
7. Declaration of the right of all workers to a living wage, insuring the subsistence
of each worker and his family in health and reasonable comfort.
IN V E S T IG A T IO N AND IN S P E C T IO N SE R V IC E .
Tlie Investigation and Inspection Service was organized to afford
a medium by which quick investigations of labor conditions might
be made to secure information for immediate use. It is intended
that each new brandi of the Department of Labor shall use this
service, so far as possible, in its field work. The service is responsible
also for the inspection of Government and private establishments
to see that proper standards of wages and hours, hygiene, safety,
and working conditions are established and maintained. In brief,
Lie plan proposes the consolidation of all inspectors of the depart
ment into one service. In order that there might be no duplication
of effort the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics who
has for years conducted investigations into working conditions, .and
the director of the Investigation and Inspection Service, at th e
request of the Secretary of Labor, have prepared the following mem
orandum defining the work of the two agencies:
The division of functions is indicated but not defined by the language of the act
making appropriation for the new Investigation and Inspection Service, such appro
priation being expressly granted for war emergency services. Every legitimate
service is now a war emergency service. Every activity of both the Bureau of Labor
Statistics and the Investigation and Inspection Service has both a war emergency
and a permanent aspect. It is absolutely necessaiy that the two offices work together
in complete accord. For example, it is intended th at the Investigation and Inspec
tion Service shall be responsible for the inspection of establishments, whether Gov
ernment or private, which are engaged upon war work, to see that proper standards
of wages and hours, hygiene, safety, .and working conditions in general are estab
lished and maintained. Before standards can be enforced they must be evolved.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has collected industrial codes and regulations set up
in the several Slates. All this material is, of course, available for the Investigation
and Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics is pledged to render
every assistance possible to the Investigation and Inspection Service in the formu
lation of standard codes, whether they shall be only war emergency codes or perma
nent codes. The inspection work proper belongs wholly to the Investigation and
Inspection Service, but the agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall report
unsatisfactory conditions wherever found for the information of the Investigation
and Inspection Service.
In general, the Investigation and Inspection Service will undertake investigations
of a briefer character needed to secure information for more immediate use. If,
however, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is engaged on an investigation and some
department or office desires information quickly on that subject, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics shall be called upon to furnish all the information in its possession before
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additional field or other work shall be undertaken. If the Bureau of Labor Statistics
has collected facts and materials which are needed and which are not in form for
immediate use, such facts and materials shall be put at the immediate disposition
of the Investigation and Inspection Service to be put in shape for use.
For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is in the midst of a study of labor
turnover for the purposes of discovering the fundamental causes and of helping
employers and employees to reduce to a minimum the demoralizing and extravagant
shifting of workers from place to place. Any call coming to the Investigation and
Inspection Service for relevant information on this subject shall be taken up with
the Bureau of Labor Statistics to ascertain if the information is already available
in that bureau. In the same way requests for information on labor turnover coming
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, if they can not be immediately and fully complied
with, must be referred at once to the Investigation and Inspection Service. Requests
for information regarding cost of living, industrial accidents and safety, industrial
poisons, morbidity among workers, wages and hours of labor, and retail and wholesale
prices shall be handled in like manner. When time can be saved by making use of
the agents of the Bureau of Labor Statistics without detriment to the work of that
bureau, such agents will be placed at the disposal of the Investigation and Inspection
Service.
We strongly feel that the principles of this working agreement should be imme
diately extended to include the nev^ Woman’s Division, probably the Children’s
Bureau, and possibly other branches of the department.
W OMEN IN IN D U S T R Y SE R V IC E .
All industrial problems involving women will be dealt with by the
Women in Industry Service. The immediate task of this service is to
develop in the industries of the country policies and methods which
will result in the most effective use of women’s services in production
for the War, while at the same time preventing their employment
under injurious conditions. Stated more specifically, the purpose of
this service is (1) To consider all general policies with respect to
women in industry and to advise the Secretary of Labor as to the
policies which should be pursued ; (2) To keep informed of the work
of the several divisions of the department in so far as they relate to
women in industry and to advise with the divisions on all such work;
(3) To secure information on all matters relating to women in in
dustry and to collect such information into useful form; (4) To
establish useful connections with all governmental departments and
divisions on this subject and with voluntary agencies and societies.
The Women’s Division will be charged primarily with determining
policies, but it will also be administrative and will cooperate with
State departments of labor.
The Government’s attitude toward the employment of women in
war industries, as adopted by the War Labor Policies Board and.ap
proved by all the production departments, is stated in the following
resolution, which is intended to operate as a guide in the work of the
Women in Industry Service:
First. The shortage of labor in essential war industries should be met in p a r t by
further introducing women into occupations easily filled by them, such as clerical
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and cashier service and acconnting in manufacturing, mercantile, and financial
establishments and in the offices of transportation companies and other public utili
ties, such as sales clerks and floor walkers in mercantile establishments, including
among others department stores, specialty stores, shoe stores, men’s furnishing stores,
florists’ shops, jewelry stores, drug stores, soda-water fountains, etc.
Second. Women should not be employed to replace men in occupations or places
of employment clearly unfit for women owing to physical or moral conditions, as, for
instance, in barrooms and saloons, in pool rooms, in or about mines, smelters, and
quarries, on furnace work in glass works, etc. In addition, girls under 21 years of age
should not be employed in occupations or places of employment clearly unfit for them
owing to their youth, as, for instance, in the public messenger service, in street car,
elevated, and subway transportation service, as elevator operators, as bell boys in
hotels and clubs, etc.
Third. 1 . The introduction of women into war industries or into employments
involving special hazards such as the use of industrial poisons should be guided by
the standards as to health, comfort, and safety set up from time to time by the War
Labor Policies Board, in addition to the standards already defined by the Federal
Government and by State labor departments.
2 . The introduction of women into new occupations such as street railway sendee,
public messenger service, etc., should be guided by regulations concerning hours of
labor, night work, etc., such, for instance, as those adopted by the Industrial Com
mission of Wisconsin for street railway service and by the legislature of Netv York
State for messenger service.
3. The recruiting of mothers of young children for war industries should be dis
couraged.
4. The introduction of women into positions hitherto filled by men should not be
made a pretext for unnecessarily displacing men.
Services of the Division of Women in Industry should be sought by employers to
advise on best methods of introducing women and the working conditions which
should be established.
C IV IL IA N IN SIG N IA SE R V IC E .
The Secretary of Labor has authorized the issuance of national
war industry badges as an insignia of distinction for industrial work
ers. These badges will be awarded to civilian workers employed for
at least four consecutive months in certain essential war industries
conforming to requirements prescribed by the Government, and
which have adopted as a part of their Government contracts the
National War Labor Board program announced in the President’s
proclamation of April 8, 1918.1 Further recognition will be given
for employment beyond four months. To deal with the problem of
rewards for war workers and to inaugurate a system by which author
ized badges or other rewards will be given for continuous and satis
factory service in war production, the Secretary of Labor has estab
lished the Civilian Insignia Service.
B U R E A U OF IN D U S T R IA L H O U SIN G AND T R A N SPO R T A T IO N .
Provision for the housing and transportation of industrial workers
is centered in the Bureau of Industrial Housing and Transportation,
which was established in February, 1918, and is now conducting its
i See Monthly R e v ie w for May, 1918, pp. 54-58.
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work through the United States Housing Corporation of the Depart
ment of Labor. This corporation, of which Otto M. Eidlitz, director
of the bureau, is president, was incorporated under the laws of the
State of New York in June, 1918, the capital stock amounting to
1,000 shares of $100,000 each, 998 of which are held by Secretary
Wilson for the Government. The expenditure of $100,000,000 ap
propriated by Congress for the housing of war workers, not including
the $60,000,000 to be expended for this purpose by the United States
Shipping Board, will be directed by this corporation. It is recog
nized that adequate labor supply can not be secured and held at
centers of ordnance manufacture unless the workmen and their
families can have suitable dwellings. The function of the bureau is
therefore to arrange for housing labor employed on Army and Navy
contracts, by (1) Discovering and listing all vacant dwellings and
rooms; (2) Organizing and maintaining room registries; (3) Opening
up the suburbs through improved transportation facilities; (4) Com
mandeering available living quarters not otherwise in use; (5) Con
struction of new temporary or permanent dwellings and by build
ing communities of houses where large operations are needed.
O T H E R N EW A G EN C IES.
The Labor Adjustment Service, which includes the mediation
service, will supervise the same work as has formerly been conducted
by the division of conciliation in the department, and will have
jurisdiction over the settlement of strikes, lockouts, and other labor
disputes. A statement of its activities appears regularly in the
M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w (see pp. 232 to 237 of this issue). Besides
a large force of conciliators there now exists the National War Labor
Board 1, whose functions, however, are not to be confused with those
of the Labor Adjustment Service. The former is primarily a court
of appeal to decide questions at issue between employers and em
ployees where adjustments have not been reached through the
machinery of existing agreements or law.
The Information and Education Service has been established to
develop, particularly among workingmen, sound public sentiment on
labor questions and the real issues of the War. This is being done
in cooperation with the Committee on Public Information. A
speakers’ bureau has been organized to keep a force of 12 to 15
speakers continuously on the road to take the story of the issues of
the War home to the wage earners of the country. The service is
also prepared to secure exchange of information between depart
ments of the labor administration, and to promote in industrial
plants local machinery helpful in carrying out the national labor
program.
i See M onthly R ev ie w for
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The purpose of the Working Conditions Service is to examine
into the matter of working conditions, including safety, sanitation,
ventilation, etc.; to determine the standards as to conditions which
should be maintained in the war industries; to adopt rules embody
ing such standards and explaining them; to determine the best
means for securing the adoption and maintenance of such standards,
and to cooperate with working conditions services of other Federal
departments and with State authorities. The need for this service
is suggested in the following statement taken from the official
announcement made by the Secretary of Labor in establishing the
service :
No successful administration of the adjustment of disputes can be established
without a first-hand knowledge in the department of what working conditions really
are in the essential war industries.
If a complaint that working conditions are unsatisfactory in any establishment is
found justified the secretary must have a service which can secure a proper adjustment
of such conditions.
If the mediation service or an adjustment board brings about the settlement of a
labor dispute which requires some improvement of working conditions, there must
be a*branch of the service which will follow up such a settlement and see that it is
carried into effect.
An inspection of working conditions in the essential war industries may disclose
the fact that the standards, which vary somewhat among the several States, must
be made uniform in order to maintain stability of employment.
The Training and Dilution Service will undertake to ascertain the
best methods used in various plants and industrial establishments
for training workers to do specific work ; to ascertain the needs for
such training of workers; to provide information on this subject
to the various plants, industrial establishments and employees, and
to promote such training wherever it is necessary or desirable; to
inspect the operation of such training and to report thpreon; and
to cooperate with the United States Employment Service in all of
this work. This service will also take up the problem of dilution, if
necessary. This consists essentially in such a reorganization of
work as to turn over to the unskilled workers a large part of the pro
cesses formerly done by skilled workmen. There are innumerable
forms of dilution and they vary from trade to trade.
N A TIO N A L W AN LA E ON BOARD.
While not holding membership in the Labor Department cabinet,
the National War Labor Board is a most important factor in the
organization of the labor administration. Its functions and duties
have been fully explained in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w 1 and two of its
recent decisions, involving the basic eight-hour day and the minimum
wage, appear in the present issue (pp. 72 to 75). The National War
'See Monthly R e v ie w for M ay, 1918, p p . 54-58, and for June, p p . 54-56; and M onthly L aboe R ev iew for
July, p. 2-3.
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Labor Board has received the indorsement of the National Associa
tion of Manufacturers, which, by resolution recently*adopted, placed
itself on record as in favor of the policies and principles governing
industrial relations for the period of the War as announced by the
board and approved by the President. This resolution is as follows:
Whereas the National War Labor Board has been created by proclamation of the
President of the United States, April 8 , 1918, for the purpose of adjusting labor con
troversies without stoppage of production during the period of the War; and
Whereas the policies and principles which are to govern procedure of the said
board were formulated and presented by the War Labor Conference Board appointed
by the Secretary of Labor January 28, 1918 : Therefore
R e so lv e d , That the National Association of Manufacturers approve of the policies
and principles so formulated and presented, and recommends that its members
cooperate with the said War Labor Board to the end that the aims and purposes for
which it was created may be effectuated.
The attitude of tbe National War Labor Board toward individual
contracts was disclosed late in June when the announcement was
made that it had instructed a section to order the General Electric
Co. to eliminate individual employment contracts in its plant at
Pittsfield, Mass., and to make no more such contracts in the future.
The board also gave its approval to the principle of collective bar
gaining which it proposes, through its joint chairmen, Messrs. Taft
and Walsh, to establish in the plant of the General Electric Co. A
system of elections b*y which workers may choose committees to
represent them in dealing with the employing firm will be devised
by the board. Mr. Taft, speaking to the workers concerning collec
tive bargaining, said:
The gentlemen constituting the section, Mr. Walsh and myself, shall also take up
the question of representation and do with it as we, in justice, think should be done
in order to secure proper representation for the men.
The statement of functions, powers, and duties of the National
War Labor Board, which was made a part of the President’s procla
mation of April 8 creating the bojird, contains provision by which
adjustment of a dispute may be effected, in cases where the board
shall fail in its efforts to bring about a voluntary settlement between
the parties or shall be unable unanimously to agree upon a decision,
through an umpire selected by the board from among 10 suitable
and disinterested persons named by the President, who shall hear
and finally decide the controversy under simple rules of procedure
prescribed by the board. These umpires were nominated by the
President in July and are as follows:
Iienry Ford, Detroit, Mich.; Matthew Hale, Boston, Mass.; James
Harry Covington, Washington, D. C.; Charles Caldwell McChord,
Washington, D. C.; V. Everit Macy, New York City; Julian William
Mack, Chicago, 111.; Henry Suzzallo, Seattle, Wash.; John Lind,
Minneapolis, Minn.; William It. Willcox, New York City; Walter
Clark, Raleigh, N. C.
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BASIC EIGHT-HOUR DAY AND MINIMUM WAGE INVOLVED IN DECISIONS
OF NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD.
The National War Labor Board recently made two important
decisions affecting the questions of the living wage and the basic eighthour day. In the first decision the board readjusted the existing
wage schedules in eight plants, employing 3,000 men, at Waynesboro,
Pa., fixing 40 cents per hour as the minimum rate to be paid any
class of workers, including common laborers, and announced that it
now has under consideration the question of determining the living
wage which, under its principles, must be the minimum rate of wage
to permit the worker and his family to subsist in health and reasonable
comfort.
In the Waynesboro case the award of the board gives many of the
workers wage increases greatly in excess of their demands, to gain
which they were recently on strike. For instance, the minimum
rate is fixed at 40 cents per hour, while the minimum rate demanded
was 30 cents per hour. Until now common laborers at Waynesboro
have been receiving as little as 22 cents per hour. The increase to
the lowest-paid men, therefore, will be 81 per cent. Skilled workers
were awarded the increases they demanded.
The second decision was made in the controversy between the
Worthington Pump & Machinery Co. and its employees in the BlakeKnowles plant at East Cambridge, Mass., and in the Snow Plant at
Buffalo, N. Y. The East Cambridge plant had been tied up for
several days by a strike of 1,000 workmen. At both places the
paramount issue was the application of the basic eight-hour day.
A wTage dispute formed a part of the controversy at East Cambridge.
The section of the board assigned to the case readily came to agree
ment on the question of wages, but disagreed on the question of the
application of the basic eight-hour day.
The controversy was referred by the section back to the entire
board, which approved the section’s award as to wages at the plant
at East Cambridge, and decided, upon a resolution offered by Frank
P. Walsh, one of the two joint chairmen, that the basic eight-hour
day be installed at once at both plants; at the same time amiouncing
that the board is considering the matter of the determination of
what should be fixed as the proper working day. The decision to
apply the eight-hour day at Buffalo and East Cambridge was predi
cated upon a statement of the Secretary of the Navy that a govern
mental necessity existed in the plants and that the Navy Depart
ment favored the installation of the basic eight-hour day in all plants
engaged on Navy work.
For the purpose of carrying out the award the board retained
jurisdiction over the Worthington Pump & Machinery Co. case, and
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an administrator will be detailed to see that the award is enforced
and made effective immediately.
The contention of the company in this case was that it was oper
ating upon a fixed-price subcontract made on the basis of a ten-hour
workday. The eight-hour law has been interpreted by some
Government departments as not applying to subcontract shops.
Under the award, if the company continues to employ its workers
10 hours a day, it will be necessary for it to pay them at the rate of
straight time for eight hours and time and one-half for the two addi
tional hours, or, in other words, 11 hour’s pay for 10 hours’ work.
The wage award in the case of the workers at East Cambridge
grants them substantial increases, bringing the rates for machinists,
specialists, and helpers up to the rate established in the Atlantic
coast district by the Harbor Wage Adjustment Board of the Emer
gency Fleet Corporation.
The board decided that the following rates shall apply in the
Blake-Knowles plant:
Toolmakers—72 cents per hour;
Machinists, first class—72 cents per hour;
Machinists, second class—62 cents per hour;
Specialists and handymen—52 cents;
Helpers—16 cents.
Regarding the classification of machinists, the board decided that
it will be unwise for it to fix an arbitrary figure as to the number of
machinists to be specified in the first class. The board therefore
recommends that individual cases—where disputes arise concerning
classification of the employee—be decided by the contending parties
on the merits of each particular case. The board feels sure that no
difficulty will be experienced by the contending parties in handling
this question.
D E C IS IO N OF T H E B O ARD IN T H E W A YN ESB O RO C O N TR O V ERSY .
The section of the board to which this case was originally assigned
readily agreed that the rates of wages being paid throughout the
industries at Waynesboro were far too low, in many cases being less
than one-half the rates for the same type of work paid in the great
industrial centers of the country. The wage demands of the workers
were granted in every classification, with the exceptions of helpers
and laborers whose periods of employment cover less than one
month and who demanded 30 cents an hour, helpers and laborers
whose periods of employment exceed one month and who demanded
35 cents per hour, and certain classes of semiskilled workers who
demanded 35 cents per hour. In these cases the workers will all,
of course, receive the minimum of 40 cents under the award.
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The text of the decision in the Waynesboro controversy is as
follows:
(1) The number of working hours in this plant shall be the same as at present.
The board hereby announces that it has under consideration the matter of the
determination of the proper working-day and the decision here made will be subject
to modification when and as the board come to a determination in that regard.
( 2 ) That time and one-half for ordinary overtime and double time for Sundays and
those holidays fixed by the statutes of Pennsylvania be granted.
(3) That the employers shall meet with committees of their own men in the various
shops.
(4) That pay days, shall be once per week on companies’ time and no more t han
three days’ pay shall be retained.
(5) That there shall be no discrimination against union men, and that the unions
shall not be perm itted to use coercive means to obtain their objects in any event.
<6) The minimum rates of pay to be as shown below, the lowest rate in no case to
be below 40 cents per hour.
Toolmakers, die makers, jig makers, gauge makers, and bench tool
machinists......................................................................................... 4gp pp
Journeymen machinists, a t least 4 years’ experience............................ 55
Specialists, more than 3 years....................................... .....................
gp
Specialists, more than 2 years.............................................................
45
Specialists, under 2 years.. ................................................................
4p
Maintenance men, on maintenance repairs.............., .............................. 4 5
Maintenance men, repairing belts or oiling.............................................. 4 P
Acetylene welders, first 6 months..............................
45
Acetylene welders, over 6 months..............................................
gp
Men on cut-off saw, crane operators, tool crib, and storeroom.............. 40
Machinists’ helpers............ ............................................... ............... _
4P
Patternm akers......................................................
05
Ironmolders and coremakers.................................................
pg
Blacksmiths, heavy forgers, tool dressers, drop forgers, and wheel
builders.......... ............
pg
Blacksmiths’ helpers.,__________
45
Boiler m akers........................................................................................
pp
Boiler makers’ helpers........................................................................
45
Flange turners and layer-out m en.........................................
05
Boiler maker specialists (such as operators of punches, planers, drill
pressers, shearers, etc.)...............................................................
55
Carpenters and joiners, bench hands, cabinetmakers, millwrights,
and wood-working machine hands........................................................... 5P
Painters, plumbers, sheet-metal workers, electricians, brick and
stonemasons, and other miscellaneous mechanics:
Over 4 years’ experience.......................
pp
_gp
Under 4 years’ experience........................................ ....................
Cupola tenders_________
4P
Engineers, yard and shifting....................
5P
Wagon drivers.........................................................................................
4P
Firemen, brakemen, and chauffeurs........................
45
Storeroom and stock-room clerks, attendants, and time-keeping
attendants................................................................ ................
45
Helpers and laborers..... ........... ................................................................ 4p
Hammer men in cleaning rooms.... ............................................................ 4P
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The board hereby announces that it has now under consideration the matter of the
determination of the living wage, which under its principles must be the minimum
rate of wage which will permit the worker and his family to subsist in reasonable
health and comfort. That in respect to the mininum established h y this finding it
shall be understood that it shall be subject to readjustment to conform to the board’s
decision when and as a determination shall be reached in that regard.
(7) That apprentices be given an opportunity to learn a trade under circumstances
as to character of work and compensation as may be agreed upon between committees
of the men and their employers.
(8) That the request of the employees to the effect that all piecework and premium
work be abolished be denied.
(9) That in case of depression, hours be reduced before men are laid off.
(10) T hat for the purpose of carrying out the award of the board the board retain
jurisdiction over the Waynesboro case, acting through the section of the board already
appointed on the case, or through an examiner directed by the secretary to see that
the award is put in force and becomes effective.
(11) That the award of this board shall be retroactive as of May 28, 1918.
GOVERNMENT’S POSITION CONCERNING CHILD LABOR AND PRISON
LABOR.
Since the Supreme Court declared the Federal child-labor law
unconstitutional some doubt has arisen as to the attitude of the
Government toward the employment of minors in establishments
working on war contracts located in States having no child-labor law.
The situation has been much clarified by the recent announcement
of the War Labor Policies Board, composed of representatives of the
varions production departments of the Government, defining the
position of these departments concerning child labor and also of
prison labor. The policies board states that—
All work required in carrying out this contract shall he performed in full compliance
with the laws of the State, Territory, or District of Columbia where such labor is per
formed. A contractor shall not directly or indirectly employ in the performance of
this contract any minor under the age of 14 years, or permit any minor between the
age of 14 and 16 years to work more than 8 hours in any one day, more than 6 days in
any one week, or before 6 a. m. or after 7 p. m. Nor shall the contractor directly or
indirectly employ any person undergoing sentence of imprisonment at hard labor
which may have been imposed hy a court of any State, Territory, or municipality
having criminal jurisdiction.
The enforcement of the contract clause with reference to the em
ployment of children has been placed by the policies board in the
hands of the Secretary of Labor, who will utilize for this purpose the
child-labor division of the Children’s Bureau, which was delegated
by the Secretary to issue certificates of age, inspection, and coopera
tion with State officials required for the administration of the Federal
child-labor law recently declared unconstitutional. The centraliza
tion in the Department of Labor of the enforcement of this childlabor contract clause has the advantages of utilizing existing adminis
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trative machinery, with which employers and State officials are
already familiar, and the avoidance of the confusion and duplication
incident to enforcement by each department concerned.
CONSTITUTION AND FUNCTIONS OF A JOINT INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL.
The British Ministry of Labor has recently issued a pamphlet
(H. Q. 7A) giving suggestions as to the constitution and functions
of a joint industrial council. Down to the middle of June, 1918, this
constitution had been made the basis of a draft constitution in 14
trades, reference to which is made in the next article. The full text
of the suggestions as to constitution and functions of these councils
is as follows:
The Whitley report on joint standing industrial councils, in discussing the constitu
tion and functions of such councils, recommended that it should be left to the trades
themselves to constitute schemes suitable to their special circumstances. The object
of the following memorandum is not to lay down any hard and fast rules as to the
constitution and functions of an industrial council, but to put forward certain sugges
tions which may serve as a basis for discussion and help in concentrating attention
upon some outstanding points in the relations of employers and workpeople which
must be taken into consideration in the actual formation of a council. Many of the
clauses which follow are drawn from constitutions already drafted.
In a letter sent out by the minister of labor to the chief associations of employers
and workpeople on October 20, 1917, the minister announced that “ the Government
desire it to be understood that the councils will be recognized as the official standing
consultative committees to the Government on all future questions affecting the
industries which they represent, and that they will be the normal channel through
which the opinion and experience of an industry will be sought on all questions with
which the industry is concerned.” In order to secure such official recognition the
minister of labor will require to be satisfied that the composition of the joint industrial
council is such that it will be regarded by the industry as being truly representative
of the industry. The associations of employers and workpeople in any given industry
should therefore either directly, or through a joint committee, if such a body has been
established by them to carry out the necessary preliminary negotiations, send in to
the ministry of labor an application for official recognition at some time during the
negotiations and before the council is actually formed.
(a ) F
u n c t io n s
of
a
J
o in t
I n d u s t r ia l C o u n c il .
1. To secure the largest possible measure of joint action between employers and
workpeople for the development of the industry as a part of national life and for the
improvement of the conditions of all engaged in that industry.
I t will be open to the council to take any action that falls within the scope of this
general definition. Among its more specific objects will be the following:
N. B.—I t is not possible and it is not the intention of the minister to suggest any
hard and fast policy as to what should constitute the functions of an industrial council.
This is a question which the employers and workpeople in each industry must settle
for themselves in their preliminary conferences in the light of their special needs and
conditions.
2. Regular consideration of wages, hours, and working conditions in the industry
as a whole.
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N. B.—In some cases a joint industrial council will contain representatives of a
number of trades which have been accustomed in the past to deal with such questions
as wages, hours, etc., through their already existing organizations. To meet such
cases the following clause has been inserted in one of the draft constitutions: “ P r o
vid e d , That where any such matters have in the past been dealt with separately by
any organization, such matters shall not be dealt with by the council as far as that
organization is concerned without the consent of the representatives of that
organization.”
3. The consideration of measures for regularizing production and employment.
4. The consideration of the existing machinery for the settlement of differences
between different parties and sections in the industry, and the establishment of
machinery for this purpose where it does not already exist, with the object of securing
the speedy settlement of difficulties.
5. The collection of statistics and information on matters appertaining to the
industry.
6 . The encouragement of the study of processes and design and of research, with a
view to perfecting the products of the industry.
7. The provision of facilities for the full consideration and utilization of inventions
and any improvement in machinery or method, and for the adequate safeguarding
of the rights of the designers of such improvements, and to secure that such improve
ment in method or invention shall give to each party an equitable share of the benefits
financially or otherwise arising therefrom.
8 . Inquiries into special problems of the industry, including the comparative
study of the organization and methods of the industry in this and other countries,
and, where desirable, the publication of reports.
9. The improvement of the health conditions obtaining in the industry, and the
provision of special treatment where necessary for workers in the industry.
10. The supervision of entry into, and training for, the industry, and cooperation
with the educational authorities in arranging education in all its branches for the
industry.
11. The issue to the press of authoritative statements upon matters affecting the
industry of general interest to the community.
12. Representation of the needs and opinions of the industry to the Government,
Government departments, and other authorities.
13. The consideration of any other matters that may be referred to it by the Gov
ernment or any Government department.
14. The consideration of the proposals for district councils and works committees
put forward in the Whitley report, having regard in each case to any such organiza
tions as may already be in existence.
N ote.—The following have also been included among the functions in some of the
provisional constitutions which have been brought to the notice of the ministry of
labor:
(i) The consideration of measures for securing the inclusion of all employers and
workpeople in their respective associations.
(ii) The arrangement of lectures and the holding of conferences on subjects of
general interest to the industry.
(iii) Cooperation with the joint industrial councils for other industries to deal with
problems of common interest.
71795°—18----6
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(b ) T
he
C o n s t it u t io n
1.
of
a
J
o in t
I
n d u s t r ia l
C o u n c il .
m e m b e r s h ip .
The council shall consist o f -------- members, appointed as to one half by associa
tions of employers and as to the other half by trade-unions.
Associations of employers:
Number of
representatives.
( 1) .......................................................................................................................................
( 2) .......................................................................................................................................
(3)......................................................................................
etc.
—---------- Total.....................................................................................................
Trade-unions:
( 1) ...............
(2) ..............
(3).........
etc.
Total
2.
R EA PPO IN TM EN T.
The representatives of the said associations and unions shall retire annually, and
shall be eligible for reappointment by their respective associations and unions. Casual
vacancies shall be filled by the association concerned, which shall appoint a member
to sit until the end of the current year.
3.
COM M ITTEES.
The council may delegate special powers to any committee it appoints.
The council shall appoint an executive committee and may appoint such other
standing or sectional committee as may be necessary. I t shall also have the power
to appoint other committees for special purposes. The reports of all committees shall
be submitted to the council for confirmation except where special powers have been
delegated to a committee.
4.
COOPTED MEMBERS.
The council shall have the power of appointing on committees or allowing com
mittees to coopt such persons of special knowledge not being members of the council
as may serve the special purposes of the council, provided that so far as the executive
committe is concerned: (a) The two sides of the council shall be equally represented,
and (b ) any appointed or coopted members shall serve only in a consultative capacity.
N. B.—I t is desirable to take power to appoint representatives of scientific,
technical, and commercial associations upon committees and subcommittees of the
council, and the above clause would give this power.
5. OFFICERS.
The officers shall consist of a chairman or chairmen, a vice chairman, a treasurer,
and a secretary or secretaries.
(1) The chairman.
N. B.—The Whitley report suggests that the appointment of a chairman or chair
men should be left to the council, who may decide that there should be (i) a chairman
for each side of the council, (ii) a chairman and vice chairman selected from the
members of the council (one from each side of the council), (iii) a chairman chosen
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by the council from independent persons outside thé industry, or (iv) a chairman
nominated by such persons or authority as the council may determine, or, failing
agreement, by the Government.
(2) Secretary.
The council shall be empowered to maintain a secretary or secretaries and such
clerical staff as it may think fit.
All honorary officers shall be elected by the council for a term of one year.
6. MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
The ordinary meetings of the council shall be held as often as necessary and not
less than once a quarter. The meeting in the month o f -------- shall be the annual
meeting. A special meeting of the council shall be called within -------- days of
the receipt of a requisition from any of the constituent associations or from the
executive committee. The matters to be discussed at such meetings shall be stated
upon the notice summoning the meeting.
7. V OTING .
The voting both in council and in committees shall be by show of hands or other
wise as the council may determine. No resolution shall be regarded as carried unless
it has been approved by a majority of the members present on each side of the council.
8. QUORUM.
The quorum shall b e -------- members on each side of the council.
9. F IN A N C E .
The expenses of the council shall be met by the associations and trade-unions
represented.
10.
RELA TIO N OF A JO IN T IN D U S T R IA L COUNCIL TO T H E G O V ER N M EN T.
It is desirable that there should be intimate and continuous touch between the
industrial councils and the various Government departments interested, not only to
secure prompt attention from the right officials, but also to obtain information as to
what other councils are doing. To meet this need, the Ministry of Labor has, at the
request of the Government, set up a special section dealing With industrial councils.
Where any industrial council so desires, a civil servant with the necessary expe
rience will be assigned the duties of liaison officer by the Ministry -of Labor. He
will act only as and when required and in a purely advisory and consultative capac
ity, and will be available when desired for any meetings of the council.
By this means similarity of method and continuity of policy in the various
industrial councils will be assumed, and the experience and proposals of one council
will be available for all the others.
11.
D ISTRICT COUNCILS AND W O RK S CO M M ITTEES.
It will be necessary for the council vfrien formed to consider the necessary arrange
ments for district councils and works committees if the conditions of the industry
are such as to require them. Obviously existing local conditions and existing
organizations will have to be taken into account and the variety of such conditions
make it difficult to suggest any draft constitution which would be of value. The
Ministry of Labor will, however, be glad to supply examples of existing schemes
and other information at their disposal.1
irThe report of an inquiry into works committees made b y th e M inistry of Labor and published as
“ Industrial Reports No. 2.” I t is review ed on p. 81 to 84 of th is issue difthe M onthly L abor R e v ie w .
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PROGRESS IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS
IN GREAT BRITAIN.1
Constant reference in the debates in the House of Commons and
in the daily press, and the attitude of members of the labor party to
the report of the Whitley committee,2 indicate the very great im
portance attached to the principle of industrial councils as defined
by that committee, and that the establishment of such councils
will be one of the most significant and far-reaching developments
of the War, so far as labor is concerned. Public interest in the
Whitley report suggestions is probably greater than in any other
one reconstruction scheme. The Ministry of Labor is making every
' effort to enlighten employers and employees as to the functions of the
joint industrial councils, and the minister himself is almost daily
attending meetings arranged to enable him to meet associations of
employers and workpeople in a given trade at the same time. Al
though practically every trade in the United Kingdom has the
question under consideration, only two—the pottery 3 and building
trades—had, down to the middle of June, completed the organiza
tion of joint industrial councils and held their first meetings.
One other trade (heavy chemicals) had approved its draft con
stitution but had held no meeting, eleven trades,4 on the date men
tioned, had proceeded to the extent of formulating a draft constitu
tion, while in three trades (boot and shoe, tramways, and woolen
and worsted) a provisional committee had been appointed and a
conference held to consider the proposition. It appears that some
trades which are very poorly organized are desirous of establishing
councils, hut the Ministry of Labor in such cases is acting with de
liberation in the interest.of justice to the emplo}^ees.
During the discussion of the post-office budget in the House of
Commons on June 12, several labor members advocated establishing
some kind of joint council in that service. Replying to these mem
bers, the assistant postmaster general said that the matter was to
come before the cabinet in a very short time. It is felt that the
movement would receive great impetus should the post office estab
lish a joint industrial council. The Ministry of Labor inclines to the
belief that Government action, as in the post-office case, is necessary
before full confidence is established in the trades. So far, the Govern
ment, while urging other employers to set up joint committees
giving workers such a part in management as would stimulate their
individual sense of responsibility, has refrained from setting the
1 D ata obtained through special representative of th e U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in England.
2 This report was published in B ulletin No. 237, U. S. B ureau of L abor Statistics.
s This was th e first in d u stry to give effect to th e recommendations of th e W hitley report. See Monthly
R ev ie w for A pril, 1918, pp. 234-236.
« Baking, cable making, carting, electrical contracting, furniture, gold, silver, and jew elry, leather goods
and belting, printing, ru bber, silk, vehicle building.
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example. The common idea seems to be that the post office offers
an exceptionally good opportunity to try out the scheme, as, generally
speaking, the employees are mostly of an educated class somewhat
above the average.
The Ministry of Reconstruction has just issued 1 a further report
of the Whitley committee, dealing with conciliation and arbitration.
While pronouncing definitely against compulsory arbitration or con
ciliation, they advocate a continuance of the voluntary scheme and
suggest the establishing of a standing arbitration council, to which
disputants may voluntarily refer such differences as they are unable
to settle among themselves.
OPERATION OF WORKS COMMITTEES IN GREAT BRITAIN.
A supplementary report of the British committee on relations be
tween employers and employees (the Whitley committee) dealing
with works committees as a part of the industrial council plan now
being put into operation in many industries in t]ie United Kingdom
appeared in the M o n t h l y R e v ie w for June, 1918 (pp. 163-165)
These works committees, as stated in that report, are to be repre-.
sentative of the management and of the workpeople and are to be
appointed from within the works. They are for the purpose of
establishing and maintaining a system of cooperation as respects
“ many questions closely affecting daily life and comfort in, and the
success of, the business, and affecting in no small degree efficiency of
working, which are peculiar to the individual workshop or factory.”
The suggestion that such committees be established should not be
taken to imply a new departure in industrial life. Works committees
existed before the war, their functions extending over the whole of a
works (or even in some cases the whole of two or three contiguous
works) and were organized (1) to deal with particular questions
affecting the conditions and remuneration of labor in a given works,
(2) to act as a welfare committee representing as a rule all the workers,
for the purpose of dealing with what may be termed works amenities
—ventilation, sanitation and the like—and (3) to look after the social
interests of the workers, such as games, recreations, study circles,
picnics, etc. Since they furnish a means of direct contact between
employer and workmen and serve to relieve established trade-union
machinery of the innumerable questions arising from day to day
in the shop, the growth of works committees has been encouraged.
In view of this fact and also because of the impetus given the move
ment by the Whitley report, the British Ministry of Labor instituted
i
to
A lthough dated Jan . 3 1 , 1 9 1 8 , th e report w a s no t issued u n til Ju n e
o£ th is issue o f th e Monthly L abor R e v i e w
240
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14.
I t is review ed
on
pages
237
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
an inquiry as to the constitution and working of typical works com
mittees in the chief industries where they were known to exist, in
cluding engineering, shipbuilding, iron and steel, boot and shoe,
mining, printing, woolen and worsted, pottery, and furniture, with
a view to bringing out the different objects, functions, methods of
procedure and constitutions which have been tried in actual practice.
The report of this inquiry was submitted in March, 1918, and pub
lished ds Industrial Reports, No. 2, of the Ministry of Labor.1 No
conclusions are drawn nor is any ideal form of works committee
outlined. The report merely presents the facts, pointing out the
various difficulties which have been encountered and the various
methods which have been devised to meet them, with the thought
of furnishing a guide to those who are concerned with working out
the problem of works committees for their own industry or their
own establishment.
An introductory chapter traces the methods of works committees
as they existed before the War, describing their relations to the shop
steward system. It is stated that the majority of trade-unions have
official shop stewards whose duties “ apart from functions obviously
intended to sustain the fabric of the trade-union—the collection of
dues, the interrogation of defaulters and newcomers, and the like—
* * * include the regular supply to the branch or district com
mittee of information respecting any encroachment upon recognized
trade-union conditions, participation in deputations to the manage
ment in connection with grievances, the calling of shop meetings of
the members to discuss grievances, etc.” In some trades, as for
instance the building trade, shop stewards have organized into socalled works committees. In certain industries a function exercised
by shop stewards, namely, the calling of shop meetings, appears
to have formed the basis of the system of works committees. Such
is the case in the furnishing trades where the meetings include all
the trades in the works from which the shop steward maj^ form a
works committee, with a secretary. For the settlement of piece
prices, however, it appears that certain unions in the furnishing
trades work through their own shop stewards. In many cases, it
is stated, conciliation boards are really works committees, this being
so when the joint board is composed of representatives of the work
people in one establishment and of members of the firm.
The report gives a number of causes which brought works com
mittees into existence during the War. For instance, it is pointed
out that the War has enhanced the position and prestige of shop
stewards owing to the loss of the right to strike which deprives
1 Great B ritain. M inistry of Labor. W orks committee. R eport of an inquiry made b y the M inistry
In d u strial R eports, No. 2. [London, 1918.] 146 pp.
of Labor.
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83
union officials of an important weapon. Matters of detail which
need some shop machinery for their solution emphasize the impor
tance of shop stewards and encourage the organization of works
committees. “ The problem of dilution has been one of the most
potent forces in forwarding the movement toward works committees.”
Another cause was the establishment of committees connected with
methods of remuneration growing out of the adoption of the practice
of payment by results in trades where tune work was the normal
basis. Committees for the purpose of affecting improvement of
time keeping are also mentioned as a contributing factor in the
organization of works committees. The strain of the war has
introduced conditions which have made it necessary to consider
ways of promoting the physical welfare of the workers with the
result that welfare committees have been established in many
works giving the workpeople a voice in respect to the conditions
under which they labor. Though they can hardly be called works
committees these welfare committees may be said to prepare the
way for the organization of such committees. Committees formed
to administer war charity funds and to promote the social life of the
workers are cited as forming the nucleus, if nothing more, of works
committees.
The report goes into detail in describing the constitution of various
works committees, which necessarily vary with the functions of the
committees, but suggests that the best solution appears to be a
committee of about a dozen shop stewards or trade-union repre
sentatives, with a chairman and a secretary elected for a definite
period of six months or a year.
The procedure of existing works committees, so far as concerns
the frequency and time of holding meetings, the remuneration of the
secretary, the use of the referendum when important questions are
to be decided by members, etc., is briefly noted, but “ in the matter
of procedure in the stricter sense of the term there is at present a
good deal of variety.” The normal procedure as given is somewhat
as follows:
1. A workman wlio lias a grievance will report it, directly or through the committee
man in his department, to the secretary. Lesser grievances, which do not affect a
number of men or raise a general question, may be settled at once by the secretary
with the foreman or department manager concerned.
2 . Grievances which are not thus settled are taken up by the committee, and
brought by the committee before the management.
3. If grievances or disputes are not settled with the management, they are carried
to the branch or the district organization of the trade-union or trade-unions concerned,
and they go henceforth along the ordinary channels of trade-union organization.
It is perhaps not necessary here to dwell upon the functions of
existing works committees as is done in detail in the report, since
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they are of so many different types that their functions vary con
siderably. In general it may be stated that the functions of works
committees are practically always consultative rather than executive.
It can suggest to the management and, as a last resort, induce a tradeunion organization to call a strike, but it can not usually, as such,
carry its views into action by any direct machinery.
The report discusses the relation of works committees to tradeunions. In conclusion, instances of the practical success of works
committees are cited—this success depending “ to a great extent on
the existence of a spirit of counsel and understanding on both sides.”
If “ the management door stands open” to all legitimate grievances, and if the
men are ready to present their grievances and to take into consideration the difficulties
of the management, the fundamental conditions are present. Much will always de
pend on the personalities concerned. Every human institution requires for its
success the guidance of personalities. * * *
That works committees have, in the great majority of cases, tended to introduce
greater harmony, and, through it, greater efficiency, is proved by the evidence of
those concerned in their working. I t is not denied that in some cases (though these
are very few) works committees have failed. * * * In almost every case, how
ever, the testimony is to the opposite effect. Sometimes introduced with difficulty
and amid suspicion, committees have established themselves and done service which
is acknowledged even by their original opponents. By providing a channel for the
ventilation of grievances at an early stage, and before they become acute, they have
prevented disputes and strikes, and they have improved timekeeping and increased
output. Nor is this all. The functions of works committees are not merely con
cerned with bringing grievances before the management, but also with a preliminary
inquiry into grievances, in order to decide whether they are well grounded and
serious enough to be brought before the management. The work which they do in
this preliminary stage is not the least valuable part of their work, and, far from ham
pering the management, it obviously does the reverse and relieves the management
of difficulties and grievances it would otherwise have to face.
The larger portion of the report is devoted to notes on individual
works committees.
WAR BONUSES FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN GREAT BRITAIN .1
An account of the first two awards made to employees in the
civil service in Great Britain by the conciliation and arbitration
board for Government employees was given in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w
for August, 1917 (pp. 139-142).
The first meeting of this board was held on February 12, 1917,
and up to the last of December 50 claims had been heard, of which
15 were settled by conciliation, 33 by arbitration, and 2 were out
standing. The board, which consists of three members, was formed
‘‘to deal by way of conciliation or arbitration with questions arising
1 Record ofthe Proceedings for 1917 of th e Conciliation and A rbitration Board for G overnment Employees
London, 1918,16 p p. Price, 2d.
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with regard to claims for increased remuneration (whether per
manent or temporary owing to war conditions) made by classes of
employees of Government departments other than classes of em
ployees who are engaged wholly or mainly by way of manual labor
of a kind common to Government and other employment and in
respect of whom the board are satisfied, on the certificate of the
Government department concerned, that adequate means for the
settlement of such questions have-already been provided, or that
changes of remuneration always follow the decision of the recognized
machinery applicable to the district generally. Provided that for
the present and until experience has been gained of the working of
the scheme, the board shall not entertain applications for permanent
increases of salary from the more highly paid classes of employees
of any Government department, namely, classes of officers with
salaries of £500 ($2,433.25) or over, or placed on scales of salary
rising to £500 ($2,433.25).”
The board, together with not more than three official representa
tives and not more than three representatives of the class concerned,
or their association if one exists, will hear any claim which falls within
its terms of reference (cabinet instructions). No stereotyped pro
cedure is followed in its hearings but the proceedings are kept as
informal as possible. The hearings are confidential and no verbatim
report is taken though a record is kept of each one. An agreement
is required from representatives of the claimants that they will abide
by any decision and assurance is given that the Government will be
similarly bound.
Since organization of employees has not made much headway
except in the general post office, and since there are classes with
rival associations, classes with only a small proportion of membership
in the association, and classes with no association at all, it was
decided to deal with the representation for each case on its merits,
and in cases where outside associations represent employees to admit
one such representative, who, however, can not be a signatory to
any agreement arrived at by conciliation.
The following table shows the departments concerned in the 50
claims that have been heard and the manner in which those claims
were dealt with. Twenty-three claims were for temporary increases
on account of war conditions (“ war bonus”), 22 for permanent
increases, and 5 for both.
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D ISP O SIT IO N O P CLAIMS H E A R D B Y CO N C ILIA TIO N A N D A R B IT R A T IO N B O A R D FO R
G O V E R N M E N T E M P L O Y E E S , G R E A T B R IT A IN , 1917.
D epartm ent.
Claims.
Settled
Settled
by arbi b y con
tration. ciliation.
General post office............................................................
T rea su ry 1.........................................................................
M inistry of m unitions...............................................................
A d m iralty ..........................................................................
B oard of custom s and excise...............................................
Office of w orks......................................................................
B oard of tra d e ................................................................
Governm ent chem ist................................................
Board of inland revenue............................. ..........................
W ar office..........................................................
Chief secretary’s office, D u b lin ....................................
Public record office..........................................................
20
7
14
5
4
4
2
3
2
T o tal.........................................................................
50
2
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
i
1
1
33
5
O ut
stand
ing.
1
2
2
i
1
]
l
2
l
l
15
2
1 Classes common to 2 or more departm ents.
The award of a war bonus in 1915 by Sir James Woodhouse to
postal employees made no distinction between permanent and tem
porary employees. This plan was followed by the treasury in 1916,
which, however, gave departments discretion to withhold or reduce
the bonus in certain circumstances. The conciliation and arbitration
board when called upon, immediately after their appointment, to
deal with this question introduced a differentiation between permanent
and temporary employees both in amount and in principle. The
temporary employees' bonus was added not to existing rates but to
those prevailing in July, 1916, on the assumption that while the pay
for permanent employees had been fixed in times of peace with refer
ence to normal conditions and because of the increased cost of living
this had ceased to be a fair wage, the great majority of temporary
employees had been appointed at a rate presumed to have been fixed
by existing conditions. The fact that.the number of- temporary war
employees in the civil service, outside the general post office, num
ber approximately 120,000 makes this an important decision.
The first five awards made by the board in May, 1917, affected
approximately 174,000 employees and gave the same increases as
were provided for in award No. 1 which, including the awards of
July, 1915, and September, 1916, allowed a total war bonus to
permanent employees as follows—To those with salaries not exceeding
30s. ($7.30) per week: Men, 9s. ($2.19); women, 6s. ($1.46); juve
niles, 4s. ($0.97); to those with salaries exceeding 30s. ($7.30) but not
exceeding 40s. ($9.73) per week: Men, 8s. ($1.95); women, 5s. ($1.22);
juveniles, 4s. ($0.97); to those with salaries exceeding 40s. ($9.73) but
not exceeding 60s.'($14.60) per week: Men, 7s. ($1.70); women, 4s. 6d.
($1.10); to those with salaries exceeding 60s. ($14.60) per week but
not exceeding £250 ($1,216.63) a year: Men, 5s. ($1.22) ; women,
3s. 6d. ($0.85)—the new bonus to take effect from the 1st of January,
1917.
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The award to temporary employees gave an additional 4s. (97.3
cents) a week to men, and 3s. (73 cents) to women, the total amount
awarded to those with weekly salaries not exceeding 40s. ($9.73),
including bonuses granted previous to July 1, 1916, being 8s. ($1.95)
a week to men, 5s. ($1.22) to women, and 4s. (97.3 cents) to juveniles,
and to those whose pay exceeded 40s. ($9.73) a week, 7s. ($1.70)
weekly to men, 4s. 6d. ($1.10) to women, and 3s. 6d. (85.2 cents) to
juveniles. The amounts awarded to date from January 1, 1917, and
to be treated as an addition to wages on the 1st of July, 1916, any
increases since that date, other than normal increases, being merged
in the new bonus.
Awards Nos. 17, 18, and 19, taking effect from the 17th of Decem
ber, 1917, were made as a result of an appeal from substantially the
same organizations as those included in the first five awards, with the
addition of a new association representing civil-service employees
with salaries between £300 ($1,459.95) and £500 ($2,433.25) a year.
Awards Nos. 1 and 2 were superseded, the total amounts granted
(including those granted Sept. 9, 1916) being:
Award No. 17—To permanent employees with salaries not exceed
ing 40s. ($9.73) per week: Men, 14s. ($3.41); women, 9s. ($2.19);
juveniles, 7s. ($1.70); to those with salaries exceeding 40s. ($9.73)
but not exceeding 60s. ($14.60) per week: Men, 13s. ($3.16); women,
8s. 6d. ($2.07); juveniles, 6s. 6d. ($1.58).
Award No. 18—To permanent employees with salaries exceeding
£156 10s. ($761.61) a year, but not exceeding £250 ($1,216.63):
Men, 15 per cent of salary, minimum £34 ($165.46); women, twothirds of men’s bonus; to those with salaries exceeding £250
($1,216.63) but not exceeding £350 ($1,703.28): Men, 12 per cent of
salary, minimum £37 10s. ($182.49); women, two-thirds of men’s
bonus; to those with salaries exceeding £350 ($1,703.28): Men, 10
per cent of salary, minimum £42 ($204.39); women, two-thirds of
men’s bonus.
Award No. 19.—To certain temporary postal employees, with
salaries not exceeding 40s. ($9.73) per week: Men, 14s. ($3.41);
women, 9s. ($2.19); juveniles, 6s. 6d. ($1.58); to those with salaries
exceeding 40s. ($9.73) per week: Men, 13s. ($3.16); women, 8s. 6d.
($2.07); juveniles, 6s. ($1.46).
A claim for the bonus for temporary employees to be considered as
wages was not conceded. The award for the remainder of the
temporary employees was still outstanding when the report was
issued.
Certain applications for war bonus were dealt with specially,
notably those from employees who, although not themselves engaged
on manual duties, are employed in close proximity to, and often
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recruited from, workmen receiving the full amount of war bonus
awarded by the committee on production to engineering, etc.,
trades. The writers’ association in the war department was given
the war bonus award to permanent employees as in No. 1 with the
modification that the bonus should count for overtime. In the army
ordnance department in Woolwich Arsenal foremen receiving less
than 48s. ($11.68) weekly were raised temporarily to that figure as
from April 1 , 1917. In the royal ordnance factories permanent
foremen were granted a temporary increase in their bonus of 11s.
j ($2.68) in addition to an earlier one of 5s. ($1.22), but an increase in
’ the permanent scale was denied; temporary foremen might have
their maximum rate extended at the discretion of the chief superu intendent to 95s-. ($23.11), an increase of 6s. 6d. ($1.58) above the
| bonus granted to permanent foremen. Designers and draftsmen were
given an additional bonus of 6s. ($1.46) a week as from August 1,
I 1917 (i. e., 14s. ($3.41) in all to the lower grade and 10s. ($2.43) to
the higher grade). Principal foremen writers and foremen writers
J received an increase in maximum rates of 5s. ($1.22) and a selected
, number, not exceeding six, should be eligible for a maximum increase
. of 10s. ($2.43) weekly, making the maximum weekly pay for the first
i 1class 110s. ($26.77) and 115s. ($27.98), respectively, and for the
second class 84s. 6d. ($20.56). These various increases affect about
| 3,000 persons.
%
Unestablished messengers in the Admiralty were given a temporary
increase of 3s. (73 cents) a week and certain improvements in over
time, but were denied permanent increase; assistant clerks, about
4,800, were given an increase of £2 10s. ($12.17), rising by £10
($48.67) increments from £130 ($632.65) to a maximum of £170
\\ i
i t ; ($827.31) per annum, the arrangement to be provisional for the dura
tion of the War and pending the consideration o f the position of the
class. Admiralty and Outports Clerical Federation were denied an
extensive system of regrading, but were granted minor improvements
in remuneration. Sixteen assistant civil engineers in the Admiralty
were granted an increase of £50 ($243.33) in the maximum, and any
clerk who remained for seven years on the new maximum without
promotion should be allowed to proceed further by £20 ($97.33)
increments to £550 ($2,676.58). While the claim of about 600 secondclass and assistant draftsmen employed at from 39s. ($9.49) to 43s.
($10.46) a week, with a war bonus of 12s. ($2.92), for the extension
to them of the war bonus granted to workmen by the committee on
production was not granted, an increase in their war bonus of 2s.
(49 cents) as from August 1 and a further increase of 4s. (97 cents)
from December 17 was ordered.
In the post office department about 2,300 provincial clerical em
ployees were granted an increase in wages as from February, 1914,
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hut their claim for a reduction in hours was denied. This same award
(amount not stated) was made to 57 clerks in the surveyors’ depart
ment of the general post office, and a permanent increase with no
change in hours was given to 154 second and third class clerks in the
superintending engineer’s office. The National Federation of Sub
postmasters, about 23,000 persons, claimed an increase in the scale
paid them in dealing with army and navy allowance forms and exchecquer bonds to date from the beginning of the war. The first
claim was not allowed, but the rate for war-loan work was raised
from £6 ($29.20) to £8 ($38.93) per thousand transactions. Unestablished draftsmen, engineer in chief’s office, 17 persons, were given
an increase in the maximum of 15s. ($3.65) weekly and better oppor
tunities to become established employees.
In the marine department, board of trade, the maximum salary
for 151 surveyors was raised from £400 ($1,946.60) to £450 ($2,189.93)
per annum, the board of trade having raised the minimum from £200
($973.30) to £250 ($1,216.63).
Second and third class valuers, inland revenue, about 100 persons,
were granted the same bonuses as those given in awards 17, 18, and
19, as were 40 architectural assistants in the office of works and 25
temporary chemical assistants in the Government laboratory. The
remainder of the cases in which awards were made involved only a
few persons—not more than three or four in each instance.
In four cases affecting a total of about 3,370 persons it was held
that the claims had not been established.
The percentage which the bonus forms of the weekly pay in awards
17, 18, and 19, which affect altogether nearly 180,000 persons, a large
majority of those to whom additional pay was given, is, for those
receiving 40s. ($9.73) weekly, 35 per cent for men, 22.5 per cent for
women, and 17.5 per cent for employees under 18 years of age, while
to those whose yearly salaries are more than £350 ($1,703.28) a bonus
of 10 per cent is allowed to men and 6.7 per cent to women.
The committee had a considerable number of claims for permanent
increases which were the result of differences of long standing. Some
of these have been settled by agreement, others by award, but regard
ing claims for permanent increases originating since the outbreak of
the War the committee has refrained, except in a few cases of minor
adjustments, from making any modification of the permanent scale.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW .
BRITISH RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELECTRICAL, THE
ENGINEERING, AND THE IRON AND STEEL TRADES.1
In April, 1916, the British Board of Trade appointed a committee
“ to consider the position of the electrical trades after the War With
special reference to international competition, and to report what
measures, if any, are necessary or desirable in order to safeguard
that position.” July 31, 1916, a committee was appointed to give
similar consideration to the engineering trades and another to de
vote itself to the iron and steel trades. By July, 1917, these com
mittees had handed in their reports. In each some consideration
is given to the position of the trades before the War, and to changes
effected by the War. This general discussion is followed by recom
mendations, which are along much the same lines in all three re
ports. These recommendations, although they have no authori
tative weight, are of importance both as being the considered views
of leading manufacturers, capitalists, and public men and as indi
cating the probable trend of the development of British industries
after the war. Hence it appears worth while to give them in full,
except for a few sections relating to English customs in regard to
trade-marks and patents. The important agreements and differ
ences of.the three reports may be briefly summarized as follows:
P R O T E C T IO N A G A IN ST FO R E IG N C O M PE TITIO N .
All three ask that the importation of manufactures of their par
ticular industries from the present enemy countries be prohibited
for varying periods of from one year after the end of the War up
ward. The reports on the engineering and the iron and steel trades
also recommend surtaxes on imports of any kind from these countries,
always excepting raw material needed for British manufactures.
The reports on the iron and steel and the electrical trades both ask
for restrictions on the activities within Great Britain of industrial
and commercial enterprises owned altogether or in large part by
foreigners, and the last-mentioned report specifically asks that
foreign investments in such enterprises be limited to 25 per cent
of the capital stock.
All -three reports ask for the prohibition of dumping. Protec
tive duties against all manufactured products are asked for by the
committees on the electrical trades and on iron and steel, although
two members of the last-mentioned committee published a dissent
ing opinion. The committee on the engineering trades could not
1 Great B ritain. Board of Trade. D epartm ental committee on the iron and steel trades. R eport on
th e position of th e iro n a n d steel trad es after th e W ar. London, 1918. Cd. 9071. 50 pp. Price, 6d. net.
D epartm ental com m ittee on th e electrical trad es. R eport on th e position of the electrical trades after
the W ar. L ondon, 1918. Cd. 9072. 14 pp. Price, 2d. net.
D epartm ental com m ittee on th e engineering trad es after th e W ar. R eport. London, 1918. Cd. 9073.
54 pp. Price, 6d. n e t.
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reach unanimity on this subject, so published no recommendations,
but in the body of the report declared:
The majority of us believe that the financial needs of the country after the War
will compel the imposition of custom duties for revenue purposes and will thus
automatically bring about the system of trade protection which the majority of the
committee believe to be necessary.
The report on the iron and steel trades asks for an elaborate sys
tem of maximum, minimum, and general tariffs, by the applica
tion of which preferential treatment may be secured from other
nations. Preferential tariffs as between the present ¿lilies are also
suggested.
FR EE D O M FROM G O V ER N M EN T R E S T R IC T IO N S .
The committee on the engineering trades asks that the “ controlled
establishments” be released from control and given a Government
subsidy to help them through the period of adjustment to an inde
pendent and competitive position. The committee on electrical
trades limits its recommendations to a request for a reform of the
legislation and conditions under which electrical enterprises are
carried on, but in the body of the report complains seriously of the
handicap of regulations which “ are directed primarily to secure the
safety of the public and secondarily to secure a proper and suffi
cient supply of electricity, ” and which at the best are apt to be based
on local considerations rather than on the good of the industry as
a whole. The report on the iron and steel trades makes no recom
mendation on the subject.
L IB E R T Y OF C O M BINATION.
The report on the engineering trades asks that combination
among manufacturers be encouraged, the report on the iron and
steel trades asks not only that combination be permitted but that
on occasion Government aid shall be given combinations in order
that they may establish large plants (see section 16, under “ Or
ganization in the iron and steel trades”), while the report on elec
trical industries asks for recognition of the advantages of combina
tion and for official cooperation with such action. The effect of
such combinations upon prices is ignored in the recommendations,
but references to it are found in the reports. The committee on the
electrical trades is convinced “ that under properly organized com
bination or association the cost of production will be materially
reduced, and that there is no reason to fear that enhanced prices
will be charged to the consumer as a result of such combination.”
On the other hand, two members of the committee on the iron and
steel trades put themselves on record as believing it to be impera
tive “ that safeguards should be provided by the Government against
the raising of prices unduly against the consumer and to the disad
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advantage of labor.” The committee on the engineering trades
thinks that if the trades were properly organized and various other
conditions fulfilled, it should be possible “ to maintain wages at a
high level, to maintain the present hours, and yet to produce an in
creased output at a lower selling price than heretofore.”
LA B O R Q U ESTIO N S.
All three reports agree that relations between labor and capital
must be improved. The report on the electrical trades contains no
discussion of this subject, but includes it in the recommendations.
The report on engineering trades is of especial interest in this matter,
because these trades have been carried on under the treasury agree
ment by which the workmen gave up their trade-union customs, so
far as they tended to restrict output, under a pledge from the Govern
ment that these customs should be restored at the end of the War.
The recommendations make no reference to this pledge, but dis
tinctly declare that labor should give up permanently its former
customs in this respect. The brief recommendation as to female
labor is also of interest. So many women have entered these trades,
and the question of what attitude is to be taken toward them at the
return of peace is so important, that it seetns worth while to sup
plement the recommendations with a quotation from the body of
the report:
It seems to us that the continuance of a certain amount of female labor is both
necessary and desirable. So many boys have been undertaking m en’s work that,
as one witness put it, “ Boys will be men and girls will be boys.” B ut we do not
look upon female labor in the engineering trades as likely to be permanent, or that
many will be permanently employed. The feeling of the workingman has always
been the honorable one of desiring to support his wife without requiring her to earnand marriage has always been, and we trust will always be, a reason for the discon
tinuance of factory work by women. We think, however, that those women who
are already employed should, in all fairness, be offered the right to continue in the
work they have undertaken; and we consider that, within the lim it of their strength,
they are fully capable of doing good work and that for a time, at any rate, their serv
ices will be needed.
As marriage will in most cases take them out of engineering work it is of very little
use for them to spend time' acquiring all-round knowledge at the expense of the in
creased output attained by confining them to one or a few operations only. * * *
One advantage to the boy apprentice would accrue from giving women a large share
of small repetition work; it would free him for the general work that affords the proper
training for the skilled man.
The recommendations of the committee on the iron and steel trades
are of special interest in their emphasis on the importance of the com
plete unionization of labor, and in their advocacy of the principle
of the financial,responsibility of an association for the acts of its
members.
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The committee on the electrical trades is the only one which fails
to make some recommendation concerning a supply of skilled labor.
The other two reports advocate the reestablishment of apprentice
ship, with an extension of the school age, and provision for parttime training after apprenticeship has begun.
C A PT U R E OF F O R E IG N M A R K ET S.
All the reports agree that the British manufacturer has been at a
disadvantage, as far as export trade is concerned, with his German
competitor. Part of this has been due to the superior selling organiza
tion of the Germans, part, it is claimed, to discrimination in freight
rates in their favor, part to the activities of the German consular
service in aiding to secure a market for German products, part to
the policy of German financiers, who, when making loans for develop
ment projects, attach a condition that part or all of the plant must
be bought from German manufacturers, and a part, it is admitted,
must be ascribed to the attention paid by the Germans to offering
what the foreigner wanted, put up in the way he preferred, offered
on terms which suited him, and advertised in a language which he
could understand. In some of these respects, the British manu
facturers can put themselves on an equal footing with their com
petitors by their own efforts, but for others Government aid, changes
in the financial system, and other alterations are needed. Hence
the recommendations found in each report for improved means of
transport and regulation of freight rates and for the establishment
of industrial banks or other means of securing financial help.
RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION
OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN GREAT BRITAIN.
In April, 1917, the British subcommittee on coal conservation
presented an interim report which has recently been made public.1
The report contains a discussion of the waste and inconveniences
of the present system of power supply, of the importance of electrical
power to the industries of the Kingdom, and of the economies and
incidental advantages of substituting a comprehensive system of
generation and distribution of electric power for the present hap
hazard and piecemeal methods, together with recommendations for
such a system. It also contains appendixes on the consumption
of coal per horsepower-hour for power purposes in the United King
dom, on the legislative restrictions on existing electric undertakings,
on alternative types of electric power organizations, on fuel economy
on the northeast coast as a result of electric power supply,' and
1 Great B ritain. M inistry of R econstruction. Coal conservation subcom m ittee.
electric power supply in Great B ritain. London, 1918. Cd. 8880,
71795°—IS-----7
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recommendations from the Incorporated Association of Electric
Power Companies as to the constitution and scope of the proposed
tribunal for dealing with the electric supply industry.
The present method of generating and distributing electric power
is said to be wasteful, unsatisfactory, and expensive, but it can
hardly be improved without material changes in the legislation
relating to electrical enterprises. In 1882, when electricity was
used mainly for lighting purposes, Parliament passed an act empower
ing the Board of Trade to license companies for the public supply of
electricity in defined areas subject to “ the right of the local authorities
over these areas to purchase the works and mains of the conces
sionaires at the end of 21 years at the then value,” and thereafter
to carry on the works themselves. In 1888 the purchase period was
extended to 42 years, with recurring periods of 10 years thereafter.
Under this legislation a number of small enterprises, both municipal
and private, sprang up. About 1898, owing to the development of
the electric motor, the use of electricity as power became possible,
but it was found that the small undertakings then in existence were
not adequate for the supply needed, and that the legislative pro
visions in force discouraged the formation of large companies. New
acts were passed giving power companies the right to supply power
over large areas, and granting them these rights in perpetuity, but
imposing two other restrictions which in practice were found equally
detrimental, namely:
1. The prohibition of supply within areas of authorized distributors without the
consent of such authorized distributors.
2. The exclusion of large towns from the power companies’ areas, owing to the
powerful political intervention of their municipalities.
These restrictions hampered the development of large companies,
and electrical undertakings continued small and relatively inefficient.
The fact that the industries of England had been built up on steam
power and that the adoption of another form of energy would
involve scrapping costly plants lessened the incentive to use elec
tricity as a motive force and cooperated with the legislative restric
tions to keep the industry in an undeveloped state. Consequently,
at the present time there are over 600 electric areas in Great Britain,
each with its own system of generating and supplying electricity,
these systems differing so widely in voltage and frequency that
there is little possibility of combining them.
Approaching this situation from the point of view of coal con
servation, the report points out that the coal consumption involved
in the production of motive power in the United Kingdom amounts
to 80,000,000 tons per annum, that industrial progress is to be made
not so much by reducing the total coal consumption as by increasing
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the output for a given coal consumption, and that the present coal
consumption would, if used economically, produce at least three
times the present amount of power. Electrical energy is the most
effective form in which power can he applied to industry, and elec
tricity can he most economically generated in large plants with
generating machines of 50,000 horsepower or more. Moreover,
such plants will ultimately involve great economies of capital by
securing a better load and a more effective use of the plant. Through
a main trunk distribution system these plants should supply electric
power wherever it is wanted.
The recommendations as to the installation of such a system and
the discussion of the form of ownership and management under
which it can best be carried out follow in full:
R EC O M M EN D A TIO NS.
(1) It is essential that the present inefficient system of over 600 districts should
be superseded by a comprehensive system in which Great Britain is divided into some
16 districts, in each of which there should be one authority dealing with all the genera
tion and main distribution.
(2) Centers, or sites, suitable for electric generating purposes should at once he
chosen on important waterways as the future main centers of supply for each of the
districts into which the country is to be divided.
( 8) The sites so chosen should be as large as possible, having in view the land
available in suitable localities, and should have ample water and transport facilities.
Land is required not only for the power stations themselves—which for the sake of
security and safety would have to be suitably subdivided, that is, they would not be
contained all' in one building—-but for the processes involved in the extraction of
by-products from the coal before it is used for the production of power, where such
extraction is found to'be justified. It is also required for the development of electro
chemical processes, which may be most conveniently carried on in close proximity
to the power plant. This condition entails the sites being chosen outside, not inside,
towns. (The health of the great industrial centers and the congestion of the rail
way lines in their neighborhood would be radically improved by arranging that the
conversion of coal into motive power was carried out away from the densely populated
centers.)
(4) Plans should be prepared for the construction immediately after the war on
these sites of the first installment of large superpower plants capable, first, of supply
ing, through a comprehensive electric power distribution system which must also
be arranged for, the existing demands of the community; and, secondly, of supplying
electrical energy at the lowest possible price for new processes and manufactures.
(5) Such plants would be designed so that, as methods are perfected for extracting
by-products from the fuel before using it for the purpose of the production of electric
power, the by-product plant can be combined with the power plant. Each site
should be laid out with this in view, and with a view to the unrestricted extensions
of the plant as required.
(6 ) Power available from surplus gas or waste heat should be turned into electrical
energy on the spot in local plants which would feed into the main distribution
system. As regards waste coal, i. e., coal which it does not at present pay to bring
t 6; the surface—this could, where transport was the ruling consideration, also be
used on the spot.
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(7) Once these plants are in existence it would be possible for existing authorities,
without any risk of being left in the lurch, to stop extensions of their own uneco
nomical stations, situated as they mostly are on cramped and unsuitable sites, and
to arrange to take their power from the main system.
(8) With a view to carrying out the policy advocated, a board of electricity com
missioners should be appointed, with full powers to deal with the electricity supply
system throughout the country. They should have power, inter alia—
(а) To stop the extension or multiplication of uneconomical stations for public
supply.
(б) To arrange for the handing over, on equitable terms, of the generation, trans
mission, and main distribution system in each of the areas into which the country
is to be divided, to a new electricity body appointed for that area.
(c) To standardize for each area the frequency and voltage of the main trans
mission and distribution system.
(d) To settle for each area whether such body should consist of a parliamentary
company working under adequate control as regards limitation of dividends, etc.,
or one of the other alternatives given in Appendix 0.
(9) Alternative types of the new electric power organizations are described in
Appendix C. In reference to these alternative types the subcommittee are impressed
with the special need for initiative and resource in the management of the business
of power supply, and they are of the opinion that the freedom of range and keenness
which are distinctive of private enterprise will be found to be in a high degree con
ducive to the fullest measure of success. The subcommittee consider that if the
nation is to get immediately an efficient power supply, and is to take advantage of
the temporary lull in manufacturing output immediately after the war, State assist
ance in some form may be necessary.
A P P E N D IX
c.
ALTERNATIVE TYPES OF ELECTRIC POWER ORGANIZATIONS.
In considering the composition of the proposed new bodies to deal with the supply
of electricity in each of the areas into which the country should be divided, a number
of alternatives present themselves, namely:
(а) A combination of all companies and local authorities in each industrial dis
trict (as defined by the commissioners).
(б) Where there is already a power company (statutory) in the area, all the other
electricity undertakings, both company and municipal, to be taken over by the
power company on terms arranged by the commissioners.
(c) Where at present the supply is dealt with by a number of comparatively small
undertakings, both company and municipal, but where the company undertakings
predominate, a new company to be formed, possibly by an amalgamation of existing
companies, to which the whole of the undertakings in the area would be transferred.
(d ) Where the supply is dealt with as in (c) but the company concerns do not
predominate, and where local feeling is strongly against a purely company scheme,
a local board to be formed, representing both company and municipal interests and
under the control of the commissioners, which would be invested with full powers
to take over and carry on the whole of the undertakings, both municipal and com
pany, in the area.
(e) Public or joint ownership as in (d ) with company operation.
It is taken for granted that under any of these alternatives the electricity com
missioners would have power to fix maximum prices and a sliding scale of prices
and dividends, and to control the terms upon which capital should be raised, etc.
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(a ) C o m b in a tio n o f a ll e x is tin g u n d e r ta k in g s . —Although every one of the under
takings in the area, whether company or municipal, might admit that only by com
bination and concentration can economy be obtained, the attempts which have
been made in the past to bring about a combination of existing concerns have shown
that the interests are so conflicting that they can not be reconciled by the interested
parties acting alone. I t is true that agreements for exchange of electricity have
been made, but all attempts to bring about central control have failed.
(b ) P o w e r c o m p a n y to ta k e o ver a ll u n d e r ta k in g s . —A power company having been
formed for the purpose and equipped with the necessary statutory powers appears
at first sight to be the right body to entrust with the business of supplying the whole
of the industrial district in which its own area of supply is situated; and where the
power company is already established on a sound commercial and technical basis,
and has shown by its development in the past that it understands its business, this
method is probably the best. * * *
The statutory powers of power companies carry with them such obligations as
have been found to be ample to protect the interests of the community, but if further
safeguards, in addition to the control by the electricity commissioners, were desired,
they could be imposed by Parliament.
