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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT S T
E
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mUG 2 9
MONTHLY
' 'C LlbRAKl
1927
____—
LABOR REVIEW
NUMBER 2
VOLUME 25
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
AUGUST, 1927
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON
1927
\
C E R T I F IC A T E
T h is p u b lic a tio n is issu e d p u rs u a n t to th e
provisions o f th e su n d ry civ il s e t (41 S ta ts.
1430) a p p ro v e d M a rc h 4, 1921.
A D D IT IO N A L C O P IE S
OS’ THIS PUBLICATION MAT BE PROCURED THOM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OP DOCUMENTS
g o v e r n m e n t p r in t i n g o f f ic e
WASHINGTON, D. C.
AT
15 C E N T S P E E C O PY
Subscription P rice P er Y ear
U n i t e d S tates , C anada , M exico , $1.50; O t h er C ou n tries , $2.25
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Contents
Special article s:
Page
Low earnings of unskilled labor in th e U nited S tates______________
1-3
Vocational education for farm children___________________________ 3-10
Public service retirem ent system s: Pennsylvania__________________ 10-24
In d u strial relations and labor conditions:
International com petition in labor conditions and th e m aintenance of
labor standards_______________________________________________ 25-27
W est Virginia— Economic position of th e N egro__________________ 27-29
Belgium— Progress of th e family-allowance m ovem ent_____________ 30, 31
France— Seventh annual congress of family-allowance funds_______ 31, 32
New South Wales—Child endow m ent a c t._______________________ 32, 33
Productivity of labor and industry:
Increasing productivity of labor in the autom obile in d u stry________ 34, 35
Labor requirem ents for principal crops------------------------, __________ 35-37
Women in industry:
Women in industry in Delaware and Tennessee___________________ 38-42
In d u strial accidents:
Accident rates for the iron and steel industry in specified S tate juris
dictions, 1922 to 1925_________________________________________ 43-45
Accident experience of American railways, 1923 and 1926__________45, 46
Incidental cost of accidents to th e em ployer---------------------------------- 46-50
Relative im portance of hazards in th e construction in d u stry_______ 50-52
Alabama— Accident records of certain coal m ines_________________
52
California— F atalities in th e petroleum industry in 1926___________ 52, 53
W est Virginia— Coal-mine accidents, July, 1924, to December, 1925. 53, 54
Effective rock dusting of coal m ines______________________________ 54, 55
Industrial hygiene:
The toll of industrial noise______________________________________ 56, 57
Labor laws as a means of preventing diseases of occupation________ 57-59
Pennsylvania conference on industrial nursing_____________________
59
W orkmen’s com pensation and social insurance:
D istricts and district offices established under longshorem en’s and
harbor w orkers’ com pensation a c t____________________________ 60, 61
Recent com pensation reports—
Colorado------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------62
W est Virginia______________________________________________ 63, 64
W isconsin__________________________________________________
64
Canada— Silicosis, pneumoconiosis, and caisson disease m ade com
pensable in O ntario__________________________________________ 64, 65
G reat B ritain— Pensions, poor relief, and unem ploym ent insurance. _ 65, 66
Housing:
New York— Tax exemption for housing corporations_______________
67
Cooperation:
Cooperative provision of credit to th e needy w orker_______________ 68-71
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CONTENTS
la b o r laws and court decisions:
Page
Civil rights of form er convicts_________________ __________________
72
Argentina— Protective legislation for native workers_______________
73
Chile— Protective legislation for working women__________________ 73 , 74
G reat Britain— Progress of trade-union bill____________ _______ ___74, 75
W orkers’ education and training:
Fifth national convention of W orkers’ E ducation B ureau__________ 76, 77
M anum it— An educational experim ent for workers’ children________78, 79
Labor organizations and congresses:
80
P an American L abor Conference________________________________
T enth International Labor Conference____________________________ 80, 81
Spain— Labor program of General Federation of Spanish W orkers-.
82
Industrial disputes:
Strikes and lockouts in the U nited States, June, 1927______________ 83-86
Conciliation work of the D epartm ent of Labor in June, 1927________86-89
Welfare and recreation:
Welfare work in com pany tow ns_________________________________ 90-96
Com m unity recreation in the U nited S tates_______________________ 96, 97
Colonization:
Brazil— Colonization schemes in Amazonas_______________________
98
Wages and hours of labor:
Wage rates and hours established by recent agreem ents_____ _____ 9 9 -i03
Working hours of farmers.*.____________________________________ 103-105
Wages, hours, and em ploym ent in mechanical-engineering industries- 105-108
Alaska— Wages of placer m iners_______________________________ 108, 109
Chile— Wages in coal mines and copper mines in 1925_____________
109
Com parative wage rates in the U nited States and in foreign countries. 110-131
Wage rates established by collective agreements in various cities of the
132
w orld__________________________________________________
Placem ent of disabled workers:
New York— E m ploym ent bureau for the disabled_________________
I 33
Trend of em ploym ent:
Em ploym ent in selected m anufacturing industries, June, 1927____134-145
E m ploym ent and pay-roll totals on Class I railroads, May, 1926, and
April and M ay, 1927__________________________________________
440
S tate reports on em ploym ent—California------------------------------------------------------------------------ 147, 148
Iow a----------------------------------------------------------149
M aryland__________________________________________________
450
M assachusetts______________________________________________
454
New Jersey---------------------------------------------------------------------- 152 , 153
Pennsjdvania____________________________________________ 154 455
Wisconsin............. ......................... ......................................................... 155*456
Wholesale and retail prices:
R etail prices of food in th e U nited S tates_______________________ 157-178
R etail prices of coal in th e U nited S tates_______________________ 178-182
R etail prices of gas in th e U nited S tates________________________ 183, 184
R etail prices of electricity in th e U nited S tates__________________ 185-188
Index num bers of wholesale prices in June, 1927________________ 189, 190
Purchasing power of th e dollar (wholesale prices), January, 1926, to
June, 1927--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 190, 191
Average wholesale prices of commodities, April to June, 1927_____ 192-201
Cost of living:
Changes in cost of living in the U nited S tates_________________
202-215
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CONTENTS
V
labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Labor agreements—
Page
Electric railways— Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway Co--------216
Awards and decisions—
Clothing industry— Chicago----------- --------------------------------------216
Clothing industry— New Y ork--------------------------------------------216, 217
Locomotive firemen— Southeastern territo ry ------------------------ 217, 218
M aintenance-of-way employees— Louisville & Nashville R ail
road_________________________________
219—221
Printing pressmen— Portland, Oreg-------------------221-224
Railroads— Decision of T rain Service Board of A djustm ent for
the Southeastern Region------------------------------------------------------224
Typographical union— Denver, Colo------------------------------------ 225-227
Chile— Agreement concerning night work in bakeries------------------------227
Immigration and emigration:
Statistics of im m igration for May, 1927------------------------------------- 228-233
Activities of State labor bureaus:
California, Colorado, Iowa, M aryland, M assachusetts, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, W est Virginia, and Wisconsin----------------------- j -----234
Publications relating to labor:
Official— U nited S tates------------------------------------------------------------- 235, 236
Official— Foreign countries,^----------------------------------------------------- 236, 237
Unofficial____________________________________________________ 238, 239
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THIS ISSUE IN BRIEF
Large numbers of unskilled laborers in the United States are not
participating as they should in the prosperity of the country.—This fact
has been emphasized in recent statements by President Coolidge
and by the Secretary of Labor. For example, the average earnings
of railroad track laborers in 1926 were only $17 per week, and in the
lumber industry in 1925 average earnings of unskilled labor in all
districts were only $17.77 per week and in the lowest-paid district
only $10.43 per week (p. 1).
A n inquiry into employee retirement systems of States and cities
has recently been undertaken by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and
an article on page 10 gives a preliminary report on systems in force in
Pennsylvania. The age at which retirement on pension is permitted
varies in the sj^stems discussed from 45 to 62, and the length of service
required is from 10 to 25 years. Police and firemen’s systems have
lower ages than others, but require fairly long terms of service. All
the plans covered are contributory, but the contributions demanded
from the employees vary considerably.
Farm children are being trained in scientific methods of agriculture
by the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with
the State agricultural colleges. Such training not only fits the young
agriculturist for his j ob; it also raises the living and working standards
on the farm, develops leadership in farm children, arouses a desire for
further education, and tends to make them look upon agriculture as
their life job, and by so doing helps to solve the problem of the
supply of labor on the farm (p. 3).
The cost of living in the United, States in June, 1927, was almost 1
per cent lower than in June, 1926, and 1.3 per cent lower than in
December, 1926, according to the semiannual survey made by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (p. 202).
An analysis of accident rates in the iron and steel industry, by »States,
shows that as a rule those States in which there has been the most
extensive and most prolonged safety effort have the lowest accident
rates over a period of years (p. 43).
Rock dusting of all coal mines, except anthracite mines, in every part,
whether in damp or dry condition, is advocated by the United States
Bureau of Mines in order to prevent the propagation of mine explo
sions, and specifications for rock dusting have been determined from
nearly 1,000 explosion tests in the bureau’s experimental mine.
The effectiveness of rock dusting has received practical demonstra
tion in two coal-mine explosions which occurred recently in Pennsyl
vania. Ten men were killed in these explosions, but the lives of 700
were saved, as the explosions were limited by the rock dust to the
place where they originated (p. 54).
The amount of labor necessary to produce and market an acre of corn
varies from 15-20 man-hours in the corn belt of the Middle West
to 50-70 man-hours in some of the Southern States. Similar wide
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VIII
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
variations exist in the case of cotton and other crops. The differences
are largely due to the degree in which the topography of the land
permits, and local practice accepts, the use of improved machinery
(p. 35).
The right of a former convict to receive damages for an industrial acci
dent has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Nebraska. The
court held that conviction of crime does not deprive a person of his
civil right to his property and earnings nor deny him due process to
the courts to protect his property and earnings (p. 72).
Negro labor is slowly improving its position in the industries of West
Virginia, according to a report of the Bureau of Negro Welfare and
Statistics c-f that State. A number of mills and factories, which
formerly excluded negroes, are now employing them. More are
employed in the railroad yards and maintenance of way work, and
negro bricklayers, carpenters, and other skilled building craftsmen
are increasing in number and finding ready employment (p. 27).
American capital invested in other countries may cause a reduction
in American standards of living.—Thus, American capital invested in
the textile industry of oriental countries, with low-paid labor, may
drive the American factories out of business or cause a demand for
greatly reduced wages in order to meet the oriental competition.
Such developments are not at all impossible in the struggle for
international markets, according to an article by the Washington
representative of the International Labor Office (p. 25).
A description of the welfare worlc in company towns shows some
thing of the scope of the companies’ activities in these towns. Among
the features provided for employees and their families are houses,
schools, parks, and recreation grounds, as well as medical and nursing
care, day nurseries for the children of working mothers, playground
supervision for children, and trained leadership in the recreation and
club activities of both the young people and the older members of
the community (p. 90).
A child endowment act has been passed in New South Wales pro
viding an allowance of 5 shillings per week for children under 14 years
of age. _This allowance is to supplement a basic wage to be declared
by the industrial commissioner and fixed according to the require
ments of a man and wife without children. The Australian Prime
Minister called a conference early in June, 1927, to formulate a
national child endowment policy (p. 32).
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MONTHLY
LABOR REVI EW
OF U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
VOI.. 25, NO. 2
WASHINGTON
AUGUST, 1927
Low Earnings of Unskilled Labor in the United States
1
"*HE relatively high level of wages now existing in the United
States has been the subject of frequent comment both by Amer
ican and foreign observers. Reiteration of this comment,
however, should not blind us to the fact that there exist in this
country large numbers of common laborers whose earnings, under
the best of conditions, are far below the requirements of healthful
living and good citizenship.
This fact has been given forceful expression in recent statements
by the President of the United States and by the Secretary of Labor.
Speaking at Hammond, Ind., on June 14, President Coolidge said:
“ While we have reached the highest point in material prosperity ever
achieved, there is a considerable class of unskilled workers who have
not come into full participation in the wealth of the Nation.” Sec
retary Davis, in an address at Washington, on June 22, estimated
that there are several millions of unskilled laborers in the United
States whose wages are so low as to constitute a moral and economic
misfortune:
If these underpaid workers were few in number, and existed only in scattered
instances, th e inequality would be less great. B ut if we count them up, if we
think of those in all our industries who m ay lack mechanical skill b u t who
nevertheless shoulder th e heavy weights and do th e roughest work, we find a
great p a rt of American industry shot through w ith these unfortunates. I t is
not an exaggeration to say th a t we have some millions of these hard-worked b u t
underpaid Americans. Taken together w ith their families and their dependents,
I would venture to say we have among us from ten to fifteen millions of people
who do n o t share as they should in the prosperity enjoyed by th e rest of us.
Morally, economically, and on th e grounds of simple hum anity, th is inequality
should n o t be allowed to exist in this richest nation of history.
No complete data exist regarding the actual earnings of unskilled
labor of all classes. For certain industries, however, studies by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics and other authoritative agencies give a
reasonably accurate picture of the earning capacity of their unskilled
employees. These data are summarized in the table below. Except
in the case of coal mining and railroads, the earnings are expressed
in terms of full-time weekly earnings, that is to say, the amount the
average laborer would earn in a week if bis employing establishment
was operating full time and he lost no time at all through unemploy
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2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ment, sickness, accident, or other causes. The figures, therefore, may
be taken as extremely conservative, representing maximum possible
earnings and thus being in excess of the actual amount which the
average worker receives and must live upon. In the case of coal
mining and the railroads the information is reported only in the form
of actual earnings.
. The data given relate solely to males, and, while age classification
is not available, it is known that common labor work is almost
invariably of a type to demand an adult’s strength. Moreover, the
term '‘common labor” or “ unskilled labor” is rather elastic. In
general, it implies work requiring little or no previous training, but
very often the work does demand considerable intelligence and often
involves a high degree of responsibility. Not infrequently, indeed,
the term “ common labor ” means nothing more than the lowest-paid
labor in the particular establishment or industry.
Of the industries for which data can be given, railroad laborers
have the lowest earnings, the average for 1926 being only $17 per
week. This is a large group of employees, numbering well over
200,000. The lumber industry ranks next lowest, average weekly
earnings for all districts being only $17.77, and for the lowest-paid
district only $10.48. _ In bituminous coal mining, owing to the
irregularity of operation, over which the individual worker has no
control, weekly earnings for all districts averaged only $22.78 for
inside laborers and $23.58 for outside laborers, and in the lowest
district were only $10.34.
Only in the case of anthracite coal mining, foundries, and motorvehicle manufacture did the weekly earnings for all districts average
more than $25 per week, and even in the second and third of these
three industries the average earnings in the lowest-paid districts were
well below $25, being indeed as low as $14.37 in the case of foundries.
Moreover, it is to be emphasized that in the case of all the manu
facturing industries listed, the earnings reported are full-time earnings
and thus^ in excess of the actual earnings. Full-time earnings can
only be obtained by those who are so fortunate as to be working for
an establishment which operates full time and who lose no time from
sickness, accident, or other misfortunes.
1
I he figures here presented indicate clearly that there are groups
of laborers in many industries who are receiving very inadequate
wages. _ This is evident even though the difficulty is recognized of
determining just what is an adequate living wage. Anyone with
expeixence of life and of the present-day cost of living must recognize
that many, and probably most, of the men included in the surveys
here referred to were not receiving sufficient for the maintenance of a
family at a wholesome standard of living.
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3
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR FARM CHILDREN
A V E R A G E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S OF M A L E C O M M O N L A B O R E R S IN V A R IO U S IN D U S
T R IE S A N D D IS T R IC T S
Average full-time earnings
per week 1
Average
full-time
hours per
week 1
Lowest Highest
All
district
district
districts
In d u stry
L um ber (1925)_____ _________________ ___________ _ _ ____
Woolen a n d w orsted goods m anufacturing: (1926)_____ _______
M achine shops (1925) _ _______________________ ___________
M otor vehicle m anufacturing (1925)..................... .............................
B itum inous coal m ining (1926) :2
57. 5
50. 2
49.4
50. 6
56. 7
62. 4
52. 5
50.4
$10.48
17.04
20. 77
11.78
13.37
16.14
14. 37
24.02
$25. 27
25. 34
27. 82
25. 32
28. 05
27. 72
28. 67
30.26
$17. 77
21.35
21.98
23.07
23.99
24.34
25. 25
28.73
10. 34
11.03
33.90
37. 69
22.73
23.58
19. 80
27.73
29.42
29.45
22.04
17.00
A nthracite coal m ining (1924) :2
O utside laborers . . . . .
. .. ...
___________ _______
52.1
47.5
1 Except in th e case of coal m ining and railroads, where th e only available data are for actual earnings
and actual hours.
a T he w eekly earnings are com puted as equal to seven-fifteenths of the half-m onth earnings reported.
3 W eekly earnings are com puted as equal to one fifty-second of th e annual earnings reported b y the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The sources of the table are the wage surveys of the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics and, for railroad labor, the reports of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. The weekly earnings are shown,
where data are available, for the industry as a whole and also for the
lowest and highest district or department, as given in the original
report.
Vocational Education for Farm Children 1
HE first national meeting of farm children trained through
extension work was held in Washington, D. C., during the
week beginning June 16, 1927. The gathering was sponsored
by the United States Department of Agriculture as a part of its general
cooperative extension work. Since 1914 the Department of Agri
culture has, under the authority of a law known as the Smith-Lever
Act, been cooperating with the State agricultural colleges in carrying
on extension work in agriculture and home economics on farms and
in farm homes throughout the United States. The expense of the
work is shared by the Federal Government, the States, and the
counties which accept the provisions of the act. Through the work
the attempt is made to reach both adults and children on the farm.
The national camp above mentioned was, in a sense, the culmination
of the department’s work, to date, among the farm children.
T
1 D ata are from U . S. D ep artm en t of Agriculture, Office of Cooperative Extension: Cooperative extension
w ork, 1924, w ith 10-year review, W ashington, 1926; B oys’ and G irls’ 4-H C lub Leader, issues of February
to April, 1927; N ational B o y s’ a n d G irls’ C lub News, Ju n e 10, 1927; U . S. D epartm ent of Agricultura
M iscellaneous C ircular No. 77; U . S. D ep artm en t of A griculture press releases of A pr. 20 and June 14-17,
1927; and original m aterial furnished b y th e Office of Cooperative Extension, w hich also supplied th e
jlustrations used.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
As a first step in extension work among children the attempt is
made to form “ 4-H Clubs” 2 among the boys and girls of the county.
Each member undertakes one or more specific “ projects”—the
raising of a pig, a cow, chickens, the cultivation of a plot of ground
in some crop, etc.—and pledges himself to follow the best practices
in connection therewith, as determined by the State and Federal
Government departments.
?The field of the work is indicated by the fact that, according to the
census figures, there are some 11,000,000 rural boys and girls between
the ages of 10 and 18 years, of whom 27 per cent are not in school.
In 1924, 510,355 young people were enrolled in club work, and of
these, 58 per cent were girls.
,
This extension work is fundamentally vocational education on the
farm—training the young agriculturist for his job. Since the farm
problem is essentially that of labor, the work is important from the
labor standpoint in that it is providing trained and efficient labor for
the farms.
Lines of Work Undertaken
THHE “projects” undertaken by the children include work in the
raising of various kinds of farm animals, planting and caring for
some kind of crop, learning to judge livestock, seeds, etc., dairying,
forestry, sewing, canning and preserving, cooking, renovation of fur
niture, judging of fabrics, farm and home management, sanitation
and health work, etc. Children undertaking the raising of animals
or poultry are encouraged to fix as their goal the securing of purebred
stock and in this way to raise the livestock standard of the county.
Although, in general, the boys’ projects are usually some work
connected with the farm and those of the girls with the home, this
is by no means always the case. Thus, of the 300,545 girls enrolled
in 1924, 173,545 were engaged in some phase of clothing construc
tion mid 83,149 in food preservation. But there were also 51,921
girls in poultry clubs, 7,224 in dairy clubs, and 66,499 girls in garden
ing projects. Of the three young people recently sent abroad to
compete in an international cattle-judging contest, one was a girl
who had won first place in the national contest in this country.
System and Method of Instruction
J
extension work is carried on through “ technically trained and
practically minded” agricultural agents. Generally there is a
man agent to train the boys and a woman agent for work with the
girls. These agents make their homes in the county in which they
work and have a central office through which they may be reached,
but spend their time largely in directing demonstrations of actual
improved, farming practices carried on by farmers in various points
in the county and in interesting all farmers of the county in the
progress and^ results of these improved practices. In the specialized
problems which the agent is often called upon to handle he is assisted
2 The general object of these clubs is th e developm ent of head, h and, heart, and health, as exemplified
in the pledge adopted a t th e national congress, w hich is already in use in m any States: “ I pledge m y head
to clearer thinking, m y h eart to greater loyalty, m y hands to larger service, and m y health to better living,
for m y club, m y com m unity, and m y co u n try .”
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f
F IG . 1.— C O U N T Y A G E N T
I
IN S P E C T IN G
I
FARM
A C C O U N TS OF 4-H C LUB BOY OF C O N N E C T IC U T
i
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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOE FARM CHILDREN
5
by the corps of specialists in various subjects m aintained a t the State
agricultural college.
"“ Club work is learning by doing.” When the child undertakes a
project he must follow the directions of the county agent as to the
methods to be used. If he decides to raise a pig, he must feed and
care for it as directed by the agent. He learns how to keep a standard
system of accounts of the expenditure for feed and any other expense,
of the time spent in the work, of the amount realized from the sale of
the pig, etc. In this way not only are improved methods of stock
raising, farming, etc., introduced on the farm, but the youngster
learns to put his work on a business basis so that when he grows up
and becomes a farmer himself he will know exactly how his farm
stands as a business and producing unit.
Figure 1 shows a county agent inspecting the farm accounts of John
Visney (the boy with the hoe). John is the son of immigrant parents
from Slovakia. In 1922 he won the prize as national champion junior
dairy cattle judge of the United States. In addition he had been
interested in dairying, improved silage corn, certified seed potatoes,
the Connecticut system of farm accounts, general farm improvement,
and a community program. By careful study of breeding methods
the average milk yield of his cows has been increased 1,200 pounds
per cow in the past two years.
Although the individual child’s work is done at his own home, he
receives the stimulus of the interchange of ideas and experience with
young people doing work on similar projects through the 4-H Club
meetings held at some convenient place, usually the home of one of
the members. At these meetings the children discuss the work, hold
demonstrations, learn how to correct any mistakes, learn parliamen
tary procedure, how to conduct meetings, etc.
Instruction is most informal, being “ conducted out of doors in the
fields, the orchards, the barns, or in the home, the creamery, or the
market place.” If the specific project is that of raising cotton, the
agent goes out into the field with the boy, inspects the work, points
out any ways in which improvement can be made, etc. (See fig. 2.)
Often these demonstrations attract not only the club members but
the farmers of the community, as shown in Figure 3, where a demon
stration is being given of diseases attacking potato plants.
As the boys and girls become proficient they are taught to give
demonstrations of their work to their fellow club members and to
older members of the community who are interested. Also they are
encouraged to make exhibits of the results of their handiwork at
county and State fairs, etc.
Achievements of Club Members
rT ‘HE work expands in ever-widening circles. As the boy or girl
sees the results that can be obtained by following scientific
methods, his interest is apt to be aroused along other lines, and he
undertakes new and different projects. The lines of work some of
these boys and girls have entered and the results obtained are quite
remarkable. One of the delegates to the national camp was an
Italian boy from Connecticut who embodies the 4-H interest in the
most improved methods. His daily work consists of 8 to 10 hours’
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MONTHLY LABOB KEVIEW
labor on his father’s produce farm, but in his spare time he has suc
ceeded in raising a herd of five registered Southdown sheep, several
Ayershire heifers, one of which took the grand prize at the Eastern
States Exposition, and one of the five best flocks of Rhode Island
Red chickens in the State. “ His poultry plant is equipped with
electric lights, trap nests, modern coal-burning brooders, and a mam
moth Newton incubator of 1,200 eggs capacity, chicks from which
are booked in advance. He made high individual score in poultry
judging at Madison Square Garden poultry show in 1926.” His
stock and equipment are valued at $2,500, all earned through 4-H
Club work. His work and enthusiasm have inspired the boys in his
vicinity to organize a poultry club. He has given three younger
brothers different varieties of poultry to start their “ projects.” He
is now enrolling a group of the younger girls in his neighborhood into
a club so that his 10-year old sister may have the advantages of club
work.
Sallie Wilhelm, of South Dakota, has been in club work since
1923. She is now 19 years of age. In 1923 she took canning as her
project, completed her work, demonstrated commercial canning at
two fairs, and won third place in demonstration at the State fair.
The next year she undertook general food work as well as sewing,
winning the State championship in food and grand championship in
home economics. She represented her State in an interstate fair,
tieing Wisconsin for third place and winning a trip to the interna
tional fair at Chicago. Continuing her canning and food work in
1925, she won first prize for a cake entered at the State fair and also
won a silver medal for health work. In 1926 she was for the second
year local leader for a food club and president of a canning club.
During the season she canned 371 quarts of fruits, vegetables, meats,
jellies, and jams, having a value of $154.25, the labor and material
costing $31.43, leaving $122.82 profit. She also prepared 136 meals,
baked 202 loaves of bread, made 243d? dozen buns, completed 70
articles in sewing, and secured 82 new 4-H Club members. She was
sent to Chicago as champion health girl from South Dakota and
coached the demonstration team which won third place at the State
fair.
Some of the 4-H Club members have made substantial earnings
from their club projects. One Mississippi girl specialized in basket
weaving and in the course of her work taught, by mail, women in 20
States to make baskets. In four years she cleared $900 through her
work in basketry and canning, besides $177.35 in cash prizes.
Another girl, from Arkansas, made $1,000 in profits from her poultry
and her garden.
Joe King, of Nebraska, sold in one year more than $1,600 worth of
livestock besides earning $150 in premiums. A Greek boy in Massa
chusetts specialized in vegetables, earning in the summer of 1926 the
sum of $293.88. In addition to his sale of vegetables he has built up “ a
good business in flowering plants and herbs,” and from the proceeds
he has bought an acre of land.
The 150 young people who attended the national camp have
accumulated through club work about $48,000 worth of property,
purebred livestock, and modern equipment, and have made profits
amounting to $52,421. The bank deposits of the group amount to
$13,442.
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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR FARM CHILDREN
7
Rewards of 4-H Club Work
DESIDES the incentive of performance of a piece of work to the
best of one’s ability, the 4-H Club boys and girls vie with each
other for perfect performance. As already stated, exhibits are made,
either as individuals or as clubs, at State and county fairs, and many
prizes are won.
In many instances the work of these young people has attracted
the attention of the local business men and bankers, who have been
generous in their support. An official report of the United States
Office of Cooperative Extension states: “ There probably is no phase
of rural extension work more popular, or which the people more
willingly support financially than boys’ and girls’ club work.” 3
| Often the local business men offer prizes to the boy or girl excelling
in some particular phase of work or for general outstanding ability or
achievements. These may consist of money, a trip, or a scholarship
at the State agricultural college. The State universities have also
offered scholarships for 4-H Club members, and short courses have
been started for their special needs. Thus, recently, a short course
in North Dakota brought some 300 club members together for a
week’s training, while that offered by the Iowa State Agricultural
College was given to 2,475 students. The State Fair Association of
Texas has been granting college scholarships to 4-H members each
year for outstanding work in agriculture. In Montana 95 scholar
ships in the State university are given by the State board of educa
tion. A large railroad has awarded altogether 43 college scholarships;
in 21 cases the winner chose an educational trip instead of the scholar
ship. Another railroad, from 1911 to 1919, donated $40,000 in prizes,
mainly of purebred stock, to club members in the territory served by
the railroad.
i Every year local banks have lent large sums to 4-H boys and girls
to enable them to purchase seeds, purebred stock, etc.
In Georgia many counties have adopted the policy of awarding
certificates to club girls who have completed four years of club work.
Often a luncheon or dinner is given by some local organization and the
occasion is made a real event.
Through cooperative effort by the clubs, vacation camps have been
held in many places by county groups, or State-wide gatherings have
been organized by the State colleges, fair associations, etc. These
camps combine recreation with training. The trip to the national
camp at Washington, D. C., was in many cases given as the reward
for achievements in club work; in some cases the clubs themselves
financed their delegates’ trip, but all of the delegates, of whom each
State was entitled to be represented by four, were the most out
standing 4-H Club members in their State.
Results of Extension Work Among Young People
| THE primary result of the cooperative extension work in agri' • culture is the adoption of better farm and home practices.
Although cooperative extension work is also carried on directly
1 U nited States.
D ep artm en t of A griculture. Office of Cooperative Extension W ork.
W ashington, 1926, p. 87.
3 tension w ork, 1924, w ith a lCtyear review.
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Cooperative
8
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
among the adults in the farming community, it sometimes happens
that the older people do not at first see the value of the scientific
methods. After the young son of the family has become interested
in better methods and has by the results of his work shown what the
new methods will do the parents become interested; in one case
the father was so impressed with the boy’s results that he asked to
be taken into partnership. At the same time the daughter learns
new methods of canning, sewing, home improvement, etc. She looks
about her and sees how her home conditions can be improved, demon
strates them to her mother, and wins her as a convert. Some of the
most interesting of the 4-H Club work has been done by girls who,
starting with their own bedrooms, have eventually renovated the
whole house. One Virginia girl (see fig. 4) reports as to her work
on her bedroom as follows:
The first thing I did was to pull all the nails out of th e wall, then I tore off all
loose paper on th e wall and pasted strips of cheesecloth over some of the cracks
to keep the paper from bursting. I cleaned up some old p ain t around the edge
of the floor w ith a strong solution of lye, which was a very unpleasant job, b ut
nevertheless I kept trying. I got Miss O. to help me select th e kind of paper I
wanted, so she suggested th a t I get cream for the walls and white for th e ceiling,
w ith a 3-inch border. One of my friends helped me p u t on th e ceiling and I did
the rest myself. Miss M. came and made arrangem ents to m eet me in Roanoke
and help me select the paints I needed, so I got the best grade; for the floor,
one-half gallon of dark buff; for the door, m ahogany; for th e furniture, which
consists of bed, dresser, w ashstand, bedside table, and two chairs, one q u art of
ivory enamel; also enough for the door and window facings.
I got some cretonne to cover a window seat, glass handles for my dresser,
candles and candlesticks, peanut can to m ake a wastebasket, and curtain rods.
I had a tim e getting my packages to the car. When I got home I was all down
and out. As soon as I could I moved all the furniture out of th e room, painted
the floor two coats, and washed off the furniture. I took th e m irror to th e dresser
out of the fram e and fastened it to the wall. I enameled all the furniture, also
a vase, w astebasket, and an ink bottle. I stenciled a very small flower on my
dresser, w ashstand, and backs of two chairs. I bought a chair seat for one chair.
The curtains are cream w ith buff shades w ith blue and rose tie-backs. As soon
as the floor was dry enough I moved all furniture back. The scarfs for my washstand and dresser are dimity, w ith a rose flower and a 2-inch border of solid rose
voile.
^
I have one small picture. I made three braided rugs for the floor, and I also
sold two for $4.50 to help pay my expenses. On the bed I have a cream crinkled
bedspread w ith a buff stripe in it. I have one w alnut desk made about 75 years
ago by my grandfather, which I treasure very highly.
j
M y expenses were $5.50. The rugs I sold and th e few berries I picked cov
ered all m y expenses, so I ’m no t ou t anything and I have m y room to enjoy.
Another girl, from Mississippi, made such improvements through
out her home that “ Dad has promised to paint the house inside and
out.”
Beautification of the yard and surroundings comes next. Shrubs
and flowers are planted and the whole appearance of the farm is
improved, increasing the pride and self-respect of the family.
All this results eventually in raising the living and working stand
ards on the farm and throughout the community. Intensive surveys
made in four States showed that three out of every four farm families
had made some improvement in farm or home practice as a result of
the extension work. Especially valuable work has been done among
the Negro farm people; they are characterized as being “ teachable
and appreciative.”
The story of how home dem onstration agents have influenced th e civic and
social life of hundreds of communities is an interesting one. N ot only have
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F I G. 5. — A 1 0 - Y E A R - O L D A L A B A M A B O Y A N D
HIS FIRST CLUB “ PR OJE CT, ” A PU RE BR E D
BERKSHIRE
PIG
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F I G.
6.- B A B Y
BEEF
STEER
AND
PUREBRED S H O R T H O R N HEIFER
H O U S E IS T H E B O Y ’ S H O M E
OF 4-H
CLUB
MEMBER.
THE
SOD
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR FARM CHILDREN
9
entire families been aroused and interested in m atters pertaining to th e success
of th e home, b u t communities have joined together in m any successful enter
prises which can be directly traced to the inspiration and good judgm ent of the
home-demonstration agent. From every S tate come reports of aroused interest
in com m unity responsibility. Civic beauty, social life and recreation, w ith th e
dealing w ith common problems of the com munity along m any lines, have resulted
from hom e-demonstration work.
H om e-dem onstration work in the 10-year period can be justly credited with
the wide adoption in American farm homes of improved practices in feeding
and clothing the farm family, household m anagem ent, m aintenance of family
health, and the im provem ent and beautification of the home and its surroundings.
Farm women whom this extension influence has reached have been enabled to
set up and m aintain a higher standard of living for their families. They have
acquired greater pride in their homes and their household duties. They have
increased their personal incomes through th e intelligent standardization and
m arketing of surplus home products. They have learned to use th e funds which
they have for family expenditures more wisely and in term s of a more comfortable
and attractive home life. They and their children are more simply and a ttra c
tively dressed. Their family diet is more wisely and economically selected.
Home conveniences, such as improved w ater supply, improved sanitation, b etter
means of heating and lighting the house, have aided m any farm women in doing
away w ith much of the drudgery and monotony of farm life and have given them
more tim e for recreation and for companionship w ith their children and neighbors.
Participation in extension activities has helped the farm woman to find a more
active and im portant p a rt in com m unity life and improvement. Through
extension influences she has learned to study and solve w ith other women of her
locality the problems of the com m unity of especial interest to them . Through
constructive local leadership developed among the farm women, through their
learning to plan and ac t together in local affairs, through th e influence it has
exerted in making the life of the farm and of the country com m unity attractiv e
and desirable, hom e-demonstration work beyond question has made a substantial
contribution to American national life.
The need of improved conditions on the farm is shown by the
fact that on 10,000 farms studied by the Department of Agriculture
throughout the North and West 61 per cent of the farm women had
to carry the water for household use a distance of 39 feet, onfy 32
per cent had running water in the house, 85 per cent had outdoor
toilets, and only 20 per cent had bathtubs in the home. The working
hours of these farm women averaged 11.3 hours per day.
2. The demonstration work and the conducting of club meetings
develops leadership in the farm boys and girls. That this is so is
demonstrated by some of the examples already cited.
3. As the boys and girls learn what can be done in their small
projects they become eager to go.on to other and wider subjects,
developing a thirst for knowledge that has, in a great many instances,
led to a college course in agriculture, often financed through club
work. One of the most important achievements of the agricultural
extension work is that it interests the children who have lost interest
in regular school work and have dropped out. In the agricultural
extension work the instruction comes to the child on his own farm,
and there is none of the school atmosphere in the instruction and
demonstration. “ I t does not deal with uninteresting books and
theoretical things, but with live plants and animals, living processes,
vital problems of the home, the farm, and the community.”
4. The awakened interest in agriculture tends to make the young
people look upon farming as their life job and to keep them on the
farm. Since it is estimated that during 1925 there was a net loss
of farm population to the city of 1,020,000 persons, the value to the
55507°—27-----2
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10
MONTHLY LABOS BEVIEW
nation of training which will keep the farm child on the farm is
obvious.
5.
Thus the extension work helps, by keeping the young people at
home, to solve the problem of the supply of labor for the farm.
Public Service Retirement Systems: Pennsylvania
N T E R E S T in the question of provision for old age, especially in
regard to employees whose earnings hardly perm it them to m ake
it for themselves, has increased greatly w ithin the last decade.
Several States have passed old-age pension laws, and others are con
sidering their passage. _ Em ployers are declaring th a t, aside from all
ideas of hum anity, it is good business policy to see th a t some pro
vision is m ade for elderly employees, and the relative m erits of indus
trial pension plans and group insurance are hotly discussed. Civil
employees, w hether S tate or municipal, have pressed their claim to
be included in the m ovem ent, and a num ber of retirem ent systems
for their benefit have been already established, while others are under
consideration.
I
>So many requests have been made of the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics for information concerning such systems that it has seemed
worth while to_ prepare a report on their general features. Con
siderations of time and expense forbade making such a study com
plete in a geographical sense. Police and firemen’s pension systems
can be found in effect in almost every city of any size, and teachers’
retirement systems, while not quite so general, are still very numer
ous. An inclusion of all such plans would involve endless duplica
tion of detail with no corresponding benefit. A study of all state
wide systems, and of municipal systems in cities of a population of
400,000 or over would, it was felt, include practically all variations
of pension or retirement plans, and would also give some idea of the
relative value of different systems.
Ihere are at present six States in the Union with retirement plans
covering all State employees not included in some other pension
P-ian. IVenty-one States and the District of Columbia have plans
which include or may include—«-all teachers in the public employ.
Eighteen cities, according to the estimate of the Census Bureau, have
in 1927 a population of 400,000 or over. The survey would thus
include plans maintained by 46 agencies, covering employees ranging
from laborers to high executive, administrative, and professional
officials, and this, it was felt, would be a sufficiently wide inquiry to
cover most significant variations of the plans now in use.
A complete study of these plans from an actuarial standpoint
would be a formidable task as to both time and cost involved, so it
was decided to undertake a more m odest program . The plan adopted
was to learn for each system such im portant facts as the kinds of
employees covered, w hat difference is m ade between different classes,
the source of the funds, w ith the division of the cost between the em
ployees and the public authorities, the conditions under which retire
m ent on pension is perm itted, w hat provision, if any, is m ade for
dependents of deceased employees, the practice in regard to retire
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PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
11
m ent for disability, the average age and years of service of those
retiring, the income and outgo of the fund for the latest year reported
upon, if possible the to tal cost of the system since its inauguration,
and such other m atters as m ay throw light upon the advantages or
disadvantages of a given plan.
This investigation is a t present under way. To m eet the inquiries
which the bureau is continually receiving, it has been decided _to
publish some partial reports, merely to show w hat are the leading
features of existing plans and how successfully they work o u t in
practice. In this prelim inary report no effort will be m ade to group
together systems dealing w ith the same kind of employees or embody
ing the same features. Plans prevailing in a given S tate or district
will be briefly described, and two or three plans in each district,
embodying different principles, will be selected for fuller discussion.
Basic Classification of Retirement Plans
’’T H E R E are two particulars in which retirem ent plans differ funda■*- m entally—-the source of the funds by which they are m aintained
and the m ethod by which provision is m ade for m eeting the liabilities
assumed. As to the first, plans m ay be either contributory or noncontributory; as to the second, they m ay be m anaged either upon the
cash disbursem ent or the actuarial reserve system.
U nder the contributory system each employee contributes regu
larly from his salary or wages a fixed am ount or a specified percentage
which is designed to m eet his share of the retirem ent allowance to
which he will be entitled upon fulfilling the conditions for retirem ent
laid down by the plan; under the noncontributory system the em
ployer bears the full cost. N oncontributory plans are unusual,
especially among the systems installed in more recent years.
Under the cash-disbursement system retirem ent allowances^ are
paid from w hatever funds are in hand, which, in practice, m eans from
the contributions of th e employees as long as these are sufficient to
m eet the dem and, and when they fall short the employer undertakes
to m ake up the deficiency. D uring the early years of a system ’s
operation the employees’ contributions are usually more th an suffi
cient for its needs, b u t gradually the increasing pension roll demands
heavier and heavier annual paym ents, the contributions of the
employees are progressively inadequate to th e situation, and the
S tate or city finds its contribution rapidly increasing.
U nder the actuarial reserve system a fund is established and the
employer, like the employee, pays into this regular contributions.
T he rate of contribution is so calculated th a t the fund annually re
ceives an am ount which, invested a t compound interest, will be suffi
cient to pay each employee when his tim e of retirem ent comes the
share of the retirem ent allowance due for one year’s services. By
this plan, after a system is once installed, the liabilities accruing
during a given year are m et by the contributions paid in during th a t
year. E ach employee’s contributions are used to pay his share of
his own retirem ent allowance, and the fact th a t the am ounts deposited
each year are invested a t compound interest m akes the final cost
m uch less than if the employee’s contributions were used to pay the
allowances of those retiring before him and the employer m ade no
contribution until the time of paym ent came.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W hatever the system adopted, a question arises as to the retire
m ent allowances of those already in the service, especially if they
have been there for some time. Service rendered after the adoption
of a contributory system is supposed to be provided for by the annual
contributions, b u t there is an accrued liability for earlier service
which m ust be m et somehow. No system begins by turning off old
employees w ithout an allowance, or w ith the meager allowance
provided by the few years of service they can give between its adop
tion and their retirem ent. A common m ethod of m eeting the situa
tion is for the employing agency to assume the responsibility for the
years of prior service, paying the full retirem ent allowance for them ,
while_the years after the adoption of the plan are covered by the
combined contributions of employer and employee. U nder this
arrangem ent, those rem aining in a system have no responsibility
w hatever for those retiring a t or soon after its establishment.
Retirement Systems in Pennsylvania
P E N N S Y L V A N IA has two State and six city retirem ent systems of
interest front the standpoint of this study. N either of the State
system s has been in existence for a decade; the municipal systems are
older, several dating back to the last century. The State systems are
both actuarial reserve plans, while the city systems are all managed
on the cash-disbursement plan. Differences in the requirem ents as
to age and years of service, provision for dependents, and kind and
am ount of retiring allowance paid are marked.
State Employees’ Retirement System
The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System was
established under an act signed June 27, 1923, and contributions and
retirements began in 1924. As yet no report of its work has been
published, though one is now in preparation and is expected to appear
in a few months.
Scope oj plan .— The plan covers all holding a State office or
employed by the year or the month, excepting judges and those who
are covered by the State school employees’ plan. Membership is
compulsory, after 12 months’ service, upon all entering the State
service after December 31, 1924. Those in service when the plan
was adopted were given the option of joining or remaining outside.
The time during which they might exercise this option has been
extended to December 31, 1928, but those who did not decide to
enter within a year after the plan went into operation must, if they
come in later, make up the contributions they would have paid
during the interval.
Administration.—The system is administered by a board of five
consisting of the secretary of the State, the State treasurer, one
member appointed by the governor, and two members belonging to
the system and elected by their fellows.
Contributions from the employees.— The employee has the right to
choose between two rates of contribution, the first of which is calcu
lated to produce upon retirement at 60 an annuity of one one-hundredand-sixtieth of the average salary for the last five years multiplied by
the years of service, while the second gives a similar annuity of one
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PUBLIC SEBVICB BETIBEMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
13
one-hundredth. M ost employees choose the higher rate. The rates
are based upon the employee’s age on entering the system and are as
follows:
T able
1 .— P E R
C E N T OF SA LA R Y D E D U C T E D AS C O N T R IB U T IO N TO F U N D
U N D E R P E N N S Y L V A N IA S T A T E E M P L O Y E E S ’ R E T IR E M E N T S Y S T E M
Age a t entrance
P er cent of sal
ary deducted
under—
R ate 1
32- —---------- 33.........................
Age at entrance
R ate 2
9
9
?
9
fiR
74
31
38
?. 05
3 09,
3 10
3 17
3 95
3 39
3* 40
3 43
4 28
4 39
4 50
4 61
4 72
4. 84
4 95
5 07
5. 20
5. 32
5 44
5 57
3. 65
5.84
34.........................
35.........................
36.........................
37____ ________
38_________
3 9 - ................. .
40____ ________
41____________
42____________
43____________
44____________
45 ................... .
46
47.......... - .........-
Per cent of sal
ary deducted
under—
R ate 1
R ate 2
3. 73
3. 82
3. 91
4. 00
4.09
4. 18
4. 27
4. 37
4. 45
4. 56
4.66
4. 77
4. 87
4. 97
5. 97
6.11
6. 25
6. 39
6.54
6.68
6. 84
6. 99
7. 15
7. 30
7. 46
7.63
7. 79
7. 96
Age at entrance
Per cent of sal
ary deducted
under—
R ate 1 R ate 2
5.08
5.19
5. 30
5.41
5.52
5. 64
5. 76
5. 87
5. 99
6.12
6. 24
6. 36
48____ ________
4 9 .___________
50............ .............
51____________
52____________
53____________
54.........................
55____________
56____________
57____________
58____________
59.........................
60........................-
8.13
8.30
8. 49
8. 66
8. 84
9.02
9. 21
9. 40
9.59
9. 79
9. 98
10. 18
V
An employee who has contributed for 10 years may, upon reaching
the age of 60, cease making contributions if he chooses, but in that
case his retiring allowance will be proportionately smaller.
Contributions from the State.—The State contributes for each em
ployee a sum equal to his own contributions, so that each year a
sum is put away entitling him to a retiring allowance made up of his
own annuity plus the State’s pension, amounting on retirement to
either one-eightieth or one-fiftieth of his final average compensation,
multiplied by the number of years served since entering the system.
For those who were in the service before the retirement system went
into effect the State makes a further contribution to provide both
annuity and pension for the years served prior to 1924.
The State also bears the full cost of administering the system.
Conditions for retirement.—Retirement for service is permitted at
60, after 25 years of service. No age has been set for compulsory
retirement. Retirement for disability is permitted, after five years
service, for physical or mental incapacity rendering the employee
unfit for the discharge of his duty. Medical certification of the
incapacity is required.
Retirement allowances.—For service retirement, the allowance con
sists of annuity plus pension to equal, for each year of service, either
one-eightieth or one-fiftieth of the final compensation. Since most
of the employees choose the higher rate, those with 25 years of service
to their credit retire with an allowance of at least one-half their final
average compensation. For instance, an emplo}7ee retiling under
such circumstances whose salary for the last five years has been
$1,500 per year would receive an annual allowance of $750 it he had
chosen the higher rate, and of $468.75 if he had taken the lower.
There is no minimum or maximum on this allowance, except as it is
determined by the salary received. If the employee serves for more
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MONTHLY* LABOR REVIEW
than 2o years and continues to pay contributions while in the service
his allowance will be proportionately greater.
The disability allowance for those retiring as disabled before reach
ing 60 is one-ninetieth of the final compensation for each year of
service in the State. The minimum is 30 per cent of the final salary,
and the maximum is eight-ninths of the allowance the employee
would have received had retirement not occurred until the super
annuation age of 60 had been reached.
Options: Instead of taking his straight allowance the retiring
employee m ay elect to receive a smaller annuity, pension, or allow
ance, w ith the proviso th a t—
1. If the recipient dies before receiving what was, at the date of
retirement, the present value of the whole allowance, the balance
shall be paid, to a beneficiary, having an insurable interest in his life,
formally designated at the time of retirement; or
2. T he annuity, pension, or retirem ent allowance shall be paid to
such a designated beneficiary throughout his or her life; or
. 3- One-half of the annuity, pension, or allowance shall be con
tinued to such a beneficiary throughout his or her life; or,
4. “ Some other benefit or benefits shall be paid to either the con
trib u to r or such other person or persons as he or she shall nom inate,
provided such other benefit or benefits shall, together w ith such
lesser m em ber's annuity, or lesser State annuity, or-lesser retirem ent
allowance, be certified by the actuary of the retirem ent board to be
of equivalent actuarial value, and shall be approved by the retirem ent
board.”
Refunds.—If an employee is discharged or resigns before reaching
pensionable status he is entitled to a return of all the contributions
he has made,_ with compound interest at 4 per cent. If he prefers,
he may take instead either an annuity, or a deferred annuity, not to
exceed hi value the actuarial value of his contributions.
Provision for dependents.—This matter is covered by the options
given on retirement. If the retiring employee fails to take one of
them the State assumes no responsibility for any dependents he may
have.
Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System
The law authorizing this system was approved July 18, 1917, and
the plan began operation July 1 , 1919. U nder the law local retire
m ent systems m ight be merged in the S tate system whenever twothirds of the local membership desired and the local school board
approved the action. In 1917 there were 13 local systems in the
State, b u t by July, 1919, these had all taken the necessary steps
and were members of the S tate system when it came into effect.
Scope of system— The system covers not only teachers but all
persons employed in the public schools, the State normal schools,
and the State institutions for the deaf, dumb, and blind, together
with all who are in any employment connected with the publicschool system of Pennsylvania. There are two classes of members—
present employees, who were in the school service prior to July 18,
1917, and new entrants, who came in after that date. Membership
is optional for^present members and compulsory upon new entrants.
Administration. The system is in the charge of a board of seven
members, consisting of the State superintendent of public instruc
ts ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
15
tion, the State treasurer, an appointee of the governor, three elected,
by school employees who are members of the system, and one elected
annually by the other six members of the board.
Contributionsfrom the employees.—The employees’ contributions are
determined by the age at which they enter the system and consist
of deductions from their salaries or wages, up to and including .$2,000
per annum, of percentages calculated to produce at age 62 an annuity,
for each year of their service, of one one-hundred-and-sixtieth of the
average compensation for the last 10 years of service. The rates
of deduction differ as between men and women, but not as between
different classes of employees. Employees who choose to remain
in service after reaching 62 are not required to pay further contri
butions. (For rates of contribution, see p. 18.)
Contributions from the State.—The State contributes for each mem
ber of the system an annual amount sufficient to provide at age 62
a pension of one one-hundred-and-sixtieth of final average compensa
tion for each year of service.
The State makes a further contribution semiannually to meet the
accrued liability for service rendered before the system went into
effect. All employees fare alike as to service rendered since the
retirement system came into effect, but for those who were employed
prior to that time the State bears the cost of providing the whole
allowance for each year of such prior service. I t was originally
calculated that the State could meet this whole accrued liability
within 30 years by making semiannual contributions of 2.8 per cent
of the total pay roll of all school employees. In practice, due partly
to the increase in salaries since the law was passed, it was found
that the liability was being met more rapidly than had been expected
or than was necessary, and in April, 1925, the law was amended so
that the semiannual payments were reduced to 2 per cent of the total
pay roll, the reduction taking effect July 1, 1925.
While these contributions are made directly by the State, they
are raised by the State and the local school district in which each
employee is engaged, each contributing half.
The State bears the whole cost of administering'the system.
Conditions jor retirement.—Service retirement or superannuation:
An employee with at least 10 years’ service to his credit may retire
at 62. Retirement is compulsory at 70.
Disability retirement: An employee under 62, with at least 10
years’ service to his credit, is eligible for disability retirement if
physically or mentally incapacitated for his occupation. If such
incapacity develops after 62 the employee is retired under the service
or superannuation provision.
Retirement allowances.-—The service retirement allowance is made
up of the annuity purchased by the employee’s contributions, plus
a pension purchased by the State’s contributions, the two together
making approximately one-eightieth of the final average compensa
tion for each year of service. In the case of present employees the
State pays both pension and annuity for the years of service rendered
before the adoption of the system.
Options.—At the time of retirement the employee is permitted to
choose, instead of the straight allowance, one of four options, prac
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
tic ally identical w ith those offered to members of the State Em ployees’
R etirem ent System (see p. 14).
Disability benefits.—If retired for disability, the employee receives
for each year of service an allowance of one-ninetieth of the final
average compensation, with a minimum of 30 per cent of the final
compensation. This minimum does not apply to those who began
service after 35, their minimum being set at eight-ninths of the
amount they would have received had they continued to serve until 62.
Refunds.—In case of death before reaching pensionable status the
employee’s contributions are returned to his estate with 4 per cent
compound interest. If he resigns or is discharged he may either
have his contributions returned with 4 per cent compound interest
or leave them and receive instead an annuity or a deferred annuity
which is the equivalent in value of the accumulated contributions.
Growth of system
When the system commenced, operations on July 1, 1919, it had a
membership of 37,503, which included 90 per cent of the teachers
of the State. On June 30, 1925, the latest date for which complete
figures are available, the active membership was 58,409. The mem
bership, however, fluctuates considerably during the year.
A ttention should be called to th e fact th a t in m any districts th e successors to
th e school employees who separated from school service a t th e end of th e 1924-25
school term and who withdrew from th e retirem ent system prior to June 30, 1925,
had not been elected on th a t date, and th e net membership as of June 30, 1925,
was, therefore, considerably less th a n the actual membership after all vacancies
had been filled for th e 1925-26 school term . The to ta l active membership on
December 1, 1925, had passed 60,000.1
Up to June 30, 1925 a total of 1,580 retirement allowances had
been granted, of which 1,183 were for superannuation and 397 were
for disability; 179 superannuation and 67 disability annuitants had
died, 37 superannuation and 82 disability annuitants had returned
to active service, and 9 disability annuitants had withdrawn from
the system. The total number retired each year for superannuation
and for disability, the net number surviving as annuitants on June
30 of each year, and the total amount paid yearly to each class in
retirement allowances, are shown in the following table:
T a b l e 2 .—N U M B E R
R E T IR E D , N U M B E R O N R O L L S , A N D A M O U N T S P A ID IN A N
N U IT IE S E A C H Y E A R , 1920 TO 1925, U N D E R P E N N S Y L V A N IA SC H O O L E M P L O Y E E S ’
R E T IR E M E N T S Y S T E M
N um ber retired during
year
Y ear ending
June 30—
For
super
an n u a
tion
For
disa
bility
T o tal
1920___________
1921................. ..
1922___________
1923.......................
3 9 2 4 ....................
1925......................
204
204
167
168
154
226
50
67
74
62
65
79
254
331
241
230
219
305
T o tal..........
1,183
397
1, 580
N u m b er on rolls
Ju n e 30
R etired R etired
for su
peran for disa T o tal
nuation bility
193
427
565
690
796
967
42
93
135
167
195
239
235
520
700
857
991
1,206
i Pennsylvania. State School Em ployees’ R etirem ent Board.
June 30, 1925. [H arrisburg, 1920?], p. 3.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A m ount paid during year
[240]
T o super
annuation
ann u itan ts
T o disa
b ility an
n u ita n ts
$25, 724
121,042
164,899
223, 935
282,227
348,365
$5,893
19,617
32, 721
44,471
55, 766
74,258
$31,617
140,659
197, 620
268,406
337, 993
422,623
1,166,192
232,726
1,398,918
T o tal
Sixth annual report for the year ending
PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
17
A comparison between the num ber of annuitants at the end of
each year, as shown here, and the n et membership of the system at
the same date, gives the following ta b le :
T able 3 .— R E L A T IO N O F A N N U IT A N T S TO N E T M E M B E R S H IP , 1919 TO 1925
N et m em ber
ship of system
D ata as of Ju n e 30—
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
. _________________
............................ .................. ............................
______ ____________ ______________
.
_______ _________ ______________ _________
............................................... - ........................
____________ ____ _________________
........................................ ....................................
N um ber of
ann u itan ts
37, 503
38,408
42,007
46,156
50,914
64,677
58,409
P er cent annui
ta n ts form of
m em bership
235
520
700
857
991
1,206
0.61
1.23
1. 52
1.68
1.81
2.07
In considering these percentages it is well to bear in mind the dif
ference, as explained above, between the membership of the system
on June 30 and in the middle of the school year, as this would mate
rially affect the relation between the number of annuitants and the
membership.
Increase in average amount of annuities.—The increase in the annual
am ount paid out in retirem ent allowances is due not only to the
greater num ber of annuitants, b u t also to the growing size of the
retirem ent allowance. The allowance is calculated on the average
compensation for the last 10 years of service. In the early p a rt of
the present decade there was a general m ovem ent for higher wages
and salaries to offset the increased cost of living, and the effect of
this is visible in the annuities paid. The following table shows the
change in this respect since the system went into effect:
T able 4 —A V E R A G E S U P E R A N N U A T IO N A N D D IS A B IL IT Y A N N U IT IE S
Average superannua
tio n annuities
Year ending June 30—
For year
1920
1921
1922
.............................................................................
- ...... ................ ......................- .......................
................- .............................................................
]924
.........................................................................
$284. 31
401. 01
408. 82
412.17
'446. 37
555. 96
Over whole
period of
operation
$284. 31
350.14
365. 67
375. 32
386.76
419.08
Average disability an
nuities
For year
$263. 05
276. 51
273.10
287. 24
323.00
399.01
Over whole
period of
operation
$263. 05
270.76
271.67
275.48
285.19
307.84
The average allowance for the superannuated employee retiring in
1925 vcas nearly twice as large as for those retiring in 1920 (95.5 per
cent greater), while for those retired on account of disability the
average is larger by 51.7 per cent.
Age and length of service of retiring employees.—The following table
shows these facts for those retiring in each of the six years covered:
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MONTHLY LABOS REVIEW
T a b l e 5 —A V E R A G E A G E A N D L E N G T H OE S E R V IC E O F A N N U IT A N T S
Superannuation annui
ta n ts
D isability an n u ita n ts
Year ending Ju n e 30—
Average
years of
service
1920______________________ __________________
1921_____________ __________________
1922..____________ _____ ___________
1923___ ______________________ __________
1924.............................................................................
1 9 2 5 ...._________ ________________ ________________
Average
age
38
38
38
37
37
38
Average
years of
service
70
69
67
07
67
67
Average
age
25
25
24
24
25
25
49
49
49
49
49
49
The high average age of those retiring as superannuated in the first
year shows the operation of the compulsory feature; those who had
reached or passed 70 were obliged to withdraw. Inasmuch as retire
ment is permitted at 62, the average age of those retiring through the
whole period shows that few wish to leave as soon as possible.
_The contributions from State and employees are calculated to pro
vide a retiring allowance, after 40 years of service, of one-half the
average final compensation. So far, the average term of service has
fallen short of this, though the difference is strikingly small. A fail
ure to fulfill the 40 years of service is, of course, reflected in a smaller
retirement allowance.
Contributions and funds.—The employee’s contributions are calcu
lated to produce one one-hundred-and-eightieth of the final average
compensation for each year of service. The percentage of salary
deducted for this, according to sex and age at time of entering the
system, is shown in the following table :
T a ble 6 .-P E R
,4ge a t entrance
in to service
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
C E N T O F SA LA R Y D E D U C T E D AS C O N T R IB U T IO N TO F U N D
M en
3. 33
3. 33
3. 33
3.33
3. 34
3. 34
3.34
3. 35
3.36
3.37
3. 38
3.40
3.42
3.44
3.46
Y/omen
Age a t entrance
in to service
3.69
3.71
3.74
3. 75
3. 78
3. 79
3.81
3.83
3. 85
3. 88
3. 90
3. 93
3.96
4. 00
4.03
33____________
34____________
35____________
36____________
37____________
3 8 .____ _______
3 9 ...................
40_____ _______
41____________
42____ ________
43____________
44____________
45____________
46____________
47.......... ..
...
M en
3.49
3. 51
3. 55
3. 58
3.62
3. 65
3. 70
3. 74
3.79
3.84
3. 89
3. 95
4.01
4. 07
4.14
W omen
4.07
4.11
4.16
4. 21
4. 27
4. 32
4. 38
4.45
4. 52
4. 59
4.67
4. 75
4. 83
4. 92
5. 01
Age a t entrance
in to service
M en
48
49
6 0 -..
5 1 ..
5 2 ..
4 34
4 41
4 49
64
55
66
57
58
59
60
61-.
4 64
4 73
4 81
4 90
4 98
6 08
6 16
5. 30
4 27
4 67
W omen
5.10
5.20
5. 29
5.40
5. 50
5.01
5. 72
5.83
5.94
6.07
6.18
6. 31
6.42
6.59
The total am ounts contributed annually by the employees, and
the am ounts paid in during the same period by the S tate and the
local school districts to m eet their liabilities for those already in the
service when the plan was adopted were as follows:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
19
T a b l e 7.—C O N T R IB U T IO N S OF E M P L O Y E E S , S T A T E A N D L O C A L SC H O O L D IS T R IC T S ,
BY Y E A R S , 1920-1925
A m ounts paid for persons already
in service by—
C ontributions of
employees
Year ending June 30—
Local school dis
tricts
State
L
1920
1921
1922
........ ......................................................
........................................ ....................... ................
_____________ _______ ___________
1924
__ _____________________________
1925.................. ...................... ............................... - ...........
if1,305,712
1,615,105
1,994,411
2, 284, 755
2,451, 093
2, 711, 994
$641,118
869, 618
737, 342
1, 391, 696
1,790, 383
1,855,152
1,224, 209
392,355
4,358, 778
12,363, 070
7, 285, 309
6, 666,558
$691, 219
On behalf of those who have entered the service since the adoption
of the system , the S tate has paid $1,474,407 and the local school
districts $1,582,957.
, The item of interest makes an im portant addition to these various
contributions. B y June 30, 1925, interest on investm ents and bank
■deposits of funds paid in by the employees am ounted to $1,158,611,
j on the funds paid in by State and local school districts on behalf of
i those employed when the system was inaugurated to $985,672, and
' on their paym ents for those entering the service after June 30, 1919,
¡to $17,878.
,
| Including in the accounts the amounts refunded to employees
1leaving the service, the return of these refunds by employees who
returned after leaving, amounts paid out for investments and re
ceived from maturing investments, etc., the total receipts of the sys
tem from July 1, 1919, to June 30, 1925, amounted to $33,973,869,
and the total expenditures to $5,455,016, leaving a balance on June
30, 1925, of $28,518,853..
Pension Systems of Philadelphia
PH ILA D ELPH IA has three major systems, the police, the firemen’s,
I*
and the municipal employees’ pension systems, all managed on
the cash disbursement plan. The police and firemen’s systems both
date back to the past century, while that of the municipal employees
was established in 1915.
Firemen’s Pension System
The Firemen’s Pension Fund of Philadelphia was incorporated
January 6, 1891, under a law passed in 1874 permitting such in
corporation. Membership, which is limited to “ the active uni
formed male members of the fire-fighting force,” is optional in
theory, but in practice all eligible members belong and are expected
to belong. The fund is managed by a board of 4 officers and 11
directors elected by the members of the system; representatives of
the city council are ex-officio members.
E ach active m em ber contributes to the fund one d ay ’s pay a m onth,
and pensioners contribute one-half d a y ’s salary, taking the rate they
were receiving when they retired as the basis of this contribution.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The S tate gives 2 per cent of the tax paid by outside insurance com
panies operating in the State, and the city binds itself to m ake up
w hatever am ount m ay be needed to m aintain paym ent of pensions.
Up to a. few years ago the city had no responsibility in the m atter,
and both firemen and policemen raised money for their systems by
giving benefits and entertainm ents of one kind and another, for
which members of the forces sold tickets. Some sentim ent grew up
against this m ethod, and the practice was given up, the city assuming
the responsibility of seeing th a t the funds should no t come to grief.
Retirement is permitted at 45, after 20 years’ service, but in
practice none retire before 50, and the average age is over this.
Disability retirement is permitted, without conditions as to age and
service, in case of permanent incapacity due to injuries received in
the line of duty. Medical certification of disability is required, and
the approval of the board is a prerequisite for retirement, whether
for service or disability.
The pension, w hether for service or disability, is one-half of the
average annual salary for the last four years of service. If a member
dies or leaves the service before reaching pensionable statu s there is
no refund of his contributions. If he dies, however, w hether or not
he was on the retired list, his widow is given a pension of $20 a m onth
as long as her widowhood continues, and $6 a m onth is allowed in
addition for each child under 16, provided th a t the combined allow
ance of widow and children m ust no t exceed one-half of the salary
the m em ber was receiving a t the tim e of his death.
In June, 1926, the system had 2,100 members and carried 350 pen
sioners. The income of the fund during the year ending December
31, 1925, excluding maturing investments and similar bookkeeping
additions, was $566,127, of which $122,136 came as contributions
from the members and pensioners during the year, and $366,278
represented the State’s contribution for 1924 and 1925. Payments
to pensioners during 1925 amounted to $191,716; expenses of admin
istration were $1,604.
Police Pension System of Philadelphia
In its general features the police pension system closely resembles
th a t of the firemen. I t was chartered in 1890 and began paying
pensions in M arch, 1892. M embership is compulsory upon police
men of all grades, police hostlers, and such of the city hall guards as
are not covered by the municipal employees’ system. I t is m anaged
by a board of 16 directors elected by representatives of the members,
w ith the custom ary officers; representatives of the city council are
ex-officio members. The costs of adm inistering the system are not
separated from other costs of the police departm ent.
Each member contributes one day’s pay a month to the fund, but
any part of a salary in excess of $3,000 a year is not taken into ac
count. The city makes no regular contribution, but when a few years
ago the practice of giving benefits and entertainments was given up,
the city bound itself to contribute whatever might be necessary to
maintain the system in operation. In addition, the fund receives
what is known as “ detail money ”—that is, the amount paid by build
ing and construction companies for special officers detailed at their
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[244]
PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
21
request to watch buildings under construction and prevent mischief
or theft.
Retirement is permitted at 50, after 20 years’ service. _There is no
compulsory age for retirement. Retirement on pension is permitted
for two kinds of disability: Ordinary disability, in which 10 years
of service must have been rendered before a pension will be given;
and disability due to injuries received in the line of duty, for which
no requirement is made as to time of service. The retirement allow
ance, whether for service or disability, is one-half of the average pay
for the last 10 years of service, with a maximum of $1,500 a year.
No minimum is set. In case of death or withdrawal before reaching
pensionable status, there is no return of contributions. In case of
the death of a member or pensioner, if the death is the result of
injuries received in the discharge of duty, the widow receives a pen
sion of $20 a month during widowhood, and $6 a month is allowed for
each child under 14. For dependent parents, $12 a month is allowed.
At the close of 1926, the system covered approximately 5,600 em
ployees, and carried 869 pensioners, of whom 795 were retired mem
bers, and 74 were dependents of deceased members. The number
pensioned each year for the last five years, their average age, and
their average length of service, are as follows:
T a b l e 8 .—N U M B E R , A V E R A G E A G E, A N D L E N G T H O F S E R V IC E O F A N N U IT A N T S
N um ber Average
age
pensioned (years)
Year
1925
____ ____ ____________________________________
62
32
133
65
62
54.8
55.9
57.8
52. 2
56.1
Average length
service
of
26 years 7 m onths.
25 years 7 m onths.
27 years 1 m onth.
24 years 4 m onths.
While the range of pensions is considerable, the average for retired
members of the force is very close to $50 a month. At the close of
1924, data were published showing that the average duration of a
pension had been, for retired members, 7 years, 2 months, and 15
days; for widows of deceased members, 8 years, 3 months, and 7 days;
and for dependent children, 4 years, 11 months, and 16 days.
From the beginning of the system up to the early part of the present
decade, the police, like the firemen, raised money for their funds by
benefit entertainments, ball games, and the like, for which they sold
tickets. In the early days, also, the annual contributions were larger
than the annual pension outlay, so that from both sources reserve
funds were accumulated, and the interest on these helped to increase
the income. When the entertainments were given up, the dis
crepancy between income and outgo at once became troublesome.
The city’s contributions have not been sufficient to meet the deficit
and the reserve funds have been utilized for this purpose. According
to figures made public by the secretary of the fund, in 1924 there was
a deficit of $74,702 and in 1925 a deficit of $93,195. In the spring of
1926 the officials of the system served notice that unless the city
increased its contributions, the reserve funds would be almost wiped
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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22
MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW
out during that year and a reduction of the pensions paid would
become necessary. For 1926 receipts and disbursements were as
follows:
R eceipts:
Dues from m em bers______________________________ $304, 475
In terest on investm ents_________________________
3;’ 768
In terest on deposits_____________________________
l ’ 366
8’ 255
D etails------------------------------------------------------------ 1
Contributions__________________ __________________
17 543
City appropriation---------------------------- ----------------- 1Of)’ 000
T o ta l-------------------------------------------------------------
435, 405
D isbursem ents:
Paid out in pensions_____________________________
Expenses_______________________________________
Premiums and discounts_________________________
522. 627
n 992
l ’ 453
T o tal-------------------------------------------------------------
536, 072
Deficit for year---------------------------------------------------------
100, 667
From the inauguration of the system to December 31, 1925, a total
of $7,407,275 had been paid out in pensions to 1,688 retired members,
75 widows, 79 children, and 6 dependent parents. The pensions paid
in 1926 brought this amount up to $7,929,903.
Municipal Employees’ Pension System of Philadelphia
This system , which covers employees of the county as well as of
the city of Philadelphia, was organized in 1915 under an act passed
in th a t year. _C ontributions began on Ju ly 1, 1915, b u t no pensions
were paid until Jan u ary , 1917, thus perm itting the accum ulation of
funds before paym ents should begin.
Scope of plan.—Tim plan applies to all employees of the city or
county of Philadelphia except tem porary employees, and those
covered by some other pension plan authorized by State laws. M em
bership is compulsory upon salaried employees and optional for per
diem workers.
Administration. The fund is m anaged by a board of live, consist
ing of the m ayor, , the city treasurer, the city controller, and two
members of the city council, one from, each branch, elected by their
fellow members.
Contributions.—The members contribute 4 per cent of their salary
or wages, with a maximum of $4 a month. The contribution was
originally set at 2 per cent, but in July, 1917, the act was amended to
make the percentage 4. If an employee is retired before he has
completed 20 years of service, he must contribute 4 per cent of his
pension until the service period has been made up. The city under
takes to contribute amounts sufficient to maintain the payment of
pensions, and in addition, to bear the cost of administering the fund.
The fund receives the usual items of interest on deposits and
investments, profit on investments, and the like.
Conditions for retirement.—Ketirement is permitted at 60, after
20 years’ service. No age is set for compulsory retirement. If an
employee has completed 20 years of service before reaching 60, and
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PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS: PENNSYLVANIA
23
wishes to withdraw, he may do so without forfeiting his pension
rights, provided he continues his contributions until he reaches 60.
Retirement is permitted for permanent disability after 20 years of
service, or for total disability after 15 years of service, if the appli
cant has been a contributor to the fund for 5 years or more. Medical
certification of disability is required.
Retirement allowances.—The retirement allowance, both for service
and for disability retirement, is 50 per cent of the average annual
salary or pay for the last 5 years of service, with a maximum of $1,200
a year.
Refunds.—Upon the death or withdrawal of a contributor before
reaching pensionable status, his contributions, without interest, will
be paid to him or to his estate. No provision is made for dependents,
except th a t in case of the death of a pensioner, his pension for the
month in 'which death occurs will be paid to his family.
Statistics of system.—No separate report is published for the fund,
but some data concerning it are included in the annual reports of the
city controller. As in the case of the State school employees’ fund,
the number enrolled varies considerably from time to time, but since,
in the case of the municipal system, no actuarial valuations are
required, there is no necessity for calculating either the number of
members at a given time, or the mean membership through the year.
No figures as to this item can be given, therefore, but the following
tables give some indication of the progress of the fund:
T able 9.—P E N S IO N E R S , A V E R A G E P E N S IO N S , A N D T O T A L N E T P E N S IO N P A Y M E N T S
U N D E R P H IL A D E L P H IA M U N IC IP A L E M P L O Y E E S ’ P E N S IO N S Y S T E M >■
Y ear
A ver
N et
N u m age p en
p ay
sion
ber of
m
ents
paid
pen
in pen
(per
sioners
sions
m onth)
1917 ................................
____ ________
1918
1919
1920___________________
1921___________________
200
241
257
305
336
$38. 27
35. 94
$74, 585
108, 547
121,988
140, 054
144,917
Year
Aver
N u m age pen pNaet
y
ber of
sion
m ents
pen
paid
in pen
sioners
(per
m onth) sions
1922________ ____ _____
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925........ .............
1926___________________
362
398
442
487
534
$40. 94
40. 97
46. 47
49. 28
50.81
$177, 686
195, 674
246, 649
270, 525
306,119
T able 10.—E M P L O Y E E S ’ C O N T R IB U T IO N S TO F U N D , 1917 TO 1925 »
Year
C ontribu
tions
1917 __________________
1918 __________________
1919 __________________
3920 __________________
1921-- _________________
$169, 046
173, 617
183, 780
' 200,318
220, 698
W ith
drawals
$28, 500
55, 577
33,183
62, 012
40,860
Year
3922. __________________
3923____________________
1924 ___________________
1925 ___________________
1926 ___________________
C o n trib u
tions
$230, 091
228, 840
265,489
295,109
312, 782
W ith
drawals
$58, 307
76,763
79,456
78, 776
82, 543
t i T he above data from 1917 to 1925, inclusive, were copied from the annual reports of the controller of the
city of Philadelphia. Those for 1926 are advance figures furnished through th e courtesy of th e officials of
th e fund, and are subject to correction w hen th e final report appears.
Up to the close of 1926, a total of 896 applications for retirement
had been made, and of these 851 had been approved. The average
age at retirement was estimated as around 63 years, and the average
years of service as 25. It will be noticed that though the average
monthly pension in 1926 was considerably higher than in 1920, even
[247]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
24
at the later date it amounted to hut one-half of the permitted maxi
mum. The most striking feature of the figures given is the discrep
ancy between the increase in the contributions and the pension pay
ments; in 1926 the contributions were larger by 85 per cent than in
1917, while the pension outlay had increased by 310 per cent.
The assets of the fund at the end of each year after it began full
operation were as follows:
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
___________________ $288,844
_________________
324, 467
_________________
366, 456
_________________
379, 947
_______________
432,568
1922
1923
1924
1925
_________________
_________________
_________________
__________
$446,683
419, 030
425, 130
436,037
Up to the close of 1922 the assets show a continuous growth, but
at the close of 1923 the reserve fund was smaller than it had been 12
months earlier. Probably it was in response to this movement that
among the next year’s receipts appears the item: “ Appropriation
by city council, $50,000.” This is the first time since the payment
of pensions began that any contribution from the city appears in its
accounts. In 1925 a similar appropriation was made. With the aid
of these appropriations the reserve shows a slight increase in each of
these years, but it is so small as to suggest that much larger appro
priations will be needed in the near future.
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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR
CONDITIONS
International
By
Competition in Labor Conditions and
Maintenance of Labor Standards1
the
L e if u r M a g n u s s o n , D ir e c t o r W a s h in g t o n B r a n c h , I n t e r n a t io n a l
L a b o r O f f ic e
OMPETITION in international labor conditions is a natural
and obvious concomitant of trade competition. The mere
act of selling in world markets involves not only the question of
relative advantage in raw materials and power resources, but also
the labor factor.
The importance of the labor factor may be more concretely indi
cated in various ways. Take, for example, the facts as to the dif
fering efficiency and effectiveness of labor in different parts of the
world. Professor Taussig brought together some vivid data show
ing the output per worker over given periods in some leading lines.
In the production of cement, output per worker was as 2 to 1 between
United States and Great Britain; in sugar about the same; flour 3 to 2;
steel 3 to 1; pig iron 2 to 1.1. Production of window glass per square
meter in Sweden, Belgium, United States (hand and machine manu
facturing), indicates a direct relationship between output and time
worked. Thus, the output in square meters per worker is 10 in
Sweden, 11 in Belgium, 16 in the United States for hand-blown glass
and 21 for machine-process glass. However, in money costs (per 100
square feet), the Swedish cost is $3.03 against the American $3.69,
while the Belgian cost is $2.41. In Japan the worker produced 104
pounds of yarn per day against the American output of 414 pounds;
the Japanese weaver 145 yards, the American 450 on plain looms and
1,100 on the automatic. “ A Japanese cotton mill requires approxi
mately four times as many employees for the same amount of machin
ery as does a similar American mill.” 2 But Japanese wages are not
as 1 to 4 compared with American wages, but rather as 1 to 8. A
Japanese weaver in 1923 earned 10.5 sen (5 to 6 cents) 3 per hour
against estimated full-time earnings of an American weaver of 40 to
44 cents per hour.4 It is not strange, therefore, to find that a report
of the Tariff Commission in 1921 gave as a principal advantage favor-
C
i E x tra cts from article in June, 1927, issue of A m erican L abor Legislation R eview .
» Q uarterly Journal of Economics, N ovem ber, 1924: “ Labor costs in the U nited States, ’ by F . W.
Taussig.
s International L abor Office. W age Changes in Various Countries, Geneva, 1926, p. 99.
♦ U . S. B ureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 371.
55507°—27-----3
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25
26
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ing the Japanese cotton industry “ the low standard of living and
wages prevailing in th a t country.” 5
An equally striking illustration of the labor differential arises
somewhat nearer home. I t was something of a shock to read in the
press recently the declaration of New England m anufacturers th a t
w hat they required^ if their industry was to survive in th a t section
of the country against southern com petition was freedom to work
woman employees longer hours and opportunity to hire child workers
below fixed standards. Here was the labor differential in hum an
terms, in hours of work, night work, and em ploym ent of children;
in short, in violation and breakdown of accepted standards. These
m anufacturers m ay be entirely correct in their position as respects
their relative costs of production in comparison w ith the southern
mills. The labor differential is adm ittedly a controlling factor, and
clearly raises the question as to w hether or n o t labor is to be con
sidered, in the language of the tre a ty of peace, merely a comm odity
or an article of commerce.
W ithout taking any more time, therefore, in setting forth w hat
is in reality a platitude, th a t labor differentials are vital factors in
trade and commerce, w hether international, national, regional or
local as between establishm ents, it m ay be helpful to indicate a few
of the postw ar developments which, to my mind enhance the impor
tance of the labor factor.
Present-Day Importance of Labor Differential
£7IKST of all, there has been the rapid industrialization of areas
* hitherto relatively agricultural or only nascentlv industrially
developed. Japan obviously is the classical example. Between 1909
and 1922 the number of factories in Japan increased 44 per cent; the
number of workers 111 per cent. In India the rise of the cotton
industry has been equally phenomenal. In both these countries and
in China an excellent measure of the rapid industrialization is the
heavy increase in cotton-mill machinery imported, indicating the
potential competitive force of the Orient. Even the hitherto unexploited areas in Africa have come into the foreground with the new
system of mandates, and a future of comparatively rapid industrial
evolution is ahead. Native labor is coming to play a part in the
economy of the world as it has never done before. In short, the
period since the World War has witnessed the constant enlargement
of the area of labor competition and potential exploitation.
A second aspect of the situation which enhances the im portance
of the labor factor in world trade and commerce arises from the tre
mendous disequilibrium in wealth distribution which has arisen from
the war. The position of debtor and creditor countries has been
reversed. Every force will therefore be brought to bear upon the
debtor country to create the necessary surplus of goods to pay the
creditor. This can be done only by producing goods a t a less cost
of production in the debtor country th an sim ilar goods in the credq A 1!1! 61! S W eS T arlfl Commission. T h e Japanese C otton In d u s try a nd T rade, W ashington, 1921, pp.
1 .• 1
average Japanese cotton m ill pays each operative a wage am ounting to a b o u t one-fifth of
k arb^elDg pA d -m +he..southern mills of th e U n ited States, whose p roducts are m ost nearly sim ilar to those
m Japan. Owing to th e necessity of employing ab o u t four tim es as m any workers in order to operate the
n u m b er of spindles or looms and_accessory m achinery, th e to ta l wage cost to th e average Japanese mill«
sim ila^ co sfto tl^ A m e ric a n L V iI lachmery per 10"llour d ay am ounts to betw een 70 and 80 per cent of the
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ECONOMIC POSITION OF THE NEGRO IN WEST VIRGINIA
27
itor country. Every factor in production in the debtor country,
w hether labor or m aterials, m ust be m ade to yield the maximum.
And the labor factor is standards of living. T hus we m ay witness
labor in creditor countries apparently assisting in the breaking down
of the standards of workers in the debtor countries.
Now, it is n o t desired to argue against low-cost production as
such, b u t against cheap production a t the expense of the labor factor.
One is too prone to w atch only the flow and exchange of goods
which are in a sense superficial m anifestations of more fundam ental
hum an conflicts. The real stakes of international com petition are
hum an standards of living.
The p a rt th a t American capital m ay play in this battle of social
standards is m ost im portant. If American capital which is being
a ttra c te d o u t of the country can produce goods cheaper abroad than
sim ilar goods in America, to th a t extent production will be cu t down
in America. Instead of doing the producing in this country w ith
im m igrant labor, which has been excluded, production will take place
a t the source of supply of labor. As this newer com petition with
.American goods takes place it takes no wild im agination to foresee
the possibilities of American capital in Jap an w ith the use of cheap
labor producing cotton goods so cheaply as to drive o u t of business
hom e capital in America invested in the cotton mills in this country,
or a t least m aking inevitable the same dem and for lowered standards
from southern mills as now em anates from the northern textile
mills. I t would look as if it were high tim e for some one to step
in to defend com petitors from the destructive effects of their own
efforts.
E conom ic Position of the Negro in W est Virginia
CCORDING to the report of the director of the West Virginia
Bureau of Negro Welfare and Statistics, recently issued and
covering the years 1925-26, the slow but steady increase noted
before in the colored population of Wrest Virginia has continued
through this period. To some extent the increase is due to migra
tion from States farther south. West Virginia differs from some
other States in that the new arrivals do not flock to the cities; the
percentage negroes form of the urban population tends to decrease,
while in the rural population their percentage shows a small but
continuous increase, the difference being due to the contrast in indus
trial opportunities.
A
The cities and tow ns of West Virginia offer b u t little in th e way of em ploy
m ent topiegroes; wages are low and rents are high; while th e coal fields are con
stan tly_ in need of negro labor, wages are com paratively high and rents are low.
There is practically no difference in the cost of food and clothing in th e rural
and urban districts.
The negroes, it is stated, are slowly improving their position in
the industries of the State. A num ber of mills and factories which
formerly refused to employ colored workers have taken some, more
are employed in the railroad yards and in the m aintenance-of-way
departm ents than ever before, and negro bricklayers, carpenters,
plasterers, plumbers, and other workers in the building trades are
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28
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
increasing in number and are finding ready employment. The
bureau has made a point of securing, wherever possible, new openings
in industry for negroes, and reports that they are making good.
Outside of the coal industry, our investigations show th a t th e negro is as regu
lar, punctual, and dependable as members of any other race and th a t th e labor
turnover is no greater am ongthem . We arrive a t this conclusion from 136
replies received from a questionnaire sent to 160 employers of from 6 to 260 negroes
each (outside of the coal industry).
Negroes and the Coal Mines
{“VIAL mining employs a larger number of negroes than any other
^
West Virginia industry, 23,990 being engaged in it in 1925. The
number fluctuates according to whether employment is good or bad,
but on the whole there has been a continuous rise since 1907, when
the number was 9,908. The percentage colored workers form of the
total employees in coal mining has risen from 17.6 in 1907 to 21.5
in 1925. During 1925, it will be remembered, the United Mine
'Workers were on strike in West Virginia, and the charge was fre
quently made that negroes were coming in as strike breakers. In
refutation of this it was pointed out that numbers of negroes were
union members, _striking with the others. An investigation was
undertaken to discover just what role negroes were playing in the
strike, what was their attitude toward strike breakers of their own
race, toward the white union men, how they fared in the mines,
and similar matters. The report of the investigation is too long
for quotation, but some of the findings are given as follows:
Our conclusions, based upon this investigation, are:
1. T h at both negroes and whites are working and being hired under nonunion
conditions.
2. T h a t more negroes are being employed under nonunion conditions th an
were employed under union conditions.
3. T h at negro union miners on strike are as loyal to the union as their white
brothers and th a t a lower percentage of them have returned to work under openshop conditions th an have their w hite brothers.
4. T h a t both w hite and negro union leaders and workers adm it th a t negro
miners are more frequently discrim inated against and kept out of em ploym ent
by w hite union workers th a n by operators.
5. T h a t negro strike breakers are not being im ported into the strike area from
the South by the operators.
6. T h at a' large num ber of the negroes employed come into W est Virginia from
Pennsylvania, and th a t while some of them are experienced miners m any others
have had little if any previous experience in coal mining.
7. T h a t as th e Ku-Ivlux K lan develops strength upon coal operations negroes
are gradually forced out of employment.
8. T h a t very few negroes have been active participants in the serious disorder
which has characterized this strike in several of the counties affected.
9. T h a t th e experienced negroes are as industrious, efficient, regular, and in
every other respect as good workmen in and about the mines as members of any
other race.
10. T h at labor conditions will be more stable, th a t there will be less friction
among employees, between employees and employers, and much more satisfac
to ry conditions from the point of view of the operators will result from the increas
ing of th e num ber of negro employees upon each operation to from 25 per cent to
50 per cent of th e whole num ber of employees. The increase should include
skilled mechanics, m otorm en, brakemen, machine men, and foremen.
The report also points out that while the constitution of the miners’
union forbids discrimination between the races in matters of employ
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E C O N O M IC P O SIT IO N OF T H E NEGRO IN W EST V IR G IN IA
29
ment, nevertheless such discrimination is practiced by many of the
locals, and that “ very frequently every native white Protestant
upon the job is a klansman.” In spite of this fact, however, the
miners’ union has been fairer in its treatment of colored workers
than any other branch of the trade-union movement in the State.
General Situation
IN West Virginia, a continuous campaign has been maintained to
* promote farm ownership among the negroes. The State contains
much farming land which can be bought at small cost, and efforts
have been made to bring the advantages of farm ownership to the
attention of negroes engaged in industrial work.
T h at the efforts of this bureau and other agencies so engaged have brought
excellent results is attested by the summaries of the 1925 farm census which show
th a t the num ber of colored farm operators in W est Virginia has increased from
504 in 1920 to 715 in 1925, an increase of 211, or more th an 41 per cent. The
percentage of increase for white farm operators for the same period was less
th a n 3.5 per cent.
From an educational standpoint progress is reported. The num
ber of one-room schoolhouses is decreasing and the number with two
or more rooms is increasing. Boards of education are making more
liberal appropriations, and the number of high schools for negro
students is increasing. A strong plea is made for the establishment
of a practical trade school for the colored youth.
The situation in regard to health is not satisfactory. Most of the
public-health work touches the negro only indirectly, and there is
need of public-health campaigns dealing immediately with his
problems. Such work can be done best by negro agents, and there
are only white agents to carry on the program of the State health
department. In general, there is too little interest in the matter.
The S tate health commissioner has offered to several counties $600 per year
to aid in paying th e salary of negro public-health nurses if th e counties will
appropriate an equal or greater am ount for th e same purpose. While this is a
splendid offer, yet only a few counties will take advantage of it unless sentim ent
is created to impress county courts w ith the necessity for public-health work
among negroes.
Meanwhile, tuberculosis continues to be responsible for more
deaths among the negroes of West Virginia than any other disease,
a condition which it is believed might be greatly improved by a
vigorous educational campaign.
The report contains a survey of housing and of business in a num
ber of the larger towns and cities of the State, a review of the negro
fraternal and beneficial societies, a description of public institutions
in which negroes are found, and discussions of the interracial rela
tions, the work of the negro newspapers and negro professional men,
with a consideration of the lines along which increased development
is needed.
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30
M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
Progress of the Family-Allowance Movement in Belgium 1
N 1925 there were 12 compensation funds in Belgium covering
225,000 workers, and in 1926-27 there were 17 funds including
250,000
workers. If the figures for the coal industry and certain
other industries which pay family allowances without setting up
compensation funds are included the number of workers under the
system reaches 450,000, while the inclusion of the personnel of public
administrations and of the National Society of Railways, which are
also under the family allowance régime, brings the total to 650,000
workers. These statistics were presented to the seventh annual
congress of French compensation funds by Paul Goldschmidt, an
official of the Belgian Committee for the Study of Family Allowances.
He pointed out that the proportion of workers under the familyallowance system in Belgium to the population of that country is
comparable to the ratio in France.
Mr. Goldschmidt also called attention to the wide distribution of
family-allowance funds throughout Belgium. There are already
enough funds in that country to enable any firm which wishes to
become a member of a fund to secure such affiliation. Employers
behind the family-allowance movement are devoting their efforts to
the further development of funds already established rather than to
increasing their number. In one Province from 80 to 90 per cent
of the working-class population is covered by the family-allowance
movement.
The Belgian employers who are furthering the movement have as
their objective the creation of a situation under which establishments
will be compelled to take part in the movement if they wish to secure
the requisite labor.
One of the difficulties that the Belgian funds have had is the
great variation in the birth rate in different sections of the country.
For example, in the Walloon region the average number of children
charged to 100 wage earners is only 35 to 40, while in certain other
districts, such as Antwerp and Flanders, there were 100 to 120
children charged to 100 wage earners and in parts of Campine 200
to 240 children. This Mr. Goldschmidt points out, results in serious
technical problems for compensation funds.
The Belgian ^compensation funds, Mr. Goldschmidt reports, are
not very much interested in sick benefits, which are being made such
a feature in the auxiliary activities of the French equalization funds,
but are developing auxiliary services along such lines as prenatal
consultations, maternity visits, systematic consultation in regard to
feeding, and the prevention of children’s diseases and of infectious
diseases. Invalids are sent to special clinics or cared for at home
orqn free hospitals and operated upon without charge.
Invalids applying at antitubercular dispensaries are placed in
sanatoriums and children are given outings in fresh-air colonies, the
funds cooperating with the National Work for Children, the Belgian
Red Cross, the Antituberculosis League, and the Fresh Air Work.
Among the innumerable undertakings initiated by the funds two
are singled out by Mr. Goldschmidt for special mention. The first
is an effort to provide means for continuing the payment of family
I
1 L a Journëe Industrielle, Paris, M ay 29-30, 1927.
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CONGRESS OF F R E N C H FA M ILY -A LLO W A N CE F U N D S
31
allowances in case of prolonged unem ploym ent of the father. Several
solutions have already been attem pted which contain great possi
bilities for extension. The other undertaking is the study of the
problem of providing for orphans of wage earners who had been
recipients of family allowances from the funds.
The Trade-union Committee of Belgium has been backing a bill
for the institution of a national fund for family allowances, to which
employers would contribute 60 per cent, public authorities 30 per
cent, and the worker 10 per cent. The proposed monthly minimum
rates to be paid out of this fund are 30 francs for a housekeeper, 30
francs for an incapacitated person, 30 francs for one child, 75 francs
for 2 children, 135 francs for 3 children, 200 francs for 4 children,
and 75 francs additional for each subsequent child. “ Both bonuses
and allowances would be independent of wages.” 2
According to the M ay 21, 1927, issue of the official organ of the
Trade-U nion Com m ittee of Belgium, Le M ouvem ent Syndical
Beige, the employers are opposing the proposal for such a fund.
The Belgian Federation of Christian Trade-Unions at a meeting
on January 25, 1927, to consider the general position of the workers
and the measures to be taken or recommended in the event of an
economic crisis, urged among other reforms to improve the lot of the
workers, to guarantee their future, and to contribute to the estab
lishment of industrial and social peace, the passing of an ant making
family allowances general.3
Seventh Annual v-oragr®ss of French Family-Allowance Funds
T THE 1927 Congress of the French Family Allowance Funds,
which was held at Brussels May 23-25, the number of such
funds in France was reported as 210, with a membership of
more than 16,200 employers, covering 1,420,000 employees, and
distributing 230,000,000 francs in allowances per annum. “ As com
pared with the figures reported at the preceding annual congress
there was an increase of 15 funds, 2,200 employers, 120,000 employees,
and 30,000,000 francs in allowances. If the allowances paid outside
of the family allowance funds are included in the total reported at
the 1927 meeting, the amount distributed reaches 1,318,000,000
francs, covering 3,700,000 employees;4 Among the family-allowance
funds there are 13 commercial funds and 32 funds for agricultural
workers.
The director of the French Central Committee on Family Allow
ances also reported that there is a trend among employers to pay
more substantial allowances. The average family-allowance scale
of the industrial funds is as follows: For 1 child, 27 francs per month;
for 2 children, 67 francs; for 3 children, 115 francs; for 4 children,
181 francs; for 5 children, 250 francs; for 6 children, 321 francs.
The _rates of funds in large centers are considerably higher, the
maximum being: For 1 child, 60 francs per month; for 2 children,
150 francs; for 3 children, 240 francs; for 6 children, 540 francs.
A
2 T h e In tern atio n al T rad e U nion M ovem ent, A m sterdam , M arch, 1927, p. 39.
a International Labor Office; In d u strial a n d Labor Inform ation, Geneva, M ar. 14. 1927. do 429 430
á L a Journée Industrielle, Paris, June 5-7, 1927, p. 7.
’
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
A recent inquiry made in the group of metallurgical and allied
industries in the Paris region showed that the allowance for one
child constitutes approximately 4 per cent of the wages of a manual
worker, that for 2 children 10 per cent, and that for 5 children as
high as 40 per cent.
A ttention was also called by the director to the increasing of sick
ness allowances and the assumption of other social risks by industrial
ists in the family-allowance m ovem ent in France.
Among other subjects discussed a t the congress were the organ
ization of m utual aid societies on a family basis and the question of
granting family allowances to home w orkers.1
One of the resolutions adopted at the meeting favored the ad
herence of all employers to family-allowance funds in order to include
all classes of workers under the family-allowance system; and also
that such funds continue to perfect their social services for the pro
gressive improvement of workers’ families.
New South Wales Child Endowment A ct2
N THE latter part of March, 1927, a child endowunent act was
passed in New South Wales,3 which becomes operative upon the
industrial commissioner’s declaration of a basic wage according
to the requirements of a man and wife without children. The law
provides that such w-age be supplemented by an allowance of 5 shil
lings per week for each child under 14 years of age. The present
basic wage is £4 4s.4
In the law passed the income under which children’s allowances
are to be granted was very much reduced from the income fixed in
the original governmental proposals. The limit now being set is
that of the total living w^age which is to be declared not later than
September 30, 1927, plus £13 per year for each child under 14 years
of age. _ Only sufficient endowment wall be granted to raise the
family income up to such aggregate. Such allowances are to be
paid to the mother.
A copy of the act as passed is not available, but, according to
recent A ustralian publications, the fund was to be contributed to
I
by the S tate and by private employers.5
T he New South Wales Labor Governm ent expects th a t the basic
wage which is to be declared by the industrial commissioner will be
slightly higher than the present basic wage, which, as alreadv stated,
is £4 4s.
The Government bill provided for allowances for 550,000 children,
but through an amendment of the Legislative Council 154,000 chil
dren of employees under Federal awards were excluded. Premier
Lang reports that, when Parliament reopens, one of the first matters
to be taken up will be State endow^ment for the 154,000 children who
1 L a Journée Industrielle, Paris, M ay 25, 1927, p. 1.
A*
specified, th e source for this article is the Q ueensland Industrial G azette, Brisbane,
A p i. 2o,
y p, 267.
8 For controversy over bill, see L abor Review, June, 1927, pp. 127, 128.
A t par, pound== $4.8665, shilling=24.3 cents; exchange rate about par.
®L abor Review, June, 1927, p. 128; and A ustralian W orker, Sydney, M ar. 30, 1927, p. 15.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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N E W S O U T H W ALES C H IL D E N D O W M E N T ACT
33
were excluded from the provisions of the existing family endowment
In March, 1927, a move was being made by a committee created
by the New South Wales Trades Union Congress to persuade all
unions to demand a basic wage °f
16s* a we®k- ^
. .
According to the Australian Worker of May 4, 1927, the majority
of wage-earning families will get no endowment because their incomes
axe higher than that set for coming under the child endowment act.
The Prime Minister of Australia called a conference of Common
wealth and State representatives to meet early in June, 1927, to
formulate a national child-endowment policy, as this was a matter
which could not be dealt with by the individual States without
disturbing the foundations of interstate trade.6
6 In tern atio n al L abor Office. In d u strial and L abor Inform ation, G eneva, M ay 9, 1927, p. 229.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR AND
INDUSTRY
Increasing Productivity of Labor in the Automobile Industry
HAT greatly increased output can be secured with a compara
tively small increase in the number of workers through care
ful^ planning, or “ production control” as it is termed, is shown
m an article in the Magazine of Business for July, 1927, entitled “ We
make 1,400 per cent more cars with 10 per cent rnore men,” by Cady
B. Durham, vice president of a large automobile company. This
company is now turning out 1,200 cars daily as against 80 cars in
1912, an increase of 1,400 per cent. It has on its pay roll 26,000
employees, 7,400 of which are employed in the engine plant, the
foundry, and the brass foundry, on work which formerly was bought
outside. Allowing for this there was an increase of about 10 per cent
over the number on the factory pay roll in 1912, which was then
between 13,000 and 17,000 men. This showing has been made possi
ble by moving the material faster, using conveyors and automatic
machinery, and scheduling it so exactly that storage is practically
eliminated. Careful planning, it is contended, can be employed in
any business and will bring results similar to those shown, as the
same general sort of manufacturing and conveying methods, the
continuous process, ^ progressive assembly, work brought to the
workman end carried away mechanically, are being used successfullv
for example, in a sanitary pottery, a metal-working plant, and an
electrical plant.
Production control in its broad sense,” it is said, “ is the operation
oi sensible budgeting as manifested on the production side.” It
coordinates and synchronizes purchasing, deliveries and transporta
tion, materials storage, handling, processes, parts stock, and storage.
a s one result ol such control in this plant, whereas it used to take 18
days from the time a wheel entered the wheel paint shop until it was
ready for use, now within 4 hours of its entry into the paint shop the
wheel is on the automobile.
T
Five years ago an operator a t a machine in this p lan t took his
m aterial from a ’‘tote-box” a t one side, performed his operation, and
P feed it m another box on his other side. W hen this second box was
filled it was moved to the next machine for the operation by the next
operator. To-day, the machines are placed ju st far enough ap a rt so
th a t the operators can move freely, and when the first operator
finisnes his operation, he pushes or slides the piece along to the second
operator, who, alter doing his job, pushes it along to the th ird opera
tor
1 his results in a great saving of space, and eliminates the accu
m ulation of stock between machines.
34
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LABOR R E Q U IR E M E N T S FOR P R IN C IP A L CROPS
35
The following general statements are given by the author as cover
ing what production control is and how it works:
1. Production control and its fellow, progressive assembly, are an approach to
continuous-process m anufacturing in lines where continuous processes are not
possible. The less money tied up in in-process and finished inventories and in
equipm ent, th e more money a business should make.
2. Production control simply fits together into a p attern th e small operations
which m ost m anufacturers see as practically unrelated. I t starts w ith th e sales
schedule and synchronizes every operation from buying m aterial to shipping
finished product.
3. Production control is broad. I t includes such policies as, “ Shall we buy
this p a rt or m ake it? ” and “ Shall we increase our equipm ent investm ent to cut
an operation cost?”
4. Production control is interrelated with production economies; p u ttin g work
through faster from receiving dock to shipping platform decreases space require
m ents for making and storing, and eliminates m any handling costs.
5. By increasing per capita production of consumable goods throughout this
country, production control has given trem endous im petus to our national
prosperity.
Labor Requirem ents for Principal Crops 1
ARM crops may be divided into three broad groups with reference
to the amount of man labor used in producing them. Tobacco,
cotton, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit, and truck crops absorb
relatively large quantities of labor. Corn, the grain sorghums,
peanuts, and like crops need less labor than the more intensely culti
vated crops, but more than most hay and small-grain crops which are
usually produced with the least labor. This classification with respect
to labor used is only relative. More labor may be used on a particular
crop in some sections than is usually needed to produce some other
crop of a more intensive nature in another part of the country.
Ordinarily, tobacco requires more labor per acre than any other
major crop. Requirements for producing different types of tobacco
differ, largely because of the different methods of harvesting, curing,!
and preparing the leaf for market. An acre of hurley tobacco
yielding from 800 to 1,000 pounds requires for growing, preparing for
market, and marketing from 350 to 400 hours of labor. An acre of
bright tobacco, the principal cigarette type, as grown in south-central
Virginia and jfielding 600 to 700 pounds requires about 400 to 500
hours of labor. In the same district 300 to 350 hours of labor will
produce an acre of Virginia dark fire-cured tobacco yielding 800 to
900 pounds, and 250 to 275 hours of labor will produce an acre of
Kentucky dark tobacco of the same yield. Labor required for produc
ing a pound of tobacco of these types ranges from about 0.7 hour
for Virginia bright to about 0.3 hour for Kentucky dark tobacco.
F
Cotton’s Labor Requirements
THE eastern cotton States (the old Cotton Belt), on farms where
IN the
yield of lint is 150 to 200 pounds per acre, 100 to 125 hours
of labor are usually necessary to prepare, cultivate, harvest, and
market an acre of cotton. In the black belt of Texas, 50 to 60 hours
\
__________________ ^.........................................................................................
S 1 R eprinted from U. S. D epartm ent of A griculture, Y earbook of A griculture, 1920: “ L abor require
m ents m easured for principal crops,” by A. P . Brodell, W ashington, 1927, pp. 468, 467.
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M O N T H L Y LABOE BE V IE W
of labor are utilized in producing an acre of cotton yielding 140 to
160 pounds of lint, while in the western district of the same State,
growers with similar yields normally expend only 35 to 40 hours of
labor per acre. Requirements for producing a pound of lint cotton
for the above districts range from about 0.7 hour of man labor in
the Eastern States to about 0.2 hour in the western district of Texas.
uarge level fields which permit the use of larger machinery for
preparing the land and for cultivating the crop, together with sea
sonal conditions which make control of weeds easier, are the chief
reasons why western cotton growers produce cotton with less labor
than do the growers in other districts.
The use of large machines also makes it possible to grow more
cotton per man. In parts of Texas and Oklahoma growers frequently
plant as much as 100 acres of cotton per man with extra labor for
hoeing, thinning, and harvesting. Growers in the eastern cotton
States usually plant from 10 to 20 acres per man.
From 65 to 100 hours of labor are normally used in producing an
acre of potatoes. Average requirements for producing a bushel of
late potatoes are about 0.4 hour in the Northern States, while 0.6
to 0.7 hour of labor is usually, needed in producing a bushel of early
)otatoes in southern districts. In the New England States more
abor is used on an acre of potatoes than in other late-potato dis
tricts, but the higher yields make it possible to produce a bushel of
potatoes with about the same quantity of labor as is used in some
of the other late-potato districts.
f
Much Variation on Corn
IN THE production of corn, requirements in various districts differ
* largely because of different methods of harvesting, size of machines
used, and yield per acre. In the Corn Belt where good-sized imple
ments are used for preparing the land and cultivating the crop, and
where the crop is harvested by hand from the standing stalk, from 15
to 20 hours of labor per acre are usually adequate with yields of 35
to 45 bushels. In some of the Southern States from 50 to 70 hours
of labor per acre are ordinarily required for corn yielding 20 to 30
bushels when the stalks are cut and shocked and the ears are har
vested by hand from the shock. In the North Atlantic States corn
is usually harvested in this way and the requirements per acre are
similar, though yields are higher.
Requirements for producing a bushel of corn in the various dis
tricts differ even more than do requirements per acre. Usually
about 2.5 hours of labor are required for producing a bushel of corn
and caring for the stover in certain Southern States as compared
with about 0.5 hour in the Corn Belt when the ears are husked from
the standing stalk and large level fields and large machines make it
possible for one man to grow more acres of corn than in other pro
ducing districts.
Small-grain crops require relatively little labor. Size of machines
used, size of fields, lay of land, and climatic conditions affect labor
requirements for producing these crops to a greater extent than does
yield. Requirements for producing a bushel of wheat range from
about 2.5 hours in the Southern States to about 0.3 hour in the
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LABOR R E Q U IR E M E N T S FOR P R IN C IP A L CROPS
37
Pacific Northwest. In the Western States combines are frequently
used for harvesting and large teams or tractors are utilized for pre
paring land and for seeding, whereas in the southern and eastern
districts relatively small machines and crews are used for all opera
tions.
But little labor is usually required for producing an acre of most
hay crops and practically all of this labor is required during the har
vesting season. Requirements on a ton basis vary from 4.5 hours
for clover hay to 7.2 hours for alfalfa on irrigated land. For annuals,
such as cowpeas or soy beans, which are seeded for hay and culti
vated during the growing season, requirements are much higher than
for other hay crops.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 261 ]
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
Women in Industry in Delaware and Tennessee
HE Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor has recently
issued two studies of women in industry, one dealing with
conditions in Delaware and the other with conditions in
Tennessee, which were m ade at very nearly the same date and present
some interesting similarities and contrasts.
T
Women in Delaware Industries
r"THE study in this State was made in response to a request from the
^ labor commission of Delaware, which wished information as to
the hours, wages, and working conditions of women industrially
employed within the State, including those working in canneries.
This request was indorsed by the Delaware Council of Social Agencies,
an association made up of 30 organizations. The study was under
taken and the field work was carried out during the late summer and
early fall of 1924. The results have recently been published as part
of the series on women in State industries which the bureau began
■some seven years ago.
The survey covered 146 establishments in 29 cities and towns,
employing 4,176 women. More than half (56.2 per cent) were in
manufacturing industries; 10.8 per cent were in mercantile establish
ments, 4.7 per cent in laundries, 2 per cent in hotels and restaurants,
and 26.2 per cent in vegetable canneries. The age distribution of
those reporting on this item was as follows:
16
20
25
30
40
50
60
and under 20 years
and under 25 years
and under 30 years
and under 40 years
and under 50 years
and under 60 years
years and over___
Total.
N um ber
Per cent
1, 063
732
403
652
432
236
154
28. 9
19. 9
11 . 0
17. 8
11 . 8
6. 4
4. 2
3, 672
100. 0
It will be noticed that 51.2 per cent are aged 25 or over, and that
two-fifths (40.2 per cent) are 30 or over. Attention is called to this
fact as showing that women in industry are no longer—if they ever
were—predominantly young girls who go to work as a temporary
matter, expecting to give up employment within a few years. The
conjugal situation of those studied points to the same conclusion.
Of the 3,255 from whom reports on this matter were received, 53.7 per
cent were single, 33.6 per cent were married, and 12.6 per cent were
widowed, separated, or divorced. In other words, for very nearly
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W O M EN IN IN D U ST R Y IN DELAW ARE AND T E N N E S S E E
39
half of the whole group marriage had not meant permanent with
drawal from the wage-earning world; a fact which is especially signif
icant when it is considered that these were in the main native-born
Americans, only 9.2 per cent being foreign born.
The median week’s earnings for those employed in 97 factories,
stores and laundries were $11.05; taking only the full-time workers,
they were $12.90. The range was from $8.10 in clothing factories
to $16.40 in the manufacture of cigars. Taking the time workers
only, of whom there were 1,385 whose rates of wages and earnings
were both recorded, it was found that while the median wage was
$11.60 a week, the median earnings for the week were only $10.55.
In some of the industries the discrepancy was much greater.
The highest rate of any industry in th e table appears for th e women m anu
facturing food products ($18.15), yet median earnings of this group fall 30.3 per
cen t below this am ount. Leather m anufacture is second ($16.10), and its
m edian earnings are 5.9 per cent less. Paper and paper products, showing a
m edian rate of $13.95, is third, b u t this is the group in which m edian earnings
are higher by 5.4 per cent—an increase due to th e bonus paid by one firm in th e
industry. The lowest m edian rates are for women in th e m anufacture of wood
products and of cigars, in 5-and-10-cent stores, and in laundries, all of which fall
below $ 10 ; in other words, one-half th e women for whom weekly rates were re
ported in these four industries would receive not more th a n $9.50, $9.75, $9.75
or $9.70, respectively, even though they had worked the full scheduled hours of
th e firm in which they were employed.
A study of the connection between time spent in the trade and
earnings showed that median earnings increased, rather irregularly,
with length of experience, until “ the median earnings of women who
had spent as much as 15 years in the trade were between $6 and $7
higher than the amount paid beginners.”
In hotel and restaurant service the median week’s earnings for 64
white women was $10.15 and for 21 negro women $10.75. In vege
table canneries the median week’s earnings for 844 white women was
$9.40 and for 252 colored women, $5.55.
Under the Delaware laws, a 10-hour day and a 55-hour week for
women is permitted in factories, stores, and laundries, but in practice
better conditions than these were frequent.
As m any as nine-tenths of th e women reported in th e factories, stores and
laundries had a daily schedule of less th a n l 6 hours, and more th a n one-fifth of
th e to ta l num ber were employed in plants in which th e weekly schedule was 48
hours or less. Of the 18 States for which hour data have been obtained by agents
of th e Women’s Bureau, Delaware falls below 10 in the proportion of women for
whom scheduled weekly hours were 48 or less.