(c) N e w c o m p a n y . —Where no power company exists, or where the power company
has not developed any very large business, a new company might be formed to take
over all the existing undertakings. Local private enterprise might be encouraged
to assist in the formation of the new company, with the guidance of the electricity
commissioners, who should also settle the terms upon which the new concern would
take over and carry on the business, and the statutory powers required, which would
be embodied in a special act on the lines of the present power acts.
(d ) L o c a l e le c tr ic ity b o a rd .—-In an area where municipal enterprise predominated
the establishment of a company to take over everything, both municipal and com
pany, might create local feeling which would be detrimental to the business. On
the other hand a purely municipal concern would be equally impracticable, since
the claims of county councils, city corporations, and urban and rural district councils
could scarcely be reconciled. A local board appointed by the State, subject to the
control of the electricity commissioners, appears to be the only alternative available
if private enterprise is to be ruled out. The objection to such a method is, of course,
the usual objection to all purely State undertakings, namely, that they are without
incentive for the proper pushing of the business which in the case of power supply
requires enterprise and resource if the best results are to be obtained, not only for
the power supply business, but for the consumer and for the nation.
(e) P u b lic o r j o i n t o w n e r sh ip w ith c o m p a n y o p e r a tio n .1—By this method economy
in capital and interest charges is secured, while the commercial development of
the business on proper lines is secured by the incentive of bigger profits tvhich the
operating company would have, subject, of course, to the safeguards against high
prices in the form of a sliding scale of dividends and prices—auction clauses, etc.,
already referred to.
i Cooperation between m unicipal and private enterprise in the electricity supply business has had some
success in Germany. See Consular R eport No. 685 on th e Supply of E lectricity in Germany, Cd. 7049.
A scheme embodying this principle has actually been worked out in some detail by the London County
Council for dealing w ith London. Its progress was stopped by th e outbreak of war, b u t the reports and
papers relating to it are of considerable interest.
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NEW REGULATION OF THE WAR SUBSIDIES AND COST-OF-LIVING
BONUSES OF GERMAN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
Paul Taubadel, member of the Reichstag, writes in the Inter
nationale Korrespondenz 1 on the subject of war subsidies and costof-living bonuses, as follows:
The enormous increase in the cost of all foodstuffs and necessaries that has taken
place during the War has caused great distress to German Government employees,
particularly to the low-salaried employees ( U n te rb e a m te ). While salaried employees
and workmen employed in the war industries have succeeded in obtaining wage
increases and high-cost-of-living bonuses, the salaries of Government employees
remained stationary. The entrance salaries of 1,200 to 1,400 marks ($285.60 to $333.20)
per year paid to low-salaried officials ( U n terb ea m te) are so low that even during peace
times they were insufficient to provide sustenance for them in a manner fit for human
beings. How then could they be expected to exist on them during the war? Some
of them tided over the hard times by expending their small savings or by selling such
household articles as could be dispensed with. Those that had no savings nor any
thing to sell obtained the necessaries of life by contracting debts. Persons familiar
with the conditions of Government employees assert that during the war the indebt
edness of Government employees has attained enormous proportions. Like so many
groups of the working and middle class, the low and medium salaried Government
officials have degenerated economically. The honesty of these officials has suffered
thereby. Of the numerous thefts which of late have occurred in the mail and railroad
service not all were committed by substitute employees, but quite a number of them
by permanently employed officials. Statistics show that in the imperial mail service
85 per cent of the thefts were committed by substitute employees and 15 per cent by
permanent officials. Although representatives of the various political parties in the
legislatures repeatedly had urged the Governments to improve the conditions of
Government employees through salary increases or grants of high-cost-of-living bonuses
the Imperial and Federal Governments let a long time elapse before they determined
to relieve the unbearable economic condition of their employees by the grant of
bonuses. The amount of these bonuses, however, lias never kept pace with the
steadily increasing cost of living, so that the economic condition of the Government
employees did not improve at all but rather became worse. As a consequence feeling
among Government employees is very bitter and the legislatures have been flooded
with petitions requesting aid. Finally in December of last year all married Govern
ment employees were granted a lump-sum bonus of 200 marks ($47.60) and an addi
tional 20 marks ($4.76) for each child. This grant was intended to cover the most
pressing needs and a further substantial increase of the cost-of-living bonuses paid
currently was promised to the employees for the near future.
According to a law enacted by the Prussian diet this further increase of the cur
rently paid cost-of-living bonuses became effective on April 1, 1918. Before giving
data as to the present amount of these bonuses a few words should be said about the
system according to which these bonuses have been paid hitherto. The Government
has chosen such an artificial and intricate system that not even all the Government
employees themselves are familiar with its working. Instead of inaugurating a
uniform bonus system the Government differentiates between war subsidies, lump
sum bonuses, and currently paid bonuses. War subsidies (K r ie g s b e ih ilfc n ) have been
paid to all Government officials whose annual salary does not exceed 7,800 marks
($1,856.40). The war subsidy for low-salaried married officials ( U n te rb e a m te ) amounted
to 15 marks ($3.57) per month with an additional 12 marks ($2.86) per month for the
1 Internationale Korrespondenz.
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first child, 13 marks ($3.09) for the second child, and so on, the bonus for each further
child increasing by 1 mark (23.8 cents) per month. The war subsidy for mediumsalaried officials (m ittle r e B e a m te ) amounted to 12 marks ($2.86) per month, with an
additional subsidy of 11 marks ($2.62) for the first child, 12 marks for the second
child, etc. Higher officials with a salary not in excess of 7,800 marks received a war
subsidy of 10 marks ($2.38) for the first child, the subsidy for each further child increas
ing by 1 mark. Single officials with a salary not in excess of 2,300 marks ($547.40)
received a war subsidy of 10 marks per month. The new law makes no changes in
these war subsidies and they will continue to 'te paid in the same amounts as hitherto,
only the currently paid high-cost-of-living bonuses ( la u fe n d e K r ie g s te u e r u n g s z u la g m )
have been increased by this law. Up till now these latter bonuses amounted to 300
marks ($85.68) per year for low-salaried married officials, to 540 marks ($128.52) for
medium salaried married officials, to 720 marks ($171.36) for higher married officials
with a basic salary not in excess of 7,800 marks, and to 840 marks ($199.92) for higher
married officials with a basic salary of more than 7,800 marks. For each child this
bonus was increased by 10 per cent. For single low and medium salaried officials
this bonus amounted to 300 marks ($71.40) per year.
Beginning with April 1, 1918, these high-cost-of-living bonuses were increased to
the following rates: (1) Married officials: Low-salaried officials, 600 marks ($142.80)
per year; medium salaried officials, 700 marks ($166.60); higher officials, 800 and 900
marks ($190.40 and $214.20), respectively, with an additional 10 per cent of these
amounts for each child. (2) Single officials: 70 per cent of the bonus paid to married
officials of the same salary class. Formerly the amounts of the high-cost-of-living
bonuses were the same in all localities. An official of the same salary class in Berlin
received the same bonus as his colleagues in East Prussia or in the Rhine Province.
Beginning with April 1, 1918, this order of things ceased. A distinction is now being
made between localities in which the cost of living is relatively high or low. The
Government assumes that in large cities and in industrial districts the Government
employees are economically worse situated than in medium-sized and small towns
or in rural districts where the prices of food and necessaries are much lower and where
many officials have additional incomes from the keeping of vegetable gardens and
live stock. For this reason the new regulation grants an additional 20 per cent to the
above rates to officials living in localities where the cost of living is relatively high.
In such localities the amounts of the bonuses for married officials are therefore 720,
840, 960, and 1,080 marks ($171.36, $199.92, $228.48, and $257.04), respectively. In
Prussia about 35 per cent of the Government employees will receive these increased
bonuses. It is, however, to be feared that this differentiation will cause new dis
satisfaction because the Government and the interested officials are not always of the
same opinion in determining the localities in which the cost of living is to be con
sidered relatively high or low.
Retired Government employees were also very dissatisfied with their pensions.
Their pensions, of course, are essentially smaller than the salaries of employees in
active service. Hitherto retired employees were granted cost-of-living bonuses and
war subsidies only if they were in great need, and in such a case they received only
30 per cent of the amount of the subsidies and bonuses granted to active employees of
equal rank. The new regulations provide that pensioned employees shall, as a rule,
receive 50 per cent of the amount of war subsidies and cost-of-living bonuses granted
to employees in active service, and that in special cases even the full amount of these
subsidies and bonuses may be paid to them. The new regulations further provide
that if the pensioned employee has earnings by reason of his having obtained employ
ment under the national auxiliary service law these earnings up to 1,000 marks ($238)
shall not be considered in determining whether the pensioned employee is in need
of a bonus or not.
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The new regulation of the bonuses and war subsidies doubtless is an improvement
over former salary conditions, but it is by no means satisfactory. In discussions
which have taken place in the Reichstag between representatives of all parties of the
Government, the Government has been blandly told that even the new rates of the
bonuses and subsidies are not sufficient to offset the steadily increasing cost of living.
The Reichstag demanded higher subsidies, but the Imperial Government and the
representatives of the Federal Government resisted this demand with the greatest
energy. The representative of the imperial treasury always pointed out that the
financial condition of the imperial treasury did not permit any increase of the war
subsidies. As the Reichstag continued to insist on its demands in this respect, these
demands finally were sidetracked through the action of Prussia, the largest Federal
State, which definitely regulated the subsidies of employees while the Reichstag was
still considering the matter. It has always been a favorite trick of the Prussian
Government not to give the Reichstag any opportunity to regulate problems relating
to Government employees. For the present the Reichstag has contented itself with
passing in its Main Committee in the name of all parties a resolution stating that the
present rates of the subsidies of Government employees seemed insufficient. This
action of course does not give any comfort to the employees.
It is also very deplorable that the subsidies for auxiliary (substitute) employees
have not yet been regulated anew, The number of auxiliary employees is very
large. In the imperial post-office department, for instance, it is larger than the num
ber of statutory employees. Many of these auxiliary forces have been employed in
imperial and State establishments since the outbreak of the War and in many in
stances perform the same services as statutory employees. The bonuses granted to
them to offset the increased cost of living are very small. When the last lump-sum
bonus was granted to statutory employees the auxiliary employees were not included.
The payment of monthly cost-of-living bonuses to auxiliary employees is frequently
being effected in a very arbitrary manner. The condition of the auxiliary employees
is actually pitiable and an improvement is urgently needed. All criticism in this
respect is answered by authorities with the quotation of the fact that salaries have
been increased. To be sure salaries have been increased here and there, but the
present salaries nevertheless are much lower than those paid by private establish
ments for the same kind of services. It will be one of the tasks of the Reichstag at the
approaching discussion of the budget to demand emphatically that the bonuses and
subsidies of auxiliary employees be correlated to those of statutory employees.
SUSPENSION OF REGULATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LABOR IN
GERMANY DURING THE WAR. 1
During the present War the German factory inspection service has
discontinued the publication of its regular annual reports on the
activities of the factory inspectors with respect to their control of
the enforcement of protective labor legislation. The discontinuance
of the publication of these reports has frequently been criticized in
the Reichstag and in State legislatures. In order partly to remedy
this lack of public information the Prussian Ministry of the Interior
recently has published a few statistical compilations as to the em
ployment of juvenile and female workers in Prussia during 1915 and
—
•----------------- —
—-------------- — ------------------—
—
-------------------1 Internationale Korrespondenz.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
1916, and on the supervisory activities of the Prussian factory in
spectors during 1917, a brief digest of which is given here.
The German industrial code (Oewerbeordnung) contains several
important provisions restricting the free exploitation of workers.
A few of these are: In establishments employing 10 or more workers
children under 14 years of age may not be employed; juvenile work
ers under 16 years of age may not be employed for more than 10
hours per day and their employment at night work is prohibited
entirely; female workers likewise may not be employed for more than
10 hours per day and their employment at night work is prohibited
even if they are over 16 years of age. At the beginning of the War
all these provisions of the industrial code were practically sus
pended, for it was decreed that exemption from their observation
might be granted for individual establishments and districts.
Since the issuance of this decree numerous industries and estab
lishments have obtained exemptions of this kind in an unwarranted
manner. A subsequent decree of the imperial chancellor has some
what restricted the granting of such exemptions but nevertheless
complaints of workers in this respect are still so frequent that a
recent resolution of the Social-Democratic Party in the Reichstag
has demanded full restoration of the effectiveness of the above pro
tective regulations of the industrial code. The same demand has
repeatedly been made in the budget committee of the Reichstag.
Until lately exact data as to the extent in which exemptions from
the above protective regulations had been granted were not avail
able but the following compilation, recently published by the Prus
sian Ministry of the Interior, gives some information as to the number
of establishments and juvenile and female workers for which permits
for night and overtime work were issued.
N U M B E R O F E X C E P T IO N A L PE R M IT S IS SU E D IN PR U SSIA TO IN D U S T R IA L E S T A B
L ISH M E N TS FO R O V ER TIM E AND N IG H T W O R K O F JU V E N IL E AND FE M A L E W O R K
E R S A N D N U M B E R O F W O R K E R S A F F E C T E D , 1915 AND 1916.
Perm its for-*-
1915
Overtim e work of juvenile workers:
N um ber of establishm ents..............................................................
N um ber of juvenile workers affected...........................................
N ight work of juvenile workers:
' N um ber of establishm ents..............................................................
N um ber of juvenile workers affected...........................................
Overtim e work of female workers over 16 years of age:
N um ber of establishm ents..............................................................
N um ber of female workers affected..............................................
N ight work of female workers over 16 years of age:
N um ber of establishm ents..............................................................
N um ber of female workers affected...............................................
1916
793
24,618
657
26,89S
863
21,474
1 226
38,125
2,615
149' 620
1, 444
97,117
1,762
118,172
3,197
252,055
Night work is more endurable in those establishments that have
introduced the three-shift system of 8 hours per shift, but the
number of these establishments is relatively small. Of establish
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ments having been granted permits for night work of juvenile workers
only 49 had a three-shift system in 1915, and only 179 in 1916, while
oi establishments which received permits for night work of female
workers only 282 had a three-shift system in 1915, and 703 in 1916.
Most of the exemptions were granted to establishments engaged in
the production of war supplies and it is to be regretted that the
majority of these establishments still work with 12-hour shifts.
In commenting on the above statistics as to permits for overtime
and night work of juvenile and female workers, the Internationale
Korrespondenz says that in the interest of the physical development
of the German youth and in order to protect the female workers
from further injurious influences the restoration of protective labor
regulations to full effectiveness is an absolute necessity.
The second report issued by the Prussian Ministry of the Interior
deals with the supervisory activities in 1917 of the Prussian factory
inspection service. According to this report the number of inspections
of industrial establishments decreased from 177,432 in 1913 to 129,464
in 1917, i. e., by about 48,000 in round numbers. The number of
night inspections decreased from 2,903 to 1,020 and that of inspec
tions on Sundays and holidays from 4,958 to 1,660. This decrease
in the number of inspections is chiefly due to a large decrease in the
personnel of the inspection service, about 40 per cent of the factory
inspectors being in military service. A noteworthy fact established
by the report is that the number of repeated inspections of the same
establishments has increased considerably. Factory inspectors took
part in 22,312 investigations of industrial accidents, or in about
8,000 less than in 1913.
The number of establishments employing at least 10 workers was
172,268 in 191 / as against 175,436 in 1913. This small decrease may be
explained by the iact that during the War a considerable number of
establishments have been consolidated. The number of actually
employed adult male workers decreased from 2,662,152 to 1,956,202,
while that of adult female workers increased from 687,734 to 1,240,593.
The number'of juvenile workers between‘14 and 16 years of age
increased from 280,148 to 327,904 and that of child workers under 14
years of age from 3,584 to 6,012. The number of the inspected estab
lishments formed 28 per cent of all existing establishments, and the
number of the workers of both sexes employed in the inspected
establishments represents about 82 per cent of all male and female
workers employed in establishments subject to inspection.
t he report shows a noteworthy increase of contraventions against
protective regulations for female workers. Contraventions against
provisions regulating the hours of labor (i. e., the number of workers
employed in violation of these provisions) had increased from 2,869
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103
to 6,108. Contraventions against the regulations relating to the
noon rest had increased from 3,733 to 9,292. The number of estab
lishments, however, in which such contraventions had been estab
lished, had decreased somewhat. The number of contraventions
against protective regulations for juvenile workers was nearly the
same in 1917 as in 1913. The number of establishments in which
such contraventions had been detected was 1,754 and the number of
convictions only 120. This small number of convictions leads to the
conclusion that the authorities are rather too mild against contraveners of these protective regulations. According to the report
Sunday work has decreased considerably.
The above statistical data on the enforcement of protective labor
legislation do not give a very gratifying picture and they fully justify
the demand made by the committee on means for the increase of the
population for the discharge of factory inspectors from military
service, a demand which has also had the support of the Reichstag.
LABOR OUTLOOK IN AUSTRIA AFTER THE WAR.
On the subject of capital and labor after the War the Arbeiterr
Zeitung, the official organ of the German social democracy and of the
socialistic trade-unions in Austria, prints the following editorial: 1
Powerful armies are still struggling in bloody battles in the West. So far, nobody
can foretell how near or how remote peace is. Behind the lines, however, many hands
are already at work in preparing for the resumption of peaceful activities after the
conclusion of the War. Here we find the engineers of an ordnance factory preparing
the transformation of its shops for the construction of locomotives, there we see tech
nical experts drawing up plane to adapt a gun factory for the production of automo
biles. An entire system of organizations subject to the General Commission on
Reconstruction in the Ministry of Commerce is carefully considering how measures
for the importation of raw materials, for a sufficient merchant marine, and funds to
pay for the raw materials can be taken in anticipation of the time when the seas will
be free again. The 'three large employers’ associations of Austria have combined so
as to be able during the coming peace times to take part with increased power in the
economic strife. Thus everywhere employers are busily engaged in preparing for
peace, whether the latter be near or remote. The working classes should also begin
to look ahead and to see to it that the new tasks of peace times do not find them unpre
pared. In this respect it is necessary in the first place that we obtain an idea as to
what form the relations of capital and labor will assume after the War.
In many branches of industry, production has been discontinued entirely during
the War or been essentially restricted, as, for instance, in the building trades and the
textile, glass, and pottery industries. The employers have not used their capital for
the operation of their establishments. They have invested it largely in war bonds.
Will all these employers, who have been leading idle lives for four years, resume opera
tion of their establishments? Certainly not! Many of them will prefer to sell their
factories. As prices are high and machinery will be hard to obtain, they will be able
1 A rbeiter-Zeitung: “ K apital u n d A rbeit nach dem K riege.”
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to obtain a much higher price for their establishments than that at which they have
valued them on their books. Particularly the more conservative, more easy going,
and less aggressive employers, will sell their establishments, invest the proceeds in
Government bonds, and instead of being active will continue to live as idlers on their
interest. Their factories, however, will fall into the hands of the financially strongest,
sharpest, and most aggressive of their competitors. In this manner a selective process
will take place among the ranks of the employers; the conservative and easy-going
employers will disappear entirely and whole branches of industry will be concentrated
in the hands of financially strong corporations managed by energetic men. The same
process will also take place in the many branches of industry that to-day are active
for war purposes. To-day shells are being turned where in peace times parts of machin
ery were produced; field kitchens are being built where cooking utensils were pro
duced. As soon, however, as the large orders of the military administration cease,
such industries must be readapted to peace-time production. This will require much
hard work from which many an employer will shrink. He has made a profit of millions
during the War, so why should he work hard? Particularly when he can now sell his
factory at such a good price. Here also a concentration of these industries in a few
strong hands will take place.
These facts indeed can be observed to-day. Never before have so many factories
changed hands, so many individual enterprises been commuted into stock companies,
and so many stock companies been combined into trusts, as during the War. Herr
Skoda, for instance, on the one hand, and Herr Günther, on the other, have brought
under their command a large part of the machinery industry. The working classes
know what this signifies. After the War they will frequently find themselves in
opposition to monster concerns employing thousands of workmen instead of, as before
the War, to only medium-sized independent establishments employing a few hun
dred workmen. And they will find themselves fighting eflicient and energetic,
b ut also aggressive and unscrupulous enemies where before the War they merely
had to do with a lot of elderly, good-natured, and jovial gentlemen.
Hand in hand with this process another development will take place. During
the War manufacturers have sold then- old stock at large profits without being able
to accumulate new stock; they have worn out their machines without being able
obtain new ones in their place; they have made profits of millions without being
able to invest this new capital in the enlargement of their plants. Thus large sums
have accumulated in the safes of employers and have, for the most part, been invested
in war bonds. When peace comes the employers will wish to employ this capital
differently. They will want to replenish their stock of raw materials, to replace
their wornout machines by new ones, and to enlarge their establishments. For
all these purposes they need money. But they have no money, only war bonds.
What is to be done? Shall they sell their war bonds? This will not be feasible,
for if all employers -would offer for sale the enormous quantity of war bonds owned
by them the price of these bonds would drop too much. Consequently many em
ployers will be compelled to borrow from the banks the money needed by them
and to deposit their war bonds with these banks as collateral for the loans. Even
before the War, industry was borrowing from the banks in a rapidly increasing measure
and thereby has become more and more dependent upon the latter; the fact that
during the War industrial capital has temporarily been invested in war bonds will
accelerate this process. The domination of industry by the powers of high finance
will be much more complete after the War than it was before. In the case of labor
disputes the working classes will no longer face individual enterprises, dependent
on their own economic strength, but enterprises governed by the boards of directors
of the large banks, welded together by these banks and, in case of a serious fight,
backed by the billions at the disposal of these large banks.
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In addition there is finally to be considered a third process of development. During
the War the State has combined many branches of industry into so-called war unions.
For instance, all the establishments of the cotton, wool, and sugar industries, etc.,
were combined into such war unions. The war union of the cotton industry will
probably continue to exist long after the termination of the War, for there will be a
shortage of cotton for a long time to come and the organization consequently will
be needed to distribute the available cotton supplies among the mills. Such an
organization also will be able to obtain more easily than the individual mills the
credit abroad without which the importation of cotton would not be feasible. The
individual employers themselves will not be willing to dissolve the war union, and
why should they, for the war union is a cartel organized by the State itself, which
guarantees them large profits. And the State, of course, will not want to dissolve
the war union but to obtain a profit from it. As the State by virtue of its authority
guarantees large profits to the members of a cartel, it can also assure a part of these
profits to itself, and in its present financial distress the State surely will need this
part of the cartel profits. In a number of industries the working classes, therefore,
will find that they will have to deal with compulsory cartels organized by the State,
i. e., with a completely and uniformly organized body of employers. And, as these
cartels are being organized by the bureaucracy and as the State will probably reserve
to itself part of the cartels’ profits these cartels will have the closest connections
with the Government and exercise considerable influence upon it. Capital will in
a larger measure than ever be able to count upon support by the State.
To sum up, it becomes plain that the War has enormously strengthened the power of
capital. The fight against capital will be incomparably harder than before the War.
Labor will no longer have to deal with individual employers, b u t with a closely organ
ized combine of employers, closely allied with the large banks, and supported by the
State. Each strike in an individual establishment will be combated by a lockout
in numerous other establishments. In wage disputes the employers’ organizations
will command immense capital and have the influence of the large banks and of the
State on their side. Therefore, it is clear that only very strong trade-unions will be
able to hold their own in such disputes; but it also is clear that the gigantic trade-union
disputes that will arise from these conditions will inevitably grow into political class
disputes the result of which will be decided by the political strength of the working
classes. The entire future of the working classes depends upon their ability to
strengthen their trade-union and political organization in such a manner that it m il
be able to cope with its new tasks. The main work of organization in this respect
can, of course, only be done after the War, when the strongest fighters for the interests
of labor return from the front. But the formation of strong cadres should be begun
with to-day, so that they may be ready for the times of the great mobilization of the
forces of the proletariat.
;| j
IV
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PR O V ISIO N S FO R DISABLED SO LD IER S AND
SAILORS.
WORK OF LOCAL WAR PENSIONS COMMITTEES IN GREAT BRITAIN.
The Ministry of Pensions supervises the granting of pensions and
allowances to members of the British military and naval forces and
is responsible for the retraining of disabled soldiers and sailors.
The actual contact with the man, however, is made through the local
war pensions committee in the man’s own district. These commit
tees are directly responsible to the ministry.
Roughly speaking, there is a local committee for each county, or
borough, or town of 20,000 or more inhabitants. There may be as
many subcommittees as are necessary to divide the area covered
into manageable districts. The London County Committee, for ex
ample, has 47 local subcommittees in its jurisdiction. The war
pensions committees theoretically are arranged for by the ministry,
in conjunction with the local authorities. As a matter of .fact, most of
them were already in existence before even the war pensions statutory
committee1 was appointed in November, 1915. They developed at
the outbreak of the War, when the people of England proved them
selves equal to the emergency by taking the situation into their own
hands and doing locally what the Government could not do on the
instant, having no machinery developed. Each committee, gen
erally speaking, consists of twenty or more members: five nominated
by the local authorities, two by local employers, two by workpeople,
two by the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families’ Association, two by the
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Help Association, four local experts on special
subjects, or persons of unusual influence, by local residents; two dis
abled discharged soldiers or sailors, and one widow of a soldier or
sailor of this War. These numbers may vary, since the local au
thorities havg discretionary powers in the matter. All, however, are
voluntary workers, except that representatives of labor may put in
a claim for necessary traveling expenses incurred, and for loss of
time, at Is. (24.3 cents) per hour. Each committee designates a
secretary, who may be salaried, although an appreciable number
serve voluntarily. Clerical hire is provided also, if necessary.
Cnee each year the committee submits an estimate of expenses
to the county council, which passes upon the bill, and pays onethird of the amount allowed, the remaining two-thirds being paid
by the Ministry of Pensions. The committee divides itself into
subcommittees on disablement, appeals, and grants or finances,
as it deems advisable.
1
1 This com m ittee, appointed by th e N aval and M ilitary W ar Pensions,-etc., Act, 1915 (5 a nd 6 Geo ,V,
ch. 83), was absorbed by th e M inistry of Pensions.
10G
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The duties of these local committees are so varied and so complex
that there is difficulty in enumerating and defining them. The
committees are virtually the local guardians of discharged soldiers
and sailors and their families, and no complication or difficulty is too
trivial or too serious to be submitted to them. Unfailing and wellnigh infinite tact, discretion, and sympathy must characterize
the individual members, who must guide and befriend pensioners
and at the same time wisely administer the local affairs of the Min
istry of Pensions. All questions of pensions and alternative pensions,
allowances, extra grants, treatment, training, and employment
come under their discretionary powers, subject necessarily to final
decision by the special grants committee, the appeals tribunal, or
other branch of the ministry. But a-first survey of each case is made
by the local committee, who, being in contact with the individuals
and cognizant of many of the more intimate facts, have grave
responsibility in presenting cases to the ministry.
The home conditions of soldiers’ families must be a matter of
knowledge to members of the committee. They give advice upon
many subjects, and they accept advice from numerous local bodies,
such as trade advisory boards, and joint subcommittees representing
the Ministries of Labor and Pensions. Properly to understand and
appreciate what all this means, a visit should be made to the head
quarters of a local committee during its working hours—6 to 12 per
day—in order that the interviews may be heard and individual
judgment passed upon the unselfish work of these volunteers, which
has, in the majority of cases, extended over the period of the War.
A great difficulty in the beginning arose from the fact that the
training of the men and women who came forward to assist had been
along the lines of charitable work, experience in no way analogous
to that which is required of these committees. This was a stumbling
block for many of the best intentioned, but time has to a great extent
removed that difficulty and has developed the capabilities of the
helpers to meet their responsibilities. As the War has progressed
and the age limits have been increased, the men workers more and
more have been required for Army service, leaving greater responsi
bility upon the women. To get substitute workers has become daily
more difficult, as demands increase for the substitution of women for
men in every field of labor and administration. It is felt by those
most interested that more paid workers must be found to continue
the local committees’ duties for many years after the cessation of
actual hostilities.
It must not be concluded that no criticism has developed of certain
local conditions, or that each committee has proved equal to all
emergencies; but gradually errors of judgment have been rectified
and mistakes have bteen eliminated. In order to keep the ministry
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
in the closest possible touch with each committee a new branch of
the ministry has been organized, called the inspectorate, or outdoor
staff. This branch became operative on May 15, with a chief inspec
tor at the ministry headquarters, a deputy for Ireland, and with the
countries of the United Kingdom divided into 18 districts, each with
a superintending inspector and a staff of assistants. By means of
this inspection, the ministry believes that a closer cooperation of
administrative detail will be obtained, a greater insight into individual
cases be possible, and any impending friction be avoided. The
superintending inspectors are all men of long familiarity with the
exigencies and complexities of the local committee’s daily experience.
To illustrate, a disabled soldier finds his work too much of a strain
and must have a new job, or his old wound has become troublesome
and he must have treatment, or perhaps some new symptom has
developed or some disability has increased, and he feels he is entitled
to have his case presented to the appeals tribunal for an increase of
pension. The committee member whom he interviews must know
every one of 100 regulations governing these cases, must satisfy
himself as to the facts, and must know the procedure to be followed.
A record is made of any step taken. This record is filed with other
papers or records belonging to the man’s case, from his discharge
down. Each committee has similar files for every discharged man
or soldier’s dependent living in its area, and is in fact fully acquainted
with the individuals and their home and industrial experience.
If a man is ordered to have treatment, he is given a card, which
must be dated and signed by the doctor at each visit to the hospital,
and submitted to the committee each week before the man can draw
his allowance. His insurance must be looked after, the welfare of
his wife and family watched over, and a multitude of other details
attended to.
In the case of a wife of a soldier, she must call weekly for her
separation allowance and that for her children, and for an extra
grant, if. any has been made. She can get advice on any subject,
and the committee member must not fail to make a complete record
of every detail on the case paper.
In small districts the members regularly visit the homes and leave
the allowances, but in the larger areas it is impossible to do that,
so certain days in each week are designated for men and for women
to visit committee headquarters. The committee makes every effort
to cooperate with the soldiers’ federations, and is usually able to
convince the federations that no ex-soldier’s rights will be disre
garded. In case of an appeal, the committee invariably gives the
man the benefit of any doubt as to whether his increased disability
is attributable to, or was aggravated by, his war service, before
sending the case to the ministry for the action of the appeals tri
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109 .
bunal, feeling that the error, if any is made, should be to the advan
tage of the ex-soldier. The general impression of committee mem
bers seems to be that the average of fraudulent cases presented is
perhaps less than might be expected and is certainly no greater than
in all undertakings of life.
All the treatment and training schemes of the ministry are under
the watchful eyes of the local committees, whose members must be
in close touch with every discharged man in their areas and see
that each one gets whatever treatment his condition requires, under
the guidance of and in cooperation with the treatment branch of
the ministry. But, above all, it is the duty of the committee to
guide, direct, cajole, or otherwise induce every disabled man whose
condition suggests or warrants the belief that he would be benefited
physically, materially, or otherwise by a systematic course of train
ing to take such a course in some trade or profession. In many
cases members of these committees are also hospital visitors, who
may have already started the attempt to assist the man in the matter
of training. More often, however, the man comes under the local
committee’s care after having been discharged from one of the min
istry’s hospitals, where he may have made or accepted a decision as to
his future course in life. It is the duty of the committee to assist
him in every way possible—to provide opportunities for training under
the guidance of, and in close cooperation with, the training branch
of the ministry, with due regard to local conditions, and later, in
cooperation with the advisory committee or the employment ex
changes of the Ministry of Labor, to aid in finding him employment.
Technical schools, colleges, trade-unions, and trade societies—in
fact, all known agencies have been enlisted by the ministry in its
general training scheme. By means of training allowances and
hostels provided by the ministry and by philanthropic persons every
precaution is taken to insure the living expenses of the man during
his course. While it is the desire of everyone concerned to provide
for the early placement of a man in permanent, lucrative employ
ment, effort is always made to induce him to take as long a course
as is necessary to equip him to withstand the competition which
will come from the demobilization of an army of able-bodied men.
The ministry has always thoughtful consideration for the disabled
man’s future, and a disabled man who has gone straight into what
ever occupation presented itself at the time of his discharge may
avail himself at any time of the training offered by the Government.
The ministry reserves to itself final judgment as to a man’s fitness
for the training he elects to take, and the likelihood of its proving
the means of establishing him permanently in a trade or profession.
The Ministry of Pension’s policy is opposed to exercising compulsion
in any form in this matter of training, and recognizes the natural
71795°—18----- 8
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.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
desire of a disabled man to get home as quickly as possible in order to
be in the midst of friends and home surroundings, without much thought
for his future. But no opportunity is overlooked of presenting to
the man’s mind the condition in which he will find himself later on
if he is unskilled and untrained and only fit for manual labor. This
is the reason for the provision that a man may present himself for
training at any time.
At present there are well-established opportunities for training in
nearly 50 trades, and it is safe to say that almost any desire a dis
abled man may have along trade lines can be gratified by his local
committee, all the conditions being favorable. At the end of May
about 7,000 men had completed training or were taking training of
some kind in institutions, schools, or workshops under the guidance
of the ministry, while nearly as many more disabled men had been
trained or were being trained, with the ministry’s cooperation, by
institutions for the care of the blind (St. Dunstan’s, chiefly), Lord
Roberts's Workshops, or by the Ministry of Munitions.
The following statistics, reprinted from the weekly report of the
Ministry of Pensions for the week ending June 7, 1918, indicate the
number of men who had completed or were receiving training on
June 5, 1918, and the occupations chosen:
C A S E S IN R E C E I P T O F A L L O W A N C E S D U R IN G T R A IN IN G IN T E C H N IC A L I N S T I T U T E S
A N D F A C T O R IE S O R W O R K S H O P S IN W E E K E N D IN G J U N E 5, 1918.
Ite m .
N u m b e r re p o rte d u n d e r tra in in g on M ay 29, 1918...............................................
N u m b e r ren o rted d u rin g w eek as a d m itte d for tr a in in g ....................................
N u m b e r rep o rted d u rin g w eek as d isch a rg ed from tra in in g ..............................
T o ta l u n d e r tra in in g on J u n e 5, 1918.................................................. ......................
T o ta l w ho h a v e been or w ho are u n d e r tra in in g u p to Ju n e 5, 1918...............
I n te c h
n ic al in
s titu
tio n s.
I n fac
to ries or
w o rk
shops.
2,973
159
95
3,037
4,665
1,370
95
25
1,440
2,534
Total.
4,343
?54
120
4 477
» 7 , 19J
1 N o t in c lu d in g 730 m e n in tra in in g u n d e r th e M in istry of M u n itio n s.
O C C U P A T IO N S O F M E N R E P O R T E D A S H A V IN G B E G U N A N D A S H A V IN G F I N I S H E D
T R A IN IN G IN W E E K E N D IN G J U N E 5, 1918.
N u m b e r—
O ccu p atio n or in d u s try .
A gri c u ltu re ....................................
A rts a n d c r a fts ............................
B o o ts a n d s h o e s ..........................
B u ild in g .........................................
f an e a n d w ill o w ........................
Ch e m is try ..................................
( in e m a ...........................................
C t m m e rc ia l...................................
D e n ta l m e ch an ic s.......................
D iam o n d w o rk ............................
E n g in eerin g :
E le c tric a l...............................
M echanical _____
F u r n it u r e ......................................
G lass................................................
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A d m itte d
to tra in
ing.
IS
1
37
1
2
1
7
48
9
7
29
29
9
1
N u m b e r—
W h o h av e
te rm i
n a te d
tra in in g .
7
3
15
"2
1
4
23
2
21
14
i
i
O ccupation or in d u s try .
A d m itte d W h o h av e
te rm i
to tr a in
n a te d
ing.
tra in in g .
1
8
1
18
1
7
10
T o ta l....................................
254
120
[330]
2
6
i
i
9
1
5
Gold, silv er, a n d je w e lry .........
L e a th e r................ \ ........ t ...........
M assage..........................................
M in in g ............................................
M iscellaneous...............................
Sani ta tin n in s p e e to r..................
Surgical a p p lia n c e s ....................
T ailoring
..................................
T e x tile ............................................
T ra in in g b lin d and deaf
T o y m a k in g ............ _...................
T ra n s p o rt ..................................
3
1
3
3
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
I ll
The numbers shown in the table may seem small, but it must be
remembered there is no compulsion whatever exercised by the
Ministry of Pensions in this matter of training; besides, the ministry
has existed only about 16 months, and its present excellent arrange
ments have only recently been generally understood. At present
nearly 1,000 men are starting training each month, and it is hoped
and expected that this number will be greatly increased in the
near future.
The local war pensions committees are the medium whereby the
Ministry of Pensions comes into personal contact with each dis
abled man, and each soldier’s or sailor’s widow, child, or other
dependent. Each pensioner must feel that, by dealing with resi
dents of his own district, his case will be better understood and the
details of it presented to the ministry in their best light. As already
suggested, the United Kingdom is divided into joint disablement com
mittee areas, made up of from 6 to 40 local committees. Each joint
area has a superintending inspector and corps of assistants. The
joint committees further deliberate upon the more complicated
cases of each local committee before presenting them to the ministry.
There are at present about 350 local committees in operation.
TRADES FOR DISABLED MEN IN GREAT BRITAIN.
The Employment Department of the British Ministry of Labor in
cooperation with the Ministry of Pensions is publishing a series of
reports upon openings in industry suitable for disabled sailors and
soldiers.1 The following is a complete list of these reports issued to
date:
No. 1. Attendants at electricity substations. 1917. 6 pp.
No. 2. Employment in picture theaters. 1917. 6 pp.
No. 3. Tailoring (retail). June, 1917. 7 pp.
No. 4. Agricultural motor-tractor work in England and Wales. 1917. 6 pp.
No. 5. The furniture trade. 1917. 18 pp.
No. 6. Leather goods trade. 1917. 8 pp.
No. 7. Hand-sewn boot and shoe making and boot and shoe repairing. 1917. 12 pp
No. 8. Gold, silver, jewelry, watch, and clock jobbing. 1917. 9 pp.
No. 9. Dental mechanics. 1917. 8 pp.
No. 10. Aircraft manufacture. Fusilage making and erection of engine on fusilage.
1917. 12 pp.
No. 11. Wholesale tailoring. 1918. 10 pp.
No. 12. Boot and shoe manufacture. 1918. 10 pp.
No. 13. The basket-making trade, including the manufacture of cane and wicker
furniture. 1918. 8 pp.
No. 14. The building trade. 1918. 18 pp.
No. 15. Engineering. 1918. 12 pp.
No. 16. Printing and kindred trades. 1918. 16 pp.
1 T h e first to u r of th e se rep o rts w ere re p rin te d in p a r t in th e Monthly R ev ie w for D ecem ber, 1917, p.67-78.
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In connection with these reports supplementary instructions have
been issued for the following trades: Cinema trade; furniture trade;
hand-sewn hoot and shoe making and boot and shoe repairing
trades; leather goods trade; aircraft manufacture; dental mechanics;
gold, silver, and jewelry and watch and clock jobbing trades; tailor
ing trade (retail bespoke); tailoring (Part II) wholesale;'building
trade. It is interesting to note that these supplementary instruc
tions allow both employers’ associations and trade-unions a voice
in the selection of candidates for training and as to the suitability
of the training offered and of the jobs offered after training. The
section permitting this arrangement reads as follows:
Where any training has been approved by the Minister of Pensions in the abovementioned trades, and where the Minister of Labor, on the advice of the Trade Advisory
Committee, has set up for the area in which the training is to be given a local» tech
nical advisory committee, consisting of an equal number of representatives of asso
ciations of employers and workpeople, respectively; then provided such committee
is recognized by the Minister of Pensions, after consultation with the Minister of Labor,
as representative of the trade in the area, the local war pensions committee, by
whom the training has been arranged, shall consult the local technical advisory
committee with regard to the following points:
(а) The selection of candidates for training, having regard to their suitability for
the trade.
(б) The suitability of the training offered in the technical school or similar institutes.
(c) The suitability of any requests made by employers to the local war pensions
committee in whose area the training is being provided, for the supply of men for
employment after training, with special reference to the prospects of permanent
employment and the rate of wages offered at the termination of the training.
(d ) The suitability of the training offered in factories and workshops, with special
reference to the prospects of permanent employment and the rate of wages offered at
the termination of the training.
(e) Any other technical points arising out of the training of disabled men for this
trade.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[332]
PRICES AND COST OF LIVING.
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.
The retail prices of food as a whole in the United States, according
to reports received from retail dealers by the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, show an increase of 7 per cent in the one-year period, June 15,
1917, to June 15, 1918, and an increase of 2 per cent in the onemonth period, May 15, 1918, to June 15, 1918.
Average prices are shown for 28 articles of food. For the one-year
period, six articles show a decline in price ranging from 2 per cent,
each, for cheese and sugar to 55 per cent for potatoes. Eleven
articles show an increase of 21 per cent or over, the greatest in
crease being 35 per cent for round steak. Coffee shows no change
in price in the year. Flour declined 17 per cent while bread
increased 2 per cent.
In the month May 15 to June 15, 1918, 16 articles show an increase
in price. The greatest increase, 32 per cent, is shown in potatoes
which is due to new potatoes being more generally on the market.
The other 15 articles show comparatively small increases ranging
from less than one-half of 1 per cent for eggs, butter, and coffee
to 7 per cent for both sirloin and round steak. Nine articles show a
decline in price in June as compared with May. Bread, raisins,
and sugar remained at the same price.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
113
[333]
114
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
A V E R A G E M ON EY R E T A IL P R IC E S AND P E R C E N T O F IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE JU N E
15, 1918, C O M PA R ED W IT H JU N E 15, 1917, AND MAY 15, 1918.
Average money price.
Article.
U nit.
P e r cen t of in
crease ( + ) or
decrease ( —)
J u n e 15, 1918,
compared
w ith —
J u n e 15, May 15, J u n e 15. J u n e 15 M ay 15,
1917.
1918.
1918.
1917.
1918.
Sirloin steak.......
R ound ste a k ___
R ib roast.............
Chuck ro ast........
P late beef............
P ork chops.........
Bacon...............
H am .....................
L a rd .....................
L am b...................
H ens....................
Salmon, canned.
Eggs.....................
B u tte r.................
Cheese.................
M ilk.......... . .........
B read...................
F lo u r...................
Corn m eal............
R ice......................
Potatoes..............
Onions.................
Beans, n a v y .......
P runes.................
Raisins, seeded..
Sugar...................
Coffee...................
T e a .......................
P o u n d ...
.. .d o .........
.. .d o ..........
. ..d o .........
do
.. .do...........
...d o ...........
.. .do...........
...d o ...........
. .d o ...........
..d o ...........
. -do...........
Dozen.......
P o u n d ___
- -do...........
Quart......
16-oz.loaf3
P o u n d ___
..d o ...........
. .do...........
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
-do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
Ail a rtic le s com bined.
1 D ecrease of less th a n one-half of 1 p e r cen t.
2 Increase of less th a n one-half of 1 p er cent.
). 328
.301
.261
.222
.170
.309
.425
.391
.280
.304
.288
.203
.409
.469
.338
.106
.085
.081
. 055
. 108
.064
.070
.195
.157
.146
.093
.302
.568
1.400
.380
.318
.278
.219
.367
.505
.456
.329
.368
.379
.296
.424
.510
.334
.132
.087
.066
.070
. 123
.022
.056
. 178
.165
.151
.091
.301
.638
$0. 426
.406
.335
.295
.227
. 372
.515
.465
.326
.374
.376
.295
.425
.511
.332
.130
.087
.067
.067
.125
.029
.048
. 175
. 166
.151
.091
.302
.618
+ 30
+ 35
+ 28
+ 33
+ 34
+20
+21
+ 19
+ 16
+23
+ 31
+12
+ 4
+ 9
-
2
+ 23
+2
-1 7
+22
+ 16
-5 5
-3 1
-1 0
+6
+ 3
-
2
0)
+
0)
( 2)
( 2)
- 1
-
2
(<)
+2
- 4
+2
+ 32
-1 4
- 1
+1
(4)
(4)
( 2)
+ 9
- 3
+ 7
+ 3
3 16 ounces, w eig h t of d ough.
4 N o change in price.
Food as a whole shows an increase of 66 per cent in June, 1918, as
compared with June, 1913. The price in June, 1917, was 55 per cent
higher than in June, 1913, while in June, 1914, and in June, 1915, the
price of all articles combined was only 2 per cent higher than in the
corresponding month of 1913. In the year, June, 1913, to June, 1914,
the greatest increase, 28 per cent, was in potatoes. The striking
changes in June, 1915, as compared with June, 1913, were advances
of 30 per cent in sugar, 27 per cent in flour, 16 per cent in bread,
11 per cent in corn meal, and a decrease of 6 per cent in potatoes;
in June, 1916, compared with June, 1913, the increases of'64 per cent
in sugar and 61 per cent in potatoes; in June, 1917, compared with
June, 1913, increases of 256 per cent in potatoes, 145 per cent in
flour, 96 per cent in corn meal, 77 per cent in lard, and 70 per cent in
bread. Flour, potatoes, and sugar show greater increases in price
in 1917 over the price in 1913 than they did in 1918.
Comparing June 15, 1918, with June 15, 1913, every article shows
an increase of 44 per cent or over. The least advance, or 44 per cent,
is shown in milk. Butter increased 45 per cent and eggs, 55 per cent.
[334]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
115
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
Eight articles increased in price ranging from 55 per cent to 74 per
cent. The increases for three articles ranged from 78 to 87 per cent.
Corn meal, lard, and flour more than doubled in price in the five-year
period.
A V E R A G E M O N EY R E T A IL P R IC E S AND P E R C EN T O F IN C R E A SE OR D EC R EA SE
JU N E 15 O F EA CH S P E C IF IE D Y E A R CO M PA R ED W IT H JU N E 15, 1913.
P er cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) June 15 of
each specified year com
pared w ith June 15,
1913.
Average m oney price June 15.
A rticle.
U nit.
1914
1913
Sirloin steak.......
R ound ste a k ___
R ib roast.............
Chuck ro ast........
P late beef...........
Pork chops.........
Bacon...................
H a m .....................
L a rd .....................
L am b ...................
H ens....................
Salmon, canned.
E ggs.....................
B u tte r.................
Cheese.................
M ilk.....................
B read...................
F lo u r...................
Corn m eal...........
R ice......................
P otato es..............
Onions.................
Beans, n a v y .......
P ru n es.................
Raisins, seeded..
S ugar...................
Coffee...................
T e a ............... * . ..
P o u n d __
...d o .........
...d o ..........
...d o ..........
...d o ..........
...d o .......
...d o .......
...d o .......
...d o .......
. .do.......
. .do.......
.. .do...........
Dozen.......
P o u n d ___
. ..d o ...........
Q u a rt.......
16-oz. loaf1
P o u n d ___
.. .d o ...........
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
10.260
.234
.204
.171
.125
.218
.273
.266
.154
.200
.221
.278
.339
.090
.051
.032
.030
018
.023
1915
260
.232
.202
. 164
. 123
.207
.273
.258
. 151
.218
.210
.200
.265
.349
.233
.089
.058
.042
.031
.091
.017
.040
.076
.133
.126
.069
.302
.551
1916
i. 2S6
.257
.224
.180
.134
.232
.292
.292
. 172
.239
.244
.202
.295
.367
.245
.090
.057
.038
.031
.091
.029
.054
.096
. 130
. 127
.087
.302
. 551
1917
$0,328
.301
.261
.222
.170
.309
.425
.391
.280
.304
.288
.263
.409
.469
.338
.106
.085
.081
.055
.108
.064
.070
. 195
.157
. 146
.093
.302
.588
1918 1914 1915 1916 1917
. 426
.406
.335
.295
.227
.372
.515
.465
.326
.374
.376
.295
.425
.511
.332
. 130
.087
.067
.06'
. 125
.029
.048
.175
.166
. 151
.091
.302
.618
+ 1 + 1 + 11 +
+ 5 + 4 + 15 +
+ 2 + 1 + 12 +
27 + 65
35 + 82
31 + 68
- 1
1 - 1 ++116++
5 + 8+
78
87
72
108
93
72
+ 4
-
48 +
54 +
44 +
- 3 - 4 + 9 + 77 +
+ 3 + 12 +23 + 57 +
- 4 + 11 + 32 +
-
2 -
+1
+
1 - 4 + 7+
- 4 - 1+ 4+
- 1
+(2)2 + 16 +(2)14 ++
18 +
70 +
- 3 +27 + 15 + 145 +
+ 7 + 11 + 11 + 96 +
+28
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
44
74
103
139
+61 +256 + 61
+30 +64 + 75
+ 2 + 13 +
All a rticles com bined.
49 + 55
33 + 45
55 + 66
2 No change in price.
In 1913 prices were secured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for
17 articles of food. Relative figures for the articles for which
weights were secured and for all articles combined are shown in the
following table for May and June, 1918, and for June, 1913, 1914,
1915, 1916, and 1917. The relative figures are based on the aver
age price for the year 1913.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[335]
116
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW,
R E L A T IV E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D ON MAY 15 AN D JU N E 15, 1918, A N D ON JU N E 15,
1913. 1914, 1915, 1916, A N D 1917.
[The relative price shows th e per cent th a t th e average price on th e 15th of each m onth was of the average
price for th e year 1913.]
1918
Article
June 15—
U nit.
May June
15.
15.
Sirloin stea k .
R ound steak .
R ib roast.......
Pork cho p s...
Bacon.............
H am ...............
L a rd ...............
H ens...............
Eggs...............
B u tte r............
M ilk................
B read..............
F lo u r______
Corn m eal___
P otatoes........
Sugar..............
P o u n d __
. .. d o ..........
. .. d o ..........
. .. d o ..........
. .. d o ..........
. .. d o ..........
. . . d o ..........
. ..d o ..........
Dozen.......
P o u n d ___
Q u a rt........
16-oz. loaf1
P o u n d ___
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
All a rtic le s com bined.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
157
170
161
175
187
170
208
178
123
133
148
174
200
233
129
165
168
182
169
177
191
173
206
177
123
133
146
174
203
223
171
165
102
101
102
99
101
102
100
103
81
92
99
100
101
98
104
97
103
106
103
103
100
100
97
103
82
88
100
110
99
103
132
93
103
105
103
98
99
97
95
98
78
90
98
126
130
109
99
126
113
117
113
110
107
119
130
114
87
95
99
124
117
108
167
158
129
135
132
148
158
145
177
136
119
123
119
170
246
182
366
170
158
162
98
99
100
112
152
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
Below is given a summary table of average and relative prices for
the United States for each month, January to June, 1918.
A V ER A G E M O N EY R E T A IL P R IC E S AN D R E L A T IV E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D , JAN. 15
1918, TO JU N E 15, 1918, IN C LU SIV E.
[The relative price shows th e per cent th a t th e average price on th e 15th of each m onth was of the average
price for th e year 1913.]
8
Average money price.
Article.
U nit.
S irlo in s te a k ................
R o u n d s te a k ................
R ib r o a s t......................
C h u ck r o a s t.................
P la te b e e f.....................
P o rk c h o p s ..................
B a c o n ............................
H a m ..............................
L a r d ...............................
L a m b ............................
H e n s ..............................
S alm on, c a n n e d . .
E g g s .........................
B u tte r ......................
C heese......................
M ilk ..........................
B r e a d .......................
F lo u r........................
C orn m e a l.....................
R ice..........................
P o ta to e s ..................
O n io n s .....................
B ean s, n a v y ...........
P r u n e s .....................
R aisin s, s e e d e d . . .
S u g ar........................
Coffee.......................
T e a ............................
Pound__
... do.........
...d o .........
... do.........
...d o .........
... do.........
... do_____
... do.........
...d o ...
...d o ...
. . . do. ..
...d o ...
Dozen..
Pound__
... do....... .
Quart___
16-oz. loaf1
Pound__
... do__
...d o __
...d o ___
...d o __
...d o __
...d o ___
. ..do __
. . . do___
. . . do___
...d o ....
$0.327 $0.334 $0.338 $0.366 $0.400 $0.426 129
133
.306 .314 .318 .345 .380 .406 137
143
.258 .263 .268 .293 .318 .335 130
135
.227 .232 .255 .278 .295
.172 .177 .182 .199 .219 .227
.343 .336 .336 .356 .367 .372
160 161
.486 .484 .488 .495 .505 .513
179 181
. 4ó6 .438 .441 .446 .456 . 465
163 164
.329 .330 .332 .331 .329 .326
209 210
.308 .314 .317 .353 .368 .374
.329 .362
.379 . 376 154 170
.292 .291 .295 .295 .296 .296
.674 .611 .443 .425 .424 .425
177
.567 .579 .552 .507 .510 .511
151
.345 .349 . 351 .341 .334 .332
: 134 .134 .134 .132 .132 .130
.083 .083 .084 .086 .087 .087
.066 .066 .066 .066 .066 .067
.070 .070 ..072 .071 .070 .067
.117. .118 . 120
. 123 .125
.032 .032 .025
.029 188 188 147
.050 .049 .040 .033 .056 .048
.185 .181 .181 ■ISO .178 .175
.164 .165 . 165 .166 .165 .166
.150 .150 .151 .151 .151 .151
.095 .106 .092 .091 .091 .091 173 193 167
.304 .304 .304 .301 .301 .302
.623 .609 .615 .639 .638 .618
.221
144
155
148
157
170
161
168
182
169
170
183
166
209
175
187
170
208
177
191
173
206
178
160
1 16 ounces, w eight of dough.
[336]
161
154
177
123
133
148
174
200
233
.121
.022 .022
A lia rti clescom bined
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Relative price.
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June Jan. Feb. Mar. A pt. May
June
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918. 1918
1918.
146
174
203
223
129
165
154
158
162
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
117
The following table gives average retail prices for 28 articles of
food in 19 of the larger cities. Prices are shown for May, 1918, and
for June, 1913, 1914, 1917, and 1918.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OE FO O D F O R 19 SE L E C T E D
C IT IE S F O R JU N E 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, MAY 15, 1918, AND JU N E 15, 1918.
(The prices shown below are com puted from reports sent m onthly to th e bureau by retail dealers. As some
dealers occasionally fail to report, the num ber of quotations varies from m onth to m onth.]
A tlanta, Ga.
Article.
U nit.
June 15.
1913
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound steak .........
R ib ro a st...............
Chuck ro a s t..........
P late beef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced...........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, canned...
Eggs........................
B u tte r....................
Cheese.....................
M ilk........................
B re a d .....................
F lour......................
Corn m eal.............
R ice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n a v y ..............
P ru n es___............
Raisins, seeded. . .
S u g a r....................
Coffee.....................
T ea..........................
1914
1917
Baltimore, Md.
May
15,
1918.
June
15,
1918.
P o u n d ___ $0,240 $0,269 $0,314 $0,369 $0.400
. .. d o ........... .214
.234
.282
.344
.375
...d o ........... .196
.242
.215
.279
.301
.. .do...........
. 169
.204
.234
.263
.. .do...........
.108
.208
.164
.213
. ..d o ........... .225
.240
.303
.375
.383
. .. d o ........... .320
.305
.430
.519
.542
. .- d o . . '___ .290
.305
.391
.463
.470
__do...........
.155
. 152
.281
.339
.333
.. .do........... .200
.218
.304
.375
.400
__do...........
.205
.236
.224
.330
.356
.. .d o...........
.225
.244
.249
.264
Dozen....... .242
.407
.411
.404
P o u n d ___ .379
.344
.505
.563
.565
. . .do...........
.344
.340
.343
Q u a rt___
. 100
. 100
.187
.200
16-oz.loaf1 .053
.052
. uo /
.088
.089
P o u n d ___ .038
.076
.071
.035
.071
. ..d o ........... .025
.027
.057
.049
.058
. . .do...........
.101
.122
.133
. ..d o ........... .029
.030
.071
.034
.037
. ..d o ...........
.092
.061
.058
. ..d o ...........
.181
.186
.191
__do...........
.166
.180
.183
. .. d o ...........
.151
.174
.161
. ..d o ........... .054
.052
.101
.093
.092
.. .do...........
.296
.289
.298
. ..d o ...........
.769
.832
.842
Birmingham, Ala.
Sirloin s te a k ..........
R o u n d s te a k .........
R ib ro a s t...............
C huck r o a s t...........
P la te b e e f...............
P o rk c h o p s ............
B acon, slic e d ........
H a m , slic e d ...........
L a r d ........................
L a m b ......................
H e n s ..................
S alm on, c a n n e d ...
E g g s ...'...................
B u tte r .....................
C heese......................
M ilk..........................
B r e a d ......................
F lour......................
Corn m e a l..............
Rice........................
P o ta to e s ..................
O n io n s ....................
B ean s, navy ..........
P r u n e s ___ "...........
R aisin s, se e d e d . . .
Sugar..'...................
Coffee.......................
T e a ..........................
June 15.
1913
233
220
187
187
237
310
141
185
124
247
383
.088
.048
.032
.025
.021
.045
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
252 $0,326 $0.409
238
.302
.402
192
.246
.327
162
.281
.220
135
.182
.227
186
.308
.386
246
.405
.462
300
.425
.491
142
.321
.263
203
.388
.300
.292
.398
223
.223
.260
246
.393
.410
.506
360
.543
.346
•350
.087
.108
.130
.050
.079
.084
.032
.079
.067
.025
.054
.065
.105
.120
.026
.064
.021
.068
.047
.187
.181
.150
.166
.150
.151
.046
.088
.085
.235
.285
.550
.663
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[337]
$0.468
.459
.368
.315
.248
.429
.486
.520
.322
. .411
.404
.263
.415
.544
.348
.130
.083
.067
.062
.120
.030
.049
.179
.167
.150
.088
.285
.673
Boston, Mass.
. . .d o .......... $0.268 $0.290 $0.345 $0.421 $0.421 $0.370 $0.346 $0.412 $0.492
. . . d o ............ .225
.235
.313
.393
.397
.340
.342
.410
.505
. . . d o ............ .199
.215
.263
.321
.340
.250
.243
.290
.342
. . .d o ............
.175
.224
.275
.289
.168
.302
:245
. . .d o ...........
.175
.120
.197
.230
. . . d o ...........
.195
.225
.315
.345
.352
.240
.223
.320
.360
. . . d o ...........
.338
.340
.538
.445
.541
.254
.418
.250
.472
. . . d o ...........
.300
.456
.330
.425
.454
.318
.308
.469
.426
. . .d o ...........
.281
. 154
.152
.318
.320
.157
. 160
.282
.331
__ d o ............
.217
.317
.210
.350
.400
.242
.369
.230
.335
__ d o ............
.187
.229
.195
.328
.323
.262
.317
.260
.411
. . .d o ...........
.255
.264
.288
.287
.310
D ozen........
.270
.295
.400
.383
.405
.344
.498
.335
.524
.400
P o u n d ___
.370
.500
.533
.478
.535
.353
.349
.510
. . .d o ...........
.345
.334
.332
.330
.331
.122
Q u a r t........
.103
.100
.089
.155
.088
.153
.110
.145
16-oz. loaf * .047
.050
.094
.089
.087
.052
.081
.081
.053
.078
.038
.037
P o u n d ___
.070
.072
.037
.038
.088
.068
. . .d o ...........
.022
.025
.049
.055
.054
.036
.068
.078
.035
. . . d o ............
.105
.120
.125
.112
.125
. . . d o ............ .023
.064
.023
.025
.034
.017
.069
.022
.025
. . . d o ............
.092
.051
.051
.068
.056
. . .d o ............
.189
.184
.179
. 192
.179
. . .do ............
.153
.158
.153
.164
.172
. . .d o ...........
.169
.164
.1,54
.147
.151
. . . d o ............
.098
.052
.052
.092
.091
.051
.050
.089
.093
. . .d o ............
.323
.321
.342
.331
.345
. . . d o ______
.717
.758
.773
.648
.643
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
June
15,
1918.
$0.551
.568
.394
.346
.405
.480
.491
.329
.383
.428
.309
.561
.516
.334
.140
.082
.069
.073
.125
.032
.060
.178
.168
.152
.092
.344
.643
118
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FOOD F O R 19 SE LE C T ED
C IT IE S FO R JU N E 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, MAY 15, 1918, AN D JU N E 15, 1918—Continued.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Article.
June 15.
U nit.
1913
Sirloin steak _____
R ound stea k .........
R ib ro a st...............
Chuck ro a s t..........
P late beef..............
Pork cho p s...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, c an n e d ...
E g g s .................
B u tte r....................
Cheese....................
M ilk........................
B re a d .....................
F lour......................
Corn m e a l.. . . ___
R ice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions............... ...
Beans, n a v y ..........
P ru n es...................
Raisins, se e d e d ...
S u g a r.,...................
Coffee.....................
Tea..........................
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
Chicago, 111.
June
15,
1918.
1913
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
P o u n d . . . . .$0.228 $0.232 50.317 $0.373 $0.409 $0.234 $0.245 $0.303 $9.356
.298
.. -do........... .198
.386
.218
.212
.203
.320
.351
.269
. ..d o ........... .175
.178
.326
.202
.250
.299
.200
.301
.251
__do...........
.162
.228
.162
.265
.273
.291
.220
.. .do...........
.123
.121
.168
.173
.211
.233
.203
. .. d o ........... .203
.202
.188
.380
.406
.322
.190
.279
.331
. .. d o ........... .233
.220
.416
.312
.436
.475
.480
.320
.533
.418
.. .do........... .263
.469
.433
. 263
.416
.463
.324
.319
. ..d o ........... .142
.137
.264
.312
.307
. 150
.150
.322
.263
__do........... .187
.178
.271
.339
.212
.339
.202
.299
.350
. .. d o ........... .217
.212
.296
.387
.392
.276
.339
.203
.193
. . .do...........
.281
.243
.280
.270
.300
.258
Dozen__
.396
.269
.415
.434
.434
.243
.244
.396
.320
.452
.506
.496
.327
.308
P o u n d ___ .329
.434
.475
.. .do...........
.318
.324
.336
.343
.315
Q u a rt........ .080
.080
.110
. 130
.130
.oso
.100
.100
.119
16-oz. loaf1 .049
.088
.044
.084
.089
.101
.089
.054
.054
.078
.030
.030
.062
.062
.028
P o u n d ---.079
.029
. 064
.027
.056
.069
.029
.028
.057
.071
. ..d o ........... .026
.072
.. .d o ...........
.126
.105
.123
.123
. 102
. .. d o ........... .018
.018
.074
.021
.025'
.067
.018
.012
.020
__do...........
.048
.037
.072
.053
. .. d o ...........
.177
.200
.174
.179
.203
. ..d o ...........
.167
.150
.172
.156
.173
. .. d o ...........
.130
.140
.141
.145
.149
.092
.087
.. -do........... .052
. 050
.090
.089
.049
.088
.050
.. .do...........
.293
.299
.293
.287
.291
.. .do...........
.504
.576
.593
.584
.560
Cleveland, Ohio.
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound steak .........
R ib ro a st...............
Chuck ro a s t..........
P late beef............
Pork cho p s...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, canned...
E g g s. . : .................
Butt e r....................
Cheese....................
Milk........................
B re ad .....................
F lour......................
Corn m eal..............
Rice.........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n a v y ..........
P ru n es___ ............
Raisins, seeded. . .
S ugar..'..................
Coffee.....................
T ea..........................
June 15.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[338]
$0.379
.349
.319
.279
.214
.360
.550
.48S
.316
.356
.343
.303
.394
.468
.342
. 119
.089
.063
.068
.122
.029
.040
.175
.169
.148
.087
.282
.581
Denver, Colo.
. . . d o .......... $0.252 $0.270 $0.315 $0.375 $0.416 $0.242 $0.235 10.311 $0.395
.236
.296
.357
.. -do........... .220
.390
.221
.382
.220
.294
.197
.301
.. -do........... .200
.249
.321
.178
.245
.303
.179
.. .do...........
.271
.173
.232
.294
.282
.165
.219
__do ...........
.119
.21(7
.097
.169
.223
.151
.200
. .. d o ........... .207
.354
308
.214
.325
.373
.204
.203
355
. ..d o ........... .286
.431
.490
.532
.269
.489
.280
.274
.450
.. .do........... .360
.436
.350
.470
.491
.300
.300
.445
.505
__do ...........
. 161
.286
.165
.154
.292
.346
.319
.319
.163
.. .do........... .192
.365
.178
.306
.361
.203
.311
.349
.191
.. .do........... .223
.398
.209
.303
.364
.212
.210
.283
.373
.. .do...........
.289
.248
.251
.285
.283
.271
Dozen....... .276
.425
.424
.431
.250
.257
.407
.416
.362
.508
.366
.481
.508
.297
P o u n d ---.343
.433
.470
.. .do...........
.328
.334
.323
.346
.352
.100
.130
Q u a rt........ .080
.080
.130
.084
.084
.098
.120
• 0S8
16-oz. loaf1 .049
.050
.088
.048
.048
.090
.091
.099
. 032
.082
.067
.070
.066
.056
P o u n d ___ .032
.026
.026
.029
.071
.068
...d o ........... .027
.048
.055
.024
.060
.025
.. .d o ...........
.104
.121
. 108
.131
.114
...d o ........... .015
.021
.073
.020
.033
.021
.018
.014
.060
. . .d o ...........
.048
.046
.068
.059
.029
.. .d o ...........
.156
.209
.173
.171
.200
.. .do...........
.158
.168
.161
.168
.172
.. .do...........
.147
.142
.134
.146
.143
. .. d o ........... .050
.052
.090
.090
.090
.054
.049
.092
.092
..d o ...........
.278
.299
.294
.311
.304
. .. d o ...........
.596
.499
.616
.606
.574
» 16 ounces, weight of dough.
June
15,
1918.
$0.412
.387
.307
.283
.201
.361
.548
.511
.342
.353
.358
.289
.424
.478
.352
.112
.100
.056
.058
. 135
.026
. 046
. 171
.163
.157
.095
. 304
.602
119
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FOOD F O R 19 S E L E C T E D
C IT IE S F O R JU N E 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, MAY 15, 1918, AN D JU N E 15, 1918—Continued.
Los Angeles, Cal.
D etroit, Mich.
Article.
U nit.
June 15.
1913
Sirloin stea k ..........
R ound staa k ........
R ib ro a st...............
CUmp.lu roast
P lata lipef
P ork chops...........
Bacon, d ic e d ........
H am , sd ce d ..........
Lard
L a m b .....................
H e n s__
Eggs.......................
B u tte r....................
Cheese .
Milk........................
B re ad .....................
F lour......................
Corn m eal.............
Ripe
Potatoes.................
Onions
Primps
Sugar.. ’.................
Coffee
Tea ..
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
June
15,
1918.
1913
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
June
15,
1918.
■P o u n d ___ $0.242 $0.253 $0.292 10.377 $0. 394 SO. 240 $0.233 10.277 SO.336 SO.331
.316
.311
.365
.211
.245
.348
.208
. . .d o .......... .194
. 216
.281
.282
.285
.232
.315
.200
.199
. . . d o .......... .194
.318
.201
.265
.243
.237
.277
. 167
.190
.. .d o ..........
.218
.270
. 163
.197
.205
. 147
.211
.218
.136
.. .d o ..........
. 166
.119
.417
.413
.368
.348
.254
.253
.319
. . . d o .......... .192
.201
.290
.584
.585
.493
.335
.461
.485
.338
. .. d o .......... .240
.235
.416
.555
.564
.465
.462
.482
.350
.. .d o .......... . 255
.358
.280
.400
.339
.332
.274
.332
.324
.180
.169
. . .d o .......... . 161
.280
. 157
.335
.314
.382
.192
. 191
.258
.369
. . . d o .......... .174
.196
.334
.383
.362
.268
.386
.376
.266
. .. d o .......... .216
.293
.273
.213
.377
.374
.297
.304
.343
do ___
.245
.447
.444
.382
.306
.429
.445
.305
Dozen....... .260
.427
.260
.452
.481
.432
.492
.345
.341
. 455
.499
P o u n d ___ .340
.323
.338
.336
.320
.331
.313
.318
. . . d o ..........
. 130
.130
.100
.100
. 120
.100
.120
.oso
.110
Q u a rt........ .080
.079
.078
.084
.053
.081
. 053
16-oz. lo af1 . 050
.050
.085
.085
.066
.069
.071
.079
.036
.068
.036
P o u n d ___ .031
.031
.081
.074
.073
.072
.032
.035
.061
.072
.060
. ..d o .......... .028
.030
.128
.125
. 103
. 127
. 109
. 126
. .d o ..........
.020
.022
.027
.017
.038
.016
.016
.022
.075
. . . d o .......... .015
.032
. 028
.040
.048
.047
.070
.d o ..........
.170
.167
.187
.168
. 161
.200
d o ..........
.160
.163
.163
.174
. 169
. 156
.d o ..........
. 147
.139
. 137
.153
. 145
do
. 139
.0.87
.086
.052
.083
.089
.089
.053
.050
.089
. . .d o .......... .050
.303
.304
.301
. 305
.304
.280
d o ..........
. 550
.616
.611
. 565
.500
.585
.d o ..........
M ilwaukee, Wis.
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound steak.........
R ib roast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late beef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced ..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H en s......................
Salmon, c a n n e d ..
Eggs.......................
B u tte r....................
Cheese....................
Milk........................
B re ad .....................
F iour......................
Corn m e a l.............
Rice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n av y ..........
P ru n es...................
Raisins, se e d e d ...
. Sugar................
Coffee...............
Tea....................
June 15.
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
. .d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
.. d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
..d o ..........
Dozen.......
P o u n d ___
. ..d o ..........
Q u art........
16-oz. lo af1
P o u n d ___
. ..d o ..........
. . d o ...
. .d o .. .
..d o ...
. .d o .. .
. .d o ..........
..d o ...
..d o ...
..d o ...
..d o ...
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0.301 SO. 356 SO. 382 $0.225 $0.235 $0.286 $0.341 SO.347
.314
.243
.309
.195
.204
.340
.376
.288
.307
.303
.204
.238
.315
.194
.250
.291
.244
.241
.280
.150
.208
.269
.226
.194
. 154
. 189
.221
.124
.164
.208
.307
.375
.381
.335
.356
.219
.243
.289
.508
.538
.297
.502
.300
.479
.420
.496
.434
.454
.462
.268
.275
.383
.406
. 456
.325
.326
.322
.267
.326
.
149
.144
.281
.392
.386
.214
.297
.379
.213
.318
.376
.377
.357
.287
.200
.219
.351
.343
.288
.317
.311
.269
.279
.288
.244
.371
.359
.384
.256
.259
.388
.384
.380
228’
. 505
.509
.350
.339
.476
.443
.479
.474
322
.318
.331
.319
.298
.300
.318
. 142
.143
.112
.097
.103
.ioo
.080
.100
070
.079
.078
.043
.081
.080
.OSO
.046
.101
053
.072
.073
.037
.085
.039
.066
.065
.082
031
.062
.061
.028
.052
.026
.073
.070
.068
033
. 114
.098
. 112
. 132
. 112
. 126
.018
.020
.020
.062
.020
.017
.020
.071
.031
.024
.059
.037
.045
.060
. 166
.
163
.
178
.
152
.210
. 181
. 162
.162
. 161
. 156
. 160
.160
.157
.153
.148
. 150
. 149
. 145
.088
.088
.049
.093
.051
.088
.089
.089
.249
.246
.266
.270
. 265
.275
.601
.583
.600
.612
.584
.571
225 $0 237
218
185
185
163
118
197
195
273
275
277
278
158
154
190
195
203
215.
210
222 '
328
070
050
031
030
Oil
053
New Orleans, La.
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
[339]
120
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D F O R 19 SE LE C T ED
C IT IE S FO R JU N E 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, MAY 15 1918, AND JU N E 15, 1918—Continued.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Now Y ork, N. Y.
Article.
June 15.
U nit.
1913
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
June
15,
1918.
June 15.
1913
1914
1917
May
15,
1918.
June
15,
1918.
Rirloin steak .......... P o u n d ___ $0. 263 $0.268 $0.323 $0.400 $0. 441 $0.300 $0.309 $0.365 $0.474 $0.539
.337
.272
.443
.254
.258
.325
.452
.498
.406
R ound s te a k ........ .. .d o .......... .253
.222
.278
.360
.397
.223
.220
.276
.382
.351
R ib ro a st............... .. .d o .......... .225
. 182
.240
.319
.346
. 169
.218
. . . d o ..........
.278
.313
.217
.164
.202
.236
. 149
.119
.257
.285
Plate beef .......... .. .d o ..........
.342
.410
.322
.227
.400
.215
.224
.208
.382
.397
Pork chops........... . . . d o ..........
.500
.511
.420
.271
.264
.413
.258
.470
.484
Bacon, sliced........ . .. d o .......... .260
.517
.522
2.
285
.301
.450
..
.d
o
..........
2.
208
2.
198
2.341
.316
2. 338
H am , sliced..........
.327
.157
.273
.153
.148
.279 . 329
.326
.326
L a rd ....................... .. .d o .......... .161
.395
.214
..
.d
o
..........
.381
. 172
.172
.267
.213
.311
.336
.336
L a m b .....................
.424
.. .d o .......... . 221
.232
.238
.308
.429
. 218 .298
. 397
.403
H ens
.266
Salmon earmed . . . . d o ..........
.300
.240
.269
.339
. 352
.444
.277
.464
.480
.288
.433
Eggs....................... Dozen....... .328
.346
.447
.503
.580
.567
.518
.381
.528
.328
.397
B u tte r.................... P o u n d ___ .345
.508
.456
.372
.361
.370
.338
.339
Cheese.................... .. .d o ..........
.338
.120
Milk........................ Q u a rt........ .090
.090
. 120
. 130
.090
.128
.080
.080
.109
.083
.083
.079
.054
.088
.086
.086
.043
B re ad ..................... 16-oz.loaf1 .055
.043
.071
.071
.071
.080
.072
.031
F lour...................... P o u n d ___ .033
.032
.083
.031
.068
.072
.049
.067
.080
.080
.027
Corn m eal............. . . .d o ..........
.028
.035
.035
.131
.130
.108
.121
. 122
R ice........................ . . .d o ..........
. 105
.037
.053
.026
.028
.038
.031
.029
.079
.025
Potatoes................. . . .d o ..........
.028
.049
. 053
.054
.063
.059
.056
O nions................... .. .d o ..........
.177
.177
. 183
Beans, n av y .......... . . . d o ..........
. 179
. 178
. 190
.168
.168
. 153
P ru n es................... .. .d o ..........
. 173
. 159
. 171
.143
. 134
. 143
Raisins, seed ed . .. .. .d o ..........
. 151
. 168
. 148
.087
.087
Sugar...................... .. .d o ..........
.088
.049
.083
.048
.045
.084
.088
.045
.273
.272
.274
.273
.279
Coffee..................... . . . d o ..........
. 263
.603
Tea.......................... .. .d o ..........
.591
.555
.566
. 509
.546
P ittsburgh Pa.
Sirloin ste a k .........
R ound s te a k ........
R ib ro ast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late beef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s......................
Salmon, c a n n e d ..
E g g s ...'.................
B u tte r....................
Cheese....................
Milk........................
B re ad .....................
F lo u r......................
Corn m eal.............
R ice.. .
Potatoes.................
O nions..........
Beans, n av y ..........
P r u n e s .. .
Raisins, seeded_
Sugar....................
OofFee............
Tea..........................
St. Louis, Mo.
.. .d o .......... $0.272 ■$0,280 $0.349 $0,445 $0.494 $0,237 $0,273 $0. 315 $0,370 $0,384
.379
.305
.361
.464
.222
.243
. ..d o ..........
.237
.247
.322
.413
.312
.303
.200
.259
. . .d o ..........
.217
.270
.340
.376
.183
.220
.265
.255
.307
.337
.217
. . .d o ..........
. 170
.243
.159
.212
. 141
.161
.209
. . .d o ..........
.128
.172
.227
.248
.352
.332
.324
.397
. 182
.198
.291
. . . d o .......... .220
.233
.385
.492
.529
.260
.413
.479
. . .d o .......... .290
.298
.438
.515
.260
.500
.515
.412
.470
.477
.. .d o ..........
.314
.436
.273
.275
.296
.292
.293
.. .d o ..........
.154
.280
.334
.325
.125
.253
. 155
.136
.379
. 180
.316
.379
. . . d o ..........
.220
. 358
.395
.396
.193
.214
.338
.330
.190
.256
.347
.433
.428
.185
.. .d o ..........
.272
.248
.297
.312
.263
.294
.311
. . . d o ..........
.273
.374
.437
.437
.370
.373
D ozen. . . .
.425
.214
.219
.255
.263
.510
.503
.475
.524
.520
.344
.318
.473
P o u n d __
.367
.349
.316
.331
.334
.311
.. .d o ..........
.339
.336
.120
.120
.092
. 103
.125
. Ò8Ó .080
.100
Q u a rt.......
.086
. 125
.087
.092
.087
.092
.085
.085
.050
.047
.049
16-oz.loaf1 .048
.062
.067
.062
.032
.067
.030
.076
P o u n d ___ .032
.079
.029
.057
.050
.064
.069
.022
.025
.030
.. .d o ..........
.027
.061
.075
. 122
.126
.124
.099
. .d o ..........
. 104
.124
.038
.020
.071
.017
.017
.063
.023
.038
.. .d o ..........
.017
.028
.044
.043
.067
.054
.050
. .d o ..........
.066
.172
.177
.204
.174
.197
.184
__d o ...........
.166
.168
.177
.166
.174
. 154
. .d o ..........
. 167
. 163
.170
. 144
.141
.143
.d o ..........
.088
.090
.086
.095
.049
.094
.096
.050
. . . d o ..........
.055
.055
.275
.280
.276
.294
.298
__d o ...........
.285
.688
.676
.565
.738
.657
.727
. ..d o ..........
* Whole.
116-ounces, weight of dough.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[340]
121
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D F O R 19 S E L E C T E D
C IT IE S F O R JU N E 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, MAY 15, 1918, A N D JU N E 15, 1918—Concluded.
Seattle, W ash.
San Francisco, Cal.
Article.
June 15.
U nit.
1913
1914
1917
May
15.
June
15.
1918
1918
June 15.
1913
1914
1917
May
15.
June
15.
1918
1918
P o u n d ___ SO. 207 SO. 207 SO. 225 •SO. 331 $0. 327 SO. 238 SO. 240 $0.270 $0.391
.258
.375
.215
.210
.320
.219
.329
.197
. .. d o ........... .190
.233
.320
.186
.200
.301
.216
.305
.220
.. .d o ........... .210
.281
. 195
.150
.234
.242
.. .d o ...........
.156
. 155
.232
.161
. 126
.224
.215
.148
.147
.. .d o ...........
.326
.400
.242
.246
.398
.306
.398
.247
. .. d o ........... .237
.461
.548
.317
.317
.560
.441
.565
.339
.339
. .. d o ...........
.407
.495
.308
.300
.494
.504
.330
.418
. ..d o ........... .300
.333
.279
.163
. 177
.339
.340
.168
.285
.. .do........... .184
.274
.389
.208
.200
.321
.238
.336
.180
. . .d o ........... .167
.396
.263
.238
.243
.406
.379
.261
.234
.240
. . .do...........
.248
.290
.258
.263
do
.230
.452
.404
.285
.285
. 456
.430
.371
.296
.307
D oz...........
.494
.322
.439
.350
.507
.436
.471
.314
P o u n d ___ .346
.310
.311
.314
.301
.313
__do..
.113
.125
.086
.085
.121
.121
.100
. 100
Q u a rt........ . 100
.092
.090
.049
.053
.084
.084
.052
.083
16-oz.loaf1. . 052
.058
.069
.030
.029
.072
.066
.073
.035
P o u n d ___ .034
.032
.063
.077
.031
.075
.076
.065
.035
.. .d o ........... .034
.103
. 129
. 131
.124
. 102
d o ...
.052
.017
.018
.026
.011
.022
.042
.025
. .. d o ........... .021
.033
.047
.023
.023
.036
do .
. 176
.203
.159
.162
do
.192
.152
.139
.143
do
.145 ' .137
.142
. 144
. 136
.133
. 138
.092
.091
.054
.088
.059
.086
.081
.051
Sugar...................... . . .d o ........... .053
.322
.308
.306
.302
do
.300
Ooffoo
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound s te a k .........
Rib roast,
Chunk roast
Plato hoof
P ork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd ...............
L am b .................
H ens ..
Salmon nannp.d
Eggs..............
B u tte r....................
Chonso
M ilk ......................
B re ad .....................
F lo u r......................
Corn m eal.............
R.i o p
Potatoes................
Onions
"Roans nayy
T'pr
do
.519
.535
.508
.533
.583
SO. 380
.362
.313
.266
.225
.400
.554
.497
.331
.376
.397
.287
.496
.496
.313
.125
.095
.061
.075
.137
.018
.033
.176
.154
.142
.091
.317
.580
W ashington, D. C.
June 15.
U nit.
Article.
1913
1917
June
15.
1918
1918
P o u n d ___ $0. 275 SO. 288 SO. 344 $0.492 $0.511
.492
.333
.466
.250
.. .d o ........... .239
.397
.365
.277
.217
.. .d o ........... .216
.349
.176
.243
.315
.. .d o ...........
.242
.231
.134
.188
__do...........
.464
.439
.355
.223
.. .d o ........... .209
.512
.503
.410
.253
.. .d o ........... .268
.504
.494
.426
.290
.. .d o ........... .300
.338
.340
.141
.272
.. .d o ........... . 148
.443
.433
.224
.331
.. .d o ........... .209
.434
.420
.310
.239
.. .do........... .226
.286
.290
.247
__do...........
.443
.433
.429
.254
Doz........... .256
.550
.552
.492
.359
P o u n d ___ .374
.334
.355
.345
__do...........
.140
.140
.100
.080
Q u a rt........ .080
.087
.081
.092
.050
16-oz. loaf1. .051
.065
.067
.084
.038
P o u n d___ .038
.061
.063
.051
.025
.. .d o........... .025
.125
. 127
.108
do...........
.033
.023
.073
.028
.. .d o........... .019
.055
.056
.062
do .......
.188
.192
.204
d o .........
.176
.176
.166
do...........
.153
.153
.138
.. do...........
.089
.089
.087
.049
.. .do........... .049
.295
.296
.286
do ..
.699
.671
.578
d o .........
Sirloin steak .......
R ound s te a k ___
R ib roast.............
Chuck ro a st........
P late beef...........
P ork chops.........
Bacon, sliced___
H am , sliced........
L a rd .....................
L am b ...................
H ens.....................
Salmon, can n ed .
Eggs.....................
B u tte r.................
Cheese..................
M ilk.....................
B read...................
F lo u r...................
Corn m eal....... .
R ice.....................
P otato es..............
Onions.................
Beans, n a v y .......
P runes.................
Raisins, seeded..
Sugar...................
Coffee...................
T e a .......................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1914
May
15.
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
[341]
MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW,
122
The next table gives average retail prices of food in May and June,
1918, for 30 smaller cities. For Portland, Me., prices are shown for
June, 1918, only, as this is the first month prices have been secured
from this city.
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D F O R 30 C IT IE S FO R
MAY 15, 1918, AN D JU N E 15, 1918, AND F O R 1 CITY F O R JU N E 15, 1918.
¡The prices shown below are com puted from reports sent m onthly to the bureau by retail dealers. As
some dealers occasionally fail to report, th e n u m b er of quotations varies from m onth to month.]
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Article.
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound ste a k .........
R ib roast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late beef..............
P ork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
TTiim sliced .
L a r d . .....................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, c an n ed . .
E ggs.......................
B u t t e r .. .. .............
Cheese....................
M ilk........................
B re a d _______ . . .
F lo u r......................
Corn m eal.............
R ice........................
P otatoes.................
Onions ...............
Beans, nav y ..........
Prunes . .
___
Raisins, see d e d ...
Sugar
____
Cofl'ee.....................
T ea..........................
U nit.
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
Charleston,
S. C.
May
15,
1918
May
June
15,
1918
1918
June
15,
1918
Cincinnati,
Ohio.
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
Columbus,
Ohio.
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
P o u n d ___ $0. 473 $0. 545 $0.395 $0.397 $0.367 $0.377 $0.349 SO.381 SO.380 $0. 403
.365
.379
.377
.343
.371
.384
.365
.355
.519
.439
...d o .. . . . .
.301
.325
.308
.311
.334
.318
.297
.412
.320
.363
. . . d o ..........
.262
.270
.255
.252
.283
.288
.261
.276
.304
.361
. .. d o ..........
.223
.234
.215
.226
.216
.218
.215
.209
.226
.206
. .. d o ..........
.336
.359
.351
.385
.392
.393
.377
.351
.393
. .. d o ........... . 371
.487
.538
.468
.479
.491
.538
.584
.518
.517
. . .d o ..........
.529
.482
.497
.483
.485
.475
.470
.469
.493
.527
.d o ..........
.511
.321
.310
.333
.298
.337
.328
.336
.303
.318
.324
. .. d o ..........
.400
.380
.421
.398
.367
.357
.369
.371
.388
. .. d o .......... .358
.347
.422
.376
.353
.373
.420
.369
.422
.399
.405
. .. d o ..........
.264
.263
.267
.287
.262
.377
.280
.347
.383
. .. d o ..........
.355
.375
.363
.381
.454
.505
. 405
Dozen....... .509
.460
.366
.555
.493
.500
.499
.534
.528
.501
.514
.503
.506
P o u n d ___ .501
.326
.332
.316
.327
.335
.350
.319
.338
.350
.. .d o ..........
.338
.123
.123
.190
.130
.130
.185
.130
.150
.150
Q u a rt........ .130
.084
.090
.089
.090
.083
.090
.106
.106
16-oz. loaf1 .090
.090
.067
.067
.065
.067
.067
.068
.073
.070
.070
P o u n d ___ .070
.066
.062
.059
.063
.064
.057
.085
.081
.081
. . . d o ..........
.083
.123
. 124
.122
.098
.121
. 135
.093
.128
.133
. . . d o ..........
.127
.019
.032
.020
.024
.015
.031
.027
.034
.015
.d o ..........
.025
.067
.042
.061
.045
.056
.039
.061
.d o ..........
.030
.053
.059
.154
.175
.172
.194
.194
.158
.174
.175
. .. d o ........... .176
.175
. 163
.161
.154
.156
.168
. 162
.170
.167
.d o ..........
. 174
.177
.
153
.151
.155
.
155
. 155
.150
.150
.148
.152
.150
. . . d o ..........
.090
.089
. 089
.089
.088
.100
.090
.094
.100
.d o ..........
.095
.267
.289
.288
.274
.282
.271
.428
.425
. .. d o ..........
.315
.315
.800
.679
.810
.657
.707
.640
.646
.782
.638
.. .d o ..........
.644
Dallas, Tex.
Sirloin steak........
R ound s te a k .. . .
R ib roast.............
Chuck ro a st........
P late beef............
Pork cho p s.........
Bacon, s lic e d .. .
H am , sliced........
L a rd .....................
Lam b ...................
H en s.....................
Salmon, can n ed .
I ggs..........
B litter..................
C! eese...................
M ilk .....................
B read ...................
F .our....................
Corn m eal............
R ice......................
1 ctatoes...............
O nions.................
Beans, n av y ........
P ru n e s .................
Raisins, seeded..
Sugar....................
Coffee...................
T ea........................
B u tte, Mont.
F all River,
Mass.
H ouston,
Tex.
Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Ind.
Fla.
.. .d o .......... SO. 384 SO. 386 $0.559 $0. 590 SO.354 SO. 357 $0.373 $0.388 $0.388
.344
.381
.378
.514
.358
.369
.372
.477
.367
. .. d o ..........
.294
.301
.302
.297
.278
.382
.366
.332
.317
. ..d o ..........
.255
.255
.261
.279
.257
.294
.309
.336
. .. d o ........... .283
.225
.195
.221
.215
.223
.d o . ____
.241
.240
.349
.356
.369
.352
.357
.390
.358
.354
.. .d o ........... .347
.520
.502
.509
.472
.531
.536
.475
.571
. .. d o ........... .583
.484
.455
.466
.479
.455
. 454
.459
.438
.. .d o ........... .473
.331
.315
.319
.319
.311
.319
.326
.318
.340
. . . d o ..........
.357
.357
.250
.377
.371
.360
.367
.420
. .. d o ..........
.314
.346
.326
.303
.402
.360
.295
.391
. .. d o ..........
.296
.292
.245
.298
.284
.295
.249
.287
.286
. .. d o ..........
.281
.356
.445
.268
.571
.396
.398
.554
.383
Dozen....... .378
.494
.548
.500
.492
.504
.500
.497
.499
P o u n d ___ .497
.344
.354
.332
.332
.353
.337
.326
.329
.335
.. .d o ..........
.110
.153
.154
.110
.130
.153
.130
.153
Q u a r t. . . .
.159
.081
.088
. 088
.089
.090
.080
.090
.089
16-oz. loaf1 .089
.070
.067
.078
.065
.072
.073
.066
P o u n d ___ .069
(2)
.061
.063
.065
.065
.063
.062
.091
.085
.068
.. .d o ..........
.124
.109
.122
.119
.121
.113
.118
.120
. . .d o ........... .116
.029
.034
.022
.019
.034
.026
.024
.031
. . .d o .......... .026
.041
.041
.066
.057
.053
.044
.056
.055
.040
. .. d o ..........
.176
.196
.168
.168
.179
.179
.179
.179
.182
. . .d o ..........
.174
.171
.152
.160
. 173
.163
.164
.167
. .. d o ..........
.173
.174
.174
.171
.164
.167
.154
.148
.155
.158
.. -d o ..........
.090
.091
.093
.092
.093
.098
.098
.095
.095
.. -do..........
.321
.291
.287
.295
.319
.277
.322
.324
.342
. . . d o ..........
.774
.729
.604
.611
.765
.557
.801
.547
.844
. .. d o ..........
116 ounces, weignt of dough.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SO. 399
.380
.311
.266
.204
.371
.520
.463
.330
.363
.354
.275
.453
.548
.336
.153
.085
.070
.062
.117
.034
.055
.195
.170
.171
.090
.321
.741
sNo flour sold in Houston, Tex., on May 15,1918.
13421
MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW,
123
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D F O R 30 CITTES FO R
MAY 15, 1918, AND JU N E 15, 1918, AN D F O R 1 C ITY F O R JU N E 15, 1918—Continued.
K ansas City,
Mo.
Article.
June
15,
1918
Manchester,
N. H.
Memphis,
Tenn.
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
May
15,
1918
June
15,
1918
May
15,
1918
P o u n d ---- $0.370 $0.379 $0. 402 $0.416 $0.367 $0. 386 $0. 529 $0. 570 10.407
. . . d o ..........
.357
.362
.377 • .389
.367
.379
.484
.524
.378
.. -d o ..........
.282
.288
.338
.355
.296
.304
.327
.372
.323
. ..d o ..........
.253
.258
.285
.302
.263
.273
.294
.346
.285
.208
. . .d o ..........
.216
.247
.260
.234
.230
.252
. .. d o .......... .330
.356
.351
.362
.358
.352
.386
.359
.354
. . . d o .......... .525
.531
.553
.569
.518
.481
.513
.475
.514
.. .d o .......... .485
.500
.498
.507
.466
.436
.475
.451
.458
.346
.331
... do. . . . . .
340
330
321
.343
337
.317
.308
. ..d o .......... .313
.400
.400
.388
.313
.388
.355
.399
.400
.. .d o ..........
.310
.325
. 321
427
330
.306
.343
.348
404
.. .d o ..........
.297
.297
.297
.309
.254
.258
.302
.301
.298
Dozen ..
394
369
387
365
351
506
P o u n d ___ .485
.484
.527
.501
.533
! 503
! 538
! 536
.485
. . .d o ..........
. 339
.341
337
319
.351
.358
.342
. 326
. 140
Q u a rt........ . 123
. 128
150
. 122
. 150
. 150
. 128
140
16-oz. loaf1 .089
.088
.094
.094
.088
.087
.077
.082
Ì092
P o u n d ___ .067
.067
.067
.067
.067
.067
.069
.071
.067
. . . d o ..........
.069
.068
.067
.065
.063
.058
.078
.076
.059
.. -d o..........
. 120
.121
.126
.121
.123
.125
.123
.114
.124
.. .d o ..........
.023
.023
.030
.036
.025
.033
.026
.030
.021
.. .d o ..........
059
040
. 056
043
.047
.048
.044
. 045
. 060
. . . d o ..........
. 181
.172
.170
.183
.183
.186
.182
.186
.185
.. .d o ..........
173
163
163
. 150
. 168
. 156
. 170
. 166
. 164
.. .d o ..........
.156
.148
.148
.149
.155
.151
.153
.155
! 147
.. .d o ..........
093
095
096
090
090
097
.095
.. .d o ..........
342
! 291
.289
. 309
! 318
! 269
267
. . . d o ..........
.656
.773
.779
.701
.604
.671
.693
.604
! 775
Mobile, Ala.
Article.
Louisville,
Ky.
Unit.
May
15,
1918
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound s te a k .........
R ib ro ast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late beef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
I ,a rd .......................
L a m b ................... .
H e n s.......................
Salmon, c an n ed . .
Eggs. ..
B u tte r....................
Cheese....................
M ilk........................
B re ad .....................
F lour......................
Com m eal.............
R ice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n av y ..........
P ru n e s...................
Raisins, s e e d e d ...
Sugar......................
CoS'ee.....................
Tea..........................
L ittle Rock,
Ark.
Minneapolis,
Minn.
Newark, N. J.
June
15,
1918
$0. 408
.388
.322
.291
.255
.354
.521
.463
319
.387
320
.292
! 513
319
150
.092
.068
.057
.122
.025
! 189
! 157
! 760
New H aven,
Conn.
Unit.
May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15,
1918
1918
1918
1918
1918
1918
1918
1918
Sirloin steak ..........
R ound ste a k .........
R ib roast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late beef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, s ic e d ........
Ilam , s'iced...........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, c a n n e d ..
Eggs.......................
B it t e r ....................
0 >■eese....................
M ilk........................
B read.....................
Flora-......................
t orn m eal.............
R ice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, nav y ..........
P ru n e s ...................
Raisins, see d e d ...
Sugar......................
Coii'ee.....................
Tea..........................
P o u n d ...
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. -d o........
.. .d o ........
. . .d o .........
. . .d o ........
. . .d o ........
. .. d o .........
.. .d o ........
. . . d o ........
.. -do.........
Dozen___
Pound...
. . .d o .........
Q u art—
16-oz. loaf1
Pound...
. . . d o .........
. . . d o .........
.. -d o ........
.. .d o .........
. . . d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o ........
__d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SO. 353
.347
.315
.269
.242
.390
.539
.439
.322
.364
.410
.270
.413
.538
.334
.150
.086
.069
.069
.115
.027
.049
.183
.170
.170
.090
.270
.615
$0.358
.350
.317
.272
.248
.394
.533
.440
.322
.359
.392
.270
.414
.532
.327
.150
.096
.071
.068
.116
.020
.051
.183
.172
.178
.090
.265
.632
SO. 336
.323
.276
.256
.196
.318
.496
.445
.322
.324
.332
.347
.377
.468
.303
.100
.079
.058
.056
.122
.015
.025
.169
.153
.143
.095
.307
.504
SO. 367
.346
.306
.277
.211
.344
.493
.443
.321
.322
.315
.345
.374
.465
.299
.100
.079
.059
.055
.123
.020
.050
.164
.156
.145
.094
.309
.503
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
[343]
" SO. 438
.446
.366
.315
.234
.402
.459
.350
.342
.386
.394
.345
.483
.548
.362
.137
.086
.073
.079
.123
.029
.068
.179
.177
.152
090
.307
.571
SO. 490
.489
.389
.354
.257
.414
.481
.361
.336
.409
.415
.342
.525
.531
. 356
.150
.085
.072
.081
. 125
.036
.064
.179
.]74
.151
non
.301
.571
SO. 487
.458
.363
.328
SO. 583
.538
.418
.388
.353
.504
.511
.337
.368
.419
.336
.538
.528
343
.143
.090
.070
.080
.123
.026
.053
.185
.181
.153
.392
.534
.585
.333
.421
.434
.336
.560
.527
! 337
.629
1333
.609
.143
.090
.070
.080
. 123
.032
. 063
.183
. 178
.153
MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW,
124
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FOOT) F O R 30 C ITIES FO R
MAY 15, 1918, AND JU N E 15, 1918, AND F O R 1 CITY F O R JU N E 15, 1918—Continued.
Norfolk, Va.
Article.
Sirloin steak..........
R ound steak.........
R ib ro a st...............
Chuck ro a st..........
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H en s.......................
Salmon, c an n e d ..
Eggs
B utter
Cheese .................
Milk ...................
B re ad .....................
Flour .................
Corn m eal.............
Riee
Potatoes.................
Onions .................
Beans, nav y ..........
P ru n es. . .
Raisins, seeded. . .
Sugar .................
Coffee.....................
Tea
U nit.
P o u n d . . . 80.432
. ..d o .........
.394
.350
...d o .........
. . .do.........
.306
do
. 234
.372
...d o .........
. ..d o ....
.498
...d o __
.389
__do
.341
. . .do ...
.424
. . .do ...
.396
.. .do.........
.281
Dozen
.435
. 565
Pound.
__do
.346
.180
Q u a rt..
.088
16-oz.loaf1
.069
Po u n d .
...d o .........
.063
do
. 136
...d o .........
.028
do
.050
...d o .........
.194
. do
. 187
...d o .........
. 153
__do ..
.088
..d o
.
.315
_ do
. 827
.. .d o ........ $0.374
. .. d o .........
.356
...d o .........
.329
. . .do.........
.279
__do .. .
.227
. ..d o .........
.393
.. .do.........
. 541
. ..d o .........
.497
...d o
.350
__do . . .
.358
__d o ........
.375
. ..d o .........
.354
Dozen___
.423
.506
Pound...
. . .do.........
.326
.126
Q u art___
16-oz. loal1
.096
.056
Pound...
...d o .........
.081
.. .do.........
.127
. . .do.........
.012
.. .do.........
.024
...d o .........
.153
.. .do.........
. 134
...d o .........
.139
...d o .........
.089
...d o .........
.323
...d o .........
.579
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Peoria, 111.
Portland, Me.
May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15, M ay 15, June 15, Mav 15, June 15,
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
80. 509
.463
.391
.344
. 260
.392
.508
.409
.337
.404
.423
.281
.447
.571
.352
.180
.085
.069
.063
.140
.037
. 051
.187
. 192
.148
.090
.323
.797
Portland, Oreg.
Sirloin steak..........
R ound steak.........
R ib roast...............
Chuck ro a st..........
P late b eef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s.......................
Salmon, c an n ed ..
Eggs........................
B u tte r....................
Cheese.........
Milk........................
B re ad ................... •.
Flour......................
Corn m eal.............
R ic e ......................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n av y..........
P ru n es...................
Raisins, seeded. . .
Sugar......................
Coflee.....................
Tea..........................
Omaha N ebr.
$0. 357
.339
.309
.261
.206
.393
. 550
.489
.349
. 33S
.340
.354
.474
.502
.338
.126
.096
(2)
.078
.129
.014
.033
.155
. 137
.137
.091
.329
.585
$0.383
.374
. .294
.278
. 204
.335
.515
.479
.342
.359
.333
.290
.388
.494
.318
.125
.089
.063
.061
. 119
.020
.035
.171
.168
.158
.090
.310
.649
$0.383
.378
.298
.281
. 205
.342
.524
.489
.339
.342
.315
.291
.367
.481
.316
.127
.089
.064
.063
.121
.036
.051
.172
.166
.158
.090
.309
.649
Providence, R. I.
$0. 611
.493
.390
.358
$0. 665
.553
.423
.405
.383
.483
.540
.339
.380
.421
.329
.521
.526
.341
.145
.091
.070
.075
.121
.024
.040
.180
.181
.148
.094
.343
.575
.417
.490
.541
.334
.395
.442
.333
.550
.528
.340
.140
.090
.070
.070
.121
.027
.056
.178
.176
.148
.094
.339
.584
$0.370
.363
.275
.263
.211
.331
.523
.482
.335
.400
.338
.291
.372
.471
.328
.104
.089
.070
.062
.124
.020
.063
.193
.169
.159
.091
.271
.620
$0.391
.391
.289
.281
.234
.364
.520
.487
.335
. 425
.332
.289
.368
.473
.328
.104
.089
.070
.059
.125
.033
. 056
.190
.170
.158
.091
.267
.627
Richm ond, Va.
$0. 431
.403
.343
.306
.255
.381
.467
.428
.336
.392
.382
.233
.420
.565
.355
.143
.089
.067
.062
.138
.022
.063
.194
.161
.148
.093
.276
.753
$0.443
.415
.365
.324
.264
.385
.476
.439
.338
.392
.403
.243
.434
.557
.350
.145
.089
.066
.061
. 136
.039
.073
.191
.157
.148
.093
.275
.757
$0. 602
. 516
.353
.314
..
Rochester, N. Y.
$0.370
.355
.301
293
.218
.364
.446
.332
.375
.425
.289
.426
.511
.327
.125
.088
.067
.075
.128
.020
.051
.176
.186
.150
.090
.299
.540
4 No flour sold in Po rtland, Oreg., June 15,1918.
[344]
.401
.488
.459
.330
.373
.417
.281
.502
.546
.347
.125
.089
.066
.072
. 125
.029
.055
.180
.151
.142
.090
.302
.603
SO. 417
.390
.336
.335
.250
.385
.461
.455
.333
.375
.407
.293
.455
.503
.320
.125
.088
.067
.068
.125
.024
.055
.174
.195
.150
.090
.294
.565
125
M O N T H L Y LABOE EE V IE W .
A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R TIC LE S O F FO O D F O R 30 C IT IE S F O R
MAY 15, 1918, AND JU N E 15, 1918, A N D F O R 1 CITY F O R JU N E 15, 1918—Concluded.
St. Paul, Minn.
Article.
Salt Lake City,
U tah.
Scranton, Pa.
Springfield, 111.
U nit.
May 15, Ju n e 15, May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15, May 15, June 15,
1918.
1918
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
Sirloin steak..........
R ound steak.........
R ib ro a st...............
Chuck ro a s t..........
P late b eef..............
Pork chops...........
Bacon, sliced........
H am , sliced..........
L a rd .......................
L a m b .....................
H e n s......................
Salmon, c an n e d ..
Eggs........................
B u tte r....................
Cheese .................
M ilk..........................
B read ............... .
Flour......................
Com m eal.............
Rice........................
Potatoes.................
O nions...................
Beans, n av y ..........
P ru n es...................
Raisins, seeded. . .
Sugar ...................
Coffee.....................
Tea..........................
P o u n d ... $0.365
...d o .........
.352
...d o .........
.311
.. .d o ........
.281
. ..d o .........
.203
...d o .........
.317
...d o .........
.493
...d o .........
.468
...d o
.319
...d o .........
.324
...d o .........
.334
...d o .........
.291
Dozen__
.371
.471
Pound...
. . . do.........
.311
.100
Q u a rt___
16-oz. loaf1
.075
.060
Pound...
...d o .........
.064
...d o .........
. 128
...d o .........
.014
...d o .........
.024
...d o .........
.185
.. .do.........
. 165
...d o .........
.145
...d o .........
.095
. . . d o ........
.316
...d o .........
.543
$0.399
.384
.342
.304
.215
.347
.503
.475
.315
.333
.322
.291
.377
.473
.312
.100
.075
.060
.062
. 133
.017
.043
.178
. 167
.146
.094
.318
.569
$0. 340
.327
.279
.266
.214
.384
.521
.475
.360
.344
.390
.329
.392
.495
.329
.114
.087
.063
.076
. 123
.013
.033
.171
.148
.142
.097
.350
.623
SO. 348
.329
.286
.268
.214
.384
.527
.473
.348
.331
.358
.303
.407
.493
.320
.114
.087
.056
.074
.121
.017
.052
.168
. 152
.144
.035
.350
.611
$0.442
.405
.346
.307
.221
.390
.521
.473
.324
.393
.424
.287
. 435
.508
.320
.120
.087
.069
.075
.121
.021
.055
.177
.164
.143
.090
.319
.597
$0.485
.449
.382
.345
.245
.404
.531
.487
.318
.408
.433
.305
.444
.505
.320
.120
.087
.070
.077
.124
.023
.054
.176
.168
.145
.090
.323
.588
$0.403
.394
.301
.292
.243
.348
.498
.475
.329
.381
.303
.274
.385
.520
.350
• 111
.090
.063
.081
.128
.020
.047
.194
.167
.177
.094
.300
.750
SO. 422
.379
.330
.296
.254
.357
.518
.485
.325
.393
.290
.278
.378
.514
.321
.111
.090
.068
.076
.132
.033
.047
.189
.171
.171
.095
.295
.757
1 16 ounces, weight of dough.
PRICE CHANGES, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IN THE UNITED STATES.
A comparison of wholesale and retail price changes for important
food articles is contained in the table which follows. In using these
figures it should be understood that the retail prices are not in all
cases based on precisely the same articles as are the wholesale prices.
For example, fresh beef is not sold by the retailer in the same form
in which it leaves the wholesaler. In such cases the articles most
nearly comparable were used. It was found impracticable also in
most instances to obtain both wholesale and retail prices for the same
date. The retail prices shown are uniformly those prevailing on the
15th of the month, while the wholesale prices are for a variable date,
usually several days prior to the 15th._ For these reasons exact com
parison of wholesale with retail prices can not be made. The figures
may be considered indicative, however, of price variations in the
retail as compared with the wholesale markets.
In the table which follows, the wholesale price is in each case the
mean of the high and the low quotations on the date selected, as pub
lished in leading trade journals, while the retail price is the average
of all prices reported directly to the bureau by retailers for the article
and city in question. The initials W. and it. are used to designate
wholesale and retail prices, respectively.
71795°—18----- 9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[345]
126
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
To assist in comparing wholesale with retail price fluctuations the
differential between the two series of quotations at successive dates
is given. It should not be assumed, however, that this differential
represents even approximately the margin of profit received by the
retailer, since, in addition to possible differences of grade between the
articles shown at wholesale and retail, various items of handling cost
to both wholesaler and retailer are included in the figure.
W H O L E S A L E AND R E T A IL P R IC E S O F IM PO R T A N T FO O D A R T IC L E S IN SE L E C T E D
C ITIES.
[The initial W —wholesale; R = retail.]
Article and city.
1913:
July.
A ver
U nit. age
for
year. 1914
1915
1918
1917
1916
Jan.
A pr. July. Oct.
Jan.
A pr. June.
Beef, Chicago:
Steer loin ends ____ .W .. L b .. SO . 168 $ 0.175 SO . 160 SO . 205 $ 0 . 200 $ 0.200 $ 0.190 $ 0 . 235 $ 0.200 SO . 230 $ 0.320
Sirloin ste a k .......... . R . . L b .. .232 .260 .258 .281 .265 .293 .302 .306 .302 .337 .379
.064 .085 .098 .076 .065 .093 .112 .071 .102 . 107 .059
Price differential .
Beef, Chicago:
Steer rounds , No. 2 . W .. L b .. .131 .145 .143 .145 .120 .155 . 17C .190 .165 .185 .240
R ound steak......... . R . . L b .. .202
233 .228 .241 .227 .256 .266 .273 .273 .304 .349
.071 .088 .085 . 096 . 107 . 101 .096 .083 .108 . 119 . 109
Price differential .
Beef, Chicago:
Steer ribs, No. 2 . . .W .. L b .. .157 .165 .145 .175 .160 .210 . 20C .230 .200 .220 .300
R ib ro a s t............... . R . . L b .. . 195 .212 .213 .229 .223 .241 .246 .247 .254 .288 .319
.038 .047 .068 .054 .063 .031 .046 .017 .054 .068 .019
Price differential.
Beef, New York:
No. 2 , loins............ .W .. L b .. .158 .183 .170 .200 .I S O .190 .190 .275 .235 .260 .320
Sirloin s te a k ......... . R . . L b .. .259 .274 .282 .294 .284 .318 .337 .356 .344 .380 .441
Price differential.
.101 .091 .112 .094 . 104 . 128 . 147 .081 . 109 . 120 . 121
Beef, New York:
No. 2 , rounds........ .W .. L b .. .121 .135 .135 .145 .130 .170 .175 .190 .180 .200 .240
R ound steak......... . R . .. L b .. .249 .270 .271 .289 .275 .315 .337 .360 .352 .384 .452
. 162
Price differential .
. 128
. 144
. 170
. 172
.212
. 135
. 136
. 145
. 145
. 184
Beef, New York:
No. 2 , rib s ............. .W .. L b .. .151 .165 .160 . 180 .160 .200 .190 .275 . 2£5 .250 .295
R ib ro a st............... A i . . L b .. .218 .225 .227 .243 .238 .270 .279 .298 .294 .324 .382
Price differential .
.067 .060 .067 .063 .078 .070 .089 .023 .059 .074 . 087
Pork, Chicago:
Loins...................... .W . . L b .. .149 .165 .150 . 165 .165 .240 .250 .330 .270 .290 .300
Chops..................... .R . . L b .. .190 .204 .201 .217 .227 .285 .292 .358 .316 .330 .360
.041 .039 .051 .052 .062 .045 .042 .028 . 046 .040 .060
Price differential.
o
Pork, New York:
Loins, w estern___ .W .. L b .. .152 .163 .153 .165 .170 . 23? .235 .300 .265 .275 .290
Chops...................... . R . . L b .. .217 .230 .217 .239 .248 .319 .326 .399 .348 .367 .397
Price differential .
.065 .067 .064 .074 .078 . 084 . 091 .099 .083 .092
107
Bacon, Chicago:
Short clear sid es. . .W .. L b .. .127 .139 .113 .159 .158 .218 .247 .318 .301 .275 .251
Sliced...................... . R . . L b .. .294 .318 .315 .328 .316 .395 .439 .475 . 498 .519 .550
Price differential .
.167 . 179 .202 . 169 . 158 . 177 . 192 . 157 . 197 .244 .299
H am , Chicago:
Sm oked.................. .W .. L b .. .166 .175 .163 .190 . 188 .243 .243 .283 .298 .300 .298
Smoked, sliced__ A i . . L b .. .266 .338 .328 .349 .333 .382 .414 .439 .428 .467 .488
Price differential.
.100 . 163
. 159
. 139
. 155
. 130
. 167
. 190
. 171
L ard, New York:
Prime, c o n tra c t... .W .. L b .. .110 .104 ' . 080 .133 .159 .215 .201 .246 .246 .263 .240
P ure t u b ................ . R . . L b .. .160 .156 .151 .168 .213 .263 .274 .313 .330 .334 .326
Price differential .
.050 .052 .071 .035 .054 .048 . 073 .067 .084 . 071 . 086
Lam b, Chicago:
Dressed ro u n d ___ .W .. L b .. .140 .170 .190 .190 .200 .220 .260 .270 .240 .290 .295
Leg of, y earlin g . . . . R . . L b .. .193 .219 .208 .231 .232 .263 .287 .314 .306 .356 .356
Price differential .
.049 .049 .018 .041 .032 .043 .027 .044 .066 . 066 . 081
P oultry, New York:
Dressed fowls........ .W .. L b .. .182 . 188 .175 .215 .220 .265 .248 .285 .298 .340 .345
Dressed h e n s . . . *. .R . . L b .. .214 .220 .219 .258 .261 .293 .287 .323 .326
.403
Price differential .
.032 .032 .044 .041 . 041 .028 .039 .038 .028
058
B utter, Chicago:
Creamery, e x tra .. .W .. L b .. .310 .265 .265 .275 • 370i .440 .375 . 435 .490 .400 .415
Creamery, e x tra .. . R . . L b .. .362 .312 .322 .335 .438 .484 .432 .487 .541 .460 .468
Price differential . . ........ ...... .052 .047 .057 .060 .068 .044 .057 .052 . 054 .060 .053
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[346]
127
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
W H O L ESA L E AND R E T A IL P R IC E S O F IM PO R T A N T FO O D A R T IC L E S
C IT IE S —Concluded.
Article and city.
B u tte r, New York:
Creamery, e x t r a . . .W ..
Creamery, e x tr a .. R . .
Price differential..
B u tte r, San Francisco:
Creamery, e x tr a .. W ..
Creamery, e x tra . . R . .
Price difTeren tial..
Cheese, Chicago:
W hole m ilk ........... W ..
Full cream ............. R . .
Price differential..
Cheese, New York:
Whole m ilk, S tate. W ..
Full cream ............. R . .
Price differential..
Cheese, San Francisco:
F a n c y ..................... W ..
Full cream ............. R . .
Price differential..
Milk, Chicago:
Fresh...................... W ..
Fresh, b o ttle d ___ R . .
Price differential..
Milk, New York:
F resh...................... W ..
Fresh, b o tt’o d ___ R . .
Price differential..
M i’k, San Francisco:
Fresh...................... W ..
Fresh, b o ttle d ___ R . .
Price differential..
Eggs, Chicago:
Fresh, firsts.......... W ..
Strictly fresh........ R . .
Price differential..
Eggs, New York:
Fresh, firsts........... W ..
S trictly fresh........ R . .
Price differential..
Eggs, San Francisco:
Fresh...................... W ..
S trictly fresh ........ R . .
Price differential..
Meal, corn, Chicago:
F in e ........................ W ..
F in e ........................ R . .
Price differential..
Beans, New York:
Medium, choice.. W ..
N avy, w h ite .......... R . .
Price differential..
Potatoes, Chicago:
W hite i ................... W ..
W h ite ..................... R . .
Price differential..
Rice, New Orleans:
H e a d ....................... W ..
II e a d ....................... R . .
Price differential..
Sugar, New York:
G ranulated............ W ..
G ranulated........... R . .
Price differential..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Unit.
July.
1913:
A ver
age
for
year. 1914 1915
IN S E L E C T E D
1917
1916
Jan.
1918
Apr. July. Oct.
Jan.
A pr. June.
L b .. $0. 323 $0.280 $0.270 SO. 285 $0.395 SO. 450 $0. 395 SO. 443 SO. 510 SO. 415 $0.439
L b .. .382 .328 .338 .346 .460 .513 .453 .515 .574 .493 .508
.059 .048 .066 .061 .065 .063 .058 .072 .064 .078 .069
L b ..
L b ..
.317
.388
.071
.245
.329
.084
.265
.338
.073
.255
.333
.078
.355
.425
.070
.390
.452
.062
.385
.455
.070
.460
.545
.085
.530
.602
.072
.375
.452
.077
. 455
.507
.052
L b ..
L b ..
.142
.133
.145
.229
.084
.145
.242
.097
.218
.321
. 103
.223
.327
. 104
.216
.339
.123
.246
.368
.122
.233
.375
. 142
.215
.353
. 138
.219
.342
. 123
L b ..
L b ..
.154
.144
.146
.229
.083
.151
.228
.077
.220
.301
.081
.245
.335
.090
. 238
.328
.090
.255
.340
.085
.230
.344
. 114
.225
.338
. 113
.231
.339
. 108
L b ..
L b ..
.159
.12:
. 115
.200
.085
.135
.229
.094
.180
.242
.062
.215
.297
.082
.200
.297
.097
.220
.316
.096
.255
.335
.080
.260
.335
.075
.245
.314
.069
Q t ..
Q t..
.038
.080
.042
.036
.080
.044
.037
.080
.043
.036
.081
.045
.045
.100
.055
.054
.100
.046
.047
.100
.053
.074
.129
.055
.070
.119
.049
. 058
.119
.061
.041
.119
.078
Q t ..
Q t ..
.035
.090
.055
.030
.090
.060
.030
.090
.060
.031
.090
.059
.051
.100
.049
.049
.109
.030
.050
.114
.064
.072
.138
.066
.081
.150
.069
.059
.140
.081
.044
.128
.084
Q t,..
Q t ..
.039
.100
.061
.039
.100
.061
.038
.100
.062
.038
.100
.062
.038
.100
.062
.038
.100
.062
.043
.100
.057
.059
.121
.062
.066
.121
.055
.059
.121
.062
.059
. 121
.062
Doz. . 228
Doz. ..292
.066
.188
.261
.073
.168
.248
.080
.218
. 298
. 07S
.485
.525
.040
.305
.376
.071
.310
.406
.096
.370
.469
.099
.565
.651
.086
.315
.380
.065
.310
.394
.084
Doz.
Doz.
.249
.397
. 148
.215
.353
. 138
.200
.326
.126
.241
.372
. 131
.505
.667
.162
.330
.424
.094
.350
.477
. 127
.400
.627
.227
.645
.808
. 163
.333
.476
. 143
.348
.503
. 155
Doz.
Doz.
.268
.373
. 105
.230
.338
. 108
.220
.310
.090
.240
.333
.093
.380
.480
. 100
.280
.374
.094
.320
.392
.072
.435
.608
. 173
.610
.710
. 100
.365
.419
.054
.395
.456
.061
L b ..
L b ..
.014
.029
.015
.016
.028
.012
.031
.019
.031
.012
.024
.042
.018
.036
.050
.014
.045
.058
.013
.052
.071
.019
.051
.070
.019
.060
.072
. 012
.047
.068
.021
Lb
L b ..
.040
.040
.058
.081
.023
.098
. 113
.015
. 108
. 149
.041
.130
. 162
.032
.154
. 188
.034
.138
. 185
.047
.141
. 185
.044
.137
. 182
.045
. 124
. 178
.054
B u ..
B u ..
.614 1.450
.900 1.640
.286 .190
.400 .975 1.750 2.800 2. 625 1.135 1.185
.700 1.356 2.370 3.455 2. 975 1. 660 1.680
.300 .381 .620 .£55 .350 .525 .495
L b ..
L b ..
.050
.054
.049
.075
.026
.046
.074
.028
.048
.074
.026
.049
.088
.039
.071
. 101
.030
.077
. 100
.023
.088
.106
.018
.088
.107
.019
L b ..
L b ..
.043
.049
.006
.042
.046
.004
.059
.063
.004
.075
.079
.004
.066
.074
.008
.081
.087
.006
.074
.084
.010
.082
.097
.015
.073
.097
.024
.073 '.073
.088 .088
.015 .015
1 Good to choice.
r347]
.645 1. 140
.998 1.726
.353 .586
.091
.114
.023
128«.
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
Wholesale and retail prices, expressed as percentages of the average
money prices for 1913, are contained in the subjoined table. A few
articles included in the preceding table are omitted from this one,
owing to the lack of satisfactory data for 1913. I t will be seen from
the table that during June the retail prices of most of the commodities
included in the exhibit fluctuated at a lower percentage level, as
compared with their 1913 base, than did the wholesale prices. This
is particularly true of beef, pork, bacon, lard, eggs, and corn meal.
For corn meal, especially, there has been a much smaller percentage
of increase in the retail than in the wholesale price.
While the percentage of increase in retail prices was less than that
in wholesale prices for most of the articles, it should be noted that
a comparison of the actual money prices shown in the preceding
table indicates that in the majority of cases the margin between the
wholesale and the retail price in June, 1918, was considerably greater
than in 1913. The following table shows, for example, that the
wholesale price of short clear side bacon increased 98 per cent be
tween 1913 and June, 1918, while the retail price of sliced bacon
increased 87 per cent. The preceding table shows, however, that
the difference between the wholesale price of the one and the retail
price of the other was 16.7 cents per pound in 1913 and 29.9 cents
per pound in June, 1918, or 13.2 cents more at the latter date than
at the former. I t is also seen that the wholesale price in June,
1918, had increased 12.4 cents over the 1913-price, while the retail
price had increased 25.6 cents.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[348]
129
MONTHLY LABOK REVIEW.
R E L A T IV E W H O L E S A L E AN D R E T A IL P R IC E S O F IM PO R T A N T FO O D A R T IC L E S IN
S E L E C T E D C IT IE S (A V E R A G E F O R 1913=100).
[The initial W = wholesale; R = re ta il.]
Article and city.
Beef, Chicago:
Steer loin ends (hips)— W ..
Sirloin steak ...................... .K ..
Beef, Chicago:
Steer rounds, No. 2......... W ..
R ound ste a k ...................... .K ..
Beef, Chicago:
Steer ribs, No. 2............... W ..
R ib ro a st............................ .R ..
Beef, New York:
No. 2 loins, c ity ............... W
Sirloin stea k ...................... .R . .
Beef, New York:
No. 2 rounds, c ity ........... W ..
R ound ste a k ...................... .R ..
Beef, New York:
No. 2 ribs, c ity ................. W
R ib ro a st............................ .R . .
Pork, Chicago:
L oins.................................. W
Chops.................................. .R ..
Pork, New York:
Loins, w estern............. .. W
Chops.................................. . R ..
Bacon, Chicago:
Short clear sides.............. W ..
Sliced.................................. -R ..
H am s, Chicago:
Smoked.............................. W
Smoked, sliced.................. . R ..
L ard, New York:
Prim e, co n tract............... W
Pure, t u b ........................... . R ..
Lam b, Chicago:
Dressed, ro u n d ................. W
Leg of, yearling................ . R . .
Poultry, New York:
Dressed fow ls................... W
Drp.ssftd ho n s ..................... .R ..
B utter, Chicago:
Creamery, e x tra ............... .W ..
Creamery, e x tra ................ .R . .
B utter, New York:
Creamery, e x tra ............... W
Creamery, e x tra ................ .R . .
B utter, San Francisco:
Creamery, ex tra............... W'
Creamery, e x tra .............. . R ..
Milk, Chicago:
F resh ................................. .W ..
Fresh, bottled, delivered .R ..
Milk, New York:
F resh ................................. .W ..
Fresh, bottled, delivered .R ..
Milk, San Francisco:
F resh .................................. .W ..
Fresh, b o ttle d ................. .R ..
Eggs, Chicago:
Fresh, firsts...................... .W ..
Strictly fresh................... .R . .
Eggs, New York:
Fresh, firsts...................... .W ..
Strictly fresh................... .R . .
Eggs, San Francisco:
F resh .................................. .W ..
Strictly fresh.................... .R ..
Meal, corn, Chicago:
F in e .................................... .W ..
Fine................................... .R . .
Potatoes, Chicago:
W hite, good to ch o ice... .W ..
W h ite ................................ .R ..
Sugar, New York:
G ranulated....................... .W ..
G ranulated....................... . . R . .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1913:
July.
Average
for
year. 1914 1915
1917
1916
Jan.
1918
Apr. July. Oct.
Jan.
Apr. Juno.
100
100
104
112
95
111
122
121
119
114
119
126
113
130
140
132
119
130
137
145
190
163
100
100
111
115
109
113
111
119
92
112
118
127
130
132
145
135
126
135
141
151
183
173
100
100
105
109
92
109
111
117
102
114
134
124
127
126
146
127
127
130
140
148
191
164
100
100
116
106
108
109
127
114
114
110
120
123
120
130
174
137
149
133
165
147
203
170
100
100
112
108
112
109
120
116
107
110
140
127
145
135
157
145
149
141
165
154
198
182
100
100
109
103
106
104
119
111
106
109
132
124
126
128
182
137
156
135
166
149
195
175
100
100
111
107
101
106
111
114
111
119
161
150
168
154
221
188
181
166
195
174
201
189
100
100
107
106
101
100
109
no
112
111
155
147
155
150
197
184
174
160
181
169
191
183
100
100
109
108
89
107
125
112
124
107
172
134
194
149
250
162
237
169
217
177
198
187
100
100
105
127
98
123
114
131
113
125
146
144
146
156
170
165
180
161
1S1
176
180
183
100
100
95
98
73
94
121
105
145
133
195
164
183
171
224
196
224
206
239
209
218
204
100
100
114
111
128
105
128
117
134
117
148
133
174
145
181
159
161
155
195
180
198
180
100
100
103
103
96
102
118
120
121
122
146
137
136
134
157
151
164
152
187
190
188
100
100
85
86
85
89
89
93
119
121
142
134
121
119
140
135
158
150
129
127
134
129
100
100
87
86
84
88
88
91
122
120
139
134
122
119
137
135
158
150
128
129
136
133
100
100
77
85
84
87'
80
86
112
no
123
116
121
117
145
140
167 ■ 118
155
116
144
131
100
100
95
100
97
100
95
101
118
125
142
125
124
125
195
161
184
149
153
149
108
149
100
100
86
100
86
100
89
100
146
111
140
121
143
127
206
153
231
167
169
156
126
142
100
100
100
100
97
100
97
100
97
100
97
100
no
100
151
121
169
121
151
121
151
121
100
100
83
89
74
85
96
101
215
180
135
129
137
139
164
161
250
223
139
130
137
135
100
100
86
89
80
82
97
94
203
168
133
107
141
120
161
158
259
204
134
120
140
127
100
100
86
91
82
83
90
89
142
120
105
100
119
105
162
163
228
190
136
112
147
122
100
100
114
97
107
136
107
171
145
257
172
321
200
371
245
364
241
429
248
336
234
100
100
236
182
65
78
159
151
285
263
456
384
428
331
185
184
193
187
105
111
186
192
100
100
98
94
137
129
174
161
153
151
188
178
172
171
191
198
170
198
170
180
170
180
[349]
130
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1913
TO JUNE, 1918.
In continuation of information published in the M onthly R e
index numbers showing wholesale price changes since 1913
are contained in the subjoined table. It will be seen from this
table that the increase in price during the last five years has been
particularly great among articles classed as farm products, cloths
and clothing, and chemicals and drugs.
During 1914 the prices of most commodities increased between
January and September, but declined rapidly in the closing months
of the year due to the prevailing business stagnation brought about
by the War. In 1915 a reaction occurred and prices again advanced,
reaching high levels late in the year. Since January, 1916, the rise
in wholesale prices has been unprecedented for many articles of
importance, although fuel and metal products showed a sharp de
cline in the last half of 1917.
In the first six months of 1918 prices as a whole continued to
advance, the bureau’s weighted index number for June standing at
193 as compared with 184 for June, 1917, and 100 as the average for
the 12 months of 1913. In the period from June, 1917, to June,
1918, the index number of farm products increased from 196 to 214,
and that of cloths and clothing from 179 to 243, while that of food
articles declined from 187 to 180. In the same period the index
number of fuel and lighting declined from 193 to 171 and that of
metals and metal products from 239 to 177. On the other hand,
the index number of lumber and building materials increased from
127 to 148, that of chemicals and drugs from 165 to 205, and that
of house-furnishing goods from 162 to 192 in this time. In the
group of commodities classed as miscellaneous, including such im
portant articles as cottonseed meal, lubricating oil, malt, news-print
and wrapping paper, rubber, whisky, and wood pulp, the index
number increased from 152 to 198.
v ie w ,1
1 Issued b y th e U. S. B ureau of L abor Statistics; th e nam e was changed to Monthly L abo e R ev ie w
w ith the Ju ly (1918) issue.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[350]
131
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
IN D E X N U M B ER S O F W H O L E S A L E PR IC E S , BY G R O U P S O F COM M ODITIES, 1913 TO
JU N E , 1918.
(1913=100.)
Y ear a n d m onth.
1913.
Average for y e a r----Jan u a ry ......................
A pril............................
Ju ly .............................
October......................
1914.
Average for y e a r___
Jan u a ry ......................
A pril............................
J u ly .............................
A ugust........................
Septem ber.................
O ctober......................
N ovem ber.................
D ecember...................
1915.
Average for y e a r___
J a n u a ry ......................
F e b ru a ry ...................
M arch.. I .....................
A pril............................
M ay.............................
J u n e ............................
Ju ly .............................
A ugust.......................
S eptem b er.................
O ctober......................
N ovem ber.................
D ecember...................
1916.
Average for y e a r___
January......................
F e b ru a ry ...................
M arch..........................
A pril.............. ............
M ay.............................
J u n e ............................
J u ly .............................
A ugust.................... .
S eptem ber............... 7
O ctober......................
N ovem ber.................
December...................
1917.
Average for y ear___
Jan u a ry ......................
F e b ru a ry ...................
M arch..........................
A pril...........................
M ay.............................
J u n e ............................
J u lv .............................
A ug u st........................
Septem ber............... .
O ctober......................
N ovem ber.................
D ecem ber......... ........
1918.
Jan u a ry ___ _______
F e b ru a ry ........ ..........
M arch.........................
A pril...........................
M ay.............................
J uhe 1..........................
Food,
etc.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
Fuel
and
light
ing.
Metals
and
m etal
prod
ucts.
Lum
ber
and
build
ing
m ate
rials.
100
97
97
101
103
100
99
96
101
102
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
99
100
100
100
107
102
98
99
100
100
101
101
98
100
101
100
99
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
102
100
100
99
98
101
101
103
101
103
104
109
108
103
101
99
103
102
95
103
112
116
107
106
105
98
99
100
100
100
99
98
97
97
92
99
98
90
89
87
87
87
87
87
92
91
85
85
86
83
81
83
97
98
99
97
97
96
96
95
94
103
101
101
101
100
106
109
108
107
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
97
98
99
97
97
98
95
95
96
99
100
98
99
102
103
99
98
97
105
102
105
105
107
109
105
108
108
103
105
102
103
104
106
108
104
105 :
105
102
104
103
100
104
108
111
100
96
97
97
98
98
98
99
•99
100
103
105
107
87
86
86
84
83
83
84.
85
88
90
93
96
97
83
87
89
91
96
100
102
100
100
100
104
114
94
94
95
94
94
94
93
94
93
93
93
95
97
113
106
104
103
102
102
104
107
109
114
121
141
146
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
98
98
97
97
.„ 97
• 96
96
96
96
96
99
100
103
100
98
100
99
99
100
99
101
100
98
101
102
105
122
108
109
111
114
116
116
118
126
131
136
145
141
126
114
114
115
117
119
119
121
128
134
140
150
146
127
110
114
117
119
122
123
126
128
131
137
146
155
115
102
102
104
105
104
105
105
107
110
128
150
163
148
126
132
141
147
151
149
145
145
148
151
160
185
101
99
100
101
102
102
101
98
100
100
101
103
105
143
140
144
147
150
153
150
143
132
132
135
142
143
110
105
105
105
109
109
109
111
111
111
114
115
115
121
107
106
109
111
114
121
122
123
126
132
135
136
123
110
111
114
116
118
118
119
123
127
133
143
146
188
147
150
162
180
196
196
198
204
203
207
211
204
177
150
160
161
182
191
187
180
180
178
183
184
185
181 :
161
162
163
169
173
179
187
193
193
194
202
206
169
170
178
181
178
187
193
183
159
155
143
151
153
208
183
190
199
208
217
239
257
249
228
182
173
173
124
106
108
111
114
117
127
132
133
134
134
135
135
185
144
146
151
155
164
165
185
198
203
242
232
230
155
128
129
129
151
151
162
165
165
165
165
175
175
153
137
138
140
144
U7
152
150
155
154
162
164
164
175
150
155
160
171
181
184
185
184
182
ISO
182
181
205
207
211
217
212
214
188
187
178
179
178
180
209
213
220
230
234
243
169
171
171
170
172
171
173
175
175
176
177
177
136
137
142
145
147
148
216
217
217
214
209
205
188
188
188
188
188
192
177
181
184
192
196
198
185
187
187
191
191
193
Farm
prod
ucts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Prelim inary
[351]
Chem HousefurMiscel
icals
nishlane
and
ous.
ing
drugs. goods.
All
com
modi
ties.
132
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
COST OF LIVING IN NORTH ATLANTIC SHIPBUILDING DISTRICTS.
The following report shows the results of a study in the cost
of living in seven shipbuilding centers on the North Atlantic
Coast made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in cooperation with
the Wage Adjustment Board of the Emergency Fleet Corporation
in continuation of its investigation into the cost of living in the
various shipbuilding centers of the United States.
The localities covered by this report are: Bath and Portland, Me.;
Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Portsmouth, N. H.; and Newport
News and Norfolk, Va.
The studies were made along the same lines as the former studies,
as published in the previous issues of the M o n t h l y K e v ie w .
Schedules showing in detail the family expenditures for the year
ending March 31, 1918, were secured in these districts by agents of
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, through personal visits to the homes
of families of workers in shipyards, and of other families in the
localities in which shipbuilding workers reside.
The following table shows the number of families scheduled in
each district, and their average and per cent of total expenditures
for each* of the principal items of cost of living, together with the
per cent of increase in the retail prices of each item in December,
1915, 1916, and 1917, and March, 1918, over the prices in December,
1914.
A V ER A G E E X P E N D IT U R E S AND P E R C EN T O F A V ER A G E TO T A L E X P E N D IT U R E S OF
FA M IL IE S IN S P E C IF IE D S H IP B U IL D IN G D IST R IC T S IN Y E A R E N D IN G M ARCH 31,
1918, FO R EA CH O F T H E P R IN C IP A L IT EM S O F COST OF LIV IN G , AND T H E P E R CEN T
O F IN C R EA SE IN T H E R E T A IL P R IC E O F EA CH IN D E C E M B E R , 1915, 1916, AND 1917,
AND MARCH, 1918, A B O V E T H E P R IC E S IN D E C E M B E R , 1914.
B A T H , M E.: 99 fam ilies.
Expenditures per
family.
P er cen t of increase in retail prices in December,
1915, 1916, and 1917, and March, 1918, above
th e prices in Decem ber, 1914.
E xpenditures for—
Average.
December, December,
Per cent. December,
1915.
1916.
1917.
Clothing:
M ale..........................................
F em ale......................................
$115.44
121.87
7.95
8.40
0.47
2.76
March,
1918.
5.47
8.50
31.54
27.11
47.67
61.98
T o ta l......................................
237.31
16.35
1.65
7.03
29.26
55.02
Furniture and furnishings...........
Food..................................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel and lig h t.................................
Miscellaneous...................................
68.06
657.02
143.13
98.04
247.62
4.69
45.28
9.86
6.76
17.06
3.03
11.96
1.10
1.59
11.92
18.59
1.43
14.43
13.55
39.30
49.83
13.82
34.92
39.68
68.07
47.28
26.33
51.32
47.82
T o ta l......................................
1,451.18
100.00
1.59
13.55
39.68
47.82
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1Decrease.
[852]
w
r
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
133
A V ER A G E E X P E N D IT U R E S AND P E R C EN T O F A V ER A G E TO T A L E X P E N D IT U R E S OF
FA M IL IE S IN S P E C IF IE D S H IP B U IL D IN G D IST R IC T S IN Y E A R E N D IN G M ARCH 31,
1918, FO R EACH OF T H E P R IN C IP A L IT EM S O F COST O F LIV IN G , AND T H E P E R CEN T
O F IN C R EA SE IN T H E R E T A IL P R IC E O F EA CH IN D EC E M B E R , 1915, 1916, AND 1917,
A N D M ARCH, 1918, ABOV E T H E P R IC E S IN D E C E M B E R , 1914—Continued.
P O R T L A N D , M E .: 103 fa m ilie s .
E xpenditures per
family.
Expenditures for—
Average.
P er cent of increase in retail prices in December,
1915, 1916, and 1917, and March, 1918, above
th e prices in Decem ber, 1914.
December, December,
Per cent. December,
1915.
1916.
1917.
Clothing:
M ale...........................................
F em ale......................................
$105.07
101.93
7.87
7.64
1.09
3.21
8.98
10.48
31.45
34.15
March,
1918.
51.30
55.67
T o ta l......................................
207.00
15.51
2.13
9.72
32.78
53.45
Furniture and furnishings...........
Food..................................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel and lig h t................................
Miscellaneous..................................
34.27
596.50
153.33
82.08
261.37
2.57
44.70
11.49
6.15
19.58
6.24
11.96
.24
.37
1.42
20.94
18.59
.61
11.39
13.83
43.49
49.83
2.38
28.85
37.96
75.17
47.28
3.46
41.98
42.70
T o ta l......................................
1,334.55
100.00
1.42
13.83
37.96
42.70
B A L T I M O R E , M D .: 205 f a m ilie s .
Clothing:
M ale...........................................
F em ale......................................
$118.59
111.57
8.18
7.69
2.46
3.03
22.97
25.09
49.55
54.75
70.20
85.15
T o ta l......................................
230.16
15.87
2.74
24.00
52.07
77.44
Furnitu re and furnishings...........
Food..................................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel and lig h t................................
Miscellaneous..................................
64.51
624.77
151.80
60.93
318.35
4.45
43.07
10.46
4.20
21.95
5.59
14.08
1.18
.49
11.37
26.38
20.87
.85
9.14
18.51
60.79
64.35
2.86
24.54
51.27
85.04
60.34
4.83
42.07
56.80
T o ta l......................................
1,450.52
100.00
H .37
18.51
51.27
56.80
45.31
.49.92
74.92
83.02
B O S T O N , M A S S .: 210 fa m ilie s .
Clothing:
M ale...........................................
F em ale......................................
$116.31
107.83
7.65
7.10
6.06
7.76
20.95
22.85
T o ta l......................................
224.14
14.75
6.88
21.86
47.53
78.82
Furnitu re and furnishings...........
F ood..................................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel and lig h t................................
Miscellaneous..................................
58.35
645.19
196.40
79.84
315.98
3.84
42.45
12.92
5.25
20.79
8.40
1.33
1.07
1.12
1.57
26.31
18.03
.06
10.51
15.72
58.37
45.76
i.06
29.21
38.13
89.97
39.40
.99
39.74
42.95
T o ta l......................................
1,519.90
100.00
1.57
15.72
38.13
42.95
2.57
.78
14.48
10.45
39.61
40.03
70.36
63.73
P O R T S M O U T H , N . H .: 104 f a m il ie s .
Clothing:
M ale...........................................
Fem ale......................................
$106.41
108.13
7.56
7.69
T o ta l......................................
214.54
1-5.25
1.67
12.45
39.82
67.02
F urniture and furnishings...........
Food..................................................
2.95
44.05
10.50
6.13
21.12
2.88
'1.96
13.72
18.59
Fuel and lig h t................................
Miscellaneous..................................
41.51
619.84
147.78
86.20
297.10
1.72
1.53
13.69
14.36
42.57
49.83
.43
29.28
39.45
83.74
47.28
3.28
38.03
45.88
T o ta l......................................
1,406.97
100.00
1.53
14.36
39.45
45.88
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Decrease.
[353]
134
\
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
A V ER A G E E X P E N D IT U R E S A N D P E R C EN T O F A V ER A G E TO T A L E X P E N D IT U R E S OF
FA M ILIES IN S P E C IF IE D S H IP B U IL D IN G D IST R IC T S IN Y E A R E N D IN G M ARCH 31
1918, FO R EA CH O F T H E P R IN C IP A L IT EM S O F COST O F LIV IN G , AND T H E P E R CEN T
O F IN C R EA SE IN T H E R E T A IL P R IC E O F EACH IN D EC E M B E R , 1915, 1916 AND 1917
AND MARCH, 1918, A B OV E T H E P R IC E S IN D EC E M B E R , 1914-Coneluded.
N E W P O R T N E W S , V A . : 72 w h i t e fa m ilie s .
E xpenditures per
family.
Expenditures for—
Average.
Clothing:
M ale.......................................
F em ale......................................
T o tal..................................
F u rniture and furnishings...........
Food................................. : ..........
H ousing................................
Fuel and lig h t.........................
Miscellaneous.......................
T o tal..................................
Per cent of increase in retail prices in D ecem ler,
1915, 1916, and 1917, and March, 1918, above
th e prices in D ecember, 1914.
December, December,
P er cent. December,
1915.
1916.
1917.
$124. 85
124.22
8.07
8.02
2.79
.45
249. 07
16.09
112. 27
613.61
168. 86
72.46
331.46
7.25
39. 65
10.91
4.68
21.42
1,547. 73
100.00
March,
1918.
15. 71
3.73
46.79
28.94
70.13
61.83
1.62
9.74
¿37. 89
65.99
1.99
. 75
.47
.96
14. 87
22.38
2.98
9.07
15. 61
46.17
63.89
10. 40
40.00
48. 08
67.97
53.32
14'. 57
44.16
51.34
.96
15. 61
48.08
51.34
15. 71
3. 73
46.79
28.94
70.13
61.83
N E W P O R T N E W S , V A .: 30 c o lo r e d f a m ilie s .
Clothing:
Male............................
Fem ale......................................
$96. 77
85.14
8.13
7.16
T o tal......................................
181.91
15.29
1. OC7
10.10
38.43
66. 24
F u rn itu re and furnishings...........
Food................................. T .
H ousing.............................
Fuel arid lig h t.........................
Miscellaneous..............................
53. 61
496.00
125. 58
81.01
251. 60
4. 51
41.69
10.55
6.81
21.15
1.99
. yQrtu
14.87
22. 38
2.98
9. 07
15.82
46.17
63.89
10.40
40.00
48. 72
67.97
53.32
14. 57
44.16
50.69
1,189. 71
100.00
00
15.82
48. 72
50.69
1.60
10.33
1.68
37.15
26. 02
63. 47
55.38
T o tal..................................
9 70
(v
AZ.
>*±0
L.
. 7/EO
A.7
N O R F O L K , V A . : S7 fa m ilie s .
Clothing:
M ale............................
F em ale..................................
$124.99
126.48
7.48
7.57
T o tal..................................
251. 47
15. 05
.80
5.98
31. 55
59.39
82.19
707. 83
177.45
85.94
366.11
4. 92
42.36
10.62
5.14
21.91
.62
.75
.07
.61
8.73
22.38
i 1. 72
17.03
14.73
38.96
63.89
> 1.72
33.30
45.15
74.03
53.32
8.32
42. 95
48.99
1,670.99
100. 00
.61
14. 73
45.15
48.99
F u rn itu re and furnishings ........
Food...................................
H ousing................................
Fuel and lig h t.........................
Miscellaneous.........................
T o tal..............................
1 Decrease.
The figures in the first figure column of the table show the average
expenditure per family for the year ending with March, 1918, for
each of the principal items. The second figure column shows in
the form of percentages the proportion of the total amount expended
for each item. The remaining columns show the average per cent
of mci ease in the retail prices of each item in December, 1915, Decem-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[354]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
135
ber, 1916, December, 1917, and March, 1918, over the prices in
December, 1914. In determining the per cent of change in retail
prices use was made of the food prices available for the locality, or
a near-by locality, where prices were assumed to be subject to like
influences and the per cent of change from year to year approxi
mately the same.
The bureau has a record of retail prices of food for Baltimore and
Boston extending back over several years. No food prices for
Bath, Me., Portland, Me., and Portsmouth, N. H., being available,
it was deemed satisfactory to use the per cent of change that took
place in food prices in Manchester, N. H. For Newport News and
Norfolk, Va., the per cent of change in retail prices of food in
Richmond was used.
Retail prices for clothing, furniture, rent, and fuel and light were
not available in the localities investigated, or in any other locality
within the same zone. Prices for these articles, therefore; were
gathered in each locality.
The term “ miscellaneous” includes expenditures for all items—such as tobacco, liquors, cleaning supplies, amusements, vacation,
etc., varying in number and amount—not included in the items speci
fied. The increase in the cost of many of these miscellaneous items
could not be traced through the period owing to changes in quality
or size of unit, but it has been assumed that the percentage of increase
has been approximately the same as the average increase of all known
items combined.