In restaurants and hotels, hours were found to be objectionable
because of irregularity rather than of length, the daily and weekly
schedule of the ma jority of the women being not unduly long. “ Some
women were required to put in a seven-day week or were subjected to
the inconvenience of broken shifts with a long over-all span.” In
the canneries, the usual hour restrictions did not apply, and 31.5 per
cent of the women for whom hours worked were reported had a week
longer than 55 hours.
General workroom conditions left much to be desired. Here, as
elsewhere, it was found that some plants maintained a high standard,
showing that there is nothing in the nature of the industries studied
which makes good conditions impossible, but more fell below what is
desirable in some or many particulars. Cleaning, heating, lighting,
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M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
and ventilation were found to be unsatisfactory in a number of cases.
Provision for seating was often poor or entirely lacking.
In 32 m anufacturing establishm ents and 5 laundries, some of or all th e women
stood constantly while working, and in only about one-third of these firms were
there chairs or stools available for occasional use. When there was a lull in th e
operations or while w aiting for fresh supplies it was a common sight to see girls
and women resting on window sills or w orktables or leaning against th e walls.
In 46 factories visited some of the women sat at their operations.
For these, the ordinary stiff-backed kitchen chair was the common
provision, but in 16 plants some of the women sat all day on stools
or benches without backs. “ Satisfactory seating for sitting jobs
was found in only two plants, where chairs with adjustable legs and
backs had been installed.” In discussing these conditions, the report
emphasizes the fact that many jobs could be carried on with less
expense to the employer and greater conservation of strength for the
worker if suitable seating accommodations were provided.
Women in Tennessee Industries
'T H E field work of the Tennessee investigation, which, like that in
Delaware, was requested by the State agencies, was begun in
the latter part of February, 1925, and completed in May of the same
year. I t covered 216 factories, stores, and laundries in 27 cities and
towns, in which 16,596 women and 106 girls under 16 were employed.
Of the latter, 83 were in textile and 19 in cigar factories.
The great majority of the women, 83.9 per cent, were in some form
of manufacturing industry, textiles employing 51.7 per cent of the
total group. One-tenth were in mercantile establishments and 5.9
per cent in laundries. Colored women, wtho formed 8.6 per cent of
those studied, were employed mainly in laundries (45.6 per cent),
in the manufacture of wood products (15.3 per cent), and in the man
ufacture of tobacco products other than cigars (13.9 per cent).
The age distribution, excluding girls under 16, was as follows:
N um ber
16 and under 20 years________________________ 2, 863
20 and under 25 years________________________ 2, 494
25 and under 30 years________________________ l ’ 343
30 and under 40 years__________________ T 693
40 and under 50 years________________________ ’ 899
50 and under 60 years________________________
471
60 years and over____________________________
121
T otal-------------------------------------------------- 9, 884
Per cent
28.
25.
13.
17.
9.
4.
9
2
6
1
1
8
1. 2
100. 0
I t will be noticed th a t the age level here is somewhat Iowrer than
among the women studied in Delaware. The proportion under 20 is
precisely the same, 28.9 per cent, in the tw7o States, b u t while in
Delaware slightly over one-half were 25 or over, in Tennessee 45.8
per cent were in this age group, while in the la tte r S tate those
aged 30 and over formed 32.2 per cent as against 40.2 per cent in
Delaware.
On the other hand, while in Delaware 53.7 per cent of those report
ing as to conjugal condition were single, in Tennessee 50.6 per cent
were or had been married. When, howrever, only white women are
considered, the figures are very similar, 52.4 per cent of those in
Tennessee being single.
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W O M E N IN IN D U ST R Y IN DELAW ARE AND T E N N E S S E E
41
Wages and Earnings
Records of actual earnings for a given week were obtained for
14,642 white women. The median earnings were $11.10, the_range
being from $8.30 in the manufacture of furniture to $16.10 in the
printing and publishing trade. In the general mercantile establish
ments, the median earnings were $14.15; in 5-and-10-cent stores
they were $9.20, and in laundries, $8.95. For colored women the
level was much lower, their median for all industries being $6.95,
and for full-time workers, $7.40, as against the $12.45 median of
full-time white workers.
Weekly wage rates and actual weekly earnings were secured for
4,640 white women, time workers, the results being as follows:
W E E K L Y W 4.Q E R A T E S A N D A C T U A L W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S OF W H IT E W O M E N ,
T IM E W O R K E R S , IN T E N N E S S E E , 1925
N um ber of women
for w hom am ount
specified was—
Per cent of women
for w hom am ount
specified was—
A m ount
$25 a nd over— ..................................................................................... -
W eek’s
earnings
W eekly
rate
W eek’s
earnings
W eekly
rate
5
1,532
2,033
813
150
107
248
1, 597
1, 754
749
165
127
0.1
33.0
43.8
17.5
3.2
2.3
5.3
34.4
37.8
16.1
3.6
2.7
4,640
4, 640
100.0
100.0
While the difference in distribution is not m arked, it is interesting. I t was
to be expected th a t there would be more women who earned less th a n $5 th a n of
those who had rates below th a t am ount. I t is rath er startlin g th a t any women
should have so low a rate. The $5 to $10 groups also claimed more earnings
th an rates, b u t th e two midgroups accounted for a larger proportion of th e rates
th an of th e earnings. W hen th e two higher dollar groups are reached th e propor
tion of women w ith such earnings exceeds th e proportion w ith rates of those
am ounts, although to no considerable extent. In other words th e distribution
of th e tw o sets of figures shows th e effects both of lost tim e and of overtime,
although th e extent of the la tte r was slight.
Hours of Work
The Tennessee law permits a working-day of 1 0 ^ hours, and a
week of 57 hours. The scheduled daily hours ranged from under
8 to the full 103^, the proportion of women working under each
- schedule being as follows:
P er cent
U nder 8 hours__________________ 1.9
8 hours________________________
4.0
Over 8 and under 9 ------------------ 10.8
9 hours________________________
7.3
P er cent
Over 9 and under 10 hours-------- 30. 4
10 hours________________________34. 8
Over 10 and under lO J^---------- 9. 6
10f^ hours------------------------------- I- 1
I t will be seen that over four-fifths (83.2 per cent) have a day of 9
hours or more, and that not far from half (45.5 per cent) have a
scheduled day of 10 hours or more. Weekly hours were affected by
the fact that so many of the women worked in textile factories, in
which a short Saturday is common. Practically half, 49.6 per cent,
had a weekly schedule of 55 hours or more, and 9.7 per cent had a
55507°— 27-
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M O N T H L Y LABOE B E V IE W
weekly schedule of 48 hours or less. Fewer than the scheduled hours
were worked by 44 per cent of those for whom time was reported,
while 5.6 per cent worked for more than the scheduled hours. For
60.8 per cent of the women in stores the Saturday hours were longer
than the daily schedule.
Working Conditions
Inadequate or unsatisfactory lighting was found to be a common
condition, the natural light being found either inadequate or un
desirable because of the glare it caused in 98 establishments, while
artificial light caused glare for some or all of the women employed in
116 establishments. Other undesirable conditions were narrow or
obstructed aisles, and brick or concrete floors, with no wooden
platforms provided for those who had to stand at their work. Un
satisfactory seating arrangements were common.
In 58 factories and laundries no seats were provided for women who stood a t
th eir work; in 32 factories and laundries none of the women who sat all day a t
th e ir work had seats w ith backs.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[266 ]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Accident Rates for the Iron and Steel Industry in Specified
State Jurisdictions, 1922 to 1925
HE table herewith presented has been prepared in response to
repeated suggestions that a classification of accidents in the
iron and steel industry by States would have interest and value.
Certain cautions should be observed in drawing conclusions from
these figures:
1.
The table should not be regarded as showing a complete pres
entation of the situation in the several States. It covers only
those cases for which the reports were in a form to be assembled
without undue expenditure of time and effort.
2.
Certain of the States in which the exposure was less than the
equivalent of 1,000 full-year workers have been omitted; and as is
evident, in some of the included States the exposure is not of sufficient
volume to afford a fully typical set of rates.
3.
The iron and steel industry is not uniform from State to State.
In some States there is a larger volume of one form of activity than
in others. The only way to avoid this condition would have been
to analyze the reports for each State by departments, but if this had
been done the difficulty of too-small exposure would have been
intensified.
Giving due attention to these cautions the following conclusions
may be advanced:
1. As would have been anticipated from the presentation by
departments, the general trend of the rates over this 4-year period
is downward. There are very considerable irregularities for which
the analysis here possibly does not afford a complete explanation.
2. It is evident that those States in which there has been the most
extensive and the most prolonged accident-prevention effort have
as a rule lower accident rates.
3.
In spite of the very striking improvement which has occurred
in the industry, it is evident that there is still chance, a large chance,
for improvement.
T
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[2G7]
44
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A C C ID E N T R A T E S IN IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y , BY S T A T E S , 1922 TO 1925
Accident frequency rates:
(P er 1,000,000 hours’
exposure)
N u m b er of cases
S tate and year
A labam a:
1922_________
1923_________
1924_________
1925_________
California:
1922 ...........
1923________
1924_________
1925_ ______
Colorado:
1922 - ..............
1923_ ______
1924 ..................
1925_________
C onnecticut:
1922 ______
1923. ______
1924_________
1925-,...........
Illinois:
1922-...............
1923_________
1924_________
1925..................
Indiana:
1922_________
1923_________
1924_ ______
1925_________
K entucky:
1922. .............
1923................1924_________
1925_________
M assachusetts:
1922_________
1923 ______
1924____ ____
1925_- ..............
M ichigan:
1922..................
1923..................
1924_ ................
1925..................
M issouri:
1922................
1923_________
1924................
1925- ..............
N ew Jersey:
1922--.............
1923-................
1924_________
1925--...........
N ew Y ork:
1922_................
1923. - ........ .
1924____ ____
1925.............. Ohio:
1922.................
1923.................
192 4 --......... .
1925____ ____
Pennsylvania:
1922..................
1923................ .
1924........... .
1925..................
300day
work
ers
Per
maD eath nent
disa
bility
Accident severity rates:
(P er 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
Tem
Per T e m
Per T em
po
m a po
m a po
rary Total D eath nent rary Total D eath nent rary T o
disa
disa disa
disa disa tal
bility
bility bility
bility bility
10,998
11,915
13, 705
15, 244
10
7
16
14
0. 30
.20
.39
.31
1.55
2.18
1.00
.04
35. 25
37. 74
27.41
12. 07
37.10
40. 09
28. 80
12. 42
1. 82
1. 18
2. 33
1. 84
1. 17
1. 77
1.06
1.37
0. 48
.87
.62
. 19
3.47
3. 82
4. 01
3.40
4,013
3,113
2,901
3,018
3
3
2
1
35
11
16
1
711
597
522
278
749
611
540
280
.25
.32
.23
.11
2.91
1.18
1. 84
. 11
59. 05
63. 92
59. 97
30. 70
62. 21
65.42
62. 04
30.92
1. 50
1.93
1.38
.66
2.63
1.19
1.43
1.56
.80
. 75
1. 34
. 71
4.93
3.87
4.15
2.93
3,351
4, 1G4
4,269
4,243
3
7
6
3
2
13
22
14
367
462
452
592
372
482
480
609
.30
.56
.47
.24
.20
1.04
1. 72
1.10
36. 51
36. 98
35. 29
46. 50
37. 01
38. 58
37. 48
47.84
1. 79
3. 36
2. 81
1.41
.27
1. 22
1. 52
.93
.36
.76
.63
.78
2. 42
5. 34
4. 96
3.12
3,778
5,307
5,639
7,263
3
5
6
5
22
34
40
1
510
446
522
826
535
485
568
832
.26
.31
.35
.23
1.94
2.14
2. 36
.05
44.99
28.01
30. 85
37. 91
47.19
30. 46
33. 56
38.19
1.59
1.88
2.13
1. 38
1.38
1.58
1.31
.28
.67
.27
.43
.35
3. 64
3. 73
3.87
2.01
23,926
40,097
38,147
35, 810
16
39
21
20
95
171
126
120
2,370
3,753
2,934
2,551
2,481
3, 963
3, 081
2, 691
.22
.32
. 19
.19
1.32
1.42
1.13
1.12
33. 02
31.20
26. 26
23. 75
34. 56
32. 94
27. 58
25.06
1. 34
1.95
1. 13
1.12
1.00
1.63
.98
1.32
.44
.55
.21
.36
2. 78
4.13
2.32
2.80
30,683
22,887
34, 846
32,743
18
12
30
25
113
67
69
86
2,200
1,746
1,591
2,110
2,331
1,825
1, 690
2,221
.16
. 17
.29
.25
1.03
.98
.66
.88
20.05
25.43
15. 22
21. 48
21.24
26. 58
16.17
22. 61
.98
1. 05
1.72
1. 53
.95
.86
.75
.73
.27
.33
.28
.31
2.20
2. 34
2. 75
2. 57
1,396
2,601
1,734
2,550
2
5
1
13
10
18
9
15
477
899
144
193
489
922
154
221
.48
.64
.19
1. 70
2. 39 113. 89 116. 76
2.31 115. 22 118.17
1.73 27. 68 29. 60
1.96 25.23 28.89
2.87
3.84
1. 15
10. 20
1.43
4.31
1.58
1. 83
1. 82 6.12
.87 9. 02
.39 3. 12
.39 12. 42
5,610
5,018
7,580
6, 645
7
4
3
1
29
26
22
7
337
230
246
126
373
260
271
134
.41
.27
. 13
.05
1.71 19. 90 22. 02
1. 73 15. 28 17. 28
.97 10. 82 11.92
.35 6. 32 6. 72
2. 48
1. 59
.79
.30
1. 64
1. 08
1.55
.33
.53 4. 65
.57 3. 24
.29 2. 63
.21 .84
3,928
4,399
2, 457
4,869
6
11
4
4
16
916
938
19
984 1,014
14
601
583
8 1,093 1,105
.51
.83
.54
.27
1. 36
1.44
1.90
.56
79. 60
76.84
81. 52
75. 66
3.05
5. 00
3. 26
1.64
1.29
1.05
3. 36
.70
.86
.93
.90
.92
5. 20
6. 98
7. 72
3.26
4,676
4, 255
1,284
3,662
6
12 1,632 1,650
4
903
907
8
275
266
2
294
297
.43
.86
. 31
2.08
.18
116. 35 117. 64
70 74 71 05
69. 06 71.40
26. 76 27. 03
2. 57
.26
.09
1.01
33
1. 78
. 19
1. 41
. 84
.76
.34
4. 99
1.17
4.10
1.08
6, 597
7,341
i , 175
6,923
1
.55
. 57
. 70
.59
2.05
2. 74
3. 39
3. 21
9,785
11,377
6, 903
10,372
1
1
51 1,163 1,224
78 1,348 1,433
41 1,127 1,184
2
552
568
625
780
772
769
663
827
819
804
.05
4
37
47
47
31
11
9
5
7
47
65
51
66
1,625
2,141
1,107
2, 725
1,683
2,215
1,163
2,799
51,424
77,979
75, 282
86,820
42
39
57
33
125
201
181
150
5, 268
5, 763
5, 223
5,059
102,186
140, 259
154, 800
149,089
60
112
54
75
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
77. 73
74. 57
79. 08
74. 83
1. 56
.55
. 19
1.87
2.13
2. 18
1. 49
31. 58
35. 42
35. 87
37.03
33.50
37. 55
38. 05
37.71
1. 16
1. 20
2. 17
2 69
1.46
.43
.26
.24
.22
1. 85
1.90
2.46
2.12
64.13
62. 73
53. 46
87. 58
66. 42
64.89
56. 16
89.92
2.60
1. 58
1.45
1.35
1. 82
1. 84
2.03
2.35
.99
.73
.94
.89
5.41
4.15
4. 42
4. 59
5,435
6,003
5,461
5,242
.27
. 17
.25
. 13
.81
.86
.80
.58
34.15
24. 63
23. 13
19.42
35.23
25. 66
24.18
20.13
1. 63
1. OC
1. 54
.76
.66
.87
.98
.53
.48
.39
.36
. 25
2. 77
2.26
2.88
1. 54
103 8, 364 8,527
2,44 12,188 12,544
244 8,382 8,680
218 9,527 9,820
.20
.27
. 12
.18
.34
-.58
.53
.49
27.28
28. 97
18. 05
21.30
27. 82
29. 82
18. 70
21. 97
1. 17
1.6C
.70
1.01
.34
.59
.34
.45
.45
1.03
.30
.26
1. 96
3. 22
1. 34
1. 72
[ 268]
.30
ACCIDENT EXPEDIENCE OF AMERICAN RAILWAYS, 1923 AND 1926
A C C ID E N T R A T E S IN IR O N A N D
S T E E L IN D U S T R Y , BY S T A T E S , 1922 TO 1925—
Accident frequency rates:
(P er 1,000,000 hours’
■exposure)
N um ber of cases
State and year
Tennessee:
1922-...............
1923................ .
1924-.......... .
1925.................
W ashington:
1922 .............. .
1923..................
1924_________
1925_________
W est Virginia:
1922_________
1923-,.......... .
1924_________
1925-................
W isconsin:
1922_________
1923_________
1924_________
1925---...........
300day
w ork
ers
1,543
2,258
1,503
1,256
Per
maD eath nent
disa
bility
19
6
2
220
437
77
196
228
465
86
1. 99
534
800
603
1,209
2
6
1
2
3
80
77
66
181
2,702
9, 336
4, 613
7,964
2
8
7
13
6
13
18
14
592
749
806
537
5, 441
264
8,321
6,089
3
5
2
4,
A ccident severity rates;
(P er 1,000 hours’
posure)
ex
Tem
Per Tem
P er T em
po
m a po
m a po
rary Total D eath nent rary Total D eath nent rary T o
disa
disa disa
disa disa tal
bility
bility bility
bility bility
9
3
1
7.97
3. 99
1. 59
1.49
2.23
1.60
1. 67
. 69 2 18
1.03 11.23
,25 5.84
.69 3. 95
53. 70
32. 51
37. 61
51.27
3. 31
5. 99
. 13
1.49
1. 27
.59 6 58
. 50 . fi3
.88 2. 37
1.15 5.73
73.03
26. 74
58.24
22. 48
74. 01
27. 49
60. 05
23. 61
1.48
1.71
3.03
3.26
.84
.54
1. 53
.67
.85
.33
1. 70
.28
3.17
2. 58
6. 26
4.21
48. 40
55. 34
51.08
72.02
49. 63
56. 90
53.16
74. 33
1.41
1.20
.77
1.39
1.23
1.57
2.11
. 73
.78
.68
.81
2.12
3.42
3.45
3.69
1.33
.07
.27
. 86
2,80
1.33
.53
47. 52
64. 50
17. 08
52.02
48 38
68.63
19. 07
52. 82
86
78
68
186
. 55
3. 75
.42
1.11
.83
49. 95
32. 09
36. 50
49.89
600
770
831
564
.24
,29
.51
.54
.74
.46
1.30
.59
790
810
20
17
708
728
47 1,275 1.327
34 1,121 1,157
.23
.20
.13
1, 23
1. 33
1.88
2.18
4
45
Accident Experience of American Railways, 1923 and 1926
OME interesting accident facts are brought out in Circular No.
156, issued by the safety section of the American Railway
Association,1 in outlining its program of safety activities for
the month of July, 1927. A comparison of the accident records for
the years 1923 and 1926 is presented to show how nearly the railroads
of the country approached the 35 per cent reduction, based on the
year 1923, in the number of accidents set as the goal to be reached by
1930. I t appears that 43 of the railroads have already attained a
reduction of 35 per cent or more in accidents, 60 railroads have
reduced accidents from 15 to 35 per cent, 41 railroads have made
slight reductions, and 43 railroads have suffered increases in accidents.
Summing up the facts given in this circular, from 1923 to 1926,
casualties (killed and injured) to passengers were reduced from 6,606
to 5,304, or a reduction of 13.9 per cent in the rate per million pas
senger miles; casualties to employees were reduced from 153,900 to
112,828, or a reduction of 22.1 per cent in the rate per million man
hours; and casualties to persons at highway crossings were increased
from 8,582 to 9,483, or 10.5 per cent. Taking as a measure of the
accidents to persons at highway crossings the number of automobile
registrations, which the report gives as 15,092,177 for 1923 and
22,046,957 for 1926, the accident rate figures out at 150.3 killed and
418.4 injured per million automobiles in 1923, and 113 killed and
317.1 injured per million cars in 1926, or a total accident rate of
568.6 in 1923 and of 430.1 in 1926. Hence accidents at highway
crossings really show a decrease in 1926 as compared to 1923.
i
S
i A merican R ailw ay Association, safety section, C ircular No. 156. Safety program . Schedule of activi.
ties for m o n th of July, 1927. In v en to ry for year 1926 vs. 1923. N ew Y ork, 1927. 3 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[269]
MONTHLY LABOB EEVIEW
46
The following table gives the experience for the two years, 1923
and 1926, not including accidents to nontrespassers:
N U M B E R O F C A S U A L T IE S (K IL L E D A N D IN J U R E D ) C A U S E D B Y E A C H S P E C IF IE D
K IN D O F A C C ID E N T ON R A IL R O A D S A N D A C C ID E N T R A T E S T H E R E F O R , 1923 A N D
1926
Accident rates 1
Casualties
K in d of accident
1923
Passengers:
Employees:
1926
Per
cent
of de
crease
1923
1926
Per
cent
of de
crease
2,704
3,281
621
1,908
2,705
691
29.4
17. 5:
2 11.2
0. 70
.85
.16
0. 53
.76
.19
24.3
10. 6
2 19.0
6,606
5, 304
19.7
1. 73
1.49
13.9
2,214
38,825
142, 861
1, 779
33, 439
77, 610
19. 6
13. 9
31. 2
.46
7. 99
23. 23
.39
7.34
17.03
15. 2
8. 1
26.7
153, 900
112, 828
26.7
31. 68
24. 76
21.8
1 Per million passenger miles in case of passenger accidents and per m illion m an-hours in case of accidents
to employees,
2 Increase.
Incidental Cost of Accidents to the Employer 1
By
H e r b e r t W . H e i n r i c h , T r a v e l e r s I n s u r a n c e C o ., H a r t f o r d , C o n n .
VERYBODY knows that accidents represent monetary loss as
well as human suffering. I am going to consider some of
these monetary losses, and I propose to call your attention to
the fact that the heaviest of them are usually overlooked. Promi
nent in the mind of every employer is the first or direct cost of the
accident, as measured by compensation or liability claims, plus the
charges for medical attention. This cost can be covered by insur
ance, and is paid by the insurance company.
In addition to this direct and obvious cost, however, there are
numerous other sources of expense involved which are not covered
by the insurance policy, but which must, in the nature of things, be
borne by the employer. I shall use the word “ incidental’' to dis
tinguish these secondary or noninsurable losses from the immediate,
evident, insurable ones, upon which the attention of the employer is
almost invariably fixed.
Employers are becoming more and more receptive to the idea that
accident prevention has a tremendous moral and humane signifi
cance, yet they are likely to remain more or less inactive unless they
are presented with an incentive in addition to that which is based
upon humanitarian principles. This incentive is the indirect cost of
accidents to the employer—that part of the cost that I have called
“ incidental.” So far as I know there has been no previous attempt
to fix, definitely, the amount of this cost. No gauge has yet been
given whereby the employer can measure, under existing methods of
E
i Extracts from an address delivered a t th e A tlantic Coast Safety Conference, held a t Philadelphia,
P a., June 24, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[270]
IN C ID E N T A L COST OF A CCID EN TS TO E M PL O Y EE
47
cost accounting and by means of factors already known to him, the
cost of accidents in his own industry. Except in rare cases, more
over, it is unfortunately true that accident data are not gathered nor
tabulated in ways that permit accurate estimation of expense, other
than of that which is represented by the lost time of the injured per
son, and by compensation, liability, and medical-aid cost. Travelers
Insurance Co. engineers are now investigating accidents on such a
basis, and from information already on file they have established
results so startling in nature and so far-reaching in the effect they will
have on the consideration given to accident prevention as an eco
nomic issue that we are somewhat reluctant to make full use of them
pending the results of still further research. For example, an analysis
of 5,000 specific accident reports, drawn at random from our files,
shows that the incidental accident cost, paid by the employer directly,
is four times the total cost represented by compensation and liability
claims and medical treatment.
Here we at last have something specific, something tangible
enough for the trained business executive’s mind to grasp. We
need no longer deal in generalities with, regard to the desirability
and the advisability of preventing accidents. We need no longer
refer merely to national “ economic waste.” We can now point to
a measurable monetary loss to the employer, which can not be com
pensated by insurance, and which demands a remedy.
I freely admit the probability of a variation from the figures herein
quoted in the incidental cost of accidents, when the facts come to be
computed on a national basis, yet enough has been done already to
establish the facts approximately. As one employer recently stated
when confronted with his direct monetary loss: “ It may not be _4
to 1, but I can see that it is something to one, and whatever it is, it
is too much.”
Every employer to whom we have thus far presented the thought
of measurable incidental accident cost has demanded, and has obtained
to his satisfaction, proof and details as to the method of measure
ment. For the information of others who will undoubtedly wish to
investigate, let me give an itemized list of the main factors to be
considered in calculating costs.
Factors in the incidental cost to employer of accidents to employees
(Excluding com pensation and liability claims.)
(Excluding medical and hospital cost.)
(Excluding insurance premiums.)
(Excluding cost of lost tim e, except when actually paid by th e employer.)
1 . Cost of lost tim e of injured employee.
2 . Cost of tim e lost by other employees who stop work—
(a) O ut of curiosity.
(b) O ut of sym pathy.
(c) To assist injured employee.
(d) For other reasons.
3. Cost of tim e lost by foremen, supervisors, or other executives as follows:
(a) Assisting injured employee.
(b) Investigating cause of accidents.
(c) Arranging for injured em ployee’s production to be continued by some
other employee.
. . .
(d) Selecting, training, or breaking in new employee to replace injured
employee.
_
.
(e) Preparing S tate accident reports, or attending hearings before industrial
commissioner.
[271]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
48
M O N T H L Y LABOB BEV IEW
4. Cost of tim e spent on case by first-aid atten d a n t and hospital departm ent
stall, when this tim e is not com pensated by insurance.
5. Cost due to injury to the machine, tools, or other property, or to the spoilage
of m aterial.
^
6
6 . Incidental cost due to interference w ith production, failure to fill orders
on tim e, loss of bonuses, paym ent of forfeits, loss of good will, and other similar
causes.
7. Cost to employer under employee welfare and benefit systems.
8 . Cost to em ployer in continuing wages, in full, of the injured employee
whereas th e services of th e employee (who is not yet fully recovered) m ay be
w orth only about 50 per cent of their norm al value.
9. Cost due to th e loss of profit on injured employee’s productivity and on idle
machines.
I do not contend that this list of factors includes all of the points
that might well receive consideration. (The occurrence of an acci
dent often starts a chain of circumstances involving not only lost time,
interference with production, spoilage, and weakened morale, but
many other conditions as well, that seem to run in an endless and a
vicious cycle, as every one will agree that cares to think about it
carefully.) I have, however, listed the more obvious factors that are
subject to measurement and. that are, in my opinion, quite sufficient
to prove the point that accident prevention is well worth a place in
plant routine, and that it should be dealt with just as definitely and
intelligently as other items of so-called overhead expense.
The “ incidental cost of accidents” is so great that in substantiating
my estimate of a 4 to 1 ratio I find that it is entirely unnecessary to
compute many losses which may be common and quite tangible, T u t
which it is hard for persons other than the employer himself to
estimate. For example, in the cases I have analyzed the cost of lost
time has been calculated in terms of wages only. Granting that an
employer makes a production profit on each employee, he loses that
profit in addition when his employee ceases production in case of
accident.
INor has there been any systematic attempt to compute cost due
to loss of production, other than that of the injured employee and that
of those directly implicated by the accident. All employers know
something of the endless-chain effect of a serious injury upon efficiency
and production. The nerves of employees are shaken; they may
gather in groups to talk, or they may individually halt or slow up
their production; their attention is diverted from their work, and
this may lead to spoilage or even to another accident; in short, the
evils of “ weakened morale” are far-reaching and costly.
.
is true, also, that when an injury halts production losses occur
in consequence of delays in fulfilling contracts, and because interrup
tion in one of the steps in chain systems, where each step is dependent
upon the previous operation, necessarily affects the system as a whole.
Furthermore, the business of selecting and training men is costly,
and this cost is materially increased when, through accidents, the
labor turnover is affected.
More attention, in this paper, has been directed to trivial accidents
than to those of a more serious nature, involving greater compensation
or medical costs. This is intentional, inasmuch as experience shows
conclusively that accident cost in the aggregate, as measured by
payments for compensation and medical aid, is made up chiefly of
a great volume of minor injuries. Analysis of “ incidental cost” as
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[272]
IN C ID E N T A L COST OP A CCID EN TS TO EM PLO Y ER
49
related to fatalities, or to permanent total or partial disabilities,
does not alter the deduction that an approximate cost to the employer
of four times the compensation and medical expense exists. While
it is obviously true that a given fatality resulting in a compensable
claim of several thousand dollars may not cost the eniployer four
times as much, it is equally true that in other specific cases the
cost to the employer is vastly greater. This is well illustrated by a
fatality on a steel-construction job, costing $6,000 in compensation
and medical aid, which cost the employer over $30,000 in property
damage and approximately $5,000 in labor and through delay.
This occurred when a derrick collapsed, killing one man, destroying
itself as well as a hoisting engine, scaffolding, and other material,
and resulting in the complete cessation of operations for several
days. Such spectacular instances are not included in my estimates,
but I mention this particular one because it offsets or balances
the opposite kind of an accident, where the compensable cost is
obviously greater than that paid by the employer.
Let me direct attention to example No. 1, below, which demon
strates that a substantial employer cost also results from trivial
accidents that are not compensable and that do not require expert
medical attention. This point is vital, yet it is invariably over
looked by the employer.
Example No. 1
Cost of com pensation and medical a id --------------------------------- $0
A dditional incidental cost, paid directly by th e em ployer-------250
H ere is th e record of an iron foundry th a t had successfully (?) carried on a
no-accident cam paign for three m onths. While there were no compensable or
so-called lost-tim e accidents, yet there were 96 m inor eye injuries and burns
from m olten m etal and hot castings. The incidental cost to th e employer con
sists chiefly in the lost tim e of the injured men and of their supervisors.
Example No. 2
T otal cost for com pensation and medical aid------------------------ $11
T otal additional incidental cost, paid directly by th e employer _ 49
An employee in a m achine shop was injured while reaming a casting on an engine
lathe. He attem p ted to grasp th e “ dog,” which had started to revolve when
the ream er pulled away from th e tail stock center. Three fingers were lacerated.
N o t e A.— The incidental cost was com puted as follows:
$ 33—injured employee, upon returning to work w ith his hand bandaged, was
engaged for two' weeks a t work ordinarily performed by unskilled employees
a t a low wage rate. The employer, while paying full wages for two
weeks, received b u t 50 per cent value.
. . . .
,. ,.
$8__tim e spent by forem an and assistant superintendent m investigating
dam age to th e tools and to th e casting, and in planning th e replacem ent
of the ruined casting.
.
..
$ 0—lost tim e of several employees who left their work to assist or sym pathize
w ith th e injured m an, and to discuss the accident.
$2— cost of a new ream er, to replace the one broken in th e accident.
N o t e B.— The cost of a new casting (estim ated a t $50) is not included m this
example, nor is th e lost tim e (4 days) of the injured employee, because there m ay
have been some salvage on the casting and the employee received no wages
while aw ay from th e shop.
....
,
. ,, r, , •, ^
N o t e C.— The specific point of value m this example lies m th e first item under
N ote A, i. e., th e wages of the convalescent employee continued a t 100 per cent,
while his services, being rendered on unim portant work, were reduced 50 per cent
in value.
,,
. ...
[Five other examples are included in th e paper b y M r H einrich, b u t »re om itted here since the tw o
given above are typical and it is believed they adequately illustrate his point. Ed.J
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW
To show that a far stronger case could be established by including
the unusual, let me cite the following instances in which there were
“ incidental” losses of special nature:
1. The sale of a fleet of automobiles was lost in consequence of delay in
delivering a car, on account of a hand-cranking accident.
2. A huge construction job was held up by city inspectors on account of
violations of safety principles, and consequent accidents.
3. Claims m ade against a public utility (and loss of revenue also), on account
of a minor accident causing a short circuit.
4. In ju ry to an engineer, who was fixing a feed pum p, caused low w ater and
the destruction of a steam -boiler battery.
5. Stum bling and a minor foot injury to an employee in a chemical plant
caused th e accidental and prem ature mixing of a batch of chemicals and the
spoiling of costly m aterials.
These specific things might not happen again, but others, parallel
to them in a certain sense, are likely to occur with considerable
frequency; and the omission of all experiences of such special types
fortifies the main argument.
The accident statistician will undoubtedly observe that the
estimates from which I have drawn conclusions include, as cost to
the employer, the wages paid to injured employees while they are
employed at reduced efficiency during recovery. They will agree,
however, upon investigation, that this is proper in view of the
general sentiment that in the final analysis it is economical to get the
injured employee back “ on the job” as soon as possible, not only
because he otherwise represents an idle investment, but also because
there is often a possibility of malingering and of false and exaggerated
claims.
Relative Importance of Hazards in the Construction Industry
ECAUSE workers in the construction industry are constantly
moving about from job to job as building operations in various
sections demand, this industry presents serious hazards which
are not incurred in industries with a fixed habitation. This phase
of the accident-prevention movement was discussed by John P.
Meade, of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries
in an address at the Conference of the Massachusetts Safety Council
held in Worcester in May, 1927.
Pointing out that a very encouraging advance has been made in
the State in the matter of preventing machinery accidents, which
showed a decrease of 60 per cent in 1926 as compared with 1918, the
number of accidents caused by gears, belts, and set screws showing
a decrease of 73, 54, and 91 per cent, respectively, the speaker then
turned his attention to nonmachinery accidents, which showed “ no
such encouraging history.” Chief among these are accidents due to
falls, to handling various objects, and to the use of hand tools. Of
51,636 accidents of the nonmachinery type in the year ending June
30, 1926, 8,143 (16 per cent) occurred to men employed in buildingconstruction work, and of these 51 were fatal and 93 resulted in per
manent partial disability. The building trades, it is stated, are
afflicted with a greater number of nonmachinery accidents than any
other industry, due, as already suggested, to the constant shifting of
the working force, which multiplies the occasions of danger and
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HAZARDS IN T H E CO N STR U C TIO N IN D U ST R Y
51
impairs the continuity of accident-prevention work. Interest on the
part of the contractors to keep their safety equipment in good condi
tion, and to see that foremen and superintendents exercise proper
supervision and that the workmen themselves are instructed in safety
methods, is regarded as the best means of promoting accidentprevention work. The experience of certain building contractors
appears to show that accidents can be reduced when stimulated by
the enforcement of rules providing that working places be made safe
for employees. Inspections made by the Massachusetts Depart
ment of Labor and Industries have materially assisted in cutting
down the number of accidents in this industry. In 1926 there were
3,791 inspections made in building operations, resulting in 2,071
orders being complied with requiring the removal of hazards on
stagings, platforms, or other equipment, and the protection of floor
openings and hoistways.
Attention was called to the record for 1925 when the largest
number of lost-time industrial injuries occurred among employees
in the building trades and, it was added, “ this record was very nearly
equaled” in 1926. In one case, where 69_ subcontractors were
engaged in the work, although constant supervision was given to safety
provisions, five lives were lost. One very constant source of danger
in this industry is falling objects. Another is removal of safety
rails and toe boards around floor opening or wells; when the con
tractor does provide such safety rails subcontractors or workmen
frequently set them aside and fail to replace them. Floor openings
“ should be given better supervision.” Explosions arising from the
use of solvents, such as gasoline, in plastic floor materials is noted
as the cause of much apprehension among workingmen in the build
ing trades. This is a new hazard brought about by modern methods
of building, and careful attention to proper ventilation and the
removal of combustible vapors is suggested as a remedy.
Citing the cost of accidents the speaker stated that in 17 classifica
tions of employment in the building industry in Massachusetts for
the year 1924, the total pay-roll tabulation was $71,272,000, on
which the 1927 compensation premium rate was increased an average
of 20 cents per $100.
This included a flat increase of 3.4 per cent which was applied to all rates
after July 7,1924, on account of the increase in certain paym ents under th e com
pensation law. This leaves a t piesent approxim ately 12 per cent increase in the
last three years on every $100 on the pay roll. I t is significant th a t in th e erection
of fram e structures of iron and steel, th e rate per $100 on th e pay roll on January
1, 1924, was $12.80, while on January 1, 1927, it was increased to $14.80. This
means th a t it m ay be necessary to raise $87,365.46 more th a n was raised last
year in order to m eet compensation claims in th e building trades during the
year 1927.
While compensation payments serve a good purpose, the speaker
was convinced that accident-prevention work serves a greater
purpose and that “ protecting the human side of industry in the
building trades is conserving the economic resources of the State.”
He believes that accident-prevention work in this industry should
be organized from within, and that the saving of human life snould be
made an integral principle in the conduct of these operations. In
this constant waste of man power in a branch of industry where to a
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M O N T H L Y LABOK E E V IE W
large extent injuries are “ man-made and can be man-stopped” the
speaker sees a challenge to experts in safety promotion and to the
State labor departments as well.
Accident Record of Certain Alabama Coal Mines
HEN it is considered that the most prolific cause of under
ground accidents in coal mines, according to United States
'
Bureau of Mines records covering the years 1916 to 1925, is
falls of roof or face, it is gratifying to find in Modern Mining (Pitts
burgh, Pa.) for June, 1927, a report of a group of coal mines in which
no fatal accidents from this cause have occurred during a period of
five years, and another group in which no such accidents have oc
curred during a two-year period. Both groups of mines are located
in the State of Alabama.
Figures shown in United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin
No. 425 indicate that falls of roof or face were responsible for fatality
rates ranging from 0.57 per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure in 1916 to
0.70 in 1924, with 1921 and 1922 somewhat higher (0.72 and 0.74,
respectively). These rates of 0.57 and 0.70 are, respectively, 148
per cent and 94 per cent higher than the rates for the next highest
cause of accidents.
In the report as to Alabama mines it appears that a 20 per cent
reduction in the class of accidents to which reference has been made
was achieved in 1926, with the rather noteworthy record of 86 mines
reporting no fatal accidents from this cause during a 5-year period,
and 141 coal mines with a similarly clear record covering a 2-year
period. This remarkable showing is ascribed to a campaign of strict
enforcement of timbering rules, constant supervision, and frequent
inspections of the roof by safety inspectors, assistant mine foremen,
or others detailed to this important work, and an educational plan
by which workers are carefully instructed and trained in safety
methods.
W
Fatalities in the California Petroleum Industry in 1926
GRADUAL, although not very marked, decrease in the number
of fatal accidents in the petroleum industry in California
. during the years 1923 to 1926 appears from the records of the
State industrial accident commission as compiled by the United States
Bureau of Mines.1 In 1926 there were 53 fatalities, in 1925 there
were 59, in 1924 there were_61, and in 1923 there were 75, these figures
showing the results of accident-prevention work in that industry in
California. Fatalities on board tankers and oil barges and those
occurring “ off shore” are not included.
The drilling and producing division reported 25 fatalities, which
is about 47 per cent of the total, but represents a reduction of 19.35
per cent from the number in 1925 when 31 men were killed. This
division of the industry is regarded as particularly hazardous, and
A
» U nited States. D ep artm en t of Commerce. B ureau of M ines. R eports of investigations, Serial No.
^14: f atahties m th e California petroleum in d u stry during th e calendar year 1926. W ashington, June.
1927. 19 pp., mimeographed.
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COAL-MINE ACCIDENTS IN WEST VIRGINIA
53
yet it is pointed out that a reduction of 57.63 per cent in the number
of fatal accidents occurred from 1923 to 1926, showing “ clearly what
concentrated effort toward the elimination of accidents in the oil
industry will accomplish.’’
In the pipe-line and transportation division and the refineries
division, two disasters of some magnitude took a toll of 10 lives which,
in these two divisions alone, represents an increase of 27.8 per cent in
the number of fatalities in 1926 as compared with 1925. In spite of
this the number of fatal accidents in the petroleum industry as a
whole was reduced a little over 10 per cent in 1926, or 29.3 per cent
as compared with 1923.
From a production standpoint there were 8,960,000 barrels of oil
produced for each fatality in 1926, in the drilling and producing
division, as compared with 7,430,000 in 1925, 5,230,000 in 1924,
and 4,460,000 in 1923. Stated in terms of fatality rates, there
were 1.12 fatal accidents per 10,000,000 barrels of oil produced in
1926, 1.35 in 1925, 1.91 in 1924, and 2.24 in 1923, or an average for
the 4-year period of 1.68 fatalities per 10,000,000 barrels.
It is stated that only 7 (28 per cent) of the 25 fatal accidents in the
drilling and producing division in 1926 could have been prevented
by the installation of safeguards and safety devices as provided in
the general petroleum industry safety orders for drilling and produc
tion issued by the Industrial Accident Commission of the State of
California, whereas nearly 50 per cent of the fatalities in 1923, the
year before the enactment of the safety orders, could have been pre
vented by the use of safeguards.
Most of the report is given over to a detailed review of how the
accidents in the various divisions of the industry occurred, together
with suggestions for avoiding repetition.
Coal-Mine Accidents in West Virginia, July, 1924, to December,
1925
D
URING the calendar year, 1925, the coal mines of West Vir
ginia, working an average of 194 days, employed an average
of 110,985 persons (or 111,708, if 723 coke workers are in
cluded), who produced 123,061,985 tons of coal at a total value of
$207,974,755. The wages received by 12,163 pick miners for mining
run-of-mine coal was 81 cents per ton, based on a production of
1,855 tons each, giving the average pick miner an income of $1,503
for the year.
These figures are brought out in the recent report of the West
Virginia Department of Mines,1covering in some instances 18 months
ending December 31, 1925, and in other cases only the calendar year
1925. This report is prepared in two sections, the first section includ
ing a brief summary of the statistical data as a preliminary chapter,
followed by production statistics, reports of mine inspectors, etc.,
while the second section includes accident records.
I t appears that there were 686 fatal and 3,394 nonfatal accidents
during this year and a half period. During the 12-month period
1 W est Virginia.
1926. 324 pp.
D ep artm en t of M ines. A nnual report, from Ju ly 1, 1924, to Dee. 31, 1925.
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Charleston,
54
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
ending with June 30, 1925, there were 551 fatal accidents, indicating a
much better record during the 18-month period. During the latter
period the number of killed per 1,000 inside workers was 6.96, which
is somewhat higher than in the 12-month period, when it was 5.29.
For each million tons of coal mined, based on a total of 176,306,656
tons, 3.89 men were killed and 19.25 were injured. During the 12month period the number of killed per million tons of coal mined
was 5.45. As might be expected in the coal-mining industry, the
largest proportion of those killed (52 per cent) and of those injured
(31 per cent) was due to falls of coal, slate, and roof, with mine cars
the second contributing cause (16.9 per cent of the fatal and 30.3
per cent of the nonfatal accidents).
hhe report tabulates the fatal and nonfatal accidents by causes,
by counties, by companies, and by length of experience of the workers.
Effective Rock D usting of Coal Mines
SUMMARY of the policy on rock dusting, advocated by the
United States Bureau of Mines, by George S. Rice, published
as Circular No. 6039, gives the requirements for effective
rock dusting of coal mines in order to prevent propagation of mine
explosions. The Bureau of Mines recommends rock dusting all coal
mines, except anthracite mines, in every part, whether in damp or
dry condition, and in addition, the erection of rock-dust barriers to
sectionalize the mine.
-t ne specifications for rock dusting have been determined by
nearly 1,000 explosion tests in the bureau’s experimental mine near
.Pittsburgh and provide that after the coal dust is cleaned up as
thoroughly as practicable, all open accessible parts of a mine should
be dusted, including slopes, entries, crosscuts, and rooms, headings
and pillar workings, to within at least 50 feet of the face with suffi
cient rock dust so that the remaining coal dust plus the rock dust
contains at least 65 per cent of inert or incombustible matter. The
first dusting may require from 3 to 5 pounds per linear foot of
passageway.
Limestone and dolomite dusts are to be preferred as they are free
from silica and are whitish in color, but whatever the dust used it
should not be unduly absorbent of moisture or have a tendency to
pack and shomd not have more than 25 per cent free silica or contain
more than 2 or 3 per cent of combustible material.
The rock dust in the mine should be sampled systematically and a
minimum p i 20 samples should be gathered each month in a mine
of small size and more in larger mines, the average being at least
one sample for each thousand tons of coal produced. The records of
analyses of dusts in specified zones should be kept, as well as times
oi re-rock dusting each zone, and maps showing the rock-dust zones
and rock-dust barriers should be posted in the mine office and in
fire bosses’ “ shanties.”
Tests of rock-dust barriers, which are either movable or fixed shelves
extending across passageways close to the roof, have shown that in
order successfully to limit the extent of an explosion they must be
loaded so that in case of an explosion they will discharge and scatter
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E F F E C T IV E ROCK D U S T IN G OF COAL M IN E S
55
from 50 to 100 pounds of rock dust per square foot of cross section
immediately before the arrival of the flame. In the experiments
many types of barriers failed because the rock dust was not dis
charged quickly enough; there was not sufficient rock dust; or it was
discharged in a mass, which is especially liable to happen if the rock
dust is so damp that it sticks together. However, rock-dust barriers,
even if successful, are not equivalent to general rock dusting and
are regarded by the bureau as secondary defenses.
Experiments on the relative explosibility of coal-mine dusts show
that while different factors, such as the amount of noncombustible
dust present, the amount of moisture, the fineness of the coal dust,
the percentage of volatile combustible matter, and the precentage of
inflammable gas present all affect the explosibility of the dust, some
combining to increase while others decrease the explosibility of a
given mine dust, the only safe procedure for the prevention of disas
trous explosions is to rock dust thoroughly in every part of the mine.
Practical demonstration of the effectiveness of rock dusting was
afforded by two coal-mine explosions 1 occurring in Pennsylvania in
April. In one of these explosions six men were killed and five men
were burned and suffered from gas poisoning, but the lives of 400
who were working in other parts of the mine were saved, as the
explosion was limited by the rock dust to the entry where it origi
nated. In the other explosion, which killed four men, the lives of
300 miners were saved. This explosion, which occurred in the main
haulage way, blew out every window in the town and rocked the
country for miles around, but was extinguished by the rock dust
without doing further damage within the mine.
Since 1924, six States—Utah, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, West Vir
ginia, Indiana, and Ohio—have enacted laws providing for the rock
dusting of bituminous mines but there are still 19 bituminous States
that have not taken any action toward the prevention of these
disasters.
i American L abor Legislation Review, Ju n e, 1927, p p . 129, 130: “ R ock du st again proves effective as a
life saver.”
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INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
The Toll of Industrial Noise
HE effepts_ on the human system of various kinds of noise met
with in industrial employment and some of the methods by
which noise and vibration may be eliminated are discussed by
C. Fenno Faulkner in the June, 1927, issue of Factory.
Noise is more than an unpleasant condition of industry; it is a
cause of shattered nerves and impaired hearing, and accidents,
lowered morale, and similar occupational disturbances may also be
attributed in part to its effects. We have tried to make a virtue of
necessity by regarding the senseless clamor and roar of industry as
an indication of its vigorous activity, the writer says, while in reality
noise is often only a sign of wasted energy, of poor design, or of
hurried ignorance. The reason that the bad effects of loud and con
tinuous noise have not been more generally recognized, he believes, is
because the effects are both insidious and cumulative in their action.
Also, even though noise and other vibration may be responsible for
an accident, sickness, or reduced efficiency, it is very difficult to fix
the responsibility.
; Various writers on industrial diseases are cited to show the role of
noise in producing fatigue, deafness, and functional nervous disorders.
In disease of the midd le ear caused by excessive noise, vertigo is a com
mon symptom, sometimes with nausea and faintness. Since dizziness
as an accompanying symptom is found more frequently among mill
and factory operatives whose work subjects them to vibrations from
the machinery in addition to the noise, there seems to be no doubt
that noise and vibration contribute their share to accidents in such
industries. “ I t has been proved that loud and continuous noise
lessens the ability to concentrate, to follow a consistent line of
thought, or to meet emergencies where quick, coherent thinking is
required. Aggravate this condition with exposure to direct vibration
and you have a possible explanation of some of those seemingly
needless accidents that one encounters so frequently.”
Since there is no question that noise is both offensive and injurious,
it is evident that to minimize its harmful effects it is necessary to
reduce, isolate, or absorb the undesirable vibrations or to alter the
tone of certain noises so as to render them less objectionable. Vibra
tions are transmitted in the following ways: Direct to the air from
the vibrating bodies, through the part of the structure to which the
vibrating bodies are attached, from the structure to the air, by direct
contact of the operative with the vibrating body, and by direct con
tact of the operative with the floor.
There are various ways of absorbing sound and vibrations. Where
heavy machinery is used much of the vibration can be absorbed by
the use of thick resilient mats between the base of the engine or
machine and its foundation, cork having proved to be the best
material for this purpose. Spring mountings of the self-aligning type
are successful particularly in the case of high-frequency vibrations,
and there are various silencing devices for use on different types of
machinery, although, in general, manufacturers of machinery have
yet to learn the importance of quiet operation of their products.
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PB E V E N T IO N OF DISEA SES OF O CCU PA TIO N
57
Continuous noises that are of high pitch but not necessarily loud
are the ones most likely to cause chronic ear troubles, and the lessen
ing of such noises lies in better design and the use, wherever possible,
of shock-absorbing materials. I t is considered possible also that
much relief would result from a small periodic change in the speed of
rotating parts, as a periodic change in pitch would relieve the ear.
Sound-absorbing materials include compressed cork, which at a
thickness of 1^2 inches absorbs sound 14 times as rapidly as bricks,
plaster, or glass; a new material made out of sugar-cane fiber which
is much in use in offices, salesrooms, radio broadcasting stations, and
other places where a minimum of sound reverberation is desired; felt;
and a special type of plaster which has been developed for this purpose.
In conclusion the writer says:
This problem of noise prevention can be solved only by scientific research.
We m ust learn w hat types and conditions of men are physically unfitted to w ith
stand continuous noise. We m ust have more definite standards for measuring
different noise effects on hum an fatigue and health and how to offset or eliminate
them . The duty of removing this nuisance rests on industry. Since it has been
found th a t noise has a direct relation to hum an fatigue any activity directed to
this end should prove very profitable.
Labor Laws as a Means of Preventing Diseases of Occupation
HE extent to which labor laws prevent diseases of occupation
was discussed by John Roach, deputy commissioner of labor
of New Jersey, at the fourteenth annual convention of the
Association of Governmental Labor Officials.
There is no doubt, Mr. Roach said, that a large percentage of the
ill health among workers is due to improper working conditions,
exposures to poisonous trade substances, devitalizing fatigue, and
sustained effort beyond the strength of the individual, and that these
are among the causes which send 4,000,000 people to the hospitals
each year. When, on the other hand, industry operates carefully so
that poisonous substances are handled by trained men; when dusts,
gases, and fumes are collected at their point of origin; and when
workmen in general are given health protection there is no doubt that
there is a most favorable effect on the health of the working groups.
Attention to proper sanitation and ventilation of workshops is
comparatively recent. A law passed in New Jersey in 1911 gave the
commissioner of labor authority to order the installation of exhaust
fans for gases, fumes, and dusts, and, owing to the extremely liberal
construction that has been placed on the act, it has been extended to
cover almost all the health work that has been done in the industries
of the State.
For many years attempts were made in New Jersey to extend the
workmen’s compensation act to include occupational diseases_ and,
after a thorough investigation had been made by a commission
appointed by the governor, the law was extended to cover a specified
group of occupational causes. Nearly all the substances which by
reason of their cumulative effects could be classed as causing occupa
tional diseases are included. Under this act, if a workman, for
example, enters a nitrating vessel in which benzol has been used and
is overcome by the vapors and dies as a result of the exposure, this
is classed as an industrial accident and not an industrial disease,
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
58
while if a workman becomes seriously ill or dies as a result of the
cumulative effect of daily exposure to benzol vapors, the case is
classed as an industrial disease.
Although it would not be possible to establish minimum standards
of safety without the enactment of laws, it is only when such laws
represent the will of the community, safeguard the best interests of
the people, and definitely establish the legal rights and responsibilities
of the citizens that they become effective in promoting social welfare.
The establishment of workmen’s compensation was a distinct step
forward, but Mr. Roach considers that the temptation is to exaggerate
the social value of the sums expended in settlements for occupational
injuries, while the measures for prevention which resulted from the
enactment of such legislation are immeasurably more important.
The same is true of occupational disease legislation. The effect of
laws requiring safeguards such as exhaust systems for the removal of
dust and fumes has been to remove processes involving such hazards
from their former dark and insanitary surroundings to well-lighted
workrooms, with the result that a better product is obtained, the
health of the workers is conserved, and their comfort is greatly
increased. Health statistics have proved that these changed condi
tions have an important bearing on the health of the workmen,
There has been the same result in the trades in which poisonous
substances are used, the health statistics having shown that careless
operating practices bring physical disaster, while careful methods
attract a better class of workmen, make them more contented in
their work, and at the same time reduce the compensation claims
that otherwise might accrue from poisoning and ill health.
For several years in New Jersey it has been a requirement that
every industrial disease should be carefully investigated, and the
services of an expert consultant in industrial chemistry are available
in cases which involve complicated and difficult problems in chemical
manufacture, while a skilled technician is employed for the purpose
of making atmospheric tests where operations involve exposures to
subtile trade poisons in gaseous form.
O C C U P A T IO N A L -D IS E A S E
C O M P E N S A T IO N C A SES
D U R IN G 1926
O C C U R R IN G
Total
num ber
of com
pensable
cases
O ccupational disease
H eat a n d lig h t (including h eat from asphalt—no t b u rn s )____
Lead poisoning_____ _
__________ ________________ ____
2
11
1
1
32
D eaths
T o ta l__________________
__________________ _______
Total
indem nity
paid
1Ï
$87
66 i
383
36
9,478
1,239
808
1,126
61
1
10,185
13,879
8
23
1
81
Total
days’
tim e
lost
C L O SE D
50
358
230
22
7,816
616
365
696
32
2
Occupational a ctiv ity (cellulitis, e tc .)................ ...........................
N o t otherwise classified.................................................................
AND
1 Painter, 51 years of age.
The preceding table shows the number of cases of occupational
disease occurring during the past year, the time lost, and the total
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PE N N SY L V A N IA CO N FEREN CE ON IN D U S T R IA L N U R S IN G
59
amount of indemnity paid. It is considered that, in addition to the
81 cases which are included because they were entitled to compensa
tion, at least three times as many occurred that did not cause dis
ability beyond the waiting time required by the occupational-disease
act.
Pennsylvania Conference on Industrial Nursing
CONFERENCE on industrial nursing held in Harrisburg,
Pa., in June, was attended by more than 200 industrial nurses,
medical directors, employers, and State officials, according to
a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and
Industry. The conference was called in recognition of the importance
of industrial nursing service and to discuss the needs and opportunities
of this phase of industrial progress.
The morning session was devoted principally to a discussion of
industrial nursing in relation to safety and the duties and responsi
bilities of the industrial nurse in the development of the safety pro
gram were stressed by the various speakers. Some of the points
brought out were the need for strong personality and sympathetic
insight on the part of the industrial nurse who through her direct
contacts with the injured men often has the opportunity to accomplish
the most effective kind of safety work; the importance of cooperation
on the part of the nurse with the safety engineer and the foreman
in noting the causes of the common types of accidents and removing
their cause; the value of extending the work of the industrial nurse
to the homes of the workers in order to free them from worry as to the
health of their families; and the need for close cooperation between
the State inspector and the industrial nurse.
The subject of the afternoon session was industrial nursing and
health, and the different speakers emphasized especially the value of
preventive medical work. Among the important ^points listed as
necessary in developing a health program were complete and accurate
nursing and medical records, which if properly kept will show the
major health problem in any organization; maintaining the physical
standard of the employees by scientific practical follow-up work in
the home, for which an opportunity is presented to the_plant nurse;
and attention on the part of the nurse to the origin of diseases which
appear to develop as a result of the conditions or processes of the
industry, as there is a real opportunity for industrial nurses to con
tribute in this way to the solution of the problem of industrial diseases.
• The health problem in industry was said by one speaker to be even
more important than the problem of accidents, and lack of interest
in the subject was given by him as one of the reasons why preventive
health work for industrial workers has developed so slowly. The
hope for the advance of health standards for industrial workers, he
said, is not through the efforts of either the workers or their employers,
or of community health agencies alone, but only through the combined
efforts of ail these groups.
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[283]
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
Disfci icts and District Offices Lstsbiished Under Lon.g’shorem e n ’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation A c tJ°
N ACCORDANCE with the provisions of section 39 (b) of the
longshoremen’s and harbor workers’ compensation act, the
United States Employees’ Compensation Commission hereby
establishes the following compensation districts, each district includ
ing the navigable waters of the United States within the areas speci
fied and the waters of the lakes and oceans and the bays and inlets
thereof bordering upon the areas specified:
District No. 1 comprises the New England States—Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
The office of a deputy commissioner of the district will be at Boston
Mass.
’
District No. 2 comprises the port of New York, including that part
°i at {?Ysey le£ally included in the port of New York and the State
oi .New Iork, except that part of New York State north and west of
a line 30 miles from the shore of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and the
Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. The office of the deputv com
missioner of the district will be at New York Citv.
District No. 8 comprises the State of New Jersey, except that part
legally included in the port of New York, and the States of Delaware
and Pennsylvania, except that part of the State of Pennsylvania
north and west of a line 30 miles from the shore of Lake Erie. The
office of the deputy commissioner of the district will be at Phila
delphia, Pa.
District No. 4 comprises the State of Maryland and the District of
Columbia, including the Potomac River. The office of the deputy
commissioner of the district will be at Baltimore, Md.
District No. 5 comprises the State of Virginia, except the Potomac
River, and the State of North Carolina. The office of the deputy
commissioner of the district will be at Norfolk, Va.
District No. 6 comprises the States of South Carolina and Georgia
and that part of Florida east of the eighty-seventh degree of west
longitude. The office of the deputy commissioner of the district
will be at bavannah, Ga.
District No. 7 comprises that part of the State of Florida west of
the eight-seventh degree of west longitude and the States of Alabama,
I
» L ? e Labo,r R e™ wJ or APn ]> 1927 (pp. 18-20), carried a brief account of the enactm ent of the
longshoremen s and h arbor workers’ com pensation act. T h e law is effective from Ju ly 1 as the sole rem edy
for in ju red w orkers w ith m its scope. _ I t provides for ad m in istrative districts in such num ber as the
L in ted States Em ployees C om pensation Commission deems advisable. In conformity w ith this Drovision, th e present order was issued Ju n e 18, 1927.
*
p
60
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[284]
D IS T R IC T S CREATED U N D E R CO M PEN SA TIO N ACT
61
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, but excluding that part of the
Mississippi River between Arkansas and Tennessee. The office of
the deputy commissioner of the district will be at New Orleans, La.
District No. 8 comprises the State of Texas, including that part of
the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma. The office of the
deputy commissioner of the district will be at Galveston, Tex.
District No. 9 comprises that part of the lake district in the States
of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York extending 30 miles inland
from the shore line of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and the Niagara
and St. Lawrence Rivers; also the lower peninsula of the State of
Michigan, except that part west and north of a line 30 miles from the
shore of Lake Michigan and the Strait of Mackinac. The office of
the deputy commissioner of the district will be at Cleveland, Ohio.
District No. 10 comprises the rest of the lake district, namely, an
area 30 miles wide along the shore of Lake Michigan in the lower
peninsula of Michigan, and in the States of Indiana and Illinois;
also all of the northern peninsula of Michigan, and the States of
Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and
Iowa, except that part of the Mississippi River between the States of
Iowa and Illinois. The office of the deputy commissioner of the
district will be at Chicago, 111.
District No. 11 comprises the State of West Virginia, the State of
Ohio, except north of a line 30 miles from Lake Erie, the State of
Indiana, including the Wabash River between Indiana and Illinois,
but excluding the territory north of a line 30 miles from the shore of
Lake Michigan; also the State of Kentucky, including that part of
the Ohio River between Kentucky and Illinois and that part of the
Mississippi River between Kentucky and Missouri, and the State of
Tennessee, including that part of the Mississippi River between the
States of Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. The office of the
deputy commissioner of the district will be at Louisville, Ky.
District No. 12 comprises the State of Illinois, including that part
of the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, but excluding
the territory east of a line 30 miles from the shore of Lake Michigan
and excluding that part of the Wabash River between Illinois and
Indiana and that part of the Ohio River between Illinois and Ken
tucky; also the State of Missouri, including the Missouri River
between Missouri and. Nebraska, but excluding the Mississippi
River between Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee; also the States
of Kansas and Oklahoma, excluding the Red River between Okla
homa and Texas. The office of the deputy commissioner of the
district will be at St. Louis, Mo.
District No. 13 comprises all of California, Arizona, New Mexico,
Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, and the Territory of Hawaii. The
office of the deputy commissioner of the district will be at San
Francisco, Calif.
District No. 14- comprises the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, and Wyoming, and the Territory of Alaska. The^ office of
the deputy commissioner of the district will be at Seattle, Wash.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[285]
62
M O N T H L Y LABOE K EV IEW
Recent Compensation Reports
C o lo ra d o
H E ninth report of the Industrial Commission of Colorado
covers the biennium December 1 , 1924, to D ecem ber 1 , 1926.
H eretofore the commission’s reports have covered a single year.
The S tate m aintains an insurance fund in com petition w ith other
lines of com pensation insurance. T he prem ium income for all
insurance carriers for the year 1925 was: Stock companies, $1.033,795 •
m utual companies, $351,429; S tate fund, $554,869—a to tal of
$1,940,092. Losses paid by stock companies during the year
am ounted to $567,365; by m utual companies, $139,083; and by the
S tate fund, $279,973—a total of $986,421. F or 1926 figures are
available only for the S tate fund, its prem ium income for l l m onths
oi the year being $575,496, and the losses paid $279,819.
T
A recommendation is made that the arbitrary limitation as to
operating expenses established by the legislature be done away with
and a provision made whereby the fund shall be applicable not only
to the payment of losses but also to the payment of the fund’s
expenses, thus removing the fund’s expenses from the appropriation
bm .
mutual companies have an average operating expense of 25
per cent, while the average expense of operating the State fund for
the period from January 1, 1922, to November 30, 1926, was 4 8 per
cent.
The income of the S tate fund for the year ending Novem ber 30,
1926, was $587,254 from prem iums and $85,410 from interest, other
item s together w ith financial transactions m aking the y ear’s income
chi,085.690 Of this sum $305,833 was paid in com pensation and
m ed ioa- aid , $55,960 in dividends, and $27,809 in operating expenses.
i ne claim department in 1925 reported 18,143 first reports, 20,500
supplemental reports, 5,807 claims for compensation, 166 lump-sum
applications, 1,879 referee awards, and 577 commission awards, while
J T j926 1lt.repo/ ted 19>797 fir^ reports, 22,000 supplemental reports,
5,o84 claims for compensation, 176 lump-sum applications, 2,312
referee awards, and 572 commission awards. Of the 131 lump-sum
applications granted in 1926, 43 were for the purpose of purchasing
homes.
&
.
data aie given as to cause, industry, or nature of injury except
in a very general way._ In 1925 there were 152 amputations, 30 cases
of permanent total disability, 157 cases of permanent partial disabifity, and 5,468^cases of temporary total disability. There were 83
cases of fatal claims involving persons wholly dependent and 19 with
partial dependents. _No dependents appeared in 41 cases. In 9
cases there were toreign dependents. In 1926 there were 178 ampu
tations, 25 permanent total disability cases, 163 permanent partial
disability cases, 5,241 temporary total disability cases, 80 fatal claims
involving persons wholly dependent, 27 with partial dependents,
3/ wnh no dependents, and 11 with foreign deDendents.
, lh e average weekly wage in 1925 was $25.02, average weekly rate
oi compensation $10.74, and the average number of weeks of disa
bility 9.84, while in 1926 the figures were $24.95, $10.63, and 9.26,
respectively.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[286]
B E C EN T C O M PE N SA TIO N BEPOK TS— W E S T V IR G IN IA
63
W e st V ir g in ia
'T ’HE annual report of the Com pensation Commissioner of W est
A Virginia for the year ending June 30, 1925, gives a very detailed
account of the different classes of awards for perm anent disabilities
and deaths. There were 31,631 injuries reported during the year, of
which 550 were fatal.1 There were 25 awards under the S tate fund
for perm anent total disability and 1,294 for perm anent partial disa
bility.
Compensation paym ents for the year am ounted to $3,354,479,
distributed as follows: M edical aid, $487,730; funeral benefits,
$78,012; tem porary disability cases, $922,210; perm anent to tal disa
bility cases, $94,121; perm anent partial disability cases, $953,405;
and fatal accidents, $819,002.
Two catastrophes occurred during the year, both in coal mines, in
which 36 persons were killed. There were no known dependents in 5
cases, but in the other 31 cases there were 22 dependent widows, 66
children, and 8 parents.
The report of the fund June 30, 1925, discloses $12,805,180 as
assets, reserves for claims amounting to $12,093,820, and. deposits to
secure paym ent of premiums, $561,089, leaving a general surplus of
$150,271.
Benefits paid during the life of the act (October 1, 1913, to June
30, 1925) amounted to $17,741,075 and administration expenses to
$1,129,937, these items with the reserves, general surplus, etc.,
balancing receipts. The cost of administering the fund has been
4.12 per cent of the earned premium.
Since the inception of the act there have been approximately 280,000
injuries reported and awards made, of which 7,372 were for permanent
partial disability, 312 for permanent total disability, and 9,982 to
dependents on account of 3,747 fatal injuries. Of the dependents in
fatal cases 2,871 were widows, 6,330 minor children, 8 invalid children
over 15 years of age, and 773 parents and others.
As is quite naturally expected, coal mining leads the list of injuries
reported during 1924-25, with 13,401 .nonfatal cases and 455 fatal
cases, metal workers ranking next in the number of nonfatal cases
(5,755), but fourth in fatal cases, the number being but 18 as against
31 for contractors and 28 for lumber.
Of the temporary disabilities for which aw'ards were made, 4,584
are attributed to falling objects, 3,528 to railway, trams, etc., 3,414
to hand tools, etc., 2,388 to flying objects, 1,633 to heat and elec
tricity, the percentage of the total number of cases being as follows:
20.2 for falling objects, 15.9 for railway, trams, etc., 15.1 for hand
tools, etc., 10.5 for flying objects, and 7.2 for heat and electricity.
Perm anent to tal injuries are presented, by class, injury, and cause.
Perm anent partial awards are likewise presented in detail, showing
awards and liability by class, cause of injury, etc. F atal cases are
likewise shown, together with the num ber of dependents and their
relationship to the deceased.
There were also reported 1,122 injuries covered by employers
carrying their own risk. Orders were issued for payment of 518
temporary total awards amounting to $26,074 and for medical aid,
1 Dependency was proven and awards made to 388 widows, 845 children, 35 fathers, 36 mothers, and
68 others.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2871
M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W
64
etc., $16,152. Awards were made in 36 permanent partial cases in
the amount of $38,474. Funeral awards were made in the amount
of $3,125, covering 23 claims with 13 dependent widows, 34 children,
and 5 parents.
Other tables are shown giving ages of persons permanently or
fatally injured, marital conditions, nationality, etc., and a résumé
of operations of the act throughout its existence.
Wisconsin
Industrial Commission of Wisconsin has recently issued its
Luirteenth report on the administration of the workmen’s com
pensation law. Heretofore these reports have been issued annually,
but owing to the small number of cases of general interest decided
by the commission during the period July 1, 1924, to June 30, 1926,
this report covers a biennium. In addition to data covering 19241926, there is a table covering the period, September 1, 1911 (the
date of inception of the act), to June 30, 1926. During this period
253,408 cases were reported. Of these, 217,664 were settled, 24,200
were not compensable, and 11,544 were still open at the end of the
period. Indemnity awarded during the period amounted to
$25,561,698, and medical, etc., aid totaled $8,283,489, making a
total of $33,845,187 for all benefits paid. The average amount of
indemnity per case was $117, and average medical, etc., aid was $38.
During the year ending June 30, 1925, 24,064 cases were reported,
21,349 of which were settled at a total cost in indemnity and medical
aid of $4,615,369, an average of $216 per case, while in 1926 the
number of cases reported, was 26,322, of which 21,084 were settled
at a total cost in indemnity and medical aid of $4,624,892, making
the average per case $219.
Of the awards made in 1925, 194 were for fatal cases, 4 for perma
in ent total disability, and 653 for permanent partial disability. In
1926 awards were made for 155 fatal cases, 3 for permanent total
disability, and 790 for permanent partial disability. Funeral ex
penses in 1925 amounted to $30,558 and in 1926 to $26,087, which
indicates that the maximum allowance of $200 is quite frequently
paid.
There are other tables showing the num ber of cases dismissed and
grounds therefor, the num ber of actions for review in the circuit court
and the supreme court and the action taken by them . Several pages
of the report are devoted to excerpts of the decisions of the commission
during the biennium.2
Silicosis, Pneumoconiosis, and Caisson Disease Made
Compensable in O ntario, Canada
HE report of the Workmen’s Compensation Board of Ontario for
1926 states that during the year the list of industrial diseases
covered by the workmen’s compensation act had been enlarged
to include silicosis in mining communities; pneumoconiosis in quarry
ing, crushing, and grinding of stone and metals; and caisson disease
in deep sewer work.
T
2 T h e W isconsin L abor Statistics, a m o n th ly publication of th e industrial commission gives more de
tailed inform ation relating to th e subject of compensation th a n docs the report above referred to, and
articles from th a t source are p rin ted from tim e to tim e in th e Labor Review.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S USANCE IN EN G LA N D AND W ALES
65
The most important of these diseases in Ontario from the stand
point of the numbers involved is silicosis, a very considerable number
of miners suffering from the disease having been found in the mining
camps. In a conference between the representative mine owners,
the department of industrial hygiene, and the workmen’s compensa
tion board, it was agreed that three distinct stages of the disease
should be recognized in awarding compensation. These are the anteprimary, the primary, and the secondary stages. In the first stage in
which silicosis is present but has not progressed far enough to cause
physical impairment if the man is removed from further exposure to
silica dust, compensation to the amount of $500 is allowed to cover the
cost of rehabilitation in another industry. In the primary stage, in
which some degree of impairment is present, the compensation was
fixed at $1,000 to cover permanent disability and rehabilitation in
another industry; and in secondary silicosis, which is usually com
plicated with tuberculosis, when total disability is reached the com
pensation for permanent total disability is awarded. Early in 1927
a silicosis board, consisting of four doctors, three from the depart
ment of public health and the reporting physician, was established.
The decisions of this board as to whether the claimant is suffering
from the disease and, if so, as to what stage he is in must be unani
mous, and the decisions of the board are final.
In connection with several deaths from caisson disease in Toronto
in sewer work which was being carried on in compressed air it was
decided that such deaths could not be regarded as of an accidental
nature, but that they are incidental to the carrying on of the work in
compressed air, and therefore in order to be compensated would have
to be added to the industrial-diseases section of the act. The disease
was accordingly added to the provisions of the act by regulation of
the board, to take effect from January 1, 1926.
P en sio n s, Poor Relief, and Unemployment Insurance in England
and Wales
HE Statistical Abstract of the United Kingdom, of which the
seventieth number was recently issued by the British Board of
Trade,1 contains a series of tables showing the number_of
recipients of pensions and poor relief for some years past and giving
the total receipts and. expenditures of the unemployment insurance
fund.
In 1911 old-age pensions were paid to 613,873 persons, 218,158
being men and 395,715 women; the amount paid in such pensions for
the year ending March 31, 1911, was £6,248,000; In 1925 those re
ceiving old-age pensions numbered 900,536, an increase of 46.7 per
cent. There wras a difference in this respect between the sexes, the
men having increased to 332,360, or by 52.3 per cent, while the wo
men numbered 568,176, 43.6 per cent more than in the earlier year.
In 1911 the great majority of recipients, 569,130, drew a pension of
5s. a week, successively smaller groups receiving less than this by
Is., until 4,134 had but'ls. Up to 1919 the highest pension remained
T
i G reat B ritain. B oard of Trade. Statistical abstract for th e U nited K ingdom for each of the 15 years
from 1911 to 1925. London, 1927. [Cmd. 2849.]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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66
M O N T H L Y LABOE E E V IE W
stationary at 5s., but then the amount was increased, and 1920 saw
658,346 of the pensioners drawing 10s. and only 899 in the Is. group.
In 1925 the number receiving lOs.was 878,584, or over 97 per cent of
the total. The amount paid out in old-age pensions in this year was
£22,156,000.
The net total of persons receiving poor relief of any kind on January
1, 1912, was 801,881. The number gradually sank through the war
years, reaching its lowest point, 554,617, on January 1, 1919. There
after it rose suddenly and reached its maximum in January, 1923,
when it stood at 1,537,990. On January 1, 1926, it was 1,439,810,
a number larger by 80 per cent than it had been 14 years earlier.
Tim number of those receiving relief in their homes is perhaps more
significant than the total, which includes the insane and others requir
ing institutional care. The recipients of outdoor relief rose from
408,106 in 1912 to_ 1,003,399 in 1926, their ratio to each 10,000 of the
estimated population rising from 113 to 258. The public expenditure
on relief of the poor and matters connected therewith rose meanwhile
from £14,463,902 in 1912 to £36,841,768 in 1925, the latest year for
which data are given.
The unemployment insurance scheme at its outset in 1911 covered
only a limited^ number of the workers, and for nine years it grew
slowly, its receipts far exceeding its expenditures and its reserve fund
increasing in a satisfactory manner. When the brief postwar boom
was succeeded by a period of acute depression the scheme was
suddenly extended to cover most of the working classes, domestic and
agricultural workers being the chief exceptions. The data as to
receipts and expenditures begin with the date at which the plan was
amended, November, 1920. Receipts from that time to July 5, 1925,
were as follows:
R E C E I P T S A N D E X P E N D I T U R E S OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T I N S U R A N C E F U N D
Receipts
Year
W orkers
and
employers
State
Interest
Section
41 i
Other
receipts
Total
Total
expendi
tures
Balance
of fund at
end of
period
N ov. 8,1920, to
Ju ly , 1921___ £8,918,940 £2,168, 639 £579,263 £1,357,315 £8,289 £13,030,446
£34, 756, 235
£99,798
192122_ 30, 553,808 11,057,901
553,411
820,260 38,905 43, 024, 085 58,452, 711 214,959,256
192223_ 34,029,359 12,166,266
443, 659 34, 022 46,673, 306 47,880,263 216,148,267
1923-24............
36, 743,365 13,184, 784
273, 472 24, 820 50,226, 441 41,187, 691 2 7,093, 871
1924-25............
36,723, 531 13,148,085
292, 963 14, 671 50,179, 250 51, 550,823 3 8,441,691
T o ta l___ 146,966,803 51, 725, 675 1,132, 674 3,187,669 120,707 203,133,528
233,827,723
1 C ontributions of service departm ents (A dm iralty, W ar Office, and Air M inistry).
2 D ebit.
^These figures show clearly the effect of suddenly covering into the
sen erne, at a time of extreme industrial depression, millions of workers
who had not made any preliminary payments toward the benefits
provided. At the end of 1920 the unemployment insurance fund had
such a large surplus that it was possible to pay before July, 1921, not
far from £22,000,000 in benefits over and above payments received
and yet have a balance of £99,798. From that time the fund has
never had a surplus, its most prosperous time being the period
1923-24, when its debt sank to a little over £7,000,000.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[290]
HOUSING
Tax Exemption for Housing Corporations in NewYork C ity 1
ARLY in June, 1927, the New York m unicipal assembly passed
an ordinance exempting from local taxes for a period of 20
years all model tenem ents which lim ited-dividend corporations
m ay build, either on land now occupied or formerly occupied by
old-law tenem ents or undesirable buildings. U nder the S tate lav/,
passed in M ay, 1926, such corporations are exempted from the pay
m ent of any and all franchise, organization, income, m ortgage record
ing, and other taxes to the State and its officers, and their bonds and
m ortgages, w ith the interest thereon and their dividends, are also
freed from S ta te taxation. The S tate could not rem it local taxes on
buildings and improvements, b u t it authorized m unicipalities to do
so, and provided th a t whenever a m unicipality took advantage of
this permission, the buildings and improvem ents should be to the
same extent freed from S tate taxes.
E
Public limited-dividend housing corporations are required to
furnish, through the actual sale of stock for cash, one-third of the
capital required for any project undertaken, the remainder being
secured through bonds bearing 5 per cent on first mortgage and 5^2
per cent on debenture bonds. All projects must be approved by the
housing board, and rent must not exceed $12.50 per room per month
in New York proper, the bathroom not being counted as a room.
Dividends are limited to 6 per cent. Should returns reach a figure
which, allowing for cost of maintenance, depreciation, and the like,
would justify a higher return, rents are to be lowered proportionately.
I t is definitely expected that this action will lead to the substitution
of new and improved housing for the old-law tenements which have
been one of the dark spots in New York’s housing problem. A
survey of the most congested parts of the city, made in the latter part
of 1926, showed some 950 assessment blocks suitable for housing of
the kind contemplated, on which, allowing for all costs of condemna
tion proceedings, compensation, etc., it would be possible to build
model tenements of the kind desired to rent within the limits set.“
The housing board, whose approval must be secured before any
building may be erected, has decided upon various types of housing
which it will sanction. All require the three forms of economy which
the large semiphilanthropic corporations have found practicable
cheap land, cheap capital, and efficient large-scale construction. The
land in the blocks covered by the survey referred, to ranged from
$6 to $14 a square foot, the rates which may be paid for capital are
strictly limited, and examples of efficient large-scale construction are
not wanting. I t is intended that not more than 50 per cent of the
land shall be occupied by the building, leaving a large amount for
court and playgroimd space, air, and light. According to the New
York Record and Guide (June 11, p. 5), it is estimated that
$25,000,000 is needed to make a satisfactory beginning of the move
ment, and it is hoped that this will be raised without delay.
> See L abor R eview , M arch, 1927, p. 178.
1 N e w Y ork Tim es, June 12, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[201J
67
COOPERATION
Cooperative Provision of Credit to the Needy Worker
HE need for the provision of avenues of credit for the worker
who needs a loan and the present credit system in the United
States are discussed in an article in the May, 1927, issue of the
International Labor Review.1
I t is estimated that only from 7 to 15 per cent of the population
have bank credit, leaving the great majority of people without normal
bank-credit facilities. For the average small borrower there are three
sources of credit: (1) Remedial-loan associations, (2) private agencies
operating either under public regulation or in more or less open defi
ance of all regulation, and (3) cooperative credit societies.
T
Remedial Loan Associations
COME 30 remedial-loan associations have been formed in the
United States. These are semiphilanthropic institutions financed
by private capital, which is advanced by persons actuated by “ a
desire to supply funds for necessitous borrowers at legitimate rates.”
. hese, it is stated, were established as a stabilizing force “ to pro
vide such competition as would result in the improvement of the
methods commonly employed by money lenders, and to afford an
object lesson that would attract reputable capital to the business.”
Private Agencies
TTSURA is described as a result of the combination of a need of
credit, generally acute, and a breakdown of credit facilities at
normal rates of interest. The borrower is usually in immediate
need of money, is often timid, ignorant, and anxious for privacy.
Under such circumstances he is likely to accept whatever terms he
is offered at the first place at which he applies. The “ freebooter”
money lender is therefore at liberty to charge what he will, and
investigations have shown that in some cases the rates actually
charged under such conditions range from 260 to 3,600 per cent.
The writer points out in this connection the error of the popular
tendency to consider all rates in excess of the traditional 6 per cent
as usurious. If the loan costs the lender 8 per cent to make and he
charges the borrower 14 per cent, “ realizing a net 6 per cent profit,
obviously the transaction is not usurious. Usury is the practice of
charging a rate of interest which—all of the circumstances of the
given case taken into careful consideration—is inequitable.”
1 E ^ JD a tio n a l Labor R eview (G eneva), M ay , 1927, p p. 709-740: “ Credit cooperation as adapted to the
needs of th e w orker,” b y R oy F. Bergengren.
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The money lender fills an economic need, for he sells credit to a
buyer who needs credit and can not get it elsewhere. I t is because
of this fact that antiusury legislation which does not take into
account the need of the borrower for a source of credit inevitably fails.
Usury can be eliminated only by creating at the same time a source
of credit at legitimate rates of interest. This has been the aim of
what is known as the “ uniform small-loan” legislation in various
States. Such legislation provides for an interest rate of 3 Hi per
cent a month on loans of $300 or less, or 42 per cent per year. This
rate is justified on the ground (1) that the risk in these loans is greater
than those usually handled by ordinary banks, the term of the loan
is longer, and the security offered usually not of the sort acceptable
to the bank; (2) that operating expenses are high because the amount
loaned is small and must be collected in monthly installments; and
(3) that the lending capacity of a small-loan agency is limited to its
cash capital on which it must pay dividends. The law provides for
supervision of the lending agencies and reports therefrom; it elim
inates service charges and makes the rates computable on the bal
ances. The money-lending business is placed by it on a respectable
basis.
.
v n
The successful operation of the small-loan laws is pointed to as an
indication of “ the soundness of the contention that there can be no
successful small-loan legislation which fails to take into account the
need of the borrower for credit, and which also fails to recognize the
fact that the borrower, of the description we have in mind, is not a
free agent who can be left to the protection of the law of supply and
demand.”
Cooperative Credit
QINCE experience seems to have proved that 3 be per cent a month
is the lowest rate which will attract private capital for lending
purposes, if the wageworker is to have available for his use credit
resources at a lower rate than 42 per cent he_must look to another
source than to the private loan agencies. _ This can be found in the
cooperative credit society, whose underlying principle is “ the accu
mulation of the savings of a group of people, the investment of the
accumulation in loans at legitimate rates of interest to members of
the group, and the management of the resulting business by officers
chosen by and from the members of the group in meetings in which
each member of the group has a single vote whatever his holding in
shares and deposits may be. No one outside the group has anything
at all to do with it directly or indirectly.” _
'
Each member subscribes for at least a single share of capital stock,
paying for it in cash or weekly installments of as little as 25 cents a
week. Under the latter plan each member is encouraged to save
what he can, acquiring in the process the habit of regular saying.
“ By the time the member has his first share paid for he has acquired
this habit and goes right on subscribing for more shares.” Thus the
funds of the group are built up and little by little each member
accumulates savings.
,
The funds thus accumulated are used for loans to members ot the
group, repayable in installments spread out over the period of a year.
Thus in the credit union the member turns for credit to his fellow
worker. “ He unites with his own associates; they pool their savings;
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M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW
they use the resulting accum ulation solely for the benefit of those to
whom it belongs, namely, for the benefit of the savers.”
There is no inyested capital on which a preferred dividend must be paid;
there is no incentive to usury, as the funds invested are the joint funds of the
members, most of whom at some time or other must turn to the funds for credit.
There is no large overhead expense; there is the capacity for correct credit
diagnosis. The result of it all is that loans are made at normal rates of interest.
The credit union is a sane, business-like device for creating credit— not for
every applicant, but for every applicant eligible to and worthy of credit; not
for all purposes, but for the purposes which hold forth a real probability of
ultimate value to the borrower. Credit unions succeed when the plan is properly
applied; by the same token, they fail when improperly managed. Success is in
every case the result of hard work. In the credit union most of this work is
done unselfishly. It is necessary to find some substitute for the compelling
motive which brings as a reward to the private lender a high return on his money.
■The successful credit unionist must be touched with the passion for service;
he must realize that his organization has in it something of the principle of the
:brotherhood of man—that it is a cooperative organization built on a founda
tion of the strength of unity for a common purpose; as the credit union grows
.in size and assets, those who do the bulk of the work will be paid something
^and adequately; but whether the credit union be large or small, they must have
at least a glimmering sense of that intangible something which may make a
[human being conscious of his capacity, large though it be or small, to perforin
;unselfish service. Such sense is rare, though not so rare as popularly imagined.
[Coupled with that must be hard-headed business acumen, good sense, an under
standing of credit, and the will to make the business succeed as a business.
[Cooperation is not a miracle; it is a plan of human association in business for
[the joint and several good of those who are so associated, and there can be no
good result from the operations of any cooperative society— whether it deal in
[credit or in any other commodity—unless the business is a success as a business.
•There is little sense in a plan of profit division if there be no profits to divide.
r The author refers to the fact th a t credit union legislation has been
only a recent developm ent, so th a t “ of necessity, the developm ent
¡(of credit unions) in m ost S tates is thus far of a pioneering n a tu re ”
'and has “ purposely followed the laboratory or experimental m ethod.”
in this experimental way the credit union plan has been inaugurated
[among various groups—postal employees, railway employees, schooliteachers, etc.
:r C redit unions supply valuable business training to their officers.
¡They are alm ost exclusively managed by wage workers. The author
cites the fact th a t the 20 directors of the M assachusetts C redit Union
(League, each of whom is the m anager of a credit union, together
m anage a business totaling $8,000,000 a year. “ No one of them
ever m anaged anything more im portant than his individual pay en
velope prior to the organization of his credit union, and the credit
union business they m anage is subject to the supercritical examination
of the M assachusetts S tate D epartm ent of Banking, a scrutiny to
.which m any private businesses could not successfully be subm itted.”
I_ I t is pointed out th a t “ credit unions are the only type of banking
institutions which have had no involuntary liquidations during the
.very difficult w ar and post-war periods.”
Unlike ordinary banks, the credit union does not require th a t the
m em ber have accum ulated an account equal to or in excess of the
loan required. A m an who is a m em ber of the group from which
the credit union membership is recruited b u t not a m em ber of the
credit union m ay find himself in great and im m ediate need. His case
will no t be rejected because he is not a member, bu t he m ust become
a member, and subscribe for a share of stock, paying an initial in
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PR O V ISIO N OF CRED IT TO TPIE N EED Y W ORKER
71
stallment on it and an entrance fee—at a total initial cost of 50 cents.
Having done that, he may apply for credit and his application will
be considered just as if his holdings in the society were considerable.
The terms on which the loan is granted may, however, take into con
sideration his small holdings. The term of the loan may be shorter,
an indorsement of another member may be required, or he may be
required to subscribe for additional shares of stock. _ “ All the cir
cumstances will be taken into account, but if there is any way in
which the applicant can be assisted, consistent with the safe invest
ment of the funds of the credit union, such credit assistance will be
afforded him.”
Credit committees become very expert in judging the borrower’s
good faith. This committee must be satisfied of his intentions
faithfully to meet his obligations before it will grant a loan. The
excellence of the committee’s judgment in this regard is attested by
the small losses of credit unions.
The author feels that the credit problem in_ the United States is
that of the “ quantity production of credit unions, and cooperative
credit should work as well elsewhere to assist the worker to solve his
credit problem when the principle is properly applied.”
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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
Civil Rights of Former Convicts
RATHER novel defense was set up in a case which recently
came before the Supreme Court of Nebraska on appeal.
(Rosteder v. Duling et al., 213 N. W. 809.) John Bosteder was
employed by the defendants to feed cornstalks into an ensilage cut
ting machine, and while so doing his hand and arm were caught in the
rollers of the machine and injured. In an action for damages brought
in the district court of Lancaster County it was established by the
admissions of the defendants in their pleadings and by the evidence
adduced at the trial that the ensilage cutter was worn, out of repair,
unfit for use, and dangerous to the one feeding it, and that these facts
were known to the defendants but were unknown to Bosteder. At
the close of the plaintiff’s evidence the defendants moved for a dis
missal of the case for the following reasons:
A
(1)
Because th e re c o rd shows th a t the plaintiff has been convicted of a felony,
has lost his civil rights, and has no rights to m aintain an action in th e courts of
N e b r a s k a (2) because the evidence is not sufficient to sustain a verdict in favor
of the plaintiff and against this defendant; (3) because th e plaintiff has not
sustained any of th e allegations of his petition against this defendant.
The trial court sustained the motion and dismissed the case; hence
the appeal.
The Supreme C ourt found th a t none of the positions taken by the
defendants’ m otion should have been sustained, and therefore the
trial court had com m itted a reversible error.
For the purpose of this article only the first position will be dealt
with. By the provisions of the constitution of N ebraska a person
convicted of felony is deprived of the right to hold office, to vote, to
serve as a juror, or to hold any office of honor, tru st, or profit within
the State. In the course of the opinion Judge Thom as, speaking
for the court, said;
Considering the above constitutional provision and such sections of th e statu te,
together w ith section 15, article 1, of the constitution, which provides th a t “ no
conviction shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate,” none thereof
deprive such convicted_ person of other or different rights th a n those specifically
nam ed therein respectively. Thus, “ corruption of blood” and “ forfeiture of
estate,” as imposed by th e common law on persons attain ted of felony, are
unknow n to the laws of this S tate, and no consequences follow conviction and
sentence by reason thereof, save and except such as are declared by constitution
or sta tu te . * * *
As_no conviction shall work “ corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate,”
certainly none of such sections cited deprives this plaintiff, by reason of his con
viction of a felony, of his civil right to his property and earnings, as existed
prior to such conviction, and neither do they deny to him due process to our
courts to protect his property or earnings. Civil death, as known to th e common
law, is w ithout place in our jurisprudence. (Bosteder v. Duling et al., 213 N. W.
The judgm ent of the trial court was therefore reversed and the
cause rem anded for further proceedings.
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L E G IS L A T IO N FOR W O R K IN G W O M EN IN C H IL E
73
Protective Legislation for Native Workers in Argentina 1
HE Argentine Ministry of the Interior issued a decree on Janu
ary 13,1927, for the purpose of protecting the Indians settled in
the native reserves. It is explained that natives who work indi
vidually or in groups in the northern territories must be protected
against abuses by individuals and by undertakings.
#
An Indian reserves committee shall fix wages, in cash or in kind,
to be paid to the natives and shall determine the expenditure to be
incurred. I t shall authorize the purchase of stock, implements,
foodstuffs, clothing, and other necessities for the Indians. To
encourage the settlement of natives in the reserves the committee,
shall offer them work with pay and shall supply them with necessary
food and clothing. The decree provides that the committee shall
endeavor to educate and to teach them the value of thrift. The
construction of buildings and any other improvements in the reserve
shall be authorized by the committee.
Since the Indians are more efficien t in agricultural than in industrial
pursuits, the committee is empowered to supply them with necessary
agricultural implements and with seed during the farming season.
Native schools are to be established and pupils attending such schools
are to be supplied with free food and clothing.
The sale of alcoholic beverages is forbidden in the reserves and those
violating this provision are to be reported to the Ministry of the
T
Interior.
All labor agreements concluded by the natives are to be supervised
by the committee which may refuse to authorize the engagement of
native workers by enterprises wThich do not comply with the require
ments of the law.
Firms which desire to engage natives for employment away from
their place of residence must first obtain the authorization of tne
committee.
_
.
.
A system of inspection of the working conditions of native labor
is to be inaugurated, the cost of which is to be paid by tne industrial
establishments concerned.
Protective Legislation for Working Women in Chile ¿
CHILE AN legislative decree (No. 442) in effect throughout that
Republic since June, 1925, contains provisions governing the
employment of working mothers in industrial and commercial
enterprises. The law applies to all factories, workshops, and indus
trial or commercial establishments^ whether public or private, if 20
or more women are employed therein.
Women employees must be granted leave for a period of 40 days
before childbirth and 20 days thereafter at one-half of their regular
wage; if employed on a piece-rate basis they shall be paid one-half
of their average earnings during the preceding month.
A
i La Nación, Buenos Aires, Jan. 15, 1927; and In tern atio n al L abor Office.
In d u strial and Labor Informa-
^ ^ *0 hi fe.16h i oí et í u dé b í Dirección General del Trabajo, año 1925, no. 23: Las Leyes del Trabajo y de
Previsión Social de Chile, pp. 288-298.
6
55507°—27
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74
Employers may not dismiss a woman employee without reasonable
cause, and a reduction in the output of a prospective mother shall
not bo deemed a reasonable cause.
Enterprises covered by this law must maintain rooms adjacent to
the workplaces where the woman employees may nurse their children
and leave them while they are at work. These rooms shall be so
situated as to admit plenty of air and sunshine, and shall be equipped
with at least three chairs and three cots for every 20 woman workers
employed. Every establishment shall have as many rooms as are
necessary to accommodate the children of the woman workers and
in no case shall more than 25 children be accommodated in 1 room.
The nurseries are to be under the care of a competent person who
shall be responsible for the care of the children. A notice shall be
posted at the door of the nursery informing the woman workers that
they have the right to take their children to this room.
The mothers shall be entitled to two rest periods a day of half an
hour each for the purpose of nursing their children. Deductions
shall not be made from the mothers’ wages on account of these rest
periods.
The text of this lav/ shall be posted in the workrooms of factories
employing women and a copy thereof shall be given to each woman
employee.
Violations of any of the provisions of this decree are to be punished
by a fine of not less than 100 nor more than 500 pesos.3 The amounts
thus collected shall constitute a fund for the purpose of assisting
working mothers, to be expended in a manner prescribed by the
President of the Republic. In case of a repetition of the offense, a
fine of not less than 500 nor more than 1,000 pesos shall be imposed
and the establishment may be closed.
Employees of the General Labor Office have the right to inspect
factories, workshops, and commercial establishments which employ
women, and to report any irregularities which they may observe in
the carrying out of these regulations. The General Labop Office
may require any improvements in the equipment and services of
the crèches which appear necessary as a result of the inspection.
Progress of the English Trade-Union Bill
HE bill for regulating trade-unions, the terms of which were given
in the Labor Review for May, 1927, passed its third reading
in the House of Commons on June 23, and went to the House
of Lords. In its passage through the Commons several amendments
were made, mostly in the hope of lessening the ambiguity of the
original terms. The first section had, among other conditions
which made a strike illegal, included the intention to “ intimidate
the community or any substantial portion of the community.” This
has been amended so that the first part of the section now reads:
T
I t is hereby declared th a t any strike is illegal if it has any object other th an
or in addition to th e furtherance of a trad e dispute w ithin th e trad e or industry
in which th e strikers are engaged, and is a strike designed or calculated to coerce
th e Governm ent either directly or by inflicting hardship upon th e com m unity.
* Exchange rate of peso in 1926=12.08 cents.
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PE O G EE SS O F T H E E N G L IS H TEA D E-TJN IO N B IL L
75
A new subsection was inserted covering lockouts, which were not
mentioned in the bill as at first introduced, and applying to them
the same provisions as to strikes.
Under the original terms of the bill everyone who took part m a
strike which was declared illegal might be held guilty of violating
the law and punished by fine or imprisonment. This section has
been amended to read:
If any person declares, instigates, incites others to take p a rt or otherwise
acts in furtherance of a strike or lockout declared by the ac t to be illegal, he shall
be liable on sum m ary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10 or to im prisonm ent
for a term not exceeding three m onths or on conviction on indictm ent to im prison
m ent for a term n o t exceeding two years: Provided, T h a t no person shall be
deemed to have com m itted an offense under this section or a,t common law by
reason only of his having ceased work or refused to continue to work or to
accept em ployment.
One criticism repeatedly brought against the Dili was that it con
tained no definition of the phrase “ trade or industry in which the
strikers are engaged,” thus leaving it altogether uncertain what
workers might strike in support of others. As an aid toward such
a definition, a new subsection was introduced as follows:
W ithout prejudice to th e generality of the expression “ trad e or in d u stry ,”
workmen shall be deemed to be w ithin th e same trad e or industry if their
wages or conditions of em ployment are determ ined in accordance w ith th e con
clusions of the same jo int industrial council, conciliation board, or other similar
body, or in accordance w ith agreements made w ith the same employer or group
of employers.
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WORKERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Fifth National Convention of Workers* Education Bureau1
HE Workers’ Education Bureau held its biennial convention in
Boston, April 22-24, 1927. The activities of the bureau for
the preceding two years were reported upon by the executive
council of the organization. Among such activities were encouraging
beginnings in research in connection with the bureau’s publications
and the educational procedure for workers’ education classes.
T
Cooperative Educational Committees
the auspices of the Workers’ Education Bureau, educaLiuntd courses for workers have been instituted in practically
all of the States.
The central labor unions have appointed 270 local education com
mittees which cooperate with the American Federation of Labor
committee on education and the Workers’ Education Bureau.
Educational programs have been inaugurated, including educational
hours in the meetings of local unions, open forums, week-end con
ferences, regional conferences, labor institutes, labor chautauquas,
workers’ colleges, summer schools, and vacation classes. One of
the most outstanding accomplishments along these lines was the
recent conference on the elimination of industrial waste, conducted
by the Labor College and the Central Labor Union of Philadelphia.
Carnegie Corporation Grant
rT'HE delegates decided to constitute and incorporate the Workers’
Education Bureau Press to conserve the Carnegie Corporation’s
unconditional grant of $25^300, which will form a revolving fund for
publications. Matthew Woll is the president of the new organiza
tion, and Spencer Miller, jr., the secretary and managing editor.
Prior to final action on the Carnegie grant there was considerable
discussion as to the policy of accepting unconditional funds from
foundations.
Relations with Libraries
holding of the convention in the Boston library—one of the
widest public libraries in the country—seemed, as it were, to
cement definite relations between such institutions and the workers’
education bureau. The Boston public librarian made special pro
visions for the convention, which met in the auditorium. In one
of the library rooms a workers’ education exhibit was installed,
1 T he Federal Em ployee, W ashington, D . C., June, 1927, p. 5, a nd L abor Age, N ew Y ork C ity, June,
1927, p. 25.
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including oil paintings of industrial workers by G errit Beneker, and
workers’ education literature from all countries. The president of
the American Library Association spoke a t the convention dinner
and voiced the desire of the library to aid in workers’ education.
Per Capita Taxes
'"THE following organizations pay per capita taxes into a fund for
*■ carrying on the bureau’s administrative work: American Feder
ation of Labor, Bakery and Confectionery Workers, Barbers, Brew
ery Workers, Bricklayers, Bridge and Structural Iron Workers,
Cigarrnakers, Post Office Clerks, Cloth Hat, Cap, and Millinery
Workers, Sleeping-Car Conductors, Coopers, Wood Carvers, Diamond
Workers, Draftsmen, Technical Engineers, Architects, Electrical
Workers, Steam Engineers, Photo-engravers, Metal Engravers,
Federal Employees, Foundry Workers, Fur Workers, United Gar
ment Workers, Ladies’ Garment Workers, Glass Bottle Blowers,
Flint Glass Workers, Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborers,
Hotel and Restaurant Employees, Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers,
Wood, Wire, and Metal Lathers, Longshoremen, Machinists, Main
tenance of Way Employees, Marble, Slate, and Stone Polishers,
Sheet Metal Workers, United Mine Workers, Molders, Musicians,
Paper Makers, Paving Cutters, Plumbers and Steam Fitters, Metal
Polishers, Operative Potters, Pulp and Sulphite Workers, Quarry
Workers, Railroad Signalmen, Switchmen, Tailors, Teachers, Team
sters, Textile Workers, Typographical Union, Upholsterers, and Wall
Paper Crafts. In addition, membership dues are paid by 21 State
federations of labor, 68 central unions, and 360 local unions.
The to tal union contributions for 1926 am ounted to $7,434 which
was approxim ately 20 per cent of the to tal budget. Such contri
butions for the 11 m onths of the fiscal year 1927 totaled only $4,315
or 12.5 per cent of the entire budget. The decrease is ascribed to
the fact th a t certain unions have not paid their dues while carrying
on strikes.
Definition of Workers’ Education
The following definition of the object of workers’ education was
given by James H. Maurer, the president of the workers’ education
bureau at its 1927 convention:
Underlying th e purpose of w orkers’ education is the desire for a b etter social
order. I t is this desire on the p a rt of the workingman for a richer and fuller
life individually and collectively th a t gave th e m ovem ent its b irth and a t all
tim es m ust rem ain its treasured inheritance. Labor education aims a t ultim ate
liberation of th e working masses.
The W orkers’ Education Bureau was not organized for th e purpose of dupli
cating th e work done by the public schools, universities, correspondence schools,
and so on. I t is distinctly not to be confused w ith th e numerous existing forms
for ad u lt education. They are. designed for th e m ost p art, either to give a bit
of culture to th e student, or else to lift him up out of his present job into a higher
one. T h at is not th e purpose of workers’ education. I t is education th a t will
stim ulate the student to serve th e labor m ovem ent in particular and society in
general, and not education to be used for selfish personal advancem ent.
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M O N T H L Y LABOE B E V IE W
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Manumit— An Educational Experiment for Workers’ Children
A N U M IT , a pioneer experimental school for workers’ children,
located near Pawling, N. Y. (64 miles north of New York
City), is managed jointly by educators and trade unionists.
The institution has accommodations for 40 or more boys and girls and
is surrounded by a farm of 177 acres.
An article on Manumit, by Miss Nellis M. Seeds, is published in
the May, 1927, issue of The American Teacher, from which the
following information is taken.
The buildings of this unusual school include an old colonial farm
house in which there is the school dining room and kitchen, library,
social room, classrooms, and several dormitories; two faculty and
student dormitories; a craft shop, carpenter shops, a gymnasium;
outhouses and barns.
The school community is self-governing and its affairs are discussed
with great freedom at weekly conferences. The children are en
couraged to express their opinions, both favorable and critical.
“ The principle of one individual, one vote, governs all community
meetings,” except on matters of safety, health, and educational
procedure. The children choose their own subjects of study and
determine largely their own projects or activities.
Each child is accepted as a complete individual. He is not pum ped full of any
kind of propaganda, neither capitalist, socialist, nor com munist. No “ ism ” of any
kind is ta u g h t. H e is encouraged and allowed to think for himself. In order to
render his thinking accurate, inform ation is presented to him as scientifically as
possible, in as large doses as he is capable of absorbing and assimilating. The
trade-union movem ent, for example, is pictured to th e child as it is in few other
schools; the children are m ade to appreciate th e tru ly heroic struggle th a t labor
has m ade to gain its rights, Other inform ation, often w ithheld in our public
schools, is presented to the children in th e light of modern scientific interpretation.
There are six groups of children and a separate teacher for each
group and each group devotes its principal attention to some special
project or activity. For example, Group II (age 11 years) is inter
ested this year in building and equipping a cottage which it is planned
to occupy the next school year. The children look over magazine
advertisements, write letters requesting catalogs and data on the most
up-to-date heating plants, scientifically constructed refrigerators, the
proper kinds of windows, flooring, and other important housing mat
ters. The young builders must have recourse to arithmetic in arrang
ing for the number, size, and shape of the rooms and measuring the
land to be occupied. The climate must also be reckoned with in the
building of their cottage and they become interested in such matters
as prevailing winds, the amount of rain, snow, and frost to be expected
in the winter, and the height of the summer’s heat. They get their
mathematics, geography and English “ as part of a game.”
All the school’s work is done cooperatively by the community mem
bers, the inside works committee detailing squads for various house
hold activities, such as getting meals, dishwashing, and sweeping; the
outside committees, with the superintendent of the farm, plan the
outside activities and decide what the children can do in connection
with planting, gardening, and care of livestock, etc.
In addition to the six group teachers, there are two who have
specialized in art work and music. No children are accepted in the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[302]
ED U CA TIO N A L E X P E R IM E N T EOR W O R K E R S’ C H IL D R E N
79
music department unless they come of their own accord. At the end
of the fall term, only two of the children had not expressed a wish to
take up music of some kind. <The school orchestra includes a variety
of instruments some of which were constructed by the children
themselves. A few of these youthful musicians have aspired to
original compositions which have been played by the orchestra of the
school. Group singing has been organized, and the putting on of one
of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas was in contemplation at the time
of preparation of the article under review.
The art department allows free scope to the children’s ingenuity.
Paints, clay, and materials for wood carving, basketry, and weaving
are available and counsel and instruction are given as and when they
are demanded by the children.
There is^also a school printing press and this year the 13-year-old
groupdecided on a newspaper as its project.
Social science work in this school is quite unusual. For instance,
the children of Group VI were given parts in a mock trial. In talking
over the results of this trial and its broad social aspects “ the children
learned civil government, not as an abstract question out of a book,
but as a living, dynamic factor in everyday life.”
These few illustrations give some indication of the methods used at
this school which has on its board of directors teachers and university
professors who rank high in their special fields.
The tuition rates of the school are reported as being “ within the
reach of any worker.” So many have wished to enter their children at
Manumit that numerous applications for admission have had to be
refused.
In closing her article the writer declares that “ to the labor movement
as a whole, Manumit hopes to serve as a laboratory school. * * *
If they can demonstrate, in their own laboratory school, the infinite
possioilities of free education, they are in a position to insist that the
same principle be applied to the public schools.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[303]
LABOR ORGANIZATIONS AND
CONGRESSES
P a n A m e ric a n L ab o r C o n feren ce
HE fifth meeting of the Pan American Federation of Labor was
held in Washington July 18-23, 1927. At this meeting dele^
gates were present representing organized labor in Colombia,
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,
Peru, Porto Rico, Salvador, United States, and Venezuela. An
account of the proceedings and action of this congress will appear in
the September, 1927, issue of the Labor Review.
T
T e n th I n te r n a tio n a l L abor C o n feren ce 1
IE tenth session of the International Labor Conference was held
in Geneva from May 25 to June 16, 1927, with 145 delegates
and 186 substitutes and advisers, representing* 43 countries, in
attendance.
The agenda of the conference contained, three questions—sickness
insurance, freedom of association, and minimum wage-fixing ma
chinery for consideration, although only the question of sickness
insurance was intended to lead to the adoption of a draft convention
or a recommendation, the other two questions being submitted for
general discussion with a view to bringing them before a subsequent
conference for further action.
The discussion of the director’s report occupied a large part of the
sessions of the conference and the speeches covered a wide range of
subjects connected with the work of the International Labor Organi
zation. More than 50 delegates representing the Governments,
employers, or workers of about 30 countries took part in the discus
sion, which was described by one of the delegates as “ an interna
tional forum for the free discussion of labor problems.”
Draft conventions, one relating to sickness insurance for workers
in industry and commerce (with the exception of seamen and sea
fishermen), outworkers, and domestic servants and the other to
agricultural workers, were adopted by the conference.
. The conventions provide for a system of compulsory sickness
insurance for these workers, to be set up by members of the Inter
national Labor Organization ratifying the conventions, and apply in
general to manual and nonmanual workers within certain age limits
T
1 Intern atio n al L abor Office.
¿ IJ j
.
80
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In d u strial and L abor Inform ation.
[304]
G eneva, M ay 30, June 6, 13, and
T E N T H IN T E R N A T IO N A L LABOR CO N FEREN CE
81
whose wages do not exceed an amount to be determined by national
laws or regulations. The convention provides that such a system
shall be supported by insured persons and employers and adminis
tered by self-governing institutions under the administrative and
financial supervision of the public authorities. A draft recommenda
tion covering the general principles of sickness insurance for the
guidance of countries adopting such a systern was passed by the con
ference and a resolution was also adopted which requested the Inter
national Labor Office to report upon the most effective methods of
overcoming the obstacles which hinder the organization of a system
of compulsory sickness insurance in countries which are sparsely
populated or where geographical conditions render communication
difficult.
The question of freedom of association, which was to be the subject
of a questionnaire to the different countries, was referred back to
the committee, as the proposed questionnaire was not satisfactory to
the workers’ group and it was decided by vote of the conference
not to place it on the agenda of the next conference.
A draft questionnaire on minimum wage-fixing machinery was
adopted and the conference voted to consider this question at the
next session.
The “ double-discussion” procedure, which was adopted at the 1926
conference and which provided that an item before any session of
the conference should be presented to the Governments so that the
final report would be ready for discussion and vote at the next ses
sion, caused so many difficulties that the conference decided to ask
the governing body to examine further the application of the double
discussion procedure and to make proposals for its improvement to
the next session of the conference.
Various resolutions placed before the conference were referred to
the governing body or to the International Labor Office for con
sideration and the necessary action. These resolutions included:
International regulation of the hours of work of all workers other
than industrial workers (commercial employees); general principles
of contracts of employment; the solution of collective labor disputes;
invalidity, old-age, widows’ and orphans’ insurance; education and
entry into employment; and native labor problems. A resolution
relating to representation for native workers in the conference,
particularly when questions affecting their conditions are on the
agenda of the conference, was referred to the governing body for
consideration.
The report of a committee which had examined the annual reports
presented by the different States on the application of conventions
ratified by them was accepted by the conference. The committee
made certain suggestions as to the contents and the date at which
the reports should be forwarded, and concluded as a result of its
study that although complete satisfaction with regard to the appli
cation of conventions could not be recorded, valuable results had
been achieved in the direction of a better regulated social order and
the effective protection of labor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[305]
82
M O N T H L Y LABOB B E V IE W
Labor Program of General Federation of Spanish Workers 1
N MAY 1, 1927, the General Federation of Spanish Workers
submitted to the Government a statement of its program,
the more important items of which are the following: Kigid
enforcement of workers’ insurance legislation and the adoption of
insurance covering unemployment, maternity, and invalidity; strict
observance of social legislation, particularly of the eight-hour day;
and the adoption of effective methods to deal with the high cost of
living and the unemployment situation.
In its demands for agrarian legislation, the federation advocates
the extension of benefits under the industrial accident law and other
social legislation to agricultural workers and the establishment of an
agricultural bank. It also favors the formation of joint organizations
for fixing _minimum wages. In addition the federation indorses the
introduction of legislation providing for trade-union control in
industry.
O
i La V anguardia, Barcelona, M ay 3, 1927; and In tern atio n al Labor Office, In dustrial and Labor Inform a
tion, Geneva, M ay 30, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[306]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Strikes and Lockouts in th e United States, dune, i927
)
TRIKES and lockouts in the United States beginning in the
month of June, 1927, in so far as reports thereof have been
received by the bureau are shown in this article. Disputes
involving fewer than six workers and those lasting less than one day
have been omitted where information on this point is reported.
In presenting these figures, it is important to note that the bureau
has no machinery for the prompt and full reporting of strikes and
lockouts, but depends largely upon newspapers, trade journals, and
labor periodicals for the preliminary reports of disputes. These
preliminary reports are then followed up by correspondence, and any
necessary revision is made. For the reasons mentioned the data
here presented do not pretend to be absolutely complete or fully
accurate. I t is believed, however, that practically all of the more
significant strikes and lockouts are recorded, and that the information
presented is sufficiently accurate to give a fair picture of the situation
in the United States in the matter of strikes and lockouts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics solicits the cooperation of employ
ers, labor organizations, and other interested parties in making this
compilation of industrial disputes as comprehensive and as accurate
as possible.
S
Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in June, 1927
rF H E table following shows the number of strikes and lockouts
* beginning in June, 1927, in comparison with April and May,
and also the number of persons involved, to the extent that reports
on this point have been received:
S T R IK E S A N D L O C K O U T S B E G IN N IN G IN A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927
D isputes in which num ber of em
ployees directly involved is
know n 1
strikes and
lockouts 1 N um ber of N um ber of Average
num ber of
strikes and employees employees
involved per dispute
lockouts
M onths
A pril, 1927 _______ _____ _____ ______________ ____ M a y / 1927
......................... - ____ _____________
J u n k 1927 2
- ________ ________ _____
i
93
114
67
61
93
52
222, 903
20,621
13, 917
3, 654
278
310
______
i Excluding those involving fewer th a n six persons.
2 D a ta given are subject to revision.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[307]
83
—
84
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Classification of Strikes and Lockouts by Industries and by Number of Persons
Involved
HTHE statement below shows the distribution of the reported strikes
and lockouts beginning in June, 1927, by industries or occupa
tions :
N um ber of
disputes
Building trades....... .........................................
Bakers:__________________________________________________
Oil and chemical workers__________________________________
Barbers____________________________
Clothing industry____ _____________
Theater and motion-picture employees_____________________
Printing and publishing___________________________________
Mining, coal______________________________________________
Automobile workers______________________________________
Laundry workers_________________________________________
Textile industry__________________________________________
Hotel and restaurant workers______________________________
Miscellaneous______________________________
5
3
1
1
11
2
8
Total______________________________________________
67
17
1
2
5
9
2
As far as the information is available, the disputes beginning in
June, 1927, classified by number of workers directly involved, are as
follows:
N um ber of
disputes
6 and under 20 workers___________________________________
20 and under 100 workers_________________________________
100 and under 500 workers________________________________
500 and under 1,000 workers______________________________
1,000 and under 5,000 workers___________________________ _
Total------------------------------------------------------------------
12
20
11
5
4
52
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in June, 1927
O ARBERS, New York.—About 1,300 union barbers in upper
Broadway and the Washington Heights section of New York
City began a strike on June 15 for a wage of $35 per week and half
of the receipts in excess of $50 per chair per week, instead of $30 per
week and half of the receipts over $45. This strike, it is understood,
is still in progress.
Bricklayers, Pennsylvania.—About 1,600 union bricklayers in Pitts
burgh were on strike from June 1 to June 11 for a wage of $1.70 an
hour and a working week of 5 days, in lieu of $1.62 an hour and a
5p2-day week. The strike was compromised with the Building Trades
Association on the basis of a wage increase of 60 cents per day, without
change in the 5j^-day week; but a number of independent contractors
agreed to all demands.
Carpenters, Rhode Island.—Approximately 1,200 carpenters in
Providence and vicinity, including Pawtucket, Central Falls, etc.,
began a strike on June 1 for a wage increase from $1.10 an hour to
$1.25 an hour, causing more or less serious retardation to building
operations in that territory. A partial settlement of this strike
was effected on the night of July 22, when a compromise rate of
$ 1 . 1 7 an hour was agreed upon. Some of the men, it is under
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 308 ]
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS
85
stood, resumed work on July 25, but it will take a little time to
arrange for a general resumption of building. While this practically
settles the strike in Providence, it does not affect the situation in
Pawtucket, as the Master Builders’ Association of Pawtucket and
vicinity was not a party to the negotiations leading up to this
settlement.
Laborers and hod carriers, Rhode Island.—Some 2,000 laborers and
hod carriers in Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls struck on
June 1 for a wage increase from 65 cents an hour to 75 cents an hour.
This strike is still pending.
Barbers, New Jersey.—A partially successful strike of about 700
barbers in Newark was in effect from June 20 to July 1. They
wanted a weekly wage of $35 and half the income in excess of $45
weekly per chair. They secured $35 per week and half the receipts
exceeding $50 per chair.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into June, 1927
IDITUM INO US coal strike.—The suspension of organized coal
miners continues. A development worthy of mention was the
failure on June 24 of a series of conferences at Philadelphia between
union operators and miners to reach a new wage agreement for the
central Pennsylvania field, followed by the announcement that all
work in the union bituminous mines of that field would cease at mid
night on Thursday June 30. The number of men directly involved
in this strike or suspension is about 15,000. Operations had been
continued in this field after the expiration of the Jacksonville agree
ment on April 1 under a temporary arrangement “ pending negotia
tions by and for the central Pennsylvania district looking toward
a definite wage agreement,” with the understanding, as stated by the
operators, that the “ arrangement may be terminated at any time.” ,
The operators proposed a reduction in the Jacksonville scale of 15
to 20 per cent and an average reductioi4.of $1.50 a day for day workers,1
but the miners wanted the present wage schedule continued until
March 29, 1929.
In further reference to the agreement of April 20 between the stripmine operators of Indiana and district 11, alluded to in the report for
April, it may be stated that the agreement is for two years expiring
March 31, 1929, provided “ a contract by and between the United!
Mine Workers of America and the Indiana Bituminous Coal Opera-'
tors’ Association is made for that period.” ,
If such contract is not m ade for th a t period, this contract is to term inate con -1
currently w ith any contract m ade between th e Indiana Bitum inous Coal O p era-!
to rs’ Association and th e U nited Mine Workers of America. In th e event no ]
agreem ent is secured by and between th e U nited Mine W orkeis of America an d I
th e Indiana Bitum inous Coal O perators’ Association th en this agreem ent w ill:
expire M arch 31, 1928.
Likewise it is agreed that the wage scale “ shall automatically]
increase or decrease at the same rate of increase or decrease with the^
top and underground day labor as set out in any agreement that may]
be reached by and between the Indiana Bituminous Coal Operators’;
Association and the United Mine Workers of America in any con-(
tract written to supersede their contract expiring March 31, 1927.” '
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[309]
86
MONTHLY LABOB BEVIEW
Plumbers, New York.—The general lockout of April 27 against
plumbers and helpers in Greater New York continues only with respect
to the Boroughs of Queens and Kichmond, settlements of the struggle
in the other boroughs having been shown in previous reports.
Conciliation Work of the Department of Labor in June, 1927
By
H u g h L . K e r w i n , D ir îe c t o r o p C o n c il ia t io n
HE Secretary oi Labor, through the conciliation service, e x e r
cised his good offices in connection with 52 labor disputes
during June, 1927. These disputes affected a known total of
16,613 employees. The table following shows the name and location
of the establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred, the
natuie of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy not
having reached the strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade con
cerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of settlei ment, the date of beginning and ending, and the number of workers
directly and indirectly affected.
On July 1, 1527, there were 50 strikes before the department for
settlement, and, in addition 12 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. The total number of cases pending was 62.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[310]
L A B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T OF L A B O R T H R O U G H IT S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , J U N E , 1927
M en involved
D uration
C om pany or in d u stry and location
N ature of
controversy
C raft concerned
Cause of dispute
Present statu s and term s of settlem ent
Begin
ning
1 N o t reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
In d i
rectly
1927
June 2
50
100
- . . d o ___
35
75
60
June 21
120
150
81
1, 165
(i)
June 12
35
M ay 25
12
June
1
27
40
June 13
12
230
June 20
12
300
2,500
June
3
35
200
1
14
June
1
160
20
M ay
1
200
400
June 11
6
16
June 17
6
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT
[311]
1927
B arn ett L eather Co., L ittle Falls, Strike______ Glaziers and helpers 10 per cent wage c u t_______ A djusted. Few discharged; others M ay 9
retu rn ed on com pany’s term s.
N . Y.
Phoenix M ill, L ittle Falls, N . Y . . . Controversy C arders..................... Increased num ber of ma- A djusted. A ccepted w ork of three M ay 23
machines; com pany’s term s.
chines.
(i)
Picture and vaudeville theaters, Strike______
Kolcomo, In d .
and A sked $12 per day______ . . A djusted. Allowed $11.60 per day b y M ay 5
Bricklayers an d masons, Portland, ____ d o ......... . Bricklayers
arbitrator.
masons.
Oreg.
Apr. 1
Lithographers, Chicago, 111_______
48 to 44.
Building laborers, Providence, R. I_ ____d o _____
. .d o ___
C arpenters, Providence, R . I _____ ____d o ......... .
day.
M ay 17
tion.
and recognition of union.
Electric Pro d u cts Co., Los Angeles, ......... d o ......... Flint-glass blow ers. Asked wage increase_______ A djusted. R eturned w ithout increase M ay 18
Calif.
D orothy M anufacturing Co., New ____d o ......... Ladies’ garm ent Asked wage increase; 42- A djusted. Piecework and 42-hour __ _do----week.
workers.
hour week.
Y ork C ity.
C am bria Silk Hoisery Co., Phila- ____d o ......... Silk hosiery work- Wage c u t................................ A djusted. Wages before cut restored. M ay 25
delphia, P a .
A djusted. Loom fixer to join union M ay 20
A. E . M argerison & Co., Philadel- ____d o ...........
and p a y back dues.
phia, Pa.
H an d laundries, N ew Y ork C ity ... Threatened
strike.
and Jurisdiction of artificial stone- A djusted. Plasterers w aived rights in M ay 6
Paulson C onstruction Co., Cedar Controversy. Bricklayers
favor of bricklayers.
work.
plasterers.
R apids, Iowa.
Sharp & Fellows Co., N evins, Ariz. ........ d o ........... Steam-shovel m a n . D ischarged for alleged in- Pending. Shovel m an to be given June 2
hearing.
toxi cation.
June 3
S trik e._. . . .
Jurisdiction
of
m
etal
w
o
rk
..
U
nable
to adjust. C arpenters com- Jan. 1
L
athers
and
carControversy
E . M . P rip p s & Co., G ary, In d ___
pleted job.
penters.
Sheet-metal workers and carpenters, ........ d o ........... M etal w orkers____ Jurisdiction of m etal trim __ U nable to adjust. A dhered to aw ard Jan. 15
of N ational B oard of Aw ards.
Gary, In d .
C olum bia A m usem ent Co., New Strike........... T heater operators. . H andling vitaphone............ A djusted. Increased from $42 to $50 June 4
per week; additional help for vitaK ensington, Pa.
phone.
A djusted. R eturned w ithout change. M ay 17
Boulevard C ap Co., Chicago, 111... ........ d o ...........
rules.
D i
rectly
Ending
00
-4
LA B O R D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D BY T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S 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 N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , J U N E , 1927-C ontinued
D uration
Company or in d u stry and location
Opera House, H ippodrom e and
Duchess theaters, W arren, Ohio.
Skriloff, E llston & E ism an (Inc.),
New York City.
M . Schafier & Co., N ew Y ork City.
N ature of
controversy
Craft concerned
Cause of dispute
O perators..-.............
Operating vitaphone.
Threatened
strike.
Strike..........
G arm ent w orkers..
Discharge of p resser..
A sked union recognition and
42-hour week.
Renew al of agreem ents____
Small dispute over boy.........
[312]
Pending. Owners now operating;
musicians out in sym pathy.
Unclassified. N o stoppage of work;
presser n o t reemployed.
Unclassified. N o concessions; strikers
em ployed elsewhere.
A djusted. Satisfactory
agreement
concluded.
Unclassified. Settled before arrival of
commissioner.
A djusted. One carpenter to work
w ith each lather.
Pending___________________________
W aiters, New Y ork C ity .
------d o .........
W hite-goods w ork
ers.
W a ite r s ...................
M iners, Plym outh, P a __
Controversy.
M iners.
C onrath C onstruction Co., New
Castle, Pa.
D un n M ill, W oonsocket, R . I ____
Strike_____
C a r p e n t e r s and Jurisdiction of sheet m etal..
lathers.
Textile w o rk e rs ... Alleged violation of agree
m ent b y company.
P lu m b ers_____
A sked $1 increase; $11 per A djusted. Allowed $11 per d ay and 1day.
year contract.
Coat m a k e r s ....
Asked recognition and agree Unclassified. A greement signed before
m ent.
arrival of commissioner.
Building trad es___ Refusal to em ploy union A djusted. U nion m en employed; con
men.
tra c t for one year.
Textile w orkers___ W orking conditions_______ Pending. M ill closed______ ________
W aiters________
N onunion w aiters employed. Pending. A tte m p t to organize waiters.
Plum bers, Dover, R ockaw ay, and
Lake Hopatcong, N . J.
Ladies’ coat m akers, New York
City.
A lbert School Building, New Castle
Pa.
W arwick Mills, Centerville, R . I__
Exchange Bakery and R estau ran t,
New York C ity.
Columbus L ithograph Co., Col
um bus, Ohio.
Barber shops, New Y ork C ity ____
Krebs Pigm ent & Chemical Co.,
W ilmington, Del.
Fred Juncloon Co., Indianapolis,
Ind.
B arrington Steam B rick Co., B ar
rington and Providence, R . I.
Ford M otor Co., Tacoma, W a s h ...
Klotz Throwing Co., Simpson, P a .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T h reaten ed
strike.
Strike_____
----- d o ......... .
-----d o ......... .
___ d o . . .
___ d o _____
M en involved
Present statu s and term s of settlem ent
Begin
ning
E nding
1927
1927
(')
Apr.
In d i
rectly
3
8
June 10
M ar. 15
June 11
M ay
D i
rectly
9
June
3
June 15
June 16
June 22
June 23
1
10
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Strike.
GO
OO
1,500
1
20
0)
(>)
M ay 16
June 17
56
M ay
June 14
27
9
June 16
Ju ly
8
June 17
A pr. 1
20
250
4
----- d o ___
Lithographers.
June 17
25
___ d o _____
B arbers______
June 15
1,300
500
A sked 44-hour week_______ Pending. N o progress tow ard ad ju st
m ent.
Asked increase to $35 and ----- do __________________ __________
commission on all over $50
per chair.
........ d o ......... . Em ployees________ Asked 15 cents per hour in Unclassified. Strike called off; re<
crease; 70 cents per hour.
turned a t same wage.
T h reaten ed Electrical w orkers. _ N onunion fixture hangers... A djusted. U nion hangers em ployed _.
strike.
Strike_____ Brick w orkers_____ A sked 5 per cent increase__ Unclassified. Five per cent increase
allowed; m en returned before arrival
of commissioner.
___ d o _____ M echanics.
Change from 85 cents per Pending______ ____________________
hour to 40 per cent on dol
lar for labor.
........ do........... Silk th ro w ers.
Claim ed discrim ination in A djusted. W ork to be distributed
division of work.
w ithout reference to union m em ber
ship.
June
S
June 15
2S
200
June
2
June
6
40
110
Apr. 22
June
1
50
44
0
June 31
0
June 24
450
(')-................. .
P ending__ _____ ___________
Cigar makers
W orking conditions
___ d o ________ ______ ______
Shirt makers.
___ do_____ ______
Unclassified. Factory closed.
A pr.
1
Pending. Compromise plan held in
abeyance.
A djusted. T o be adjusted b y district
board.
A djusted. W ithdrew dem and for in
crease.
A djusted. Agreed to abide b y ru le s._
M ay
9
___ d o _____
Molders____
___ d o ...........
Controversy.
Strike.
P o u ltry w orkers__ Union recognition and elim
ination of female pickers.
M iners___________ W or king conditions_______
Lehigh Valley Coal Co., D uryea, ___ do.
Pa.
Bricklayers, New Castle, P a______ T h rea te n e d B ricklayers.
strike.
Conover & Coates Co., Erie, P a __ Strike______ P l u m b e r s a n d
steam fitters.
R y an H eating and Plum bers Con Controversy Asbestos w orkers...
tractors, Iow a C ity, Iowa.
D rivers, y ard m en , and helpers, Strike_____ D rivers, yardm en,
helpers.
N ew ark, N . J.
Electrical w orkers, Pittsb u rg h , P a . ___ d o _____ Electricians______
Asked $1 per day increase
Violation of trade rules,
A djusted. Agreed on jurisdiction of
installing heating plant.
Asked $3 increase per w eek.. Pending____________________________
Jurisdiction of labor___
[313]
Jurisdiction of push-button
w ork.
W eetamoe M ill, Fall R iver, M ass.. ___ d o _____ Textile workers___ D ispute on price of new
style.
N ational Topcoat Co., Boston, Controversy Clothing w o rk ers... Violation of trade agree
m ent.
Mass.
Falkson C lothing Co., Boston, ___ d o _____ ___ d o ____________ ___ d o ____ ____ __________
Mass.
Total
1 N ot reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(1)
(i)
100
June 22
25
6
200
June 21
June 22
715
5
June 29
Ju ly
100
7
__do___
Ju ly
1
1
June 28
Ju ly
8
18
June
A djusted. Jurisdiction to be deter June 24
m ined in conference.
A djusted. C om pany offered 20 cents June 15
more per cut; accepted.
A djusted. A b ritrato r chosen to in te r June 20
p ret w ritten agreem ent.
A djusted. Accepted new in te rp re ta ___do___
tion of agreem ent.
200
162
40
Ju ly 11
24
183
1
June 20
31
380
June 28
50
3,500
June 25
31
9, 585
7, 028
C O N C ILIA TIO N W ORK OP T H E D EPA R TM EN T
55507°—27-----7
Boston Stove & F o u n d ry Co.,
Reading, M ass.
Schwab & B aer (Inc.) New York
C ity.
Liondale Shirt Co. (Inc.), New
York C ity.
P oultry dressers, Petalum a, C a lif..
OC
CO
WELFARE AND RECREATION
Welfare Work in Company Towns
H E more or less isolated comm unity in which often only one
!n<-*dlshry is the means of livelihood of the people residing there
is found in m any localities in the U nited States. M ining
enterprises naturally are frequently located in rem ote and inac
cessible sections, while the location in small towns of one mill only
o r a group of mills under the same m anagem ent has been a peculiar
development of the textile industry in the South. In other sections
industries are often situated at some distance from m anufacturing
centers because of available w ater power, nearness to the source of
raw m aterial, or for some other reason which offsets the disadvantages
connected with the distance from m arkets. W hatever the reason for
their isolation, such towns have been forced to become more or less
self-sufficing units and in order to attrac t a desirable class of labor or
even to^ m aintain an ordinarily self-respecting comm unity the em
ployers m such towns have found it desirable to furnish m any of the
advantages the provision of which properly comes within the province
of the State, the comm unity as distinct from the company, or other
business or social agencies.
While hardly anyone will dispute the fact th a t the provision of
churches, schools, a proper milk supply, town sanitation, and other
m atures or communal life does not properly come within the scope
of the employer’s duties, or even th a t it is not desirable th a t he should
provide them , the fact remains th a t m any of these towns have been
so developed and th a t frequently an amazing num ber of activities are
assisted or controlled by the company.
While no survey of company towns as such was m ade by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, the m aterial collected in connection w ith a recent
study Ox employers’ personnel activities included inform ation re
garding the life in such towns which, it is thought, m ay be of some
n ^il ^-^k^^uting to an understanding of the various problems
which have been presented in the developm ent of these'villages,
t h e present study was not in any sense a critical one b u t was m ade
for the purpose of showing w hat has been done along the line of per
sonnel work and, in so far as possible, w hat has been successful.
Some of the com m unity work has already been touched upon in
earlier articles1 as it was not possible entirely to separate it from the
phases of personnel work which dealt more particularly w ith the
employees in their relation to the industry.
T
m Sn ^ a| i n t f e?ieW’ Jan u ary , 1927, pp.7-19: M edical and hospital service for employees; and M a y ,1927
p p . 1-16: O utdoor recreation for in d u strial employees.
’
•
90
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W EL FA R E W ORK IN ’ COM PANY TO W N S
91
Among the most important activities in these towns are the meas
ures taken to safeguard the health of employees and their families
through the provision of the services of physicians and visiting nurses
and the maintenance of various clinics and classes in home hygiene
and the care of the sick as well as by insuring a proper water supply
and supervising the other details of town sanitation. The educational
facilities in these towns would often be inadequate without the assist
ance of the company, as in some of the States the school year is
short and school funds are not sufficient to provide a satisfactory
teaching force. As a result, the company frequently pays the salaries
of the teachers for that portion of the school year that the schools
would otherwise be closed. In many instances, also, the companies
have built and equipped the school and turned it over to the authori
ties to run. Part-time schools and night classes for cotton-mill
workers are also found, as well as domestic-science classes for girls
and women, and instruction where there are many foreign workers in
their native handicrafts.
Playground supervision for the children is customary and in the
cotton mills where many women are employed it is not uncommon to
find a well-equipped nursery where babies and small children are
fed and cared for during the day. Houses are quite generally provided
at moderate and often cheap rentals and in the South the rent usually
includes electric light and water. The houses in many of the towns
have running water, bathtubs, and fireplaces. There is a quite
general tendency to encourage employees to make their homes at
tractive, and plants and seeds are often given to them and prizes
awarded for the most attractive yards. Nearly always there is space
for gardens and sometimes additional ground on the edge of town
for those who wish more room for vegetables. In a number of cases
free pasturage is provided for cows, and a few companies maintain a
dairy and good milk is sold to the employees at a moderate price.
The difficulty of obtaining milk in some sections of the South makes
this an important service. Boarding houses for a single men are
usually maintained in mining communities and several textile mills
have attractive houses with such conveniences as laundry tubs,
electric irons, etc., for the girls. In the majority of these towns the
community affairs are centered in a community clubhouse or in an
industrial branch of the Y. M. C. A. or the Y. W. C. A.
The trained staff which supervises and administers the various
activities in the community is, in the cotton mills of the South, under
the direct control of the company in nearly every case. In other
sections, however, the employees participate more largely in their
management. A coal-mining company on the Pacific Coast has a
thoroughly organized program covering industrial, health, and
recreational activities. This company has four mines within a radius
of about 50 miles, a town being located at each mine. The affairs of
each camp are administered by a mine council composed of workmen
elected by popular vote of all the employees. This council handles
such questions as wages, welfare, social, and general questions per
taining to the camp, and a central council made up of four elected
members from each mine council deals with such problems as relate
to all the mines.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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92
M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
This central council has organized a safety association and carried
on safety campaigns, developed systematic first-aid and mine-rescue
work, and organized social clubs, a mutual-benefit association,
thrift campaigns, and systematic savings plans, bands, orchestras,
Camp Fire Girls and Boy Scouts, Americanization and citizenship
schools, elementary school training of employees, traveling library,
and sports. These activities are directed by trained specialists paid
by the company. In addition to the mine council composed of em
ployees, a mutual service director acts as conciliator in case of con
troversy and in an advisory capacity when his services are required.
In other company towns, if the employees have a direct voice in the
control of community affairs it is usually through a community club
in which membership is open to all.
Medical and Other Health Services
A MONG the companies^ providing the services of one or more
visiting nurses who either give employees nursing care or visit
the homes to see that sick employees are receiving proper attention,
a considerable number also extend this service to the families of
employees. These nurses are found almost without exception in the
mining towns and in many of the textile mill villages. Frequently
their entire time is spent in home visiting^ and, in addition to actual
care of the sick, advice and instruction in nursing is given to the
women of the village. The nurses give prenatal care and are often of
great assistance in helping young mothers to care properly for their
babies and young children.
In one town in which a baby clinic is held regularly, charts and
accurate records showing the babies’ progress are kept and each year
a baby show is held and a prize is given to the baby showing the
highest score whose mother has attended the clinic. In the baby
clinic held, by the medical department of another company, children
from 6 weeks to 6 years of age are watched by the nurse who weighs
them regularly and gives them the attention they need. The school
children are also weighed by the nurse every three months and those
who are_ 5 pounds or more underweight are sent to the nutrition
class which meets once a week at the dispensary. As soon as these
children reach the proper weight they are dropped from the class.
A course of 15 lectures on home hygiene and care of the sick is given
by the nurse, the mothers and school girls attending in the afternoon
and the mill girls in the evening.
Children of school age usually receive free dental treatment and
often such surgical attention as the removal of diseased tonsils,
adenoids, etc. In addition to these special services, the medical
departments in the company towns usually furnish the regular medical
and often a considerable part of the surgical care which is needed by
the employees and their families.
Although the nurseries conducted by the companies in a number of
these villages do not have a health motive as their primary object,
their effect from a health standpoint is good, as the children are given
expert care. The children are usually taken from 6 to 8 weeks old
up through the kindergarten stage and it is undoubtedly a great relief
for mothers who are obliged to work to have a place to leave them
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[316]
W EL FA R E W O RK IN
COM PANY TOW NS
93
where they will be properly fed and cared for. In one of the southern
mill towns a matron and three helpers are employed in the nursery
which the company maintains. The house has all necessary equip
ment, including bedrooms where the children may take their naps,
and a sun parlor. The children are given three meals a day. There
is no charge for this service, although in some of the towns there is a
fee for taking care of the children which varies from 5 cents per day
per child to $1 a week.
A company in the Middle West has a free nursery for children 5
years of age and under which has a large sunny playroom equipped
for kindergarten work and for recreation. The sleeping room has
cots and bassinettes and the children take a nap in the afternoon,
or, if their parents are on the evening shift, they are put to bed after
supper. They are given a light lunch of orange juice and crackers
and a regular luncheon of milk, fresh vegetables, cereals, and a simple
dessert. The factory physician examines the children, and medical
record cards are kept for each child with data as to weight, health,
vision, etc. A kindergarten teacher has direct supervision of the
children and a trained dietitian prepares^ the lunches.
In several towns all underweight school children are given milk at
recess and a regular balanced meal at noon prepared by the domestic
science class.
Education and Clubs
TPHE educational work in the company towns includes the pro* vision of kindergartens, assistance to the public schools, classes
in cooking, sewing, millinery, fruit canning, etc., for the girls and
their mothers, manual training for the boys, and evening classes for
the employees in subjects for which there may be a demand.
A paper company in New England holds classes throughout the
winter for the girls in the fa c to r and for the wives of employees. In
struction is given in sewing, fine needlework, candy making, and
various handicrafts such as dyeing, enameling, parchment shade
making, etc., the aim being to provide the same opportunities that
can be obtained in larger communities where clubs and needlework
guilds help in solving household and clothing problems, gift making,
and home decorating. A fee of $5 covers everything taught in these
classes. The personnel service director and his wife teach the classes,
and in order to keep up to date they go to New York each year to
take instruction, the expense of this instruction being borne by the
company.
A southern company pays part of the principal’s salary and the
salary of several special teachers in the public school. The special
teachers include a playground teacher, who teaches folk dances and
gives the children physical exercises and drills, an art teacher, and a
voice teacher who drills the children in chorus singing. This com
pany also has two evening schools giving grammar and high school
courses at which some of the men in the mill are enrolled, and there
is also a class for illiterates.
In another town in which the company spends a great deal of
money in the schools there are two cooking and two sewing teachers
hired by the firm. All material is furnished for the cooking^ classes
and there are 160 girls enrolled in this course. Both the cooking and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[317]
94
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
the sewing lessons are very practical and the children gain experience
m preparing meals by cooking and serving dinners for the different
clubs.
The welfare department maintained by a company which has been
very progressive in the matter of developing the capabilities of the
members of the community has six workers who give special attention
to constructive and educational work. In the two mill towns of this
company these workers have a house which is used as a demonstra
tion home and domestic science school. The enrollment during the
year m the women’s classes is about 700, the subjects given the most
attention being cooking, sewing, and basketry. The cooking classes
teach menu planning, balanced meals, food values, economical buy
ing, use of left overs, and proper feeding of children; and in the sewing
classes women are taught plain sewing, the use and alteration of
commercial patterns, making of house dresses and clothing for infants
and children, selection of materials, and determination of styles and
colors for different types of garments. House furnishing, millinery,
and fancy work are also taught. There is a well-equipped cannery
m each village for the use of the housekeepers and the women bring
their fruits and vegetables and put them up under the supervision of
trained experts.
A com pany which has a separate kindergarten building w ith a
large enrohmeno of pupils has rooms in the basem ent for cooking and
carpentry classes._ These courses are very popular and there is
always a waiting list of boys for the carpentry work.
ix ? 18 c lih W0^F carried °.n
the companies includes m any troops
° i i31° y bcouts>Campfire Girls, and sim ilar organizations and a variety
of clubs among lactory employees and the older m embers of their
families. 1 he companies generally pay a great deal of attention to
the younger children who are enlisted in the different clubs. The
social service workers usually supervise these organizations or some
times one of the mill employees acts as scoutm aster to the boy scouts’
troop. Sum mer outings are arranged for them and the members
of these gioups are often given a week in a summer camp by the
company.
A textile mill located in a large city hires a worker each summ er to
tane the small children to the playgrounds and direct their play.
1 he children are frequently taken into the country for th e day in
com pany trucks, a lunch including a p in t of m ilk for each child,
being furnished by the p lan t cafeteria. E ach week during the
summer a group of children is taken to a cam p a t some distance from
the City which is leased each year by the company.
. 0 com m unity social affairs are of a varied nature, including
parties, dances, am ateur theatricals, and usually a Christm as
entertainm ent.
Several of the mills prom ote interest in flower culture by holding
annual rose, dahlia, or chrysanthem um shows a t which prizes are
given and in a num ber of cases bulbs and plants are furnished to the
residents of the town from the com pany greenhouses.
u.3Tany
the companies maintain bands and orchestras
which furnish one of the favorite forms of entertainment, particularly
the outdoor_concerts in the summer. Customarily the company
buys the uniforms and music and the more expensive instruments
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[318]
W EL FA R E W ORK IN COM PANY TOW NS
95
for the members of the band and often there is a special room pro
vided for rehearsals.
>
The musical organization in one of the textile mills includes two
bands, one made up of mill employees and the other composed of
school children. A large band hall, comfortably furnished with
wicker furniture and containing cabinets for the instruments and
music, a piano and a victrola, is provided by the company. A full
time director is employed by the firm, and instruments, music,, and
winter and summer uniforms are furnished for the players. The
junior band numbers about 30 and credit is given the members on
their school work and they are given one-half hour a day from school
attendance for practice. They use the same instruments that are
used by the adults but with different mouthpieces. Outdoor con
certs are given by these bands throughout the summer, and they
participate in all community affairs.
Community Centers
nPHE social, educational, and recreational activities of the company
^ towns are usually centered in a clubhouse or in a group of build
ings in which the various club and game rooms, the gymnasium, and
sometimes the auditorium are located. In many cases, however, the
school auditorium is used for the community entertainments. Fre
quently there is either an indoor or outdoor swimming pool which
is almost invariably largely used.
A northern textile manufacturing company provided outdoor
bathing for the employees and their families by converting the river
near their community house into a bathing beach. A section of the
shore was cleared and many truck loads of sand and gravel were
drawn in and spread and a float with diving boards at different
heights, and chutes, etc., were added to the attractions of the beach.
Instruction in swimming is given to operatives and their families
by the personnel director. So much enthusiasm was aroused that a
water carnival has become an annual event on the Fourth of July.
There are various events, and swimmers and divers for miles^ around
compete for the prizes, although competition for the prizes in some
of the events is confined to operatives in the mill.
An example of well-organized community life is that of a village in
New England where the company for more than a quarter of a cen
tury has taken an active interest in providing attractive living and
working conditions for its employees. This company has many
employees who are foreigners—mainly Portuguese and Italians
and it is of interest to note that an unusually large percentage have
had a long term of service in the plant. About 10 per cent of the total
number of employees have been with the company more than 25
years, while 30 employees have been with it more than 40 years.
The grounds around the plant and the_ community buildings are
laid out like a park and the different activities are centered in differ
ent buildings. There is a separate restaurant building, the dining
room on the first floor being used largely by woman employees, by
members of employees’ families, and by outsiders; the men use
mainly the one on the second floor where they can smoke and play
cards. The prices charged employees represent only the cost of the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3191
96
M O N T H L Y LABOE E EY IB W
food, but regular prices are charged the general public. The library,
which is also housed in a separate building, contains about 20,000
volumes. There are three reading rooms, one of which is specially
fitted up for children, with smaller tables and chairs, one is for men
and boys and has mainly books of travel, biography, and history, and
the other is a general, reading room. Books may be taken out by
employees and their families, by the teachers, and by outside school
children for their work, while the reading rooms are open to any one.
A kindergarten building has three classrooms, a large assembly
room, and a sand room. All the rooms have special decorations
suited to the small children. This is for the exclusive use of employ
ees’ children and there is no charge except a small enrollment fee.
The auditorium or community building is one of the newer buildings
and has reception rooms, cloakrooms, and a lounge, together with
parlors for the women and smoking rooms for the men. There
is an auditorium (with a fine lighting system) on the second floor,
and this has a seating capacity of 600. This building serves as the
social centerof the town, and here frequent card parties are held
and a dance is given each month by the men’s club; various lodges
and clubs hold their dances and social affairs in this building.
The men’s club, membership in which is open to all male employees,
their grown sons, and to stockholders of the company, has a club
house given by the company, which was a fine old farmhouse altered
to suit the club’s needs but in which the colonial finish was preserved
as far as possible. There are bowling alleys, billiard and card rooms,
a reading room, and a large lounging room. The company furnishes
the house rent free, but the running expenses are paid by the members
and the management is entirely in their hands.
Sewing, embroidery, dressmaking, etc., are taught at the “ art
craft” shop. The materials are sold at cost to families of employees
and there is an art department where the women may leave their
fancy work to be sold if they wish. The provisions for outdoor
recreation include baseball and football grounds, & children’s play
ground which also has tennis courts for the use of the children, and
bathhouses on the beach with a swimming instructor provided.
Houses have been provided since 1899 and all houses now have
modern plumbing and hardwood floors. Reasonable rents are
charged, the maximum being about $20 a month, and employees
who wish to build their own homes are loaned money by the company
for this purpose.
"While the community work varies in different places and localities
according to the different conditions present, its chief value would
seem, in viewing it as a whole, to be the attention given to safeguard
ing the health of the children and the opportunity given them to
secure a better education often than their parents have had, as well
as the chance to have any special capability recognized and fostered.
C om m unity Recreation in the United States
COMMUNITY organization for recreational purposes is increasmg rapidly throughout the country as shown by a report of
this movement for 1926. The number of cities reporting
community recreation programs under trained leadership had in-
(
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[320]
C O M M U N IT Y RECREA TIO N IN
T H E U N IT E D STATES
97
creased from 502 in 1921 to 758 in 1926, and the number of trained
workers from approximately 11,000 to more than I I jOOO.1 There
was a marked increase also in the number of city governments
appropriating funds for the support of community recreation activities
and in the number of cities having training institutes for training
both paid and volunteer leaders. In addition to the large number
of paid workers, 249 cities reported that 8,625 trained volunteers
were enlisted in carrying out the community recreation programs.
The facilities provided include outdoor playgrounds in 704 cities,
indoor recreation centers in 240 cities; community houses for re
creation purposes in 157 cities; a total of 276 bathing beaches in 157
cities; swimming pools maintained under leadership, part of them
being open the year round, in 241 cities; municipal golf courses in 130
cities; summer camps maintained in connection with the recreation
program in 78 cities, and other play areas which do not come under
the foregoing, classifications in 85 cities.
The majority of the recreation programs are administered by
boards, commissions, or other departments under the municipal
organization but a large number of private organizations are also
concerned in the provision of recreation facilities.
The peculiar conditions of population congestion in some of our
cities make the provision of adequate recreation space a problem.
According to a note in Medical Insurance, May, 1927, New York
City is meeting this situation by the construction of a special sort
of playground, the first one of which is to serve the lower east and
west sides of the city.
3
The playground will be six stories high and will be built in the
form of five terraces with open-air ramps leading to each level.
There will be over 100,000 square feet of open-air play space and
about 127,000 square feet of indoor space which will contain an
auditorium, dance hall, swimming pool, gymnasium, and bowling
alleys and regular playground equipment for the small children. It
is expected that rents from stores on the street level will pay the
operating expenses.
1 T h e P layground, N ew Y ork, A pril, 1927, pp. 6-12.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
“ C om m u n ity recreation leadership in 790 cities.”
[321]
COLONIZATION
Colonization Schemes in Amazonas, Brazil
REPORT from the American vice consul, George E. Seltzer, at
Manaos, Brazil, dated March 12, 1927, gives an account of a
plan adopted by the State government of Amazonas, Brazil,
to promote^the settlement of Japanese in that State.
On March 11, 1927, the State government drew up an agreement
with two Japanese business men whereby the latter are to be granted
1,000,000 hectares1 of land for purposes of colonization and agri
cultural development.
The concessionaires are given two years from the signing of the
agreement to study three distinct zones in order to determine the
boundaries, location, nature, and physical characteristics of the soil
and to select one of the zones or certain strips of land therein until
_1,000,000 hectares. Within a year the concessionaires
shall organize a company with which the president shall sign a con
tract for a period of 50 years.
The concessionaires assume the following obligations: (1) To estab
lish Japanese agricultural colonies in the State; (2) to bring in 300
Japanese families during the first year after their company has been
authorized; (3) to organize and maintain a medical service for the
colonists and their families; (4) to bring in at least 10,000 Japanese
families during a period of 50 years, which is the life of the contract;
(5) to maintain elementary schools in accordance with State laws.
*L
„ . 1 ,e brst 300 families have been settled in the State, the current
ol immigration must be continuous. If the immigration is discon
tinued for a period of six months, except in case of force majeure,
the Government w entitled to suspend the contract. If it is discon
tinued for a period of two years the concessionaires will lose their
right to the lands.
The contract stipulates that if at the end of 50 years the 10,000
tammes have not settled in Amazonas the colonization company
s all return the land in the proportion of 100 hectares for every
1amity under that number or it may reimburse the State by paving
for the land.
^ n j &
• Th?
g°vemment on its part shall give title to the lands
included m the concession, and exempt it from all present and future
taxes toi a period of 10 years. The exemption shall apply to improve
ments made on the land, including factories, mills, shops, and machin
ery. the State government shall also attempt to obtain similar tax
exemptions from the Federal authorities and from the municipalities.
. addition, the State is to provide free lodging for the Japanese
immigrants for a month after their arrival.
A
1 1 hectare=2.47 acres.
98
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3221
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Wage Rates and Hours Established by Recent Agreements
Bakers
E R S FIE LD , Calij.—The agreement of Bakers’ Union No.
BA K146,
dated May 1, 1927, provides for a weekly scale as follows:
Foremen, $50; oven men and dough mixers, $43; bench hands, $40;
apprentices, $21 first six months, $28 second six months, and $35
thereafter
Fort Worth, Tex.—The agreement of Bakers’ Union No. 200, dated
May 1,1927, provides for the following weekly scale: Foremen, $41.50;
mixers, oven men, and second hands, $37; bench hands or machine
hands, $33.40; apprentices, $24.
Ottumwa, Iowa.—The agreement of Bakers’ Union No. 412, dated
May 1, 1927, provides for a weekly scale as follows: Foremen, $40;
oven men and dough mixers, $32; bench and machine men, $30;
helpers, $26; apprentices, $20; women, $15.
In each agreement a week consists of 6 days of 8 hours each, and
for overtime time and a half is paid.
Brewery Workers
WAYNE, Ind .—Local Union No. 62 made an agreement, effec
ts ve April 1, 1927, containing the following scale: Cellar men,
brewhouse men, drivers, and chauffeurs, $29 per week; bottlers and
yardmen, $27.50; night men, $1 per week additional. A day consists
of 8 hours. For overtime and for work on Sundays and holidays
time and a half is paid.
Nashville, Tenn.—An agreement made by Local Union No. 101,
effective May 1, 1927, contains the following scale of weekly wages:
Cellar men, brewhouse men, warehousemen, and city drivers, $25;
shipping drivers, $21; coopers and bottlers, $20; permit-card men,
$17. A day consists of 9 hours, a week of 6 days. ^ For overtime'
and for Sunday and holiday work time and a half is paid.
Cooks—Denver, Colorado
rT H E Industrial Commission of Colorado, in File No. 1337, decided
June 17, 1927, awarded an increase of 50 cents a day to the
Denver Cooks’ Association, Local No. 18, composed of employees
of the Denver Restaurant Keepers’ Association.
Culinary Workers—Sacramento, Calif.
pU L IN A R Y Workers’ Union No. 561, of the Hotel and Restaurant
^
Employees’ International Alliance, made an agreement with
individual employers in Sacramento, Calif., June 1, 1927. The
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[323]
99
100
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
following daily scale, which includes board for the employees, was
adopted:
H o tels .—Dinner cooks, $8; pastry chiefs, $10; assistant pastry
men, $6; fry cooks, roast cooks, broiler cooks, and garde marge, $7;
pantrymen, $6; butchers, $8; helpers to cooks, pastry chiefs, garde
marge, and butchers, $4. Cash-house waiters and waitresses, 8
hours in 13, $3; cash-house waiters and waitresses, 6 hours, one
split only, $2.50; extra waiters and waitresses for lunch, 3 hours,
$2.50; extra waiters or waitresses for dinner, 3 hours, $3.50; extra
waiters or waitresses a la carte, 8 hours, $5; steady waiters, 1 meal,
$1.50. Overtime waiters and waitresses, 75 cents per hour.
Cafés, restaurants, a n d lu n ch rooms.-—Dinner cooks, $7.50; pastry
cooks, $6.50; fry cooks, butchers, and all other cooks, $6; pantrymen
and pantrywomen, and steam-table men and women, $5; cooks’
helpers on range, 3 hours or less, $4.50; waiters and waitresses on
counters and tables, $4; waiters and waitresses on tables and booths,
$3.50; waiters and waitresses, 6 hours, one split, $3; waiters and
waitresses, 1 extra shift Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, $5; waiters
and waitresses, 3 hours or less, lunch or dinner, except Saturday,
Sunday, or holidays, $2.50; waiters and waitresses, 3 hours or less,
lunch or dinner, Saturday, Sunday, or holidays, $3.50; overtime cooks,
waiters, and waitresses, $1 per hour.
C o fee shops. —Dinner cooks, $7.50; pastry chiefs, $10; pastry
cooks’ assistant, $6.50; fry cooks, $6; pantrymen and pantrywomen,
steam-table men and women, $5; cooks’ helpers on range, 3 hours or
less, $4.50. All cooks, pantrymen, and pantrywomen working short
shift, $1 per hour. Three hours shall constitute a short shift. Wait
resses, 8 hours in 12, $3; 6-hour shift, one split only, $2.50.
B a n q u ets. —Luncheon, 3 hours or less, $2.50; dinner, 3 hours or
less, $3.50; overtime, $1 per hour or fraction thereof.
Machinists—Baltimore
FAISTRXCT Lodge No. 12 of Machinists made an agreement with
^
the Belmar Machine Co., February 3, 1927, containing a scale
of 80 cents per hour for machinists, 65 cents for specialists, and 50
cents for helpers. A week consists of 44 hours. The overtime rate
is time and one-half for the first 8 hours per week and double time
thereafter. Double time is paid for work on Sundays and holidays.
Pressmen—Danville, 111.
p R IN T IN G Pressmen’s Local Union No. 257 made an agreement
with the Danville (111.) Newspaper Publishers’ Association for
three years from June 1, 1927, providing for a day scale of $43 per
week of 48 hours for pressmen and $33 for first assistants. Night
rates are $2 more. The overtime rate is time and a half.
Railways, Electric
cfc J o lie t E lectric R a ilw a y Co.—An agreement was made
by the Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway Co. and the Chicago &
Joliet Transportation Co. with the Electric Railway Employees, Divi
sion No. 228, March 8, 1927, effective for three years from January 1,
C H IC A G O
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101
W A G E BATES E ST A B L ISH E D BY D ECEN T AGKEEM ENTS
1927. Under the agreement trainmen and coach operators are to
work 9 hours a day, with every eighth day off. Time and a half is
to be paid for overtime; for overtime on snowplow work and on
sweepers, $1 per hour.
The scales established are as follows:
A G R E E D W A G E R A T E S ON S T R E E T R A IL W A Y S , F O R 1927, 1928, A N D 1929
R ate per hour (cents)
Class of work
1928
1927
One-man car operation :
A fter first year, regular ra te on line assigned—
Tw o-m an car operation:
Baggage, freight, w ork ear, line repair car and line tow er tru c k ..
1929
57.0
59.0
59.0
61.0
59.0
61.0
61.5
63.0
68.0
68.0
63.5
65.0
69.0
70.0
65.0
65.0
69.0
70.0
63.0
82.0
65.0
84.0
65.0
84.0
(0
61.5
(2)
56.0
72.5
61.5
65.0
61.5
66.0
70.5
58.0
81.5
71.5
85.5
66.5
8 Cl. 5
860. 0
4 66. 5
69.0
69.0
4 64. 5
58.5
56.5
«48.5
«54.0
48.5
54.0
64.5
64.5
61.0
51.0
64.0
54. 0
«48.5
6 54.0
0
63.5
(2)
56.0
74.5
63.5
68.0
63.5
68.0
72.5
60.0
83.5
73.5
85.5
68.5
63.5
62.0
69.0
70.0
70.0
66.5
60.5
58.5
50.5
56.0
50.5
56.0
66.5
66.5
63.0
63.0
66.0
56.0
50.5
56.0
(»)
(2)
65.0
56.0
74.5
65.0
70.0
65.0
68.0
72.5
62.0
83.5
73.5
85.5
68.5
65.0
65.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
68.0
62.0
60.0
52.0
58.0
52.0
58.0
68.0
68.0
65.0
54.5
67.5
57.5
52.0
58.0
R ate per m onth
1
1 5 cents less th a n one-man car operators.
2 $130 per m onth.
8 For first year of service 56.5 cents per hour.
$162. 50
198. 00
178. 00
132. 00
$167. 50
204.00
183.00
134. 00
$167.50
204.00
183.00
134.00
4 For first year of service 63 cents per hour.
« For first year of service 46.5 cents per hour,
e For first year of service 52 cents per hour.
Shamolcin cfc Edgewood Railway Co.—The Shamoldn & Edgewood
Electric Railway Co. made an agreement with Electric Railway
Employees, Division No. 641, February 1, 1927, to pay regular
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102
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W
motormen, conductors, and bus operators 52 cents per hour, extra
men 47 cents per hour, barn helpers 45 cents per hour, and linemen
$4.61 per day.
Roofers and Sheet-Metal Workers—Atlantic City
'T H E Roofers and Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union No. 43, of
Atlantic City and vicinity, made an agreement with the Master
Sheet Metal Contractors' Association of the same district, effective
April 1, 1927. The wage scale is as follows: Sheet-metal workers
and slate and tile roofers, $1.50 per hour; helpers, 623^ cents; ap
prentices first year, $15 per week, second year $20, third year $25,
fourth year $30; foremen of slag and composition roofers, $1.50 per
hour; roofers and kettlemen, $1.25; apprentices, 6 2 ^ cents. Fortyfour hours constitute a week’s work.
Stereo typers—Pueblo, Colo.
'T T IE Industrial Commission of Colorado, after considering the
request of Stereotypers' Local Union No. 67 for an increase of
25 cents per day from the newspaper publishers of Pueblo, on June
27, 1927, ordered th a t the rate should rem ain unchanged a t $7 per
day, $7.50 per night, foremen to receive $1 extra, and th a t a contract
be made between the parties, effective June 1, 1927.
T eamsters—Chicago
A C C O R D IN G to the agreement of D airy Em ployees’ Union con
nected with Local No. 754 of the T eam sters’ Union, m ade M ay
1\ 1927, junior clerks receive $34 per week for the first three m onths
of experience, $36.50 for the second three m onths, and $39 per week
thereafter; senior clerks, $53; foremen, cashiers, route account or
sales bookkeepers, $49; Pasteurizer men, pan-m en receivers, inspec
tors of milk, b u tter and cheese makers, and refrigerator men, $46 •
engineers, $47; miscellaneous men, $44; and b u tte r wrappers, $33^
Train Dispatchers—Hocking Valley Railway Co.
T
Flocking Valley Railway Co. made a new agreement with its
tram dispatchers February 16, 1927, those on the river division
receiving $9.38 per day and those on other divisions $9.78. The
assistant chief dispatcher receives $10.98. Eight hours constitute
a day’s work. Overtime is paid for at regular rates; less than 30
minutes are not to be counted, 30 to 60 minutes are to be counted as
one hour, and six days to count as one w*eek.
Typographical Unions
(^ E N T R A L IA , I I I .—A three-year agreement was made on Mav 1,
.1927, oyTypographicalUnionNo.479, atCentralia, 111. The book
and job nien work 44 hours a week. Journeymen receive $37 per week
machinist operators $39, foremen $39.50 for day work, $3 additional
for night work. Apprentices receive $14.50 per week during the
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W O R K IN G H O U R S OF FARM ERS
103
second year, $17.50 the third year, $20.50 first six months of the
fourth year, $23.50 second six months of the fourth year, $26.50 first
six months of the fifth year, and $29.50 for the second six months of
the fifth year. The newspaper scale provides for a week of 48 hours.
Journeymen receive $40.50, machinist operators and foremen $43 for
day work; journeymen and foremen receive $2 additional for night
work and machinist operators $2.50 additional. Apprentices on
newspapers receive $1 per week more than apprentices on book and
job work.
Keokuk, Iowa.—Typographical Union No. 68, Keokuk, Iowa, made
an agreement with the employing printers for one year, January 1,
1927. The book and job scale for a 44-hour week is: Foremen $37,
journeymen $35 for day and $38 for night work. The newspaper
scale for a 48-hour week is: Foremen $40, journeymen $38 for day
work, $3 additional for night work. Apprentices receive one-third
journeymen’s wages in the third year, one-half during the fourth
year, and three-fourths the fifth year.
New Bedford,, Mass.—An agreement between the Typographical
Union No. 276 and the newspaper publishers of New Bedford, Mass.,
effective January 17, 1927, to December 2, 1927, provides for a weekly
scale of $42 for day work and $45 for night work for a 48-hour week.
Machinist operators receive $3 per week more. In the third year
apprentices receive one-half the journeyman’s scale, in the fourth
year five-eighths, and in the fifth year three-fourths.
Zanesville, Ohio.—Typographical Union No. 199 made a threeyear agreement with the publishers of Zanesville, Ohio, effective
February 1, 1927, as follows: Book and job scale, 44 hours per
week, foreman, day work, $43; journeymen, $40; night work, $3
additional. One dollar increase over these amounts becomes effec
tive February 1, 1929. Machinist operators receive $1 above the
scale. The newspaper scale for 48 hours per week is $4 a week
above the book and job scale. In each of these cases overtime is
paid for at the rate of time and a half.
Working Hours of Farm ers 1
FTEN the question is raised as to how much farmers work as
compared with those in other industries. Farm-management
studies undertaken in recent years by the Bureau of Agricul
tural Economics in cooperation with State colleges of agriculture offer
interesting information on the subject. As a part of these studies
a careful and complete record is kept of all work done by each member
of the labor force on small groups of farms. The average number of
hours worked by the farm operator and by all other^workmen in some
of the areas in which studies have been or are being undertaken is
shown in Table 1.
O
i R eprinted from U n ited States, D ep artm en t of A griculture, Y earbook of agriculture, 1926: “ Workingday of farm ers a high average,” by J. B. H utson, W ashington, 1927, p p. 785, 786.
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104
M O N T H L Y LABOR RE V IE W
State
Farm ing area
Y ear
Colorado.
M ontana.
K ansas. _
N o rth D akota.
South D akota.
M innesota (so u th )...
M innesota (n o rth )...
W isconsin_________
Ohio (south)
Ohio (north)
Iow a.
N o rth Carolina.
Texas.
Irrigated diversified crop and sheep feeding..
Irrigated diversified crop.
W inter w heat.
Spring wheat.
do
D iversified crop an d livestock.
Dairying.
___ do__
Diversified crop a n d livestock.
1924
1920
1925
1925
1925
1923
1925
1922
1923
1923
1925
1925
1925
.do
.do.
Tobacco a n d livestock.
C otton (black-land belt)
N um ber of
farms
Operator’s
labor
(hours)
21
16
21
22
19
23
2,590
2,831
3,273
3,076
3,098
3,224
23
20
17
22
20
19
3,405
3,027
3,283
3,213
2,781
2,024
29
3,242
All
other
labor
(hours)
5,165
2,812
2,237
3,353
3,938
2,505
3, 332
3, 280
2,830
3, 590
3,629
6,694
3,340
The hours of work shown in Table 1 include only the physical
labor performed. The hours shown consist of work in the fields on
crops, feeding and caring for livestock, and miscellaneous main
tenance and repair work about the farm. In addition the farm opera
tor performed the duties incident to the management of the farm,
including the supervision of the work done by other workmen!
The average amount of work done by other workmen on these farms
is shown also in the table.
There is considerable variation in the number of hours worked
during the year by the different farm operators. For example, one
farmer in northern Minnesota worked only 848 hours, while another
worked 3,948 hours. However, 25 out of the 29 farmers in this
area for whom data are shown worked between 2,700 and 3,700 hours,
the average for the group being 3,242 hours.
The variations in this area are fairly typical of the variations in the
other areas. It should be remembered that data are included for
farm operators of all ages, some of whom were supervising several
other workmen. On the other hand it is possible that the5farmers
for whom data are shown worked more hours than the average
since, as a rule, the more enterprising farmers are more likely to be
interested in records of this kind.
I he average number of hours worked per day by seasons in the
different areas with week day and Sunday given separately is shown
in 1 able 2. From these data it appears that most farmers keep
busy during the spring and summer—perhaps a larger number of
them work on the average more than 10 hours per day than work
less. Many of them also work long days in the fall—perhaps more
of them work on the average longer than 9 hours per day than work
less. Perhapsas many of them work 8 hours per day or more as
work less during this winter period. The amount of work done
during the winter season varies with the typeof farming followed, being
heaviest on those farms on which much livestock is kept. In addi
tion to the week-day work, considerable farm work must be done on
Sunday. ^ This is particularly true on farms on which dairying is
the principal enterprise.
It is not to be assumed from these data that farmers work every
day during the year. Practically every farmer takes a day off now
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105
WAGES IN M ECH ANICAL-ENGINEERING IN DUSTRIES
and then. A given farm er will work more some days than others
during the same season. The data merely show the average num ber
of hours worked considering all workdays and Sundays.
T able
2 . —A V E R A G E
H O U R S W O R K E D BY F A R M O P E R A T O R S BY SEA SO N S, W E E K
D A Y A N D SU N D A Y S E P A R A T E
S tate
Week
day
Colorado................. .
M o n tan a....................
K ansas........................
N o rth .D akota..........
South D a k o t a . . ___
M innesota (so u th ). .
M innesota (n o rth ). .
W isc o n sin ________
Ohio (south )______
Ohio (n o rth )..............
Iow a________ _____
N o rth C a r o lin a ----Texas......................... .
6.0
G. 3
8.5
7.4
7.0
9.9
8.7
8.9
7.4
8.7
8.3
7.0
5.5
Summ er
Spring
W inter 1
Sun
day
3.6
3.4
5.2
4.8
4.5
5.5
5.2
7.0
4.0
4.8
3.4
1.4
1.7
Week
day
7.6
8.1
10.1
30.0
10.2
10.3
10.2
10. 1
9.9
10.4
10.7
9.0
6.1
Sun
day
Week
day
2. 5
4.4
4. 7
5.0
4.6
4.4
4.7
6.7
4.2
5.3
3.3
1.5
1.8
9.6
10. 0
10.8
10. 2
10.0
10.1
10.0
10.2
9. 3
9.8
10.3
10. 0
6.8
Y early average
Fail
Sun
day
3.8
4.6
3.7
4.5
4. 3
4.2
3.7
5.2
3.5
3.9
2.9
1. 5
1.9
Week
day
7.7
8.9
9.6
9.4
9.5
7.7
9.6
10.2
9.5
10.0
9.6
8.6
6.3
Sun
day
2.6
4.5
4.2
4.4
3.8
4.9
4.2
5. 7
3.8
3.9
2. 8
1.4
1.7
W eek
day
7.7
8.3
9.7
9.3
9.2
9. 5
9.6
9.9
9. 0
9. 7
9. 8
8. 7
6. 2
Sun
day
3.1
4.2
4.4
4.7
4. 3
4.7
4.5
6. 2
3.9
4. 5
3 .1
1.4
1.8
i T h e year is divided in to four equal parts, w ith Decem ber, Jan u ary , and F ebruary considered w inter,
the following th ree m onths, spring, etc.
Wages, Hours, and Em ploym ent in M echanical-Engineering
Industries
REPORT compiled for the use of the International Economic
Conference 1 covers the general condition of the mechanicalengineering industry throughout the world. The term
“ mechanical engineering” as used in the report covers machine
shops manufacturing office appliances, sewing and knitting machines
and other machines for domestic and industrial use, steam locomo
tives, traction, power, and driving engines, mechanical agricultural
implements, weighing appliances, finished machine parts, and steam
and water fittings, but does not include electrical apparatus, boilers,
vehicles, nonmechanical agricultural implements, bridges, or pre
cision machine products.
A
Employment in the Industry
'T H E table below, taken from, this report, shows in round numbers
* the changes in number of workers employed since pre-war
times and the per cent of the total workers in the industry who were
employed in each country in 1913 and 1925.
1 League of N ations.
Geneva, 1927. 2 vols.
Economic and Financial Section, C, E . I. No. 15: M echanical engineering.
55507°—27-----8
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\
106
T able
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
1
N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O F W O R K E R S E M P L O Y E D T"NT lw irP T T A w rru T
E N G IN E E R IN G IN D U S T R Y IN S P E C IF I E D ' C O U N T R IE S , T91 3 A N D l l £
.—
1913
C ountry
America:
U nited S tates_____
C anada.....................
Europe:
G reat B rita in ..................
G erm any..................
R ussia________
A ustria-H ungary or th e Succession States
France___________
Ita ly __________ ____
B elgium . _ _____
Sw itzerland______
Sw eden_____
O ther European countries............
A ustralasia an d Asia:
A ustralia and N ew Zealand
.
Ja p a n ....................... .
T o tal________
1925
N u m b er of Per cent of N u m b er of P er cent of
w orkers
total
workers
total
17.4
130,000
80,000
4.2
30.000
1.6
15.000
.8
------------
582.000
40.000
28.3
1.9
500.000
452, 000
98.000
66.000
85.000
35.000
25, 000
45.000
20.000
40.000
24.4
22.0
4.8
3.2
4.1
1.7
1.2
2.2
1.0
1.9
20.000
47,000
1.0
2.3
2,055, 000
100.0
T. able 2 shows w hat per cent of the total normal wo rhino' force
was employed after the w ar in G reat B ritain, Germany, and the
United States.
T able 2 . - P E R C E N T OF N O R M A L F O R C E 'E M P L O Y E D IN G R E A T B R IT A IN , G E R M A N Y ,
Y ear
1920_______ _
1921_____
1922________
1923_____
1924______
1925................
G reat
B ritain
i 96.5
1 77.0
1 71.2
1 77.9
84. 7
' 87.4
G erm any
U nited
States
89. 6
90.0
81.7
70. 5
71.8
97.1
58.4
69.6
90.0
76.4
74.5
1 Figures lacking for certain m onths.
Concerning this table the report com m ents as follows:
I t m ay be seen from th e table th a t th e m ovem ent of th e degree of em ployment
hfee countries. G reat B ritain and th e U nited States
Yere both h am h it by th e world crisis which set in in 1921, whereas Germany,
m consequence of inflation escaped its effects. In 1922 there was a revival
m tne U nited States, which reached its highest point in 1923. From then
i?n T w T n n t / £ f r of .e n jo y m e n t falls again sharply. As th e trad e revival
no • i Si t teSi0ngm ai;ed m the Arnerican home m arket, G reat B ritain had
no snare in it; th e degree of em ploym ent increased steadily until 1925. In the
case of G erm any stabilization involved a dim inution of em ployment, which,
however, is n o t Very considerable because foreign credits prevented th e stabilizaf0^
818 fiom exercising its full effects. The crisis did n ot arise until th e end
oi 1925, and this does not appear in the annual figures for 1925; it is a m ove
m ent m which the other countries are not involved.
Trend of Wages
in the
Industry
■yABLE 3 shows wages paid in 1913-14 and at the end of 1925 and
■ maex numbers of wages based on the pre-war figures. The report
points out the difficulties that lie in the way of comparisons of wage
data from different countries. The table shows only nominal wages
and these give no indication of the purchasing power and therefore
oí the Standard of living of workers in the different countries. In a
comparison of real wages the differences in the wage level would
be substantially less.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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107
WAGES IN M ECH ANICAL-ENGINEEK ING IN D U ST R IE S
T able 3 —W E E K L Y W A G E S O F S K IL L E D A N D U N S K IL L E D W O R K E R S IN T H E
M E C H A N IC A L -E N G IN E E R IN G IN D U S T R Y IN S P E C IF IE D C O U N T R IE S , 1913-14 A N D
1925, A N D I N D E X N U M B E R S T H E R E O F
U nskilled w orkers
Skilled workers
E n d of 1925
E n d of 1925
C ountry
1913-14
......................... wage scale..
B elgium ..............
C anada_______ ________ ________ do___
$16. 87
5. 66
6.75
19.28
G erm any _____ . _________ wage scale..
____________ do___
G reat B rita in ..-
8. 79
9. 93
6. 85
rrr T 1- 4
R ussia..... ........... ..............average earn in g s..
__________ ____ _ do___
Sw itzerland___ ________ actual earn in g s..
U nited S ta te s... .................................... do___
15. 71
2 3.99
2 6. 66
7.35
14.84
l 1924.
2
A m ount
Index
num ber
(1913-14
= 100)
i $26. 36
5.74
7.43
30.58
8.11
8. 51
11.01
14. 33
6.81
20. 30
2 10. 35
3 14. 76
i 14.10
30.78
Includes also unskilled.
1913-14
A m ount
Index
num ber
(1913-14
= 100)
156
101
110
161
$11. 50
4.25
3.98
1 $20. 27
4. 79
ô. 03
180
llo
126
126
144
5.60
5. 54
4. 57
5.19
7.42
9. 74
132
176
5. 26
129
260
221
192
207
0
0
i 10.81
24.43
0
0
5.64
10.89
0
0
192
224
* Included w ith skilled.
The rates paid in certain occupations for which data are available
for the various countries are shown in Table 4, the rates being re
duced to the basis of the 48-hour week where this could be computed.
In certain cases noted in the table a weekly rate is given, but the num
ber of hours in the working week was not given in the report.
T a b l e 4 .- -W E E K L Y W A G E S P A ID IN T H E M E C H A N IC A L -E N G IN E E R IN G
IN D U S T R Y
O F S P E C IF I E D C O U N T R IE S , B Y O C C U P A T IO N S
C ou n try
D ate to which
figures apply
Lock
sm ith s Sm iths
F it
ters
PatIron L abor
tern- T u rn molders
ers
makers
ers
Average wages 1
A ustria (V ienna)2_
F in lan d _________
F rance (P aris):
T im e w ork___
Piece w ork___
G reat B rita in ........
J a p a n 2_____ ____
U nited S ta te s 4___
E n d of June, 1925. $7. 09
Ju ly , 1924...............
$7.73
7.51
9. 28
F ebruary, 1925__
___ do........- ............ 10.01
Sept. 30, 1925____
Second half, 1925..
1925....................... .
9.63
10.62
5. 48
34. 42
$7. 49
8. 27
$9. 65 $11.40
10.44 11.99
14. 77
5. 88 2 5.88
30. 86 38. 59
9. 71
10.44
13. 70 $14. 55
5.71
37. 21
$6.31
6.64
9. 74
Wages established b y collective ag re em en t:
$20. 01
$25. 50 $27. 61 $25.50
A ustralia (Sidney and M el Dec. 31, 1925.
bourne).5
B elgium (Brussels)___________ Oct. 1,1925...
C anada (13 chief tow ns)--------- 1925________
Czechoslovakia (P rag u e)-------- Dec. 1, 1925..
Ita ly :
R om e........ ............... .............. Oct. 1,1925...
M ilan ___________ _______ _ ___ d o ...........
N orw ay (Oslo)------- -------------- Dec. 1, 1925..
P oland (W arsaw )....................... . Oct. 1, 1925...
$31.01
6. 65
.96
7. 01
$6.97
31.15
4.86
7.86
9. 48
7.10
7 .8 6
4.59
17.06
6. 50
6.63
8. 82
17.06
6. 50
9.35
6.76
17.06
6.50
5.07
14. 53
4.22
6. 63
6.31
17.06
6.50
5 .2 6
1 C onverted in to U n ited States m oney on basis of average exchange rate, as follows: A ustria, 141)5 cents;
F inland, 2.51 cents; France, 5.28 cents; G reat B ritain, $4.85; Jap an , 41.55 cents; A ustralia, $4.<0; Belgium,
4.40 cents; C anada, par; Czechoslovakia, 2.96 cents; Ita ly , 4.06 cents; N orw ay, 20.31 cents; an d Poland,
17.59 cents.
2 H ours in working week no t specified.
2 M akers of wood p attern s.
„ _
- ,.
_ „ ,. -*T
4 Foundries a n d m achine shops only; d ata from U . S. B ureau of L abor Statistics Bulletin. N o. 422.
s M inim u m wages; hours in w orking week n o t specified.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[331]
108
M ONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
Hours of Work
IN GREAT Britain before the war the working hours in the mechan1 ical-engineering industry were 53 to 54 per week. Since 1919
the standard working week has been 47 hours, but this is subject to
the modification that the employer may call upon the workers for
overtime up to 30 hours in each four weeks.
The pre-war agreed hours of work per week in Germany were a
little oyer 54. In 1925 the average working week was 51.4 hours, a
reduction of about 5 per cent.
Average hours per week in this industry in the United States in 1914
were 5 5 ^ per week. In 1923 the average had dropped to 52.
In other countries a working-day of from 9 to 10 hours was almost
universal. Since the war, however, the eight-hour day has been
general, though the hours actually worked may be fewer or greater,
according to market conditions.
Wages of Placer Miners in Alaska
B U L L E T IN recently issued by the U nited S tates B ureau of
M ines,1 dealing w ith the placer-mining industry in Alaska,
contains d a ta on wages of employees of placer camps, from
which the following is taken.
A
Placer miners are paid high wages but usually have employment
only from three to five months of the year. Although in a few places
the men board themselves, generally board is given in addition to
wages. The daily cost of boarding the men ranges from $1.50 to $4.
The statement below shows, for the various types of labor, the wages
paid. In general, the lower wages are those paid in the larger and
more accessible camps and the higher wages are those paid in some
of the more remote places, though there is more or less variation in
wages even in the same locality. In all cases, except where noted,
board is furnished in addition to the wage rate shown.
Wages per day
General labor__
$4. 00-$8. 00
2 8. 00- 12. 00
Skilled la b o r:
Forem en__
Pipem en__
Carpenters _
Engineers __
Blacksmiths
P ointm en__
Stackmen__.
Iioistm en _ _.
6. 50- 8. 00
5. 50- 9. 00
7. 00- 9. 00
6. 00- 10. 00
6. 00- 9.
6. 00- 7.
5.
5.
00
00
25
25
A t the larger mines underground workers usually work in two shifts
of 8 hours each. A t the open-cut mines 10-hour shifts are general,
and in mines having hydraulic system s shifts of 10, 11, or even 12
hours are found, though often a t higher rates. T he size of the
operation, the labor, the w ater supply available, and other conditions
determ ine the num ber of shifts worked.
The accessible cam ps usually experience no difficulty in obtaining
labor, b u t some of the isolated camps find it difficult to obtain men
after the season has started, and some employers offer a bonus to men
who rem ain for the whole season.
1 U nited States. D ep artm en t of Commerce. B ureau of M ines. B ui. N o. 259: Placer-m ining m ethods
a n d costs in Alaska, b y N orm an L . W im m ler. W ashington, 1927.
s N o board.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[332]
109
WAGES IN CH ILEAN COAL A N D COPPER M IN E S
It is stated that in the smaller or more remote districts most of the
labor is performed by prospectors and others who live there. The
more experienced and efficient of these men usually have their own
mines. It is a common practice to form a partnership of two to six
to operate a mine, especially if it is a drift mine, and personal interest
and efficiency are promoted thereby. Most itinerant labor has not
had much experience in placer mining.
Wages in Chilean Coal Mines and Copper Mines in 19251
HE Central Statistical Office of Chile published in its statistical
yearbook for 1925 (mining and metallurgy section) data
showing the average daily wages of underground and surface
workers in copper mines and coal mines in Chile for the year 1925.
The annual working days are also given for the coal-mine workers.
The following tables are taken from this report:
T
T able 1.—N U M B E R A N D A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S O F W O R K E R S IN C H IL E A N C O P P E R
M IN E S IN 1925, B Y P R O V IN C E S
JAverage exchange rate of C hilean peso in 1925=11.6 cents]
U nderground
w orkers
Provinces
D aily
wages
N u m b er
N u m b er
S an tiag o ..........................................
D aily
wages
N um ber
5
460
147
88
180
42
60
982
9.45
12.53
6.95
6.28
8. 22
9.23
11.89
9.12
D aily
wages
E q u iv
alent in
U nited
States
currency
P esos
P esos
P esos
2
640
538
390
351
42
148
2,111
All w orkers
Surface w orkers
9.00
12.19
5.73
5.68
7.96
9.23
10.00
9. 59
7
1,100
685
478
531
84
208
3,093
9.13
12. 39
6. 69
6.17
8.13
9. 23
11.35
9.27
$1.06
1.44
.78
.72
.94
1.07
1,32
1.08
T a b l e 2 . — A V E R A G E N U M B E R O F W O R K IN G -D A Y S P E R Y E A R A N D N U M B E R A N D
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S O F W O R K E R S IN C H IL E A N C O A L M IN E S IN 1925
[The average exchange rate of C hilean peso in 1925=11.6 cents]
U nderground w orkers
M ines
B uen R etiro .....................................
S c h w a g e r............................... .........
Chiflón No. 9 and C en tral_____
A nita, C onstancia, F o rtu n a -----Amelia, N euva, and A d o lfin a...
O thers............................. - ...............T o ta l.....................................-
55
232
64
260
530
229
58
207
466
262
406
188
244
94
231
264
25
112
282
240 1,810
i C hile. Oficina C entral de E stadística.
lurgia. Santiago, 1926, p p . 24 an d 33.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
All workers
N um
E quiv
ber Pick m iners O ther workers
of
Aver- alent
Averin
w ork
u m age N u m age U nited
A ver Nber
A ver
ingber
daily States
daily
days N u m age N u m age
wages
wages
cur
daily
ber
ber daily
rency
wages
wages
P esos
P esos
P ir q u é n ............................................
E l R osal. ___________________
Surface
workers
12.90
9.42
14.06
11.38
15.11
13.10
13.00
16.58
11.15
13. 62
205
170
2, 522
122
1,877
1,620
700
160
19
59
7,454
10.60
7. 30
9. 26
7.24
11.47
9.07
7.50
10.24
16.18
7. 51
9.60
203
110
2,116
94
1,548
775
300
194
14
120
5,474
P esos
P esos
6.20
463
344
6.20
6.15 5,168
274
5. 60
9. 29 3,891
7.64 2,801
6.17 1,000
448
9.14
58
12. 91
291
6.81
7.38 14, 738
8.94
7.34
8.4S
7. 55
11.04
9. 26
7.10
10. 34
15. 56
8. 66
9.26
A nuario E stadístico año 1925, Vol. V III.
[333]
$1.04
.85
.98
.88
1.28
1.07
.82
1.20
1.80
1.00
1.07
M inería y M eta
110
M O NTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Comparative Wage Rates in the United States and in Foreign
Countries
H E following tabulation of wage rates, by occupation, in the
United States and foreign countries, assembles in convenient
^ form for comparison d a ta published in the M onthly Labor
Review during recent m onths. No attem p t is m ade to show rates
in the various countries for the same date or for the same unit of
tim e, as the necessary inform ation was n o t available.
In converting foreign wage rates to equivalent United States
money the exchange rates were obtained from the Federal Reserve
Board reports and the Review of Economic Statistics (Supplement)
for December, 1926, published by the H arvard Economic Service
(Cambridge, M ass.). In the process of conversion the foreign wage
rate was m ultiplied by the exchange rate of the particular country
on the corresponding date for which the wage rate was reported.
M any foreign wage rates were reported in American money, and for
these no foreign rates are given. C anadian exchange rates fluctuate
?? • tt] eoth a t their Wage rates were rePorted a t par, or the same as
U nited States money. Wage rates for England, Wales, South Africa,
New Zealand, Australia, and T asm ania were reported in English
m oney, therefore London exchange rates were used in convertin0,
the wage rates of these countries.
T
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
F oreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
A u to m o b ile in d u s tr y
F itters, tool m akers:
F ran ceTim e w orkers____________ _______
_Pieceworkers____________ _____ """
U nited States—Tool and die m akers
L athe hands:
France—
Tim e w o rk ers....................................
Pieceworkers____ ______ _______ ' *
U nited S tates........ ................ ..............
M achine setters:
A rgentina, Buenos Aires—M echanics.
Belgium, Brussels—M echanics_____
France—
Tim e w orkers..................................
Pieceworkers________ _________
U nited States—M achinists________
M illing-m achine operators:
France—
T im e w orkers..................................
Pieceworkers...................................
U nited S ta te s .............................
Feb., 1926.
----- do........
1925______
H o u r..
...d o ...
...d o ...
4.31 francs.
4.53 francs.
Feb., 1926.
----- do____
1925...........
.d o .
-do.
-do.
4.35 francs.
4.58 francs.
A pr. 6, 1925..
Oct. 15, 1925.
M o n th .
H o u r...
250 peso s..
3.75 francs.
Feb., 1926......... . ..d o ___
----- d o ............... .
do___
1925___________
do___
4.73 francs.
4.81 francs.
Feb., 1926.
----- do........
1925...........
4.26 francs.
4.54 francs.
-do.
-do.
_do.
B a k e r ie s
B akers:
A ustria, V ienna______
Belgium, B russels........
D enm ark, C openhagen.
G erm any, H a m b u rg ___
S p a in ................................
T a sm a n ia.........................
U nited S ta te s...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sept., 1923.
Oct. 15, 1925___
3d q u arter, 1924.
Sept., 1926_____
1 924....................
Ju n e 30,1923..
M ay, 1926...........
[3341
W eek__ 367,223 -3 6 8 ,8 8 1
kronen.
3.40 francs..............
180 0re.....................
48 m a r k s ...............
9.50-11.50 pesetas..
95 sh illin g s............
H o u r..
...d o ...
W eek.
D ayW eek.
H o u r..
5.14-5.18
.15
.31
11.43
1.26-1. 53
23.11
.93
111
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES—Cos.
In d u stry , occupation, a n d country
D a te to w hich
figures apply
Timo
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
S tates
currency
B u i l d i n g tr a d e s
B ricklayers:
A ustralia—
C anada—
C hina—
Ita ly —
C arpenters:
A ustralia—
Brazil—
C anada—
Chile
China—
O ct., 1922............
D a y ----- 7.21 pesos................
$3.06
Ju n e 30, 1926___
____ d o ...................
Oct., 1924............
........ d o ...................
W e e k ...
___do___
..- d o ___
.„-d o ___
D a y -----
1926.......................
1926.......................
1926.-........... .......
1926.......................
1626.......................
1926.......................
_._do___
. .. d o ___
. .. d o ___
1.00
1.10
.90
1.13
1.35
1.13
D ec., 1923............ D a y ----June, 1926______ . .. d o ___
1 Hong Kong dollar
30-35 cents Mexican.
220 kronen ..............
Oct., 1924______ Week
........do ................... . .. d o ___ 192 francs................
__ do ___ 46.42 m a rk s______
Dec. 31, 1925___ H o u r___ 19.9d.........................
. 53
. 17-, 19
Oct., 1924______ W eek __
........ d o _________
1925....................... D ay . . .
M o n th ..
Oct., 1924______ W e e k ...
........ d o ____ ____ . .. d o ----. .. d o ___
. .. d o ___
Dec. 31,1921___ H o u r__
O ct., 1924........... W e e k ...
Ju n e 30, 1923___ H o u r__
1926.......................
164.40 lire ............
182.40 lire ................
3.33 y e n ...................
48 pesos...................
33.4 guilders_____
88.8 kronen.............
114 escudos.............
62.5 pesetas______
2s. lid -3 s, lOd........
76.8 kroner..............
2s. Od___________
7.19
7. 98
1.28
23.40
14.83
12.61
4.07
6. 98
. 56-, 74
20.44
. 55
1.57
D a y ___ 24-28 francs ____
M o n th .. 120 rupees...............
D a y ----- 7.66 pesos................
1. 24-1.44
34.78
3.26
1924......................
Ju ly 19, 1922___
1922.......................
123s. 9d....................
113s. I d . . . ..............
587,500 kronen___
164.40 francs_____
10-11J4 miireis........
H o u r___
30.10
27.51
8.31
7. 94
1.08-1.24
6. 57
10.13
11.05
.40
121s. l i d . . ............ .
121s. Od__________
617,760 kronen----3.85 francs........ .......
29.64
29.42
8. 72
.17
1926................... . D a y ___ 6-10 m iireis.............
Dec., 1925........ .. H o u r___ 1.8 miireis_______
Oct., 1924............. D a y ----- 11-15 m iireis...........
. 87-1.44
. 26
1. 61-2.19
1926..................... . H o u r___
1926.......................
1926. ..................
1926......................
1925.......................
1926.......................
1926....................... D ay ------ 13.12 p e so s.............
. 65- 75
.75
. 45-, 55
. 80-, 90
1.00
.94
1. 58
1.4 H ong Kong
dollars.
0.70 M exican doliar.
30-35 cents Mexican.
.74
June 30, 1926___
____ d o ..... .............
Oct., 1924______
O ct., 1925............
W eek „
--_do___
-_-do.......
H o u r___
Dec., 1923............ - —do.......
M ar. 15, 1923.... ...d o .......
June, 1925______ ...d o ___
.38
. 17- 19
1926
O ct., 1924______ W eek__ 225 kronen--------3d qu arter, 1924_ H o u r.. . 234 0re---------------D ay ___
OcE,1924 ............ W e e k ... 82s— .......................
2.00-2.25
2.10
3.50
6.72
.41
2.00-3.00
18.27
Oct., 1925______ H o u r___ 4 fran c s........... ........
3.03 francs................
.18
.13
Oct., 1924............ Week__ 46.75 m a rk s .- .........
H am b u rg ................................................ Dec., 1925............ H o u r___ 1 1.30 m arks_______
11.13
.31
1924
France—
..........
G erm any—
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[335]
112
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES-Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign money
Dec., 1925___
1924.....................
Feb. 10, 1925...
H o u r...
D a y ___
19 9d
51.0-56.5 drachma.
Feb. 1 ,1 9 2 6 ....
O ct., 1924...
1925_______
D ec., 1925........
O ct., 1924............
H o u r...
W ee k ..
3.99 l i r e . . .........
U nited
States
currency
B u i l d i n g t r a d e s —C ontinued
C arpenters— C on tin u e d .
G reat B rita in .......................................
G reece......... ................................................
H aiti, Cape H a itia n ____ ____________
Ita ly —
M ilan...................................................
R om e.......... : _________.,________
J a p a n .....................................____ ____
Mexico, N a y a rit. ______________ ____
N etherlands, A m sterdam __________
N orw ay, O slo .. ............................ _
Portugal, Lisbon..........
Spain, M ad rid ................
Sweden, S to ck h o lm .........
Sw itzerland_____
T asm an ia.....................
V enezuela................
U nited S tates....................
Electricians:
C anada—
M o n tre a l...............
O tta w a ......................
Quebec..............................
T oronto........................
W innipeg__________
V ancouver____ .
China, H o ngkong....... ...........
Cuba, Cienfuegos...... .........
D enm ark, Copenhagen
D om inican R e p u b lic ..............
F in lan d ________
G erm any, H am b u rg .........
Greece..........
T asm ania______
V enezuela................
U nited S tates..............
Laborers:
A ustria, V ie n n a ................
Belgium, Brussels_____
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro___
C anada—
M ontreal_______
O ttaw a..................
Quebec........................
T oronto________
W innipeg__________
V ancouver______
C hina, H ong K ong..........
Colombia, C artagena.
C uba, ( ienfuegos..........
Czechoslovakia, P ra g u e ..
D om inican R e p u b lic ___
F rance.............
G erm any—
B erlin_______
H am burg (ex cav atin g )...
G reat B rita in ____ .
H aiti, Cape H a itie n ...........
Ita ly , M ila n .................
Jam aica______
N etherlands, A m sterd am __
N orw ay, Oslo
Spain, M a d rid ______
Sweden, Stockholm . . .
T asm ania________
U nited S tates..................
Painters:
A lgiers..........................
A rab ia_______
A rgentina, B uenos A ires_______
A ustralia—
M elbourne...........................
S y d n ey.............. ....................
A ustria, V ienna . .
Belgium, Brussels...........................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1923
Ju n e 30, 1923..
M a y 3, 1924___
1926.......................
M onth
W e e k .. 38.4 g u ild e rs ____
. .. d o ....... 84 kroner_______
. .. d o ___ 120 escudos_____
64.8 pesetas............
76.8 k roner______
H o u r___ 1.39 francs...............
1926.......................
1926___________
1926......................
19 2 6 ........... .........
1926...... .......... .
1926_________
Dec 1993
1926___________
3d quarter, 1924.
M ay, 1926..........
1923
1926___________
1924
Ju n e 30, 1923___
M ay 3, 1924____
1926.................
Oct., 1924........ .
1.6 H ong
dollars.
Kong
H o u r___ 167 ^re __________
H o u r___ 4.74 m a rk s _______
D a y ___ 62 drachm as_____
W eek__ 110s..................... .
D a y .......
W eek__ 474,720 k r o n e n ___
1926— .............
1926................
1926......................
1926.............
1926...............
1926____ ____
D ec., 1923............
0.8 H ong
dollar.
1924.................
1926__________
O ct., 1924........ ..
M ay, 1926_____
Oct., 1925.
H o u r___
Oct., 1924
D ec., 1925.........
Dec. 3, 1925........
F eb . 10, 1925___
F eb . 1, 1926____
M ar. 15,1926___
O ct., 1924______
W eek. . .
H o u r___
. .. d o ___
D a y ___
H o u r___
D a y ___
W e e k ...
Kong
W e e k ... 165 k ro n e n _______
$0.40
. 90-, 97
1. 75
.16
7.98
1.28
25. 35
14. 83
11.93
4.28
8. 62
20.44
.25
.55
1.75
1.27
. 60-, 70
.80
. 45- 55
.80
1.00
.85-. 90
.85
3. 50
.27
S. 50-4. 00
.13
.25
1.11
25.16
2.75
1.34
6.72
5. 48
. 62- 73
. 30-, 40
.45-, 50
. 30-, 40
. 35-, 65
. 40-, 50
. 45-. 56
.42
1. 20
2.00
4.92
. 50-, 80
.09
Ju n e 30, 1923___ H o u r___ 2s. 2 d .......... .............
Oct., 1 926...
do
8. 80
.21
.31
. 25-, 30
. 10
1. 25-2. 25
12.20
11.29
5.23
18. 52
.50
.50
1924
Ju ly 19, 1922
M o n th .. 90 rupees.................
Oct., 1922........... D a y ....... 7.62 pesos................
. 92-1.13
26.09
3.24
June 30, 1926..__ W e e k ... 113s. 8 d ____ _____
27. 66
26. 32
8. 76
. 15
O ct., 1924.
O ct., 1925___ . . .
[336]
0.89 m a rk ________
15.I d ____________
2.39 l i r e . ..................
31.2 guilders...........
H o u r___ 3.25 francs..............
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
113
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C on.
In d u stry , occupation, an d country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
B u i l d i n g tr a d e s —C ontinued
O ct., 1925.
D a y ..
1926.
1928.
1926.
1926.
19261926.
n o u r.
..d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
..d o ..
Dec., 1923.........
D a y ..
Shanghai.
M ar., 1923____
. .. d o ___
S h a n s i...
June, 1925..........
.d o .
Costa Rica__............... ......
Cuba, Cienfuegos.............
Czechoslovakia, Prague...
Denmark, Copenhagen__
Dominican Republic____
Franoe—
Paris______ _______
Outside Paris..............
Germany, Hamburg-----Great Britain...................
Italy—
Milan............. ...........
Rome................... ......
Japan------------------------Netherlands, Amsterdam.
Norway, Oslo..... ..............
Portugal, lisbon____ ...
South Africa---------------Spain, Madrid------ ------Sweden, Stockholm------Tasmania------------------Venezuela.........................
United States..... .............
Plasterers:
Australia—
Melbourne............ .
Sydney....................
Austria, Vienna............... .
Brazil........ ...................... .
Canada—
Montreal................... .
Ottawa.... ................. .
Quebec___________
Toronto_________ _
Winnipeg..................
Vancouver...............
Germany, Hamburg____
Great Britain____ _____
Greece............ ............ ..
Hungary..........................
Italy, Milan....................
Japan______ ___ . . . . . .
Tasmania........................
United States..................
Plumbers:
Argentina, Buenos Aires.
Australia—
Melbourne________
Sydney........... ........
Austria, Vienna..............
Belgium, Brussels...........
Canada—
Montreal..................
Ottawa.....................
Quebec------, --------Toronto..................—
Winnipeg—.............
Vancouver.................
China, Hong Kong..........
C uba, Cienfuegos.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12-16 m ilreis.
$1. 78-$2. 22
. 60-. 70
.65
. 40-, 60
. 65-, 75
.85
1.2 Hong Kong
dollars.
80-90 cents M exi
can.
30-40 cents M exi
can.
.63
. 42-. 47
.1 7 -2 2
-_do..
1924.................
1926_________ _ ,_.do_.
Oct., 1924_____ W e e k ... 270 k ronen.
3d quarter, 1924. H o u r___ 200 pre-----M ay, 1926_____ D ay ..
1.80
3.25
8. 07
.35
1. 50-2. 50
4.15 francs..
2.87 francs..
1.25 m arks.
19.8d_____
.18
.13
.30
.40
H o u r___
Oct., 1925___
..d o ..
........do______
..d o ..
Sept., 1926...
Dec. 31, 1925___ . .. d o ___
Oct., 1924___
___ d o .............
1925
_
Oct., 1924___
___ do______
. . . . d o ______
Dec. 31, 1921___
Oct., 1 924....
___do______
June, 1923___
M ay 3, 1924..
1926
..
W e e k ..
..d o __
D ayW eek. .
..d o __
...d o ....
H o u rW ee k ..
...d o __
H o u r-
D ay__
175.2 lire ...........
201.6 lire .........2.87 y e n _____
36 guilders----84 kroner_____
120 escudos___
2s. 2d.-3s. iOd.
49.2 pesetas__
72 kroner____
2s. 5 d ......... .
H o u r...
June 30, 1926___ W ee k ..
...d o __
___ do--------...d o __
Sept., 1923...
D a y __
Oct., 1924....
123s. 9d______
108s. 4 d ______
504,960 kronen.
12-17 m ilreis...
H our.
1926—.................
—d o ..
1926.____ _____
. . do—
19 2 6 .............—
..d o ..
1926....................
..d o ..
1926__________
—do..
1926__________
1.5 m a rk s___
Dec., 1925_____ ..d o ..
20d__________
-C10D ec. 31, 1925...
85 drachm as..
D av.
1924
______________________
Oct., 1924_____ H o u r... 19,000 kronen.
..d o __ 4.19 lire ...........
Feb. 1, 1926___
3.26 y e n ------1925
___ D a y —
Ju n e 30, 1923... H o u r... 2s. 5 d ..............
..d
o
___
1926
___
O ct., 1922______ D a y —
June 30, 1926___
___ do_________
O ct., 1924______
O ct., 1925______
W eek. _
..d o __
—do__
H o u r...
1926______
1926...........
1926...........
1926______
1926............
1926______
D ec., 1923.
—do..
... do.
. . . do..
. . . do.
. . . do.
. . . do.
D ay .
1926______
...d o .
[337]
8. 50 pesos.
121s._________
117s__________
459,000 kronen.
3.45 francs........
7.67
8 .82
1.18
13.91
11.93
4. 28
. 53- 93
6.55
19.16
.59
1.80
1.31
30.11
26.36
7. 07
1. 35-1.91
1. 00-1.13
.85
.
.85
1.25
1.25
1.19
.36
.41
1.52
.25
.17
1.34
.55
1.60
3. 61
29. 42
28.44
6. 49
.16
. 70-. 75
.85-.
.45-.
1.
1.40 Hong Kong
dollars.
8S S
P ainters—C ontinued.
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro.
C anadaM ontreal________
O ttaw a....................
Quebec....................
T oronto_________
W innipeg.............
V ancouver..............
C h in a Hong K o n g............
1.13
1.05
.74
3.50
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
114
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES—Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign money
U nited
States
currency
B u i l d i n g tr a d e s —C ontinued
P lu m b ers—C ontinued.
D enm ark, Copenhagen.........
D om inican R epublic. .
France—
P aris...............
Outside P a ris _____
G erm any, H a m b u rg .
G reat B rita in _____
Ita ly , R o m e ... . .
N etherlands, A m sterdam
N orw ay, Oslo _
Portugal, Lisbon.
South A frica ...........
Spain, M a d r i d . . . . . . .
Sweden, Stockholm
T a s m a n ia ...
U nited S ta te s ...
Sheet-metal workers:
C anada—
M ontreal...................
O ttaw a_______
Quebec_____
T oronto___ .
W in n ip eg .........
V a n co u v e r...
T asm ania_______
Venezuela______
U nited S tates___
Stonemasons:
Algiers_______ . .
A rab ia________
A ustralia___
A ustria, V ienna.
Belgium, Brussels..
C h in a Hong K ong________
Shanghai___
Shansi_____
C uba, C ienfuegos...
D enm ark, C openhagen..
D om inican R ep u b lic..
France—
P aris______
O utside P a ris .. ___
G erm any, H am burg .
Great, B r ita in ...
Greece. . .
H aiti, Cape H aitien
Italy , M ila n ______
J apan___
N etherlands, A m sterdam
N o rw ay ..
South A fric a ...
S p ain____
Sw eden. . .
V enezuela____
U nited S ta te s ..
Structural-iron workers:
China . . .
Costa R ica.
France ._
U nited S ta te s ..
All workers:
A u stra lia ... .
G erm any—
Skilled. .
U nskilled___
P oland—
S k iiled ...
U n sk illed ..
U nited S tates..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3d quarter, 1924M ay , 1926____
Oct., 1925
$0.36
4. 00-5. 00
H o u r...
Sept., 1926_____ ---d o __
Dec. 31, 1925
IQiki
O ct., 1924 .
W e e k ...
____do__..........
D ec. 31,1921___
O ct., 1924
H o ur__
W eek.
Ju n e 30, 1923___ H o u r...
1926.................
1926......................
1926...................
1926.................
1926...............
1926...........
1926................
Ju n e 30, 1923___ -__do___
M ay 3, 1924..
1926...............
1924.
Ju ly 19, 1922
June 30, 1926...
Sept., 1923
Oct., 1925____
15.97
. 44- 65
. 50-, 70
2s. 0d.-2s. 2b id ___
29.32
5.79
.16
. 36
3. 50
.41
1. 25-3. 00
H our___
Sept., 1926
Dec. 31, 1925___ ---d o ___
1924
79-85 drachm as___
Feb. 10, 1925...
Feb. 1, 1926___ H o u r__
D ay ___
Ju ly , 1923____
H o u r.. _
Dec. 31, 1921 .
2s. lld .-3 s. lOd___
June. 1924
D a y ----1922.
W eek__
M ay 3, 1924...
1926_______
1924.
Feb.. 1930
1928___
. 44- 48
3.00
1.29
1. 31-1.46
1 Hong Kong dol
lar.
0.7 M exican dollar.
30-40 cents M»xiican.
1926______
3d quarter, 1924.
M ay , 1926...........
G et., 1925
. 58-, 74
-------fiO
2s. 0d.-2s. 9d.
413,760 k ro n e n ...
Dec., 1923
.40
5.80
15. 76
2s. lid .-3 s. lOd___
D a y ___
M o n th ..
W eek__
M ar.. 1923
. 18
.13
H o u r___
30-35 c. M ex ic a n ._
or f
A.
. 13
.31
.41
1. 41-1. 52
1.75
.15
2.83
. 56- 74
14. 92
1.60
1. 55
2.50
Dec. 31, 1925___
W e e k ...
26.29
O ct., 1925
H o u r___
.28
.23
M av. 192.3
D a y ___
M ay 15, 1926___ H o u r___
£3383
.57
1.28
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
115
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES—Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to w hich
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
S tates
currency
------------------------- 1
C lo th in g i n d u s t r y , m e n ’s
C utters:
A ustralia—
M elbourne (custom )...........................
Sydney (ready m ad e)...... ..................
Pressers:
A ustralia—
____do ..... ........... .
Sept., 1923_____
3d qu arter, 1921.
1924__________ _
1926................... -
W eek__ 104s. 6d....................
114s. 6d__________
do....... 100s. Od__________
___do___ 110s. Od....................
622,300 kronen........
H o u r.. . 193 0re......................
D a y ___ J7-34 drachm as___
H o u r___
Feb. 5, 1927........
D a y ----- 5.85 pesos..............
2.52
104s. 6d__________
1043. 6d...................
265,776 kronen____
1.4 francs.................
25. 42
25. 42
3. 72
.06
.93
60 rupees.................
5.89-7.70 pesos____
104s. 6d__________
342,250 - 483,210
kronen.
Oct., 1925.......... . H o u r___ 3.2 francs________
1925...................... D a y ___ 40-45 cents Mexican.
3d quarter, 1924.
168 0re.....................
17. 39
2. 45-3. 31
25. 42
4. 79-6. 76
June 30,1926___ W e e k ...
____do ....... ........... ___do.......
Sept., 1923_____
Oct., 1925............ H o u r...
1926 ......................
Tailors:
$25.42
27. 85
24. 33
26. 75
8.71
.31
. 30-, 61
1.12
Ju ly 19, 1922___ M o n th ..
Feb. 5, 1927____
June 30, 1926___
Sept., 1923_____
France—
Oct., 1925______
____d o _________ __ do........
Oct., 1926.......... .
1924........ ..............
Feb., 1925............ M o n th ..
1925___________
June 30, 1923___
U nited States (busbelers a n d tailors)___ 1926................... .
.15
. 22-, 25
.27
.20
. 12
.23
1. 01-1. 52
56.5-85 d rach m as..
5. 00-25. 00
1. 05
2.57 y e n _________
65-90s___________ 14. 87-20. 58
.86
4.5 francs________
2.78 francs...............
C oal m in in g
D rivers:
C anada—•
Sept., 1926_____
D a y .......
M ar. 15,1923....... ___do___
A pr., 1924..........
1924.................. .
1924_____ ____ —
Laborers:
C anada—
M iners:
7s. 6d__ _________
4.37 florins..............
7.80
5.50
1925......................
1925 ..................... . . . d o ___
4. 00-4. 20
4. 25-4. 67
3. 25
3. 35
3.76
3. 97
.58
.68
1926......................
1926.................... .
1926.......................
1926. ..................
1926.......................
1 9 2 6 ....... ............
1924...... ................
1924.......................
1925___________
D a y ___
W e e k ... 105s. 8d__________
Canada.—
. .. d o .......
South Wales' and M o nm outh........... ____ d o ...................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[339]
8. 60
20. 35
40 cents M exican..
5. 00-5. 57
4.15
4.52
5. 65-7. 00
4. 81
7.00
6.35
6. 50
.22
11s. 7d................ .
lls . 5d______ ____
8s. lOd.....................
2.65
2. 61
2.02
..d o .......
. .. d o ___
__ do........
G reat B ritain—
4. 70-5. 25
3.60
4.13
1.72
1.63
5. 48
6.12
116
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES—Con.
In d u stry , occupation, an d country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
C o a l m i n i n g —C ontinued
M iners—C ontin u ed .
In d ia .............................
N eth erlan d s......................
N ew Zealand.........
Sp ain ........ ......................
South A fric a N a ta l........ ......................
T ransvaal.................
U nited States, an th racite .(contract)__
U nited States, bitum inous (pick)
U nited States, bitum inous (m achine).
M otorm en:
N eth erlan d s.............
C anada, w e ste rn .. .
U nited States (anthracite) .
U nited States (bitum inous)_____
T im berm en:
A laska.......................
Canada, w estern..........
G reat B rita in _______
J a p a n ..................
N eth erlan d s...........
U nited States (anthracite)___
1920..
M o n th ..
1922...
June, 1924.
W eek__
$3.97
2. 58
23.04
1.62
104s U<d
Jan ., 1922
23s
__ do____ 25s..
1924___________ ___do___
1924......... .
1924.....................
A pr., 1924.
Oct., 1924...
1924_______
1924.....................
1925________
1924____
M ar. 15, 1923..
5.09
5.54
9.07
6. 26
9.65
5.18-5.47 florins___
__ do........
__.do___
A pr., 1924
1924...................... __ do........
lôs. ïd.-lO s. 4 d ___
1.62-2 25 vpn
1.92-2. 03
6. 31
6.60
6.46
8.60
6.56
2. 31-2. 36
. 77-1. 08
2.14
6. 38
F a r m in g
F a rm laborers:
A ustralia___. . .
Brazil, P arah y b a __ .
C anada—
M a le s .....................
Fem ales____
C hina, Shanghai_______
D enm ark..... .........
F in lan d —
M ales................
F e m a le s... . . .
France, D ep artm en t of Seine . ..
G erm any, E a st Prussia—
M ale s....................
Fem ales...............
G reat B rita in ____
G u atam ala.............
H a w a ii...............
J a m a ic a _____
Japan, O saka.........
L ith u an ia—
M ales_______
Fem ales...............
Mexico—
N a y a r it..........................
Federal d istric t. _
State of Jalisco. .
State of Mexico_____
N orw ay—
M a le s..................
Females...........
Sweden—•
M a le s ................
Fem ales_______
U nited S tates_____
D o — . ____ _______
Dec. 31, 1925___
1926...................
W eek__ 87s 4d
D a y .’. . .
19.78
.58- 72
1925______
1925___
M ar. 15, 1923___ M onth... 6-8 M exican dol
lars.1
1924-25 .
D a y ----1923..
1923
1924..................
Y ear___
Dec. 15, 1925___
H o u r___ 0.3019 m ark
Dec. 31,1925___
1924_____
1924
1925........
1924................
W e e k ...
D a y ----- 20 francs....... .........
___
1924 .
1924 .............
641.00
462.00
1 3.12-4.16
1.10
201. 36
128.82
1.05
.07
.07
7.64
h 30
2.50
.50
.82
h 33
h 22
M ar., 1926
M o n th ..
W eek__
11.21
17.48
10.93
11.65
1924-25
1924-25
D a y -----
1.28
,82
Y ear___
308. 69
247.43
2. 36
47.07
June 30, 1926___ WTeek __ 108s. 6 d . _______
26.40
24. 57
6.70
.18
.26
27.60
.17- 22
7.41
.28
18. 85
1924
1924
Jan ., 1927
.
F u r n itu re
C abinetm akers:
A ustralia—
M elbourne_____
S y d n e y .. .....................
A ustria, V ienna______
Belgium, B russels. ___
Brazil, Sao Paulo ..........
C anada, O ttaw a
C hina_____
Czechoslovakia, P rag ue.
D enm ark, C openhagen__
E ngland, L o n d o n .
O ct., 1924
O ct.' i025
Dec.', 1925
O ct., 1924 __
W eek
D a y ----- 30-40 c. M exican..
W eek__
3d q u arter, 1924. H o u r___ 173 0 r e .. .................
Oct. 1924........... W eek__ 84s...........................
i With board.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
H o u r___
[340]
COMPARATIVE WAGE BATES
117
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND UNITED STATES—Con.
D ate to which
figures apply
In d u stry , occupation, and country
Tim e
un it
U nited
States
currency
Foreign m oney
F u r n i t u r e —C ontinued
C abinetm akers—C ontinued.
France—
4 fra n c s ...................
3.05 francs...............
1.03 m arks ............
74s. 6 d .....................
8,000-15,000 kroner
4.17 lire — .............
3 y en ____________
2.5-3.75 fra n c s ... . .
32.64 guilders____
88.8 kro n er..............
150 escudos.............
63 p esetas-----------_ .d o ___ 57.6 kro n o r______
1923....................... H o u r. . 1.5 francs________
Ju n e 30, 1923___ W e e k ... 93s. 6d__.................
Oct., 1924______ H o u r... 8-16 d in a rs .........
1925
................
$0.18
.14
.25
18.13
.10-. 20
.17
1.24
. 11-. 17
12. 76
12.66
C. 90
8.44
15.33
.27
21.38
.1 1 -2 3
.80
_-_do __ 3 francs .........
. . . d o ___ 2.5 m ilreis_______
--_do___ 2.98 fra n c s .............
1.17 m a rk s ____
-__do_
W eek _ 74s. 4 d _______
H o u r __
.14
.35
.50
.13
.28
18.09
1.00-1.15
15-18 m ilreis ___
1. 61-1.94
Oct., 1925.............
. . d o . . . . ..............
1926 ____ ____
Dec., 31, 1925___
O ct. 1, 1924____
Feb., 1926.........
1924.'__________
Oct., 1, 1924........
Oct.' 1924______
Upholsterers:
Oct. 15, 1925 __
D ec., 1925............
1926 '
Oct., 1925______
1926'__________
Dec. 31, 1925__
1925..............
H o u r___
___do___
__ do_ __
W eek__
H o u r___
__-do_ __
D a y .. .
H o u r___
W e e k ...
-__do___
___do. _-
O r a n ite a n d s to n e in d u s tr y
Stonecutters:
Oct., 1924........ D a y __
C anada —
•
C hina, S hanghai ...... ......... -.....
France—
.
1926.............. H o u r _
1926........ .....
1926 ...
1926.............. __ do _
1926
. ___
1926
___
M ar. 15, 1923— D a y --- 1.20 M exican dol
lars.
3d quarter, 1924. H o u r _ 210 0re ..............
1.00
1.10-1.13
1.00
.62
4.5 fran c s.. .........
3.18 francs _____
1.52 m a rk s ____
3.46 y en_____ __
.20
.14
.36
1.42
1.40
Spring, 1926 __ D a y --- 7.40-9.80 m arks___
1926
____ H o u r _
1. 76-2.33
.90
-_ do __
__ do __
Dec., 1925______ - do _
1925_____ ___ D a y ___
M ay, 1926........... H o u r _
Oct., 1925____
.75
1.00
. 45- 60
.37
I r o n a n d s te e l i n d u s t r y
B last furnaces:
Blowers—
Blowing engineers—
Chargers (top fillers)—
Spring, 1926__
...... .
Spring, 1926 __
__ d o ...........
1926
Keepers—
1926
Laborers—
Skip operators—
19.44
.66
W e e k ... £ 4 13s. 7d.-£5 10s.
lid .
H o u r_
22. 78-26. 99
.50
1. 58-2. 07
D a y --- 6.65-8.70 m arks _
W e e k ... £ 5 8s. 5d.-£5 14s. 26. 38-27. 83
4d.
.58
..............
Spring, 1926........
1926—...................
W eek__ £2 13s. I d _______
H o u r___
12.91
.39
Spring, 1926____ D a y --- 6.80-8.72 m arks___
H o u r_
1926
1. 62-2.08
...
1.31-1.58
.47
Stockers—
Spring, 1926__
U nited S t a t e s . ---------- ------- 1926_______
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£3 19s. U d ____
Spring, 1926__ W e e k ..
1926.
_____
[341]
D a y ....... 5.50-6.64 m arks
H o u r_
.55
118
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, an d country
I r o n a n d s te e l i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
Bessemer converters:
Blowers—
G erm any (Thom as furnaces)..
U nited S tates______
Laborers—
G erm any (T hom as furnaces) _
U nited S tates............
Regulators—
G erm any (Thom as furnaces),..........
U nited S tates_________ _
O pen-hearth furnaces:
Laborers—
G reat B rita in _______
U n ited S tates________
M elters—
C hile..........
G erm any (M artin furnaces) __
G reat B rita in ______
U nited States (first helpers)_____
Pourers—
G reat B r ita in ...............
U nited S tates_________
B olling mills:
H eaters—
G e rm a n v .. ................
G reat B rita in ............
U nited States (bar mills) __
Laborers—
G erm an y .......... .
G reat B rita in ____
U n ited States (bar mills) __ _
Rollers—
G erm an y _______ _____
G reat B ritain _______
U nited States (bar m ills)____
Roughers—
G reat B rita in ___
U nited States (bar m ills)______
P uddling mills:
Puddlers—
E ngland, M anchester_______
U nited S tates___ ____ _
P u d d lers’ helpers—
England, M anchester____
U n ited S tates...........
T in mills:
Assorters—
Wales, Swansea—M ales . .
U nited States—Fem ales_____
Doublers—•
Wales, S w a n se a ...
U nited S ta te s .. . .
Laborers—
Wales, S w a n se a _____
U nited S ta te s........ .
R o lle rs Wales, S w a n se a ..............
U nited S tates.....................
T inners—
Wales, Swansea_________
U nited S tates__________
Shearmen—
Wales, Swansea______
U nited S tates______
D ate to which
figures ap p ly
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
Spring, 1926 ___ D a y ----1 9 2 6 ..............
9.30-12.20 m arks .
Spring, 1926____ D a y ----1926— '_______
5.50-6.80 m arks___
1.31-1.62
.44
Spring, 1926 ___ D a y ----1926...'.................
8.10-12.50 m a rk s ...
1.93-2.98
.95
Spring, 1926____ D a y ----1926.......................
6s. 9 d ___________
1926
D a y ....... 12 pesos_________
Spring. 1926____ -__do___ 9.12-11.50 m a rk s ...