The average per cent of increase for the total of all items each year
is computed by multiplying the proportion of expenditure for each
item by the per cent of increase in the retail prices of that item as
compared with 1914 and dividing the aggregates of the products thus
obtained by 100.
MAXIMUM PRICES FOR CERTAIN FOODS IN URUGUAY.
The maximum prices for certain food fixed by the Uruguayan
National Subsistence Board which was created by the law of Decem
ber 20, 1917, are contained in a communication from the American
consul at Montevideo, who states that one <^f the most important
measures taken consists in fixing maximum prices for bread. It
appears that a governmental decree of April 15, 1918, set the price
of bread of the first class at 4.22 cents per pound and bread of the
second class at 3.75 cents per pound, but that these prices were sub
sequently modified by a decree of May 7 which established the
following maximum rates: Flour, first grade, in 70-kilo bags (154.3
pounds), 3.89 cents per pound to bakeries; bread made of same, 4.69
cents per pound sold over the counter; flour, second grade, in 70-kilo
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3551
136
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
bags, 3.42 cents per pound to bakeries; bread made of same, 4.22
cents per pound sold over the counter.
The American consul also reports that a decree of April 23 extended
that of February 9, 1918, prohibiting the exportation of eggs, so as
to make it include preserved foods requiring eggs in their preparation
and that a decree of April 22 supplemented prices fixed for eggs
on April 9 by making the maximum price for persons selling to
wholesalers 41.4 cents per dozen, for wholesalers selling to retailers
46.5 cents per dozen, and for retailers selling to the public 51.7 cents
per dozen. By this decree of April 9, just mentioned, the Uruguayan
Government fixed, upon the recommendation of the National Sub
sistence Board, maximum prices for a long list of commodities.
Those established for vegetables were:
MAXIMUM
P R IC E S
F IX E D
F O R C E R T A IN V E G E T A B L E S
G O V ER N M E N T.
BY
Price p er pound.
A rticle.
Cabbage........................................
L e ttu c e .........................................
Carrots..........................................
Leeks.............................................
B eets.............................................
Squashes.......................................
Radishes.......................................
T urnip s.........................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
For
farmers
and importers.
For
retailers.
Cents.
Cents.
4.22
3. 75
4. 69
4.69
3. 75
2.81
3.28
3. 75
5.63
5.16
6.10
6.10
5.16
3. 75
4. 69
5.16
U RU G U A Y A N
Price per pound.
A rticle.
Red p ep p ers..............................
Tom atoes..................................
Onions....................................
Garlic.......................................
Sweet potatoes............................
E ggplant.......................................
S altw o rt....................................
Mar del plata potatoes..............
[356]
For
farmers
For
and im retailers.
porters.
Cents.
5.63
2.35
4.69
2. 81
2. 81
3. 75
2. 81
4.22
Cents.
7. 50
3. 28
6.10
3. 75
3.75
5.16
3.75
5.63
FOOD CONTROL.
FOOD CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES.
By the terms of an Executive order signed by the President on
June 21, 1918, the capital stock of the Food Administration Grain
Corporation,1 created in accordance with the provisions of the act
of Congress approved August 10, 1917, was increased from $50,000,000
to $150,000,000, divided into 1,500,000 shares with a par value of
$100 each. The order stipulates that none of the additional capital
stock shall be sold to any person other than the United States, and
authorizes and directs the United States Food Administrator to pur
chase all or any part of it in the name of and for the use and benefit
of the United States.
The purpose of the Executive order, it is explained by the Food
Administration, is twofold: First, to enable the Food Administration
to make the necessary readjustments in wheat prices at guaranty
terminals to cover the recent increase, in railway rates; and, second,
in view of the large harvest, to provide the Grain Corporation with
the increased capital necessary to carry out the Government guar
anty to the producer.
It is stated that the intention is, so far as the complex problem of
railway rates will permit, to readjust prices at primary markets on
such a footing as to place the farmer in as nearly as possible the same
position he enjoyed prior to the increase in freight rates. The fol
lowing are the fair-price bases, and wheat classes and grades, on
which the Food Administration Grain Corporation will buy wheat
in elevators at the points named:
1 . The wheat grades are those adopted by the United States Department of Agri
culture, under the grain standards act.
2. The Food Administration “ fair prices” are named below, for “ basic” wheats,
and the market relations fixed as follows:
New York........................................ $2. 39J
Philadelphia.................................. 2. 39
Baltimore........................................ 2. 38f
Newport News................................ 2. 38|
D u luth ............................................ 2.
Minneapolis.................................... 2. 21\
Chicago........................................... 2. 26
St. Louis.......................................... 2. 24
Kansas C ity.................................... 2.18
Omaha............................................. 2.18
New Orleans.....................................
Galveston..........................................
Tacoma.............................................
Seattle...............................................
Portland............................................
Astoria...............................................
San Francisco..................................
Los Angeles......................................
Intermountain basis f. o. b. loading
point outgoing car........................
i See Monthly R eview of th e B ureau of L abor S tatistics for Septem ber, 1917, p. 71.
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$2. 28
2. 28
2. 20
2.20
2. 20
2. 20
2. 20
2. 20
2. 00
138
M ONTHLY
LA B O R R E V IE W .
The above are for “ basic” wheats .1 Certain other classes and varieties of wheat
will be dealt in at premiums over, and others at discounts under, the above prices.
The “ prem ium ” wheats are as follows:
Premium.
No. 1 Dark Hard W inter................................................................... 2 cents.
No. 1 Dark Northern Spring............................................................. 2 cents.
No. 1 Amber Durum......................................................................... 2 cents.
The “ discount” wheats are as follows:
Discount.
No. 1 Yellow Hard W inter............................................................... 2 cents.
No. 1 Red Spring......................................... ...........................
5 cents.
N o. 1 Red \\ alia
7 cents
No. 1 Red Durum.............................................................................. 7 cents.
No. 1 Soft W hite..................................... ..........................................2 cents.
No, 1 White Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 cents.
liscounts for grades other than No. 1:
No. 2 wheat, 3 cents under No. 1.
No. 3 wheat, 7 cents under No. 1.
Grades below No. 3 will be dealt in on sample on merit.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
The Food Administration Grain Corporation will buy warehouse receipts in approved
elevators at the principal primary markets as named above. In the Intermountain
territory, where there are no public storage facilities available, an adjustment will
be made to make effective the $2 minimum for the No. 1 grade f. 0 . b. at loading
station, outgoing car, available for transportation to a public terminal elevator. The
Intermountain region comprises southern Idaho, western Montana, western Wyoming,
Nevada, Utah, western Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
At all these principal primary markets, there is an open market where all classes
of buyers are well represented, and the producer and the consumer will be amply
protected through the competitive activities of the several interests, the Food Admin
istration Grain Corporation being prepared to buy and protect the “fair price” basis,
As the miller is restricted to a “ fair price” basis for his flour, he can not pay more
for wheat than the expense of milling and a reasonable profit will allow.
The farmer can protect himself by the study of the primary prices, deducting
intermediate charges, or he can ship to the Food Administration Grain Corporation*
or he may ship to a commission merchant at a terminal market, and through him
secure the benefit of competitive buying.
There is nothing in the “ 1918 plan” which prevents a buyer at point of origin
from placing his own grade upon the wheat which he purchases. If, by the buyer’s
act, the grade is raised, it is equivalent to an increase in the price. If the buyer
lowers the grade, the producer or dealer’s protection is to ship to the Food Admin
istration Grain Corporation.
Producers or dealers have the right to bill cars of wheat direct to the Food Admin
istration Grain Corporation at any of the principal primary markets named above.
IVhen the wheat is unloaded in the elevator, and weight and grade returns are made
to the Food Administration Grain Corporation, remittance will be made on the basis
of weights and grades so reported, and on the basis of the Government price, less 1 per
cent administration charge for the service.
The plan announced by the Food Administration for the profit
control of flour milling for the 1918 wheat crop is formulated on the
1 Basic w heats: No. 1 N orthern Spring; No. 1 H ard W inter; No. 1 R ed W inter; No. 1 Durum - No. 1
H ard W hite.
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basis of naming a maximum “ fair price”at which any miller may
sell flour and feed. This maximum fair price is based upon a reason
able allowance above the fair price for basic wheat for handling,
milling, and marketing expenses, freight charges on products, and
profit. It is expected that competition will eventually lead to
reductions from these prices. The plan will be given general pub
licity as soon as it is completed.
Plans are also being discussed for providing a standard quality of
mixed flour, both for domestic consumption and for export to our
Allies. If this arrangement proves practicable, all mills will turn
out a product containing a uniform percentage of wheat flour sub
stitutes, whether for shipment abroad or for home use, so that the
peoples of Europe engaged in the common struggle against the Cen
tral Powers will eat the same kind of bread as the people of America.
SU G A R R EG U L A T IO N S.
With respect to the sugar situation, the United States Food Ad
ministration issued the following statement under date of June 24,
outlining regulations which became effective July 1:
A number of causes have cumulated to make our sugar position more difficult than
we could have anticipated at the beginning of the year. The increased shipping
needed by our growing army in France has necessitated the curtailment of sugar
transportation, particularly from the longer voyage, and has thus reduced supplies
both to the Allies and ourselves from remote markets. Some of the accessible sugar
producing areas have proved a less yield than was anticipated, such as certain West
Indian Islands. The domestic beet and Louisiana crops have fallen below antici
pation. There has been some destruction of beet sugar factories in the battle areas
of France and Italy. We have lost considerable sugar by submarines.
As close an estimate as we can make indicates a reasonable expectation from all
sources of about 1,600,000 tons of sugar for United States consumption during the last
half of the present year. This is based upon the maintenance of the present meager
Allied ration. An improvement in shipping conditions would of course relieve this
situation, as quantities of sugar are in unavailable markets. We must, however,
base the distribution of sugar during the next six months upon the above footing.
After that period the new West Indian crop will be available.
This supply of 1,600,000 tons necessitates a considerable reduction in our con
sumption. To provide 3 pounds of sugar per- month per person for household use,
to take care of our Army and Navy, and to provide for the necessary preservation of
fruit, milk, etc., will require about 1,500,000 tons of sugar for the six months. A
household consumption of 3 pounds per month per person, together with the special
allowance for home canning, means a reduction of some 25 per cent in these branches
cf consumption from normal, but it is still nearly double the ration in the Allied
countries, and is ample for every economical use.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
In order to secure justice in distribution and to make the restrictive plans as effec
tive as possible, no manufacturer or wholesaler of sugar will be allowed after July 1
to sell any sugar except to buyers who secure a certificate from the local food admin
istrators, indicating the quantity they may buy. For the purpose of issuing these
certificates the various users of sugar are divided into the following groups:
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M O N T H L Y LABOE E EV IEW .
A. Candy makers, soft drinks, soda fountains, chewing gum, chocolate, and cocoa
manufacturers, tobacco manufacturers, flavoring extracts, invert sugar, sirups, sweet
pickles, wines, etc.
B. Commercial canners, vegetables, fruit, milk, medicinal purposes, explosives,
glycerin, etc.
C. Hotels, restaurants, clubs, dining cars and steamships, boarding houses, hos
pitals, public institutions, and public eating places generally, in which term are
included all hoarding houses who take care of 25 persons or more.
D. Bakers and cracker manufacturers of all kinds.
E. Retail stores and others selling for direct consumption.
Every person in these categories must, before July 1, or as soon thereafter as the
local Food Administrator determines, make a statement upon a form that will be pro
vided showing sugar they hold or have in transit on July 1. All stocks in excess of
three months’ supply at the rate of consumption that will be allowed in each concern
will be requisitioned by the administrators and redistributed at once. Any stock
less than 90 days but in excess of 30 days must be held subject to the local adminis
trator for distribution if necessary, depending much upon remoteness from source of
supply.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
In addition to giving the quantities on hantPthe statements which will be required
from dealers and manufacturers in the above groups will give the following further
information upon honor. Group A—that is, candy, soft drinks, etc.—must show the
amount of sugar used during the months of July, August, and September, 1917, and
certificates will, if the statements are correct, be based upon 50 per cent of such average
use. Ice-cream makers will be entitled to 75 per cent. A certificate will be issued
separately for each month’s purchases.
Group B—that is, commercial canners, etc.—will be given certificates for their
necessary requirements, but any resale of sugar by them except under the express
direction of the local food administrator will constitute a violation of the regulations
and subject them to closing of business for the war. Any sugar in hand at the end of
the season must be placed at the disposal of the local administrator. * * *
Group C—that is, public eating places—will be issued certificates upon the basis
of 3 pounds for each 90 meals served. * * *
Group D—that is, bakers—will receive certificates for 70 per cent of the average
amount used during July, August, and September, 1917, or, alternatively, 70 per cent
of that used in the month of June, 1918.
Group E—that is, retail stores—will receive for July purchases certificates, based upon
the average of sugar sold during the combined three months, April, May, and June,
1918. Retailers must not sell sugar to any of the other groups—that is, to no one,
except householders—without taking up the certificates of such persons. They must
not sell more than 2 pounds at any one time to any town customer or more than 5
pounds at any one time to any country customer. The latter may, however, be
varied by the local administrator to persons remote from town. The retailer will do
his best not to sell more than 2 pounds per person per month to householders, whose
cooperation with the retailer is earnestly sought.
Retailers may, as at present, sell 25 pounds of sugar to any one household for
home canning upon the householder’s certifying that he has not bought elsewhere
and agreeing to return any balance unused for this purpose. The householder can
obtain more than 25 pounds upon approval of local administrator, if supplies are
available.
*
*
9
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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
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L IC E N S IN G O F ST O C K Y A R D S.
A proclamation issued by the President on June 19 places under
the license system all commercial stockyards and all commission mer
chants and dealers in live stock in connection with stockyards doing
business after July 25, 1918. The issuing of the proclamation fol
lowed the recommendations of a committee on the live-stock and
meat situation, appointed by the President and consisting of the
Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, the Food Admin
istrator, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the
chairman of the Tariff Commission. This committee recommended
that—■
The stockyards should be placed under license and regulation by the Department
of Agriculture, which should also establish a governmental system of animal grading
under suitable regulations and methods of price reporting of actual transactions.
Daily reports should be made on distribution and destinations of live stock, meats,
and other products from principal packing points.
By the terms of the proclamation the duty of exercising the regu
latory powers is placed in the hands of the Secretary of Agriculture.
These powers have been delegated by him in turn to the Chief of the
Bureau of Markets. Because of the licensing machinery developed
by the Food Administration in connection with the regulation of
concerns engaged in handling foods, the licenses will be handled
through that organization.
FOOD REGULATIONS AND THE “ FAIR PRICE LIST ” IN THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.
For several weeks the food administrator for the District of
Columbia, in consultation with two wholesalers, four or five retailers
representing the different types of stores, such as the big down
town store, the chain store, and the neighborhood store, and two
or three consumers, has compiled and caused to be published in the
local press each Saturady a “ fair price list” showing the maximum
and minimum prices that retailers pay and housekeepers should pay
for the most important articles of daily consumption. The prices
are fixed after considering wholesale prices and the cost of doing
business. Inspectors are constantly in the field to see that the
price list is followed. If any dealer charges more than the amount
stated in the fair price list, he is requested to appear before the
administrator and if he can not prove that his wholesale price justi
fies a higher retail price, he is then permitted to choose between
having his supplies cut off for a definite period or contributing a
certain amount to the Red Cross. If householders are required to
pay more for any commodity than the price quoted in the list, they
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
are requested to report the overcharge to the administrator accom
panying same by sales slip, if possible. The following is the fair
price list published on August 5:
W E E K L Y F A IR P R IC E L IS T IS S U E D B Y FO O D A D M IN IS T R A T O R F O R T H E D IS T R IC T
O F CO LU M B IA .
C o m m o d ity .
U n it.
C o rn m ea l, w h it e , b u lk ............. ................................ „ .............
Pound
W h e a t d ou r :
B e s t g r a d e ....................................................................................
2 4 $ -p o u n d b a g .
D o . .............. ........ ....................... ..................... ..........
1 2 -p o un d b a g ..
D o ................................................................................
6 -p o u n d b a g . . .
B r o k e n l o t s ....................................................................................... P o u n d
B a r le y flo u r ............................................................................................. ......... d o ________
C orn f lo u r ......................................................................................
......... d o ..................
R ic e :
F a n c y , w h o le h e a d . . ...................... „......................................... . . . . do
B lu e R o s e ...........................................................................
do
S u g a r , g r a n u la te d , b u lk or p a c k a g e ............................................ ___ d o . .
L ard , p u r e , in t u b s .........................................................................
do
L axd c o m p o u n d ..................................................................................
do
O leo m a r g a r in e .....................................................................................
fjo
N u t o le o m a r g a r in e ...................................................................
do
B u t t e r , c r e a m e r y , b e s t t a b le , fir sts, i n p r in ts ....................... ------- d o ...,______
A m e r ic a n c h e e se , w h o le m i l k .....................................................
do
D o ....................................................................................
a pound
D o ....................................................................................
i pound
E ggs:
S e le c t; fresh ; c a n d led ; n o n e s m a ll or d ir ty ; sh o u ld
D o z e n .................
w e ig h n o t le s s t h a n 20 o u n c e s.
C u r ren t r e c e ip ts ; c a n d led ; n o n e v e r y s m a ll, v e r y ......... d o ................. .
w e a k ,or v e r y d ir ty ; s h o u ld w e ig h n o t le s s t h a n
20 o u n c e s.
B ea n s:
D r ie d lim a ......................................... „...........................................
W h ite n a v y ............................. ...............................................
do
P i n t o ...................................................................................
do
B a co n :
I n w h o le p ie c e ............................................................................... ___ do
S lic e d , i n h u l k ..................................................................
___ do
S lic e d , m c a r to n ______________________ _______ _______ . . . . . d o ------------H a m , sta n d a r d , w h o le ..................................................................
do
B read :
V ic to r y lo a f, m a c h in e m a d e ...........................................
| pound
D o ....................................................................................
1 po^nd
W h ite p o ta to e s , n e w ( U . S . g ra d e N o . H ) ............................
15 p o u n d s
D o (U . S. grad e N o . 2 i ) f .....................................................
___ d o .
R e ta ile r p a y s .
$ 0 .04$-$0. Oil
1 .5 0
.7 4 $
.3 9 $
Consumer
should pay.
$ 0 .0 5
-$0.06
1 .6 0 -
1 . 65
.79 - .. 82
.42 - .45
.07$
.07
.07
. 1 0 - .11
.0 9 - .0 9 $
.0 7 4 - .0 8 $
.2 6 $ - .2 8
.2 4 - .2 5
.2 7 - .2 9
. 24 - .2 9
.. 47 - .. 49
. 2 7 - .2 8
.1 2 -
.13
.11 -
. 11*
.09
.29 - .35
.27 - . 29
. 29 - . 34
. 2 8 - .34
.0 8 $ -
.5 1 -
.5 6
.30 -
.35
.1 8
'
.10
.4 5 -
.4 6
.5 0 -
.5 3
.4 1 -
.4 3
.4 4 -
.48
-14*— .15$
. I l l — .1 4 $
.0 9 $ - .0 9 $
.16$- .18
. 1 3 - .17
. 39 -
.4 4
. 42 -
. 52 . 30 -
. 55
.3 2
. 30 -
.0 7
.0 8
.5 5
. 85
.
11$ -
.
12$
.49
. 48 .5 5 -
. 51
.60
.32 -
.36
.40-
.09
.65
.45
.08
i W hite potatoes, U . S. grade, No. 1 m inim um size, 1 | inches in diam eter, free from damage caused
by disease or insects; free from .cuts and bruises.
W hite p otatoes, U. S. grade. No. 2, m inim um size, 1$ inches in diam eter, free from serious damage
“ Should include no stock which is n o t of desirable quality, both for m arket and table use, and should be
of fair .average size .”—Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 763.
It has been noticed that if the fair-price list for Washington quotes
articles as eggs or fresh vegetables at 2 or 3 cents less than is quoted
in the list published in other near-by cities, these articles are shipped
by the producers to the city quoting the highest prices, thus pro
ducing a shortage in the other cities. The District administration is
planning to build up production in the vicinity of Washington by
the establishment of rural truck routes.
Owing to the necessity of conserving the sugar supply, the District
food administrator, early in the canning season, issued instructions
providing for the sale of sugar for preserving purposes only upon
certification by the purchaser that the quantity desired was to be
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used for canning, and limiting the amount to be sold to 25 pounds at
any one time. Between June 25 and July 24, inclusive, it became
necessary to prohibit entirely the sale of sugar for canning purposes,
except to housekeepers who on June 25 had on hand a supply of fruit
or vegetables to be canned or preserved.
Restrictions on the sale of sugar for purposes other than canning
were issued on June 14 and communicated to all retail dealers and
wholesalers selling at retail, as follows:
The sugar situation has developed during the last few days so as to require more
conservation. To effect this:
1. You will lim it your sales of sugar to town and city consumers to 2 pounds and
your sales to rural consumers to 5 pounds.
:2. Sales of sugar for canning and preserving purposes must be limited in amount
hereafter to 25 pounds a t one time.
3. Be alert to discover and prompt to report any case in which you have reason to
believe that sugar is being bought ostensibly for canning or preserving purposes but
in reality for ordinary household use.
4. The 2-pound lim it does not apply to public eating places and boarding houses,
but the proprietors of such places should satisfy you th a t thg amount of sugar they
desire to buy is proportionate to the number of boarders they feed.
Below are given the regulations which have been sent to all pro
prietors and managers of hotels, restaurants, lunch rooms, and
boarding houses in the District. Proprietors were formerly allowed
to serve 2 teaspoonfuls of sugar to each person at each meal, or to
use 3 pounds per person per month, or at the rate of 3 pounds to
every 90 meals served. The sugar allowance, effective on August 1,
restricted the use of sugar to 2 pounds per person per month, or 2
pounds to every 90 meals served. The beef allowance per person
has been fixed as pounds per week. It is recommended that meat
be served only once a day and that this time be the evening meal.
Wheatless days have been abolished, but this does not affect the rules
requiring 25 per cent substitutes in Victory bread and 33J per cent
substitutes in cakes, pies, and pastry.
You are now requested to conform to the following regulations:
1. Not more than 2 ounces (gross weight) of 'Victory bread shall be served to any
one person at any one meal. Victory bread contains 75 per cent wheat and 25 per
cent substitute. Two ordinary slices weigh about 2 ounces. Or
2. Not more than 4 ounces (gross weight) of quick breads or other bread which con
tain 33J per cent wheat and 661 per cent substitute to any one person at any one meal.
“ Quick breads” include such products as muffins, baking powder biscuits, and
brown bread, in which no yeast is used.
3. There is no limit set on the serving of breads which contain no wheat.
4. Monday and Wednesday, wheatless days, and one wheatless me^l, which shall
be breakfast, each day. On these days and meals no product containing wheat,
except two ounces of Victory bread or 4 ounces of quick bread, may be served. This
rule prohibits the serving on wheatless days and meals of macaroni, spaghetti, bread
pudding, pies, cakes, pastry, or breakfast cereals containing wheat.
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5. Meatless days are not in force until again ordered by this office. You are how
ever, requested to carefully conserve meat and meat products at all times.
6. The open sugar bowl must be abolished. Each public eating place must decide
for itself on the method of serving sugar, but no open bowls are permitted.
7. These rules are to be strictly observed until you are otherwise notified, and any
violation may result in having your supplies cut off.
At a meeting of proprietors of public eating places held at the Business High School
Friday evening, May 17, it was unanimously resolved that public eating places in
the District of Columbia go upon a wheatless-bread basis, and that the wheatless bread
to be served be called “ Washington bread.” When this bread is served, the regula
tions No. 1 and No. 2 above are not applicable, and rule No. 3 governs. I t was further
resolved that this wheatless-bread program be begun on Monday, May 20.
Following the issuance of these regulations inspections have been
made of lunch rooms and other public eating places and penalties
imposed for violations. However, this practice has not applied to
boarding houses. Instead, inspectors have been sent to give short
talks to the boarders and to ask them to sign pledges agreeing to
abide by the rulings of the food administration.
Bakers in Washington are required to report weekly to the admin
istration the amount of flour they have on hand, the amount in
transit, and the amount ordered. Careful inspection is made of all
bakeries and several have been closed for failure to use the required
amount of substitutes. The price of bread is fixed only on the
f-pound and the 1-pound machine-made loaves. The following sub
stitutes may be used in making bread: Bran, shorts, middlings,
corn flour, corn meal, edible corn starch, hominy, com grits, barley
flour, rolled oats, oat meal, rice, rice flour, buckwheat flour, potato
flour, sweet potato flour, tapioca flour, rnilo flour, kafri and feterita
flours and meals, soy-bean meal, peanut meal, taro meal, taro flour,
banana flour, and other products of similar nature that shall not
include rye flour or rye meal of any kind. «. Potatoes are also a wheat
flour substitute. Four pounds of raw potatoes will be considered
an equivalent of 1 pound of the above-mentioned substitutes. If
graham flour or so-called whole wheat flour is used, there must be
added to such flour an amount of wheat flour substitute which, added
to the bran, shorts, and middlings contained in the graham or whole
wheat flour,, will equal the total amount of substitutes required.
FOOD SITUATION IN ENGLAND.
There seems to be quite general satisfaction with the food situation
under the 'existing conditions. Under the regulations people are
rationed as regards meat, bread, sugar, tea, butter, and jam. The
meat situation has improved recently, so that sausages are not
rationed, and bacon restrictions have been much lessened. Each
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person is allowed four coupons for meat each week, which entitle him
to about a pound. Certain orders, such*as bacon, require one-fourth
of a coupon only; others, such as an ordinary chop or steak, a large
order of chicken, etc., take a whole coupon. As fish and eggs are to
be had everywhere, and of the first quality, the average person finds
he gets practically all the meat he requires. Vegetables are abun
dant and not unreasonable in price.
According to the regulations, each person is entitled to 2 ounces of
tea, 5 ounces of butter or margarine, and 6 ounces of sugar per week.
The army is making large demands for jam, and to meet these it will
be necessary to make over nearly all the available fruit crop to the jam
manufacturers; in addition, the whole of the 1917 bitter-orange
crop of Spain and Sicily has been secured for the marmalade manu
facturers. Vegetable marrow is to be used in large quantities as a
“ body” for the jam. As an illustration of the fruit situation, it may
be cited that strawberries are selling at 2s. (48.7 cents) per pound
instead of 6d. (12.2 cents) or less, as in normal times. Two-fifths
of the whole output of jam and marmalade will be required for the
army, thus materially reducing the quantity available for the public.
Hence, marked restrictions on its use have been put in force during
the last month.
If a person lives in a hotel he is given 4 ounces of sugar a week
which he carries to his meals as he may desire; the remaining 2 ounces
the hotel retains for use in cooking. Meat coupons are given up
according to one’s order. Bread and tea and jam are so served as to
comply with the ration order, but no coupons are issued. Butter
coupons are issued, but are not always asked for, in which case
butter in small quantities is served at breakfast and with tea.
Speaking of the bread subsidy, Mr. Clynes, the food controller,
states that four-fifths of the bread used is made by one-tenth of the
bakers, and while this may result in some excessive profits, it will be
impossible at this time to change the system so as to increase dis
parity of price, since unevenness of price would be an immense
source of labor unrest.
The subsidy for potato growing, something less than £1,500,000
($7,299,750), has resulted in an increase of 100,000 acres under
potato crop in Great Britain, and of 120,000 acres in Ireland, with a
promised yield of 6S0,000 tons above the output of previous years.
At present approximately 18,000 tons of meat, about five-ninths of
which is home-killed, are required each week to supply the normal
meat ration.
The system under which anyone may obtain an “allotment”
of land for gardens is as follows: In towns or their vicinity
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plots of land can De obtained on application to the borough or
urban district council, or, in London, to the London County Council,
or to the metropolitan borough councils. In the country applica
tion is made to the parish council. If any difficulty is experienced,
the matter is brought to the attention of the Board of Agriculture,
which has power, under the Defense of the Realm Act, to enter
forthwith upon land and to arrange for its cultivation. Possession
of any land so taken will continue for the duration of the War, and
for such further period as will secure any annual crops on the land
at the time the War ends. No compensation on quitting will be
payable to the cultivators, unless they are disturbed before January
1, 1919. It is proposed to introduce soon a bill extending this time
to January 1, 1920.
Tire cultivation of these allotments is, possibly, the change most
noticeable in the physical aspect of England. Everywhere in town
and country evidences of the widespread interest may be seen. The
“ garden” (American “ back yard”) no longer is a green grass plot
with borders of flowers, but a vegetable garden. Potatoes are grow
ing in the flower beds of the old moat at Windsor Castle. Parks,
club grounds, vacant lots, and railway borders, all are under cultiva
tion. No space is too large and no corner too small. At this season
the impression is gained that all England is one vast market garden
and the sight which greets the eye between 6 and 10 o’clock every even
ing is one never to be forgotten. In former days every vacant avail
able bit of ground of sufficient size was given over to sports and every
one who was free was indulging his craving for exercise and amusement.
But now men, women, and children are everywhere to be seen culti
vating their holdings, as long as daylight lasts, and as the allotments
are small, the picture is indeed an animated one. This allotment
of space is bringing from some quarters a remonstrance that chil
dren are being deprived of playground areas, but that has prob
ably not assumed serious proportions as yet, although it may
well be considered even now. All this food production is, of course
relieving the food condition in a great degree.
REDUCTION OF THE BREAD RATION IN GERMANY.
During the month of May the proposed reduction of the bread
ration furnished one of the foremost topics for the German press.
An article on this subject in the Internationale Korrespondenz 1 is
reproduced here as typical.
From intimations of various kinds readers of the daily papers could become aware
during the last few weeks that the German supply of bread grain has to reckon with
1 Internationale Korrespondenz.
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special difficulties. Tlie question whether the present bread ration will be main
tained or be reduced before the new harvest has been broadly discussed. Even
disavowals of announcements predicting a reduction of the bread ration were so
phrased that one could read between the lines that there was imminent danger of such
a reduction. To-day [May 16] the War Food Office announces officially that begin
ning with June 16 the flour ration will actually be reduced by 20 per cent. This 20
per cent reduction is to be mitigated by giving the communal administrations freedom
to stretch the flour with substitutes. The announced reduction will nevertheless
bring about a further change for the worse in the general nutrition except in cities
which, like Cologne., have already made savings in their supply during the entire past
year.
During the course of the War and the period of Government control of all food sup
plies the German population has become accustomed to the fact that in the months
immediately preceding the new .harvest the scarcity of supplies is more intensive
than during the other months of the year. From a purely theoretical point of view
it should be assumed that the food administration ought to be able to effect a uniform
distribution of food and food products during the entire year. Several reasons, how
ever, make it appear comprehensible that during the last months of the harvest year
•th e food problem becomes more difficult to handle than during the other months.
There are too many persons who during the year endeavor to secure for themselves
a greater share of the general food supply than they are entitled to by right, and the
methods which egotism and selfishness have invented to attain this end are countless.
During the present year the general food situation was, moreover, greatly aggravated
by the fact that the fodder supply was so abnormally small that there was practically
a state of famine among the animals. The poor oat crop and the merely fair barley
crop, as well as the poor crop of green fodder have, as a matter of course, had the effect
of causing many a farmer to use bread grains to feed his steadily decreasing live stock.
Extensive illegal trading in grain, which during the current harvest year has flourished
as never before, has also been a means for the withdrawal of large quantities of bread
grain from the general supply. Shipments from the Ukraine, which had been
expected to arrive at an early date and in large quantities, have not arrived at all or
only in small quantities, and the great expectations of the population with regard to
this source of supply were sorely disappointed. There are plenty of reasons for the
present bad situation of the food supply, but they do not alter the fact that the ration
of the most important foodstuff has to be reduced.
During the early part of 1917 the food administration had also reduced the bread
ration beginning with the middle of April, but it was then in a position to grant an
increased meat ration as a substitute and this made the reduction of the bread ration
more endurable. In the present year, however, the greatly reduced stocks of pigs and
horned cattle make such action impossible, and other equivalent substitutes are very
scarce. It has, however, been announced that an extra allowance of sugar, probably
25 grams (0.9 ounce) per day and per head will be granted, which allowance will be
greatly welcomed by a large part of the population. I t should also not be overlooked
that in one respect the food situation is essentially more favorable this year than in
the preceding year. A potato ration of 3] kilograms (7.714 pounds) per week has
hitherto been maintained throughout the entire Empire and will also be maintained
in the future. The very favorable weather this spring has up till now brought an
abundant supply of vegetables to the markets and the prospects for a continued ample
supply of vegetables are good. If the various imperial central offices for the supply
of vegetables, fruit, and potatoes take suitable measures for equitable distribution
of these foodstuffs the reduction of the bread ration may be made more endurable.
Perhaps the hope may be realized that a good organization of the early thrashing of
grain and imports from the Ukraine and Roumania will make it possible at an early
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date to restore the bread ration to its former amount. In the main, however, it will
depend on the further development of crop conditions and on the efficiency of the
food authorities whether the present reduction of the bread ration can be made some
what endurable to the German nation.
Of late the imperial authorities have fed the people with tales about the peace in
the East and what they may expect in supplemental food supplies from Russia and
Roumania. There is no doubt that these countries must export to the Central States
part of their crops, and if only a small part of what has been promised to Germany is
received by it then Germany should, with the aid of its own crops and of imports of
fruit in the future, be able to place the nutrition of its population on a more solid
basis. The results of the German crops are, however, more important than all these
expectations of imports from the East. All crop reports indicate that Germany may
expect a good harvest this year as far as war conditions and the consequently much
more difficult facilities for cultivation permit a good harvest. I t is, however, urgently
desirable that in the future the War Food Office should take more efficient measures for
the control of the native crops, prevent the feeding of bread grain to live stock, sup
press energetically all illegal trading, and that by better organization it may assure
to the German people a somewhat more equitable distribution of the available fooc^
supplies. By their active cooperation with numerous imperial offices and institu
tions the German workmen have shown that they are willing to aid the Government
in this task. At the making of crop estimates and of inventories of supplies the
Government should call in consumers’ representatives, workmen’s representatives
should be appointed to the communal food authorities, and all important measures
and new regulations should be discussed with workmen’s representatives before their
enactment. All these are demands which have been made time and again and on
the unconditional granting of which the people must insist. Up till now the German
nation has shown its readiness to bear all the privations imposed on it by the War,
but it wrants to convince itself through the cooperation and information of its represen
tatives that the food authorities do everything in their power to lessen and limit these
privations. Everybody is ready to make sacrifices when he knows that all classes
of the population must make the same sacrifices. Hitherto this has not been the case,
and it must again be emphasized that everything should be done to comply with these
justified demands of the working classes. We do not dare to hope that the present
reduction of the bread ration will be the last unpleasant surprise of the German con
sumers, but we demand of the authorities that everything shall be done to avoid
unnecessary restrictions that can be prevented.
WAR NUTRITION AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN GERMANY.
On the much-discussed subject of war nutrition and public health in
Germany Vorwärts1 prints the following interesting article by Max
Blitstein, M. D.:
The undernutrition from which we have been suffering for some time has caused a
number of medical authorities to publish their views as to the effect of the war diet
upon the public health. Probably this was done with the commendable intention
of strengthening the population in its resolve to hold out. The statements published
by these authorities are, however, of such a nature that they are more apt to excite
the public than to reassure it, for they are in direct contradiction to daily observations.
One academic celebrity, for instance, makes the assertion that the meager diet on
which we are put at present is not at all injurious to our health but on the contrary
1 Vorw ärts.
Kriegskost u n d Gesundheit, b y Max Blitstein, M. D.
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contributes to improve it. He claims that we have eaten too much in peace times—
nay, that we have gorged ourselves—so that the lessened food supply is a salubrious
dietary cure for the population, greatly beneficial to the general health. Since the
rationing of meat another professor has discovered his love for vegetarianism, which,
owing to the structure of our teeth and the anatomy of the alimentary canal has
formerly been combated by the medical school not only as a wrong theory of nutrition
but as the product of fanatic apostles of a nature cure. With the aid of statistics a
third author attempts to prove that certain diseases, as, for instance, typhlitis and
also eclampsia, that dangerous disease of women for the first time pregnant, which
endangers not only the life of the mother but also that of the child, have become very
rare of late on account of the present diet. He also claims that it is due to the war
diet that persons afflicted with diabetes are feeling much better now than in peace
times; that certain skin diseases, such as psoriasis, have decreased; and finally that
persons suffering from gout and rheumatism are now more rarely having acute attacks
than when they were on the normal diet of peace times. These facts will not be
disputed here, but the author seems to forget entirely that the rations assigned to us
by the authorities are not designated for sick persons but for healthy people engaged
in fatiguing labor.
The most harebrained article in this respect was. written by a Prof. Sch-------- and
appeared in a widely read daily. This professor draws a parallel between the feeling
.of weakness caused by undernutrition, the growling of our hungry stomachs, and the
nervousness of the population induced thereby and the symptoms shown by a mor
phine fiend or a drunkard who has been put on a basis of abstinence. Just as the
morphine fiend does not feel well unless he has received his daily dose of the drug
and the drunkard feels weak if he has not had his usual number of drinks, so a large
part of the population feels sick and discontented and irritated merely for the reason
that it “ imagines’ ’ that it receives too little food and too small a ration of meat. This
author promised that in a subsequent article he would further elucidate this wonder
ful idea of his. This article has never appeared, although weeks have elapsed since
its announcement. It seems that the editor of this daily must have had some scruples
against this kind of publicity which comes very near to jeering at our suffering popu
lation.
By Liebig, Voit, and Rubner we have been taught that a person at rest needs
2,600 calories per day, a person engaged in medium hard labor 3,100 calories, and a
heavy worker about 3,800 calories. The quantity of food required for the nutrition
of a person is also dependent on the weight of this person; the heavier he is the more
food does he require. For each pound of its weight the human body requires in the
above three classes of persons 35, 45, and 55 calories, respectively.
In nutrition, however, it is not merely a question of how much nutritive substance
is introduced into the body but also how much of this substance the body assimilates.
That part of the food which is not assimilated is given off unused in the excrement.
It has also been found that animal food is much more intensively assimilated
by the human body than vegetable food, because in the latter the nutritive substance
is inclosed in cellulose, which offers considerable resistance to the gastric juices.
Experience, on the other hand, has taught us that too large quantities of animal food
are unsuitable from a sanitary as well as from an economic point of view.
If too much animal substance is being used in nutrition many acids, particularly
uric acid, form in the blood, which are responsible for the development of numerous
diseases. From an economic point of view it is important to know that vegetable
food which in the animal body is being assimilated into animal food loses three-fourths
of its nutritive value and consequently increases that much in cost. From these
considerations it results that a system of mixed nutrition in which vegetable food
predominates is the most suitable.
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Let us see what quantities of food the German people receive in their rations, in
order to determine whether these rations correspond to hygienic requirements. They
receive per week 1,950 grams (68.8 ounces) of rye bread, equivalent to 4,000 calories;
70 grams (2.5 ounces) of fat, equivalent to 225 calories; 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of
meat, equivalent to 250 calories; 3,500 grams (123.5 ounces) of potatoes, equivalent
to 2,100 calories; and 190 grams (6.7 ounces) of sugar, equivalent to 730 calories.
Now and then they also receive 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of farinaceous food (macaroni,
noodles, etc.), or grits, or sago, or 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of artificial honey, or 500 grams
(17.6 ounces) of marmalade which may be valued at 200 calories per week. This
gives a per capita total of 7,505 calories per week, or 1,072 calories per day. Heavy
workers (S c h w era rb eiter ) who receive an additional food allowance, the so-called
Hindenburg allowance, which, however, is granted very irregularly, as well as infants
and children up to 6 years of age' who also receive special food allowances, are not
being considered in this computation. As the quantity of food required depends
also on the weight of the individual persons, the average weight per person of the
total population must be computed. If children are included in this computation
this average weight according to the last statistics is 46 kilograms (101.4 pounds).
According to the data given above a man engaged in medium heavy labor would,
• therefore, require 46 times 45 calories, or 2,070 calories. These figures show plainly
that the German people receive just one-half the food they require for the maintenance
of their health and efficiency. The remainder of the food requirements of the popula
tion must be covered from those foodstuffs which so far have not been subject to
rationing and may be obtained in free traffic. Kohlrabi is the only important food
stuff that has not been rationed, and 11 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of it would be required
to make up the deficit in the food rations. I t should, moreover, be remarked hère
that owing to the large share of vegetable food in the present war diet the nutrition
is very defective and its injurious consequences are being noticed by every physician.
According to their contents our foodstuffs may be divided into albuminous, fatty,
and starchy substances. Formerly it was assumed that a diet which corresponds to
human requirements must contain 120 grams (4.2 ounces) of albumin. Later on it
was admitted that the human body can exist fairly well on 90 grams (3.2 ounces)
of albumin, and according to the latest researches of Chittenden and Hinderhedt
even 50 to 60 grams (1.8 to 2.1 ounces) are sufficient to maintain the normal weight
of the human body provided that sufficient fat is contained in the diet. These data
also show that the quantity, composition, and variety of our present diet is entirely
insufficient. Every physician now has a large number of patients who complain
about general debility, fainting fits, vertigo, etc. In all these cases the diagnosis is
always serious exhaustion for want of food. They all state that they have lost weight
considerably, some of them 45 kilograms (99.2 pounds) and even more.
The question arises whether something can be done to remedy this general state of
exhaustion. We have already seen that nature helps itself in so far as the weight of
the individual person decreases; for when his weight decreases man can exist on
less food. The individual German may, moreover, help himself by very thorough
assimilation of the food supply available to him. As vegetable food is predominating
in the present diet more thorough assimilation of the food may be effected through a
very careful cooking process, or more correctly expressed, through a steaming process
which can be best effected with the aid of a fireiess cooker, which must, however,
be so constructed that the pots are as hot when taken out of the cooker as when put
into it. This steaming process thoroughly loosens and destroys the cellulose fiber
and the nutritive substance contained in it can be completely absorbed by the
digestive apparatus. Long and careful chewing of the food, so-called Fletcherizing, is
also to be recommended. Conservation of energy and animal heat through reduction
of the hours of labor is likewise of importance. The harder and longer a man works
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and the more heat he gives off the more food he must, of course, consume in order to
make up for the expenditure of energy and heat.
More essential, however, is the aid which the authorities can give. They must
see. under all circumstances, that no more vegetable foodstuffs are used as feed than
are absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the live stock, for three-fourths of the
nutritive value of vegetable foodstuffs is lost when such foodstuffs are fed to live
stock. The further fact that nearly all rationed foodstuffs, such as meat, eggs, butter,
potatoes, bacon, etc., may be obtained in sufficient quantities from illicit dealers,
whenever the price requested by the latter is forthcoming, shows plainly that these
foodstuffs are not always seized in a thorough manner from the producer or from the
persons who buy them up illicitly. More stringent laws against such illicit trading do
not improve conditions; they merely increase the risk of the dealer and consequently
also the prices, and narrow still more the sphere of the people who are still able to
supplement their legal rations by such contraband foodstuffs. Persons who have
made great profits from the sale of war materials are willing to pay even the increased
prices and the contraband trade in food continues to flourish. Considering the great
power with which the war laws have invested the Government, the latter should be
able to seize all foodstuffs completely so that contraband trade in food would be
impossible.
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W AGES AND H O U RS OF LABOR,
NEWS PRINT PAPER WORKERS GRANTED WAGE INCREASE BY NATIONAL
WAR LABOR BOARD.
The final decision and award in the wage controversy between the
manufacturers of news print paper and their employees, involving 19
companies scattered throughout the country, was handed down by
the National War Labor Board late in June. By this award the
employees are to receive a general advance of 10 cents per hour,
minimum rates of pay are established for both men and women, the
basic 8-hour day is recognized, provision is made for periodical adjust
ment of wages based on the cost of living, and the right of the workers
to organize is upheld. The following is the text of the decision:1
The hours of employment and general working conditions in force April 30, 1918,
except as herein provided, whether based upon written or verbal agreement or general
understanding, shall remain in full force for and during the period of the War and for
six months thereafter, unless changed by mutual consent of the committees of the
employers and employees, respectively, referred to in the following subsection (a):
(а) It is recommended that a committee of five representing the employers and a
similar committee representing the employees be formed by the respective groups,
which said committee shall make careful investigation and study in the industry and
endeavor to submit a uniform classification of employees, establish proper wage differ
entials between the various classes, the various grades in each class, and to formulate
a schedule of working conditions that can be adopted by all the mills with a view of
establishing uniform classification working conditions and wage schedules throughout
the industry. These committees should be Appointed at once and endeavor to reach
a conclusion and report within six months from July 1, 1918.
H o u rs o f l a b o r — (a ) All hourly employees working inside the mills shall be paid on
the basis of eight hours per day, with time and one-half for overtime. Mechanics or
repair men when working outside the mill shall be paid on the same basis as if they
were working inside.
(б) All employees regularly working outside the mills shall be paid on the basis
of nine hours per day, with time and one-half for overtime.
B a s is o f w a g e sca le. —(a) The basis of the new scale of wages for tour workers shall
be 41 cents per hour.
(6) The basis of the new scale of wages for inside day workers, except girls employed
in the finishing room, shall be 38 cents per hour.
(c) All female employees doing the same work as males shall receive the same rate
of pay as males receive for the same work.
(d ) The minimum rate for mechanical repair men shall be 50 cents per hour and for
their helpers 39 cents per hour.
R a te s o f w a g e s .—The rates of wages shall be 10 cents per hour higher than the rates
shown in the International Paper Co.’s schedule of October 21, 1917 (Exhibit D)
1See Official B ulletin for June 29,1918.
152
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except when the addition of 10 cents per hour does not equal the minim urns herein
elsewhere established. Schedules showing these rates are attached hereto and made
a part of this report. This schedule is used for the purpose of establishing as nearly
as possible at the present time and pending the report of the joint committee herein
provided for a uniform classification and wage rate. I t is understood th at all rates of
wages are to be considered as minimum rates for the various classifications to which
they are appended. In mills where the classification does not now exactly conform
to the attached schedule an equitable adjustment of such minor differences as may
exist shall be made, using said scale as a basis.
A d ju s tm e n t o f w a g e s. —The wage scale adopted herein is based upon the present
cost of living. On January 1 and July 1 of each year during the period of the War and
for six months thereafter, there shall be an adjustment of wages which shall auto
matically take place on the above dates, providing Government statistics show an
increase in the cost of living of not less than 10 per cent in excess of the coet on JanuaryJuly 1, 1918, in which case the employees shall receive an increase in wages equal to
said increase in the cost of living. Should said statistics show a decrease of not less
than 10 per cent in the cost of living, then the rate of wages shall be correspondingly
reduced.
Whenever tour workers are required to work overtime for more than two weeks to
fill a vacancy, all overtime over two weeks shall be paid for at double-time rates. If,
however, the employer is unable to fill such vacancy he may apply to the union to
furnish a suitable man to fill the same, and if the union is unable to furnish the required
man the employer shall only be required to pay at the rate of time and one-half until
the vacancy is filled.
In the cases of day workers working eight hours per day the employer shall have
the right to designate the particular hours to be worked without overtime allowance,
between 7 a. m. and 5 p. m., providing the employee works eight consecutive hours
with time out for lunch.
F o rem en a n d boss m a ch in e te n d e r s — Foremen and boss machine tenders shall not do
manual labor in excess of 10 per cent of the time.
H o lid a y s . —The number of holidays shall be four in each year, viz: Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. These holidays may be changed by
mutual consent of employer and employees in each mill. Thirty-six hours shall be
allowed for the Christmas holiday only.
R ig h t to o rg a n ize . —The right of the workers to organize in trade-unions and to bargain
collectively through chosen representatives is hereby recognized and affirmed. This
right shall not be denied, abridged, or interfered with by the employer or the repre
sentatives in any manner whatsoever.
The right of employers to organize in association or groups and to bargain collectively
through chosen representatives is recognized and affirmed. This right shall not be
denied, abridged, or interfered with by the workers in any manner whatsoever.
HOURS OF WORK AS RELATED TO OUTPUT AND HEALTH OF
WORKERS IN COTTON MANUFACTURING.1
The purposes of this monograph are said to be to establish the facts
concerning the relation between the different hours-of-work schedules,
efficiency of production and health of workers, and to present such
conclusions as are clearly warranted by a scientific analysis of these
i N ational In d u strial Conference Board. Hours of work as related to ou tp u t and h ealth of workers.
Cotton manufacturing. Research report No. 4. March, 1918. 15 Beacon Street, Boston. 64 pp.
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established facts. It can not be said that it succeeds in either pur
pose. It starts and finishes with the assumption that in cotton
manufacturing the work is mainly automatic, the worker being
little more than an attendant to the machine. Consequently the
output is determined by the machine’s capacity for continuous
activity, and the employee’s relative fatigue or freshness plays but
little part. Cutting short the hours during which the machine is at
work, therefore, diminishes output to an extent which is not com
pensated by the employee’s greater efficiency, granting that the
latter exists.
The data on which the report is based were gathered in part by a
schedule of inquiries addressed to members of the National Associa
tion of Cotton Manufacturers and of the American Cotton Manufac
turers’ Association, and in part by field investigation “ covering both
employers and representatives of labor. ” The latter, however, are
not quoted, nor are they referred to in any way except in this one
sentence.
Schedules were returned from 109 Northern establishments with
82,036 employees, and from 57 Southern establishments with 34,347
employees. At the time of the investigation the prevailing hours
were 54 to 56 in Northern and 60 in Southern establishments. The
establishments which had reduced time in recent years reported as
follows :
E F F E C T O F R E D U C T IO N O F H O U R S ON O U T P U T IN CO TTO N M A N U F A C T U R IN G
E stablishm ents.
Employees.
E S ect on o u tp u t accompanying reduction in hours.
N um ber. P er cent.
N orthern establishm euts:
M aintained........................... ...................................................
Decreased...................................................................................
Effect u n rep o rted ....................................................................
Num ber.
P er cent.
6
64
25
6 .3
6 7 .4
26.3
5,6 4 0
43,545
24,232
7 .7
59 .3
3 3 .0
T o ta l....................................................................................
95
100.0
73,417
100.0
Southern establishm ents:
M aintained............................................................ ...............
Decreased...................... ........................................................
Effect unrep o rted .................................................................
4
16
15
1 1 .4
4 5 .7
4 2 .9
1,797
13,162
7, 083
8 .2
5 9 .7
32.1
T o ta l....................................................................................
35
100. Q
22,042
100.0
Tlie reductions in time usually took place in 1912, and the figures
as to output are based on short periods before and after the reduc
tion. Other figures are given showing the output per hour or per
loom or by other measure for individual mills, showing a reduction
of output when hours were diminished.
The difficulty with these figures is that, dealing with a problem
of admitted complexity, they take into consideration only one fac
tor, that of hours, and ascribe any change in results to that alone.
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The authors of the report assume that, since the periods taken were
close together, there were no changes except in hours. This is an
obviously unsafe assumption, especially as the report shows that in
some cases other changes were made when hours were changed.
In one mill, modern methods were introduced, and the employer
reported no falling off in production. In another, in which pro
duction did diminish, the figures show that while the number of
employees remained the same the number of looms in operation was
decreased from 863 to 804, which would seem to indicate some de
cided change in methods or in character of product.
The final conclusion given as to hours is that in Northern cotton
mills reductions of hours from 58 or 56 to 55 or 54 have in a great
majority of cases resulted in a substantially proportional decrease
in output. For Southern mills, the data are too few to justify con
clusions, although there are indications “ that hours in excess of 60
do not yield a materially larger output than 60 hours. ” It is to be
observed that the conclusions as to the effect in Northern mills hold
good only if the employer is careful to make no improvements in
methods or equipments; otherwise they may be reversed. “ One
effect of shorter hours is to stimulate improvement in methods of
management, in machinery, and other respects * * *. In many
mills total production per employee today for the same class of pro
duct probably is greater than under any previous hours-of-work
schedule. In most cases, however, this has been accomplished only
by a heavy increase in investment. ”
In regard .to the relation between hours of work and the health of
the worker, absolutely nothing is shown. Some fragmentary ex
tracts from various published reports are given, which are summed
up in the statement that “ apparently there is no conclusive infor
mation as to the health hazards to which cotton-mill operatives are
exposed.” After this it seems somewhat superfluous to give as a
formal conclusion the opinion that there is “ no available evidence of
significant difference in health conditions as between a 54-hour, a
56-hour, or a 58-hour day. ”
SETTLEMENT OP WAGE DISPUTES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA SHIPYARDS.
The wage schedule applicable to shipbuilding yards on the Pacific
coast, recommended on November 4, 1917, by the Shipbuilding
Wage Adjustment Board as a result of its inquiry into the conditions
in the shipyards of that region,1 was subsequently adopted by the
Imperial Munitions Board of Canada to apply to the Canadian yards
where its contracts were placed. When, on December 8, this schedule
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
was increased by 10 per cent, employees in the Canadian shipyards
urged that the 10 per cent should apply also in their case, a view which
was not accepted by the shipbuilders of the Imperial Munitions
Board. A strike being threatened, the minister of labor appointed
a royal commission which assumed two functions: (1) To give de
cisions on the various points in controversy and to make recommenda
tions with a view of stabilizing labor conditions in the shipbuilding
industry in British Columbia for the period of the War. The report
of this commission, which, was made public on April 23, 1918, and is
presented in the June issue of the Canada Labor Gazette (pp. 409413), reviews the shipbuilding industry in British Columbia and the
relation of shipbuilding firms and machine shops to the Imperial
Munitions Board, for which board most of the shipbuilding was
under construction. It then states that organized labor, through
the Metal Trades Council of Victoria and Vancouver, put four de
mands before the commission, as follows:
1. That they were entitled to an all-round 10 per cent increase in the wages then
being paid in wooden and steel shipyards.
2. That the differentiation in pay which existed in the yards as between men
classed as house carpenters and those classed as shipwrights was unjust and should
be abolished.
3. That ordinary laborers should be paid $4 a day.
4. That an agreement should be entered into between the Imperial Munitions
Board and organized labor.
The commission decided 1 that the men in the wooden-ship yards
are entitled to the 10 per cent increase demanded, retroactive from
February 1, 1918, subject to the provision, among others, that they
work 48 hours a week on straight time in all yards except during
June, July, and August. It also decided that carpenters doing
shipwright’s work in shipyards should receive the minimum rate for
shipwrights ($6 per day). A rate of S3.85 per day was recommended
by the commission for ordinary laborers. The fourth demand was
refused. A number of suggestions, supplementary to the foregoing,
were made by the commission:
That a Dominion Government wage adjustment board be appointed to deal with
the shipbuilding industry in its relation to labor, composed of one representative
nominated by the contractors, one by organized labor and the t hird, the chairman,
by the Dominion Government.
That all restrictions against what is termed unfair material should be eliminated
with the qualification that where fair material were obtainable in British Columbia,
other things being equal, it should be purchased there.
That agreements be entered into for the duration of the War.
That the question of open or closed shops be left to the negotiations of each party
to the agreements.
1 The decision of the commission, while signed b y all its members, is not unanim ous on all points in
controversy, th e dissenting opinions being noted in each instance.
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157
That full freedom be given to the employer to take men from the ranks of labor
to train them as mechanics, and that these men be graded and paid according to
ability.
That the question of new grades of labor with corresponding increases be dealt
with by the proposed wages adjustment board.
That agreements contain the usual clauses as to the settlement of disputes and
grievances, and, failing a settlement between the parties, that the matters be re
ferred to the proposed wages adjustment board and no strike or lockout take place
until this board, after a public hearing, hands down a decision.
The report of the commission was rejected by the Metal Trades
Association and on May 23 a strike was declared, affecting about
5,000 men. However, an adjustment of the matter was reached on
June 4 resulting in a slight improvement for the men over the terms
of the findings of the commission. It was agreed that wage rates
should be advanced quarterly as might be warranted by fluctuation
in the cost of living and that all grievances arising which the parties
were unable to settle between themselves should be referred to an
adjuster, whose decision should be final. It also provided that
during the life of the agreement there should be no strikes or lock
outs. The full text of the agreement which governs “ the operations
of shipbuilding and allied manufacturing plants in the Province of
British Columbia, as from June 1, 1918,” follows:
T E X T OF T H E A G REEM EN T.
SHOP R U LES.
1. Eight hours shall constitute a regular day’s or night’s work, and 44 hours shall
constitute a regular week’s work.
2. All time worked over eight hours will be considered overtime and be paid for
at the rate of double time until workman is relieved. Sundays and Dominion holi
days, including the following, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Christ
mas Day, Labor Day, and Saturday afternoons will be paid for at the rate of double
time. Under no circumstances shall any work be performed on Labor Day, except
to preserve life or property.
3. Where second and third shifts are worked the employer will allow 30 minutes
for meals in each of these shifts. Where a double shift is worked double time will
be paid if the job does not last longer than three nights.
4. Should a man be working during the day, then be transferred to a night shift, he
shall receive the regular rate of overtime for the first night.
5. Men sent to work outside city will receive first-class transportation, board, and
wages while traveling and an allowance of $2.50 per day for board while working or
waiting.
6. If a man has worked all day and is requested to travel at night, he shall receive
the regular day’s pay. Sleeping accommodation not being provided, the overtime
rate shall prevail.
7. The employees in each craft or calling in a shop or yard shall have the right to
select three of their number to represent them as members of the shop committee.
Each member of this committee shall be chosen by majority vote in such manner as
the employees shall direct. The chairman of each craft committee shall be a member
of the joint shop committee.
71795°—18----- 11
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8. Any committeeman appointed in the manner provided in the preceding clause
who shall be found to have been discharged without just and sufficient cause after due
investigation in the manner herein provided for the adjustment of grievances shall be
reinstated with full pay for all time lost.
9. It is agreed that all work done in city districts and adjoining municipalities where
it becomes necessary for a workman to travel from shop to job and job to shop, said
traveling to be in the company’s time and car fare to be supplied.
10. All grievances which arise in any shop or yard shall be given consideration as
follows:
(a) All complaints and grievances to be adjusted by the foreman in charge if possible.
(b) When adjustment can not be made between the foreman and the men directly
interested, the matter will be taken up by the company direct and the shop committees
representing the craft having the grievances, and they shall endeavor to reach a
mutual understanding.
(c) If the matter can not be adjusted between the shop committee and the employer,
the shop committee may call into conference with the employer a representative
chosen by the committee.
(d ) In the event of an adjustment of such grievance not being reached under the
provisions of the foregoing clauses, then the matter shall be referred to the adjuster,
whose decision shall be final, and in the meantime there will be no lockout on the part
of the company or strike on the part of the men.
11. All employees shall be paid at least every two weeks and arrangements shall be
made to pay in cash. In no case shall more than three day’s pay be held back.
12. Any employee being laid off, discharged, or quitting of his own volition, shall
receive all wages and personal property within 24 hours of the termination of his
employment.
13. Men required to work in oil tanks, or tanks of boats carrying oil, or acid tanks,
the same shall be cleaned and steamed according to Government regulations. Time
and one-quarter shall be paid for exceptionally dirty work.
14. Men now receiving rates in excess of the minimum rates herein quoted will
suffer no reduction, except as justified under provisions of clause 15.
15. These rules to remain in effect for the period of the War. The wage rates will be
revised every three months according to official information on the cost of living as
published in the Labor Gazette of the Department of Labor of the Dominion of Canada
as applicable to the Province of British Columbia.
16. The adjustment of grievances and of rates as provided in clauses 10 and 15 of
these regulations shall be made by an adjuster appointed by the Federal Government
on the joint recommendation of parties concerned. In the event of their being unable
to agree, the adjuster shall be named by the Federal Government on the joint recom*
mendation of the Minister of Labor and Senator Robertson.
RATES OP PAY.
Machinists............................................................................................... $6.00
Machinists’ specialists............................................................................. 4.50
Machinists’ helpers............................................................................... 4.00
Boiler makers.................................................. . ..................................... 6 00
Ship fitters................................................................................................ 6.00
Riveters..................................................................................................... 6.00
Chippers.................................................................................................... 6.00
Calkers (steel)........................................................................................... 6.00
Flange turners.....................................................................................
6.60
Pressmen................................................................................
Planer m en................................................................................................ 5.00
Angle and frame setters......................................................................... 6.00
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Punch and shear m en............................................................................ $4. 95
Countersinkers........................................................................................ 4.65
Drillers and reamers.............................................................................. 4. 50
Holders on............................................................................................... 4.65
Slab helpers............................................................................................ 4.30
Angle sm iths.......................................................................................... 6.60
Angle smith heaters............................................................................... 4. 50
Machine flange helpers.......................................................................... 4.50
Plate hangers (leading hand)............................................................... 5.50
Plate hangers’ helpers........................................................................... 4.30
Flange fire helpers................................................................................. 4.50
Boiler makers’ helpers........................................................................... 4.30
Ship fitters’ helpers.................................. : ........................................... 4.00
Rivet heaters.......................................................................................... 4.00
Blacksmiths............................................................................................ 6.00
Blacksmiths’ helpers............................................................................. 4.50
Holders.................................................................................................... 6.00
Molders’ helpers..................................................................................... 4.00
Furnace m en.......................................................................................... 4.95
Casting cleaners...................................................................................... 4.30
Foundry carpenters............................................................................... 4.95
Pattern makers....................................................................................... 7.15
Coppersmiths........................................... .......................... ................... 6.60
Coppersmiths’ helpers........................................................................... 4.00
Plumbers and pipe fitters..................................................................... 6.00
Plumbers’ and pipe fitters’ helpers..................................................... 4.00
Acetylene welders.................................................................................. 6.00
Acetylene burners.................................................................................. 5. 50
Sheet-metal workers............................................................................... 6. 60
Sheet-metal workers’ helpers................................................................ 4. 00
Painters.................................................................................................... 5. 50
Painters (bitumastic)...........- . . * .......................................................... 6. 60
Electrical workers.................................................................................. 6. 00
Electrical workers ’ helpers................................................................... 4. 00
Operators of locomotive cranes............................................................ 6. 60
Operators of Gantry cranes.................................................................. 6. 60
Operators of double cableways............................................................. 6. 60
Operators of all double machines......................................................... 6. 60
Operators of electrical, steam, or air operated winches and donkeys. 6. 60
Operators of single aerial cableways.................................................... 6. 00
Operators of overhead cranes (in shops)............................................. 6. 00
Steam and electrical operators in power houses................................ 6. 00
Engineers in charge of boilers.............................................................. 5. 50
Firemen................................................................................................... 4. 40
Oilers....................................................................................................... 5. 00
Furnace men........................................................................................... 5. 00
Operators of single-drum steam, electric, or air winches and don
keys not hoisting................................................................................ 5. 00
Calkers (wood)........................................................................................ 7.70
Shipwrights, joiners, millmen, and boat builders............................. 6. 60
Riggers................................................................. .................................. 6. 00
Air-machine tool men............................................................................ 4. 95
Planking men......................................................................................... 4. 95
Ceiling m en............................................................................................ 4. 95
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Beetlers.................................................................................................. $4.95
Hook tenders.......................................................................................... 4. 40
Degree m en............................................................................................ 4.40
Hand hammer clinchers....................................................................... 4. 00
Woodworkers’ helpers, general............................................................ 4. 00
Laborers................................................................................................. 3. 85
WAGES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS ON MUNITIONS WORK IN GREAT BRITAIN.
In the August, 1017, issue of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w (pp. 119-128)
a rather exhaustive account was given of the various statutory rules
and orders and miscellaneous circulars issued by the British Ministry
of Munitions affecting wages of women and girls in munition factories.
This article was supplemented by a brief statement in the October,
1917, issue of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w (p. 83) in which further changes
in wages of women workers were noted. On May 8, 1918, a new
order (No. 546) was issued by the Ministry of Munitions consolidating
and amending existing women’s wages orders. The principal amend
ments made by this order are thus summarized in the British Laboi
Gazette for June, 1918 (p. 217):1
' (a) Directions have been inserted (par. 31) enabling higher wages to be paid in
special circumstances (e. g., for work in danger zones, on work injurious to health,
on specially laborious and responsible work, or on work requiring special ability),
the amount of wages to be settled either by agreement between the parties con
cerned, with the sanction of the Minister of Munitions, or, failing agreement, by
arbitration.
(b ) The principle of differential time rates for time workers, and those on systems
of payment by results is abolished. The same time rates are now prescribed for
both classes of workers, but the percentage which piecework prices or premium
bonus tune allowances are required to yield has been altered from 33J per cent to
25 per cent. Where prices or times already yield 25 per cent over the new time
rate no alteration in either prices or times is required. As the earnings of premium
bonus workers depend on their time rate, an alteration in the latter would mean
an automatic increase in earnings for the same amount of work done. Pieceworkers,
on the other hand, whose earnings are not calculated in terms of their time rate,
would receive no such increase. I t has therefore been necessary to provide that
the earnings of women and girls who are now employed on premium bonus systems
shall continue to be calculated on the existing time rate, provided their earnings
reach the level of 25 per cent over the new time rate.
(c) The provision requiring payment to women and girls of overtime allowance
on the expiration of 54 hours has been omitted so that the order may be applied to
trades in which the normal working week exceeds 54 hours.
(d ) In the case of women and girls employed on woodwork processes other than
for aircraft, provisions have been inserted respecting payment for the first eight
weeks, and workers on systems of payment by results.
(e ) A section has been inserted dealing with sheet-metal work for aircraft.
(/) Difficulties having arisen out of the comparison, in establishments wholly
or mainly engaged on aircraft work, between the rates paid to women on woodwork
1 T h e lu ll te x t of th e o rd er is p rin te d in th e Ju n e issue of th e L a b o r G azette, p p . 255-257.
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M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IEW .
and the rates paid on certain classes of metal work, it has been decided that in such
establishments no women employed as time workers should receive a less rate than
6d. [12.2 cents] per hour after eight weeks. The rates of wages fixed vary according
to the class of work and, in most cases, the age and experience of the worker.
On work of a class which, prior to the War, was customarily done by men, a mini
mum time rate of 6d. [12.2 cents] per hour (or 24s. [$5.84] per week), plus an advance 1
of 6s. [$1.46] per week, is fixed, with the provision that on work done by semiskilled
men the payment shall be adjusted according to the nature of the work and ability
of the women, and that women employed on work customarily done by fully skilled
tradesmen shall be paid the time rates of the tradesmen whose work they undertake.
Women undertaking part only of the work customarily done by fully skilled trades
men are to serve a probationery period of three months, during which they are to be
paid at gradually rising rates until, at the end of the period, they attain the district
time rate for the skilled tradesmen whom they replace, less a deduction (not exceeding
10 per cent) in cases where additional cost is incurred, through extra setting up or
skilled supervision, owing to the substitution of women for men.
For girls under 18 years of age employed as time workers on work customarily
done by men the rates fixed range from 14s. [$3.41] per week at ages under 15, with
a working week of 48 hours or less, upward to 23s. [$5.60] at 17 years with a 54-hour
week, with an advance 1 of 3s. [73 cents] per week in addition in each case.
Women employed on such work at piece rates are to be paid the piecework prices
customarily paid for the same or similar work when done by men. In the case of girls
under 18 a percentage deduction from these prices is fixed, varying according to age.
For work of a class which, prior to the War, was not recognized as men’s work the
time rates vary from 2Jd. [5.1 cents] per hour, plus an advance1 of 3s. [73 cents]
per week, for girls under 15, to 5|d. [11.2 cents] per hour, plus an advance1 of 6s.
[$1.46] per week, for women, 18 years and over. During a probationary period (not
to exceed one month) they may be id. [1 cent] per hour less.
For woodwork processes and for aircraft work special rates are fixed. For women,
18 years of age and upward, after a probationary period varying from four to eight
weeks, the time rates are as follows:
P e r h o u r.2
Woodwork, other than machine........................................ 6d. [12.2 cents]
Woodwork, machine, for aircraft....... .............................. 74d. [15.2 cents]
Woodwork, inspectors and gaugers for aircraft................ 6^d. [13.2 cents]
Sheet-metal work for aircraft: Women making straight
folds, bends, and flanges; or bends and flanges (if in
one plane) other than straight; or doing hand proc
esses other than beating metal to shape from the plain
sheet.................................................................................. 8d. [16.2 cents]
Machine processes (subject to the provision below as to
general aircraft w ork)....................................................5^d. [11.2 cents]
General aircraft work in establishments wholly or
mainly engaged in the manufacture or repair of air
craft.........................................................................•......... 6d. [12.2 cents]
For women employed wholly or mainly on hand processes in the beating of metal
to shape from the plain sheet (except as specified above), the rates to be paid are
governed by the provisions for women employed wholly or partly on work cus
tomarily done by skilled tradesmen.
1 T h e advances referred to in th is a rtic le w ere g ra n te d s u b se q u e n t to th e fixing of th e w eek ly a n d h o u rly
ra te s q u o te d .
2 P lu s a n ad v a n ce of 6s. [11.46] p er w eek.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW .
WAGES OF LANCASHIRE COTTON OPERATIVES INCREASED 25 PER CENT,
EFFECTIVE IN JUNE, 1918.
A conference of employers and operatives in the spinning and
manufacturing branches of the Lancashire (England) cotton trades,
held on May 22, 1918, to discuss the demand of the workers for a
wage increase of 30 per cent, resulted in a compromise by which the
increase agreed upon was fixed at 25 per cent on the standard rates
of wages. The new scale affects about 250,000 operatives. The
Manchester (England) Guardian for May 23, 1918, contains this
announcement of the advance in wages and states that the continued
payment by the cotton-control board of unemployment grants to
operatives who are temporarily or permanently out of work in con
sequence of the board’s scheme for the further curtailment of the
consumption of raw cotton1 is an integral part of the agreement
reached. It is also noted that the" distinctive feature of the agree
ment is that it embraces all branches of the Lancashire cotton trade,
and that the award is a uniform one. At the conclusion of the con
ference the secretary of the cotton-control board made the following
statement:
At a meeting for the purpose of considering the wage question it was agreed to
recommend to the respective organizations the following as a settlement: That an
advance of 25 per cent on the standard piece price list rates of wages be paid on the
pay day in the week ending June 15, 1918, and with this advance the rate of wages
to remain unchanged up to and including the week ending Saturday, December 7,
1918.
That if the above is accepted the employers agree to the cotton-control board
making such levies on employers running machinery as will enable the board to con
tinue the unemployment pay at the present rate up to and including the week end
ing Saturday, December 7, 1918.
WAGES OF GERMAN BUILDING TRADES WORKERS IN DECEMBER, 1917.*
On December 8, 1917, the Federation of the German Building
Trades Workers made an investigation of the wages of its members.
The investigation included 90,000 workmen and covered all Ger
many. The results showed that at the time of the investigation
the average hourly wage rate of masons was 95.7 pfennigs (22.8
cents) and that of helpers 85 pfennigs (20.2 cents), representing an
average increase of 87.6 and 88.9 per cent, respectively, over the
prewar wage rates. The average hourly wage rate of excavation
laborers was found to be 82.5 pfennigs (19.6 cents), that of cement
workers 103.7 pfennigs (24.7 cents), of plasterers 140.6 pfennigs (33.5
cents), and of stone-floor layers and terrazzo workers 144.4 pfennigs
(34.4 cents). In addition, about one-fifth of all building-trade
1 T h e c o tto n (re s tric tio n of o u tp u t) order, 1918, becam e effective J u n e 10,1918.
» In te rn atio n a le K o rresp o n d en z. B erlin , M ay 10,1918.
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163
workers received special compensation for work performed outside
their place of residence.