1926___________
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___
1926___________
$2.21-$2. 90
1.30
1.64
.43
1.45
2.17-2. 74
8.98
1.17
17s. 2d___________
4.18
.89
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___ 7.60-19.20 m a rk s ...
W eek__
1926.......................
1. 81-4. 57
26.18
.95
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___
5.90-8.70 m arks___
6s. 7J4d.-Gs. 9 d ___
1. 40-2. 07
1. 61-1. 64
.41
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___ 9.20-23.20 m a rk s ...
Week _. _
1926__________
2.19-5. 52
33. 01
1.70
Spring, 1926____ W eek__ £3 5s. lO ^ d ______
1926__________
16.03
.85
1926___________
Spring, 1926........
1926___________
D a y -----
15s. lOd__________
3.85
.77
Spring, 1926____ D a y ----1926_______
9s.
5 * 4 d ............ .
2.31
.65
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___
1926........ ..............
20s. lM d _________
4.89
.38.
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___
1926........ .............
18s. 5 J id _________
4.49
.79
Spring, 1926____ D a y ___
1926___________ H our
7s.
1.79
.43
Spring, 1926........ D a y ___
1926__________ _
22s. l i d __________
5.58
1.64
Spring, 1926.___ D a y ___
1926___________
16s. 6 d __________
4. 01
.84
Spring, 1926____
1926___________
D a y -----
21s.
5. 32
1.02
Ju ly 19, 1922___
M o n th .. 120 ru p e e s..............
i y 2d
_________
1 0 y 2d
________
M e t a l tr a d e s
B lacksm iths:
A r a b ia _____________ _ .
A ustralia—
M elb o u rn e........................
S y d n e y ....................................
A ustria, V ie n n a ._______
Belgium, Brussels.......................
C anada—
M o n treal........................
O ttaw a................ .........
Quebec___ . . . . _______ _____
'boronto.. _. __ ...................
W in n ip e g _________
V ancouver_________ ______
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ju n e 30, 1926___'_ W eek__
112s. 6d__________
Sept., 1923
Oct., 1925............
4 francs_________
1926_____ ______
1 9 2 6 ................ ..
1926__________
1926___________
1926__________
1 9 2 6 ...................
[342]
H o u r__
34.78
27. 37
27.86
5. 51
. 13
. 53- 70
. 51- 65
. 50-, 60
. 50-, 65
. 60-. 80
.75-. 88
COMPAKATIVE WAGE KATES
119
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C o n .
In d u stry , occupation, a n d country
D ate to w hich
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
D a y -----
13.24 pesos___ . . .
U nited
States
currency
M e t a l tr a d e s —-Continued
B lacksm iths—C ontinued.
nhilA
C hina—
........................... 1926.................. ..
Dec., 1923............ ___do___
M ar., 1923_____ --_do___
France—
Boilermakers:
A ustralia—
C anada—
U nited States (average, 9 U . S. naval
statio n s).
Coppersm iths:
A ustralia—
C osta R ica________________________ _
D enm ark, Copenhagen............. ................
F in lan d ____: .........- ------ --------- ---------France, outside P a ris.................................
G erm any, H a m b u rg ............ ......................
Greece........................... .................................
V enezuela,....................................- _______
U nited S tates (average, 9 U . S. naval
statio n s).
Coremakers:
A ustralia—
M elb o u rn e,,...................................—
S y d n e y ,,..............................................
F ran ceT im e w orkers.................................... .
Pieceworkers. ......................................
G erm any-------------------- ------ ------------U nited S ta te s .............................................
Laborers:
A ustralia, Sydney.............................. ........
A ustria, V ienna........ ................................ .
Belgium , B russels.....................................
C anada, O ttaw a____________ _____
Czechoslovakia, P r a g u e ,........... ............1
D en m ark ......................................................
France—
M ales, tim e w orkers....... ................. .
M ale, piecew orkers_____ ____ ____
Fem ales, tim e w o rk e rs.................... .
Fem ales, piecew orkers......................
G erm any .................... ................................
G reat B rita in ..............................................
Ita ly , M ila n ________________________
N etherlands, A m sterd am ______ _____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1.60 Hong Kong
dollars.
1.5 M exican dolJars.
$1.60
.85
.52-, 78
3.50
.31
.15
1 924........... ......... . . do___
3d q u arter, 1924, H o u r__
1923___________
190 0re. ______ ..
5.76 m ark s_______
___do__
--_do___
D a y ___
___do__
4.15 francs_______
4.51 francs_______
62 drachm as..........
2.2 y e n __________
4-8 pesetas_______
.15
. 17
1.11
.90
. 43- 86
.72
112s. 6d_..................
119s. 6d.................. .
27.34
29.04
Feb., 1926______
___ _do_________
1924..................... .
1925.................... .
1924...................
1925.....................
H o u r___
Ju n e 30, 1926
W eek__
-- .d o ___
1926 ...................
1926.. ________
1 9 2 6 ................ .
___
1926 .
___
1926
1926 . . ______
1926___________
Dec., 1923______
H o u r___
___do___
-__do.......
.
do__
D a y ___
. .. d o ___
do___
1924___________
1923....................... H o u r...
— do
1927
14.68 pesos_______
1.60 Hong Kong
dollars.
6.526 m ark s______
.50-, 75
. 01-. 75
.40-, 50
. 60-, 75
. 60-. 72
. 75-. 88
1. 77
.85
6.50
. 18
.86
.72
1925
W eek__
-_ -d o ___
A ug., 1924_____ H o u r...
D ec., 1923-.......... D a y ___
Ju n e 30, 1926___
1924.____ ______
3d q u a rte r, 1924.
1923
___
O ct., 1925_____
S ept., 1926____
1924
___
M ay 3, 1924___
1927......................
112s. 6d____ ____ _
114s. 6d____ _____
3.00-3.75 francs___
1.60 H ong Kong
dollars.
__ do___
H o u r....
...d o ___ 6.722 m a rk s ..
...d o ___ 3.03 francs__
...d o ....... 1.02 m a rk s ...
D a y ___ 62 drachm as.
...d o ___
H o u r__
Ju n e 30, 1926___ W e e k ...
...d o ___
___ do .............
97s. 6d-117s. 8d_
109s. 6d_______
Fob., 1926...
___ d o _____
Spring, 1926.
1925...............
H o u r__
...d o ___
D a y ----H o u r__
4.09 francs__
4.75 francs__
7.5-11 rnarkS -
1924
1924___________
1924___
1924___
1924
3d q u arter, 1924.
W eek.
. .. d o ___
. . . d o ___
. .. d o ___
. . . d o ___
H o u r___
85s
340,000 kronen.
109.92 fra n c s...
F eb ., 1926...........
___ d o . . . .............
.j- .- d o .................___ do_________
1926,.....................
Dec. 31, 1925___
Feb ., 1926______
1924......................
...d o ...
. . . d o ...
... d o .. .
. . . d o ...
D ayW eek.
H o u r..
W eek.
2.76 fra n c s .....
2.92 fra n c s... ..
1.93 francs___
2.26 francs----5.5-7.5 m arks.
40s. I d . . . . . . .
2.72 lire _____
23.52 guilders.
[343]
160 k ronen.
148 jfre........
27.37
27.86
. 15-, 19
.85
4.00
. do
. 18
. 13
.24
1.11
3.00
.90
23. 72-28. 59
26.64
.15
. 18
1. 79-2.62
.73
18.78
4 .SI
5. 10
19.20
4. 73
.24
.10
.11
.07
.08
1. 31-1. 79
9.75
.11
8.99
120
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S -C o n ,
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign money
U nited
States
currency
M e t a l tr a d e s —C ontinued
Laborers—C o n tin u ed .
N orw ay, O slo ........ .....................
Spain, M a d r id ., ................
Sweden, S to c k h o lm ...............
T asm ania .......... ..........
U nited S tates..................
Lathe h ands:
Belgium, Brussels.......................
France—
T im e w orkers.................
P iecew o rk ers........
Ita ly , M ila n __________
J a p a n ................
U n ited States—
T u r re t_______
Engine.......................
M achinists:
A ustralia, S y d n ey ___ __
A ustria, V ienna____
Belgium, B russels_____
Brazil, Sao P a u lo _____
C anada—
M o n treal________
O ttaw a_______
Quebec________ .
T oronto________
W in n ip e g ...
V a n c o u v e r...;.
Chile—M echanics.........
C hina—
Hong K ong............
Shanghai_______
Colombia, Cartagena—M echanics
C osta R ic a ..........
Czechoslovakia, Prague
D enm ark, C openhagen___
France—
Tim e w orkers..............
P iecew o rk ers______
G erm any, B erlin______
G reat B ritain —F itters an d turners
Ita ly , M ila n _____
N etherlands, A m sterdam .
N orw ay, Oslo . . .
Spain, M a d rid .
Sweden, S tockholm ___
Venezuela—F itte rs.. .
U nited S ta te s____
M illing-m achine operators:
F ran ceT im e w orkers........
Pieceworkers . . . . . .
U n ited S ta te s...................
M olders:
A ustralia—
M elbourne..............
S y d n ey_________________
Belgium , B ru s se ls ................................
C anada—
M o n tre al__________
O tta w a ................................
Q uebec_____________
T oronto....................
W innipeg________
V ancouver_____
Costa R ica_____
Czechoslovakia, P r a g u e ...
D enm ark, Copenhagen_________ ____
F in lan d ..............................
France—
T im e w orkers____________ .
P iecew o rk ers.....................
G e rm a n y ..........................
G reat B rita in _______________ ____ ___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1924
1924_____ . .
1924..
Jan . 30. 1923
Jan ., 1927___
Week___
12s. 6d-I3s. 9 d ___
Oct., 1925...
.18
Feb., 1926..
3.621ire
1925___
1925____
1925______
.15
.17
.15
.94
.65
.66
Oet., 1924
W eek__ 110s
Oct., 1924.
D ec., 1925.
H o u r___
1926............
1926............
1926..............
1926
1926............
1926._ ........
1926................
$8.90
6.00
9.55
2.86-3.14
.39
...d o
24.68
5. 33
6.96
.26
. 50-. 75
.50-, 65
. 40-, 55
. 50-, 70
. 60-, 80
. 75-, 81
1.57
Dec., 1923______ . .. d o .......
1.6 H ong Kong
.85
dollars.
M o n th .. 30-40 M exican dol 15. 60-20.81
lars.
1924_________
D a y __
2.00
1924____
4.50
Oct., 1924
W e e k ...
7. 75
3d q u arter, 1924. H o u r___
.31
Feb., 1926
O ct., 1924
D ec. 31, 1925___
F e b . 1,1926
O ct., 1924
W e e k ...
. . . d o ___ 56s. 6 d ______
H o u r___
W e e k ...
M ay 3, 1924.
1925.....................
Feb., 1926
.15
.16
.65
1925_______
June 30, 1926___
Oct., 1925
W eek__ 97s. 6d.-117s. 6d__ 23. 72-28. 59
105s. 6d.-119s.6d_. 25. 67-29. 07
.14
H o u r___
1926..........
1926___________
1926 ..........
1926 _____
1926_____
1926............
1924 .
'
O ct., 1924____
W e e k ...
3d q u arter, 1924. H o u r___
1923 . . .
Feb., 1926_____
1926 .
Dec. 31, 1925___
[344]
.15
. 16
10. 05
13. 75
.14
12. 57
10.88
9.58
11.24
110.00
.70
W eek__ 60s.............................
. 60-. 75
. 50-. 60
. 38-. 57
. 50-. 70
. 55- 70
. 75-, 81
3.00
7. 83
.34
.17
.15
.18
1. 95-2.74
14.60
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
121
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
M e t a l tr a d e s —
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign money
U nited
States
currency
C ontinued
M olders—C ontinued.
Ita ly —
U nited States—
P atternm ak ers:
A ustralia—
W e e k ... 143.7 lire ..................
153.6 lire ..................
D a y ___ 2.2 y e n __________
1925_________
O ct., 1924........... W eek.... 27. 84 guilders-----........ d o ____ ____ . .. d o ....... 76.32 kroner...........
. . . d o ___ 72 pesetas________
........ do ................... ___do___ 42.24 kronor------O ct., 1924............
.73
.80
.73
H o u r___
1925 ...............
1925 __________
1925.......... ............. .» .d o ___
Ju n e 30, 1926___ W e e k ...
__ __do_________ . . do___
O ct., 1924______ . . do___._
__ do___
D ec., 1923............ D a y ___
121s, 6d.................123s, 6d__________
180 francs________
1.8 H o n g K o n g
dollars.
1924.................. __ d o ___
310
k ro n e n . . . ___
W
e
e
k
...
Oct., 1924______
1923...................... H o u r___ 5.757 m ark s______
France—
29.56
30.05
8.65
33.60
.95
2.90
9.24
.15
4.89 francs_______
5.19 fr a n c s .............
42.24 m a rk s______
60s, l i d __________
3.591ire..............
2.36 y e n _________
32.16 guilders____
76.32 k r o n o r _____
72 pesetas ______
42.24 kronor______
10-16 d in a rs______
.18
.19
10.05
14.82
.15
.97
12.57
10.88
9.65
11.28
. 14-, 23
.80
Feb., 1926______ __ do__
_ do__
1925........ ............... . .. d o ___
4.2 francs________
4.54 francs_______
.15
.17
.73
Oct., 1924.......... . W e e k ..
____d o ... _____ ___do__
___ do................... . . do___
95s______________
421,047 kronen___
169 francs................
21.31
5.96
8.12
210 k ro n e n _______
36.00
34.00
26.50
36.00
38.00
42.00
6.26
3d quarter, 1924 _ H o u r___ 199 0 re ....................
....d o ___ 106 0re____ ____ -
.32
.17
Feb., 1926______ . .. d o ___
W e e k ...
. . . d o __
H o u r___
D a y __
W e e k ...
. .. d o ___
___do__
. .. d o ___
___ do___................ H o u r...
1925 .....................
Oct., 1924______
D ec. 31, 1925___
F eb . 1, 1926____
1925___________
Oct., 1924 ____
____do _________
Toolm akers:
France—
$6.25
6.68
.90
10.89
10.88
9. 58
11.24
P r i n t i n g a n d b o o k b in d in g
Bookbinders:
C anada—
D enm ark, Copenhagen—
France—
G erm any, H am burg—
Ita ly , M ilan—
U nited S tates...............................................
55507°—27----- 9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1926
1926__________ _
1926 .....................
1926___________
1926
. ___
1926 _-_____
Oct., 1924............
_ do___
. .. d o __
. .. d o __
__ do___
. .. d o ___
. .. d o ___
Oct., 1925.......... . . .. d o ___
. .. d o .......
3.85 francs_______
2.84 francs_______
D ec., 1925______ . .. d o ___ 1.00 m a rk ________
__ do___ 0.61 m a rk ________
Dec. 31, 1925___ W e e k .. . 73s. 4 d ......................
[345]
.24
.15
17.84
.21
5.12 lire __________
.12
2.80 lire ....................
.86
2 1 yen --------------14.07
36 guilders............
12.98
91 kroner________
6. 61
168 escudos _ _ ----138s. 6d.-170s. 6d._ 26. 68-32.84
5.83
43.5 pesetas______
14. 05
52.8 k ro n o r.............
.98
H o u r___
Feb. 1,1926____ H o u r___
. .. d o __
1925........ .............. D a y ___
Oct., 1924______ W e e k ...
. . do___
___do..... ............. . .. d o ___
Dee. 31, 1921___ . .. d o ___
Oct., 1924.......... . .. d o ___
M ay, 1926_____
.17
.13
122
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C on.
In d u stry , occupation, a n d co u n try
D ate to which
figures ap p ly
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
P r i n t i n g a n d b o o k b i n d i n g —C ontinued
Compositors, hand, hook, and job:
A ustralia—
M elbourne...........
.......
S y d n ey.......................
A ustria, V ienna.............
Belgium, B russels________ ____
C anada—
M o n tre al...........................
O ttaw a................ .......
Q uebec______________
T oronto_____
W innipeg___________
V ancouver________
C h in a......................
F ran ceP aris_______ ____
O utside P a ris_____ . .
G erm any, H am b u rg ___
G reat B rita in ...... ...........
Ita ly , M ila n ...................
J a p a n .. ____
N etherlands, A m sterdam
N orw ay, Oslo ____
Portugal, Lisbon______
South A frica __
Spain, M a d rid ____
Sweden, Stockholm .
U nited S tates______
Compositors, m achine, book a n d job:
A rgentina, Buenos Aires (lin o ty p e)___
A ustralia—
M elbourne (linotype).
Sydney (lin o ty p e)________
A ustria, V ienna ___
Belgium, B russels..
C anada—
M o n treal .......
O ttaw a ..........
Q uebec ......... .........
Toronto ...... .............
W innipeg _____
V ancouver __
Czechoslovakia, Prague
England, L o n d o n ..
France, P a ris .....
G erm any, B erlin ......
Ita ly —
M ilan (lin o ty p e). .....
M ilan (m onotype) ____
N etherlands, A m sterdam . .
N orw ay, Oslo .
South A frica __
Spain, M a d r id ...
Sweden, Stockholm
U nited States—T im e w orkers ...
Pressm en:
C anada—
M o n treal................
O ttaw a______________
Q u eb ec. __ ________
T oronto________
W innipeg _____
V a n c o u v e r___
Ita ly , M ila n .........
S p a i n . . _____
U nited States (cylinder p resses) ..
U nited States (platen p resses) __
All workers:
A ustralia _____ . . . .
G e rm a n y Skilled w orkers ........
U nskilled w o rk ers...
U nited S tates..............
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
June 30, 1926___ W e e k ...
112s...........................
Oct., 1924............ . .. d o ..... 513.188 kronen
1926_________
1926_________ .
1926..........
1926................
1926_____
1926___________
$27. 25
27.25
7. 26
8.26
36.00
35. 00-40. 00
29.00
35. 20-36.00
39.60
42. 00
. 17- 22
H o u r___
.20
.13
.24
W eek _ 73s. lOd __ _____
17. 97
H o u r __ 5.121ire ..... .... ...
.21
D sv
.93
W e e k ... 36 guilders ____
14.08
12.83
5.73
D ec. 31, 1921
138s. 6d.-170S. 6d__ 26. 68-32. 84
O ct., 1924 .
11.26
15. 02
M ay , 1926............
1.09
1925...........
M o n th .. 320 pesos _____
123.20
Dec., 1925...___
Dec. 31, 1925__
Feb. 1, 1926.....
1925
Oct., 1924........
June 30, 1926__
Wc-ek__
Oct., 1924
1026___ .
1926__
1926____
1926_____
1926___ _____
1926__
O ct., 1924____ ---d o __
. .. d o __
. .. d o __
Feb. 1, 1926__
O ct., 1924............
D ec., 1921
O ct., 1924
M ay, 1926............
125s________
124s
590,166 kronen___
235 k ro n e n ____
96s ______
246.85 francs ___
.23
. 22
15. 77
16. 26
138s. 6d.-17Cs. 6 d ., 26.68-32. 84
11.26
16. 47
1.12
Dec. 31, 1925__ W e e k ... 109s. 6d..................
Oct., 1925........ H o u r __ 0.959 m a rk _____
[346]
__
36.00
35. 00-40.00
29. 00
35.20-36.00
39. 60
42. 00
8. 50
21. 54
12.91
9.20
H o u r___ 5.53 lire ______
5 50 lirp
W e e k ... 40.32 guilders __
1926....................
1926.........
1 9 2 6 ....................
1926_____
1926... ..........
1928_____
Feb. 1, 1926..... H o u r __ 5.08 lire _____
1924
D a y ..... 12.25 pesetas ___
M ay , 1926.......
M ay, 1926...
30.66
30.17
8. 35
8.S4
36.00
35.00-38. 00
27.00
36.00
39. 60
42.00
.21
1.63
1. 12
.93
26.55
.23
.20
1.16
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
123
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
P o tte r y in d u s tr y
Casters, male:
H o u r.
1925.'__________ ___do___
ls. 4}^d__________
$0. 33
.90
___do___
ls. 9^2d____ _____
.44
1.23
ls. 6%;d__________
.38
.81
ls. 2d____________
8 J 4 d -..................... -
.28
. 17
D ippers, male:
1925
D ish m akers, male:
1925. ....................
Gilders:
E ngland—
Dec., 1925 ........
U nited States—
.76
.53
1925
Fem ales____ ____________________ 1925.__________
H andlers, male:
Dec., 1925 ..........
1925. .
Jiggermen:
E ngland—
Dec., 1925...........
U nited S ta te s ......... .....................................
K iln placers:
E ngland—
G lost..................................................
B isque___________ ______ ________
U nited States—
G lost___________________________
B isque________ ____ ____ _______
M old m akers, male:
ls. 3M d.............. .
.32
.96
ls. 6M d._............ .
ls . 4Jijd__________
I s . l l J i d ..............
ls. 6d_.............. .......
l s . 9 ^ d __________
.37
.34
.48
.37
.44
.90
ls. 7d.............. .........
ls. 6Md.............. —
.39
.37
1925.......................
Dec., 1925 ..........
1.04
1. 05
1925 .
______
1925 ________
ls. 8d___________
.41
1.06
ls. 4d___________
.32
.85
ls. 5 d _ ._________
.35
.65
ls.4J4d_ _ _. . . .
.33
.69
ls. 6d___________
.37
.96
Dec., 1925. . .
1925_________
ls. 5Md...............—
.36
.75
D ec., 1925______
1925___________
8d...................... .
.16
.38
D ec., 1925______
1925___________
ls. 4 H d ................ .
.34
.94
Dec., 1925............
ls. 3d_____ ______
ls. 4J^d____ _____
.30
.34
. 59
102 pfennigs______
86 ufennigs_____. .
72 pfennigs_____
67 pfennigs______
.24
.21
. 17
. 16
1926 _________ . .. d o ___ 43 pfennigs............
1926
. . . ___ . .. d o ........ 41 pfennigs_______
36 p fe n n ig s............
1926___ _______
.10
.10
.09
U nited S tates......................... ...................... 1925.'__________
Packers, male:
Dec., 1925______
1925___________
Pressm en:
Dec., 1925______
1925__________ _
Printers, male:
1925.......................
Sagger m akers, male:
..d o . .. .
1925.'__________
Slipm akers, male:
Transferers, female:
Turners, male:
W arehousem en:
E ngland—
1925
G e rm a n y Tim e workers—
Skilled, male—
1926. ________
1926___________
1926
1926
................
Skilled, female—
D istrict C ................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[347]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
124
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u s try , occupation, a n d country
P o tte r y in d u s tr y —
D ate to which
figures apply
T im e
u n it
F oreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
C ontinued
W arehousem cn—C ontinued.
G erm any—C o ntinued.
T im e w orkers—C ontinued.
U nskilled, m ale:
B erlin.......................
D istrict A ......................
D istrict B ..........
D istrict C ..........
U nskilled, female:
B e r lin ____________
D istrict A ...........
D istrict B ........
D istrict C ...................
Pieceworkers—
Skilled, male—
B e r lin ............................
D istrict A ........
D istrict B .........
D istrict C ...
Skilled, female—
D istrict A _____ _______
D istrict B ...
D istrict C _____ .
U nskilled, male:
B erlin____ ____
D is tric t A_______
D istric t B . ............
D istric t C ______
U nskilled, female:
B erlin. .
D istric t A __ __
D istric t B .............
D istric t C ___
1926
H o u r .- .
1926....................... ---d o ........ 63 pfennigs..............
1 9 2 6 .................... _-_do........ 57 pfennigs..............
1926 ................
$0.18
.15
.14
. 13
1926........... .......... -.-d o ........ 43 pfennigs______
1926___
1926....... .............. -.-d o ___ 35 p f e n n ig s ..____
1926
.10
.09
.08
.08
1926....................... ..- d o ___ 133 pfennigs______
1926...................... . —do........ 104 pfennigs______
1926_____ _____ -.-d o ........ 84 pfennigs.............
1926. . . .
.32
.25
.20
.19
1926....................... ---d o ........ 53 pfennigs______
1926_____ _____ . —do........ 46 pfennigs............
1926
.13
.11
.10
1926...................... __ do........ 104 p fe n n ig s .____
1926........... ......... ___do........ 90 pfennigs . . . . .
1926___________ __-do....... 76 pfennigs______
1926
.25
.21
.18
.16
1926............. ....... - - d o ....... 64 pfennigs_______
1926___________ __-do___ 50 pfennigs______
1926___________ __ do ........ 42 pfennigs_______
1926
.15
.12
.10
.09
R a ilr o a d s
C onductors:
A la s k a ...
Jan ., 1925
C anada (passenger)
D ec., 1926
C anada (freight, irregular).
U nited States (passenger") _
1926_____
U nited S tates (freight)
1926..................
Engineers:
A laska. . .
Jan ., 1925
A ustralia—
Sydney:
F irst class.._
B ee. 31,1922___ W eek__
Second class_____________
____ do _________ - - d o .......
T h ird class. .
M elbourne:
F irst class..
Second class___
- - d o ___
T h ird c la ss...
C anada (passenger)
D ec., 1926............
C an ad a (freight, irregular)__________
G reat B r i t a i n F irst a n d second y ears___ _
Jan ., 1926............. W e e k ...
T h ird a n d fourth years________ _ ____ do............. ___ -- -d o .......
F ifth y ear...........
Sixth y ear_____
Spain, B arcelona.
T asm an ia___
Ju n e 3 0 ,1923... _._do.......
U n ited States (passenger")
1926.. .
U n ited States (freight)
1926_____ . _
U n ited S tates (y a rd ).
1926...............
F irem en:
A laska_______
A ustralia—
Sydney:
F irst class.._
B ee. 31,1922___ W e e k --.
Second class__
—_ _do_________ . .. d o ___
T h ird c la ss...
M elbourne:
F irst class____
Second class
. .. d o ___
T h ird c la ss... _
*P e r loo miles;
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[348]
7.68
2 4.47
2 6.16
1.24
.98
8.04
126s_____________
27.90
120s___________ „
26. 57
102-114s
22. 58-25.24
123s
114-117s
102-11 Is
72s______________
78s______________
R4s
14s. 3d.-16s. 9 d ___
27.23
25. 24-25. 90
22. 58-24. 58
2 6.00
2 6.64
17.52
18.98
20.44
21.90
2. 35-3.45
3.26-3. 83
1.50
1.17
.94
6.60
96s______________
90s
84s
21.25
19.93
18.60
96s
93s
87-90S___________
21. 25
20. 59
19. 26-19. 93
125
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign money
U nited
States
currency
R a ilr o a d s — C ontinued
F irem en —C ontinued.
C anada (passenger)______________
C anada (freight, irre g u la r)..______
G reat B ritain —
F irst and second years................
T h ird and fourth years----------Fifth to te n th y e a r .....................
E lev en th y ear........................ .......
Tasm ania...............................................
U nited States (passenger)............... U nited States (freight).......................
U nited States (y ard )................... .......
D ispatchers:
C an a d a ............ ......................................
U nited S tates........................................
Section m en:
C a n a d a -........ ........................................
U nited S tates........................................
Telegraphers:
C an a d a ..................................................
U nited S tates........................................
B lacksm iths:
C a n a d a -.................................................
U nited S tates.......................................
Boilerm akers:
C an a d a ------- ----------------- -----------U nited S tates.......................................
Cleaners:
C a n a d a ......... .................... - ..................
U nited S tates...................................... .
C ar repairers:
C an a d a ...... ................................ ..........
U nited States (carm en A )........ ........
M achinists:
C a n a d a .................................................
U nited S tates...................................... .
M olders:
C a n a d a -.................................. - ............
U nited S tates............ ...........................
All workers:
A ustralia—R ail and tram workers.,
G e rm a n y Skilled w o rk e rs-................ 1 -----U nskilled w orkers.......................
U nited S tates......................................
3 $1.48
s 4.88
D ec., 1926.
___ do........
13.87
15. 33
16.06
17. 52
3.22-3. 49
1.17
Jan ., 1926----___ do______
___ do ______
___ do .........
Ju n e 30, 1923.
1926________
1 9 2 6 -....... .
1926.................
W eek.
. .d o . ..
. .d o . ..
. .d o . ..
D ayH o u r—
. .d o . ..
-do.
D ec., 1926.
1926............
M o n th .
H o u r...
D ec., 1926.
1926...........
D a y ..
H o u r.
D ec., 1926.
1926______
M o n th .
H o u r...
D ec., 1926.
1926............
.d o .
.d o .
.70
.80
Dec., 1926.
1926............
.d o .
.d o .
.70
.80
Dec., 1926.
1926............
-do.
-do.
.38
.41
D ec., m e
m o ............
.d o .
.d o .
.63
.76
Dec., 1926.
1926............
_do.
-d o .
.70
.79
D ec., 1926.
1926............
.d o .
.d o .
.70
57s.......................
63s_________ _
6 6 s .....................
72s
14s." 1d".-~l5s" 3d.
.88
.73
230.00-
238.00
1.23
3.04
.36
117.00-
.64
128.00
.86
24.37
Dec. 31, 1925___
W eek__ 100s. 6d.
Oct., 1925.
___ d o ___
1926...........
H o u r___ .798 m ark .
...d o ___ .616 m ark .
...d o .
1924................
A pr., 1926—
Jan ., 1926__
M ay , 1926...
Jan., 1926. . .
___ d o _____
___ do -------___ d o _____
___ d o ...........
Ju ly , 1926...
Jan ., 1926__
___ d o ...........
___ d o ...........
M ay 3, 1924.
D a y ...
...d o __
M o n th .
...d o —
...d o __
...d o __
...d o __
. ..d o __
. .. d o .- . .. d o - - .
...d o ...
. .. d o __
. .. d o __
D a y ...
Ja n ., 1926.
___ d o ___
M o n th .
...d o —
60.00
62.00
Jan ., 1926.
___ d o ----___ d o ___
........d o ----___ d o ___
........d o ___
1924............
Jan ., 1926.
........d o —
M o n th .
.do__
d o __
_do.
.d o .
.d o .
_do-d o .
_do.
183.00
127.00
98.00
152.00
69.00
151.00
81.00
113.00
148.00
.19
.15
.66
S h ip p in g in d u s tr y
Able seamen:
Colombia, Cartagena—Sailors..
C uba, C ienfuegos-......................
D e n m a r k .......... ...........................
D om inican Republic—Seamen.
F rance........................................ .
G e rm a n y .......................................
G reat B rita in .................................
Ita ly .................................................
N eth erlan d s— ..........................
N ew Z ealand.................................
N orw ay...... .....................................
S p a in ...............................................
Sw eden............................................
Venezuela................................ .......
U nited States—
P riv ate vessels.......................
Shipping B oard vessels___
Chief engineers:
D en m ark .......................................
F ran c e .------ ---------- --------------G e rm a n y ......................................
G reat B rita in ................................
Ita ly ...............................................
N e th erlan d s..... ............................
N orw ay...........................................
S pain .......... ....................................
S w e d e n ............................. ...........
* Per 100 miles.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[349]
1.35
3.80
48.00
15.00-20.00
17.00
22.00
44.00
20.00
£10 9s.
40.00
50.85
38.00
21.00
40.00
1.50
126
M ONTHLY
L A B O E B E V IE W
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C on.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
S h ip p in g in d u s tr y — C
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
U nited
States
currency
ontinued
C hief engineers—C ontinued.
= U nited States—
P riv ate vessels.................................... J a n ., 1926............
Shipping Board vessels...................
C arpenters:
D e n m a rk .. _____________ _______ _
F ra n c e ...................... .............................
G erm an y . _______________ _____
G reat B rita in ________ ______ _______
I ta ly ___________________ ____________
N eth erlan d s__________________ ____
N orw ay.....................
Sw eden__________
U n ited States—
P riv ate vessels__________________
Shipping B oard vessels . . .
------ d o ............... ..
F irst m ate:
D e n m a r k ...............
1926.......................
F rance________ ______ _____
1926____
_
G erm an y___________
1 9 2 6 ............
G reat B rita in ____ . _
1926 ..............
do
I ta ly _____________ ____________
1926________
N e th erlan d s______
1926 _______
N orw ay__________
19 2 4 .............
Spain ___________
1926_______
Sw eden__________
1926...............
U nited States—
P riv ate vessels
1926________
Shipping B oard vessels_____
1926...... .........
Second mate:
D en m ark_____
1926________
France___________
1926................
G erm any. _______
1926............ .
G reat B rita in ___ .
1926________
Ita ly _______ _ . .
1926________
N eth erlan d s______
1926________
N orw ay__________
1924________
do
Spain____________
1926 ...............
do
Sw eden____
1926................
U nited States—
P riv ate v e s s e ls ...............
1926................
Shipping B oard vessels....... . .
1926________
T h ird m ate:
.Denmark_________
1926...............
F r a n c e __________
1926................
G erm any____________
1926________
G reat B rita in ______________
1926________
Ita ly ________________________
1926______
N eth erlan d s______
1926........... ..
N orw ay............... .
1924................
S pain __________
1926.......... ..
S w e d e n ___
1926____ _____
U nited States—
P rivate vessels____
1926____ ____
Shipping B oard vessels_______
1926................
F o u rth m ate:
D en m ark _____________
1926...... .........
F ran c e ______ . . . .
1926................
do
G erm any____ ________
1 9 2 6 .................
G reat B rita in _______
1926___ , ____
I ta ly ______ ______________
1925__________
U nited States—
P riv ate vessels __ _
1928______
Shipping B oard vessels___
1926..................
B oatsw ain:
D e n m a r k .......... .
1926................
F ran ce__________
1926________
G e rm a n y .. _____
1926....................
G reat Britaiin...................
1926________
Ita ly . ....................................
1926 ______
N eth erlan d s________
1926____
N orw ay________
1926_____
S pain. _______
1926____
S w e d e n .___ _ .
1926....................
U nited States—
Private v e s s e l s . .. ____
1926________
Shipping Board vessels.
1 1926________
...d o .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Foreign m oney
[350]
$270. 00
^ ' QQ
46.00
72.00
151.00
49. (X)
184. 09
53.00
1
74.00
s
163. 00
48. 00
38. 00
149. 00
32.00
150. 00
4000
7h 00
COMPARATIVE WAGE BATES
127
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
1 926..................
1926.......................
1926___________
1926___________
1925___________
1926___________
1926.................
1926..................
1926......................
M o n th ..
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
S h i p p i n g i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
Seaman, o rd in a ry :
U nited States—
Second engineer:
U nited States—
T h ird engineer:
N etherlands________________
Sw eden__________________
U nited States—
F o u rth engineer:
U nited States—
Junior engineer:
__ do____
___do___
. .. d o ___
1926_________
1926 .....................
1926___________
1926 __________
1926___________
1926___________
1926___________
1926___________
1924___________
1926___________
1926______ ____ _
45. 00
47.00
. .. d o ___
__ do____
. .. d o ___
. .. d o __
. .. d o ___
. .. d o ___
. .. d o __
1 926.....................
1926.......................
132. 00
72. 00
67.00
114.00
41. 00
103. 00
69. 00
71.00
90.00
174.00
183. 00
1926 ...................
1926___________ . .. d o __
1926
. .. d o __
1926
1926
1926___________
1924 . . .
1926___
1926___________ . .. d o __
93.00
61.00
53.00
79.00
35.00
72. 00
48.00
49.00
72,00
1926
1926.................... „ do___
151. 00
162.00
1926__________
1926___________
1926___________
1926 .
.--d o ___
1926
1926___________ . .. d o .......
77. 00
50.00
40.00
58. 00
46. 00
55.00
1926___________
1926...
1926
1924___________ __ do___
1926___________
1925____
-do— .
U nited States—Shipping B oard vessels. 1925.
Greasers:
1926..
____
1926 . .
1926______
1925____
1926...
1926...
. .
U nited States—
1926
1926
W ater tenders:
1926___________
1926___________ __ do___
1926___________
1926___________
1926___________
U nited States—
1928
_______
Shipping B oard vessels___________ 1926___________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$23.00
15.00
12.00
28. CO
13. 00
20.00
20.00
17. 00
33.00
£351]
136. 00
147.00
64.00
33.00
26.00
51.00
130.00
49.00
20. 00
26.00
52.00
46.00
43.00
69.00
72.00
54.00
18.00
26.00
49.00
28.00
69.00
72.00
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
S h i p p i n g i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
Coal passers or wipers:
1926......................
1926___________
1925.....................
G reat B rita in ________ ______________ 1926___________
I t a l y .................................................... ......... 1926___________
1926........ ..............
N etherlands______ _ _
1926..
___
1920............... .......
1926......................
U nited States—
1926. .
1926.
Chief stew ard:
1926............. .........
......
1924.........
1926___
1926___________
1926
1924
1926 .
1926...
1926 .
U nited States—
1926
1926 . .
Second stew ard:"
1924......................
1926......................
1926........ ..............
U nited States—
1926
1926......................
Cook:
1926 .....................
1 924.....................
1 926.....................
1926 ....................
1925 _____ _____
1925
1924
1926 ..............
1926 . . . .
U n ited States—
1926 ___
1926.......................
Second cook:
1926 .............
F r a n c e _________________ ___________ 1924......................
G reat B rita in .......... ..........................
1926 . .
______
I t a l y ..................__............................
1925.......................
1925.......................
1926.......................
U n ite d S tates—
1926
1926 .....................
M ess stew ard:
1924 .....................
1926 .....................
1926 .....................
1926.......................
1926.......................
U n ited S tates—
1926..............
1926..................... .
M ess boy:
1925 ...................
1926........... ...........
1925.......................
1925
1925___________
1926..................
U n ited States—
1926
Shipping B oard vessels...................... 1926___________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 352 ]
___do___
__ do___
___do___
___do___
___do.......
$33. 00
17.00
19.00
44.00
20.00
34.00
22.00
20.00
28.00
53.00
58.00
___do__
_ _do.......
89.00
28.00
24.00
75.00
25.00
28.00
48.00
28.00
73.00
124.00
122.00
23.00
61.00
22.00
100.00
100.00
66.00
30.00
28.00
70.00
23.00
58.00
30.00
28.00
48.00
102. 00
100.00
32,00
25.00
46.00
22.00
52.00
32.00
80.00
81.00
20.00
12.00
40.00
25.00
11.00
49.00
47.00
13.00
6.00
15.00
12.00
10.00
7.00
41.00
42.00
C O M P A R A T IV E
W AGE
RATES
129
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C on:
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
S h i p p i n g i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
Firem en:
$49.00
18.00
24.00
50.00
21.00
42.00
39.00
21.00
40.00
M o n th ..
___do.......
___do___
____do...................
___do___
___do__
__.do___
U nited States—
62.00
66.00
do __
1
S tr e e t r a i lw a y s
Conductors:
C anada—
1926 ................1926
—........ 1926 . ...........
1926
______
1926
_____
1926 _________
Dec. 31, 1925___
M ay , 1926
Linem en:
A ustralia—
C anada—
.
j
___do___
. . . d o ___
. .. d o ___
W e e k ... 56s. 2 d ___________
H o u r___
.51
.50
.45
.60
.57
.62
13. 67
.66
105s...........................
109s_____________
25. 55
26. 52
H our___
___do___
W eek__
. .. d o ___
.51
.50
. 43-, 45
. 72-, 78
.89
.94
.80
.99
H o u r__
1926
1926
___ . . . d o ___
___
1926 - . . .
1926
............- __ do........
1926
1926
D a y __
1924
H o u r__
M otorm en:
C anada—
1926
- ........
1926................
1926 .....................
1926
1926 __
1926 __________
Dec. 31, 1925 . .
M ay , 1926............
__ do___
. .. d o ___
__ do____
__do ___
. . . d o __
W e e k ... 59s. 9d___________
H o u r__
.51
.50
.45
.60
.57
.62
14.54
.66
2 francs---------------
.16
T e x tile i n d u s t r y
R eam er tenders:
U nited’States (cotton)—
1922
............
.49
.41
1926 ................- 1926 ........ .........
C ard tenders, woolen:
A ustralia—
W e e k ... 84s. .........................
do___ 85s. .........................
H o u r...
M ar., 1925......... . D a y .......
U nited States—
Comber tenders, woolen:
A ustralia—
U nited States—
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18.59 lire_____
1926 __________ H o u r__
1926___________ . .. d o ___
1926 . _______ . .. d o .......
W e e k ... 42s. Od .................
. .. d o ___ 45s. 9 d _ ..............
1926 ...................
1926 .................
[3 5 3 ]
H o u r__
20. 44
20.68
.29
.34
.76
.42
.37
.32
10.22
11.13
.48
.38
MONTHMT LABOS EEVIEW
130
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —C oa.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D a te to which
ligures apply
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
T e x t i l e i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
Draw ers-in:
France, C anton of Lannoy—Fem ales.
U nited States (cotton)—•
M a le s ........... ....... .............
Fem ales............. .......
U n ited S tates (woolen)—
M ales. .........................
Fem ales_________ _______________
Spooler tenders:
F rance, C anton of L annoy—F em ales...
U n ited States (cotton)—Fem ales______
U n ited States (woolen)—F e m a le s..
Spinners:
A ustralia—
M elbourne (woolen)___
Sydney (w oolen).............
A ustria, V ienna—
Pieceworkers (c o tto n )............. _
T im e w orkers (cotton)____
Belgium—
M ule spinners, m ales.............
R ing spinners, females____
C anada—
M ule spinners (cotton)___
R ing spinners (cotton)________
Spinners (woolen)____
C hina—Fem ales.........
France, E pinal—M ales (cotton).
G erm any—
Leipzig—
M ales (woolen)______ _
Fem ales (w o o le n )... .
M unich-G ladbach—
M ales (cotton)________
Fem ales (cotton)__________
G re e c e ........... ............
Italy , N o r t h Females (cotton)____ _
Fem ale (woolen)
Jap an —Fem ales (cotton)___
U nited States—
M ule spinners (cotton)........... .
M ule spinners (woolen).
F ram e spinners, m ale (cotton)___
F ram e spinners, female (c o tto n )...
F ram e spinners, m ale (w oolen...
F ram e spinners, female (w o o len )...
Weavers:
A ustralia—
M elbourne, females (woolen)
Sydney, females (woolen). .
A ustria, V ie n n a T im e workers (cotton). . .
Pieceworkers (cotton).........
B elgium _____ _____
C anada (co tto n )..............
C anada (w oolen)...
China, Shansi (c o tto n )..
F rance__________ . .
Greece___________
G erm any, H am b u rg —
M ales.............
Fem ales______
Ita ly , N o rth —
Fem ales (co tto n ).. _______
M ales (w oolen)________
Fem ales (w oolen)_________
Jap an —Fem ales (cotton)_____
U nited States—
M ales (cotton)__________ .
Females (cotton)__
AIales (woolen)___
Females (woolen)............
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1922.....................
$0.17
1928__________
1926......................
.33
.36
1926............ .
1926______
.07
.50
1922________
1926______
1926_________
:8
.39
Ju n e 30,1926.......
84s fid
■ 20.68
20.56
Sept., 1923__
250,000 kronen____
3. 50
3. 11
1922.______
1922................
2.15-2.85 francs___
1.2-2.1 francs
.17- 22
. 09- 16
A pr., 1922_____
____d o ........... .......
Oct., 1924_____ __ do****_
48 cents M exican..
Jan. 1, 1927____
. 17
.11
Nov. 29, 1926...
1924
.35
.24
.28
.25
.89
Month*. 1,700-2,250 drach
mas.
Alar., 1925..___
12 8 lire
22 7 lire
1925................
1926..................
1926...............
1926.... ...........
1926................
1926..........
1926..................
.16
. 11
30.41-40. 25
.52
.92
.40
.66
.70
.29
.23
.37
.36
Ju n e 30.1926
W e e k ... 46s. Od
____ d o ................. .
Sept., 1923.........
11.19
13. 32
2. 81
3. 22
. 09- 21
.30
.28
. 17- 19
1922
H o u r___ 1.15-2.75 francs___
Oct., 1925
1924
30-35 cents M exi
can.
H o u r___
.10
MIonth._ 1,800-3,400 drachmas 32. 20-60. 83
A pr., 1922___
D ec., 1925
M ar.. 1925
1925...................
1926........ ............
1926 ........... ........
1926...............
1926......................
[354]
H o u r___
..d o
.17
.10
.53
.61
.60
.43
.40
.38
.65
.60
COMPARATIVE WAGE RATES
131
C O M P A R A T IV E W A G E R A T E S IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S A N D U N IT E D S T A T E S —Con.
In d u stry , occupation, and country
D ate to which
figures a p p ly
Tim e
u n it
Foreign m oney
U nited
States
currency
T e x t i l e i n d u s t r y —C ontinued
All workers:
C hina, Shanghai—
M ales, unskilled_______ __________
D enm ark —
G erm any—
Tasm ania—
M ar. 15,1923.... D a y ....... 35-55cents M exican $0. l8-$0.29
. ! 6~. 29
_._do___ 30-55 cents M exican
. 18-. 21
__ _(lo___ _ 35-40 cents M exican
.13
1921.......................
3d quarter, 1924. . .. d o ___
___ .d o ................... . .. d o .......
Oct., 1925______
____do ...................
____ do ...................
___ d o ............... .
1924................. .
1924.....................
1923...... ................
June 30,1923.......
1928................... .
1926 —.............. .
___do.......
..- d o .......
. .. d o ___
___do___
__-do___
-_ .d o .........
- - .d o — .J
131 ^re____ ______
90 fire___________
.21
.15
0.621 m a rk ..........
0.499 m a rk _______
0.-521 m a rk ..........
0.387 m a rk _______
9.8d...........................
10.7d____________
0.9 k ro n a ......... .......
.15
.12
.12
.09
.18
.20
.24
W eek__ 78-82s__________ _ 17. 84-18. 75
8.00
35s............................
__ d o ...
.33
H o u r___
.49
M is c e lla n e o u s
ChaufEeurs:
Laborers:
Ju ly 19,1922___
M o n th ..
W e e k ...
D a y ___
___do___
3 d q u arter, 1921. W eek__
M o n th .
M ay , 1926
M ay 3, 1924____ D a y ___
M ay , i926...........
17.39
7.01
. 58- 87
2.50
11.31
69.8 k r o n e r ...........
20. 00-40.00
2.50
.66
1926 __________ D a y ___
1924
Ap r , 1926______ __._do___
2K -3 m ilreis_____
50 rupees.............
155 francs________
4-6 milreis_______
G reat B ritain (sh ip b u ild in g ).. ---------- Dec. 31, 1925___ W eek__ 38s. 5d___________
Oct., 1925............ D a y ___
Japan—
2.13 y e n ............ _.
1.14 yen.......... .........
40 y e n ............ .........
9 pesetas_________
.87
.47
16. 48
1. 24
D a y ___
H o u r___ 299 0re------ ---------
3. 80
.50
1.00-1. 75
.97
L 71-2. 06
1925— .......... .......
1925___________
1924 __________
Spain, Barcelona (subw ay construction). M ay 1,1924____
M ay 3, 1924. .
1927"...'................
Longshoremen:
1926 .......... .........
1924___________
. .. d o .......
___do___
M o n th ..
D a y ----. _do___
H o u r___
O ct., 1924______
G erm any, H a m b u rg ................................... Sept'., 1926..........
1925___________
1925___________
M ay 3, 1924____
M ay, 1926 _____
___do___
___do___
ISA francs.---------7.20-8.64 m arks___
-__do___
H o u r...
___do___
2.55 y e n _________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[355]
. 36-, 43
1.20
2.00
.5 0 - 80
9.32
. 25-. 35
.43
1.05
.30
.84
____ __
132
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
Wage Rates Established by Collective Agreements in Various
Cities of the World
HE table below gives the wage rates established by collective
agreements for certain occupations in important cities of the
world, as compiled by the International Labor Office.* In the
original report of that office the wage entries are on an hourly basis,
and given in terms of the currencies of the respective countries and
also as converted into gold francs. In the table here presented all
entries are for a 48-hour week and are in United States currency,
conversion having been made by multiplying the gold franc entries
of the original report by the par value of the gold franc—19.3 cents.
T
C O M P A R IS O N O F O R D IN A R Y W A G E S P E R 48-HOTJR W E E K IN S P E C IF I E D T R 4 D F S
IN S P E C IF IE D C IT IE S IN D E C E M B E R , 1926
B uilding
trades
C ity
P hilad elp h ia.
A m ste rd a m ..
B erlin.............
B russels_____
Lodz, Poland.
L on d o n ...........
M ad rid _____
Oslo, N orw ay
O ttaw a...........
P a r is ..............
P rag u e______
R om e_____ ...
Stockholm __
Sydney...........
V ie n n a ...........
W arsaw ..........
Engineering
(metal) trades
F u rn itu re
trades
Pri
P rinting trades
Masons
CabiH and
M a
and
L abor
net- L abor com
chine Labor
F itters L abor
brick
ers
ers
makers
posi compos ers
layers
ers
tors
itors
1$72. 00 2$40. 80 2$38. 40
2$43. 20 $45.12
15. 38
12.51 312. 88 3$10. 28 $13.06
13. 99
15.75 $ 11. 21
14.36
10.93
7.41 11.77 $9.82
11.39
13.71 1 10. 01
« 5. 93 «4. 08 «5.28
«3.80 2 6. 76
2 6. 67 2 7.04
5. 37
2.69
« 4.08 « 2. 59
3 8. 52
12.14 1 2.87
3 20. 57 3 15. 75
15.10
10. 75 20.38 815. 01
21.59
23. 25 0 17.23
10. 01
5. 93
10. 93
6. 39 10. 93
11.12
12.32
21.03
19. 08 1018.34 1015. 56 '»20.94
io 21 . 77 10 26. 96
48. 00
19. 20 3 28. 80
19. 20 » 27. 60 16.80
36. 96
36.96
9. 26
6. 95
8. 71
6.02 11.02
8. 34
11.02 11 11. 77
7. 41
5.10
7. 23
4. 54
8. 52
4. 45
8. 43
5.65
8.24
6. 21
7.41
5.19 10.28
5. 56
8. 71
7.04
20.47
18. 53
1215.38 13. 80
17. 69 1313.15
16.12
28.63
26. 50
27. 79
23. 35 26. 96 23. 99
29. 64
9.63
7. 50
5. 00
7. 50
4.91
8. 52
10.28
6.93
3 5. 74
3. 52 14 4. 54 « 2. 96
12. 69
17. 79 » 6.39
’ "
iasoifs'$72926’ in B ureau of Labor Statistics B ui. 431 union wage rates for bricklayers are $78, and for stone
<2M ay, 1926.
8 Average.
4Including fam ily allowances for m arried workers.
8 M ay, 1926; average.
6 Excluding o u tp u t bonus.
7 T ypographers’ mates; average.
* D elivery men.
9 Special group.
i° June, 1926.
ii L inotype operators.
i3 M inim um .
13 On p rin tin g presses only,
ii Excluding o u tp u t bonus; m inim um .
10 Typographers’ mates.
"In te rn a tio n a l L abor Office. In tern atio n al Economic Conference, Geneva, M ay 4, 1927.
Geneva, 1926, pp. 9-25.
on th e stan d ard of living of w orkers in various countries.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 356 ]
Report
PLACEMENT OF DISABLED WORKERS
Employment Bureau for the Disabled in
New York
City
PRESS release issued by the Welfare Council of New York
states that the opening of the Joint Employment Bureau for
the Disabled on July 1, 1927, will simplify the problem of
finding work for disabled persons of all kinds, including men and
women having arrested cases of tuberculosis, heart disease, and other
ailments. The bureau is a consolidation of the employment service
of four organizations—the Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men,'
the Employment Bureau for the Handicapped, the New Y ork Tuber- .
culosis and Health Association, and the Jewish Social Service Asso-j
ciation—and was formed as a result of a survey which showed that ;
12 separate agencies were engaged in finding work for the handicapped j
and that there was need for coordinating the work of these agencies, j
By merging the job-finding facilities of the four organizations, which j
have done the bulk of this work in the past, it is considered that the ’
more economical and efficient operation of this service will benefit
not only the handicapped portion of the population but also the j
industries of the city and the community at large as it will permit
these organizations to concentrate more effectively on their other
services.
_
‘i
In announcing the inauguration of the bureau, Mr. Henry Esberg,
chairman of the board of directors, said:
A
The speeding up of industry, commerce^ and life in general is producing more
and more cripples each year. Compensation laws and, sometimes, benevolence
of employers make possible rehabilitation of some of these cripples. The prob
lem of finding new work for the handicapped has, however, devolved on the social
agencies of the city, and it has become a most difficult and expensive problem.1
Employers’ prejudices must be replaced by the knowledge that employment
of handicapped persons is economically sound and the handicapped persons them
selves must be given a new outlook on life and a new realization of their oppor
tunities and responsibilities.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 357 ]
133
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment in Selected Manufacturing Industries in
J u n e , 1927
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries decreased 0.7 per
cent m June as compared_ with May, and pay-roll totals de
creased 2.4 per cent. This is the third successive month of
decreased employment, but the percentage of decrease this month
is less than in either May or April.
Employment in June, 1927, was 2.4 per cent lower than in June,
1926, arid pay-roll totals were 2.3 per cent lower.
The bureau’s weighted index of employment for June, 1927, is
89.1, as compared with 89.7 for May, 1927, SO.6 for April, 1927,
and 91.3 for June, 1926; the weighted index of pay-roll totals for
June, 1927, is 93.3, as compared with 95.6 for May, 1927, 96 6 for
April, 1927, and 95.5 for June, 1926.
The report for June, 1927, is based on returns from 10,546 estab
lishments m 54_ of the principal manufacturing industries. These
establishments in June had 3,006,203 employees whose combined
earnings in one week were $79,838,722.
E
c o m p a r is o n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a y a n d J u n e , 1927
HPW ENTY-FIVE of the 54 separate industries had more employees
.
111 J une»1927, than in May, while only 20 industries reported
increased pay-roll totals.
xhe food and tobacco groups of industries, as customary in June,
each made decided increases both in employment and pay-roll totals,
the increases in the food group being considerably larger than usual!
y ach of the separate industries of these groups reported good-sized
increases in both items. The lumber and the stone, clay, and glass
groups both advanced slightly as to employment, and' the lumber
group s pay-roll total was unchanged, but the stone, clay, and glass
group s pay-roll total decreased over 2 per cent in June.
The textile group as a whole sustained losses of nearly 1 per cent
both m employment and pay-roll total. The increases in employ
ment in this group were in the cotton, woolen, and men’s clothing
industries only, while among the_ decreases in the other industries
tnobe in women s clothing and in millinery and lace goods were
exceptionally large. Only two of the eight industries of the iron
and steel ana their products group gained employees in June—
structural ironwork and steam fittings—both being especially con
cerned. with the building industry. The greatest falling off in employ
ment m this group was shown by the iron and steel industry. The
chemical group as a whole made a loss of over 4 per cent in employ
ment, caused by a seasonal drop of 27 per cent in the fertilizer
industry.
Considerable decreases in June in the vehicle group were caused
chiefly by a falling off in the automobile industry of 5.3 per cent in
employment and of 17.2 per cent in pay-roll totals, while in the
134
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EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANU FA CTUR ING IN D U ST R IE S
135
group of miscellaneous industries there were drops in shipbuilding
of 3.4 per cent in employment and of 6.5 per cent in pay-roll totals.
A larger volume of employment appeared in June in the West
Central divisions, both North and South, and in the Mountain and
Pacific divisions, while the two East Central and the three Eastern
divisions all reported depleted forces.
T able 1 .—C O M P A R IS O N O P E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC A L
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN M A Y A N D J U N E , 1927
In d u stry
A m ount of pay roll
N um ber on p ay roll
P er
Per
E sta b
cent of
cent of
lish
m ents M ay, 1927 June, 1927 change M ay, 1927 June, 1927 change
F o o d a n d k in d r e d p r o d u c ts —
Slaughtering a n d m eat pack
in g ............ ................................
Confectionery............................
Ice cream ________ ________ —
F lo u r...........................- ................
B ak in g _________ ________
Sugar refining, can e..................
1,651
207, 915
218, 248
$5,394, 614
$5, 623,118
188
290
196
328
637
12
81,920
30,430
10,044
14, 587
63, 304
7,630
87,332
31, 431
10,856
14, 765
66,052
7,812
+ 6 .6
+3. 3
+ 8 .1
+ 1 .2
+ 4 .3
+ 2 .4
2,154,960
573,068
330,027
385,469
1, 720,107
230,983
2,272,433
595,060
355, 536
392,089
1,768, 633
239,367
+ 5 .5
+ 3 .8
+ 7. 7
+ 1 .7
+ 2 .8
+ 3 .6
T ex tiles a n d th e i r p r o d u c t s ___
C otton g o o d s .-..........................
H osiery a n d k n it goods............
Silk goods__________ _______
W oolen an d w orsted goods—
C arpets an d ru g s.......................
D yeing a n d finishing textiles.
C lothing, m en’s ......................—
Shirts a n d collars......................
C lothing, w om en’s ....................
M illinery an d lace goods..........
1, 911
488
252
198
191
30
99
290
83
202
78
611,187
240, 581
84,213
56,925
60,873
24,424
. 31,363
60,366
18, 328
22,168
11,946
610,119
2-41, 525
83, 838
55, 517
61,096
24,309
31,011
63,455
18,192
20,070
11,106
(!)
+ 0 .4
-0 . 4
-2 . 5
+ 0 .4
-0 .5
+5. 1
-0 . 7
-9 .5
-7 .0
13,163, 344
3,983, 772
1, 689,939
1, 225,469
1,346,109
664,161
762,459
1,372,016
302,172
532,457
284, 790
12,176,243
3,970,566
1, 635, 215
1,194, 711
1,383,023
655,145
750,974
1, 574, 767
296, 703
467,918
267, 221
0
-0 .3
-3 .2
-2 .5
+ 1 .3
-1 .4
—1. 5
+14.8
- 1 .8
-1 2 .1
-6 .2
1, 762
207
40
152
670, 680
275; 345
14, 459
22,954
661, 531
209, 236
14,194
23, 226
0
-2 . 2
-1 .8
+ 1 .2
19, 999,858
8,397,916
354, 613
669, 776
19, 631, 486
8,205,173
340,171
689,611
0
- 2 .3
- 4 .1
+ 3 .0
958
63
154
245,394
30, 288
29,748
242, 793
29,968
29,397
- 1 .1
- 1 .1
- 1 .2
7,369, 969
766,850
917,278
7,212,433
754, 719
903, 667
- 2 .1
- 1 .6
- 1 .5
111
77
38,696
13, 776
38,990
13,727
+ 0 .8
- 0 .4
1,145,193
378,283
1,150,237
375,475
+ 0 .4
- 0 .7
L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c t s . ........
Lum ber, saw m ills__________
L um ber, m illw ork__________
F u rn itu re _____ ____________
1,114
450
249
415
204,781
117,845
28, 750
58,186
205, 068
118, 301
29,074
57,693
(0
+ 0 .4
+ 1.1
- 0 .8
4, 518, 558
2, 381,962
717, 292
1,419,304
4,
509,210
2,397,016
722,353
1,389,841
0
+ 0 .6
+ 0 .7
- 2 .1
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c t s _____
L eath er____ _______ ________
Boots a n d sh o es........................
371
132
239
121, 255
27,477
93,778
120, 757
27, 506
93,251
G)
+ 0 .1
-0 .6
3, 753, 805
686,123
2,067,482
2, 775, 310
691,621
2,083, 719
0
+ 0 .8
+ 0 .8
P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g .................... .
Paper and p u lp ______ ______
P aper boxes________________
P rintin g , book and jo b ______
P rintin g , new spapers........ .......
849
194
175
271
209
171,162
55,199
17,926
48,241
49, 796
170,646
55,094
17, 937
48, 067
49, 548
0
-0 .2
+0. 1
-0 . 4
—0. 5
5, 835, 651
1,470,428
398, 798
1,712,168
2,054,257
5,554,501
1,445,867
393,169
1, 700, 719
2,014,746
0
- 1 .7
- 1 .4
- 0 .7
- 1 .9
C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts .
Chem icals....................... .............
F ertilizers_________ ________
Petroleum refining....................
311
127
124
60
99, 490
31, 426
8,166
50,898
87, 769
31,663
5,964
50,142
0
+ 0 .8
-2 7 .0
—1. 5
2, 660, 339
869,024
160, 541
1, 630, 744
2,692, 062
886, 783
128,118
1, 677,161
0
+ 2 .0
-2 0 .2
+ 2.8
I r o n a n d steei a n d th e i r p r o d
u c t s . ............................ - _________
Iron a n d steel________ ______
Cast-iron p ip e ......................... .
S tru ctu ral iro n w o rk________
F ou n d ry an d machine-shop
products....................................
H a rd w are....................................
M achine tools....................... .
Steam fittings a n d steam and
hot-w ater heating apparatus
Stoves_____________________
«
-
1. 1
0
2, 042, 959
3, 006,117
110, 756
0
639
110,288
Stone,, clay , a n d g lass p ro d u c ts
0
- 1 .7
792,130
778, 512
+ 2 .2
25, 720
90
25,167
C em en t__ _____ ___________
-1 .3
897, 755
909,991
34,111
+ 0 .1
34,064
380
B rick, tile, an d terra co tta___
- 5 .4
317,600
335, 758
12,974
-1 .0
58
13,107
P o tte r y ........................................
- 2 .0
949,092
968, 238
37,951
111
37,950
+ 0
G lass............................................
1 T he per cent of change has not.been com puted for th e reason th a t th e figures in th e preceding columns
are unw eighted an d refer only to th e establishm ents reporting; for th e w eighted per cent of change, wherein
proper allowance is m ade for th e relative im portance of th e several industries, so th a t th e figures m ay rep»
resent all establishm ent of th e co u n try in th e industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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136
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 1.—C O M P A R IS O N O P E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN ID E N T IC AT
E S T A B L IS H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN M A Y A N D J U N E , 1927—(A intinlied^
E sta b N u m b er on p ay roll
A m ount of p ay roll
Per
P er
lish
cent of
cent of
m ents M ay, 1927 June, 1927 change M ay , 1927 June, 1927 change
In d u stry
M eta l p ro d u cts, o th er th a n
iro n a n d s te e l______
Stam ped a n d enam eled w a re ..
Brass, bronze, an d copper
products....................................
298
63
0)
-2 .2
SI, 411,145
' 466j 971
91, 358 407
452,311
0)
- 3 .1
145
33,458
32,382
-3 .2
944,174
906,096
- 4 .0
43, 358
43, 398
0)
753, 209
781, 074
(0
31
152
8,274
34,084
8, 297
35,101
+ 0 .3
+ 3 .0
131, 464
621, 745
137,746
643^ 328
+ 4 .8
4-3. 6
1,153
196
65
493, 099
326, 6?4
1,656
475, 593
309, 230
1,577
0)
- 5 .3
- 4 .8
16,424, 508
11,286,853
36,827
14. 393,971
9,341, 567
34; 939
P)
—17. 2
- 5 .1
M iscella n eo u s In d u s tr ie s..........
A gricultural im plem ents.........
Electrical m achinery, apparatu s, a n d su p p lie s.............
Pianos a n d organs__________
R u b b er boots and sh o e s.........
A utom obile tire s ......................
Shipbuilding, steel.................
All in d u s t r ie s .......... .
50, 473
18,091
183
T ob a cco p r o d u c ts .........................
Chew ing a n d sm oking tobacco a n d sn u ff. _____
Cigars a n d cigarettes....... .........
V ehicles fo r la n d tr a n sp o r ta t i o n .......................................
A utom obiles______ ____
Carriages an d w agons..............
C ar building a n d repairing,
electric-railroad.......................
C ar building an d repairing,
steam -railroad.........................
51, 962
18, 504
387
25,813
26, 228
+ 1 .6
812,176
817,010
+ 0 .6
504
137,936
138, 558
+ 0 .5
4,288, 652
4,200,455
- 2 .1
395
84
251, 781
23, 365
351, 845
22, 929
(>)
-1 .9
7,522,146
684,611
7, 400, 851
’ 65lj 617
(■)
-4 .8
171
39
10
52
39
117,312
6, 928
17, 677
56, 339
30,160
119, 992
6, 930
17, 596
55, 252
29,146
+ 2 .3
+ (J)
-0 .5
-1 .9
-3 .4
3, 508, 213
203, 886
451, 619
1 ,793, 793
' 880,024
3, 559,421
199, 203
436; 996
1, 730; 497
'822+17
+ 1 .5
—2. 3
—3. 2
—3. 5
- 6.5
(>)
82,243, 064
79, 838, 723
10, 546 3, 025, 938 3, 006, 203
0)
Recapitulation by Geographic Divisions
GEOGBAPHIC DIVISION
N ew E n g la n d ____________
M iddle A tlan tic____ ______
E a st N o rth C e n tra l_______
W est N o rth C en tral..............
S outh A tla n tic ..................... .
E a s t S outh C en tra l...............
W est S outh C e n tr a l............
M o u n ta in .................................
Pacific............... .......................
All d iv isio n s...............
1,396
421,051
414,847
2,578
806,098
850, 981
2 , 886 1,005, 754
994,086
1,018
155, 564
158,929
1,149
288, 725
287, 017
461
104, 397
104, 045
465
86, 856
86, 925
177
26, 444
26, 905
416
81,049
82, 468
10, 546 3, 025, 938 3, 006, 203
- 1 . 5 $10, 356, 880 $10,120, 632
- 0. 6 24, 493, 460 24,190,834
- 1.2 30,942, 556 29,184, 838
+ 2. 2
4,046, 620
4,059,054
- 0. 6
5,435, 853
5, 345, 414
-0 .3
2,044, 590
2,021, 706
+ 0. 1
1,907, 780
1,883, 378
+ 1 .7
752, 740
756, 033
+ 1.8
2, 262, 585
2, 276, 833
82, 243, 064 79, 838, 722
0)
- 2 .3
- 1.2
- 5 .7
+ 0 .3
-1 .7
- 1.1
- 1 .3
+ 0 .4
+ 0.6
0
)
‘ T h e p er cent of change has no t been com puted for th e reason th a t th e figures in th e preceding columns
are unw eighted a n d refer only to th e establishm ents reporting; for th e w eighted per cent of change, w herein
proper allowance is m ade for th e relative im portance of th e several industires, so th a t th e figures m ay represent all establishm ent of th e country in th e industries here represented, see T able 2.
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
T able 3 .—P E R C E N T S O P C H A N G E , M A Y TO J U N E , 1927—12 G R O U P S O F IN D U S T R IE S
A N D T O T A L O F A L L IN D U S T R IE S
[C om puted from th e index num bers of each group, w hich are obtained b y w eighting the index num bers
of th e several industries of th e group b y th e n u m b er of employees, or wages paid, in th e industries]
P er cen t of changes,
M ay , 1927, to
Ju n e, 1927.
P e r cent of changes,
M a y , 1 9 2 7 , to
Ju n e, 1927.
G roup
Food an d k in d red .p ro d u cts.
Textiles a n d th e ir p ro d u c ts ...
Iro n an d steel an d th e ir produ c t s . . ....................... ..........
L um b er a n d its p ro d u c ts____
L eather a n d its products____
Paper a n d p r i n t i n g ___
Chem icals a n d allied products.
Stone, clay, an d glass produ c ts ............................................
N u m b er
on pay
roll
A m ount
of pay
roll
+ 4 .7
- 0 .9
+ 4 .0
-0 .9
-1 .4
+ 0 .2
- 0 .4
—0 4
- 4.2
-1 .8
(‘)
+ 0 .9
—1 4
- 0.2
+ 0.1
- 2.1
G roup
N um ber
on pay
roll
M etal products, other th a n
iron and steel........ ..............
Tobacco p ro d u cts.................. ..
Vehicles for la n d transportatio n _____________ _______ _
M iscellaneous in dustries..........
- 3 .0
+ 2 .7
—3 8
+ 3 .8
- 2 .1
-1 . 5
- 8 .9
- 4 .0
All iu d u s tr ie s ...............
-0 . 7
- 2 .4
‘ N o change.
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A m ount
of p a y
roll
[ 360 ]
EM PLOYMENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U STR IES
137
Com p& risc-n o f E m p lo y r n e iit a n d P a y —R o ll T o ta ls in <iune, 1927, a n d
J u n e , 192S
EM PLOYM ENT in manufacturing industries was 2.4 per cent lower
^
in June, 1927, than in June, 1926, and pay-roll totals were 2.3
per cent lower.
A decidedly greater volume of employment was reported in June,
1927, than in June, 1926, in the food and the textile groups of indus
tries, and in the group of miscellaneous industries. _ The^ outs landing
increases, over the twelve-month period, in individual industries of
these groups, wTere those in cotton goods, automobile tires, and ship
building. The outstanding decreases over this period in these
groups were in the ice cream, agricultural implement, and piano
industries.
The following groups of industries were much less favorably placed
as to employment in June, 1927, than in June, 1926: Iron and steel;
lumber; stone, clay, and glass; metal, other than iron and steel; and
vehicle. Each of the separate industries making up these groups had
sustained noticeable losses in employment, with the exception of
electric car building and repairing which showed a small increase.
The remaining four groups—leather, paper and printing, chemicals,
and tobacco—also had fewer employees in June, 1927, than in June,
1926, but the decreases were comparatively small.
The South Atlantic division alone of the nine geographic divisions
reported increased employment over this 12-month period, the in
crease being 2.8 per cent. The employment percentage losses in the
Middle Atlantic and the East and the West South Central States were
each about double this percentage.
55507°— 27------ 10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3611
138
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 3 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S, J U N E
J U N E , 1926
1927 W IT H
’
[The per cents of change for each of th e 12 groups of industries a n d for the total of all industries are w eighted
in the sam e m anner as are th e per cents of change in Table 2]
Per cent of
change, June,
1926, to June, 1927
Per cent of
change June,
1926, to June, 1927
Industry
In d u s try
N um ber A m ount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll
F ood a n d k in d red p ro d u cts _
Slaughtering and m eat pack
in g —
Confectionery .......... .............
Ice cream .________________
F lo u r_____________
B ak in g __________ .
Sugar refining, c a n e .............
Textiles a n d th eir p r o d u cts.
Hosiery and k n it goods____
C otton goods _________ _
Silk goods _ ____________ .
W oolen a n d w orsted goods.
C arpets and rugs
_____
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles______ ____ _______
Clothing, m en’s ___ _
Shirts a n d collars________
Clothing, w om en’s ________
M illinery a n d lace goods___
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
p rod u cts _____
Iro n and steel
Cast-iron p ip e _______ . . .
S tru ctu ral ironw ork_____
F o u n d ry and machine-shop
p ro d u cts. ............
H a rd w are................
M achine to o ls ..........
Steam fittings an d steam
and hot-wat'er heating
apparatus ___________
Stoves............................
+ 2 .3
+3. 7
+ 4 .9
+ 1 .3
- 8 .9
+ 3 .6
+ 1 .0
+ 1 .5
+ 4 .8
+ 2 .6
-9 .2
+ 4 .7
+ 1 .6
+ 4 .9
+3. 4
+ 0.1
+ 7 .2
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .4
-0 .7
+ 5 .9
+ 3 .7
+14.3
+ 6 .7
+ 3 .7
+ 4 .7
+ 1 .4
-2 . 1
-5 .9
+ 2 .2
-3 .6
+ 5 .8
- 0 .6
- 4 .1
+ 2 .1
+ 2 .9
- 6 .4
- 5 .0
- 7 .6
- 4 .1
- 8 .7
- 4 .9
-1 0 .5
- 4 .0
- 7 .3
- 5 .3
-6 .3
- 8 .8
- 5 .2
- 5 .9
-7 .6
- 5 .7
-8 .9
-4 .6
- 8 .8
-1 0 . 6
-8 .9
-2 .6
- 7 .3
- 9 .0
-8 . 7
- 0 .1
L eath er a n d its p ro d u cts
Leather
Boots and s h o e s ..........
-0 . 1
+ 0 .9
- 0 .5
- 0 .3
+ 0.1
- 0 .4
Paper a n d p r in tin g . .
Paper and p u lp _____
Paper boxes................
- 0 .1
-4 . 1
- 3 .3
+ 0 .3
-5 . 7
- 2 .0
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts
Lum ber, saw m ills_____ _
Lum ber, m illw ork___
F u rn itu re ......................
N um ber A m ount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
P a p er a n d p r in tin g —Cont.
Printing, book and jo b ___
P rinting, new spapers____
+ 0 .4
+ 4 .2
C h em ica ls a n d allied p rod
u c t s ________________ _____
Chem icals_______________
Fertilizers_______________
Petroleum refining, _ ..........
-1 2 .3
- 4 .7
S to n e , clay, a n d glass prod
u c ts ....... ................ ...................
C em ent_________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.
P o tte ry __________ ____ _
Glass......................................
-4 .8
-3 . 5
-4 . 1
- 5 .5
-5 .9
-
All in d u stries .
(9
+ 4 .0
-8 .4
-2 .5
0.6
- S .0
- 3 .7
- 4 .9
10.8
-
—6.4
- 8 ,3
- 9 .8
- 6 .4
- 4 .1
-
-3.4
-5.0
T ob acco p r o d u c ts____ _____
Chew ing and smoking to
bacco and snufi________
Cigars and cigarettes_____
M iscella n eo u s In d u stries____
A gricultural im plem ents___
Electrical m achinery, appa
ratus, and supplies______
Pianos and organs...... ...........
R u b b er boots a nd shoes___
A utom obile tir e s ...................
Shipbuilding, steel................
+ 4.8
-3 . 6
M etal p rod u cts, o th er th a n
Iron a n d s te e l___________ _
Stam ped and enameled
w are_____________ ____ _
Brass, bronze, an d copper
p r o d u c ts ...........................
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r
t a t io n _______ ____ ____
A utom obiles____________
Carriages and w agons____
C ar building and repairing,
electric-railroad________
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad............... .
+ 1.0
-
2.1
- 7 .6
-6 .4
-1 9 .4
6.1
-
9.9
-
2.8
- 0 .7
- 9 .4
11.2
-
-1 6 .0
+ 2. 2
+ 2.0
+ 4.1
+ 4.6
- 9 .6
2.0
11. 8
-1 .5
-1 4 . 5
-
-
-
+ 0 .3
+ 6.6
+
8.8
+ 8.8
+ 9 .3
11.0
+ 8.8
-3.4
-
8.3
Recapitulation by Geographic Divisions
GEOGBAPHIC DIVISION
N ew E n g lan d . ______
M iddle A tlan tic_______
E ast N o rth C e n tra l..
W est N o rth C en tral______
South A tlan tic . . . . .
E ast South C en tra l...........
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION— COn.
- 3 .2
-5 . 2
-2 .2
-0 . 6
+ 2 .8
-5 .7
—1. 5
-5 . 5
-2 .8
- 2 .3
+ 3 .0
—5.1
1 N o change.
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[362 ]
-5 .6
- 4 .0
-0 . 7
- 2 .0
-2 .2
- 0 .5
- 3 .4
- 3 .3
139
EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN DUSTRIES
P er C a p ita E a r n in g s
D E R CAPITA earnings in June, 1927, in the 54 industries com*
bined, were 1.8 per cent lower than in May, 1927, and 0.1 per
cent higher than in June, 1928.
Fifteen industries showed a gain in per capita earnings in June,
1927, as compared with May, 1927, while 34 industries showed a gain
in June, 1927, as compared with June, 1926.
In the monthly comparison the fertilizer and the men’s clothing
industries showed the greatest gains—over 9 per cent each. The
fertilizer industry was in its slack season in June and had on its pay
roll chiefly its skilled employees, while the men’s clothing industry
was in its rush season and its pay-roll totals were unusually high.
The one large decrease in the monthly comparison was in the auto
mobile industry, its pay-roll totals in June having fallen off over 17
per cent as compared with May.
T able 4 .—C O M P A R IS O N O F P E R C A P IT A E A R N IN G S , J U N E , 1927, W IT H M A Y , 1927, A N D
J U N E , 1926
In d u stry
Fertilizers_____________________
C lothing, m e n ’s ________________
C hew ing an d sm oking tobacco
and snuff_________ ___________
Petroleum refining_____________
S tru ctu ral iro n w o rk............ ...........
Boots a nd shoes-----------------------C hem icals-------------------------------Sugar refining, cane....... - ................
M illinery a n d lace goods________
Woolen an d w orsted goods______
L e a th e r____________ .---------------Cigars a nd c ig arettes----------------C onfectionery-------------- -----------F lour__________ ____ - ....................
L um ber, saw m ills........ ...................
Silk g o o d s -.-__________ ________
Iron a nd ste e l________ _____ ____
Ice cream ______________________
M achine tools_________________
P rin tin g , book and jo b _________
Steam fitting and steam a n d hotw ater heating ap p aratu s______
Carriages and w agons__________
D yeing a n d finishing te x tile s____
L um ber, m ill w ork_______ ______
Stoves........ .................. .......................
H ardw are...........................................
C otton g o o d s ..................................
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s,
a nd supplies ............................... .
P er cent of
change June,
1927, compared
w ith—
M ay,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1926
+ 9 .3
+ 9 .2
+ 4 .0
+ 1 .5
+ 4 .5
+ 4 .4
+ 1 .7
+ 1 .4
+ 1 .3
+ 2.1
+ 2.0
+ 0.2
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .5
+0. 5
+ 0 .5
+ 6.2
-0.1
+4. 8
+ 3 .8
+ 1.2
+1. 5
-1.0
+ 1 .3
+ 1.0
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .9
+ 4 .1
-0.1
(2)
- 0 .5
- 0 .3
- 0 .3
- 0 .3
In d u stry
P er cent of
change June,
1927, compared
w ith—
+ 0.6
+ 0 .7
- 0 .3
- 0 .4
-0 .4
-0 .4
-0 .4
- 1 .3
+4.1
+ 4 .2
- 0. 6
+ 0.1
+ 0.1
+1.0
-0 .7
+ 6 .9
-a 8
+ 0.5
Brass, bronze, an d copper prod
- 0 .9
u c ts __________ ______________
-0 .9
C arpets a n d ru g s _______________
C ar building a n d repairing, elec
tric-railroad__________________
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are____
F o u n d ry and m achine-shop prod
- 1.1
ucts _________________________
Shirts a n d collars_______________ - 1.1
Slaughtering a n d m eat p a c k in g ... - 1.1
- 1.2
F u rn itu re ______________ _____
B a k in g -.-------------- ------------------- - 1 . 4
- 1 .4
P rinting, new sp ap ers.................. .
B rick, tile, and terra c o tta .............. - 1 . 5
Paper boxes................................ ....... - 1 .5
Paper an d p u lp ........... .................... . - 1 .5
- 1. 6
A utom obile tires_______________
- 2.0
Glass____________ ______ _______
Cast-iron p ip e ---- ---------------------- - 2 .3
Pianos and organs_______________ - 2 . 3
C ar building a n d repairing, steam railroad______________________ - 2 .5
H osiery and k n it goods........ ........... - 2.8
- 2. 8
R u b b er boots an d shoes------------- 3 .0
A gricultural im plem ents________
- 3 .0
Clothing, w om en’s _____________
Shipbuilding, ste e l_______ - ........... - 3 .3
C em en t....................................... ....... - 3 . 8
P o tte ry ................................ ............- - 4 . 4
A utom obiles........................ ............... - 12. 6
1 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
-1.0
-1.0
June,
1926
- 2 .4
+ 4 .3
-0.1
+ 3 .8
- 1 .7
+ 1.6
- 0.1
+ 0 .5
+ 0.1
+ 0 .4
-0 .7
+ 1.1
-
1.8
+ 2.6
-0 .9
-3 .2
-3 .4
+ 0 .4
+ 3 .8
+ 8.2
-1.0
—
0.2
2.2
0.2
5. 6
- 5 .3
s N o change.
W age C h a n g e s
'"THIRTY-FIVE establishments in 16 industries reported increases
in wage rates during the month ending June 15, 1927. These
increases averaged 6.5 per cent and affected 1,446 employees, or 12
per cent of the total number in the establishments concerned.
Sixteen establishments in 9 industries reported decreases in wage
rates during the same period. The decreases averaged 9 per cent
and affected 4,023 employees, or 83 per cent of all employees in the
establishments concerned.
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 .—W A G E A D JU S T M E N T S O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N M A Y 15 A N D J U N E 15, 1927
E stablishm ents
In d u stry
N um ber
T o tal reporting
num ber increase
rep o rt or de
crease in
ing
wage
rates
P er cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rates
Em ployees affected
P e r cent of employees
Range
Average
T otal
num ber
In estab
lishm ents
In all
reporting establish
increase or
m ents
decrease in reporting
wage rates
Increases
Slaughtering and m eat packing
Confectionery________________
B aking______________________
C otton goods.......... .................... .
Silk goods____________ ______
C lothing, w om en’s ___________
F o u n d ry a n d machine-shop
prod u cts............. .........................
Stoves_______________________
P aper a n d p u ln ................
P aper boxes__________________
P rin tin g , book an d jo b ________
P rintin g , new sp ap ers......... ........
A utom obiles______ _____ _____
C ar building a n d repairing,
electric-railroad_____________
C ar building a n d repairing,
steam railro ad ______________
E lectrical m achinery, ap p ara
tus, a n d supplies____ ____ _
188
290
637
488
198
202
1
2
4
1
1
1
G. 0
5. 0- 6. 9
2. 5-12. 5
10.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
6. 5
7.2
10.0
6.0
5.0
169
25
32
173
28
32
10
7
15
66
5
100
(i)
(')
(!)
(1)
0)
0)
958
77
194
175
271
209
190
7
2
1
1
3
1
2
5. 0-13. 8
8.0
10. 0
10. 0
. 5-10. 0
2. 2
5. 0- 7. 0
8. 1
8. 0
10.0
10. 0
6.3
2.2
7.0
150
27
45
7
22
128
236
7
8
8
6
7
86
13
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
6)
(!)
0)
387
4
4.0
4.0
90
41
(0
504
1
6.0
6.0
190
13
0)
171
3
1. 4-21. 0
4.7
92
6
(>)
(!)
0)
(')
Decreases
Woolen a n d worsted goods___
Clothing, m en’s ____ ____ ____
Iron an d steel___ ____ _______
S tructu ral ironw ork__________
F o u n d ry a n d machine-shop
products__________________
L um b er, saw m ills___________
Lum ber, m illw ork___________
Boots a n d shoes_____________
B rick, tile a n d terra c o tta ____
191
290
207
152
1
1
1
1
10.0
5.0
3.0
6.5
10.0
5.0
3.0
6.5
985
182
400
65
100
97
51
28
958
450
249
239
380
1
7
2
1
1
10.0
5. 0-20. 0
8. 0-10. 0
10. 0
7.0
10.0
10. 0
8.8
10.0
7.0
52
1,695
29
577
38
79
97
69
80
57
2
0)
(1)
1
(0
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
In d e x o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -r o ll T o ta ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g in d u s t r ie s
JNDEX numbers for June, 1927, and for April and May, 1927, and
dune, 1926, showing relatively the variation in number of per
sons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 industries
surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, together with general
indexes for the combined 12 groups of industries appear in Table 6.
The general index of employment for June, 1927, is 89.1, this
number being 0.7 per cent lower than the index for May, 1927, 1.7
per cent lower than the index for April, 1927, and 2.4 per cent lower
than the index for June, 1926, The general index of pay-roll totals
ioi June, 1927, is 93.3, this number being 2.4 per cent lower than the
index lor May, 1927, 3.4 per cent lower than the index for April,
1927, and 2.3 per cent lower than the index for June, 1926.
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EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN DUSTRIES
T able 6 —IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
^ I N D U S T R I E S —JU N E , 1926, A N D A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Pay-roll totals
E m ploym ent
In d u stry
G eneral in d ex .
June,
1926
ADril,
1927
91.3
90. 6
M ay,
1927
89. 7
June,
1927
June,
1926
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
89. 1
95.5
96. 6
95.6
93.3
90. 0
80.0
82. 2
95. 1
83. 5
106. 5
94.5
92.7
83.1
84.4
102.8
87.4
107.4
100.8
96.4
87.6
87.6
110.7
88.9
110.4
104.4
June,
1927
F ood a n d k in dred p r o d u cts-------Slaughtering an d m eat p a c k in g ..
Confectionery........................... —
Ice cream _____________________
F l o u r ............................................B aking___________ _________
Sugar refining, can e.......................
88. 7
79. 7
76. 5
113.6
82.3
103.2
97.2
86.0
77. 5
75.9
87.9
82.4
101.0
93.0
86.6
78.4
75.0
95.8
84.3
100.5
96.4
90. 7
83.6
77. 5
103. 5
85.3
104.8
98.7
93. 9
83.6
85.4
121.9
84.9
108.7
99.5
T extiles a n d tlieir p r o d u cts-------C otton goods_________________
Hosiery a n d k n it g o o d s...............
Silk g oods..................... ..................
W oolen a n d w orsted goods------C arpets a n d r u g s ........... .............
D yeing a n d finishing te x tile s .,..
C lothing, m en’s..............................
Shirts and collars_________ ____
Clothing, w om en’s ........ ................
M ilinery a n d lace goods-----------
84. 0
81. 7
97.1
95.4
76. 4
89.7
95.9
84.3
82. 6
75. 6
67.3
88.3
87.6
98.3
101.2
79. 7
90.7
100. 1
79.6
79.0
90. 6
73.5
86.8
87.3
97. 6
100.3
77.8
89.5
98.3
78. 5
78.3
85. 4
69.8
86.0
87.6
97.2
97.8
78.2
89. 1
97.2
82. 5
77. 7
77.3
64.9
81.4
77.4
108.0
99.0
74. 7
85.4
94. 2
77.8
83.0
70.9
66.3
88.9
89. 1
114. 8
106.0
77.4
89.2
105.8
67.4
81. 6
92.9
78.5
87.0
88.8
115. 7
108.3
76.5
90.7
101.3
67.4
81.0
82.3
72.7
86.2
88.5
112.0
105.6
77.5
89.4
99. 7
77.3
79.6
72.4
68.2
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir p ro d u cts.
Iron and steel..............- ...................
Cast-iron pipe............. ....................
Structural ironw ork----------------Fou n d ry and machine-shop prod
ucts........ .........................................
H a rd w a r e ............. ................. ........
M achine tools________ ____ ----Steam fittings an d steam and hotw ater heating a p p a ra tu s--------S to v e s .......................................... .
92.8
97.2
108.1
99.8
80.4
95. 3
99.8
94. 2
88.1
94.4
101.7
94.5
86. 9
92.3
99.9
95. 7
98.4
102.0
111.6
109.4
96.4
104.9
103. 5
97.9
93.5
99.2
104.1
101.9
91.8
97.0
99.9
105.0
88.8
86. 6
101. 5
85.0
84.1
98.8
83.2
82.9
96.2
82.3
82.0
95.1
93.6
95.4
112.1
88.7
94.0
107. 8
87.2
91.8
107.1
85.4
90. 4
105.5
98.1
85.4
91.0
80.4
89.9
80.8
90. 6
80.5
105.8
85.6
96.2
83.1
96.0
82.3
96.4
81.7
Isum ber a n d its p r o d u cts.
L um ber, saw m ills______
L um ber, m illw ork_____
F u rn itu re ............................
92. 1
90. 3
98.7
94.0
82.8
78.3
89.0
94. 4
83.8
80.4
89.0
92.3
84.0
80. 7
89.9
91.6
100. 0
99.0
106.8
98.9
89.5
84.2
95.0
104.4
92.7
89. 5
96.8
100.9
92. 7
90.1
97.5
98.8
L eath er a n d its p r o d u cts.
L eath er_______________
Boots a n d sh o es.............
85.3
86. 7
84.8
87.1
88.8
86.6
85.5
87.4
84.9
85.2
87. 5
84.4
82. 7
89.0
80.2
84.2
89.9
81.9
81.8
88.4
79.2
82.5
89.1
79.9
Paper a n d p r in tin g _____
P ap er and p u l p . . . ........
Paper boxes__________
Printing, book and jo b .
Prin tin g , new spapers. .
102.5
95. 9
97. 7
102.8
110.7
103.6
94.2
65. 3
104.1
116.0
102.8
92.2
94. 4
103. 6
115.9
102.4
92.0
94.5
103.2
115.3
UO. 8
102. 9
104.9
113.3
117.7
113.0
100.2
105.0
115.9
124.6
112.6
98.7
104. 2
115.2
125.6
111.8
97.0
102.8
114.4
123.3
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u cts.
C hernicals........................... .........
Fertilizers....................................P etro leu m .....................................
93. 7
94. 6
74. 8
100.9
105. 2
96. 7
142.3
100.3
94. 3
93. 2
89.9
97.6
90.3
94.0
65. 6
96.2
100. 0
103.9
83.0
100.4
109. 5
108.8
144.9
100.4
100.2
106. 0
95.2
95.2
100.0
108.1
76.0
97.9
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u c ts.
C em ent----------------- -------------B rick, tile, and terra c o tta -----P o tte r y ..........................................
G lass...............................................
104. 0
95. 6
108. 5
108. 6
100.8
97.8
88. 2
99. 7
105.7
96.4
98.9
90.4
104.0
103.7
94.9
99.0
92. 3
104. 1
102. 6
94.9
112.4
103. 8
116. 5
118. 1
110. 1
165.8
94.8
104.2
120. 3
106.3
107.9
101.8
112.3
111.4
105.2
105.6
100.0
110.8
105.4
103.1
96. 3
93.3
93.9
88.2
93.5
86.1
90.7
84.2
97.5
88.9
91.3
86.7
95.1
85.9
91.5
83.2
97.7
96.5
96.8
93.7
100.7
93.0
98.5
94.6
88.7
81.6
82.4
84.6
88.6
79.0
84.6
87.8
93.9
85.8
90.6
80.4
89.0
81.6 1
89.2
84.0
101.7
87.1
91.3
77.6
94.4
83.5
98.9
86. 5
M etal p r o d u cts, o th er t h a n iron
a n d s t e e l....................... .....................
Stam ped a nd enam eled w are-----Brass, bronze, a nd copper prod
u c ts.................................................
T ob acco p r o d u c ts..............................
Chewing a nd smoking tobacco
a nd s n u f f ...................................Cigars and cigarettes..................... .
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M ONTHLY LÄBOB BEVIEW
T able 6 .—IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L T O T A L S I N M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S —J U N E , 1926, A N D A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927-C on tinned
E m ploym ent
Pay-roll totals
In d u s try
June,
1926
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
June,
1926
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
V ehicles fo r la n d tr a n sp o r ta tio n .
A utom obiles_________ .
Carriages a n d wagons
C ar building an d repairing, electrie-railroad_____________ ____
C ar building a n d repairing,
steam -railroad............. .............
92.1
108. 5
87.5
86.8
106.9
73.3
86.9
107.2
74.1
85.1
101.6
70.5
84.7
108.5
90.8
93. 1
115. 8
80.8
94 2
116 5
80.4
Hü H
87.9
89.5
88.4
89.8
91.3
91.9
92.6
93.1
82.0
74.2
74.3
74.7
86.2
78.9
80.4
78.8
M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s _____
A gricultural im p lem en ts____
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
an d supplies ____ ________
Pianos an d organs______________
R u b b er boots a n d s h o e s _______
A utom obile tire s _____
Shipbuilding, steel ______
94. 8
98.2
181. 8
93.8
10«. 2
91.2
98. 7
89.5
100. 3
111.8
113 3
107.8
If}*) 3
10&2
96.7
93.8
86. 2
100.8
89.8
93. 5
84. 5
86.4
111.8
107.4
92.7
82.9
87. 0
116. 0
103.2
94.8
82.9
86. 5
113. 8
99.7
103.2
100. 0
89. 5
110. 0
95.3
100. 2
87. 4
97. 5
121. 5
119. 5
100. 2
88 1
100 6
124 o
110.9
76.3
101.1
101 7
103.7
Table 7 shows the general index of employment in manufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals from January
1923, to June, 1927.
'
Following Table 7 are graphs made from index numbers, showing
clearly the course of employment for each month of 1928 and for
each completed month of 1927. These charts make possible a com
parison between corresponding months of the two years. The first
chart represents the 54 separate industries combined and. shows the
course oi pay-roll totals as well as the course of employment. The
remaining charts show the trend of employment in each senarate
industry.
T able 7.
G E N E R A L IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S
M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO J U N E , 1927 "
IN
[M o n th ly average, 1923=100]
E m ploym ent
Pay-roll totals
M onth
1923
1924
Ja n u a ry ___________
F e b ru a ry __________
M a rc h ____________
A p r il_________
M a y ________
.Tune ______
Ju ly ---------------------A u g u sts _________
Septem ber _______
O ctober_______ _ .
N ovem ber- ______
D ecem ber...................
98.0
99.6
101.8
101.8
101.8
101. 9
100.4
99. 7
99.8
99.3
98. 7
96.9
95.4
96.6
96.4
94.5
90.8
87.9
84.8
85. 0
86.7
87. 9
87.8
89.4
90.0
91.6
92.3
92.1
90.9
90. 1
89. 3
89 9
90.9
92.3
92. 5
92.6
92.3
93.3
93. 7
92.8
91. 7
91.3
89. 8
90 7
92. 2
92. 5
91.4
90.9
89.4
91.0
91.4
90.6
89. 7
89.1
A verage-
100.0
90.3
81.3
91.9
1 90.3
1925
1920
1 A verage for 6 m onths.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[366]
1927
1923
91.8
95.2
100.3
101.3
104.8
104.7
1924
91.5
99.4
99.0
96.9
92.4
87.0
1925
90. 0
95. 1
96. 6
94.2
94.4
91. 7
99 9
100 0
102 3
101 0
98.9
100.0
1926
1927
90 Q
98 4
97.7
96. 6
93 9
97. 9
99.1
97. 2
95. 6
95. 5
93.3
—
0
8 7 ft
91. 7
97.3
95. 6
___________
90.6
93. S
95.8
i 95.1
EMPLOYMENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN DUSTRIES
MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRIES,
MONTHLY INDEXES - I9Z6&1927.
MONTHLY AVELRAGL
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[387]
192,3 = IOO.
143
144
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
P r o p o r tio n o f T im e W ork ed a n d F o rce E m p lo y e d in Manufacturing
I n d u s tr ie s in J u n e , 1927
D E P O R T S from 8,049 establishments in June, 1927, show that 1 per
_
cent of these establishments were idle, 79 per cent were operat
ing on a full-time schedule, and 20 per cent on a part-time schedule;
39 per cent of the establishments had a full normal force of employees
and 60 per cent were operating with reduced forces. The establish
ments in operation were employing an average of 87 per cent of a
lull normal force of employees, who were working an average of 96
per cent of full time. _ These percentages show a decrease of 1 per
cent in average operating time and no change in average per cent of
full force employed since the May report.
T able 8 .—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G P U L L A N D P A R T T I M E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
P U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN J U N E , 1927
E stab lish
m ents re
porting
In d u stry
Total Per
n u m cent
ber
idle
F o o d a n d k in d r e d p r o d u c ts ______ 1,309
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing__
149
Confectionery__________________
204
Ice cream ...... ....... ................ ..............
142
F lo u r....................................................
260
B aking___________ ____ _________
546
Sugar refining, can e-....................... .
8
1
84
87
60
100
73
94
63
15
13
39
47
32
12
25
53
66
13
53
68
87
90
92
69
26
6
38
97
99
92
100
91
99
90
45
34
88
92
97
75
79
91
73
77
68
62
67
76
73
81
77
19
8
26
20
30
38
33
19
27
14
23
97
99
96
97
97
95
94
95
95
97
95
50
62
58
45
39
43
31
52
41
42
11
48
37
40
52
87
57
69
44
59
53
89
89
94
87
93
87
82
86
88
91
85
69
0)
1
69
70
75
92
31
28
25
8
94
93
93
99
37
25
39
33
73
73
61
67
84
83
87
83
(•)
67
55
79
33
45
21
94
94
97
24
25
21
76
75
79
83
86
81
1
65
48
34
52
94
88
43
53
56
47
94
92
1
2
(>)
T extiles a n d th e i r p r o d u c ts .............. 1, 363
C otton goods....................................
435
H osiery an d k n it g o o d s...................
175
Silk goods_________ ____ ________
155
W oolen a n d w orsted g o o d s............
164
C arpets a n d rugs________________
D yeing an d finishing textiles_____ 1
84
C lothing, m en’s ................................
159
Shirts a n d collars...................... .........
41
C lothing, w om en’s_________ ____
85
M illinery a n d lace g o o d s............
44
I r o n a n d stee l a n d th e i r p ro d u c ts _ i, m
Iron a n d s te e l...................... ..............
158
Cast-iron p ip e__________________
28
Structural ironw ork_____________
111
F o u n d ry a n d machine-shop p ro d
u cts____________ ___________
787
H ardw are_________ ____ ________
53
M achine tools________ _____ ____
135
Steam fittings a n d steam and hotw ater heating ap p aratu s_______
86
S to v e s .................................................
64
Per cent of
Per cent of
establish Average establishm ents Average
m ents op per cent
per cent,
operating
of full
of norm al
erating—
w ith—
tim e opfull force
erated in
em ployed
establish
in estab
F ull
P a rt
Full P a rt
m ents
lishm ents
normal
norm
al
tim e tim e operating
operating
force
force
3
1
2
3
2
4
5
L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ____ ____
Lum ber, saw m ills_________ _____
L um ber, m illw ork___ _____ _____
F u rn itu re .......... ........................... .......
831
349
177
305
1
2
77
88
73
68
33
10
27
32
97
99
96
94
S3
32
23
35
68
65
77
65
85
87
81
86
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts _________
L e a th e r_________ ______ ________
Boots an d s h o e s ...............................
P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g ....................
P aper a n d p u lp ____________ ____
P aper boxes...............*______ _____
Printin g , book a n d jo b __________
P rinting, new spapers........................
C h e m ic a ls a n d a llied p r o d u c ts ____
C hem icals............................... .............
Fertilizers.............................................
Petroleum re fin in g ...........................
376
96
180
566
141
122
170
133
364
103
119
42
3
3
2
(0
1
89
89
76
84
80
67
88
99
74
84
50
98
17
8
22
16
18
33
12
1
34
15
40
2
96
99
95
98
97
94
99
100
95
98
92
100
S3
35
31
45
46
19
46
65^
33
41
7
21
66
61
68
55
52
88
89
87
98
93
35
76
58
90
79
79
91
45
87
3
1
3
1 Less th a n oue-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[368]
EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN DUSTRIES
145
T able 8 .—E S T A B L IS H M E N T S W O R K IN G F U L L A N D P A R T T I M E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN J U N E , 1927— C ontinued
E stablish
m ents re
porting
In d u stry
Total Per
n u m cent
idle
ber
S to n e , c la y , a n d g lass p r o d u e ts ----B rick, tile, and terra c o tta ----------G lass---------------- ----------------------M eta ) p r o d u c ts , o th e r t h a n iro n
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are------Brass, bronze, and copper products
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts _________________
Chew ing a n d smoking tobacco
Cigars a n d cigarettes------------------
)
19
94
M isc e lla n eo u s in d u s tr ie s ________
A gricultural im plem ents _______
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
289
62
___________
84
99
86
55
87
13
45
9
97
100
97
89
96
37
31
39
31
40
63
69
60
69
56
90
93
90
89
88
74
75
74
36
25
26
97
96
97
24
30
23
76
70
77
84
85
84
69
27
94
29
67
88
16
32
84
64
88
88
4
113
075
135
53
T o ta l.
4
Full
tim e
164
40
124
V ehicles fo r la n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n . ..
A utom obiles________ ____ -1-----Carriages a n d w agons----------C ar building and repairing, electrie -ra ilro a d ..------- -----------------C ar building and repairing, steam-
A utom obile tir e s ..........................
Shipbuilding, steel..................... .......
1
1
477
67
270
49
91
14
1
4
74
68
26
28
95
94
1
85
56
83
15
43
17
98
94
97
46
17
26
54
82
74
89
81
76
0)
339
96
4
100
65
35
96
448
84
16
98
42
58
87
74
66
26
34
96
94
43
23
5«
77
83
78
79
61
56
63
97
21
39
44
35
3
96
90
95
96
100
65
22
44
35
14
¿5
78
56
63
86
81
85
99
89
81
79
20
96
59
60
87
126
23
9
40
29
_______ 8, 049
0)
3
1
i Less th a n one-half of 1 p er cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent of
Average establishm ents Average
per cent
per cent
operating
of normal
of full
w ith —
full force
tim e op
em ployed
erated in
in estab
establish Full
P a rt lishm
ents
m ents
P art
norm
al
norm
al
operating
tim e operating force
force
Per cent of
establish
m ents op
erating—
[369]
146
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Em ploym ent and Pay-Roll Totals on Class I Railroads, May,
1926, and April and May, 1927
HE number of employees on the 15th of May, 1927, and the
total earnings of employees in the entire month of May, 1927,
on Class I railroads of the United States, are shown in the
table following, together with similar information for April, 1927,
and May, 1926. The data are presented for all occupations combined,
excluding executives and officials, and also for the six general groups
of occupations; under each group data are shown separately for a
few of the more important occupations.
Class I railroads are roads having operating revenues of $1,000,000
a year and over.
T
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D T O T A L E A R N IN G S OF R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S —M A Y 1928
A N D A P R IL A N D M A Y , 1927
[From m o n th ly reports of In terstate Commerce Commission. As d a ta for only the more im portant occu
pations are shown separately, th e group totals axe no t th e sum of th e item s u n d e r th e respective groups]
N u m b er of employees at
m iddle of m onth
A m ount of pay roll in one m onth
M ay,
1926
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
Professional, clerical, and general___
Clerks____ __________ ________
Stenographers and ty p ists______
284,083
166, 790
25, 422
282,196
164, 204
25,437
281, 783 $38, 854, 648 $39, 224,204 $39, 346,160
164,019 21, 591, 825 21, 579, 745 21,671,265
25, 265
3,104,449
3,175, 266
3,149,697
M aintenance of way and structures__
Laborers, extra gang a n d work
tra in ........ .............
........ .............
Laborers, track a nd roadw ay
section..................................... .......
438, 542
416, 782
457, 337
40,171, 828
39, 397, 041
73,169
66, 769
80, 795
5,841, 736
5, 253, 758
6,408,603
225,937
215,914
239,430
16, 603,470
16, 261, 270
17, 629, 536
M aintenance of equipm ent and stores.
C arm en _____________ ____ _.
M achinists— ...... .............................
Skilled trades, helpers__________
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power p lan ts, and sto re s)... . . .
C om m on laborers (shops, engine
houses, power p lan ts, and
stores)....... .............................. .......
516, 302
111,985
60, 694
113, 600
494,127
105, 688
59,158
108, 344
490, 133
140,958
58, 747
107, 529
67, 014, 834
16,394, 762
9, 511, 866
12,407, 083
65,208, 651
15, 786, 687
9,399, 589
12,132,497
65, 280, 959
15,853, 522
9, 392,699
12,141,301
42,450
41, 658
41,460
4, 060,149
3,921,508
4,009,640
60,085
56,376
55, 915
4,857,801
4, 589,919
4, 565,934
207,414
30, 675
205,465
30, 437
205, 404
30,412
25, 398, 249
4, 746, 761
25,108, 702
4,712,432
25, 522,889
4, 751,148
25, 615
24,938
24,818
3,881,068
3, 753, 778
3,847,796
38,559
38, 341
37,882
3, 575,159
3, 522,971
3, 521,389
22,340
21,927
21,974
1,684,452
1, 682, 510
1, 695, 323
Transportation, other th an train, engme, and yard _______________ __
Station ag en ts.________ _______
Telegraphers, telephoners, and
tow erm en________ _________
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platform s)_______________
Crossing an d bridge flagmen and
gatem en_____________________
M ay,
1926
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
42,427, 791
Transportation yardm asters, switch
tenders, and hostlers)____________
24,014
23, 456
23,313
4, 490, 318
4,399, 867
4, 482, 538
Transportation, train an d engine_____
R oad conductors_________ _____
R oad brakem en and fla g m e n ___
Y ard brakem en a n d yard helpers.
R oad engineers an d m otorm en _ _
R oad firemen and helpers
323, 587
36,.757
73, 998
53,979
43, 504
45,003
319, 483
36,142
72, 721
53, 239
43, 041
44, 063
318,157
36,153
73,057
52,620
43, 024
44, 065
63,128, 088
8, 513,154
12, 531, 404
9,004, 698
11,434, 782
8,493, 369
62, 883, 732
8, 546, 513
12,474, 748
9,119, 362
11,021,326
8,405, 637
64,388, 008
8,807, 674
12,842,729
9, 358, 681
11, 359, 576
8, 651,282
All occupations___ _____ ______ 1, 791, 922 1,741, 509 1, 778, 162 239,058, 065 236, 000,227 241,428,332
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[370]
147
KEPOKTS ON EMPLOYMENT---- CALIFORNIA
State Reports on Employment
C alifornia
HE following data, taken from the June, 1927, Labor Market
Bulletin, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of Cali
fornia, show changes in volume of employment and pay roll
from May, 1926, to May, 1927, in 795 establishments in that State:
T
per
cen t
of change
in
n u m ber
o f e m p l o y e e s a n d in
to ta l a m ount of
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 795 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S B E T W E E N M A Y , 1926,
A N D M A Y , 1927
W eekly p ay roll
Em ployees
Per cent
Per cent
N um ber
of change
of change
of estab
lishm ents N u m b er as com A m ount as com
in M ay,
pared
pared
reporting in M ay,
w ith
1927
w ith
1927
M ay,
M ay,
1920
1926
In d u s try
Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral p ro d u cts--------Lime, cem ent, plaster --------- ---------------- --------Brick, tile, p o tte ry -------------------- ------ ----- -------Glass............................................................................. .
14
8
18
10
1, 674
2,089
2,907
896
+ 3 .8
-1 . 6
+26.5
+ 3 .3
$51, 714
66, 821
77, 932
29, 699
-1 .7
+ 1 .1
+22. 2
+ 4 .2
T o tal______________________ _______ — - .........
50
7, 566
+ 9 .7
226,166
+ 7 .2
M etals, m achinery, and conveyances:
A gricultural im plem ents--------------------------------A utomobiles, including bodies a n d p a r t s ---------Brass, bronze, an d copper p ro d u cts------- ----------Engines, pum ps, boilers, a n d ta n k s-. ...................
Iro n a n d steel forgings, bolts, n uts, etc-------------S tructu ral a n d ornam ental steel.
----------Ship and boat building and n aval re p a irs ............
T in cans______________________ ____ _________O ther iron foundry a n d m achine-shop p ro d u cts.
O ther sheet-m etal pro d u cts------ -- ------------ -------Cars, locomotives, and railw ay repair shops-------
6
15
9
8
7
20
6
8
75
21
17
1,633
2, 823
994
971
2,403
4,939
6, 638
2,365
7, 466
1, 621
8,905
—8. 5
-1 8 . 6
- 6 .9
—9. 5
- 9 .4
+4. 2
+38.1
-1 . 1
-2 .6
+7. 3
+8. 7
46,037
90, 590
26,443
32, 548
82,136
168, 850
231, 532
67, 948
239, 552
52, 815
277, 661
-8 .7
—21. 4
—14. 3
—14. 6
—2. 4
+17.3
+45. 4
+ 3 .7
-.6
+17. 4
+10. 5
+ 3 .6 1, 316,112
+ 7 .4
T o ta l............................................................................
192
40, 758
W ood m anufactures:
Sawmills an d logging------------- _ ----------------Planing mills, sash and door factories, e t c . ------O ther wood m anufactures........................... ..............
24
59
46
11,436
10, 488
5,316
-1 0 .8
-7 . 3
+2. 5
310, 732
291,747
151, 380
-1 0 .9
—8. 9
+ 6 .8
T o ta l.................................................... .................. --
129
27, 240
- 7 .1
753,859
-7 .0
L eather and ru b b er goods:
T a nnin g -------------------- ---------------------------------F inished leather p ro d u cts-------------------- ----------R ubber p ro d u cts........ ...................................... ...........
8
5
7
849
451
2,902
+ 4 .7
- 7 .4
+10.1
24, 536
10, 522
89,445
+ 7 .1
+ 2 .3
+26.9
T o tal......................... ................................- ................