It should, however, be noted that since the date of the investiga
tion a further high-cost-of-living bonus of 10 pfennigs (2.4 cents)
an hour has come into force and that a new high-cost-of-living bonus
of 5 pfennigs (1.2 cents) an hour has been granted, although this
latter bonus is not yet effective.
Generally speaking, it can be said that the wages of German
building-trade workers are now twice as high as before the War, but
as the cost of all foodstuffs and necessaries has increased at a much
greater rate than wages the purchasing power of the latter has been
lessened considerably as compared with prewar times.
WAGE INCREASES OF GERMAN SEAMEN.1
Negotiations conducted in Hamburg between the organized
seamen of Germany and the Central Association of German Ship
owners as to further increases of war bonuses and overtime wages
have recently been terminated with favorable results for the seamen.
The monthly war bonuses paid to seamen in addition to their basic
wages have been increased as follows:
A p p re n tic e s........................ ............................................. .................
O rd in a ry s eam en ............................................................................
A b le-b o died seam en .......................................................................
B o atsw ain s, ca rp e n ters, cooks....................................................
T rim m e rs ...........................................................................................
F ire m e n ...................................................................................... .
P e t t y officers a n d m a c h in ists ......................................................
S te w a rd s.............................................................................................
F ro m —
To—
M a rks.
M a rks.
15 ($3.57)
25 ($5.95)
40(59.52)
40 ($9.52)
20-40 ($4.76-59.52)
40 ($9.52)
40 ($9.52)
20-40 ($4.76-59.52)
20 ($4.76)
30 (57.14)
50 ($11.90)
50 ($11.90)
30-50 (57.14-511.90)
50(511.90)
50 ($11.90)
30-50(17.14-511.90)
Married seamen of all grades are to receive an additional monthly
bonus of 10 marks (12.38). Overtime wages, which hitherto varied
between 50 and 60 pfennigs (11.9 and 14.3 cents) per hour, have been
increased to 60 and 70 pfennigs (14.3 and 16.7 cents). These in
creases became effective on April 1, 1918, and are applicable to all
parts of the North and Baltic Seas and all German navigation com
panies and seamen. Further negotiations with respect to questions
of board, employment, and raising of the standards of qualification
for crews are proposed to take place in the near future.
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W O M E N IN INDUSTRY,
TRAINING OF WOMEN FOR WAR WORK: A BIBLIOGRAPHY.
PREPARED BY MRS. Y. B. TURNER.
This bibliography, dealing principally with the training of women
for work in the engineering and metal trades, and with the processes
in which they are engaged, includes also a few references to textiles,
agriculture, and other employments of present interest. It does not
constitute a complete or comprehensive list of the very fugitive
material possible to be had upon the subject, but is merely suggestive
of current experience, ideas, and accomplishment.
FB A H C E .
Ministère de l’Armement et des Fabrications de Guerre.
Bulletin des Usines de Guerre. Paris, May, 1916, to date.
This periodical contains information regarding women’s work and the training
for it, especially in Government factories.
------------Ecoles l’apprentissage d ’ouvriers en série.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, May 22, 1916, v. 1: 29-30.
An account of a school at Bordeaux in which workmen of both sexes may
be trained in industrial processes. Includes possibilities of the school, hours,
inspection, financial aid, etc.
------------Les écoles de perfectionnement pour ouvriers.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, Apr. 2, 1917, v. 1: 386-387.
Contains the text of a circular of the Minister of Munitions dated Mar. 25,
1917, in continuation of various official acts regarding the establishment of
training schools for workmen. I t outlines conditions which must be met in
the management of these schools. A subjoined note shows in a table the num
ber of workers trained along this line at Delaunay-Belleville.
----------- - Emploi des femmes à la fabrication des obus de gros calibres.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, Oct. 2, 1916, v. 1: 183-184.
Illustrated account of women’s work on large shells.
------------L ’emploi des femmes dans les ateliers d’outillage.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, Dec. 4, 1916, v. 1: 253-254.
Illustrated account of women’s work in the workshops of munitions factories.
------------L ’emploi des femmes dans les ateliers d ’outillage.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, Apr. 9, 1917, v. 1: 396-397.
Illustrated article on women’s work in cartridge making. Training given.
------------Manœuvres et spécialistes.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, May 29, 1916, v. 1: 36-37.
Schools for the training of munition workers in the Delaunay-Belleville
works. Program for instruction and details of course given.
—---------Organisation d’écoles de perfectionnement.
In its Bulletin des Usines de Guerre, Mar. 19, 1917, v. 1: 374. ‘
Circular of the Minister of Munitions, dated Mar. 1, 1917, providing for the
establishment of training schools in all workshops where 300 persons are em
ployed. Asks cooperation of national professional schools in this work.
F
rance.
164
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165
Lacoin, Maurice. Retour aux études techniques. L ’enseignement professionel des
usines Berliet.
In Société d ’Encouragement pour l’Industrie Nationale. Bulletin, Paris, Mar.Apr. 1918, v. 17: 242.
Notice of the establishment in the Berliet automobile factories of a training
school for shop managers called “ stagiaires.”- This is followed, p. 243-254, by a
note from the firm giving a detailed program of this work.
G R E A T B R IT A IN .
Addison, Christopher. Women’s work and mobile labor.
In his British Workshops and the War. London, 1917. p. 35-37.
Sixty technical schools and colleges and five industrial factories offer courses
of training to munition workers.
Behind the firing line: Some experiences in a munition factory.
Blackwood’s (Edinburgh) Magazine, Feb. 1916, v. 199: 191-207.
Popular but interesting account of three weeks’ training given women of
leisure in a munitions factory, including hours, processes, and wages.
Brighton railway company’s training school for female labor.
Railway News, London, May 8, 1915, v. 103: 743-744.
British Association for the Advancement of Science. General position of women.
In its Draft Interim Report, London, 1915, p. 6-12.
Discusses: Serious shortage of skilled labor; Extension of women’s employ
ment; Replacement; Readjustments; Training of skilled labor.
British women entering agriculture.
Survey, New York, Sept. 15, 1917, v. 38: 526-527.
Women’s labor department, organized in January, 1917, has organizing
secretaries in 60 counties and has 16 traveling inspectors. Women proving effi
cient in farm work. In addition to the agricultural colleges there are 247
training centers and 140 farms registered as establishments for the instruction
of women.
Bullard, W. Irving. Women’s work in war time.
Boston, Merchants’ National Bank. [1917] 85 p.
A brief outline of the operations in British industries where women have
replaced men. Training touched upon.
Chubb, I. William. Women in airplane production (Great Britain).
American Machinist, New York, Feb. 7, 1918, v. 48 : 221-225.
Women as skilled mechanics on operations connected with the manufacture
of airplane engines. Processes and training. Illustrated.
Corn Exchange National Bank. Processes in which women can do the work of enlisted
men.
Philadelphia, Corn Exchange National Bank. [1918] 29 p.
Information concerning the processes and the industries shown was compiled
from pamphlets issued by the British Government. Suggestions as to training.
Drake, Barbara. Women in the engineering trades. Trade Union Series No. 3.
London, Fabian Society: Research Department, 1917. 143 p.
Includes The story of the dilution of labor; Position of women in the engineer
ing trades during the War; Reconstruction; Appendix I. Report on engineer
ing industry, Clyde district, by Herbert E. R. Iiighton; Appendix II.
Statutory orders.
Employment of women as machinists.
Engineer, London, Sept. 3, 1915, v. 120 : 218.
Good detailed description of women’s work in Wm. Beardsman and Co.’s
munitions factories.
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Engineering colleges and the War, and what they can do.
Engineering, London, Dec. 24, 1915, p. 653-656.
Deals with munitions work in technical college workshops. Training of
munition workers and war workers generally.
Fraser, Helen. Women in munitions.
In her Women and War Work. New York, 1918. p. 109-127.
An account of a school in oxy-acetylene welding established by “ Women’s
service” of the London Society for Women’s Suffrage, Miss E. C. Woodward,
instructor, and of other munition work. •
Gas works—substitution of women for enlisted men.
Gas Engineers’ Magazine and Gas Industries, Birmingham, Eng., 1916, v. 32 : 276.
Extracts from Home Office pamphlet No. 22, Gas Works, showing processes in
which women have been substituted for men.
Great Britain. Board of Trade. Report on the increased employment of women
during the War, with statistics relating to Jan. 1917. 13 p.
With statistics for April, 1917. 11 p.
With statistics for July, 1916. 20 p.
Includes cotton, woolen, hosiery, lace, boot and shoe, brass, tobacco, printing,
and leather industries, metal trades, textile trades, shipbuilding, engineering
trades, etc.
----- Home Department. Clerical and commercial employments committee-.
R e p o rt.......... London, 1915. 12 p. [Cd. 8110],
Suggested training courses on p. 9.
* -- Home Office.
Collection of pamphlets on the substitution of women in industry for enlisted men.
Prepared by the Home Office and the Board of Trade. Nos. 1-19. 1st. ed.
July, 191.6. London, 1916. 58 p. Nos. 20-26. Jan. 1917.
Series of pamphlets issued by the Government for the purpose of making
available for manufacturers . . . the fullest information as to processes in
winch and methods by which temporary substitution of women for enlisted
men is already being successfully carried out in these trades.
■----------- Protective clothing for women and girl workers employed in factories and
workshops.
London, 1917. 15 p.
An illustrated description of clothing applicable to different trades and
processes.
------------Factory department. Substitution of women for men. Tabular reports
showing the present position in industries other than munition industries.
London, 1917......... Jan. 1917. 216 p. May, 1917. 43 p.
Summary from Dec. 1916-May, 1917. 17 p. Includes processes, results,
length of training necessary, etc.
----- Ministry of Labour. Labour Gazette. London.
This periodical contains articles on the extension of the employment of
women from the beginning of the War to Jan. 1 , 1918.
•----- Ministry of Munitions. Dilution of Labor Bulletin.
A monthly publication with the D. A. Section (Dilution) of the labor supply
department. Issued by the D. A. Section of the Ministry of Munitions.
London, Nov. 1916 to date.
This illustrated periodical deals exclusively with unskilled labor and espe
cially with that of women in munition and engineering trades. Exhibitions
of work in various cities are shown from issue to issue, and the training of
workers is also discussed. I t has a supplement which gives a list of the
processes in which women are successfully employed.
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Great Britain. Ministry of Munitions. Notes on the employment of women on
munitions of war, with an appendix on training of munition workers.
London, 1916. 94 p. illus.
“ This publication, issued by the Ministry of Munitions, is a photographic
record with brief written descriptions of what is actually being done by rvpmea
in munition factories. ” It contains a brief appendix on the training of munition ,
workers.
----------- Wanted, 1,000 women.
L ondon,1917. 4 p.
The Ministry of Munitions offers to train women to make munitions . . *,f
List of instructional factories and workshops.
>
------------ Intelligence and record section. Memorandum on women’s work in English
munition factories. Oct. 26, 1917. 6 typewritten pages.
Discusses the number of women employed in metal trades up to July, 1917,,
and their capacity for this work.
--------------- — Minute of conference on training of munition workers. Held at.
Ministry of Munitions on Jan. 23, 1917.
In its file, Note on training. London, 1917. 4 p. Minute contains views of
experts as to the practical requirements in munition factories.
------------------ Note on training. London, Sept. 9, 1917. 4 typewritten pages.
Training for munition work in England is conducted, as far as the Ministry
is concerned, under three categories:
I
(1) Training in technical schools.
(2) Training in instructional factories.
(3) Training in instructional bays attached to particular works.
A discussion of these three methods.
-------------------Notes on school training, by J. L. Hall.
In its file, Note on training. London, 1917. 3 typewritten pages.
Includes details of training in a few selected schools and a statement showing
actual capital expenditure on machinery to May 1, 1917, estimated ultimate
capital expenditure, and the number of students enrolled in a few instruc
tional factories.
•----------- (Memorandum. Training 3.) Scheme for training semiskilled munition
workers in technical schools.
London, 1915. 4 p.
Includes points of uniformity for all training classes and financial arrange
ments between the Ministry of Munitions, the Board of Education, the Scotch
Education Department, and the Treasury for carrying on this training.
----------- Training section. Women and munitions of war. Women wanted to
train for work in munitions factories.
London, 1917. 12 p.
Illustrated pamphlet showing women at work on certain processes.
List of training centers in the London area on page 2.
----- War Office. Women’s war work. Issued by the War Office, Sept., 1916.
London, 1916. 94 p.
Part I. Trades and processes in which women are successfully employed
in temporary replacement of men.
Part II. Photographs of women workers illustrating the successful employ
ment of women in temporary replacement of men.
Green, E. Everett. School of women signalers.
World’s Work, London, July, 1916, p. 117.
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McLaren, Barbara. The women acetylene welders.
In her Women of the War. New York, 1917. p. 124-128.
Popular account of a school in acetylene welding.
Notes on employment of women on munitions of war.
*
Engineering, London, Feb. 11, 1916, p. 137.
Illustrated article showing the different kinds of work women do in muni
tion factories, as riveting, acetylene welding, assembling, gauging, etc.
[Occupations of women.]
In Osborne, HarrietM.,ed. Women’s Work in WarTime. London,[1917]. p.15-84.
An outline of occupations for women, giving also hours, wages, qualifications
and training of applicants, uniforms for various occupations, etc.
Optical munition work as an employment for women.
Women’s Employment, London, Aug. 1917, v. 17:3.
Outline of the course of training at the optical munitions training school at
Northampton Polytechnic Institute, including time required and wages paid
learners and those who have completed the training.
Railwaymen and enlistment.
Records of Railway Interests in the War. London, 1915. Part II, p. 27-31.
An account of women’s work in various positions on the railways, including
a description of the Brighton railway training school at East Croyden.
Replacement of men by women in industry during the War.
In Kirkaldy, A. W., ed. Industry and Finance. London, 1917. p. 24-80.
I t includes: Dilution and the replacement of men by women; statistical
results and comparisons; industrial processes upon which women are employed;
success of women on men’s work; timekeeping; sources of female labor; indus
trial training; welfare supervision and welfare work; wages of women in industry;
trade-unions and the employment of women after the War; detailed reports on
trades.
Replacement of men by women in industry during the War.
In Kirkaldy, A. W., ed. Labor, Finance, and the War. London, 1916. p.58-213.
Report on the employment of women in the engineering and shipbuilding
trades, p. 99-162. Transport-tram ways, p. 196-202.
Thomas, E. N. Women workers in agriculture.
In Kirkaldy, A. W., ed. Industry and Finance. London, 1917. p. 146-159.
Discusses the number of women in agriculture, their various organizations,
selection for the work, and training.
[Training women for agriculture.]
Survey, New York, Sept. 15, 1917, v. 38:526-527. Under title: British women
entering agriculture.
An account of training centers and farms registered as establishments for the
instruction of women in agriculture.
Training women for the land.
Local Government Chronicle, London, July 29, 1916, p. 512-513.
Scheme of the subcommittee on agricultural education.
United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women in industry. The effect of the
War upon the employment of women in England, by Mary Conyngton.
In its Monthly R ev iew , Washington, Apr. 1918, v. 6:204-217.
Includes Unemployment, and relief measures; Reabsorption of unemployed
women into industry; Efforts to increase the supply of women workers; Devel
opments of 1916; Developments of 1917; and Changes in distribution of women
workers, 1914-1917. Touches upon training and mentions occupations open
to women since the relaxation of trade-union restrictions.
------------------ Women in the munition trades in Great Britain, by Mary Conyngton.
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United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics—Concluded.
In its M o n t h l y R e v i e w , Washington, May, 1918, v. 6:151-163.
Discusses generally the number of women in the munition trades and their
training. Treats more specifically the Wages of women under the munition
acts; Hours; and Grievances connected with the tribunals and leaving certifi
cates.
War work for women.
Women’s Employment, London, Apr. 7, 1916, v. 16: p. 4-6.
Outlines briefly the demand for women in various occupations, with mention
of requirements and training. Includes: Accountancy; Agriculture; Bee
keeping; Canteen work; Catering; Chemistry; Clerical work; Club and welfare
work; Massage; Medicine; Munition work; Police women and patrols; Railway
work; Teaching, etc.
What the women are doing in the shipyards and shops in Great Britain.
Marine Engineering, London, July, 1918, v. 23: 403. From the London Daily
Chronicle.
Work in the shipyards: Fitting electrical apparatus for yard lighting, mains,
and telephones; hydraulic riveting; scraping and coating the bottoms of destroy
ers and submarines, driving cranes, etc. Work in the engineering shops:
Operating radial turret drilling machines; driving overhead cranes and traveling
jib cranes; acetylene welding; core making; machine molding; turning tube
expander mandrils; working on horizontal and vertical drilling machines and
turret and capstan lathes, etc. Illustrated. Processses only.
Where women do the heaviest work.
World’s Work, London, Jan. 1918, v. 31:162-169.
Account of women employed in gas works on all kinds of work connected
with gas production; also in the making of gas mantles.
Women as railway employees.
Railway News, London, Sept. 30, 1916, v. 106: 400, 401-402; Oct. 7, 1916, v.
160:441.
Women on Scottish and Great Central railways, including number, kinds of
work, hours, wages, etc. Illustrated.
Women engineer students.
Engineering, London, Nov. 9, 1917, v. 104:485-488.
Description of a specially equipped factory built in Scotland for the exclusive
employment of educated women.
Women in engineering shops.
Railway News, London, Mar. 30, 1918, v. 109:368.
Review of a paper by Miss O. E. Monkhouse read before the Council of the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers in which she discusses the classes of women
workers in these trades with the degree of fitness of eaoh class, the difficulties
to be overcome in introducing women into engineering shops, and training
advantages.
Women munition workers.
Women’s Employment, London, Aug. 17, 1917, v. 17:7.
Account of the training given munition workers at Shoreditch and Brixton,
including hours and wages.
Women’s Employment. London.
A periodical devoted to the employment of educated women.
Women’s National Land Service Corps.
Annual report. Oct. 1, 1916-Sept. 30, 1917. London, 1917. 31 p.
Includes a report on the work of the corps, a list of training places, extracts
from employers’ and from members’ letters, etc.
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Burlingame, Luther D. War work for women.
Machinery, New York, Apr. 1918, v. 24: 682-687.
A complete illustrated account of the employment and training of women
by the Browne & Sharpe Manufacturing Co., Providence, R. I.
Carpenter, C. U. How we trained 5,000 women.
Industrial Management, New York, May, 1918, v. 55:355-357.
An illustrated experience of the Recording and Computing Machines Co.,
Dayton, Ohio, by the works manager. This also appears in U. S.
Council of National Defense. Section on industrial training for the war emer
gency. Form letters and publicity, June 20, 1918. Washington, 1918.
Council of Organizations for War Service. The clearing house for war-time training
for women.
New York, 1918. 107 p.
Includes courses in Agriculture; Applied arts; Commercial education; House
hold economics; Industry and trades; Languages; Library work; Professions; Sci
entific training; Social work. Aeroplane mechanics and shipbuilding, p. 14; Ma
chine design, p. 15; Textile design, p. 16; Automobile mechanics and drawing,
p. 49-50. Mechanical drawing and drafting, p. 14-15, etc. Information regard
ing these courses is also given, as: Time of classes; school giving them; fees, etc.
Decatur, I. 0. Training women machinists, by I. C. Decatur and H. A. Chase.
Machinery, London, May, 1918, v. 24 : 823-824.
The thoroughly satisfactory experience of the Cummings Machine Works,
Boston, Mass., in the employment of women as machinists.
Dunbar, Howard W. Training Women for the drawing room, by Howard W. Dunbar
and W. E. Freeland.
Iron Age, New York, July 4, 1918, v. 102: 1-5.
Successful methods employed by the Norton Grinding Co. in the
engineering department—its teaching system and results secured. Illustrated.
Facts assembled on war labor problems.
Iron Age, New York, Apr. 4, 1918, v. 101: 876-881.
Industrial and efficiency engineers at Chicago conference hear report on
1,000 questionnaires on the employment of women in industry. Includes also
the training of workers (men) at the Gisholt Machine Co., Madison, Wisconsin.
Miles, H. E. Vestibule schools for the unskilled. How to overcome the shortage
of skilled mechanics.
Industrial Management, New York, July, 1918, v. 56: 10-12.
Includes a summary of England’s experience in training semiskilled and
unskilled labor (both men and women), a statement of provision which France
^ has made for this work, and some successful results in the United States. This
also appears in U. S. Council of National Defense. Section on industrial
training for the war emergency. Form letters and publicity, June 20, 1918.
Washington, 1918.
Summer courses in^war work.
Special Libraries, New York, Jan., 1918, v. 9: 9-11.
Courses and name of institution given. New York university offers a war
course in draftsmanship; Wellesley, in wireless telegraphy; California, teleg
raphy, wireless telegraphy, automobile construction.
United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. WToman street railway employees, by
Benjamin M. Squires.
In its M o n t h l y R e v i e w , Washington, May, 1918, v. 6:1-22.
Deals with the employment of women on street railways in New York City
and Brooklyn, including the number employed, places filled, hours, working
conditions, and results. Tables.
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171
United States. Council of National Defense. Section on industrial training for the
war emergency. Form letters and publicity. June 20, 1918. Washington,
1918. Includes Training needed for skilled men; Training unskilled men (as
observed in a New England new-type trade school); Training school for em
ployees in the Recording and Computing Machines Co., Dayton, Ohio; Women
in employment—England, United States (relative number); Reports from
chairmen of branch committees; Training of operatives compulsory in France;
Dilution of labor (Great Britain); Some new developments (training) in April
and May; Calls for instructors, etc.
Van Kleeck, Mary. Employment of women in the storage and warehousing depots
of the United States Army. (Storage Bull. No. 9. Storage committee of the
War Industries Board of the Council of National Defense.) Washington, 1917.
21 p.
Report of an investigation of the possible employment of women in the stores
depots of the Government, with information concerning the scope of the work
of those already employed.
War emergency courses.
Special Libraries, New York, Jan. 1918, v. 9: 6-8.
What the colleges are doing to prepare women for war service, as shown by
reports from representative institutions.
N o t e .—The Council of National Defense, Woman’s committee (Information
department), has in press a pamphlet on War Work for Women, which will furnish
information regarding places where training in certain classes of work may be
obtained. The committee has also a chart showing the kinds of work taught, by
States.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN ON GOVERNMENT WAS CONTRACTS.
Interpretation of a recent ruling by the War Department to the
effect that women employed by the Government are not subject to
restrictions imposed by State laws seems to have caused some con
fusion in New York State, and has led to the following statement
issued July 12 by the Industrial Commission:
Considerable confusion has arisen over newspaper and private interpretation of a
ruling said to have been made by the War Department in Washington relating to the
employment of women on war contracts.
An attem pt has been made to have i t appear th a t the United States Government
has ruled th a t women may be worked, regardless of age or other limitations imposed
by New York State laws, on any and all contracts for Government work.
No such ruling has been made. The State Industrial Commission’s legal depart
ment has examined the ruling upon which these misleading private interpretations
have been placed. I t was given in a Pennsylvania case and sets forth th at employees
employed directly by the United States Government and paid by the Government
directly, are not subject to restrictions imposed by State laws.
The legal department holds, and the Industrial Commission agrees with it, that
where women are employed by private contractors on work for the Federal authorities
and draw their wages from these private sources they must be employed under the
limitations as to age and horns of work laid down by the New York State labor law.
The commission has directed its inspectors and the legal department to proceed along
the lines indicated.
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REPLACEMENT OF MEN BY WOMEN IN GREAT BRITAIN.
In the latter part of 1917 the Council of the British Association
issued a report on industry and finance as affected by the War,1
based partly on official documents and partly on the results of
investigations carried on in Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, and Belfast.
Nearly one-third of the report is devoted to the replacement of men
by women in industry. The amount of such replacement was found
to vary widely between different trades and localities, and even
between different establishments in the same trade and locality.
An example of this is given from the boot and shoe industry:
In Yorkshire, of 6 firms employing over 100 employees each, and with a total em
ployment on 12th January of this year of 1,224, the percentage of replacement was 10.7.
In the same district, of 25 firms employing under 100 employees each, and with a
total employment of 1,064, the percentage of replacement was only 6.9. In the East
Midlands, again, in the same industry, of 152 firms employing over 100 employees
(and 35,316 in all), the percentage of replacement was 6.5; while for 66 small firms
(with 4,280 employees) the percentage was 4.9. Throughout the country, 176,740
persons are estimated to have been employed in this industry on 12th January, 1917,
and at that date the percentage of replacement was 6.2.
A number of factors affect the amount of substitution in any given
establishment. The attitude of an employer toward the introduction
of female labor, the traditions of a trade or locality, and the class of
female labor available are cited as bearing upon the question. The
most important factor, however, is said to be the attitude and policy
of the male workers.
Attention is called to the fact that there are various degrees of
replacement, and that in many cases it is difficult to say whether or
not women are replacing men, since processes have been altered, new
machines have been introduced, and the working force has been
largely increased. In April, 1917, the number of women directly
replacing men was estimated at 1,256,000, of whom over threefourths were found in industrial and commercial occupations, and
in Government employ.2 The degree to which women replace men
varies widely in different industries. In Government establishments,
not including controlled establishments engaged on munitions work,
they form 36 per cent of the total employees; in banking and finance,
24.6 per cent; in commercial occupations, 16.9 per cent; in engi
neering firms, 7.14 per cent; and in all the metal trades, 6.05 per cent.
1In d u stry and finance; w ar expedients and reconstruction, being th e results of inquiries arranged b y the
Section of Economic Science and Statistics of th e B ritish Association, during th e years 1916 and 1917;
e ii ted by A. W . K irkaldy. Published b y au th o rity of the Council of the B ritish Association. P itm an ,
London, 371 pp.
A su m m a ry of th e sectio n of th is re p o rt re la tin g to w o m en w orkers in a g ric u ltu re a p p e ared in th e M o n t h l t
R e v ie w for May, 1918, pp. 61-64.
2 B y October, 1917, th is num ber had increased to 1,413,000. See The Labour G azette, London, February,
1918,p. 48.
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173
These figures refer only to the women directly replacing men.
Many others are engaged in work in which they only partially or indi
rectly replace men who have been withdrawn.
4
*
P R O C E S S E S U P O N W H IC H W O M EN A R E E M P L O Y E D .
In almost all of the industries, the field of women’s work has been
extended since the outbreak of the War. This is especially noticeable
in munition making, as before the War women in the metal working
trades were engaged mostly upon totally unskilled work, whereas at
the time of this report there were few operations in which women were
not engaged. Special devices have been introduced in many cases
to bring heavy work within the limits of a woman’s strength. The
following description is given of one of these devices:
Hero the shells are rolled instead of lifted. A bench running the whole length of
the shop has been erected between each double row of machines, the height of this
bench being practically on a level with the bed of the machine. Each machine is
provided with a portable wooden skid whereby, when it is laid between the bench and
the machine, a shell can be easily transferred from one to the other. The system of
rolling benches has been found elsewhere combined with some arrangement of tongs
and chain tackle, suspended from an overhead beam, whereby the shell may be lifted
from the bench into the machine, and from the machine to the bench.
A number of the Glasgow shops had what was known as a “ flying
squad,” consisting of women trained in all or several of the opera
tions in shell making, so that they could immediately take the
place of women who were off, and whose absence might hold up
material needed for subsequent operations. Such women, of course,
had a more general training than was needed for the ordinary
worker. Even when women were not on these squads, the investi
gators found, it was by no means uncommon for them to be given
a much wider training on machine work than was at first thought
necessary or even possible. As yet they are not, in general,
“ mechanics like the men they have replaced, who were, probably,
in most cases, masters of several machines,” but they are operating
general purpose machines on which they are able to do whatever the
design of the machine permits. Some of their most skilled work is
done in aircraft construction:
Women now perform successfully all operations, including fitting and final assem
bling, upon tbe air pump of rotary aero-engines; e. g., turning work spindle blank in
a center lathe to a lim it on two diameters of plus or minus 0.01 m m . (O.OOO-l").
Women work to a similar limit in turning the 8 mm. diameter crank pin of the air
pump. In all the operations on this part of the aero-engine the female operators set
and grind their tools.
As the women gain experience they become capable of more
skillful work, so that it is not yet possible to say what is the limit of
their capacity, except in the matter of physical strength. There
71795°—18----- 12
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are some operations which are beyond the strength even of selected
women of more than usual physical capacity.
S U G C E S S O F W O M E N O N M E N ’S W O R K .
*
>
*
From the investigations conducted in private establishments it
appeared that in many cases the output of women entering industry
compared favorably from the first with that of the men whom they
replaced. The difference appears where no change in method of
operation has been adopted, as well as in processes where subdivision
of labor has been introduced. One instance is reported from an engi
neering shop in Glasgow, in which a skilled man, employed on copperband cutting, cut on an average 75 bands a day. Under the dilution
scheme his daughter was put in his place, receiving from her father
such training as was necessary. In a short time she was cutting 137
bands a day. In the tailoring trade in Leeds, however, 14 out of 21
employers reported that the output of the women was less than that
of the men they had replaced; of these, two stated that the output
was considerably less, and a third that it was two-thirds that of a
man. “ Many of the firms attributed the diminished output to lack
of training, and said that no doubt it would increase in time.”
The investigators tried to obtain from the employers “ sufficient
authoritative opinion with regard to the woman worker’s relative
power of initiative, concentration, self-reliance, endurance, or staying
power, conscientiousness, ambition, adaptability, and accuracy to
permit of a judgment from such criteria of at least certain elements
of comparison.” The results were 'inconclusive, for employers dif
fered widely on all these points. Apparently the majority of those
interrogated thought the women had less initiative and less selfreliance than men, though there were dissenters from this conclusion.
On the other points there was much disagreement. Without attempt
ing to reconcile the contradictory opinions given, the editor thus sums
up the situation:
On the whole, however, it may be said, from inquiries made in Glasgow, the
results of which are not separately published, and from those of which the results
are printed below, that, generally, employers with experience speak very favorably
of the work which the women are accomplishing. Where labor difficulties have in
times past been acute, they tend even to be extravagant in their praise of women.
T IM E K E E P IN G .
Timekeeping is a complex question, curious variations being found
between establishments employing the same class of workers and
conducted in the same way. Thus, three groups of boiler makers and
helpers employed in three factories controlled by the same firm
showed the following amounts of time lost during a given fortnight:
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175
N um ber
of
workers
in group.
Group 1...................................
Group 2......................................
Group 3..................................................... .......
327
294
145
Average
hours
lost per
worker.
2.22
7.10
4.40
Where such variations are likely to occur, generalizations are dan
gerous. They are especially so when men and women are compared,
because of the different hours they often work. When overtime is
required, as it often has been since the War began, men are almost
invariably called upon for longer hours than are women. It may be
regarded as fairly well established that overtime, carried beyond a
certain point, leads to a loss of normal time through exhaustion or
definite illness, and therefore the longer hours worked by men might
naturally be reflected in a higher sickness rate, with a correspondingly
greater loss of time.
Bearing these difficulties in mind, the results obtained from differ
ent establishments may be compared. Figures of timekeeping are
presented for four groups of factories, the first consisting of 1,307
establishments in iron and steel, tin plate, wire drawing, hardware,
engineering, electrical engineering, shipbuilding, cycles and motors,
railway carriages and wagons, cutlery, tools, small arms, scientific
instruments, and other metal industries, the second of 657 establish
ments in building, limestone quarries, iron and steel, tin-plate, wire
drawing, and hardware industries; the third of 789 engineering estab
lishments; and the fourth of 654 establishments engaged in a variety
of industries. Time lost through illness, accident, or while on leave
of absence is classed as unavoidably lost, while time lost from any
other causes is classed as avoidably lost.
TIM E LO ST B Y E M P L O Y E E S IN F O U R G R O U PS O F E S T A B L IS H M E N T S.
Average Average
hours per hours per Total of
employee employee columns
lost
lost un 1 and 2.
avoidably. avoidably.
Group 1—Week ending Mar. 17,1916:
Male employees...................... ..........
Female employees.........................
Group 2—Week ending Feb. 16,1917:
Male employees.................................
Female employees............... ............
Group 3—Week ending Mar. 16, 1917:
Male employees...................... .
Female e m p lo y e e s.........................
Group 4—Week ending Mar. 30,1917:
Male employees.................................
Female employees........................
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1.8
1.2
[395]
1.8
1.2
.9
1.4
1.5
3.7
2.4
5.1
1.1
.6
1.8
1.2
2.9
1.8
.9
.7
1.3
1.3
2.2
2.0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
176
In every case in which the time lost unavoidably is given, it forms
more than half of the total lost time, ranging from 59 to 63 per cent
for male employees and from 65 to 72 per cent for female employees.
The second group presents a marked contrast to the others, in that
the female employees show an average of lost time more than twice
as great as that of the males. No explanation of this difference is.
given, unless it is implied in the statement that limestone quarries
are included in this group of establishments; the nature of the work
and the exposure involved, especially as the time was winter, seem
causes which would be apt to produce more lost time among women
than among men.
Other data are given, obtained from a shell factory in Scotland,
where time records were carefully kept for a period of eight weeks,
from February 24 to April 21,1917. Here the time lost was expressed
in percentages of the total possible hours of work, instead of being
given by average hours per worker. For the total period the per
centages stood as follows:
Male
em
ployees.
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
of tim e lost unavoidably to to tal possible h o u rs......................*........................
of tim e lost avoidably to to tal possible hours....................................................
of to tal tim e lost to to tal possible h o u rs.............................................................
of tim e lost unavoidably to total tim e lo st........................................................
3.3
2.0
5.3
61.7
Female
em
ployees.
6.0
1.7
7.8
77.8
The relatively large amount of time lost in this establishment is
explained by the fact that it was started later than many others in
the district and so could not pick its employees as carefully as it
might otherwise have done; hence the large amount of illness. The
greater loss of time by the women shown here tallies rather closely
with the results of another investigation, made by Prof. Loveday, in
one department of a large factory where about 270 males and 290
females were engaged upon work of a light nature:
The investigation covered the period from the week ending June 6, 1916, to the
week ending September 19 of the same year. The percentage ratio, for the whole
period, of time lost avoidably, to gross normal time, was, in the case of men, 1.9; in
the case of women, 1.8. The percentage ratio of time lost unavoidably, to gross
normal time, was, for jnen, 3.6; for women, 5.7; giving a percentage of total time lost
to gross normal time for men of 5.5; for women, 7.6.
In both these cases the records were carefully kept for considerable
periods. Without questioning the accuracy of the results shown in
the preceding table for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, the editor suggests that
a fuller investigation would be desirable, in view of the difference
between those results and the results obtained in the two investiga
tions last quoted.
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177
SO U RCES OF FE M A L E LA BO R.
The workers covered in the investigation were largely women who
had not been industrially employed before, or married women who
had retired from industry on marriage but came back again in answer
to the pressing demand. Approximately one-fifth had not been
industrially employed until the demand for more workers during the
War brought them out of their homes. To some extent women were
brought over from Ireland to meet the need for munition workers, and
to a greater extent women migrated from one part of England to an
other, and transferred from one industry to another.
IN D U S T R IA L TR A IN IN G .
Much of the work on which women have been engaged demands
little or no training; but in many cases it was found that women were
kept on unskilled work when they were capable, if training were pro
vided, of undertaking more skilled operations. Where employers
expect to reinstate men after the War is over they object to the trouble
and expense of training women, and, if training is absolutely necessary,
cut it down to the smallest proportions possible. For instance, in
the tailoring trade before the War only men were employed as cutters.
It has been found necessary to put women on this work, but the
employers are reluctant to give them full training.
Women have now been introduced in the cutting room to work which requires
accuracy and skill. As is noted in the Leeds report, the firms themselves give the
necessary training. But as they do not expect to retain the women in this depart
ment, they tend to keep them on one process, instead of taking them from one to
another, as they do with the boys.
Again, in banking in Scotland, the women are employed only for
the duration of the War and are not permitted to join the Institute
of Bankers in Scotland.
Consequently they are given no great opportunity nor, in the circumstances, do
they generally seem to have any great inclination, to qualify themselves for the
higher branches of banking work.
Attention is now being directed to a more advanced training to
enable women to enter general engineering work. Courses of this
kind are now available for women in the Leeds Technical School and
in the Royal Technical College in Glasgow. As is the case with other
institutions, the latter institution is working in conjunction with the
Ministry of Munitions and provides such machines as horizontal and
vertical drilling machines, etc.
W E L F A R E W O R K AND SU PE R V ISIO N .
Along this line the author feels that very satisfactory progress has
been made since the outbreak of the War. Welfare work was carried
on before, but never so generally and extensively as now. In all
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
national factories, by order of the Minister of Munitions, there must
be at least one welfare supervisor. The following paragraph, quoted
from the report of the principal lady inspector of factories for 1916,
shows something of the need for such work, and of the progress made:
The factories were classified for the guidance of the director and his staff, as to
degree of urgency of the call for his attention. An examination of these records
shows that 31 per cent of the factories were classified A, 49 per cent B, and 20 per cent 0.
I t is well to grasp the point that B and 0 conditions meant, in varying combinations,
partial or complete lack of messroom accommodations or facilities for cooking food;
inadequate or nonexistent cloakrooms and washing appliances, even for dirty and
greasy occupations; lack of supply of seats; need of first-aid and rest rooms; super
vision even of numerous young girls by men only, and other defects, in factories
mostly working 12-hour shifts, and reached often by considerable journeys from the
workers’ homes. Great progress has been made in 1916 in all these matters. * * *
Undoubtedly a number of the factories classed B in 1916 have, during the year,
qualified for class A, and to a lesser extent this is true of class C.
O TH ER M ATTERS.
In regard to trade-unionism among women, little advance seems to
have been made during 1916. The most successful work mentioned
in unionizing women is that of the National Union of General
Laborers, a mixed union with about 11,000 women members in
Scotland, which reports no difficulty in holding the women. The
National Federation of Women Workers, which, according to a
report on the employment of women in the engineering and ship
building trades for Glasgow and the Clyde had organized approx
imately 3,000 women in 1916, “ does not seem, from a report received,
to have now exceeded that number for its total membership for
Scotland.” This union had, in many instances, received the encour
agement and assistance of officials of the Amalgamated Society of
Engineers, so its comparative failure can not be attributed to mascu
line hostility. As to the after-war problems, the report states that
apparently the replacement of skilled men by women has not been
large, and that consequently, in the engineering trades at least,
competition after the War is apt to be between women and unskilled
men, leaving the skilled men only indirectly affected.
EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN GREAT BRITAIN IN JANUARY,
1918.
The following table taken from the British Labor Gazette for
June, 1918 (p. 216), gives the position as regards the employment of
females in January, 1918, showing (1) the expansion in the employ
ment of women and girls since July, 1914, and (2) the extent to which
women and girls are directly replacing men, according to the returns
made by employers:
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
SUM MARY O F T H E PO SIT IO N AS R E G A R D S T H E E M PL O Y M E N T O F FE M A L E S IN G R E A T
B R IT A IN , JA N U A R Y , 1918.
E stim ated num ber of females em ployed in—
Direct replace
m ent of men
by women.
January, 1918.
.
Occupation.
P er cent of
increase over—1
July, 1914. October.
1917.
N um ber.
In d u stries.................................................. 2,175,500 2,704,500 2,708,500
G o vernm ent establishm ents..................
2,000
213,000
209,500
G as, w ater, and electricity (under
local authorities)....................
600
4,600
5,100
A griculture in G reat B ritain (perm an en t lab o r)........................
80,000
87,000
74,000
T ransport (excluding tram w ays under
local authorities)....................
17,000
94,000
93,000
Tram w ays (under loeal a u th o ritie s)...
1,200
18,200
18,200
I inance an d b an k in g......................
9,500
68,500
70,500
Commerce...............................
496,000
829,000
839,000
Professions..................................
50,500
1O0,500
100,500
H otels, public houses, cinemas, th eaters, etc...........................
181,000
209,000
207,000
Civil service, post office...............
60,500
107,000
108,000
O ther civil sen d ee......................
5,000
75,000
81,500
O ther services under local authorities. 196,200
226,700
226,200
T o tal.........................................
3,275,000 4,737,000 4,741,000
July,
1914.
O ct.,
1917.
24.5
10,375.0
0.1
2 1.6
750.0
N um ber.
Per cent
of those
em,ployed
in July,
1914.
503,000
197,000
23.0
8,470.0
722.5
10.9
4,000
27.5 214.9
31,000
39.3
447.0 2 1.1
1,416.7
642.1
2.9
1.2
69.2
99.0
78,000
lôjOOO
57,000
342,000
22j000
460.3
1,370.0
603.8
68.8
43.0
45,000
53', 000
70,000
24,000
24.6
86.8
1,410.0
12.3
.1 1,442,000
44.0
14.4
78.5
1,530.0
15.3
44.8
1 These columns are com puted; they do not appear in th e original table.
2 1.0
.9
8.7
2 .2
2 Decrease.
It is explained that this table does not show the number engaged in
domestic service, nor does it take into account the large movement
l'rom domestic sendee as well as from small dressmaking work
shops and workrooms, to other occupations. It is estimated that
•the displacement from these two spheres of employment taken
together amount to 400,000 women. Attention is also called to
the fact that figures relating to the number of women employed in
such services as the Women’s Royal Naval Service, the Women’s
Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women Police, and timber cutting under
the Board of Trade, are not included, nor are they available. Some
indication of the large numbers of women in these services may be
gathered from the statement made in the House of Commons in
February, 1918, that over 20,000 women had enrolled in the Women’s
Army Auxiliary Corps.
During the quarter ending January, 1918, the slowing down in the rate of increase
of female workers which was apparent in the previous quarter has become more
striking, and in the occupations enumerated in the table there has been a total increase
of female workers of only 4,000, as against 48,000 in the previous quarter and 140,000
in the quarter April to July, 1917. At the same time the falling off in the number of
males employed has been conspicuously small, probably owing largely to the reinstate
ment of men returning from the forces.
The increase in the number of women employed in industry, though very small, is
just sufficient to account for the total increase. In Government establishments there
is an actual decrease, as also in hotels, public houses, and restaurants, and in all forms
of transport by land. There is also a seasonal decrease in agriculture.
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A G REEM EN TS
BETW EEN EM PLO Y ER S
PLO YEES.
AND
EM
NONUNION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PLAN.
BY BORIS EMMET, PH.D.
The collective bargaining plan described in this article is given
because it represents an interesting and instructive example of what
may be called “ nonunion collective bargaining.” By this term is
meant the collective bargaining between an employer and his own
employees without the intervention of any union outside the estab
lishment. The establishment whose collective-bargaining scheme is
here described is a middle western firm manufacturing women’s'
ready-to-wear clothing and having about 700 employees, chiefly
women and girls. The three years’ operation of the plan has resulted
in putting on a collective basis the wage bargaining of the establish
ment, as well as hours of labor, discipline, discharges, and adjust
ment of grievances.
N A T U R E OF T H E PL A N .
Under the scheme there are three separate bodies, known, respec
tively, as the senate, the cabinet, and the house of representativ es.
The senate and the cabinet, both of which represent the interests of the
firm, were created simultaneously in June, 1914. The organization
of the employees, termed the house of representatives, was created*
one year later.
The members of the senate are salaried employees directly con
nected with the planning of the work of the institution, namely, heads
of departments, their assistants, superintendents, and their assistants.
Application for membership must be submitted in writing to the
secretary of the senate after the applicant has secured the indorse
ment of the firm and of at least one member of the senate. A majority
vote of the members present is required for election. Membership
ceases upon termination of employment with the company. Each
member of the senate has one vote. By a two-thirds vote of the mem
bers present the rules and regulations governing the deliberations
may be amended. Regular meetings are held once a week, but
special sessions may be convened whenever occasion arises. The
officers of the senate are a president, vice president, treasurer, secre
tary, and sergeant at arms, all elected by the membership for a
term of one year.
The members of the house of representatives are elected from
among those employees of the company who have been in continu180
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
181
oils service for at least six months. This qualification is at present
relatively unimportant for the reason that four-fifths of the employees
of this company have been in its service more than six months. The
representatives are elected by popular vote of the employees, in the
ratio of 1 representative for every 15 employees, but each department,
however small, has at least one representative. Each member of the
house has 1 vote. The officers of this organization include a president,
vice president, treasurer, secretary, and sergeant at arms, all elected
by popular vote. Elections are held regularly twice a year, during the
first weeks of February and August. Regular meetings of the em
ployees’representatives are held every other Tuesday and special meet
ings may be called whenever necessary. The rules of procedure of the
body may be amended by a two-thirds vote of its membership.
The cabinet consists of members of the executive board of the
company, and has the final word in all matters referred to it by the
joint action of the house and senate. Members of the cabinet may
attend the meetings of either the senate or the house, but have no
power to vote. Unless especially requested, however, members of
the firm do not, as a rule, attend any of the sessions of the repre
sentative organizations of the employees.
The jurisdiction of the house and senate is unlimited. These bodies
are privileged to discuss and act upon any proposition that may
affect the interests of the employees and the firm. A proposition
may originate in either house, but must also be referred to the other
house for discussion and action there. In case of disagreement in
the decisions reached the disputed points are referred to a joint con
ference committee consisting of an equal number of representatives
of both organizations. The conference committee endeavors to
reach some mutually satisfactory compromise, and usually succeeds.
The compromise is then submitted to the cabinet for approval. As
a matter of actual practice, propositions agreed to by both houses in
the manner indicated above are usually assented to by the firm.
Under the provisions of the scheme there are a number of standing
committees consisting of an equal number of representatives from
both organizations. The most important of these are the betterment
committee, which hears complaints and adjusts grievances, and the
welfare committee, which deals with matters affecting the general
comfort and welfare of the employees. There are many other com
mittees, mostly of minor importance, such as a committee on appro
priations, in charge of expending the funds annually appropriated
by the company 1 for entertainments, athletics, etc., a program com1 For th e purpose of m aintaining th e social activities of its employees th e com pany sets aside annually
about $800. T h is am ount does n o t include th e salary of th e so-called “ professional” secretary who is an
employee of th e com pany having in charge th e ex ecu tiv e a n d clerical w o rt incidental to th e operation
of the bargaining scheme, such as keeping th e record of th e proceedings, calling m eetings, etc.
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
mittee for entertainments, and a fire-drill committee. New com
mittees are created whenever necessity arises for handling special
questions.
A discharged employee has the right to refer his case to the better
ment committee. If the decision of the betterment committee is
not satisfactory to the employee, he may file a notice to that effect
with the “ professional” secretary of the house of representatives and
the senate. The latter two organizations then select a board of
review consisting of five persons, two selected by the senate, two
by the house, and the fifth by mutual consent of both organizations.
The majority decision of the board is final. The board has full power
over discharge cases and may reinstate any employee who, in its
opinion, was wrongfully discharged. The company, however, spe
cifically reserves the right to lay off employees on account of lack of
work, and a lay-off, even when in effect equivalent to a discharge, is
not subject to the jurisdiction of the board.
By a special resolution adopted April 17, 1918, a permanent wage
committee was created. This committee is composed of one mem
ber selected by the employees of each factory department and one
employee chosen to represent the office and clerical force of the
firm. The functions of this committee, as defined in the resolution,
are as follows: (1) To recommend and pass upon general changes in
wages; (2) to suggest and pass upon minimum and maximum rates
to be paid for the various operations according to skill involved,
length of service, and steadiness in attendance; (3) to sit with the
factory planning board, composed of the superintendents, for the
purpose of passing upon individual increases in wages; and (4) to
receive complaints of individuals to whom increases were denied.
A C TU A L W O R K IN G S OF PL A N .
That this collective bargaining scheme has been of benefit to the
employees may be seen from the list presented below, enumerating
some of the more important matters dealt with and adjusted col
lectively, as well as from the brief account given later of the changes
in wages during the last 18 months.
Ordered that raw materials be sold to employees at cost plus 15 per
cen t.............................................................................................................. Apr.
23, 1915
Ruled that no freight be carried on elevators between 7.15 and 7.45
a. m. and 11.30 a. m. to 12.15 p. m ........................................................Feb. 22 1916
Ordered that 1 week’s vacation with pay be granted to those in serv
ice 1 year orlonger................................................................................... Apr.
25, 1916
Introduced a 48-hour week.......................................................................... June 16, 1916
Ordered that 2 weeks’ vacation with pay be granted to those in serv
ice more than 3 years................................................................................May 20, 1916
Decided that, whenever possible, promotions be made from rank and
file.................................................................................................................Sept. 19, 1916
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Employed a “ professional” secretary for the house and senate..........Jan.
Granted increases in wages of 5 and 10 per cent....................................... Jan.
Formulated rules of procedure to govern a board of review to handle
discharges....................................................................................................Jan.
Decided that the positions of enlisted men be held open for them ---- May
Granted an increase in wages of 5 per cent............................................... June
Agreed to readjust wages in accordance with the changes in the cost of
living........................................................................................................... Jan.
Created a permanent committee to deal with wage questions................ Apr.
183
10, 1917
23, 1917
10, 1917
29, 1917
20, 1917
23, 1918
17, 1918
In these days of advancing prices the attention of employees is
centered on the question of wages. Since the beginning of 1917
the question of wages has been the subject of frequent discussions
of the representative bodies. The procedure of arriving at wage
changes was somewhat as follows: The workers, feeling the need-of
larger incomes, usually called a meeting of their representatives
and by resolution instructed them to make certain demands for
increases in wages. The matter would then be taken up at the next
meeting of the house for the purpose of arriving at a definite figure.
As a rule, the house, being more familiar with the general conditions
of business, modified considerably the demands of its constituents, j
The figure agreed upon'by the house would then be referred to the
senate. The latter, after detailed discussions and informal confer
ences with the management, then arrived at some decision. In
cases of disagreement the matter went through the regular procedure
of reference to a joint conference committee and then to the firm
which, in the great majority of instances, approved the compromise
arrived at by the joint conference committee.
On January 29, 1917, an increase of 10 per cent was granted to
employees with a continuous record of service of one year or more,
and of 5 per cent to those in service less than one year. On June
20, 1917, an additional all-round increase of 5 per cent was given.
In the early part of December, 1917, the representatives* of the
employees, in view of the still mounting cost of living, submitted a
demand for an additional all-round wage increase of 10 per cent.1
The matter was referred to the senate, where it was discussed at
great length. The opinion prevailing in the senate was “ that
inasmuch as it would not be right to ever cut wages, it might be
1 The following is an ex tract from th e proceedings of th e meeting of th e house of representatives held on
Dec. 4, 1917, a t w hich th e dem and for an increase in wages was decided upon:
j
Mr. K , of th e cu ttin g departm ent, then made a motion th a t th e firm be asked to grant a 20 per cent in- j
crease in wages to all employees because of th e great increase in th e cost of living.
This did n o t meet w ith favor from some other members, and Mr. £* then m ade a motion to am end it
to read 10 p er cent instead of 20 per cent. The am endm ent was carried.
!
In th e discussion w hich followed, house members showed th a t living expenses have gone u p since last
June; th a t th e y believed th a t th e firm was square a n d therefore th e y w anted to be square too; th a t th e y
believed th a t, w ith th e increased cost of m aterial and overhead expenses, 20 per cent was too m uch to ask
for in fairness; b u t th a t, because of conditions a t present, th e y considered it fair to ask th a t th e firm grant
a 10 per cent increase.
This motion to ask for 10 per cent increase was carried w ith b u t 3 voting against it.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
unwise to grant increase after increase, as the cost of living rises, if
such raises are made permanent, * * * but that temporary raises
as long as this high cost of living remains on the same level, or goes
up, are necessary.” In view of the difference in the viewpoints of
the house and the senate the subject was referred to a joint com
mittee whicn was instructed to work out some equitable method
for the adjustment of wages to the rising cost of living. The action
of this committee was announced on January 9, 1918. It sug
gested that periodic (monthly) changes in wages be made in accord
ance with the changes in the prices of commodities. A resolution
to this effect was passed and subsequently approved by the firm.
In accordance with this resolution, the company on January 23
made the following announcement:
The company believes there is justice in the suggestion that the wages of the em
ployees be readjusted in accordance with the higher cost of living. It wishes to meet
the suggestion by paying a separate high-cost-of-living envelope to each employee
once a month. This envelope will contain an amount of money which will represent
the average increased cost of living to each employee.
This amount will be figured by using Bradstreet’s index figures as a basis. These
index figures represent an average of the prices of 96 articles used in everyday life.
As the prices change, these index figures change, so that they are a fair measure of
the increase in the cost of living. These figures have been used by Bradstreet’g
since 1904 and are recognized all over the United States as being impartial and reliable.
As these monthly index figures are not available until the 15th of the month the
index figures of November the 1st will be taken instead of December 1st, and this
November the 1st figure will be continued to be used as a basis. Therefore, the highcost-of-living envelope for December will be the percentage of difference between
the index figures of November the 1st and December the 1st. The high-cost-ofliving envelope for January will be the difference between November the 1st and
January 1st, and so on. This payment will be made on the second Tuesday of every
month.
The company does not obligate itself to continue this payment indefinitely, and as
soon as circumstances arise that make this payment unnecessary or impossible to
maintain the employees will be advised through the house of representatives of this
fact.
This new wage arrangement was to be retroactive to December,
1917, when the wage demand of the employees was presented.
Since the date of the announcement, the following percentages of
the regular earnings of the employees have been paid as cost-ofliving bonuses: For the month of December, 1917, 5 per cent; Janu
ary, February, and March, 1918, 6 per cent; and April, 1918, 8 per
cent.
- - -
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[404]
EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT,
WORK OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN THE UNITED STATES AND
OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN CANADA.
Data are presented in the following table showing the operations
of the public employment offices for the month of June, 1918, and
in cases were figures are available, for the corresponding month,in
1917. Figures are given from 180 public employment offices in
41 States and the District of Columbia—Federal employment offices
in 30 States and the District of Columbia, Federal-State employ
ment offices in 11 States, Federal-State-county-municipal employ
ment offices in 4 States, a Federal-State-municipal employment
office in 1 State, a Federal-municipal employment office in 1 State,
State employment offices in 11 States, State-municipal employment
offices in 2 States, and municipal employment offices in 6 States.
Figures from 2 Canadian employment offices are also given.
O PE R A T IO N S O F PU B L IC E M PL O Y M E N T O FFIC E S, JU N E , 1917 AN D 1918.
U N IT E D ST A T E S .
Applica
tions from
employers.
State, city, and
k in d of office.
Persons
asked for
by em
ployers.
Persons applying
for work.
New regis
trations.
Renewals.
Persons
referred
to
positions.
June, June, June, June, June, June, June, June, June,
1917.
1918.
1917.
1918.
Positions
filled.
June,
Juno,
June,
1918.
1917.
1918.
1917.
1918.
1917.
1918.
i 21
i 654
(!)
(2)
572
572
362
710
(2)
102
671
55
812
726
383
35
350
4 ,2 3 2
1917.
ALA BA M A .
Mobile (F ed e ra l)____
151
1 ,1 3 8
410
75
785
428
A R IZ O N A .
P h o e n i x (FederalState-county-municip a l). . . .
Y um a (F ederal).........
383
i 129
Total
A R K A N SA S.
T'ittle RoeV (Federal)
N orth L ittle Rock
(Federal)
Pine R l n f f (Federal) -
28
52
107
501
2 ,9 0 5
500
838
6 ,9 8 6
* 383
i 70
i 440
i 4 ,6 0 9
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
383
35
350
4 ,2 7 2
5
54
3 ,7 3 8
342
i 139
1645
1291
(2)
(2)
(2)
116
331
199
66
14
11 1
1
5 ,5 1 7
5 ,6 8 6
-------- j--------- —
-- ----- := ... ...-------* N um ber applying for w ork.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[405]
218
188
------ ---i--------- »------1 2 N ot reported.
185
186
MONTHLY LABOR REYIEW.
O P E R A T I O N S O F PU B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F I C E S , J U N E , 1917 AND W lS -C onttnned.
U N I T E D S T A T E S —C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and
k ind of office.
Applica
tions from
employers.
Persons
asked for
b y em
ployers.
Persons applying
for work.
New regis
trations.
Per sons
referred
0
Renewals.
posil ions.
June, June June June, June, June, June June, June,
1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917.
June,
1918.
Positions
filled.
June,
1917.
June,
1918.
C A L IF O R N IA .
218
513
Bakersfield ( F ederal)..
178
380
E l Centro (F ed eral). . .
596
1,069
Fresno (S ta te ) .......... ..
(*)
53
H ayw ard (F ed eral)__
Los' Angeles (FederalState-m unicipal) — 3,787 4,970 8,257 7,880 2,558
O a k l a n d (Federal588
S tate).......................... 1,211 1,969 2,161 3,777
729 1,652 2,296
Sacramento (S ta te ).... 597
713
San Francisco (S tate). 2,091 3,408 4,898 7,562 1,845
1,048
779
San Jose (S tate)..........
102
679
Santa Rosa (Federal)
T otal....................
1 619
1374
534
1 60
C2)
3,618
(*)
1,967
721
( 2)
( 2)
(*)
( 2i
473
1 468
2,343
(s )
(2)
(*)
( 2)
( 2)
____ ___
«
507
339
1,175
38
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
379
260
1 135
20
7,138
6,865
7,274
5,961
1,715
1,239
4,595
3,773
1,426
7,117
962
468
1,445
1,215
3,657
3,069
1,298
5,657
674
468
14,687 22,670 13,591
18,921
COLORADO .
Pueblo (Federal-State)
(* )
(*)
(* )
(* )
( 2)
(* )
<*)
( 2)
( 2)
(* )
778
(* )
1710
(*>
(*)
(* )
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
(3)
m
( 2)
700
(* )
700
513
917
855
734
343
294
C O N N E C T IC U T .
Bridgeport (FederalS tate)..........................
H artford (S tate)...........
New H aven (S ta te ). . .
Norwich. (S tate)...........
W ater bury (S ta te )___
(’ )
(*)
651 1,092 1 833 1 1,330
1,324 1,168 11,574 1 1,182
956
875 11,2 11 1 923
347 1 422 1 410
344
181
328 1 277 1 466
T otal....................
De
l a w a r e
_
(»)
(')
__
(* )
( 2)
( 2)
( 3)
(*)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
( 2)
611
1,0S4
820
329
139
( 2)
( 2)
2,983
3,143
( 2)
1,364
( 2)
1,310
3,739
271
3,538
.
W ilmington (Federal).,
(* )
112
(* )
3,525
(s )
1 1,487
( J)
( 2)
303
221
2,295
1391
3,685
( 2)
( 2)
D IS T R IC T O P C O L U M B IA .
W ashington (Federal).
94
277
F L O R ID A .
T am pa (F ederal).........
10
( 2)
(*>
(* )
497
491
( 3)
( 3)
( 3)
1 896
178
86
343
22
222
2,503
22
373
169
11
135
14
443
133
11
135
14
294
180
592
144
443
G E O R G IA .
A tla n ta (F e d e ra lS tate)............... ...........
Columbus (F ed e ra l)...
Macon (F ed eral)..........
Savannah (F ed e ra l)...
‘
2
209
17
36
15
2,000
3,295
147
356
325
1 1,965
1 272
1 133
1 99 1535
( 2)
( 2)
T otal....................
31
31
'
ID A H O .
Boise (m unicipal)........
Moscow (F ederal)........
St. A nthony (Federal)
150
11
(2)
8
219
11
135
(2) 1 169
357 1 11
606
1 135
1 19
1 573
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
T otal.................. ..
4
(2)
65
86
IL L IN O IS .
A lton (F ed eral)...........
Aurora (F ederal)..........
Bloomington (FederalState)................... .......!
Cairo (F ederal)___. . . .
30
234
259
46
......
641
728
1 267
1 776
286
616
1 416
308
*Number applying for work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(V
215
577
132
462
13
(2)
270
392
216
256
(2)
*Not reported.
[406]
187
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
O P E R A T I O N S O F P U B L I C E M P L O Y M E N T O F F I C E S , J U N E , 1917 A N D 1918—C o n tin u e d .
U N I T E D S T A T E S — C o n tin u e d .
State, city, and
k in d of office.
Applica
tions from
employers.
Persons
asked for
b y em
ployers.
Persons applying
for work.
New regis
trations.
Renewals.
Persons
referred
to
positions.
June, June, June, June, June, June, June, June, June,
1917.' 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917.
Positions
filled.
June,
1918.
June,
1917.
June,
1918.
illin ois—concluded.
Chicago (Federal-State) 5,253 5,822 16,336 27,433 16,261 11,089 1,088 7,082 15,505 16,330 12,764
D a n v ille (F ed eral6
242
319
153
914
D e c a tu r (F e d e ra l67
217
246
222
377
E a st St. Louis (Fed712
637
730
959
370
273
931 1,176 1,366
479
er at-State).................. 484
167
1 221
88
567
(2)
558
i 716
228
(s)
997
864 1,007 1,096
240
837
188
Peoria (*S tate)............... 838
859 1,287 1,365
R ockford (F ederal860
978
322
298
924 1,096
878 1,211 1,374
823
S ta te ).......................... 736
Rock islan d - Moline
701
760 2,377
322 1,180
538 1,234
(Federal-State)......... 513 1,319 1,181 3,567
465
727
293
494
490
571
193
335
595
963
Springfield (S ta te )----- 450
266
98
i 479
1,916
(2)
13,181
19,416 25,489 16,499
21,321
T o tal....................
182
182
924
154
.534
1,075
977
2,282
647
117
INDIANA.
Fort W ayne (S ta te )...
South B end (S ta te ). . .
252
163
498
452
546 1,295
577
346
82
600
(*)
106
451
44
(*)
191
T o tal....................
569
569
778
297
533
447
778
263
1,138
1,075
980
1,041
IOW A.
Council Bluffs (Fedp.rpl-State)
D avenport (FederalDes Moines (FederalState - county - mu
nicipal) ......................
O ttum w a
(FederalState)
Sioux City (FederalWaterloo
82
(Federal-
142
508
i 261
230
735
360
578
247 1,466
1,111
129
18
(*)
187
119
108
523
381
360
168
1,271
107
956
329
284
480
1409
(2)
408
746
1,531
i 1,088
(J)
947
781
561
1 674
(!)
527
447
375
T otal....................
168
3,864
107
3,013
128
1,444
626
124
(2)
483
128
2,070
124
483
186
149
1S6
149
KANSAS.
Topeka (Federal-State)
110
168
366
3,818
130 1,233 i 147
1 1,607
677
(*)
(2)
10
T o tal....................
K EN TUCKY.
Louisville (S ta te )........
191
165
186
1 175
149 i 254
(*)
(2)
LOUISIANA.
{*)
27
108
i 44
(2)
225
(*)
(2)
(2)
35
127
34
35
161
T o tal....................
M ARYLAND.
Baltimore (F ed e ra l)...
Salisbury (F ed eral). . .
55
493
24
309 7,763
499
T o tal....................
1 293 i 8,750
1365
------------
1 N um ber applying for work.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(>)
(*)
(2)
219
6 150
219
7,158
365
219
6,515
219
7,523
365
* Not reported.
[407]
188
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S , J U N E , 1917 A N D 1 9 1 8 -C o n tin u ed .
U N IT E D S T A T E S -C o n tin u e d .
S ta te , e ity , a n d
k in d of office.
A pplica
tio n s from
em ployers.
P ersons
ask ed for
b y em
p loyers.
P ersons a p p ly in g
for w ork.
N ew regis
tra tio n s .
P erso n s
referre d
to
p o sitions.
R en ew als.
P o sitio n s
filled.
Ju n e
Ju n e
June
June
Ju n e
June,
Ju n e
Ju n e , Ju n e,
June,
Ju n e,
1917.
1918.
Ju n e,
1917.
1918.
1917.
1918.
1917.
1918.
1918.
1917.
1918.
4 ,2 6 3
8 1 ,6 9 4
8 1 ,5 8 2
83 , 4 9 8
1 ,7 9 3
« 1 ,4 1 7
1 142
87 , 5 3 9
8 6 ,7 0 8
3 ,8 0 3
64
75
6 ,6 4 3
660
780
893
368
141
144
564
411
6 ,7 4 7
376
1 ,5 7 6
540
483
763
174
314
64
75
6 ,6 4 3
660
780
887
368
141
131
564
1 0 ,3 3 2
1 1 ,5 0 4
1 0 ,3 1 3
1917.
M A SSA CH U SETT S.
B o sto n ( S ta te ) ..............
S pringfield ( S ta t e ) ___
W orcester ( S ta t e ) ........
2 ,2 9 7
1 ,0 9 7
1 ,0 8 1
2,202 2 , 7 8 8
1 ,0 1 5
' 979
1 ,5 4 7
1 ,3 7 0
T o ta l.....................
2 ,5 6 9
1 ,8 1 6
1 ,2 5 4
U ,8 4 2
i 604
i 643
1 1 ,6 1 3
i 680
i 639
0
0
(* )
OO
( !)
( 2)
___
—
8
8
1 ,7 9 0
1 ,7 4 7
l ’ 057
786
871
M IC H IG A N .
B a ttle Creek ( S ta te ) ...
B ay C ity ( S ta t e ) ..........
D etro it (F ed eral-S tate )
F lin t ( S ta t e ) ..................
G ran d R a p id s (.S tate).
Jack so n ( S ta t e ) .............
K alam azoo ( S ta te ) ___
L a n sin g ( S ta t e ) ............
M uskegon ( S ta t e ) ........
Saginaw (S ta te ) ............
56
47
1 ,3 2 9
275
321
416
168
37
59
134
180
64
1 ,2 0 3
252
798
606
350
143
40
174
106
142
6 ,6 9 0
675
796
908
332
146
162
737
463
231
0
399
1 ,7 1 3
606
614
822
692
574
i 68
i 97
1 6 ,6 4 3
i 693
i 794
i 930
i 368
i 160
i 161
i 564
298
94
6 ,6 6 1
356
1 ,3 6 5
407
572
693
162
263
00
0
0
0
(2)
113
45
137
80
297
170
64
( 2)
0
0
0
88
24
51
( s)
T o ta l.....................
120
411
120
6 ,7 4 7
'3 3 9
1 ,4 9 8
'4 9 3
401
763
160
314
.
M INNESOTA.
D u lu th (S ta te )..............
M inneapolis ( S ta te ) . . .
S t. P a u l (S ta te ) ............
<*)
( 2)
( 2)
1 ,5 7 1
( 2)
855
( 2)
2 ,6 7 9
00
1 ,5 7 1
2 ,3 6 3
855
879
( 2)
1 2 ,0 7 9 1 2 , 1 8 2
817
«
00
( 2)
( 2)
(* )
00
00
0)
2 ,0 5 0
)
0
1 ,1 6 7
1 ,9 6 3
*823
1 ,4 4 1
1 ,6 2 3
1 ,1 3 5
1 .0 6 8
1, 6 5 7
'8 1 4
T o ta l.....................
MISSISSIPPI.
M eridian (F e d e ra l)___
86
33
i 537
427
(* )
—
—
—
M IS S O U R I.
H a n n ib a l ( F e d e r a l ) ...
K an sas C ity (F ederalS ta te )............................
S t. Jo seph (F e d e ra l)...
S t. L o uis (F ederalS ta te ) ............................
7
31
i 87
1 ,1 7 0
1 ,8 0 9
324
2 ,8 0 6
9 ,6 7 5
2 ,2 6 3
764
1 9 ,1 2 8
> 1 ,7 6 8
318
537
1 ,8 1 9
1 1 ,8 4 3
918
1 6 ,0 6 1
(!)
0)
T o t a l.....................
:
<*)
1
00
579
1
53
39
605
130
97
109
» 10
1569
i 109
11 0 7
7 ,5 2 4
I) 766
1 ,9 3 4
6 ,9 1 0
826
5 ,9 2 7
823
5 ,7 6 5
4 ,9 0 3
1 5 ,2 8 6
2 ,7 5 7
1 4 ,3 7 9
(0
0
485
475
89
so
485
644
964
« 3 ,7 1 3
1,677
------- --
M ONTANA.
B u tte (m u n ic ip a l)___
H elen a (F e d e ra l)..........
M issoula (F e d e ra l)___
27
4 ,0 7 7
00
111
--------- 5
69
( 2)
3 ,3 1 3
415
—
000
0)
(S)
0)
T o t a l.....................
4
94
80
4
174
N EBRASKA.
L in co ln ( F e d e ra l)........
O m ah a(F ed eral-S tatec o u n ty -m u n ic ip a l). .
408
891
1 ,0 9 4
1 ,1 5 3
1 ,5 5 0
3 ,8 4 9
i 644
889
1 ,6 2 3
562
(*>
480
177
T o t a l.....................
.
1,220
1,220
1 ,3 5 1
516
oon
4A, ¿¿\)
N E W JE R SE Y ,
C am den (F e d e ra l).......
Jersey C ity (F ederalS ta te ) ............................
O range (F ed eral-S tate )
P a te rso n (F e d e ra l)___
T r e n to n ( F e d e r a l ) ....
180
0
(» )
154
339
329
733
2 ,8 1 4
(2)
{«)
5 ,8 4 2
666
2 ,8 0 2
00
00
l, 9 4 2
( 2>
1 225
1676
4 ,7 4 2
«
T o ta l.....................
9 733
(* )
(*)
0
( 1)
H
(2)
( 1)
0
CO
(0
2 ,5 0 5
1 033
'3 8 6
1 865
473
0
343
1 071
6 ,4 9 0
( 2)
5 ,2 6 1
‘ 412
1 N u m b e r a p p ly in g for w ork.
3 N ot rep o rted .
8 N u m b e r of offers of p o sitio n s.
* In c lu d in g 133 h a rv e s t h a n d s ; a n d ra ilw a y b ra n c h p la ced 2,294 laborers.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[408]
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
189
O P E R A T IO N S O F PU B L IC EM PL O Y M EN T O FFIC E S, JU N E , 1917 AN D 1918—Continued.
U N IT E D S T A T E S —Continued.
S tate, c ity , a n d
k in d of office. •
A pplica
tio n s from
em ployers.
P ersons
asked for
b y em
ployers.
P ersons ap p ly in g
for w ork.
N ew regis
tra tio n s .
Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e,
1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918.
R enew als.
P erso n s
referre d
to
p o sitio n s.
J u n e , J u n e , Ju n e,
1917. 1918. 1917.
Ju n e,
1918.
P ositions
filled.
Ju n e,
1917.
Ju n e,
1918.
N E W MEXICO.
R osw ell (F ed er-1 )........
21
1 121
60
50
(2)
28
N E W YORK.
A lb a n y (S ta te )..............
B uffalo (F e d e ra l) .........
B uffalo (S ta te )..............
N ew Y o rk C ity (F e d
eral) ..............................
N ew Y o rk C ity (S ta te )
N ew Y o rk C ity (m u n i
cip a l).............................
R o ch e ster ( S ta t e ) .........
S yracuse ( S ta t e ) ...........
726 1,073 1,351
776
936
688
490 2,110 6,151 1,830 11,674
1,308
1,439 2,142 2,069 12,370 1,629 2,734
254
(2)
165
3,925 1,633 7,022 32,403 18,272 122 947
1,938 9,941 2,585 4,668 1,692 2,529
(s)
(2)
820 1,012
2,559 1,847 2,838 2,169 2,655
1,653 1,876 2,312 3,333 1,104
1,448 2,293 2,048 2,488 1,004
289
(2)
181
1,354 2,210 1,590
2,192
586
627
300
1,430
281
T o t a l.....................
1,089
2,547
2,492
1,125
1,674
3,834
687
(2)
1,828
646
1,636
3,063
5,542 20,946
2,663 4,272
5,596
1,580
15,778
2,784
3,728
2,107
1,780
2 161
1,163
1,339
1,789
1,332
1,472
21,948 38,757 14,354
28,500
2,592
2,545
1,769
N O R TH CAROLINA.
C h arlo tte (F e d e ra l)___
R aleig h (F e d e ra l).........
486
275
(2)
22
173
1-128
(2)
(2)
T o ta l.....................
219
29
213
12
248
225
594
549
• N O R TH DAKOTA.
F arg o (F e d e ra l)............
362
i 654
667
(2)
OHIO.
A k ro n (S tate-m u n ici
p a l) ................................
A th e n s(S ta te -m u n ic ip a l ) . ..............................
C an to n (S ta te m u n ic i
p a l) ................................
C hillicothe (S ta te -m u
n icip al) ........................
C in c in n ati (S tate-m u
n ic ip al) ........................
C leveland (S tate-m u
n icip al) ........................
C olum bus (S tate-m u
n ic ip al) ........................
D a y to n (S tate-m unici-
P'al)..............................
H a m ilto n (S tate-m u
n icip al) .......... ............
L im a (S tate-m u n ici
p a l) ................................
M ansfield (S tate m u
n icip al) ........................
M arie tta (S tate-m u
n icip al) ........................
M arion (S tate-m unicip a l) ...............................
P o rts m o u th
(S tatem u n icip a l) ..................
S an d u sk y (S tate-m u
n ic ip al) ........................
Springfield (S tate-m u
n ic ip al) ........................
S teu b en v ille (S tatem u n icip a l) ..................
Tiffin (S tate-m u n ici
p a l) ................................
Toledo (S tate-m u n ici
p a l) ................................
W a sh in g to n C. H .
(S ta te -m u n ic ip a l)...
(*)
(2)
2,456
2,404
2,174
(2)
(2)
88
37
6
14
3
27
7
33
7
31
(J)
(2)
524
629
735
621
162
195
532
606
252
379
(2)
(2)
1,019
361
123
200
717
424
596
366
(2)
2,560 3,092 1,972
2, 471 3,284 2,281
2.512
2,729
1,744
2,262
(2)
2,597 2,902
906
456 1,116
1,082 2,150 1,761
1, 951
(2)
(2)
7.971 8,601 3,598
4,348 8,210 7,349
7,371
8,173
5,968
6, 51)
(2)
(2)
2.971 4,323 1,181
1.656 2,930 3,228
2,743
3,676
2,285
2,954
(2)
(2)
1,573 2,448 1,143
1.656 1,485 1,238
1,446
2,331
1,222
2, 316
(2)
(2)
118
247
138
no
53
19
106
125
65
102
(2)
(2)
458
778
42'
668
123
326
388
777
346
670
(2)
(2)
107
723
119
368
43
149
80
453
42
325
(2)
(2)
233
248
217
154
75
84
230
203
159
147
(2)
(2)
392
425
376
399
167
166
343
452
224
374
(2)
(2)
361
856
343
245
102
485
241
633
116
427
267
46
188
348
(2)
162
115
(2)
(2)
511
304
444
288
146
326
289
358
137
(2)
(2)
509
677
396
370
123
292
472
585
378
426
(2)
(2)
300
631
202
345
80
127
186
433
162
379
(2)
(2)
1,378 3,231 2,841
3,287
3,046
2,778
2, 564
169
85
148
57
3,827 3 , 432 1,632
193
100
(2)
(2)
1 N um ber applying for work.
71795°—18—
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13
251
117
70
20
* N ot reported.
[409]
MO 2*I JELLY LABOR SE VIEW,
190
O P E R A T IO N S O F P U B L IC E M P L O Y M E N T O F F IC E S , J U N E , 1917 A N D 1918—C o n tin u ed .
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C o n tin u ed .
A p p lic a
tio n s from
em ployers.
S ta te , city , a n d
k in d of office.
P erso n s a p p ly in g
for w ork.
P ersons
a sk e d for
b y em
ployers.
N ew regis
tra tio n s .
Ju n e, Ju n e, June, Ju n e, Ju n e, June,
1917. 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918.
Oh io —concluded.
Y o u n g stow n (S tatem u n ic ip a l)..................
Z an esv ille (S tate-m u n ic ip a l) ........................
C)
0)
0)
(0
1,781 2,007 1,050
188-
250
R en ew als.
Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e,
1917. 1918. 1917.
957 1,272 1,187
164
201
P ersons
referre d
to
p ositions.
78
Ju n e,
1918.
Ju n e,
1917.
1,697
1,707
1,503
192
254
83
186
25,464 29,649 20,389
24,248
133
T o ta l.........
P o sitio n s
fli!od4
Ju n e,
1918.
1,437
OKLAHOMA.
E n id (F e d e ra l-S ta te )..
M uskogee
(F ed eralS ta te )............................
O k lah o m a C ity (F ede ra l-S ta te )...................
T u lsa (F e d e ra l-S ta te ).
233
422 1,381 2,243 n,2S3 2 2,303
(0
0)
1,262
2,177
1,258
333
151
2 201
C1)
(’ )
322
173
315
115
378
998
459 1,077 1,258 2 699 2 1,036
853 21,376 2 814
428 2,022
C)
0)
0)
(')
684
1,374
942
737
640
1,361
627
633
3,642
4,029
3,572
3,548
552
312 2 327
..........
T o ta l.............
2,173
OREGON .
16
69
11 1,239
739
237
341
198
132 7,116
1,412
281 1,380
132 .1, £61
762
E u g e n e (F ed eral)
50
60
0)
60
PENNSYLVAN IA.
A lto o n a ( S ta te ) ............
E rie ( S ta te ) ....................
H a rris b u rg ’( S ta t e ) ___
Jo h n sto w n ( S ta te ) ___
N ew C astle ( S ta te ) . . .
N ew
K en sin g to n
( S ta te ) ..........................
P h ila d e lp h ia (F ed eral)
P h ila d e lp h ia ( S ta te ) ...
P itts b u rg h ( F e d e ra l). .
P itts b u rg h ( S ta t e ) ___
S cran to n ( S ta t e ) ..........
W illia m sp o rt (F e d eral)
W illia m sp o rt ( S ta te ) . .
Y o rk ( S ta te ) ............ A .
179
76
66 22 ,339
634
860
2 398
3 206
222
96
302
549
211
373 1,665 10,420 2 827 214,918
506 4,432 1,220 7,133 1,251 7,713
65
132 1,2.50 5,065 2 404
2 912
102 1,312 1,440 8,481
528 3,642
57
8,390
124
(i)
3,382
2 338
95
305
122
2 223
104
340
357
T o ta l.....................
17
184
17
(O
598
0)
123
99
0)
156
113
(0
0)
(!)
(>)
191
(O
264
8
(i)
14
(0
..........
317
99
1,428
660
774
333
190
219
718 12,938
1,245 6,686
269
763
571 3,369
43
87
113
183
85
1,3 9 5
602
7.41
325
190
298
85
524
1,072
195
508
219
10,864
6,249
503
3,279
43
*
52
182
3,318 27,785
2,767
24,719
(l )
227
213
227
368
713
368
713
10
775
5
27
2Ô
2,574
9
2 ,4 5 4
10
3 407
9
3,044
307
20
104
1,044
204
240
R H O D E ISLAND.
P ro v id en c e (S ta te ) ___
187
211
227
146
237
1
158 1,200 6,635
197
2 713
4
124
14
23
23
176
213
124
59
SOUTH CAROLINA.
C h arlesto n ( F e d e r a l ) ..
0)
0)
0)
(!)
(1)
(1)
(1)
0)
T E N N E SS E E .
C h attan o o g a (F ed eral)
C la T k s v i ll e ( F e d e ra l). .
C o lu m b ia (F e d e ra l). . .
Jacks«, (F e d e ra l)........
M em phis (F e d e ra l)___
T o ta l.....................
2,131
32
210
151
8 15,605
2 885
2 11
2 37
-2 89
62 2 2,864
v1
2
.......... 1 .
544
4
18
24
TEXAS.
B e a u m o n t ( F e d e r a l) ..
B ro w n sville (F ed eral).
D allas (m u n ic ip a l)___
1,1 P aso ( F e d e r a l) ..'. . .
F o r t W o rth (F e d e ra l).
L a red o ( F e d e r a l) .........
O ran g e (F e d e ra l)..........
S a n A n to n io (F ed eral)
W aco (F e d e ra l)............
170
7
27
141
76
42
54
35
(i)
3
162
1,643
316 1,470
!. 404
1.812
1,418
'260
4,934
44
T o ta l.....................
1 N o t re p o rte d .
2 N u m b e r a p p ly in g for w ork.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3 258
2 50
2 138
1,813
2 388
2 297
2 870
2 135
24,553
2 132
(1)
(1)
15
373
10
O
O
(1 )
(i)
(1 )
(l)
1
373
3 In clu d es 84 tra n s ie n ts .
[410]
4
27
107
1,145
312
210
861
102
3,961
45
6,770
102
2 125
38
307
5,833
In c lu d e s 140 tra n s ie n ts .
191
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
O P E R A T IO N S OF PU B L IC EM PL O Y M EN T O FFIC E S, JU N E , 1917 AND 1918.—Concluded.
UNITED STATES—Concluded.
S ta te , city , a n d
k in d of office.
P ersons a p p ly in g
for w ork.
P ersons
ask ed for
b y em
p loyers.
A pplica
tions from
em ployers.
N ew regis
tra tio n s .
Ju n e, June, June, Ju n e , Ju n e, June,
1917.' 1918. 1917. 1918. 1917. 1918.
R enew als.
P erso n s
referred
to
p o sitio n s.
Ju n e, Ju n e, Ju n e,
1917. 1918. 1917.
Ju n e,
1918.
P o sitio n s
filled.
Ju n e,
1917.
Ju n e,
1918.
VIRGINIA.
* , ___
R ic h m o n d (m u n icip a l)
297
279
935
68
60
19
155
187
449
545
1 162
■ 451
1 46
236
577
128
420
36
248
225
117
381
15
70
577
832
225
583
230
19
(2)
7,890
98
23
217
9,055
198
18
325
7,177
89
23
168
8 ,1 6 8
8,139
9,393
7,718
8,446
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
T o ta l.....................
W ASHINGTON.
B ellin g h am (F ederal279 3 687
196
116
m u n ic ip a l)..................
84
11
40
2
E v e r e tt ( F e d e ra l)........
432
240
(2)
(2)
E v e r e tt ( m u n ic ip a l)...
S e a ttle (m u n ic ip a l)— 4,224 5,015 7,754 8,871
1 262
1 38
(2)
(2)
(2)
1 66
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
1
T o t a l ....................
t
W ISCONSIN.
L a Crosse (S ta te -m u n ic ip a l ) ........................
M ilw aukee (F ederalS tate-co u n ty -m u n iei p a l ) ....................................
O sh k o sh (S tate-m u n ic ip a l) ............ ............
S u p erio r (S tate-m u n ic ip a l) ........................
i 276
473
199
122
228
(2)
1 186
(2)
(2)
179
105
134
78
2,112 2,099 4,289 4,803 4,061 1 3,525
2,864
2,349
131
98
305
163
1 274
(2)
(2)
4,136
3,412
136
141
« 231
1 167
(2)
(2)
151
107
496
330 1,363 1,691 1,032
1,562
(2)
(2)
1,183
1,623
667
785
5,649
5,475
3,775
3,422
187
213
T o ta l.....................
110
88
*
W Y OM ING.
2,129
55
C h ey e n n e (F e d e ra l). . .
1 260
233
260
(2)
132,606:252,337 112,014216,919
G ra n d to ta l
CANADA.
QUEBEC.
M ontreal (provincial).
Quebec (provincial). . .
288
(2)
843
219
38
(2)
484
208
404
(2)
149
1 179
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
480
(2)
480
297
173
410
(2)
470
410
240
158
398
*
1 N um ber applying for work.
2 N ot reported.
3 Including 445 berry pickers.
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN JUNE, 1918.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics received and tabulated reports con
cerning the volume of employment in June, 1918, from representative
establishments in 13 manufacturing industries. Comparing the
figures of June of this year with those of identical establishments for
June, 1917, it appears that in 5 industries there was an increase in
the number of people employed and in 8 a decrease. Automobile
manufacturing shows an increase of 5.4 per cent and woolen an
increase of 2.2 per cent. Decreases of 8.9 per cent, 6 per cent, and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4111
192
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
5.6 per cent are shown in silk, boots and shoes, and cotton finishing,
respectively.
Each of the 13 industries shows an increase in the total amount of
pay roll for June, 1918, as compared with June, 1917. The most
important changes are 39.9 per cent in leather manufacturing and
29.1 per cent in both iron and steel and car building and repairing.
The remaining industries show increases ranging from 13.3 per cent
to 27.4 per cent.
C O M PA RISO N O F EM PL O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN JU N E , 1917, AND
JU N E , 1918.
Industry.
Automobile manufacturing.
Boots and shoes..................
Car building and repairing.
Cigar manufacturing._____
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Cotton finishing..................
Cotton manufacturing........
Hosiery and underwear__
Iron and steel.....................
Leather manufacturing......
Paper making.....................
Silk...........................................
Woolen...............................
E stab
lish
ments
reporting
for June
both
years.
47
70
28
60
34
16
56
53
93
34
52
38
45
N um ber on pay
roll in June—
Period
of
pay
roll.
1917
1 w eek.. 104,024
...d o ....... 56,177
* m onth. 37,932
1 w eek. 20,258
. ..d o ....... 24,531
. ..d o ....... 12,503
. ..d o ....... 53,299
. ..d o ....... 29,458
i m onth. 173,728
1 w eek.. 15,268
. ..d o ....... 25,585
2 weeks. 13,218
1 w eek. . 41,904
1918
Per
cent of
increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(-)•
109,669
52,SOI
36,262
19,456
24,306
11,809
51 069
29,019
175,279
15,344
2.5,622
12,037
42,811
A m ount of pay roll
in June—
1917
1918
+ 5.4 $2,337,951 $2,858,794
- 6.0
823,747
933,275
- 4 .4 1,386,617 1,790,310
-4 .0
255,294
293,515
395,138
- .9
472,297
- 5 .6
186,841
224,020
- 4 .2
615,963
780,608
- 1 .5
331,511
415,108
+ .9 8,063,202 10,410,078
+ .5
231,037
323,185
408,750
+ •1
502,732
- 8 .9
292,112
332,194
+ 2.2
613,232
781,233
P er
cent of
increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(-).
+22.3
+ 13.3
+29.1
+ 15.0
+ 19.5
+ 19.9
+26.7
+25.2
+29.1
+39.9
+23.0
+ 13.7
+27.4
'The table below shows the number of persons actually working
on the last full day of the reported pay period in June, 1917, and
June, 1918. The number of establishments reporting on this ques
tion is small and this fact should be taken into consideration when
studying these figures.
C O M PA RISO N O F E M PL O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S ON LA ST F U L L
D A Y ’S O P E R A T IO N IN JU N E , 1917, AND JU N E , 1918.
In dustry.
Automobile m anufacturing
Boots and shoes................. \.
Car building and repairing .
Cigar m anufacturing........... .
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Cotton finishing....................
Cotton m anufacturing.........
Hosiery and underw ear.......
Iron and steel.........................
L eather m anufacturing.......
P aper m aking........................
S ilk ...........................................
Woolen.....................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
E stablish
ments
reporting
for June,
both years.
Period
of
pay roll.
27 1 w eek___
24 . ..d o ...........
27 i m o n th ...
18 1 w eek___
6 . ..d o ...........
12 . ..d o ...........
36 . ..d o ...........
15 . ..d o ...........
70 i m o n th ...
16 1 w eek___
16 . ..d o ...........
22 2 w eeks. . .
36 1 w eek___
[412]
N um ber actually work
ing on last full day of
er cent of
reported pay period Pincrease
in June—
(+ ) or
decrease
(-)•
1917
1918
72,023
12.454
32,534
4,261
11,932
10,062
27,890
11,981
135,773
9,175
5,953
8,680
33,769
71,884
11,328
31,237
3,819
10,811
9,677
26,159
11,430
135,884
9,808
6,295
7,902
34,793
— 0.2
—90
- 4.0
—10. 4
— 9.4
— 3. 8
- 6.2
— 4.6
+ .1
+ 6.9
+ 5.7
- 9.0
+ 3.0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
193
The figures in the next table show that in 7 industries there were
more persons on the pay roll in June, 1918, than in May, 1918; in 5
there was a reduction of force; and in 1, cotton manufacturing, no
change. An increase of 7.3 per cent in cigar manufacturing was the
greatest increase, and car building and repairing shows the largest
decrease—5.9 per cent.
CO M PA R ISO N O F E M PL O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN
AND JU N E , 1918.
In dustry.
Automobile m anufacturing.
Boots and shoes.....................
Car building and repairing.
Cigar m anufacturing............
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Cotton finishing.....................
Cotton m anufacturing.........
Hosiery and u n d e rw e a r.. . .
Iron and steel........................
L eather m anufacturing.......
P aper m aking........................
S ilk ...........................................
W oolen....................................
E stab
lish
ments
report Period of
ing for pay roll.
May
and
June.
45
69
28
58
36
17
53
53
95
34
50
38
47
N um ber on pay
roll in—
May,
1918.
1 w eek.. 103,303
.. .d o ___ 56,392
J m onth
38,520
1 w eek. . 17,853
. .. d o ___ 24,487
. ..d o ___
11,940
. ..d o ___ 50,462
.. .d o ___ 29,049
| m onth. 175,311
1 w eek. . 14,882
. . .d o . . . . 23,914
2 w eek s. 11,465
1 w eek.. 43,257
June,
1918.
105,658
56,088
36,262
19,157
24,604
12,005
50,462
29,019
176,145
15,344
23,939
11,382
43,141
Per
cent
of in
crease
( + ) OT
de
crease
(-).
MAY, 1918,
A m ount of pay
roll in —
May,
1918.
June,
1918.
+ 2.3 82,715,808 $2,759,287
- .5
969,737 1,012,486
- 5 .9 1,941,544 1,790,310
251,236
+ 7.3
287,329
473,137
480,478
+ .5
215,355
227,591
+ .5
748,298
772,359
(!)
- .1
418,675
415,108
+ .5 10,514,405 10,455,072
+ 3.1
294,657
323,185
454,398
472,567
+ .1
— .7
322 434
316 370
- .3
787,691
786,’989
Per
cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
de
crease
(-).
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
1.6
4.4
7.8
14.4
1.6
5.7
3.2
.9
.6
9.7
4.0
.1
1No change.
4*
Of the 13 industries reporting, 8 show increases and 5 decreases
in the total amount of pay roll in June, 1918, as compared with May,
1918. A marked increase—14.4 per cent—is shown in cigar manu
facturing, which is due mainly to a settlement of a number of strikes
occurring in May, 1918. Leather manufacturing, cotton finishing,
and boots and shoes show percentage increases of 9.7, 5.7, and 4.4,
respectively. Car building and repairing shows a decrease of 7.8
per cent.
A comparatively small number of establishments reported as to
the number of persons working on the last full day of the reported
pay periods. The following table gives in comparable form the
figures for May and June, 1918. The small number of establish
ments represented should be noted when using these figures.
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
C O M PA RISO N O P E M PL O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S ON LA ST P U L L
D A Y 'S O P E R A T IO N IN MAY, 1918, AND JU N E , 1918.
Establish
ments re
porting for
May and
June.
Industry.
A utomobile m anufacturing........................ ..
Car building an d re p a irin g ............................
Cigar m anufacturing.........................................
Men’s ready-made clothing............................
Cotton m anufacturing......................................
Hosiery and underw ear...................................
Iron and steel.....................................................
L eather m anufacturing...................................
S ilk ...............7.....................................................
Woolen.................................................................
Period of
pay roll.
N um ber actually work
ing on last full day of Per cent of
reported pay period in— increase
(+ ) or
decrease
(-)•
May, 1918. June, 1918.
25 1 w eek___
30 ...d o ...........
27 A m o n th ...
19 1 w eek___
8 . ..d o ...........
13 . ..d o ...........
36 ...d o ...........
16 . ..d o ...........
74 i m o n th ...
17 1 w eek___
14 . ..d o ...........
22 2 w eeks. . .
38 1 w eek___
68,600
12,002
33,764
3,559
10,910
9,741
26,225
11,527
139,918
10,573
6,204
7,056
35,963
71,509
11 , , 18
31) 240
3,806
10,850
9,864
26,159
11,312
138,169
10,823
6,075
7,190
35, 497
+ 4.2
—1. 9
- 7 .5
+6.9
— .6
H-i. 3
- .3
- 1 .9
- .5
+ 2.4
—2. 1
+ 1.9
- 1 .3
CH AN G ES IN W AGE R A T E S .
During the period May 15 to June 15, 1918, there were establish
ments in each of the 13 industries which reported increases in wage
rates and in one—iron and steel—a reduction. Of the establish
ments reporting, many did not answer the inquiiy relative to this
item, but in such cases it is not likely that changes were made.
A utom obile m a n u fa c tu rin g .—An increase of 25 per cent was granted
to approximately 78 per cent of the force in one plant. About 20
per cent of the workers in one factory were granted an increase
ranging from 10 to 15 per cent. Two other plants reported an in
crease of 10 per cent, received by 25 per cent of the employees in
one establishment; the other plant failed to give the number of
employees affected. An average increase of 8 per cent, affecting
approximately 25 per cent of the force, was granted by one plant;
i and 12 per cent of the employees in another plant received an in
crease of 8 per cent. In one establishment the productive average
hourly rate was increased 0.0382 cent; and an increase of 10 to 15
cents an hour was granted in-one factory, but no data was given as
to the number of employees receiving the increase. The whole
force in one plant received an increase of Id per cent. One establish
ment reported an increase and another granted a bonus, but neither
reported as to the per cent of the increase or the number of em, ployees affected.
Boots and shoes .—Two plants reported an increase of 20 per cent,
affecting all the employees in one and 25 per cent of the force in the
! other, while all the employees in a third plant received an increase
of approximately 20 per cent. The entire force in one plant re
ceived an increase of 10 to 30 per cent. Five establishments reported
a 10 per cent increase—3, to the entire force; 1, to 33J per cent
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
195
of the employees; and 1 made no statement as to the number
affected. One plant granted a weekly bonus of 10 per cent. In
creases ranging from $1 to $4 a week, affecting about 10 per cent of
the force, were given by 1 establishment. Sixty-five heelers in
one factory received a raise of 2 cents per case.
Car building and repairing. —The railroads reported increases to car
department employees, effective June 1, 1918, and retroactive to
January 1, 1918, under the General Order No. 27 promulgated May 25,
1918, by the Director General of Railroads. (See June, 1918, M o n t h l y
R e v i e w , pages 1 to 2 1 .)
* Cigar m anu fa ctu rin g . —An average increase of 20 per cent was
granted to about 65 per cent of the employees—bunchers and rollers—
in one factory. About 151 per cent of the force in one plant received
an increase of 11 per cent. Five establishments reported a 10 per
cent increase, which affected all of the employees in two plants, 90 per
cent of the force in one, approximately 80 per cent in one, and 25 per
cent in another. One plant increased the wages of its employees be
tween 9 and 10 per cent, and 64 per cent of the employees in another
plant received an increase of 9 per cent. Two factories reported an in
crease of 7 per cent, affecting 62 per cent of the employees in one plant
and 55 per cent in the other. An increase of 5 per cent was granted by
one concern to 50 per cent of the force. Slightly more than 37 per
cent of th e employees in one establishment received an increase of
about 4 per cent. One firm reported an increase to 90 per cent of its
employees, but failed to report the per cent of increase.
M en’s ready-m ade clothing. —The hour and week workers in one shop
received increases ranging from 5 to 15 per cent, and the entire force
in another shop was granted an increase of 5 to 10 per cent. One
establishment reported an increase, but the report did not show the
amount of increase or the number affected thereby.
Cotton fin is h in g . —The entire force in one plant was granted an
increase of 20 per cent. Two establishments reported an increase of 15
per cent, affecting the entire force in one plant, with overtime pay at
the rate of time and one-half, but the second plant gave no data as to
the number affected. An increase of 10 per cent was given to the
entire force in one mill and a 9 per cent increase to about 90 per cent
of the force was reported by another mill.
Cotton m a n u fa ctu rin g . —Two firms reported an increase of 17^ per
cent—one, to the entire force, while the other failed to state the
number affected. Another plant granted a general increase of 17
per cent. Five plants gave a 15 per cent increase—two, to all
operatives; one, to all but the office force; and two gave no statement
as to the number receiving the increase. A 12 per cent increase to all
employees was reported by one establishment. One mill granted a
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
10 per cent increase to about 95 per cent of the force, and another
granted the same increase, giving no statement as to the number
affected. A bonus of 10 per cent was granted to all “ full-time”
workers in one plant; to all employees in another; and to about 75
per cent of the operatives in a third plant. Four mills gave an increase
of 7b per cent, which affected all of the employees in two plants and
98 per cent of the force in one, while the fourth did not state how many
were affected. One factory gave a 2b per cent increase and two
others reported increases but failed to give any further information.
H osiery and underw ear .—An increase of approximately-25 per cent
was granted to the entire force in one establishment, while a general
increase of from 10 to 40 per cent was reported by another plant,
One mill gave a 20 per cent increase to all employees; and another
gave a 20 per cent advance in wages to 10 per cent of the force and a
5 per cent advance to 50 per cent of the employees. All of the em
ployees in one establishment received a 12b per cent increase. Two
factories repoited an increase of 10 per cent—one, to all employees;
one, to those employed in the spinning mill, about 21 per cent of the
force. A third plant granted an increase, but gave no data in regard
to it.
.
b
Iron and steel. All of the furnace laborers in one plant were
granted an increase of 12 per cent. Nearly all of the force in one plant
received a 10 per cent increase, while an increase of 6 to 10 per cent
was given to 70 per cent of the individuals in another establishment,
and an average increase of 9 per cent was granted to all of the men in
a third plant. Another establishment reported an increase of 8 per
cent, but did not report as to the number affected. In one plant an
increase of 7 | per cent was given to one-third of the employees and 4
per cent to two-thirds of the force. The entire force in seven establish
ments received percentage increases of 8.1, 7.7, 7.2, 6.5, 6.1, 5.9, and
2.8, respectively. Two plants reported an increase of 3 per cent, affect
ing the entire force in each. One plant gave an increase of 25 cents a
day to mechanics and turn men and 15 cents a day to laborers; and
in another, all laborers and mechanical men received an increase of 2
cents an hour. One establishment gave a 6 months’ bonus to all
salaried employees in the mill; and one plant reported an increase,
but the amount and proportion of the force affected were not men
tioned. Six plants reported slight decreases.
Leather m a n u fa ctu rin g .— O ne establishment reported a 15 per cent
increase affecting about 50 per cent of the force; and another estab
lishment granted an increase of 8 to 15 per cent affecting 7 per cent of
the employees. In five plants an increase of 10 per cent was granted,
affecting the whole force in one plant, approximately all of the
employees in one, about 37 per cent in one, the night men—about 15
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
197
per cent of all of the employees—in another, and 5 per cent of the
force in the fifth plant. An average increase of approximately 10 per
cent was granted by one firm to about 80 per cent of the total number
of persons employed. An increase of 7 to 8 per cent to the entire
force was given by one plant. One concern increased half of its
employees 3 per cent. Seventeen per cent of the force in one estab
lishment received an increase of 4 cents per dozen articles; and
one firm reported that some increases were being made each week,
but gave no further particulars.
P a p er m a k in g .—One plant reported an increase of 10 per cent to
the entire force, and another granted the same increase, but did not
state the number affected. Practically all employees of one firm
received a 6 per cent increase. Increases of 2 to 5 per cent were given
to finishers in one establishment. An approximate increase of SI.50
per week to all employees was reported by one plant; and one plant
granted a flat increase of 25 cents a day to all employees; while
another gave an increase of 50 cents per day to all men, and 25 cents
to all women. An increase of 2 cents per hour was reported by one
concern. One plant granted an increase to 10 per cent of the em
ployees, but made no statement as to the amount of advance, while
another reported a slight increase in pay, giving no further data.
S i l k .—All employees of one firm received an increase of 13 per cent.
Increases of 10 to 12| per cent were reported by one establishment,
but no statement was made as to how many were affected. Two
mills granted a 10 per cent increase, this affecting the entire force in
one plant and 81 per cent of the employees in another. Two plants
granted increases of 8 per cent and 5 per cent, affecting 95 per cent
of the force in the first plant and 20 per cent in the second. An
increase of $2 per week was granted to warpers and twisters in one
factory.
Woolen .—In one factory an adjustment of 5 to 15 per cent was
made, but no statement was given in regard to number of employees
affected.
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' [4171
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FACTORS CONCERNED IN THE CAUSATION
OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
The British Health of Munition Workers Committee has been
issuing an important series of documents based on the studies made
by various authorities on different phases of the problem of con
serving health and energy among the munition workers. Memo
randum No. 21, entitled “ An investigation of the factors concerned
in the causation of industrial accidents,” is an effort to determine
by means of the study of distribution of accidents and output
through the hours of the working period the importance and effect
of certain factors which influence accident occurrence.1
The most recent studies of the Bureau of Labor Statistics bearing
on these subjects are not yet issued.2 Since the conclusions of
Memorandum No. 21 seem to be at variance in some particulars with
those suggested by the compilations of the bureau, these differences
will be briefly noted.
In the introduction it is pointed out that there is an interval after
the nominal beginning of a spell in which the worker does not get
actively at work. The author thinks that the inclusion of this period
in the tabulations introduces serious elements of error. Numerous
experiments in varying the time of beginning the tabulation of the
bureau data seem to indicate that the essential form of the dis
tribution curve is not materially altered thereby. The form of the
curve rather than the precise number of cases in a given division
is the important matter.
It is further urged that in other compilations the interval between
the occurrence of an accident and its treatment at the dressing
station has not been duly taken into account. In this particular
also the bureau has not found that taking account of this interval
has important results. The bureau has compiled a large amount of
material based on dressing-station reports and has also used inde
pendent reports made by foremen and casualty clerks from the scene
of the accident without finding any material difference in the dis
tribution curves.
The author is inclined to attach much importance to the mental
attitude of the workers in certain cases. This may be illustrated
1 This m em orandum was reviewed in th e Ju ly issue of th e Monthly L abor R e v ie w , pp. 161 to 164.
2B ulletin 234, The safety m ovem ent in th e iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917, p. 154 et seq.
198
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
199
by the quotations, “ that is to say ‘inclination’ drove the dayshift women to attend the dressing station toward the end of
the morning spell, but drove the night-shift women to attend it at
the beginning ,” and “ it follows, therefore, that in almost all acci
dent statistics one must make a considerable allowance for these
remarkable variations in the strength of the workers’ inclinations,
though it is impossible to obtain a numerical measure of the extent
to which inclination will falsify accident statistics.”
Careful and extended experiment in the tabulation of various
degrees of severity of accident ranging from dressing-station cases
to those of not less than six weeks’ disability does not indicate
that the influence of these mental states, though present beyond
question, is of sufficient importance to modify the form of the curves.
Since, however, some liability to error is certainly to be found in
cases where the severity of injury is not sufficient to necessitate
immediate reporting, it has been the custom of the bureau to confine
the tabulation generally to those cases which involve a disability of
at least one day beyond the day of injury.
The memorandum classifies the factors influencing accident occur
rence as follows:
Factors of personal origin—
I. Nervous and museularcoordi nation in relation to speed of production.
II. Fatigue.
III. Psychical influences.
IV. Nutrition and alcohol consumption.
Factors of external origin—
V. Lighting.
VI. Temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
VII. Defects of machinery and absence of guards.
Class VII is not considered at all in the memorandum nor does the
material as presented afford any means of judging the effect of the
varying degrees of experience of the workers involved. This latter
factor has proved of very great importance in the bureau’s studies
and its consideration might very radically modify some of the
conclusions advanced in the memorandum.
It is impossible to reproduce the interesting tables and charts found
in the memorandum nor can the discussion be followed in detail.
The simplest way of giving an idea of the trend of the argument
will be to quote the items of the summary with such comment as
seems pertinent in each case.
S p e e d o f p r o d u c tio n .—The incidence of accidents (from hour to hour) showed a
qualitative resemblance to the output variations and it was concluded that varying
speed of production is the factor largely responsible for day-shift variations in acci
dents in men. Though the night-shift output followed a similar course to the
day-shift output, the accident incidence was entirely different. It was at a maximum
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
at the beginning of the shift, and gradually fell the whole night through. This was
due to the fact that the night-shift workers started work in an excited and careless
state and gradually calmed down during the night.
This contradiction between the day and night results is scarcely
adequately explained by the difference in mood of the workers
which is pointed out. That the situation is a very complicated one
is further emphasized by the compilations of the bureau which
indicate that for varied and extended kinds of work the morning
spell presents two portions. In the first of these output and acci
dents both increase—accidents the more rapidly. In the second
output continues to increase while accidents decline. Any com
plete explanation of accident distribution must take account of such
cases as these as well as of those recorded in the memorandum.
F a tig u e .—The influe nee of fatigue on accidents to women was strikingly shown in
the fuse factory. The women’s accidents were two and one-half times as numerous
when they were working a 12-hour day as in a subsequent period when they were
working 10 hours per day.
This, taken with other evidence presented and confirmed by the
studies in other directions recorded in earlier memoranda, is a most
important indication of the care heeded in introducing women into
work of this character. It is perhaps the most important practical
finding of the memorandum.
P sy c h ic a l in flu e n c e s .—At all the factories the night-shift workers suffered fewer
accidents than did the day shift. This was not because the output was smaller, as
at the fuse factory it was distinctly bigger by night than by day. It was psychological
in origin, and due to the night-shift workers settling down to a calmer mental state
than the day-shift workers, and so becoming less careless and inattentive. The
psychical factor is one of the most important in accident causation.
Attention should be called to the fact that while these workers
showed lower rates at night there are sorts of labor in which the
night rates are constantly higher. It is difficult to understand why
calmness shoidd come at night to these workers and not to mechanics
and toolmakers engaged in very similar tasks in other factories.1 It
is impossible not to suspect that some other factor needs consideration.
A lc o h o l c o n s u m p tio n .—Indirect
evidence as to the effects of alcohol consumption
was obtained.
The conclusion of the author is that the influence of alcohol con
sumption is manifested more in the night shift than in the day.
This conclusion is strongly confirmed by the experience of a large
steel mill studied by the bureau. In this mill it was found that the
rates of discipline for alcoholic indulgence were from 2 to 10 times
as great by night as by day. There wa's another interesting feature,
1
See B ulletin 216 of th e XT. S. Bureau of L abor Statistics, on Accidents a nd accident prevention in
machine building, b y L. W . Chaney and H . S. H anna, August, 1917, pp. 59-62.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
201
namely, that both accident rates and the per capita use of alcoholics
were declining during this period more rapidly for the night than for
the day shift.
L ig h tin g r —Accidents due to foreign bodies in the eye were 7 to 27 per cent more
numerous in the night shift than in the day shift, though all other accidents were
considerably less numerous. This was due to the artificial lighting, as the excess of
eye accidents was most marked in the worst lit factory.
This is one of the most positive evidences of direct effect of lighting
on the accident rate that has been offered. In most cases the lighting
effect is so much complicated with other factors as to make it doubt
ful what its precise influence is.
T e m p e ra tu re .—Accidents were at a minimum at 65 to 69° F. and increased rap
idly at higher temperatures and slowly at lower temperatures. Continuous records
were kept of the town in which the shell factories were situated, and it was found that
in all of them the accidents increased considerably as the weather grew colder and
diminished as it grew warmer. In one factory the women’s accidents were nearly
two and one-half times as numerous when the temperature was at or below the freezing
point as when it was above 47°, whilst the men’s accidents were twice as numerous.
In this connection it should be stated that in steel mills extra men
are frequently employed in the summer as “ spell” hands to relieve
the regular crew. This introduction of relatively inexperienced men
may be quite as important as the direct effect of summer heat.
P r e v e n tio n o f a c c id e n ts .—Accidents are largely due to carelessness and inattention,
so they could be diminished by preventing the workers from talking with one another
in the shops.
I t was found that the women suffered twice as frequently from sprains as the men,
and were especially liable to wrist sprains at the fuse factory, as they had not strength
sufficient to push home the clamping lever of the lathes. The women at the shell
factories suffered nearly four times more bums than men, chiefly from hot metal
turnings. Hence the sprains could be reduced by alterations in the machinery and
the burns by protecting the hands.
The conclusion that “ carelessness and inattention” are largely the
cause of accidents is not borne out by the studies of this bureau. It
may be stated, however, that ignorance and inexperience are largely
the cause of accidents and that adequate training in the skillful doing
of work will diminish them. The more closely the accident problem
is studied the more evident does it become that skill rather than care
is the remedy so far as minor injury is concerned.
It is impossible to stress too strongly the importance of proper
modifications of machines and the utility of protection of various
sorts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[421]
IN D U STRIA L H Y G IE N E AND D ISE A SE . 1
EXECUTIVE ORDER REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE.
Under an Executive order issued by the President July 1, 1918,
public health activities of the Federal Government are placed entirely
under the control of the Treasury Department. The order specifically
states, however, that this does not prohibit the Bureau of Labor
Statistics from conducting investigations of vocational diseases, shop
sanitation, and hygiene. Following is the text of the order in full:
“Whereas, in order to avoid confusion in policies, duplication of
effort, and to bring about more effective results, unity of control in
the administration of the public health activities of the Federal
Government is obviously essential, and has been so recognized by
acts of Congress creating in the Treasury Department a Public
Health Service, and specially authorizing such service ‘to study
the diseases of man and the conditions influencing the propagation
and spread thereof’ and ‘to cooperate with and aid State and mu
nicipal boards of health’:
“Now, therefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United
States, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chief Executive,
and by the act ‘authorizing the ’President to coordinate or consoli
date executive bureaus, agencies, and offices, and for other purposes,
in the interest of economy and the more efficient concentration of
the Government,’ approved May 20, 1918, do hereby order that all
sanitary or public health activities carried on by any executive
bureau, agency, or office, especially created for or concerned in the
prosecution of -the existing War, shall be exercised under the
supervision and control of the Secretary of the Treasury.
“This order shall not be construed as affecting the jurisdiction
exercised under authority of existing law by the Surgeon General of
the Army, the Surgeon General of the Navy, and the Provost Marshal
General in the performance of health functions which are military
in character as distinguished from civil public health duties, or as
prohibiting investigations by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
vocational diseases, shop sanitation, and hygiene.
“ W oodro w W il s o n .
“The
W h it e H o u s e , J u l y 1 ,1 9 1 8 .”
202
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW .
203
CONDITIONS OF LABOR IN CERTAIN NEW YORK CITY LAUNDRIES.
•
Under the title “ Cost of Clean Clothes in Terms of Health” the
New York City Department of Health and the Consumers’ League
of the City of New York have prepared a report1 which gives the
result of their joint study during the fall of 1916 of 42 power laun
dries in Manhattan and Brooklyn to ascertain “ whether this trade
is a menace to health, whether it causes specific diseases or predis
poses the employees to illness, and if so, what ways may be found
to safeguard the workers and make the industry a healthful one.”
The laundries studied employed 715 men and 2,309 women, repre
senting “ from one-fifth to one-quarter of all the workers in this
industry in the two boroughs.” Medical examinations were made
of 68 men and 141 women to determine the effect upon them of the
different processes and conditions of work; and 439 women were
visited in their homes primarily to determine their social back
ground. The questions relative to laundry work which the study
aimed to answer, together with a brief summary of the disclosed
facts pertaining to each, were as follows:
1. To what degree does the handling of soiled and variously contaminated linen
communicate tuberculosis and various acute infectious diseases to the women, girls,
and men who are employed in sorting and marking for identification this miscellaneous
material?
Tuberculosis was found to be more common in this group than in
any other—16.2 per cent of all those examined, including suspected
cases. Pathological nose and throat conditions were found in 84
per cent, the rate for all laundry workers being 64.5 per cent. “ The
prevalence of nose and throat troubles may justly be attributed to
the dust and dirt shaken from the soiled and possibly contaminated
garments. These impurities fill the air of the workroom and are
inhaled by the workers.”
2. How are men affected by working in an atmosphere heavily charged with steam,
often wading ankle deep in the water th a t comes from the washing machines, and lift
ing heavy bags of water-soaked clothes from the washing wheels?
Of 45 men examined, 26.7 per cent were found to have patho
logical pulmonary conditions, and 25 per cent had rheumatism. Two
men suffering from inguinal hernia attributed their condition to the
lifting of heavy weights in the wash room.
3. Are there any injurious effects resulting from the strain of long-continued stand
ing, of foot-treadle work, of shaking out crumpled clothes, and other activities
incident to this industry, upon the generative organs of female workers?
1Cost of clean clothes in terms of health, by Louis I. Harris, M. D., director bureau of preventable dise ses, Department of Health, New York City, and Nellie Swartz, executive secretary, The Consumers’
League of the City of New York.
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
Generally speaking, the physical examination of certain workers
seemed to give an affirmative answer to this question. Two special
risks encountered by women at body ironing machines are mentioned
in the report, namely, the breathing of air vitiated by the poison of
carbon monoxid, which is well known to be deleterious, and the
manipulation of treadles with the feet by means of a jerky motion
that is likely to cause injury to the female organs.
4. Are there any other physical strains of health hazards peculiar to this industry?
Thirty per cent of the markers and sorters and 28.5 per cent of
those operating the flat-work ironing machines were found to have
flat feet; 26.7 per cent had varicose veins; 20 per cent were anemic.
From our findings on tuberculosis, other pulmonary conditions, heart conditions,
anemia, low blood pressure, uterine troubles, and fatigue, it seems probable that the
atmosphere of the laundry is responsible for much of the ill health found among the
workers.
5. What effect do hours, wages, etc., have upon the health of workers?
Long hours three or four days in the week were found to result in
a strain upon the health and vitality of the workers beyond the power
of recoveiy during the shorter days, and this fact is given as a con
tributing cause of the large labor turnover to be found in the laundry
industry. A tabulation of 434 women shows that 27.6 per cent
worked over 54 hours a week, 31.8 per cent worked 54 hours, while
only 9.9 per cent worked under 48 hours. “ The cause for the long
hours found * * * in many of the laundries is simply misman
agement on the part of the-employer who carries on his business in
a hit-and-miss way.”
As to wages, the report suggests that the fact that a large proportion
of laundry workers earn less than a living wage explains the over
crowding of their homes, the general poverty, and the cramped and
struggling lives which they lead. A statement giving the weekly wages
received by 417 women shows that 8.4 per cent were receiving less
than $6; 47.3 per cent were receiving less than $8, and 78.3 percent
were receiving less than $10. Continuing, the report states that—
Few industries show more clearly than this one the need for minimum-wage legis
lation in New York State. Not only is the industry a pathetic illustration of°the low
wages which employees will receive when no minimum is set, but also it is a vivid
example of an industry in which there is need of some stimulus which will force
employers at the bottom of the scale to introduce more efficient methods of management
into their business.
Information was obtained from 354 girls as to the amount of time
they had been idle during the year. Of this number only 25 per cent
claimed that they had not missed one day; 35 per cent had been away
from work less than 1 month, while 40 per cent had been idle from 1
to 10 months, and 14.7 per cent were idle 6 months in the year.
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Attention is called to the large labor turnover in laundries—the
constant shifting, for instance, from one place and one line of work
to another which characterizes the shakers and the workers engaged
on unskilled labor. “ Apparently/’ concludes the report, “ * * *
the employers as a whole are satisfied with a force of workers which is
constantly shifting except in the best paid positions. The time
keeping even of the regular workers is bad, the girls drop out for a day,
returning to the jobs without any apparent effort on the part of the
employer to determine the cause of this irregularity and to take the
necessary steps to stabilize his labor force.” It is stated that in prac
tically every laundry the questions of grievances of employees, of dis
charge, and of shop discipline are met in a most unbusinesslike and
antisocial way, and that shop committees, composed of representa
tives of the employees and the management, are almost unheard of.
The foregoing study has given ample evidence that the organization of this industry
is lacking in consideration of the factors promoting efficiency in the working force.
Absence of essentials for comfort, health, and safety are reflected in the shifting of
workers; low pay reduces the workers’ ability, and long hours increase the accident
risks and poor work. Prospect of advancement from one occupation to another is
overlooked. Four laundries gave no holiday throughout the year, over one-half
observed only four. Practically no efforts have been made to eliminate unnecessary
fatigue by sufficient chairs, steady light, rest periods, or change of occupation.
There are, however, a few laundries where consideration has been given to these
conditions; in which a system has been worked out whereby work is evenly distrib
uted and hours are regular throughout the week; where up-to-date machines have
been introduced, a decent living wage is paid, and good efficient service is rewarded
by advancement. These laundries attract and accept only the more intelligent class
of employees. Needless ta say, their labor turnover is reduced almost to a minimum.
PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT DANGER OF INFECTION BY ANTHRAX.1
Late in 1913 the British departmental committee on anthrax was
appointed to revise existing regulations applied under the factory and
workshop act in some of the branches of the worsted industry for the
purpose of preventing anthrax in the processes of manufacture of .
certain varieties of wool, goat hair, and camel hair. Subsequently
the committee was asked to advise what precautions can be taken in
warehouses at the ports and in the woolen and felt trades for the
prevention of the disease. In the course of its investigations the com
mittee found that in spite of the precautions already taken, the inci
dence of anthrax is increasing in the worsted trade, and that at ware
houses at the ports and in the woolen and felt trades “ it is assuming
somewhat alarming proportions.” The conclusion was reached that
1
R eport of departm ental committee appointed to inquire as to precautions for preventing danger of
infection b y an th rax in th e m anipulation of wool, goat hair, and camel hair. Vol. 1, R eport of the disin
fection subcom m ittee. London, 1918. 93 pp. Price, Is. net. [Cd. 9057.]
71795°—IS-----14
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measures already taken in the worsted trade can afford no protection
to workers in warehouses at the ports or to operatives in the woolen
and felt trades, if applied in those occupations, and that except in
minor details all the precautions it is practicable to take in factories
have been in operation for a considerable time either voluntarily or
in accordance with existing regulations. It is believed that many
cases of anthrax have been prevented, but the committee feels
that such precautions can not successfully cope with the danger.
Since it appears that manufacturing processes do not kill the living
organisms (anthrax spores) which cause anthrax, and that the disease
occurs and continues to occur in every process from the entry of the
raw material into the factory to the production of the finished goods,
the suggestion is offered that the problem must be met by preventing
the disease among animals or by the destruction of the organisms in
wool and hair. To this end a subcommittee was appointed to en
deavor to find a process by means of which anthrax spores can be
destroyed, and the report of the experiments of this subcommittee
constitutes the major portion of the volume under review. The
committee did not consider the question in connection with hides.
Owing to the difficulty of disinfecting wool and hair and the fact
that previous efforts to find a satisfactory process had been unsuc
cessful, the prospect of success in this effort did not appear promising
to the committee. However, the subcommittee ‘‘surmounted every
difficulty successfully ” in evolving a method of disinfection, having
due regard to the following conditions which are laid down as neces
sary if the method is to be practicable:
1. It must be capable of completely destroying anthrax spores even when pro
tected as they are in animal fibers.
2. It must not cause damage to the material.
3. It must be practicable for use on a large commercial scale.
4. Its cost must be reasonable.
In every experiment two test materials were submitted to pre
arranged treatment:
*
1. “ Infected test m aterial,” consisting of bloodclots containing deeply embedded
anthrax spores, this form being chosen because it is generally agreed that spores so
protected are the most difficult to destroy; and
2. “ Damage test material,” which consisted of raw wool or hair of one or other
of the dangerous varieties supplied by manufacturers, and returned to them after
treatment for examination and report as to the effect of the process.
Full details of the methods of preparation and of the behavior of
each of the test materials are given in the report. It was found
that disinfection by steam was impracticable by reason of its damag
ing effect, and efforts were therefore concentracted on devising a
chemical process. After efiminating by experiment the causes of
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early failures, a process was evolved, the essential features of which
are thus described in the report:
Stage 1. Preliminary treatment, consisting of agitation (by means of rakes which
thrust the wool through liquid as in scouring machinery) for 20 minutes in a solution
of soap in water (preferably also containing an alkali like sodium or potassium
carbonate) at a temperature of 102° to 110° F., assisted by squeezing through rollers.
The protection afforded to the spores is by this means removed, the spores are rendered
susceptible to the action of disinfectants and the wool is cleansed.
Stage 2. Disinfecting treatment in which the material is agitated by similar means
for 20 minutes in a 2-2^ per cent solution of formaldehyde in water at a temperature
of 102° F., assisted by squeezing through rollers. In this stage the bulk of the anthrax
spores is destroyed, those only surviving which are embedded in remnants of bloodclots which in a few instances may have escaped complete disintegration during
stage 1, but which become saturated with formaldehyde solution.
Stage 3. Drying in a current of air heated to 1G0° F. The moisture in the wool
is driven off, and nearly all the surviving spores in any blood remnants are
destroyed.
Stage 4. Standing for some days to insure by the progressive action of the formal
dehyde which remains in the blood remnants the complete destruction of the few
weakened spores which have survived stage 3.
It is pointed out that the efficiency of the preliminary treatment
is the key to successful disinfection, but that stages 3 and 4 are
advisable since “ the possibility is always present that some small
remnants may escape and we therefore think stages 3 and 4 should
be regarded as integral parts of the process of disinfection, which
are in the nature of safety factors/’ The subcommittee took the
precaution to submit its work to “ an expert critic outside of and
entirely independent of the committee,” whose experiments were
“ invaluable in enabling us to draw confident conclusions, confirm
ing, as they do, the whole of our work.”
To determine whether the process evolved would in any way
damage the materials treated, the subcommittee arranged with
manufacturers in each of the branches of the wool trade (worsted,
woolen, and felt) to supply a considerable quantity of each of the
different varieties of dangerous materials, take it back after dis
infection, manufacture it in the ordinary way alongside similar but
untreated materials, and report on its behavior in each process.
The materials treated in this test were: (1) Persian wool (repre
sentative of the class of dangerous sheep’s wool used in the worsted
industry); (2) mohair (representative of goat’s hair); (3) alpaca
(representative of the materials of the camel-hair class); (4) medium
quality East Indian wool (representing the class of sheep’s wool
used in the woolen trade); (5) low grade East Indian wool (repre
senting the class of materials used in the felt trade). It is empha
sized that in each case the material was selected by the manufac
turers because it was of the class or quality which most easily shows
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damage. After treatment tlie materials were returned to their
owners and passed through the appropriate process in each of the
four branches of the trade involved, i. e. the manufacture of (a)
worsted goods, (b) mohair and alpaca goods, (c) woolens, and (d) felt,
and the report states that “ in no case was damage observed.”
The commercial practicability of the process appears from the
fact, as indicated in the report, that “ the method lends itself to
continuous treatment carried out automatically by machinery of a
simple character and easily managed ”—“ machinery of a type already
in use in every worsted and many woolen manufactories.” The
fact that formaldehyde is a substance already manufactured on a
large scale and used for a variety of purposes in many industries
also contributes to the commercial feasibility of the process.
As to the matter of cost, the subcommittee calculates that the
capital necessary for the erection and equipment of a central station
capable of disinfecting 10,000,000 pounds of wool annually would
be £18,000 ($87,597), and that the working cost of disinfection,
including very liberal allowances for depreciation and sinking fund,
would vary from 0.544 penny (1.1 cents) to 0.824 penny (1.7 cents)
per pound of untreated material. This is based on prewar prices,
to which, it is estimated, about 75 per cent should be added.
The report concludes with a warning that all danger is not removed
by the disinfecting process, since there will still be a certain, though
limited, degree of risk during manipulation of materials (such as
in opening, etc.) before it passes into the disinfection machinery,
and suggests that very stringent measures should be taken to reduce
this risk as much as possible. Those who would use the process are
also reminded that the method of disinfection is a chemical pro
cess which should be carried out only under expert supervision.
“ It is highly technical, somewhat complicated, and is distinctly not
a process calculated to yield certain results in the hands of the ordi
nary person, who may not realize the importance or the necessity for
the different operations.”
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LABOR LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
COMPULSORY WORK PROVISIONS IN MONTANA AND RHODE ISLAND.
Notice has been taken in earlier numbers of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w
of laws of a number of States, and of.an order in council of the
Dominion of Canada, looking toward the compelling of service by
persons physically able to render the same, during the emergency
caused by the War.1 Rhode Island by legislation, and Montana by
an order issued by the State Council of Defense, have joined the
group of States having such provisions; and selective-service regula
tions (noted in the next article), promulgated by the Provost Marshal
General, undertake to require that registrants under the selectiveservice law, who are not actually in the service, shall be engaged in
productive occupations or employments. A bill was also intro
duced in Congress on June 26, as the first step toward a law for the
District of Columbia of a nature similar to those of the States named.
The law of Rhode Island requires employment at some service
“ necessary and essential for the protection and welfare of this
State and the United States,” for a period of 36 hours per w x,
the possession of property or income being no defense. The act
applies to able-bodied male residents “ between the ages of 18 and
50 years,” and is to be in effect on the issue of a proclamation by the
governor. On claim of inability to find employment, persons may
be assigned to service on undertakings of the State or any subdi
vision thereof, the duty of making assignments devolving upon the
commissioner of industrial statistics.
Possibly the fact that Montana is an equal suffrage State accounts
for the fact that the order issued by the Council of Defense of that
State requiring employment at “ some legitimate occupation” for at
least five days per week for the period of the existing War, makes no
distinction as to sex, but covers ‘ ‘ every adult person having the neces
sary physical and mental capacity and ability. ” No age limit is fixed
in the order.
The bill introduced in Congress, and applicable to the District of
Columbia, would bring under its provisions able-bodied males “ be
tween the ages of 18 and 60 years,” requiring each such person “ to
habitually and regularly engage in some lawful, useful, and recog1
West Virginia, Monthly R eview , August, 1917, p. 150; M aryland, Septem ber, 1917, p. 113; New
Jersey, April, 1918, p. 277; New York and Canada, June, 1918, p. 199.
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nized business, profession, occupation, or employment whereby he
may produce or earn sufficient to support himself and those dependent
on him.” Possession of property is not a defense, and delinquents
are to be required, as a part of the penalty for their noncompliance,
to work on the public roads or streets or some other public work of
the District.
COMPULSORY WORK REGULATIONS AFFECTING DRAFT REGISTRANTS.
The compulsory work regulations promulgated by the Provost
Marshal General, mentioned .in the preceding article, apply only to
males coming within the draft ages. They make it the duty of en
forcing and administrative officers, “ and of all citizens,” to report
all known facts as to “ registrants who are idle or who are engaged in
any occupation or employment defined and described in these regu
lations or any amendments thereof as nonproductive occupations
or employments. ” Persons found to be idle or unprofitably employed
are to be withdrawn from deferred classification, if they have been
so classed, and, after final decision as to the charges, are to be physi
cally examined, and, if found fit, are to be inducted into the military
service. Nonproductive occupations are described as follows:
(a ) Persons engaged in the serving of food and drink, or either, in public places,
including hotels and social clubs.
( b ) Passenger-elevator operators and attendants; and door men, footmen, carriage
openers, and other attendants in clubs, hotels, stores, apartment houses, office
buildings, and bathhouses.
(c) Persons, including ushers and other attendants, engaged and occupied in and
in connection with games, sports, and amusements, excepting actual performers in
legitimate concerts, operas, or theatrical performances.
(d ) Persons employed in domestic service.
(e ) Sales clerks and other clerks employed in stores and other mercantile estab
lishments.
Provision is made for reasonable excuses for temporary idleness,
and for employment in a nonproductive occupation; in the latter
case, domestic circumstances, unusual hardship, or a necessity of
night work by women if the occupation were changed are sufficient
reasons for not making a change.
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION LEGISLATION IN CANADA.
ALBERTA,
The Parliament of Alberta at its recent session enacted a new law
on the subject of workmen’s compensation, which supersedes the act
of 1908, and considerably enlarges the scope and liberality of the
provisions made for industrial injuries. The act was approved
April 13, and will take effect as to mines., coke ovens, and briquet[430$
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ting plants on August 1 of the current year, and as to other industries
covered, on January 1, 1919.
The scope of the act is fixed by an enumeration of the trades and
businesses to which it applies, the list being quite extensive; further
inclusions are secured by a provision making it applicable to “ any
occupation incidental thereto or connected with the industries
enumerated in this schedule. ” Transportation by land and water
is included, but six of the more important railroads of the Province
are exempted from the provisions of the act. Outworkers, clerical
employees not exposed to the hazards of the industry, and persons
whose employment is but casual and not for the purpose of the
trade or business of the employer are excluded. Employees of
the Government are included in the act if engaged in occupations
covered by it.
Benefits are payable beginning the fourth day after the injury,
and if the disability continues for ten days or more, payment is made
from the date of the accident. Industrial diseases are compensated
on the same basis as accidental injuries. Compensation for death
disregards the earning capacity of the deceased workman, fixed
amounts being paid as follows: To a widow or invalid widower, $20
per month, and $5 additional to each child under sixteen, no total to
exceed $40 per month. If neither parent survives, the allowance to
children is $10 each, subject to the same limitations. A funeral
benefit of $75 is allowed in all cases.
Disability benefits are also arbitrary where the disability is total,
being $10 per week during its term, or if there is a child or children,
$12 per week. Partial disability is compensated by fixed allowances
where such disability is due to maiming, while in other cases the
benefits are based on a percentage of the wage loss. The maximum
for any injury or death is $2,500.
The act is to be administered by a board whose power is exclusive
and final. Benefits are paid from an insurance fund to which all
employers under the act must contribute. Separate funds are to be
maintained for each schedule, i. e., mining and related industries, and
other industries; but if at any time money is not available in the
funds to make the payments, money may be advanced out of the
consolidated revenue fund of the Province, the same to be reimbursed
with interest. After January 1, 1920, nonresidents of the Dominion
who are dependents after one year from the date of the arrival of the
workman in Canada may receive no benefits, though this provision
does not apply to parents.
QUEBEC.
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The law of Quebec is amended (chapter 71, acts of 1918) so as to
include within its provisions employees receiving as much as $1,200
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instead of onlyup to $1,000. The maximum of benefits is advanced
from $2,000 to $2,500, and a minimum weekly benefit of $4 is pre
scribed in cases of temporary disability. The provision that but
one-fourth of the workman’s earnings in excess of $600 shall be
considered in computing benefits is changed so as to start from $800.
Thus it appears that the entire effect of the amendments is to liberalize
the act, as has been almost invariably the case where such laws have
come up for revision.
P U B L IC E M PL O Y E E S OF T H E DOM INION.
An act of the Dominion Parliament of the current year directs that
“ an employee in the service of His Majesty,’’ if injured, or his de
pendents, in case of his death, shall be entitled to compensation bene
fits under the laws of the Province in which the accident occurred, the
same as if the employee were in the service of a private employer.
Local boards and authorities are to administer the law, as in the
case of other employers. Benefits are payable out of the consoli
dated revenue fund of the Dominion.
MINIMUM WAGE LAWS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND MANITOBA.
B R IT IS H COLUMBIA.
The recent legislative assembly of the Province of British Columbia
enacted a law establishing a minimum wage board to ascertain the
wages paid to women in the Province, and, if after investigation it
appears that inadequate wages are being paid in any occupation,
trade, or industry, to call a conference for the purpose of determining
what is a suitable wage and to establish and enforce the same. Tire
board is to serve without pay, and to hold office during the pleasure
of the lieutenant governor, who also makes the appointments. One
of the three members is to be a woman, and the Deputy Minister of
Labor is to be a member ex officio and chairman of the board. A
secretary and expert clerical and other assistance may be employed.
All occupations and employments are subject to the act, farm labor
ers, fruit pickers, and domestic servants only excepted.
The conference to fix wages is to be representative of employers,
employees, and the public, and its findings and recommendations are
to he a matter of record for the use of the board. Recommendations
are to be either approved or rejected; and if rejected, a new conference
is to be called. A new conference may also be called on petition of
employers or employees, or on the mo tion of the board itself. Licenses
may be issued for the employment of women physically defective at
a rate less than that fixed by the board; but employers paying less
without such license may be punished by fine, and the employee is
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213
r
also entitled to recover any balance between the wages paid and the
rate fixed by the board.
M ANITOBA.
The Manitoba statute is more limited in its scope than that of
British Columbia, its provisions extending only to female workers “ in
any shop, mail-order house, or factory in any city in Manitoba.”
However, shop means all places for retail trade, including tobaccon
ists, news agents, messenger service, hotels, restaurants, etc., as well
as barber shops, refreshment houses, and auction rooms. A board
of five persons is provided for, two representing employers, two
employees, and one the public. The members are to be compensated
for their services and expenses at a rate determined by the lieutenant
governor in council; no provision is made as to the term of office.
Investigations and inquiries are to be prosecuted by the board, which
has the power to subpoena witnesses, punish for contempt, require the
production of documents, etc. Orders may also be made applicable
to any portion of the Province not in any city, at the discretion of the
board.
The powers of the board extend to hours of labor, conditions of
sanitation and those essential to morals, and wages. Licenses for
substandard employees are provided for, as is usual in acts of this
nature; also for the protection of employees testifying before the
board. As in the act above noted, the employer is punishable by a
fine for violation of the act and is also liable in a suit for unpaid
balances.
B IL L FO R MINIMUM W AGE IN T H E D IS T R IC T OF COLUMBIA.
As noted in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for June, 1918 (pp. 150-155), a
bill for a minimum wage for female workers in the District of Columbia
is before Congress. Following the hearings reported in the issue for
June, a favorable report on the bill was made on May 15, and it came
up for consideration before the House of Representatives on July 8.
The measure was discussed at length, some opposition developing,
though for the most part the speakers were in favor of the bill. The
proponents of the bill stated that in the main it is based on the Oregon
statute, an act that has been passed upon by the courts. It re
sembles, therefore, the law of that State in its principal features,
including the appointment of a board, investigations by conferences,
the fixing of rates for minors and learners as well as for adult women
skilled in their employment, time during which learners’ rates may
be paid, etc. An amendment adopted on July 8 specifically excludes
domestic servants from the purview of the bill.
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LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
RAPID PROGRESS OF TRADE-UNION MOVEMENT IN HUNGARY.1
The May (1918) number of the Szakszervezeti Ertesito, the
official organ of the Hungarian trade-unions, contains the state
ment that in 1917 the number of organized workers in Hungary
increased to 215,222. Before the outbreak of the War the Hun
garian trade-unions had a membership of 107,486. The drafting of
members into military service reduced the membership to 43,381
at the end of 1915. This crisis was overcome in 1916, during which
year the membership increased to 55,338. In the past year, how
ever, this number has been nearly quadrupled. The great propa
ganda work of the Hungarian trade-unions dates back to the peace
demonstration on May 1, 1917.
If it is considered that industry and legal protection of the right
of coalition are equally undeveloped in Hungary, the rapid progress
of the Hungarian trade-union movement becomes particularly
noteworthy.
Of the 215,222 organized workers 166,411 were men and 48,811
were women. The number of female trade-union members is nearly
five times as large as in prewar times. The majority of the organized
Hungarian workers are domiciled in Budapest, the capital of Hun
gary. Of the individual federations affiliated with the central organi
zation that of the iron and metal workers experienced the largest
increase of membership. Its membership increased from 20,000 to
over 80,000. The following federations have the next largest mem
bership: Miners (21,178), railroad workers (15,568), private salaried
employees (10,588), and textile workers (3,615).
The revenues and the capital of the unions have increased in a
like ratio as their membership. At the end of 1917 the total capital
of the trade-unions was 5,750,000 crowns (81,167,250), or 1,800,000
crowns ($365,400) more than at the end of the preceding year. The
revenues amounted to 3,500,000 crowns ($710,500) and the dis
bursements to 2,000,000 crowns ($406,000). Since 1903 the Hun
garian trade-unions have paid out 9,300,000 crowns ($1,887,900) in
benefits to their members. In this total are included 2,250,000
crowns ($456,750) paid out in the form of subsidies to families of
members drafted for military service during the War.
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Of late trade-union organizers have won many new members
among the street-car employees, workers in Government and com
munal employment, and among female tobacco workers. At the
present date the membership of the Hungarian trade-unions has
exceeded the quarter-million mark.
TRADE-UNION MOVEMENT IN THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES, 1917.1
The national trade-union federations of the three Scandinavian
countries report a very noteworthy increase of their membership
during the year 1917.
In Sweden the trade-union movement at the end of the year under
review had a membership of 186,146, an increase of 45,334 (39.2 per
cent) over the preceding year. The female membership had increased
from 8,238 to 14,402. The total increase of membership is dis
tributed among a number of federations, among which those of the
metal workers, sawmill workers, factory workers, transport and mer
cantile workers, tailors, bookbinders, and workers in communal
employment show the largest increases. Accurate data as to The
wage movements organized during the year under review are not
yet available, but the total amount of the strike benefits paid by the
trade-unions during 1917 is the largest since the general strike in
1909.
The National Central Federation of the Norwegian Trade-Unions
reports an increase of its membership during the past year by 14,000,
the total membership being 93,000 in round numbers. Notwith
standing the fact that during 1917 the number of wage movements
was very large—559, involving 65,000 workers—strike was resorted
to in only 44 movements, affecting about 3,000 workers. The Central
Federation’s share in the strike benefits paid was 85,000 crowns
($22,780) as against 660,000 crowns ($176,880) in 1916. A very
important movement brought about the introduction of eight-hour
shifts in the paper, cellulose, and wood-pulp industries. In these
industries 14,000 workers are now working under an eight-hour shift
system. The building trades federations were able to conclude col
lective agreements in most of the large cities of the country. These
agreements affected about 6,000 workmen.
The membership of the trade-unions affiliated with the Danish
National Federation increased in 1917 by 28,762 to a total of 179,284,
Oi which 27,776 were female members. At the end of the year under
review 53 federations with a total of 1,674 trade-unions, 208 of which
were newly founded, were affiliated with the Central Federation.
The report of the National Federation mentions negotiations with
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
German trade-union leaders which took place to safeguard the inter
ests of Danish workers going to Germany in quest of employment.
It had become known that Danish workmen through false promises
of German labor agents had been enticed to go to Germany. An
agreement was reached that the activities of such labor agents in
Denmark should cease and that the Danish trade-unions should act
as employment agencies for those of their unemployed members who
intended to seek work in Germany. The activities of the Danish
trade-unions in this respect never attained any importance and now
have been discontinued entirely. The annual report of the federa
tion also calls attention to a number of unauthorized strikes brought
about by syndicalistic agitation. The employers obtained prose
cution by the courts of the instigators of these strikes and seven labor
organizations were fined in the total amount of 40,800 crowns
($10,934.40). Of this amount 32,000 crowns ($8,576) were paid by
the shipyard workers’ organization, which is not affiliated with the
National Federation of Trade-Unions.
ECONOMIC DEMANDS OF THE SWISS WORKMEN.
The Internationale Korrespondenz 1 reports that a joint committee
of the Swiss trade-unions and of the Socialist Party has transmitted
to the Federal Council (B u n d esra t ) a memorandum containing the
following economic demands:
1. Establishment of a Federal supply department with an advisory council which
shall render opinions on all problems of supply and conjointly with the Federal Coun
cil shall take suitable measures.
2. Elimination of middlemen wherever this is possible.
3. Determination of minimum wages for all trades and industries for which such
wages have hitherto not been determined; guaranty of a minimum income based on
the local cost of living with the aid of subsidies from public funds.
4. Fixing of prices for all foodstuffs and necessaries by the advisory council of the
supply department in a manner corresponding to the interests of the consumers.
5. Prevention of further increases in the price of milk or assumption of excess costs
by the Federal Government; restriction of the production of condensed milk and sale
of it only on presentation of milk cards; prohibition of the manufacture of milk choco
late; complete prohibition of the export of fresh milk, the export of milk products to
be permitted only in return for some necessary commodity.
G. No further increases in the price of bread; in case of decreasing supply, reserva
tion of the bread grain for those classes of the population dependent upon bread as
their principal means of nutrition; complete prohibition of the hoarding of cereals
and of their use for purposes other than nutrition; restriction of the production of fancy
bakery goods and confectionery.
7.
P o ta to e s .—Census of the supplies, and seizure and purchase of the entire crop
by the Federal Government.
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8. F r u it a n d f r u i t p r o d u c ts . —Complete prohibition of export; prohibition of the use
of fruit for industrial purposes as long as the needs of the consumers have not been
covered.
9. M e a t. —The trade in live stock to be made a monopoly; rationing of the consump
tion, and reduction of meat prices.
10. M ass fe e d in g .—Compulsory introduction of mass feeding (public war kitchens)
by large communes, with adoption of the principle of participation in it of the entire
population, and with financial aid from the Federal Government.
11. F u e l. —Coal monopoly; centralization of the fuel trade and rationing of fuel;
fixing of maximum prices for all kinds of fuel; sale of fuel to people of small means at
reduced prices; restriction of the export of lumber.
12. S h o es. —Sale of national standard shoes to people of small means at reduced
prices.
13. H o u s in g . —Promotion, with Federal financial aid, of the construction of small
dwellings, particularly in communes in wliich there is a dearth of small dwellings;
temporary prohibition of the construction of buildings de luxe, churches, and places
of amusement; requisitioning of vacant dwellings.
14. Relief m e a su re s. —Preparation of plans for emergency public works for the
purpose of unemployment relief; reduction of the hours of labor; unemployment
benefits from public funds.
15. W ar p r o f its . —Seizure of all business profits in excess of 10 per cent.
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W ELFARE W O RK .
WELFARE WORK FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE UNITED STATES.
BY A U G U ST U S P. N O RTON .
The statement is often repeated that the present war is one of
nations rather than of armies. Consequently the highest possible
efficiency is needed on the part of ever}' essential cooperating element.
Certainly the civilian forces of the Government, enormously en
hanced in numbers during the past year, constitute a most impor
tant agency in the-effectiveness of the war operations. It is sig
nificant that for a recent period of 15 weeks, as will be shown more
in detail, the separations from the service have been nearly half the
number of the additions. And if it be true that well-conducted
welfare agencies are able to add much to the efficiency of employees,
a consideration of accomplishments, plans, and possibilities in this
line for the employees of the United States in Washington is well
worth while.
P R E S E N T A C CO M PLISH M EN T.
The welfare work of the Government may be grouped under four
heads: Housing, which is a special field and which will not be dealt
with here; the provision of good lunch facilities; health measures,
which include emergency hospital and visiting nurse work; and
recreation, including educational work of a social nature.
R e s ta u r a n ts .—Restaurants and lunch rooms, providing lunches and
other meals for the employees at reasonable prices, are operated in
a number of the Government buildings. Included among them are
restaurants at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Interior De
partment (in different locations), and the Post Office Department,
which have been established for a considerable length of time, as
well as several of more recent installation mentioned below.
It is noteworthy regarding the cafeteria at the Bureau of En
graving and Printing that it is managed cooperatively by an asso
ciation of employees. Any employee is eligible for membership in
the association and the officers, who serve without compensation
except a small salary to the treasurer, determine the important
policies of management. They employ the manager of the cafeteria
on a salary and he in turn employs the other workers in the restau
rant, numbering 50 in all shifts, buys supplies, and supervises the
details of operation. The quarters, light, and heat are furnished
free by the Government. Room for the purpose was provided
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when the present building was erected and has been occupied since
its opening, five years ago; it has been necessary, however, to add
to the accommodations by turning additional space into the dining
room and by inclosing parts of the large roof gardens so that they
may be used for the same purpose. The fixtures, such as stoves
and ovens, dishwashing machines, counters, steam tables, and dining
.tables, chairs, etc., were installed by the Government when the
building was erected or at later intervals. The dishes, silverware,
and the like, were purchased by the association of employees at
the beginning, the men subscribing $1 each and the women 50
cents each, a total of $1,800 being raised. Later this was refunded
and additions and replacements are now made from current funds.