20
=====
4, 202
+ 6 .8
124, 503
+20.1
Chem icals, oils, p aints, etc.:
E x p l o s i v e s . -----------------------------------------------M ineral oil re fin in g ---------- --------- ------------ -----P aints, dyes, and colors --------- ---------------------M iscellaneous chemical p ro d u c ts ............ ..............
4
7
8
14
490
11,145
664
1,975
- 6 .8
- 6 .6
- 4 .3
+ 6 .3
14. 835
490, 021
17, 075
55, 637
- 2 .2
+10. 7
—o. 6
+11. 7
T o ta l........... ................. ......................- ...........- ...........
33
14,274
-4 .9
557, 568
+ 9 .9
P rin tin g and paper goods:
Paper boxes, bags, cartons, etc............... ..................
P rin tin g _____________ _____ ____________ ____ P ublish in g ______________ ____ _______ ____ ___
O ther paper p roducts...................................................
14
59
18
9
2,066
2, 564
3,909
1,075
-1 . 2
+ .7
-, 5
+8. 7
54,314
92, 847
152, 459
26, 853
+ 1 .0
+ .7
+2. 5
+10. 7
100
9,614
+ .6
326, 473
+ 2 .4
T o ta l........................................................................ .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[371]
M ONTHLY LABOR BEYIEW
148
P E R C E N T O F C H A N O E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T O F
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 795 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S B E T W E E N M A Y , 1926,
A N D M A Y , 1927—C ontinued
Em ployees
W eekly pay roll
N um ber
Per cent
P er cent
of estab
of change
of change
lishm ents N um ber as com A m ount as com
reporting in M ay,
pared
in M ay,
pared
w ith
1927
w ith
1927
M ay,
M ay,
1926
1926
In d u stry
Textiles:
K n it goods ________________________________
O ther textile p ro d u c ts ._______________________
13
6
1,212
1,587
+12.7
+ .5
27, 750
36,110
+32.7
+ 2 .9
T o ta l..______________________________ ___ _
19
2, 799
+5. 5
63, 860
+14.0
C lothing, m ilinery, an d laundering:
M en ’s clothing__ _______ _____________________
W om en’s clothing._ _________________ ________
M illinery________ _______ ____________________
Laundering, cleaning, a n d d y ein g . .............. .........
25
9
7
21
2, 944
787
698
3, 274
+L4
-1 .5
+ 8 .2
+ 5 .3
64. 763
16, 278
12,957
74, 985
+ 2 .6
-2 .6
+ 3 .2
+ 3 .9
T o tal_____________________________ _________
62
7,703
+ 3 .3
168,983
+ 2 .7
Foods, beverages, a n d tobacco:
C anning, preserving of fruits a n d vegetables____
C anning, packing of fish .. ____________________
Confectionery a n d ice cream ___________________
Groceries, n. e. s ____________ ____________ ___
B read a n d bakery p ro d u c ts .....................................
Sugar----------- ----------------------------------------------Slaughtering a n d m eat p ro d u cts_______________
Cigars and other tobacco p ro d u cts...........................
B everages.............. ....... ....................................... ...........
D airy p ro d u cts___ ____ _________ _____________
Flour an d grist m ills__________ ______ _________
Ice m anufactures _______ ____________________
O ther food p ro d u c ts ....................................................
35
4
26
6
23
6
13
5
3
11
14
15
12
7. 990
371
1, 622
513
3, 750
2,885
2, 250
966
401
2, 873
1,055
1,145
835
-1 8 . 6
+157. 6
- 1 .4
- 8 .4
- 3 .4
-2 . 4
0
- 8 .4
- 6 .3
+12. 1
-.7
-8 . 7
+4. 5
158,081
4, 529
39, 405
12, 872
108, 937
85,852
67,490
18,159
11,835
97, 334
29, 291
39, 020
18, 266
-1 0 .7
+82.3
-4 .9
- 3 .5
+. 7
+ 2 .3
+ 4 .5
-6 .6
-4 .1
+16. 7
-4 .7
-3 .2
- .3
T o t a l ___ _____ _________ ___________________
W ater, light, and pow er____ . . . ------ ----------------- -M iscellaneous.......... ........................... .................................
173
5
12
26, 656
7,516
2,054
- 6 .2
-1 6 .4
- 5 .3
691, 071
230, 750
55, 776
- .7
-1 3 .0
+ 8.1
G rand to tal, all in d u stries___________________
795
150,382
- 2 . 2 4,535,121
+ 2 .4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[372]
149
BEPOBTS ON EM PLOYM ENT— IOWA
Iowa
rT",HE June, 1927, issue of the Iowa Employment Survey, published
* by the bureau of labor of that State, shows the following changes
in volume of employment from May to June, 1927:
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN IO W A , M A Y TO J U N E , 1927
In d u stry
Em ployees on pay
roll, June, 1927
Numoer of
firms
P er cent of
re
change as
p o rt N u m compared
ber
ing
w ith M ay,
1927
Food an d k in d re d prod9
2
3
9
4
M eat p ack in g_____
Cereals____________
B akery p ro d u c ts___
C onfectionery--------P oultry , produce,
b u tte r, e tc _______
Sugar, starch, sirup,
glucose, etc______
O ther food products,
coffee, e tc ________
T o ta l____________
Textiles:
C l o th i n g , m en 's____
M illin e ry __________
C lothing, w om en’s,
a n d woolen goods.
Hosiery, aw nings,
e tc ------ --------------T o ta l___________
Iron an d steel works:
F o u n d ry a n d machine shops.............
Brass, bronze products,
p lum bers’
supplies_________
A utos, tractors, a n d
engines__________
F urnaces.. . _____
A gricultural iruplem en ts___________
W ashing m a c h in es..
T o ta l........................
L um ber products:
F u rn itu re, desks, etc.
Refrigerators_______
Coffins,undertakers’
supplies_________
Carriages, wagons,
tru c k bodies_____
T o ta l.....................
8, 472
1,115
115
990
255
+ 8 .5
+10.1
+25. 0
-.7
+55. 5
+ .4
8
1,573
+10.2
310
10
48 14, 082
-4 .9
+ 7.7
3
Em ployees on pay
roll, June, 1927
N um
ber of
firms
Per cent of
re
change as
p o rt N u m compared
ber w ith M ay,
ing
1927
In d u stry
L eather products:
Shoes______ _______
Saddlery and harness.
F u r goods a n d tann in g _______ _____
Gloves a n d m itten s.
2
4
245
124
+• 8
-1 8 .4
4
2
94
166
+ 4 .4
.0
T o t a l . . ....................
12
629
—4. 9
Paper products, printing and publishing:
Paper p roducts____
P rin tin g a n d pub-
4
337
+ 1.2
15
2,721
+ .9
----------
19
3,058
+ .9
P a te n t medicines, chernicals a n d com p o unds..
8
359
+ 3.2
7
10
2, 267
999
—2. 6
+ 1.2
T o ta l. . .
11
2
1,109
109
.0
3
574
+ 7 .1
4
8
28
709
(¡57
3, 158
+M
—6. 0
+ 1 .8
25
3,066
+ .3
6
698
+ 8 .6
Tobacco and cigars. . . .
3
285
2,260
463
362
-1 . 1
- 8 .7
- 7 .7
R ailw ay car shops--------
7
9,032
—1. 2
2
5
4
145
168
191
+ 2. 1
+ 4.3
—2.1
—3. 9
5
2
25
9
7
4’ 005
465
1,295
357
1,101
- 1.5
—1. 5
-f’25. /
+ 2.8
6
7
4
9 1.056
8 2,306
05 110,214
15
8
3
1,635
1,028
125
4
139
3
33
86
3, 013
Stone an d clay products:
Cem ent, plaster, gypsu m ______ _____
crushed rock, and
stone____________
4
107
.0
T o ta l___________
21
3,373
—1. 4
Various industries:
A uto tires an d tu b e s.
Brooms and brushes.
+ 3 .8 1
L aundries_____ . . .
-.3
Mcrtdiitil©— _______
.0
Seeds_________ ____
W holesale houses__
Commission houses.
+3. 0
Other in d u stries___
+ 1 .0
—27.3
T o tal.................. .
—8. 6
G rand to ta l--------+10.3
+ .2
i As show n in th e rep o rt, b u t is n o t th e correct sum of th e item s.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[373]
— .4
66 10, 524
-.4
310 157,707
+ 1.6
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
150
M a r y la n d
T H E following report on volume of employment in Maryland from
* May to June, 1927, was furnished by the commissioner of labor
and statistics of Maryland :
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A R Y L A N D IN
J U N E , 1927
E sta b
lish
m ents
report
in g for
b o th
m onths
In d u s try
B ak e ry ____________ ___________________________
Beverages an d soft d rin k s- ____ _____________
Boots an d shoes,
_ ______________ _________
Boxes, fancy an d p ap er,
_____________ . .
... Boxes, wooden ____ . . . - _________
Brass a n d bronze. ____________________ _______
B rick, tile, e tc _________________________ _______
B rashes. ________ . . . ______________________
Car building a n d repairing______________________
C hem icals_______________ ______________ ____ _
Clothing, m en’s outer garm ents ................................
C lothing, w om en’s outer garm ents______ ________
C onfectionery.. _________________ _____ . . . . . .
C otton goods__________________________________
Fertilizer . . _______________ .
________ .
F o u n d ry ____ ___________ . . . ________________
F urnishing goods, m en’s________________________
F u rn itu re ______________ _______ _ . ________
Glass m anufacture_______________________ ______
Ice cream ________ __________ ___________ . _ .
Leather goods. _______________________________
Lithographing_________________________________
L um ber a n d p laning. ............... . . ___________
M attresses an d spring beds___ ________________
Plum bers’ supplies___________ ________ ____ ____
P rin tin g _______________________________________
R ubb er tire m anufacture__________________ ___
Shipbuilding_________ __________________
.. ..
Shirts ______ _____ _ ______________________
Silk goods _ ___ _ . . . . . ____________ ______
Stam ping an d enam eling w a r e . . ________________
T inw are_______________________________________
Tobacco_____________________ _______ __________
U m brellas___________ _________________________
M iscellaneous. ............................................ ..................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3
3
7
7
3
3
4
5
3
6
4
5
6
5
4
9
5
11
4
• 3
5
3
6
4
4
10
1
[374]
3
4
3
4
4
7
3
16
E m ploym ent
P a y roll
P er cent
N u m ber o change
as com
of em
ployees,
pared
w ith
June,
1927
M ay,
1927
P er cent
of change
as com
A m ount,
pared
June, 1927
w ith
M ay,
1927
382
174
1, 190
371
183
2, 101
714
620
315
1, 137
2, 011
824
736
2, 071
566
1, 195
1, 049
808
1, 162
182
663
509
576
184
1,282
3,358
3,306
674
523
492
1,189
2,486
861
300
5,357
+ 6.1
+ 6.7
- 3 .4
- 2 .9
-9 . 0
-1 0 .3
- 7 .3
+ .4
- 7 .7
+ 1.7
+ 10.7
- 2 .8
+13.0
-2 . 1
-3 3 . 6
+ 1. 7
+ 2 .8
-4 .9
-4 .6
+ 4 .5
+ 2.7
+ 1.1
+ 3 .9
+26. 8
- 8 .3
+ .5
-3 .5
+22.9
-1 4 . 0
-1 2 . 2
+ 2 .5
-.5
+ .8
-4 . 5
- 4 .8
$9,432
4,734
20, 954
5,197
3,234
51,400
18, 992
12. 028
11,178
31, 028
39, 921
9, 861
8, 608
34, 269
13, 920
32, 614
14, 088
20, 573
25, 067
5, 271
13, 804
15, 893
14, 749
4,916
34, 756
47,316
188,464
17,294
6,811
7, 886
20, 724
55.752
12, 885
5,311
100, 695
+ 2 .5
-.8
-1 .7
+ 3.4
-8 .0
-9 .9
-7 .2
+2. 2
-1 .8
-.6
+51.2
-1 4 .0
-1 0 .9
+• /
-2 4 . 6
+ 10.9
+ .7
- 1 .4
- 5 .0
+ 1. 1
+ 9 .4
+ 3.1
+ 5 .0
+52.8
-1 2 .0
-1 .8
- 5 .7
+12.4
-1 7 .4
- 6 .2
+ 1 .6
+2.8
-.2
+10.4
- 2 .7
151
BEPOBTS ON EM PLOYM ENT---- M ASSACHUSETTS
M a s s a c h u s e tts
release from the Department of Labor and Industries of
A PRESS
Massachusetts shows the following changes in volume of em
ployment in various industries in that State from April, 1927, to May,
1927:
N U M B E R O P E M P L O Y E E S IN 1,036 M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN M A SSA C H U S E T T S , W E E K IN C L U D IN G OR E N D IN G N E A R E S T T O A P R IL 15 A N D M A Y 15,
1027
N u m ber of wage earners em ployed
N um ber
of estab
lishm ents
In d u stry
C ars and general shop construction and repairs,
D yeing a n d finishing textiles-----
-
Steam fittings an d steam an d hot-w ater heating ap-
All other industries----
-------------------------------------
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[375]
M ay, 1927
A pril,
1927
T otal
F ull tim e P a rt time!
114
285
9,879
840
263
98
913
2,169
23,326
2,002
899
4,304
3,027
2, 885
1,337
2,608
498
37, 334
1,319
6,449
8,910
1,811
2,796
1,155
3,117
1,288
5, 927
5,188
1,975
4,405
638
4, 509
4,010
2,228
7,143
2,745
1,728
265
1,612
2,842
1,319
309
833
8
3,140
967
404
578
874
892
53
1, 734
935
212
750
743
5
465
1,955
194
136
1,494
7
2,459
1,264
57
2,8-12
4,204
1,646
3,441
506
40,474
2,286
6,853
9,488
2,685
3,688
1, 208
4,851
2,2*3
6,139
5,938
2,718
4,410
1,103
6,464
4,204
2,364
8, 637
2, 752
4,187
1, 529
1,669
1,770
1,443
4,384
611
19,280
31,407
1, 718
37
2,000
69
11,656
25,032
47
1,434
1,987
551
6,909
5,872
3,765
1,471
o, 98 /
620
18, 565
30,904
237,072
180,153
52, 908
15
43
83
27
11
49
5
925
2,234
24, 535
2,015
890
4, 364
3,656
799
1,884
13,447
1,162
636
4,206
3,627
4
28
34
18
15
54
20
10
15
26
36
13
12
33
32
.45
27
16
13
26
51
18
3
7
10
5
12
2,937
4,273
1,593
3,451
470
41,041
2,105
6,827
9,440
2, 685
3,880
1,200
4,881
2,274
6,271
6,144
2, 787
4,372
1,117
6,462
4,244
2,347
8,628
2, 751
4,234
1,471
1,073
9
5
13
5
59
129
1,036
233,061
!
152
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
N ew J e r se y
"jpHE New Jersey Department of Labor has furnished the followingdata showing the changes in volume of employment and pay roll
from April to May, 1927, in 867 establishments in that State:
p e r c e n t o r c h a n g e in n u m b e r of e m p l o y e e s a n d in t o t a l A M O TT1V T n w
W M A P R I l J 1927L L ^ 867
JE R S E Y E S T A B L IS H M E N T S , M A Y , 1927, C O M P A R E D
Em ployees
W eekly p a y roll
P er cent
N u m b er
of change
of plan ts
um ber as com
reporting N
in M ay,
pared
1927
w ith
A pril,
1927
In d u stry
Food and k indred products:
B ak in g ____________________
C anning and preserving____
Confectionery an d ice cream
Provisions_________________
O ther food p ro d u cts________
Textiles and th eir products:
C arpets and ru g s____
C lo th in g______________"_~~y
C otton goods____________ ' ' '
D yeing an d finishing textiles.
H a ts and caps____________
H osiery and k n it goods_I _ I
M illinery and lace__________
Shirts and collars____
Silk goods_________ I I - I I I I I I I
Woolen and w orsted g o o d s..
M iscellaneous textile products
T o tal.
Iron and steel and th eir products:
C ast-iron p ip e____________________
Electrical m achinery, a p p aratu s, a n d supplies.,
fo u n d r y and m achine-shop p ro d u c ts ..
H ard w are______________
Iron and steel forg in g s..!
____ ~
M achine tools__________
Steam fittings an d steam and hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s______________________
S tru ctu ral ironw ork______
T o tal.
L um ber and its products:
F u rn itu re ___________
L um ber and m illw ork.
T o tal.
L eather and its products:
Boots and shoes_____
L eath er____________
L eather p ro d u cts____
Per cent
1of change
as com
pared
w ith
A pril,
1927
12
1,383
4,009
318
1,314
2, 671
+ 0.1
-4 .6
-2 .8
+ 2 .3
+ 0 .9
$46,075
83, 224
7,189
39, 449
70,174
-5 .2
—3.0
- 3 .3
+ 1 .0
+ 1.5
46
9,695
- 1 . 5 1 252,111
- 1 .5
3
30
15
38
6
17
10
9
58
17
10
1,199
4,186
7,299
11,611
1,089
3,864
934
2,101
9, 304
7,428
1, 926
-8 . 7
- 0 .2
-2 . 7
-4 .5
-5 .9
213
50,941
- 3 . 1 1,221, 230
- 3 .1
6
22
3,223
20,268
18,201
935
782
3,674
- 6 .8
- 2 .0
- 1 .8
- 3 .0
- 3 .4
+ 5 .7
104,491
554,187
546, 591
27, 598
23, 936
104, 950
+ 0 .4
-4 .3
-1 . 9
—2.2
—5.4
-0 .9
13
10
3, 676
1,642
- 1 .1
- 3 .1
112,037
49,352
-3 .7
+ 2.0
174
52,401
- 1 . 9 1, 523,142
- 2 .7
5
14
1,284
696
- 1 .4
-1 . 3
37,292
20,125
-3 .7
- 1 .3
19
1,980
- 1 .3
57,417
- 2 .9
7
22
4
1,149
3,455
506
-2 .9
-0 . 7
+ 1 .0
27, 966
101, 771
11,576
- 8 .0
7
T o tal.
A m ount
in M ay,
1927
29
79
7
8
+ 0.3
1 1
-2 . 8
-4 . 1
-2 . 1
- .
- 1. 1
1
36, 644
85,153
143, 747
294, 560
29, 239
111, 559
17, 377
39,494
233, 851
185, 881
43, 725
+10.3
- 5 .6
- 4 .5
+15.1
+1 . 6
- 8 .2
—2.0
—5.2
- 4 .3
- 4 .8
- 3 .5
T otal.
33
5,110
- 1. 1
141,313
- 1 .1
Tobacco p ro d u cts.
12
3,197
+6. 6
57,614
+17.7
P aper and printing:
P ap er and p u lp ..............
P ap er boxes_________
Prin tin g , book and jo b .
P rin tin g , new spaper__
24
18
12
10
4,115
1,521
2,163
2,003
-4 .8
+ 2 .4
+3. 8
+0. 6
' 113, 442
31, 767
67, 770
84, 932
- 5 .0
-2 . 1
-0 .7
+ 1 .3
64
9,802
-0 . 8
297, 911
- 2 .0
T o tal.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[376]
153
REPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT---- NEW JERSEY
W IT H A P R IL , 1927—C ontinued
Em ployees
W eekly pay roll
P er cent
P er cent
N u m b er
of change
of change
of plants N um ber as com A m ount as com
reporting in M ay,
in M ay,
pared
pared
w ith
1927
w ith
1927
A pril,
A pril,
1927
1927
In d u stry
Chem icals and allied products:
9,106
2,150
1,540
1,836
13,822
- 5 .2
- 0 .3
-1 5 .0
+ 9 .9
-9 .8
257,421
63,034
44,003
57, 556
453,679
-6 .7
- 1 .9
—14.0
+ 9 .0
-1 7 .1
78
28,454
-6 .9
875,693
-1 1 .7
26
7
22
2
4,428
3,262
4, 726
928
+ 3 .6
- 2 .6
- 1 .1
+ 0 .5
130,242
70,177
137,504
38, 389
+ 2 .4
- 4 .1
—2.9
—1.3
57
13, 344
+ 0.1
374,312
- 1 .2
11
W ire and wire goods-------------- ------------- -----------
23
9
15
645
4,525
3,647
7,680
+ 2 .9
- 1 .2
-1 .8
- 3 .1
18,328
122,438
115,626
215,907
-1 3 .4
+ 0 .2
-3 .0
—5.9
T o tal______________________________________
58
16,497
- 2 .1
472,299
- 4 .0
13
9
6,030
4,715
+ 1 .6
+ 0.4
195,012
145,067
+ 2.1
-{-1.2. 8
22
10, 745
+ 1.1
340,079
+ 6 .4
5
29
1,706
3,939
929
7,846
9,894
6,346
3,548
- 2 .1
- 0 .9
- 0 .3
- 5 .6
-0 .8
-8 .3
- 4 .1
47,588
118,632
19,087
224,011
274,495
205,353
101,194
+ 3 .0
—3.2
+ 0 .8
—9.0
—1.4
—1.0
—7.3
91
34,208
-3 .8
990, 360
- 3 .8
867
236,374
- 2 .7
6, 603,481
- 3 .5
42
6
9
13
8
Petroleum refining...............- -----------------------T o tal______________________________________
Stone, clay, and glass products:
O ther p ro d u cts--------------- -------------- ---------- —
T o tal______________________________________
M etal products, other th a n iron and steel:
Vehicles for land transportation:
T o tal_________ ______ ___ ___ _______ _______
M iscellaneous industries:
8
4
30
6
Unclassified_________________________________
T o tal__________ ______ - .............. - ................ .......
55507°—27------11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[377]
9
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
154
P e n n s y lv a n ia
'TTIE Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Labor and Industry
* of Pennsylvania furnished the following report on changes in
employment, in weekly man-hours and in pay-roll totals in Pennsyl
vania from May to June, 1927:
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S , IN T O T A L W E E K L Y M A N
H O U R S , A N D IN W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 465 P E N N S Y L V A N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
B E T W E E N M A Y A N D JU N E , 1927
N um ber of wage
earners, week
ending—
In d u stry
M etal manufactures:
A utomobiles, bodies, and p arts_______
C ar construction a n d rep air__________
Electrical m achinery and apparatus- __
Engines, m achines, and machine tools.
Foundries and machine shops _______
H eating appliances and apparatus
Iro n and steel blast furnaces__________
Iro n and steel forgings_____ ____ ___ _
Steel works a n d rolling m ills ...............
S tru ctu ral iro n works i ........ ................ . .
M iscellaneous iro n an d steel p ro d u c ts..
Shipbuilding...............................................
H ardw are................................................
Nonferrous m etals............................ ...........
T o tal_______________________ _____
Textile products:
C arpets and rugs______________ ______
C lothing_______________________ ____
C otton goods..................................... ..........
Silk goods _________ ______ _________
Woolens a n d w o rs te d s .................... .........
K n it goods and hosiery______________
D yeing and finishing textiles...................
T o ta l___________ _________________
Foods and tobacco:
B akeries______ _____________________
Confectionery and ice cream __________
Slaughtering and m eat packing..............
Cigars and tobacco......................................
ber of
P er cent
plants
of change
re
porting June 15, as com
1927
pared
w ith
M ay, 1927
T otal w eekly m an
hours, week ending—
June 15,
1927
Total
weekly
p a y ro ll:
Per cent P er cent
of change of change,
as com M ay to
pared June, 1927
w ith
M ay, 1927
-2 5 .7
+ 1.5
+17.4
-.9
- 1 .8
-2 6 .1
- 1 .4
+20.2
- 1 .1
+ 2.3
- 2 .2
+14.7
-. 9
+ 3 .2
-1 . 7
- 8 .0
- .7
+ 3.7
456, 582
310, 931
211, 294
462, 575
367, 790
81,379
413, 578
63, 275
1, 536,192
91, 710
520, 836
211, 704
55, 749
37, 203
+• 1
+40.4
- 3 .3
+ 4 .2
+ 1.9
—5.1
- 3 .7
+ 3.2
-.3
+55. 2
-3 . 7
+ 4.1
+ .3
- 4 .1
—2. 5
+ 3.2
103,119
- 2 .4
4, 820, 798
- 3 .3
- 3 .7
6
8
11
22
8
12
- 4 .8
+ 2.1
-.7
- 6 .7
- 1 .2
- 2 .3
- 6 .4
98, 590
21, 758
57,802
353,157
95, 800
195,343
29, 087
- 5 .5
- 4 .1
+. 4
-1 1 .2
- 6 .6
- 5 .1
+ 2 .2
-7 .0
- 6 .9
5
1,997
486
1,192
8,633
2,164
5, 380
660
- 8 ,8
- 7 .6
-1 4 .1
- 4 .7
72
20, 512
- 4 .3
851, 537
-7 .4
- 9 .5
18
1, 653
2, 827
1,249
308
+ 3 .4
+ 4 .4
+ 1 .8
+ 7 .3
86,630
163,459
64,105
13, 053
+ 3 .4
+16. 8
- 2 .9
+ 6 .0
+ 2 .0
+12.3
9
7
7
9, 704
7, 260
4,417
9,513
7, 878
1,743
8,260
1,445
33,600
1, 873
10, 784
4, 702
1,176
764
203
15
12
14
31
43
6
9
6
23
11
17
3
6
12
-1 7 .4
-.5
+ 9 .8
+.1
-.1
-.8
-.9
-.1
-.2
+ 3 .8
T o ta l......................... ................ ................
48
6,037
+ 3 .7
327, 247
+ 8 .3
+ 6.1
B uilding materials:
Brick, tile, and terra-cotta pro d u cts___
C em ent_______________________ _____
G lass__ _______ _________ ___________
15
7
13
2,722
4, 050
4,665
+ 1.3
+ 1 .3
-1 . 6
125, 406
247, 678
196, 660
-1 .6
+ 4 .9
-8 .7
+ .3
+ 5.8
- 8 .3
T o ta l___ _________________________
35
11, 437
+.1
569, 744
-1 .6
-1 .0
C onstruction and contracting:
B uildings_____________________ . . . .
Street and h ighw ay__________________
G e n eral.___________ ________________
17
4
10
1,471
1, 974
1,954
+ 6 .0
+21. 1
+13. 1
58, 631
89, 964
95, 356
+ 5 .5
+14. 2
+16.7
+ 6 .2
+20.1
+31.4
T o ta l..........................................................
31
5, 399
+13.8
243, 951
+12.9
+18.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[378]
)
REPORTS ON EMPLOYM ENT---- W ISCO NSIN
155
P E R C E N T O P C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O P E M P L O Y E E S , IN T O T A L W E E K L Y M A N
H O U R S , A N D IN W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 465 P E N N S Y L V A N IA E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
B E T W E E N M A Y A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
N u m b er of wage
earners, week
ending—
In d u stry
N um ber of
Per cent
p lants
of change
re
porting Ju n e 15, as com
pared
1927
w ith
M ay, 1927
T otal w eekly m an
hours, week ending—
June 15,
1927
T otal
weekly
pay roll:
Per cent Per cent
of change of change,
as com M ay to
pared June, 1927
w ith
M ay, 1927
Chem icals and allied products
Chemicals and drugs...... .................... - -P aints and varnishes..................................
11
6
807
978
+ 2 .8
-2 .7
46, 258
49, 510
+ 4 .0
+ 4 .4
+ 2 .8
+ 4.3
T o t a l- - - ________ _________________
17
1, 785
- .3
95, 768
+ 4 .2
+ 3 .6
18
16
9
4
9
11
22
3
1,184
1, 579
2, 081
112
1, 275
2, 725
1,448
901
+ 4 .8
+12.5
+ 1 .3
- 1 .8
-1 5 .8
- 1 .1
+ 6 .7
-.3
53, 976
74,895
103,181
5,195
63, 230
144, 754
63, 099
45, 071
+ 4 .4
+10.8
+ .1
.0
-2 5 .3
-2 .7
+ 1.4
-2 .9
+ 7.1
+14.0
-.6
+ 2 .0
—25. 5
-.9
—. 2
- .7
92
11, 305
+ .6
543, 401
- 2 .3
- .6
-2 .0
7,208, 495
- 3 .1
- 3 .5
Miscellaneous industries:
L um ber and planing-mill p roducts-----F u rn itu re ........ ...........................................
L eather ta n n in g ....................................... —
L eather p ro d u c ts ......................................
Boots and shoes_____________________
Paper a n d p u lp products_____________
P rintin g and publishing_____ ________
R ubber tires and goods-.........................
T o ta l--------------- ------------------------ All in d u stries.......... ....... ................ .........
465
154,195
W isc o n sin
T H E June, 1927, issue of the Wisconsin Labor Market, issued by
the State industrial commission, contains the following data on
volume of employment in Wisconsin industries in May, 1927:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[379]
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
156
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T O F .
PA Y R O L L IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN W IS C O N S IN F R O M M A Y , 1926, A N D
A P R IL , 1927, TO M A Y , 1927
Per cent of change
April, 1927, to M ay, 1927 M ay, 1926, to M ay, 1927
In d u stry
E m ploy
m ent
P a y roll
E m ploy
m ent
P a y roll •
M anual
A griculture........................... ...................................... ..............
Logging...... .................. ...................................... ......................
M in in g ----- ------------------------ -----------------------------------L ead and zinc.-------------------------------------------------Iron_ ........................................... ....... .............................
Stone crushing a n d qu arry in g ----------------------------------M anufacturing__________________________ _________
Stone and allied in d u stries---------------------------------Brick, tile, a n d cem ent blocks________________
Stone finishing___________ ______ _____ ______
Metal__ ---------------------- -----------------------------Pig iron an d rolling m ill products- .....................
S tru ctu ral iron w o rk ________________________
Foundries an d m achine shops__________ _____
R ailroad repair s h o p s--- -------------------- --------Stoves ------------------------------------------------------A lum inum an d enam elw are...................... ............
M a c h in e ry ........... ..................... ...............................
A utom obiles........ .................................................
O ther m etal p ro d u c ts................................................
W ood_____________________________ __________
Sawmills an d planing m ills ...------ -----------------Box factories----------- ------------- -----------------Panel an d veneer m ills_________ _____ _______
F u rn itu re ________________________ - _____
Sash, door, an d interior fin ish_______________
O ther wood p roducts________________________
R u b b e r ..________ ______ _____ ____ ____________
L eath er------ ----------------------- -----------------------------Tanning
________________________________
Boots an d shoes_____________________________
O ther leather p ro d u cts..........................................
P a p e r.. _______________________ ____ __________
P ap er an d p u lp m ills-_______________________
P ap er boxes___________ ________•-____ _______
O ther p ap er pro d u cts. ...........................................
Textiles___________________________ ____________
H osiery a n d other k n it goods________________
C lo th in g .__________________________________
O ther textile p roducts______________ _________
Foods__________________ ______________________
M eat packing______________________________
Baking a n d confectionery__________________
M ilk p ro d u cts_____ _______ ______ ____ ______
C anning an d preserving..................... ......................
Flour m ills________ ____ ____________________
Tobacco m anufacturing................... .......................
O ther food p ro d u cts.______ _________________
L ig h t an d p o w e r................................................ .............
P rin tin g a nd publishing_____ _____ _____________
Laundering, cleaning, a n d d yeing-----------------------Chem ical (including soap, glue, and explosives)___
C onstruction:
B u ild in g ................................................ ..................... .......
H ighw ay__________________ ____________________
R ailro ad___ _________________________________
M arine, dredging, sewer d ig g in g .......... ......................
Com m unication:
Steam ra ilw a y s.................................................................
E lectric railw ays...................................... .......................
Express, telephone, a nd telegraph________________
W holesale tra d e ____________________________________
+ 1 .2
+ .7
4". 6
-.2
+ 2 .5
+11.9
- 1 .8
+22.4
+75.9
- .3
- 4 .1
-1 1 .8
-.0
- 3 .1
+ 1 .2
- 5 .9
- 6 .1
- 5 .5
-6 . 5
- 3 .3
- 3 .3
- 4 .3
-1 6 .4
-.8
- 3 .2
-.4
- 4 .2
+ 3 .2
- 3 .0
-5 .9
-3 .9
+ 1 .3
- 2 .4
- 3 .9
+ .9
+ 2 .1
+ 4 .0
+■ 1
+13.9
-. 7
-. 9
+ 6 .0
- 1 .3
+• 2
- 3 .0
+ 2 .4
-1 1 . 7
- 2 .6
+ 5.1
+ .2
+ .4
- 1 .2
+ 1 .7
+11. 7
- 6 .0
-7 .9
-1 .7
+15.3
- 3 .3
+21.3
+74.3
+ 9 .3
-7 .7
-1 4 .9
-4 .9
-4 .6
-1 . 7
-9 .7
-1 4 .9
-1 2 .8
-5 .3
- 9 .2
- 4 .3
- 6 .8
-2 6 .7
- 5 .6
- 1 .6
-.0
- 3 .0
- 1 .6
+ .2
+ .8
-. 7
+ 1 .0
- 5 .3
-8 .0
+ 4 .5
+1. 5
+13.7
-.6
+51.4
+ .2
+■ 4
+ 2 .2
+13.3
-4 .5
- 8 .4
-. 1
-1 4 .4
- 5 .2
+ 4 .2
+• 3
-6 .6
-.3
+17.6
-5 .9
+ 5 .8
+ 8.3
+• 5
+20.6
-5 .5
- 9 .3
-.4
-1 5 .0
—11.4
-2 6 .8
- 5 .0
-1 .5
+■ 7
-2 2 .4
+ 4.4
-1 7 .5
-2 8 .5
- 6 .2
- 6 .6
-10. 7
-2 0 .0
-1 0 . 7
-4 .9
+ 1 .3
-6 .2
+21.8
-1 8 . 5
-4 3 .0
-6 .0
+ 1 .6
-.5
- 1 .8
+ 8 .2
-1 .3
+ .5
- 2 .1
-1 .7
+16.7
+ 3 .6
+19.3
- 1 .8
+18.3
-2 5 .3
- .7
-.6
+ 2 .7
+12.5
+5. 3
+ 2 .2
-1 4 .1
+ 3 .7
+ 1 .0
+ 6 .8
+12.1
-3 .0
+14.2
-8 .8
-7 .7
-1 5 .4
-4 .6
-1 8 .8
-2 8 .6
-1 4 .2
-.3
+ 1.2
-3 1 .3
+ 2 .5
-1 9 .6
-5 0 .8
-1 4 .9
-6 .1
. -1 0 .0
-2 4 .1
—12.1
-2 .3
, + .3
- 5 .8
+31.5
-2 1 .9
-4 3 .8
-8 .8
+ 2 .0
-3 .6
- 6 .7
+ 9 .9
+ 2 .7
+ 4 .2
+ 3 .1
+ 7 .6
+45.2
+ 5.1
+40.1
+27.5
+49.3
+ 8.4
+52.0
- 5 .1
-8 .0
- 5 .9
+ 5 .8
+ 8.4
-5 .6
-9 .7
+ 6 .5
+ 6 .7
+16.2
+ 8 .7
+ 2 .3
+ .1
+ 5.3
+ 8 .0
+ 3.4
-1 .4
-4 .4
+ 5 .9
+ 1 .8
+ 1 .7
+ 6.1
+ 1 .8
+ 6 .0
+ 2 .8
+ 9 .1
+ .6
+ .7
+ .7
+ 1 .6
+ 1.0
-.2
- 2 .2
+ .7
+ 5 .2
+ 5 .8
+ 1 .3
-2 .0
-1 0 .1
+14.5
+ 8 .3
+ .3
+ 8 .8
+ 8 .3
+ 2 .8
-4 .2
+ 2 .0
+ 7 .5
+20.5
+ 6 .9
+23.9
+ 9 .7
—22.6
-1 7 .5
+45.5
+ 2 .7
+11.2
+ 8 .6
-6 .9
-1 3 .5
N onm anual
M anufacturing, mines, and quarries________ _________
C onstruction.............................................. ..............................
C om m unication......................................................................
W holesale tr a d e ..................... - ______ _________________
R etail trad e—Sales force o n ly ----------------------------------M iscellaneous professional serv ices._________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[380]
+ 1 .2
-.7
+ .8
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
Retail Prices of Food in the United States
HE following tables are compiled from monthly reports of actual
selling prices 1 received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from
retail dealers:
T
T arte 1 —a v e r a g e r e t a i l p r i c e s o f s p e c i f i e d f o o d a r t i c l e s a n d p e r c e n t
O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E JU N E 15, 1927, C O M P A R E D W IT H M A Y 15, 1927, A N D
J U N E 15, 1926
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
P er cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
{—) June 15,1927,
compared w ith—
U nit
June 15,
1926
M ay 15,
1927
June 15,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
June 15,
1926
M ay 15,
1927
+ 0 .2
+ 0.3
- 0 .3
0
0
42.0
36.2
30.6
22.7
14.6
42.3
36.9
31.2
23.5
15.2
42.4
37.0
31.1
23.5
15.2
+1
+2
+2
+4
+4
■jpjrjTTl
42.0
51.5
59.7
41. 9
40.2
36.4
47.6
56.3
41.0
38.4
34.7
47.1
55.5
41. 0
36.3
-1 7
-9
-7
+2
-1 0
-5
-1
-1
0
-5
____d o _____
Q u art______
15-16 oz. can.
P o u n d _____
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r su b stitu tes). ........ d o ...........
38.1
13.8
11. 5
50.3
30.1
32.5
13.9
11. 5
53.4
28.4
32.3
13.9
11.5
51.8
28.2
-1 5
+1
0
+3
-6
-1
0
0
—3
—i
____ d o __ _
____ d o . ___
D ozen_____
P o u n d ____
35. 7
22. 6
25.8
40.7
9.4
37.0
19.0
25.0
33.6
9.4
37.0
18.8
25.1
33.5
9.3
+4
-1 7
-3
-1 8
—1
0
—1
+ 0 .4
—0.3
“ 1
____d o.
____d o .
____d o .
8-oz. p k g ----28-oz. p k g . . .
6.1
5.1
9. 1
10.9
25.4
5.5
5.1
9.0 10. 1
25.5
5.5
5.2
9.0
10.0
25. 4
-1 0
+2
—1
P o u n d ..........
____d o _____
____do._ __
____d o . ___
20.3
11.7
9.2
5.0
7.4
20.0
10.6
9.0
4.5
8.7
20.0
10. 7
9.3
6.0
8.8
-1
-9
+1
+20
+19
0
+1
+3
+33
+1
No. 2 can___
6.1
11.9
16.4
17.4
8.7
11.6
15.6
16.8
9.6
11.5
15. 6
16. 7
+57
—3
—5
—4
+10
—1
0
—1
____do._
P o u n d _____
........ do._ __
........ d o ...........
11.9
6.9
76.9
51.0
12.1
7.3
77.4
48.2
12.0
7.3
77. 3
47.9
+i
-j-6
-H
—6
-1
0
- 0 .1
____ do._ _
____d o.
M Jozen_____
........ d o ...........
17.1
14.7
35.9
50.3
15.4
14.3
33.9
49.8
15.6
14.3
33. 6
49. 3
-9
—3
-6
+1
0
-0 .8
+ 2 .0
0
+2
0
-1
- 0 .4
1
o oc
P o u n d _____
____do_
___ do__.
____d o _____
-1
i In addition to retail prices of food and coal, the bureau publishes the prices of gas and electricity from
each of 51 cities for the dates for which these data are secured.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[381]
157
158
M ONTHLY LA BOL LEVIEW
, J f n J f i 1 Shj° l? ior, ‘he United States retail prices of food on June
15, 1926, and May 15 and June 15, 1927, as well as the percentage
changes m the year and in the month. For example, the retail price
per pound of navy beans was 9.2 cents on June 15, 1926; 9.0 cents on
May lo, 1927; and 9.3 cents on June 15, 1927. These figures show
mci eases oi 1 per cent m the year and 3 per cent in the month
Ihe cost Oj the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
oi 0.8 per cent on June 15, 1927, as compared with June 15 1926
M a y T s 11! ^ 86 ^ 2 ^ ^
^ June ^ 1927, aS comPare^ with
T able 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of specified
ood articles on June 15, 1913, and on June 15 of each year from
1921 to 1927, together with percentage changes in June of each of
these specified years, compared with June, 1913. For example the
retail price per pound of potatoes was 1.8 cents in June, 1913- 2 7
cents m June, 1921; 3.5 cents in June, 1922; 3.2 cents in June, 1923*
3.3 cents in June 1924; 3.5 cents m June, 1925; 5.0 cents in June^
1926; and 6.0 cents m June, 1927.
As compared with June, 1913, these figures show increases of 50
? o o ie oom June>1921; 94 Per cent in June, 1922; 78 per cent in June,
1U3, 83 per cent m June, 1924; 94 per cent in June, 1925; 178 ner
cent m June, 1926; and 233 per cent in June, 1927.
t
C0S^
various articles of food combined showed an increase
oi 62.1 per cent m June, 1927, as compared with June, 1913.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[382]
RETAIL PRICES OE FOOD
159
T j'BLE 2 .— A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E J U N E 15, 1927, O F C E R T A IN S P E C IF I E D Y E A R S C O M
P A R E D W IT H J U N E 15, 1913
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole num bers]
Average retail price on June 15—
U nit
Article
Per cent of increase June 15 of each
specified year com pared w ith June
15, 1913
I
1913 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925, 1926 1927 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927
C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts . C ts .
Sirloin steak — ..........
R ound ste a k -----------R ib ro a s t---------------C huck ro ast________
Plate beef.....................
P o u n d ..
- ..d o ___
_._do----_ _do___
.--d o ___
25.9 40.0
22.6 35.6
20.1 29.8
16.3 21.6
12.2 14.1
38.4 40.1 40.7 41.0 42.0 42.4
33.5 34. 5 34.8 35.2 36.2 37.0
28.2 28.8 29.4 29.8130. 6 31.1
20.1 20.4 21. 2 21. 8i22. 7 23.5
12.9 12.6 13.2 13. 8j14. 6 15.2
54
58
48
33
16
48
48
40
23
6
55
53
43
25
3
57
54
46
30
8
58
56
48
34
13
P ork chops................
B acon_____ _______
H am __________ ____
L am b, leg of-----------H e n s.......................... .
_._do___
___do___
-__do___
-__do___
..- d o .......
20.8 34.1 33.9 29.9 30.2 36. 2 42. 0 34.7
27.3 42.9 40.4 39.0 36. 2 47. 0 51. 5 47.1
27.3 48.9 51.9 45.4 44.6 53.0 59.7 55. 5
19.4 35. 0 38.0 38. 1 38.7 38.4 41.9 41. 0
21.9 38.6 36.9 35.4 35.9 36.9 40.2 36.3
64
57
79
80
76
63
48
90
96
68
44
43
66
96
62
45
33
63
99
64
74
72
94
98
68
61
42
53
53
56
57
58
14
28
42
38
50
43
47
35
3
43
9
66
9
58
7
67
45
64
43
70
19
25
75
22
57
27
55
29
55
52
68
46
68
20
66
79
55
61
34
45
38
39
52
85
86
85
76
67
79
12
36
24
V 5 32 2 31 1 31 2 31.3 38.1 32.3
M ilk, fresh_________ Q u a rt... 8.8 14. 2 12.5 13. 5 13.5 13.7 13.8 13.9
13.8 10.9 12.2 11.6 11.3 11.5 11.5
M ilk, ev ap o rated ----(>)
B u tte r___ _______ . . P o u n d .. 35.2 40.2 44.9 50. 0 48.6 52. 7 50.3 51.8
28.2 27.1 28.3 29.1 30.3 30.1 28.2
b u tte r su b stitu te s).
Cheese_____________ ___do....... 21. 8 29.5 31.1 36.1 34.4 36.5 35.7 37.0
__ do____ 15.8 16. 2 17.2 17.2 16.9 22.9 22.6 18.8
21.2 22.4 22.7 24.9 25.8 25.8 25.1
V egetable la rd sub- _._do___
s titu te .
Eggs, stric tly fre s h ... D ozen. _ 27.9 35.0 34.1 35.4 36.1 42.3 40.7 33.5
B read........................... P o u n d .. 5.6 9.8 8.8 8.7 8.7 9.4 9.4 9.3
F lo u r............ ................ -.-d o ___ 3.3 5.9 5.3 4.8 4. 6 6.1 6.1 5. 5
C orn m eal_____ . . . ___do----- 2.9 4.5 3.9 4.0 4.4 5.4 5. 1 5.2
9. 9 8. 7 8. 8 8. 8 9. 2 9.1 9.0
(2)
12 3 9. 9 9 7 9. 7 11. 0 10.9 10.0
29. 8 25.8 24. 4 24.3 24.6 25.4 25.4
R ice.......................
. -__do___
P otatoes____ _______ __.do___
(4 )
(4)
(4 )
*>0 7 20. 0 19. 7 19. 5 20. 5 20. 3 20. 0
8.6 8.8 9.6 9.4 9.9 11.0 11.7 10.7
7 9 10. 6 11. 4 9. 7 10. 3 9. 2 9. 3
1.8 2.7 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.5 5.0 6.0
5. 7 8. C 8.1 6.8 9.9 7.4 8.8
9
15
28
50
94 • 78
83
94
47
26
20
34
25
21
57
30
42
36
39
70
2
62
60
52
39
20
64
64
55
44
25
102 67
89 73
119 103
116 111
84 66
178 233
6. 0 5.1 6. 2 5.8 6.0 6.1 9.6
14 4 13. 2 13. 0 12. 7 12. 4 11.9 11. 5
Q 15. 5 15. 4 15. 8 18. 2 16. 4 15.6
17 fi 17. 8 17. 5 18.1 18.4 17.4 16.7
(4)
11 3 13 9 13 0 13 0 13 8 11. 9 12. 0
Sugar, gran u lated___ P o u n d .. JT3 7.8 7 . 1 n . 1 8.3 7.2 6.9 7.3
T e a ................................ _-_do___ 54. 4 68.3 68.0 69. 5 70. £ 75.8 76. £ 77.3
Coffee...........................- ---d o ___ 29.8 35.7 36.1 37.8 42.3 50.8 51.0 47.9
109
28
27
30
41
71
38
42
61
18. 5 20.6 19.3 17.4 17.3 17.1 15.6
30. 9 24.1 17. 6 15.4 14. 5 14.7 14.3
41. 6 36. 3 38. 1 35.8 36. 5 35.9 33. 6
4 9 . 9 63.5 53 9 45.1 60.9 50.3 49.3
47.7 44.0 47.6 45.7 58.6 63.3 62.1
W eighted food in d e x »
1 15-16 ounce can.
2 8-ounce package.
a 28-ounce package.
* N o. 2 can.
8 Beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, index num bers showing th e tre n d in th e retail cost of food have been
composed of th e articles show n in Tables 1 and 2, w eighted according to th e consum ption of the average
family. From Jan u ary , 1913, to December, 1920, th e index num bers included the following articles: Sirloin
steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, p late beef, pork chops, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour, corn meal,
eggs, b u tte r, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coflee, and tea.
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail prices of each of 22 articles
of food for which prices have been secured since 1913, as well as the
changes in the amounts of these articles that could be purchased for
$1 in specified years, 1913 to 1926, and in May and June, 1927.
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160
M ONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
3 . — A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O P FO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1 IN E A C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1926, A N D IN M A Y A N D
J U N E , 1927
T able
Sirloin steak
Year
L b s.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
22. 3
39. 5
34.4
32.3
33. 5
33.8
34. 7
35.6
4. 5
2. 5
2.9
3. 1
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.8
19.8
33.2
29.1
27.6
28.4
28.8
29. 6
30.3
42.3
42. 4
2.4
2.4
36.9
37.0
2. 7
2. 7
31.2
31.1
H am
C huck roast
Plate beef
Pork chops
L bs.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
5 .1
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
3.0
3.4
3.6
3. 5
3.5
3.4
3.3
16. 0
26.2
21.2
19.7
20.2
20.8
21. 6
22.5
6.3
3.8
4.7
5. 1
5.0
4.8
4.6
4.4
12. 1
18.3
14.3
12.8
12.9
13. 2
13.8
14.6
8.3
5. 5
7.0
7.8
7.8
7.6
7.2
6.8
21.0
42.3
34.9
33.0
30.4
30.8
36.6
39.5
4.8
2.4
2.9
3.0
3. 3
3.2
2.7
2. 5
3.2
3.2
23. 5
23. 5
4.3
4.3
15.2
15.2
6.6
6.6
36.4
34.7
2. 7
2.9
Hens
L bs.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
M ilk
L bs.
C e n ts
p e r at.
B utter
Q ts .
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
Cheese
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
27. 0
52.3
42. 7
39.8
39.1
37.7
46.7
50.3
3.7
1.9
2.3
2. 5
2.6
2. 7
2. 1
2.0
26.9
55. 5
48.8
48.8
45. 5
45.3
52.6
57.4
3. 7
1.8
2.0
2.0
2.2
2.2
1. 9
1. 7
21.3
44. 7
39.7
36.0
35. 0
35.3
36.6
38.8
4. 7
2.2
2. 5
2.8
2.9
2.8
2. 7
2.6
8.9
16.7
14.6
13.1
13.8
13.8
14. 0
14.0
11.2
6.0
6.8
7.6
7.2
7.2
7.1
7.1
38.3
70.1
51.7
47.9
55.4
51. 7
54.8
53. 1
2.6
1.4
1.9
2.1
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.9
22.1
41. 6
34.0
32.9
36.9
35.3
36.7
36. 6
4. 5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2. 8
2. 7
2. 7
47.6
47.1
2.1
2. 1
56.3
55.5
1.8
1.8
38.4
36.3
2.6
2.8
13.9
13.9
7. 2
7.2
53.4
51.8
1.9
1.9
37.0
37.0
2.7
2.7
Lard
C e n ts
p e r lb.
Eggs
C e n ts
p e r doz.
Bread
Flour
Corn meal
Rice
D ozs.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
15.8
29.5
18.0
17.0
17.7
19.0
23.3
21.9
6.3
3.4
5.6
5.9
5.6
5.3
4.3
4.6
34.5
08. 1
50. 9
44.4
46.5
47.8
52. 1
48. 5
2.9
1.5
2. 0
2.3
2.2
2.1
1. 9
2.1
5.6
11. 5
9.9
8. 7
8.7
8.8
9.4
9.4
17.9
8.7
10.1
11.5
11.5
11.4
10.6
10.6
3.3
8.1
5.8
5.1
4.7
4.9
6.1
6.0
30.3
12.3
17.2
19. 6
21.3
20.4
16.4
16.7
3.0
6. 5
4. 5
3.9
4. .1
4. 7
5.4
5.1
33.3
15.4
22.2
25. 6
24.4
21.3
18. 5
19.6
8.7
17.4
9.5
9. 5
9. 5
10.1
11.1
11.6
11.5
5. 7
10.5
10.5
10. 5
9.9
9.0
8. 6
19.0
18.8
5.3
5.3
33. 6
33. 5
3.0
3.0
9.4
9.3
10.6
10.8
5. 5
5.5
18.2
18.2
5.1
5.2
19.6
19.2
10.6
10.7
9.4
9.3
L bs.
Potatoes
C e n ts
p e r lb.
1913__________
1920__________
1921__________
1922_________
1923__________
1924________
1925..................
1926...................
1927:
M a y ............
J u n e ______
L b s.
3.9
2.3
2.6
2. 7
2.6
2. 5
2. 5
2.4
C e n ts
p e r lb.
1913...................
1920__________
1921................
1922_________
1923__________
1924__________
1925......... ..........
1926...................
1927:
M a y . . ........
J u n e ............
C e n ts
p e r lb.
25.4
43. 7
38.8
37.4
39. 1
39.6
40.0
41. 3
Bacon
1913-....................
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927:
M a y _____
J u n e ______
R ib roast
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
A ver
Aver
age
A m t. age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
C e n ts
p e r lb.
1 9 1 3 ..-.-............
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927:
M a y ______
J u n e ______
R ound steak
L b s.
Sugar
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
L b s.
Tea
C e n ts
p e r lb.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
Coffee
L b s.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
1.7
6.3
3.1
2.8
2.9
2. 7
3.6
4. 9
58.8
15.9
32.3
35. 7
34. 5
37.0
27.8
20.4
5.5
19.4
8. 0
7.3
10. 1
9.2
7.2
6.9
18.2
5.2
12. 5
13. 7
9.9
10.9
13.9
14. 5
54. 4
73.3
69.7
68. 1
69. 5
71.5
75.5
76.7
1.8
1.4
1.4
1. 5
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.3
29.8
47.0
36.3
36. 1
37.7
43.3
51.5
51.0
3.4
2. 1
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.3
1.9
2.0
4.5
6.0
22.2
16.7
7.3
7.3
13.7
13.7
77.4
77.3
1.3
1.3
48.2
47.9
2.1
2.1
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[384]
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L bs.
C e n ts
p e r lb.
L b s.
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
161
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States
IN TABLE 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1913 to
1926,2 and by months for 1926, and for January through June, 1927.
These index numbers, or relative prices, are based on the year 1913
as 100 and are computed by dividing the average price of each com
modity for each month and each year by the average price of that
commodity for 1913. These figures must be used with caution. For
example, the relative price of sirloin steak for the year 1926 was
162.6, which means that the average money price for the year 1926
was 62.6 per cent higher than the average money price for the year
1913. As compared with the relative price, 159.8 in 1925, the fig
ures for 1926 show an increase of nearly 3 points, but an increase of
1.75 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2,
weighted according to the average family consumption in 1918. (See
March, 1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921,
the number of food articles has varied, these index numbers have
been so computed as to be strictly comparable for the entire period.
The index numbers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0
are 155.4 for May and 158.5 for June, 1927.
The curve shown in the chart on page 163 pictures more readily
to the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the
index numbers given in the table.
2 For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1925, see Bulletin No. 396, pp. 44 to
61, and Bulletin No. 418, pp. 38 to 51.
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[385]
162
M O N T H !// LABOR REVIEW
T able 4 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL PR IC ES OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FO O D ,
B Y Y EA R S, 1913 A N D 1920 TO 1926, A N D B Y M O N TH S FOR 1926, A N D JA N U A R Y T H R O U G H
JU N E , 1927
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
Year and month
Sirloin Round Rib Chuck Plate Pork Ba
steak steak roast roast beef chops con
Ham Hens Milk B ut Cheese
ter
1913________ ______ _
1920__________________
1921__________________
1922_________________
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925___ _____ _________
1926._________________
100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162.6
100.0
177.1
154. 3
144.8
150.2
151.6
155. 6
159.6
100.0
167.7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5
153.0
100.0
163.8
132.5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
140.6
100.0
151.2
118.2
105. 8
106.6
109.1
114.1
120.7
100.0
201.4
166.2
157.1
144.8
146.7
174.3
188.1
100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
186.3
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169.1
168.4
195.5
213,4
100.0
209.9
186.4
169.0
164.3
165.7
171.8
182.2
100.0
187.6
164.0
147.2
155.1
155. 1
157.3
157.3
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143.1
138.6
100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1
165.6
1920: January________
February_______
M arch_________
April_______ . . .
M ay___________
June___________
July-----------------August .............
September______
October______
November______
December........ ..
160.6
159.8
160. 2
161.8
163.4
165. 4
165.4
184.6
165. 0
163.4
161.0
160.2
157.0
156.1
156.5
157.8
160.5
162.3
162.8
162.3
163.2
161.4
159.2
158.3
151.5
148. 0
151. 0
152.5
153.5
154.5
155.1
153.5
154.5
154.5
152.5
152.5
138.1
138.1
138. 1
139.4
140.6
141. 9
141.9
140. 6
141.9
142.5
141.9
141.9
119. 8
120.7
120.7
121.5
120.7
120. 7
119.8
118.2
119.8
120.7
121. 5
123.1
173.8
172.9
177.1
182.4
191.9
200.0
198.6
192.9
202.4
202.9
187.1
177.1
178. 5
181.1
179.3
179. 6
182.6
190.7
193. 7
192.6
192.2
191. 5
188.9
183.7
198.1
199.3
200.7
202. 6
207.8
221.9
226.4
225. 7
224.5
222.3
217.1
212.3
181.2
182.6
185.0
190. 1
192.5
188.7
184. C
177.9
177. 5
176.5
174.2
174.6
159.6
159. 6
157.3
156.2
156. 2
155. 1
155. 1
156.2
157.3
157.3
158. 4
159.6
144.6
142.3
139.9
132.9
130. 5
131.3
130.8
132. 1
137. 1
141.8
145.4
154.8
170.1
169.7
168.3
165.2
162.9
161.5
161.1
161.5
163.3
166.1
167. 0
169.2
1927: January...............
February_______
M arch....................
April.......................
M ay...................
June..................... .
160.6
161.0
161.8
164. 6
166.5
166.9
158.3
158.7
159.6
163.2
165.5
165.9
153.0
153. 5
153.5
156.1
157. 6
157.1
141.9
141.9
142.5
145.6
146.9
146.9
124.0
123. 1
123.1
125.6
125.6
125.6
174.3
171. C
174.3
175.7
173.3
165.2
181.1
179.6
179.3
178.2
176.3
174.4
211.2
210.8
210.0
210.8
209.3
206.3
180.8
180.8
181.7
182.6
180.3
170.4
158.4
158.4
158.4
157.3
156.2
156.2
152.5
153.5
154. 6
152.5
139.4
135.2
170.1
170.1
168.8
167.9
167.4
167.4
Bread Flour
Corn
meal
Rice
Y ear and m onth
L ard
Eggs
P o ta Sugar
toes
Tea
All
Coflee a rti
cles 1
1913...................................
1920..................................
1921_________________
1922_________________
1923_________________
1924-.............. ................ .
1925_____ ___________
1926_____ _____ ______
100.0
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147. 5
138.6
100.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6
100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
167.9
100.0
245.5
175.8
154. 5
142.1
148.5
184.8
181.8
100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170. 0
100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3
100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2
100.0
352.7
145. 5
132.7
183.6
167.3
130.9
125.5
100.0
134.7
128.1
125.2
127.8
131.4
138.8
141.0
100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1
100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6
1926: J a n u a ry . ______
F eb ru ary _______
M arch________
A p ril_____ _____
M ay ............. .........
J une___________
J u ly ___________
A u g u st________
Septem ber_____
O ctober______ _
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber............
141.1
140.5
138.6
136. 1
136. 1
143.0
144.9
143.7
141.1
138.6
133. 5
129.1
156.2
127.0
111.6
111.9
112.8
118.0
122. 0
130.1
149. 3
168.7
191.3
189.0
167.9
167. 9
167. 9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
167.9
187.9
190.9
187.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
181.8
181.8
175.8
172. 7
172. 7
169.7
173.3
173.3
173.3
170.0
170. 0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
133.3
133.3
134.5
134.5
134.5
134. 5
134.5
133.3
134.5
133.3
129.9
128.7
341.2
335.3
329.4
394.1
352. 9
294. 1
241.2
211.8
229.4
223.5
235.3
235.3
121.8
121.8
121.8
120.0
121.8
125.5
125.5
127.3
127.3
129.1
129.1
132.7
139.9
139.9
139.9
140.3
140.4
141.4
141.5
141.7
141.5
142.1
141.7
141.4
172. 1
172.1
172.1
171. 5
171.1
171. 1
171.5
171.3
171. 1
170.8
170.5
170.1
164.3
161.5
159.9
162.4
161.1
159.7
157.0
155.7
158.5
160.0
161.6
161.8
1927: J a n u a ry ________
F eb ru ary_______
M arch_________
A p ril........ ............
M ay ___________
J u n e ._________
126.6
124.1
122.8
120.9
120.3
119.0
162. 0
128. 1
102.6
98.3
97.4
97.1
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
167.9
166.1
169.7
169. 7
166.7
166.7
166.7
166.7
170.0
170.0
170. 0
170.0
170.0
173.3
126.4
124. 1
124. 1
123. 0
121.8
123.0
235.3
223.5
217.6
217.6
264. 7
352.9
136.4
136.4
134.5
132. 7
132.7
132.7
142.5
142.3
142. 6
142. 6
142.3
142.1
168.5
167.4
165.4
163.8
161.7
160.7
159.3
156.0
153.8
153.6
155.4
158.5
1 30 articles in 1907; 15 articles in 1908-1912; 22 articles in 1913-1920; 43 articles in 1921-1927.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[386]
~R.~P.TATT; PRICES OP POOD
163
: so
I T©
I 6©
IS©
84 0
! 3©
>Z O
HO
80©
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL AU6. SEP. OCX NOV. DEC.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[387]
164
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Retail Prices of Food in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 40 cities
For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same dates with
the bureau until after 1913.
T able 5 —A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S 0 E T H E P R IN C IP A L
[Exact comparisons of prices in different cities can not be made for some articles,
Atlanta, Ga.
Baltimore, M d.
Birmingham, Ala.
Article
Unit
Sirloin stea k ____________
R ou n d s t e a k . .. ...................
R ib r o a s t..._____ _
C huck ro a st.........................
C ts .
C ts .
P o u n d ___
---d o _____
_-_do_____
. .. d o --------
24.0
21.4
19.6
15.4
40.9
36.5
31.9
24.2
41.9
37.8
32.3
24.6
24.6 15.7 22.0 23.2 23.1 16.8 23.2 23.1 24.4
P late beef............................. ---d o _____
Pork chops____ _________ _--do_____
Bacon, sliced____________ ---d o ____
H am , s lic e d ____________
10.4
22.5
32.0
29. 0
13.6
39.2
48.8
58. 8
15.2
35.4
45.6
57.5
15.2
34.5
44.3
56.8
Lam b, leg of____________ ___do........... 20.0
H ens........ .......... ................
20. 5
Salmon, canned, re d _____ - .-d o __ _
M ilk, fresh............................ Q u art____ 10.0
40.7
38.1
37.8
20.0
40.3
36.3
33.4
18.0
40.6 18.5 43. 6 40.7
34.1 22.4 41.9 39. 7
33. 6
36. 7 29. 6
18.0 8.8 13.0 14.0
M ilk , evaporated________
B u tte r__________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu tes).
Cheese______ L a rd ______
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te ..
Eggs, strictly fresh..............
June 15— M ay June June 15— M ay
June June 15— M ay June
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1927
1927
1927
1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926
1913 1926
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
42.2 23. i 40.5 41. t 41. t 26.8 40.5 41.3 41. 6
37.8 22.0 36.5 37. 1 37.2 22.5 35.1 35.6 35.6
32.2 18.7 30. i 31. C 30.9 19.9 28. 5 29.1 29.9
12.8
18.7
23.7
31.0
15.0
41.7
47.1
61.0
15.8
35.9
41.9
56.9
15.6
34.1
42. 1
56.9
10.5
19.5
33.8
30.0
14.2
38.8
50.8
58.4
14.7
35.0
47.1
55.3
15.0
32.9
47.3
54.7
41.5 21.7 39.0 41.3
37.3 18.7 37.3 35.3
29. 4
41.3 33 2
14.0 10.3 20.0 16.3
40.4
33.4
33. 5
16.3
13.5 13.3 13.5 —
15-16 oz.
11.3 11.3 11.3 ............. 12.5 12.6 12.6
can.
P o u n d ___ 37.9 55.5 56.4 54.7 38.3 55.3 59.4 56.4 40.0 56.6 57.7 56.1
-- .d o -------32.6 26.9 27.7
30.3 28.9 28. 8
35. 9 33. 3 32.2
-.- d o _____
---d o __
-__do_____
Dozen___
25.0 33.9 36.3
15.5 22.8 18.2
23.7 21.0
24.2 39.1 32.2
36.3 22.0 34.1 35.1 35.0 21.8
18.3 14. 1 21.4 16.6 16.9 15.4
21.8 _ _ 24.3 22.4 22.3
33.1 24.7 38.7 30.3 30.3 27.0
B read___________ _____ _ P o u n d ___
F lo u r___________________ --_do_____
Corn m eal______________ - ..d o __ ...
Rolled oats........... ................
6.0 10.9 10.8 10.8
3.8 6.9 6.3 6.5
2.5 4.0 3.6 3.7
9. 5 9.3 9.5
5.4
3.2
2.5
C orn flakes_____________
W heat cereal_________
M acaroni_________
R ice........................
11. 3 9.8 9.8
26.2 26.2 26.2
21 6 21.7 21.7
8.6 11. 3 10.1 10. 5
10.2 9.1 9.0
24.6 24.2 24.2
19. i 19.3 19.1
9.0 10.8 9.5 9.5
25-oz. p k g .
Beans, n a v y ..........................
Potato es....................... ......... ---d o _____
Onions_________________
C abbage.............. .................
2.9
Beans, b a k ed ____ ____ _
No. 2 c a n ..
C om , can n ed___________
Peas, can n ed ........................
Tom atoes, canned............. . ---d o ........... ........
10. 5 10.2 10.2
5.9 5.5 8.6
8 0 9.1 9.3
6.4 5.3 6.2
11.7
17. 7
19. 2
11.2
11.4
18.2
19. 7
11.6
11.4
18.2
19.3
11.5
2.1
9.8
5.8
3.9
8.5
9.9
5.2
3.9
8.2
9.9
5.3
4. 1
8.2
8.0
5.4
7.4
6.5
8.0
4.9
9.1
9.2
8.1
5.6
8.8
8.1
10.6
15. 4
15.4
9.9
10.6
14. 4
14,7
10.8
10.4
14. 2
14. 5
10.7
35.3
24.0
22. 1
40.0
35.9
19.9
22. 1
32.1
36.5
19.6
22.1
32.5
5.3 10.2 10.4 10.4
3.8 7.2 6.0 6.6
2.2 4.1 4.0 4.0
9.7 9.8 10.0
11.9
27. 2
19. 1
8.2 12.2
2.3
10.8
27.4
18. 9
10.5
11.1
27.6
18.9
10.5
11.0 10.0 10.1
5.9 5.9 6.3
8.8 9. 1 8.9
5.9 5.6 5.8
12.7
18. 4
21.4
10.8
11.7
16. 8
20. 8
10.9
11.7
16.4
20.8
10.9
Sugar, g ra n u lated ................ P o u n d ___ 5.4 7.3 7.6 7.7 4.5 6.3 6.5 6.5 5.2 7.4 7.9 7.9
T e a . ...... ........................
60 0 106 6 105.6 104. 1 56.0 75.0 73.0 73.0 61.3 96.2 96.2 96.2
Coffee......................... ........... ---d o ........... 32.0 51.1 49.8 49.2 25. 2 47.8 43.5 43.3 28.8 54.2 52.7 52.2
P ru n es...................................
18. 7 17.2 17.2
14.5 13.2 13.1
19.6 18.1 17.9
R aisin s.................... .......
B anan as................
Oranges................................
17. 5 16.2 16.3
28. 5 29.5 29.5
48. 7 43.6 45.9
13.4 12.9 13.0
25. 8 25. 0 25. 0
49.3 50.0 49.9
15.2 14.7 14.7
37. 5 37. 5 37. 9
53.0 46.1 46.9
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin ” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[388]
165
BETAIL PBICES OF FOOD
C itie s o n S p e c ifie d D a te s
for June 15, 1913 and 1926, and for May 15 and June 15, 1927.
the exception of April, 1913, as these cities were not scheduled by
A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF IE D D A T E S
particularly m eats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Boston M ass.
June 15—
1913
1926
C ts .
C ts .
23.0
26.2
8.9
B u tte, M ont.
Charleston, S. C.
M ay June June M ay June Ju n e 15— M ay June June M ay June June 15— M ay June
15, 15, 15,.
15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
15,
1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
■37.0 » 65.7 1 67.3 168.4 49.8 49.4 49.0
34.0 51.5 53.8 54.3 41.7 42.8 42.8
25.0 39.5 39.4 39.3 36.7 37.7 37.4
18.0 27.4 29.8 29.4 27.1 28.1 28.1
24.0
25.4
31.8
Buffalo N . Y.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
22.8
19.8
17.5
15.5
41.1
34.8
30.3
23.3
41.3
35.5
31.0
24.3
42.5
36.0
32.1
24.2
32.5
28.8
28.1
20.1
34.3
31.1
29.3
21.3
34.4
31.3
29.0
20.8
22.3
21. 0
21.3
15.0
34.5
31.5
27.0
20. 5
34.0
31.3
27.7
21.5
33.3
31.3
26.7
21.0
11.8
20.3
23.3
26.3
14.0
44.9
47.7
60.2
11.9
22.5
25.8
28.3
15.2
38.9
45.8
54.1
14.6
35.5
41.3
51.8
14.6
35.9
41.0
51.1
18.2
45.0
49.4
66.0
19.3
38.7
46.9
60.8
19.5
36.2
45.6
60.3
11.6
44.7
53.6
66.9
11.6
38.1
52.4
59.6
11.5
37. 1
52.4
59.3
14.3
39. 0
43.7
54.1
14.1
37. 1
43.4
53.6
12.9
39.0
58.8
64.6
14.2
35.1
55.4
61.3
14.3
35.4
54.6
60.4
46.6
44.4
38. 6
13.9
42.8
41.6
32.0
14.4
42.8
40.0
31. 6
14.4
46.5
44.3
35.4
15.0
43.8
42.3
31. 9
16.0
42.8 18.7 39.6 37.3
39.5 21.7 41.7 40.2
37.9 31. 1
31. 5
16.0 8.0 13.0 13.0
37.1
38. 1
30.9
13.0
39.4
37.6
31.9
14.3
41.6
39.2
31.0
14.0
40.5 21.3 42.5 42.5 41.3
35.7 21.4 44.0 38.3 37.6
30.9
39.1 28.7 29.0
14.0 11.7 18.0 19.0 19.0
12.3
12.1
12.2 11.6 11.5 11.5
11.3 11.3 11.3
11.2
11.3
11.5
35.3
51.3
29. 2
57.4
29.3
54.9 50.9 55.8 52.7 32.9 49.8 53.8 52.0
28. 2 29.3 28.9 28. 4
28.5 29.1 28.7
47.3
49.1
48.6 35.2 49.3 52.4 50.6
31. 7 31.9 30.6
21.4
16.0
37.1
22.9
25.4
54.7
37.8
19.4
24.4
47.4
38.0
18.9
24. 4
47.7
39.3
22.0
25.8
50.1
40.6
18. 2
25.3
44.9
39.0
17.6
25.9
33.3
36.5
24.7
29.3
44.0
36. 5
23.4
29.7
39.1
36.7 20.0 31.6 34.2
23.7 15.0 24.0 20.0
29.7
24. 3 22. 3
39.9 25.3 43.6 32.5
9.1
6.5
6.1
9.3
8.6
6.1
6.5
9.2
8.5
6.1
6.6
9.1
8.8
6.1
7.7
8.5
8.9
5.6
7.7
8.6
8.5
5. 1
5.1
8.6
9.8
5.9
5.9
7.3
9.8
5.3
5.9
7.4
9.8
5.4
6.0
7.5
5.9 10.4 11.0 10.9
3.7 7.3 6.8 6.9
2.4 4.0 3.8 3.9
9.4 9.6 9.5
11.0
24. 8
22.8
12.9
10.4
25.0
22. 6
11.7
10.1
25.1
22.7
11.9
10.5 9.6 9.6
24. 6 24.5 24.7
21.5 21.3 21.2
9.3 11.5 10.3 10.1
12.3
28.4
19.1
12.2
10.9
28.7
20.1
11.1
10.9
28.3
20.1
11.1
11.8 10.4 10.2
26.7 26.3 26.0
18.9 18.6 18.6
5.5 9.5 7.4 7.4
9.9
4.2
9. 1
11.2
10.2
5.3
8.9
10.2
9.9
4.9
8.2
7.5
9.2
4.1
9.0
9.9
1.8
...............
9.9
4.5
7.9
7.5
8.7 8.5 8.5
5.4 4.3 5. 6
8.3 9.7 9.4
6.7 10.7 10.4
10.6
3.8
6.7
7.0
10.1
3.2
8.3
9.4
10.1
10.0
4.6 2. 4 4.3
9.2
7.3
12.0 ........ 3.7
...............
13.3
19.1
20.6
12.1
13.3
18. 2
20.3
12.6
13.5
18.1
20.3
12.5
11.3
19.4
21.2
13.2
11.4
18. 2
20. 9
13.2
11.6
18.2
21.1
13.1 ........
10.1 9.8 9.9
15. 6 15. 5 15. 6
15.9 15.9 16.0
13.7 13.2 13.4
14.7
15.7
14.3
13.3
13.9
14.8
15.3
13.3
13.9
10.0 9.7 9.7
14.8
15.0 14.4 14.1
13.9
17.9 17.3 16.7
12.9 ........ 9.9 10.2 10.2
—
6.8
75.9
55.8
16.5
7.4
75.6
53.1
15.3
7.4 6.4 7.1 7.1 5.2 6.6 7.1 7.2
75.1 59.8 60.9 60.9 45.0 72.4 68.3 67.2
52.7 48. 6 46.2 46.1 29.3 49.7 46. 6 46.7
15.3 16.2 15.6 15.8 ........ 16.8 14.2 14.1
8.1
83.8
57.0
18.4
8.5
82. 2
55.0
15.6
8.7 5.0 6.4 6.8 7.0
81.9 50.0 76.7 76.9 76.9
54.5 26.3 46.8 44.5 43.9
15.6 ........ 15.5 14.1 14.3
. . . . . .
14.0
44. 4
53.0
13.3
45. 6
52.1
14.2 14.3 14.5
14.1 13.6 13.4 15.8 15.1 15.1
13.3 14.1 14.1 14.2
39.3 25.6 27.5
44. 4 36. 4 34. 4 34. 0
42. 2 41. 6 42. 3 2 14. 8 2 13. 9 2 14.4
51.2 55.4 56.4 55.2 ........ 52.1 54.4 55.2 45.8 45.7 48.0 ........ 49.4 43.6 40.0
...............
34.4
5.9
3.7
3.6
9.2
1.7
5.1
68.6
33.0
—
40.1 19.0 36.7 38.4
17.6 14.2 21.4 17.8
25.1
26.2 26. 3
45.1 25.8 41.4 34.0
8.9
5.7
7.6
8.5
5.5
3.0
2.6
10.5 9.8 9.7
24.6 24. 8 24.8
22.7 22.7 22.7
11.2 11.4 11.5
9.5
5.9
9.5
9.6
—
9.0
5.6
5.5
8.6
8.7
4.9
5.1
8.6
2 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[389]
12.0 11.8 11.8
33.6
20.0
22.9
32.1
9.8 10.0
3.9 4.4
7.8 7.4
4.2 5.6
166
M ONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
T a b l e 5 . —A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Chicago, 111.
Article
U nit
C incinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
3 15—
June 15—
June 15—
M a j June
M ay Ju n e
M ay Ju n e
•15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
C ts .
Sirloin steak ....... ..................
R ound steak ...... ..............
R ib ro a st..... .................... .
C huck roast______ _____ _
P o u n d ___ 23.4 43.8 45.
...d o __
20 . § 35.5 35.
- .d o __
34. 1 35. £
. .d o ...........
25.0 25.4
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
44.
36. C
34.4
25.2
23.9
2 i.;
19.4
15.8
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
38.8
34.6
29.8
21.3
C ts .
C ts .
37.7
34.4
31.4
23.
38.6
35.2
31.2
23.0
25.
22.
20.
17.
C ts .
39.6
33.9
28.3
23. 6
41.3
35.3
29.5
24.7
42.2
36.4
29.5
24.6
P late beef..............................
Pork chops............................
Bacon, sliced____________
H am , sliced_____________
--d o _____
--d o _____
--d o _____
.- d o _____
12.5
19.6
26. 4
29.2
15.3
40.6
46.2
59.5
15.8
34.1
41. <
55.5
15.9
30.2
41.3
55.2
12. £
20.7
28.
36. C
L am b, leg of....... ..............
-.d o _ H ens_______ ______ _____ --do__
Salmon, canned, red"_____ - . d o . .
M ilk, fresh______________ Q u a rt.
M ilk , ev ap o rated .
C ts .
14.8
39. 5
54.8
57. 7
15.
34.3
51.
56.7
15.0
31.5
50. 3
55.9
13.9
44.3
52. 7
63.0
14.3
35.9
47.3
57.0
14.4
34.0
46C
55. i
42.3
40.2
39.3
8.0 14.0
42. 2
39. 0
34. 2
14.0
41.8 16.5 41. 5 39.4 39.2 19.2 39. 5
36.5 24.9 40.3 40.2 38.3 22.3 4L 8
34.3
36.5 30.2 30.5
39.2
14.0 8.Ö 12.0 13.3 13.3 8.0 13.7
39.4
39. 3
33.2
13.7
39.9
36.9
32.9
13.7
15-16 oz.
can.
P o u n d ___
. .d o _____
11.0 11.2 11.2
10.8 11.2 11.2
B u tte r_________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
substitutes).
Cheese____________ _____
L a rd _______________
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te _
Eggs, strictly fre sh .............
48. 0 51.8 50.3 35.1
26.9 27.0 26.9 ........
-_do.25.0 40.8 42.1 42.1 21.0
.--d o ..
15.0 21. 7 18.8 18.8 14.2
._-do_.
26. 4 28.6 26. 7
D ozen___ 24. 3 42. 4 36.3 35.9 21.3
B read_____
F lou r_____
Corn m eal..
R olled oats.
Pound.
. . d o __
. .d o __
. .d o __
C orn flakes_______ ____ „
W heat cereal...... ..................
M acaroni..... ....................
R i c e . . .................
8-oz. pkg__
28-oz. p k g .
Pound.
. .d o __
Beans, n a v y .___
Potatoes________
Onions_________
C abbage................
-d o .
_do.
.d o .
-d o .
Beans, b ak ed _____
Corn, can n ed _____
Peas, canned_____
Tom atoes, C a n n e d -
N o. 2 c a n .
. .d o _____
. .d o _____
--d o ...........
T e a ______________
Coffee____________
Sugar, granulated..
Prunes____ ___
Pound. .
..do___
..d o___
..do___
R aisin s. .
B ananas.
Oranges..
- . d o .. .
D ozen.
..d o ...
6.1
2.8
2.
9.8
5. 6
6. 0
8.3
9.9
5.2
6.8
8.6
9.9
5.3
6.7
8.7
10.1 9.8 9.7
24. 6 25. 4 25.2
19.1 19.3 19.2
8.7 11.9 11.7 11.1
4.8
3.3
2. 7
12.6
16. 7
17.2
14.1
12.7
16.3
16.8
13.7
35.1
21.6
25.8
35.5
36.4
17.0
25. 8
27.8
12.6
16.1
16.7
13.8
9.2
6.3
4.1
8.7
8.9
5.7
3.9
8.8
7.7
5.4
6.8
6.5
9.0
5.8
4.0
8.7
10.9
15. 5
17.0
12.0
7.5 7.8
4.6 6.9
8. 3 9.0
9.2 10.9
10.3
14.9
17.0
12.0
4.9 6.6 7.0 7.1 5.0 6.9 7.3
53.3 72.3 72. 8 73.3 60.0 78.0 76.0
30. 7 51. 5 47.4 48.2 25. 6 46. 5 42. 5
18. 8 17.8 17.5 —
17.8 16.0
15.4 15.2 15.1
42.9 39.2 38.8
51.6 52.7 47.6
11.4
36.3 23.0 36.3 38.5 39.0
16.7 16. 5 23.4 20. 5 20.0
25.8
27. 3 26.7 26.7
28.3 27.6 40.6 35.1 33.7
10.4 9.8 9.8
24. 9 24 8 24 R
18. 1 18.5 18.5
8.8 11.2 10.0 10.3
9.2 9.5 9. 6
5. 4 4.3 6.4 2.3
7. 1 8.8 9.0 __
6.4 10.1 11.4
11.2
49.2 52.7 50.9 36.2 52.1 55.6 53.5
29. 6 27.7 27.7
31.8 29.2 29.2
10.4
14.7
16.7
12.0
5.5
3.2
2.7
7.9
6.2
5.1
9.4
7.7
5.5
5.4
9.3
7.7
5.6
5.3
9.4
11.2 10.4 10.1
25.3 25.3
2L9 21.5 22.0
8.5 12.0 11.4 11.3
1. 5
7. 8 8. 4 8. 5
6. 1 5.1
7.8 9. 6 9. 4
6. 3 9.7 11.0
12. 8
17.1
17. 8
13.7
13.2
16.2
18.2
14.1
13.1
16.8
18.1
14.0
' 7.5 5.0 7.1 7.7 7.6
75.5 50.0 82. 5 81. 79.7
42.6 26. 5 54. 7 52.2 51.3
16.0.
17.1 15.6 15.2
14.9 14.5 14 4
40.0 36.0 35.0
51.3 47.0 45.7.
14. 7 14. 7 14. (
10 3 210. 4 210. 4
50.6
54.9
. , j . f, . wmen prices are nere quoted is called “ rump” in i
included m this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
»
[390]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
167
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
C olum bus, Ohio
D etroit, M ich.
D enver, Colo.
Dallas, Tex.
Fall R iver, M ass.
Ju n e 15—
Ju n e 15—
Ju n e 15—
June 15—
M ay June
M ay June
M ay Ju n e
M ay Ju n e
Ju n e M ay Tune
15, 15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
192C 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C is .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
39.6
35.2
30. 7
24.9
40. 1
35.4
32. 1
25.8
40.4
35.9
32. 1
26. 1
22. 5
20.8
19.2
16.3
35.8
32.5
28. 1
21.4
37.1
33.8
27.3
22.1
37.3
34. 5
28.3
23.3
24.2
22. 1
17.8
15.8
35.2
31.6
25.1
20.3
34.8
32. 0
25.1
20.4
36.0
32.9
26.3
21.0
24.2
19.4
19.4
15.0
42.4
35.4
30.7
23.2
42.4
46. 0
32. 0
23.7
42.3
36.1
32.5
23.9
15.4
39.5
51. 8
57.7
16.2
35.2
50. 1
56.9
16.3
34.1
49.9
56.2
12.8
21.7
38.0
31.3
17.0
38.7
50.6
63.8
17.5
35.8
46.2
59.5
18. 1 9.4 11.8 12.0
35. 4 20.3 39.7 33.0
45.3 28.0 52.4 48.4
57.4 30.0 59.5 57.4
12.2
30.9
46.7
55.5
11.5
19.2
24.0
25.5
14.4
44.4
54.8
64.2
14.5
37. 5
50.4
60.2
14.4
13. 0
34.9 22.0 41.2
49.6 25.8 45.8
58.8 32.7 58.7
13.3
37.3
44.6
56.3
13.3
35.3
44.6
56.0
45.0
39.9
40.8
11.0
47.0
38. 9
34.7
12.0
47.5 22.0 42.0 44.3 44.3 17.8 37.5 37.8
37.7 18.3 33.1 31.8 31.5 21.2 33.8 33.0
38.4 32. 7
35.4
41.5 34.1 33.4
12.0 10.0 12.3 11.0 11.0 8.4 12.0 12.0
45.9
46.0
39.5
13.5
42.4
42. 2
35.6
14.0
44.2
42.7
33.8
14.0
12.6
12.7
12.7
11.4 11.4 11.4
13.0 13.1 13.1
—
37.8 17.4 44.8 42.1 42.3 21.0
29.4 21.6 42.8 40.0 38. 2 24.5
39.9 32.6 31.9 __
32.5
12.0 8.0 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0
10.9 10.7 10.7
—
11. 1 11.2 11.2
—
—
48.4 51.8 50.4 36.0 49. 5 50. 5 49.3 34.3 45.9 48.1 46.8 34.0 51.0 53.7 53.0 35.4 49.5
30.4
28.8 28.0 27.6 —
29.5 2S.0 27.7 —
33.8 30. 7 31.0 —
29.4 24.8 25.0 —
34.9
20. 3
26.0
34.3
36.6
16.1
26.0
27.4
8.1
6. 1
3. 7
9.3
8.0
5.5
3.7
9.4
7.8
5.4
3. 7
9.4
10.9
25.0
23. 0
13.4
10.1
26.2
21.0
12.0
10.0
26.4
21.0
12.6
36.5 20. 0
16. 1 17.5
26.2
26. 5 22.0
7.7 7.8 8.0
5.4 4.6 6.6
8. 7 10.2 9.8
6.7 10.1 13.1
12.5
15. 8
15. 0
12.3
12.6
14.0
14.9
13.0
12.5
14.0
15.1
13.3
5.4
3.3
2.7
34.7
25.3
24.9
35.1
36.9 26.1 38.9 37.2 36.8 20.3 36.4 38.0
21.8 16.3 23.4 19.6 19.1 16.1 22.6 18. 7
24.9 21.5 22.3
27. 1 27. 1
22.7
27.3 25. Ö 36.1 30.0 29.1 26. Ö 40.8 34.2
9.5 9.5 9.5
5.8 5.3 5.5
4. 3 4. 3 4. 4
10.2 10. 5 10.4
11.1
27.4
21.3
9.3 13.1
2. 2
36.9
22. 1
22.6
27.7
11.1
27.8
21.1
11.8
10.5
27.9
21.4
11.9
10.3
6. C
6. 6
5.2
10.6 10.6
6.2 6.5
8.7 9.1
7.0 9.5
13.3
18. 3
21. 4
11.6
13.5
18.2
22. (
12.7
13.1
18.3
22.0
13. 1
5.4
2.6
2.4
8.4
5.1
4.3
8.6
8.1
4.2
4.4
7.5
8.1
4.4
4.4
7.6
11.2 10.0 9.8
25.4 24.8 24.8
20.5 19.6 19.6
8.6 11.6 9.9 9.7
Ì.4
10.1
4. S
7.2
5.9
12.3
15. C
15.5
12.5
9.8 10.1
4.7 7 .1
7.2 8.5
7.5 10.3
11.3
13.9
14.8
11.6
11.3
13.7
15. C
11.7
8.4
6.0
5.7
9.3
8.4
5.2
6.1
9.4
10.6
25.9
21.9
8.4 12.3
10.0
25.9
22.1
12.1
5.6
3. 1
2.8
Ï.5
8.2
5. (
7.1
6.1
11.7
15.1
15.1
11.9
39. 5
18.1
26.6
44.5
39.3
18.2
26.4
43.9
6. 2
3. 3
3.4
9.3
6. 2
6.9
9.5
9.2
5.7
6.6
9.4
9.2
5.8
6.7
9.4
10.0
25.7 ______
22.3 ______
11.7 10.0
11.5
25.5
24. 2
12.4
10.4
25.0
24. 2
11. 1
10.4
25.3
24.5
10.6
10.0
4.9
8.6
8.1
10.0 10.3
4.2 5.7
9.4 9.9
10.8 11.1-
12.0
16.8
18.8
11.9
12.4
15.9
18.3
13.2
8.4
5.3
5. 7
9.5
11.5
16.2
16.8
12.6
2. Î
__
__
7.0 7.7 7.8 5.7 7.8 8.2 8.0 5.4 7.6 7.7 8.0 5.0 7.0 7.5 7.5 5. 3 6.9
89. 7 88.8 88.8 66.7 106. 6 106. ] 106.7 52.8 68.9 69. ( 68.8 43. i 71.8 75.2 75.5 44. 2 60.0
51.6 48.9 49.0 36.7 60. ( 58.1 58. ] 29.4 51.5 49.5 49.2 29. c 51. S 50.1 49.2 33.0 52.4
15.6
21. 1 20.4 21.0 ______ 17.8 16.1 15.9 ..... 18.3 17.4 18.2 —
17.6 16.9 16.9
14.9 14.3 14.3
37.8 38 1 37 9
46.3 54.5 50.5
16.7 16.5 16.0
35. 0 37. 5 33. 8
57.5 50. 1 49.9
14.9 14.6 14.3
312. 0 2 10. ^ *11. ]
58.0 45.8 43.4
3 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[391]
53.0 52.1
30. 8 30.5
38.3
21.0
26.7
52.2
38. 7 23.4
18.8 15.0
26.9 __
34.2 33.6
7.9 8.5
4. 1 5.9
8.8 9.5
9.8 10.4
11.4
15.9
16.5
12. 7
C ts .
134.5 161.0 162.2 162.4
27. 5 46.9 47.4 46.7
23. 5 31.9 32. 6 32.6
19.0 22. 6 23.7 23.8
15.4 15. 15.2
36.1 35.1 33. i
51.8 55.9 57.1
14.3
3 9.6
49.7
12.3
15.9
18.5
13.2
7.2 7.4
63.8 63.8
49.0 49.2
15.0 15.1
13.7 13.8
3 9.i 2 9.4
50.2 51.8
168
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
H ouston, Tex.
Article
U nit
Indianapolis, In d .
Jacksonville, Fla.
June 15—
June 15—
June jM a y June
M ay June
M ay June
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926 1927 1927
1927
1927
i9l3 1926
1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
Sirloin steak..
R ound steak..
R ib ro a s t.__
C huck ro ast..
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
Pound.
___ d o.
___ d o.
___ d o.
C ts .
32.
31. £
26.
20.2
35.4
33.9
27.
21.6
C ts .
35.4
33.9
27.5
21.4
24.
23.;
17.8
16.4
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
39.2
37.3
29.6
24.8
39.4
38.Í
29. 7
24.8
39.9
39.0
30. 1
25.3
26.1
20.
23. a
14.1
37.]
31.6
28.1
20.0
35.8
31.3
27.
19.8
35.8
31.3
27.1
19.2
P la te beef___
P ork c h o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
H am , sliced. .
.do_
-do.
_do.
-do.
17.9
38.3
50.8
53. Í
18.0
35.5
48.0
63.9
18.2
34. £
45.8
53.2
12.5
21.3
29.0
31.2
15.2
41.]
49.1
61.9
15.7
34.4
43.4
56.3
16.1
32.2
42.3
54.9
10.3
21.3
26.3
28.3
12.5
40.0
51.4
59.4
12.5
35.4
44.4
52.7
12.5
33.1
44.1
53.2
.......do.
__ do.
__ do.
35.0
35.2
37. J
15.8
34.3
32.7
30.4
15.6
34.3 21. 7
32.9 20.8
30.3
15.6 8.0
44.2
40. t
36.1
12.0
42.0
37. 5
33. £
12.0
42. 5 19.3 40.0 38.8 39.0
36.2 22. ( 41.3 37.7 35.8
33. 5
38 9 33 4 32 0
12.0 12.5 22.0 20.3 20.3
L am b, leg of............
H e n s____________ _
Salmon, canned, red.
M ilk, f r e s h ................
Q u art..
M ilk, evaporated___________ 15-16 oz.can
B u tte r.____________________ P o u n d ____
O leomargarine (all b u tte r
s u b s tit u te s ) ...__________ _
..d o ____
Cheese________________ ____
..d o ____
L a rd ______________________
..d o ____
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te ___ ____ d o .........
Eggs, strictly fresh................... D ozen.........
Bread.........
Corn meal..
Rolled oats.
Pound.
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
C orn flak es...
W heat cereal .
M acaroni___
R ice.................
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
----- d o ___
Beans, navy.
Potatoes___
Onions____
Cabbage___
.do.
.do.
_do.
.do.
F lour_____
11.5 11.4 11.5
10.8 10.7 10. 7
11.8 11.9 11.9
48.7 47.2 47.3 34.7 49.2 52.9 51.1 39.2 51.6 55.2 52.6
30.5
30.4
23.3
20.5
34.7
28.0
33.0
18.9
16.6
26.6
9.0
6.0
4.1
8.9
8.5
5.1
3.9
8.7
27.2
31.9 20. 5
18. 9 15.2
16.8
27.9 22.5
8.5
5.2
4.2
8.5
11.7 10.2 9.7
25.8 25.0 25.4
18.3 18.1 18.4
10.2 8.6 8.8
9.6
5.7
5.7
S. 9
9.2
4.9
7.8
5.0
11.2
13.7
13.5
10.8
9.6
6.1
7. 7
7.7
5.1
3.2
2.4
30.0
35.5
20. 7
26. 7
35. 7
29.5
37.8
16. 9
27.4
27.9
8.0
5. 9
4.2
9.2
8.1
5.5
4.1
8.3
28. 9
31.1 30 6 30 0
37.2 22.5 32.8 34.2 34.0
16.4 15.5 24.1 21.5 21.4
27.4
25.0 22.0 22.4
26.6 30. Ö 41.8 34.4 34.5
8.1
5. 5
4.2
8.3
6.5 11.0 11.1 10.9
3.8 6.9 6.4 6.5
3.0 4.1 4.0 4.2
9.2 9.4 9.6
10.2 9.6 9.7
24.6 24.8 24.8
19.0 19.2 19.7
9.2 11.8 10.6 10.8
11.4 9.9 9.7
24. 9 24 6 24 4
19.7 19.6 19.4
6.6 11.3 9.1 9.2
1.4
7.6
4.9
8.2
6.2
7.9 8.5
4.4 6.4
9.7 9.8
9.9 12.5
2.6
10.3
6.8
8.0
5.4
9.7
4.7
8.4
5.3
9.4
6.4
8.4
8.6
Beans, b ak ed _____
Corn, canned_____
Peas, can n ed _____
Tom atoes, can n ed .
N o. 2 can .
___ d o ___
___ d o ___
___ d o ___
11.6
15.6
14.2
9.8
Sugar, granulated..
T e a ...........................
Coffee......................
P r u n e s .____ _____
Pound.
___ d o .
___ d o .
___ d o .
6.9 7.1 7.2 5.6 7.2 7.6 7.6 5.9 7.1 7.8 7.8
80.8 83.8 84.8 60.0 85.7 87.5 87. 9 60.0 97.5 98.6 98.9
44.8 42.0 41.1 30. 5 50. 9 48.1 48.0 34.5 49.8 48.8 48.8
16.0 14.6 15.8
19.3 17.1 17.3
16.8 15.5 16.0
Raisins..
Bananas.
Oranges..
___ d o.
D ozen .
14.6 14.3 14.4
30.0 26.5 26.9
42.1 44.4 41.8
___do.
11.2
10.0 9.9
13. 7
15.0 13. 9
13.5
14.8 13. 7
10.8 ........ 11.5 12.8
10.3
13.9
13.7
12.8
15.9 15.2 15.1
31.8 30.0 30.5
50.3 46.5 46.9
10.9
20. 2
18. 9
10.5
10. 7 10.8
17 2
i7 8
10.8 10.1
16 4 14 5 14 8
29.0 29.7 25.8
51.7 31.5 34.4
. 1The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “porterhouse” steak,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[392]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
169
C L E S O F F O O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
K ansas C ity, Mo.
June 15—
M a y June
L ittle Rock, Ark.
June 15—
M ay June
Los Angeles, Calif.
Ju n e 15—
M ay June
M anchester, N . H .
Louisville, K y.
Ju n e 15—
M ay June
June 15—
M ay June
1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926
C ts .
C ts .
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C ts . C ts .
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24. 7
21. 6
18.2
15.0
39.0
34.1
27.1
19.9
37.7
33.4
26.7
19.4
38.5
34.2
27.0
19.8
26.3
19.9
19.4
16.3
35.0
31.5
27.3
21.2
36.0
33.2
28.9
21.9
36.0
33.2
28.9
21.9
24.0
20.8
20.0
15.8
37.1
30.3
29.6
19.7
37.1
30.8
29.3
19.7
37.4 23.6
30.6 20.0
29.3 18.3
19.9 15.6
35.4
31.7
27.3
19.4
37.9
34.0
27.8
21.8
37.8
34.2
27.6
22.1
135.8
28.8
20.7
16.8
158.1
45.5
28.4
23.4
11. 7
18. 7
28.8
27.8
13.3
40.7
52. 7
01.3
13.4
32.4
45.5
53.9
13.6
31.8
44.3
53.3
13.5
21.3
37.0
31.3
16.1
38.3
52.5
56.8
16.7
33.6
47.9
55.5
17.0
31.4
47.5
54.6
12.1
25.4
33. S
35.8
13.9
48.5
62.0
72.0
14.1
41.9
54.7
69.2
13.9 12.8
42.1 19.6
55.3 29.1
68.6 29.4
16.1
38.6
51. 5
55.5
16.7
32.3
46.9
51.9
17.5
30.9 20. 2
47.7 23.7
50.0 28.8
16.3
40.8
43.4
50.9
37.6 21.3 41.9 40.0 43.3 19.2
30.6 20.0 32.5 31.0 29.8 26.6
42.9 32.5 32.5
34.0
13.0 10. Ö 15.0 15.0 15.0 10. Ö
37.4
45.0
36.0
15.0
36.4
43.3
31.2
15.0
36.7 18.1
42.6 23.2
30.6
15.0 8.8
44.0
39.9
38.7
12.0
41.7
36. 0
30.5
12.0
42.5 21.5 40.9 39.7 39.5
32.0 25.3 45.5 43.2 42.4
30.4 __ 38.9 31.7 31.3
12.0 8.0 13.0 13.8 13.8
19. 2 36.7 36. 7
18.0 34.3 32.6
38.9 34.5
8.7 13.0 13.0
C ts .
11.5 11.9 11.9
10.0 10.2 10.3
12.3 11.9 12.1
11.8 11.7 11.7
34.8 49.0 51.0 49.5 37.9 48.8 53.2 50.3 34.5 50.4 50.3 50.3 35.4 60.2 54.4 53.4 37.2
.
32.5 27.2 27.5
30.8 26.3 26.2
31.1 28.5 28.2
27.6 25.8 25.6
21.8 35.7 36.0 35.5 21.7 34.6 37.4 36.8 19.5 39.1 38.2 38.1 20.8 36.0 36.8 36.8 21. 5
16.2 23.4 18.3 18.7 15.8 24.1 21.8 21.3 18.0 24.2 19.2 19.1 15.3 21.4 17.9 17.9 16.0
28.8 29. 1 29.1 __
26.1 24.6 24.5
23.9 22.5 22.1
27.3 27.3 27.4
22.2 36.6 29.2 28.1 27.5 34. 9 27.2 26.9 30.5 41. 7 31.9 35.4 20.8 35.1 26.3 25.7 30.0
6.1 10.0
3.0 5.9
2.5 5.1
9.3
9. 7
4. 7
4.8
9.1
9.7 6.0 9.5 9.3 9.2 6.0
5.0 3.6 6.9 6.1 6.1 3.6
5.0 2.4 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.2
9.1 —
10.8 10.1 10.3 —
8.6 8.5 8.5 5.7
5.0 5.3 5.3 3. 7
5.3 5.2 5.3 2.4
9.8 10.0 10.0 —
12.0 10.7 10.2
25.0 25. 9 25.9
20.5 20.2 20.2
10.9 8.4 8.6 7.7
10.1 9.7 9.7
24.8 25.1 24.9
18.1 18.3 18.3
11.3 10.0 10.1 8.1
12.. 1 10.3 10.2
27.1 26.5 26.4
20.5 19.9 19.9
8.7 11.4 9.4 9.8 8.3
1. 5
____
9.3
5.0
7.9
5,2
8.9
4. 5
8.6
9. 6
12.9
15.0
15.6
12.3
12.5
14. 1
14.6
11.5
9.3
6.2 1.7
8.8
7.5
12.5
14.0
14.8
11.7
—
9.4
5. 6
7.5
5.4
9.0
5.2
9.0
7.6
9.1
5.5 1.6
9.1
7.4
10.1
16.5
17.5
10.6
10.6
16.2
17.8
11.1
10.4
16.6
17.5
10.7 — -
9.3
3.8
5. 7
4.6
9.2
4. 7
7.4
5. 7
11.7 11.1
16.2 15.7
17.4 16,9
215. 7 214.5
9.4
6.5
3.8
8.4
9.6
5.2 2.0
7.4
9.2
7. 6 7.9
5.6 4.9
7.6 10. 1
6.6 7.6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[393]
6.1
3.4
3.6
.....
__
__
—
16.7
35.8
40.8
47.3
16.8
32.0
38.1
45.7
26.3
36.3
21.8
26.1
47.5
25.8
35.9
18.4
26.1
39.5
25.8
36.6
18.3
26.0
41.5
8.7
6.3
5.3
8.8
8.7
5.7
5.1
9.0
8.7
5.8
5.4
9.1
11.3
25.6
23.9
8.5 11.2
1.9
C ts .
<t8.5 47.5
29.4 28.1
24.9 24.0
12.9 12.7 12.7
51.8 57.0 54.7
__
8.2
7.5
9.6
9.6
10.9 10.2 10.2
10.6
15. 6 __ 16.8 14.3 14.9
16. 1 14.6 13.8
17. C
9.9 10.8 10.8
214.4 —
10.0 9.9
25.5 25.4
23.7 23.6
10.0 10.0
8.9 8.9 9.1
4.1 4.0 4.9
7.0 7.8 7.8
7.C 11.0 10.5
14.0
17.7
18.9
11.4
13.4
15.9
17.7
13.1
13.0
15.9
17.7
12.9
7.6 7.8 5.1 7.1 7.5 7.6
91.2 91.2 46.3 63.6 63.2 64.2
47.7 47.6 32.0 51.3 48. 7 48.3
15.4 15.7 —
16.5 14.1 14.6
14.8 14.4 ..... 14.3 13.9 13.9
3 9.3 3 9.9
3 9.0 3 9.4 3 9.2
48.9 51.6 48.8
45.5 43. S
>P er pound.
2 N o. 2J can.
9.3
6.2
4.0
8.6
10.6 9.8 9.8
24.2 25.3 25.1
19.5 18.9 18.9
11.6 11.3 11.4
5. 5 7.4 7. 5 7.6 5.5 7.5 8.0 7.9 5.3 6.6 7.0 7.0 5.1 7.2
54.0 83.5 89.4 89.7 50.0 107.1 107.4 107. 4 .54.5 75.2 74.9 74.1 ¡62. 5 82.6
27.8 54.1 49: 1 49.4 30.8 55.3 51.6 51. 5 36. S 54.4 51.6 51.4 27.5 50.0
16.8
17.6 17.1 16.8 — 16.0 14.9 14.4 —
18.0 16.2 15.9 —
•15.8 15.7 15.7
13.5 12.8 12.9 I___ 15.9
15.6 14.7 14.8
310.3 3 9.5 3 9.3 ___ 310.4
8 9.3 a 8. S 3 8.1
311.6 a 10.4 310.2
50.0
53.5 52.9 45.5 . . . . 46.4 45.7 48.6
48.4 50.1 49.3
1
55507°—27----- 12
9.3
5.8
4.0
8.6
C ts .
159.O 159.4
170
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able o .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
M em phis, Term.
Article
U nit
June 15—
June 15—
M ay Tune
M ay Ju n e
M ay Ju n e
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926
June 15—
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
36.1
33.6
26.8
19.1
36.4
33.8
27.5
20.0
37.0
34.5
27.3
20.8
22.5
21.0
18.5
16.5
39.0
34.6
28.4
24.3
38.0
34.2
28.3
24.6
39.2
35.0
28.5
24.4
23.5
21.0
20.5
16. 5
33.4
30.6
25.4
20.4
34.5
31.2
27.8
23.0
35.1
31. 5
28.2
23.8
__do _____ 12.2 15.2 16.7
_._do_____ 20.0 38.0 31.1
___do_____ 30.0 45.2 42.0
__ do_____ 30.0 58.3 55.5
16.2
30.0
40.5
54.1
11.5
19. 5
27.3
27.8
14.5
41.6
50.2
56. 4
14.6
33.3
46.7
51.3
14.5
30.2
45.9
50.5
10.1
18.3
26.7
28.3
12.8
40.0
54.1
58.1
13.9
33.5
47.7
55.4
14.2
31. 5
47.3
53.8
42.8 17.0 37.4 36.4
30.8 18.2 33.8 35.1
39.3 34. C
33.0
11.0 7.0 11.0 11.0
37.4
31.1
35.0
11.0
Lam b, leg of. ................... ___do_____ 20.8 40.0 41.2
H ens__________________ _ _ _ d o __ _ 19.7 34.4 31.6
34.0 33.4
Q u a rt____ 10.0 15.0 15.0
M ilk, e v ap o rated . - ___
B u tte r. _. . . ._
__ . . .
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
s u b stitu tes).
Cheese__________________
_._do_____
B read__________________ P o u n d ___
F lo u r. ______ _______ _-_do ___
C om meal _____________ _ --do_____
__ d o _____
28-oz.'ukg.
__ d o _____
P o ta to e s .. _____________ . . . d o _ ___
Tom atoes, canned_______
41.2 19.5 44.4 42.7
30.6 21.5 36. 9 35.7
33.1
33. 3 33. 3
15.0 7.5 11.0 11.0
11.2 11.2 11.2
11.3 11.3 11.3
11.6 11.6 11.6
15-16 oz.can
P o u n d . . . 37. i 49.3 52.5 51.2 32.8 47.1 49.5 47.9 31.8 46.2 48.7 47.9
__
26.4 26.4 ____ 28.7 25.5 25.4
26.9
27.1
25.1 25.1
___do_____
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te. ___do_____
Eggs, strictly fresh ......... Dozen___
Beans, baked ._ ...............
M inneapolis, M inn.
22.5
19.4
20.4
15.5
________ P o u n d . ._
Sirloin ste a k .
R ound steak _______ ____ ___do_____
__ d o _____
C huck roast...................... . . . d o ...........
P late b e e f ...------- ----------P ork ch o p s... __________
Bacon, s lic e d ___________
H am , sliced...........................
M ilw aukee, W is.
21.3 32.4 32.8
15. 5 21.4 16.2
23.7 19.3
24.3 37.6 29.4
6.0
3.6
2.0
9. 7
6.8
3.8
9.4
11. 1
25.7
19.5
8.0 10.8
1.7
9. 5
5. 4
5.9
5.0
9.5
5.9
3.7
9.1
33.4 21.3 32.7 34.8 35. C 20.0 32.5 35.6 35.2
16. C 15.4 22.6 19. C 19.1 15. 4 21.4 17. t 17.9
27.4 26.7 26.7
20.0
26.6 26.7 26.5
29.9 22.2 35.4 28.5 27.3 22. Ö 35.4 29.2 26.9
9.5
5.9
3.8
9.1
10.0 9.8
25.7 25.7
18.9 18. 7
8.9 9.0
8. 3
5.3
7.5
6.8
8.9
6.6
5.6
3.1
3.0
9.0
5. 6
5.7
8.5
9.0
4.9
5.7
8.4
9.0
5.1
5.7
8.4
10.3 9. 5 9.3
24.7 24. 4 24. 6
17.9 17.7 17.7
9.0 11.9 10. 4 10.5
7.8
8. 3
4. 5
7.5
6.0
11.7 11.3 11.3
15.7 13.8 14.3
17.0 14.8 15.1
10.5 9.9 9.8
11.0
15. 7
16.4
13.1
1.1
8.0 8.3
3.8 5.5
9.5 9.5
9.4 10.9
11.0
15.3
15.2
13.4
11.0
15.4
15.2
13.2
5.6
3.1
2.5
9.8
5.7
5.6
8.4
9.0
5.1
5.4
8.2
9.0
5.2
5.4
8.1
10.7
25.4
19.4
9.1 12.0
10.0
25. 6
18.8
10.7
10.6
25.6
19.1
10.5
0.8
9.1
4. 6
8.5
7.1
12.1
15. 5
15. 3
13.9
9.2 9. 3
3.8
9.2 9.1
9. 4 11.4
12.3
13. 8
13. 9
13.3
11.8
13. 6
13.8
13.3
Sugar, g ran u lated ______
P o u n d ___ 5.2 7.0 7.2 7.2 5.3 6.6 7.1 7.1 5.6 7.0 7.5 7.6
T e a ___________ _________
63. i 96.7 99.2 99.5 50. t 70.7 70. 7 70. 8 45 0 an fi
60. 3
Coffee_______ __ .
. . . d o _____ 27.5 51.0 47.8 47.6 27.5 47.0 42.5 42.5 30.8 53.8 51.9 50.7
P ru n e s ...................................
17.1 14. i 15.4
17.] 14.0 14.0
17.1 15.4 15. 6
R aisin s.____ ___________
15. f 14. 5
2 9. 7 2 8. 4 2 8. f
52.0 47. 5 42. 2 ___
i Whole.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[394]
14. 7 34. 8 14.-6
29.9 29.3 2 9. 4
49. 0 50.2 48. 7
15.1 15. 0 15.1
211. 5 211. 3 211.3
45.9 46. 6 45. 3
BETAIL PEICES OF FOOD
171
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
N ew H aven, Conn.
N ew ark, N . J.
M obile, Ala.
N ew Orleans, La.
N ew Y ork, N . Y .