During the War the plant of the bureau is being operated 24 hours
per day, in three shifts of 8 hours each, beginning, respectively, at
midnight, 8 a. m. and 4 p. m., overtime work being done by some
employees. The cafeteria is open for the purpose of serving meals
from 12 midnight to 12.30 a. m., 3 to 4 a. m., 7 to 8 a. m., 11 a. m.
to 12.45 p. m., and 5.30 to 7 p. m.
The combined seating capacity of the dining rooms is 900. During
the lunch periods in the middle of the working shifts, the employees
in different sections are released at 15-minute intervals, so that all
may be served during the time. Members of the day force who
desire may secure their breakfasts at the period preceding 8 a. m.,
and when doing overtime work, their dinners after 5.30 p. m.
The service, on the cafeteria plan, is so systematized that 12
persons per minute are served at each of the two series of counters.
The kitchen is equipped with excellent appliances, including an
electric oven and an improved type of mechanical dishwasher. All
preparation of food is done on the premises, including the baking
of bread, pies, and cakes. A rather remarkable economy in sugar
consumption has been secured by the not uncommon expedient of
the abolition of sugar bowls and the substitution of tablespoonful
portions put into small paper bags. The amount used daily de
creased from 220 pounds to 70 pounds as a result.
The bureau’s employees number at present about 7,000, and of
these about 5,000 are served daily at the cafeteria with one meal or
more. The others carry lunches, since from the nature of the work
none of the employees are permitted to leave the building during
Working hours. Men and women are served at separate counters
and eat in separate dining rooms. After lunch the employees may
spend any leisure time on the roof gardens, one of which is desig
nated for each sex. Smoking is prohibited throughout the building,
but it ih permitted on the men’s roof garden.
In order to preserve a balance between income and expenses, it is
necessary, upon a general advance in prices of supplies, either to in
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crease the price or diminish the portions served. However, the price
of certain standard articles has been steadily maintained at 5 cents,
including several kinds of sandwiches, pies, puddings, portions of
fruit served as desserts, small portions of ice cream, and tea, coffee,
cocoa, and milk. The menus provide a “ dinner order” for 25 cents.
This is served at any of the various meals. A typical one, on a day
in June, 1918, includes braised beef, boiled rice or mashed potatoes,
3 slices of bread or 2 pieces of corn bread, 1 pat of butter, and choice
of tea, coffee, cocoa, or milk. Included on one or both of two menus
at this period as 10-cent orders (without bread or butter) were kidney
beans, tripe lyonnaise, goulash, liver and onions, and baked beans;
as 5-cent orders, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, string-bean
salad, potato salad, barley soup, bean soup, small order of baked
beans, and four slices of bread with one pat of butter.
Many employees of the bureau engaged in mechanical and routine
work receive comparatively small wages. Such saving as is effected
for their benefit by the elimination of rentals and profits in this
cafeteria is therefore likely to be greatly appreciated.
The cafeteria which serves employees of the Post Office Depart
ment, as well as those of the City Post Office, is located in the City
Post Office building, and the Government furnishes the space, light,
original permanent equipment, heat, and steam for steam tables,
but not gas for cooking. The restaurant is supervised by an official
on behalf of the department. A contract is made with a manager,
the present one being a graduate of Cornell in domestic science. The
profits up to $150 a month constitute her compensation; if they fall
below this point, her pay is proportionately reduced; if they are
greater, part of the remainder is set aside for purchasing equipment,
and part is given to the 11 employees of the cafeteria as a gratuity.
The cafeteria, which is open from 7 a. m. until 1 p. m., serves-about
600 people daily, of whom two-thirds, it is estimated, are employees
of the department or the post office and most of the remainder other
Government employees. That there is an appreciable saving as well
as satisfactory service is borne out by the fact that so many not
employed under the department continue to patronize the cafeteria,
although an additional fee of 5 cents each is now required of them.
Less extensive lunch facilities are found in the Post Office Department
building on Pennsylvania Avenue.
In the Interior Department the present arrangement is temporary,
as the part of the new building where the permanent cafeteria will
be located is not completed. The proposed contract, not yet executed,
provides that the department shall furnish quarters, light, heat, and
water, oversee the management through a committee, and regulate
prices charged for food. Outsiders are admitted at present, while
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many from the building go to commercial restaurants. The number
served has not been ascertained.
The War Department has provided a large restaurant to accommo
date the employees in the group of buildings in the vicinity of Sixth
and B Streets. A concession has been given for the operation of
this restaurant, but on a basis which limits the private profit to a
fixed amount, further earnings being applied to reduce the cost to the
consumers. Three meals are served here daily, with a patronage of
about 5,000. Space is allowed for four restaurants in the plans for new
War Department buildings on Potomac Park at Seventeenth Street.
The Navy Department has no distinctly departmental restaurant.
The Corcoran Courts Canteen, largely patronized by its employees, is
conducted by the Navy Relief Society.
In the Department of Commerce Building a woman who has a
lunchroom elsewhere brings in sandwiches, salads, pies, and hot
coffee to one of the rooms during the lunch hour, and serves them at
prices said to be remarkably reasonable. At the Bureau of Stand
ards, located outside the city whore no commercial lunchrooms are
accessible, an association of employees conducts a cafeteria managed
similarly to that of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
The War Trade Board, at Twentieth and C Streets, is also so far
away from restaurants that the location of one in the building is
highly convenient. A manager is employed on a salary, and space,
light, heat, gas, and equipment are furnished by the board, which
supervises the operation of the restaurant. A large percentage of
the employees patronize this restaurant, which serves between 900
and 1,000 daily. Some bring the greater part of their lunch, but pur
chase coffee and desserts. An excellent lunch may be secured for 20
or 25 cents, although the average amount spent per person is 27 cents.
Other offices having restaurants of considerable size are the Inter
state Commerce Commission, the Council of National Defense, the
Food Administration, and the Fuel Administration. The Smith
sonian Institution has a small one.
Quite recently canteen motor trucks have been established by the
War Camp Community Service Committee for women clerks, although
men are not barred from patronizing them. At lunch time these
trucks, with a supply of sandwiches, ice cream, lemonade, etc., are sta
tioned at the corner of Seventeenth and E Streets, on the grounds of
the War Risk Insurance Bureau, and at other locations near Govern
ment buildings. Speedy service enables the clerks on fine days to
enj oy the entire lunch period in the open air under the trees. A similar
lunch is furnished in quantities at cost, delivered, to the employees
of any office who will arrange for equipment and distribution.
H e a lth .—To safeguard the health of employees, most of the offices
have rest rooms for the use of the women. In some of the small
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offices first aid is rendered by employees of the office who are physi
cians and who may be summoned to the rest room in case of need.
The larger departments have special rooms for emergency treatment
of employees in cases of illness, with physicians and nurses in attend
ance. In the Government Printing Office and Navy Yard industrial
accidents are naturally frequent and emergency facilities have long
been maintained.
The most comprehensive program along this line is undoubtedly
that of the War Department, which has a dispensary and maintains
emergency rooms at the eight principal offices of the department, as
follows: State, War, and Navy Building, Ordnance Office, Engineer
Corps, Quartermaster Corps, Provost Marshal General’s Office, Signal
Corps, Military Intelligence Division, Adjutant General’s Office.
The finely equipped dispensary is located in one of the new buildings
on Seventh Street near several of the larger offices. A major in the
Medical Reserve Corps is in charge of the dispensary and the emer
gency rooms, and there are on permanent duty at the dispensary 11
other officers of the Medical Reserve Corps, 3 nurses of the Army
Nurse Corps, and 1 sergeant and 4 privates of the Medical Department.
During the month of April, 1918, the number of persons taken care
of at the emergency rooms was as follows: Surgical cases, 1,408;
surgical dressings, 2,651; medical cases, 2,633; total vaccinations,
15,392; inspection of vaccinations, 1,146; physical examinations, 66;
number visited by doctor, 79; sent to hospital, 21; emergency am
bulance cases, 14; total, 23,410. During that month an unusual
number of vaccinations were made on account of exposures to
smallpox in some of the offices. The total cases above, outside of
those relating to vaccination, number 6,872; during May the total
cases attended to numbered only 7,572; but the vaccinations were
comparatively few, so that the number of other cases was very
nearly the same. During May the number cared for at the dispensary
was: Surgical cases, 515; surgical dressings, 780; medical cases, 1,039;
vaccinations, 629; vaccinations outside of dispensary, 805; vaccina
tions inspected, 429; typhoid inoculations, 55; visited by doctor,
285; physical examinations, 93; small items bring the total up to
4,765. The total cared for at both the emergency rooms and the
dispensary during this month was over 12,000.
A visiting nurse system is maintained, and absentees reported
from any of the offices are visited, since during the period of high
pressure of Government work it is not expected that emplo3mes
will absent themselves without permission uidess they are sick.
During April the total number of calls made was 1,256, and 665
persons were found ill. In 75 of these cases treatment was given and
a physician called. During May the total calls numbered 1,854, but
details are not given in the report available. Twenty-six members
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of the Army Nurse Corps are engaged at the emergency rooms and
in visiting. The visiting nurse service is particularly important to
the newcomers to Washington, most of whom have no family con
nections and few acquaintances and who often board at a place
apart from their lodging.
In addition to a complete program along the above lines, the War
Department has inaugurated health education for the benefit of its
own employees and all others who may attend, by securing the
services of physicians for weekly lectures on health and hygiene and
of an expert to carry out measures for the physical welfare of the
female employees of the War Department.
Among its accomplishments, not strictly classifiable under health,
the Health and Housing Division of the War Department has often
given attention to miscellaneous personal problems of the employees
which cause worry and undermine efficiency.
R e c re a tio n .—The Health and Housing Division of the War Depart
ment initiated the movement by which an appropriation of $10,000
was secured from Congress to open the recreational facilities of the
plants at schoolhouses, under the supervision of the community cen
ters for the use of the Government clerks generally. These facilities
comprise playgrounds, gymnasiums, swimming pools, athletic fields,
auditoriums, and halls for dancing. Community dancing parties are
given in the halls, the women of the community acting as hostesses,
and the pavements are being utilized for dancing purposes, thus
affording opportunity for a larger group to participate.
Arrangements for several summer camps have been made by the
recreation committee of the War Camp Community Service, the
Y. W. C. A., and others. Health as well as recreation will undoubt
edly be secured for as many as can be accommodated in these camps.
The Health and Housing Division encouraged and assisted in the
formation of social and recreational clubs in the various units of the
War Department. Such clubs had been organized to some extent else
where, when the movement was consolidated and reanimated by the
calling of a meeting for May 16 of delegates from all the Government
divisions. The recreation committee of the War Camp Community
Service had been authorized to extend its scope to embrace recreation
activities for the civil employees, and had made a survey of all avail
able facilities. Other meetings followed and a permanent organiza
tion has been effected under the name of the Government Recreation
League. Maj. George P. Ahern, secretary of the War College, is
president; Capt. W. C. Deming, of the Welfare Division, Surgeon
General’s Office, vice president; and Miss Maud M. Miles, of the
Ordnance Bureau, secretary. At the first meeting the executive
officer of the War Camp Community Service Committee acted as
chairman and announced the results of the survey and the aims of
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the committee in calling the conference. The cooperation of the
agencies controlling recreation facilities, including the Y. M. C. A. and
the Y. W. C. A., the community associations, the District of Columbia
department of playgrounds, and Federal agencies, was assured.
The survey referred to showed the following facilities: Tennis
courts, 28 on municipal playgrounds, 3 on the Y.M.C. A. grounds, 3 on
public school grounds, and 13 under Government control, including
10 just opened in Potomac Park; the possible use of certain private
school courts; and the courts of four country clubs, available only for
members; base-ball fields, 13 public, 2 on playgrounds, 3 miscella
neous; athletic fields, 8; swimming pools, 12; boating, 3 public and
3 private clubs; summer camps, “ Camp Columbia,” for girls, accom
modating 250 at a time; another of the War Camp Community Serv
ice for both sexes; and those of the War College, Y. W. C. A., and
Girls’ Friendly Holiday House; dance halls, several in schools, 2
fraternity halls, 2 in private schools.
A census of emplcwees desiring to get in touch with the various
recreational and educational features enumerated on the card which
is reproduced herewith was undertaken through the distribution of
these cards in all the departments. Opportunity is given for persons
with special abilities to indicate their willingness to place them at
the service of groups of employees. Complete returns of this regis
tration have not yet been received. The card for the men differs
from this one only in the details.
Club.
D ept. bur.
Home address.
Phone.
Rel. faith—Denom.
I w ould like to join clubs th a t w ill give a ctiv ity in following lines:
A T H L E T IC .
SOCIAL.
Tennis.
Field hockey.
Field m eet events.
M ilitary drill.
Swimming.
Hikes.
Dancing.
Social.
Folk.
Glee club.
O rchestra.
Play production.
ED U C A TIO N A L.
French.
Spanish.
C urrent events.
Literature.
A rt—Music, dram atic, fine,
and applied.
Criticism.
. H istory.
Outdoor sketching.
F irst aid.
Surgical dressing.
W ar cooking.
H ave you training or ability in following lines, th a t you w ould like to use in service or com m unity?
Leader or instructor:
Girls’ Scouts.
G irls’ clubs.
Surgical dressings.
K nitting.
W ar cooking.
F irst aid.
Sewing.
Sunday school.
R EM A R K S.
Public speaking.
E n tertain m en t:
Vocalist.
Instrum entalist.
Monologist.
Poster artist.
Press, editorial.
R EM A R K S.
This card is issued b y th e D istrict of Columbia W ar Camp C om m unity Service, located a t N ineteenth
and G streets. Phone, Main 2928. Please fill out and give th is card to person i n charge of registration o f
your bureau.
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The desirability of the clubs being independent in the major portion
of their activities was emphasized in the discussions. The number
taking part in the discussions at all the meetings, especially in the
consideration of practical details, has evinced the general interest in
the matter.
At a second meeting, held May 23, Mr. Louis I. Doyle, of the
Interstate Commerce Commission office, was made chairman of a
committee on tennis and Mr. R. C. Cousins, recently instructor in
swimming at Cornell, was elected to head a similar committee on
swimming.
*
It is expected that 36 tennis courts in East Potomac Park will be
constructed, hut these, however, will be very difficult of access until
the opening of the ferry next year. Ten courts are to be opened in
Rock Creek Park near the reservoir, with a field dressing house for
the convenience of the employees. It is also possible that a number
©f grass courts on public land may be opened at an early date if a
small appropriation can be procured to roll them properly and
provide nets. Similarly many unused private courts might be
restored and grass courts made on vacant lots at little expense. A
census of suitable lots is being made by the Boy Scouts, having as a
nucleus a list which the District War Garden Committee was able to
furnish. The question of closing some of the less busy streets at
certain hours and using the street surface for tennis, has been called
to the attention of the municipal authorities. Several courts are
to be constructed on the grounds of the Soldiers’ Home.
Permission to use water for the swimming pools and basin has been
secured, and the lack of life guards and instructors has been removed
by volunteers among the swimmers in the departments, competent
men having offered their services.
Canoeing may be provided for if the committee can meet the offer
of the owner of a boathouse which was destroyed by the spring flood,
to furnish $10,000 to purchase canoes and lumber for a new boat
house, the committee to furnish the labor for the construction. This
would cost $6,000, and the only arrangement deemed possible is for
the soldiers encamped on the Potomac to do the work, the boathouse
to be open to those in military, naval, and civil service.
A social club has been carried on in the State Department for six
months, holding monthly meetings with music, speaking, and dancing.
Organizations were perfected early in June in the Department of
Agriculture and the Interstate Commerce Commission. The former
inaugurated its activities by a war savings stamp fête on June 28
on the grounds of the department. The latter club is so well organ
ized that each of the 4,000 employees may be reached quickly and
personally in regard to any topic. Numerous picnics and hikes have
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been held and are contemplated by departmental groups; and Pierce’s
Mill in Rock Creek Park, which is located on a popular hiking route,
is to be opened as a stand for the sale of ice cream and cold drinks.
Mr. Felix Mahoney, head of the School of Fine and Applied Arts,
spoke enthusiastically at one meeting on outdoor sketching and the
formation of groups for that purpose, and offered to assist in fos
tering those interests and to act as an instructor.
The camp for girls on the Conduit Road at the District line, occu
pied earlier by the National Service School and now named Camp
Columbia, was opened June 15. Two hundred and fifty can be ac
commodated at a time, and applications are received for two weeks
or multiples of that period. Fifty army tents with board floors are
provided, and in addition there are bathrooms, laundry, mess hall,
and a recreation hall with stage. There is ample outdoor space, in
cluding several acres planted to provide fresh vegetables. Breakfast
and dinner are furnished, and the expense is $20 for two weeks, or
$35 for four weeks. Instruction in French, first aid, etc., and lectures
are provided free of charge, besides which the campers engage in
voluntary military drill, and participate in entertainments and out
door recreation. No uniforms are required or encouraged, though
they may be worn. The Y. W. C. A. conducts Vacation Lodge at
Cherrydale, Va. It also has a country club for girls, with hockey,
volley ball, and other sports, and plans the opening of various es
tates about Washington for house parties. It is already conducting
a class for recreation leaders, which department loaders are invited
to attend.
“ Community sings” have been held several Sunday afternoons at
Central High School, and a patriotic service was held on the evening
of June 17 at the same auditorium. Sunday afternoon vesper services
are held on the Ellipse, south of the White Flouse. The outdoor Syl
van Theater is utilized for singing and for motion pictures three even
ings a week. Department choral clubs may avail themselves of the
services of Prof. Peter Dykema, head of the music department of the
University of Wisconsin. He has been assigned to Washington for
three months, his time to be divided between the community and the
10 smaller military camps in the vicinity, which have no song leaders
of their own.
Under the leadership of Mr. E. W. Bond, executive secretary of
the committee on church cooperation of the War Camp Community
Service, arrangements are being perfected for the much more general
opening of the churches for social and recreational activities.
The Recreation League has established an office, located on Fif
teenth Street, with the War Department’s Health and Housing Divi
sion, with a voluntary force of assistants. All information as to
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recreational facilities is available there, and the office will issue fre
quent bulletins of coming activities, to be distributed throughout the
Government offices. Three welfare secretaries will be furnished for
the civilian work by the War Camp Community Service.
What may be done in a small unit is illustrated by the independentdevelopment at the War College. This has been brought about
through the efforts of Maj. George P. Ahern, its secretary, and the
cooperation of the employees in their club organization. The total
number of employees is 140, two-thirds of whom are women. The
main features of the welfare activity are open to all employees,
regardless of club membership; the emphasis, however, appears to
be placed on assisting the women.
A clerk who is engaged on such work that she can leave it at any
time keeps on hand a list of several rooms with board. A new clerk
is advised to arrive on an early morning train and report at once.
She is immediately sworn in, assuring the beginning of her official
service on that day. She is then taken about in an automobile with
the clerk in charge of the matter until accommodations satisfactory
to her are found. Permission is then given her to rest until the fol
lowing morning, experience having shown that the condition of a
person after a long journey is such that no valuable work could be
done that day. On the second day the clerk is better prepared for
work because of the rest, and in addition has received the initial
impression that a spirit of fairness, helpfulness, and interest un indi
vidual welfare prevails.
One of the needs earliest felt was that of additional lunch facilities.
The War College occupies an isolated location on the Potomac River,
at a distance from the city, so that no restaurants are available.
Some time ago an indoor mess hall was established, where lemonade
and ice cream could be procured to supplement the lunches carried,
and this is still maintained. In addition to this an outdoor lunch
counter, which may be moved under shelter in inclement weather,
has been installed, where sandwiches, fruit, milk or tea, and ice
cream and cake are sold at 3^ cents each, 7 tickets being sold for
25 cents. The two kinds of sandwiches to be served are announced
the previous day, and each person indicates his choice and the num
ber desired. When the employees are released for lunch, each finds
his sandwiches neatly wrapped in waxed paper, with his name at
tached. This method obviates both delay and mistakes in the num
ber of sandwiches to be prepared. One paid employe is used in con
nection with the lunch arrangements. The work of attaching tags
to packages of sandwiches and attending to the distribution of food
and handling of tickets is done by three girl clerks assigned to that
duty for a short time preceding and during the lunch period. The
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
whole matter is closely supervised by the secretary and those in his
immediate office. About half the employees still bring lunches and
eat them in the interior room referred to, and half utilize the new
arrangements.
A small plot of ground is given to each person desiring it for a
garden. Several grass tennis courts are in preparation. The bath
ing beach in front of the War College has been improved, and signals
are provided to show when the water is clear and the tide right.
Arrangements are made for visiting nurses to call on sick employees.
A well-furnished rest room for female employees is furnished at the
college.
Finally, a camp located on the Potomac River has been secured
through the kindness of the owner, and two buildings there have been
fitted as dormitories, respectively, for the men and women, the funds
being secured by a motion-picture exhibition. On Saturdays at the
close of work all desiring to go are carried to the camp by the War College
automobiles from the car line, at Chain Bridge station. Rest and
outdoor recreation may be enjoyed, and a phonograph and a dancing
platform give opportunity for dancing. The automobiles bring the
party back in time for work on Monday morning.
Maj. iUrern’s firmly rooted belief that such welfare work is profit
able is substantiated by the apparent happiness and contentment
of the employees, and by their efficiency in their tasks.
LABOR TURNOVER.
Washington, even in the period before the war, lacked many of the
opportunities for recreation found in other cities, and the Govern
ment departments generally have been behind progressive employers
in providing rest, medical, and lunch facilities; therefore a movement
such as that provided by the Government Recreation League and
the other agencies cited appears to meet a real need. While
an improvement in the stability of the force can not be said
to hinge upon the provision or nonprovision of these facilities
since many other conditions contribute to the prevailing unrest
as, for example, the difficulty of securing good living accom
modations at reasonable prices, still, in the recent study of social
betterment throughout the country made by the bureau 136 of
the 431 companies scheduled stated that an improvement in this
regard was due either in whole or in part to their welfare work. In
the majority of cases this was only an expression of opinion but in a
number it was a statement of the result of an effort to reduce the
labor turnover.
It is evident from a study of the following table that an effort
should be made to arrive at the reasons for the excessive turnover
and that steps should be taken to improve the condition. , The
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[448]
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
229
Health and Housing Division of the War Department has received
from all the departments and other Government offices in the District
statements showing the additions to and subtractions from their
forces, by weeks, from March 5 to June 17, 1918.
Summarized these show:
Period covered.
4 weeks ending
4 weeks ending
4 weeks ending
3 weeks ending
Additions.
Apr. 1 ..................................................................................
Apr. 29................................................................................
May 27.............................................................................
June 17..........................................................................
T otal for 15 w eeks........................................................................
Separa
tions.
Net
additions.
6,567
7,529
6,292
4,755
2,450
3,046
3,251
2,413
4,117
4,483
3,041
2,342
25,143
11,160
13,983
M arch..............................................
A pril.........................................
M ay...........................................
June (3 w eeks)..............
1,642
1,882
1,573
1,585
613
761
813
804
1.121
Average for 15 w eeks............................................
1,676
744
932
Average per
Average per
Average per
Average per
week,
week,
week,
week,
1,029
760
761
It appears that during the two earlier of the four periods con
sidered the number separated from the service was less than onehalf but more than one-third the number of accessions; during the
two latter the separations were more than one-half the additions;
and for the entire period the number leaving was 44.4 per cent of
the number entering the service. This may be subject to some dis
count for inclusion of transfers, of withdrawals of persons under civil
service entering another department as noncivil-service employees,
and possibly of the appointments and termination of service of tem
porary clerks; but at any rate the percentage is startlingly large. It
may be noted that the showing for the last two weeks is the most
unfavorable. The Chief of the Health and Housing Division in trans
mitting the tabulations says:
If the securing and breaking in of every new employee costs the Government
$100, which I believe is a fair estimate, turnover of labor in the District of Columbia
is costing the Government $68,700 per week, or $3,572,400 per year.
To determine how much of this expense could be obviated by
suitable measures is, of course, entirely impossible.
C O S T O F S O C IA L B E T T E R M E N T S .
In an article on the cost of industrial betterment or welfare work
by private employers in the M o n t h l y R e v ie w for March, 1918 (page
199), statements are made that the costs in the instances studied
varied from a fraction of 1 per cent to 5 per cent of the total annual
pay roll; and that a fairly comprehensive program could be main
tained for about 2 per cent of the annual pay roll.
To get even approximately at the pay roll of the Government in the
District of Columbia at the present time is very difficult, since no one
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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230
M O N T H L Y LABOE REVIEW .
can state exactly the number of civilian employees. Before the
declaration of war, from the best data available, the number was
estimated to be nearly 40,000. The Civil Service Commission esti
mates that since that declaration, up to May 1, 1918, nearly 50,000
appointments of all kinds had been made. Appointments are of
course still being made rapidly. Making due deduction for separa
tions, etc., during the period, 80,000 seems to be a conservative
estimate. To get at the average salary, reference is made to the
Official Register for 1917, which states the number appointed from
the States and working in the District, as of July 1, 1917, to be
45,708. Taking no account of overtime of pieceworkers in such estab
lishments as the Bureau of Engraving and Government Printing Office,
the aggregate salaries of these persons is given as $54,095,053; the
average salary being $1,183.54. A study of 33,511 employees in the
District under the apportioned service on July 1,1916, excluding postal
employees and some others, made by the Bureau of Efficiency, also
gives $1,184 as the average salary. In neither case are percentage
bonuses considered. It is highly probable that war conditions have
brought about, on the whole, an increase, in addition to the bonuses
granted by Congress. For the fiscal year 1919 a flat increase of $120 to
employees receiving $2,500 or less is allowed, making $1,250 a mini
mum estimate of the average annual salary after July 1, 1918. Con
sidering the number of employees therefore to be 80,000, and the
average salary $1,250, gives an annual pay roll of $100,000,000, which
it must be understood, however, is merely a rough approximation.
Two per cent of this, the proportion spent by some employers in
maintaining a "fairly comprehensive program” of welfare work,
amounts to $2,000,000. If 60 per cent of the estimated cost of labor
turnover given above could be saved, it would amount to more than
two millions; at the same time, it is probable that all interested in the
promotion of welfare would be well satisfied with such an expendi
ture for that purpose.
The belief of experts on the subject as to the actual increase in
efficiency brought about by well-considered welfare work appears
from the report of a committee appointed by the District Council of
Defense to investigate the matter. On April 20,1918, this committee
made its report to the chairman of the council in the form of a resolu
tion, as follows:
'Whereas there is assembled in Washington for war work the greatest force of office
workers ever engaged in America upon any single enterprise;
Whereas the outcome of the War and all that it means for the future depends i n no
small degree upon the efficiency of this force; and
\\ hereas the Government should in dealing with this force use all the means proved
out by private employers for promoting its efficiency, we wish to direct attention
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9
[450]
231
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
to certain methods for securing efficiency in private industry which should be utilized
by the Government to a greater extent than has yet been the case.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
For the sake of economy and maximum results, this work should be organized
centrally for the whole Government. But until this is possible, we feel that each
department should itself develop the work to the fullest extent. It should:
1. Secure the services of a doctor or doctors to give free examinations, advice and
emergency treatment. This would in no way interfere with regular medical practice.
In calling attention to physical conditions of Government employees needing correc
tion, it would tend if anything to increase the work of the medical profession.
2. Provide rest rooms in all work places where women are employed, with a nurse
in attendance wherever more than 250 are employed. For smaller rest rooms, nurse3
should be assigned for certain hours during the day. Private employers in nearly
every State in the Union are required by law to provide rest rooms for women. It
would seem that the Government should do at least as well.
3. Provide visiting nurse service to assist employees absent on account of sickness
to early recovery and return to work. The need for this is especially great in Wash
ington at present, with thousands of young women away from home, living in boarding
houses, with no one to fall back on in case of sickness.
4. Provide trained persons—call them welfare workers or what you like—to give
constant attention to the maintenance of proper working conditions and morale
among the working force.
5. Provide lunch rooms where employees can get wholesome food at reasonable rates.
6. Take a practical interest in securing wholesome recreational opportunities for
employees. This is especially important in Washington at present, with thousands
of war workers living in boarding houses, where they lack the normal social life of
the home.
We urge this program with the conviction that what makes for efficiency in private
business will make for efficiency in the Government, and we know that the things
we here urge have been proved by the greatest business concerns of the country to
be sound business policy.
It appears that this movement for war efficiency, taking a somewhat
belated start, may gain momentum rapidly; and that the thousands
of employees doing the highly important work of the Government
departments may have their needs cared for, at least in part, by con
certed efforts on the part of the employees themselves and their great
employer.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION,
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, JUNE 17 TO
JULY 16, 1918.
Under the organic act of the department, which gives the Secretary
of Labor the authority to mediate in labor disputes through the ap
pointment, in his discretion, of commissioners of conciliation, the
Secretary exercised his good offices between June 15, 1918, and July
16, 1918, in 143 labor disputes. The companies involved, the num
ber of employees affected, and the results secured, so far as informa
tion is available, were as follows:
ST A T E M E N T SH O W IN G T H E N U M B E R O F LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E
PA R T M E N T O F LA B O R , T H R O U G H IT S CO M M ISSIONERS O F C O N C ILIA TIO N , JU N E
17, 1918, TO JU L Y 16, 1918.
W orkm en affected.
D ispute.
Result.
Directly.
Threatened strike, miners, gold mines, O atm an, A riz.........
Strike-, painters, working for Thom as Thomson, Indianapoiis, Ind.
Controversy, R alston Steel Car Co. and machinists, Columbus, Ohio.
Controversy, In te rty p e Co. and m etal polishers, Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Controversy, Am erican Cigar Co., New Y o rk...........................
Indirectly.
400
15
A djusted.
Do.
9
375
8
1,200
100
950
Controversy, Oakwood Railw ay, D ayton, Ohio.....................
Controversy, Mason Machine W orks and employees, Taunton, Mass.
Threatened strike, Corn Products Co. and electrical w orkers,
Argo, III.
Strike, carpenters, H unt-Spiller M anufacturing Co., South
Boston, Mass.
Controversy, Sun Shipyard and m arine electrical workers,
Chester, Pa.
Strike, garm ent workers, Miller M anufacturing Co., F o rt
W orth, Tex.
Strike, telephone operators, Southw estern Telegraph &
Telephone Co., Childress, Tex.
Threatened strike, bakers and helpers, Los Angeles, Cal.......
Strike, employees of 26 sausage m anufacturers, Chicago, 111..
Controversy, Continental Iro n & B olt Co., Chicago, 111.........
Controversy, electrical workers and construction division
a t Camp K earney and N orth Island, San Diego, Cal.
Controversy, T renton Street R ailw ay Co., Trenton, N. J __
750
12
12
Do.
Do.
12
Pending.
400
4,000
600
25
200
500
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Adjusted.
250
50
Strike, m achinists and helpers, A uto Garage, Bloomington,
111
Threatened strike, St. Louis Fire D epartm ent, St. Louis, Mo.
Strike, retail clerks, Bloomington, 111.........................................
Strike, drug clerks, Bloomington, III..........................................
850
300
22
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Do.
9
100
[452]
A djusted b y W ar
Intelligence
B oard and New
York State
Board.
Referred to Natio n a l W a r L a
bor Board.
Do.
A djusted.
200
Strike, machinists, Jackson-Church Co., Saginaw, M ich........
232
2,500
14
M a c h in is ts em ployed elsewhere
a t higher rate of
pay.
Pending.
60
50
A djusted w ithout
services of com
missioner.
Referred to Nat i o n a l WarL abor Board.
SO A djusted.
450
Do.
Do.
Do.
233
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW,
ST A T E M E N T SH O W IN G T H E N U M B E R O F LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E
P A R T M E N T O F LA B O R , T H R O U G H IT S CO M M ISSIONERS O F C O N C ILIA TIO N , JU N E
17,1918, TO JU L Y 16,1918—Continued.
W orkm en affected.
Result.
Name.
Indirectly.
Directly.
Threatened strike, asbestos coverers, Philadelphia, P a . . . . . .
Threatened strike, U nion Rolling Mills Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Strike, street railw ay employees, Jacksonville, F la .................
Threatened strike, cooks and waiters, F o rt W orth, T e x .......
Strike, furnace men, Arkansas Zinc & Smelting Co., V an
Buren, Ark.
Strike, yard laborers, Arkansas Zinc & Smelting Co., V an
Buren, Ark.
Strike, Forstm an & H uffm an W oolen Mills, Garfield, N. J ..
Strike, Bijou Motor Lighting Co., H oboken, N. J .................
Strike, B altim ore B argain H ouse, C um berland, M d..............
Controversy, Regina Lace Co., C entral Falls, R . I ......................
Controversy, H ansahoe M anufacturing Co, Valley Falls, R . 1.
Lockout, A m erican Tobacco Co., Louisville, K y ....................
Controversy, Star Piano Co., Richm ond, I n d ...............................
Strike, shipyard, Jas. Shewan & Sons (Inc.), New Y o rk ___
Controversy, m eat packers, Allegheny County, P a .................
200
212
600
200
90
25
110
110
90
450
55
50
2,200
80
1,000
800
35
3,000
" i,m
800
300
1.5,000
Strike, m achinists, Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Co., Buffalo,
N. Y.
T hreatened strik e, chain m akers, Jam es M cKay Co., P itts
burgh, P a.
Strike, m achinists and to o l m akers, 10 m achine shops, New
Y ork, and Brooklyn, N. Y.
Strike, retail clerks, E ast St. Louis, 111......................................
Strike, m achinists, B rierly Machine Co., Cleveland, O hio..
’"¿O................. 60
Threatened strike, B. F. S tu rtev an t Blower Co., H yde Park,
Mass.
Strike, Naumkeag Steam Cotton Co., Salem, M ass.................
430
1,760
600
1,150
Controversy, ship carpenters, Biloxi, Miss................................
Controversy, Ohio State Power Co., Frem ont, O hio..............
Strike, Rice Bros.’ shipyard. E ast Boothbay, Me...................
Controversy, Badger State Tannery, Sheboygan, W is...........
Controversy, A merican H ide & L eather Co., Sheboygan, Wis.
Controversy, Kokomo Steel & W ire Co., Kokomo, In d .........
Strike, building trades, Cincinnati, Indianapolis & W estern
R . R. Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
Controversy, Bass F oundry & Machine Co., F o rt W ayne,
Ind.
Controversy, New Orleans Light, Power, Street Railway
A Gas Cos., New Orleans, La.
Controversy, calkers, shipyards. Orange, T ex..........................
Controversy, Sum ner Iron W orks, E verett, W a s h .. ; ___
Threatened strike, transfer and baggage men, Los Angeles,
Cal.
Threatened strike, electrical workers, Ohio R iver Pow er Co.,
Steubenville, Ohio.
Controversy, Steubenville, E ast Liverpool & Beaver Valley
Traction Co. and linemen, Steubenville, Ohio.
Strike, electrical linemen and station employees, employed
by electric light companies in eastern M assachusetts. '
Controversy, P a tte rn Makers Interstate Association and
p a tte rn makers, 10 firms, Cleveland, Ohio.
Controversy, S tandard Foundry Co., Racine, W is.................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[453]
Pending.
A djusted.
Referred to the Nat i o n a 1 W ar
L abor Board.
Adjusted.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Pending.
A djusted.
Do.
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Referred to Nat i on a 1 W ar
L abor Board
A djusted.
700 ....................
Pending.
9T2
A djusted.
90
200
5
40
551
350
20
50
25
100
560
i,"200
200
Pending.
P la n t reported op
erating to full
c a p a c ity ; c o m
p a n y d e c l in e d
m e d ia tio n : d e
clared situation
entirely satisfac
tory.
Adjusted.
Em ployees accept
ed advance of 10
per cent increase
offered b y com
pany, and differ
ence betw een the
10 per cent and
demands made
by employees to
be referred to
State board of
arbitration. Men
returned to work.
Adjusted.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
85 .................... Pending.
3,000 ...................
A djusted.
” " 7 6 ................300
70
35
Pending.
U nable to adjust.
A djusted.
10
9
Pending.
800
A djusted.
150
90
Do.
Do.
2
100
Da
234
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
ST A T E M E N T SH O W IN G T H E N U M B E R O F LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E
PA R T M E N T O F L A B O R , T H R O U G H IT S CO M M ISSIO N ERS O F C O N C IL IA TIO N , JU N E
17,1918, TO JU L Y 16, 1918—Continued.
W orkm en affected.
R esult.
Name.
Directly.
Indirectly.
Strike, Globe Seamless Steel Tube Co., Milwaukee, W is___
Controversy, N ational Enam eling & Stam ping Co., St.
Louis, Mo.
24
300
300
50
Controversy, A thletic Mining & Sm elting Co., F o rt Smith,
Ark.
Controversy, F o rt Sm ith Sm elter Co., F o rt Sm ith, A rk ........
Controversy, Exposition Cotton Mills, A tlanta, G a................
100
100
80
30
970
Controversy, American Sheet & T in P late Co., Elwood, In d ..
Controversy, machinists and boiler makers, Salt Lake City,
U tah; a t Galligher Machinery Co., Salt Lake Iron & Steel
Co., American F oundry & Machinery Co., Davis-Howe
Co., L undine & May F oundry Co., W estern H eating &
Sheet Metal Works, W estern Stove & Foundry Works
and four minor firms.
Strike, R iddell Bros., A tlanta, G a.............................................
3
530
1,600
10
10
Controversy, Cleveland Chain Co., Cleveland, O hio.............
Threatened strike, Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Car Co.
40
800
140
Strike, machinists, American-British Co., Bridgeport,Conn.
Threatened strike, A lum inum Goods M anufacturing Co.,
Two Rivers, Wis.
Threatened strike, stonemasons and bricklayers, Turner
Construction Co., W ashington, D. C.
Strike, team sters, Leavenworth, K a n s..................................... .
Controversy, gypsum-mill workers, F o rt Dodge, Io w a___].
Controversy, S tandard Oil Co. and boiler makers, Chicago.
111., and W hiting, Ind.
Controversy, Klieber & Dawson Co., and machinists, In
dianapolis, Ind.
Strike, boiler makers, Midwest Refining Co. and Standard
Oil Co., Casper, Wyo.
Controversy, elevator operators, San Francisco, Cal...............
Controversy, American Sheet & T in P late Co., New Castle,
Pa.
f ontroversy, Heinz Pickle Co., Henderson. K y . . .
Threatened strike, A. M. Byers Co., Girard, Ohio.
4,000
75
30,000
561
100
35
i trike, carpenters on grain elevators, American Milling Co.,
Peoria, 111.
i trike, weavers, K atterm an Silk Mill, Passaic, N. J ...............
t.tak e , freight handlers,'O regon-W ashington Railroad &
Navigation Co., Portland, Oreg.
Controversy, miners, Blossburg Coal Co., Blossburg, P a ___
Controversy, Bertelsen & Peterson, E ast Boston, Mass.........
Strike, team sters and chauffeurs, Kankakee, 111......................
Controversy, H am ilton M anufacturing Co., Two Rivers, Wis.
Controversy, F . Eggers Veneer Seat Co., Two Rivers, W is. .j
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[454]
20
A djusted.
Men agreed to re
tu rn to work
on c o n d i t i o n
th a t if the local
lodges could not
enter into an
agreement w ith
company before
July 15 the m at
te r would be pre
sented to the
N ational W ar
Labor Board.
A djusted.
Do.
Mills in operation,
the
company
claiming
they
have all the labor
required to oper
ate the mills.
A djusted.
Do.
President of com
pany absolutely
declined to con
cede
demands
made by ma
chinists,
espe
cially closed shop
b u t offered to
pay as high rate
of wages as ob
tains in A tlanta.
Pending.
Referred to Na
tional W ar La
bor Board.
Do.
Adjusted.
Do.
Pending.
D o .
Do.
75 ....................
Do.
70
900
A djusted.
800
2,200
Pending.
A djusted.
50
700
400
150
600
42
60
14
240
65
45
1,000
100
500
550
184
Do.
Referred to National W ar Labor Board.
Adjusted.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
-Do.
Da
Da
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
235
ST A T E M E N T SH O W IN G T H E N U M B E R O F LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E
PA R T M E N T O F LA B O R , T H R O U G H IT S COM M ISSIO N ERS O F C O N C IL IA TIO N , JU N E
17,1918, TO JU L Y 16,1918—Continued.
W orkm en affected.
Name.
Result.
Directly.
Threatened strike, W ausau Southern L um ber Co., Laurel,
Miss.
Threatened strike, J. E . Decker & Sons’ packing house,
Mason City, Iowa.
Strike, leather w orkers, National Leather Belting Co. and
five other companies, New Y ork.
Strike, boiler makers, machinists, and helpers, contract and
machine shops, Pueblo, Colo.
Threatened strike, M arinette & Menominee Paper Co., Mari
n ette, Wis.
Strike, paper-m ill workers, Oregon City, Oreg.........................
Threatened strike, machine-shop workers, Rockford, 111.......
Threatened strike, H ouston Packing Co., Houston, T e x ___
Controversy, electrical workers on docks, D uluth, Minn.,
and Superior, Wis.
Threatened strike, Koenig’s Plating Mills, Two Rivers, Wis.
Controversy, Q uaker Oats Co. and m achinists, Cedar
Rapids, Iowa.
Lockout, garm ent workers, M. E . Sm ith & Co., Omaha,
Nebr.
Indirectly.
1,800
Do.
Do.
100
Do.
280
384
1,000
230
60
40
19
Controversy, U nited States G ypsum Co., P o rt Clinton, Ohio.
Strike, machinists, Olsen Co., P h ilad elp h ia..............................
Controversy, plasterers and. building contractors, Fo rt
W ayne, Ind.
Controversy, machinists, N ewark, N. J ...............
W alkout, Olympia Steel Works, Seattle, W ash.
60
400
Do.
111.
Controversy, carpenters, Asheville, N . C.
Strike, m eter readers, People’s Gas L ight Co., Chicago, 111..
Controversy, Canton Sheet Steel Co., Canton, O hio.............
Threatened strike, foundry employees, American Locomo
tive Co., Schenectady, N. Y.
Controversy, m olders, G rand R apids, M ich..............................
Controversy, packing team sters, Kansas City, Mo..................
Controversy, la u n d ry workers, Leavenw orth, K ans., and
ICansas City, Mo.
Controversy, Lom bards Iro n W orks, A ugusta, G a ...............
Controversy, American Locomotive W orks, R ichm ond, V a.
Strike, N ational Enam eling & Stam ping Co., Granite City,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[455]
Commissioner rec
ommends inves
tigation of facts
by Investigation
and Inspection
Service.
Negotiations
be
tw een
parties
had not been
broken off, and
commissioner be
lieved they could
settle their own
affair.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Nonunion crew has
been secured and
p lan t is working
norm al capacity.
Company on u n
fair list, bu t no
trouble a t plant.
Adjusted.
50
Threatened strike, carm en, Southern Pacific R ailw ay Co.,
New Orleans, La.
Strike, Portable E levator M anufacturing Co., Bloomington,
C ontroversy, Garfield Smelting Co., Garfield, U ta h ............
Lockout and strike, Nonnabo Chemical Co., E ast Provi
dence, R . I.
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
322
Controversy, vegetable handlers, Omaha, N eb r.
Strike, street-car m otorm en a n d women conductors, Keno
sha, Wis.
Threatened strike, wet-wash lau n d ry workers, Seattle, W ash.
Strike, Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co., Philadelphia, P a . .
Strike, Amoskeag M anufacturing Co. and Stark Mills, Man
chester, N. H.
Strike, textile w orkers, Lowell, Mass.
Adjusted.
Do.
100
125
175
8,000
20,000
260
118
"iòò
A djusted by M as
sachusetts Publi 1
Safety Commis
sion.
Pending.
700 Referred to the
N ational
W ar
L abor Board.
Pending.
4,900" A djusted.
Do.
3ÓÓ Pending.
200
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
100
2,600
Do.
Pending.
Adjusted.
4,500
Adjusted.
Do.
Pending.
236
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
S T A T E M E N T S H O W IN G T H E N U M B E R O F L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E D E
P A R T M E N T O F L A B O R , T H R O U G H IT S C O M M IS S IO N E R S O F C O N C IL IA T IO N , J U N E
17,1918, TO J U L Y 16, 1918—C oncluded.
W orkm en affected.
Result.
Name.
Directly.
Rnp.lcnnt, "Boynton Rftfìning Co.7B ovnton, O k la....................
Stri kp, Kaw Roilfvr Works, "Kansas Citv, Mo............................
Controversy, O ttum w a Co.; O ttum w a, Iow a............................
Controversy, W arner Gear Co. and p a tte rn m akers, Munc ie ,In d .
Controversy, Muncie F o undry & Machine Co., p attern
m akers, Muncie, Ind.
Controversy, Rosenwald & Weil Co. and raincoat makers,
Chicago, 111.
20
15
4
1,500
20
380
550
Controversy. A lbany Car Wheel Co. and foundry employees,
A lbany , N. Y .
Controversy T)river-U arris Co.r T renton, N. J _ . ........... .......
100
Controversy, Baltim ore & Ohio R . R . Co. and boiler m akers,
W ashington, D. C.
Strike, composition roofers employed b y 20 firms, Boston,
Mass.
Controversy, Hoover-Owen '& Rentschler Co., H am ilton,
Ohio.
Controversy, Traction Co. and linemen, F airm ont, W . V a ..
Controversy, Gainesville & N orthw estern R y ., Gainesville,
Ga.
Cnntmversv Cleveland Construction Go.,'Gamp P errv. Ohio.
Threatened strike, A merican Tobacco Co., Louisville, K y ..
Controversy, m achinists, Connersville Blower Co., Connersville, Ind.
Controversy, P . H . & F . M. Roots Co. and m achinists, Con
nersville, Ind.
Strike W iekwire Steel Co., Buffalo. N. Y ....... ......................
Strike, carpenters, T urner Construction Co., W ashington,
I). C.
Controversy, Cummings Leather Co., W oburn, Mass.............
C ontroversyexpress agents and employees on routes out of
Kansas C ity, Mo.
Lockout E h m an Tire & R u b b er Co., Chicago, 111.................
18
Controversy, boiler m akers and others, Ames Iron W orks,
Oswego, N . Y.
Controversy, leather workers, A. C. Lawrence Leather Co.,
Peabody, Mass.
Controversy, painters, Indianapolis, I n d .................................
Controversy j textile workers, Rhode Islan d .............................
Threatened strike, stockyards, St. Paul, M inn........................
Lockout, S. Engle Garment Factory, Glen Lyon, P a ...........
Controversy, Standard T in P late Mills, Canonsburg, P a ___
W alkout, Standard Wheel Co., Terre H aute, In d ...................
Strike, steam fitters, Virginia Shipbuilding Corp., Alex
andria, Va.
Controversy, steam fitters and plum bers, Standard Engi
neering Co., C incinnati, Ohio.
Controversy, bridge operators and inside wiremen, Mil
waukee, Wis.
Gnnt.rnversy team stars, Peoria,, Til.............. .............
Threatened strike, U nited Boiler, H eating & F oundry Co.,
H am m ond, Ind.
Controversy, Elwood, I n d .............................................................
Strike, shoe cutters, B rockton, M ass...........................................
Controversy, Sm ith & Wesson Co., Springfield, Mass...........
Controversy, barbers, A tlan ta, G a..............................................
Controversy J Sterling Products Co., Evansville, I n d .............
Threatened strike, m achinists, Indianapolis, In d ....................
Controversy, Maytag Co. and m achinists, Newton, Io w a ...
Controversy ^ electrical workers, F o rt W ayne, I n d ..................
Controversy , various large factories, Kewaneò, 111...................
fJontrovfirsy* R iver Term inal R v. Co.TCleveland. O hio........
Controversy J Morrell & Co., O ttum w a, Iow a...........................
Threatened strike, General Electric Cò., L y n n , Mass...........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
125
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
Adjusted.
Do.
Company refused
to reinstate em
ployees who were
discharged. Men
w ill rem ain a t
work.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
A djusted.
110
Do.
Do.
65
240
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
132
Do.
Do.
80
400
Referred to th e
N ational
W ar
Labor Board.
Pending.
Do.
28
25
A djusted.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
0)
•
» A ll in th e c ity of P eoria.
[456]
Indirectly.
Do.
Do.*
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
237
The following cases noted as pending in the June statement have
been disposed of:
Controversy, machinists, American Laundry Co., Rochester, N. Y.
Controversy, coppersmiths, -Jos. Kopperman & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa.
Threatened strike, Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Va.
Controversy, metal polishers, Rochester Stamping Co., Rochester, N. Y.
Controversy, metal polishers, Bastonia Co., Rochester, N. Y.
Strike, plumbers and steamfitters, Rochester, N. Y.
Controversy, teamsters, Schenectady, N. Y.
Controversy, Kewanee Boiler Works, Kewanee. 111.
Strike, furnace men, National Zinc Co., Bartlesville Zinc Co., and Lanyon-Starr
Co., Bartlesville, Okla.
Controversy, Briggs & Stratton Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
Controversy, Jackson Iron & Steel Co., Star Furnace Co., and Globe Iron Co.,
Jackson, Ohio.
Controversy, Standard Foundry Co., Racine, Wis.
Strike, Toledo Foundry Co., Toledo, Ohio.
Strike, Central Leather Co. (C. N. Allen Sons Co.), Kenosha, Wis.
Strike, Western Union Overall Mfg. Co., Kansas City, Mo.
Controversy, Baker Bros. Foundry & Machine Co., Toledo, Ohio.
Strike, Howe Scales Co., Rutland, Vt.
Controversy, live-stock handlers, stock yards, Fort Worth, Tex.
Walkout, Barker Works, Greenbay, Wis.
Controversy, Werner & Pfleiderer Co., S. Fair & Sons, Wickea Broa., Stork Motor
Co., F. A. Bartlett & Co., Nelson Bros., Mitts & Merrill Foundry Co., Valley Gray
Iron & Foundry Co., Jackson & Church Mfg. Co., and molders, Saginaw, Mich.
CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION IN GREAT BRITAIN.1
The following report on conciliation and arbitration, made under
date of January 31, 1918, to the Right Hon. David Lloyd-George,
prime minister, by the committee on relations between employers
and employed of the British Ministry of Reconstruction, has just been
published in printed form. This report opposes compulsory arbitra
tion and advocates an extension of voluntary machinery for the adjust
ment of disputes, stating, however, at the same time that they “ do not
think that there should be any compulsory power of delaying strikes
and lockouts.” The committee further recommends the establishment
of a standing arbitration council for cases where parties wish to refer
disputes to arbitration. Following is the complete text of the report:
We believe that the recommendations made in our earlier reports for the establish
ment of industrial councils will provide facilities for full and free discussion of matters
affecting the several industries and so improve the relations between employers and
employed. We have thought it necessary, however, to give some attention to the
cases in which the parties may desire voluntarily to refer some difference that has
arisen to arbitration or conciliation. But it must be understood that we do not intend
to express any views on the extent to which disputes can be equitably or satisfactorily
settled in this way. As regards arbitration, our sole concern in this report is with the
i Great B ritain. M inistry of K econstruction. C om m ittee on relations betw een employers and
employed. R eport on conciliation a n d arbitration. London, 1918. 5 p p . Cd. 9081.
71795°—18----- 16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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238
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
question of the machinery to be provided when it is the expressed wish of both
parties, for any reason, to have recourse to it.
2. We are opposed to any system of compulsory arbitration; there is no reason to
believe that such a system is generally desired by employers and employed, and, in
the absence of such general acceptance, it is obvious that its imposition would lead
to unrest. The experience of compulsory arbitration during the War has shown that
it is not a successful method of avoiding strikes, and in normal times it would un
doubtedly prove even less successful. Disputes can only be avoided by agreement
between employers and workers and by giving to the latter the greater measure of
interest in the industry advocated in our former reports; but agreement may natur
ally include the decision of both parties to refer any specified matter or matters to
arbitration, whether this decision is reached before or after a dispute arises.
3. For the same reason we do not recommend any scheme relating to conciliation
which compulsorily prevents strikes or lockouts pending inquiry. But it is obviously
possible and desirable that in some instances arrangements should be voluntarily made
in organized trades for holding an inquiry before recourse to extreme measures; and
we suggest that the Ministry of Labor should be authorized to hold a full inquiry when
satisfied that it was desirable, without prejudice to the power of the disputing parties
to declare a strike or lockout before or during the progress of the inquiry.
4. It is important that it should be clearly understood that we do not contemplate
the imposition of an elaborate system of conciliation and arbitration upon industry,
in place of the present well-recognized voluntary conciliation and arbitration ma
chinery which exists in so many of the important trades of the country. On the con
trary, we desire to emphasize the advisability of a continuance, as far as possible, of
the present system whereby industries make their own agreements and settle their
differences themselves.
5. The extent to which machinery for the conciliatory adjustment of disputes exists
in the important trades of this country is one of the most marked features of its indus
trial organization, and the valuable work that has been done by the numerous con
ciliation and arbitration boards in the past has rendered it possible for the State to
remain very much in the background. There seems no reason to suppose that after
the war these boards will not continue to work effectively, and it may be (especially
in so far as they may become merged in or correlated with the joint industrial councils,
whose establishment the committee have recommended) that they will achieve an
even large degree of success in securing the settlement of points that may arise between
employers and employed, when regular joint meetings, apart from any disputes, have
been established, and their benefit experienced.
6. It is desirable, however, to consider the part that should be taken by the State
in the event of those directly concerned in industry being unable to adjust their
differences themselves. The interest of the community maj require that there should
b ean unbiaset! and independent examination of the facts and circumstances connected
with any dispute between employers and employed. On this point the committee
have had under consideration the Canadian Industrial Disputes Investigation Act,
and the report on the working of that act made by Sir George Askwith [Cd. 6603],
They have also had under consideration the recommendations contained in the report
of the industrial council [Cd. 6952 of 1913],
The committee indorse the view that there should be means by which an independ
ent inquiry may be made into the facts and circumstances of a dispute and an au
thoritative pronouncement made thereon, although this does not carry with it any
compulsory power of delaying strikes or lockouts.
7. Section 2 (1) (a ) of the Conciliation Act, 1896, empowers the Ministry of Labor to
cause an inquiry to be held into the facts and circumstances of dispute. Presumably
the existing act empowers the Ministry of Labor to publish reports made as a result
of inquiries of this character, but, if not, the necessary power should be obtained, so
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[458]
t
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
239
that there may he immediate publication, for the information of those affected by
the dispute and of the public generally, of an independent and authoritative account
of the matters in difference.
The question whether these powers should be exercised in respect of particular cases
is one which must be left to the discretion of the Government department concerned.
8. Arbitration being recognized as an appropriate method whereby the parties to
industrial differences may voluntarily seek to have those differences adjusted, it is nec
essary to consider what form of arbitration tribunals are calculated to command the
confidence of those who may appeal to them. Under the Conciliation Act the usual form
of arbitration tribunal was the “ single arbitrator,” an independent person appointed
by the Board of Trade sitting as sole judge except in cases where the points in dispute
necessitated the assistance of technical assessors. Courts of arbitration (an employer’s
representative, a workmen’s representative, and an independent chairman) were
established in 1908, but comparatively few cases are referred to this form of tribunal.
9. Under the Munitions of War Act, in addition to single arbitrators and courts of
arbitration, two other forms of tribunal were established—the committee on produc
tion and the special arbitration tribunal for women’s wages. The committee on pro
duction consisted of three independent persons appointed by the Government, and
the majority of the disputes referred to arbitration during the War other than those
affecting the wages of women on munitions work have been settled by that tribunal.
Its personnel has recently been changed and it is now constituted on lines similar to a
court of arbitration, except that its members hold continuous office and are not ap
pointed ad hoc. The special arbitration tribunal for women’s wages consists of an
independent chairman and members chosen either for their official experience or
their special knowledge of the interests of employers and workpeople, respectively.
10. As arbitrations affecting the same trade or section of trades may recur, there are
advantages to both employers and workpeople in knowing that the tribunal to which
they submit any differences which they may have failed themselves to settle is one
to which previous differences have been submitted, and which therefore has become
to some extent familiar with the conditions of the trade.
11. For these reasons it would appear desirable that there should be a standing
arbitration council on the lines of the present temporary committee on production to
which differences of general principles and differences affecting whole industries or
large sections of industries may be referred in cases where the parties have failed to
come to an agreement through their ordinary procedure, and wish to refer the differ
ences to arbitration.
Such tribunal should include in its membership persons who have practical ex
perience and knowledge of industry, and who are acquainted with the respective
standpoints of employers and workpeople.
12. There are, however, certain administrative difficulties connected with the u til
ization of tribunals of three or more persons, particularly where the parties desire that
their case should be heard locally, and where the matter is one of relatively small
importance, and it is desirable that suitable persons should be available to act as single
arbitrators where the parties agree to submit their case to a single arbitrator. Persons
possessing experience of industrial conditions and acquainted with industrial and work
shop life, including representatives of labor, would seem the most likely to command
the respect and confidence of the parties. I t will be obvious that the efficiency of an
arbitrator, provided that he possesses the right personal qualifications, increases with
practice and the study of the conditions with which he has to deal.
13. The question whether, and if so, by what means, awards of single arbitrators
should be coordinated with the more general awards of the standing arbitration council
is one of considerable difficulty, as there are important reasons why the several awards
should not conflict.
The experience which has been gained of the various forms of arbitration tribunals
suggests that there are great advantages to all parties in facilitating coordination of
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[459]
\
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
240
decisions. Conflicting decisions given by different tribunals are bound to cause dis
satisfaction to one or other party. With the object of avoiding such conflict as much as
possible it is of paramount importance that the department charged with the appoint
ment of arbitrators should be in a position to insure that the several arbitrators should
have opportunities of interchanging views and experiences. The means to insure
reasonable coordination should be provided through the secretariat of the standing
arbitration council. The awards and decisions of that council would be circulated
among the single arbitrators who would thus be kept in touch with the more general
and comprehensive cases.
14. In order that there might be the requisite differentiation between questions of
general importance or principle and questions of comparatively less importance, the
department responsible for referring cases of arbitration should pass all cases to the
secretariat of the standing arbitration council. The secretariat should include a
highly trained staff with experience of industry and knowledge of arbitration work so
that proper differentiation would be made between {lie various cases and, subject to
the concurrence of the parties, the several cases referred to the form of tribunal most
competent to deal with them to the satisfaction of those concerned.
15. The question whether awards and agreements should be made enforceable by
means of monetary or other penalties was examined exhaustively by the industrial
council in an inquiry commenced in 1912, and the committee concur generally in the
views expressed in the report made by the council in 1913 [Cd. 6952] to the effect that,
while it is to the interests of both employers and workpeople and the community
generally that industrial agreements should be duly fulfilled, in the long run this object
is more likely to be secured by an increased regard for moral obligation, respect for
an instructed public opinion, and reliance on the principles of mutual consent rather
than by the establishment of a system of monetary penalties.
16. Our conclusions, therefore, are that (a ) whilst we are opposed to any system of
compulsory arbitration, we are in favor of an extension of voluntary machinery for the
adjustment of disputes. Where the parties are unable to adjust their differences we
think that there should be means by which an independent inquiry may be made into
the facts and circumstances of a dispute, and an authoritative pronouncement made
thereon, though we do not think that there should be any compulsory power of delay
ing strikes and lockouts; (b ) we further recommend that there should be established
a standing arbitration council for cases where the parties wish to refer any dispute to
arbitration, though it is desirable that suitable single arbitrators should be available
where the parties so desire.
We have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servants,1
A. S u s a n L a w r e n c e .
J . H . W h i t l e y , C h a irm a n .
M a u r ic e L e v y .
F. S . B u t t o n .
S. J . C h a p m a n .
J. J. M allon.
G . H . Cla u g h to n .
J. R. C l y n e s .
T h o s . R . R a t c l if f e - E l l i s .
A l la n M . S m it h .
F. N.
H e p w o r t h .*
W il f r id H il l .
J.
D . R . H . W i l l ia m s .
M o n a W il s o n .
A. H o b s o n .
IT. J . W i l s o n ,
A. G r e e n w o o d ,
S ecreta ries.
31st J a n u a r y , 1918.
i One m em ber of th e committee, Mr. Robert Smillie, was unable to atten d any of the meetings a t which
this report was considered and therefore does no t sign it. A nother member, Mr. Allan' M. Sm ith, has not
signed the report, b u t makes th e following statem ent: “ W ithout expressing any opinion on the views con
tained in th e arbitration report of the committee, I have refrained from signing th e report because I consider
th a t the subject dealt w ith is one w hich, unprejudiced by any pronouncem ent of the committee, should be
left to the free discussion and consideration of th e employers and workpeople in each branch of in dustry.’’
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[460]
LABOE BUREAUS.
PROJECTED LABOR BULLETIN FOR BRAZIL.
The American vice consul at Rio de Janeiro reports, in a com
munication referred by the State Department to this bureau, that
a bill has been introduced in the Brazilian Congress providing for the
publication of a quarterly labor bulletin to begin with the date of
the definite organization of the National Department of Labor, the
purpose being to furnish a medium for the exchange of information
regarding questions of labor and similar subjects. Continuing, the
vice consul notes that—
The expenses of publishing this bulletin are to be paid for out of a fund of 25 contos
(about $6,250 in American currency), which the National Department of Labor shall
reserve from the revenues derived from the Brazilian agricultural colonies.
Besides the information which the Department of Labor considers suitable to print
in this bulletin, it is proposed to make the publication of the following subjects obliga
tory: (1) Labor statistics; (2) labor laws; (3) decrees which promulgate these laws;
(4) judicial decisions regarding labor questions; (5) congressional proceedings on
questions of labor; (6) memorials, conferences, monographs, and other, data pertaining
to these subjects and especially to trade-unions.
I t is also proposed that one section of this bulletin be devoted to answering requests
for information concerning statistics and labor legislation of all nations of the American
Republics.
241
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[461]
IM M IG R A T IO N .
IMMIGRATION IN MAY, 1918.
The number of immigrant aliens admitted into the United States
during the year 1917, as compared with the number admitted during
the year 1916, decreased 56.9 per cent. During 1917 the decrease
from the preceding month for January, February, and March was
19.9, 22.3, and 19.4 per cent, respectively. For April, however, the
number of immigrant aliens admitted showed an increase of 32.3 per
cent over the number admitted in March. As compared with April,
the figures of May showed a decrease of 48.9 per cent. The figures
for June indicated an increase of 5.5 per cent over those for May.
During July only 9,367 immigrant aliens were admitted. As com
pared with the figures for July, those for August showed an increase
of 7.3 per cent. In September the number fell to 9,228, or 139
smaller than the number admitted in July. As compared with
August, the figures for September showed a decrease of 8.2 per cent.
In October there was an increase over the September arrivals of 57,
or 0.6 per cent. The admissions in November numbered only 6,446,
a decrease of 30.6 per cent from the number admitted in October. In
December there was an increase of 8.4 per cent. In January, 1918,
there was a decrease of 9 per cent as compared with December, 1917.
February, however, showed an increase over January of 16.2 per
cent, while March as compared with February showed a decrease of
11.9 per cent. April as compared with March showed an increase of
40.7 per cent, and May as compared with April, an increase of 59.5
per cent.
IM M IG RA N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D IN T O T H E U N IT E D STA TES IN S P E C IF IE D M ONTHS,
1913 TO 1918.
19 18
Month.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
N um ber.
Ja n u a ry ...........................................
I ebruary .........................................
M arch..............................................
A p ril................................................
M ay..................................................
J u n e .................................................
Ju ly ..................................................
A u g u st.............................................
f e pi em ber.......................................
O ctober...........................................
Novem ber.......................................
D ecem ber.......................................
4 6 ,4 4 1
5 9 ,1 5 6
9 6 ,9 5 8
1 3 6 ,3 7 1
1 3 7 ,2 6 2
1 7 6 ,2 6 1
1 3 8 ,2 4 4
1 2 6 j180
1 3 6 ,2 4 7
1 3 4 ,4 4 0
1 0 4 ,6 7 1
95; 387
4 4 ,7 0 8
4 6 ,8 7 3
9 2 ,6 2 1
1 1 9 ,8 8 5
1 0 7 ,7 9 6
7 1 ,7 2 8
6 0 ,3 7 7
37; 706
2 9 ,1 4 3
3 0 ,4 1 6
2 6 | 298
2 0 ,9 4 4
1 5 ,4 8 1
13, 873
1 9 .2 6 3
2 4 ,5 3 2
2 6 ,0 6 9
2 2 ,5 9 8
21,' 5 0 4
2 L 949
24; 513
2 5 ,4 5 0
2 4 , 545
1 8 , SO I
1 Decrease.
242
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4621
1 7 ,2 9 3
2 4 ,7 4 0
2 7 ,5 8 6
3 0 ,5 6 0
3 1 ,0 2 1
3 0 ,7 6 4
25 ; 035
2 9 ,9 7 5
36; 398
3 7 ,0 5 6
34', 4 3 7
30; 902
2 4 ,7 4 5
1 9 ,2 3 8
1 5 ,5 1 2
2 0 ,5 2 3
1 0 ,4 8 7
11 0 9 5
9 367
10 047
9 ,2 2 8
9 ' 285
6 ,4 4 6
6; 987
6 ,3 5 6
7 ,3 8 8
6 ,5 1 0
9 ,5 4 1
15', 2 1 7
.............
Per cent
increase
. over
preceding
m onth.
1 9 .O
1 6 .2
1 1 .9
4 6 .7
5 9 .5
1
" I .................
243
M O N T H L Y LABOE REVIEW ,
Classified by nationality the number of immigrant aliens admitted
into the United States during specified periods and in May, 1918>
was as follows:
IM M IG RA N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D IN T O T H E U N IT E D ST A TES D U R IN G S P E C IF IE D
P E R IO D S A N D IN MAY, 1918, B Y N A T IO N A L IT Y .1
Year ending June 30—
N ationality.
African (b lack ). . . . . . . . . . ____________________ . . . .
A rm enian..............................................................................
Bohem ian and M o rav ian ........................................ ..
Bulgarian, Serbian, M o n ten eg rin...................................
C hinese...................... ..........................................................
Croatian and Slovenian................... .................................
Cuban ..................................................................................
D alm atian, Bosnian, H erzegovinian................... ..........
D utch and F lem ish............................................................
E ast In d ia n .......... ............................................... .............
E nglish____ _________ ___________ ____ _____ ____
F in n ish ..................................................................................
F r e n c h ................................................................ .................
G erm an...... ..........................................................................
G reek________ _______________________ ___ _____ _
H ebrew ..................................................................................
Ir is h ........................................................................................
Ita lia n (n o rth )........ .•...........................................................
Italian (so u th )...................................................................
Japanese................................ ..................... .........................
K orean......................................................... .........................
L ith u a n ia n .............................................................. ............
Magyar.............................................. ..................... ..............
M exican.................................................................................
Pacific Islander....................................................................
P o lish .....................................................................................
Portuguese...........................................................................
R oum anian............ ............................................. ................
R ussian ............. ...................................................................
R uthenian (R ussniak)___ ____ ___ _______________
Scandinavian .....................................................................
Scotch....... . . . . .....................................................................
Slovak_________________________________ ________
Spanish.................................. ...............................................
Spanish-A m erican............................................ ..................
S yrian ..................................................................................
T u rk ish ...... ............ ............ .................................................
W e l s h ........................................................................... .....
W est Indian (except C u b an ).............................................
O ther neonles____________________________ . . .
1915
1916
5,660
'932
1,651
3', 506
2,469
1,942
3,402305
6,675
82
38,662
3,472
12,636
20,729
15,187
26,497
23,503
10,660
46; 557
8,609
' 146
2,638
3,604
10,993
6
9,085
4', 376
1,200
4; 459
2,933
24,263
14,310
2; 069
1 667
1,767
'273
1,390
'823
1,877
4,576
964
642
3,146
2; 239
'791
3,442
'114
6,443
so
36,168
5,649
19,518
11,555
26,792
15; 108
20,636
4,905
33 900
8'711
154
590
981
17,198
5
4,502
12 208
958
4, 858
1,365
19 172
13 515
577
9 259
1 881
‘ 676
216
983
948
3,388
326,700
298,826
1917
July,
1917, to
Mav,
- 1918.
7,971
5,244
218
67
130
1,536
32
1,077
1,221
'327
1,134
1,843
30-5
3,428
94
5,393
69
32,246
5,900
24,405
9,682
25,919
17,342
17,462
3; 796
35,154
8 925
194
479
12
1,993
55
1,369
2,097
11,603
1,744
6,135
1 867
2 489
3,483
4 147
985
5,070
9,441
148
116
30
11 573
17
624
2,272
152
1 322
45
8,023
4,619
30
6,655
1,994
198
19
243
683
280
295,403
96,371
434
16 438
' 10
3,109
10 194
; 522
3,711
1,211
19 596
13 350
244
15, OlU
2 587
' 976
454
793
May,
1918.
728
20
5
25
139
2
1
158
3
99
1,457
93
654
142
87
216
499
95
273
1,155
2
10
6 574
' 7
35
105
9
115
4
670
586
1
763
254
9
1
24
160
27
15,217
i The to tal n um ber of departures of em igrant aliens in May was 12,517.
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[463]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
OFFICIAL—UNITED STATES.
C a l i f o r n i a .— I n d u s tr ia l A c c id e n t C o m m is sio n . B u lle tin N o . 7 , re la tin g to safegu ards
a g a in st in ju r y i n m in e s, M arch, 19 1 8 . S a c ra m e n to . 4 8 p p . I llu s tr a te d .
This bulletin is issued in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines.
The suggestions relative to safeguards against injury are preceded by a memorandum
of mine accident data during the year 1916. Notes and illustrations are given on
Care of the injured; Mine rescue apparatus; Fencing abandoned shafts; Rails and
machinery guards; Waste dump tracks; Sanitation, bath facilities, drinking water;
Timbering and pillars; Openings under foot; Shaft protection; Miner's lights;
Inflammable material; Surface mine magazines; Underground mine magazine;
Caps and fuse; Check-in and check-out system; Protection of mines from fire; Shaft
headframes; Transformers; Underground trolley.
I l l i n o i s .— B o a r d f o r V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n . B u lle tin N o . 1 . S ta te m e n t o f p la n s a n d
p o lic ie s . 69 p p . B u lle tin N o . 2 . I n fo r m a tio n d esired in a p p lic a tio n f o r a p p r o v a l
o f p la n s f o r v o c a tio n a l in s tr u c tio n in trades a n d in d u strie s. 11 p p : B u lle tin N o . 8 .
I n fo r m a tio n d esired in a p p lic a tio n f o r a p p r o v a l o f p la n s f o r in s tr u c tio n in v o c a tio n a l
a g ric u ltu r e . 10 p p . B u lle tin N o . 4 . I n fo r m a tio n desired in a p p lic a tio n f o r a p
p r o v a l o f p la n s f o r in s tr u c tio n in v o c a tio n a l hom e eco n o m ics. 11 p p . B u lle tin N o .
8 . S ix m o n th s d ire cted o r su p e r v is e d p ra c tic e in a g ric u ltu re . 2 3 p p . S p rin g fie ld ',
K e n t u c k y .— D e p a r tm e n t o f E d u c a tio n . S ta te bo a rd f o r v o c a tio n a l e d u c a tio n .
m e n t o f p la n s a n d p o lic ie s. B u lle tin .