June 15—
June 15—
M ay June
M ay June
M ay June
M ay June
June M ay Ju n e
15,
15,
15,
1927
1927
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927
1913 1926 1927
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
35.0
34. 2
29. 2
23.8
34. 5
34. 1
28. 6
22. 5
35.0
34. 5
28.6
22.5
27.2
26.8
21. 6
18.0
46. 5
43.8
35. 5
24.4
46.2
44.0
35.9
25.0
47.0
44.4
35.4
24.7
32.4
29. 6
24.2
19.2
54.0
43.8
36.0
26.7
55.8
44.0
37.6
27.4
56.6
44.8
37.9
27.6
22.5
19.5
19.4
14.5
35.9
31.0
30. 2
21. 1
36.9
32.2
31. 1
21.6
36.3
32. 1
30. 8
21.5
26.3
25.3
22.5
16.4
46. 1
44.2
39.0
24.5
46.5
44. 7
39. 6
25.7
46.5
44.9
39.6
25.5
18.2
42. 5
50.4
54. 2
18.0
38.2
47. 7
51.9
18.2
37.7
47.3
51.9
12.8
21.8
24.4
120.8
13. 5
42.4
48.3
57.3
13.3
37.5
45.6
55.2
15.5 16.0
12.9
35.4 23.2 41. 6 37.3
45.3 28.8 52.3 48.3
53.9 33.4 64.2 59.8
16.1
35. 5
47. 5
59.8
10.9
21. 9
29.7
26.8
16.8
41.0
49.4
58.8
17.4
34.8
48. 1
51.3
17.5
34.5
48.0
51.8
15.3
21.5
26.0
29.5
20.1
44.6
52.3
63.2
20.0
40.6
49.0
61.0
20.1
38.8
47.7
59.9
41. 4
39.0
41.0
18.5
41.4
36.8
31.2
17.8
40. 6 21.2 44. 5 42.0
35.6 23.8 41. 9 39. 1
37. 1 30.0
31.2
17.8 9.0 15.0 15.0
42.1 20.8 43.9 42.5
37.6 23. 7 44.8 42.0
34. 1 30. 8
30.0
15.0 9.5 15.0 16.0
42.8 21.3 41.0 40.4 40.4 17.2 41.3
40.9 20.0 39.6 37.2 35.3 22.1 44.9
36.0
38.1 37.5 36.9
31.0
16.0 10. Ò 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 15.0
41.7 40.9
40.8 39.3
30.2 30.4
15.0 15.0
11.1
11.9 12.1 12.0
11.1 11.2 11.3
11. 1 11.2 11.2
11.7 11.6 11.7
53.9 57. 5 54.1 36.4 51.0 54.4 52. 7 34.2 49.2 54.9 52.4 35.0 50.8 55.2 51.9 34. 5 50.9
29.6
30.3
28.7
29.0
30.9
30.5
30.4
31.0
30.3
30. 7
31.5 29.6 29.1
11.1 11.1
53.9 53.0
29.6 28.7
34.6
22.3
22.1
36.7
36.0
19.1
20.4
30.2
35.6 24.2 40.2 39.7 39.7 22.0 38.3 39.3 39.4 22.0 33.8 37.0
19.2 15.8 22.3 19. 1 19.2 15.7 22.5 18.4 18.4 14.9 21.9 19.4
25.8 25.5 25.7
23.1 19. 2
25. 7 25.5 25.6
20.4
29.6 34.6 49.3 43.0 41.2 35. Ò 50.3 43.6 45.3 25.6 39.2 32.1
9.7 10. 1 10-1
6. 7 6.1 6.1
3.8 3.8 4.0
8.7 8.5 8.3
5.6
3.6
3.6
—
8.4
5. 0
7.3
4 6
8.8
6.6
7. 5
6. 9
10. 7
17.7
16. 1
11.0
10.6
16.6
15. 7
11.0
10.8
15.9
15.9
10.8
9.6
5.5
6.4
8.5
9.6
5.6
6.5
8.3
10.0 9. 8 9. 5
24. 3 24.1 24.1
21.1 20.9 20.9
9.0 11.3 10.6 10.5
11.3 9. 7 9. 7
25.8 24.8 24. 4
21.4 20. 9 20.9
11.3 10.0 9.8
8.7
4. 9
6.3
4. 0
9.3
6.2
6.6
8.4
2.9
—
9. 7
5. 6
7.9
6. 6
9.7
5.2
9.6
8 8
9. 7
5. 6
9. a
8. 7
10.8
16.6
17.2
11.2
10.8
15. 2
16.4
11.5
10.7
15.0
15.9
11.5
9.2
6. 1
7.0
9.4
9.2
5. 4
6.8
9.3
10. 8
24.8
22. C
9.3 11.9
10. 2
24.7
22.4
11.2
6.0
3.2
3.0
—
9.2 5.2
0. 0 3.8
6.9 2.6
9.1 ........
10.1
24. 7
22. 1
10.8
9. 5 9. 3 9. 5
2. Ò 4.9 4. 2 5. 7
8. 1 9. C 9.8
6.9 9. 7 10.6
11.4
18.5
.19.5
11.9
11. 1
18. 7
19.2
12.9
8.9
7.5
3.8
9.1
8.8
6.7
4. 1
8.9
10.4 10.0
24.6 24.9
9.4 10. 4
7.4 10.1 9.6
8. 5
2. C 3.6
4. C
4.4
11.1
18.7
19.0
12.9 —
10.9
13. i
17.2
10.0
37.4 19.4 37.8
19. 1 16. 1 23.2
26.0
19.0
32.4 32.8 51. 1
8.7 6.2
6.7 3.3
4.1 3.5
9.0 ........
9.8
24.7 __
10.7 __
9.9 8.0
9.6
6.1
6.3
8.5
14.0 14. 14. 3
37.'5 37. S 36.
55.2 51.4 50.8
14.
34.
52.
14. 2 14. 2
33. 2 33. 61
53.1 53.7 . . . . .
a Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[395]
9.7
5.5
6.4
8.7
9.7
5.6
6.5
8.7
9.5 9.4
24.0 24.0
20.9 20.9
9.7 9.8
10.1
2. 8 10.1
7. 1
6.1
10.1 10.2
4.6 5.4
9.0 9.1
8.4 9.3
7.9
4.4
5. 2
4. 9
8.2
6.3
5. ]
7.5
11.0
15.3
16.9
11.4
10.8
15.3
16. S __
11.
14. 3 13.7 13.8
16.3 17. 17.
50.3 48. C 51. a
38.6
19.9
26.1
46.0
10.0
23.9
20.9
10.7
10.9
14.9
15.4
10.
6.2 6.8 6.9 4.8 6.
&9 7.4 7.3 5.1 6.2 6.6 6.9 5.1 6.7 7.3 7.3 5.
81.5 77.3 77.3 53.8 63.8 62. 8 62.8 55. C 58.9 57.4 57. 4 62. : 82.6 80. ] 78. : 43.3 65.
49. 5 48.3 48. 1 29. f 50.: 46. 5 47. < 33. a 52. 5 50. : 49. 7 26.7 36.:; 35. 6 35.6 27.5 47.
15.8
18. ; 16. 7 17.3
17. 2 14. 3 16. 2
15. 7 14. £ 14. 5
16.9 15. a 15. 7
14. 6 14. 4 14. 3
23.9 22.8 23.9
50.5 43.0 50.5 __
38.9
19. 9
26. 1
45.5
............
14. f
39.
59.
10. £
14.
14."
11.4
10.6
13.8
14. 8
11.5
6.: 6.5
66. 66.3
44. 44.6
13. 13.6
13. £ 14.0
38. 36.6
57.1 56.6
172
M O N T H L Y LABOE BEVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
Norfolk, Va.
Article
U nit
June M ay June
15, 15, 15,
1926 1927 1927
Om aha, N ebr.
Peoria, 111.
June 15—
1913
M ay June June M ay June
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
Sirloin steak ........................
R oun d stea k .............................
R ib ro a st..........................
C huck ro ast____________
C ts.
Pound.
___ do.
........d o.
........d o.
41. i
34.9
33. 4
23. 6
C ts .
41. 2
34.1
32.4
22.9
C ts .
40.9
34.9
32.3
23.5
C ts .
C ts .
25. ] 37.7
22. ( 34.9
18. 1 26.3
15. 1 21.9
C ts .
38. (
35. 6
26. 7
22.8
C ts .
37.7
35. 5
26. 5
22. 3
35.2
34.6
25.6
21.1
36.8
34.8
25. 6
22.1
36.1
34.8
25.3
21.8
P late beef_________________
Pork chops__ _____ _______
Bacon, sliced..........................
H am , sliced____________
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
15.7
39. 8
49.5
49.6
15.8
36. 7
44. 5
49.5
15.7
35.7
44. 4
49.4
10.4
18. 7
27.5
29.0
12. 6
40. 1
54. 6
61.1
13.3
34.4
50.7
57.6
13.3
33. 6
50.2
56.3
13.8
37.7
52.3
58.5
14.3
33. 0
49.6
55.4
14.6
31.7
50.0
53.3
41.1
41. 1
37.8
17.5
41.3
38.2
34.2
17.5
43. 1
37. 1
33.9
17.5
17.8
17. 6
39. 1
34.2
39. 2
10.3
39.6
32. 5
35. 1
10.3
38.8
31. 0
34.8
10.3
43.3
36.4
39.8
11.3
40.0
35.2
34.3
13.0
41.9
34.3
33.1
13.0
11.8
34. C 46. 5
30.0
11.8
52. 1
26.3
11.8
50. 6
26.1
11.5
47. 7
29.8
11. 1
50.9
28.2
11.3
49.0
27.9
34.2
24.3
27. 6
34.3
36. 4
20.9
26.4
27.9
36. 1
20.5
27.4
26.9
34.2
22.7
27. 3
35.1
36.4
19.2
27. 5
27. 5
36.0
19.2
27.8
25.5
10.1
5.3
4.9
10.3
10.1
4. 6
4.7
10.2
10.1
4. 6
4.6
10.2
10. 1
5.9
4.8
8.9
10.0
5.3
4.8
8.9
10.0
5.3
4.9
8.9
12.4
28. 3
21.1
11. 7
11. 1
28. 0
21. 2
10.8
10.9
28. 0
21.2
11.3
11.8
25.3
20. 2
11.9
10.4
26.3
18.7
11.4
10.2
26.3
18.6
11.4
9.7
4.8
9. 0
6. 1
9.6
4.4
9.3
9. 1
10.0
6. 5
9.3
11. 7
8. 5
4.9
8.3
6. 5
8. 5
4.2
9.8
8.9
8.7
5.7
9.9
13.2
13.7
15.8
16.4
14. 1
13.3
16. 1
15.5
12.8
13.4
16.3
15.5
13.1
11.9
15.6
18. 0
13.8
11.1
14.9
17. 6
12. 6
11.1
14.8
17.1
12.3
7. 1
78.5
57.5
17.7
7.9
78.8
53.6
16.6
7.8
79. 1
53. 6
16.4
7.6
66.7
51. 8
20. 0
8.4
70.2
48.6
17.9
8.3
69.6
48.0
18.0
L am b , leg of........................... . ___ do.
H ens_____________ ____ ___ ___ do.
Salm on, canned, re d ______ ___ d o.
M ilk, fresh.............................. . Q u a rt............
7.9
M ilk, e v ap o rated __________
B u tte r____________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
su b stitu tes).
C heese......................................
L a rd _____________________
Vegetable lard s u b s titu te s ...
Eggs, strictly fresh..................
........d o ............
___ d o ............
___ do _____
Dozen......... .
32.3
21.3
22.3
39.9
35.1
18.9
21.8
32.1
35.1
18.6
22.7
33.2
22.3
17.3
B read_____
F lo u r_____
C om m e a l..
Rolled oats.
P o u n d .........
___ do _____
___ do__
----- d o . ..
9.9
6.2
4.3
8.4
9.9
5. 7
4.3
8.7
9.9
5.6
4. 5
8.8
5.2
2.8
2.3
C orn flak es...
W heat cereal.
M acaroni___
R i c e ..............
8-oz. p k g __
28-oz. p k g ..
P o u n d ____
........do......... .
Beans, n a v y ...........
Potato es.................
O n io n s....................
C abbage..................
..d o .
........ do.
-.d o .
..d o .
Beans, b a k ed ____
C orn, can n ed____
Peas, canned_____
Tom atces, cahned.
N o. 2 c an .
___ d o ___
___ d o ___
___ do___
10.0 9.7 9. 7
15.5 14.9 15.0
19. 7 18.9 19. 1
10.3 9.9 9.9
Sugar, g ran u lated ..
T ea______________
Coffee___________
P runes..................... .
Pound.
----- do.
___ do.
----- d o.
6. 5 6.9 7.0
88.8 92.7 94.5
50.2 48.2 47.8
16.8 15.3 15.7
R aisin s..
B ananas.
O ranges..
___ do.
D ozen.
___ d o.
14.4 14.1 14.2
33.8 32.5 34.1
51.1 52.5 56. 7
15-16 oz. can. 11.2 11.4 11.6
P o u n d _____ 53.6 57. 1 56.2
___ d o ........... 29.2 28.3 28.7
10.3 9.-8 9.7
24. 1 24.5 25.2
19. 1 19. 1 19. 1
12.0 11.6 11.6
8.2
5. 5
7.6
4.9
8. 1
5.6
8.2
7.3
8.0
6.2
8. 1
6.5
22.8
8.5
1.8
5.7
56.0
30.0
15.8 15. 6 15.6 15. 2 14.5 14.3
3 11.7 3 11.3 3 10. 5 3 10.4 3 10. 2 3 10.1
43.4 47. ll 44.8 47.0 54.1 48.1
1 T he steak for w hich prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, b u t in m ost of th e other
cities included in th is report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[396]
BETAIL PBICES OP FOOD
173
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF I E D D A T E S —C ontinued
Pittsb u rg h , Pa.
Philadelphia, Pa.
P o rtland, Oreg.
Portland, M e.
Providence, R . I.
June 15— M ay June June 15— M ay June June M ay June June 15— M ay June June 15— M ay
15,
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927
1913 1926
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
23.5
21.2
19.5
16.9
29.4
26.9
25. 2
18.3
31.3
28.7
26.4
20.3
31.21 39.6
28.6 31.0
26.4 23.8
20.0 18.8
13.9
21. 6
30.6
30.8
13.1
43. 1
57.1
58.3
14.7
35.8
54.6
56.6
18.0
14.4
34.9 21.8 46.2
54.3 23.4 46.4
56.0 32.3 63.6
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
156. 3
42.3
37.7
25.7
157.8
43.8
37.3
27.3
157.7
44.0
37.9
27.0
27.2
23.7
22.0
17.0
48.0
39.5
34.4
24.8
47.9
40.0
34.3
26.6
47.6
40.1
34.7
26.7
12.3
20.8
27.1
31.6
12.7
47.0
49.5
65.7
13.6
41.4
46.4
60.3
13.3
39.0
46.1
59.8
11.5
22.0
29.0
29.6
12.4
45. 3
56.1
68.0
13.5
39.6
53.2
62.6
13.5
38.4
52.8
61.0
16.7
42. 1
46.0
60.0
18.5
37.2
44.9
58.2
18.5
35.4
43. 7
57.7
44.2 21.4 44.5 43.8 44.8
39.5 24.8 44.6 43.9 43.2
37. 7 30.1 30.1
27.8
13.0 8.6 13.0 14.0 14.0
42.8
42.9
39.4
13.5
41.7
42.0
30.4
13.8
41.0 18.1 36.6 38.1 37.8 20.0 47.1
41.8 20.0 36.3 36.3 32.1 24. 45.7
37.9
30.2 __ 36.5 32.4 33.7
13.8 9.3 12.2 12.0 12.0 9. 0 13.
44.3 43.8
43.5 40.2
32.5 32.1
14.3 14.3
12.2
51.6
29.4
12.3 12.1
53.6 51.9
29.1 27.7
37.9 20.5 37.4 37.1 37.4 21.7 36.1
18.2 18.2 24.0 21.2 20.5 15.2 22.3
26.8
28. 0 28.6 28.7
25.7
40.4 26.3 36.3 29.3 29.1 32.8 49.1
36.7
36.
18.3 18.2
26.9
26,
43.2 43.8
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
130.0
25.4
22.3
17.6
21.4 46.2 43.7
23.2 44.0 41.8
38. 1 27.6
8.0 12.0 13.0
C ts .
June
15,
1927
163.0 163. 5 162.9
47.0 48.6 48.4
31.0 31.6 31.2
21.8 22.9 22.0
10.4 10.6 10.7
11.5 11,2 11.3 12.4 12.5 12.5
11.4 11.6 11.6
39.7 54.4 57.1 54. 7 36.7 51.9 55.0 52.8 52.8 57.6 55.4 35. Ö 42.2 50.2 49.7
30.2 30.4 30.4 29.4 28.0 27.5 ..... 30.2 28.8 28.9
29.6 28. <1 28.3 —
25.0 39.2 39.8
15.3 22.4 18.3
25 5 25. 7
27.7 44.2 35.8
4.8
3.2
2.7
—
9.4
6.0
4.7
8.6
9.4
5.3
4.8
8.7
39.4 24.5 38.3 40.1 40.4
17.5 15.5 22.2 19.3 18.5
26.8 27.5 27.5
25. 7
35.1 25.5 42.4 36.4 36.6
10.0 9.8 9.6
24.3 24.7 24.7
21. 0 21. 0 20.5
9.8 12.3 11.4 11.3
.....
8.9
5.6
7.2
7.0
9.0
5.6
8. 6
8.9
9.0
6.0
8.7
8.7
.....
10.5
14.6
14.5
11.0
10.6
14.2
15.0
12.1
10.7
14.1
14.8
12.2
2. 5
9.3
5.8
5.9
9.3
9.1
5.1
5.9
9.2
10.7
25.1
23.3
9.2 12.6
10.1
25.2
23. 5
11.8
9.4 5.4
5.4 3.2
4. 7 2.7
8.6 —
—
8.0
5.6
8.1
6.9
—
12.7
17.0
16.8
12.0
1.7
—
s No.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
¿Yi
“
5.9
3.5
.
2
9.2
6. 5
5.1
9.3
9.1
5.9
4.9
9.1
9.1
6.0
4.9
9.1
9.1
4.
7.7
6.4
9.5 9.5
4.1 5.5
9.3 9.1
10.7 10.2
11.3
17.6
19.5
13.6
11.5 11.5
17.4 17.1
18.4 18.3
13.2 13.2
6.8 7.3 7.3 6.2 7.3 7.2 7.5 5.0 6.7
61.3 62. 1 62.2 55.0 76.6 76.9 76.9 48.3 61.9
53.6 50. 9 49.9 35.0 52. 6 51.3 50.3 30.0 54,
16.4
14.3 10.3 11.0
15.6 14.5 14.5 —
7.1 7.2
61.2
60.
50.5 49.8
14.4 14.4
8.5 8.7
4.3 6.0
9.4 9.4
9.6 10.6
9.5
4.4
7.6
6.5
15.4
16. 1
18.4
12.1
10.8
25.9
24.7
12.5
10.1
25.7
24.7
12.6
9.3 9.5
3.8 5.2
9.4 9.0
8.9 10.6
14.4
14. 1
17.6
12.7
11.3
26. 5
17.7
S. 6 11.2
__
Ô.6
_
.....
9.5
4.0
5.6
4. 1
13.4
14.3
14.4 __ 19.2
19.2
17.8
216. 9
12. 6 —
14.4 14.2 14.2 13.7 13.3 13.5
40.0 38.6 37.7 no. 6 310. 8 310.7
49.8 49.8 52.9| 56.8 53.4 55. 1 —
13.8 13.6 13.7
31. 1 31. 4 30.2
52.5 50. 7 50.3
9.4 9.3 9.3
5.2 5.0 5.1
5.0 5.6 5.5
10.2 10.6 10.5
18.0
36.0
42.6
58.5
9.3 12.0
11.6
25.9
24. 7
12.9
12.3
15.8
16.7
12.1
5.6
2.9
3.3
18.6
38.9
43.0
60.0
9.8
10.2
25.3 25.1
23.4 23.4
11.1 10.7
10,0
25.1
23. 5
11.7
12.3
15.9
16.9
12.5
37.9
18.3
25. 6
40.4
9.1 10.1 10,0 10.0
5.2 6.0 5.3 5.5
5.9 5. 1 5. 1 5.1
9.3 8.0 7.8 8.0
4.9 6.6 6.7 6. 7 5.5 7.0 7.4 7.6
54.0 72.7 68.0 67.7 58.0 85.9 83.0 83. 7
25. 0 45. 2 41.4 39. 5 30.0 49. 7 49. 2 4 7 .4
18.5 16.6 16.7 |
14. 7 13.3 13.3 —
.....
37.9
21. 6
24.8
45.2
173.0 173.8 173.3
50.3 50.9 50.3
38.5 39.5 39.1
29.4 29.9 29.7
10.1
26. 6
18.5
10.3
10.1
26.7
17.5
10.4
9.9 10.2
3.3 4.4
8.8 8.6
9.9 9.1
12.7
19.2
19. 2
217. 0
12.5
19.0
18.4
217. 2
14.0 13.8 13.7
312. i 312. 5 312. 2
44.4 47.5 46.5
3 Per pound.
can.
[397]
10.
24.
23.1
1.8
14.0 14.2 14.1
33. O' 33.3 31.3
59. 2 59.3 63.1
174
M ONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I
R ichm ond, Va.
Article
Sirloin steak..
R ound steak .
R ib roast___
C huck ro a st..
P la te beef___
P ork c h o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
H am , slic ed ..
L am b, leg o f..............
H e n s______________
Salmon, canned, red .
M ilk, fre s h .................
Corn flakes.........
W heat cereal___
M acaroni.............
R ice.......................
Beans, n a v y .
Potatoes____
O nions_____
Cabbage........
May June June M aj June
M aj June
15, 15,
15,
15, 15,
1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts
C ts.
C fs.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
39. g
35.1
32.1
23.3
40.
35. 6
32.5
23.8
41.
34. £
30. (
24.
41.
34.
30.
25.2
41.
34.
30.
24. £
C ts
C ts.
40.
35.
32.5
24.2
23.
22.
is .;
14.;
37.
36.;
30."
21.
37.
36.
30.
21.'
37.4
36.6
30.3
21.5
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
.d o .
. 12. 16.5
. 20.! 41. 9
. 25.1 47.1
48.0
17.0
36.7
44. 3
45.7
17.2
36G
44.;
46.4
13.6
45.5
46.5
59.3
14.
39.
43.
54.5
13.6
37.4
42.3
55. 6
10.
18.2
26. (
27.
14.
38.
48.8
58. C
14.8
31.3
43.4
53.5
14. 1
29.7
42.5
51.0
___ do.
----- do.
----- do.
Q uart..
. 19. 46.1
. 21.; 39. 8
36.2
- 10 . c 14.0
46.3
37.3
34.1
14.0
45.2
35.4
34.1
14.0
43.9
45.2
38.2
12.5
41.9
42.0
31. 5
12.5
40.5 18. (
41.0 18.
30. 7
12.5 8.C
39.
38. f
39.1
13.0
39.4
36.2
33. 7
13.0
40.4
33.6
33.6
ia o
Pound.
----- do..
----- do..
----- do..
- 21.
. 19.
. 18.
8-oz. pkg_.
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
----- do___
22.3 35.9 36.5
15. 0 22.0 18.0
25. 7 25.3
25. 0 40.1 30.2
5.4
3.3
2. 0
Sugar, g ran u lated .
T e a _____________
C offee.....................
Prunes...................
Pound.
----- do..
----- do..
---- do..
Raisins __
B ananas.
Oranges.
----- do.
D ozen.
---- do.
36.5
17.7
24. C
30.9
C ts.
9.4
5.4
4.8
8.9
5.8
6.4
9.0
5.4
5.2
34.7 19.3 32.5 35.4
17.4 13. 6 19. 6 15. 1
24.4
2a 2 25.8
31.6 21.4 35.9 28.5
9.0
5.5
5.4
9.2
il i
9.8 9.8 10.3 9.8 9.5
25.8 25.6 25. 6 24.9 24. 5 24. 5
20. 2 20.2 20.4 22.5 19. 5 19.5
10. 0 13.3 12.0 11.9 10.6 10.4 10.4
2.1
—
9.1
6.2
8.7
5. 5
8.8
6.8
9.5
5. 1
4.9
8.2
5.3
6.1
8.7
4.3
8, 6
7.6
8.7
5.8
8. 3
9.8
10.0 10.1 10.1 10 5 10 .*1 10 K
15. 3 15.1 14.8 16.0
0 14 7
16. 9
13.1
5.5
3.0
2.2
9.8
5. 7
4.3
8. 7
9.9
5.2
4.3
8. 4
[398]
35.6
15.0
25.9
27.7
9.9
5.2
4.5
8. 4
10.1 9.2 9.2
24.3 24.7 24.7
21. 0 19. 7 19. 7
8.3 10.8 10.2 10.1
1.7
7.6 7.7
5.5 4.9
6. 4 7. 3
5.7 10.1
8.3
6.6
7. 7
9.6
16. 3 15. 5 15.6
16.9 15. 3 15. 0
11.6 11.3 11. 5
5.0 6.8 7.1 7.2 6.3 6.9 6.9 5.0 7. 0 7. 2
56. 0 90.4 92.7 91.4 66.9 69.8 69.8 55.0 73.9 76. 5
26. 8 49.9 47.6 46. 6 48.6 43.9 42.9 24. 3 47.7 46.6
15, 8
19.3 18. 0
14.7 14.3 14.3 14.2 14.6 14 6
14.7 14. 2
37.3 36.8 40.5 37.7 36.0 35.0
32.3 31.8
55. 8 47.5 49. 6 49.5 48.1 47.0
45.2 48.6
can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.4
5.4
4. 6
35.6
21.1
24.0
39.6
_____
.do.
.d o .
.d o .
9.5
6.0
4.8
36.1
18.0
25.9
31.8
—
.d o .
-do.
_do.
N o. 2 can.
C ts.
12.5 12.2 12.3 11.6 11.5 11.5
10.4 10.9 10.8
38. 6 56.4 60.2 58.5 49. 5 52. 6 51.5 34.4 51. 1 53.9 52.7
31.9 31.6 31.4 30.7 29.4 29.3
.28.3 26.7 26.9
Pound.
___do..
-----do..
___do..
Beans, b a k e d .........
Corn, canned_____
Peas, can n ed _____
Tom atoes, canned.
1 No.
St. Louis, M o.
June 15—
U n it
M ilk, evaporated.................
B u tte r___________________
P o u n d ____ Oleomargarine (ail b u tte r ........ do........ . —
su b stitu tes).
Cheese......................................
.d o .
L a rd ___________________
.d o .
Vegetable lard su b stitu te ____
.d o .
Eggs, stric tly fresh__________
B read_____
F lo u r_____
Corn m eal..
Rolled o ats.
Rochester, N . Y
7.2
7a i
4a o
18.0
14.1
31. 5
47.2
175
BETAIL PBICES OF FOOD
C L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF I E D D A T E S —Continued
St Paul , M inn.
Salt Lake C ity, U tah San Francisco, Calif. Savannah, Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
'
June 15—
June 15—
June 15—
M ay June
M ay June
M ay June
M ay June June M ay June
15, 15,
15,
15, 15.
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1926
1927
1927
1927
1927
1927
1927
1927
1927 1913 1926
1913 1926
1913 1926 1927 1927
1913' 1926
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
25.9
23.0
21.0
17.1
36.8
31.9
29.7
23.9
37.2
32.4
30.7
24.6
37.8
32.7
30.9
25.0
22.9
20.0
19.9
15.7
30. 5
27.2
23.4
18.5
33.9
31.3
26.6
20.1
33.8
31.3
26.2
19.8
20.7
19.0
21.0
14.6
31. 7
29.0
29.6
18.5
33.5
30.7
30. 7
20.0
33.3
30. 5
30. 2
19.6
36.5
28. 5
27.0
18.8
36.0
28. 5
27.5
19.3
35.0
28. 0
27.5
19.8
25.8
21.5
23.5
17.5
51.2
41.8
36.8
28.5
51.1
42.8
37.6
27.8
51,1
42.6
37.3
27.5
10.8
18. 9
26. 7
28.3
13.5
40.3
51.7
56.6
13.7
33.9
45. 5
52.2
14.1
29.9
45.0
50.3
12.0
23.1
31. 7
30.7
11.9
39.3
50.2
58.1
14.8
36. 1
48.4
59.3
14.5
34.3
48.1
59.3
13.3
23.7
33.9
30.0
14.3
44.8
64.2
67.3
15.5
42.0
58.8
64.8
15.1
41.2
58.9
64.3
15.2
37.8
46.8
47.1
15.3
32.5
43.3
45.5
14.9
32.0
43.3
45.9
12.1
20.0
27.5
31.0
12.3
45.8
52.1
63.9
12.9
41.1
47.8
61.1
12.8
40.0
50.3
61.1
36.4 18.8 37.2 39.1 39.4 16.7 38.2 39.1
28.7 24.3 33.5 32.6 31.4 23.4 45.3 43.3
35.9 35.1 35.1
36.8 30. 1
36.3
11.0 8.7 10.0 10.3 10.3 10.0 14.0 14.0
39.1
42.9
29.9
14.0
41.0
37.3
40.2
17.0
39.0
34.8
33.0
17.0
39.6 20.0 49.4
32.6 24.2 47.7
37.1
33.1
17.0 8.4 12.0
48.0
45.9
34. 6
12.0
47.8
44.5
34. 5
12.0
19.1 37.3 37.4
20.3 34. 1 33.3
37.8 36.3
6.4 11.0 11.0
12.1 11.9 11.7
10.6 10. 6 10. 6
10. 2 10.0 10.3 11.3 11.4 11.4
11.8
32.9 46. 3 47.9 46.8 34.4 47.3 49.7 48.5 34. 6 50.4 51.5 51. 5 53.5 54. 5 53.1 35.3 50.1
29.7 29.0 29.1 —
30.8 30.4 30.2 34.9 32.1 32.7 —
28.3 25.1 24.8 —
29.4
11.9 11.9
55.1 52.9
28.4 28.0
21. 0 34.2 35.7
15.0 22.1 18.3
27.2 28. 1
22.5 35.5 29.4
35.7
19. 5
26.1
36.0
—
__
35.8 23.3 29.9 30.7 30.7 19.0 37.7 39.1 38.8
18.4 19. 2 25.1 22.1 21.5 18.4 24.7 22.8 23.0
29.4 29.2 29.2
28.1
27.9 28.6 28.4
26.7 24.4 33.5 28.3 27.5 29.6 40.0 32.2 32.7
5.9 10. 2 10.0 10.0
3. 1 5.9 5.3 5.3
2. 5 5.4 5.2 5.2
—
9.6 10.2 10.2
12.0
26. 4
■18.7
10.0 12.1
0.9
9.2
4. 5
8.0
6.4
13.4
15. 2
16. i
14.3
—
10.9
26. 4
18.7
10.7
5.9
2.6
3.3
. . . . .
13.6
14.3
15.3
14.3
9.7
4.0
5. 5
8.8
9.7
4.2
5.5
8.8
1.2
—
9.8
5.9
6.4
9.5
9.5
5. 7
6. 5
9.9
10. 6
25. 5
16.1
8.5 12.0
10.1
25. 4
15.7
11.2
9.6
4.3
4.6
9. 5
4.3
7. 7
9.9 10.6
5. 5 5.5
7.7 8. 1
4. 6
14.1
18. 6
18.9
115.2
12.8
17.8
17.9
>14.6
12.7 12. 5
17.7 16.2
17.9 16.9
115.0 9.9
5.9
3.4
3.4
—
12.1 11.4 11.3
25.4 25. 5 25. 5
20.3 20.0 19.9
8.2 11.4 9.0 9.2
10.9
26.4
18.7
10.6
9.6 9.5
3.8 5.1
9.8 10. 1
9.1 12.8
13. 6
14.0
15.3
14.3
9.8
4.6
5.2
8.9
10.0
4.3
7.5
6.0
8.9
4.0
7.7
9. 0
9.1
6.6
8.4
9. 8
14.1
15. 5
15.9
14.8
13.5
14.4
15. 7
13.6
13.8
14.2
15. 5
13.5 —
34.1
23.4
20.6
41.1
2.1
35.2
18.4
16. 7
32.0
35.8 18.3 35.1
18.8 15.6 22.5
26.2
16. 6
33.2 26.5 43.1
9.5 10.6 10.8 10.8
5.8 7.0 6.6 6.6
6.5 3.5 3.4 3.7
9.8 8.9 8.6 8.5
10.1
25. 4
15.6
11.5
5.6 10.4
3.5 6.4
7.5
..... 10.1
10.2 9.6 9.9
24.4 24. 3 24. 3
18.4 18.2 18.3
10.6 9.6 9.8
9.2
4.8
8. 5
4.6
9.6
6.4
8.6
6. 0
12.1 12. 2
15. 21 15. 2
17.0 16.8
10. 2 10.1 —
11.1
25. 8
23. 7
8.5 11.6
1.7
35.9
19.1
26.1
35.9
10.7 10.7
5.9 5.9
7.7 8.0
9.9 9.7
10. 2
25. 3
22.9
11.1
10.2
25.1
22.9
11.0
11.1
5.3
8.1
7.0
10.6 10.6
4.0 5.6
9.6 9.3
8.9 9.6
11.0
17.2
17.7
11.9
11.3
16.6
17.1
12.7
11.3
16.6
17.4
12.7
5.4 7.4 7.5 7.5 5.9 7.6 8.1 8.1 5.3 6.7 7.1 7.0 6.8 7.1 7.1 5.3 6.7
45. 0 69.6 68.7 68. 1 65.7 87.3 86.5 86.5 50.0 68.8 71.8 71.3 79.6 81. 5 79.8 52.5 66. 8
30.0 52.2 51.9 51.5 35.8 56.6 54.9 55.1 32.0 53.6 52.0 52. 0 48.9 45. 5 45. 2 31.3 52.4
17.5 15.7 15.5 ..... 15.3 14.8 14.6 ........ 15.4 13.1 13.0 16.3 13.9 14.6 —
—
18.3
7.2 7.2
71. 2 71.2
50.2 50.1
16.0 16.2
15.7 15. 6 15. 6
14.3 13.6 13.6
13.0 13.1 13.2 14.5 14.5 14.5
14.9
33.9 30. C 30.6 34.3 28.7 30.0
U2.0 no. 6 no. 5
n5.o 213. 1 211.2
34.0
49.9 50.7 47.0 ........ 43.4 45. 0 44. 7 ........ 47.1 50.8 47.8 49.7 41.3 43.5 ........ 54.2
14.6 14.7
33.6 33.2
53.9 56.7
—
1
Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[399]
176
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5. -A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN
51 C IT IE S O N S P E C IF I E D D A T E S —C ontinued
Seattle, W ash.
Article
Unit
June 15—
M ay June June M ay June
M ay J u n e
15,
15,
35,
15,
15,
15, 15,
1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
35.9
35. 2
23.9
22.2
C ts .
37. 5
36. 7
25.4
22. 5
37. 5
36. 7
24. 6
22. 1
27.5
23. S
2i. e
17.9
47.2
40. 4
34. f
24. 3
C ts .
16. 8
35.0
31. 2
28. 1
20. 6
46. 5
40. 5
33. 8
25.0
46. 6
40. 6
34. 1
24.8
13. 0
24. 2
31. 7
30.8
15. 1
45. 0
61.4
63. 3
16.8
38.7
58. 2
62.3
15.9
36.8
57. 7
60.0
13.9
38.5
49.6
56.4
14.5
31.4
47. 1
53.3
14.0
30.4
46. E
53.3
12.1
20.9
26.8
30.0
13.8
45. 5
53.2
62. 0
14.0
39. 6
46.6
58.2
13.8
37. 6
45.8
57.6
20.8
37.6
36.0
38.8
13.0
38.0
35.4
34. 9
12.0
37.4
33. 6
34.4
12.0
44. 0
36. 6
42.4
12. 5
42.8
36. 1
35.6
12.5
43.3 20.9 4S. 1 45. 7
34.2 22.6 44.9 41.3
34.8
37.9 31. 3
12.5 8.Ò 14.0 15. 0
4. 44
39. 7
31.4
15.0
10. 7
51.2
10. 7
50.9
11.8
49.3
11.8
52. 1
11.8
12. 0 12. 0 11.9
50.7 37.4 54.3 56.6 54.4
P late beef___
P o rk ch o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
H am , sliced ..
.d o .
.d o .
_do.
-do.
-do.
-do.
___ do..
24.3
20.0
8.5
Quart..
Milk, evaporated_____ 15-16 oz. can.
10.8
Butter_____ ________ P o u n d .......... 35. 0 49.7
Oleomargarine (all but
ter substitutes........... .
-do.
30.7
Cheese.......................
.d o .
21.7 36.0
Lard_____________
...... do.
17,
24.3
Vegetablelard substitute. ___ do.
27.9
Eggs, strictly fresh...
Dozen..
37.2
Bread.........
Pound.
5. 5
9.7
F lo u r_____
___do..
2.
5.0
Corn meal..
3. 1
-----do..
5.0
Rolled oats.
___do..
8.9
Corn flakes...
8-oz. p k g ___
11.9
Wheat cereal.
28-oz. pk g .
27.5
Macaroni___
P o u n d .. . . .
18.3
Rice..............
7.7 12.9
Beans, navy.
Potatoes___
Onions_____
Cabbage.......
____do_..........
Beans, baked____
Corn, canned____
Peas, canned____
Tomatoes, canned.
No. 2 c a n . ..
___ do______
___do______
___do............
Sugar, granulated.
Tea___________
Coffee____ ____ _
Prunes..................
P o u n d _____
Raisins...
Bananas.
Oranges..
__ do.
Dozen.
__ do.
iy< i
C ts .
35. 7
32.9
28. 7
21. 7
23.8
21. 5
1 No.
C ts .
34. 1
30. 5
27. i
20. 0
Pound.
___ do.
-do.
-do_
.d o .
W ashington, D . C.
e 15—
Sirloin steakRound steak.
Rib roast___
Chuck roast..
L am b, leg o f ......... .
H e n s._____________
Salmon, canned, red.
M ilk fresh____ ____ _
Springfield, 111.
1.1
.....
5.9
50. 0
28. 0
C ts .
28.2
28.3
30.3
28.2
28.2
34.8
21. 0
26.9
32.3
34. 9
20. 6
27.6
31.7
35.8
22.8
28.0
35.7
36. 8
18.8
27. 9
28.8
36.8 22.8 37.8
18.3 14. 8 22. 8
27. 5
25.6
26.3 25. 6 43.9
9.7
5.1
5. 5
8.9
9.7
5.2
5.8
9.0
10. 1
6.3
5.2
10.0
10.4
5. 5
4. 7
10. 0
10.4
5.6
4.8
10.4
5. 7
3.8
2. 5
10.5
27.6
18.2
12.0
10.4
27. 2
18.2
12.0
11.8
26.4
19. 1
11.2
10.3
26. 9
19. 0
10.9
11.0
27. 5
18.9
10.9
10. 6 9.7 9. 6
24.9 24.4 24.5
23. 7 22.5 22.4
9.6 13.0 11.6 11.4
9.8
3.9
10.2
10.5
10. 7
5.2
8.8
10.0
8.6
5. 1
8.9
6.8
8.7
4.9
10.4
9.5
8.8
6.2
10.0
11.5
1.9
13.2 12.1 12.0
19.0 16.9 16.9
20. 1 Ì9. 2 18.4
1 17.8 1 16. 7 1 17. 2
11.5
15.6
17.0
13.7
10. 6
14.9
16. 2
14.0
10.7
14.7
15.4
13.8
7.5
79. 3
52.9
17.3
8. 0
82. 7
50. 6
15.5
7.9 4.9 6.8 7.1 7.1
84.5 57.5 91. 1 93.2 91.7
49.8 28.8 48.6 43.6 42.2
15.4
18.5 16.4 16.6
10.2
4.0
5.6
5.0
7.1
78.2
52. 7
15. 6
7.2
76. 5
49. 5
13.8
7.4
76.5
49. 1
13.7
14.7 13.9
2 13.6 2 12. 0
46.9 47.9
212. 2
can.
14.1
45.2
15.4 15.8 15.4
2 10. 3 2 9. 2 2 9. 5
50.3 52. 1 44.9
31.4 28.7 28.9
8.2
6. 7
5. 1
9.2
40. 2
17.4
24. 5
34. 7
39.9
17. 5
24. 6
35.2
9. 1
5.6
5. 2
9.3
9. 0
5.7
5.2
9.4
8.7
5.8
8.0
6.5
8.5
5.4
8.6
8.8
8.7
5.4
8.8
6.8
10.4
16.0
16.7
10.5
10.3
15. 2
16.6
10.1
10.0
14.4
15.9
10.1
14. 8 14 4 14 3
36.7 31. 6 31.3
53.3 49.5 52.2
Per pound.
C h a n g e s in R e ta il F ood C o sts in 51 C itie s
"I ABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
in the retail cost of food 3 in June, 1927, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in June, 1926, and in May, 1927. For
12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and the onemonth periods. These cities have been scheduled by the bureau at
3 For list of articles see note 5, p. 159.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[400]
177
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
different dates since 1913. The percentage changes are based on
actual retail prices secured each month from retail dealers and on
the average family consumption of these articles in each city.4
T a b l e 6 . — P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL C O ST OF FO O D IN JU N E , 1927, CO M P A R E D W IT H T H E C O ST IN M A Y , 1927, A N D IN JU N E , 1926, A N D W IT H T H E A V E R .
A G E C O ST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, BY C IT IE S
C ity
Percent P ercent Percent
age in
age de
age in
crease,
crease,
crease,
June, 1927, June, 1927, ■Tune, 1927,
com compared compared
w ith
w ith
pared
w ith 1913 June, 1926 M ay, 1927
64 o
f>Q 7
57 4
B ridgeport...... .........
62. 0
C harleston, S. C ._ .
55.1
79! 6
64.1
60.4
Dallas
51.6
47.9
70.3
56.3
50 6
56. 2
46 0
42 4
57 0
M em phis. ______
M ilw aukee-----------
47.9
61.6
Percent
age in
crease,
June, 1927,
com
pared
w ith 1913
_____ a__
C ity
0.3
3 4
4. 5
0.7
1 0.9
4.2
0
0. 1
0.8
2.2
M inneapolis ------M obile______ ____
N ew ark. ________
N ew H aven-------N ew Orleans______
59.4
2.6
1 1. 5
3.7
1 0. 6
1 1.2
1.5
3. 0
0.2
3. 6
4.9
N ew Y o rk . ______
N orfolk_________
O maha___________
Peoria. ________
P hiladelphia______
60.7
2.1
i 1. 7
1.7
1 1.0
0.3
2.2
4. 0
0.6
5. 0
3.3
P ittsb u rg h _______
Portland, M e ___
Portland, Oreg-----Providence_______
R ic h m o n d ......... .
61.3
10 3
3. 0
in 8
5.5
2. 6
2. 4
2.2
4 1
2. 0
3. 1
R o c h e s te r ..______
St. Louis_________
64.0
Salt Lake C ity -----San Francisco........ .
42.1
51.7
4 1
1 0. 3
0
10 2
3.3
1. 1
2 1. 0
2. 1
3. 5
0. 8
1.3
3.2
Scranton_________
S e a ttle .__ . . ------
64.0
48.7
W ashington, D. C .
60.7
i Increase.
Percent Percent
age in
age de
crease,
crease,
June,1927, June, 1927,
compared compared
w ith
w ith
June, 1926 M ay, 1927
50.4
58.9
54.7
59.7
60.7
40.6
57.8
65. 6
1.6
0.7
1.9
i 1.4
1 1.4
3.3
2.0
2 0.1
2.5
2.4
1.3
0.9
1 1.2
1 0. 9
1.7
1.1
0.6
4.0
2. 8
2 0.5
0.3
10.5
i 0.4
1.0
2. 7
2.5
1.9
1.4
1.3
1.4
1.4
0.9
1.9
i 4.4
10.8
2.6
2.5
2.2
4.4
2.0
2.7
0. 5
10.5
0.2
5. 1
2.5
2.2
1.2
1.9
1 1.2
1
2 Decrease.
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have all
schedules for each city included in the average prices. For the
month of June 99.3 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices
in the 51 cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named
42 cities had a perfect record; that is, every merchant who is coop
erating with the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be
included in the city averages: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Bos
ton, Bridgeport, Charleston, S. C., Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Kansas City, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Manchester,
Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Newark, New Haven, New
Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria, Philadelphia, Pitts
burgh, Portland, Me., Providence, Richmond, Rochester v St. #Louis,
St. Paul, San Francisco, Scranton, Springfield, 111., and Washington,
D. C.
<ST he consum ption figures used from January, 1913, to December, 1920, for e*ck arricle m
,k e d
were given in th e November, 1918, issue, pp. 94 and 95. T he consum ption figures w hich have been used
for each m o n th beginning w ith January, 1921, were given m th e M arch, 1921, issue, p. 26.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[401]
178
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in June, 1927:
R E T A IL P R IC E R E PO R T S R E C E IV E D FO R JU N E , 1927
Geographic division
United
States
Item
Percentage of reports received-,.
Number of cities in each section from
which every report was received__ __
Retail Prices
of
North
Atlantic
South
Atlantic
North
Central
South
Central
99.3
99.7
99.4
99.4
99.4
98.0
42
13
7
3
7
12
Western
Coal in the United States5
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, June 15, 1926, and May 15,
and June 15, 1927, for the United States and for each of the
cities irom which retail food prices have been obtained. The prices
quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, but do not include
charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an extra
handling is necessary.
T
in addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bitum inous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds sold for household use.
* Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September issues.
bmce June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[402]
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL
179
T able 1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OE C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 PO U N D S , F O R H O U S E
H O L D U S E , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, J U N E 15, 1926, A N D M A Y 15 A N D J U N E
15, 1927
19
1926
1913
C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15
U n ite d S ta te s :
P e n n s y lv a n ia a n t h r a c i t e —
S tove—
In d e x (1913=109)____________
C h e s tn u t—
A verage p ric e .. . ______
In d e x (1913=100)........... ...........
B itu m in o u s —
A verage p ric e . . . ............... _
In d e x (1913=100)____________
$14.88
192.6
§15.08
194.9
§8.15
103.0
$7. 68
97.0
$15.18
191.8
§14. 53
183.6
§14.70
185.7
$5.48
100.8
$5. 39
99.2
$8. 67
159.5
$8. 88
163.4
$8.89
163.8
$5.88
$4.83
$7.37
$7.35
$7.37
i 7. 70
17.93
i 7.24
17.49
1 16.00
i 15.50
7.58
115.25
i 14. 50
8.18
115. 50
114.75
8.11
4.22
4.01
7.08
6.98
7.10
8.25
8.25
7.50
7.75
16.00
15.75
15.75
15.50
15.75
15.50
15.00
15.00
14.50
14.50
14. 50
14.50
13. 75
13.46
13.44
13.04
13.79
13.38
11.07
10.95
10.95
Boston, M ass.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
B ridgeport, C onn.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
6. 75
6.99
6.54
6.80
B u tte, M ont.:
C harleston, S. C .:
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
i 6. 75
16.75
11.00
11.00
11.00
8.00
8.25
4.97
7. 80
8.05
4.65
16.84
16.63
8.13
16.25
15.75
8.98
16. 50
16.00
9.12
3.50
3.38
6. 57
7.13
7.07
7. 50
7. 75
4.14
7.25
7.50
4.14
14. 75
14. 75
8.56
15.00
14. 50
8.77
15. 05
14. 55
8.94
6.58
6.93
7.00
C incinnati, Ohio:
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
B itu m in o u s_____ ______ ___________y.
C olum bus, Ohio:
Dallas, Tex.:
A rkansas an th racite—
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado an th racite—
D etroit, M ich.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
F all R iver, M ass.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
8.25
7.21
14. 50
12.22
14.67
12.50
14. 50
11.71
8.88
8. 50
5. 25
9.00
8. 50
4.88
15.69
15. 69
9.41
15.60
15.80
9.14
15.75
15.75
9.32
8.00
8. 25
5.20
7.45
7. 65
5.20
16.00
15. 50
9.24
15.00
14. 50
9.41
15.00
14. 50
9.28
8.25
8. 25
7.43
7. 61
16. 75
16.25
16.25
15.75
16.25
15.75
11.00
11.40
11.60
3. 81
3. 70
6.72
6.93
6.96
7.50
7.00
12. 50
12.00
12.00
H ouston, Tex.:
Indianapolis, In d .:
Jacksonville, F la.:
B itum in o u s............................. ..... ..........
i P er to n of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
June 15
$15.40
199.3
B irm ingham , A la.:
Buffalo, N . Y .:
P ennsylvania an th racite—
Stove . _________ _____________
M ay 15
$7.46
36.6
Baltim ore, M d.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
_____________
June 15
$7. 99
103.4
A tlanta, Ga.:
C h estn u t_______
Ju ly 15
[403]
180
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able l.- A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 P O U N D S F O R HOTTSF^ ° 19 ^ - ? 0 ^ n tS u e d A N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15’ 1913’ J U N E 15> 1926, A N D M A Y ’l5 A N D JU N E
1913
1926
1927
C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15
K ansas C ity, M o.:
A rkansas an th racite—
F u rn a c e ._____ ____
Stove N o. 4_______
B itu m in o u s...........
L ittle Rock, A rk;:
A rkansas anthracite—
E gg----------------------------------------B itu m in o u s..................
Los Angeles, C alif.:
B itu m in o u s.........
Louisville, K v,:
B itu m in o u s___
M anchester, N . EL:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove______
C h estn u t______________
M em phis, Tenn.:
B itum inous...................
M ilw aukee, W is.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove___________
C h e s tn u t______
B itu m in o u s_______
M inneapolis, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
S to v e ... ________
C h estn u t________
B itu m in o u s________ ____
M obile, Ala.:
B itum inous_____ _
N ew ark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove____________
C h e s tn u t _______ _
N ew H aven, C onn.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—•
Stove ___________
C h estn u t.................
N ew Orleans, La..:
B itu m in o u s___ _____
N ew Y ork, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove_____
C h estn u t______
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S t o v e . . . _______
C h estn u t____
B itu m in o u s................
O maha, N ebr.:
B itu m in o u s____ ___________
Peoria, 111.:
B itum inous_____ ________ _
P hiladelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_____________
C h estn u t______________
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
C h e s tn u t.. _________
B itu m in o u s__________
P ortlan d , M e.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove____________
C h estn u t________
Portlan d , Oreg.:
B itu m in o u s.................
June 15
M ay 15
$4.39
$3. 94
$13. 50
15. 33
7. 48
6. 00
5.33
9. 85
13. 52
12.50
15.31
4. 20
4. 00
6. 31
6.11
10 00
10.00
8.50
8. 50
17. 00
17. 00
16. 50
16.25
24.34
2 4. 22
6.75
8.00
8.25
6.25
7. 85
8.10
5. 71
16. 80
16.65
8. 90
16.15
15. 70
9. 25
9. 50
5.89
9. 05
9. 30
5. 79
18.10
17. 95
11.02
17. 65
17.20
i.
65
June 15
7. 60
14. 00
10. 68
6. 58
16.83
o ne
16. 40
15.95
9.32
11.06
9.37
6. 50
6. 75
6. 25
6. 50
14. 00
13. 50
13. 00
13.80
13.25
7. 50
7. 50
6.25
6.25
15. 05
15.05
14.65
14. 55
14.55
2 6.06
2 6.06
9. 46
O on
y.
9. 32
7. 07
7.14
6. 66
6. 80
14.75
14. 50
14.08
13. 79
15. 50
15. 50
8. 41
6.63
6.13
9. 66
9.68
6. 96
1 7.16
i 7. 38
i 6. 89
i 7.14
i 15 79
lo. o4
1 8. 00
3 3.16
i 7. 44
3 3.18
15.13
u. 63
9.79
9.66
1 Per to n of 2,240 pounds.
2 Per 10-barrel lo t (1,800 pounds).
3 Per 25-bushel lot (1,900 pounds).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ju ly 15
[404]
i 14.89
114.39
15. 00
14.88
5.85
12.58
12. 61
181
BETAIL PKICES OF COAL
T able 1.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 PO U N D S , F O R H O U SE • H O L D U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, JU N E 15, 1926, A N D M A Y 15 A N D J U N E
15, 1927—C ontinued
1913
1926
1927
C ity, and kind of coal
J a n . 15
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
R ichm ond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Ju ly 15
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
Colorado anthracite—
San Francisco, Calif.:
N ew Mexico anthracite—•
Colorado an thracite—
Seattle, W ash.:
4 $16. 25
4 16. 00
4 $15.75
4 15.50
4 $15. 75
4 15. 50
8. 00
8. 00
5. 50
7. 25
7.25
4.94
15. 33
15. 50
8.66
15.00
15.00
9.17
15.00
15.00
9.21
14.60
14.15
14.10
13.65
14.35
13.90
8. 44
8.68
3. 36
7.74
7.99
3.04
16.73
16.45
5.87
16. 50
16.05
7.19
16.65
16.20
7.12
9. 20
9. 45
6.07
9.05
9.30
6.04
18.10
17.95
11.26
17.65
17.20
11.31
17.90
17.45
11.23
11.00
11.00
5.64
11. 50
11.50
5.46
18.00
18.00
6.62
18.00
18. 00
8.19
18. 00
18.00
7.27
17.00
17.00
25. 00
25.00
25.00
17.00
12.00
17.00
12.00
24. 50
16.22
24. 50
15. 60
24.50
15.60
« 10.88
» 10. 63
« 10.63
4. 25
4. 50
4.31
4.56
10.92
10.67
10.28
10.03
10.47
10.22
7.63
7.70
8.51
10.35
10.14
4.35
4.44
4.44
1 15. 53
i 15. 22
1 14. 99
* 14. 48
115.25
114. 73
1 10. 67
i 9. 00
i 7. 75
1 10. 33
i 9.00
i 7. 78
1 10. 67
i 8.75
i 7.78
Springfield, 111.:
W ashington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Ju n e 15
4 $7.50
4 7.75
Savannah, Ga.:
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
M ay 15
4 $8. 25
4 8. 25
Rochester, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
June 15
4 7. 50
4 7. 65
B itum inous— >
17.38
i 7.53
i P e r ton of 2,240 pounds.
"
4 50 cents per to n additional is charged for “ b in n in g .” M ost custom ers require binning or basketing
th e coal in to th e cellar.
,
,
,
.
s All coal sold in Savannah is weighed b y th e city. A charge of 10 cents per to n or half ton is maae*
T his additional charge has been included in th e above prices.
The following table shows for the United States both average and
relative retail prices of Pennsylvania whitewash anthracite coal, stove
and chestnut sizes, and of bituminous coal in January and July, 1913
to 1925, and for each month of 1926 and 1927 through June. An
average price for the year 1913 has been made from the averages for
January and July of that year. The average price for each month
has been divided by this average price for the year 1913 to obtain
the relative price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[405]
182
M ONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
T able 2. -A V E R A G E A N D R E L A T IV E P R IC E S OP C O A L P O R T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
ON S P E C IF I E D D A T E S F R O M JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO J U N E , 1927
P ennsylvania an th racite, w hite ash
Y ear and m o n th
Stove
Average
price
1913—
Average for year.
J a n u a ry ________
J u ly ........... ...........
1914—
Ja n u a ry ________
J u ly ........................
1915—
J a n u a ry ...... ..........
J u ly ........................
1916—
J a n u a ry ............
J u ly ______ _____
1917—
Ja n u a ry ...... ..........
J u ly ........... ............
1918—
Ja n u a ry ________
J u ly .......................
1919—
J a n u a ry .................
J u ly ........................
1920—
J a n u a ry ________
J u ly ............. ...........
1921—
J a n u a ry .... ..........
J u ly ......... ..............
1922—
J a n u a ry ________
J u ly ....... ...............
1923—
Ja n u a ry _______
J u ly ______ _____
1924—
Ja n u a ry ________
J u ly _____ ______
1925—
J a n u a r y .............
J u ly ...................... .
1926—
Ja n u a ry _________
F e b ru a ry _______
M a rc h __________
A p ril____________
M a y ____________
J u n e _________
J u ly ____________
xAugust____ _____
Septem ber_______
O ctober_________
N ovem ber_______
D ecem ber...... .........
1927Ja n u a ry ...
F e b ru a ry .
M arch ___
A pril____
M a y _____
J u n e _____
C h estn u t
Relative
price
Average
price
Relative
price
Average
price
R elative
price
$7. 73
7. 99
7.46
100.0
103.4
96.6
$7. 91
8. 15
7. 68
100.0
103.0
97.0
$5. 43
5.48
5. 39
100.0
7.80
7.60
100.9
98.3
8. 00
7.78
101.0
98.3
5.97
5. 46
109.9
7.83
7.54
101.4
97.6
7. 99
7. 73
101.0
97.7
5. 71
5. 44
105.2
7.93
8.12
102.7
105.2
8.13
8. 28
102.7
104.6
5. 69
5. 52
104.8
9.29
9.08
120.2
117.5
9. 40
9.16
118.8
115.7
6.96
7.21
128.1
132.7
9.88
9.96
127.9
128.9
10.03
10. 07
126.7
127.3
7. 68
7. 92
141.3
145.8
11. 51
12.14
149.0
157.2
11. 61
12.17
146.7
153.8
7. 90
8.10
145.3
149.1
12. 59
14.28
162.9
184.9
12. 77
14. 33
161.3
181.1
8. 81
10. 55
162.1
194.1
15. 99
14.90
207.0
192.8
16. 13
14. 95
203.8
188.9
11.82
10.47
217. 6
192.7
14. 98
14.87
193.9
192.4
15. 02
14. 92
189.8
188.5
9. 89
9. 49
182.0
174.6
15. 43
15.10
199.7
195.5
15. 46
15. 05
195.3
190. 1
11.18
10.04
205.7
184.7
15. 77
15.24
204.1
197.2
15. 76
15. 10
199.1
190.7
9. 75
8.94
179.5
164.5
15. 45
15.14
200. 0
196.0
15. 37
14. 93
194.2
188.6
9.24
8.61
170.0
158.5
(>)
(’)
16.12
15.54
15. 41
15. 40
15.43
115. 49
15. 55
15. 56
15. 64
15.66
(>)
C1)
208.6
201. 2
199.5
199.3
199.7
200.4
201.3
201.4
202.4
202.7
(>)
C1)
15. 91
15. 37
15. 18
15.18
15.19
15.23
15. 30
15.31
15.41
15.44
(>)
C1)
201.1
194.2
191.8
191. 8
191.9
192.5
193. 4
193. 5
194. 7
195.0
9.74
9. 72
9. 25
9.11
8. 76
8.67
8. 70
8.81
9. 25
9. 59
10.24
10. 15
179.3
178.8
170.2
167.6
161.2
159.5
160.1
162.1
170. 3
176.5
188.4
186.8
15.66
15. 65
15. 60
14. 94
14.88
15. 06
202.7
202.6
201. 9
193.4
192.6
194.9
15. 42
15.44
15. 36
14.61
14. 53
14. 70
194.8
195.0
194. 0
184. 6
183.6
185.7
9. 74
8. 95
183.3
181.4
179.3
164.7
163.4
163.6
1 Insufficient data.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
B itum inous
[406]
8.88
8.89
1 00.8
99.2
100.6
100.1
101.6
BETAIL PBICES OF GAS
183
Retail Prices of Gas in the United States
net price per 1,000 cubic feet of gas for household use in
each of 51 cities is shown in the following table. In this
T HEtable
the average family consumption of manufactured gas
is assumed to be 3,000 cubic feet per month. In cities where a
service charge or a sliding scale is in operation, families using less
than 3,000 cubic feet per month pay a somewhat higher rate than
here shown, while those consuming more than this amount pay a
lower rate. The figures here given are believed to represent quite
closely the actual monthly cost of gas per 1,000 cubic feet to the
average wage earner’s family. Prices for natural gas have been
quoted for those cities where it is in general use. These prices are
based on an estimated average family consumption of 5,000 cubic
feet per month. For Buffalo and Los Angeles prices are given for
natural and manufactured gas mixed.
T able 1 .—N E T PR IC E PE R 1,000 CUBIC F E E T OF GAS B A SE D ON A F A M IL Y CON
S U M P T IO N OF 3.000 C U BIC F E E T , IN SP E C IF IE D M O N T H S FROM A PR IL , 1913,
TO JU N E , 1927, B Y CITIES
Manufactured gas
City
B altim ore______
B irm ingham ____
B oston. _ _ _ . . .
B ridgeport_____
B uffalo_________
B u tte __________
C harleston______
Chicago________
C leveland______
D e n v er. _______
D e tro it................ .
F all R i v e r ___
H o u sto n ________
Indianapolis-----Jacksonville____
M anchester_____
M em phis_______
M ilw aukee_____
M inneapolis-----M obile______ .
N ew ark ________
N ew H a v en ____
N ew O rleans____
N ew Y o rk ______
N orfolk___ _____
O m aha_________
Peoria__________
P hiladelphia____
P ittsb u rg h ..........
P o rtland, M e___
P ortland, Oreg—Providence...........
R ichm ond .......... .
R ochester.............
St. L ouis_______
St. P a u l________
Salt Lake C ity ...
San Francisco___
S avannah_______
Scranton_______
Seattle_________
Springfield, 111__
VVashington,D . C .
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Aur. Apr. Apr. Apr. M ay M ar. M ar. June June June Dec. June
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1926 1927
$1. 00 $i no $1 no $ i on
.90 .80 .80 .75
1. 00 .95 .95 .95
. 81 .81 .80 .80
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
1. 00 L 00 1. 00 1. 00
1. 49 1. 49 1.4S 1.49
1. iO 1. 10 1.10 1. 10
.80 .80 .80 .80
.80 .80 .80 .80
.85 .80 .80 .80
.75 .75 .75 .75
.80 .80 .80 .80
1. 00 1. 00 1.00 1.00
.00 .55 .55 .55
1. 20 1.20 1. 15 1. 15
1. 10 1. 10 1.00 1.00
1. 00 1. 00 1.00 1.00
. 75 .75 . 75 .75
.85 .80 .80 . 77
1.10 1. 10 1.10 1. 10
1.00 .90 . 9C . 9C
.90 . 9C . 9C . 9C
1.10 1. 00 1. OC 1.0C
.84 .84 .83 .83
1.00 1.00 1.C0 1.00
1. 15 1. 15 1.15 1.00
.90 .90 .90 .90
1.C0 1.00 1.00 1.00
1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00
1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00
.95 .95 .95 .95
.85 .85 .85 .85
.90 .90 .90 .80
. 95 .95 .95 .95
.80 .80 .80 .80
.95 .90 .90 .85
.87 .87 .87 .87
.75 .85 . 85 .85
$1 nn $1.15 $1.15 $1 9n
.75
.95
.80
1.00
1. 00
1.49
1. 00
.80
.80
.80
.75
.80
1.00
. 55
1. 15
1.00
.93
.75
.77
1.10
.90
.90
1. 00
.83
1.00
1.00
.85
1. OC
1. 00
1.00
.95
.85
.80
.95
.75
.85
.87
.85
. 75
.95
.86
1.00
1. 00
1. 49
1.10
.72
.80
.85
.75
.95
1.00
.55
1. 25
1.00
.93
. 75
.77
1.10
.97
1.00
1.00
.83
1.20
1.15
.85
1.0C
1. 00
1.00
.95
1.00
.80
.95
.75
.85
.87
.85
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.15
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1. 20
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.93 .93 .93 .93 .80 .90
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.75 .75 .75
.95 .95 .88
1.05 1.08 1. 40
1. 10 1. 10 1. 47
1. 45 1.45
1. 49 1.49 2. 10
1. 10 1. 25 1. 55
.90 .87 1. 20
.80 .80 .80
.95 .95 .95
.79 .79 .85
.95 1.05 1. 25
1.00 1.09 1.09
.60 .60 .90
1. 25 1.50 1.75
1. 18 1. 18 1. 58
.93 1.27 1. 35
.75 .75 .90
.95 .95 1.28
1.35 1. 35 1. 80
.97 1. 15 1.40
1. 10 1. 10 1. 27
1. 30 1.30 1. 30
.85 .87 1. 40
1.20 1.60 1.40
1.15 1.15 1.47
.85 .85 1.20
1.00 1.00 1.00
1. 00
1.40 1.40 1. 85
.95 .95 1.38
1. 30 1.30 1.42
1.00 1.00 1. 30
.95 .95 1.18
.75 .85 1.05
.85 .85 1.00
1. 15 1.35 1. 57
.95 .95 1.05
1. 25 1. 60
1.30 1.30 1. 70
1. 20 1. 45 1. 45
. 10 1. 10 1. 40
.95 .95 1. 25
1
[407]
.92
.88
1. 34
1.60
1. 45
2.10
1. .55
1. 07
.80
.95
.79
1.15
1.09
.80
1. 75
1.48
1. 35
.90
1. 02
1.80
1. 40
1. 27
1. 45
1. 32
1.45
1. 27
1.20
1.00
1. 75
1. 25
1.42
1. 30
1.10
1. 05
1.00
1. 57
1.04
1. 60
1. 70
1.45
1. 40
1. 10
$1 65 $1 55 $1. 55 $1. 55 $1. 55 $1. 55
.92 .85 .85 .85 .85 .85
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80
1. 25 1.20 1. 18 1. 18 1.18 1. 18
1. 50 1.45 1.45 1. 45 1. 45 1.45
2. 10
1. 55
1. 07
.80
.95
.79
1. 15
1. 09
1. 20
1.65
1. 48
1. 20
. 86
1.03
1. 80
1.25
1. 18
1. 30
1. 23
1.40
1.18
1. 20
1.00
2. 10
1. 55
1.02
1.25
.95
.82
1.15
1. 09
1.15
1. 97
1. 38
1. 20
.82
1. 01
1. 80
1.20
1.18
1. 30
1.23
1.40
1.18
1.20
1.00
2. 10
1. 55
1.02
1.25
.95
.82
1.15
1. 05
1. 10
1.97
1. 38
1.20
.82
.95
1. 80
1. 20
1.13
1. 3C
1. 23
1. 40
1.08
1.20
1.00
2. 10
1. 55
1. 02
1. 25
.95
. 79
1.15
2.10
1. 55
1.02
1. 25
.95
. 79
1. 15
2. 10
1. 55
1. 02
1. 25
.90
.79
1.15
Ï. 05
1.97
1.38
1. 20
.82
.97
1.80
1. 20
1. 13
1. 30
1. 23
1.33
1. 08
1. 20
1.00
1.05
1.92
1.38
1. 20
.82
.95
1. 80
1. 20
1.13
1. 30
1.23
1. 33
1. 08
1. 20
1.00
1.05
1.92
1.38
1. 20
.82
.96
1.76
1.20
1. 13
1. 30
1. 24
1.33
1. 08
1.20
1.00
1. 55
1. 16
1. 27
1. 30
1.05
1.00
1.00
1. 57
.92
1. 45
1.60
1.45
1.40
1.05
1. 55
1.16
1. 22
1. 30
1.00
1.00
.85
1. 57
1.00
1. 45
1. 50
1. 45
1. 35
1.00
1. 55
1. 16
1. 17
1. 30
1.00
1. 00
.85
1. 54
1.05
1. 45
1.50
1.45
1.35
1.00
1. 50
1. IS
1. 17
1. 29
1.00
1.00
.90
1. 53
.95
1. 45
1.50
1.45
1.25
1.00
1.42
1. IS
1.13
1.29
1.00
1.00
.90
1. 52
.95
1. 45
1.40
1.45
1. 25
1.00
1.42
1.17
1.13
1.29
1.00
1.00
.90
1. 52
.95
1.45
1.40
1. 45
1. 25
1.00
184
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 1.—N E T P R IC E P E R 1,000 CU BIC F E E T OP GAS BASFT) ON A eatvtttv
TC W U NE*,^!927,^BY ^C I T I E S —C on ti nue d ™
S P E C IF IE D M O N T H S
FR O M
A PR IL ,
im,
Natural gas
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. M ay Mar. Mar. June June June
D ec. June
15, 15, 15, 15,
City
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925
1926 1926 1927
Buffalo________ $0. 30 $0.30 $0. 30 $0.30 $0. 30 $0. 30 $0. 35 $0. 35 $0. 35 $0. 42
Cincinnati.........
.30 .30 .30 .30 .35 . 35 .35 .35 .35 .50 $0. 50 $0.50
75 $0. 75 $0. 75 $0. 75
Cleveland_____
.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .40 .40 . 55 $0..55
.60 .60 .60
Columbus______ .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30
.45
.45 .55 .55 .55 .48
Dallas............. .
.45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .68 .68 .45
.68
.68
. 74 . 74 .79
.
74
Houston_______
.75 . 75 .75
Kansas City, Mo.
.27 .27 . 27 .30 .60 .80 .80 .90 .90 .95 .95 .95 .95
95 .95
Little Rock____
.40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .65 .65 .65 ..65
.65
Los Angeles.........
.91
Louisville______
.45 .45 .45 .45 .45
.45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
Pittsburgh......... . "’.'28 .28 .28 .28 .28 .28 .35 .35 .45
.45 .50 .50 .53 .60 .60 .60 .60
Manufactured and natural gas mixed
1
I
!
$0.68 $0. 68 $0.68 $0. 68j $0. 75j$0. 75 $0. 75 $0.76
Buffalo. ______! ...
Los Angeles_____j......... —
. 68
. 68
. 68
$0. 65 $0.65 $0.65
.68 .68 —
From the prices quoted on manufactured gas, average prices have
been computed for all of the cities combined and are shown in the
next table for April 15 of each year from 1913 to 1920, and for May
j 15>September 15, and December 15, 1921; March 15, June 15, Sep
tember 15, and December 15, 1922, 1923, and 1924; June 15 and
December 15, 1925 and 1926; and June 15, 1927. These prices are
based on an estimated average family consumption of 3,000 cubic
feet.
\ Relative prices have been computed by dividing the price of each
1year by the price in April, 1913.
The price of manufactured gas in June, 1927, showed an increase
cent s*nce April, 1913. From December, 1926, to June,
[ 192/, there was no change in the price of gas.
^
.
' -v
•.
¿T able, 2« A V ER A G E A N D R E L A T IV E N E T PR IC E P E R 1 000 O IT R T C E E F T m?
0F 3’000 CUBIC ™
Date
! Apr. 15, 1913.
Apr. 15, 1914.
Apr. 15, 1915
Apr. 15, 1916.
Apr. 15, 1917.
Apr. 15, 1918.
Apr. 15, 1919.
Apr. 15, 1920.
M ay 15, 1921.
Sept. 15, 1921
Dec. 15, 1921
Mar. 15, 1922
June 15, 1922
Sept. 15, 1922"
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average
net price
Relative
price
$0.95
.94
.93
.92
.91
.95
1. 04
1. 09
1.32
1.31
1.30
1. 29
1. 27
1.20
100.0
98.9
97.9
96.8
95.8
100.0
109.5
114.7
138.9
137.9
136.8
135.8
133.7
132. 6
Date
Dec. 15, 1922.
Mar. 15, 1923
June 15, 1923.
Sept. 15, 1923
Dec. 15, 1923.
Mar. 15, 1924
June 15, 1924.
Sept. 15, 1924
Dec. 15, 1924.
June 15, 1925
Dec. 15, 1925.
June 15, 1926.
Dec. 15, 1926.
June 15, 1927.
[408]
a tvttt
^
Average R elative
net price
price
$1. 25
1. 25
1.24
1.24
1. 25
1. 24
1.24
1.24
1. 24
1.23
1.23
1. 23
1. 22
1. 22
131.6
131.6
130.5
130. 5
131. 6
130.5
130.5
130.5
130.5
129. 5
129. 5
129.5
128.4
128.4
BETAIL, PBICES OF ELECTRICITY
185
Retail Prices of Electricity in the United States
Explanation of Prices
HE following table shows for 51 cities the net rates per kilowatthour of electricity used for household purposes for specified
months, in 1913, 1925, 1926, and 1927. For the cities having
more than one tariff for domestic consumers the rates are shown for
the schedule under which most of the residences are served.
Several cities have sliding scales based on a variable number of
kilowatt-hours payable at each rate. The number of kilowatt-hours
payable at each rate in these cities is determined for each customer
according to the watts of installation, either in whole or in part, in
the individual home. The number of watts so determined is called
the customer’s u demand.”
In Baltimore the demand is the maximum normal rate of use of
electricity in any half-hour period of time. It may be estimated or
determined by the company from time to time according to the cus
tomer’s normal use of electricity and may equal the total installation
reduced to kilowatts.
In Buffalo the demand consists of two parts—lighting, 25 per cent
of the total installation, but never less than 250 watts; and power,
2 j/2 per cent of the capacity of any electric range, water heater, or
other appliance of 1,000 watts or over and 25 per cent of the rated
capacity of motors exceeding one-half horsepower but less than
1 horsepower. The installation is determined by inspection of
premises.
In Chicago the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’ use of
demand has been estimated as follows: For a rated capacity of 475
to 574 watts, 11 kilowatt-hours; 575 to 674 watts, 12 kilowatt-hours;
675 to 774 watts, 13 kilowatt-hours; and 775 to 874 watts, 14 kilo
watt-hours. Although the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’
use of demand of from 1 to 1,500 watts is given on the printed tariff,
the equivalent is here shown only for installations of from 475 to 874
watts, the connected load of the average workingman’s home being
as a rule within this range.
In Cincinnati the demand has been estimated as being 70 per
cent of the connected load, excluding appliances.
In Cleveland, in December, 1913, Company A determined the
demand by inspection as being 40 per cent of the connected load.
From December, 1919, to the present time there has been a flat rate
for all current consumed.
In Houston the demand is estimated as 50 per cent of the con
nected load, each socket opening being rated at 50 watts.
In New York the demand for Company C, when not determined
by meter, has been computed at 50 per cent of total installation in
residences, each standard socket being rated at 50 watts and all
other outlets being rated at their actual kilowatt capacity.
In Pittsburgh since December, 1919, the demand has been deter
mined by inspection, the first 10 outlets being rated at 30 watts
each, the next 20 outlets at 20 watts each, and each additional outlet
at 10 watts. Household utensils and appliances of not over 660
watts each have been excluded.
T
55507°—27----- 13
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[409]
186
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
In Portland, Oreg., the demand for Company A has been estimated
as one-third of the connected lighting load. Ranges, heating devices,
and small power up to a rated capacity of 2 kilowatts are not included.
For Company B the demand, when not based on actual measure
ment, has been estimated at one-third of the connected load, no
demand being established at less than 233 watts.
In Springfield, 111., the demand for Company A in December,
1913, was the active load predetermined as follows: 80 per cent of
the first 500 watts of connected load plus 60 per cent of that part
of the connected load in excess of the first 500 watts—minimum
active load, 150 watts.
In Washington, D. C., the demand is determined by inspection and
consists of 100 per cent of the connected load, excluding small fans and
heating and cooking appliances when not permanently connected.
N E T P R IC E P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R IC IT Y F O R H O U S E H O L D U S E IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, A N D J U N E , 1927, F O R 51
C IT IE S
C ity
Boston:
C om pany A ---C om pany B ----
M easure of consum ption, per m onth
D e
cem
ber,
1913
June,
1925
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
D e
cem
ber,
1926
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
1 7.0
8 8. 5
8. 1
4 8.0
8.1
8. 0
4. 0
7.7
8. 1
8. 0
4. 0
7. 7
* 8. 5
7.7
8.1
8.0
4.0
7. 7
8 10.0
6 10.0
9. 0
F irst 60 h o u rs’ use of d em an d ______
7.0
N ext 120 h o u rs’ use of d e m a n d - - ____
5.0
Excess__ _______ _ ___________ -1.5
1 9. 5
9.5
9.5
6. 5
5.0
4.0
1. 5
8. 0
4. 0
10. 0
8.5
8.5
6. 5
5. 0
4.0
1. 5
8. 0
4. 0
10.0
8.5
8. 5
6. 5
5. 0
4.0
1.5
8. 0
4. 0
10. 0
8.5
8. 5
6. 5
5. 0
4.0
1.5
8. 0
4. 0
10.0
8. 0
5.0
3.0
8. 5
6.5
3. 5
8. 0
5.0
3.0
8. 5
6.5
3.5
8. 0
5.0
3.0
8. 5
6.5
3.5
8. 0
5.0
3.0
8. 5
6. 5
3.5
F irst 1,000 k ilow att-hours___________
-----do________ ________
_______
8 10.0
8.0
10. 0
N ext 30 h o u rs’ use of dem and
....
5.0
________ ____ _________
Excess__
4.0
9. 5
N ext 30 h o u rs’ use of d e m a n d .- ____
6. 7
Excess_____________________________
3.8
N ext 50 kilow att-hours -
-
_______
Cleveland:
C om pany A ___ First 500 kilow att-hours. ___ ______ 8 10.0
Excess___ _____
_ _______________
5. 0
. . . _________ 1° 8.0
C om pany B ___ All cu rren t. . .
N ext 690 kilow att-hours
. _ _____
5. 0
6 7. 0
F irst 800 kilow att-hours.
__ ___ 10.0
8 8.0
D etroit __________
F irst 3 kilow att-hours per active room . « 12. 6
Excess_____________________________
3.6
» 9. 5
Excess_____________________________
Indianapolis:
C om pany A ___ F irst 50 kilow att-hours______________
I' 7.5
13 7. 0
C om pany B ___
K ansas C ity ______
14 12. 4
7.0
First 5 kilow att-hours per active room
(m inim um , 3 room s).
N ext 5 kilow att-hours per ro o m __
7. 0
I7 9.9
Excess....... .............. ......... .. ..
_ 4. 5
For footnotes see end of table
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[410]
June,
1927
7.7
8.5
8.5
4.0
1.5
10.0
8 0
5.0
3.0
e! 5
3.5
6 5.0
8 5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
» 3.0
ii 3.0
113.0
ii 3.0
113.0
6 7. 0
6. 0
6 8. 0
6 7. 0
6.0
« 8. 0
7. 0
6. 0
6 8. 0
7. 0
6. 0
6 8. 0
10.8
3.6
9. 0
8. 5
7. 2
4.5
10.8
3. 6
9.0
8. 5
7. 2
4.5
6.8
16 6. 3
6. 8
6. 3
7.0
7.5
6.8
I6 6.3
6. 8
6. 3
7. 0
7.5
6.8
« 6. 3
6. 8
6. 3
7. 0
7. 5
6.8
16 6. 3
6. 8
6. 3
7. 0
7.5
5. 0
2.5
5.0
2.5
5. 0
2.5
5. 0
2.5
9. Ó ( ~ 9 . o
3.6
3.6
8. 5
8. 5
7. 5
7. 5
7. 2
7. 2
4.5
4. 5
7 0
60
60
9.0
3.6
8 fi
7 5
7. 2
4.5
6. 5
6. 0
7. 0
7.5
5.0
2.5
187
RETAIL PRICES OP ELECTRICITY
iSfET P R IC E P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R IC IT Y F O R H O U S E H O L D U SE IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, A N D J U N E , 1927, F O R 51
C IT IE S —C ontinued
C ity
M easure of consum ption, per m o n th
D e
cem
ber,
1913
June,
1925
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
D e
cem
ber,
1926
June,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
6 13. 5
5. 5
7.6
«11.4
10.0
5.6
7. 6
12.0
6. 0
8.0
5.0
19 7.6
10.0
5.6
7.6
12. 0
6. 0
8.0
5.0
19 7. 6
10.0
5.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
19 7. 6
10. 0
5.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
6.7
F irst 6 kilow att-hours per ro o m ______ « 10.0
M ilw aukee________ F irst 9 kilow att-hours for each of th e 1311. 4
first 6 active room s.20
A dditional energy u p to 9 kilow att- 21 4.8
hours for each active room.
3.8
Excess-- ____________ ________ _____
8.6
F
irst
3 kilow att-hours per active roomM inneapolis--........ .
N ex t 3 kilow att-hours per active room- 23 5.7
7. 0
F irst 20 kilow att-hours________ . . . 23 10. 0
N ext 30 kilow att-hours 23_______ ____
9.0
2013. 0
22 6. 0
New Y ork:
F irst 1,000 kilow att-hours________ _ 2210. 0
C om pany A _
C om pany B _ - All currents 29-.- ---------------------------- 10. 0
11. 0
C om pany C 2-._ F irst 60 h o u rs’ use of dem and . .
9.0
F irst 100 k ilow att-hours.- ............... 2311.4
22 5. 7
Peoria____________ F irst 5 kilow att-hours for each of the 32 9. 9
first 2 room s.31
Second 5 kilow att-hours for each of
th e first 2 room s.31
Philadelphia:
C om pany A ___ F irst 12 kilow att-hours_________ ____ « 10. 0
2.9
9.5
7. 1
9.0
9.0
24 8.0
6.5
9.1
7.8
2.9
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.5
9. L
7.8
23 7.3
10. 0
23 7.8
9. 0
5.5
28 7.2
28 7.2
10. 0
23 7.8
30 9. 0
5. 5
23 7.2
10. 0
23 7.8
30 9. 0
5. 5
23 7.3
10.0
23 7. 3
8.5
5.5
10. 0
23 7.8
9. 0
5.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
9.0
8.0
33 7. 0
9. 0
24 8. 0
8. 0
5. 5
8.0
8. 0
33 7. 0
9. 0
24 8. 0
8. 0
5. 5
8.0
8. 0
7. 0
9. 0
24 8. 0
8. 0
5. 5
8.0
8.0
7. 0
9. 0
24 8.0
8,0
5. 5
8.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.5
8.0
7.6
33 6. 7
38 5. 7
32 9. 0
33 7. 0
22 4. 0
10. 0
9. 0
8. 0
7. 6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
40 6. 9
9. 0
8. 0
7.6
6.7
2. 9
7.3
6.7
2.9
40 6. 8
9. 0
8. 0
7.6
6. 7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
40 6. 8
30 9. 0
8. 0
7.6
6. 7
2.9
7.3
6. 7
2. 9
40 6. 9
30 9.0
8. 0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
40 6.8
8.5
8.0
F irst 9 kilow att-hours per active room . 13 9. 5
5. 7
Excess------- -------------------- ------------F irst kilow att-hours 41____ _________ 42 9. 0
5.7
Excess--------------------- ------------- -----F irst 3 kilow att-hours p er ro o m --------- 43 9. 9
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
43 9.9
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
43 9.9
6.6
9.0
6.6
8. 1
6.6
8.1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1
6. 7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9. 5
7.1
2.9
8. 1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1
2 7.0
1012. 0
6. 0
«9. 0
9. 0
6. 0
9.0
6.0
9.0
9.0
6. 0
9. 0
6.0
9.0
9.0
6. 0
9. 0
6.0
9.0
9. 0
6. 0
9. 0
6. 0
9.0
9.0
6. 0
9.0
6. 0
9.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0
40 kilow att-hours______________ 30 6. 0
200 kilow att-hours --------- -- - - 22 4. 0
40 kilow att-hours--------------------- 30 6. 0
200 kilow att-hours----------------- - 22 4.0
5.5
2.0
5. 5
2. 0
5. 5
2. 0
5.5
2.0
5. 5
2. 0
5. 5
2.0
5. 5
2. 0
5. 5
2.0
5. 5
2. 0
5. 5
2. 0
____ «10.0
F irst 100 kilow att-hours______ -_
Excess.......... .
-------------------
F irst 10 kilow att-hours_____________
C om pany B ___ F irst 10 kilow att-hours---------------------
Seattle:
C om pany A ___
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
24 8.0
6.5
9.1
7.8
9.0
F irst 9 kilow att-hours______________
N ext kilow att-hours 34______________
N ext 50 kilow att-hours______________
C om pany B ___ F irst 13 k ilo w a tt-h o u rs,.-__________
N ext kilow att-hours 39- _ - ----------- . . .
N ext 50 kilow att-hours________ _
San Francisco:
C om pany A___
5.7
3.1
9. 5
7.1
9.0
9.0
24 8.0
6.5
9. 1
7.8
6.0
Portland, Oreg.:
C om pany A ___
St. P a u l__________
5.7
3.1
9.5
7. 1
9. 0
9. 0
24 8.0
6. 5
9. 1
7.8
6.0
F irst 30 hours’ use of d em an d .
C om pany B ___
5.7
9.0
C om pany B ___ F irst 20 k ilo w a tt-h o u rs ________ . . _ 23 10. Ö
St. Louis:
C om pany A
10.0
5.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
6.7
F irst
N ext
C om pany B___ F irst
N ext
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 7.0
F o r footnotes see end of tab le
[411]
188
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
N E T P R IC E P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R IC IT Y F O R H O U S E H O L D U S E IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913. J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, A N D J U N E , 1927, F O R 51
C IT IE S —Continued
C ity
M easure of consum ption, per m onth
Springfield:
C om pany A ___
D e
cem
ber,
1913
June,
1925
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
D e
cem
ber,
1926
June,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
44 10. 0
48 7. 0
6. 0
3. 0
6. 0
3. 0
7.5
6. 0
3. 0
6. 0
3. 0
7.5
6. 0
3.0
6. 0
3. 0
7. 0
6. 0
3. 0
6. 0
3. 0
7. 0
C om pany B ___ F irst 30 kilow att-hours____________ _
10. 0
W ashington, D. C.2_
6. 0
3. 0
6. 0
3.0
6.3
1 F irst 150 kilow att-hours.
2 F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
3 F irst 50 kilow att-hours.
4 F irs t 40 kilow att-hours.
5 T h e gross ra te is 10 cents p er kilow att-hour w ith discounts of 10 per cent for a m o n th ly consum ption
of 1 to 25 kilow att-hours and 15 per cent for a m o n th ly consum ption of 25 to 150 kilow att-hours. T h e aver
age fam ily used 25 or more kilow att-hours per m onth.
* All current.
1 F irs t 100 kilow att-hours.
3 F irst 25 kilow att-hours.
2 F irst 36 h o u rs’ use of dem and. F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices,
id F irst 10 kilow att-hours.
11 Service charge 30 cents per m o n th additional.
12 F irst 2 kilow att-hours p er active room,
is F irs t 200 kilow att-hours.
ii F irst 2 kilow att-hours per 16 candlepow er of installation.
is All cu rren t. T h is rate applies to a 5-year contract w ith a m inim um charge of $1 per m onth. F or a
1-year co n tract th e rates p er kilow att-hour are 10 cents w ith o u t a m inim um charge, or 9 % cents w ith a
m inim um of $1 p e r m onth,
is N e x t 150 k ilo w a tt hours.
ii F irs t 3 kilow att-hours p er active room; m inim um , 3 rooms.
18 F irs t 4 kilow att-hours for each of th e first 4 active rooms and th e first 214 kilow att-hours for each addi
tional active room.
19 F irst 5 kilow att-hours for each of th e first 5 active rooms and th e first V A kilow att-hours for each addi
tional active room.
20 A nd th e first 7 kilow att-hours per m o n th for each active room in addition to the first 6.
21 A dditional energy u p to 100 kilow att-hours.
22 Excess.
23 F irst 500 kilow att-hours.
24 N ex t 480 kilow att-hours.
23 Surcharge, 25 cents per m o n th additional.
26 F irst 30 hours’ use of connected load.
27 F irst 250 kilow att-hours.
28 Price includes a coal charge.
29 A discount of 5 p er cen t is allowed on all bills of $2 or over when p ay m en t is m ade w ithin 10 days from
d ate of bill.
30 F irst 60 kilow att-hours.
81 A nd 4 kilow att-hours for each additional active room.
821 to 200 kilow att-hours.
83 N e x t 48 kilow att-hours.
84 T h e n u m b e r of kilow att-hours paid for a t this rate is th a t in excess of the first 9 kilow att-hours until
100 ho u rs’ use of th e dem and is reached. After 100 hours of dem and have been consum ed the lower rate
can b e applied. F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
36 N e x t 70 kilow att-hours.
36 N ex t 100 kilow att-hours.
37 F irst 6 per c en t of dem and. F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
38 N ex t 6 p er cen t of d em and. F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
86 F o r an installation of 600 w a tts or less 7 kilow att-hours w ill ap ply. F or each 30 w a tts of installation
in excess of 600 w a tts 1 additional kilow att-hour w ill apply.
40 Service charge, 50 cents p er m o n th additional. R ate is 7 cents w ith reduction u nder a fuel clause.
44 F o r a house of 4 rooms or less, 18 kilow att-hours; for 5 or 6 rooms, 27 kilow att-hours; and for 7 or 8
rooms, 36 kilow att-hours.
42 F o r a house of 6 rooms or less, 15 kilow att-hours; for a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 20 kilow att-hours.
43 F irst 30 kilow att-hours.
44 F irst 30 hours’ use of dem and. For determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
46 N e t 30 hours’ use of dem and. F o r determ ination of dem and see explanation of prices.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[412]
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
189
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in June, 1927
SLIGHT decline in the general level of wholesale prices from
May to June is shown by information collected in representa
tive markets by the Bureau of Laljor Statistics of the United
States Department of Labor. The bureau’s weighted index number
registered 143.7 for June compared with 144.1 for May, a decline of
one-fourth of 1 per cent. Compared with June, 1926, with an index
number of 152.3, there was a decrease of nearly 5% per cent.
Small decreases are shown for the groups of foods, metals, and
building materials, with negligible decreases for chemicals and drugs
and house-furnishing goods. Farm products, fuels, and miscellaneous
commodities, on the other hand, increased slightly. No change in the
price level was reported for clothing jnaterials.
Of the 404 commodities or price series for which comparable infor
mation for May and June was collected increases were shown in 105
instances and decreases in 118 instances. In 181 instances no change
in price was reported.
A
TREND OF WHOLESALE PRICES.
(1913
=
100)
170
170
1 925
160
-------- .
IS O
-
160
1926
150
TS2 7
____
14-0
140
130
130
1 2.0
120
11 0
1 10
pj
100
to o
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC.
Comparing prices in June with those of a year ago, as measured by
changes in the index numbers, it is seen that appreciable decreases
took place in all groups of commodities, ranging from 4 ^ per cent in
the case of metals to 1Y i per cent in the case of fuels.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[413]
190
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
I N D E X N U M B E R S O E W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S B Y C R O U P S O P C O M M O D IT IE S
[1913 = 100.0]
1927
C om m odity’group
June, 1926
M ay
Farm p ro d u c ts ..
F oods________________
C lothing m aterials.
Fuels________ ___________
M etals a n d m etal products
Building m aterials.
Chem icals and drugs
H ouse-furnishing goods____
M iscellaneous____________
All com m odities_______ ” 1
R aw m a te ria ls1
Producers’ goods 1_____
Consum ers’ goods 1____
143.7
156.6
175.1
179.2
125.1
171. 2
131. 1
161.7
122. 5
152.3
153. 7
127. 5
165.2
137.4
148.0
169. 6
158.2
120.6
165. 6
121.9
157.4
120.2
144. 1
146.3
120. 5
155.4
June
138.2
146.4
169.6
158.7
119.6
164.3
121.8
157.3
120. 5
143.7
146.7
119.9
154.3
1 Federal Reserve B oard grouping.
Purchasing Power
of
th e Dollar (Wholesale Prices), January,
1926, to June, 1927
IN THE following tables the monthly variations in the buying power
1
t ie dohar with respect to certain commodities and groups of
T,mp°1inqI??d TL ar\ sh° Y f°r the period from January, 1926, to
June, 1927. These have been computed from the index numbers of
wholesale prices constructed each month by the Bureau of Labor
?926 wdSi 6
fo rm atio n for months prior to January,
1926, will be found m the March, 1926, issue of the Labor Review
[1913= $1]
Y ear and m o n th
Farm
prod
ucts
1926—
J an u ary ___
$0. 659
F e b ru a ry ___
.6 6 7
M arch ______
.6 9 4
A pril......... .
.6 9 0
M a y _______
.693
J u n e _______
.6 9 6
J u ly -----------. 710
A u g u st..........
. 725
Septem ber__
. 709
October........ .
. 717
N ovem ber___
. 743
D ecem ber___
.741
1927—
J a n u a ry ___ .7 2 9
F e b ru a ry ........
. 730
M arch ____ . . .
. 732
A p ril________
.7 3 2
M a y . .. _____
. 728
J u n e ________
.7 2 4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Foods
C loth
ing
mate'
Fuels
$0. 539
.544
.554
.566
.568
.571
.577
. 572
.571
.583
. 589
.593
.598
.593
.594
.591
. 590
.590
SO. 567
. 557
.571
.575
. 560
.558
.565
.557
. 549
. 542
.526
.547
.556
.565
.594
.623
.632
.630
rials
$0. 640
.653
.661
.653
.650
.639
. 651
.663
.658
.658
. 662
.662
.668
.675
.680
.679
.676
.683
[414]
and
m etal
prod
ucts
). 776
. 779
. 783
. 791
. 799
. 799
. 792
. 790
. 787
. 789
. 791
. 796
.804
.818
.814
.820
. 829
.836
B uild Chemi HouseAll
ing
cals
fur
Miscel com
m ate
and
nishing laneouf m odi
rials
drugs goods
ties
$0. 562
. 565
. 570
. 577
. 583
. 584
. 583
. 582
. 580
. 581
. 575
.579
. 589
. 596
.600
.606
. 604
.609
$0. 751
. 756
.760
.767
. 765
.763
.764
.765
.765
.773
. 778
. 780
.819
.820
.829
.821
.820
.821
$0. 606
.610
.610
. 612
.617
.618
.621
.622
. 623
.624
. 625
.627
.635
.635
.635
.635
.635
.636
$0. 739
. 752
. 779
. 791
. 802
.816
. 816
.821
.831
. 843
.850
.849
.848
.844
.843
. 844
.832
.830
$0. 641
. 645
. 660
. 662
. 659
. 657
. 664
. 670
. 664
. 668
. 675
. 679
. 681
. 683
. 688
.693
. 694
.696
PURCHASING POWER OF TH E DOLLAR
191
C H A N G E S IN B U Y IN G P O W E R O F T H E D O L L A R
P U R C H A S E O F S P E C IF IE D C LA SSES O F B U IL D IN G M A T E R IA L S
T a ble 3 .—M O N TH LY
IN
THE
[1913=$!]
Ju ly
B rick,
common
L um ber
Y ear and m onth
___________________
$0. 522
.523
.528
.537
.542
.545
.551
.553
.549
.550
.538
..542
. 551
.555
. 559
.568
.564
. 568
$0. 487
.486
.486
.488
.488
.489
.489
.489
.488
.488
.489
.490
.482
.481
.482
.483
.483
.484
Structural
steel
$0. 775
.775
.775
.775
.775
.816
.775
.775
.755
.755
.755
.755
.755
.775
.795
.795
.795
.816
O ther
building
m aterials
$0. 602
.607
.614
.621
.628
.620
.612
.607
.611
.611
.614
.620
.634
.644
.647
.651
.651
.656
All
building
m aterials
$0. 562
.565
. 570
. 577
.583
.584
.583
.582
. 580
.581
. 575
. 579
.589
.596
.600
.606
.604
.609
T a b l e 3 . — W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F B IT U M IN O U S C O AL A N D C O K E A N D P U R C H A S IN G
PO W ER OF T H E DOLLAR
Coke
B itum inous coal
Y ear and m onth
R elative Purchasing
power of
price
dollar
(1913 = 100) (1913
= $1)
M oney
price
per ton
1926—Ja n u a ry _______________
F e b ru a ry _____ ______
M arch___________ ____
A pril_________________
M a y . . ____________
J une..
. __________
J u ly __________________
A ug u st-----------------------S ep tem b er. . .
October_______ .
N o v e m b er... _
. _
D ecem ber . . . _______
1927—J a n u a ry ... . . . . . . . .
Feb ru ary __ _______
M arch _______ _______
A pril___ ._ . . . ___ _
M a y __________________
J u n e __ . . . ______ _
$4,490
4. 490
3.990
3. 990
3. 990
3.990
3.990
3. 990
4.240
4. 890
5. 490
5.490
4. 990
4. 740
4,240
4.240
4.240
4. 240
186.1
186. 1
165.4
165.4
165. 4
165.4
165.4
165.4
175. 8
202. 7
227. 6
227. 6
206. 8
196. 5
175. 8
175. 8
175. 8
175. 8
$0,537
.537
.605
.605
.605
.605
.605
. 605
.569
.493
.439
.439
.484
. 509
.569
.569
. 569
.569
M oney
price
per ton
$7,313
7. 844
3.280
3. 125
2. 944
2.835
2. 944
3. 140
3.488
4.000
5. 000
3. 906
3. 875
3.700
3.650
3.494
2.940
3. 169
R elative Purchasing
power of
price
dollar
(1913 = 100) (1913
==$1)
299.7
321.5
134.4
128. 1
120.7
116.2
120.7
128. 7
143.0
164. 0
205.0
160. 1
158.8
151. 7
149. 6
143.2
120. 5
129. 9
$0.334
.311
.744
.781
.829
.861
.829
.777
. 699
.610
.488
.625
.630
.659
. 668
.698
.830
.770
T a b l e 4 .—M O N T H L Y C H A N G E S IN B U Y IN G P O W E R OF T H E D O L L A R IN P U R C H A S E
O F A G R IC U L T U R A L A N D N O N A G R IC U L T U R A L C O M M O D IT IE S
[1913 = $!]
Y ear and m o n th
1926
J a n u a ry _________________
F ebruary ___ . . _______
M a r c h _____ ___________
A p ril..
. . . ... ..
M a y ___________________
J u n e ..
.
J u ly -----------------------------A ugust_________________
Septem ber_____ _ _
October . ______ ______
N ovem ber______ ______
D ecem ber. _
______ . . .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Agricul
tural
$0. 651
.659
.678
.672
.670
.663
. 675
.692
.683
. 688
.708
.704
Nonagricultural
$0,635
.636
.647
.655
.653
. 654
.657
.653
.651
.653
.649
.661
Y ear and m onth
1927
J a n u a ry ..
------------------F eb ru ary ----. . . __
M arch . ._
______ _ _
April .. . . . . . . . . . ____
M a y . . . __________ _____
J u n e ________ ____ ______
[415]
Agricul
tural
$0. 698
. 696
.696
.698
.696
.701
Nonagricultural
$0. 669
.674
.684
.693
.695
.694
192
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Average Wholesale Prices of Commodities, April to June, 1927
N CONTINUATION of the plan of publishing each quarter in the
Labor Review a detailed statement of wholesale price changes,
there is presented herewith a list of the more important com
modities included in the bureau’s compilation, together with the latest
record of price changes available at the time of its preparation. For
convenience of comparison with pre-war prices, index numbers based
on average prices in the year 1913 as 100 are shown in addition to
the money prices wherever such information can be supplied. Index
numbers for the several groups and subgroups also are included in
the table. To show more minutely the fluctuation in prices, all
index numbers are here published to one decimal fraction. Figures
are given for April, May, and June, 1927.
I
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
F A R M P R O D U C T S ______________
G ra m s . __________________ _ . ______ . __________
B arley, m alting, per bushel, Chicago. _____________ $0. 826
C om , per bushel, Chicago—
C ontract grades________________________________
.735
No. 3, m ixed_______ __ _
_____________
.695
.............
Oats, contract grades, per bushel, Chicago
.477
R ye, N o. 2, per bushel, Chicago___________________
1.031
W heat, per bushel—
No. 1, n o rth ern spring, C hicago__________________ 1.344
N o. 2, red w inter, C hicago._ ___________________
1.336
No. 2, hard w inter, K ansas C ity .. ........ .................... 1.307
No. 1, northern spring, M inneapolis.. . . ________
1.341
No. 1, hard w inter, Portland, Oreg_______________ 1.390
L ivesto ck a n d p o u ltr y . ______ _ . . . .
C attle, steers, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Choice to prim e________________________________
Good to choice_________________________ ________
Hogs, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
______________________________________
H eavy
L ight.
...
_ ______
Sheep, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Ewes, n ative, all grades_______________ ________
Lam bs, w estern m edium to good_________________
W ethers, fed, good to choice................ ........................
P o u ltry , live fowls, p er pound—
Chicago____________ _____ ______________________
N ew Y ork__ _____________ ___________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M ay,
1927
136. 7
137.4
138.2
151. 3
143.3
157.3
146.5
June,
1927
$5. 896
$0. 916
136. 6
132.1
.874
.850
.508
1.134
1.003
.980
.503
1.146
117.6
112.9
126.9
162.0
139.8
138.1
135.0
178.2
160.4
159.2
133.7
180.2
1.480
1.443
1.428
1.444
1.558
1.512
1.448
1.487
1. 456
1.510
147.2
135.4
149.1
153.5
149.6
162.0
146. 3
162.9
165.3
167.7
165.6
146.8
169.6
166.6
162.6
142.2
130. 7
126.6
13. 394
12. 281
12. 945
11. 440
13.181
11.831
150. 0
144.4
145.0
134.5
147.6
139.1
10. 506
11.131
9. 445
9. 990
8.688
9.075
125.6
131.7
112.9
118.2
103.9
107.3
7. 781
15. 813
10.188
5. 900
14. 850
8.420
5.156
13. 250
7. 500
166.0
202.9
190.5
125.9
190.5
157.5
110.0
170.0
140.3
.286
.308
.238
.268
.206
.243
185.8
183. 7
154.1
160. 1
133.9
144.9
5.725
34. 830
6.400
34.615
12S. 6
133.2
218.4
135. 8
143. 5
210.9
138. 7
160.4
209.6
.157
.163
26. 050
.164
.168
26.270
112.6
114.5
118.4
123.9
127.3
119.6
129.2
131.2
120.6
O th e r f a r m p r o d u c ts
.. ____ ________
Beans, m edium , choice, per 100 pounds, New Y o rk ... 5. 313
Clover seed, contract grades, per 100 pounds, Chicago. 36. 070
C otton, m iddling, per p ound—
N ew Orleans_____________ ________ ____________
.143
N ew Y o r k . ________________________ ______
. 146
Cottonseed, p er to n , average price a t gin....................... 25. 800
[416]
April,
1927
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PEICES OP COMMODITIES
193
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
$0.248
.232
.219
.204
.246
.263
.198
2. 213
$0. 237
.220
.197
. 182
.234
.256
.198
2.310
$0. 228
.219
.231
. 173
.231
.250
.200
2.233
98.6
102.7
97.8
87.0
98.6
99.8
73. 7
164.1
94.2
97.3
87.8
77.7
93.9
97.2
73. 7
171.2
90.7
96.9
103.4
73.6
92.9
94.8
74.7
165.5
19. 750
19. 500
20. 500
18. 563
20. 400
20.500
15. 750
18.125
19. 625
139.2
125.1
127.9
130.8
130.9
127.9
111.0
116.3
122.4
.160
.740
.121
.152
.146
.177
.745
.128
.168
.161
.201
.753
.151
.195
.181
84.8
104.1
80.4
82.6
80.9
93.8
104. 7
84. 9
91. 4
88.8
106.6
105.8
100.1
106.0
99.8
.575
.240
.575
.231
.550
.223
215.9
139.6
215.9
134.4
206.5
129.4
.064
.076
.068
4 156
.052
.062
.076
.068
5 163
.052
.062
.076
.068
5 078
! 053
150. 5
170. 7
158.1
264 3
146.2
144.6
170.7
158.1
144.6
170.7
158.1
146! 2
148.7
2.600
.950
3.600
.988
3.694
(‘)
254.0
196.8
351.6
204. 6
360.8
.043
.063
.043
.063
.044
.063
(2)
123.3
(2)
123. 3
(2)
123.3
21.000
6. 490
18. 000
6. 299
16.875
7. 633
159.1
72.8
136.3
70.7
127.8
85.7
.380
.440
.440
.430
.370
.440
.430
.420
.370
.450
. 440
.430
166.3
184.3
173.1
170.6
162.0
184.3
169.2
166.6
162.0
188.4
173.1
170.6
.288
. 355
.278
.355
.280
.355
84. 7
100.3
81.6
100.3
82.4
100.3
1.098
1.010
1.075
.997
1.075
.988
195.4
196.4
191.4
193.9
191.4
192.1
146.4
June,
1927
F A R M P R O D U C T S —C ontinued
O th er fa r m p r o d u cts—C ontinued.
Egg.s, fresh, per dozen—
F hsts, w estern, Boston .. ____________ ____ ____
F irst, Chicago__ __________________________ ____
E x tra firsts, C in cin n ati____________ ____ _________
C andled, N ew O rleans_____________ ______ ______
Firsts, N ew Y o rk______ . . . . . ___________
E x tra firsts, w estern, P hiladelphia ______________
E xtra p u lle ts, San Francisco________ ___________
Flaxseed, No. 1, per bushel, M inneapolis___________
H ay, per to n —
Alfalfa, N o. 1, K ansas C ity ________________ ___
Clover, mixed, N o. 1, C incinnati _ _ _________ _
T im oth y , No. 1, Chicago______________________ _
H ides a nd skins, p er pound—
Calfskins N o. 1, country, Chicago_______________
G oatskin,s, Brazilian, N ew York
.. _
H ides, heav y , c o u n try cows, No. 1, Chicago______
H ides, packers’, h eav y , n a tiv e steers, Chicago____
H ides, packers’, h eav y , Texas steers, Chicago_____
H ops, prim e to choice p e r po u n d —
N ew York S tate, N ew Y ork___ _____ _________
Pacifies, P o rtlan d , Oreg...................................................
M ilk, fluid, per q u a rt—
Chicago_____________________ __________________
N ew Y o r k _______ ____ __________ ______________
San Francisco__________________________ . .
Onions, yellow, p er 100 pounds, Chicago
P eanuts, N o. 1, p er pound, Norfolk, V a__________
Potatoes—
W hite, good to choice, per 100 pounds, Chicago___
Sweet, No. 1, per five-eighths bushel, P h ilad elp h ia..
R ice, per po u n d , N ew Orleans—
B lue Rose, head, clean ______________ _________
H onduras, head, clean__________________________
Tobacco, leaf, p er 100 pounds—
B urley, good, leaf, dark red. Louisville, K y _______
Average w arehouse sales, K en tu ck y _______ _____ _
W ool, per p ound, Boston—
Ohio, grease basis—
F ine c lo th in g ..______________________________ _
Fine delaine________________________ . .
H alf blood___________________________________
One-fourth a n d three-eighths grades____________
S outh A m erican, grease basis—
A rgentine crossbreds, straig h t, q u arter blood____
M ontevideo, 50s______________________________
T erritory, scoured—
Fine a n d fine m edium , staple ________________
H alf blood___________________________________
FO O D S_________________
M ea ts. _ ____
__
. . . . . .
Beef, fresh, per pound—
Carcass, good, n ativ e steers, Chicago__________ ._
.170
.170
.170
Sides, n ative, N ew Y ork________. . . _____ ____ _
.174
.171
.164
Beef, salt, ex tra mess, per barrel (200 p o u n d s), N ew
Y ork_____________________________________
20.000 18. 800 18. 500
H am s, sm oked, per pound, C h icago... ____________
.268
.259
.246
L a m b , dressed, p er po u n d , Chicago ________ _______
.291
.293
.300
M u tto n , dressed, per pound, N ew Y ork......................
.170
.156
.144
Pork , fresh, per pound—
Loins, C hicago.. _ _______________ _____ _______
.249
.233
.220
Loins, w estern, N ew Y o rk . ____________________
.239
.228
.205
P ork, cured—
M ess, salt, per barrel (200 pounds), New York
36. 750 34.800 33.250
Sides, rough, p er p ound, Chicago________________
.200
.193
.184
Sides, short, clear, p er p o u n d , Chicago.......................
.206
.199
.186
P o u ltry , dressed, per pound—
H ens, heavy, Chicago________ ________ ________
(i)
(l)
. 195
Fow ls, 48-54 pounds to dozen, New York
_____
.319
.300
.263
Veal, dressed, good, per p ound, Chicago_____ _____
.179
.178
.171
i N o quotation.
a N o 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[417]
147.3
148. 0
153. 3
149 3
142 3
131.3
136.8
131.3
139.0
131.3
130.8
105.7
160.9
195. 7
165.9
99.3
155.5
196.7
152.2
97.8
148.2
201.7
140.3
167.6
156.9
156.5
149.4
148.0
134.6
163.5
161.8
161.9
154. 9
156.4
156.0
148.0
149.2
146.2
174.8
192.4
164. 5
184.3
134.9
143.9
191.0
194
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontd.
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
156.4
147. 6
145.8
$0.434
.417
.396
.470
.436
.434
.435
.413
$0. 423
.403
.383
.453
.425
.434
.423
.418
160.0
159. 5
0
160.7
157.8
155.3
160.9
133.2
136.8
134. 2
0
139.8
135.1
133.1
140.8
130.1
133.4
129.9
0
134.6
131.7
133.1
136.7
131.8
.225
. 225
.203
. 226
. 218
.200
160.4
144. 4
143. 5
158.7
145.7
127.0
159.6
141.7
125.5
5. 925
5.900
124.2
126.1
125.5
4.630
4. 600
129.4
131.0
130.1
143.6
148.6
149.4
174. 5
199.7
215.1
165. 1
173.0
134.3
174.5
196.9
215.1
165.1
173.0
128.9
174.5
199.7
215.1
165.1
173.0
133.3
145. 2
136.4
49. 2
138.4
130.4
49.2
133.3
128.0
49.5
96.9
133.8
183.2
182.7
93.2
107.1
183. 2
203.0
96.9
107.1
183.2
199.7
179.1
171.0
158. 2
157. 6
163.3
138.6
130.1
132.6
192.7
181.0
170.8
171.0
175.4
148.9
143.1
147.1
194.8
183.6
172.6
172.4
179.3
158.0
150.0
146.8
124.0
108.4
117.0
109.6
117.0
109.6
129.7
135.1
143.2
108.7
113.6
108.7
94.8
105.8
94.8
114. 2
130.0
86.6
120.9
156.0
141.8
130.0
95.9
134. 1
147.8
141.8
109.8
109.3
144.9
147.8
92.4
116. 2
118.0
117.1
125.3'
118.5
95.3
160. 1
170.6
121. 6
186.6
170.6
125.3
214.5
170.6
139.7
146.1
to score.
148.7
F O O D S —C ontinued
B u tte r , c h e e s e , a n d m i l k . - ........ ....... .................. .........-B u tte r, cream ery, extra, p er pou n d —
B oston_________________________ _______________ $0. 508
.495
Chicago-------------------- ---------------------------------------.470
C incinnati 8____________________________________
. 540
N ew Orleans_____________________________ _____ .509
N ew Y o rk _____________________________________
.506
P h ilad elp h ia____________ ____ _____ ____ ________
.497
St. L ouis_______________________________________
.423
San Francisco________ ____ - ............................... .........
Cheese, w hole m ilk , p e r p o u n d —
.223
A m erican, tw in s, Chicago------ -------- -------------------.223
S tate, fresh, flats, colored, average, N ew Y ork------. 229
California, flats, fancy, San Francisco------ -----------M ilk , fluid. (See F a rm products.)
M ilk, condensed, p e r case of 48 14-ounce tins, N ew
Y o rk __________ _____ - ...........................- - - - ------------ 5. 838
M ilk, evaporated, p er case of 48 16-ounce tins, New
4.575
Y o rk ........................................... .................. .........- ............
O th e r fo o d s ________ ____ _________________ ________
Beans, m edium choice. (See F arm products.)
B read, p e r p o u n d , before baking—
.075
.075
.075
Chicago------ ------------- ------------ ------------------- ------.070
. 071
.071
C in cin n ati......................... ....................... ..........................
.066
.066
.066
N ew Orleans___________________________________
.070
.070
.070
N ew Y o rk ________________________■..........................
.069
.069
.069
San Francisco___________________ ____ __________
.197
.204
.206
Cocoa beans, p e r po u n d , N ew Y o rk---------- ------------Coflee, p e r p o u n d , N ew Y ork—
.154
.148
.162
Rio, N o. 7 ____________________________ _________
.172
. 169
.179
Santos, N o. 4 . _____ ____________________________
.052
.051
.051
Copra, South Sea, sun-dried, p er pound, N ew Y o rk ..
Eggs, fresh, p er dozen. (See F arm products.)
F ish—•
Cod, large, shore, pickled, cured, p er 100 pounds,
6.250
6.500
6. 500
Gloucester, M a s s ._______________________ _____
M ackerel, salt, large, 3s, p er barrel, B oston----------- 14. 850 11.880 11. 880
2.675
2. 675
2. 675
Salm on, canned, A laska, red, per dozen, factory---6.340
6.238
F lour, ry e, w h ite , p er barrel, M inneapolis................... . 5. 706
Flour, w h e at, p e r b a r r e l 7. 731
7. 813
w in te r p a te n ts, K ansas C ity ...................... .................. 7.185
6. 963
7.063
W in ter straights, K ansas C ity ----------------------------- 6. 580
7.830
7.913
Standard p a te n ts, M inneapolis— . ------ . . . ----------- 7. 250
7. 560
Second p a te n ts, M inneapolis........ ................................. 6. 969
7. 625
7.884
7.340
8. 060
Patents* P o rtlan d , O reg........... ......... ....................... .
6.800
7. 213
P aten ts, soft, w in ter, St. L o u is.................................... 6. 330
6.088
6. 381
Straights, soft, w in ter, St. L ouis------------- ------------ 5.535
6.950
6.938
P aten ts, Toledo_______________________________ - 6.265
F ru it, canned, p e r case, N ew Y ork—
1.775
1.775
1.881
Peaches, California, stan d a rd , 23^s------ ---------------2. 250
2. 250
2. 225
Pineapples, H aw aiian, sliced, stan d ard , 2Ris--------F ru it, dried, p e r p ound, N ew Y ork—
.097
. 103
.093
A pples, evaporated, S tate choice-------------------------C u rran ts, P a tra s, cleaned.............................................
0)
(0
(•)
.071
.069
.071
Prunes, California, 60-70s------ ----------------------------.069
.069
.083
Raisins, coast, seeded, b u lk ..........................................
F ru its, fresh—
4. 500
4.500
Apples, B aldw in, p er barrel, C hicago------------------- 3. 625
1.688
2.000
B ananas, Jam aica, 9s, p er b unch, N ew Y o rk --------- 2. 0C0
5.535
6.313
Lem ons, California, choice, p er box, Chicago--------- 5.000
5. 925
6.406
Oranges, California, choice, p e r box, Chicago--------- 5. 344
3.160
3.335
3.160
Glucose, 42° m ixing, p er 100 p ounds, N ew Y ork------H om iny grits, b u lk , car lots, p e r 100 pounds, f. o. b.
2. 068
1.947
1.525
m ill........ ........................ ....................................... ................
.129
.131
. 128
L ard , prim e, contract, p er po u n d , N ew Y o rk ------- M eal, corn, p e r 100 pounds—
2.068
1.947
W hite, f. o. b . m ill._____________________________ 1.525
2. 295
2. 675
3.075
Yellow, P h ila d e lp h ia .._____ __________________ _
.650
.650
Molasses, N ew Orleans, fancy, per gallon, N ew Y o rk ..
.650
O atm eal, car lots, in sacks (90 pounds), p er 100
3. 681
3. 617
pounds, N ew Y o rk_____ ________________________ 3. 458
8 As
1 N o quotation.
3 No. 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[418J
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
195
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S OF C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Average prices
Index num bers
(1913 = 100)
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
$0. 215
.128
.288
$0. 215
.132
.320
132.3
99.9
228.7
132.3
109.1
265.0
132.3
114.3
294.7
2.195
2.195
215.2
215.2
215.2
.060
.048
.081
.345
.080
.046
.084
.345
136.5
137.4
100.9
138.9
140.5
138.9
102.1
138.9
141.5
132.3
105.7
138.9
.975
1.225
1.500
.975
1.225
1. 500
153.7
141.4
115.4
153.7
141.4
115.4
153.7
141.4
115.4
.098
.099
.097
.110
78.4
160.6
80.0
163.8
79.5
181.2
.091
2.150
.125
.121
.092
2.150
. 125
. 120
125.7
127.4
(2)
196.1
125.4
127.4
(2)
197.1
126.6
127.4
(2)
196.1
.180
.185
161.3
161.3
165.7
16S. 1
f>
1B9 fi
June,
1927
F O O D S —C ontinued
O th e r fo o d s —C ontinued.
Oleomargarine, standard, uncolored, per pound,
Chicago__________ ____________ ____ ___________ $0. 215
Oleo oil, extra, p er pound, Chicago________________
.115
Pepper, black, p er pound, N ew Y o rk ......................... .
.248
Rice. (See F a rm products.)
Salt, A merican, m edium , per barrel (280 pounds),
Chicago___ ______________________ _________ ____
2.195
Sugar, per pound, N ew Y ork—
G ranulated, in barrels____________________ ______
.058
R aw , 96° centrifugal_____________ ____ __________
.048
Tallow , edible, per pound, Chicago________________
.080
Tea, Form osa, fine, per pound, N ew Y o rk ............. .
.345
Vegetables, canned, p er dozen, N ew Y ork—
Corn, M ary lan d , s ta n d a rd ..................................... .......
.975
Peas, State an d w estern, N o. 5______________ ____
1.225
Tom atoes, N ew Jersey, stan d ard , No. 3__________
1.500
Vegetable;;, fresh. (See F a rm products.)
Vegetable oil—
Coconut, crude, p er pound, N ew Y ork_______ ___
.096
Corn, crude, in barrels, per pound, N ew Y ork____
.098
C ottonseed, prim e, sum m er, yellow, per pound,
New Y o rk __________________ _________________
.091
Olive oil, edible, in barrels, p er gallon, N ew Y o rk .. 2.150
Peanut, crude, per pound, f. o. b. m ill____________
.125
Soya bean, crude, in barrels, per pound, N ew Y ork. _
. 120
Vinegar, cider, 40-grain, in barrels, per gallon, N ew
Y o rk .__________ _____ _____ ___________
. 180
C L O T H IN G M A T E R IA L S .....................
B o o ts a n d s h o e s ________ _________ _____ ________ _
C hildren's, per pair, factory—
C hild's, gun m etal, polish, high c u t______________
L ittle boy’s, ta n , calf, blucher___________________
M isses', g u n m etal, polish, high c u t . ____________
Y o uth’s, ta n , calf, blucher_____ ________ ________
M en’s, per pair, factory—
B lack, calf, b lucher______________ ______ _______
Black, calf, Goodyear w elt, b a l .. . __________ _____
Black, dress, Goodyear w elt, side leather_________
Black, vici kid, G oodyear w e l t . . . . ______________
Chocolate, elk, blucher_________ _______ ________
G un m etal, Goodyear w elt, b lucher_______ ____ _
M ahogany, chrome side, Goodyear w elt, b a l_____
T an, dress, Goodyear w elt, calf__________________
T an, dress, G oodyear welt, side leath er........... ..........
W om en's, p er pair, factory—
Black, k id , dress, w elt, lace, oxford______________
Black, kid, M cK ay sewed, lace, oxford__________
Colored, calf, G oodyear w elt, lace, oxford________
Patent-leather p u m p , M cK ay se w e d ..__________
C o tto n g o o d s ____________ ________________________
D enim s, M assachusetts, 28-inch, 2.20 yards to th e
pound, per yard, facto ry_________________ ____ _
D rilling, brow n, p er yard , factory—
M assachusetts, D stan d ard , 30-inch___________
Pepperell, 29-inch, 2.85 y ard s to th e p o u n d _______
Flannels, per yard , factory—
Colored, 4.20 yards to th e p o u n d ________________
U nbleached, 3.20 yards to th e p o u n d _____________
Ginghams, per y a rd , factory—
Amoskeag, 27-inch, 6.37 yards to the p o u n d ______
Security, 32-inch, 5.60 yard s to th e p o u n d ________
Hosiery, per dozen pairs, factory—
M en’s half hose, com bed y a r n .. . ________________
W om en’s, cotton, silk mercerized, mock seam ____
W om en's, com bed y arn , 16-ounce........... ......................
M uslin, bleached, 4/4, p er y ard , factory—
F ru it of th e Loom ...................... ......................................
Lonsdale................................ .................. ...........................
Rough R ider___________________________________
W am su tta nainsook_______________________
1 No quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
184.4
184 5
184 7
1.330
1.473
1.568
1.663
1.330
1. 473
1. 568
1.663
1.330
1.473
1.568
1.663
181.7
166.5
173.2
143.4
181.7
166.5
173.2
143.4
181.7
166.5
173.2
143.4
6. 400
4. 850
3.150
6.000
1. 750
4. 600
3. 600
4. 850
3. 350
6.400
4.850
3. 150
6. 000
1. 805
4. 600
3. 600
4. 850
3.350
6. 400
4. 850
3. 150
6. 000
1.880
4. 600
3. 600
4.850
3.350
205.6
153.2
140.8
209.3
122.8
235.3
223.3
153.2
149.7
205.6
153.2
140.8
209.3
126. 7
235.3
223.3
153.2
149. 7
205.6
153.2
140.8
209.3
132.0
235.3
223. 3
153.2
149.7
4.000
3. 600
4.150
3.600
4.000
3. 600
4. 150
3.600
4.000
3. 600
4.150
3.600
142.8
241. 7
190.9
261.8
42.8
241.7
190.9
261.8
142.8
241.7
190.9
261.8
147 4
151 7
153 9
. 147
. 154
.157
114.4
119.8
122.2
.110
.106
. 116
.106
.121
.109
133.4
129.2
139.9
129. 2
146.0
132.7
0)
(i)
0)
(i)
(i)
0)
.090
. 123
.090
.123
.090
.123
138.5
201.8
138.5
201.8
138.5
201.8
1.600
2. 275
1. 666
1.600
2.275
1.666
1. 550
2. 275
1.666
198.8
128.4
166.6
198.8
128.4
166.6
192.7
128.4
166.6
.157
. 137
. 146
. 225
. 157
. 137
. 149
.225
.162
.137
.152
.225
183.8
109. 8
181.4
244.3
183.8
169.8
185. 5
244.3
189.3
169. 6
189.0
244.3
a N o 1913 base price.
[ 419 ]
196
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Index num bers
(1913=100)
A verage prices
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
$0. 052
.071
$0. 055
.073
141.5
128. 5
151.3
133.3
158.6
138.0
. 106.
. 108
.082
.073
.108
. 112
.084
.073
124.7
146. 7
131.9
186.0
125.8
147.8
133.4
186.0
127.7
152.9
136. 5
186.0
6. 039
8. 500
6.039
8. 500
168.9
140.2
168.9
140.2
168. 9
140.2
.288
.335
.456
. 295
.447
.294
.346
.470
.301
.454
121.8
126.2
132.4
120. 1
109.0
129.9
135.4
135. 5
126.9
116.7
132.9
140.0
139.5
129.3
118.6
189. 6
187.7
187.1
(!)
3.000
0)
3.000
187.4
173.0
173.0
2. 655
3.285
1.395
2.048
1. 500
2. 655
3.285
1.395
2. 048
1. 500
192.1
212.6
219.0
181.1
132.6
192. 1
212.6
219.0
181. 1
132.6
192.1
212.6
219.0
181.1
132.6
28, 000
27. 440
28. 000
27.440
143.1
279.6
143.1
279.6
143.1
279.6
2. 255
. 975
. 510
. 775
1. 325
2. 255
.975
.510
.775
1. 325
171. 6
208. 1
202.4
203.8
173.4
171. 6
208. 1
202. 4
203.8
173.4
171.6
208. 1
202.4
203.8
173.4
1.325
1. 775
2.075
1.325
1. 738
2.038
173.8
159. 0
196.8
170.6
159.0
196.8
170.6
155.6
193.3
148.8
144.4
139.8
June,
1927
C L O T H IN G M A T E R IA L S —C ontinued
C o tto n g o o d s—C ontinued.
P rin t cloth, per yard, factory—
27-inch, 7.60 yard s to th e pound ________ _____ _ $0. 049
383^-inch, 5.35 y ard s to th e p o u n d ...... ..........................
.068
Sheeting, brow n, 4/4, per y a rd , factory—
. 105
In d ia n H ead, 2.85 y ard s to th e p o u n d ____________
. 108
Pepperell, 3.75 y ard s to th e p o u n d ................................
.081
'Trion, 4 y a rd s to th e p o u n d _______________ _____
T hread , 6-cord, J. & P . Coats, per 200 yards, facto ry .
.073
U nderw ear, factory—
6.039
M en ’s sh irts an d draw ers, per dozen garm ents____
8. 500
W om en’s unio n suits, carded yarn , per dozen ___
Y arn, p er po u n d , factory—
C arded, w hite, m ulespun, northern, 10/1, c o n e s __
.270
C arded, w hite, m ulespun, n o rth ern , 22/1, cones__
.312
C arded, w eaving, 40/1___________________________
.446
.279
T w isted, ord in ary weaving, 20/2__ ____ __________
T w isted, ordinary weaving, 40/2............. ................ .
.418
W o o len a n d w o rs te d g o o d s.
................... ...............
Flannel, w hite, 4/4, B allard Vale, No. 3, p er yard,
factory________________________ _____ _______
(i)
O vercoating, 30 to 31 ounces, p er yard , facto ry .......... . 3. 250
Suiting, p e r y a rd , factory—
C lay w orsted, diagonal, 16-ounce_________________ 2. 655
M iddlesex, w ool-dyed, blue, 16-ounce . . . _______
3. 285
Serge, 9b2-ounce____ ___________________________
1.395
Serge, 11-ounce____________ ___________ _____ _
2.048
T rousering, cotton w arp, 11-ounce, per yard, fa c to ry .. 1.500
U nderw ear, factory—
M erino sh irts and draw ers, per dozen g arm en ts___ 28. 000
M en ’s unio n suits, 33 p er cent w orsted, per d o zen .. 27.440
W om en’s dress goods, p e r y a rd , factory—
B roadcloth, 9R>-ounce, 54-56 in ch __________ . . . __ 2. 255
F rench serge, all wool, 39-inch_________________ _.
.975
Serge, cotton w arp, 36-inch... ________ ____ _____
. 510
Sicilian cloth, cotton w arp, 54-inch_______________
.775
Flannel, all wool, 5 4 -in ch ...________________ . . .
1.325
Y arn, p er p ound, factory—
Crossbred, stock 2/32s.__________ _______________
1. 350
H alf blood, 2/40s _______. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. 775
F ine, domestic, 2/50s..__________________________ 2. 075
Silk, e tc _______________________ ____ _____
L inen shoe th read , 10s, B arbour, p er p ound, New
Y o r k ............. ....................... ............
Silk, raw , p er po u n d , N ew Y ork—
C hina, C an to n , filature, extra extra A .
. . _____
Jap an , B est 1/X_____ __________ ______________
Jap an , double extra crack. ____________ _______
Silk yarn , per p ound, N ew Y ork—
D om estic, gray spun, 60/1. _____________________
D om estic, gray spun, 60/2, No. 1______________ _
1.946
1.946
1. 946
217.9
217.9
217.9
4. 373
5. 537
6.125
4. 226
5. 390
5.831
4.100
5. 194
5.488
125.0
152. 1
150.3
120.8
148. 1
143.1
117.2
142.7
134.6
4. 214
5. 194
4. 165
5.096
4. 214
5.096
144.5
149.8
142.8
147.0
144. 5
147.0
F U E L S ____ ____ ____ ____ _
A n th r a c ite c o a l_____ ______________________ .
A verage sp o t price for 8 cities, per gross ton—
C h estn u t .......................... .......................
Egg— -------------------------------------------------------------Pea.
_________________ _____ . . . . . . . . . .
Tidew ater, N ew Y ork, average sales realization, per
gross to n —
B roken________ _______ _________________ _______
C h estn u t__ _______ ____________ ________ ____ _
Egg-----------------------------------------------------------------Stove_______ ________ ______________ ______ _____
B i tu m in o u s c o a l__________________
B altim ore, p er n e t ton, m ine ru n , pools 1-11-71_____
B irm ingham , p er n e t to n —
M ine ru n , Jagger d istric t...... ...................... ._ . .
P rep ared sizes, Jagger d istric t_______ _________
Screenings, Jagger d istrict. . . . ___ . .
1 N o quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
158.2
158.7
214.6
217.3
12. 932
12. 376
10. 554
12. 871
12.391
10. 544
13. 057
12. 535
10. 648
«
(2)
(’*)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(’)
10. 578
10. 583
11.181
(!)
10. 578
10. 590
11.171
(i)
10. 771
10. 746
11. 305
199. 1
209.0
220.9
199. 1
209. 1
220.7
202.7
212. 2
223.4
«
4. 940
0)
205.8
(2)
205.5
(2)
206.6
(2)
2.790
3. 440
2. 540
2. 790
3.590
2. 540
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
2. 790
3. 290
2. 540
* N o 1013 base price.
[4201
160.6
215.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
197
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
A pril,
1927
$4. 450
4. 838
3. 625
$4. 600
4. 800
0
$4. 600
4. 800
0
0
0
0
3. 640
4.240
3. 640
4. 240
3 640
4.240
165 5
175. 8
3. 640
4.434
3. 265
3. 640
4.225
3. 630
0
4. 515
0
3.890
4. 250
3. 380
0
4. 598
(i)
3. 890
4. 375
3. 380
0
0
0
0
140.8
0
0
141.7
0
0
145.8
0
(i)
0
0)
0)
(0
0
0
0
0)
118. 3
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
F U E L S —C ontinued
B itu m in o u s c o a l—C ontinued.
Chicago, per n et to n —
M ine ru n , southern Illinois....... .............. .
Prepared sizes, southern Illinois____________ .
Screenings, central Illin o is.................................
C incinnati, per net to n —
M ine run, K anaw ha ______ _______
M ine ru n , N ew R iv e r.................................
C leveland, per n et to n —
M ine ru n , Ohio, Pittsb u rg h , N o. 8____
Prepared sizes, W est Virginia, high volatile
Screenings, Ohio, P ittsb u rg h , N o. 8 ___
Indianapolis, m ine ru n , per n et to n
___ .
Norfolk., V a., m ine run, Pocahontas, per gross ton .
P ittsb u rg h , prepared sizes, per n et t o n . . . ........
St. Louis, p er n et to n —
M ine ru n , southern Illinois___ __________ .
Prepared sizes, southern Illinois_________
Screenings, southern Illin o is ______ _____ ______
O th e r fu e ls ................
Coke—
A labam a, foundry, per net ton, a t oven
' Connellsville, furnace, per net ton, a t oven
Fuel oil, f. 0 . b. refinery—
Oklahom a, 24-26, per barrel _________
Pennsylvania, 36-40, per gallon____________
Gasoline—
M otor, per gallon, ta n k wagon, New Y o rk_____
M otor, per gallon, f. 0 . b. refinery—
O klahoma, 58-60. ____ _______ .
Pennsylvania, 58-60_____ ________
N atu ral, G rade B, per gallon, f. 0 . b. refinery,
O klahom a___ _____________
C rude petroleum , per barrel, a t well—
California, 20° to 20.9°____________ ____
Kansas-O klahom a, 33° to 33.9° ...........
Pennsy lv an ia.......... .................. ............
Refined petroleum , per gallon, f. 0 . b . refinery—
Standard w hite, 110° fire test ___
W ater w hite, P en n sy lv an ia...... .........
0
0
5
175.8
0
(2)
0
175 ! 8
0
113.6
113.1
6.000
3. 494
6. 000
2.940
6.000
3.169
0
143.2
0
120.5
0
129. 9
1.063
.055
.925
.050
.906
.047
117.8
0
102.5
0
100.5
0
. 194
.190
. 190
115.3
112.9
112.9
.063
.089
.065
.089
.066
.089
0
0
0
0
0
0
.043
.049
.048
.900
1.114
3.025
.850
1.155
2. 900
.850
1.155
2. 900
257.1
119.2
123. 5
242.9
123.6
118.4
242.9
123.6
118.4
.067
.079
.063
.076
.063
.072
158.9
128.1
148.7
122.8
148.7
116.9
0
0
0
M ETA LS AND M E T A L PR O D U CT S
121.9
120. 6
119 6
I r o n a n d s te e l.......... _
Iron ore, per ton, lower lake ports—
M esabi, Bessemer, 51K per cen t___
Non-Bessemer, 51 Y z per c en t................
Pig iron, per gross to n —
Basic, valley furnace________________ .
Bessemer, P ittsb u rg h ________
Foundry, No. 2,- northern, P ittsb u rg h __
F oundry, No. 2, southern, B irm ingham , Ala
Ferrom anganese, seaboard__ . . . ______
Spiegeleisen, 19 and 21 per cent, furnace .
B ar iron, per pound—
B est refined, P hiladelphia...................... .......
Com m on, P ittsb u rg h _________
B ars, reinforcing, per 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h
Nails, wire, per 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h .
Pipe, cast-iron, 6-inch, per n et ton, New York
Skelp, grooved, per 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h .
Steel billets, per gross ton, P ittsb u rg h —
Bessemer______________ ________
Open hearth
._ ________
Steel m erchant bars, per 100 pounds, Pittsb u rg h
Steel plates, ta n k , per pound, P ittsb u rg h .
Steel rails, p er gross ton, P ittsb u rg h —
Bessemer, stan d ard _________ _________________
Open hearth , stan d ard _____________
Steel sheets, per pound, P ittsb u rg h
Steel, stru ctu ral shapes, pgr 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h __
131. 7
131 9
129.9
1 N o quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[421]
4. 400
4. 250
4. 400
4.250
4. 400
4.250
114.3
125.0
114. 3
125.0
114.3
125.0
19. 000
21.260
20. 260
18. 000
00.000
37.000
18.200
20. 960
20. 260
18.000
94.000
36. 600
17. 875
20. 635
19. 890
18.000
90.000
35. 875
129.2
124.1
126. 6
154.0
171.6
148.0
123.8
122.3
126. 6
154.0
161.3
146. 4
121.6
120.4
124.2
154.0
154.4
143.5
.028
.028
1. 900
2. 650
47.975
1.900
.028
.028
1.900
2.600
46. 800
1.860
.028
.028
1. 900
2. 600
45. 425
1.800
147.9
166.7
138.1
145. 7
205.3
136.7
147.9
166.7
138.1
143.0
200.2
133.8
147.9
166.7
138.1
143.0
194.4
129.5
33. 250
33.250
1.888
.019
33.000
33.000
1.850
.018
33. 000
33. 000
1.813
.018
128.9
127.4
121.9
125.0
128.0
126.5
119. 5
124.3
128.0
126.5
117.1
121.6
153.6
143.3
134.7
125.8
153.6
143.3
140.6
125.8
153.6
143.3
143.8
122.5
43.000
43.000
.030
1.900
43.000 43. 000
43.000 43.000
.031
.032
1.900
1.850
2 n 0 1913 base price.
198
•
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O P
C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontin u ed
Index num bers
(1913 = 100)
Average prices
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
M E T A L S AN D M E T A L P R O D U C T S —C ontinued
I r o n a n d ste e l—C ontinued.
Terneplate, 8 pounds, I. C ., p er base box (200 pounds),
P ittsb u rg h __________________________ _________ $11. 700 $11. 700 $11. 700
5.500
5. 500
T in plate, dom estic coke, p e r 100 pounds, P ittsb u rg h __ 5. 500
W ire, per 100 pounds—
3.270
3. 250
B arbed, galvanized, Chicago.
----------------------- 3.300
2. 540
2. 513
2.550
P lain , fence, annealed, P ittsb u rg h . . . -------------A lum inum , p er pound, N ew Y o rk -----------------------C opper, ingot, electrolytic, p er pound, refinery------ .
Copper, sheet, per p ound, N ew Y o rk . ------------------Copper wire, bare, per pound, m ill------------------------Lead, pig, per pound, N ew Y o r k --------------------------Lead pipe, per 100 pounds, N ew Y ork --------- ----Quicksilver, p e r pound, N ew Y ork------------------------Silver, bar, fine, p er ounce, N ew Y ork ---------- -- -T in , pig, per pound, N ew Y o rk ----------------------------Zinc, sheet, per 100 pounds, factory. --------------------Zinc, slab, per pound, N ew Y o rk . ---------- -------------R U T L D IN il M A T E R IA L S
.256
. 128
.208
.151
.071
8.707
1.605
.567
.682
9.466
.067
.255
. 126
.207
. 149
.066
8.205
1.632
. 566
.674
8.793
.064
.254
. 124
. 204
.147
.064
7. 840
1. 570
.571
.673
8. 793
.066
_____
Douglas fir, per 1,000 feet, mill—
N o. 1, common boards ----------- --------------------N o. 2 and b etter, drop siding------- ----------.. ...
G um , sap, firsts a n d seconds, per 1,000 feet, St. L ouis. _
H em lock, n o rth ern , N o. 1, p er 1,000 feet, Chicago----M aple, h ard , No. 1, common, 4/4, p er 1,000 feet,
Chicago
_______________________ ____ ____ _
Oak, w hite, plain, N o. 1, common, 4/4, per 1,000 feet,
168. 7
154.6
168. 7
154.6
168. 7
154.6
142.9
168.6
141. 6
167. 9
140. 7
160.1
100.2
108.4
81. 6
97. 9
90.1
162.0
171.3
287.9
92. 6
152.0
130. 7
115. 1
97.7
107.8
80. 2
97. 7
89.3
150.0
161. 5
292.6
92. 4
150. 1
121. 4
110. 5
90.7
107.4
/8. /
96.4
87.7
146.1
154.3
277.9
93.2
149.9
121.4
113.0
105.0
105.0
164.3
170.2
177.2
176.2
179.8
176.0
303.5
161.3
177.5
173.5
319.1
161.3
17. 240
30. 030
58. 750
34.000
16.560
30. 510
62. 750
34.000
16.340
30. 080
66. 000
34. 000
187. 2
173.2
284.0
161.3
51. 500
51.500
51.500
170.9
170.9
170.9
65.000
Pine, w hite, N o. 2, barn, per 1,000 feet, Buffalo, N . Y__ 47.000
Pine, yellow, flooring, long leaf, B a n d b etter, per
1,000 feet, N ew Y o rk _____ _ ______ ___________ 89.000
Pine, yellow, southern, per 1,000 feet, m ill—
21. 120
Boards, N o. 2, common, 1X8------- ---------- --------39. 560
Flooring, B a n d b e tte r___________________
27. 000
Poplar, N o. 1 ,com m on, 4/4, per 1,000'feet, C in c in n ati.. 55.000
Spruce, eastern, ran d o m , p er 1,000 feet, B oston--------- 32. 438
L ath , yellow pine, N o. i, p er 1,000, m ill__________ - 3.510
Shingles, p er 1,000, mill—
Cypress, 16 inches lo n g ........................... ........................ 6.000
2.450
. R ed cedar, 16 inches long____ ___________________
67.000
47.000
67. 000
47.000
175.6
160. 8
181.1
160.8
181.1
160.8
88.000
88.000
199.6
197.3
197.3
20. 920
39. 320
0)
55. 000
33. 250
3. 500
20. 780
38. 960
26. 420
55.000
33. 250
3. 280
165.8
171. 7
184.5
166.5
149. 6
115.4
164.3
170. 7
166. 5
153. 4
115.2
163.2
169.1
180. 5
166.5
153.4
107.9
5. 750
2.450
5. 750
2.470
169.4
124.6
162.4
124.6
162.4
125.6
207.1
200.9
200.5
14.053
9.290
14. 029
8. 730
207.1
177.4
206. 9
188. 1
206. 5
176. 8
Com m on building, per 1,000—
Sim ple average of 82 yard prices.
. . . ------------R u n of kiln, f. o. b. p lan t, Chicago_______________
Cem ent, Po rtlan d , per barrel, f. o. b . p la n t—
Sim ple average of 6 p la n t prices in Pennsylvania,
In d ian a, M innesota, Texas, a n d C alifo rn ia..........
Buffington, I n d ________________________________
N o rth am p to n , P a ---------------------------------------------C rushed stone, la u n c h , per cubic y ard , N ew Y o rk ...
Gravel, per to n , f. o. b . p it, sim ple average of 28 p la n t
14.066
8.760
1. 683
1.600
1.550
1.840
1.683
1. 600
1.550
1. 840
1.683
1.600
1. 550
1. 840
.908
.907
.907
.076
.076
.076
Hollow tile, building, per block, Chicago------- --------Lim e, common, lu m p , per ton, f. o. b . p la n t, simple
8.841
8.804
8. 754
average of 15 p la n t prices----------- -----------------------Roofing, prepared, p er square, f. o. b. factory—
1.578
1.
598
1. 598
M edium w eight . ______________ -- ------------5.535
5.535
Shingles, in d iv id u al________________ _____ _______ 5. 488
4.962
4.962
4.957
Shingles, strip . . . -------------- -- --------- --------------2. 015
2. 015
1. 988
Slate surfaced__________________________________
Sand, building, p er ton, f. o. b. p it, sim ple average of
.586
. 586
.586
31 p lan t prices ._ . ------ -----------------------------Slate, roofing, p er 100 square feet, f. o. b . q u a rry ------- 14. 000 14. 000 14. 000
i No quotation.
2 No 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4221
125.8
125.8
122.5
153. 6
153.7
152.4
162.1
158.3
174.2
204.4
162.1
158.3
174. 2
204.4
162.1
158.3
174.2
204.4
183.6
118.8
183. 5
118.8
183. 5
118.8
214.2
213.4
212.1
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
153. 7
302. 7
153.7
302. 7
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
153.7
302. 7
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PRICES OP COMMODITIES
199
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S OE C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1827—C ontinued
Average prices
Index num bers
(1913=100)
C om m odity
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
Ju n e,
1927
A pril,
1927
M ay,
1927
$0.320
.400
$0.320
.400
$0.320
.400
135.2
125.7
135.2
125.7
135.2
125.7
3.600
3.135
. 106
.055
9. 700
.671
.145
.066
3. 600
3. 135
. 115
.060
9.670
.625
.145
.066
3.600
3.135
. 112
.060
9. 925
.570
. 141
.066
158.3
141. 2
172.4
207.5
201.4
156. 7
214.5
122. 7
158.3
141.2
187.1
226.4
200.8
145.9
214.5
123.2
158.3
141.2
181.8
226.4
206. 1
133.2
209.0
123.2
121 8
121.9
121.8
C h e m ic a ls____ . . .
Acids, per pound, N ew Y ork—
Acetic, 28 per cent, b arrels. _______
.034
.034
.034
M uriatic, 20°, ta n k s_____
.010
.010
.010
N itric, 42°, carboys____________
.065
.065
.065
Salicylic, IT. S. P ., b a r r e l s .______
.400
.400
.400
Stearic, triple pressed, bags_______ .
. 133
. 138
. 133
Sulphuric, 66°, ta n k cars________
.008
.008
.008
Alcohol, per gallon, N ew Y ork—
D enatured, N o. 5, 188 proof____
.493
.465
.500
Wood, refined, 95 p er cent
.830
.830
.660
A lum , lum p, per pound, N ew Y ork___
.034
.034
.034
A m m onia, anhydrous, per po u n d . N ew York
. 100
. 100
.113
Benzol, pure, p er gallon, f. o. b . works
. 240
. 240
.230
Bleaching pow der, per 100 pounds, N ew York
2.000
2. 000
2.000
Borax, crystals a n d granulated, per pound, N ew York
.043
.043
.043
C oal-tar colors, p er pound, N ew York—
Black, d irect____________ _
.400
.400
.400
B row n, su lp h u r..............
.240
.240
.240
Indigo, 20 per cen t. .
. 140
.140
. 140
Copper sulphate, 99 p er c en t crystals, per pound
.049
.049
.049
Copra, South Sea. (See Foods.)
Creosote oil, grade 1, p er gallon, f. o. b. works _
.160
.160
.160
Form aldehyde, p er pound, N ew Y o rk____
.113
.113
.099
Oil, vegetable—
Coconut, crude. (See Foods.)
Corn, crude. (See Foods.)
Palm kernel, crude, per pound, N ew York
.090
.090
.089
Soya bean, crude. (See Foods.)
Potash, caustic, 88-92 p er cent, p er pound. N ew York
.074
.075
.075
Sal soda, per 100 pounds, N ew York
.900
.900
.900
Soda ash, 58 per cent, light, per 100 pounds, N ew York
2.290
2.290
2.290
Soda, bicarbonate, American, p er pound, f. o. b.
w orks........ ........................
.019
.019
.019
Soda, caustic, 76 per cent, solid, per pound, N ew York
.038
.038
.038
Soda, silicate of, 40°, per 100 pounds, N ew Y ork
. 750
.750
.750
Sulphur, crude, per gross ton, f. o. b. m in es..
18.000 18.000 18. 000
Tallow , inedible, packers’ prim e, per pound, Chicago.
.077
.078
.079
116.3
117.3
117.2
174.2
73.1
133. 2
141. 1
103.8
75. 0
174. 2
73.1
133. 2
141. 1
100. 0
75. 0
174.2
73.1
133.2
141.1
100.0
75.0
127.1
173. 5
191.4
40. 0
88. 1
169. 5
113.3
134.6
173. 5
191.4
40. 0
88. 1
169. 5
113.3
136.7
138.0
191.4
45.0
84.4
169.5
113.3
125.0
109.1
77. 8
93.1
125.0
109. 1
77.8
94.1
125.0
109.1
77.8
94.1
(2)
133.4
(2)
133.4
(2)
117.9
88.6
89.1
88.2
207.7
150.0
392.6
209.8
150.0
392.6
209.8
150.0
392.6
175.0
257.5
118.1
81. 8
109.2
175.0
257. 5
118. 1
81. 8
110.0
175.0
257.5
118.1
81.8
111.5
June,
1927
B U IL D IN G M A T E R IA L S—C ontinued
O th er b u ild in g m a ter ia ls—C ontinued.
Glass, plate, p er square foot, N ew Y ork—
3 to 5 square feet____________ __ ___
5 to 10 sq u are feet_____________ _ _____
Glass, w indow , p er 50 square feet, f. o. b . works—
Single A _______________________
Single B __ ____ ____ __ _ ___ ______
Linseed oil, p er pound, N ew Y ork _ ___
P u tty , commercial, p e r pound, N ew York
R osin (B ), p er barrel, N ew Y ork_____
T urpentin e, southern, barrels, p er gallon, N ew York
W hite lead, American, in oil, p er pound, New Y ork
Zinc oxide (w hite zinc), p er pound, N ew York
Pipe, cast-iron. (See M etals a n d m etal products.)
Copper, sheet. (See M etals a n d m etal products.)
C opper w ire. (See M etals a n d m etal products.)
Lead pipe. (See M etals an d m etal products.)
N ails. (See M etals an d m etal products.)
Reinforcing bars. (See M etals an d m etal products.)
Roofing tin (tern ep late). (See M etals and m etal
products.)
Zinc, sheet. (See M etals and m etal products.)
C H E M IC A LS A N D D R U G S .
Fertilizer m a teria ls........
A cid phosphate, 16 per cent basis, bulk, per ton, Baitim ore___ __________
A m m onia, sulphate, double bags, p e r 100 pounds,
N ew Y o rk __ _____
G round bone, steam ed, per ton, Chicago
M uriate of potash, 80-85 per cent, bags, p er ton, N ew
Y ork_________
Phosphate rock, 68 p er cent, p er to n , f. o. b . m ines.
Soda, nitrate, 95 p er cent, per 100 pounds, N ew York
Tankage, 9 and 20 p er cent, crushed, per ton, f. o. b.
Chicago________________
2 N o 1913 base price.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[423]
105.6
104.9
103.8
8. 750
8.750
8. 250
113.7
113. 7
107.2
2.480
28.000
2.375
28.000
2.300
28.000
79. 2
139. 1
76.0
139.1
73.5
139.1
36. 400
3.000
2.640
36.400
3.000
2. 613
36. 400
3.000
2. 713
95.5
88.0
106.9
95.5
88.0
105. 8
95.5
88.0
109.9
35. 750
34.063
38. 000
153.0
145.8
162.7
200
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
A pril,
1927
April,
1927
M ay ,
1927
$0. 445
150. 8
99.9
150.0
101.1
149.8
102.3
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
$0. 440
June,
1927
C H E M IC A L S A N D D R U G S —Continued
D ru g s a n d p h a r m a c e u tic a ls _ ________ _________
A cid, citric, domestic, crystals, p er pound, N ew York $0. 435
A cid, ta rta ric , crystals, U . S. P ., p e r po u n d , N ew
Y ork_______________________________
.334
Alcohol, grain, 183 proof, U . S. P ., p e r gallon, N ew
Y ork____________
_______
3. 750
.238
C ream of ta rta r, pow dered, p e r p o u n d , N ew York__
Epsom salts, U . S. P .,in barrels, p er 100pounds, N ew
Y ork____________ __ ___________
2. 350
.260
G lycerin, refined, p er pound, N ew Y o rk .......
O p iu m ,n a tu ra l,U . S. P .,p e rp o u n d ,N e w Y o rk _ _ _ 12. 000
Peroxide of hydrogen, 4-ounce bottles, p e r gross, N ew
7. 750
Y ork______________________
P hen o l (carbolic acid), U . S. P ., p er p o u n d , N ew
. 168
Y ork____________________
Q uinine, sulphate, m anufacturers’ quotations, p er
.400
ounce, N ew Y o rk........ .............
.348
.360
109.6
113.9
118.0
3. 750
.255
3. 750
.270
150. 0
99. 7
150.0
106.9
150.0
113.3
2. 350
.258
12. 000
2. 350
.253
12. 000
213. 6
131. 9
199. 4
213. 6
130. 6
199. 4
213.6
128.1
199.4
7. 750
7. 750
193. 8
193. 8
193.8
. 160
. 160
153. 0
145. 7
145. 7
.400
.400
H O U S E -F U R N IS H IN G G O O D S
F u r n i t u r e __________ ____
Bedroom, average price, factory—
Beds, each____ _____ ____ _____
C hairs, each_____ ____________
Dressers, each__
________
Rockers, e ac h _ .. . . . ______
D ining room , average price, factory—
Buffets, each_________ .
C hairs, set of six_____ ____
Tables, extension, each.............................
K itchen, average price, factory—
C abinets, each_______________________
C hairs, p e r dozen____________________
Tables, porcelain to n , e ac h .. __________ ______
L iving room, average price, factory—
C hairs, each_________ _________ _____
D avenports, each ________________________ _ .
Tables, each____ _____________________________
F u r n i s h i n g s . . _____
B lankets, factory—
C otton, colored, 2 pounds to th e pair, per p air____
W ool, 4 to 5 pounds to th e pair, her pound’. . ............
C arpets, p e r y a rd , factory—
A xm inster, Bigelow_____________
Brussels, Bigelow_______________ ____ _____
W ilton, Bigelow_____ __________________________
C utlery, factory—
Carvers, 8-inch, p er pair___ ________ ___________
K nives an d forks, per gross___ . . . ____________ _
Pails, galvanized-iron, 10-quart, per gross, factory___
Sheeting, bleached, 10/4, per yard, factory—
Pepperell.................................... ........................................
W am su tta, P . L _ .........................................
........
Tablew are, factory—
D in n er sets, per set—
Semivitreous, 100 pieces.......... ..................... ..............
Vitreous, 104 pieces........... ...........................................
Glass nappies, 4-inch, per dozen....................... .............
Glass pitchers, J^-gallon, per dozen______ ________
Glass tum blers, JfJ-pint, p er dozen__________ _____
Plates, w h ite granite, 7-inch, p e r d o z e n . . ________
T eacups a n d saucers, w h ite granite, p er dozen.........
Ticking, Amoskeag, A . C . A ., 2.05 yards to th e pound,
per yard, facto ry_______________________________
T u b s, galvanized-iron, N o. 3, per dozen, factory_____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[424]
182.1
182.1
157.4
157.3
137.6
137. 6
137.6
31.414
7.974
41. 545
7.632
31.402
7.974
41. 545
7.632
31. 402
7. 974
41. 545
7.632
(2)
0
(2)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
40. 458
37. 772
50. 572
40. 458
37. 772
50. 572
40. 458
37. 772
50. 572
(2)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33. 000
14. 950
(i)
7. 500
33. 000
14. 950
(i)
7. 500
33. 000
14. 950
(i)
7.500
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
31. 558
58. 346
20. 417
31. 558
58. 346
20. 417
31. 558
58. 346
20. 417
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
222.2
222.3
222.0
1.020
1.313
1. 020
1.313
1.020
1. 313
168. 8
171. 7
168. 6
171. 7
168.6
171.7
3. 120
2.976
4. 896
3.120
2. 976
4. 896
3. 120
2. 976
4.800
232.9
230. 3
203.3
232. 9
230. 3
203.3
232.9
230. 3
199.3
1. 350
12. 500
20.800
1.350
12. 500
21. 050
1.350
12. 500
21. 050
180.0
217.4
141.8
180. 0
217. 4
143. 5
180.0
217.4
143.5
.369
1.140
.369
1.140
.369
1.140
154. 1
294. 5
154. 1
294. 5
154.1
294.5
19. 860
45. 700
.200
2. 100
.160
.980
1.260
19. 860
45. 700
. 200
2. 100
. 160
.980
1.260
19. 860
45. 700
. 200
2. 100
. 160
.980
1. 260
0
196.4
181. 8
262. 5
133.3
211. 5
221. 0
0
196.4
181. 8
262. 5
133. 3
211. 5
221-0
0
196.4
181.8
262.5
133.3
211.5
221.0
. 195
6.367
.200
6.475
.205
6. 475
144.9
155. 1
148. 6
157.7
152. 3
157.7
118.5
1202
120.5
134.9
149. 1
117. 4
154. 8
141.7
140.2
153- 8
121-0
161-9
149- 2
139.8
142.6
129.8
164. 5
148.8
M IS C E L L A N E O U S ...............................
B ran, p er to n , M inneapolis___________ __________
C ottonseed meal, prim e, p er ton, M em phis................
Linseed meal, p er to n , N ew Y o rk . ________________
M ill feed, m iddlings, stan d ard , per ton, M inneapolis.
1 N o quotation.
182.1
157.4
27.735
33. 250
44. 000
27. 563
28. 250
34. 250
46. 000
29. 025
26. 188
36. 750
46. 750
28. 938
3 N o. 1913 base price.
201
AVERAGE WHOLESALE PEICES OF COMMODITIES
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , A P R IL , M A Y , A N D J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Index num bers
(1913=100)
Average prices
C om m odity
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
June,
1927
April,
1927
M ay,
1927
Calf, chrome, B grade, p er square foot, B oston--------- $0.460
.675
Glazed k id , black, to p grade, p er square foot, Boston.
.436
H arness, California, oak, N o. 1, p er pound, Chicago.
.250
Side, black, chrome, B grade, per square foot, B oston.
Sole, per pound—
.350
Oak, in sides, m iddle weight, tan n ery run, B oston.
.430
Oak, scoured backs, heavy, B oston_______________
.440
U nion, m iddle w eight, N ew Y ork____ _____ _____
$0,480
.675
.436
.280
$0,480
.675
.440
.320
137.4
170.6
269.6
108. 7
97.7
142.2
178.0
269.6
108. 7
109. 5
148.6
178.0
269.6
109.8
125.1
.350
.450
.441
.380
.490
.464
117.4
95.8
109.6
117.4
100.3
110.0
127.5
109.2
115.6
154.8
152.7
152.2
41.184
51.084
64.350
41.184
51.084
64. 350
0
0
00
0
00
0
June,
1927
M IS C E L L A N E O U S —C ontinued
Box board, p er to n f. o. b. m ill—
C hip................. ................................................... .............. 41.184
M anila lined chip---------- -------- --------------------------- 51.084
85-pound te st lin e r ............................................................ 69. 300
Paper—
.033
N ew sprint, roll, p er pound, f. o. b. m ill.
---- . . .
W rapping, m anila, N o. 1, ju te , p er p ound, N ew
.093
Y o r k ________________________________________
Wood pulp, sulphite, domestic, unbleached, per 100
pounds, N ew Y o rk ...--------------------- ------------------- 2. 750
.096
B urlap, 103^-ounce, 40-inch, p er yard, N ew Y o rk ...
C ylinder oil, gallon, refinery—
.180
Oklahoma, m edium , filtered stock___________ ____
.240
P ennsylvania, 600, filtered, D ---------------------------H em p, m anila, fair, cu rren t, shipm ent, p er pound,
.142
N ew Y o rk _____________________________________
.070
J u te, raw , m edium grade, per pound, N ew Y o r k ----L ubricating oil, paraffin, 903 gravity, per gallon,
.240
N ew Y ork
_____________ _________
_______
.250
Rope, pure m anila, best grade, p er pound, N ew Y ork.
R ubber, per pound, N ew York—
.274
Para, island, fine____ . . . ------------- ------ ------------.410
P lantatio n , ribbed, sm oked, sheets---------------------Sisal, M exican, cu rren t shipm ent, per, pound, New
.076
Y ork........................................ ...........................................
Soap—•
- 4.180
L aundry , p er 100 cakes, C incinnati------------------L aundry , per 100 cakes, P hiladelphia........... ............... 4.851
.058
Starch, laundry, bulk, per pound, New Y o r k ............
Tobacco—
.696
Plug, per pound, N ew Y ork ______ . . . -----------Smoking, 1-ounce bags, per gross, New Y o rk--------- 8.320
A L L C O M M O D IT IE S (404 p ric e s e rie s )....................
a N o 1913 base price.
55507°—27----- 14
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.033
.033
157.1
157.1
.093
,093
189.6
189.6
189.6
2. 630
2.600
123.6
118.2
116.9
.087
.090
99.5
120.1
100.8
108.9
99.5
111.6
.172
.240
.170
.243
00
00
.140
.064
. 141
.064
152.9
104.6
150.3
95.7
151.8
95.7
.240
.245
.240
.245
168.4
170.4
168.4
167.0
168.4
167.0
.300
.410
.278
.371
34.0
50.0
37.2
50.0
34.4
45.2
0
0
157.1
0
0
.076
.076
175.0
175.0
175.0
4.180
4.851
.058
4.180
4.851
.058
135.6
137.5
157.5
135.6
137.5
157.5
135.6
137.5
157.5
.696
8.320
.696
8. 320
179.0
147.5
179.0
147.5
179.0
147.5
146.9
146.3
146.7
120,3
120.5
119.9
154.9
155.4
154.3
144.2
144.1
143.7
» Federal Reserve B oard grouping.
[425]
0
0
(0
COST OF LIVING
Changes in Cost of Living in the United States
HE cost of living in the United States in June, 1927, was 1.3 per
cent lower than in December preceding and 0.8 per cent less
than in June, 1926, according to the data compiled by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in its semi-annual survey of cost of living
in various cities. These data, together with the data that have
been given in previous reports, are shown in the tables following.
The information is based on actual prices secured from merchants and
dealers for each of the periods named. The prices of food and of fuel
and light (which include coal, wood, gas, electricity, and kerosene)
are furnished the bureau in accordance with arrangements made with
establishments through personal visits of the bureau’s agents. In
each city food prices are secured from 15 to 25 merchants and dealers,
and fuel and light prices from 10 to 15 firms, including public utilities.
All other data are secured by special agents of the bureau who visit
the various merchants, dealers, and agents and secure the figures
directly from their records. Four quotations are secured in each city
(except in Greater New York, where five are obtained) on each of a
large number of articles of clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous
items. The number of houses and apartments for which basic rental
figures are shown vary in the different cities approximately in pro
portion to population, the number per city, in round numbers,
ranging from 400 to 2,200.
In Table 1 are given index numbers, with 1913 as the base or 100,
showing changes in the total cost of living in the United States from
1913 to June, 1927.
T
T able i . —I N D E X
N U M B E R S S H O W IN G C H A N G E S IN C O ST
U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1913 TO J U N E , 1927
D ate
202
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Index
num
bers
1 0 ft. 0
103.0
105.1
118.3
142.4
174.4
177.3
199. 3
216.5
200.4
D ate
M ay, 1921__
Septem ber, 1921_____ __
M arch, 1922___________
Septem ber, 1922. ______
June, 1923.. _ _______
Septem ber, 1923_______
[426]
Index
num
bers
180. 4
177.3
174. 3
166. 9
166.6
166.3
169.5
168. 8
169.7
172.1
OE L IV IN G
IN
Index
num
bers
D ate
M arch, 1924. . . . ___
Septem ber, 1924______
June, 1925.
THE
____ . . .
Decem ber, 1926 _____
June, 1927!__________ .
173. 2
170.4
169.1
170. 6
172.5
173.5
177.9
174. 8
175.6
173.4
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
203
Table 2 shows the per cent of change in cost of living from June,
1920, June, 1926, and December, 1926, respectively, to June, 1927,
in 32 cities, and in the United States, as determined by a consolidation
of the figures for the 32 cities.
In the period from June, 1920, which represents the peak, to June,
1927, all of the 32 cities show decreases ranging from 15.0 to 24.5 per
cent, the average being 19.9 per cent.
T able 3 —P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN S P E C IF IE D C IT IE S F R O M
J U N E , 1920, J U N E , 1926, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926, TO J U N E , 1927
Per cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) from—
C ity
Chicago_________
June,
1920, to
June,
1927
-2 0 .8
-1 8 .2
-1 9 .1
-2 0 .2
-1 8 .8
-1 7 . 5
-1 6 . 2
-1 8 .2
-2 1 .2
-2 2 . 6
-2 1 .6
-1 9 . 2
-1 8 .8
-2 4 .5
—15. 0
-1 9 .3
-1 8 .3
-2 0 .1
P er cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) from—
June,
1926, to
June,
1927
Decem
ber, 1926,
to June,
1927
- 0 .9
- 1 .7
- 2 .3
- .8
- 1 .6
- .4
+ .6
-.9
- 1 .1
- 1 .1
- 1 .7
- .4
- 3 .4
-2 . 2
+• 2
—1. 5
- 2 .0
-.5
- 1 .0
- 1 .8
-2 .5
-2 .2
- 2 .1
- 1 .1
-.4
- .7
- 1 .7
-, 8
-2 . 5
-.7
- 3 .1
- 1 .0
-.4
- 1 .5
-.8
- 1 .7
C ity
N ew O rleans...........
N ew Y o rk................
N orfolk__________
P hiladelphia______
P ittsb u rg h _______
P o rtland, M e ------P o rtlan d , Oreg____
R ichm ond________
St. Louis_________
June,
1920, to
June,
1927
June,
1926, to
June,
1927
Decem
ber 1926,
to June,
1927
Savannah____ ____
Scranton...................
Seattle___________
W ashington............
-1 5 .2
-1 8 .9
-2 1 .7
-1 6 .6
-1 5 .9
-1 9 .7
-2 3 .3
-1 8 .4
-1 7 .3
-1 8 . 1
-2 4 .4
-1 5 .4
-1 9 .4
-2 0 .3
+ 0 .2
-.5
+ .5
- 1 .4
-.6
-.3
-.6
- 1 .9
- .7
-. 1
- 1 .4
- .6
+. 2
-3 .0
-1 .2
- 1 .3
-.4
-2 .4
-1 .4
-1 .4
-.9
-1 .6
- 1 .0
—.7
-1 .4
-1 .2
+ .4
- 3 .3
Average,
U nited
States_____
-1 9 .9
-.8
-1 .3
Table 3 shows the changes in each item of expenditure in 19 cities
from December, 1914, to June, 1927. Figures for certain months
are omitted from Tables 3 and 4 to curtail space.
In studying this and the following tables it should be borne in
mind that the figures for the 19 cities in Table 3 are based on the
prices prevailing in December, 1914, the figures for the 13 cities in
Table 4 are based on the prices prevailing in December, 1917, while
the figures for the United States, shown in Table 5, are a summari
zation of the figures in Tables 3 and 4, computed on a 1913 base.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[427]
204
M ONTHLY LABOE EEYIEW
T able 3 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO J U N E , 1927
Baltimore, Md.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
D ecem ber, 1915___________ _____
D ecem ber, 1916...................................
D ecem ber, 1917_____________
D ecem ber, 1918______ _______
June, 1919____________ ____
D ecem ber, 1919............................
June, 1920...................................
December, 1920__________
M ay , 1921____ ____ __________
D ecem ber, 1921_______ ________
June, 1922. ........ .................................
D ecem ber, 1922________ _____
June, 1923______ ______ _____
D ecem ber, 1923.____ _____ _
June, 1924_______________________
Decem ber, 1924.....................................
June, 1925....... .......................
D ecem ber, 1925________
June, 1926_____________
Decem ber, 1926________
June, 1927_________________
C lothing
1 4.1
20. 9
64.4
96.4
91.1
92. 5
110.9
75.6
43.4
46. 9
39.9
46.1
46. 5
50.6
44.0
53.0
57. 7
66. 2
62.2
63.0
56. 7
2.7
24.0
52.1
107.7
128. 9
177. 4
191. 3
159.5
123.2
88. 6
78. 9
80. 5
81.4
81. 8
78.3
76. 2
76.0
76.2
73.0
72.5
71.3
R en t
10.2
.9
3.0
13.8
16. 8
25.8
41.6
49. 5
63.0
64. 7
65.4
66.9
69. 6
71.9
72. 4
72.2
72.0
72. 2
71.3
70. 6
69. 9
H ouse
Fuel and
furnishing
light
goods
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
0.5
9.1
25.5
46.0
37.1
48. 1
57.6
79.0
70.9
85.5
84.8
94.9
91.6
93. 5
84. 8
88. 7
85.3
90.9
89.8
87.3
82.2
5. 6
26. 4
60. 8
122.3
134.6
167.0
191. 8
181.9
147.5
123. 7
113. 3
116. 6
127. 5
130. 2
129.4
125. 7
122. 8
122. 1
112. 8
110. 5
106. 9
1 1.4
18. 5
51.3
78. 7
82.8
99.4
111. 4
112.9
111.8
108.6
104. 4
102. 6
103. 8
105. 2
109.9
107.1
111.0
111.6
111. 2
112. 3
112. 9
1 1.4
18. 5
51. 3
84.7
84.0
98.4
114. 3
96.8
77.4
73.2
67. 6
70.9
72.0
74.8
71.9
74.8
77.3
81.2
78.4
78.6
75.3
1. 1
10.5
29. 2
56.6
55.0
63.2
83.6
106. 0
97.8
98. 5
92. 5
99.9
88.8
97.0
90. 7
93. 7
90.4
107.2
94.4
98.7
92. 5
8.4
26.3
58.4
137. 6
153.7
198. 7
233.7
226.4
171.2
136.9
124.2
133.6
150. 5
148.2
136.9
138.1
136. 9
136. 7
133. 1
129.6
125.5
1.6
15.7
38.1
62.0
64.8
81. 1
91. 8
96.6
96.2
93.0
89. 5
87.8
89. 2
93.0
88.0
85. 9
86.3
91.0
91.0
92.3
91.5
1.6
15.7
38.1
70.6
72.8
92.3
110.7
97.4
74.4
70.2
59.6
65.1
63.5
69.4
63.2
67.3
65.8
74.7
69.4
71.9
68.1
1.3
9.3
23. 5
49.3
51. 9
55. 7
69.8
74.9
73.9
79.7
78.8
115.7
119.1
120.4
116. 6
117. 9
115.5
117.9
127.3
127.1
126.9
7.1
24.1
50.2
106.3
118.1
165. 4
199.7
189.2
151.3
124.7
108.0
112.8
127.9
127.5
121.0
121.0
119.5
118.2
113.6
110.2
106.2
3.5
24.4
51.1
76.0
78. 7
90.3
101.9
107.4
107.8
103.0
97.9
97.5
100.5
102.5
101.9
100.9
107.7
107.9
110. 6
112.5
111.4
3. 5
24.4
51.1
80.9
84. 2
102. 7
121.5
101.7
80.3
76.8
68. 6
73.9
74. 1
78.6
73.9
77.8
79.7
84.8
82.8
83.6
79.8
Boston, Mass.
D ecem ber, 1915,
D ecem ber, 1916.
D ecem ber, 1917.
D ecem ber, 1918.
Ju n e, 1919_____
D ecem ber, 1919.
June, 1920_____
D ecem ber, 1920.
M ay , 1921_____
D ecem ber, 1921.
June, 1922_____
D ecem ber, 1922.
Ju n e, 1923_____
D ecem ber, 1923.
Ju n e, 1924_____
D ecem ber, 1924.
June, 1925..........
D ecem ber, 1925.
June, 1926_____
D ecem ber, 1926.
June, 1927...........
10.3
18.0
45.8
74. 9
67.9
80.8
105.0
74. 4
41.9
50.4
32.5
44. 9
39. 7
48. 8
37. 9
47.8
44. 5
60. 6
51. 5
56. 6
50.5
6.6
21.9
47.5
117.5
137.9
192.4
211.1
192. 7
150. 3
106.3
96. 7
92.0
93.0
92. 6
91. 2
89. 1
88. 9
87.8
85. 9
85.3
82. 9
1 0. 1
.1
1. 1
2.8
5. 1
12.2
16. 2
25.8
29.8
33. 8
34.4
36. 7
40. 2
47.0
50. 7
52.4
52. 9
54.0
53. 2
53. 5
53.2
Buffalo, N. Y.
D ecem ber, 1915.................................. „
D ecem ber, 1916.......... ..............
D ecem ber, 1917...................__
D ecem ber, 1918................. ...................
Ju n e, 1919-_ ...... .............
D ecem ber, 1919__________________
June, 1920-. ........ .............
D ecem ber, 1920---...............
M ay , 1921.................................
D ecem ber, 1921_____ ____
June, 1922_________________
D ecem ber, 1922__________ ________
June, 1923._______ _________
D ecem ber, 1923__________________
June, 1924______ ____ ______
D ecem ber, 1924________ . . . .
June, 1925- __________ ..
D ecem ber, 1925_________ _________
June, 1926-. _____ .
Decem ber, 1926_______ ___________
June, 1927.._____________ _______ _
2.4
30.1
64.1
87. 8
82.9
94. 7
115. 7
78.5
37. 7
50. 8
38.5
48.8
41.6
51.9
39. 5
51. 6
52.0
66.5
60.9
63.6
56.7
8.9
29.6
58. 5
123.1
140. 7
190.8
210.6
168.7
131.6
96.5
83.6
81.4
83.4
83.8
81. 7
79.9
80.3
79.8
76.7
74.6
72.2
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[428]
1. 2
4. 7
9.4
20. 7
28.0
29.0
46.6
48.5
61. 1
61. 7
64. 7
64.9
70.0
71.8
76.3
76.8
79. 1
79.5
78.1
77.4
75.8
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T able 3 .—C H A N G E S
IN
C O ST
205
OF L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Chicago, III.
P e r cent of increase over D ecem ber, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Clothing
Food
D ecem ber, 1915_______________ . . .
D ecem ber, 1916...... ...................... .........
Decem ber, 1917.-............................... .
D ecember, 1918_________ _____ ___
June, 1919........................... ....................
December, 1919.___________ _______
June, 1920............................. ..................
D ecember, 1920___________________
M ay, 1921_______________________
D ecember, 1921______ ________
June, 1922_____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Decem ber, 1922______ ______ _____
June, 1923_______________________
December, 1923.....................................
June, 1924...............................................
December, 1924___________________
June, 1925_______________________
December, 1925_________ _________
June, 1926..
___________________
Decem ber, 1926........ ............................
June, 1927____________ _________ _
2.7
25.2
53.4
78.7
73.3
93.1
120.0
70. 5
41. 9
48.3
41.6
44.8
45. 1
52.5
47.9
56. 2
61.4
69.4
67.2
69.6
68.2
7.5
24.2
50.6
138.9
157.1
224.0
205.3
158.6
122. 7
74.3
63.0
67.5
72.2
76. 0
72.6
67.8
65.8
65. 3
62.7
61.9
58.7
R en t
i 0.1
.7
1.4
2. 6
8.0
14.0
35. 1
48.9
78.2
83. 9
87.4
88.9
92. 1
95.4
104.4
105. 8
105. 6
104.4
99. 5
96.7
93. 9
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
i 0.9
6.6
19.3
37. 1
35.7
40. 1
62.4
83. 5
65. 3
69.4
55.4
65.6
54.9
59.3
53.0
56.1
53.9
65.8
55.4
64.4
57.2
5.9
20.0
47. 5
108.9
126. 9
176.0
215. 9
205.8
162.4
133.7
108.5
120.4
133. 1
132.9
122. 2
121.9
118. 1
118. 5
112.4
109.2
105. 2
3.0
19.5
41.8
58.7
61.7
84.3
87.5
96. 5
98. 5
94.5
87.9
86.7
87.7
88.1
90.7
90.7
93.9
93.9
94. 3
95. 7
96.7
3.0
19.5
41.8
72.2
74.5
100.6
114.6
93.3
78.4
72.3
65.0
68.0
69.6
83.7
72.6
75.3
77.1
80.6
77.8
79.0
77.1
0. 3
10 0
26. 8
51. 9
47.9
62.9
90. 3
94. 5
89. 6
103.8
102.2
116. 3
151.6
147.0
142. 6
144. 1
143. 9
168. 8
162.3
170. 7
163.9
4. 7
19. 7
47. 8
102. 4
117.0
165. 5
186.5
176.8
133. 6
100.8
87. 8
104. 8
129. 6
129. 3
118.0
113.4
111.9
113.4
106.1
105. 3
103.2
1.4
19. 1
42. 9
67.1
74. 7
85.9
117.9
134. 0
129.6
123.2
110.7
109.4
108. 1
113. 1
112.7
112. 1
112.3
111. 5
111.9
112.7
115.9
1.4
19.1
42. 9
71.4
77.2
98.2
120.3
107.3
87.5
78.8
68.9
72.9
77.1
79.6
75.9
7a 1
80.4
82.7
81.9
81.5
80.2
1. 6
9. 9
30. 2
47. 6
47. 6
57.9
74. 9
104. 5
83.6
77. 5
75.2
95. 5
87.3
84.9
81.8
82.7
78.9
101. 1
76.4
86. 8
73.4
8. 7
24. 5
50.4
107.3
129. 3
172.6
206.7
184. 0
134.0
96.8
76.0
81. 1
105. 7
105.3
103.4
98. 1
94. 1
93. 7
91. 8
88.7
86.8
3. 5
22.3
49.9
72.6
80.3
100. 1
141.3
144.0
140. 1
130. 7,
121.3
121. 5
124.2
128.4
127.2
125.4
124.7
122. 5
122.5
121.6
125.1
3.5
22.3
49.9
78.0
84.4
107.9
136.0
118.6
93.3
82.4
75.3
79.4
81.7
84.7
82.8
82.2
84.5
87.8
84.7
84. 1
82.7
Cleveland, Ohio
December, 1921________
_______
1.4
26. 4
54. 3
79.4
79. 7
92.9
118. 7
71.7
37.4
40.9
34. 6
41.1
42.1
43. 6
37. 2
46. 2
53.8
58. 3
60. 0
58. 7
56.6
2.0
18. 0
43. 7
102. 6
125. 2
171.2
185.1
156. 0
124. 0
85. 8
72.4
70. 9
77.6
79. 6
78.4
72. 9
71. 9
71. 9
70. 7
68. 3
67.5
0. 1’
.9
11. 3
16. 5
21.8
39. 9
47.3
80. 0
88.1
81. 2
69. 6
74. 0
73. 8
78. 7
77.7
78. 6
76.8
75. 6
71. 6
71.8
67.5
Detroit, Mich.
M ay, 1921'._______________________
i Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4. 1
26. 5
59. 7
82. 5
86.4
99. 5
132.0
75.6
41. 1
47. 3
43.1
44. 8
46. 7
47. 5
45. 5
49. 7
60.6
68. 1
65. 7
63. 8
65.2
2.3
18. 9
46. 7
113. 8
125. 2
181. 8
208. 8
176. 1
134.1
92. 5
81.4
79. 9
84.0
85.3
82.3
76. 1
75.2
74.8
73.4
71. 0
68.3
[429]
2. 1
17. 5
32. 6
39.0
45. 2
60. 2
68. 8
108.1
101. 4
91. 1
86. 9
92.1
96.9
107.5
105.6
103. 8
98. 7
97.7
95. 5
95. 5
89.6
206
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 3 .—C H A N G E S IN CO ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, T O
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Houston, Tex.
Per cent of increase over Decem ber, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
1 1. 0
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925_______________________
June, 1927__ ____ ________________
19. 9
57. 3
86.1
85. 7
97. 5
107. 5
83. 2
45. 6
50.1
38.9
45.0
41.2
46. 4
37.3
54.4
57.3
65.8
55. 0
59.8
50.4
Clothing
2. 7
25. 0
51.5
117. 3
134. 8
192. 0
211.3
187. 0
143. 4
104.9
98.4
98.2
100.4
102.6
100.8
95. 6
95.6
92. 5
91.2
88.9
86.8
R ent
i 2. 3
»7.3
1 7.7
» 1.7
1.9
13.4
25.3
35.1
39.4
39.8
38. 5
37.3
36.7
36.4
34.9
34. 7
34.3
33. 0
32.9
32.6
32.2
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
» 0. 9
8. 3
22. 7
47. 5
37. 6
60. 0
55.1
74. 2
46. 0
39.4
32. 9
39. 2
36. 5
55.8
45.0
44.3
38.7
45.2
35. 2
43.7
32.8
6 1
39. 6
62. 3
119. 9
144. 5
181.8
213. 9
208. 2
173. 7
148. 2
133.7
140.4
150.2
148. 2
143.7
143.0
142. 5
143. 2
138. 6
137. 9
136.7
»0.3
16 4
44.9
67. 6
72. 3
88. 2
90. 4
103.9
100. 8
99.0
94. 0
93.0
91. 5
93. 2
89. 5
88.0
87.8
88. 0
87.4
86.8
86.6
i 0.3
16. 4
44 9
75.7
80. 2
101.7
112. 2
104. 0
79. 7
73. 6
65.9
68.4
67. 2
70. 6
65. 0
70.5
71.1
74.3
69.1
70.6
66.3
(2)
2. 3
15.1
55. 2
49. 2
64. 1
72. 6
92. 6
80.7
68.9
58.9
65.7
63.6
75.1
72.1
72.9
69.3
87.1
95.3
91. 2
87.8
15.1
43. 4
73.7
126. 5
140. 0
186. 2
224. 2
222. 3
182. 7
134. 9
115. 3
127.1
137.9
139.4
132.9
132.4
134.0
135. 6
134.7
128.1
126.0
1. 3
14. 7
41. 6
60. 5
65. 9
80. 9
102. 8
105. 6
107. 5
99. 3
95. 5
94.7
95. 3
96. 6
95. 0
99.1
99.3
105. 3
105. 5
105. 7
104.5
1.3
14. 7
41. 6
71. 5
77.5
101.5
116. 5
106.2
85.8
75.1
65.7
67.8
67.7
71.9
67.3
70.4
70.9
81.7
81.8
81.3
75.7
0. 4
2. 3
10.4
18. 3
18. 6
35.3
53. 5
53. 5
52.7
52.7
39.1
35.6
33. 7
34.1
33.6
34.4
34.0
34.4
34.1
34.8
61.0
6. 3
23.1
56. 4
118. 5
134. 2
175. 5
202. 2
202.2
156. 6
143. 2
128. 8
138.1
153. 6
152. 0
136. 1
137.7
133.9
133.7
126.7
123.8
120.4
i 1. 9
7.7
28. 9
52. 0
59.1
76.9
86. 6
100. 6
96. 8
99. 6
103. 8
101. 2
100.8
104.2
105.4
104.2
108.9
110.6
104.7
105.7
108.2
i 1.9
7.7
28.9
58. 0
65.1
85.3
101.7
96.7
78.7
76. 4
72. 5
74.5
75.1
78.8
75.1
75.4
76.9
77.4
71.2
72.2
71.5
Jacksonville, Fla.
Decem ber, 1918__________________
December, 1919__________________
December, 1920.________ _______ _
M ay, 1921________________ _
Decem ber, 1921.. __
June, 1922__ _____ _______ ________
Decem ber, 1922 _____________ ____
December, 1923 ______ . ________
June, 1924__ ________ ____________
Decem ber, 1925__________________
June, 1926_______________________
December, 1926 ____________ _____
June, 1927___________ ____________
>0.3
17. 6
50.8
76. 2
74. 2
80.9
90. 1
65. 6
32. 6
40. 6
30. 6
34. 8
32. 0
39. 9
30.2
40. 0
41.8
58.3
53.4
53.5
45.0
10. 5
33. 7
71.9
130. 5
139. 8
217. 2
234. 0
209. 3
167. 5
117.9
99.9
99.3
101.1
104. 5
102.7
94.6
94.0
93.6
93.4
90.9
88.0
» 6.9
i 18. 2
i 18.7
5.9
9. 7
22.0
28. 9
34.1
36. 5
38.3
35.3
35.1
34.3
33.4
33.0
33.5
33.5
55.3
66.6
69.9
57.2
Los Angeles, Calif.
December, 1919___:___________
December, 1920_______
M ay, 1921_______________________
December! 1921__________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
» 4.1
.4
33. 4
61. 8
60. 7
71. 0
90. 8
62. 7
33. 2
38. 4
30.6
39.4
36.2
42.1
35.2
38.8
44.1
48.7
39.9
44.7
40.4
2.8
14.3
45. 0
109.1
123. 3
167. 6
184. 5
166. 6
127.4
94.3
81.3
78.0
82.5
83.0
81.4
80.4
79.0
77.7
75.7
75. 2
74.0
1 Decrease.
12.7
i 2. 5
i. 6
4. 4
8. 7
26.8
42.6
71. 4
85.3
90.1
95. 6
94.8
97.7
100.9
99.4
93.3
83.6
73.7
67.4
61.7
59.9
2 N o change.
[430]
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
207
T able 3.—C H A N G E S IN C O ST OF L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Mobile, Ala.
P er cent of increase over D ecember, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
D ecem ber, 1915_________ _________
D ecem ber, 1916_________________
D ecem ber, 1917_______________
D ecem ber, 1918______________
June, 1919__ _______ _________
D ecem ber, 1919_________ _
June, 1920________________
D ecem ber, 1920___. . . .
M ay , 1921 ____________
D ecem ber, 1921_____________
June, 1922 ______________
Decem ber, 1922 ____ ____________
June, 1923... ______________
Decem ber, 1923_________________
June, 1924 ___________________
Decem ber, 1924_________________
June, 1925_________________
Decem ber, 1925__________________
June, 1926. ____________
Decem ber, 1926______________
June, 1927......................................
Clothing
i 1.0
19.9
57.3
80.6
83.6
98.4
110. 5
73. 5
39. 1
42.4
33.2
39.1
37. 7
44. 7
33.4
49. 7
50.3
59.0
53.1
58.0
52.0
2.0
9.0
38.8
86.0
94.0
123. 7
137. 4
122. 2
90.6
57. 7
49. 7
50.8
51.8
55.4
54.3
53.4
52.0
49. 4
49. 5
48. 8
47.6
R ent
i 1.9
i 4.3
1 3.6
11. 2
11.9
29.6
34. 6
53.6
53.3
49. 9
47.7
43.8
42. 5
42. 6
41.4
40. 9
40. 1
40. 4
39. 7
40. 5
40.4
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
M iscel
laneous
(2)
8.8
27.1
57.1
66.6
75.6
86. 3
122.3
102. 1
98.2
84.4
96.4
93.3
98.1
91.4
90.2
85.6
89. 1
94.6
97.7
91.8
4.1
15.3
42.8
108.3
113.9
153.3
177.9
175.4
140. 7
116.9
97.8
97.9
114.0
114.8
109.3
107. 2
104.3
103. 7
100.8
96.4
97.2
i 0.4
13.8
43.2
72.4
75.3
87.0
100.3
100. 7
96.9
94.3
87.5
91.0
89.8
91.3
93.7
94.3
95.5
102.0
102. 2
102. 2
102.4
» 0.4
13.8
43.2
71.4
76.6
94.5
107.0
93.3
70.8
63.6
55.3
58.8
58.6
62.6
58.0
63.9
63.9
68.5
66.2
68.1
65.3
i 0.1
11.0
19.9
45.5
45.4
50.6
60.1
87.5
95. 9
90. 7
89.0
95. 7
89.1
94.2
88.8
93.3
91.0
126.0
95.9
96. 1
91.4
8.4
27.6
56. 5
126. 5
136.6
172. 9
205.1
185.9
156. 5
132.0
118.3
121.6
130. 3
131.5
121.4
119.4
110.6
110.4
106.6
106.0
102.5
2.0
14.9
44. 7
70.0
75.1
95.8
111.9
116.3
117.6
116.9
112.8
111.6
110. 8
113.5
115.0
116. 7
116. 9
118. 2
117.3
117.5
119.0
2.0
14.9
44.7
77.3
79.2
103.8
119.2
101.4
81.7
79.3
70.7
74.2
72.6
77.3
72.5
76.5
75.8
83.2
78.6
80.0
77.7
(2)
17.0
33.3
74.6
69. 7
89.9
110.6
128.9
97.3
91.6
87. 7
106.5
102.1
96.9
94.4
99.1
96.7
107.9
102.1
109.6
96.8
0.6
8. 7
49.0
105.5
110. 7
143.6
165.0
160.5
129.0
106. 1
88.4
89.1
101.0
103.8
0.6
14.7
45.2
76.8
83. 7
97. 5
108.4
106.3
106.3
109.3
100. 8
99.6
102.2
104.4
103.0
103.4
103.4
103.8
100. 5
103. 7
114.9
0.6
14.7
45.2
80.7
87. 1
107.0
122.2
109.0
88. 1
79.2
69.5
69.9
71.1
72.4
68.4
72.1
71.9
76.4
73.1
74.6
73.9
All
item s
New York, N. Y.
D ecem ber, 1915__________ ______
D ecem ber, 1916__________ . .
D ecem ber, 1917_________________
D ecem ber, 1918___________
June, 1919,.
_________
Decem ber, 1919 __ ___
June, 1920-. ______. . .
Decem ber, 1920... _______
M ay , 1921_____ . . . . . .
December, 1921__________
June, 1922 . . . __________________
December, 1922__________________
Juno, 1923___________ . . . ________
D ecem ber, 1923__________________
June, 1924_______________________
December, 1924___________ ______
June, 1925.. ____________________
December, 1925 . . _______________
June, 1926________________ ______
D ecem ber, 1926___________ . . . . . .
June, 1927________________ _______
1.3
16.3
55.3
82.6
75.3
91.0
105.3
73.5
42.5
51.8
40.0
49.5
■44. 4
52.0
41. 1
■50.0
48.9
62.6
56.0
59. 1
54.0
4.8
22.3
54.2
131.3
151. 6
219. 7
241.4
201.8
159. 5
117.8
103. 0
98.3
100. 7
102. 7
100. 7
97. 7
97.5
95.9
94.7
93.7
92.9
N o r fo lk ,
D ecem ber, 1915...................... ..............
D ecem ber, 1916__________________
D ecem ber, 1917. ________ _________
D ecem ber, 1918_____________ ___
June, 1919____ _________________
Decem ber, 1919_______ ___ _____
______
June, 1920____________ .
D ecember, 1920... ______________
M ay, 1921_______________________
D ecember, 1921__________________
June, 1922 ........ .................. ..................
December, 1922__________________
June, 1923__________ ___________
Decem ber, 1923__________________
June, 1924. ___________ ________
December, 1924_______ . . . ------June, 1925 ________ _____ ________
D ecem ber, 1925.------ ------------ -------June, 1926_______________________
December, 1926__________________
June, 1927_______________________
0.8
22.4
63.9
86.2
89.8
91.5
107.6
76.3
45.4
43.4
33.5
38.6
36.9
40.7
33.1
46.0
47.9
60.8
56.0
58. 7
54. 7
0.8
6.0
31. 6
94.6
104.8
158.4
176. 5
153.6
121.6
90.2
77.6
73.2
79. 1
80.8
78.6
75.4
74.7
74.0
73.0
72.8
71.1
Va.
0.1
1 1. 7
i 1.7
39.0
46. 5
63.3
70.8
90.8
94.6
93.4
88.1
77.2
73.0
67.0
64.2
59.4
58.4
53.0
52. 1
49.2
45.9
3 N o change.
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i 0.1
i.1
2.6
6.5
13.4
23.4
32.4
38.1
42. 2
53.7
55. 7
56.7
59.4
62.4
64.5
67.1
67.8
69.5
69.5
70. 2
70.2
[431]
100. 1
102.1
96.0
96.8
93.7
90.4
88.9
208
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914 TO
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Philadelphia, Pa.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
D ecember, 1915............................
D ecember, 1916_.____ _________
D ecember, 1917 ........................
December, 1918, ____________
June, 1919. - . . . . ___
December, 1919___________ .
June, 1920________________
December, 1 9 2 0 .____ _
M ay, 1921. _____ _____
December, 1921...........
June, 1922__ ______ _
December, 1922__________________
June, 1923________ _____________
December, 1923 __________________
June, 1924_______________________
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925___ _ _________ _______
December, 1925 __________________
June, 1926__ ____________ .
December, 1926_____ ________ ____
June, 1927_______________________
Clothing
0.3
18.9
54. 4
80. 7
75. 5
87.2
101. 7
68.1
37.8
43.9
38. 1
43. 4
42. 7
45. 1
39. 3
46.4
51.3
62.0
56. 6
61. 2
53.8
3.6
16.0
51.3
111.2
135.9
190.3
219. 6
183.5
144. 7
104. 6
89.5
87.6
87.6
88. 2
85.5
84.4
83.8
83. 6
82. 5
80. 3
79. 2
R ent
1 0.3
'. 7
2.6
8.0
11.3
16.7
28.6
38.0
44. 2
48.1
49. 6
52.9
58. 1
66.9
72.4
75.3
76.0
77.1
77. 1
77.3
75.3
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
i 0.8
5.4
21.5
47. 9
43.3
51.3
66.8
96.0
85. 6
92.0
85.7
93.0
89.9
102. 2
91. 7
94.8
87.0
100. 5
98.3
98. 5
89.4
6. 9
19. 9
49.8
107. 7
117. 8
162. 8
187.4
183.4
135. 5
101. 6
90.0
96.9
110. 8
111. 6
102. 3
100.5
98.9
97.9
93. 7
92. 3
88. 6
]. 2
14. 7
43. 8
67.5
71. 2
88. 6
102. 8
122. 3
119. 2
116. 2
112.3
110. 7
112.4
112.0
110.7
117.6
117.6
117.6
120.6
121.5
120.8
1. 2
14. 7
43. 8
73.9
76.2
96. 5
113. 5
100.7
79.8
74.3
68.2
70.7
72.1
74.7
71.5
76.1
77.6
82.6
80. 6
82.3
78.0
0.4
11. 4
28.9
67.7
58.4
69.8
83.9
113.5
96.8
94.0
96. 1
94. 7
94.9
100.0
96. 2
99.6
95.8
100.3
100.5
102.9
98. 6
6. 2
20.9
43. 5
110.8
126.4
163.7
190.3
191.2
152. 2
123. 6
108.1
114. 2
129. 7
130. 2
126.7
126.0
126.0
126.9
121.7
120.8
118.8
' 0. 4
13. 8
38.0
65.6
72.1
83.2
89.4
94.3
94. 1
91. 2
88. 2
88.0
88.0
89.3
87.9
87. 2
87.8
87. 6
88.4
88. 6
88. 6
1 0.4
13.8
38.0
72.2
74.3
91.6
107.6
93.1
72.1
69. 2
59.7
64.1
63.3
66.9
62.4
66.0
65.3
70.3
67.3
69.2
66.8
i 1.0
3.4
20.2
30.9
31.3
42.3
46.9
65.9
67.1
59.4
50.3
65.7
61.3
67. 1
55.5
62.4
52.2
60.0
50.9
61.9
56.9
2.9
18.0
54. 5
109.0
122. 1
145. 1
183.9
179.9
148.0
121.9
101.9
102.9
109. 8
109.0
102.2
102.2
98.6
100.6
95. 2
90.7
87.8
i 3.1
6. 1
31. 2
57.9
62.3
71.6
79.7
81. 1
81. 1
80.0
78. 5
79. 4
75. 8
79. 6
73.0
74.4
73.0
73.0
74. 2
76. 6
76.4
' 3. 1
6. 1
31. 2
64. 2
69.2
83.7
100.4
80. 3
62. 2
58.3
52.1
56. 1
54.6
57.8
52.8
55.8
55.8
56.9
54. 6
55. 1
53.7
Portland, Me.
D ecember, 1915__________________
D ecember, 1916__________________
December, 1917_____
D ecember, 1918.. . .
June, 1919__ _____________
December, 1919. . ______
June, 1920___ _______
December, 1920 _____
M ay, 1921___ ____
December, 1921 . . . . . .
June, 1922________
December, 1922 ___________ .
June, 1923... . _____________ ____
December, 1923_____ ____________
June, 1924__________
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925.
___________________
December, 1925______
June, 1926__ _ _______
December, 1926 ____
June, 1927......................... .............
' 2.0
18. 6
49.8
- 86.8
80. 6
91.9
114.5
78.7
46. 7
54. 8
39.9
49. 1
45.3
52. 3
44. 1
52. 4
52. 2
64. 5
58.7
63.3
59.4
2. 1
9.7
32.8
85.8
103.8
148. 5
165.9
147. 8
116.3
88. 1
76. 7
74.8
77.3
76. 6
74.5
75.0
75. 0
74.0
71.7
70.3
67.6
0. 2
.6
2.4
2.5
5.7
10. 7
14. 5
20.0
23. 1
26. 6
24. 8
30. 7
27.3
31. 7
27.4
28. 8
25. 5
24.4
23.7
23.8
23.6
Portland, Oreg.
December, 1915_____________ .
December, 1916__________
D ecember, 1917_________
D ecember, 1918.. .
June. 1919___________ . .
December, 1919.. . . .
June, 1920______________
December, 1920______
M ay, 1921_____. . . .
December, 1921____
June, 1922___ _ _________
December, 1922 . . __________
June, 1923 . .
. _ ___________
December, 1923______________ ____
June, 1924... ___________________
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925_______________________
December, 1925 ________ .
June, 1926._____ _ ________
December, 1926 ________
_______
June, 1927_________________ ____
'3 .8
9. 8
42. 2
70. 6
67. 1
81. 6
107. 1
60. 9
26.0
33. 1
26. 5
34.3
29.5
35.1
28.5
36. 1
40. 6
43. 2
38. 6
40. 6
39.2
3.0
15.8
44.4
96. 6
115. 5
142. 1
158. 6
122: 1
91.2
65. 3
53. 2
54.9
61.3
61. 8
61.1
59. 2
57. 6
57.0
56.5
54. 0
53. 2
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[432]
1 10.9
i 19. 6
l 22. 2
12.3
20. 2
27. 7
33.2
36.9
42.9
43.3
43.3
43. 6
42. 5
42.7
43. 3
42.9
40.9
40. 1
37.9
33. 5
30.3
209
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T a b l e 3 .— C H A N G E S
IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
J U N E , 1927—Continued
San Francisco and Oakland, Calif.
Per cent of increase over D ecember, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
June, 1920-. _ ___________
_____
M ay, 1921_______________________
June, 1927______________ ________ -
14.3
9.6
35.9
66. 2
63.3
74. 2
93.9
64.9
33.3
40. 4
31. 1
38.8
34.2
42.3
35. 0
42. 1
47. 6
53.3
44. 3
48.3
45.4
Clothing
2.5
14.5
43.6
109. 0
134. 6
170. 4
191.0
175.9
140. 9
106. 3
90. 7
85. 4
9a l
94.4
91. 5
90. 5
90. 5
89. 7
88. 4
85.6
83.7
R en t
10.7
12.5
14.0
13.9
13.5
4.7
9.4
15.0
21. 7
25.8
29.4
30. 0
33.4
36.0
38. 0
39.4
40.1
40.0
39.6
39.5
38. 7
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
10.1
4.6
14.4
30. 1
28.9
41.3
47. 2
66.3
63. 3
65.3
59.5
52.5
42. 6
48.8
49.9
53. 5
54.3
50.8
48. 5
51.0
47.1
6.0
21.7
48.2
103.4
116.6
143.8
180. 1
175. 6
143.9
113. 9
104. 4
105. 4
116.7
116.9
113. 4
114. 7
115.1
115.7
105. 6
104. 6
103.8
1 1.3
1 1.7
21. 1
37. 5
35. 5
52. 2
65.3
94.4
74.2
66. 1
55.2
68.3
61.9
64. 1
59.7
62. 2
59. 1
62.9
61.9
68.4
58.3
1.8
12.8
50. 7
128. 6
136. 5
182. 1
207.2
206.6
175. 9
133.7
120. 1
123.8
135.9
133.4
130.6
128. 7
128.2
128.9
126. 6
123.9
121.7
10.2
2.9
23.9
51.8
51.8
63.8
65.8
78. 7
78.7
69. 0
64. 0
59.6
58.0
59. 1
56.8
59. 6
57.8
sa 1
49.4
61. 2
59. 3
8.5
27.4
sa3
141. 5
154.4
201.0
221. 2
216.4
177. 2
149.9
137. 3
136.1
143.9
144. 2
140. 7
141. 1
141. 6
142. 1
139. 4
137. 5
136.8
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
1 1.7
A3
2a 6
5a 5
61. 0
74. 7
79. 6
84. 8
84.4
86. 8
83. 7
84. 2
79.4
81. 2
73. 2
7Z 7
72. 9
74. 6
75. 3
75.3
77.8
i 1.7
8.3
28.6
57.8
65. 6
87.8
96.0
85.1
66. 7
63. 6
56.8
5a 8
57.6
62.1
57.3
60.1
6a 2
64.7
60.7
61. 7
60.5
0. 2
14. 5
42.5
67. 3
71. 2
82.0
83.8
91. 5
93. 0
87.4
81. 1
79. 5
77. 5
76. 7
77. 5
77. 5
77. 5
79. 1
79. 5
79. 0
80.6
1 0. 2
14. 6
42.5
75.0
79.8
98.7
109.4
98.7
77.6
66.2
56.8
59. 2
57. 9
58.2
54.8
56. 3
57.9
62.9
60. 6
60. 5
58.3
i 1.0
7.4
31. 1
58. 5
71.4
86.8
90.4
95. 5
105. 5
102. 6
97. 6
96. 4
96. 6
96. 6
94.6
96.4
96.4
97. 0
97. 0
97.6
99. 6
i 1.0
7.4
31. 1
69.9
76.9
97.7
110.5
94. 1
80.2
71.5
67.0
66.7
66.4
68.5
66. 7
67.8
70.5
71. 7
69. 4
69. 1
69. 7
Savannah, Ga.
Decem ber, 1915. ______ _____________________
Decem ber, 1916______________ ______________
December, 1917______________________________
December, 1918_ _
______ ________________
June, 1919____________________________
_____
December, 1919__________________________ . .
June, 1920 __________ ___________________ _____
December, 1920 .
___
.
_.
M ay, 1921______________________________________
Decem ber, 1921 . . . . . . .
. . . .. ...
June, 1922______________________________________
December, 1922______________________________
June, 1923 . ................................................ .............. ..
December, 1923____________________ __________
June, 1924 ______________________________________
December, 1924______________________________
June, 1925 ______________________________________
D ecember, 1925___________ ___________________
June, 1926______________________________________
December, 1926______________________________
June, 1927______________________________________
0. 3
17.6
50. 8
76. 2
74. 2
80.9
91. 7
63.5
28. 7
33. 7
22.7
27. 6
22.6
25.0
17. 5
25. 1
31. 5
44. 9
39. 1
39. 7
35.4
i
0.8
24. 1
56. 6
133. 6
146.3
195.9
212.1
171.5
133.2
84.2
71. 7
76.2
81.2
80.9
79.1
75.8
75. 1
73. 7
73.7
72.0
69.8
i 1.4
* 3. 0
14.3
5.9
10.2
22. 0
33.5
58. 6
61.9
60.9
57.8
52. 7
49. 5
47. 5
45.3
41.0
39. 7
38.6
38. 0
38. 1
37.7
»
Seattle, Wash.
Decem ber, 1915___________________
December, 1916 ____________ ____
Decem ber, 1917.....................................
December, 1918__________________
June, 1919..
__________________
December, 1919----------------- --------June, 1920___________ . . . . . ____
Decem ber, 1920___ _____ _________
M ay, 1921_______________________
Decem ber, 1921___ ____ . . . ______
June, 1922_______________________
December, 1922____________ ______
June, 1923_________ ____________
D ecember, 1923________ ________
June, 1924_______________________
Decem ber, 1924__________________
June, 1925_______________ ________
December, 1925_______ ________
June, 1926 . .
_______ ____
December, 1926________
___
June, 1927_____ ___________ ______
12.8
a 5
38. 7
72. 5
69.3
80.9
102.3
54. 1
27. 1
30. 5
30. 0
33.9
31.0
35.8
33. 1
35.8
43. 7
47.3
42. 3
41. 6
43.0
1.2
11.3
36.4
88.0
110. 2
154. 5
173.9
160. 5
128. 7
88. 7
78.0
74.2
76. 7
77. 6
76. 2
74.4
74. 6
74.8
74.8
73. 1
71.9
1 Decrease
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[433]
i a4
i 5.4
1.6
44.3
51.5
71. 5
74.8
76. 7
74.8
69. 2
64. 7
63. 1
62.3
62. 9
64. 0
63. 7
64. 7
63.7
62. 6
60. 3
59.0
210
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 3 .—C H A N G E S IN CO ST O P L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Washington, D. C.
Per cent of increase over Decem ber, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Clothing
Food
December, 1915________ __________
December, 1916_______ _________
Decem ber, 1917_______________
December, 1918_________ ____ _ _
April, 1919.._
_ _________
N ovem ber, 1919
- _____________
June, 1920___ ________ _________
December, 1920_______________ __
M ay, 1921 - _____________________
Decem ber, 1921___________ _____
June, 1922__ ________________ ____
December, 1922__________ ___ _ _
June, 1923___ _________ ________
December, 1923_____________ ___
June, 1924_________ ____________
D ecember, 1924. __ _________ __
June, 1925________ _____________
December, 1925_______ _
____
June, 1926-_ _______ _________ _
December, 1926 _____________ _ _
June, 1927________ ________ _
0.6
15. 7
61. 1
90. 9
84.6
93.3
108.4
79. 0
47.4
51.1
44.3
49.2
48.8
52.3
43. 7
53. 6
57.2
65.6
63.3
66.3
55.0
3.7
23.2
60. 1
112. 6
109.5
165.9
184.0
151.1
115.9
87.1
77.5
74.8
78.9
81.2
78. 9
75.8
75.4
73.5
73.3
70.9
69. 2
R ent
1 1.5
i 3.7
i 3.4
1 1.5
i 1.4
5.4
15.6
24.7
28.8
30.4
31.4
32.6
33.9
34. 3
35.7
36.7
37.7
40.3
38.6
37.4
36.4
1 Decrease.
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
6.3
30.5
72.1
127.4
126. 0
159.3
196.4
194.0
149.0
122.4
108.1
112. 6
129.0
128.8
124.5
125.2
119.8
115.0
112.6
107. 5
104.4
0.4
15.3
44.3
55.9
57.4
62.7
68.2
73.9
72.0
75.8
73.7
72.0
72.5
74.9
75.0
76.5
76.5
75.4
75.0
75.0
73.6
(2)
7.3
24.9
40.9
41.8
42.8
53.7
68.0
57. 1
49.9
44. 5
55.1
51.2
47.0
42.9
44.9
39.8
48.7
41.7
45.7
39.3
All
item s
1.0
14.6
47.3
73.8
71.2
87.6
101.3
87.8
67.1
63.0
57.6
59.5
60.9
63.2
59.5
63.1
64.0
67.3
65. 5
66. 0
60.5
2 N o change.
Table 4 shows the changes in the cost of living from December,
1917, to June, 1927, for 13 cities. The table is constructed in the
same manner as the preceding one and differs from it only in the
base period and in the length of time covered.
T able 4 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
JU N E , 1927
Atlanta, Ga.
P er cent of increase over Decem ber, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1918__ ___ ___ ________
June, 1919. _
____________ _
December, 1919. ............... ...........
June, 1920__ ______________ _
Decem ber, 1920. _ _ _______ _ _ _
M ay, 1921___ _ ___________ ______
D ecem ber, 1921__________ ___ _
June, 1922___ _________________ __
Decem ber, 1922________ _______
June, 1923_________ _
Decem ber, 1923______________
June, 1924___ __________ _ _
Decem ber, 1924________________ _
June, 1925_____________
Decem ber, 1925____________ _
June, 1926_____ _____ ______
Decem ber, 1926_______________
June, 1927.............. .............
19.0
18.0
27.9
34.0
12.8
i 8.9
> 7.2
1 10.5
i 8.9
i 10.3
i 6.3
i 10.2
i 5.5
i 1.2
6.5
4.5
4.3
4.1
C lothing
29.1
40.7
66.9
80.5
56.5
35.2
8.3
.4
2.8
5.9
6.9
5.7
4.9
4.5
4.3
3.9
2.9
2. 1
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[434]
R en t
14.0
14. 5
32.6
40.4
73. 1
78.8
75.4
68. 1
62.7
61. 4
62.2
60. 1
56.9
55.5
49.3
44.4
42. 1
41.5
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
17.0
17.9
30.8
61.0
66.8
56.1
43.7
39. 1
57.6
42.7
39.3
32.0
33. 1
26.2
34.7
36.6
46.0
31.7
24.9
30.1
49.9
65.0
58.4
38.0
23.0
15.2
17.4
23.9
23.5
20.4
20.4
19.9
18.8
17.4
15.5
14.6
M iscel
laneous
14.8
21.5
31.7
34. 6
39.7
40.5
39.7
34.5
34.1
32.8
33.3
33.8
33.7
34.9
35.6
34.0
33.9
33.9
All
item s
19.7
23.3
37.9
46. 7
38. 5
25.2
18.7
13. 7
15.1
14.2
16.0
13.6
14.9
16.2
19.0
17.3
17.4
16.2
211
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T able 4 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Birmingham, Ala.
Per cent of increase over Decem ber, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
Clothing
17.7
18. 3
26. 5
36.4
11.9
9.1
1 8. 5
1 13.1
1 9.9
>9.9
i 6. 6
12.6
1 3.1
1.9
4. 5
1
23.9
29. 8
67. 6
.4
45.1
24. 8
1.4
i 6.1
i 1. 7
66
1.8
3.8
3.2
1
1. 6
1.8
> 3.1
1.6
1.5
1.3
1.9
1.9
i 3.1
1
R ent
8.1
12
.8
34.9
40. 3
.5
77.4
79.9
67.0
62.3
63. 1
67.9
68
68.6
68.6
68.3
68.0
66. 5
65. 8
64. 5
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
22
.8
31.9
39.8
55.3
74.2
54.3
44. 1
25.0
49.9
40.7
50. 2
40. 5
45.7
33.8
41.4
41.0
51.3
39.6
19.4
M iscel
laneous
All
item s
11.2
13.8
16.3
26.8
28.7
30.4
33.8
35. 5
30.4
29.6
28. 5
27.2
27.2
27.3
27.2
27.8
26.9
26.9
26.4
25. 7
30.5
51.1
75.5
66.7
39.7
22.3
15.8
17.2
24.3
26.2
23.2
23.2
23.4
21.3
17. 7
16.9
16.1
40.3
47. 6
53.4
52.3
47.3
44.0
42. 7
42.8
43.3
46.9
52.3
55.0
49.9
50.5
50.5
50.0
35.2
47.1
34.7
21.7
15.3
12.7
13.8
15.5
17.7
16.3
17.6
14. 8
17. 7
32.3
35.4
38.8
42. 8
43. 1
38. 1
37.6
37. 1
36. 8
35. 1
35. 6
35. 6
35.6
35. 1
36. 6
36. 1
20.7
25.3
38.2
50.3
38.7
26.9
24. 5
18.8
20.2
45.1
55.6
48. 1
32.0
12.0
3.3
8.9
17.8
19. 7
14.3
14.9
15.5
15.5
13.5
12.4
17.0
19.8
34.3
41.9
33.3
22.1
16.2
10.7
13.2
13.6
16.0
13.1
16.8
16.9
19.2
17. 5
17.8
14.8
Cincinnati, Ohio
Decem ber, 1919.................................... Decem ber, 1920___________ _______
15. 3
18.1
22. 9
38. 7
10. 3
i 7.4
i 8.3
i 8.9
10.4
i 9.3
i 6. 7
10. 2
i 8.3
1.9
3. 9
2. 7
3. 1
3.9
1
33.8
48. 3
84. 2
96. 7
73.5
49. 0
13.9
4.9
5. 5
8.8
1
i
i
i
i
9.2
6.4
1.5
.2
1. 1
1. 2
1. 7
2.3
1
0.2
.8
12. 8
13. 6
25.0
27.6
28.5
31. 0
35. 2
40. 7
45. 6
49.3
50. 1
51.2
51. 8
54. 8
55.9
56. 8
10.0
5.6
11.0
26.9
34. 1
15. 7
42.4
35.2
61.0
51.9
53.0
39.3
44.5
61. 1
70.4
62.2
83.6
66.7
20.4
21.8
17.3
21.1
22.1
23.0
22.6
23.8
23.3
Denver, Colo.
20
.0
20. 7
26. 0
41.5
7.9
1 13. 1
i 8. 8
1 14.2
1 9.0
1 11. 5
i 8.7
1 13. 5
i 7.8
i 5.3
i 1.3
i 3.8
13.0
12.8
40. 1
53.2
82. 1
96.8
78.3
53.9
27. 7
15.3
16.6
16.9
17.9
16.1
15.1
14. 5
13. 1
12.4
.8
11
10.1
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[435]
12. 8
21.8
33. 5
51.9
69. 8
76.9
82.6
84. 8
86.9
85.4
88.9
84.4
84.0
82. 5
78. 5
71.9
65.5
61. 2
8
.1
8.4
19. 6
22.3
47.1
37. 5
39. 7
32. 8
40. 7
30.4
37. 2
19. 7
25.4
27.0
37.4
25.3
38. 1
20.8
22
.6
31.3
46.3
60.2
58.9
42. 5
27.9
20.4
21.2
26. 1
27.0
23.8
24.2
24.8
25.2
24. 2
23. 5
22.9
21.6
19.9
22.1
17.8
20.2
21.1
22. 5
19.7
20.4
18.4
212
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 4 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST OE L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
JU N E , 1927—C ontinued
Indianapolis, Ind.
P er cent of increase over Decem ber, 1917, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1918___________________
June, 1919. _______
___________
December, 1919______ _
_______
June, 1920__ _________ _ _______
December, 1920... . . . ___ . . . . .
M ay, 1 9 2 1 ..___________________
December, 1921__________________
June, 1922___ _________ ._ ___ _
December, 1922 ___________ ______
June, 1923..
... ...
December, 1923.. _______ ______
June, 1924____ _________ _________
December, 1924. . . . _____________
June, 1925_______________________
December, 1925__________________
June, 1926.. _____ _ __________
December, 1926. . . . _________ . .
June, 1927_________________ _____
17.8
16.4
28. 2
49. 0
11.0
i 10. 1
i 8.4
i 9.9
i 11. 1
1 8.0
i 6.5
i 10.0
i 4.9
i 2.3
4.4
2.6
2.9
3.5
Clothing
32.4
40. 1
73.8
87.9
72.3
45.8
16.2
7.9
8.6
11.6
13.4
11.9
10.4
9.8
7.5
7.4
5.4
5.9
Rent
1.6
2.6
11.6
18.9
32.9
37.4
43.8
41.3
44.1
44.6
47.1
46.5
46.7
44. 1
41.7
38.3
36. 5
34.6
House
furnishing
goods
M iscel
laneous
19.8
16.7
27.3
45.6
60.3
49.4
42.5
44.9
73.4
54.9
41.5
38.2
41.5
33.9
44.9
33.9
47.8
34.6
18.9
24.8
48.4
67.5
63.0
35.3
22.5
13.7
16.7
23.2
24.0
21.4
21.5
20.6
21.8
20.6
19.9
18.0
21.9
26.8
38.2
40.5
47.5
47.4
46.2
45.4
46.7
46.1
49.2
51.5
53.3
53.8
54.1
51.6
51.8
52.3
19.1
21.1
36.5
50.2
37.6
23.9
19.3
16.4
18.8
19.4
20.6
19.3
21.4
21.5
24.2
21.9
22.3
21.4
18.0
9. 6
27. 5
35. 2
55.1
43.3
42. 6
36.3
40. 2
36.1
36.7
34. 5
32.9
32. 8
32.3
29.4
33.5
29.8
31.1
37.9
61.8
73. 0
68. 7
50.0
26. 2
11.6
12.1
22.5
22.6
16.8
16.1
15.6
14.1
12.8
10.8
8.6
15.6
20.8
31.5
37.1
40.3
40.4
37.6
32.3
33.3
33.8
36.2
35.3
34.3
36.4
36.3
36.3
36.3
36.6
19.6
20.6
38.2
51.0
39.5
27.3
22.5
15.0
16.2
15.3
17.2
14.3
15.3
16.3
18.0
16.6
15.2
14.0
26.8
23.4
34.1
49.7
105.4
64. 5
67.1
56.3
68.5
62.8
65.0
66.2
66.2
55.7
71.4
63.3
80. 1
79.4
25.4
30.7
53.2
67.1
53.9
29.9
14.7
6.8
12.2
23.2
23.4
18.6
20. 1
20.1
20.1
18.2
17.1
16.0
16.1
20.9
28.3
38.8
43.2
42.9
42.3
37.8
37.4
38.1
37.3
36.3
37.4
38.5
37.8
36.7
37.7
36.6
18.3
23.3
35.2
46.4
39.3
26.7
23.2
18.2
18.6
19.9
21.0
18.2
20.4
20.5
22.0
19.9
19.9
18.1
Fuel
and
light
All
items
Kansas City, Mo.
D ecember, 1918__________ . .
June, 19221.. ________ _________
December, 1922_________ _______
December, 1923-. _
. . . . ___
D ecem ber, 1926___________________
17.3
15. 1
24.5
44.9
10.2
1 8.3
1 6.6
1 13.5
i 12.0
i 12. 5
i 10. 2
1 12.7
i 7.7
i 3.9
2. 0
.5
i 1.7
2.2
1
40.7
44. 7
89.9
104.5
76. 3
52.3
24.1
15.9
14. 6
14. 5
15.2
13. 3
12.0
11.4
9. 2
8. 7
6.3
5.4
5.4
6.7
26. 0
29.4
63.9
65. 0
69.7
59.4
61.4
53. 7
56.8
49.5
46. 2
40. 6
39. 5
35.9
34. 1
29.1
Memphis, Tenn.
December, 1918.
June, 1919_____
Decem ber, 1919.
June, 1920_____
December, 1920.
M ay, 1921_____
Decem ber, 1921.
June, 1922.........
D ecember, 1922.
June, 1923_____
Decem ber, 1923.
June, 1924_____
Decem ber, 1924.
June, 1925_____
Decem ber, 1925.
June, 1926_____
Decem ber, 1926.
June, 1927..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20.3
22.7
28.4
38.8
7.0
i 14.2
» 11.2
1 15.1
1 14.9
i 13.9
1 11.2
1 17.1
i 9. 2
1 7.1
12.0
i 4.1
i 5.7
i 7.2
27.7
38.3
66.2
77.5
59.0
36.1
15.3
7.3
6.7
9.8
11.0
9.5
6.4
5.9
4.7
4.0
3.9
1.9
1 Decrease.
(2)
8. 2
23.1
35.9
66.2
79.7
77.3
74.8
72.5
72.3
72.5
72.4
68.6
66.4
60. 4
57.0
53.9
50.2
2 No change.
[436]
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
213
T able 4 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
JU N E , 1927—C ontinued
Minneapolis, Minn.