J a n u a r y , 191 8 . F r a n lf o r t. 3 7 p p .
S ta te
Gives K entucky’s plans for administering the Smith-Hughes act and includes
the statement of certain requirements to be met by schools desiring to participate
in the Federal aid for agricultural instruction and courses of study for such schools.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— N in th a n n u a l re p o rt o f the b o a rd o f co m m issio n e rs f o r the p r o m o tio n
o f u n ifo r m ity o f le g isla tio n in the U n ite d S ta le s . D ecem ber 3 1 , 1 9 17. P u b lic
D o c u m e n t N o . 8 6 . B o s to n , 1918. 21 p p .
Includes report of special committee on occupational diseases to the national
conference of commissioners on uniform State laws, together with draft of a uniform
occupational diseases act to be adopted as supplemental to a uniform workmen’s
compensation act. Gives also a list of occupational diseases.
N e w Y o r k (City ).— D e p a r tm e n t o f H e a lth . C ost o f clea n cloth es in te rm s o f h ealth, by
L o u is I . H a rr is, M . D ., d ire cto r b u rea u o f p re v e n ta b le d iseases, a n d N e llie S w a r tz ,
execu tive secretary, T he C o n su m e rs’ L e a g u e o f the C ity o f N e w Y o rk . IN e w Y o rk
C ity , 1 9 1 8 .} 96 p p .
This report is reviewed on pages 203 to 205 of this issue of the
M onthly L abo r
R e v ie w .
P e n n s y l v a n i a .— D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr y .
o f 191 8 . H a rr isb u r g , 1918. 176 p p .
B u lle tin , V ol. V, N o . 1, S erie s
*
Devoted almost entirely to a presentation of addresses made at the fifth annual
industrial welfare and efficiency conference of the State Department of Labor
and Industry held November 21 and 22, 1917. The titles of some of the addresses
are: A national plan for dealing with the labor problem; The relationship of the
workmen’s compensation laws to the safety movement; The possibility and limita
tions of the employment of women in industry; Reconstruction and rehabilitation
244
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
i
of the war injured; The problem of the married woman in industry; Railroad
employees’ and workmens’ compensation laws; The menace of dusts, gases, and fumes
in modern industry; How organized labor can be of service in the prevention of indus
trial accidents; The value of education in eliminating the’human equation as a factor
in the causation of accidents. The bulletin also contains the program and a very
brief report of the conference of industrial physicians and surgeons held on November
20, 1917.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .
[D e p a rtm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr y . B u r e a u o f E m p lo y m e n t .]
H o w P e n n s y lv a n ia is p la n n in g f o r its so ld iers, sa ilo rs, a n d m a rin e s c r ip p le d in war
service. [H a rrisb u rg ] 191 8 . 3 ty p e w r itte n pages.
This is a brief statement of how the bureau of employment, up to May 1, 1918,
obtained and filed information concerning 42,111 employment openings in the State
for its soldiers, sailors, and marines who may return disabled by. war service. The
opportunities listed are classified by nature of disability.
U n i t e d S t a t e s — C o m m itte e o n p u b lic in fo r m a tio n . ‘W ar w o rk o f w o m e n in colleges.
W a sh in g to n , A p r il, 1918. 21 p p .
This brochure contains a supplementary description of how the colleges have met
the war emergency, of college war courses, student war activities, and the employment
of college-trained women, as presented in a brochure issued in January, 1918.
— — D e p a r tm e n t o f A g r ic u ltu r e .
Y ea rb o o k , 1911'.
W a s h in g to n , 1918.
853 p p .
Contains a chapter on rest rooms for women in marketing centers.
----- D e p a r tm e n t o f Com m erce. B u r e a u o f S ta n d a rd s . S c o p e a n d
n a tio n a l electrical sa fety code.
84 PP•
C ircu la r N o . 72.
a p p lic a tio n o f the
Is su e d J u n e 1 7 ,1 9 1 8 .
W a sh in g to n .
The National Electrical Safety Code is'a set of rules prepared by the Bureau of
Standards after several years of study to furnish a guide for safe electrical practice and
is concerned with both electrical construction and operation. The code deals with
the generation, distribution, and use of electricity; and the scope of the code, its pur
pose, and the nature of its contents are discussed in this pamphlet. The introduction
states that the publication of the pamphlet has been attempted “ first, to explain the
need for such a code and to give examples of personal injuries by electricity, which
show the many types of accidents occurring, most of which would be avoided by
observance of the rules; second, to indicate reasons for the arrangement of the code
in its present form, and at the same time to explain by means of discussion and exam
ples the intended method of use of the code by engineers and inspectors; third, to
provide a short summary of the provisions of the code for those who wish a general
or bird’s-eye view of these provisions.”
------------ S ta tis tic a l A b s tra c t o f the U n ite d S ta te s, 191 7 . W a sh in g to n , 1918. 804 p p .
Contains, among others, statistics on occupations, labor, and wages.
----- E m p lo y e e s ’ C o m p e n s a tio n C o m m is s io n . B e g u la tio n s c o n c e rn in g d u tie s o f
em p lo y e e s, official su p e r io r s , m e d ic a l officers, a n d o th ers u n d e r F e d e ra l C o m p e n s a
tio n A c t o f S e p te m b e r 7, 191 6 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 1 8 . 64 p p .
The subjects covered in this pamphlet are Benefits provided by the Compensation
Act; Duties of employees; Duties of official superiors; Instructions governing medical,
surgical, and hospital services; Duties of beneficiaries of deceased employees; Rulings
of the Compensation Commission; Forms used in reporting injuries and making claims,
and Text of the compensation act.
----- I n te r s ta te C o m m erce C o m m is s io n . A c c id e n t b u lle tin N o . 65. C o llis io n s , d e r a il
m e n ts, a n d other a ccid en ts r e s u ltin g in in ju r y _ to p e r so n s, e q u ip m e n ts , or roadbed,
a r is in g f r o m the o p e r a tio n o f r a ilw a y s u se d in in te r s ta te com m erce, J u ly , A u g u s t,
a n d S e p te m b e r , 1 9 1 7 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 1 8 . 51 p p .
In this bulletin accidents on railroads are divided into three general classes: (1)
Train accidents, i. e., those arising in connection with the operation of trains, locomo-
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
tives, and cars in road, yard, or work service, resulting in damage to equipment or
other railway property; (2) Train service accidents, i. e., those incidental to the
operation of trains, locomotives, and cars, resulting in casualties to persons h u t not in
damage to equipment or other railway property; (3) Non train accidents, i. e., those
occurring in and around shops, on boats and wharves, at stations, freight houses,
engine houses, coaling stations, water stations, tracks, etc.; also those occurring in
connection with construction, repair, maintenance of equipment, etc. The following
table summarizes all such accidents which occurred on steam roads of the United
States in the quarter ending September 30, 1917 :
N U M B E R O F C A SU A LTIES AS A R E S U L T O F A CCIDEN TS ON STEAM ROADS IN T H E
U N IT E D ST A TES F O R T H E Q U A R T E R E N D IN G S E P T E M B E R 30, 1917.
T rain accidents.
T rain service
accidents.
N ontrain
accidents.
In
Killed. jured.
In
Killed. jured.
In
Killed. jured.
Item .
Trespassers...............................................................................
Em ployees on d u ty ................................................................
Em ployees no t on d u ty ........................................................
Passengers................................................................................
0 th er non trespassers.............................................................
Industrial employees.................................................... .........
O ther persons..........................................................................
IS
101
7
39
30
T o tal...................................................................................
195
27
988
7
1,406
133
2,561
1,218
562
46
61
637
2,524
1,103
12,280
126
1,175
1,625
16,309
94
28
31,377
590
122
31,967
There were 5,227 train accidents, 15,754 train-service accidents, and 32,039 non
train accidents. Of the 5,227 train accidents, 4,357 resulted in damage to railway
property but not in casualties to persons.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— In te r s ta te C om m erce C o m m is s io n . R u le s g o v e r n in g m o n th ly re p o rts
o f ra ilw a y acciden ts, 1918 re v isio n .
T e n ta tiv e d ra ft s u b m itte d f o r c r itic is m a n d
su g g e s tio n s.
W a sh in g to n , 191 8 . 52 p p .
------
P u b lic H e a lth S e rv ic e .
P p . 3 4 9 -8 7 8 .
P u b lic H ea lth R e p o r ts ,
M arch 15, 1918.
W a sh in g to n
Contains an article on Methods for field study of industrial fatigue, by P. Sargant
Florence, supervising field investigator, United States Public Health Service, in
which he suggests a method of testing fatigue which shall not depend immediately upon
any change in factory schedules; that is,is not based upon comparison of output before
and after changes in hours, etc., are made. This test is called the “ hourly output
curve,” or a comparison of output of consecutive hours in order to “ show exactly to
what extent the unrelaxed tension of activity will result in fatigue toward the end of a
spell and toward the end of the working day, and exactly how far rest pauses, meal
intervals, and a night’s sleep will allow human capacity to gain recovery.” The
advantages which this scheme seems to offer, according to the author, are (1) the record
qf output is usually easy to secure every hour; (2) the output curve can be accompanied
by curves in other very significant events of factory life, e. g., accidents and con
sumption of power; (3) it brings out a subtle distinction between the fatiguing effect
of different types of work and possibly of different types of conditions also.
OFFICIAL—FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
C a n a d a (M a n i t o b a ). D e p a r tm e n t o f P u b lic Worlcs. S e c o n d a n n u a l re p o rt o f the
B u r e a u o f L a b o r f o r the y ea r e n d in g N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 191 7 .
W in n ip e g , 1918
32 p p
I llu s tr a te d .
Tabulates, by industry, 1,478 inspections of 507 firms employing 17,867 workers, the
inspections resulting in the issuance of 1,369 safety orders, 157 health and sanitation
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
247
orders, and 48 child-labor orders. These inspections were made under the factories
act. Under the shops regulation act 744 inspections were made and 770 orders for
improvements were issued, 664 of these being connected with safety, 84 with health
and sanitation, and 22 with child labor. Industrial accidents to the number of 539
are tabulated, 6 of these being fatal, 81 serious, and 452 minor. The report includes
illustrations showing how some of these accidents happened. There are 125 tradesunions in the Province, 70 of which are in the city of Winnipeg. Fifty-eight of the
70 are affiliated with the Trades and Labor Council, which on January 1, 1917, had a
membership of 8,203, or an increase of 67.4 per cent over January 1, 1916, when the
ranks were considerably depleted on account of enlistments. The report mentions
the enactment of the minimum-wage act, which “ provides for a board of five, two to
represent the employers (one a female), two to represent the employees (one a female),
and a disinterested chairman.”
F rance.
L o is , décrété, a rretés co n cern a n t la ré g le m e n ta tio n d u tr a v a il. 1 er ja n v ie r 1918.
P a r i s , L ib r a irie A d m in is tr a tiv e B e rg e r -L e v r a u lt, 191 8 . 287 p p . P r ic e S f r . 50 n e t.
A collection of the laws, decrees, and decisions concerning the regulation of labor.
The first part is devoted to The code of labor and social welfare, and is divided into two
books; the first, on Conventions relative to labor, contains chapters on The apprentice
ship contract; The labor contract; Wages; Placement of workers; and Penalties.
The second book, on Labor regulation, contains chapters on Conditions of labor;
Hygiene and security for workers; The inspection of labor; and Penalties. The
second part deals with labor accidents. There are appendixes treating of Cautions to
workers ; Wages of home workers in the garment industries; Woman and child labor;
The working day; Weekly rest; Hygiene and security of labor; and The organization
of the inspection service.
—— M in istè re de la G uerre. B u lle tin officiel N o . SO. E d itio n m é th o d iq u e. E m p lo is
c iv i l s et m ilita ir e s réservés a u x m ilita ir e s et m a rin s b lessés o u in firm e s du fa it, de la
guerre.
V&lume arrêté à la da te d u 18 m a i 1917. P a r is , H e n r i C h a rle s-L a v a n ze lle ,
1917. 5 0 i p p .
The laws, decrees, and regulations governing the reservation of certain civil and
military employments for soldiers and sailors wounded or disabled during the war.
Besides copies' of the laws and decrees the volume gives classified tables of reserved
occupations under the various ministries, regulations concerning examinations for
specific positions, and related matter.
------ M in istère d u T r a v a il et de la P ré v o y a n c e S o c ia le . D ir e c tio n d u T r a v a il. R a p p o r ts
su r l ’a p p lic a tio n des lo is ré g le m e n ta n t le tr a v a il en 1 9 12. R a p p o r t s u r l ’a p p lic a
tio n de la lo i d u 2 N o v e m b re 1892 p ré sen té à M . le P r é s id e n t de la R é p u b liq u e p a r M m
les m em b res de la C o m m is sio n su p é rie u re d u T r a v a il; R a p p o r t su r l ’a p p lic a tio n de
la lo i des 12 J u in 1 8 9 3 -1 1 J u ille t 1903 p ré sen té à M . le P r é s id e n t de la R é p u b liq u e
p a r M . le M in is tre d u T r a v a il et de la P ré v o y a n c e S o c ia le ; R a p p o r ts des in sp e c te u r s
d iv isio n n a ire s d u tr a v a il et des in g é n ie u rs en ch ef des m in e s. P a r is , 1914■ 5 3 8 p p %
This issue of the reports on the application of laws regulating labor is concerned
with the year 1912 and includes reports on the application of the law of November 2,
1892, presented by the members of the Superior Commission of Labor; on the appli
cation of the law of June 12, 1893, to July 11, 1903, presented by the Minister of Labor
and Social Welfare; reports of the division inspectors of labor; and of the chief engi
neers of mines.
G
B r i t a i n . B o a r d o f T rade.
R e p o r t u p o n the a c c id en ts th at h ave o ccu rred o n the
r a ilw a y s o f th e U n ite d K in g d o m d u r in g the y e a r 1 9 1 7 . L o n d o n , 1 9 1 8 . 6 p p .
P r ic e ,
I d . n e t.
reat
This report is presented under three general heads: (1) Train accidents; (2) acci
dents caused by the movement of trains and railway vehicles exclusive of train acci
dents; and (3) fatal accidents on railway premises not due to train accidents or to the
movement of trains and railway vehicles.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The following table is a general summary of all accidents:
N U M B ER OF PE R S O N S K IL L E D OR IN JU R E D ON T H E R A ILW A Y S OF T H E U N IT E D
KIN G D O M IN 1917, C O M PA RED W IT H 1916, SH O W IN G P E R C EN T O F IN C R EA SE OR
D E C R EA SE .
Per cent of de
crease 1917 from
1917
1916
1916.
Group.
Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured.
Train accidents:
Passengers...............................................................
S erv an ts..................................................
Other persons...........................................................
Accidents caused by the m ovem ent of trains and
railw ay vehicles, exclusive of train accidents:
Passengers........................................................
S ervants...........................................................
Other persons..............................................
Accidents on railw ay premises not included in
th e tw o groups above:
Passengers...........................................................
S ervants........... .................................................
Other persons......................................................
T o tal......................................................................
3
12
1
350
182
17
12
5
147
402
427
1 195
3^519
326
110
2 331
368
9
(<)
39
26
(4 )
3
6 46
24
1,006
(<)
5,589
260
144
2
i 300.0
58.3
100.0
850
25 2
3 2,689
263
17.7
13.8
/
(4 )
(4 Y
0)
899
4,208
25.7
20.9
88.2
23.6
19.3
66 6
l 17. Q
7.7
15.7
30.1
1 Increase.
2 Five were servants of contractors and not of railw ays.
* Ten were servants of contractors and not of railw ays.
. 4 D ata not given.
6 Two were servants of contractors and not of railw ays.
G r e a t B r it a i n .
B o a r d o f T ra d e . D e p a r tm e n ta l co m m itte e o n the electrica l trades.
R e p o r t o n the p o s itio n o f the electrica l trades a fter the W ar. L o n d o n , 1 9 1 8 . 14 p p .
P ric e 2 d . n e t.
C d. 907 2 .
T h is r e p o rt is n o te d o n p ag es
90 to 93 of th is issu e of th e M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
------- —
D e p a r tm e n ta l c o m m itte e o n the e n g in e e rin g trades after the W ar.
L o n d o n , 19 1 8 . 54 p p . P ric e 6d. n e t.
C d. 9 0 7 3 .
R e p o r t.
This report is noted on pages 90 to 93 of this issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
----- — D e p a r tm e n ta l c o m m itte e o n the ir o n a n d ste el trades. R e p o r t o n the p o s itio n
o f the iro n a n d steel trades a fter the W ar.
C d. 9 0 7 1 .
L o n d o n , 1 9 18.
50 p p .
P ric e 6d. n e t.
This report is noted on pages 99 to 93 of this issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
----- C o m m itte e o n sta ffs. I n te r im re p o rt o f the c o m m itte e a p p o in te d to in q u ire in to the
o rg a n iz a tio n
I d . nerm
a n d sta ffin g o f G o v e rn m e n t offices.
L o n d o n , 1 918.
8 pp.
P r ic e ,
This committee was appointed on February 13, 1918, “ to inquire into the numbers
and organization of the clerical staffs employed in the new m inistries created and in
other departments in which large additions to the staff engaged have been made since
the beginning of the War, the method of recruitment and the rates of remuneration,
and to report what measures should in our opinion be taken to secure better coordina
tion in respect both to recruitment and organization, to effect economies in numbers
and cost, and to prevent overlapping.” The report is dated April 5. Briefly, it
recommends that, save in exceptional cases, the recruitment of the standard classes
of clerks and typists for all London departments should be centralized in the Civil
Service Commission which “ should open a special office in their present premises,
tajre further steps to secure candidates from all available sources, extend the personnel
of their selection boards, and improve the method of selection by the institution of
suitable test examinations or otherwise.” It also recommends that in the exceptional
cases where very large staffs are required in an emergency, independent recruiting
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249
should continue subject to certain restrictions laid down; and that “ the Civil Service
Commission should continue to supply higher grade women clerks, but that it should
be open to departments to nominate applicants whom they desire to appoint to such
posts for the approval of the commission.”
G reat B ritain .
C o n c ilia tio n a n d a r b itr a tio n b o a rd f o r G o v e r n m e n t e m p lo yees. R ecorp
o f the p ro c eed in g s fo r 1 9 1 7 . L o n d o n , 1 9 1 8 . 16 p p . [ C d. 9 0 1 7 .] P ric e , 2 d . n et.
This report is noted on pages 84 to 89 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R e v iew .
-----
M in is tr y o f L a b o r.
W orks c o m m itte e s. R e p o r t o f a n in q u ir y m ade by the M in
is tr y o f L a b o r. I n d u s tr ia l R e p o r ts N o . 2 . [L o n d o n , 1 918]. 145 p p .
This report is reviewed on pages 81 to 84 of this issue of the Monthly L abor
R ev iew .
----- M in is tr y o f P e n s io n s . C ircu la rs N o s . 1 -8 7 . L o n d o n , F e b ., 1 9 1 7 - M a y , 1918.
These circulars, issued for the most part to local committees, contain detailed instruc
tions for carrying out the acts and orders in council issued concerning matters of
interest to disabled men.
------- -—- L is t o f courses o f tr a in in g in o p e r a tio n or s a n c tio n e d th ro u g h o u t the U n ite d
K in g d o m .
L o n d o n , M ay, 1918.
15 p p .
The object of this list is “ to inform local war pensions committees of the different
centers at which facilities exist for the training of disabled men in various trades,
so that, in cases where training is not available in any perticular area, advantage may
be taken of the provision afforded by other areas.”
------------ [R e c o rd fo rm s] L o n d o n , 1 9 1 7 -1 8 .
Fifty forms used by the local war pensions committees in the granting of pensions
and allowances to soldiers and sailors and their families, and in the training and treat
ment of men who come under their jurisdiction.
------------ R o y a l w a r r a n t f o r the p e n s io n s o f so ld ie rs d isa b led , a n d o f f a m ilie s a n d de
p e n d e n ts o f so ld iers deceased in consequence o f the p re se n t W ar.
12 p p . P ric e , 2 d . n e t.
L o n d o n , 1918.
Revokes royal warrant of March 29, 1917, dealing with the same subject. This
new warrant, dated April 17, 1918, includes a schedule of pensions which may be
granted for specific injuries, the amounts in the case of those suffering 100 per cent
disability ranging from 42s. 6d. ($10.34) per week, payable to a warrrant officer (class
1), to 27s. 6d. ($6.69) payable to a private (class 5). The allowances to disabled
soldiers or soldiers’ widows having children are placed at 6s. 8d. ($1.62) for the first
child, 5s. ($1.22) for the second child, and 4s. 2d. ($1.01) for each child after the second.
In the case of disabled soldiers the amount payable for children depends upon the
degree of disablement to which the man is assessed for pension with the above amounts
as the basis.
*----- M in is tr y o f R e c o n stru c tio n . C o a l co n se rv a tio n .su b c o m m itte e . I n te r im r e p o rt on
electric powder s u p p l y in G rea t B r ita in .
L o n d o n , 191 8 .
28 p p .
C d. 8 8 80.
This report is noted on pages 93 to 97 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R e-view .
----------- C o m m ittee
o n r e la tio n s betw een e m p lo y e rs a n d e m p lo y e d .
tio n a n d a r b itr a tio n . L o n d o n , 1918. 5 p p . P ric e , I d . n e t.
R e p o r t o n co n c ilia
C d. 9081.
This report is printed in full on pages 237 to 240 of this issue of the M onthly L abor
R ev iew .
——
*
N a tio n a l In su ra n c e A u d i t D e p a r tm e n t.
18 p p . P ric e , 2 d . n e t.
F o u r th
re p o rt,
1 9 17.
L ondon,
1917.
Deals with the work of aboVe-named department under certain sections of the national
insurance (health) act of 1911 during the year ended December 31, 1917. It is stated
that there were issued during the year 9,540 qualified reports annexed to accounts
on the audits of approved societies and branches, and 2,655 unqualified certificates
on such accounts.
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G r ea t B r it a in .— R e p o r t o f d e p a r tm e n ta l c o m m itte e a p p o in te d to in q u ir e as to p re c a u tio n s
f o r p r e v e n tin g d a n g er o f in fe c tio n b y a n th ra x in the m a n ip u la tio n o f w o o l, go a t hair,
a n d cam el h a ir. V o l. 1, R e p o r t o f the d isin fe c tio n su b c o m m itte e . L o n d o n , 1918. 93
p p . P r ic e , I s . n e t. C d. 9057.
This report is noted on pages 205 to 208 of this issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
----- The in te r a llie d conference o n the aftercare o f d isa b le d m e n . S e c o n d a n n u a l m e e tin g ,
h eld in L o n d o n , M a y 2 0 - 2 5 , 1 9 1 8 .
1 9 1 8 . 528 p p .
R e p o r ts p re se n te d to the conference.
London,
These reports are grouped under four sections: Pensions and allowances; training;
medical treatment, the blind and deaf; surgical treatment. The program of the confer
ence is given, also a list of the delegates in attendance. A more extended report of
the conference appears on pages 31 to 43 of this issue of the Monthly L abor R ev iew .
----- W ar P e n s io n s S ta tu to r y C o m m itte e . C irc u la rs. 1 9 1 5 -1 9 1 7 .
These circulars deal with matters of interest in the formation and development of
local war pensions committees, including model schemes for their constitution.
----- {S c o tla n d ).— L o c a l G o v e rn m e n t B o a r d . T w e n ty -th ir d a n n u a l re p o rt, 1917. E d i n
bu rgh , 1918.
x liv , 20 p p .
P ric e , 3 d . n e t.
States that the housing activities of the board have been devoted very largely to
the provision of houses required for war purposes by the Ministry of Munitions and
by the admiralty, the number of houses involved being 4,276 at an estimated cost of
£1,278,000 ($6,219,387). The report notes that the great demand for labor has brought
about the virtual disappearance of unemployment and that the relief work of the
district committees was very limited.
I r e l a n d .— D e p a r tm e n t o f A g r ic u ltu r e a n d
tech n ical in s tr u c tio n . S eve n te e n th a n n u a l
gen era l re p o r t o f the D e p a r tm e n t, 1 9 1 6 -1 7 . D u b lin , 1 9 1 8 . 234 p p ■ P ric e , I s . n e t.
Contains a section describing the work of technical schools and classes which, during
the year, enrolled 44,278 students or an increase of 93 over the preceding session.
This is considered quite gratifying “ since a large number of students of military age
have joined the colors and the increase is largely due to admission of students of a
younger age.” It is also noted that the number of students taking engineering courses
showed a marked increase.
----- R e g is tra r G en era l. E m ig r a tio n S ta tis tic s o f Ir e la n d , 1917. D u b lin , 1918. 1 1 p p .
P r ic e , 2 d . n e t.
Gives the number, ages', conjugal condition, and destinations of emigrants from
each county and Province in Ireland during the year 1917 ; also the number of emi
grants leaving each port in each month of the year. The total number of emigrants
who embarked a t Iristi ports was 2,111 (838 males and 1,273 females). Of the males,
55.5 per cent were under 15 years of age. Only 88 of the total number came to the
United States. About 21 per cent of the males were returned as “ laborers” and 26.2
per cent Of the females were described as “ servants.”
I t a l y .— F e d era zio n e N a tio n a le kei C o m ita ti d i a ssiste n za a i M ilita r i C iechi, S to r p i,
M u tila ti.
IT o p era s v o lta in I ta lia , 1 9 1 5 -1 9 1 8 .
R o m e , 1918.
326 p p .
I llu s tr a te d .
This volume, published by the Italian national federation of relief committees for
blind, lame, and injured soldiers, gives a detailed account of the work done by the
individual provincial committees with respect to vocational reeducation of war
invalids.
----- M in istè re de la G uerre, M in istè re de la M a rin e, M in istè re des R e tr a ite s. L 'A s s is ta n c e
et la p ro te c tio n des in v a lid e s de gu erre en I ta lie . R a p p o r t p ré sen té p a r le G o u v e rn e
m e n t I ta lie n à la conférence in te ra llié e de L o n d re s p o u r, la p ro te c tio n des in v a lid e s de
gu erre. L o n d o n , B r a d b u r y , A g n e w & C o ., L d ., 10 B o u v e rie S tr e e t, E . C . 1918.
20 p p .
Three reports on assistance and protection for war invalids in Italy, presented by
the Italian Government to the interallied conference for the protection of the war
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
disabled, held at London in May, 1918. The reports give a brief résumé of the activ
ities of the ministers of war, navy, and pensions.
J a p a n .— C a b in e t I m p e r ia l.
l'E m p ir e d u J a p o n .
B u r e a u de la s ta tis tiq u e g én éra le. R é su m é s ta tis tiq u e de
3 2 e a n n ée.
T o k io , 191 8 . 177 p p . 2 p la te s .
This thirty-second volume of the statistical résumé of the Empire of Japan contains
chiefly a repetition of the most important statistics in the thirty-sixth statistical annual
of the Empire of Japan, published by the Bureau of General Statistics in Januarv;
but they are rearranged in a form to facilitate their consultation by readers. Th?
tables are given in both Japanese and French, and in a few instances also in English.
UNOFFICIAL.
A m e r ic a n M u s e u m
Y o rk C ity .
of
26 p p .
S a f e t y .— S a fe ty .
J u n e , 191 8 .
1 4 -1 8
W . 2 4th S tr e e t, N e w
I llu s tr a te d .
This issue of the monthly bulletin of the American Museum of Safety is devoted
almost entirely to Federal safety standards for crane construction.
B a r r e t t , C h a r l e s R. — G e ttin g a g o o d jo b . A p ra c tic a l s o lu tio n o f the p ro b le m o f
f i tt i n g the rig h t m a n to the rig h t p la c e . C h icago , A m e r ic a n T ech n ical S o c ie ty , 1917.
124 p p .
A restatement, by the author, of the views of successful employers, employment
managers, and agencies. The book aims to show, from the experience of the men who
“ hire and fire,*’ how to sell trained ability where it will earn the most money.
B o r r e l , A n t o in e .— L a lu tte con tre le chôm age a v a n t, p e n d a n t et a p re s la gu erre.
c y clo p éd ie P a r le m e n ta ir e des sciences p o litiq u e s et so c ia le s.
P in a t, 191 7 . 3 3 6 p p .
En
P a r is , H . D u n o d & E
An account of the struggle against unemployment before and during the War and
of the efforts being made to meet the problem after the War in France, Great Britain,
Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, and other countries. One chapter is
devoted to the organization and work of the International Association for the Pre
vention of Unemployment from its first meeting in Paris in 1909, to 1913; and another /
to conclusions, in which the author states his belief that of all the measures tried
for the the relief of unemployment in different countries the only remedy which gives
efficacious results is insurance. An appendix gives laws of various countries relating
to unemployment and the regulations of the International Association for the Pre
vention of Unemployment.
Ca r r y On .
A m a g a zin e o n the re c o n stru c tio n o f d isa b le d so ld iers a n d sa ilo r s. E d ite d
by the Ofiice o f the S u rg e o n G en eral, U. S . A r m y ; p u b lish e d f o r the S u rg e o n G en eral
by the A m e r ic a n R e d C ross.
V o l. 1 , N o . 1 , J u n e , 19 1 8 .
W a sh in g to n , 1918. 32 p p .
This first number contains a message from General Gorgas; an article by Douglas
C. McMurtrie, director of the Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men, on
the work being done for the reeducation and return to industry of disabled men; the
story of the reeducation of our first blinded soldier, told by himself; How can a woman
best help? by Alice Duer Miller; How Germany made preparation for her wounded;
and other contributions from recognized authors.
C o u n c il
o f O r g a n iz a t io n s f o r W a r S e r v ic e .
T he C le a rin g H o u se f o r W a r
tim e T r a in in g f o r W o m e n . O p p o r tu n itie s f o r w a r -tim e tr a in in g f o r w o m e n in
N e w Y o rk C ity in the su m m e r o f 1 9 1 8 . 4 E a s t 3 9th S tre e t, N e w Y o rk C ity [1918]
107 p p .
The purpose of this organization is to accumulate facts regarding the facilities
in New York City for training women for war work, to place this information at the
disposal of those interested and to ascertain the current demands for trained women
through local agencies. The courses offered include agriculture, applied art, com
mercial education, household economics, industry and trades, languages, library work,
professions, scientific training, and social work.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Collective bargaining and trade agreements in the breiuery, metal, team
ing, and building trades of San Francisco, California. .University of California
-publications in economics, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 233-364. May 20, 1918. Berkeley.
Based upon a study made in May, 1915, much of the material being gathered at the
request of the United States commission on industrial relations. Briefly traces the
history of the unions concerned, giving the story of the development of the trade
agreements, and presenting in detail the terms of the agreements in force in 1915.
Certain other data relating to conditions of employment then p re v a ilin g have also
been included.
Cr o s s , I ra B .
W. J. Labor difficulties and suggested solutions. A manual for technical stu
dents, cashiers, foremen, departmental or works managers and employers. Manchester
[England], Sherratt & Hughes, 1918. 175 pp.
Designed “ to introduce technical students * * * to one of the most difficult
problems they will have to face in their chosen career.” The material in this Volume
was prepared for a course of six lectures to third-year undergraduates in the Man
chester School of Technology and is arranged in seven chapters, on Labor difficulties,
Foremen, Managers and employers, Selection for stability of staff, Wage payments,
Welfare work and workshop committees, and Suggested solutions.
D e l a t r e , H . Le blesse dé guerre. Guerre de 1914-1918. Petit manuel pratique destine
aux sous-officiers, caporaux et soldats ainsi qu’aux veuves et orphelins de la guerre.
56e edition. Paris, Henri Charles-Lavauzelle, 1918. 110 pp. Price, 75 centimes.
This little volume on the disabled of the War is intended as a practical manual for
noncommissioned officers, corporals, and soldiers, and also for the widows and orphans
of those killed. In concise form and simple language information is given of the
measures each of these disabled men should take in order to secure the rights to which
he is entitled, his military situation, and the formalities with which he should comply!
also explanations regarding the assistance which is provided for widows and orphans
in France.
•
F r a n c , A l is s a . Use your Government. What your Government does for you. New
York, E. P. Dutton & Company, 1918. 374 pp. Illustrated.
An attem pt to show in a practical and popular form the varied ways in which the
Government cooperates with and serves the people in all trades and professions. It
is divided into eight parts which consider the information and assistance the Govern
ment gives to the farmer, the would-be settler, the man in business, the working man,
the immigrant, the negro, the woman in her home, and girls and boys.
H o u e l , A l e x a n d r e . La mobilisation générale. Son caractère juridique et sa réper
cussion sur les contrats de travail. Paris, M. Giard & É Bri'ère, 1917. 48 pp.
A consideration of the legal aspect of the reaction which the general mobilization
has had upon labor contracts in force at the time it was decreed, undertaken with the
view of showing how certain legal principles which have suffered from wrong inter
pretation may be restored to their exact application and at the same time be sus
ceptible of adaptation to existing conditions.
D eeley,
J. E. Welfare and housing. A practical record? of war-time management
London, Longmans, Green and Co., 1918. 192 pp. Illustrated.
Che author of this volume is manager of the labor and catering department of
Vickers Limited, which employs over 100,000 people, and member of the food investi
gation committee of the ministry of munitions, and the work is based upon his experi
ences “ in coping with the many problems which are attached to the housing of many
thousands of work people of both sexes, and catering to their manifold needs, as a
result of the total dislocation which the great War has effected in the industrial life
of Gjeat Britain.
He does not, however, intend the details and suggestions con
tained in this work to be confined in their application to the period of the War, but
thinks that the lessons which have been learned will inevitably bear fruit when the
War is over.
H
utton,
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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
253
Bookkeeping and cost accounting for factories.
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1918. 261 pp.
K e n t , W il l ia m .
New York, John
W., editor. Industry and finance. War expedients and recon
struction. Being the results of inquiries arranged by the section of economic science
and statistics of the British Association, during the years 1916 and 1917. Published
by authority of the Council of British Association. London, Sir Isaac Pitman &
Sons, Ltd. [1917.] 371 pp.
Reports prepared by committees of investigation of the British Association. The
volume contains chapters on Replacement of men by women during the War, a digest
of which is given on pages 172 to 178 of this issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w ;
Women workers in agriculture, which was summarized in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for
May, 1918, pages 61 to 64; Workshop committees; The effects of the War on credit,
currency, and finance; and an introductory chapter, “ A survey and a warning, ” by
Sir Hugh Bell, president of the section, written in place of the ordinary presidential
address, as the usual meeting of the British Association was not held this year; also
appendixes. The chapter on Workshop committees, by C. G. Renold, is devoted to
suggested lines of development which consider how far a devolution of some of the
functions and responsiblities of management to the workers themselves “ can be carried
under present conditions, and the necessary machinery for enabling it to operate.”
Beginning with the assumption that “ the conditions of industrial life fail to satisfy
the deeper needs of the workers, and that it is this failure, even more than low wages
and bad conditions, which is responsible for much of their general unrest, ” the
author passes to constructive proposals for devolution of management which are
treated under four sections. Section I deals with Scope of workers’ shop organiza
tions—management questions which could be devolved, wholly or in part; Section
II considers the machinery needed to make such joint action workable ; Section I II
contains a summary of the scheme of committees contained in Section II, showing
the distribution to each committee of the various questions discussed in Section I,
and in Section IV “ some comments are made based on actual experience of an attempt
to institute machinery of the kind discussed, and some practical hints are given
which may be of assistance to others. ”
K ir k a l d y , A d a m
L ’A s s o c ia t io n
des
I n d u s t r ie l s
de
F rance Co n tre
les
A c c id e n t s
du
T r a v a il .
Bulletin No. 28. Année 1917. Paris, 10, Place Saint-Michel, 1917. 69 pp.
Bulletin of the Manufacturers’ Association of France for the Prevention of Industrial
Accidents, founded at Paris in 1883 for the purpose of preventing industrial accidents
and of improving the hygiene of workshops. Besides the statutes and regulations of
the association, the personnel of committees, and financial reports, the bulletin con
tains reports to the International Congress for the Prevention of Industrial Accidents
and for Industrial Hygiene held at Milan, on protective devices for rolling mills,
and on the cleaning of cotton carding machines from the standpoint of industrial
hygiene.
W. Ethics of contracting and the stabilizing of profits. Garden City, N. Y.,
The Country Life Press, 1918. 184 pp•
An endeavor “ to set forth, as the result of nearly 25 years’ experience, some sug
gestions and ideas which may be of value, not only to the contractor, but to those
with whom he comes into business contact. ” There are chapters on the contractor
in his relation to the different persons and agencies with whom he deals, including a
chapter on the contractor and the union, which the author concludes by saying:
“ It is well to remember, whether or not the reader believes in trade-unions, that
they are here to stay and that the condition must be met, and employers who realize
this and have treated with the unions in the same spirit in which they have met
other business problems, have benefited thereby, and have also thus tended to stabi
lize conditions in their industry.
L ord, F .
71795°—18----- 17
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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254
McDill, J ohn R. Lessons from the enemy. How Germany cares for her war disabled.
Philadelphia Lea & Febiger, 1918. 262 pp. Illustrated. Medical War Manual
No. 5. Authorized by the Secretary of War and under the supervision of the SurgeonGeneral and the Council of National Defense.
A detailed account of the organization and methods which Germany employe in
the care of her war disabled, from the medico-military organization to private efforts
in nursing and relief. Chapters are devoted to Reeducation of the war disabled;
Orthopedic hospital-schools and workshops; and Artificial limbs or prostheses. The
form of an information blank to be filled out by the diabled men; a circular containing
a ‘‘back-to-the-land argum ent;” information concerning national and communal war
relief work; and an explanation of social health insurance and hospital systems in peace
are given in appendixes.
,
Co . The welfare work of the Metropolitan Lift
Insurance Company for its employees. Reports for 1917. 24 pp.
A report of the purposes, aims, and results of the company’s welfare work, covering
its health work; savings and insurance; recreation, both social and athletic; and
education together w ith a record of the medical dispensary service from 1911 to 1917
and a quite detailed statement of the work of the dental section.
N a t io n a l S a f e t y C o u n c il . The teaching of safety in technical schools and universities.
A memorandum prepared for the aid of those desiring to undertake such work. Chi
cago National Safety Council, Continental and Commercial Bank Building, 1918.
26 pp.
M e t r o p o l it a n L if e I n s u r a n c e
,
f o r V o c a t io n a l E d u c a t io n . Problems of administering tike Fed
eral act for vocational education. Bulletin No. 26, 140 West 42d St., New York
City, 1918. 83 pp.
This pamphlet contains addresses delivered at the eleventh annual convention,
Philadelphia, February 21-23, 1918. They are grouped under four heads: (1) Admin
istrative problems confronting the Federal F o a r d for Vocational Education; (2) Train
ing teachers of agriculture under the Smith-Hughes Act; (3) Home economics undei
the Smith-Hughes Act; (4) Industrial and trade training under the Smith-Hughes Act.
N a t io n a l S o c ie t y
-- Vocational
training in war time. Bulletin No. 27. Addresses delivered at tht
eleventh annual convention, Philadelphia, Pa., February 21-23, 1918. New York
National Society for Vocational Education, 140 West 42d Street, 1918. 93 pp.
Section I is devoted to vocational training for war industries and contains addresses
on War industries and -their problems; War industries and their problems from the
standpoint of labor; Industrial training in shipbuilding; War emergency vocational
training in Dunwoody Institute; War emergency work in New York State; Training
equipment inspectors for the Ordnance Department; and Suggestions for vocational
training in connection with the military training camps. Section I I is devoted to
Vocational training for the handicapped and incapacitated, and contains addresses
on Vocational reeducation of the handicapped and incapacitated in Canada; Funda
mental principles of reeducation of disabled soldiers; Vocational reeducation of dis
abled soldiers and sailors; and A Government program for disabled soldiers and
sailors. Section I II relates to New standards for industrial training, the subjects
treated being Industrial education for present-day industry; Instruction in garmentmaking in the Clothcraft Shops; and Training of people “ on the job*’ in stores. A
report of the convention was published in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for April, 1918,
pages 111-117.
O f f ic in a N a z io n a l e d i P r o t e s i p e r i M u t il a t i i n G u e r r a . Ente morale deereto
24 Febbraio 1916. Gorla 1°. Milan. 23 pp. Illustrated.
The National Works of Prosthesis for the maimed in war were built, by public sub
scription, on the outskirts of Milan and incorporated by royal decree February 24,
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,
[474]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
255
1916. This pamphlet gives a description of the plant, of the technical function of
the works, and of the appliances of prosthesis used. There is also an English transla
tion of the pamphlet, of 14 pages, without illustrations.
O p e r a N a z io n a l e p e r la P r o t e z io n e e l ’A s s is t e n z a d e g l i I n v a l id i
G u e r r a . A g l i in v a lid d e lla G u erra . R o m e , 1918. 68 p p . I llu s tr a te d .
della
Brief account of the national work which Italy has undertaken for the protection
and assistance of war invalids. Special attention is given to the determination of
the status of war invalids, to pensions for invalids, to sanitarium and orthopedic
treatment and appliances of prosthesis furnished by the State, to vocational reeduca
tion, and to assistance in the acquisition of property.
M. G. The w o r k in g p e o p le : T h e ir health a n d h o w to p ro te c t i t .
M assachu setts H e a lth B o o h P u b lis h in g C o ., 1911. 2 9 3 p p .
Ov erlo o k ,
B o s to n ,
Practical information which every individual should have concerning the pro
tection of the health and the prevention of disease among adults and children, given
in very simple language. The book is specially intended for “ That great mass of men
and women who make up the bone and sinew of this Nation—the toilers—whose health is their principal asset.” Of special interest is a chapter on the prevention of
tuberculosis among printers, grinders, and polishers, stone and marble cutters, and
weavers, these occupational classes being selected as the ones in which tuberculosis
is most prevalent. Other chapters are devoted to conservation of the Nation’s health,
the working day—which the author thinks is at present too long; State hygiene,
the working people as spendthrifts, and why; and the modem factory and what it
means to the people employed therein.
R e d C r o s s I n s t it u t e
f o r C r ip p l e d a n d D is a b l e d M e n .
T r a in in g i n E n g lis h
tech n ica l sch o o ls f o r d isa b le d so ld ie rs, b y J o h n C u lb e r t F a r ie s, P h . D . P u b lic a
tio n s , S e rie s 1, N o . 8 . N e w Y o rk , 311 F o u r th A v e . A p r i l 2 2 , 1 9 18. 12 p p .
----- P la c e m e n t
tech n iq u e i n the e m p lo y m e n t w o rk o f the R e d C ross I n s t i t u t e f o r
C r ip p le d a n d D is a b le d M e n , b y G e rtru d e R . S te in . P u b lic a tio n s , S e r ie s 1, N o . 9 .
N e w Y o rk , 311 F o u r th A v e .
M a y 6, 1 9 1 8 . 11 p p .
-----
T he v o c a tio n a l school f o r d isa b le d so ld ie rs a t R o u e n , F ra n c e , by J . B r e u il,
tr a n s la te d b y G la d y s G la d d in g W h ite sid e . P u b lic a tio n s , S e r ie s 1, N o . 11. N e w
Y o rk , 311 F o u r th A v e .
M a y 13, 19 1 8 . 11 p p .
S e c r é t a r ia t
d e s P a y s a n s s u i s s e s . P u b ic a tio n N o . 5 6 .
V in g tiè m e r a p p o r t a n n u e l
d u c o m ité d irecteu r de V U n io n su isse des P a y s a n s et d u S e c ré ta ria t des P a y s a n s su isses.
1917. B r u g g , S ecréta ria t des p a y s a n s su isse s, 1918. 144 p p .
Twentieth annual report of the administrative committee of the Swiss Union of
Countrymen and of the Secretary’s Office of Swiss Countrymen,.for 1917. Besides
detailed business matters, the report considers economic measures for remedying the
consequences of the War, including food restrictions and auxiliary agricultural service;
application of the law regarding sick and accident insurance; the office for information
on prices of agricultural products, and other matters of interest to agriculturists.
----- P u b lic a tio n
N o . 57 . S tin o g r a m m e des d é b a ts de V A s se m b lé e o rd in a ir e des
délég u és de V U n io n su is se des P a y s a n s ten u e le 4 décem bre 1917 d a n s la S a lle d u
G r a n d C o n s e il â B e rn e . B r u g g , S e c r é ta ria t des P a y s a n s su isse s, 1918. 8 2 p p .
Verbatim report of the discussions of the general assembly of delegates of the Swiss
Union of Countrymen held December 4, 1917, at Berne. The report is printed in
both French and German.
F. S o c ia l H y g ie n e a n d the W ar. N e w Y o rk , A m e r ic a n S o c ia l H y g ie n e
A s s o c ia tio n , 105 W est 4 0 th S tr e e t, 191 7 . p p . 4 1 7 -4 5 0 . P u b lic a tio n N o . 108.
S n o w , W il l ia m
A reprint from Social Hygiene, July, 1917, Vol. I ll, No. 3, giving a summary of
measures taken for the promotion of social hygiene in America since the beginning
of the War.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[475]
256
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Americanism and social democracy. New York, Harper & Brothersr
1918. 826 pp.
This volume aims to present social democracy “ as a movement in full harmony
with the generous ideals of democracy and internationalism which the word ‘Ameri
canism’ signifies.” Some of the chapters have been published as separate articles in
papers and magazines, but most of them appear here for the first time.
U n io n s u is s e d e s s o c ié t é s d e c o n s o m m a t io n (U. S. C.) B â l e . Rapports et comptes
concernant l’activité des organes de V Union en 1917. Bâle, Imprimerie de V U. S. C.,
1918. 132 pp.
Reports and financial statement of the activities of the cooperative organizations
composing the Swiss Union of Consumers’ Societies, for the year 1917.
U n iv e r s it y o p A r iz o n a . Bureau of Mines. State Safety News. Bulletin No. 87.
June, 1918. Safety series No. 32 Tucson, 1918. 11 pp.
Devotes several pages to a description of the “ proto” breathing apparatus.
UNiVERSiTY o p W is c o n s in
Extension Division. Food conservation through utilization
of garbage waste, by G. R. Bascom and Dr. B. A. Beach. Serial No. 900; General
Series No. 690. Correspondence study. Madison, February, 1918. 12 pp.
Industrial education and dependency, by John R. Commons. Serial No. 916;
General Series No. 705. Revised edition. General information and welfare. Madi
son, March, 1918. 20 pp. Price 15 cents.
Municipal coal yards, by Ford II. MacGregor. Serial No. 925; General Series
No. 712. Municipal reference bulletin No. 4- Madison, May, 1918. 24 pp.
Price 10 cents.
■ -- T he p ro fe ssio n o f in d u s tr ia l service. C ou rses offered d u rin g the su m m e r se ssio n ,
1918, and the academic year, 1918-1919. Madison, 1918. 4 pp.
V i l l ie r s , B r o u g h a m . Britain after the peace. Revolution or reconstruction. London
T. Fisher Unwin Ltd., 1918. 263 pp.
A study—somewhat prophetic in character, but based on past experience and
present conditions—of the economic and social problems which the author believes
Great Britain will be forced to face upon the conclusion of the War. Various phases
of the problems are treated in chapters on Europe in revolution; The problem of de
mobilization ; The problem of finance ; The problem of industry ; The problem of the land ;
and The problem of development; all of which lead up to the development of the
author’s scheme for the successful reabsorption into industry of the army of the
unemployed which will result from demobilization. This scheme is set forth in a
chapter on A national works department, which “ once organize^ will, we m aybe sure,
tend to become a permanent works department of our civil governments.”
Sp a r g o , J o h n .
.
■ -----
-------
,
a n d o t h e r s . La guerre. Deuxième série.
La guerre, et la vie écono
mique. Confèrences organisées par la Société des Anciens Elèves et Elèves de l’Ecole
Libre des Sciences Politiques. Bibliothèque d'histoire contemporaine. Paris, Librairie
Félix Alcan, 1916. 311 p.
Six papers on problems relating to the War and conditions caused by the War, pre
pared for the series of lectures organized by the Society of Alumni and Students of the
Free School of Political Sciences. The first paper on Agricultural production and the
War, by Daniel Zolla, considers the effect of the War on agriculture and the regulation
of the food supplies of France in consequence.
Z o ll a , D a n ie l ,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[476]
SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
[T h e p u b lic a tio n o f th e a n n u a l a n d s p e c ia l r ep o rts a n d o f th e b im o n th ly b u lle tin was
d is c o n tin u e d in J u ly , 1912, a n d s in c e t h a t tim e a b u lle tin h a s b e en p u b lis h e d a t irre g u la r
in te r v a ls . E a ch n u m b e r c o n ta in s m a t t e r d e v o te d to o n e o f a serie s o f g e n e r a l s u b je c ts .
T h e s e b u lle tin s are n u m b e r e d c o n s e c u tiv e ly b e g in n in g w ith N o. 101, a n d u p to N o. 236 th e y
also ca rry c o n s e c u tiv e n u m b e r s u n d e r e a c h series. B e g in n in g w ith N o . 237 th e se ria l n u m
b e rin g h a s b een d is c o n tin u e d A lis t o f th e series is g iv e n below . U n d er e a c h is g r o u p e d all
th e b u lle tin s w h ic h c o n ta in m a te r ia l r e la tin g to th e s u b je c t m a tte r o f t h a t series. A lis t
o f th e r e p o r ts a n d b u lle tin s o f th e b u r e a u is s u e d p r io r to J u ly 1, 1912, w ill be fu r n is h e d o n
a p p lic a tio n .]
W h o le s a le P r ic e s .
B u i . 1 1 4 . W h o l e s a l e p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 4 9 . W h o l e s a l e p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 7 3 . I n d e x n u m b e r s o f w h o le s a le p r ic e s
c o u n tr ie s .
B u i . 1 8 1 . W h o l e s a l e p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 4 .
B u i. 2 0 0 . W h o l e s a l e p r i c e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 5 .
B u i. 2 2 6 . W h o l e s a l e p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 6 .
in
th e
U n ite d
S ta tes
and
fo r e ig n
R e t a il P r ic e s a n d C o st o f L iv in g .
B u i. 1 0 5 . R e t a i l p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 1 : P a r t I.
R e t a i l p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 t o 1 9 1 1 : P a r t I I — G e n e r a l t a b le s .
B u i . 1 0 6 . R e t a i l p r ic e s ,
1 8 9 0 t o J u n e , 1 9 1 2 : P a r t I.
R e t a il p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 to J u n e , 1 9 1 2 : P a r t I I — G e n e r a l ta b le s .
B u i. 1 0 8 . R e t a i l
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to
A u g u st,
1912.
B u i. 1 1 0 . R e t a i l
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to
O c to b e r,
1912.
B u i. 1 1 3 . R e t a il
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to D ecem b er, 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 1 5 . R e t a i l
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to F e b r u a r y , 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 2 1 . S u g a r p r ic e s , fr o m r e fin e r t o c o n s u m e r .
B u i. 1 2 5 . R e t a il
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
t o A p r il, 1 9 1 3 .
B u i . 1 3 0 . W h e a t a n d f lo u r p r i c e s , f r o m f a r m e r t o c o n s u m e r .
B u i. 1 3 2 . R e t a il p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 to J u n e , 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 3 6 . R e t a i l
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to
A u g u st,
1913.
B u i. 1 3 8 . R e t a il
p r ic e s ,1 8 9 0
to
O c to b e r ,
1913.
B u i. 1 4 0 . R e t a il p r ic e s , 1 8 9 0 to D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 5 6 . R e t a i l p r i c e s , 1 9 0 7 t o D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 4 .
B u i. 1 6 4 . B u t t e r p r ic e s , fr o m p r o d u c e r to c o n s u m e r .
B u i . 1 7 0 . F o r e i g n f o o d p r ic e s a s a f f e c t e d b y t h e W a r .
B u i. 1 8 4 . R e t a i l p r ic e s , 1 9 0 7 t o J u n e , 1 9 1 5 .
B u i. 1 9 7 . R e t a i l p r i c e s , 1 9 0 7 t o D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 5 .
B u i. 2 2 8 . R e t a i l p r ic e s , 1 9 0 7 t o D e c e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 .
W a g e s and H ou rs o f L abor.
B u i. 1 1 6 . H o u r s , e a r n i n g s , a n d d u r a t i o n o f e m p l o y m e n t o f w a g e - e a r n i n g w o m e n i n
s e l e c t e d i n d u s t r i e s i n t h e D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b ia .
I u l. 1 1 8 . T e n - h o u r m a x im u m w o r k i n g d a y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u n g p e r s o n s .
B u i. 1 1 9 . W o r k in g h o u r s o f w o m e n i n t h e p e a c a n n e r i e s o f W i s c o n s i n .
B u i. 1 2 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c o t t o n , w o o le n , a n d s i l k i n d u s t r i e s , 1 8 9 0
to 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 2 9 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e lu m b e r , m il lw o r k , a n d f u r n i t u r e i n d u s
tr ie s , 1 8 9 0 to 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 3 1 . U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 3 4 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b o o t a n d s h o e a n d h o s i e r y a n d k n i t g o o d s
in d u s t r ie s , 1 8 9 0 to 1 9 1 2 .
B u i. 1 3 5 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c i g a r a n d c l o t h i n g i n d u s t r i e s , 1 9 1 1 a n d
1912.
B u i . 1 3 7 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b u i l d i n g a n d r e p a i r i n g o f s t e a m r a i l r o a d
ca r s, 1 8 9 0 to 1 9 1 2 .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[i]
W a g e s a n d H o u r s o f L ab or— C o n c lu d e d .
B u i . 1 4 3 . U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 4 6 . W a g e s a n d r e g u la r it y o f e m p lo y m e n t in th e d r e s s a n d
N e w Y o r k C it y .
w a is t in d u s tr y
of
B u i. 1 4 7 . W a g e s a n d r e g u l a r i t y o f e m p l o y m e n t i n t h e c l o a k , s u i t , a n d s k i r t i n d u s t r y .
B u i. 1 5 0 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c o t t o n , w o o le n , a n d s i l k i n d u s t r i e s , 1 9 0 7
to 1 9 1 3 .
B u i . 1 5 1 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r in t h e ir o n a n d s t e e l i n d u s t r y i n t h e U n i t e d
S ta te s , 1 9 0 7 to 1 9 1 2 .
B u i . 1 5 3 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e lu m b e r , m il lw o r k , a n d f u r n i t u r e i n d u s
tr ie s , 1 9 0 7 to 1 9 1 3 .
B u i . 1 5 4 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b o o t a n d s h o e a n d h o s i e r y a n d u n d e r w e a r
in d u s tr ie s , 1 9 0 7 to 1 9 1 3 .
B u i. 1 6 0 . H o u r s , e a r n i n g s , a n d c o n d i t i o n s o f la b o r o f w o m e n i n I n d i a n a m e r c a n t i l e
e s ta b lis h m e n ts a n d g a r m e n t fa c to r ie s .
B u i . 1 6 1 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c l o t h i n g a n d c i g a r i n d u s t r i e s , 1 9 1 1 t o
1913.
B u i . 1 6 3 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b u i l d i n g a n d r e p a i r i n g o f s t e a m r a i lr o a d
ca rs, 1 9 0 7 to 1913.
B u i . 1 6 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r In t h e ir o n a n d s t e e l i n d u s t r y i n t h e U n i t e d
S ta te s, 1 9 0 7 to 1 9 1 3 .
B u i . 1 7 1 . U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 , 1 9 1 4 .
B u i . 1 7 7 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e h o s i e r y a n d u n d e r w e a r I n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o
1914.
B u i. 1 7 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e b o o t a n d s h o e i n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 4 .
B u i. 1 8 7 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e m e n ’s c l o t h i n g i n d u s t r y , 1 9 1 1 t o 1 9 1 4 .
B u i. 1 9 0 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e c o t t o n , w o o le n , a n d s i l k i n d u s t r i e s , 1 9 0 7
to 1 9 1 4 .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
194.
204.
214.
218.
225.
U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 , 1 9 1 5 .
S t r e e t r a ilw a y e m p lo y m e n t i n %
th e U n ite d S t a te s .
U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 .
W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e ir o n a n d s t e e l i n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 5 .
W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e lu m b e r , m il lw o r k , a n d f u r n i t u r e i n d u s
tr ie s , 1 9 1 5 .
B u i . 2 3 2 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n t h e h o o t a n d s h o e i n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 6 .
B u i . 2 3 8 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n w o o l e n a n d w o r s t e d g o o d s m a n u f a c t u r i n g ,
1916.
B u i . 2 3 9 . W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n c o t t o n g o o d s m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d f i n i s h i n g ,
1916.
B u i. 2 4 5 . U n i o n s c a l e o f w a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r , M a y 1 5 , 1 9 1 7 .
[ I n p r e s s .]
E m p lo y m e n t a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t .
B u i. 1 0 9 . S t a t is t ic s o f u n e m p lo y m e n t a n d t h e w o r k
U n ite d S ta te s .
B u i . 1 7 2 . U n e m p l o y m e n t i n N e w Y o r k C it y , N . Y .
B u i. 1 8 2 . U n e m p lo y m e n t a m o n g
B o sto n , M ass.
w om en
in
of
d ep a rtm en t
e m p lo y m e n t
and
o th e r
o f f ic e s i n
r e ta il
sto r e s
th e
of
B u i. 1 8 3 . R e g u l a r i t y o f e m p l o y m e n t i n t h e w o m e n ’s r e a d y - t o - w e a r g a r m e n t i n d u s t r i e s .
B u i . 1 9 2 . P r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t O ffic e s .
B u i. 1 9 5 . U n e m p lo y m e n t in th e U n it e d S ta te s .
B u i. 1 9 6 . P r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e E m p l o y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ C o n f e r e n c e h e ld a t M i n n e a p o l i s ,
January, 1916.
*
B u i. 2 0 2 . P r o c e e d in g s o f t h e c o n fe r e n c e o f th e E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ A s s o c ia t io n o f
B o s t o n , M a s s ., h e ld M a y 1 0 , 1 9 1 6 .
B u i . 2 0 6 . T h e B r i t i s h s y s t e m o f la b o r e x c h a n g e s .
B u i . 2 2 0 . P r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e F o u r t h A n n u a l M e e t i n g o f t h e A m e r ic a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f
P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t O ffic e s , B u f f a lo , N . Y ., J u l y 2 0 a n d 2 1 , 1 9 1 6 .
B u i. 2 2 3 . E m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d j u v e n ile s in G r e a t B r it a in d u r in g t h e W a r.
B u i. 2 2 7 . P r o c e e d in g s o f th e E m p lo y m e n t M a n a g e r s ’ C o n fe r e n c e , P h ila d e lp h ia , P a
A p r il 2 a n d 3 , 1 9 1 7 .
B u i. 2 3 5 . E m p lo y m e n t s y s t e m o f th e L a k e C a r r ie r s ’ A s s o c ia t io n .
B u i . 2 4 1 . P u b l i c e m p l o y m e n t o f f ic e s i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W o m en in I n d u str y .
B u i. 1 1 6 . H o u r s , e a r n in g s , a n d d u r a t io n o f e m p lo y m e n t o f w a g e - e a r n in g
s e l e c t e d i n d u s t r i e s i n t h e D i s t r i c t o f C o lu m b ia .
B u i. 1 1 7 . P r o h ib it io n o f n ig h t w o r k o f y o u n g p e r s o n s .
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1 1 8 . T e n - h o u r m a x im u m w o r k in g - d a y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u n g p e r s o n s .
1 1 9 . W o r k in g h o u r s o f w o m e n i n t h e p e a c a n n e r i e s o f W i s c o n s i n .
1 2 2 . E m p l o y m e n t o f w o m e n i n p o w e r l a u n d r i e s i n M i lw a u k e e .
1 6 0 . H o u r s , e a r n i n g s , a n d c o n d i t i o n s o f la b o r o f w o m e n i n I n d i a n a m e r c a n t i l e
e s t a b lis h m e n ts a n d g a r m e n t fa c to r ie s .
B il l. 1 6 7 . M i n i m u m - w a g e l e g i s l a t i o n in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s .
B u i. 1 7 5 . S u m m a r y o f t h e r e p o r t o n c o n d i t i o n o f w o m a n a n d c h i l d w a g e e a r n e r s in
th e U n ite d S ta te s .
B u i . 1 7 6 . E f f e c t o f m in im u m - w a g e d e t e r m i n a t i o n s i n O r e g o n .
B u i. ISO . T h e b o o t a n d s h o e i n d u s t r y i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s a s a v o c a t i o n f o r w o m e n .
B u i. 1 8 2 . U n e m p lo y m e n t a m o n g w o m e n in d e p a r tm e n t a n d o th e r r e t a il s t o r e s
B o s to n , M ass.
of
B u i. 1 9 3 . D r e s s m a k in g a s a tr a d e fo r w o m e n in M a s s a c h u s e tts .
B u i. 2 1 5 . I n d u s t r i a l e x p e r i e n c e o f t r a d e - s c h o o l g i r l s i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s .
B u i. 2 2 3 . E m p l o y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d j u v e n i l e s in G r e a t B r i t a i n d u r i n g t h e W a r .
o r k m e n s I n s u r a n c e a n d C o m p e n s a t io n ( in c l u d in g l a w s r e la t in g t h e r e t o ) .
B u i. 1 0 1 . C a r e o f tu b e r c u lo u s w a g e e a r n e r s in G e r m a n y .
B u i. 1 0 2 . B r i t i s h N a t i o n a l I n s u r a n c e A c t , 1 9 1 1 .
B u i. 1 0 3 . S i c k n e s s a n d a c c i d e n t i n s u r a n c e l a w o f S w i t z e r l a n d .
B u i. 1 0 7 . L a w r e l a t i n g t o i n s u r a n c e o f s a l a r i e d e m p lo y e e s i n G e r m a n y .
B u i. 1 2 6 . W o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t i o n l a w s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d f o r e i g n
B u i. 1-55. C o m p e n s a t io n f o r a c c i d e n t s t o e m p l o y e e s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
B u i . 1 8 5 : C o m p e n s a t io n l e g i s l a t i o n o f 1 9 1 4 a n d 1 9 1 5 .
c o u n tr ie s .
B u i. 2 0 3 . I t o r k m e n s c o m p e n s a t i o n l a w s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s .
B u i . 2 1 0 . I r o c e e d in g s o f t h e T h ir d A n n u a l M e e t in g o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n
o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c i d e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s i o n s .
B u i. 2 1 2 . P r o c e e d in g s o f th e c o n fe r e n c e o n s o c ia l in s u r a n c e c a lle d b y th e I n t e r
n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f I n d u s t r i a l A c c i d e n t B o a r d s a n d C o m m is s i o n s .
B u i. 2 1 7 . E f f e c t o f w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t i o n l a w s in d i m i n i s h i n g t h e n e c e s s i t y o f
in d u s t r ia l e m p lo y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d c h ild r e n .
B u i. 2 4 0 . C o m p a r is o n o f w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t io n l a w s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s .
B u i. 2 4 3 . W o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t i o n l e g i s l a t i o n in t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s a n d f o r e i g n c o u n
tr ie s .
[ I n p r e s s .]
I n d u s t r ia l A c c id e n t s a n d H y g ie n e .
B u i . 1 0 4 . L e a d p o i s o n i n g in p o t t e r i e s , t i l e
w a r e fa c th r ie s.
B u i. 1 2 0 . H y g ie n e o f th e p a in t e r s ’ tr a d e .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
127.
141.
157.
165.
179.
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D a n g e r s to w o r k e r s fr o m d u s t s a n d fu m e s , a n d m e th o d s o f p r o te c tio n .
L e a d p o i s o n i n g in t h e s m e l t i n g a n d r e f i n in g o f le a d .
I n d u s t r ia l a c c id e n t s t a t is t ic s .
L e a d p o i s o n i n g in t h e m a n u f a c t u r e o f s t o r a g e b a t t e r i e s .
I n d u s t r ia l p o is o n s u se d in t h e ru b b e r in d u s t r y .
B u i . 1 8 8 . R e p o r t o f B r i t i s h d e p a r t m e n t a l c o m m i t t e e o n d a n g e r i n t h e u s e o f le a d in
t h e p a i n t i n g o f b u i ld in g s .
P»ul. 2 0 1 . R e p o r t o f c o m m i t t e e o n s t a t i s t i c s a n d c o m p e n s a t i o n i n s u r a n c e c o s t o f t h e
I n t e r n a t io n a l A s s o c ia tio n o f I n d u s tr ia l
s io n s .
[L im it e d e d itio n .]
B u i . 2 0 5 . A n t h r a x a s a n o c c u p a t i o n a l d is e a s e .
B u i. 2 0 7 . C a u s e s o f d e a t h b y o c c u p a t io n .
B u i. 2 0 9 . H y g ie n e o f t h e p r in t in g tr a d e s .
A c c id e n t
B oards
and
C o m m is
B u i. 2 1 6 . A c c i d e n t s a n d a c c i d e n t p r e v e n t i o n i n m a c h i n e b u i l d i n g .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
219.
221.
230.
231.
234.
236.
I n d u s t r i a l p o i s o n s u s e d o r p r o d u c e d in t h e m a n u f a c t u r e o f e x p l o s i v e s .
H o u r s , f a t ig u e , a n d h e a lt h in B r it is h m u n it io n fa c t o r ie s .
I n d u s t r i a l e f f i c ie n c y a n d f a t i g u e i n B r i t i s h m u n i t i o n f a c t o r i e s .
M o r ta lit y fr o m r e s p ir a to r y d is e a s e s in d u s t y tr a d e s .
S a f e t y m o v e m e n t in t h e ir o n a n d s t e e l i n d u s t r y , 1 9 0 7 t o 1 9 1 7 .
E ffe c t o f th e a ir h a m m e r o n th e h a n d s o f s to n e c u tte r s .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
raj
C o n c ilia t io n a n d A r b it r a t io n
( in c l u d in g s t r ik e s a n d lo c k o u t s ) .
B u i. 1 2 4 . C o n c i l i a t i o n a n d a r b i t r a t i o n i n t h e b u i l d i n g t r a d e s o f G r e a t e r N e w Y o r k .
B u i. 1 3 3 . R e p o r t o f th e in d u s t r ia l c o u n c il o f th e B r it is h B o a r d o f T r a d e o n i t s in q u ir y in t o in d u s t r ia l a g r e e m e n ts .
B u i. 1 3 9 . M i c h i g a n c o p p e r d i s t r i c t s t r ik e .
B u i. 1 4 4 . I n d u s t r i a l c o u r t o f t h e c l o a k , s u i t , a n d s k i r t i n d u s t r y o f N e w Y o r k C it y .
B u i. 1 4 5 . C o n c i l i a t i o n , a r b i t r a t i o n , a n d s a n i t a t i o n i n t h e d r e s s a n d w a i s t i n d u s t r y o f
N e w Y o r k C it y .
B u i. 1 9 1 . C o lle c tiv e b a r g a in in g in t h e a n t h r a c it e c o a l in d u s t r y .
B u i . 1 9 8 . C o l l e c t i v e a g r e e m e n t s i n t h e m e n ’s c l o t h i n g i n d u s t r y .
B u i. 2 3 3 . O p e r a t io n o f t h e I n d u s t r i a l D i s p u t e s I n v e s t i g a t i o n A c t o f C a n a d a .
L a b o r L a w s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ( in c l u d in g d e c is io n s o f c o u r t s r e la t in g t o la b o r ) .
B u i. 1 1 1 . L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 2 .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
112.
148.
152.
166.
169.
186.
189.
211.
213.
224.
229.
244.
246.
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a n d o p i n i o n s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 2 .
L a b o r la t y s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , w i t h d e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s r e l a t i n g t h e r e t o »
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a n d o p i n i o n s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 3 .
L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 4 .
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 4 .
L ab or le g is la tio n o f 1 9 1 5 .
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 5 .
L a b o r la w s a n d t h e ir a d m in is t r a t io n in t h e P a c ific S t a t e s .
L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 6 .
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 6 .
W a g e -p a y m e n t le g is la t io n in th e U n it e d S t a t e s .
L a b o r le g is la t io n o f 1 9 1 7 .
[ I n p r e s s .]
D e c i s i o n s o f c o u r t s a f f e c t i n g la b o r , 1 9 1 7 .
[ I n p r e s s .]
F o r e ig n L a b o r L a w s .
B u i. 1 4 2 . A d m in is t r a t io n
c o u n tr ie s .
o f la b o r l a w s
and
fa c to r y
in s p e c tio n
in
c e r ta in
E uropean-
V o c a t io n a l E d u c a t io n .
B u i. 1 4 5 .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
147.
159.
162.
199.
C o n c ilia tio n , a r b it r a t io n , a n d s a n it a t io n in th e d r e s s a n d w a is t in d u s t r y o f
N e w Y o r k C it y .
W a g e s a n d r e g u l a r i t y o f e m p l o y m e n t i n t h e c l o a k , s u i t , a n d s k i r t in d u s tr y « .
S h o r t - u n i t c o u r s e s f o r w a g e e a r n e r s , a n d a f a c t o r y s c h o o l e x p e r im e n t .
V o c a t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n s u r v e y o f R ic h m o n d , V a .
V o c a t io n a l e d u c a tio n s u r v e y o f M in n e a p o lis .
L a b o r a s A f f e c t e d b y th e W a r .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
170.
219.
221.
222.
223.
230.
237.
F o r e ig n fo o d p r ic e s a s a ffe c te d b y t h e W a r .
I n d u s t r ia l p o is o n s u se d o r p r o d u c e d in t h e m a n u f a c t u r e o f e x p lo s iv e s .
H o u r s , f a t ig u e , a n d h e a lt h in B r it is h m u n itio n f a c t o r ie s .
W e lfa r e w o r k in B r it is h m u n itio n -fa c to r ie s .
E m p l o y m e n t o f w o m e n a n d j u v e n i l e s i n G r e a t B r i t a i n d u r in g t h e W a r .
I n d u s t r i a l e f f i c ie n c y a n d f a t i g u e i n B r i t i s h m u n i t i o n f a c t o r i e s .
I n d u s t r ia l u n r e s t in G r e a t B r it a in .
M is c e lla n e o u s S e r ie s .
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
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B u i.
B u i.
B u i.
1 1 7 . P r o h ib itio n o f n ig h t w o r k o f y o u n g p e r s o n s.
1 1 8 . T e n - h o u r m a x im u m w o r k in g - d a y f o r w o m e n a n d y o u n g p e r s o n s .
1 2 3 . E m p lo y e r s ’ w e lf a r e w o r k .
1 5 8 . G o v e r n m e n t a id t o h o m e o w n i n g a n d h o u s i n g o f w o r k i n g p e o p le i n f o r e i g n
c o u n tr ie s .
1 5 9 . S h o r t - u n i t c o u r s e s f o r w a g e e a r n e r s , a n d a f a c t o r y s c h o o l e x p e r im e n t .
1 6 7 . M in im u m -w a g e le g is la t io n in th e U n it e d S t a t e s a n d fo r e ig n c o u n tr ie s .
1 7 0 . F o r e ig n fo o d p r ic e s a s a ffe c te d b y th e W a r.
1 7 4 . S u b je c t in d e x o f th e p u b lic a tio n s o f th e U n ite d S t a t e s B u r e a u o f L a b o r
S t a t is t ic s u p to M a y 1, 1 9 1 5 .
2 0 8 . P r o fit s h a r in g in t h e U n it e d S ta t e s .
2 2 2 . W e lfa r e w o r k in B r i t is h m u n itio n f a c t o r ie s .
2 4 2 . F o o d s it u a t io n in C e n tr a l E u r o p e , 1 9 1 7 .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[IV ]
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@FedFRASER