P er cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
June, 1927'.______________ _____ _
17.7
21. 4
34.1
50. 0
13. 0
1 7.9
1 4. 9
1 6. 0
1 5.3
1 6. 4
1 4. 7
1 7.9
1 4.3
1 .8
0.9
5.8
2.3
4.1
Clothing
33. 5
40.1
67.0
76. 7
63. 6
41. 0
14. 3
7.9
6. 5
9. 2
9.3
7.4
5.6
4.9
4.4
3.4
2. 5
1. 1
Fuel
and
light
R ent
1 0.1
1 2. 0
8. 0
10. 7
36.8
39. 0
46.7
44. 6
46.8
42. 5
47.4
44. 7
44.9
40.7
41.0
36.8
36. 1
30.2
H ouse
furnishing
goods
M iscel
laneous
14. 7
13. 4
22. 4
36.9
60. 3
52.8
50. 2
43. 7
47.0
44. 9
45.6
42. 2
43.2
40.9
42. 6
45.9
46. 6
44.3
18.1
23. 6
45. 6
65. 5
65. 8
43.3
27.9
21. 4
22. 5
29. 7
28. 2
22. 8
23.3
23. 2
22.1
19.9
17. 0
15.1
12.3
15. 9
25. 4
31. 3
37. 6
37.9
37.4
32. 6
32. 6
32.8
32. 0
31.3
31. 2
31.1
30.6
32.8
33.5
32.6
15. 8
18.8
32. 7
43. 4
35.7
23.7
20. 7
17.3
18.0
17.4
18.8
16.2
17.3
17.6
20.3
19.6
18.2
17.2
19.7
20.8
24.7
36.3
41. 5
29. 2
40.4
33.4
38.5
32.9
37.1
32.9
36. 2
33.7
34. 2
39. 6
43.8
38.5
23.8
30.0
57.7
75? 9
63.9
47. 7
28.5
17.9
26.2
34.8
33. 6
29.2
30.0
27.0
27. 5
26. 6
25. 0
21.8
15.9
17.5
35. 1
42. 8
57. 1
58. 2
60. 2
58. 6
51.9
50. 1
50.3
48.7
48. 7
48.3
47.9
46. 7
47.4
48.6
17.9
20.7
33.9
41.9
36.7
23.8
22.7
18.9
18.6
17.7
20.2
16.8
20.6
20.2
22.7
20.1
21.7
20.3
9.2
9.4
9.8
31.7
64. 4
59.8
66. 2
66. 0
72. 8
68.4
76.9
74. 8
92.2
91.2
89.9
88.0
91.9
88.8
26.3
34.1
63.1
77.4
78.1
58.2
31. 6
20. 1
25.1
29. 4
29.0
29. 0
29.8
27.7
28.0
25.3
24.3
22.6
16.3
16.7
28. 3
41. 2
46.3
48.6
48.0
43.4
42.8
44.1
43.1
45.3
46.6
46.7
46.8
46.1
46.4
46.3
19.8
21.8
36. 2
49.1
39.3
27.7
22. 8
17.8
20. 1
21.3
22.9
22. 4
24.9
26. 0
28.5
26.2
27.2
25.4
All
item s
New Orleans, La.
Decem ber, 1918.. ---------- ---------■_
June, 1919.------------------ ------------ ...
D ecember, 1919__________________
June, 1920........ .................... ................
D ecember, 1920____________ _____
M ay, 1921_______________________
December, 1921_______ . . . . . .
June, 1922____________ ___________
December, 1922. ________ _____ _
June, 1923____ _ _______________
December, 1923__________ _____ _
June, 1924------------------------ --------December, 1924___________ ______
June, 1925________________ ______
Decem ber, 1925-------------- ------------ June, 1926___________ . . ------D ecember, 1926_______ . . --------June, 1927_______________________
16.6
17.4
21. 1
28.6
10.7
1 10. 7
1 9.3
■ 12.8
1 10.5
1 13.2
18.7
1 14. 6
1 5.7
1 5.7
.9
1 5. 2
1 1.6
13.9
36.8
48.8
83.2
94.9
69. 4
45.0
24.9
15.6
16. 2
17.8
19.5
18.6
17.2
17.0
15.9
15.7
15.6
13.4
(2)
0. 1
10.8
12.9
39.7
46.7
57.9
58.5
54.7
55.5
57.4
57.1
57.2
57.0
56.8
57.0
56.2
56.0
Pittsburgh, Pa.
18.8
16. 2
25. 1
36. 5
14. 3
1 8. 8
1 5. 6
1 12. 2
1 5.4
1 5.4
1 2.1
1 7. 5
1 2.4
1.2
6. 2
2. 6
5. 6
2. 2
35.9
45. 3
82. 8
91. 3
75. 4
50. 7
23. 6
17.3
13.1
14.8
14.9
13. 7
11. 2
11.1
10. 5
7.8
5. 5
5.2
2 N o change.
i Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7. 6
13.5
15. 5
34. 9
35. 0
55. 5
55.3
56. 7
56. 7
60. 4
60. 7 .
71. 8
72. 1
75.2
75.2
75.4
75.0
74.7
[437]
214
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
T able 4 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S F R O M
D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
,
J U N E , 1927—C ontinued
Richmond, Va.
P er cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
D ecem ber, 1918_
June, 1919_____
D ecem ber, 1919_
June, 1920_____
D ecem ber, 1920
M ay , 1921_____
Decem ber, 1921_
June, 1922_____
December, 1922..
June, 1923__ . . . .
December, 1923..
June, 1924______
Decem ber, 1924..
June, 1925______
Decem ber, 1925..
June, 1926______
December, 1926..
June, 1927______
20. 5
20. 6
23. 1
36. 1
11. 9
^ /. 4
1 2. 9
1 7. 8
1 6. 3
^ i. z
1 4. 8
1 11. 3
1 3. 3
1 2. 4
4. 8
1. 6
.9
1 1. 2
Clothing
33. 8
42. 3
78.6
93. 6
69.0
43.8
21.2
12. 9
10. 6
12. 5
12. 9
11.9
8.9
8.6
8. 4
8. 1
7. 0
5. 8
R en t
1.0
3.6
9.8
12. 5
25.9
29.4
34. 1
34.5
35. 3
35. 7
39.4
39.5
41.3
41.4
40.4
39.6
36. 0
34.0
H ouse
Fuel anc
furnishing
light
goods
11.8
11.4
18. 7
36. 1
62.2
47. 1
46.8
33.4
54.2
52. 7
61.2
49. 1
47.9
44.2
53.6
51.0
61.4
51.9
26. 3
28.6
55. 9
75. 4
70.0
48.8
33. 0
27. 6
29.4
40. 0
40. 5
37.8
38. 5
38.2
39.2
38. 1
36.7
35.6
M iscel
laneous
9 0
13. 5
24 0
32 4
36. 0
38. 7
38. 4
34. 7
33 5
33. 9
35 4
35. 8
35. 7
36. 0
39. 1
40. 8
40. 8
40.9
All
item s
17.9
20.6
32. 0
43.8
33.3
20.2
18.3
13.2
14.4
14.9
17.1
13.5
16.5
16.7
20.8
19.7
19.3
17.4
St. Louis, Mo.
December, 1918.
June, 1919_____
Decem ber, 1919
June, 1920_____
D ecember, 1920
M ay, 1921_____
Decem ber, 1921..
June, 1922_____
December, 1922..
June, 1923_____
December, 1923..
June, 1924______
D ecember, 1924.
June, 1925______
December, 1925..
June, 1926______
December, 1926..
June, 1927______
18. 0
16. 1
26. 2
46. 2
8. 8
1 10. 1
1 11. 6
1 12. 1
1 9. 5
1 11. 5
1 7. 5
1 11. 4
1 6. 5
1 2. 5
3. 4
2. 8
2. 0
1. 2
32.4
39.3
78.1
89. 7
70.0
43.8
17.2
7.9
6. 3
9. 0
9.6
8. 6
7. 9
7. 4
6.9
6.8
7.0.
4.4
2. 7
3.8
16.8
29.8
42. 4
52. 5
63.8
65. 7
68. 0
74. 6
79. 5
83.4
83.4
85.2
85.4
84. 7
83.2
81. 0
4.8
3. 7
8.2
19. 6
42.6
30.9
33.4
32.3
48.9
30.8
32. 1
21. 6
24.6
19. 5
26.9
18.3
38. 9
34.0
21.8
32.5
52.9
73. 1
70.2
43. 5
19. 2
12.8
14.9
29.8
30.5
26.2
27.4
28.0
27.9
27. 1
22.7
22.3
14. 5
15. 7
30. 3
37. 6
43. 2
42. 1
40. 6
33. 2
33. 4
33. 4
35.8
35. 7
35. 8
36. 6
37. 0
36. 6
36. 6
36. 5
16.7
17.9
34.2
48.9
35.4
23. 1
18.5
15.1
17.0
17. 7
20.6
18.8
20.7
22.4
25.0
24.1
24.5
23.2
Scranton, Pa.
December, 1918_._
June, 1919 _ _
Decem ber, 1919 .
June, 1920__
Decem ber, 1920
M ay, 1921____
December, 1921.. _
June, 1922___
December, 1922
June, 1923...
Decem ber, 1923..
June, 1924___
Decem ber, 1924
June, 1925..
Decem ber, 1925
June, 1926.. .
December, 1926 .
June, 1927___
21.3
18. 1
26.9
41.4
17.8
1 4. 0
4. 1
1 6. 7
> 2. 1
I 5. 1
1 8.7
1 1.6
1.4
Q fi
4.7
6.7
4.2
34.4
82. 1
97.7
76. 5
54.3
29. 1
24.2
20. 7
21. 7
23.2
21. 1
20.3
20.2
19. 5
18.3
17. 2
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4381
18.5
41. 5
ro* o
GO 8
70.5
72. 4
24. 7
25.7
31. 5
43. 5
67.3
62.8
67. 1
68.0
68.6
65.2
75.3
68.9
75.7
70.3
77.8
27.0
35. 6
48. 9
62. 8
62.0
48. 6
30.7
24. 2
28. 5
34. 7
34.9
31. 6
34.6
33. 9
33. 9
34.4
33. 7
32.4
21.4
24. 9
34. 7
47.9
• 50.4
54. 6
52. 4
49. 9
49. 3
51. 4
51. 7
53. 7
53. 7
54. 8
55. 4
55. 9
55. 9
55. 7
21. 9
25.0
37. 1
51.5
39. 1
28.2
26.3
20.9
22.4
22.4
25.8
22.4
25.8
27.0
32. 0
29.0
29.8
28.2
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
215
The following table shows the increase in each item of expenditure,
in the United States from 1913 to June, 1927. These figures are a
summarization of the figures for the 32 cities, the results of whieh
appear in the preceding tables, computed on a 1913 base.
T able 5 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST O F L IV IN G IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1913 TO J U N E , 1927
Per cent of increase over 1913 in expenditure for—
D ate
Clothing
Food
Decem ber, 1918__________________
.Tune, 19191____ ____ _____ ________
D ecem ber, 1919________ ________
M ay, 1921_______________________
Septem ber, 1921........ ............ ..............
M arch, 1922______ _______________
M arch, 1923 ____________________
D ecember, 1924.. ________________
D ecember, 1925__________________
June, 19271_____ _____ ___________
5.0
5. 0
26. 0
57.0
87.0
84. 0
97. 0
119.0
78. 0
44. 7
53.1
49.9
38. 7
40. 7
39. 7
46. 6
41.9
44. 3
49.3
50. 3
43. 7
42. 4
46. 8
51. 5
55.0
65. 5
59. 7
61.8
58.5
1.0
4. 7
20.0
49. 1
105.3
114. 5
168. 7
187. 5
158. 5
122. 6
92. 1
84. 4
75. 5
72. 3
71. 3
71. 5
74. 4
74. 9
76. 5
76.3
75. 8
74. 2
72. 3
71.3
70.6
69.4
68.2
66. 7
64.9
R en t
H ouse
Fuel and furnishing
goods
light
(>)
1. 5
2.3
.1
9.2
14. 2
25.3
34. 9
51. 1
59.0
60. 0
61. 4
60. 9
60. 9
61. 1
61. 9
62.4
63. 4
64. 4
66. 5
67.0
68. 0
68. 0
68.2
67.4
67.1
65.4 •
64.2
62.1
1.0
1.0
8.4
24.1
47.9
45. 6
56. 8
71. 9
94. 9
81. 6
SO. 7
81. 1
75. 8
74. 2
83. 6
86.4
86.2
80. 6
81.3
84.0
82. 2
77. 3
79.1
80. 5
76. 5
86. 9
80.5
88. 3
80.8
4.0
10. 6
27. 8
50. 6
113. 6
125. 1
163. 5
192. 7
185. 4
147. 7
124. 7
118.0
106. 2
102. 9
102. 9
108. 2
117. 6
122.2
122. 4
122.4
121.3
116. 0
114. 9
116.0
114.3
. 114.3
110. 4
107. 7
105.2
M iscel
laneous
3.0
7. 4
13. 3
40. 5
65. 8
73. 2
90.2
101. 4
108. 2
108. 8
107. 8
106. 8
103. 3
101. 5
101.1
100. 5
100.3
100.3
101.1
101.7
101.1
101. 1
101.1
101. 7
102. 7
103. 5
103. 3
103. 9
104.5
All
item s
3.0
5.1
18.3
42.4
74. 4
77.3
99.3
116. 5
100. 4
80. 4
77.3
74. 3
66. 9
66. 6
66. 3
69. 5
68.8
69.7
72.1
73.2
70.4
69.1
70. 6
72. 5
73.5
77.9
74.8
75. 6
73.4
1 No change.
The following table shows the per cent of decrease in the price of
electricity on the dates specified as compared with the price in
December, 1913. These figures are based on the average prices for
household use in 32 cities and are included in the preceding tables
under the item “ Fuel and light.”
T able 6 .—P E R C E N T O F D E C R E A S E IN T H E P R IC E O F E L E C T R IC IT Y A T S P E C IF I E D
P E R IO D S AS C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M B E R , 1913
D ate
M ay, 1921____________
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
3. 7
6. 2
8. 6
11. 1
6 2
6. 2
7 4
7. 4
4. 9
4.9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
D ate
December, 1923__ _____
[439]
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
4. 9
4. 9
4. 9
6.2
6. 2
7.4
7.4
7.4
8. 6
8.6
D ate
Septem ber, 1 9 2 4 „ _____
D ecember, 1924
____
D ecember, 1925________
June, 1926
________
December, 1926________
June, 1927________ ____
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
9.9
9.9
11. 1
11.1
12.3
LABOR
AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
Labor Agreements
Electric Railways— Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway Co.
N THE agreement made by the electric railway employees, Divi
sion No. 228, with the Chicago & Joliet Electric Railway Co. and
the Chicago & Joliet Transportation Co., effective for three years
from January 1, 1927, is a section relative to insurance covering sick
ness and nonoccupational accidents, as follows:
I
S e c t i o n 15. Effective January 1 , 1928, in addition to th e life insurance th a t
th e p a rty of th e first p a rt is now providing for its employees, each m em ber of
the p arty of th e second p a rt after one year’s continuous service in th e employ
of th e p a rty of th e first p a rt shall receive insurance covering sickness and nonoccupational accidents, which shall provide for paym ent of $20 per week during
th e period of disability for a period not exceeding 26 weeks, paym ent to begin
after first seven days of disability.
Where occupational accidents occur the usual w orkm en’s com pensation bene
fits will be paid, and when such benefits do not am ount to $20 per week an addi
tional am ount will be paid to m ake the to ta l am ount $20 per week.
Awards and Decisions
Clothing Industry— Chicago
|N CASE N o . 1047, decided January 3, 1927, a second baster was
1 suspended for ^interfering when the foreman returned work to
another worker. The impartial chairman, in commenting upon the
circumstance, said:
Interference by one worker when work is returned to another is entirely
unw arranted and can only m ake for chaos. If a worker feels th a t work should
not have been returned he can tak e it up w ith th e shop chairm an who is elected
for th a t purpose. The agreem ent does not contem plate self-appointed shop
chairmen. The board feels th a t the worker was not unjustly suspended b u t th a t
discharge would be too severe a penalty. R einstatem ent w ithout pay is directed.
Clothing Industry— New York
IN CASE No. 342, decided May 4, 1927, a New York clothing firm
1 requested permission to employ a cheaper vest contractor to make
vests matching a cheaper-grade coat, in addition to its present con
tractor who was making a better grade of goods. The union objected
to the request, contending that the present contractor was getting
but very little work and that when a firm asks for a cheaper contractor
it is generally done for the purpose of getting rid of the former
contractor.
216
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AWARDS AND DECISIONS--- LOCOMOTIVE FIREMEN
217
The impartial chairman decided as follows:
A fter th o ro u g h ly looking in to th is m a tte r, th e im p a rtia l ch airm an finds th a t
th e firm is g e ttin g its w ork d one as ch eap ly , if n o t m ore cheaply, th a n o th e r
firm s h a n d lin g a sim ilar ty p e of m erchandise. T h e im p a rtia l ch a irm a n realizes
t h a t th e firm is now m ak in g a ch eap er line of goods, b u t h as e sta b lish e d to his
satisfactio n t h a t since its re o rg an izatio n all of th e firm ’s re q u e sts m a d e u p o n th e
exchange in ord er to enab le th e firm to m ak e u p ch eap er lines h a v e been g ra n te d ,
a n d t h a t ap p reciab le red u ctio n s in th e co st of p a n ts , co ats, a n d v ests h a v e been
secured. As th e firm h as o b ta in e d ch eap er c o n tra c to rs to make, u p th e ch e a p e r lin e
of goods, a n d as th e firm is n o t p ay in g m o re fo r th e p ro d u c tio n of its m erch an d ise
th a n o th e r firm s doing a sim ilar line of w ork, th e im p a rtia l ch a irm a n feels t h a t
he m u st a t th is tim e deny th e re q u e st of th e firm fo r a ch eap er v est c o n tra c to r.
L o c o m o tiv e F ir e m e n — S o u th e a s te r n T e r r ito r y
( ^ J. GOFF, W. J. Jenks, and Grafton Green as arbitrators rendered
v "'* a decision June 16, 1927 in a dispute between the locomotive
firemen and enginemen and certain railroads in the southeastern ter
ritory. The requests of the employees were seven in number, as
follows:
1. E x cep t as otherw ise p ro v id ed herein, existing ra te s of p a y fo r firem en,
helpers, hostlers, a n d ou tsid e h o stler helpers shall be in creased $1 p e r day .
2. I n fre ig h t service on steam , electric, o r o th e r pow er w eighing 250,000 p o u n d s
a n d over on drivers an d on M allet engines, existing ra te s of p a y shall be increased
$1.25 p e r day .
3. G rad atio n s of locom otives, according to w eights on drivers, to be ex ten d e d
to 550,000 pou n d s a n d over in fre ig h t service, w ith a n a d d itio n a l increase of
25 cen ts p e r d ay to be ap p lied for each 50,000 p o u n d s ab o v e 250,000 p o u n d s on
drivers.
4. I t is u n d ersto o d t h a t th e w eight on all o th e r p o w er-driven w heels will be
ad d ed to th e w eight on d rivers of locom otives t h a t a re eq u ip p ed w ith boosters,
a n d th e w eights pro d u ced b y such increased w eights shall fix th e ra te s fo r th e
resp ectiv e classes of service.
5. I n all p assenger service, th e earnings from m ileage, o v ertim e or o th e r rules
applicable, for each day service is p erform ed shall be n o t less th a n $6.25 for
firem en.
6. E x istin g ra te s of p a y , in excess of sta n d a rd ra te s, shall be increased th e
sam e a m o u n t as proposed fo r th e sta n d a rd ra te s.
7. N o te : All a rb itra rle s a n d special allow ances to be increased p ro p o rtio n a te ly
The arbitrators decided in regard to the first and second requests
“ that the rates of pay of firemen engaged in all road service except
passenger service shall be increased 40 cents per basic day and that
the rate of pay of all other employees involved shall be increased 35
cents per basic day.” In regard to the fifth request the minimum
rate was placed at $5.60. The third request was denied, the fourth,
sixth, and seventh were granted.
C. J. Goff presented a dissenting opinion, arguing that the increase
granted was insufficient. Extracts from his opinion follow:
T h e increases aw ard ed b y th e m a jo rity of th is b o a rd fu rn ish a d ish earte n in g
exam ple of th e w eakness of a rb itra tio n as a m eans of p ro cu rin g ju s t com pensa
tio n fo r w age earn ers. A brief review of th e reco rd will disclose th e reasons for
th is conclusion a n d will explain th e necessity fo r a n e m p h a tic dissent.
I t is a lm o st im possible to o b ta in a co n sid eratio n of a w age q u estio n solely
u p o n th e reco rd m ad e in a n a rb itra tio n , because m a tte rs o u tsid e th e reco rd ,
in cluding general a n d u n in fo rm ed pu b lic opinion, alw ays seem to affect th e
ju d g m e n t of th o se to w hom a p a rtic u la r q u estio n is su b m itte d .
55507°—27----- 15
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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218
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T h e record show s w ith o u t c o n tra d ic tio n th e follow ing fa c ts:
1. T h e d o m in a n t d aily w age ra te of firem en in 1926 w as $5.72.
2. T h e av erag e d aily w age ra te fo r 824,313 skilled w orkers in th e U n ited
S tates, acco rd in g to th e la te s t re p o rt of th e U n ite d S ta te s B u reau of L ab o r
S ta tistic s, in 1926, w as $9.18.
3. T h e av erag e in crease in u n io n w ages since 1913 w as show n to be o ver 150
p e r cent.
4. I t w as show n w ith o u t c o n tra d ic tio n t h a t th e re h a d been a n enorm ous
increase in th e av erag e sta n d a rd of liv in g in th e U n ite d S ta te s a n d t h a t th e
av erag e a n n u a l incom e p e r p erso n g ainfully occupied h a d in creased from $791 in
1909 to $2,010 in 1926.
5. I t w as show n t h a t th e av erag e a n n u a l incom e p e r fam ily h a d increased
from $2,489 in 1921 to $3,311 in 1926.
6. I t w as show n t h a t d u rin g th e la s t 20 y ears th e re v en u e to n s p er tr a in h ad
in creased p ra c tic a lly 100 p e r c e n t a n d th e av erag e tra c tiv e pow er p e r locom otive
h ad in creased over 80 p e r c e n t, im posing on th e firem en in creased p h y sical a n d
m e n ta l la b o r, a n d g re a te r resp o n sib ility .
7. I t w as show n t h a t in th is p erio d th e gross to n m iles p e r tr a in h o u r, th e
s ta n d a rd m easu re of o p e ra tin g efficiency, h a d in creased o ver 100 p e r cen t.
8. I n sh o rt, th e evidence w hich w as n o t c o n tra d ic te d e ith e r in cross e x am in a
tio n or b y a n y cou n terev id en ce show ed t h a t th e v alu e of th e service of a loco
m o tiv e firem an h a d in creased ap p ro x im a te ly 100 p e r c e n t in th e la s t 20 years
a n d t h a t th e av erag e p ro sp e rity a n d sta n d a rd of liv in g h a d increased ap p ro x i
m a te ly 50 p e r cent.
9. T h e u n c o n tra d ic te d evidence show ed t h a t b ecause of th e increased size
of locom otives, p ro m o tio n h a d been g re a tly re ta rd e d a n d th e re w ere 1,811 firem en
fu rlo u g h ed fro m service, su b je c t to call u p o n 30 d a y s’ n otice.
10. T h e figures b ro u g h t in b y th e ra ilro a d s’ ow n w itnesses show ed t h a t th e
av erag e earnings of 8,679 m en a m o u n te d to a p p ro x im a te ly $129 p e r m o n th .
11. T o o b ta in a view of th e av erag e earn in g s of th e locom otive firem en, using
th e figures fu rn ish ed b y th e ra ilro a d s’ ow n w itnesses, th e re m a y be elim in ated
from th e c o m p u ta tio n 1,811 fu rlo u g h ed m en ea rn in g n o th in g ; 2,668 m en earn in g
less th a n $100 a m o n th , a n d 1,279 m en ea rn in g over $200 a m o n th . T h e average
earnings of th e rem ain in g 4,732 m en, according to th e figures fu rn ish ed b y th e
ra ilro a d w itnesses, w ere $156.70 p e r m o n th .
T h e d o c u m e n ta ry evidence p re se n te d in behalf of th e em ployees w as so ac c u ra te
t h a t n o t a single fa c t or figure so p re se n te d w as q u estio n ed o r co n tra d ic te d . The
u n d erly in g d a ta u p o n w hich th e m a jo r ex h ib its of th e railro a d s w ere b ased were
n o t p roduced, alth o u g h d em an d e d b y th e re p re se n ta tiv e s of th e em ployees
from th e first d a y of th e h earin g . T h e in ac c u ra c y a n d m isleading c h a ra c te r of
th ese m ajo r exhibits of th e carriers as rev ealed u n d e r cross-exam ination, a p p e a re d
so clear to one fa m ilia r w ith th e tr a n s p o rta tio n in d u s try , t h a t i t seem ed a t th e
end of th e h earin g t h a t th e carriers h a d m ad e no effective defense.
I t should also be s ta te d t h a t a lth o u g h th e re p o rts of th e carriers in tro d u c e d
in th e reco rd show ed g re a t p ro sp e rity , en orm ously in creased earn in g s a n d am ple
ab ility to p a y m an y tim e s th e increases req u ested , th e re p re se n ta tiv e s of th e
em ployees stu d io u sly refra in e d fro m basin g th e ir case u p o n th e financial p ro s
p e rity of th e ro ad s, a n d no issue of a b ility to p a y or in a b ility to p a y w as raised
b y e ith e r side. T his case, th erefo re, w as s u b m itte d on th e sim ple, d ire c t basis
of fixing ju s t com p en satio n fo r th e se em ployees, considering th e v alu e of th e ir
service, th e lab o r a n d resp o n sib ility req u ired , th e o ccu p atio n al h a z a rd endured,
th e w ages p a id to sim ilar w orkers, a n d th e g eneral sta n d a rd of liv in g in th e com
m u n ities in w hich th e y live. Skilled w orkers in o th e r lines of in d u s try have
d em an d e d a n d received th e ir sh are of th e n a tio n a l incom e. R ailw ay em ployees
in th e p re s e n t case, in s te a d of fo rcing th e ir claim s, h av e p e titio n e d fo r justice.
I t a p p e a rs fro m th is a w a rd t h a t w h a t is econom ic ju stic e is n o t a m a tte r w hich
can b e safely su b m itte d to th e ju d g m e n t of others.
C onsidering th e case as s u b m itte d a n d th e u n c o n tra d ic te d evidence, th e
increases aw ard ed a re w holly in a d e q u a te a n d su b je c t th ese em ployees to u n ju st
d iscrim ination. T herefore, I do n o t agree w ith th e decision of th e m a jo rity
u p o n th e first, second, a n d fifth re q u ests m ad e on behalf of th e em ployees.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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AWAED S AND DECISIONS--- BAILBOAD EMPLOYEES
219
M a in te n a n c e -o f-W a y E m p lo y e e s— L o u is v ille & N a s h v ille R a ilro a d
DISPUTE between the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and its
maintenance-of-way employees was settled June 9, 1927, by a
decision of three arbitrators, Col. L. L. Morton selected by the carrier,
T. C. Carroll selected by the employees, and Judge Charles Kerr
appointed by the United States Board of Mediation. The employees
demanded an increase of 5 cents per hour. The board made the
following increase, effective June 1, 1927:
B. and B. foremen and assistants, B. and B. gang foremen and
section foremen, $6 per month; B. and B. carpenters, painters, and
apprentices, and engineers (except steam shovel), firemen, and labor
foremen in shops, 3 cents per hour. Several other classes of employees
received increases ranging from 1 to 2 cents per hour.
The award is followed by three opinions, one by each member of
the board. Extracts taken from each opinion follow:
C o m m e n t b y th e c h a ir m a n .— D u ring th e progress of th e h earin g th e proof p re
sented b y each side h a s ta k e n a ra th e r w ide ra n g e inv o lv in g in tric a te social,
in d u strial, an d econom ic problem s, in tim a te ly connected w ith th e im m ed iate
q uestion involved. Some of th ese m ay be noted.
I t h a s been urged w ith g re a t e arn estn ess b y th e re p re se n ta tiv e s of th e em
ployees t h a t every em ployee t h a t w orks fo r w ages should be p a id a liv in g wage.
W h at is a living w age is m u ch easier to illu s tra te t h a t it is to define. T o th e
em ployee, w here th e w age p a id m ak es existence a co n tin u a l struggle, i t is a
re a lity , to th e a n a list ab so rb ed in th e e arn in g c a p a c ity of in v e ste d cap ita l, i t is
an a b stra c tio n . T h e em ployees affected b y th e p re se n t d isp u te em b race th e
low est-paid class of w orkm en engaged in railw ay em p lo y m en t. As generally
applied th e te rm is m ore ap p licable to th e m th a n to a n y o th e r class of lab o rers.
I t exists in th e m in d of th e av erag e w o rk in g m an , p a rtic u la rly am o n g th e u n
skilled w orkm en as his conception of a fa ir re m u n e ra tio n fo r h is lab o r. W ith
him i t is m ore th a n a th e o ry , i t is a p rin cip le of in d u stria l ju stice. C onceding its
existence, in p ra c tic a l ap p licatio n i t h a s lim ita tio n s. A liv in g w age fo r one is
n o t a liv in g w age fo r an o th e r. E n v iro n m e n t, d ep en d en ts, lo cality , co st of living,
s ta tio n in life are elem en ts t h a t e n te r in to th e q u estio n of th e living w age. A
single m a n , w ith no dep en d en ts, p erfo rm s th e sam e la b o r as a m arrie d m a n w ith
an ever-increasing fam ily , y e t each ren d ers to h is em p lo y er th e sam e service.
W h a t w ould be a living w age to one w ould n o t be a liv in g w age to a n o th e r, each
perform ing th e sam e service. In giving th o u g h t to th e su b je c t, th e re are cer
ta in fa c ts a n d co nditions t h a t can n o t be ignored. T h e unskilled w o rk m an , th e
m an w hose existence d ep en d s upo n h is daily w age, fo rm s m u ch th e g re a te r p a rt
of o u r in d u s tria l life. In d u stria lism d ep en d s fo r its co n tin u ed m ain te n a n c e
upon th e fam ily w hich th e w o rk m an rears.
An ex am in atio n of th e schedules su b m itte d show s t h a t th e h ig h est w ages a re
p a id to tra c k m e n b y ro a d s n o rth of th e Ohio a n d P o to m a c riv ers. A ccepting
th e law of supply a n d d e m an d as a n e x p lan a tio n , i t follow s as a re su lt t h a t th e
d em an d fo r la b o r so u th of th e se riv e rs is n o t as g re a t as n o rth , o r t h a t th e su p p ly
is g re a te r, in e ith e r of w hich e v e n ts th e re ex ists a re s u lta n t ch eap en in g of lab o r.
In accep tin g th is ex p lan a tio n m u ch difficulty is en co u n te red . T h e h ig h e st ra te
n o ted in th e region served b y th e L ouisville & N ashville to tra c k m e n is 63 cen ts
p er h o u r, a n d th e low est 18 c e n ts p e r h o u r. T h e w eig h ted av erag e of w ages p aid
tra c k m e n b y th e L ouisville & N ashville is a p p ro x im ately 30.50 cen ts, w hile th e
w eighted av erag e of th e low est co n n ectin g ro a d o p e ra tin g is 20.20 cents. T h e
ra te s of th e L ouisville & N ashville so u th of th e O hio ran g es from 36 c e n ts p e r
h o u r to 26 cents. M ak in g all d u e allow ances fo r such v a ria tio n s as m a y exist in
th e cost of living, th e s e ex trem es of h ig h a n d low can n o t be a ttr ib u te d solely to
th e law of su p p ly a n d dem an d . In som e divisions on th e L ouisville & N ashville
th e re are a s m an y a s six d ifferent rate s.
T hese fe a tu re s of th e proof su b m itte d a re n o te d fo r th e reaso n t h a t th e y w ere
em phasized a t th e h earin g a n d h a v e influenced, to som e e x te n t, th e re su lts reached.
In giving consid eratio n to th e q u estio n of su p p ly a n d d e m an d a s ap p lied to ra il
w ay em ployees, i t m u s t b e n o te d t h a t i t does n o t a p p ly to th e se em ployees w ith
th e sam e force i t does to o th e r unsk illed lab o rers. C e rta in in d e p e n d e n t con
tra c to rs h av e testified t h a t a m in im u m w age scale fo r unskilled la b o r is a neces-
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220
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
sary consideration in all co m p etitiv e co n tra c ts. T h is a p p lic a tio n of th e rule,
w hich m u st be recognized, does n o t a p p ly w ith th e sam e force to railro a d em
ployees t h a t i t does to o th e r classes of lab o r, fo r th e reaso n t h a t th e ra te s w hich
a ca rrier m ay charge in a given te rrito ry are fixed b y law , w hereas th e c o n tra c to r
is influenced in co m p etitio n w ith his c o m p etito rs b y a m in im u m w age scale in a
given locality. B etw een co m p etin g carriers, serving th e sam e te rrito ry acq u isi
tio n of business is th e chief co m p etitio n . I t is tru e t h a t railro a d s benefit from a
m inim um w age th e sam e as a n y o th e r em ployer, b u t th e reason fo r a su p p ly a n d
dem and w age scale is n o t as n early contro llin g w here th e re is a fixed carrier
charge.
In th e a d ju s tm e n t reached, w hich is fa r from being satisfacto ry , an a tte m p t
has been m ade to d is trib u te th e increase in such a w ay th a t som e of th e a p p a re n t
in eq u alities m a y b e elim in ated .
T h e re q u e s t fo r a n increase in w ages p re se n te d b y th e em ployees w ould re p re
se n t a n a n n u a l increase of ap p ro x im a te ly $2,000,000. C ap italized a t 6 p e r cent
th is w ould re p re se n t a b o u t $34,000,000, w hich w ould b e 30 p e r c en t of th e to ta l
cap italizatio n of th e Louisville & N ash v ille R ailro ad , a n d re p re se n t a p p ro x i
m a te ly 2 p e r c en t on its to ta l c a p ita l stock. A pplied to th e n e t o p e ra tin g incom e
of th e ro a d for 1926 it w ould re su lt in red u cin g th e n e t o p e ra tin g incom e a b o u t
8 p e r cen t. W hile th e n e t o p e ra tin g incom e of th e w hole Louisville & N ashville
system fo r 1926 w as ap p ro x im a te ly 17 p e r ce n t, th e n e t incom e on th e to ta l
valu e of its p ro p e rty used in tra n s p o rta tio n w as o nly 4.6 p e r c e n t. I t h as been
show n d u rin g th e progress of th e h earin g , how ever, t h a t th e c a p ita l stru c tu re
of th e v ario u s c a rrie r sy stem s is so v aried t h a t incom es a n d d iv id en d s c an n o t
for th is reaso n b e acc e p te d as a n in v a ria b le sta n d a rd in fixing th e w ages of
em ployees. In a tte m p tin g to a rriv e a t a ju s t a n d e q u ita b le s e ttle m e n t of a ll
differences involved c e rta in recognized a n d u n d isp u te d fa c ts h a v e necessarily
been ta k e n in to con sid eratio n . M u ch v alu ab le in fo rm a tio n h as been fu rn ish ed
concerning th e cost of living in v ario u s localities, th e w ages p a id o u tsid e w orkm en
engaged in sim ilar em p lo y m en t, a n d th e w ages p a id b y o th e r carriers serv in g th e
sam e te rrito ry . T h e L ouisville & N ashville is p a y in g its tra c k m e n a t th is tim e
a w eig h ted av erag e of 30.50 c e n ts p e r ho u r, w hile a ll o th e r carriers in th e sam e
te rrito ry , in cluding th e N orfolk & W estern a n d th e C hesapeake & O hio, a re p ay in g
a w eig h ted av erag e of 28.13 c e n ts p e r h o u r. E x cluding th e se tw o n a m e d roads,
w hich i t is arg u ed b y th e L ouisville & N ashville re p re se n ta tiv e s do n o t belong to
w h a t is classed a s th e S o u th e a ste rn D ivision, th e w eig h ted a v e ra g e of a ll th e
o th e r ro ad s in th e division is 25.19 c e n ts p er h o u r, o r m ore th a n 5 cen ts p e r h o u r
less th a n p a id b y th e L ouisville & N ashville. T h e r a te p a id its tra c k m e n b y th e
L ouisville & N ashville as show n b y th e evidence, w ith one o r tw o possible excep
tio n s, is g re a te r th a n a n y c a rrie r in w h a t is kn o w n as th e S o u th e a ste rn D ivision.
T o g ra n t th e re q u e s t a sk e d w ould in crease th e L ouisville & N ashville w eighted
av erag e to m ore th a n 10 c e n ts p e r h o u r over th e w eig h ted a v erag e of a ll o th e r
ro ad s in its division. T h e in crease w hich h a s been allow ed increases its w eighted
av erag e m ore th a n 7 c en ts p e r h o u r o ver th e S o u th e a ste rn D ivision, a n d m ore
th a n 4 c en ts in cludin g th e N orfolk & W estern a n d C h esap eak e & O hio. T h e
w eighted av erag e of all th e ro a d s conn ectin g w ith th e L ouisville & N ashville,
35 in n u m b er, is 33.83 cen ts. T h is includes 16 ro a d s n o rth of th e O hio R iver.
A ssum ing th e w eighted av erag e of th e L ouisville & N ashville u n d e r th e p roposed
increase w ill be 32 cen ts p e r h o u r, i t will th e n be o nly 1.83 c e n ts below th e g eneral
av erag e of th e 35 included ro ad s. T h e fa c t t h a t th e w ages on one ro a d or a group
of ro ad s is to o low w ould n o t ju s tify a n o th e r ro a d in p a y in g th e sam e w ages,
b u t w here th e w ages p a id b y one c a rrie r is m a te ria lly h ig h er th a n a ll co m p e titiv e
ro ad s serving th e sam e te r rito ry t h a t fa c t c an n o t b e overlooked.
T ak in g in to consid eratio n a ll th e co n d itio n s show n to ex ist i t is b elieved th e
changes h ere n oted, a n d th e ch an g es sh o w n b y th e a w a rd a re as n early a fair
e q u itab le a d ju s tm e n t of th e q u estio n s in d isp u te as c an be re ach ed a t th is tim e,
ta k in g in to co nsideratio n th e lim ita tio n b y w hich th e a rb itra to rs a re b o u n d
u n d er th e a rb itra tio n ag reem en t. T h e im p erfe ctio n s of th e a w a rd a re b o th
recognized a n d a p p re c ia te d . T h e se p a ra te opinions filed b y m y associates, for
each of _w hom I e n te rta in th e v e ry h ig h est resp e c t, clearly d e m o n s tra te th e
difficulties involved in reach in g a n y conclusion. If a n y in ju stic e h a s been done
or a n y in eq u alities established, w ith re sp e c t to e ith e r th e em p lo y er or em ployees,
fo rtu n a te ly th e y c an be rem ed ied a t th e close of th e y ear for w hich th e rev ised
ra te s are applicable.
C o m m e n t b y M r . C a rro ll: I t is, as s ta te d by th e ch airm an , tr u e th a t th e w eighted
av erage ra te s of p a y fo r all classes in v o lv ed in th is d isp u te, exclusive of forem en,
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is in excess of such w eighted average ra te s on th e so u th e a ste rn railro a d s as a
whole.
Such ra te s are in th e opinion of th e u n dersigned m an ifestly u n ju s t a n d u nfair,
an d can n o t by an y exhibition of th e im ag in ary pow ers, be co n stru ed as a living
w age a n d should n o t influence in th e esta b lish m e n t of a ju s t an d reaso n ab le wage
in th is d ispute. T he un d ersig n ed does n o t believe t h a t th e increases g ra n te d by
th is aw ard will establish a ju s t an d reasonable w age fo r a n y p a rtic u la r class or
in d iv id u al em ployee.
C ertain classes, a n d in cid en tally th e low est-paid classes involved in th is dis
p u te, are n o t given any increase a t all, w hich is m o st u n fair a n d u n ju s t to such
classes.
T he u ndersigned th in k s i t unnecessary to set fo rth a t le n g th in th is opinion
his reasons for th e abov e sta te m e n ts, a n d m akes th is aw ard possible b y casting
his v o te for i t only as a sm all m easure of relief for all th e classes possible a t th is
tim e u n d er th e existing circum stances.
D is s e n tin g o p i n io n o f Col. L . L . M o r to n : T h e u n dersigned d issents from th e
above a w ard of th e m ajo rity , a n d m a in ta in s th a t th e w age increases g ra n te d are
n o t, in ce rta in classes, ju stified by th e evidence in tro d u c e d in th is case for th e
follow ing specific reasons:
(1) T he p resen t w age scale w as la st a d ju ste d by th e U n ited S tates L ab o r B oard
in 1923 a n d 1924, by aw ard s p resu m p tiv ely fa ir a n d reaso n ab le a fte r considera
tio n of all re lev an t facts, since w hich tim e th e re h as been no s u b s ta n tia l change
in econom ic conditions, such as cost of living a n d c o n tin u ity of em ploym ent,
t h a t w ould ju stify d istu rb in g t h a t w age scale. On th e c o n tra ry , th e T rend in
w holesale prices for th e p a s t 16 m o n th s h as been d istin c tly dow nw ard, resu ltin g
in ev itab ly in red u c tio n in re ta il prices a n d increased p u rch asin g pow er of th e
dollar.
(2) Specifically, w ith resp ect to th e increases g ra n te d section laborers, th e
ra ilro a d com pany su b m itte d u n c o n tro v e rte d evidence p ro v in g
(а) T h a t i t is p ay in g on th e av erag e su b sta n tia lly h ig h er w ages th a n th e com
bined av erag e for th e railro a d s of th e e n tire so u th e a ste rn region a n d h igher th a n
an y com peting systdfn in its te rrito ry so u th of th e Ohio R iv er.
(б) T h a t th is class of lab o r is p aid considerably m ore in a c tu a l m oney th a n
sim ilar com m on lab o r em ployed in in d u stries along th e co m p a n y ’s lines a n d in
a d d itio n is given o th e r v alu ab le considerations, such as free housing, free tr a n s
p o rta tio n , group in su ran ce a t low rate s, a n d an estab lished pension policy.
(c) T h a t, as com pared w ith th e p re-w ar period, th e increase in w ages fo r th e
years su b seq u en t to th e w ar h as fa r exceeded th e increase in th e co st of living,
th e p resen t scale of wages of section lab o rers being a b o u t 137 p er c en t ab o v e th e
1913 level, w hile th e cost of living h as only increased a p p ro x im ately 75 p e r cent.
(d) T h a t th e existing ra te s, being generally in excess of th o se p a id fo r sim ilar
w ork b y o th e r railroads a n d in d u stries, h av e re n d ered o u r service a ttra c tiv e a n d
th e positions preferential fo r th a t class of labor, resu ltin g in a su rp lu s of labor
av ailable for our service a t th e existing wage.
(e) T h a t, for th e above reasons, s u b s ta n tia l ju stic e h as been done, a n d th is
class of lab o r has no reason to expect higher w ages from th e railro a d com pany
th a n i t can com m and in o th e r com parable em ploym ent.
(3) T he aw ard in th is case, again referring specifically to section labor, com pels
th e anom alous conclusion th a t th e m o st generous em ployer of th is class of lab o r
in th e S o u th is being penalized, th e re b y im posing a b u rd e n t h a t m u s t u ltim a te ly
be shared by th e public from w hich all railro a d revenues m u s t b e d eriv ed , an d ,
from an econom ic sta n d p o in t, also adversely a n d u n ju stifiab ly affecting o th e r
railro ad s a n d em ployers of com m on lab o r in o u r te rrito ry . In m y opinion, th e
aw ard in th is resp ect is n o t justified a n d is n o t su p p o rte d b y th e evidence before
th e b oard.
P r in tin g P r e s s m e n — P o r tla n d , Oreg*
'"THE International Board of Arbitration, Paul H. Douglas, chairman, for the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association and the
International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union sustained
a decision, on appeal by the Portland Web Pressmen’s Union No. 17,
against an award by a local arbitrator, continuing the existing wage
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MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW
scale for pressmen at $7.50 for day workers and $7.75 for night
workers with.$8.25 and $8.50 for the pressmen in charge of presses in
the day and night shifts, respectively, lowering the former scale for
apprentices by 25 cents a day and providing that if during the life of
the contract the cost of living in Portland changed appreciably the
basic wages were to be readjusted according to whether the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics index for Portland rose or fell by
a given number of points. The local union declared that an increase
in wages was needed for five reasons:
(1) To provide th e pressm en w ith a n a d e q u a te sta n d a rd of life; (2) to enable
th em to m a in ta in th e positio n as reg ard s wages w hich th e y fo rm erly en jo y ed in
respect to o th e r crafts; (3) to p ro v id e differentials o ver c e rta in o th e r c ra fts w hich
will be a d e q u a te to com pensate th e pressm en fo r th e g re a te r skill w hich, it is
alleged, th e y m u s t possess a n d fo r th e g re a te r dan g ers of illness a n d accidents
w hich, i t is declared, th e y m u st en d u re; (4) to raise w ages in P o rtla n d n e a re r th e
level of th e o th er m a jo r Pacific co ast cities; a n d (5) to en able th e pressm en to share
in w h a t are alleged to be th e considerable a n d indeed increasing profits of th e local
new spaper in d u stry .
Considering their claim, the board commented in part as follows:
T he union in tro d u c e d as evidence on th e first p o in t th e cost in P o rtla n d , a t
c u rre n t prices, of the_ m in im u m “ h e a lth a n d d e c e n cy ” b u d g e t d raw n u p b y th e
B ureau of L ab o r S ta tistic s in 1919. T his b u d g e t w as d raw n u p o n a m u ch h igher
scale th a n t h a t of m ere phy sical existence a n d w hen p riced in W ash in g to n in th e
sum m er of 1919 am o u n te d to $2,262 for a fam ily of five. T his q u a n tity b u d g e t was
priced for P o rtla n d in term s of Ja n u a ry , 1924, prices b y M iss Jessie S h o rt, of Reed
College, who found th e to ta l to a m o u n t to $1,860 for such a fam ily. ( M o n t h l y
L a b o r R e v i e w , O ctober, 1924, p. 66.)
If th e a c tu a l q u a n titie s of food consum ed
by P o rtla n d w age-earning fam ilies in 1918-19 were ta k e n a ^ t h e sta n d a rd fo r th is
item of expenditures, th e to ta l cost w ould h av e been red u ced to $1,742. T he
union ad d ed to th is b u d g e t a n allow ance fo r $10,000 w o rth of in su ran ce a t a cost
w hich w^as alleged to be $244 a n d d eclared t h a t th e b u d g e t a t c u rre n t 1927 prices
w ould a m o u n t to $2,070 a n n u a lly for a m an, wife, a n d th re e m in o r child ren u n d er
14 years of age. T h e e stim a te d co st fo r th e in su rance seem s to h a v e been fixed
a t som ew hat too high a figure since several in su ran ce com panies h a v e q u o ted
ap p reciab ly low er ra te s. (T ra n sc rip t, p. 410. P u b lish e r’s E x h ib it 27.) Since
th e re w as v irtu a lly no change in th e co st of liv in g d u rin g th e p eriod b etw een th e
surveys, it w ould seem t h a t th e cost of su ch a b u d g e t w ith allow ance fo r insurance
w ould seem now to be so m ew h at u n d e r $2,000.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
B u t th e existing w age of $7.50 a day , or $45 a week, w ould a m o u n t an n u ally ,
w ith full em ploym en t, to $2,340 a y ear, or a b o u t $350 m ore th a n even th is b u d g et.
W hile som e tim e w ould be lo st because of illness, a re c e n t stu d y b y th e B u reau of
L ab o r Statistics^ in d icates t h a t th is w ould n o t be m u ch m ore th a n 1 p e r c e n t a n d
m ig h t be less since th e p e rcen tag e of tim e lo st th ro u g h th e illness of 100,000
em ployees w as re p o rte d as only 0.7 p e r cen t. (U n ited S ta te s B u reau of L ab o r
S tatistics Bull. No. 427: H e a lth su rv ey of th e p rin tin g tra d e s, 1922-1925, p. 11.)
M oreover, th e tra d e , as a whole, offers q u ite ste a d y em ploym ent. In 1922-23,
indeed, th e secretary of th e local p ressm en ’s union w en t so fa r as to re p o rt to th e
Oregon S ta te C om m issioner of L ab o r t h a t th e average n u m b e r of d a y s w orked
by th e m em bers of his union w as 313. T h is is p ro b a b ly so m eth in g of a n exag
geration, b u t th e evidence seem s to in d ic a te t h a t a daily m in im u m of $7.50 w ould
m ean in p ractice a m in im u m y early incom e of n early $2,200. I t should also be
realized t h a t m an y w orkers a re p aid co nsiderably in excess of th e unio n scale.
T he p ublishers su b m itte d d a ta covering th e a n n u a l earn in g s of 40 m en, w hich
show ed t h a t th e ir av erag e y early incom e in 1926 w as $2,445. (E x h ib it No. 39.)
T his in d ic a te d t h a t th e p ressm en ’s av erag e earn in g s a re ap p reciab ly ab o v e th e
m inim um now establish ed .
W hen all th ese fa c ts a re considered, th e conclusion seem s inescapable th a t
th e p re s e n t scale provides' th e pressm en w ith a v ery considerable d ifferential
over th e cost of m ain ta in in g th em selv es a n d th e ir d ep e n d e n ts u p o n th e h e a lth
a n d decency scale fo rm u la te d b y th e B u reau of L ab o r S tatistics.
I t is also urged t h a t th e pressm en should be p ro v id ed w ith a n a d e q u a te differ
en tial for th e ir skill a n d fo r th e re q u irem en ts of th e ir occup atio n . T h a t skilled
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w orkers should receive h igher wages th a n th e unskilled is g ran ted . T h e p re se n t
scale, how ever, provides a v ery liberal d ifferential fo r th e pressm en. T h eir
hourly rates are, for exam ple, v irtu a lly double th o se of th e unskilled labor.
N or is th is all. T h e m in im u m d aily ra te s fo r th e w orkers in 59 P o rtla n d tra d e unions, m u ltip lied by th e av erag e n u m b e r of d ay s w hich th e secretaries re p o rte d
t h a t th e y h ad w orked, av erag ed fo r 1925 a p p ro x im ately $1,422.
W h at w eight, th e n , should be given to th e co n ten tio n s t h a t th e P o rtla n d scale
should be raised to a t le a st a n e q u a lity wdth t h a t of th e o th e r m a jo r Pacific coast
cities? T his is p erh ap s th e m a jo r reason w hy th e union m em bers believe th e ir
wages should be increased. T h e p re se n t P o rtla n d scale is ap p reciab ly below
th e level p aid in S eattle, San F rancisco, O akland, a n d Los Angeles. I t is $6
higher, how ever, th a n th e scales of B u tte , M o n t., a n d S alt L ak e C ity , a n d $1.50
m ore th a n t h a t of D enver. W hile below th e level p aid in m e tro p o lita n centers
of C hicago, C leveland, N ew Y ork, D e tro it, a n d S t. Louis, it is still 10 p e r cent
above t h a t of B oston, a n d is, indeed, h ig h er th ro u g h o u t th a n th e scale in New
E n g lan d . T h e P o rtla n d w age ra te s a re , of course, v e ry m u ch h ig h er th a n those
in th e S o u th , a n d a re also hig h er th a n th o se p aid in m o st of th e sm aller cities
of th e M iddle W est. T h ey a re a p p ro x im ately e q u al to th e ra te s p aid in th e
M iddle W estern a n d S o u th w estern cities of ap p ro x im a te ly th e sam e p o p u latio n
class, n am ely, T oledo, M ilw aukee, M inneapolis, K a n sas C ity , a n d D allas.
T h e issue is th erefo re raised as to w h eth er th e w age scales p rev ailin g over th e
Pacific co ast as a w hole, w hich a re ap p reciab ly h ig h er th a n th o se fo r th e re st
of th e co u n try , should be ordered in to existence in P o rtla n d . H ere it should
be n o te d th a t Pacific c o a st wages in general exceed th o se in P o rtla n d n o t m erely
in th e p ressm en ’s tra d e b u t fo r v irtu a lly all c rafts a n d in d u stries.
P erh ap s som e differen tial should still be retain ed , an d to th e degree to w hich it
is lessened it w ould certain ly be desirable to have it re su lt from a g rad u al increase
in wrages th ro u g h o u t th e re s t of th e c o u n try ra th e r th a n from a red u c tio n in th e
wages on th e Pacific slope. B u t, how ever th is m ay be, th e case fo r a v ery large
differential does n o t seem to be so overw helm ing as to ju stify m e in overruling
th e local a rb itra to r a n d in raisin g -wages in P o rtla n d to th e level of San F ra n
cisco a n d S eattle. F o r th is in effect w ould still fu rth e r in crease th e differences
in th e w age scales of th e Pacific co ast as a w hole a s co m p ared w ith those of th e
m id -M o u n tain S tates, th e M iddle W est, th e S o u th , a n d th e E a st.
T h ere rem ain s only th e q u estio n as to w h eth er th e p ro d u c tiv ity of in d u stry
in general a n d th e financial p ro sp erity of P o rtla n d n ew spapers "in p a rtic u la r
does n o t ju s tify a n increase in wages. T h a t th e re h as been a n u n p reced en ted
increase in p er c a p ita p ro d u c tiv ity since 1921 is ev id e n t. T h u s in 1926 ap p ro x i
m ately 7 p er c en t few er w orkers in m a n u fa c tu rin g th a n in 1919 tu rn e d o u t n early
30 per ce n t m ore p hysical p ro d u c t th a n in t h a t y ear. T his w ould seem to ju stify
a n d in d eed to n ecessitate a n increase in re a l wages.
T h e evidence as to th e specific a b ility of th e P o rtla n d pub lish ers to g ra n t an
increase w as in th e n a tu re of th e case in d ire c t a n d in feren tial. T h e p ublishers
declared t h a t it w as n o t a n issue a n d p resen ted no evidence. T h e m a te ria l w hich
th e w orkers g ath ered show ed a n increase in circu latio n fo r th re e of th e four
new sp ap ers a n d for th e group as a whole. T h a t th e volum e of a d v e rtisin g an d
t h a t th e a d v e rtisin g ra te s h a d gone u p w as also d e m o n stra te d . B u t since th e
w orkers h a d no pow er to go over th e financial s ta te m e n ts of th e p u b lish ers a n d
since th e local a rb itra to r d id n o t ask t h a t th e y be produced, no definite conclu
sion can be d raw n as to th e degree in w hich th e expenses of th e new spapers
increased d u rin g th e period n o r as to w h e th e r th e a c tu a l p ro fits h a v e risen.
T he c h airm an w ould like to p o in t o u t t h a t if com plete fairn ess is to be secured
in fu tu re a rb itra tio n proceedings it is v ita lly necessary t h a t som e w ay be found
w hereby, u n d e r p ro p er safeguards, th e a rb itra to r m ay a c q u a in t him self w ith th e
a c tu a l financial co n d itio n of th e in d u s try a n d of th e specific new spapers upon
w hich he is passing. W e now know from v arious ty p e s of b u d g ets ap p ro x im ately
how m uch i t costs v ario u s w ork in g m en ’s fam ilies to live; we know w h a t th e
changes in th e cost of living a re from tim e to tim e a n d th e w age scales a n d e a rn
ings in v ario u s cities a n d o ccupations. N one of th ese form th e exclusive sta n d a rd
by w hich w ages a re or should be fixed, b u t th e y a re all fa cto rs w hich should a t
least be ta k e n in to consid eratio n . M o st of th e fa c ts a b o u t la b o r are th erefo re
public. B u t th e fa c ts a b o u t th e a b ility of c a p ita l to g ra n t increases are n o t
know n. T h e reasons fo r th e relu c ta n c e of th e em ployers to m ak e th ese public
are obvious. T h e em ployers are n a tu ra lly fearfu l lest th e ir c o m p e tito rs learn
facts a b o u t th e ir business w hich m ig h t in ju re th e m financially. A t th e sam e tim e
it should be realized t h a t th e pressm en h av e given u p th e rig h t of strik in g to
secure higher w ages an d have in ste a d accep ted th e p rinciple of a rb itra tio n . T he
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[447]
224
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
in d u stry has th u s been assu red in th is b ra n c h of peace. If a rb itra tio n is, how
ever, to fu n ctio n w ith ju stice a n d w ith success, it m u st be fu rn ish ed w ith full
in fo rm atio n . A rb itra to rs w ho a re n o t given som e of th e essen tial fa c ts c a n n o t
m ake as correct decisions as th e y could if th e y w ere allow ed access to th e se facts.
N or can th e ra n k a n d file of th e w orkers be exp ected to re m a in c o n te n te d w ith
decisions w hich m ig h t h a v e been different h a d th e financial s ta tu s of th e in d u stry
an d of th e com panies been know n. T h e c h a irm a n h a d no pow er in th is case to
com pel such evidence to be furn ish ed , b u t he can n o t le t th is occasion go b y w ith
o u t po in tin g o u t to th e p a rtie s to th e a g reem en t th e necessity of p ro v id in g such
inform ation i^ a rb itra tio n is successfully to co n tin u e. S afeguards should, of
course, be th ro w n aro u n d such in fo rm a tio n to p re v e n t it being abused, b u t w ays
of effecting this are, of course, q u ite possible.
In sum m ing up, it can th e n be said t h a t th e evidence w hich h as been p resen ted
has n o t been sufficient to lead m e to believe t h a t th e decision of th e local a rb itra to r
should be overruled. W hen a n in ju stic e h a s been done th e in te rn a tio n a l b o ard
should feel free to overrule a local decision. B u t if th e m ach in ery is to fu n ctio n
effectively b o th p artie s should be w illing to ab id e by th e local ru lin g sav e in cases
w here th ey believe th e y h a v e been w rongfully in ju red . I n th e p re s e n t case th e
P o rtla n d pressm en receive m ore th a n a living w age a n d h a v e a co m fo rtab le
differential over even th e m a jo rity of skilled w orkers. I do n o t feel justified,
therefore, in reversing th e local decision in o rd er to raise P o rtla n d w ages to an
eq u a lity w ith those of S eattle a n d San F rancisco, p a rtic u la rly so, since i t is n o t
certain w h eth er these differentials over th e re s t of th e c o u n try will contin u e
p e rm an en tly to endure.
R a ilr o a d s— D e c is io n o f T r a in S e r v ic e B oard o f A d j u s t m e n t fo r t h e S o u t h
e a s te r n R e g io n
A CLAIM for extra pay for two assignments in the same eight-
hour period was settled in Docket 270 by the Train Service
Board of Adjustment for the Southeastern Region, June 21, 1927.
The facts in the case are as follows:
F ro m Ja n u a ry , 1919, to Ju ly 9, 1926, one h elper on th e first a n d second shifts
an d tw o helpers on th e th ird sh ift, assigned to a h u m p sw itch in g crew in th e
freig h t yard, im m ed iately a d ja c e n t to th e p assenger sta tio n , h a v e been se n t to th e
passenger sta tio n for a sh o rt p eriod of tim e d u rin g th e ir to u r of d u ty to ta k e ro a d
engines off and p u t th e m on passenger tra in s, u n d e r co n tro l of in terlo ck in g signals
an d sw itches; such m o v em en ts, in som e cases, consisting of only a lig h t engine,
an d in o th er cases ro a d engines h an d lin g one or m ore m ail, baggage, or express
cars, being set over from one tra c k to a n o th e r a t th e passenger sta tio n , helpers
re tu rn in g th e re a fte r to th e ir re g u lar assig n m en t in th e fre ig h t y ard , fo r w hich
th e y w ere allow ed fo rem an or y a rd p ilo t’s ra te of p a y on a c co u n t of th e service
perform ed a t th e passenger sta tio n .
On July 10, 1926, they were taken off and the foreman and switch
man on another assignment “ were required to let their engine stand
idle and leave their regular assignment” and perform the pilot work
as above described without extra compensation. The position of the
company was as follows:
O ur position is t h a t th e service being req u ired of sw itchm en in th is case is th a t
service regularly assigned to crew s perfo rm in g sw itching service u n d e r th e su p er
vision of a regular forem an. T h e fa c t t h a t ro a d engine, h an d led by ho stlers in ste a d
of y a rd engineers, w as used to m ak e m ovem ents, a c co u n t of th e sh o rt tim e
allow ed betw een a rriv a l a n d d e p a rtin g tim e of tra in s, p re v e n tin g th e u se of
sw itch engines to w hich th e y are reg u larly assigned, does n o t e n title th e cla im a n ts
to an a rb itra ry day n o r can it be claim ed t h a t th e y w ork on tw o assignm ents.
N or does p a ra g ra p h (d) A rticle 41, read in g : “ U n d er no c o n d itio n s will a crew be
req u ired to w ork sh o rt-h a n d e d w hen th e re is a n e x tra m a n a v a ila b le ” ap p ly .
T he req u ired n u m b er of m en are assigned to th is passenger sw itching crew a n d th e
fact t h a t one m a n is p ilo tin g a n engine to or from a tr a in does n o t c o n te m p la te
t h a t th e article is v io lated by reaso n of su ch service.
D e c is io n .— T h e b o a rd decides t h a t th e em ployee re q u ired to p erfo rm th is
service a t th e passenger s ta tio n is e n title d to th e fo rem a n ’s ra te of pay .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[448]
AWARDS AND DECISIONS---- TYPOGRAPHICAL U N IO N
225
T y p o g r a p h ic a l U n io n — D e n v e r , C olo.
DECISIG'N of the International Joint Board of the American
Newspaper Publishers’ Association and the International Typo
graphical Union, Paul H. Douglas, chairman, was recently made in a
case between the Denver newspaper publishers and Typographical
Union No. 49. Both parties wanted a readjustment of wages. The
union asked for an increase from $46.50 a week to $54 for day work
and from $49.50 to $60 for night work, while the employers asked tor
decrease to $42 and $45, respectively. The union wanted a reduction
of hours from 45 to 42 per week and the employers asked lor an
increase to 48 hours. The union asked that men who work a day
and night shift getting out a Sunday paper be paid $2.50 in addition
to the regular night scale. The employers asked that the $1.50 rate
paid for this service be removed. Finally the men asked for a weekly
scale of $66 for the lobster shift.
In commenting on these requests the board said m part as follows:
A
In 1914 th e day scale in Denver was $28.50, where it had rem ained since 1910.
The increase in money wages during the intervening 13 years has therefore been
$18, or approxim ately 63 per cent. The exact increase m living costs m Denver
during this period is under dispute. The index of th e U nited States Bureau of
Labor Statistics only covers th e period from December, 1917, on and shows th a t
in December, 1926, living costs were 20.4 per cent above th is basic month.
( M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , February, 1927, p. 177.)
This was a decrease of
2 points, or a little less th a n 2 per cent, in th e cost of living as com pared w ith
December 1925. The increase for th e period prior to December, 1917, is,
however, th e disputed area. The union has used th e increase in th e country as a
whole from 1913 to December, 1917, or 42.4 per cent, as th e best guide for this
period, and then, by applying the 20.4 per cent increase for th e subsequent
period, fixes th e percentage increase in th e cost of living a t 71.4 per cent, th is
they declare is in tu rn corroborated by eost-of-living surveys which th ey th em
selves conducted in 1920 and 1923. (Union E xhibits Nos l and 22 ) The
former study showed an increase in D enver from 1914 to late 1919 of 8z.8 per
cent, while th e increase for th e country as a whole from 1913 to December, 1919,
was 83.1 per cent. I t is argued th a t this sim ilarity of m ovem ent justified the
use of th e country-w ide index for th e period prior to December, 1917.
This th e publishers deny. They point out th a t since December, 1917, the
increase for th e country as a whole has been 23.3 per cent, whereas th e increase
in Denver has been b u t 20.4 per cent, or nearly 3 points less. This, it is argued,
is a t least inferential evidence th a t th e Denver increase prior to December, 1J17,
was less th a n th a t for th e country as a whole.^
, , , , ,, ,
The exact increase since December, 1914, is therefore still m do u b t._ I t has
probably been more th a n th e 59 per cent shown by the Colorado In d u strial Com
mission. I t should a t th is point be recognized th a t if we tak e December, 1914,
and not 1913 as our base, th a t even accepting th e union’s claim th a t th e country
wide index m easured th e rise in D enver prior to December, 1917, th a t tn e increase
would be one of 67.8 per cent. I t is very difficult to tell w hether th e actual
increase has been less th a n this, although such inform ation as we have for food
indicates th a t it m ay have been slightly so. There is th u s a zone of indeterm inateness of some 9 points, w ith th e probability th a t the actual index is a t least
somewhat above th e bottom point of 59 per cent.
I t seems safe, therefore, to say th a t the 63 per cent increase in money wages
to th e day workers has a t th e m ost ju st about paralleled th e increase m living
costs and left them a t th e m ost w ith only about th e same purchasing power as m
December, 1914. They m ay possibly actually have lost a slight am ount of
ground, although th is a t th e m ost can no t have been m ore th a n a few per cent.
Since th e night workers have received smaller relative increases th a n th e day
workers, they have alm ost certainly lost something in th e real purchasing pov er
of their wage rates.
,,
,
, ,
T h at th e real wages of the great m ajority of workers, on th e other hand, nas
greatly advanced during this period is well known. An index which JLhave com
puted (Supplement American Economic Review, March, 1926, and American
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[449]
226
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Yearbook, 1926) shows the real earnings of employed workers in m anufacturing
to be approxim ately 29 per cent higher now th a n in 1914. I t is p aten t, therefore,
th a t th e D enver printers have not shared in the advances which have been made
by labor as a whole.
The evidence also shows th a t they have no t m ade since 1914 gains equal to
those secured by th e newspaper printers in m ost other cities. T hus th e average
weekly wage ra te in all cities over 200,000 population is now 99 per cent higher
th an in 1914, and even if we exclude th e large urban centers and tak e only cities
from 200,000 to 350,000 th e increases enjoyed have, w ith th e exception of P o rt
land, Oreg., been more th a n 80 per cent and in some cases, such as th a t of Roch
ester, have been actually over 100 per cent. (See Union E x h ib it No. 5.)
The rejoinder of the publishers to this contention is th a t th e D enver scale was
originally far too high. In 1910 there was b u t one higher scale in th e country
than th e D enver ra te of $28.50. In 1914 there were only 7 of th e 32 cities
w ith a higher scale, nam ely, New York, Chicago, an d five Pacific coast centers.
The newspaper publishers, therefore, declare th a t th e D enver prin ters need not
expect any such increase as those in th e other and form erly lower-paid centers.
The chairm an agrees th a t it does n o t follow th a t th e Denver typographers should
receive increases proportionately equal to their fellow craftsm en elsewhere, b ut
he regards it as w orthy of notice th a t 14 out of th e 16 other cities of between
200.000 and 375,000 now actually have higher weekly wages th a n those of Denver.
The employers, however, stress th e comparison between th e hourly rates in
Denver and elsewhere instead of th a t between weekly rates. Due to th e 45-hour
week in D enver, this makes th e average hourly rate for day workers in th e 12
cities from 215,000 to 350,000 (om itting Jersey City) $1.04, or only a fraction of
a cent higher th a n th a t in Denver.
In fixing wages, however, atten tio n should be fixed on th e weekly as well as
upon the hourly rates, and, judged by this standard, the D enver scale is now
appreciably behind th e other cities of its class.
The employers, however, m aintain th a t this is justified because living costs are
lower there th a n for the country. To support this contention they point o ut th a t
the average expenditures of th e families of th e Bureau of Labor S tatistics in
D enver in 1918-19 was only $1,335, whereas th e average for th e country as a
whole was $1,434. They point out th a t of th e 92 cities sampled D enver was
seventy-first in order of average expenditure. (News E xhibit No. 21.) While
this evidence is introduced as proof th a t th e living costs in D enver are lower than
elsewhere, this conclusion would follow only if the q u an titativ e budget sampled
h ad been virtually identical in each city. This is not th e case in th e 1918-19
budget inquiry which is cited. (Bulletin 357 of th e U nited States Bureau of
Labor Statistics.) No a tte m p t wTas m ade to price an identical budget in the
various cities, b u t the actual expenditures of each fam ily studied were instead
recorded. The fact th a t th e average expenditure for one city was lower th an
for another is no necessary indication th a t it actually cost less to live in th e
form er locality; it m ay instead have m eant th a t th e families had less to live on.
The tru th of th e m a tte r is th a t we know little of com parative costs between
sections of th e country, and m ore especially between cities. There is a pressing
need for such index num bers as will measure differences in living costs between
geographical units, b u t until this is done it seems unwise to hold th e D enver
printers to a weekly scale which is greatly less than those enjoyed by th eir fellow
workmen in other cities.
The fact th a t they enjoy shorter hours, however, should also be taken into
consideration and serve to lessen th e necessity of raising their wages to a complete
equality w ith the average for other cities of their ov/n class. A wage of $48 a
week would still be approxim ately $1.50 below th e average for th e cities from
200.000 to 375,000 and would be exceeded by th e scales of 8 of these 16 cities.
Since th e night workers have n o t secured as large a. relative gain as th e day
workers, a slightly higher differential should, it seems, be allowed for them . I
am therefore fixing th e day scale a t $48 and th e night scale a t $51.50. This
provides an increase of $19.50 over 1914 for th e day workers, or approxim ately
69 per cent. I t thus gives a slight increase in real wages though still by no m eans
as great relative gains as those m ade by th e rank and file of other workers. The
position of th e D enver workers was, however, form erly so relatively sheltered
th a t it would be idle to expect th a t such differentials could be m aintained in
perpetuity.
The forecasts which the publishers offered of a possible decline in business
during th e next few m onths hardly seemed so definitely established as to justify
refusing th e printers the ratification of th e wage scales which have been outlined
[450]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N IG H T WORK IN
CHILEAN BAKERIES
227
above. The growth of Denver since 1910 has been healthy and th e newspapers
seem to have every prospect of sharing in th e long-time gains which will be made
by th a t city.
I shall set December 1, 1926, as th e date a t which these increases are to take
effect, and shall ask th a t th e retroactive paym ents be m ade as speedily as possible
by th e publishers to those who have been employed subsequent to th is date.
Forty-five hours per week is under norm al conditions not an excessive working
period. I t is still appreciably less th a n th e average for industry as a whole.
In view of th e fact th a t according to th e testim ony of some of th e union repre
sentatives th a t th e physical ou tp u t of th e printers has certainly n ot increased
greatly (Transcript, pp. 560, 561), and since there is some evidence to indicate
th a t it m ay actually have decreased, it would seem inadvisable to g ran t a t the
m om ent any great reduction in hours, and the present working week is accord
ingly retained.
. I t is highly objectionable for m en to work two successive shifts, even though
they only work six and not seven shifts per week. The m anager of th e paper
which works th e double header has stated th a t his organization is planning to so
schedule th e work during th e week th a t such a double header will soon be abol
ished. Pending this tim e, it would, however, seem proper to increase th e present
differential over th e night shift from $1.50 to $2.
I t should be pointed out th a t those now working on shifts which begin a t
10 o’clock and later will in th e future receive $3.50 more per week th a n those on
th e day shift. This is 50 cents more th a n a t present. The fact, moreover, th a t
night rates are paid for all hours of a shift if it either begins or ends in th e night
hours furnishes further protection to those on th e so-called lobster, or third,
shift. An additional compensation hardly seems necessary, therefore, a t this
time.
Agreement Concerning Night Work in Chilean Bakeries 1
HROUGH the efforts of the General Labor Office in Chile,
employers and workers have come to an agreement with regard
to the enforcement of the decree prohibiting night work in
bakeries. The points on which agreement has been reached are as
follows: Work is to begin at 4 a. m.; no worker is to be allowed to
live on the premises of the bakery; two bakers may work from
1 a. m. in the preparation of the dough; women shall not be employed
as bakers; the authorities shall appoint a police agent who will remain
at the bakery from 8 p. m. to 8 a. m. to check the arrival of the
workers. Those bakers who violate the law are to be severely
punished.2
T
1 E l M ereurio, Santiago, Chile, M ar. 19,1927.
2 F or a sum m ary of th e original law see Ju ly , 1926, issue of th e L abok R e v ie w (p. 45).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[451]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
Statistics of Immigration for May, 1927
By
J. J. K
unna
, C h ie f
S t a t is t ic ia n
TJ. S . B u r e a u
of
I m m ig r a t io n
HE month, of May shows 52,718 aliens admitted and 23,126
departed, a larger inward and outward alien passenger move
ment than any other month since last fall. Of the alien admis
sions, 31,819 were immigrants and 20,899 nonimmigrants, and of the
departures 6,148 were emigrants and 16,978 nonemigrants.
rnere were eight races each of which had over a thousand immi
grants during May. The Mexican, with 6,785, was in the lead,
followed by the German (5,547), Irish (4,606), English (3,180),
(2d?46)’ *ycofch (2,208), Scandivanian (1,822), and French
(1,898). these eight races furnished 28,092, or about 88 per cent
of the immigrants during May.
The May immigrants coming from the European Continent num
bered 17,925, or about 56 per cent of the month’s total, while 13 481 or
42 pei cent, came from the Americas. The balance came from other
parts of the Eastern Hemisphere. There were only five countries in
Em ope that contributed over a thousand immigrants each this
month: Germany (4,934), Irish Free State (3,534), Italy (2,507)
Scotland (1,509), and England (1,058). About 31,000, or 11 per
cent, more immigrants have come in during the past 11 months than
during the corresponding period of last year.
a TTreaW?S o ®omew1hati jai'ger number of aliens denied admission to
the United States during May than any other month since last
December The total was 1,709, of whom 1,291 were returned to
Canada and 190 to Mexico, the remainder, a t the seaports, to other
countries. Of the 526 aliens arrested and deported under warrant
proceedings 220 were sent to countries in Europe, 278 to countries in
thr w \ r t tr!1- nirSphere’ and 28 to Asia and islands in the Pacific
„ r o \6 52d al*ens admitted during May about 3 out of every 10,
(15,o85) were charged to the quota. There were 12,728 natives from
nonquota countries, 9,864 alien residents of the United States return
ing from a trip abroad, 7,056 temporary visitors for business or pleaspersons passing through the country and 2,184 wives and
children of United States citizens, while the remainder belonged to
tne other admissible classes under the act of 1924.
T
228
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[452]
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
229
T able 1 .—IN W A R D A N D O U T W A R D P A S S E N G E R M O V E M E N T F R O M JU L Y 1, 1926, TO
M A Y 31, 1921
In w ard
Period
1926
J u ly ....... ...........
A ugust______
Septem ber___
October
N ovem ber___
D ecem ber____
1927
Jan u a ry _____
F e b ru a ry ____
M arch . _ ___
A p ril................
M a y . . ...........
T o t a l.. .
O utw ard
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
barred
Aliens departed
ported
U n ite d
U nited
from
after
States
States
citizens T otal en ter E m i NonN on
citizens T otal land
Im m i im
in g 1
in g 2
ar
m i T otal
em i T otal
de
grant grant
grant grant
rived
p arted
Aliens ad m itte d
22,283
29,286
35, 297
34, 528
30, 756
23, 805
16, 096
20,467
25, 680
22, 059
16,185
11, 803
38.379
49, 753
60, 977
56, 587
46, 941
35, 608
25, 981 64,360
52, 683 102,436
71,268 132,245
34,176 90,763
21, 844 68,785
16, 777 52,385
1, 746
1,601
1,817
1, 566
1,713
1. 915
7,052
7,376
6, 634
5, 377
6, 859
9,481
17, 970
15, 410
16,392
13,803
13, 078
16,875
25, 022
22,786
23, 026
19, 180
19, 937
26, 356
60,223
42, 248
26,268
18,150
17, 992
19, 608
85, 245
65, 034
49, 294
37,330
37, 929
45, 964
816
1,121
885
1,100
L 085
1,241
18, 804 9, 219 28, 023 16, 913 44, 936 1,499 3, 928 10, 053 13, 981 21, 483 35, 464
900
21, 695 10,379 32, 074 25, 097 57,171 1,308 3, 949 12, 085 16, 034 29, 732 45, 766 1,104
29, 868 16,370 46, 238 32, 752 78, 990 1,437 4,244 13, 502 17, 746 27,041 44, 787 1,380
33, 034 17,310 50, 344 29, 055 79. 399 1,530 4, 185 14, 391 18, 576 26,815 45, 391 1,036
31,819 20, 899 52, 718 26,238 78, 956 1, 709 6, 148 16, 978 23,126 28, 849 51, 975
526
311,175 186, 467 497, 642 352,784 850, 426 17, 841 65, 233 160,537 225,770 318, 409 544,179 11,194
1 These aliens are not included am ong arrivals, as th e y were not p e rm itted to enter th e U nited States.
2 These aliens are included am ong aliens departed, th e y having entered the U nited States, legally or
illegally, a n d later being deported.
T able 3.—IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G M A Y , 1927, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1926, TO M A Y
31, 1927, B Y R A C E O R P E O P L E , SE X , A N D A G E G R O U P
Im m igrant
Race or people
A frican, (black)_______________________________ _____
A rm e n ia n ............................ . . ____________________ _
B ohem ian and M oravian (C zech).. ___________ _____
B ulgarian, Serbian, an d M ontenegrin____________ . .
C hinese_______________________ __________________
C roatian an d Slovenian_____________________________
C u b an _______________________
__________________
D alm atian, B osnian, an d H erzegovinian.. __________
D u tc h a nd Flem ish. . ___________________
_______
E ast In d ia n ___________ ____________ . . _________
E nglish _________________ _________________________
F in n ish . ________ ________ _____ _ __ __________
F ren c h .. _______________ . . . _____ ._ _ . ________
G erm an_________________ __________ _____________
Greek . . . . . . . . . . .
Hebrew . _______________________ . ______ ______
Irish ____________________ _________________________
Italian (n o rth )____________ ______________ _ _______
Italian (s o u th ).. . . . _____
. . . ___ _ . . _ _____
J a p a n e se ... ___________________ __________________
K orean_______________________________ . . _______
L ith u an ia n _________________ _ _ _________ _ _____
M agyar----------- --------------- . . .
_______ . . . . . . .
M exican---------------------- . . . ___ . . . . . __________
Pacific I s l a n d e r __ . . . ______ ._ _____________ ____
Polish________________ _____
. . . ______
____
Portuguese______ ________________________________
R um anian . ...____________________________________
R ussian__________ _ ___________ . ._ . __________
R u thenian (R u ssn iak )___________ _____ ____________
Scandinavian (Norwegians, D anes, a n d Swedes)___ _
Scotch_______________ ___________ ____________ ____
Slovak____________________________________________
Spanish________ _ _ _______ ________ ..
Spanish A m erican___________________________
Syrian _____________________ .
. . ________ .
T u rk ish . _________ ____________________________ .
W elsh_____________________________________________
W est In d ia n (except C u b an )________________________
O ther peoples___________ ________ ______ ______
T o ta l________________________ _ ____________
M ale_____ ____ ___________________________________
Fem ale__ ____ ____ _________________ .
U nder 16 years ___________________________________
16 to 44 years__________________ ________
45 years a n d o v e r................................................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[453]
E m igrant
M ay, 1927
Ju ly , 1926
to
M ay, 1927
M ay, 1927
95
65
99
35
43
112
238
9
271
4
3,180
50
1,398
5, 547
265
855
4,606
329
2,217
65
3
101
75
6,785
2
305
42
41
82
29
1,822
2,208
91
111
377
39
23
122
40
38
31,819
18,613
13,206
4, 766
24, 463
2,590
865
899
2, 345
561
983
746
1,700
66
2,956
45
37,359
604
17, 866
54,102
2, 280
10,497
42,500
2,411
14,304
591
42
530
990
59,337
8
3,945
786
383
1,149
398
18,448
24,035
951
950
2,845
641
103
1,243
343
368
311,175
180,451
130, 724
47,559
236,803
26,813
51
7
201
181
291
9
66
70
96
2
719
53
147
1,014
215
14
109
100
951
112
6
28
96
130
1
181
145
98
42
2
443
100
47
175
148
25
10
2
37
24
6,148
3,752
2,396
275
4, 443
1,430
July, 1926
to
M ay, 1927
786
47
1,383
1,396
3,866
244
840
379
812
8l
6,335
423
1,436
4,485
2,915
205
1,312
2,096
14,784
1,045
50
270
809
2,684
7
2,232
2,236
1,049
454
19
3,006
1,795
653
2,420
1,398
172
154
48
699
208
65,233
46,782
18,451
2,566
48,080
14,587
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
230
T able 3 —L A S T P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O P IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO
A N D IN T E N D E D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E O F E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E
P A R T E D F R O M , T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S D U R IN G M A Y , 1927, A N D P R O M JU L Y 1, 1926,
TO M A Y 31, 1927, B Y C O U N T R IE S
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as p erm anent residence]
E m igrant
Im m igrant
C ountry
F in la n d .-
_____ ________ -
. _______
... .. .. _
G reat B rita in an d N o rth ern Irelan d :
P olan d —- ___
-_
_________ --Portugal, including Azores, C ape V erde, a n d M adeira
Sw eden__
Sw itzerland
. . ______ _____ __________
..
Y ugoslavia, __________ . . . __________ ________ O ther E u ro p e.
..
- .
T otal, Europe
_
_ _ . .
C hina_____________ _ .
. . . . ____ •_ ______
_____ _
In d ia __________
Ja p a n __________ . . .
_
_ ....
.
Palestine_________ .
.................................
___
Persia_____ ____ . . . . . . . ___________ . . . . . . .
S y ria ... ___ ______ . . . . . . .
T u rk ey in A sia_________________ ____ ______________
O ther A sia_______
.
. . ________
_ ______
M ay, 1927
July, 1926,
to
M ay, 1927
37
80
89
13
221
12
248
6
37
301
4, 934
227
989
745
213
3, 391
219
2, 332
135
424
4,189
46, 575
11
72
62
8
242
1, 058
33
1, 509
92
212
82
3, 534
2, 507
16
115
12
159
706
589
9,420
467
12, 050
1,024
1, 852
773
26, 970
15, 564
389
720
104
1, 648
5,913
8,395
451
3
55
21
103
94
45
680
223
14
121
22
M ay, 1927
35
2
46
149
955
Ju ly , 1926,
to
M ay, 1927
216
385
415
109
1,888
6
443
12
391
1,270
3, 937
210
89
95
1,042
1
30
4
37
268
173
4,246
165
1, 348
28
2,909
713
966
16, 825
16
257
8
353
1,537
2,173
542
1,125
1,097
394
7,978
1, 997
198
1,075
364
145
101
20
117
125
53
2, 224
1,086
216
1,908
799
503
174
1, 719
10
17, 925
159, 504
4, 775
49,103
2
107
17
70
47
4
39
7
18
8
1, 371
85
651
436
31
572
48
201
294
5
121
7
5
28
4
1
19
3,926
120
1,102
130
27
155
69
40
22
__________ . . .
309
3,403
467
5,588
C an ad a___________ _ _______ _______ _ ___ _ _
N ew foundland_____ _______
___ _____ _ . . .
Mexico____________ . . . . . ______ . . . . . . . . .
C uba ___________ _____ _ ____________ . . . ______
O ther W est In d ies______ __________________ . . . ___
B ritish H o n d u ra s.. ______ _______________ _____ _
5, 259
385
6, 856
339
124
4
156
85
272
75, 398
2,848
60, 239
2,722
927
107
1,430
987
2,444
237
73
148
139
128
2
53
6
83
1, 759
337
2, 762
1,397
1,919
15
569
179
1,038
13, 481
147,103
869
9, 975
17
14
59
14
212
258
436
225
34
25
328
117
104
1,165
37
567
31,819
311,175
6,148
65, 233
T otal, A sia_______ ________ _
O ther South America . __________________ _______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[454]
1
1
4
4
4
20
74
30
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
231
T able 4 —A L I E N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924 D U R IN G M A Y , 1927, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1, 1926, TO M A Y 31, 1927, B Y
C O U N T R Y OR A R E A O F B IR T H
[Quota im m igrant aliens are charged to th e quota; nonim m igrant and nonquota im m igrant aliens are
not charged to th e quota]
A dm itted
Quota im m igrant
C ountry or area of b irth
A nnual
quota
Ju ly 1,
1926,to
M ay 31,
1927
A lbania.............. ....... ........................... . .
100
100
A ustria_______________ ______ - .........
785
Belgium__________________________
i 512
B ulgaria__________________________
100
Czechoslovakia_________ _______ _
3,073
Danzig, Free C ity o f _____ ________
228
Denmark _____ . . . _____ ________
» 2,789
E stonia__________________________
124
F in lan d __________________________
471
i 3, 954
F rance_____________ ____ ____ ____
G erm any........ .........................................
51,227
G reat B ritain an d N o rth ern Ireland:
E ngland______ ______________ |
N orthern Irela n d ______________
Scotland__ ______ ____________
W ales.......................................... ....... J
Greece______________________ _____
100
H u n g ary ____ ______________ ____
473
I c e la n d --------- ---------------------------100
Irish Free S ta te .....................................
28, 567
Ita ly _________ ___________ _____ _
' i 3,845
L atv ia___________________________
142
L iechtenstein______ _______________
100
L ith u an ia _________________ _______
344
Luxem burg___________ __________
100
M onaco. ____ ______ _____________
100
N e th erla n d s..........................................
i 1,648
N orw ay__ ______ _________________
6,453
Poland ______________
_____. . .
5,982
Portugal_______________ _________
i 503
R u m an ia_________________________
603
R ussia_____ _____ ________________
1 2, 248
San M a r in o .._______________ ____
100
Spain______ ____ _________________
i 131
Sweden .
________ ______ __
9, 561
Sw itzerland___________ _________
2,081
T u rk ey in E u ro p e_________________
i 100
Y ugoslavia_______________________
671
O ther E u ro p e_____________ ____ _
0)
T otal Europe_______________
93
8
846
536
119
2,978
209
2,462
127
440
3,454
47,636
M ay,
1927
15
71
61
5
104
11
245
5
36
268
5, 009
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
Ju ly 1,
1926,to
M ay 31,
1927
664
6
1, 473
1, 558
222
3,635
51
2,129
106
1, 569
5,635
13,634
M ay,
1927
T otal
during
M ay,
1927
G rand
to tal
Ju ly 1,
1926,
to
M ay 31,
1927
86
101
757
91
167
15
310
4
209
11
92
391
1,264
162
228
20
414
15
454
16
128
659
6,273
2,319
2,094
341
6,613
'260
4,591
233
2,009
9,089
61, 270
2,707
27
833
85
414
134
4
483
6,571
12
3,901
86
2,398
185
422
182
10
4, 286
6,987
20
35,738
1,314
22, 369
2,081
3,992
2,199
85
35, 514
37,412
406
122
9
3
195
614
520
490
154
219
153
18
4
327
1,320
917
500
216
337
1,238
217
18
3, 766
10, 332
12,423
3,079
2,454
4, 777
1,193
369
198
43
209
24
1,198
990
409
47
261
38
6,161
12, 436
4,298
1,193
2,972
432
f 11,671
1
849
1 13, 185
l 1,142
160
476
61
30,352
3,830
166
24
330
97
8
1,485
5, 959
5,645
430
704
1,947
72
155
8, 585
1,876
82
601
256
1,194
59
1, 565
100
8
48
6
3,803
416
8
1
31
9
1
132
706
397
10
62
118
5
621
211
4
52
14
24,067
465
9,184
939
3,832
1,723
24
5,162
33, 582
240
1
908
120
10
2,281
4, 373
6,778
2,649
1, 750
2,830
3
6,006
3,851
2,422
1, 111
2,371
176
15, 411
147, 540
18, 272
33,683
296, 596
2
1
1
4
105
1
13
3
14
2
18
161
624
59
2
587
632
76
9
588
47
8
53
10
7,907
605
102
6,633
2
1
482
162
i 161, 422
149,056
A fghanistan.. ______ __________
A rabia______________________ _____
A rm enia__________________________
B h u ta n ________ _______ _________
C h in a___________________________
In d ia ___________________ _______
Iraq (M esopotam ia)_____________
Japan _ ._ __________ . . . . . .
M uscat__________________ ______
N epal_______________________
Palestine_________________________
P ersia............. . . . _________
Siam ..............
_ _ ...
Syria______
_ _____ ____
T u rk ey in Asia______________
O ther Asia _________________
100
100
124
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
(>)
C1)
1
14
56
1
120
99
75
23
134
77
1
124
36
191
6
2
7,787
506
27
6,610
2
1
348
85
5
1
12
853
740
172
96
138
19
101
139
31
977
776
363
T otal Asia________ __________
1,424
952
62
17, 266
1, 598
1,660
18, 218
8
17
7
1
1 A nnual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in O ther Europe, O ther Asia, O ther Africa,
O ther Pacific, and in America, is included w ith th e annual quota for th e European country to w hich th e y
belong. Quota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk ey in Europe.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[455]
232
M ONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
T able 4 ,- A L I E N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IMMTGR ATTOixr
A dm itted
Country or area of birth
A nnual
quota
Quota im m igrant
Ju ly 1,
1926, to
M ay 31,
1927
Cameroon (B ritish )___
Cameroon (F ren ch )___
E g y p t ......................... .
E th io p ia _____________
L iberia_______________
Morocco_____________
R uan d a a n d U ru n d i__
South Africa, U nion of.
South W est Africa____
T an g an y ik a__________
Togoland (B ritish )____
Togoland (F ren ch )___ _
O ther Africa...... ..............
May,
1927
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
Ju ly 1,
1926, to
M ay 31,
1927
M ay,
1927
G rand
to ta l
July 1,
1926,
to
M ay 31,
1927
T otal
during
M ay,
1927
100
100
100
100
100
100
131
229
3
19
5
38
373
523
1
100
100
100
150
1
100
1
1
100
100
(')
Total, Africa.
20
1, 200
A ustralia____
N a u r u ...____
N ew Zealand.
N ew G uinea..
Samoa______
Y a p ________
O ther Pacific.
121
100
100
100
151
3, 252
109
' " ’979"
3
100
100
(>)
Total, Pacific.
C anada.
N ew foundland______
Mexico...... ....................
C u b a ....................... .
D om inican R epublic.
H a iti_______________
B ritish W est In d ies...
D u tc h W est In d ie s ...
French W est In d ie s ..
0)
0)
0)
B ritish H onduras_____
C anal Z o n e ...._______
O ther C entral A m erica.
306
"
95 ’
3,403
104
"1,088
13
5
144
16
16
5
160
279
4,393
420
441
4, 672
603
31
30
73, 977
4, 905
73, 810
8,247
844
214
4, 374
175
58
5, 504
575
7,499
1, 128
118
27
631
16
5,504
575
7,499
1, 128
118
27
692
16
10
12
73, 977
4,905
73, 810
8,247
844
214
4, 977
206
3
381
3
381
1, 476
140
15
201
201
22
27
1, 476
193
17
4,959
635
635
4,959
(0
84
36
3, 052
B razil.
B ritish G u ian a______
D u tc h G uiana______
French G u ian a______
O ther South Am erica.
1
137
36
3, 052
10
1
G reenland_____________
M iquelon a n d St. Pierre.
T otal, A m erica_________
G rand total, all countries.
164, 667
778
71
176,407
16, 762
16,833
177,185
2 151, 393
15, 585
346,249
37,133
52, 718
497, 642
u 1,ai;elUOtil,i°r coA
l onle?> dependencies, or protectorates in O ther Europe, O ther Asia, O ther Africa
O ther Pacific, a n d in America, is included w ith th e an n u al qu o ta for th e European country to which
th e y belong Quota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk ey in E urope
laofi 1*°^n<du des aliens t ° w hom visas were issued during th e la tte r p a rt of th e fiscal year ended June 30
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
a s i « „ ? K aeS*,‘on“ll,i'
[456]
d” s
S
3
233
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T able 6 .—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T O F 1924 D U R IN G M A Y , 1927, A N D F R O M J U L Y 1, 1926, TO M A Y 31, 1927, BY S P E O IT I E D CLA SSES
ÍThe num b er of im m igrants appearing in th is table and in T able 4 is not comparable w ith th e n um ber of
statistical im m igrant aliens shown in th e other tables, b y races, countries, States, and occupations]
July,
1926,
to M ay,
1927
M ay,
1927
Class
N o n im m ig r a n ts
T em porary visitors for—
529
5,145
2,334
4, 722
3,358
115
20,691
33,165
25,694
1,116
11,058
85,811
i 1,164
> 1,020
9,864
i 8, 749
i 7, 284
89,262
212, 728
2 144, 781
N o n q u o ta im m ig r a n ts
N atives of C anada, N ew foundland, Mexico, C uba, H a iti, D om inican R epublic,
87
682
137
139
4
1803
1 163
542
294
609
130
38
19
1,729
4,312
781
933
9
26,075
260,438
i 83
133
49
28
52
3
2
S tu d e n ts________________ _____ ______________ ______ ________________________
W ives of v eteran s__________________________________________________________ --
15,585
151, 393
52, 718
497,642
1 W ives and unm arried children u n d er 18 years Of age born in qu o ta countries.
2D oes n o t include aliens b o rn in nonquota countries w ho w ere ad m itted u n d e r th e act as G overnm ent
officials, visitors, returning residents, etc.
55507°—27----- 16
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[457]
ACTIVITIES OF STATE LABOR BUREAUS
MONG the labor activities of State bureaus the following, re
ported either directly by the bureaus themselves or through
the medium of their printed reports, are noted in the present
issue of the Labor Review:
California. Changes in volume of employment and pay roll in
795 establishments in the State, page 147.
Colorado. -Report of operations under the State workmen’s com
pensation act, page 62.
Iowa. Changes in volume of employment in industries in the
State, page 149.
Maryland.— Volume of employment and pay roll in certain indus
tries, page 150.
Massachusetts.— Changes in volume of employment in 1,036 man
ufacturing establishments, page 151.
New Jersey. Changes in volume of employment and amount of
pay roll m 867 establishments, page 152.
Pennsylvania. Conference on industrial nursing, page 59; and
changes in volume of employment, in man-hours worked, and in
pay-roll totals, page 154.
West Virginia.—Economic position of the Negro, page 27; coal
mine accidents, page 53; and report of operations under the'State
workmen’s compensation act, page 63.
Wisconsin.—Report of operations under the State workmen’s com
pensation act, page 64;and data on changes in volume of employ
ment and pay roll in Wisconsin industries, page 155.
A
234
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[45S]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
Official— United States
Ninth report, for the biennium December
1, 1924, to December 1, 1926. Denver, 1926. 99 pp., folders.
C o l o r a d o .— Industrial Commission.
Reviewed briefly on page 62 of this issue.
M a i n e .— Department of Labor and Industry.
years 1925-1926. [Augusta, 1926?] 41 PP-
Eighth biennial report for fiscal
The seasonal character of the occupations of large numbers of Maine workers
leads to serious unemployment in the State each spring and fall. The Maine
Department of Labor in cooperation with the Federal Department of Labor
is endeavoring to devise a scheme to meet this difficulty.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— Department o f Labor and Industries. Annual report on the
statistics of labor for the year ending November 80, 1926. Part I II —Salaries
of office employees in Massachusetts, May 1, 1926. [Boston, 1927?] 59 pp.,
chart. Public document No. 15.
A review of the mimeographed report on this subject, issued in advance of the
final report listed above, was published in the Review for January, 1927 (p. 141).
W e s t V ir g in ia .— Bureau o f Negro Welfare and Statistics. Report, 1925-26:
The Negro in West Virginia. Charleston [1927?]. 147 pp.
Reviewed on page 27 of this issue.
------ Compensation Commissioner. Annual report, July 1, 1924, to June 80,
1925. Charleston [1926?]. ii, 126 pp.
Reviewed on page 63 of this issue.
------ Department of Mines. Annual report, from July 1, 1924, to December 81,
1925. Charleston [1926?]. 324 PP-
Data on coal-mine accidents in West Virginia, taken from this report are pub
lished on page 53 of this issue.
W i s c o n s i n .— Industrial Commission.
Biennial report, 1924-1926. Madison,
1926. 58 pp., chart.
This report contains information on safety and sanitation, public and private
employment offices, woman and child labor, workmen’s compensation, appren
ticeship, etc., as governed by the laws of Wisconsin, and on the work done by
the commission in carrying out the laws.
------------ - Workmen’s compensation, thirteenth report, July 1, 1924, to June 80,
1926. [Madison, 19261] 65 pp.
Reviewed on page 64 of this issue.
U n it e d S t a t e s .— Department of Agriculture.
Yearbook of agriculture, 1926.
Washington, 1927. xxi, 1298 pp., illustrations, charts.
Articles from this yearbook are reprinted on pages 35, and 103 of this issue.
------ Department of Commerce. Bureau of Mines. Bulletin No. 259: Placer
mining methods and costs in Alaska, by Norman L. Wimmler.
1927. ‘ vii, 236 pp., map, diagrams, illustrations.
Washington,
Wage data from this report are given on page 108 of this issue.
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M ONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
S t a t e s .— D epartm ent of Labor. Children’s Bureau. Publication No.
17b: Lhild welfare conditions and resources in seven Pennsylvania counties
Washington, 1927. vii, 805 pp.
'
U n i™
Gives the results of an investigation made a t the request of the Pennsylvania
Children’s Commission. Seven counties, considered representative of social
and economic conditions in different parts of the State, were selected, and a
careful study was m ade of th e laws, conditions, and practices relating to child
welfare. The special purposes of th e study were (1) to find out in each of the
communities studied th e extent and nature of th e problems relating to children
in need of special care; (2) to review the m ethods employed by these communi
ties to deal w ith these problems; (3) to find o u t th e extent to which activities
m the interest of individual children embodied such principles and standards of
social work as to give assurance th a t th e expenditure of tim e and money was
productive of perm anent and beneficial results.
" " Women’s Bureau. Bulletin No. 56: Women in Tennessee industries—
a study of hours, wages, and working conditions. Washinqion, 1927 vii
120 pp., chart.
’
Reviewed on page 40 of this issue.
’
Bulletin No. 58: Women in Delaware industries—a study of
hours, wages, and working conditions. Washington, 1927. vii, 156 pp.
""
Reviewed on page 38 of this issue.
Official— Foreign Countries
(S o u t h A u s t r a l ia ). Statistical Office. Statistical register of the
State of South Australia for the year 1925-26. Part V: Production. Sec, °.j 1iJn'~Vorl °n agricultural, livestock, and manufactory statistics. Ade
laide, 1927. 80 pp.
A u s t r a l ia
Contains d ata on num ber of workers employed in agriculture and in various
industries, to ta l am ounts paid in wages, etc.
(W e s t e r n A u s t r a l ia ).— Registry D epartm ent.
ern Australia, 1927. Perth, 1927. 108 pp.
Pocket yearbook of West
Contains statistics of em ploym ent, rates of wages of adult workers in principal
occupations, average retail prices of commodities in P erth, 1925 and 1926, index
num bers of purchasing power of money, friendly societies, building and coopera
tive and provident societies, trade-union membership, etc.
Lfine, 1925.
Anuario estadístico de la República de
Vol. V111 — Minería y metalurgia. Santiago, 1926. vii, 57 pp.
^ ntTar l E ^ . d i s t i c a .
D ata on wages in the coal and the copper mines of Chile are published on page
109 of this issue.
B o a rd of T ra d e . Statistical abstract for the United Kingdom
for eMh of the fifteen years from 1911 to 1925. Seventieth number. London,
1927. x, 367 pp. [Cmd. 2849.)
G r e a t B r it a in
D ata on pensions, poor relief, and unem ploym ent insurance in England and
Wales, taken from th is report, are given on page 65 of this issue.
©inCJ n i / ial rAss«rance Commissioner.
31, 1926. London, 1927. 177 pp.
Report for the year ending December
Contains reports of decisions in disputed cases, and gives for th e industrial
insurance and collecting societies covered d ata as to business done, capital
involved, num ber of policies lapsed, kinds of benefit paid, and th e like.
«?ynCi f a t i g u e
Research Board.
31, 1926. London, 1927. 28 pp.
Seventh annual report, to December
Discusses briefly th e various investigations carried on by th e board during
1926, am ong which were studies of hours of labor, accident causation, physiology
of ventilation, vocational guidance, sickness in cotton-weaving sheds and in the
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printing industry, weight carrying and lifting by women, load carrying by men,
atm ospheric conditions in mines, and telegraphists’ cramp.
G r e a t B r it a in .— Registry of Friendly Societies. Report for the year 1925. Part
3: Industrial and provident societies. Part 4: Trade-unions. London, 1927.
[Various paging.]
The societies covered in P a rt 3 include a great variety of activities, such as
trading, credit, production and distribution, land and housing operations, and
general cooperative developm ent schemes. In 1924 there were in G reat Britain
5,801 of these societies, w ith a membership of 5,685,000 and assets of £202,375,000.
Full statistical details are given, w ith description of the work carried on by the
different organizations.
P a rt 4 contains d ata for th e year ending December 31, 1924, which show an
upw ard tren d for trade-unionism , b u t which, owing to th e developm ents of 1925
and 1926, appear m uch out of date. In view of th e argum ents now being
advanced in support of th e G overnm ent’s trade-union bill, th e m ost interesting
section of th e report is th e discussion of a com plaint brought by a trade-union
m ember th a t his union h ad com m itted a breach of th e rules concerning political
activity in th a t it had paid an affiliation fee to th e Trades-Union Congress o ut of
its general fund, to which all members m ust contribute, instead of from its politi
cal fund, from which a m em ber m ight ‘‘contract o u t” if he did n o t wish to
support th e union’s political policy. Such com plaints have been very rare,
and this was th e only one received during th e year. The findings of th e reg
istrar, before whom th e m a tte r was argued, are given in full, th e conclusion
reached being th a t no breach of th e rules had occurred and th a t th e member
had no valid ground of com plaint.
I n t e r n a t io n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .—Credit
cooperation as adapted to the needs of
the worker, by Roy F. Bergengren. Geneva, 1927. 32 pp. (Reprinted from
International Labor Review, May, 1927, pp. 709-740.)
Reviewed on page 68 of this issue.
■ --- International Labor Conference, tenth session, Geneva, May, 1927.
mentary report on sickness insurance.
1927. 45 pp.
Supple
(First item on the agenda.) Geneva,
Contains th e replies of Greece, Irish Ffee State, L ithuania, and Yugoslavia
to th e questionnaire on sickness insurance sent out by th e International Labor
Office, which had not been received when th e previous rep o rt was published.
■ --- International labor directory, Part VI: Cooperative organizations. Geneva,
1927. viii, 110 pp.
A directory of cooperative organizations, printed in English, French, and
German, classified by countries and arranged so as to show th e affiliations of
societies. Each nam e entry also gives th e date of foundation, chief officials,
th e names of any periodicals published, affiliation, and membership. Supple
m entary tables are included showing am ount of business of trading societies,
banks and credit societies, and insurance societies.
U n io n o f S o u t h A f r ic a .— Office of Census and Statistics. Official yearbook of
the Union and of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland,
covering the period 1910-1925. No. 8— 1925. Pretoria, 1927. xxx, 1130 pp.,
maps, charts.
Gives an account of the history and development of th e Union, w ith a discus
sion of th e situation in 1925, covering its principal social, economic, and industrial
aspects. The sections of interest to labor include d a ta on labor conditions,
unem ploym ent, trade-unions, operations of arbitration boards, apprenticeship,
labor legislation, wages and hours of labor, m iners’ phthisis, wholesale and
retail prices, housing and rents, cost of living, farm labor, agricultural cooperation,
conditions of native labor, etc.
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Unofficial
La nature, Vorganisation et le 'programme des syndicats
ouvriers chrétiens. Paris, Action Populaire, 1926. 323 pp.
A r e n d t , J o s e p h S. J .
The retardation in th e developm ent of C hristian trade-unionism in some
localities and th e checks and setbacks of th e m ovem ent in other localities should,
th e author holds, be largely attrib u te d to the lack of properly prepared leaders
among th e C hristian workers.
History of the Labor Research Department. London, Labor
Research Department, 1926. 62 pp.
F a b ia n S o c ie t y . Tract No. 222: The trades disputes and trades-union bill:
an analysis and commentary by William A. Robson. London, 1927. 8 pp.
A rnot, R , P age.
An analysis of th e bill from th e standpoint of an opponent. One or tw o of
th e points which th e au th o r attack s m ost strongly were am ended while th e bill
was under discussion, b u t in th e m ain his argum ents have not been affected.
B u r e a u o n W o m e n ’s W o r k ( T o l e d o , O h io ). The floating
Toledo, 305 Commerce Guardian Building, 1927. 1+9 pp.
I n f o r m a t io n
world.
A study of 126 nonfam ily working women in Toledo, Ohio, w ith particular
reference to their m anner of living and th e reasons for th eir frequent changes of
residence, w ith some discussion of their working experience, including wages, etc.
o f T r a d e U n io n s .
Report on activities during the
years 1921+, 1925, and 1926, submitted to the fourth ordinary congress, Paris,
August, 1927. Amsterdam, 1927. 158 pp.
J o u r n a l o f A d u l t E d u c a t io n . A half-yearly review issued by the British
Institute of Adult Education. Vol. I, No. 1, September, 1926. London.
I n t e r n a t io n a l F e d e r a t io n
Research is th e chief objective of this journal, and th e editors sta te it is th e
first of its size and scope to be devoted to considering ad u lt education, in and
for itself, and aside from th e economic, political, or religious purposes such
education ordinarily serves.
o f N a t io n s U n io n .
Towards industrial peace. Being the report of the
proceedings of a conference organized by the League of Nations Union and
held at the London School of Economics, February 1-1+, 1927, on systems of
fixing minimum wages and methods of conciliation and arbitration. London,
P. S. King & Son (Ltd.), 1927. ,283 pp.
N a t io n a l C h il d L a b o r C o m m it t e e . Fourteen is too early, by Raymond G.
Fuller. New York City, 1927. 1+0 pp.
L eague
The au th o r calls atten tio n to the fact th a t until recently th e early w ithdrawal
of children from school was alleged to be a m atter of economic necessity, b ut
th a t of la te a new justification has been sought in the m ental inferiority of those
Who leave school, as shown by th e results of intelligence tests. D isputing the
validity of this justification, th e author discusses th e bearing of intelligence
tests upon th e real capacity of a child, th e relative value of school and work con
ditions upon norm al developm ent, and th e force of th e argum ents brought for
ward to lim it th e period of compulsory school attendance sharply to 14 years of
age. He emphasizes th e fact th a t w ithdraw al from school is due to m any causes
quite a*part from th e m ental capacity shown by th e tests, and declares th a t " th e
notion th a t a child’s future success depends upon his I. Q. [intelligence quotient]
is arran t nonsense.” From m any quarters comes a claim th a t any raising of th e '
period of full-tim e school attendance is harm ful, because of th e individual differ
ences in children’s abilities an d needs. “ To compel all children, regardless of
these differences, to rem ain in school until 16 is, we are assured, inadvisable from
th e standpoint of th e welfare and education of the child. We reply th a t to release
them en masse a t 14, regardless of these same differences, is still worse. And we
assert th a t unless individual differences in children are b etter provided for even
in our present schools th a n they are ever likely to be in industry, th e schools are
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failing to serve the educational function which justifies their existence.” The
nonadaptation of industry to the individual child is discussed a t some length, and
th e conclusion is reached th a t while m any of th e schools need a different a ttitu d e
and different m ethods, they are, even under present conditions, b etter fitted to
give th e child a chance for proper development th a n is th e kind of industrial
experience open, to a boy or girl o f 14.
W o m e n ’s T r a d e U n i o n L e a g u e o p A m e r i c a .
Proceedings, tenth
biennial convention, Kansas City, Mo., June 28 to July 3, 1926. Chicago
[1926?]. 103 pp.
N a t io n a l
A brief account of this m eeting was published in the October, 1926, issue of the
Review (p. 118).
S q u i r e , R o s e E.
Thirty years in the public service. London, Nisbet & Co.
(Ltd.), 1927. 238 pp.
Factory inspection in England dates back to 1833, b u t it was not until 1893
th a t th e first woman factory inspectors were appointed. The author, one of the
first woman factory inspectors, began her work in th a t year under a local authority
and in December, 1895, was appointed as an inspector in th e Home Office, being
the fo u rth woman so appointed. From th a t tim e until her retirem ent in 1926
she was officially connected in one capacity or another w ith th e question of im
proving conditions for th e workers. H er book constitutes a brief b ut informing
survey of a critical period, which is of interest to all concerned w ith th e history
of labor in G reat Britain, and indicates th e need for further im provem ent, espe
cially in regard to th e factory and tru ck acts. I t is also an interesting picture of
labor conditions, past and present. H er intense interest and delight in her work
are so evident 'th at th e w riter of the foreword suggests th e book m ight well have
been called “ The joyous adventures of Rose Squire,” a suggestion in which the
reader is a p t to concur.
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